The Yawning Portal’s taproom fills the first floor of the building. The 40-foot-diameter well that provides access to Undermountain dominates the space. The “well” drops as an open shaft for 140 feet. Stirges, spiders, and worse have been known to invade the Yawning Portal from below.

Balconies on the tavern’s second and third floors overlook the well, with those floors accessed by way of wooden stairs that rise up from the taproom. Guests sitting at the tables on the balconies have an excellent view of the any adventurer who dares ride the rope.

Everyone must pay a gold piece to be lowered down. The return trip also costs a piece of gold, sent up in a bucket in advance. Once the initial payment is made, a few stairs takes one to the top of the waist-high lip of the well. The rope that hangs in the center of the well is levered over to the lip by a beam in the rafters, and when those who have paid are ready, they mount the rope and take the long ride down.

It's been several weeks since anyone has dared, but the tavern is full of people boasting-and probably fibbing-of their trip down. But the man behind the bar only smirks at the tall tales. He is Durnan, the man who dared and came back with enough gold to buy the Tavern...mysteriously that was about 300 years ago, yet he doesn't look a day over 35.

Behind the bottles behind the bar is a large assortment of curios from down below: A key carved from bone, a mummified troglodyte’s hand, half of an iron symbol of Bane, an iron gauntlet that is hot to the touch. A troll finger, still wriggling, a silver coin that makes no noise when dropped. An empty jar; when opened, a wolf howl sounds from it and continues until it is closed. A vial filled with a dark, fizzy liquid that is sealed and cannot be opened, the feeler taken from a slain rust monster, a wooden smoking pipe marked with Elminster’s sigil.

There are one hundred patrons here, 20 around the main floor, and 40 on each balcony. You could approach and perhaps talk to anyone I suppose, but Durnan is the man to pay to play.

Other people that stand out:
A goliath with a beard down to his bellybutton who is the man responsible for the delicious smoked meat the Tavern serves.
A black tabaxi devotee of Tymora, who will bless adventurers for only 1 gold each.
A bored, retired drow, who sits alone with a sign that claims he has explored several dungeons of note and can describe first few areas.
A charming pink tiefling female is trying to sell a treasure map of one of the dungeons.
A typical edgelord, all black leather, white hair, who watches you closely under his hood.

Andromeda entered the Yawning Portal with lavender-hued eyes wide in wonderment, especially at the huge well of untold depth.  She marveled, “I’ve read many tales of this place, but have never dared to visit myself.  I had no idea the namesake pit would be so… huge!”  She grinned to her new adventuring companions, “Here begins our own tale of discovery and derring-do, eh, Crier?”

Looking around the many interesting patrons, Andromeda’s attention was immediately drawn to a drow retiree with a sign proclaiming knowledge of notable dungeons, which was exactly what she was looking for.  She said to the others, “I am inclined to gather some information prior to our descent, if any of you would like to join me?  Otherwise, what say we reconvene at the bar in one hour?”

Andromeda then approached the retired drow, cleared her throat and waved, “Pardon me, sir?  Greetings!  My name is Andromeda and I intend to soon venture down into the dungeons with my comrades.  However, I would like to first arm myself with information!  Might I consult your expertise, sir?”  The young druidess already had her journal open on the bar, ready to write down whatever the veteran was willing to share.

---

Persuasion to get info from the drow:

• 16:27, Today: Andromeda rolled 3 using 1d20.  Persuasion.

First roll of the game, and off to a fantastic start ;P

Onyxclaw walked in behind Andromeda, cloaked in his hood and cloak. He looked at her and nodded at her wisdom, looking at the tiefling. "I ask her." He walked over, his staff clipping on the floor as he went, clearly nervous in a room full of people who would kill him, just for being kobold.

He stood in front of teh tiefling and spoke softly. "You have map to cave under....looking to go. Which place map to?"

