The Black Sails is located in the Lower Ward, just a couple of blocks from the Doomguard's Armory. It sits at the end of an alley between a pair of small armorworks.

The Black Sails stands nearly in the shadow of the Armory, the Doomguard headquarters. The Lower Ward is grimy and gray, but not as squalid as the Hive Ward. Dark foundries and smithies belch forth gray smog and caustic steam around the clock. The tavern sits at the end of a dark alley between a pair of small armorworks. The building is, in fact, a war galleon which has somehow been transported to spot nearly a century ago. It's keel has been removed and it now sits squarely on its hull; supported in an upright position by both wooden beams and earthworks. You can see that most of the rigging has been removed, but the sails on all three masts and bowsprit remain. These massive sheets of cloth hang limply in the still air, stained black by prolonged exposure to the air of the Lower Ward. The hull, too, has absorbed the caustic smog and been stained a charcoal grey. The front door has been set into a flattened portion of the bow.

The common room of this tavern is located on the 'ground floor' - what used to be the cargo deck. All of the interior bulkheads have been removed, but the main support beams and ribs remain. You can also see where the three main masts are anchored to the deck. The bar takes up most of the 'port' side (your right as you face the stern), while eight curtained booths cover the 'starboard' side. A small hoist has been installed to lower food from the galley above to the serving wenches. Several stained and notched tables stand in the room's center. You can see a narrow stairwell climbing to the upper decks just behind the central mast. Some light filters in from the outside through four small, grimy portholes; but the majority of the dim illumination is provided by lanterns. A closer look reveals that the lanterns contain a glowing worm suspended in a liquid. The customers - a mix of Doomguard, Bleakers, Dustmen, Athar, and the occasional Lower Planar creature - are a quiet, sullen group.

The current owner and main barkeep is a gloomy human named Zaren (Pl/T2/Indep/NE). He acquired the tavern about ten years ago. He is of average height and build, but with a slight beer gut. His skin has the gray pallor common to all who live in the Lower Ward. His eyes are a pale green; his hair is black, but greying at the temples. Zaren usually wears black pants, low boots, and a dark blue shirt. He usually works the 'day' shift and tends to complain about his lot in life.

The other barkeep of the Black Sails a tiefling(?) named Goro (Pr/F3/Athar/LN). He looks for all the world like a normal burly human, except that he has four arms. Most take him for a tiefling, but he claims to be from some place on the Prime where all of the Working Caste are as he. Goro is a gruff, but respectful, individual. He wears knee-length black leather pants and a thick, brown leather apron. Zaren has assigned him to the later shift due to his obvious ability to handle rougher crowds. (Plus, the owner secretly hopes that this will attract a few more 'creature' customers.)

There are currently four serving maids employed by the Black Sails. Altina (Pr/T1/Indep/N) works the 'day shift' (5BP - 5AP). The other three work the rest of Sigil's 'day'. She is a middle-aged human that still retains some trace of her former looks. Of average height and getting a bit plump, Altina is still shapely. She wears her fading brown hair in a bun. Her hazel eyes are still bright and alert. She favors somber, practical clothing (black and white dress, just off the shoulders; low boots). While getting on in years, she is still willing to 'take a tumble now and again' - however, she usually prefers to engage customers in intellectual discussions. (As things are slow during the brighter hours, Zaren doesn't discourage this.) A result of these talks, Altina knows a fair amount about the factions that frequent this tavern. For a bit of jink, she is willing to reveal what few 'secrets' she knows.

Hilda (Pl/Hu/F1/Fated/LE) is a young human (~16) from the gatetown of Glorium. Her shapely figure is tanned and muscular. As befits her faction, she is quite aggressive in both manner and dress. Her long blond hair is woven with metal wire into a single braid which hangs down her front on the left side - its end is weighted with a small bronze ball. (As a student of unarmed combat, she puts this weight to good use as a weapon.) There is something of a cruel cast to her ice-blue eyes. She wears a sleeveless pink top that barely clings to her bosom (and has an open back), and a knee-length blue skirt. She goes barefoot. Hilda openly solicits likely customers for 'a turn upstairs'. As she is new to the Takers, she has not yet learned the value of information. A bribe will only reveal who her last customer was, and her frank evaluation of his prowess.

Filan (Pl/He/Ba3/Sensate/CG) is newly arrived at the tavern. Also a new member of her faction, Filan is currently experiencing life as a wench. She has worked for a month or so at each of three other bars (one in the Lady's, Clerks, and Market Wards). She plans to stay here for a month and then try her hand in the Hive. At 21, she is the oldest of the 'night' shift. Her elven heritage is revealed in the slight upturn of her emerald eyes, her creamy complexion, and slightly pointed ears. She wears her black hair shoulder-length and free. Her dress is more traditional - white blouse worn even with the bosom (average), black 'vest', black ankle-length skirt and leather shoes. Filan has a cheery personality that is almost out of place in The Black Sails. She is (naturally) a bit of flirt, but it is more of a personality trait than a conscious offer. She does wear a small flute in a pouch on her waist, and is fond of illusions. Besides her services, jink can also get information on some of the alchemal and magical shops in Sigil.

Salja (Pl/Tf/T1/Indep/CN) is perhaps the best example of the stereotypical tavern wench - saucy, tough, and not afraid to speak her mind. She wears an outfit similar to Filan's, although cut a bit lower and she wears sandals. The colors she favors are rose and white. Her tiefling heritage manifests itself in her coloration - her skin is a coppery tan, with faint (but noticeable) spots like a leopard's. She wears her auburn hair cut short. (Eyes are green.) She is actually the least likely of the three to go to bed with a customer. However, she does pay very careful attention to the customers. For a hefty bribe, she will identify any customer and his habits in the tavern.

The third booth from the stern is actually a portal to the River Styx in the Grey Waste. The key is placing a coin under one's tongue and then moving through the arch. The two rooms on the starboard side, closest to the bow are set aside for use of the barmaids (for 'jobs', they all live elsewhere). The owner, Zaren, lives in a set of rooms in the bow. His office is in the very front and contains business records and his treasury. Although it looks as if this ship's days of use as a vessel of war are over, that is quite far from the truth. The original owner (a Doomguard) modified the upper deck (now the roof). The areas under the fore- and rearcastles are actually hollow and are being used as storage compartments for disassembled seige weapons. There are four catapults and 40 shots hidden under the rear deck, and 3 ballistae and 30 bolts under the fore deck. Although not present, eight more weapons could be mounted on the deck in addition to these seven. The Doomguard have an understanding with all owners of this tavern - if all out war erupts in Sigil, the faction has the right to use this ship as an auxillary platform for the defense of the Armory.