The adventure starts at the Yawning Portal. You each arrive at your own time. When you get there this is what you see...

The Yawning Portal, the most famous tavern in Waterdeep. It holds many stories, some boldly told, and yet other whispered in hushed tones. The real question is which are true, and which are not? By looking at the outside of the building, you can tell that it's a pretty big building, and at this time of night, you see several patrons coming and going. As your heading towards the door, you hear the muted sound of a lute being played, and the warming voice of a Bard trying to earn a living. When you enter, you hear the sounds of people talking, the smell of food being cooked and delivered to the patrons, and the oh so familiar smell of ale that has been spilled on tables, clothes and off of the patrons breath and bodies, it seems you are a little late to this party.

The tap room fills the first floor of the building. Right in the middle of the room is the "well" that you've heard many a story about. You may even have the "Adventurer's Itch", that is the urge to "ride the rope". If only you had 2 gold pieces for the ride down then back up. You know that you'd have to be able to come back up, because you're not strong enough to travel in the Undermountain. At least, not yet... As you look around the tavern you notice tables on the left and right sides of the room. Starting in the Northwest corner of the room to about the center back wall is the bar where Durnan is selling his goods. There are two more floors in this tavern that go around the walls of the building, providing a great view of the "well". On the right side are a set of stairs leading up to the 2nd floor. From where you're standing you don't see many tables that are empty. There are 3 seats at the bar that are empty and one table with 7 chairs around it, none of which are currently occupied. You also notice that currently there are three adventurer's that are holding onto the rope leading down into the "well", and leaning against the right side of the bar is a very well preserved corpse in a coffin.

A haggered halfling walks in.  A quick glance shows that he's probably seen better days.  Surely he's seen cleaner days.  His clothes are more tattered than can be explained by travelling and the odor makes it clear that he's probably spent a few nights sleeping in sewers.  His brown hair is caked in the exact way that no self-respecting halfling would allow.  Still, he's got a chipper expression and marches directly to the bar like he belongs there.  

Standing on his tiptoes to see over the counter, he flags down the barkeep and orders an ale.  Taking a long pull at the mug, he wanders among the crowd.  Too short to draw much attention, he's light on his feet and an astute observer might notice that he's light with his fingers as well.  ...then again, no, they probably wouldn't.

He takes a long look into the well and shivers a bit. 

Before the Halfling gets his mug, Durnan, the barkeep and owner tells him, "That'll be 4 copper for the ale." Durnan also keeps a close eye on the Halfling.

I'm good for it.

Then, noticing the look on Durnan's face, Rivon fumbles through some pockets and produces the copper.

Xavnan Lightfingers | Half-Elf Bard | AC 14 | HP 9/9 | Spell Slots L1 2/2 |

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Xavnan enters the room after a desheveled looking halfling. Making sure nobody mistakenly thinks he is with the unclean man he walks in the oppisite direction towards the music currently playing in the corner. Waiting for the current performers to finish he looks around the room and takes stock of the current patrons in the Tavern. 

Although he had grown up in Waterdeep he had never ventured into the Yawning Portal before. The clientele of this establishment was always to brutish for his stories but now that he had spent time at sea with his current crew he had learned how to have the manliest of men hanging on every one of his words. As the music comes to an end and the coins are collected, Xavnan steps into place. 

With a piece of fleece in hand, he starts to tell his story. "It was a dark night at sea and Talos was flaunting his power. Waves rising, threating to tip the ship with every crest." As tells his story he makes the shape of crashing waves, casting Minor Illusion to make the noises of the storm. "As lightning struck, the crew witnessed a dark shadow moving through the waves, disappearing again as the light fades to the sound of thunder. All eyes scanned the turbulent waters looking for the threat in the darkness. Seconds later..." Throwing his hands up he creates the roar of a great serpent. "Rows of teeth and green scale were the only thing seen as the great beast lept over the ship.." The story continues. A battle ensued and with sheer determination and a lot of damage, enhanced with the sounds of breaking wood and flying arrows. The crew is triumphant and limp back into the closest port. The only trophy from the battle was their lives and the ability to share the story in taverns, not unlike the one he was in. (Performance 7)

A good portion of the crowd near the stage are entranced with the story. After the story finishes a few of the patrons throw different coins on the stage for Xavnan. Altogether he gets a total of 2 gold and 6 copper. A few of the crowd who were completely enthralled by the story call out for an encore.

Cade Bleakstone - The Cursed | Goblin Barbarian 

As if in contrast of the haggard halfling from before if only by scent, an exhausted but fairly put together goblin enters the establishment. His clothing was in desperate need of a proper tailor's love, as clearly some untrained hand sewed random patches into place to keep much of the brown and black garments together. He pulls back his hood upon entering, and runs a hand across a hairless scalp. Though beady red-eyes swiftly went to work casing the place, the goblin's posture is anything but tense. Perhaps he knew the Yawning Portal catered to all sorts of adventuring riffraff, so discrimination would be at a low. Or perhaps it was all airs to keep the more twitchy lot for immediately screaming 'GOBLIN! KEEL IT!' before setting upon the poor goblinoid.

Durnan hands the goblin back 6 shards along with his mug of Shadowdark Ale and a glass of water. "A room for that one there, would be 6 nibs. There's a wash basin in the room he can use to clean up with. Although, I'm not so sure that he'd be able to afford it." Noticing how the goblin was admiring the story from the Bard on stage, he says to him, "Kid's not half bad, I've heard better, but not too bad."

Xavnan Lightfingers | Half-Elf Bard | AC 14 | HP 9/9 | Spell Slots L1 2/2 |

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Xavnan conducts a low bow as the coins hit the floor. Doing a quick count he is more than happy with the outcome. 

