Right across the street from the Yawning Portal Tavern is the Green Dragon Inn. A place where you can actually get some sleep compared to the Tavern, which is 24 hours full tilt rowdy. Not the Green Dragon, it's for sophisticated folk. And that's where you've been invited to meet a wizardly old man calling himself Hal.

"Welcome friends! I have a grand business proposition for you. I've sent this letter to lots of interesting adventurer folk, and you're the ones that showed up. Most visitors to the Yawning Portal are content to swap stories by the hearth, but sometimes a group driven by greed, ambition, or desperation pays the toll for entry and descends the well.

"Most don’t survive to make the return trip, but enough come back with riches and tales of adventure to tempt other groups into trying their luck...and that's us friends! I have some magic potions that will automagically make you powerful enough to succeed in whatever path you take down in the dungeon. All I need from you is for you to do it! Please, teamwork makes the dreamwork, get to know each other."

Jhank eyes the room and quietly finishes her tankard she ordered the moment she came to meet Hal, making a disgusted face as the beer tastes like it has actual quality to it. Grumbling something unintelligible Jhank sticks out a clawed hand stiffly to what she guessed was a Human man, ''Jhank,'' she mutters, making herself appear to have the social skills of a vole.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:01, Thu 02 Dec 2021.

Devan whistles as the old wizard reveals the magic potions,"I've never heard of such potions, could this be a new line of products or some sort of ancient conspiracy. Best make a note of that." he mutters to himself, jotting down ancient and secret magic potions on his notepad. Devan came in this tavern an hour earlier, mostly to gain insights on any passing adventurers. He was very interested in Jhank's past, but all he got was her name and a bunch of grunts and hisses. So he wrote her down as a unsociable ally but her origins could possibly come from one of the Lizardfolk tribes of the High Forest or other Lizardfolk inhabited swamps,"Anyways, my name is Devan, Devan Crier at your survive. Now would you say that your secretly a masked Lord or are you a leader of a secret cult." he says inquisitively to Hal.

Littlejohn grins cheerfully as he greets everyone. "Me Littlejohn Greenleaf." Then continues in the tone of someone reciting a memorized line. "Pleased to meet you."

A look of confusion briefly crosses his face as Hal speaks. "Um, what you want us to do?" He asks Hal.

When Devan whistles he tenses up then quickly knocks three times on the table then asks; "What secrets?"

" The juicy and scandalous kind, my friend. Their everywhere yet also nowhere." Devan responds to Littlejohn, he surmise that the big fellow was simple minded but the jovial, at least that's what he describe  him in his notes,"I'm the type that likes to bury my nose in those kinds of secrets. For no particular reason, of course, just adventuring habit and what not." he says, looking somewhat shifty-eyed when he said that,"Anyways, it's nothing to worry about. I just believe that theirs a story to tell with the goals of our employer."

"Ahh good questions, Devan. This is purely off the record right? Bahhh, I'm kidding. No one reads your paper anyway. Bahhhhh I'm kidding." Hal grins and that's his only answers to the unofficial interview.

"Mr. Greenleaf I want you to enter the Yawning Portal and succeed in whatever dungeon you choose, and reap the fame and glory. I guarantee you, drink my magic potions once you enter, and you will be quite powerful enough to survive and thrive!"

He strokes his beard and glances out the window at the moon. "Hmmm, we're still waiting on at least one more. Once that adventurer arrives you can head on over to the Tavern...oh, perhaps you wanna share with each other what your skills are? I'm not the best strategist, I didn't pay much attention to making sure you all complement each other."

''How come yer so keen on ''helping'' us?'' Jhank questioned suspiciously, sniffing the air, looking rather intimidating with her arms crossed,  ''and what's in those poitions?''
This message was last edited by the player at 23:42, Thu 28 Oct 2021.

"I'm friggin' bored, that's why. Just kiddin'! I want 10% of your earnings. Now I've sent out invitations to all sorts of adventurers and you're the ones who showed up, so I assume you're interested in fame and glory. If you aren't, I suggest you leave."

He runs his finger around the table and mumbles some arcane sounding words and a minor illusion of a marijuana, tobacco and cocaine plant appears. "The potions are all natural marijuana, tobacco and cocaine. I'm kiddin'!" And he doesn't tell what's actually in it.

Jhank snorts and orders her third beer. Thinking to herself maybe the boss isn't so bad after seeing the mirages.