"Why of course, Miss Andromeda, my story shall be one of derring-do and of epic proportions Waterdeep never seen before... Ugh, I mean, I have no clue what your talking about, like I said before I'm obviously a mere practitioner of the fist. Sides, I have no clue how to write." Devan says, obviously lying and blatantly writing down on his notepad about the conversation Onyxclaw and Travic had,"Hmm, maybe I should entitle it, Pact-makers Meet: Is It A Destined Fate or Are Dark Plans Afoot!! Yeah, I'll go with that." he says, then sees Andromeda heading off,"Ah, before you head off Miss Andromeda, I know of a couple of wizardry folk and their editor-in-chief Mr. Crier, not related to me of course, residing in this tavern. They've invented something called a printing press, which basically mass produce articles and journal logs via a scroll. I've heard they made a deal with the owner of this establishment to sell their scrolls in this tavern, I could recommend your written works to the editor-in-chief who is definitely not me." he recommended before she heads off.

Like some sort of Tutorial NPC :D

Jhank raised a scaly eyebrow at the fact she and Andromeda had the same train of thought, nodding shortly and following the smaller woman to ask the Drow questions. Opting to stand with her arms crossed and glare at the old adventurer rather than introduce herself.

The drow immediately perks up at someone to "talk" to. It becomes immediately obvious that he is mute. He flips his sign over to show 3 different symbols and begins to make sign language to describe that he'll tell you for the low low price of buying him dinner. And dessert. And at least 2 drinks. Please.

The symbols are a tree with masks, an illithid, and a runestone with a dragon. Immediately your stomach drops to hear of even more dungeons below your feet.

The pink tiefling is all charm, "Hello, fantastic to meet you. I am called Song. There's lots of dungeons down below, the paths sometimes change so I can't gaurantee the map you buy is one that will be available, but you can always just come back up and try again tomorrow. Do you know what kind of dungeon you're gonna attempt?"

Andromeda turned to hear Crier out, pale brows raised in curiosity.  “A printing press… I’ve heard of such a thing!  So this Mr. Crier is a business associate of yours but unrelated?  What remarkable synchronicity!”  She chuckled in appreciation of the nearly miraculous coincidence, then went on excitedly, but also with some hesitance, “Why, thank you for the generous opportunity, Mr. Crier!  I don’t think I’ve written anything print-press-able yet, but I do have a mind to record and share my discoveries from our adventures, in hopes of informing those that come after…”


Out of all her new companions Jhank somehow seemed the most dangerous to Andromeda, but she was nonetheless glad to have the lizardfolk at her back while commiserating with tavern-goers.  She never thought to worry about having a killer behind her, which was perhaps naive.  When the drow perked up at meeting them but turned out to be mute, Andromeda was only too happy to accommodate.  She tapped the bar and called to the servers, “Bring this good fellow a meal and a drink, please?  On me, yes!  Would you like anything, Jhank?  Littlejohn?”

Turning back to the drow, Andromeda studied the symbols intently in hopes of gleaming some meaning from them.  Looking up to the mute veteran, she asked, “My goodness, these provide some disturbingly evocative imagery!  Can you tell us what they mean, and which location is associated with each?  What is this runestone, in particular?”  The Circle of Stars was known to record wisdom upon megalithic stones carved with runes and symbols, and if such a site were to be hidden below then she’d certainly wish to know!

Jhank broke into a huge grin when she saw the Drow's deal, roughly signing ''I like you,'' without further explanation. She was also surprised again at Andromeda's actions, nodding, ''a beer and cheap meat.''

Travic was making his own plans for lodging. He had told his group before moving down into the main room that he could not take rest anywhere but in the ring itself. It was part of the bond of servitude.

On the plus side, he had described the ring as a place with cushions, a bed, and a large warm room where he could leave things. Also, he could hear anything outside of the ring itself. The problem was he needed to rest before he could access the ring again.

"So, while I can fully recover within the ring after only 4 hours, I need someone else to wear it while I am inside." He pointed out. He was not picky about who carried the ring along with them.

He was not inside the ring just now, but it would be something to work out ahead of time.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:53, Mon 01 Nov 2021.

The drow "says" thank you exhaustively, then begins trying to teach you his name, which he gives up on after you don't get it right the first three tries, so he just "tells" you to call him Z.

Once his food arrives Z begins to "discuss", despite having a full mouth, the Runestone/Dragon dungeon, although most of it gets lost on you. Anyone talking to Z can make an int check to understand his descriptions.

The kobold was surprised by the tiefling attitude towards him, but none the less continued. “One of two. One holds image of displacer…..holds underground jungle. Other image of troglodytes…..bad place for strong.”

