Tavernkeep
A weary wanderer trades ale and armor for the fate of worlds
This is a big upgrade from wiping that table all day. — The Tavernkeep The Tavernkeep is a unique NPC vendor who only accepts Defender Medals as currency for most items instead of coins . He will move in once the following criteria have been met: The Tavernkeep sells sentry summon weapons which are associated with the Old One's Army event and can only be used within that event at first. They function elsewhere only after the event is completed once successfully. Each of the Tavernkeep's sentry summon weapons come in three tiers: rod, cane, and staff, with the staff being the most expensive and the most powerful. The armor he sells also associates each sentry type with a specific class: Ballista for melee or tank-style users, Flameburst for magic users, Explosive Trap for rangers , and Lightning Aura for "speedy melee" (or summoners ). When the player selects the “ Eternia Crystal ” option for the first time, the Tavernkeep will give the player 10 Defender Medals for free. All future Defender Medals must be earned by either defeating the Old One's Army outright or by clearing its later waves. The Tavernkeep will defend himself against nearby enemies by throwing mugs of Ale . He deals 24 / 36 / 42 damage at the start of the game, and gains various stat boosts as the player progresses. The Tavernkeep also has a 1/8 (12.5%) chance of dropping the Ale Tosser upon death. The Unconscious Man is one of the few entities that can be detected by the Lifeform Analyzer or its upgrades. - Item (Quantity) Rate - Ale Tosser 12.5% - Ale - Internal NPC ID : 550 - Internal Projectile ID : 669 - Internal NPC ID : 579 - There is an available vacant house . - Rescuing him as the Unconscious Man , who can be encountered in any layer once the Eater of Worlds or Brain of Cthulhu has been defeat
- Type
- NPC
- Environment
- Valid house
- AI Type
- Passive AI
- Damage
- 24 36 42 ( Ale )
- Max Life
- 250
- Defense
- 15
- KB Resist
- 50%
Lore & Background
Once a humble laborer scrubbing tables in some forgotten corner of the world, he found his destiny bound to the Eternia Crystal's flickering light. Now known simply as the Tavernkeep, he stands as the last line of defense against the encroaching Old One's Army, trading not gold but Defender Medals earned through blood and steel. His tavern is a sanctuary amidst chaos, where the clink of mugs masks the distant roar of demons and the scent of roasted meat competes with the ozone of arcane traps.
He speaks of artifacts that summon towers of flame, lightning, and iron, gifts meant to fortify the weak against an endless tide. These sentries are his legacy, bound to the Etherian Mana only the brave can harvest from the battlefield. Whether clad as a Squire or a Valhalla Knight, he offers protection in exchange for courage, urging travelers to stockpile their medals before the mechanical horrors of Hardmode rise.
Even in defeat, he remains resilient, his mug thrown with surprising force against any who dare threaten his realm. To find him is to stumble upon an unconscious man in the depths of a corrupted cavern, a silent plea for aid that transforms into a bustling hub of war preparations once rescued.
In Their Own Story
The rain hammered against the cobblestones as you descended into the damp underbelly of the world, your lantern casting long, trembling shadows. There he lay, the Unconscious Man, slumped against a mossy wall, his breathing shallow and ragged. You knelt, the Hunter Potion in your satchel glowing faintly, confirming what your eyes already saw: this was no ordinary traveler.
Hours later, the scene had shifted from despair to industry. The man now stood behind a makeshift counter, his apron stained with ale and soot, a steaming mug in hand. He looked up, his eyes sharp despite the earlier fatigue. "Welcome," he muttered, sliding a fresh drink across the wood. "First round's on the house, but the real work costs medals." You watched as he tossed a mug at a stray slime scurrying near the door, the liquid exploding with force before it could harm him. He grinned, the tension in his shoulders easing. "The Old One's Army waits for no one," he said, gesturing to the Eternia Crystal stand beside him. "But neither do we." In that moment, the tavern was no longer a shelter; it was a fortress waiting to be born.
Reader's Guide
To summon the Tavernkeep, you must first defeat either the Eater of Worlds or Brain of Cthulhu, then search for an unconscious man in any layer of the world. Use a Hunter Potion to locate him easily. Once rescued and provided with a valid vacant house, he will move in permanently.
He thrives in The Hallow or Snow biomes and prefers neighbors like the Demolitionist, Goblin Tinkerer, Guide, Dye Trader, or Princess for optimal happiness. His shop operates on a unique currency: Defender Medals. While his initial five items cost coins (affected by discounts), all sentry weapons and armor require medals earned exclusively from the Old One's Army event.
His inventory is pivotal for progression, offering three tiers of sentry summon weapons (rod, cane, staff) and two sets of armor per class: Ballista for melee/tank, Flameburst for magic, Explosive Trap for rangers, and Lightning Aura for speed-focused summons. Each tier unlocks after successfully completing the event once. Stockpile 60 medals before mechanical bosses and 210 before Golem to maximize efficiency. He also sells Eternia Crystals and stands, essential for triggering the event that grants his unique rewards.
Did You Know?
- The Tavernkeep drops the Ale Tosser weapon with a 1/8 chance upon death.
- Holding an Ale item near him triggers a toast animation where he mimics your action.
- Defeating mechanical bosses increases Eternia Crystal prices, encouraging early stockpiling.
- Submerging in Shimmer transforms his appearance but grants no gameplay benefits.