Blushing Mermaid

The Blushing Mermaid is a famous lower-class tavern in the city of Baldur's Gate, located in the northeast part of the upper city.

Patronage
The Mermaid is reknowned up and down the Sword Coast as a meeting place for those who wish to conduct illicit business. It is a noisy place frequently beset by brawls, and patrons either go in heavily armed groups or studiously avoid provoking other patrons. Those who do neither do not survive for long.

A representative of virtually any illegal group operating in Baldur's Gate can usually be found somewhere on the premises, and the Mermaid is the best place to engage the services of any of them. 1sp is the usual fee to get a representative's attention, with an additional 1-5gp (2gp on average) fee to enter serious negotiations.

Independent operators usually frequent the Elfsong Tavern rather than the Mermaid.

Architecture & Decor
The Mermaid is long, low, and gives every appearance of imminent collapse (although it is actually quite sound). It is surrounded on three sides by a tangle of stables, outbuildings, and enclosures. It is known to have at least four levels of cellars, and many more are said to exist. Stories abound of hidden passages and connections to the city's sewer system.

The lobby is high of ceiling, adorned with a life-sized (and crudely carved) mermaid suspended over the reception desk. This nearly nude mermaid is adorned with more than a score of blackened and shriveled severed hands of patrons who did not pay their bills. It is little-known that these hands are magically animated and under the mental direction of the desk clerk, who will use them to 'handle' the city watch, intruders, or obnoxious guests.

The tavern's other rooms are low of ceiling and dim of lighting, furnished with mismatched and much-abused furniture. All rented rooms are heavily securable with iron or wooden bars, but patrons are still advised not to sleep too soundly--which is difficult to do in any case, seeing as the establishment is usually noisy at all hours.

Provender
The Mermaid serves a variety of drinks, including sea ale, stout, a light, golden lager from Mintarn, and several kinds of strong whiskey. No wines are available.

Food comes in two varieties: Food ordered from nearby establishments and food prepared on the premises. The Mermaid has arrangements with several closeby eateries for the former. This food is excellent and more elaborate, but tends to be lukewarm or cold by the time it gets to a diner. A wide variety of food is cooked on the premises, and tends towards the simple, filling variety. Some of the more popular items on the menu include:
 * Salted small-fish stew (rotting baitfish boiled with sea salt and seaweed)
 * Bread with drippings (hard-crust nutbread rolls covered with a thick organ meat gravy)
 * A variety of cheeses (sold by the handwheel)
 * Pork, thyme, and mushroom platters
 * Ale, bread, and fish (meal)
 * Small pickled squid
 * Whole roasted pigs
 * Oysters, mussels, and other shellfish (sold by the heap, cooked or raw)
 * Boiled flounder (house specialty)

Management and Staff
The owner(s) of the Mermaid are unknown and never seen. The staff is unobtrusive, swift, and extremely competent. Patrons take staff members lightly at great peril.

How many and which of the endless rumors about secret passages and hidden vaults are true is anyone's guess, but it is well-known that illicit goods and persons are hidden quickly and well for a fee. The Mermaid is known to have facilies deep underground for holding persons, both willingly and unwillingly. For additional fees one can rent shackles and associated hardware, and even specialized equipment for restraining wizards.

Prices

 * Rooms are 2gp/night, including stabling. No long-term rates or bathing facilities are available. Room costs do not include food.
 * Food for mounts is an extra 3cp/night.
 * A platter of meat, bread, and drippings is 2cp.
 * Meat dishes are 3cp/platter.
 * Shellfish are 1gp/heap (several bushels).
 * Ale is 3cp/tankard.
 * Whiskey is 1sp/tallglass.