Song excitedly starts filing through her bag of holding. She pulls out three maps, but only lets you see the backside. Each one has the symbols of the dungeons. "Girls gotta eat friend. Look, I have a map of each dungeon you described, 10 gold each, or I'll give you all three for 25...ehhh, you look like I can trust you, I'll give you all three for 21 gold."

"Cheers, then if you finish any journal logs, pass it along to me and I'll send it to the company via my own mysterious means. Even in a dungeon I can still send it, ho ho ho." Devan laughs as he explains the wonders of the printing press to Andromeda, he then stretches his arms as he starts heading off to another direction,"Anyways, I'll be off for a few minutes. Excuse me." he says, walking towards a table with a bunch of folk of varied ages and races at a far corner and out of anyone's hearing range. Like he said, he comes back and hears Travic's request,"Ah, don't worry about it. I can carry you along, despite my looks I'm a very trustworthy person." he says, making shifty sideway glances at all the patrons, kind of emitting a very suspicious aura. Then he spots the edgey character at the corner staring at him,"Hmm, how odd! Maybe that's the scent of story. Excuse me gents." he says once again heading off on his own. He walks towards this cloaked stranger,"Hello their, Devan Criers the name and I'd like to interview adventurers such as yourself. I'd like to at least talk about your backstory, more specifically I want to hear of any scandalous pasts. Now I assure you, this will be highly confidential (unless I find it convenient or hilarious)." he says that part out loud and right in front of this unstable looking stranger.

"How very enterprising, mister Crier!  I will be certain to let you know when I've writings to share.  I would be delighted to proof-read your work as well, if you wish?"  Such a jolly and curiously resourceful fellow, this mister Crier was.


Andromeda stared at the genie ring with a new sense of wonderment and asked, "You can go inside this ring?  Remarkable... Is it an extra-dimensional space, or does it shrink you to fit?"  Devon volunteered to carry the ring-residence while Travic was inside, which was kind of him.  What if the elf were to return whilst Crier was in the loo, Andromeda couldn't help but wonder?  She giggled to herself at the thought of it.


Int check to understand Z:

• 16:47, Today: Andromeda rolled 15 using 1d20+1.  Intelligence check.

Andromeda focused intently on Z's efforts to pantomime his information, and though it was difficult she felt like she understood.  "Can you write, Z?  Oh!  How silly of me to ask, considering that it was your hand-written sign that brought us to you."  The druidess carefully tore a sheet of parchment from the back of her journal and slid it and a charcoal pencil across the bar toward the drow.  She then said, "I am fluent in Elvish if you prefer it, as well as a number of other tongues.  Please, do enjoy your meal, first!"  Andromeda smiled as she waited patiently, then ordered up a second drink to replace Z's first and a berry cobbler for dessert.

In reply to Devan Crier (msg # 14):

Travic raises an eyebrow at Devan, and looks down at his ring. When Andromeda starts asking questions, he seems much more at ease.

"Ah, maybe we should allow our druid to care for the ring when I am inside it. Someday I will be able to show all of you what it looks like on the inside. However, for now I can transport myself and non living things. Quite handy if we need to store and transport heavy items..."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:36, Tue 02 Nov 2021.

The kobold twitched his claws which held his staff, and looked over his shoulder at the others. He looked back and nodded. “I talk others….see which we go.” The kobold made his way to the rest and cleared his throat. “Demon woman had maps….each place. 10 gold for place…for all three, 21.”

Onyx law felt the map would benefit them - forewarn them of danger and where to search. He would gladly pay the cost. “Which one we go?”

Andromeda looked uncertainly between Travic and Crier and the mystical genie ring, now feeling a touch awkward, "If that is your preference despite mister Crier's kind offer, mister Televentor, then certainly...  I would safeguard the ring to the utmost of my ability, and would be certain not to lose it!"  Her face worked as she ran through a number of odd scenarios in her mind, each more ludicrous and embarrassing than the last.  Finally, she asked, "Will I have, um... warning when you are to emerge, mister Travic?  Also, can you sense what occurs outside the ring...?"  She also wondered whether a ring fitted for the elf would fit her slender fingers, but was wary that she would annoy Travic with endless questions.


