The Blushing Mermaid

[Garnet]

Deep into the night when most are asleep is when the underground of Baldur's Gate truly comes alive. The Blushing Mermaid , a dimly light tavern tucked away in lower district is full of illicit deals, shady propositions, and individuals who have a tendency to brush up against the law more often that not. Those able to navigate the drunken and rowdy establishment can often find contracts, information, and leads to paying jobs that most regular folk would shy away from. While there is speculation on who the proprietors of the establishment are, when staff are questioned they simply smile and respond with "For your sake and mine, it's better we both live in the shadows"

[Garnet]

As of late the tavern seems to be more lively then usual with the frequency of an unlikely but 'not so out of place' visitor. A small Hin with auburn hair has made it her regular office of business. When not conducting meetings or contemplating the various events of the Gate, she is said to spend long hours writing reports-- always with a glass of Berduskan Dark wine at her table. While the wine is rumored to be a 'favorite amongst harpers', those well versed in the criminal underground may recognize that one of her many rings displays the insignia of "The Guild"

In any normal circumstance the regulars of the tavern would whisper or spread rumors of who the little Hin is... But no such words escape their lips as her ever present bodyguard silences such talk with threatening glares. Unlike the Hin she protects, the guard is tall, muscular, and keeps a straight face with eyes that are hungry for the opportunity to pounce at trouble. Its clear that she has been trained for the purpose, and that she is not afraid to crush a few heads when the need arises.

If one guard wasn't enough, to the left of the Hin sits a watchful dog who keeps its attention towards the doorway appraising any newcomers who enter the tavern. Obedient and inquisitive, "Shadow" is not as threatening as he is alert. While the dog is no equivalent to a rangers companion, there is no doubt that he would jump into the fray to aid his master if things got rough.

Despite the crowd, the atmosphere, and those who frequent the rowdy establishment, the tavern amazingly seems to be a pretty safe place for individuals looking to spend some coins. A clear message in the form of an axe embedded into the bar-top reminds patrons that tolerance for stupidity is low. Rumor has it that those who 'forgot to pay their bill' or 'got out of hand' paid with just that... Their hand.

It's said the Fist and Watch steer clear of the establishment and seldom make an appearance. Reason would wonder on why its left well enough alone despite the illicit activity that takes place. Whether its through greasing the right palms, or that shutting down the establishment is 'more trouble than its worth', its clear that if there is -real- business to be done in the Gate, then this is the place to start.

[Garnet]

After many nights of listening to negotiations and scheming, the little wooden table sits complacently vacant and silently enjoys its few moments of reprieve. The shadowy figure and her entourage, who had conducted several meetings on behalf of The Guild, had temporarily dispersed under the cover of darkness leaving Guido and a handful of footpads to 'hold down the fort'.

Out in the cool night air Garnet gracefully strolls down the dimly lit streets of the Lower City. With each step she could feel the overwhelming presence of 'unseen eyes' watching her from the shadows. Most would feel uncertainty, uneasiness, and the spine chilling emotion of 'fight or flight' wash over their bodies. This lack of security would be unbearable to many; however, she couldn't help but feel a strong sense of accomplishment for this machination was part of her doing. Guild sanctioned crime was high, and their grip on the Lower city was strengthening with each passing day.

This wasn't the result of reckless thievery or the work of untrained novice street rogues... No...this was planned, calculated, and the precision of the largest underground organization of Baldur's Gate. It seemed as though the City Watch and Flaming Fist knew better than to impede Guild affairs, and the understanding was mutual. Whether through corruption, bribery, or sheer intimidation, business was flowing and bringing wealth to the districts without the humiliation of 'the law'. The Guild was not out to deface the authorities as that was the doing of amateurs trying to make a name for themselves-- their focus and greatest interest was -profit-. Wonton destruction and unnecessary blood on the streets was bad for business, and anything to stop the flow of coins in their coffers was never tolerated.

