Smoldering Corpse Bar

A seedy tavern in the Hive Ward, lit by a perpetually burning corpse

What You Know

The Smoldering Corpse Bar is exactly what it sounds like: a seedy tavern in the Hive Ward where a perpetually burning corpse hovers over a vent, casting flickering light across the whole place. It’s unsettling the first time you see it, but in Sigil, you get used to unsettling fast.

The building looks like an old ruin from the outside—wrought-iron walls warped over centuries, rusted furnishings visible through broken windows. Inside, a domed roof presses down on the space, and the floor is tiled but covered in dust and streaks of dried blood. Heat vents hiss constantly, releasing plumes of warmth that make the air thick and uncomfortable. The smell is iron, smoke, and something faintly sweet that you don’t want to think too hard about.

This is a melting pot for Sigil’s underworld. Thieves, smugglers, mercenaries, planar refugees, and stranger things all gather here to drink cheap ale (they call it “bub”), make deals in hushed corners, and trade secrets for a few copper. You might see a devil chatting with an angel, or a mind flayer playing cards with a githyanki. It’s the kind of place where anything can happen, and usually does.

Morte takes his meetings here, and no one is really sure why. He sent you word that he’s overheard some interesting chant; specifically about Verdax the Resonant needing a favor. If Morte thinks it’s worth passing along, it probably is. Or it’s at least entertaining enough to be worth a drink.

The bar is run by Barkis, a gruff tavern keeper who’s involved in shady dealings but keeps things running smoothly. As long as you pay, you’re welcome. If you don’t, he’ll keep your belongings until you can buy them back. Mira, the shy bartender, keeps an eye on the crowd and is a decent source of local gossip if you ask nicely.