“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” There is great wisdom in the words of authors spoken through the characters that they create. I’ve always believed that individuals who immerse themselves in imaginary worlds and dream of futures perhaps no longer possible in our world, are seeking refuge from the hustle and bustle of modern society. There are not enough in-person social events that truly allow and foster this dissociation. I’m hoping our tavern events can provide some refuge from modern life, if even for only a few hours. Taverns and inns are the places in stories where comedy relief often takes place, or the direction of a story is shifted. Come help us recreate that ideology. Adorn a cloak, grab a wooden mug filled with ale, break bread with newly made and like-minded friends, and see where your imagination takes you. Remember, “It’s a dangerous business, going out your door,” but I hope that, together, we can work together to make doing so worthwhile.

The idea of a modern tavern sparked in my mind over ten years ago. After reading lots of fantasy novels and playing way too many video games, I developed a fondness for the quintessential tavern – a place where people gathered to eat, drink, and discuss the trials of the day. Nothing better set the mood of the story then this place. It quickly became my goal to forge the sense of these fictious places in reality. I continually thought of what would make the perfect inn feel right: ale flowing from heavy mugs, patrons ordering the “dinner” which was whatever the cook was preparing that day, coins dancing on the table for payment and gambling, strong tables where men could stand upon them as they sang, wrought iron chandeliers dripping with candle wax, a large hearth with a roaring fire, a shadowy corner where learned men held secret meetings, a trapdoor to the cellar behind the bar. The idea of the perfect tavern continued to develop and was kept mostly in my head or chatted about with friends and family after a few drinks. I hoped that one day I would stumble upon a place such as this; however, no pub ever fit the bill. Even at venues like the Renaissance Faire would fall short. The setting was right, but my experience with it was always very passive. The greatest interaction I would have would be to observe a play or buy something from a vendor. Those situations always made me feel out of place and failed to be immersive.
It is my great hope that with these events we can forge a community and strive forward to building something that feels right. The Tavern at the Crossroads is the beginning of that journey to find that perfect tavern. We’ll find it, one tavern at a time.

Tavern at the Crossroads represents to me, an escape from the all too often, dull & dreary reality of day-to-day life. For a good 15+ years, my life has largely revolved around escapism, which I expect can be typical of your standard introvert. Whether by Movies, TV, Books, Video Games, Tabletop or Board Games, and anything in between, works of fiction often captivate and enthrall me more than any modern news story or divisive social movement. Fantasy in particular tends to offer an escape that can be more than just political or social satire. It allows for a world to be created, which can be built upon its own rules, rather than focusing on how it fits into our reality, abiding by our own mundane principles or perceptions. It can be magical and drenched in whimsy or more grounded in a persuasive atmosphere. Our hope is to capture a portion of these senses by creating an engrossing experience that is centered around a common fantasy or medieval setting: the Tavern. From a personal perspective, the backdrop of the Tavern can provide a comfortable, interactive setting for meeting new people, and give respite from the indifference of social media. Our long-term goal with this project is to create a more authentic experience that provides the ambiance of escaping into a fantasy world. But every great story needs to start somewhere simple, and maybe somewhat mundane unto itself for a time. Tavern at the Crossroads is what I hope to be the first building blocks to that story.