Concluding 'her rounds' in the Lower City, Garnet made her way to one of the balconies she so adored. It was a perch that most would never have the pleasure of getting too, and it provided a gorgeous view of 'her city'. Watching the flickering lights in the distance, a sly smile spread across her small face. After a few moments of taking it all in she finally looks up into the night sky and lets out a small laugh

"Damn I love my Job"

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((DM Sparticus Rumor)) "Thieves continue to pursue a path of tightening a grip on the city wealth in the aftermath of spice. The wealth of a city freed from herbs has been targeted by the usual suspects in a variety of schemes and thefts designed to transfer wealth to the dishonest. So far the Dukes have made reassuring words and called for doubling down on patrol efforts but no major policy changes have been noted."

[selhan]

Elsewhere



“But here's some advice, boy. Don't put your trust in revolutions.
They always come around again. That's why they're called revolutions.”



The city was washed in heavy rain. Those that were still out of their homes for whatever reasons needed to tend to shelter. Those with some wit, at least had the ideal to visit a tavern. Tavern's...I cant help but enjoy that word. Yes indeed a man like me is favors them, because a man like me finds flavors in them, of all kinds really. From the delectable drinks that makes the mind fuzzy and the gut rot yet feel good enough to wash burdens and troubles away. To sass barmaids and tavern wenches willing to flirt or sit upon a lap. A minstrels song, a bards tale, laughs and carousing. But there is only one tavern that had the famous goblets made of blown glass that rests upon a stem of gold or silver with its elegant carvings. That was the Broken Goblet in Roaringshore. But where I was this night was not there. Nay, because of some personal business I've been having to stay in the city of Baldur's. The Lower part of Baldur's is about as close as I can feel to being in Roaringshore.



At the very least they had the Blushing Mermaid. A famous lower-class tavern known in the Sword Coast, more keen to the shady sort and sailors and pirates that are considered quite lowly. Rumored to be a tavern where some come to meet or conduct illicit business. It was a noisy place frequently beset by brawls, and patrons either went in heavily armed groups or studiously avoided provoking other patrons. A representative of virtually any illegal group operating in Baldur's Gate could usually be found somewhere on the premises, and the Mermaid was the best place to engage the services of any of them. Once upon a time many years ago, I use to frequent this place very very often. It does have a nice touch when I look around. I was lucky enough to meet some patrons that I was familiar with. But still it wasn't the Goblet. Because the Goblet nae have a City Watch that comes pok'n around.

Why-why does she-she want to be with Sel anyways....?

*The Watch Guard entered and scanned around the establishment then approached the group rowdiest* Greetings. What's all this commotion then?

*Looks up at Callo* "Oh... shi... *Clears her throat and drinks from her wine with an innocent look*

"Nothin Ma'am..just takin a load off tis all." *He drank his rum trying to hold an innocent look*

*He lowers his hat over his head and turns towards the bar*

*Glances at Solaris* There is no trouble then?

"No no ! " *He points at Solaris* "Lass just been crying about a man in all tis all."

"Right. Well, I am going to patrol the streets outside. No funny business, alright?"

"No funny business ..got it.."

"Totally hin'ocent here"

"I'm so proud of Wendy. Making into the City Watch"

Aye, this was surely not the Goblet. If ever a patron asked me what's the next tavern that's as good as the Broken Goblet? I would tell them..The Blushing Mermaid comes close, but its more shady than anything, likely wont see the knife comin. And it's still a tavern within the City, so it's still a tavern with laws. yer just goin' to have to be more slick.

[Garnet]

"What an intriguing day this has become" Garnet says with a smug grin while looking to one of her senior footpads seated at the table.

"You see my dear, desperation is an interesting thing indeed. It brings opportunity crawling to your front door from the most unlikely of folk-- those of whom you'd expect least of all." She casually rolls the stem of her wine glass with her fingers before taking a drink from the dark red liquid.

"Tieflings losing tails and horns, vampires prancing in the sewers, and now murder in the Gate" she narrows her eyes bringing out an overwhelming look of hostility making the air in the room feel heavy and tense.

"Most of all, unsanctioned crime in -My City-, I think not." she turns to her left and addresses her rogue sentry.

