The First Thaw
The First Thaw began as a roadside bakehouse, known for the scent of rye loaves drifting through the village each spring after the frost broke. A succession of travelers began asking to sleep beside its ovens, and the baker's family added rooms above the shop. The ovens are gone now, but the name remains, and the inn still bakes its bread before dawn.
The First Thaw
Overview
History
The First Thaw began as a roadside bakehouse, known for the scent of rye loaves drifting through the village each spring after the frost broke. A succession of travelers began asking to sleep beside its ovens, and the baker's family added rooms above the shop. The ovens are gone now, but the name remains, and the inn still bakes its bread before dawn.
Quirks
The inn's old bakehouse chimney still draws well, even though its ovens were removed generations ago. Whenever the weather turns cold, a faint smell of warm rye drifts through the downstairs rooms. The regulars insist it means the next morning's bread will turn out especially well.
Rooms and services6
- Upstairs Guest RoomsLodgingSix small rooms with thick quilts, a shared washbasin, and shutters that keep out the lane's winter drafts. A room costs 5 silver per night.
- StableAnimal CareA tidy stable for eight horses, with dry hay, a locked tack cupboard, and a groom who checks every animal at dusk. Stabling costs 2 silver per night.
- Hearthside NookPrivate SpaceA curtained nook near the hearth seats up to six guests. It is popular for private talks, though the old floorboards carry loud voices to the kitchen.
- Dice TableEntertainmentA scarred table, a pair of bone dice, and a house rule against wagers exceeding a silver piece. The keeper will end games that turn sour.
- Reading ShelfLibraryA shelf of local maps, travel guides, and a few well-thumbed chapbooks. Guests may borrow a book for the evening if they leave a copper as a deposit.
- WashroomBathingThe back room has a wash tub, hot water on request, and a screen for changing. It is plain rather than luxurious, but the water is clean.
People
The keeper and 6 patronsKeeperHoshka Human expert, innkeeper, level 4
Veteran guard, roughly a 5th-level martial combatantBrannik A broad-shouldered caravan guard, wary but fair. He has survived enough dangerous roads to recognize capable adventurers and would rather trade practical advice than boast.
Herbalist and occasional healer, around 3rd levelShessa Veld A soft-spoken traveling herbalist who listens carefully before answering. She has a dry sense of humor and dislikes anyone who mistakes quietness for helplessness.
Courier and aspiring adventurer, 1st levelYorai A young local courier who talks too quickly when excited and is eager to prove useful. He knows the lanes and farm tracks nearby but has little experience with serious danger.
Cleric on a regional pilgrimage, around 4th levelSefu A patient traveling priest who prefers to settle arguments with questions. He is kind without being naïve and keeps a close eye on anyone who seems frightened.
Retired adventurer, approximately 6th levelTazka A retired mercenary with a loud laugh and a careful habit of sitting where she can see both doors. She enjoys a friendly dice game but will not tolerate cheating.
Traveling merchant with no notable combat trainingEdrik Mallow A meticulous peddler who remembers every debt and every face. He is nervous around armed strangers, though he will gladly bargain over maps, tools, or rumors.
Keeper's Species
Human
Intrigue
What locals say
The First Thaw is a custom village inn on a well-traveled route through the Inner Sea region of Golarion. Its discreet welcome makes it a useful stop for merchants, messengers, and adventurers, but it is not a secret headquarters or a famous landmark. The tapping crock and the road ward are local mysteries rather than established Pathfinder canon. The innkeeper knows the names of several nearby farms and can point travelers toward the nearest shrine, market, or watch post.
Plot hooks
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