Swords Meet The Swords Meet was an inn located in Voonlar that catered mainly to the Zhentarim and their allies , affiliates , and sympathizers . Location . The Swords Meet faced a northerly direction across Shind Road . Just to the west was the White Stag on one edge of the Stagfoot — an arrowhead - shaped median between Shind Road and another road that met at a sharp angle . The tip of this arrowhead pointed directly at the Meet . Structure . This imposing inn was built with some elements of a fortress style . The outside walls of this large , square building were made completely from dark - colored stone . Its two stories were taller than normally found in human architecture , making it appear to loom over Shind Road and the surrounding grounds . A steep , rusty metal roof capped it off , complete with crenelated fake parapets and gargoyles at the corners that spat runoff from the roof when it rained . On the west side of the inn was a barn and a fenced grazing area used to isolate ill animals from the main stables in the cellar of the larger building . Interior . The cellar was indeed mainly used as a stable for the guest ' s horses . Although the Meet boasted it had the largest and best - equipped stables in Voonlar , the Sign of the Shield inn down the road obviously had a bigger stable compound , but the Meet arguably took the title of " best - appointed " . Also in the cellar was a separate pantry for food and wine storage and three wood - burning furnaces that kept the entire inn warm and dry . On the ground floor as one entered , the lobby and stairs were to the right , on the western side , and the common room took up a quarter of the floor on the east . The southern half of the floor contained the kitchens and more pantries . The upstairs rooms contained at least two beds to comfortably sleep four people , but were large enough that quite a few more could be accommodated if they didn ' t mind bunking on the floor . Also in each suite was a hip - high bathing tub with scented water and a jakes that could be flushed with a sluice of used bath water . Atmosphere . The lighting in the Meet could be described as soft , dim , or romantic , depending on the observer ' s mood . The furniture and decorations were quite luxurious but mismatched , giving an impression of a country estate or a royal hunting lodge . The hallways were covered with rugs and tapestries which served to muffle sounds , especially of the staff as they quickly moved about the inn . Each room was accessed through two lockable doors connected by a passage less than a body - length long which gave guests some warning before a chamberservant entered using his or her passkeys . Scented oils were kept burning in hanging lamps to mask any unpleasant odors wafting up from the stables in the basement . The common room was decorated with many crossed swords and battered battle trophies . It had semi - private booths around a central open area . Minstrels played softly during busy hours ( which were almost ' round the clock ) , both for entertainment and to hinder eavesdropping . Whenever it rained or hailed , the metal roof made the Meet a noisy place . Services . Rooms for one or two occupants were 3 gp per night and 2 gp for each additional person . This price included stabling for mounts , a meal , and a bottomless tankard of ale . Known Zhents were only charged 2 gp per night . Guests were expected to dine in the common room but for 1 sp they could have drinks or a meal delivered to their room . Swords Meet was known for its locally brewed dark ale called Night ale . Other brews could occasionally be found here , but everyone knew that ordering ale meant Night ale . For visitors off the street , ale was 1 sp a tankard . A meal was 8 sp and included all the ale they desired to drink . Wines were priced separately for guests and visitors alike : from 2 sp to 10 gp a flagon , depending on quality and availability . At a minimum , the wine cellar kept in stock the locally produced mead and clarry ; from Arabel , a pleasant dry red wine ; and from Saerloon , their famous glowfire , topaz , and special vat vintages . The food at the Meet was plentiful and filling , with common staples dressed up to uncommonly savory heights . At any time of day , sausage and hot buttered rolls were available to paid guests just for the asking . The sausage was served in chunks on a skewer in between fried mushrooms . At mealtimes , the kitchen produced a " remove " — a main dish and side items — served to any table with paying customers . One regularly served remove was seared venison sauteed with mushrooms in red wine , with a plate of Askata cheese — a strong , crumbly , yellow cheese imported from Impiltur — and biscuits made with sugar and spread with blackberry jelly , served warm . Another favorite was goat meat roasted to tender perfection and served over fried slices of potato , parsnip , and radish , with a plate of goat cheese sprinkled with crushed almonds , and a fruit mash to finish . A minty hot pepper sauce turned the goat meat into a mouth - watering delicacy . Regular customers were always on the lookout for a rare treat : pheasant roasted on a spit , served over a plate of apples and mushrooms , and a dessert of hearty applecake , sweet , dark and moist . The owner of the Meet was Aerel Hassammar who drove his staff to perform their duties with lightning efficiency while remaining as silent and unseen as possible . He was a fair man , but not above using the threat of beatings and whippings to motivate them . On the other hand , if guests wanted something beyond the normal service , he encouraged his staff to be friendly and he turned a blind eye to most delays caused by guests wanting a more personal touch . History . The first owner of the Swords Meet was Naskaler Ormith , a retired Zhentil soldier who desired to create a place for Zhents to feel welcome in an otherwise hostile region south of Zhentil Keep . He , and perhaps others who followed him , furnished the Meet with purchases of furniture , tapestries , and household items looted from Sembian mansions and hunting lodges during conflicts with that country to the south . As of the Year of Wild Magic , 1372 DR , the owner was Aerel Hassammar . Inhabitants . Gormstadd , the high priest of the local temple to Cyric , regularly came to the common room with his retinue of lesser priests .