"Tell the guild masters to pull the resources on the streets. I will let the Watch have a few days of reprieve while -we- do their job. she laughs and says with a grin "Afterall, it helps feed their complacency by stroking their ego when they think their meaningless patrols and new recruits are actually making a difference."

"... And send someone to meet with the caretaker and find out more about the body and the 'amateur hour' calling card they left on it" She hands the footpad a small note.

Various notes written in code are scrawled on the parchment to prevent prying eyes but a name seems to stand out above them

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Lord

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of

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murder

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cult

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of

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the

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Dark

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Sun

"Guido another glass of wine my love, things are starting to feel like Dead Crows Part 2 and that calls for another drink." she smiles wickedly

[Garnet]

Garnet leans back in her chair with a glass of wine in her hand and looks at the ceiling lost in thought. Resting on the table in front of her sits a small journal containing several notes with some words crossed out, other words circled, and the occasional wildly drawn arrow attempting to link her clues into a single thread of truth.

She felt she had made significant progress in her murder investigation but there was some pieces that just didn't seem to line up. After a few moments of contemplation, she leans forward and gestures to her dog Shadow to come to her. Taking a drink from her wine and setting the glass on the table, she leans forward and gently pets him as he nuzzles into her lap.

"A suspicious man, missing keys, and several odd circumstances.... I just need to connect the dots" she says quietly half wishing her dog understood and could interject in the conversation.

"Maybe I just need a break to clear my mind" she leans forward putting her forehead on Shadows while closing her eyes, a feeling of calmness and serenity washing over her body. Savoring the sense of connection to her doggie companion and loving his affection, she then hops up from her chair and drinks down the rest of the wine in her glass.

"Wait here and keep an eye on the place-- I have some business I've been meaning to finish anyway and it will give me a chance to take a break" she says with a smile as she heads out the door of the Blushing Mermaid.

[selhan]

The Blushing Mermaid had a busy evening on 11 Eleasis 1360 DR. A table filled with food although all the seafood were untouched given rumors to poisonous fish, it still held the night with carousing laughter's , jests and bickering. Even adventurers paid the tavern a visit to commence dealings with shady merchants. The sharing of rumors, the chuckles of gossip were heavy. Even bawdy acts but patrons in the Mermaid were more known to keep a tight lip to things not of their business. From Cults, to Succubus, to untrusting people and even the latest unsolved murder within the Gate, the Mermaid was surely a source of rumors that very night.

[The Guild]

In a dimly lit tavern in the heart of the Heapside, torches flicker against the stone walls, casting dancing shadows. The air carries the scent of sweat and anticipation. At a dark corner table sits a Guildmaster, cloaked in dark fabrics, his face obscured by the dark hood. Opposite of him stands his enforcer, a towering figure , muscles rippling beneath his leather armor, arms crossed over his massive chest. The bartender a large barrel chest of a man with thick arms soon approaches with heavy steps. "How can I help ye ?" He asked in his own gruff tone.



Put the word out we are looking for some new "Arm's". *A parchment was placed on the table and slowly slid forth towards the bartender* Anyone that seems to fit, I want their names. We will do the rest. *As the bartender opens the parchment reviewing the words written, the Guildmaster added the summery description* Someone with a lot of strength. Able to throw a half orc across the room. A good old fashion brute that likes breaking bones when ordered too without hesitation. Need's to be able to follow orders without question, cant be hesitating on the job. They don't have to be smart, their being hired for their wit's any dummy will do so long as they got the brawns and does what's told. *The bartender would give a nod then return to regular business. No further words needed to be said.*


Detailed Requirement Image for Ideal Example

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Requirements

Strong as a Ox, able to snap a mans arm clean. Healthy as possible, Don't want anyone sickly or have any diseases or a spice addict. Needs to be able to scare an orc in their boots and extort a bullheaded store owner. Subtlety isn't a requirement of them but they had better know how to ambush a mark. If their gonna lie, they better be a damn good liar. And when the boss says to go find out what happing, they better know how to get people talk'n. We don't want them blind as a bat either nor deaf. And when they need to go find someone, they better know how to find a snake in the grass. And lastly they better know how to get out of a sticky situation.

