The Spouting Fish was a popular tavern in the Southern Ward of Waterdeep.[1][3][note 1]
Location[]
The tavern was located on the east side of the Way of the Dragon, at the corner where it turned north after branching west from the High Road at the Waymoot.[4] Its popularity was largely due to its strategic location, which prompted many travelers entering the city from South Gate to stop there for a drink.[1]
Structure[]
The tavern was characterized by a large water fountain shaped like an upright spouting fish. The large building had several floors built with a labyrinthine structure.[1]
Interior[]
The interior of the Spouting Fish was brightly lit. All of the tavern's booths and benches, as well as the building's structural beams and posts were unpainted and, for that reason, very flammable. As a result of the fire hazard, two members of the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors were hired to remain constantly on guard within the tavern.[1]
The tavern's cellar contained an entrance to a surface shaft that led to a small junction in the Waterdhavian sewer system.[5][6]
Atmosphere[]
The Spouting Fish was notoriously noisy[1] and boisterous.[6]
Services[]
The tavern offered numerous drinks, including zzar, wines, and beers. The food, which included roast fowl, sausages, and bread, was heavily salted to induce patrons to consume more beverages.[1]
Another reason for the tavern's popularity was intense advertising performed by street criers across the city.[6]
History[]
By the Year of Three Ships Sailing, 1492 DR,[note 2] the sewer intersection that connected to the Spouting Fish's cellar was an access point to one of the Xanathar Guild hideouts. It was guarded by a gazer.[7]
Inhabitants[]
In the mid‒14th century DR, the Spouting Fish was owned by the fearless human Janess Imristar.[1]
Appendix[]
Notes[]
- ↑ On p. 27 of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist, it is claimed that the tavern is located in the Dock Ward, but this is incompatible with all previous sources, as well as all maps of the city across all previous editions. For that reason, we assume that the location given in Dragon Heist is in error.
- ↑ Canon material does not provide a year for the events described in Waterdeep: Dragon Heist, but Christopher Perkins answered a question via Twitter and stated the year was 1492 DR. Corroborating this, Dragon Heist page 20 refers to events of Death Masks (set in 1491 DR) as being "last year". Unless a canon source contradicts this assertion, this wiki will use 1492 DR for events related to this sourcebook and Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage (which is referenced on pages 5 and 98 of Dragon Heist).
Appearances[]
- Adventures
- Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Ed Greenwood (January 1993). Volo's Guide to Waterdeep. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 159–160. ISBN 1-56076-335-3.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Campaign Guide”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 53. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Adventurer's Guide to the City”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 7. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (June 2005). City of Splendors: Waterdeep. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 105–106. ISBN 0-7869-3693-2.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (June 2005). City of Splendors: Waterdeep. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 123–124. ISBN 0-7869-3693-2.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Campaign Guide”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 62. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, James Haeck, James Introcaso, Adam Lee, Matthew Sernett (September 2018). Waterdeep: Dragon Heist. Edited by Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 27. ISBN 978-0-7869-6625-7.