Auric

”Indeed, the journey does seem to be taking longer than normal,” comments the Dragonborn warrior.

Mal'thrae pipes up cheerfully: "It's alright. I'm sure whatever higher power's guiding us is just pre-occupied at the moment. They'll be back for us in no time, I'm sure of it."

Valen...

Continues trudging along, not really caring if it takes an hour or ten hours to reach their destination.

Rayner decides to lighten the mood: "Well gentlemen and lady, what about a song for the way?!"

He cofs to clear the troat and merry voice comes out:

Ladies and gentlemen, put down your food,

I don’t want my words to be misconstrued

I’ve a story to tell you, that, though it’s quite lewd

Is sure to brighten the mood!

accustomed to songs aboard ship, Valen adds to the song...

"The story starts with an old shrew...

She likes to add children to her stew...

Many would not believe, they said it was not true...

But I tell ye, I heard it from someone who knew..."

Mal’thrae, not accustomed to songs or to boats, settles for humming to the tune of the song as he walks with a pep in his step.

The higher power guiding their steps quickly jumps back in and ends the journey before any more singing can break out.

You finally arrive at the Yawning Portal after what seems positively weeks worth of traveling. Nothing's changed here...it's as rowdy as usual, and you see familiar faces that give you a wave before going back to their drinks. You don't see Volo around, at least not yet. Durnan is taking orders and passing out drinks, and the place is in full swing, though there are a few empty tables peppered around.

Mal'thrae, full of cheer, finds a table for the group and asks whoever's getting drinks to get him some quipper and an ale. He reclines and takes a breath, and looks around for anything interesting.

Valen takes up a position where he can have his back to a wall and keep an eye on the entrance, keeping an eye out for those he knows are following him even now.

Rayner joins the tables group, drinks the ale, and mingles with the patrons, to make new friends and for work.

Auric:

Having stabled his mount, Auric heads to the bar to buy drinks for the group.  While he is purchasing the brews, he asks Durnan the bartender, "Do you know of any work around here some enterprising young adventurers could score?  I don't know that we are yet ready to descend into your portal."

Persuasion:  16

Mal'thrae, you see Auric speaking with Durnan and Rayner mingling like he owns the place. Valen, you don't see anyone coming after you yet.

Durnan stops serving drinks long enough to lean across the bar to Auric. Nothin' specific right now. I-

At that moment, you hear a loud booming voice echo across the tavern: Your Wish Is My Command.

You look around, and everyone sees a puff of red smoke receding into a small lamp held by a goblin, who's cackling gleefully. He runs out the door into the street.

Durnan watches this in silence, then looks at Auric. S'pose you could take care of that.

Melody looks at the goblin, finishes her drink, shrugs, and starts to chase after it.

Mal'thrae chuckles, thinking to himself: (Could he be any less subtle?) 

He decides to follow the goblin and Melody as well.

Auric:

”Uh...Uh...Uh...Okay,” answers Auric lamely to the proprietor, heading out the door quickly after the goblin, leaving the drinks sitting on the counter.

"Hmph, no horse then..."  Urukar grumbles as Durnan look about ready to serve him, but then speaks to Auric instead.  "Do you require the goblin's head or just the lamp?"  He picks up his greataxe and follows Mal-thrae, Melody and the goblin outside, hoping for an answer from Durnan before he's out of earshot.

Auric:

Getting quickly back on his Riding Lizard, Auric heads out into the street in the wake of the giggling goblin...(note to self—The Giggling Goblin is a great tavern name).  He sends his page to pay for the drinks and his squire to drink them...

Durnan's already wiping glasses again. He doesn't look up as he calls out Just keep 'im from wrecking too much, hmm?

Melody/Mal'thrae, give me a perception or survival roll

Mal'thrae perception: 14