Inn that features a magical harp that entertains patrons. It's a comfortable, solidly-built stone structure with a steeply-pitched slate roof, noisy during hailstorms and heavy rains, but otherwise very quiet due to its solid construction. It’s both cozily-furnished (with comfortable overstuffed seating, well supplied with pillows and cushions, many tapestries and wall-hangings. and woven rugs underfoot throughout; and well-heated (every room having its own fireplace). It’s also well-lit and ventilated, and the staff are cheerful without being loud or intrusive; it tends to attract a clientele of similar mien.
The upper floor is devoted to fourteen small guestrooms, the servants sleep in the dormered attic above, and the ground floor is devoted to garderobes, kitchen and pantry, and a large common room comfortably furnished with coaches around the walls broken by small side tables, and round wooden dining tables currounded by chairs in the center. The cellar is low-ceilinged, damp, and given over to a workshop (furniture repairs and reupholstering), a laundry, and keg and bulk vegetable (mainly potatoes and carrots) and fruit (mainly apples) bin storage.
Since the early 1300s DR, this inn has been known for the illusory golden harp that appears briefly, on random evenings, floating in midair near the ceiling of the common room (in the same central spot, though if this spot is deliberately occupied, it will appear nearby) to sing and play ancient Sword Coast and Savage North ballads by itself. Some long-ago patrons attempted to make this feature disappear by use of dispel magics, but each time, it reappeared shortly thereafter. There are various conflicting tales told of the harp’s origins, but which, if any, of them are true has been lost to time. The most popular story says that this is a haunting, the legacy of Sharaerra Valeth, a bard who built the inn (as a private family mansion), a lady who lived happily in what is now “the Harp” for many years, and died in what is now the common room of the infirmities of old age—but died while actually playing and singing, to entertain her children.
The inn has changed very little from the 1470s through 1490s, being known as a quiet, cozy ‘home away from home,’ not haughty or showy, but a relaxing haven. Under motherly, quietly efficient innkeeper Alanna Falark (CH hf W2 [knows mainly useful cantrips, but can defend and head cook Omdurl Surlhond (LN hm F4 [retired, but can still throw a cleaver or filleting knife with deadly aim]), the Harp serves simply, heart fare of a roast boar or oxen dish every evening with fresh fish dishes also available, and soups and tarts (meat, vegetable, and berry) available at all times. It has a small but good range of wines, a few liquors, and ale, stout, and porter (brewed nigh Amphail) on tap.
Like all Sea Ward inns, the Harp is pricey (2 gp/night with all meals but only ales and water to drink included, other drinkables extra, and stabling 5cp/beast atop that, plus 2 sp if a wagon or carriage must be housed, “under secure guard,” out back). Many a successful merchant prefers to stay here when in Waterdeep; one of them long ago cited the Harp as a “drama-free restful haven,” and that remains true.