3. The Gilded Burrow

A Lavish Inn for the Wealthiest of Travelers in Kron

Introduction

Tucked into the heart of Kron, The Gilded Burrow is the most extravagant inn and tavern in the village. Designed to cater to noble merchants, scholars, and adventurers with deep pockets, this opulent establishment boasts fine wines, rare delicacies, and an ambiance of excessive luxury rarely found in gnome settlements. Unlike the more rustic and charming burrows of Kron, The Gilded Burrow is a testament to excess, featuring polished oak paneling, golden fixtures, and silk-draped walls.

While its clientele enjoys the indulgence of plush furnishings, enchanted chandeliers, and overpriced vintage spirits, The Gilded Burrow is not without its reputation. Coin flows freely here, but only in one direction—into the pockets of its owner.

"The wine is rich, the food is divine, and the regret comes the morning after."

— A regretful merchant from Verbobonc

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Exterior and Structure

An Ornate Jewel Amongst Stone

Unlike the unassuming burrow homes of Kron, The Gilded Burrow stands as a beacon of excess.

• Built into a natural rise in the landscape, but its grand arched entrance of lacquered wood and polished brass stands out.
• A sign of carved gold filigree depicting a wine goblet and a heap of coins hangs above the doorway.
• A magical ever-burning lantern bathes the entrance in warm golden light at all hours.
• Large, tinted glass windows (a rarity in gnome architecture) allow passersby to glimpse velvet curtains and flickering chandeliers.
• The scent of exotic spices, aged wines, and smoked meats wafts enticingly from within.

"Drink up, my friend! I promise, the bill is the only thing that will hurt you in the morning."

— Hostren Velbrindle, laughing at a new customer

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Interior and Atmosphere

A Burrow of Extravagance

The inside of The Gilded Burrow is designed to impress and intimidate in equal measure.

• Polished mahogany walls, draped with deep crimson silk, give the interior an almost theatrical feel.
• Crystal chandeliers glow with soft magical light, illuminating the room in a rich golden hue.
• A grand circular bar of carved ebony dominates the main hall, attended by well-dressed servers pouring exotic wines.
• Fluffy velvet cushions and elaborately embroidered rugs cover every seat and floor.
• Subtle enchantments play soft instrumental music, adding to the luxurious atmosphere.

The Rooms and Accommodations

• Private chambers offer king-sized feather beds, silk sheets, and personal vanity desks.
• A magical heating system keeps every room warm, regardless of the season.
• Arcane books and alchemical tools are available for rent (at an absurd price).
• The more elite suites include personal arcane illumination, heated baths, and self-replenishing wine decanters.

Politics and Intrigue

The Hub of the Wealthy and the Ambitious

• Many merchants, visiting diplomats, and nobles from Verbobonc frequent The Gilded Burrow.
• Deals are made, alliances are formed, and fortunes are lost over a bottle of wine.
• It is said that Hostren has connections with smugglers and illicit traders, using the inn to conduct shady business.

The Price of Indulgence

• Running out of coin in The Gilded Burrow is a grave mistake.
• Guests who fail to pay their debts often wake up in a different part of Kron—without their valuables.
• Some claim Hostren has secret passages leading from the inn’s basement to the darker parts of the village.

"A bottle of Silverberry Wine and a warm bath? That’ll be five gold. No, I don’t care if that’s robbery."

— Hostren Velbrindle, unimpressed by complaints

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Adventuring Hooks

The Missing Merchant’s Ledger

A wealthy merchant left behind an important ledger before disappearing from The Gilded Burrow. Who took it—and why?

The Vanishing Debtors

Several travelers who couldn’t pay their tab have simply vanished overnight. Where did they go?

Fel’s Secret Past

Miss Felrietta has a bounty on her head. Someone from Verbobonc has come looking for her.

The Gilded Betrayal

Hostren has been overheard speaking with a suspicious Verbobonc noble about a secret deal that could affect all of Kron.

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Conclusion

The Gilded Burrow is the pinnacle of wealth and indulgence in Kron, but beneath its golden exterior lurks greed, deception, and hidden dealings. A perfect setting for adventurers who seek to unravel intrigues, recover stolen fortunes, or simply enjoy a glass of the finest (and most expensive) wine in the Greenway Valley.

The Gilded Burrow by 3orcs

"Gold flows in, secrets slip out, and no one leaves with more than they arrived with."

— Miss Felrietta “Fel” Swiftrill, Bartender

Hostren Velbrindle

The Lavish Proprietor

• A portly, smug gnome in an embroidered velvet coat, Hostren is the shrewd mastermind behind The Gilded Burrow.
• He never drinks his own wine, preferring cheap ale from the back room while charging customers exorbitantly.
• Maintains a small army of well-trained servants who ensure that patrons never question the pricing.
• If a guest can’t pay their bill, their belongings become property of the inn.

Miss Felrietta Fel Swiftrill by 3orcs

Miss Felrietta "Fel" Swiftrill

The Enchanting Bartender

• A charming and silver-tongued halfling who expertly convinces customers to buy another round.
• Rumored to be a former confidence trickster who fled to Kron after conning a noble lord.
• Knows everything that happens in the inn and sells secrets for the right price.

Jivben "Jibs" Tumblesprock

The Silent Enforcer

• A hulking gnome with an unsettling stare, Jibs ensures unruly guests are escorted out—forcefully, if necessary.
• Never speaks more than a few words, but everyone knows better than to cross him.
• Loyal to Hostren, but has been seen secretly meeting with unknown figures in the Back Alleys of Kron.

Type

Inn

Parent Location

Kron Fortress

Food and Drink

An Overpriced Indulgence

Only the finest (or at least the most expensive) food and drink grace the tables of The Gilded Burrow.

• Golden Apple Tart – A delicate pastry made with rare Greenway apples and drizzled in honey. (8 silver per slice)
• Smoked Basilisk Steak – A supposed delicacy, though few can tell if it's truly basilisk meat. (2 gold per plate)
• Crisped Truffle Cap Mushrooms – Roasted with imported Celene butter. (6 silver per serving)
• Silverberry Wine – A potent elven vintage served in crystal goblets. (4 gold per bottle)
• Wizard’s Reserve Brandy – An enchanted drink that subtly warms the drinker for hours. (5 gold per bottle)
• The Gilded Goblet Special – A sec