The Sword and Buckler is a tavern on the corner of Abyss Avenue and Blood Boil Street on the edge Lady's Ward in Sigil.

Being on the edge of the Lady's Ward, this tavern can be qualified as almost respectable. The architecture and furnishings speak of a time when this was a first-rate establishment; but those better days are forever behind it. It is a simple, two-story affair of white-washed plaster and stone. The plaster is now a dingy white, regardless of how many times the Dabus clean the walls. This is seen as the most obvious sign that the tavern will soon be fully within the Lower Ward. The red paint on the shutters is faded and peeling. The sign which hangs over the front door is made from a an actual rapier and buckler that have been fused together. Both are badly rusted and in dire need of replacement.

Most of the first floor is the common room. The rest belongs to the bar and the kitchen. Due to the clientele, the selection of drinks and food, while varied, is simple and moderately priced. No wine or other hard alcohol is available - only a wide range of beers, ales, and meads. The fare consists of items such as sausage, stew, and bread. Simple and hearty - enough to keep a basher's strength up, but not enough to coddle his taste buds or digestive tract.

The common room is simple and well-used. The ceiling beams are stained with the soot of lantern and pipe smoke. The tables and columns are solid, but worn around the edges - carved graffiti is at a minimum, however. The decorations are virtually nonexistent. About six shields of various designs and sizes still hang on the walls - empty hooks show where more used to be. The shields are all badly dented. Above and behind the bar are a pair of crossed sabres over a buckler. These are carefully maintained.

At any given time, nearly a score of beings can be found enjoying themselves in the tavern. Conversation is boisterous, and a bard occasionally provides music. Most of the bashers present are of the more "humanoid" races; hybrids like the bariur are rare, as are Lower Planar beings. Anyone entering will be given an immediate once over by the population. If they are non- faction, they will usually be heartily welcomed and offered a drink by someone. Obvious faction members are given a bit more distant respect - at least until it is determined if they are hiring or not.

The upstairs is also of simple layout. The current owner maintains his quarters here. There are three other 'private' rooms (up to four can sleep in them). The other half is a bunk room which can sleep up to 24 at any one time. A few of the thugs downstairs maintain their kip here.

Members of nearly any faction are welcome here. This tavern has become one of the traditional places for the factions to hire non-aligned thugs and bodyguards for various 'discrete' jobs. As such, a large number of rough bashers hang out here; either to wait for work or else just to swap tall tales and the occasional punch. This is a good place to get hired or put in the dead-book.

The current owner and primary bartender is Hartshorn (Pl/F3/BS/NG). This human was born several decades ago in the gatetown of Elysium. He wandered the Great Road for a time, indulging in his two favorite pastimes: wine and women. Unfortunately for him, his luck ran out as he seduced the lover of a yugoloth in Torch. The creature did leave him alive, but with one leg (the right) and a crippled left arm. He has accepted this fate and tries to get along as best he can running this tavern. The hair on his left is pinkish white, and the ear appears to have been exposed to flame. The brown hair on his right is just starting to turn grey. His blue eyes still sparkle with mirth, but overall he is somewhat subdued for the retired swashbuckler that he is.

A total of six barmaids work for the owner with no set shift rotation. They are: Elizabeth (Pl/--/--/NG; Human, 21, hazel hair, brown eyes, blue dress, short), Mystra (Pl/M2/TO/CG); Tiefling, 17, "zebra woman" of Olivia fame, red skirt with white top), Terri (Pl/--/--/N; Human, 29, blond hair, blue eyes, pretty but marred by look of permanent annoyance), Shalla (Pr/T1/-- /CG; Half-elf, 25, glossy black hair, violet eyes, green shirt and pants with purple vest, flirts), Victoria (Pl/--/At/LN; Half-elf, 45, red hair and blue eyes, yellow dress, pessimistic attitude), and Anna (Pl/--/FL/NG; Human, 14, close-cropped blond hair, brown eyes, black dress, tough attitude). Mystra and Anna are the only ones who would seriously consider any offer for favors; the others only if enough jink and good looks were involved. (And Hartshorn, surprisingly enough, doesn't want that on the premises.)

Both owner and barmaids are good sources of information on who frequents the bar. They can often be counted on to recommend regulars for jobs that come in which would suit those particular sod's talents.

The person who really makes the as successful as it is Callahan (Pr/Pr3/--/LG). This dwarf is both the head cook and 'quartermaster' for the tavern. He stocks the drinks and guarantees their quality - occasionally, he will let Hartshorn sell some of his private brews. Callahan came to the planes while fleeing an invasion of his homeland. While somewhat out of favor with his deity (due to his cowardice) he still gets by with his magic due to his desire to help people. Depending on the situation, he will be willing to help out a basher in need - either with money, spells, info, or a place to hide for a few days.

The bard who is most commonly seen performing here is Seamus (Pl/Ba2/FL/ NG). He is a middle-aged human with a strong sense of humor and a good feel for "the common man" - or at least, the common clientele. Most of his songs are of the lower classes: working songs, drinking songs, wenching songs, etc. His greying brown hair is still curly, and his beard is still full. Mirth wrinkles surround his brown eyes. His instruments are: flute, harp, and spoons.

The door from the back hallway into the alley is a portal to Baator (destination as per "To Baator and Back" in "Well of Worlds"). The key is a piece of Baatorian Green Steel.