2. The Galloping Pike Inn

A cornerstone of Littleburrow’s charm, The Galloping Pike Inn is a warm and welcoming haven for travelers and locals alike. Known for its excellent food, fine ale, and delightful entertainment, the inn exudes halfling hospitality with every bite, sip, and smile.

The Galloping Pike Inn is a cozy, ivy-covered building nestled near the heart of Littleburrow, close to the bustling crossroads. Its sturdy halfling-style construction combines practicality and charm.

• Architecture: Built into a low hillside, the inn has round windows, a mossy slate roof, and a large round wooden door decorated with carvings of pikes and lilypads.
• Interior: Inside, low ceilings and timber beams frame a snug common room with a central hearth. Tables of various heights accommodate both halfling-sized and human-sized guests. Walls are adorned with fishing trophies, local paintings, and woven tapestries.
• Rooms: The Galloping Pike features ten guest rooms, each comfortably appointed with feather beds, patchwork quilts, and handwoven rugs. Two larger rooms on the second floor accommodate human-sized travelers.
• Courtyard: Behind the inn lies a small courtyard with wooden picnic tables, a stone oven, and space for evening performances.

Historical Background

The inn was founded two generations ago by the Burrows family to cater to merchants and travelers passing through the trade crossroads. Over the years, it has become a hub of social and economic activity for Littleburrow. Its reputation for hospitality and fine halfling ale has made it a popular stop for adventurers, traders, and locals alike.

“Mind your manners at my table, or you’ll be out the door faster than you can say ‘second breakfast.’”

Culture and Community

The Galloping Pike is not just an inn; it’s a cultural hub where tales are spun, songs are sung, and strangers become friends.

• Halfling Hospitality: The inn prides itself on extending a warm welcome to all who enter.
• Community Gatherings: Locals often visit to celebrate festivals, share news, and listen to traveling minstrels.
• Entertainment: Evening performances often include halfling bards, traveling troupes, and storytelling competitions.

“A laugh and a full mug solve most of life’s problems—or at least they make ‘em more bearable.”

Notable Features and Services

• Exceptional Food and Ale: Mira’s famous pies and the inn’s house ale, “Golden Pike,” are beloved by all who visit.
• Rumor Mill: Travelers often share tales of far-off lands and local troubles, making the inn a valuable source of information for adventurers.
• Entertainment: Nightly performances range from halfling folk songs to dramatic retellings of legendary exploits.
• Stables: Pim’s care ensures that mounts and wagons are safe and well-tended.

Lennin and Calie Tallowbrim by 3orcs

“If you’re here for the pies, you’d best eat quickly. They don’t last long when Bertro’s about.” - Mira Burrows (Cook)

The Galloping Pike Inn stands as a testament to halfling hospitality and the rich culture of Littleburrow, offering warmth, comfort, and just enough intrigue to keep adventurers coming back for more.

Galloping Pike Inn Food Menu

Freshly Prepared Meals Using Only the Finest Local Ingredients

First Breakfast

• Hearth-Baked Bread – Served with churned butter and blackberry preserves. 2 cp
• Morning Porridge – Sweetened with honey and topped with dried orchard fruits. 3 cp
• Egg & Mushroom Scramble – Farm-fresh eggs, wild mushrooms, and herbs. 5 cp

Second Breakfast

• Potato Cakes with Crispy Bacon – Golden fried and served with fresh cream. 6 cp
• Honeyed Scones – Drizzled with clover honey and paired with clotted cream. 4 cp
• Herb-Crusted Sausages – Juicy and spiced, served with a dollop of mustard. 6 cp

Elevenses

• Cheese & Chutney Platter – Assorted cheeses with tangy chutneys and seed crackers. 8 cp
• Berry Tarts – Miniature hand pies filled with Mira’s famous berries. 3 cp each
• Herbal Tea Biscuits – Light, buttery cookies with a hint of lemon and lavender. 2 cp

Lunch

• Ploughman’s Plate – Local cheeses, smoked ham, pickles, and crusty bread. 1 sp
• Veggie Stew – A hearty medley of root vegetables simmered in spiced broth. 7 cp
• River Pike Cakes – Golden-fried pike patties with a zesty lemon sauce. 1 sp

Afternoon Tea

• Cucumber Sandwiches – Thinly sliced with garden-fresh herbs on soft bread. 6 cp
• Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting – Moist and spiced to perfection. 5 cp per slice
• Honey-Glazed Nuts – A sweet and crunchy treat. 3 cp

Dinner

• Roast Rabbit Pie – Tender rabbit and vegetables baked in flaky pastry. 2 sp
• Stuffed Bell Peppers – Filled with spiced rice, goat cheese, and herbs. 1 sp
• Beef & Barley Stew – Slow-cooked with carrots, onions, and dark ale. 2 sp

