This large public square in the northwest of the Mariners’ Quarter has a weathered sandstone fountain so old the features of the person memorialized are no longer discernable; it is jocularly called "Old King Do-Naught" after a notoriously inept monarch of three centuries ago.  The wide base of the fountain is the source of public drinking water for the poor.  The square has a number of pushcart vendors and is also a popular venue for minstrel performances and street theater.  Among the performers is Corawyn, a fair minstrel with a furtive air about her.  She is an outlawed murderess on the run from the city of Shedra to the west, conquered by the Kingdom of Warwik in a recent war.  Ever since the war, Corawyn is looking over her shoulder, for there would be a respectable price on her head from Shedra authorities if they knew she’d fled to the capital.

The Sisterhood of Sublime Mercy Orphanage:  This orphanage hosts several dozen children at any given time, and has a sour reputation in the neighborhood.  The "Sisterhood" (an Order not otherwise known of beyond this district) apparently believes in hard work for their charges, claiming it will teach them useful trades and a work ethic, and operates a nearby sharpener and brickmaking factory.  They claim (not completely inaccurately) to place children in fosterage on suburban farms and in apprenticeships in the city, and hotly and persistently maintains their innocence of any wrongdoing, while maintaining (also not completely inaccurately) that they teach the children to read, write and cypher.  More sinisterly, Mothers Mellindra and Yhantsie sell a steady percentage of the better looking or stronger children as slaves to illicit buyers.  They have onsite a half-dozen gutter mercenaries (deliberately picking handsome, innocent looking ones) to help keep the children in line and discourage questions. 

Opium Den, no sign:  Sereg a thuggish fellow with a strong strain of orcish blood - runs this opium den, the scandal of the neighborhood for its close proximity to the orphanage.  There is nothing fancy about the establishment; it is a place for those who wish to become as stoned as they can as fast as they can, inexpensively, with no fuss.  Despite his reputation, Sereg and his orc bouncers, Khortag and Vegmail (f), won’t let obvious youths in, but it is rumored (accurately) that they will sell drugs to youths from a back door into the sharpener shop.  One of the regulars is Helegen, a woman who will do anything for a price.  She is a thin, quick-witted fighter with black hair and blue eyes, and many ill deeds to forget in drugged hazes.

Sharpener, no sign:  Geral runs this sharpening business for the Sisterhood of Sublime Mercy orphanage, using the nimbler and younger children for workers.  He is not particularly harsh to his charges, but also not particularly concerned with safety, as long as there are no visible, ostentatious injuries or maiming.  They handle bulk orders for the fishing and coastal trades.

Brickmaker, no sign:  Donas Korrien runs this brickmaking establishment for the Sisterhood of Sublime Mercy, using the stronger and older children for workers. He and his two supervisors are harsh taskmasters, liberally using switches to keep the children in line and working.  Their wares are basic, inexpensive and profitable.

Sign of the Melting Block:  This old time ice selling family business has recently been taken over by Shalla Luathaich, the grand-niece of the proprietor, who has retired to the countryside.  In reality, "Shalla" is the priestess Siwas, cleric of Mallia, the dread Pariah Goddess of Disease.  Siwas, with her three acolytes, sacrificed Shalla and her grand-uncle to Mallia, forged the right papers, and plans to use this business to spread disease throughout the Old City and onto ships leaving for foreign ports.

Brothel, no sign:   Even in the loose Mariners’ District, the brother and sister team of Dachel and Keraera draw a great deal of fire.  Locally born to now-deceased fishermen, they are infamous for doing anything with anybody (or with any prop) in any combination, each other included.  Their sign was torn down and their establishment has been repeatedly vandalized; the outraged locals threaten worse if they stay in business here.

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