"Oh, I'll show you, I'll make a story that'll eat your heart out." Devan grumbles then coughs as he caught himself,"Ugh, paper, I don't know what your talking about, I'm no writer, just a fighter. Yeah, I'm a pretty good boxer, so if you need a melee specialist, well Devan Crier is the man for the job." the shifty man says, boasting on his one time boxing lesson he learned in law school.

“right. cough. yeah. boxing. sorry.”

A small cloaked figure entered the inn, drawing attention immediatly - something he wasn't comfortable about. He drew his hooded cloak (One that was obviously too big for his small frame), hiding his features. Stay calm He thought to himself as he looked around.

Standing a little over 3 feet tall, the figure had a strange vibe, perhaps it was the fact he had a hidden tail inder the cloak, twitching nervously. He makes his way over to the table with the others, his only feature is a draconic hand holding the staff, topped with a blue/purple crystal, his face hidden in the deep cowl of the hooded robe.

Even his speech was raspy. "Is this place for dungeon....riches, knoweledge, glory....power?" His halting speech indicated that even though he spoke quite well, it wasn't something he spoke often.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:34, Fri 29 Oct 2021.

The bells above the front door of the Green Dragon Inn jingled as a young human woman bustled in, laden with a large backpack and heaving an overstuffed traveler's trunk.  In her haste she nearly tripped trying to get through the door, but caught herself and searched frantically about.  Soon enough she spotted the small group conversing with a wizened fellow and appeared relieved.  The white-haired girl hoisted the trunk over, set it down with a huff and then approached with some apprehension.  Wringing her hands, she greeted the group with a gentle voice and a bright smile despite her nerves, "Why hello there, friends!  I hope I haven't arrived too late to answer the call for adventurers.  You must be Hal, sir, am I correct?"  She looked to the old wizard.

Sparkling lavender-hued eyes glanced to each of the gathered adventurers, seeming to grow alarmed by their fearsome appearances.  Though she was clearly out of her depth, the young woman gulped and declared with all the confidence she could muster, "I'm Andromeda, druidic adventure-philosopher of the Circle of Stars.  I look forward to... helping!"

Devan eyed the couple of newcomers, as if scanning them for their whole life story by just glancing at them with suspicious eyes. He then looks down to his notepad,"Hmm, hmm, two new companions, the other looks to have a shady past. No more like his hiding his identity, is he a hero in disguise or secretly a monstrous spy." he says to himself, jotting down whatever he said,"Then theirs the philosopher of a druidic order that studies astrology. Or so she claims, could be involved in an otherworldly cult or maybe a dark elf in disguise. Yeah, that's a good one." he mumbles, making a note of that, then pockets his notepad,"Devan Crier, charmed to meet you. This simple man right here is Littlejohn, the dangerous miss right their is Jhank." he says, introducing himself and the others at the table.

The cloaked figure shifted, an unknown thought coming to him. Then he lifed his draconic hands and drew back the cloaked hood, revealing himself.

...a kobold.

The figure looked like a miniature version of a dragonborn, just over three feet tall, his scales were a dull grey that almost looked like shifting to black. He had several head spikes of dark black, but his eyes were a contrast, a deep ocean blue that held no malice or cruelty common to his race - just intelligence, curiosity and pain.

He crossed his arms, expecting the usual reaction of anger and threats, but decided to speak first. "My name Orakanathalasynath Shadrenathorakn, but you  call 'Onyxclaw'....most tall ones do."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:21, Fri 29 Oct 2021.

A talkative fellow with shifty eyes was the first to offer greeting after Andromeda’s arrival, though it seemed he might be talking to himself rather than to her.  Her mouth slowly dropped open as he narrated spurious allegations about herself and the small cloaked figure, even though they’d only just met.  She gasped, “Begging your pardon?  I am most certainly not a dark elf, and my Circle is indeed otherworldly, but to call it a cult is just… unkind!  Why would you write such things of we whom you’ve only just met, mister Crier?”

Andromeda huffed a little, but resumed her smile when she turned to Littlejohn, who had a kind look despite his brutish frame.  The smile strained when looking to Jhank, who had several empty mugs and a decidedly fierce demeanor.  “Jhank and Littlejohn, charmed.  Little… that’s ironic, heh!”  She regarded the hooded figure, who turned out to be a little kobold fellow who she thought looked rather adorable in his own way, and listened carefully to the remarkable name.  In one smooth motion Andromeda brought to hand the leatherbound tome hanging from her hip and began to scribble furiously with a stubby pencil, “Ora… kana… thala… synath?  <What a marvelous name!  Great to meet you.>”  The latter phrases were spoken in flawless Draconic with an erudite accent.

