masterlist entry | spreadsheet | player profile
Current GP: 10

available as a creator | all art & writing welcome | may be freely used in others’ stories

handy | industrious | determined | quiet

At the edge of a crumbling and dusty town in the plains lies an old inn. From the outside it doesn’t look like much; the porch and roof are crooked and buckling, there are gaps in the sun-bleached wood siding, a few shingles are missing, and an old faded sign creaks as the breeze rocks it. Inconspicuous and unassuming, it’s easy to miss as you’re passing through. At night a warm and inviting light spills through the windows onto the dirt road, and frequently the sounds of music - fiddles, harmonicas, guitars - and laughter can be heard escaping beneath the entrance door. Despite its modest outer appearance, the Inn’s cozy interior is well-maintained and offers a respite for visitors and locals alike whether they are looking for a place to sleep, a drop to drink, or a bite to eat.

The inn is run by a charming, tiny elderly woman named Abbey. Abbey is quick-witted, spry, and sharp as a tack, but struggles some days to keep up with the work of tending to visitors and making sure the old building doesn’t crumble. Her family continuously urge her to sell the inn and retire, but she can’t imagine a life outside of it and enjoys what she does, despite that it seems to be getting increasingly difficult. Abbey has a sweet, lazy grey cat named Thistle who was brought in help keep mice at bay but fails spectacularly at this job, much preferring to laze around guests who sneak him treats. There’s also a resident dog named Beau who wandered in one spring day and simply decided he was never going to leave. He’s a little more trouble than Thistle is, and while Abbey never agreed to allow him to stay, she hasn’t exactly kicked him out either.

And then there is another resident, or so the stories Abbey tells aside the fire at night go. Affectionally named “Mallow” after the globemallow petals and flowers that are often found scattered throughout the place, the inn appears to be haunted by a ghost. Abbey believes this benevolent spirit came to help her in her old age - lightbulbs that are broken one day are mysteriously repaired the next, leaky spigots stop dripping of their own accord, and squeaky doors go quiet before she can tend to them. Perhaps this ghost was always there but kept to itself until Abbey needed the help, or perhaps it wandered in from elsewhere at just the right time. Either way, Abbey is happy to tell stories about it and is very thankful for its help. Some visitors believe the stories and have heard or seen strange things happen during their stays, while others believe the old lady may just be, well, getting a little old.

Countryside Inn

The inn is open to esk guests as well as humans; it has all manner of cozy nooks and crannies for plant ghosts to tuck themselves away should they need a rest. Mallow enjoys company but admittedly is not the best host; she is introverted and quiet, preferring to keep to herself maintaining things, but is kind and well-intentioned and will try to help others be comfortable. However, she will not tolerate guests who cause any degree of hassle for Abbey, Thistle, or Beau!

Impressions

• Mallow’s vibration is steady, quiet, and calm; it carries no unique or distinguishing features, and likely would not stand out in a crowd of esk. She does not enjoy attention and so having a pretty run-of-the-mill vibration is a-ok with her.

• She’s about as tall as your average house cat, and is light on her feet and very nimble as not to cause the inn to creak where she moves.

• Abbey frequently talks at Mallow, thinking she is a human-ghost of some sort, but Mallow does not reciprocate the conversation or communicate in return. Abbey also cannot see Mallow. This is often much to Mallow’s frustration as she is incredibly fond and protective of her old friend and wants to help her out. Instead, she does her best in other ways such as taking care of things that need repair in the inn, shoo’ing out animals, and keeping an eye on visitors

• She enjoys being busy and put to work to fix practical problems, Puzzles and problems to solve excite her, and she seldom lets things go until she can reach the solution. She tends to be a little bit aloof and quiet, but put her to a task you need solving and she’ll shine. She’s very deft, clever, and useful to have around!

• Her globemallow is fully bloomed when she is most comfortable or content, and will recoil into closed buds when she is a nervous, uncertain, or tired. The blossoms around her right eye are always bloomed. She has a tendency to drop stray petals here and there, though she tries not to.

• She occasionally leaves her boundary upon invitation to visit friends, though she is increasingly reluctant to do so as Abbey gets older and needs more assistance.

Relationships & Stories

Abbey - Elderly inkeeper, Mallow’s dear friend
Thistle - Inn’s resident cat; enjoyed company
Beau - Inn’s resident dog; a forgivable troublemaker

1035 | Gideon - a nearby and friendly neighbor
1467 | Xiǎoxiǎo - bringer of fresh fruits
3290 | Vizka - fellow puzzle-solver

None yet

Mallow’s transformations are most likely to be on small animals that get a little lost inside or around the inn, as well as humans, but she might occasionally transform inanimate objects if they seem special to her in some way.

Gallery

Click images to view fully. Much of this artwork is not mine but has been gifted or commissioned. Credits and links to these wonderful artists’ profiles are listed - on desktop, hover over the image; on mobile, you will have to hit the white circle in the bottom right corner (I am working on trying to find a different solution to the latter.)