OOC Message

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((To get an understanding of what we are doing, The Guild will be pushing out a recruitment drive detailed in Rp form of what we are "specifically" looking for in certain character concepts. This is much different in what we normally do. We are a faction with focus of Crime, Intrigue and espionage. This faction is very heavy in trying to stay within lines of the Lore of the faction and server. We have no interest in server domination or what they call "mustache evil" rp. We believe the server and players should provide different themes for the BGTSCCSetting. We have no interest in creating conflict but will respond to conflict in full as per The Forgotten Realms Adventures page 76. This is the first segment in our recruitment of character concept tailored to fill certain roles. If this character concept is an interest to you, please reply to the post in RP form. Others concepts will follow in the coming weeks. Below is a OOC Preferred List of what looking for. And please no Robin Hoods or Avengers (Good Alignments) leave that for the Harpers))

Role Player Identified as Moderate to Heavy Rper
Progressive Leveler
Flexible time zone at least once a week
Must have a Forum account
Absolutely no Metagaming habits or tendency's
Must be familiar with Server Rules
Remain IC as much as possible, keep the ooc for clarification purposes.
Able to provide activity ingame and offscreen (Through Forums)

Dedicated Characters:
Preferred for long term roleplay
Will have more engaging Rp
"Possible" to obtain full faction access
"Might" meet all existing members, we are the Thieves' Guild, some goes years without meeting each other.
Will be included in Faction / DM Events

Alt Characters:
Not Preferred but will be accepted to Outer Circle membership only
Will have less engaging Rp, we simply dont like investing so much in alt's.
Will not obtain full faction access.
Will not meet all existing members
Will be included in Faction / DM Events

[The Guild]

While training was taking place else where in the Lower City, a dim lit tavern with stone walls filled with the harbors most shady folks were interviewing some new boots. Eye's measuring the inspired potential. It appears someone decided to partake a new chapter in their lives after hearing word that The Guild were hiring fresh hands. An encounter unnerving had soon began to look promising.



Well what is expected of Muscle. Breaking legs?

Mhm...sometimes someone gets too dumb , crosses a line , mishaps or dumb ignorance. We try to allow room for their stupidity. But sometimes you got those that are a bit stubborn. Cant comprehend a clean simple message. So We sometimes need to send in someone that can be "Convincing" Send a message that surely make them think twice follow? Not wanting to kill them. We leave that for others. Just sometimes..a physical form of diplomacy is healthy.

...is that what you can do?

...we don't care if you like hurting people or not. We instead like...a job getting done. But first, I want to see what all you can do. Forgive my people, we have trust issues. I'm sure someone like you can understand.

[The Guild]

*A man sat in the dark corner of the dim lit tavern. He was clad in all black with a matching hood that concealed most of his scars. Cold eyes observed the drinking area until they seen the approaching woman in an apron.*

*The waitress smiled almost seemed to be ignorant of the brooding dark crowd* "What can I get you?"

"Bitter Black, and tonights special." *He responded in a cold emotionless way as if her presence was annoying*

She twirled with her pointy tail holding up her innocent smile regarding the brooding man* "Will that be all Sir? You look like you could do with some company"

*The man stared at her and smirked, disbelieving the waitress to be that oblivious. He thought of how easy of a mark she would be if he caught her in a dark alley* "You dont want company from a man like me woman. My eyes has seen murder, I've seen throats cut for meager coins. Just get what I order woman and enjoy the innocence of ignorance."

"Very well handsome." *The waitress said with a warm smile and nearly skipped off to get the man his order. It was soon she returns with the drink and some bread* "Sorry Sir, we were all out of Fish stew." *She leaned forth showing the pearly rows of teeth smiling while placing a hand softly on the mans arm* "However you dont need to worry for paying for the order, I made arraignments because we were out of stew and such a man like yourself seems to be carrying the burden of the world. A free meal well deserved."