She finished writing down the rest of the names, then closed the journal and looked back up to the assembled adventurers.  “Now that we’re acquainted, what sorts of fantastical quests await us, mister Hal?”

The kobold looks at the woman and smiles.

He looks at the others and nods to each one in turn, knowing all too well his race is often seen as an enemy, he appears non threatening

Littlejohn leans over and  says quietly to Jhank "He sure talk a lot."

"P p pleased to meet you."  He says to Andromeda, shuffling his feet and looking at the floor.

Turning to Onyxclaw with a grin "You're about the size of my brothers. They don't have scales though."

Hal greets Andromeda and Onyxclaw graciously, and looks out the window again, "Well we are still waiting for one more, and I don't mind repeating myself, but maybe I'll wait till he gets here and we can hear the job description one last time. For now, if you guys can explain your skillsets to each other it may help you all know how best to work together. I didn't exactly worry about party composition, if you understand."

Jhank nods shortly at the Kobold, surprised to see another with scales out this far. ''No kidding,'' she snorted in reply to Littlejohn's comment, ''so what do you do?'' asked the tall woman, offering her three-quarters full tankard out to him.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:34, Fri 29 Oct 2021.

Travic entered the Inn, looking around and staying out of the way of the larger and well armed patrons. He adjusted his ring, and then noticed Hal and listened to his offer. Upon hearing about the potion, his sliver eyebrows raised with intrest.

"That is...ah...quite a potion you claim to have. No offense, master Wizard, but maybe a demonstration might be in order? I mean...after all, these folk are going to risk body and mind on your behalf, yes?" He then sat and tapped his fingertips together.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:39, Fri 29 Oct 2021.

Hal's eyes light up, "AHA! Now we have everyone...oh??? You didn't know you were going to be part of this group? Well, Travic, one can't know everything! IT would drive you MAD. Hehehehe."

He plops his bag of holding down onto the table and begins rummaging around, pulling out a potion that a mage hand carries to each of you. You all see a different color liquid based on your own magical aura. Those of you who rely more on your physical abilities see a red and orange gradient in each of the tubes, while those more magical see blue and green.

"These will only work in Undermountain...the Yawning Portal is the entrance. So I can't really demonstrate, you can only trust me. And trust me, you wouldn't be here if you weren't already 100% gonna do it."

He also plops out money bags, 10gp in each, and a mage hand scoots them to each of you. "That's your entrance fee into the well. If you haven't been to the Tavern yet then you'll know what I'm talking about once you get there. When you get to the bottom of the well there are several paths to take, each a very unique dungeon. The problem is, adventurers are always having to guess based on rumor which dungeon they are capable of. But that's why you will succeed. Once you get to the first room of whatever tunnel you choose, drink the potions, and you will suddenly have all of your abilities amplified so powerfully that the dungeon itself will be a fun challenge, not a massacre."

Andromeda inclined her head to Onyxclaw, pleased that her linguistic studies paid off by allowing her the rare treat of Draconic conversation.  Littlejohn seemed bashful about this first meeting, which was a pleasant surprise since strength so often came with arrogance.  The remark about the half-orc's kobold-sized brothers was odd enough to pique Andromeda's curiosity, and she couldn't help but ask, "Oh, are your brothers very young, mister Littlejohn?  They must be so cute.  I can't imagine any kin of yours remaining small beyond infancy!"  A fantastical-looking fellow arrived and introduced himself as Travic, and the young druidess gave him a little wave in greeting.


With the ice now somewhat broken Andromeda was only too happy to share.  "Working together is just what I've come to do, as a matter of fact!  I am a student of the stars, and it is my hope to find the wisdom to guide us toward fortune... in both the metaphoric and fiscal senses."  She covered her mouth with a black-gloved hand to conceal a snicker at her own joke, then went on, "To put a finer point on it, I offer celestial aid to our endeavors, whether by reversing misfortune or smiting foes with burning starlight!"

The old wizard offered a curious potion to each of them, as well as a pouch of coin.  Andromeda claimed a bottle that glowed with a cool blue hue, which she studied while Hal explained.  When he'd finished, Andromeda said, "My thanks for your assistance, sir.  May I ask of these 'dungeons' you speak of?  I am curious what sorts of adventures await our intrepid band!"

