Outside of the large port cities of the Inland Sea where the Grassblades remain, the countryside has largely fallen into anarchy. Roving bands of marauders and brigands fight for control of roads on which they act as highwaymen, making shakedowns and bribes necessary for travel of any distance. This situation has made inns like the Squiggly Lamb essential, as they represent safe harbors between long stretches of dangerous roads.

It has also made them targets of those selfsame bandits, who will often extort protection money from the inns and waystations themselves. Larger inns keep their own guards, especially those near small towns, but smaller ones are generally at the mercy of outside forces.

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