Andromeda gasped at Onyxclaw's statement, and then leaned in to whisper in hushed Draconic, "<Mind you, dear, 'demon woman' might be taken with offense!  The correct and more polite term is 'tiefling'.>"  With that said, the druidess considered the price, then checked her own coin purse.  She said, "I would recommend procuring a map, for knowing our way may prove essential.  I suspect we will visit all three locales in due course, which would make the bundle a wiser purchase, but a case could be made for only purchasing the map we require now.  I will contribute my fair share toward the price, whatever our decision."

OOC:  How much was the cost of Z and Jhank's tabs?

Jhank listened intently to the Kobold then snorted yet again as seemed to be her habit, ''21? Really,'' then stormed off in the direction of the Tiefling, unable to restrain her need to haggle. It's in her blood. ''15 or we're gonna have a problem,'' Jhank hissed, getting uncomfortably close to the pink woman's face while caressing the bronze-coloured hilt of her dagger strapped to her belt.

22:44, Today: Jhank rolled 7 using 1d20 ((7)) for intimadation

Onyxclaw looked at the pink tiefling, then Andromeda and frowned. “Tie…fee…ling?” He said, clearly unfamiliar with the word, just shrugged. “Tall ones names not known by Onyxclaw.”  When the Dragonborn went over and threatened the woman, he sighed, following and speaking in his native togune to the Dragonborn. <IN DRACONIC - Do not upset tee-fee-ling….map could help us. You could scare her and send her away.>

The kobold attempted to smile at the woman. “Tee-fee-ling forgive big dragon lady. Always angry.” She looked at jhank then the tiefling again. “Pretty tee-fee-ling lady, we interested in maps. Price 15 for three and we get now….and promise dragon lady not speak to tee-fee-ling again.”

---

<OOC: Onyxclaw rolled 19 using 1d20+2 - diplomacy check

Go the kobold!>

In reply to Andromeda (msg # 18):

He smiles at her, and takes off the ring. He does a series a mystical gestures, and the tiny object seems to vanish. He looks upset, checking his pockets and looking around suddenly. "Aha!" He suddenly says, and reaches behind her ear, and pulls the ring from nowhere.

He grins sheepishly at her. She then rather suspects he did not use any magic at all.
"To answer your questions, you will get a warning, as i will be dumped out of the ring once the time limit is reached. I also can hear anything that goes on around the ring, including words."

He then places the ring in her hand for her to inspect. She finds the horrible face on the dull metal band lifts up to show a tiny compartment with nothing inside.

Z's explanation of the runestone/dragon dungeon: After studying his sign language a bit you understand the Runestone Cavern is a large cave with a massive runestone stalagmite that has been carved into a Lich's Tower. Z spells out the name of the lich: Ezzat. The runestone sheds chunks of itself and each one is worth a fortune. He then gives you a thumbs up.

The Edgelord turns to Crier, gives him a "HRRRMPH." and turns back to his ale. Just when Crier is about to give up and leave the man opens up like Christmas Day. "It all started before I was born. Both of my parents died. I had to cut my way out of my dead mother's stomach. Ever since then, my life has only gotten worse. I was raised by a pack of wolves, but then they all were killed by hunters. I remember their faces like it was yesterday. I see them every night in my dreams. Those are the happy dreams. You don't wanna ask about my nightmares. Once I could crawl I hunted down each one of the hunters and made him beg me to spare their lives before I cut out their tongues and made them choke to death on their own blood. Then life became a blur of senseless killing until I met a beautiful woman. I was happy for five minutes, when suddenly she was murdered while still in my arms. Don't even ask pal, I never team up. I'm a lone wolf. And I never tell my secrets to anyone."

Song immediately begins to pack up her maps at Jhank's threats. "Get lost creep. I don't have to sell these to anyone. They belong to me." But then Oryxclaw's sort of apology changes her mind, "18. Final offer."

The kobold looks at her and nods. “18.” he holds a hand up and pulls Jhank to wards the others, holding out his hand. “Tee-fee-ling agreed to 18. Can give gold for maps?”

<OOC: roughly 3-4 gold each.>

Jhank spits a slimy gob at the Tiefling's feet but otherwise restrains herself, more focused on getting into the dungeons than fighting with cartographers. She digs around in her leather pouch as she lets Onyxclaw pull her along, dropping three gold coins from above into his open hand.
 ''Good work there,'' Jhank beams, slapping the Kobold on the back, making him lurch a bit, before returning to the Drow to see the last of what he has to say. Once he finished Jhank downed the last of her beer and in an alarmingly affectionate show, kissed the helpful Elf on the cheek in thanks. Then collected the empty dishes and unceremoniously plonked them on the counter with a clatter.