Devan was surprised at Onyxclaw's kobold appearance and thought he whit right on the mark that he was a spy, but everyone seemed to not mind his presence and Andromeda made a good point. So he shakes his hat seeing as everyone heard his mumblings,"Ah, you heard all that, I thought I narrated it all in my mind, my bad. Sorry to bad mouth you miss Andromeda, it mostly runs in the family really, a Crier can never shut up or hide their inner most thoughts, even if you want them to shut up, they'll keeping talking till your ears bleed. At least that's the where the saying goes here in Waterdeep." he explains while apologizing, but then his eyes immediately dart off to the last newcomer,"Ah, an elvish man of mysterious powers. Is he a wizard, no, doesn't look like he has a spellbook, or is he a druid, nah, doesn't quite have the smell that Andromeda has. Maybe a natural born mage, nah, from appearance he doesn't look confident about his birthright. Could he be a dealer of devilish magics, yes, that's the story my reader will eat up. Hehehe." he jots down his thoughts that his saying out loud again in his notepad. He then tips his hat off to reply to Andromeda's question,"The dungeon were heading towards is notorious here in Waterdeep, many of the most powerful adventurers have traveled here but none have conquered it in its entirety in the history of Waterdeep. Some say their is evil hidden within that dungeon." he says ominously, then checks his red magic potion's contents,"And here I am with only my boxing skills to show for it. I'm not sure what power will be unlocked by drinking this. But adventuring is to face the unknown, so I'll do that to accomplish my goals."

Onyxclaw looked at andromeda and Devan blinking those tall skins talk a lot he thought to himself as he shrugged, looking at the elf, he narrowed his eyes. The human was right...he carried a power that was given from a trade.

...like himself.

The kobold reached a clawed hand and took a vial that was so dark a blue its swirls were almost purple, as well as the gold.

He looked at hal. "Me not seek fun.....seek power " He again looked at Devan and Andromeda who looked like they were having fun, even the new elf.

The scaled one seemed to be the only serious one here....onyxclaw heard these tunnels held power, but also danger that could kill them.

Hal just chuckles, "I understand you have many questions, and I'm going to do my best to answer them all. Undermountain is full of dungeons from all over the world. HOW? No clue, rumor is that some Mad Mage used magic so powerful that he teleported entire dungeons right SMACK he punches a fist into his open hand, "into the mountain. WOW."

Then he shrugs, "But I'm not anything close to that power. I would say my potions are my magma opus!!! Uh...Magnum opus? Well, I did have to go down there to test my potions out, but I only went into the first room of the first 3 dungeons, but sometimes the paths change, so some adventurers have carved motifs on the paths, hopefully these 3 paths are still there..." He pulls out his notes.

"1. A Mountain with a Door on it.
This dungeon had a bunch of orcs in it, but it looks like the halls were cut by dwarves...I didn't see any treasure and didn't feel very powerful, but just to test things out I killed an orc while keeping to the shadows. Boy the rest of the dumb orcs were scared.

2. This one had a trogolodyte carved on it.
Oh man did the place reek. I felt really powerful and just kept prestidigitating better smells, so it wasn't too bad. Place had lots of trogolodytes, which usually means they're guarding something powerful.

3. This path had a displacer beast carved into it.
I felt less powerful than in the trogolodyte caverns, but this place was unexplainably beautiful. An underground jungle of glowing trees! There was a sign written in both common and elvish: BEHOLD WYLLOW’S WOOD. HARM NOT, LEST YE BE HARM’D. So I decided head back. Probably lots of good loot there."
"

''Second one sounds promising,'' Jhank grinned in a rather unnerving manner, showing off a wide mouth full of sharp teeth.

"Ah, I see why'd you pick the second one miss Jhank. Since it's the toughest one, it's a good way to test those potions out in its fullest. Though, this sounds like going through a sewer after rush hour." Devan says, rather hesitant to take the second one because of the stink,"Although, they do have something powerful. What could they use it for, could it be world domination? No, or maybe their trying to assassinate the Masked Lords, so they can replace and control the citizenry from the shadows. It's some sort of Troglodyte Conspiracy, better make a note of that for future reference." he says, jotting down as usual and he murmurs in agreement for the second one.

Onyx law listened to the three options, then the two comments, and nodded. “If drink make strong, then let’s try….”

He shifted his cloak and grasped his staff.

Andromeda’s glower toward Crier softened as he explained his compulsion to narrate aloud.  She nodded, “I understand now, mister Crier, and it’s quite alright!  I also often give voice to my thoughts and leave people perplexed.  Speaking of which, I am of a mind to chronicle our adventures and the fantastical locales they occur in!  Do you intend to write of our experiences as well?”  Soon afterward Devan hypothesized aloud regarding the elven fellow that just arrived, and expressed an observation about ‘the smell that Andromeda has’, which nearly made her choke!  Andromeda elected not to comment, but self-consciously sniffed the high collar of her dress when she thought nobody was looking.