Supper

• Golden Pike Feast – Roast pheasant with herbed potatoes and braised greens. 3 sp
• Seasonal Fruit Tart – A rotating selection of the freshest fruits. 1 sp
• Herb Buttered Mushrooms – Wild mushrooms sautéed in garlic and thyme butter. 8 cp

Snacks & Desserts

• Mira’s Famous Berry Pies – Fresh-baked and bursting with flavor. 2 sp each
• Apple Crumble – Topped with cinnamon and cream. 1 sp
• Candied Nuts & Seeds – Lightly spiced and caramelized. 3 cp

Specials

• Golden Pike Feast (Dinner only) – Roast pheasant with herbed potatoes and braised greens. 4 cp
• Seasonal Fruit Tart – A rotating selection of the freshest fruits. 1 cp

Mira’s famous pie by 3orcs

DM Only - Secrets of the Galloping Pike

Show spoiler

Hidden Secrets

• Hidden Cellar: Beneath the inn lies a hidden wine cellar, said to connect to a network of smuggler’s tunnels. Bertro is unaware of the tunnels but may unwittingly lead adventurers to their entrance.
• Mysterious Patron: A cloaked figure frequently rents a room under various aliases. This individual is an agent of the Temple of Elemental Evil, using the inn to spy on travelers heading to and from Verbobonc.
• The Ale’s Secret: The recipe for “Golden Pike” ale includes a rare herb found only in the Greenway Valley, making it a target for poachers and rival brewers.
• Mira’s Past: Mira once served as a chef for a noble family in Verbobonc and is privy to courtly gossip that could interest the adventurers.

Adventurer Hooks

• A Missing Merchant: A merchant traveling to Littleburrow has gone missing, and their goods were last seen at The Galloping Pike.
• A Stranger’s Tale: A mysterious bard performs a song hinting at a treasure hidden in the nearby hills.
• An Urgent Message: A courier staying at the inn needs adventurers to deliver an urgent message to Castle Estival.

“Welcome to The Galloping Pike, where the ale flows, the food’s hearty, and the stories are endless!”

The Owner and Their Family

Bertro Burrow by 3orcs

Bertro Burrows

Owner and head innkeeper.

• Description: Bertro is a jolly, barrel-chested halfling with curly brown hair, twinkling green eyes, and a perpetual smile. He is rarely seen without his signature red waistcoat and pipe.
• Personality: Warm, boisterous, and endlessly curious, Bertro loves to learn the tales and trades of every traveler who comes through his door.
• Motivation: Bertro is dedicated to maintaining the inn’s reputation as a place of comfort and camaraderie.

Mira Burrows

Bertro’s wife and the inn’s head cook.

• Description: Mira is a petite, silver-haired halfling with a no-nonsense demeanor and a knack for creating delicious meals. Her apron is often dusted with flour, and she moves through the kitchen with practiced precision.
• Personality: Stern but kind, Mira ensures the inn runs like clockwork and has a soft spot for children and struggling travelers.
• Motivation: Mira takes immense pride in her cooking and believes good food can heal the heart.

Pim Burrows

Bertro and Mira’s youngest son and the inn’s stable hand.

• Description: Pim is a lanky, freckled teenager with a mop of unruly hair. He loves animals more than people and spends most of his time in the stables.
• Personality: Shy but good-hearted, Pim has a quiet charm and a knack for calming even the most stubborn horses.
• Motivation: Pim dreams of one day becoming a traveling animal trainer.

Lennin and Calie Tallowbrim

Hired staff, siblings, and servers at the inn

• Lennin: A stocky halfling with a quick wit and an infectious laugh. He is often the life of the party in the common room. Outgoing, flirtatious, and always ready with a clever joke.
• Calie: His more reserved sister, who has a knack for remembering customers’ preferences and a talent for handling difficult patrons. Observant, empathetic, and fiercely protective of her brother.
• Motivation: Both siblings work hard to save for their dream of opening a bakery in Littleburrow.

Clientele

The Galloping Pike serves a wide variety of guests, from locals to travelers passing through.

• Merchants: Regularly stop for rest and resupply on their trade routes.
• Adventurers: Seek out the inn for its warm beds and local rumors.
• Locals: Often gather for meals, celebrations, or simply to hear the latest gossip.
• Traveling Performers: Attracted by the promise of an appreciative audience and a hearty meal.

Type

Inn

Parent Location

Littleburrow

Golden Pike Ale by 3orcs

Galloping Pike Inn Menu by 3orcs