*The man was surprised, but dismissed the emotion to indulge in his drink and bread. He was a bit disappointed the bread was stale. He did wondered if he should lurk outside when the tavern closes and mug the waitress.*

*Meanwhile, a woman leaves the tavern slipping out unnoticed removing the apron she stole from the kitchen. She threw it in a nearby trash barrel then checked the coin purse what was in her hand. A decent sum it was. Her mind drifted to the brooding man clad in all black . She was more than happy to relieve him of his weighted burdens. The man wasnt going to miss it, after all once the tavern keeper realizes the man had no coins to pay for his ale and stale bread which she swiped from a table when a patron stepped away to piss, he's going to remove his hands and hang them on the statue of the mermaid. After all, it was the Blushing Mermaid and the tavern keeper was known to cut of the hands of those that couldn't pay for their drinks or meals. She casual walked off into the darkness of the Lower City with a strut as comfortable as a woman within her own home. Now that she had some extra coins, it was time to look for someone that had the potential to be a Guild Footpad, she surely wasn't going to pay a prospect with her own coins.*



Concept Character

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[Sayo! Hold the mayo.]

A small blond halfling casually strolls into the establishment, using the taller patrons as cover. It's a habit she has, muscle memory. She's not even aware she's doing it.

She's new to the Gate, under orders from far away to perform a specific task and she really hopes that the recently acquired information... the info directing her to this place, was correct.

She briefly thinks about the source of said information and relaxes a bit. Sayo has always been blessed by good fortune and she knows that she is on the right path. This hin in particular, was lucky.

It's not until she hops up onto the stool and drops the small clinking coin purse onto the polished bar that the barkeep finally notices her. He nods and makes his way to her, asking "what'll it be?" in a gruff, bored voice.

She orders a tall glass of rum and asks his name. When the keep arrives with her drink, she slides him a folded piece of parchment, atop which sits the small coin pouch.

Brow arched, the man picks up both the pouch and paper. The gold disappears as he reads the note. Then he glances at her, his features fixed and unsurprised. He nods, grunts too.

Then he looks around the room. He seems to nod, ever-so-slightly. You'd miss it if you weren't watching. Sayo was watching.

"Stick around a few," he says, refilling her rum.

She smiles inwardly, nods to him outwardly, sips her tall glass rum and waits.

[xEmeraldx]

A small blond halfling casually strolls into the establishment, using the taller patrons as cover. It's a habit she has, muscle memory. She's not even aware she's doing it.

She's new to the Gate, under orders from far away to perform a specific task and she really hopes that the recently acquired information... the info directing her to this place, was correct.

She briefly thinks about the source of said information and relaxes a bit. Sayo has always been blessed by good fortune and she knows that she is on the right path. This hin in particular, was lucky.

It's not until she hops up onto the stool and drops the small clinking coin purse onto the polished bar that the barkeep finally notices her. He nods and makes his way to her, asking "what'll it be?" in a gruff, bored voice.

She orders a tall glass of rum and asks his name. When the keep arrives with her drink, she slides him a folded piece of parchment, atop which sits the small coin pouch.

Brow arched, the man picks up both the pouch and paper. The gold disappears as he reads the note. Then he glances at her, his features fixed and unsurprised. He nods, grunts too.

Then he looks around the room. He seems to nod, ever-so-slightly. You'd miss it if you weren't watching. Sayo was watching.

"Stick around a few," he says, refilling her rum.

She smiles inwardly, nods to him outwardly, sips her tall glass rum and waits.

*It was later, that one of the very shady patrons would meet with a figure that was sitting alone in the Blushing Mermaid. No drink rested upon his table, nor food. Once addressed formally , whispers began to flow about a particular halfling that had visited the Blushing Mermaid.*

[xEmeraldx]

This particular night in the Blushing Mermaid, the shrouding of shadows was unnatural. Unlike the normal shady ones that sulk in the corners of darkness, a robed man's presence causes many patrons to depart. Only those that were considered the Landlords of the Lower City, were bold enough to confront the mysterious stranger. But was he really a stranger? Some employees save for the Guido who had taken a step out for fresh air, would bare witness between a meeting with a strange mysterious man in purple robes and four of The Guilds top members of the Inner Circle. Some may had seen the robe man passing on several instruments that look like flutes made of bones. What were these strange objects, only a selected few members of The Guild would know.