When the edgelord started talking about his somewhat tragic past, Devan wrote furiously on his notepad going all,"Yes. I see. Intriguing. Go on. Is that how it happened." and once the strange individual was finished, Devan reviewed his noted and nods at his work,"Yes, thank you for being so cooperative, usually people back away whenever I ask for an interview. Anyways, your story is a bit dark, might be too much for a child-friendly audience, I'm gonna have to edit it. Like say your parents, they didn't die, they just had a divorce cause your face was so ugly. So now you were under the care of your uncle, a hunter but he didn't love you, but his dogs certainly did. Usually, you'd had dreams of them having food fights and your uncle always say that your like a son that he never had, but that was all a dream and
you cry about it every night. That's when you have an epiphany to become the world's best Hunter so your not father will love you. But you failed due to whacky hijinks, though you did had a girlfriend. But for 5 minutes in the relationship, she dump you for a nobleman. And so, you walk the lands of Toril, trying to achieve a dream that you'll never achieve. Yes, that's exactly what I'll write to the public, with this, I assure you my friend, you'll be the laughingstock of the century." he says, making a run for it to the group,"Haha, what did I miss."

Onyxclaw stumbles as jhank slaps him on the shoulder, allowing a slight, half hearted glare at the Dragonborn, he didn’t know if the warrior was acting the whole time for his benefit, or just improvised, but the kobold simply nodded, taking the gold from her.

He caught the end of Devan’s  terested speech, and simply tilted his head in confusion. “Humans!” He muttered

Andromeda appeared genuinely surprised and alarmed by the ring's sudden disappearance, then relieved and delighted when Travic somehow found it behind her ear.  Sheepish but smiling, she said, "I knew it was a trick all along!  Silly..."  The druidess took the proffered ring, turning it over in her hands and grimacing at the terrible face engraved into the dull metal.  She held it up close to an eye for inspection then flipped it open to see the tiny compartment.  Surprised, she asked, "Oh!  Will I see you in miniature should I open this up while you're inside the ring, mister Travic?"  Andromeda handed the ring back to the eladrin with a beaming smile, "Fascinating!  I mean, I'm sorry you've been cursed, but thank you for sharing.  I shall have to show you my celestial jewel, sometime... if you've any interest in such things."


Andromeda meticulously recorded every detail conveyed by Z, then looked up from her journal to comment, "Wow, that runestone stalagmite sounds incredible!  We shall have to keep our eyes open for Ezzat, however.  Thank you so much for your insights, friend!"  She returned the thumbs up, and then was again surprised when Jhank gave the drow a peck on the cheek!  She paid for the meals and drinks, then bade Z a friendly farewell and returned to her new companions.


Andromeda hadn't the heart to correct Onyxclaw's pronunciation, because it was a valiant attempt and also completely adorable.  She nodded and placed four gold coins into the kobold's claw.  "Very good work, mister Onyxclaw!  I believe those maps will be quite valuable."  When Devan returned after a brief conversation with the edgelord, Andromeda shared all that she'd learned from Z.  She then suggested, "I do think we've gathered quite a bit of useful information.  Shall we signal our intent to descend, my new boon companions?"

---

Book-keeping done on Beyond character sheet:

• -13 sp for Z and Jhank's food and drink
• -4 gp to Onyxclaw for maps

Z was grinning ear to ear, a hand on his cheek. Other hand on his full belly.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:44, Wed 03 Nov 2021.

Travic smiled and shrugged. "Given some of the other stories I have heard just in the last half hour or so, I am much better off than many. I do have my own portable room after all. Granted you won't be able to see me, even if you open the ring." He nods when she speaks about her own jewels. "Yes, I have been very involved in local magical wearables in the last few months. I would like to see some which don't have nasty side effects."

After gaining the gold, Onyxclaw hoes to the tiefling woman and smiles. “Pretty tee-fee-ling lady….gold as promised.” The kobold hands over the sack with the agreed amount of gold for the maps.

