The White Steed and the Golden Ox
(Boarding, Veterinary, and Farrier Services)
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Village Stables & Vet/Farrier

   Rourk Grenlad (lvl 4 expert) serves as the village veterinarian and farrier. He grew up in the village, tending to goats and sheep in the highlands. Although he was born in Greyhawk, rumor has it that his mother died of a wasting sickness shortly after he was born. His father, Ash Grenlad, an affluent Greyhawk merchant, had a breakdown upon the loss of his wife and moved to Kurgin's Crossing with his young son to take up goat farming. The death of his wife made Ash realize that the high-pressure, busy Greyhawk life had given him little time for his family. He had only lost his nerve for the business world, not his affluence, and therefore doted on his son, the last link to his beloved wife.
   When Rourk reached an acceptable age, Ash used some of his former influence (and a bit of cash) and sent Rourk for an apprenticeship with the finest veterinarian in Greyhawk. Rourk, raised in the rural life, had an affinity for animals, and quickly picked up the skills that made him a rival for even more seasoned veterinarians. While in Greyhawk, he also picked up a bit of farrier experience during his apprenticeship (horses shod by inept farriers always end up at the vet's). He eventually began his own veterinary service in Greyhawk, aided by capital provided by his father. However, the posh nobles in Greyhawk treated their animals poorly. After less than a year, Rourk could no longer stand to work for these people who did not have any appreciation for their stock.
   He decided to move back to Kurgin's Crossing, where particularly the equine/bovine stock is appreciated for its value to the farming effort. His father expended some of the last of his cash reserves to build a magnificent (for Kurgin's Crossing anyway) stable facility where Rourk could serve the needs of the village community as veterinarian and farrier. In addition, the stable, called "The White Steed", provides excellent boarding care for travelers who need to stable their livestock. (The Forgotten Cairn often refers horse owners when their own equine facilities are overtaxed or for those visitors who are staying for an extended period. Generally all non-equine livestock is referred, as the FC is not equipped for their care.) Rourk employs 3 full-time assistants to help him tend for the facilities. Although he is busy, some townfolk say his business is actually supported by continuing returns from wise Greyhawk-based investments made by him or his father. Since he utilizes a small forge for horse shoeing, he even occasionally performs minor blacksmithing tasks when the other smiths are unavailable. Rourk's father Ash has grown somewhat senile, and can often be found at the Forgotten Cairn telling old war stories to anyone who will listen. Since he has never seen any combat, the accuracy of these tales is somewhat questionable, though Ash certainly sounds convincing. Rourk has never married, though rumors of possible wealth have certainly provided ample prospective brides. Rourk is pleasant enough that people enjoy doing business with him, but in his own words "I understand horses far better than I understand women", so perhaps only a woman that was an "animal person" would stand a chance of captivating him.
   The primary competition comes from a livestock yard called "The Golden Ox" outside of town. For a considerably lower fee, any manner of livestock can be kept in their muddy pens. Brig Stapleton, the owner, is definitely not an "animal person". He does provide a cheaper alternative, but many of his clients' animals end up at The White Steed for veterinary care eventually anyway. Maybe if he paid to have the pens cleaned more often, the conditions would be better. Brig is actually too cheap to hire help, so his wife May and their two sons do the majority of what work is eventually done. Considering the stench of the place, it is a good thing his facilities are outside of town, though that side of the village still gets a good whiff when the wind blows the wrong way. Brig does run a modest dairy and beef operation from "The Golden Ox" as well.

Rourk Grenclad
Male Human Exp4; CR 4;Medium-size humanoid (human); hp 17;Init+0; Spd 30 ft.;AC 10;Atk +1; Melee (1d4/19-20x2 crit, dagger/scalpel);AL LG; SV Fort+0, Ref+0, Will+3; Str 12, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 13, Wis 16, Cha 14.
Skills and Feats:: Animal Empathy +8, Handle Animal +8, Heal +10, Knowledge (veterinary herbal remedies) +6, Knowledge (nature) +2, Profession (veterinarian) +10, Profession (farrier) +8, Ride +1, Wilderness Lore +4
Possessions: Dagger, Potion of cure light wounds.

Brig Stapleton
Male Human Rogue 2; CR 2;Medium-size humanoid (human); hp 8;Init+3; Spd 30 ft.;AC 16;Atk +1; Melee (1d6/19-20x2 crit, short sword);AL N; SV Fort+0, Ref+3, Will+0; Str 12, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 8.
Skills and Feats:: Dodge, Mobility, Appraise +5, Bluff +4, Diplomacy +2, Forgery +5, Hide +7, Intimidate +4, Listen +3, Move Silently +4, Pick Pocket +8, Profession (farmer) +1, Sense Motive +5, Spot +5, Tumble +8.
Possessions: Leather Armor, Short Sword, Ring of prot +1.
The White Steed

   Dimensions: 200'x100' With an additional 30'x100' for outside paddocks behind the veterinary stalls.

  There are 20 standards stalls in the White Steed for short or long-term boarding. The indoor riding arena is 140'x60' and provides for regular exercise of the boarded or veterinary patient horses. The veterinary area includes cabinets on the entire west wall which contain a variety of veterinary supplies, as well as a stocks and an operating table for veterinary procedures. There are 5 additional large stalls behind the vet area for a quarantine environment away from the boarded horses. These stalls open out onto 30'x20' paddocks behind each stall for those patients that need some extra sunlight. The upper floor includes two long hay lofts with openings down to the standard stalls for ease of feeding. There are viewing windows down onto the riding arena where anyone can watch the activities. Rourk Grenclad lives in the remaining 40'x100' portion of the upper floor, so he can be close to his patients.



The Golden Ox
  The Golden Ox has 6 outdoor pens (radius 50' on each) for boarding horses. They are not protected from the elements, and have a deep layer of manure, but they are cheap. Brig Stapleton, the owner, has a huge 140'x300' paddock with way too many cows in it. He uses the animals for both dairy and beef (they become beef when they tick him off). Brig has a fairly large, but run down house (70'x140', 2 levels). Rumor has it that Brig swindled the place from a wealthy rancher years ago.