Andromeda had her journal on the table and was furiously scribbling notes as Hal gave very curious descriptions of three possible adventure locales.  She tapped pursed lips with the stubby pencil and pondered the options.  Andromeda smiled brightly and opined, “An underground jungle with glowing trees sounds absolutely fascinating!  I’m not keen to battle a displacer beast, but it could hardly be worse than orcs or troglodytes, I think.  I confess that I am curious about whatever power the troglodytes may be defending, but… glowing trees!”

---

OOC:  Andromeda’s rankings of the options presented, most to least:  3, 2, 1!

The Elf gave the druid an elaborate bow, which seemed a bit out of place in such a informal setting. Then the others peered at him with more untrusting eyes.





"Indeed my friends. All power comes at a cost, and my power is no different in that regard. Harken to the tale of Travic Televentor, and maybe you would be wise to avoid my fate." Despite his words, he smiled and gestured with one hand.

Sand appeared on the table, and small figures moved about made from the substance. Not moving per say, but instead acting out their roles as if crafted to the part. "See now, young Travic, banished from his lands. Lost in this world, but without funding or family. Upon his endless wandering, he happens across a strange ring."

The sand figure shows the elf reaching down and pulling out a small object, ring sized.

"Upon cleaning the ring, he releases its prisoner, and offered the bargain of Noble Genie of the Doa. One wish, and the Doa will be free."

The image shows the small elf, and a massive figure carved of rock and sand towering over him.

"Not wishing to be greedy, and not wishing to be killed by the creature, Travic decides the simplest of wishes-to go home. And never see the terrible being again. This is...taken well by the Doa, and uses its magic to return Travic back to his own world."

The figures then change, and the giant made of sand and rock seems to roar with rage over the cowering elf.

"But even the Noble Genies have limits to their power. Travic had been banished by the rulers of his realm, and the Genie could not grant the wish. Because that was so, another wish could not be offered. He planned to smash the elf flat for his impertinence!"

The image showed the giant raising a foot to squash the tiny elf.

"But, Travic had an idea. If he was bound to the ring, the Genie would gain his freedom. The Dao could not grant another wish, but he could transfer his bond of servitude to the willing. And so, Travic gained a tiny portion of the Genie's power...and was forever trapped into carrying the ring, marking his binding to the prison object."

The sand figures blew away, and Travic showed the ring he wore to everyone. A terrifying face of rock seemed craved onto the metal. "No matter how many times I destroy it, it always returns to me. Nor does it function for anyone else. Also...no wishes I am afraid. But if I where to master it, then maybe I could be free of it. Maybe..." Travic shrugged.

When Hal then offers the choice of quests, he shrugs again. "Number 2 for me, Master Wizard."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:53, Sun 31 Oct 2021.

Onyxclaw realised that bthe eldarin and himself had far more simularities than he realised. "I too, serve." The kobold frowned as he looked at him. "My master came when i banished by tribe.....great magic made rift. Onyxclaw fell, darkness" The draconic kobold frowned.

"Voice came here...." He tapped his head. "Wanted to destroy mind, but saw....potential."

he sighed as he spoke. "Master tested Onyxclaw.....much pain, but survived. Then sent home with piece of master in him." He held his hand up, and the potion he held floated then went back down.

"Master given much, but can be mean when Onyxclaw disobeys. My power - power of shadow and mind."

"Wow that's a very neat story...and Onyxclaw, I am sorry for your pain. Sometimes that's life. Don't dwell on it, it will only make you depressed. I think you've got the right idea though. You both are seeking more power! Baby you'll find it."

Andromeda was captivated by Travic’s sand-spun tale of djinn trickery, and by Onyxclaw’s tale of painful testing from a cruel master.  She hung on every word like a child listening to tales by the campfire, and seemed incapable of concealing her empathetic reactions.  At the end of the tales she laid a gentle hand upon the shoulder of the eladrin and the kobold and said earnestly, “Many thanks for sharing your difficult stories, friends.  It is my hope for you both to meet your full potential and overpower these cruel masters.  If I can help in any way, I shall!”  The inexperienced druidess crossed her slender arms and gave a resolute nod to reassure the lads that she would have their back, even against their wicked and unimaginably powerful masters!

Hal had his own form of encouragement to offer, and with the introductions made Andromeda suggested cheerily, “The heavens portend great things for us, I am sure of it!  Shall we bring this to the Yawning Portal?”  When all were ready, Andromeda gathered her excessive luggage and made to cross the way over to the famous tavern to answer the call to adventure.