Andromeda watched Onyxclaw collecting the last of the coinage from the new party, and so she said to Travic, “Splendid!  A celestial jewel doesn’t have nasty side effects as such, but we may not always appreciate its portents.”  She drew upon a thin silver chain necklace and reeled up a dark azure jewel that had been hidden under the high neckline of her dress.  Andromeda dangled the jewel up with one hand, then with the touch of a finger made the jewel glow brightly from within.  The inner light revealed glittering fields of tiny stars and colorful nebulae suspended within, like a clear night sky encapsulated in the gemstone.  She held the gleaming jewel up to her smiling face, allowing the stars to project faintly across her pale cheek.  “The projection of the cosmic tapestry is difficult to read unless it’s quite dark, unfortunately.  Just like the real stars in the sky, you see?”  She let Travic handle the celestial jewel if he wished to, though she kept it on its necklace.

Once Onyxclaw had returned with the maps Andromeda put out the mystical glow and dropped the celestial jewel back down into her neckline.  She then flagged down the proprietor of the Yawning Portal, Durnan, and announced brightly, “Good evening, proprietor!  My companions and I are ready to make our very first descent into the well!  We have the gold pieces to pay for your services, if you would be so kind?”

Onyxclaw smiled as Andromeda spoke to Durnan and nodded. “Yes. Down hole….you take shiny coin “ He said, holding out a gold piece

Devan adjust his hat as they were about to head out,"Ah, so this is it, the first venture to danger. Truly, we have to be cautious about going in. We're facing powerful foes like liches and maybe more powerful foes, but it sounds like an unforgettable trip that has a need to be written down in the history books... Ah, but of course Miss Andromeda's the one who has the honor of writing it down, I'm just taking doown notes just for no reason." he says, whistling to himself with suspicious intent.

Song pats Onyxclaw on the shoulder, “thank you sir! here you are! these came at great cost! i hope they bring you great fortune! My adventuring days are over but im glad there are new heroes like you taking up the challenge.” She twitches. PTSD.

Durnan takes the gold and looks Andromeda over with discernment, “Hmmm. Celestial Druid???? But you dont seem to have much experience by the looks of you and your accompanied. I warn ya lady, if you just wanna go down and back up that’s no problem at all, but dont go down any tunnels. Come right back up.” Sounds like he’s given tourists the rope ride plenty of times.

He leads you all over to the big iron basket chained to the winch. “Listen up every body!!!! New daring dungeon delvers!!!! Place your bets!!!!” He leans over to you, “if you guys wanna introduce yourselves now is the time!” He grins.

Jhank snarled and rolled her eyes, making a point not to meet any possible stares. Instead took to checking the sharpness of the four blades she carried, her left hand absentmindedly crawling up to the choker she wore.

Devan shifts his hat downward to cover his face when the proprietor ask to introduce themselves,"Well, I'm no one special, but my name's Devan Crier, just the average joe." he says, making glances around the crowd,"But, ugh, I'm sure you've heard of this new thing called the printing press. In fact, I've heard Mr. Durnan here made a deal with a company called Crier Press, which I have no relations by the way, who specializes with this new crazed. In fact, word on the ale says they'll release a thing called a newspaper to all you tavern patrons, and they'll be featuring, well us upstart adventuring crew." he says then raises both his hands up,"Now I'm not one to boast of our skills, were nothing special but keep a lookout cause they're might be a tale that might pique your interest. Not that I know or anything, not like I write this thing or anything to give you guys a scandal or two." he says, making shifty glances to random patrons then starts backing away very shady-like,"Anyways, I think I said my peace, anybody else got something to say."

murmuring. people are interested, but so far you notice most of the bets are that you die.

Andromeda smiled and nodded, "Very discerning of you, good barkeep.  I may lack adventuring experience, BUT I am well-learned in adventuring theory and philosophy!  Besides, one must start somewhere, yes?"


Andromeda hadn't expected such fanfare to come along with their descent, and so was left gaping in embarrassed astonishment when Durnan opened the floor for self-promotion.  She felt the eyes of the ambivalent crowd upon her, and that made her cheeks color.  Have to say something!  With a nervous smile Andromeda announced, "I am called Andromeda, of the Circle of Stars!"  With a wave of the hand she conjured a cloud of twinkling stars over her head, for a bit of improvised showmanship before going on, "The heavens portend triumph and great deeds from this merry band, be assured.  I, um... intend to do my very best, as do we all!  ...Thank you?"  Looking aghast and embarrassed, Andromeda tugged on Durnan's sleeve and whispered urgently, "May we descend now, please?"

