Madame Garah’s Boarding House

'''Madame Garah's Boarding House''' is a boarding house located in the Adventurer's Quarter, South Ward, Waterdeep.

This two-story timber, wattle-and-daub building fronts onto Slop Street and faces Curtain Alley with a row of small glass windows on either side of a wide arched door. As the house has no sign or markings, one only enters Mme. Garah’'s house on invitation or if seeking a room for an extended stay (a tenday or more). The entry is flanked by a jakes and a closet for cloaks. The entryway opens into a large, open parlor with a stairwell on the right of the room, a desk and chair underneath the steep stairs. The dining room is through an open archway on the left, to the left of the fireplace and hearth, and the large kitchen is behind a door at the foot of the stairs. The stairs lead up to the upper floor, where there are eight rooms to rent. The cellar is reached through a trapdoor in the kitchen, and is used for cool storage and a pantry.

Mme. Garah and her adopted son live in a converted three-room suite on the upper floor to one side of the stairwell, and they have access to the kitchen by means of a spiral stair from their common room. All of the rented rooms are of equal size, spacious enough for up to two people, and each comes equipped with a bed, a washbasin and chamber pot, a small chest, and a small oil lamp. Copper bathing tubs and hot water are available upon request for an additional charge (1 silver piece). Rooms are 35 taols per tenday, with the two rooms on each floor with windows facing Slop Street costing five taols more per tenday and the two back rooms with windows over Weeping Maiden’'s Run an additional three taols. Each of the rooms can be individually locked, though Mme. Garah retains a skeleton key for all doors. Within the small courtyard is an elm tree and an unkempt rose garden that has taken to growing up and over the northeastern wall.

With the pay for their rooms, boarders receive two meals daily, at midmorning and at sunset. Madame Garah rewards promptness with hearty meals of fresh bread, robust stews, savory roasts, and fine soups such as her kitchen can provide; while she is the primary cook and baker, her son is swiftly learning some cooking finesse and may soon outclass his mother. If boarders miss a meal, day-old rolls and slices of cold beef are left in their rooms.