The Broken Span
Location: Stonewake Crossing
Type: Inn and common house
Reputation: The only roof worth sleeping under because it is the only roof.
The Broken Span is the only inn in Stonewake Crossing, and everyone knows it.
Named for the ruined stone bridge upriver—collapsed decades ago and never rebuilt—the inn stands as a reminder that some crossings are never repaired, only adapted to.
First Impressions
The inn is sturdy rather than welcoming.
- Thick stone lower walls, dark with river damp
- Timber upper floors reinforced more than decorated
- Shuttered windows even during daylight
A hanging sign depicts a snapped bridge arch over dark water.
It creaks in the wind.
Inside the Inn
The common room is warm but subdued.
- Low ceilings trap smoke and sound
- Long communal tables scarred by knives and mugs
- A hearth that never fully dies
Conversation is quiet, practical, and rarely personal. Locals sit with their backs to walls. Travelers sit where they are told.
Food & Drink
Meals are simple and filling.
- Thick stews
- Dense bread
- River fish when the catch is good
Ale is cheap and strong. Wine is expensive and rarely ordered.
No one drinks to celebrate here—only to sleep.
Rooms
Upstairs rooms are sparse but clean.
- Narrow beds with heavy wool blankets
- Hooks for cloaks and weapons near the door
- Doors that lock, though not quietly
Guests are advised to secure mounts early and keep valuables close.
The Atmosphere
The Broken Span is a place where people wait.
- For the ferry
- For weather to clear
- For news to arrive or pass them by
Stories are told only after trust is earned, and even then, not all the way through.
What Regulars Know
- Trouble often arrives with travelers, not locals
- The innkeeper sees everything and forgets nothing
- If the room goes silent, it’s already too late to leave
The Broken Span does not promise safety.
It promises shelter—and sometimes, that is enough.