On the call for more the Bard just raises one hand. "I can't go telling all my stories in one night. We have other fine performers waiting in the wings ready to fill the room with their delightful music." In one swift movement, he bends down to pick up all the loose coins delivering them into his coin pouch.

His ears pick up the grumbles of one of the patrons. Searching for the unhappy customer he finds them easily as the grumbles become a loud "BOOO". As quick as he could the half-elf closes the distance and in a quiet voice that can only be heard by those in the immediate area he whispers. "Maybe if you can help me some alcoholic lubrication you may get me back on stage before the night is over." (Persuasion 8 Possible Disadvantage if he is really unhappy with me stopping 16) Without waiting for a response he heads towards the bar.

A few moments pass, and the door is slowly pushed open and you see a human face pop in and take a look around. The smell must have gets to him just then, and he makes a face with eye squinting and his nose scrunched up. He lets out a cough and pushes through into the room, revealing plain clothes and a drab, but clean, hooded cloak, though the hood is down, and the length pushed to one side and tied with a knot.

He fans the air in front of his shaven face, hoping for relief from the stench as he walks up to the bar. Finding his spot right next to  a very smelly halfling. (Rivon)

Can i please get a glass of water? just kind of indirectly, and then looks down at the halfling, 

Wait, gods is that smell coming from you? Im ssorry for being so rude.. I, uh, uh, well, its just bad, sir.

Not following far behind the human, the door will open again. A tall crimson colored hobogoblin would enter the inn with a tight neatly kept beard and piercing red eyes. The figure would be carrying a large wooden staff adorned with various skulls on the end. With one hand on his staff, he would pull his other hand from his thick leather robe. The robe would look as if it had been sitched from the skin of various creatures, but what creatures is left up to the imagination. Pulling his empty hand from his robe, he would give Durnan a wave as a large white toothed smile spreads across his scarred face. As he makes his way towards the bar, the various withered hands and grizzly trophies hanging from his belt would rattle and bump together. While the apparel of the hobgoblin was rather grim, those around him would be rather surprised that everything spotless. The skulls and body parts hanging from him were very clean and the only smell coming from him was the smell of freshly baked sweet rolls. "Hello friend" Thrak would say to Dunam with a smile as he places his staff on his back and takes a seat next to the man. "I'll take a mead please" he would say placing the required coin on the table. "Hope you don't mind me sitting next to you... don't worry, they wont hurt you. My name is thrak." He would say gesturing to the skulls as he reaches over towards the man and offers his scarred hand in a handshake.

Durnan reluctantly gets just  a glass of water for the human. As he does this he says, "Yep, that smell's coming from the little guy. His little green friend there was just asking about a bath for him." He grabs the 4 nibs from the counter and quickly slides s a mug of mead for the Hobgoblin and asks, "Anything else for you gents?"

Durnan nods, taking the coin on the counter. "Your rooms will be ready in a bit, if you're hungry, we have quipper and chips, and I believe we have one empty table at the moment".

"Thank you, kind sir.  Rivon Quickstep, at your service" 

Rivon bows deeply to the goblin.

(OOC - Rivon IS the halfling, just FYI)

Rivon? Again, im sorry for coming off immediately so rude. Uh, my name is Darren. Nice to meet you.

Darren turns to the goblin

And ive never met a goblin before. I never would have guessed that you would be so well spoken. Or had such a deep voice for your size. Again if that was rude im sorry. I just dont know how to interact with people other than humans.

(OOC: Thrak (hobgoblin) was trying to introduce himself to Darren after ordering a drink from Darnan, in case that wasn't clear)

Seeing the human turn to talk to the goblin and halfling, Thrak would pick up his mead and get up from his chair before standing beside all three. Taking a drink of his mead in one hand, he would offer his free hand out for a handshake to anyone that would take it. "My name is Thrak.. Thrak bonebender of the Crimson Fist legion... It is nice to meet you all" He would say with a smile. Looking down to the goblin he would say (in goblin) "Let me know if anyone gives you a hard time" Before shooting him a wink and again addressing them. "So what brings the lot of you in here... I have been popping in here every day for the past few weeks and none of you seem like the regulars" He would ask with interest. While listening to their responses, he would take sips of his mead in one hand and pull out his staff to hold in the other. With his hand holding his staff, he would run his finger along some of the symbols etched into the wood while occasionally muttering under his breath as he repeatedly cast prestidigitation to clean the clothing and hair of the halfling before leaving the smell of sweet rolls lingering in the air around him.

"I have a sudden urge for cinnamon rolls.  Is there a bakery around here?"

Xavnan Lightfingers | Half-Elf Bard | AC 14 | HP 9/9 | Spell Slots L1 2/2 |

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Xavnan heads to the end of the bar taking note of the two unusual creatures mingling in front of the bar. He was happy to tell stories to crowds but his true passion was people watching while sipping on a glass of spirits. The information you could get by just being a bystander listening into others conversation was invaluable. As his own life had been unremarkable most of his tales were of others that he had come across that he had made his own. From what he had been told this place was the place to come. If people managed to make their way out of the well they would have stories of the perils below. Maybe that is where the two in front of the bar have made their way from. 

As the bard waits for Darnan to become free, he chuckles to himself as the human stumbles over his words while talking to the Goblin and the Hobgoblin uses magic to clean the halfling. Apparently to the approval of many in the halflings vicinity. Catching a whiff of pastries Xavnan nods in approval. 

Once Darnan signals he is ready Xavnan puts his newly acquired gold on the bar. "I would like some of your fine rum, my fine man." Gesturing towards the well he continues. "Looks like you have a few heading below. What do you think the chances are of them returning?"

"For the rum, that'll be another 2 dragons," he holds his hand out expectantly. "As for those three, would you care to make a little wager?"