Blushing Mermaid

The Blushing Mermaid is a noisy establishment whose clientele is known to break into brawls over a spilled mug, a funny look, or an ugly face. It’s infamous throughout the Sword Coast as a place to do illicit business. Baldurians often warn travelers against visiting the Blushing Mermaid unless they’re well armed, know how to use their weapons, and bring plenty of like-minded, trusted friends.

The Blushing Mermaid consists of a confusing maze of wings and oddly interconnected floors. It has at least four levels of cellars. Its rooms are low ceilinged, dingy, and furnished with mismatched, secondhand items. Its windows have iron bars on the outside and heavy wooden shutters with wooden bars on the inside. Patrons are told, “The boards are there to use. Management is not responsible for losses of any kind, including life and limb.” Not many people actually sleep in the Blushing Mermaid, since raucous bar fights are liable to erupt at any hour.

The lobby is the only high-ceilinged room in the place. A life-sized, crudely carved, wooden mermaid hangs above the reception desk. A score or more shriveled, blackened hands are nailed to the mermaid’s body. According to the staff, “Folk who forgot their coin purses donated ’em.”

Most of the Mermaid’s patrons are old, scarred sea dogs who whittle away the day and night nursing drinks and swapping tales. Each one is a contact for this or that cabal, thieving brotherhood, smuggler, bandit group, fence, panderer, or some other shady dealer. Some work for the Guild. Negotiations with such contacts begin with a palmful of silver to loosen one’s memory. If such a contact pushes a tankard toward a visitor during an interview, the sea dog is looking for a refill, but not of ale.

The fare prepared at the Mermaid is simple and filling. It’s all decent except for a vile stew based on pickled fish. Many sailors order crusty nutbread rolls with thick gravy ladled over them or handwheels of cheese. The Mermaid also serves raw fish on wooden platters, a tradition its chef (born in Kara-Tur) brought to the tavern. Its house beer is a thick sea ale that’s more bitter than most tongues find enjoyable. The establishment also serves stout, a Mintarn lager, and whiskey strong enough to strip paint from wood.

Type

Pub / Tavern / Restaurant