Sly Dick's Halfway Inn

A large three storey tavern on the long, main highroad between civilisation and The Edge of the World.   The imposing building grows high out of the surrounding forestry and the smoke from the tall chimney stack can be seen for miles around, a welcoming sight for anyone travelling the lonely, dangerous road. A timber frame holds a thick outer shell of brickwork and mortar, topped by a black shingle roof.   The ground floor is mostly a sable, with hay and wood store to keep the commodities dry; also located in a large protruding outhouse is the tavern's boiler. This monstrous steel cauldron is heated by a large wood fire (hence the store) which sends heated steam up to the floors above through copper pipes that run underfoot between levels. This steam provided heating as it dissipates through the pipes but also condenses as it reaches uppermost floor, to be released from valves into baths, washbasins and chamber pots.   The middle floor holds the main attraction of The Halfway Inn, the tavern. Here some ten servants rush amongst the tables and bustle of the merry crowds that gather in their droves to imbibe, consume and rest. Entrance into the main hall is reached via a winding stairs from the ground floor. It is a sturdy set of black cherry wood stair built into the side of the building that rises up to a balcony that juts strongly from the side of the building. Midway on the balcony are large, oak double doors with heavy, brass hinges and door rings. These robust and solid doors lead to the all important taproom. The main hall is a grand, high ceilinged, hall. Three large steel rings suspend from the wooden roof beams covered in candles in various states of burning. The warmth of the room, in heat and welcome, is pervasive. The innovative underfloor heating is bolstered by the enormous fireplace at the back of the room, blasting out heat and the comforting crackle of embers. A long bar is located nearby the main entrance, opposite the hearth, where the tavern’s namesake will often be found, serving ale and spit shining the flagons. In all, the hall boasts seating space for over 200 patrons and standing room for nearly double that. A small alcove hidden at the end of the bar where it meets the wall is a spiraling staircase, overhanging the bar, leading to the next, and final, floor.   The top-most floor of The Halfway Inn is a long central corridor flanked by doors. Each door leads to a basic, but comfortable, chamber complete with drawers, bed, washbasin and chamber pot. The corridor has some 20 of these rooms on either side. At the far end of this corridor is a large communal bath house, the final destination of the boiler’s steam production.

Built by it's owner and proprietor, Richard Burgaenais, in his efforts to begin his life anew. The Halfway Inn has now become a booming business that Sly Dick could easily retire early from.