Styx Oarsman

The Styx Oarsman is a popular location in Sigil's Portal Ward, favorited by Luethil Gilyth.  It was the base of operations for the Heroes of the Demonweb during their Expedition to the Demonweb Pits. Here they are likely to find Gryfalcon and LeShawn Sonj; Rule-of-Three, the owner, has not been seen for some time, although he had previously said the Heroes could stay in the rooms upstairs while they were in town.

Information & Culture

Located in Sigil's Portal Ward, the Styx Oarsman typifies the multiracial planar metropolis.  The patrons run the gamut from good to evil, with the scales tipping toward the darker side of life.  This inn caters to a mostly humanoid crowd.  Humans, elves, dwarves, halflings, and githzerai compose the majority of the clientele.  A few drow, gnomes, and githyanki visit the Styx Oarsman as well, in addition to a handful of buomans, mephlings, and spikers.

The inn prides itself on its acceptance of the more exotic beings in the city.  The clientele tends toward those from or touched by the Lower Planes, including tieflings and even occasional demon or devil.  The Styx Oarsman is a discreet location to meet and do business.

Because it's such a safe and self-policing place with a reputation for discretion, over the years, the clientele expanded to include all types of races, even a celestial from time to time.  Gryfalcon the jaunter and LeShawn Sonj the demonwrecker can often be found here as well.

The regular patrons value the usefulness of the place and are quick to take arms against anyone who starts a ruckus.  The regular patrons don't use non-lethal force and, once the fight starter has been beaten into unconsciousness, either simply drop the comatose body out in an alley and leave him to the "mercy" of Sigil's less-restrained denizens, or turn the loser in to the local constabulary.

Accommodations

The heavily curtained booths are the main draw for those who use the Oarsman as a place to meet or do business.  Heavy curtains shield the conversations from eavesdroppers.

The back door has a special arcane lock that enables anyone to leave, but only those who bear a special token (purchasable by regulars from Marilith, the bartender) to enter.  Those coming in the back door to one of the back booths appreciate privacy and discretion.  The Styx Oarsman caters to these folk.

Staff

All members of the staff are loyal to the Styx Osman and feel a great affinity to the place.

• Bartender - Maralith mixes drinks three at a time and prevents people from going behind the bar.  She is typically indifferent; however, if approached and made friendly, she gives out a special token that enables entry to the inn by the back door for those who wish to have secretive meetings or comings and goings.
• Cleaners - Although permanent unseen servant spells keep the inn's rooms neat and tidy, there are some extraordinary circumstances (i.e. removing a dead body) when Maralith needs a "Cleaning Crew".  For this, she relies on a pair of brothers, fiendish half-orc monks nicknamed Punch and Kick; they are regulars at the establishment.
• Owner - A githzerai scholar by the name of Rule-of-Three.
• Servers - A trio of humans, Hakim, Rake, and Ellissa, work as the wait staff of the inn.  They had once been part of an adventuring group several years ago.  Now they live together as a romantically attached family unit and enjoy sharing the work of serving drinks at the inn.  They find plenty of profit and excitement in working at the Styx Oarsman and don't anticipate returning to the adventuring life.