---

This Performance check was rolled after writing the post, but the result checks out ;P

• 10:55, Today: Andromeda rolled 1 using 1d20.  Performance.

Onyxclaw, like the Dragonborn, said nothing. But instead of a snarl, he seemed to draw his cloak and hood tighter to hide himself, only his draconic-like hand showing holding the staff. When the others looked at him, the hood of his cloak shook….clearly saying no.

…he didn’t like crowds of big people.

You all climb into the big basket and the winch begins to lower you down, safely, yet you know danger awaits below.

140 feet and you light torches or cast magic light, above the lights from the tavern are just a small yellow circle.

Here are your 5 tunnel and their markings:

1. A horrified demon with his mouth open

2. An eagle

3. The familiar symbol of a displacer beast and tree

4. A scorpion and crown

5. A money bag and goblin

''Z mentioned the tree 'n' Displacer. Wanna try here?'' Jhank gruffed, pointing at the symbol with her torch and barely missing Andromeda's head with it.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:55, Sat 06 Nov 2021.

Andromeda clambered carefully into the basket with the others, clinging to one of the support cables for dear life.  She put on a nervous smile as they began their clanking descent, but it was clear she was quite nervous.  She laughed anxiously, “This is going to be… lovely!  Yes, most thrilling.”

The inn’s warm light slowly receded and gave way to the deep darkness below, at which point Andromeda lifted her celestial jewel necklace over her head, wrapping the silver chain around a shaking hand.  She touched it with an index finger, causing the stone to flare up with a bright, glittering light that projected detailed patterns of stars and nebulae out in all directions.  Andromeda smiled and took a deep breath as she looked into the glimmering jewel, seeming to take comfort in its cool illumination.

The platform finally arrived with a clunk at the well’s bottom, and Andromeda stepped off with gratitude for having solid ground beneath her feet.  She raised up the glowing jewel to illuminate their surroundings, revealing the intersection of five tunnels.  Each had its own engraved symbol, although only one of them was familiar.  She remarked curiously, “These are not the same symbols described to us… except this one.  Perhaps the magic of this place offers new paths to each party?  How curious!”  She shone the celestial glow upon the image of the tree and the displaced beast and said, “It seems this will be the only path for which we have a map.  The others are entirely unknown!  I will second madame Jhank for this path.”

---

Cast Light for 20 feet of bright light + 20 feet of dim light

"A third from me." Travic said, slightly confused by the strange symbols. "As long as we stick together in this very confusing mess." He looked nervously down the pit, and then in the tunnels beyond. His elven darkvision should help him see what dangers lay ahead.

"You've got my vote." Devan says to the others as he stares at the five signs,"Alrighty, then by majority we head toward that direction. Either way, I'll show what creatures on the other side what for with my one-time boxing lessons." he stated it like it was some kind of proud achievement, when in reality it was like buying a black belt for 5 gold and saying your a master of martial arts with no skills.

While waiting for their descent Jhank grew bored of seeing how capable her weapons were of killing and listened to the bets being placed. ''You know,'' she began, ''we could make ourselves some good money if we bet for ourselves. These bastards,'' she jerked her head towards the general direction of the crowd, ''don't know about the gunk in the bottle that old guy gave us. And if we die,'' she shrugged, ''feh! Not like we'll be paying.''
This message was last edited by the player at 01:41, Sun 07 Nov 2021.

The basket hasn't even been raised yet. You might get away with ringing the bell and coming back up for free.

This message was deleted by the player at 01:36, Sun 07 Nov 2021.

A voice yells down. It's not Durnan's voice, "Say! You all forgot to bet on yourselves. What do you think??? 10 to 1 odds you come back out! Pretty good! Just toss your coins in the bucket."

''I'm in,'' Jhank says more perkily than she's been since getting information, chucking five gold coins in the bucket.

Onyxclaw is the last oiut of the bucket, and when he see's the doors, runmages in his sachel, producing the map with the tree and dispklacer beast on it. "Have map....have map"


When the voice calls down, Onyxclaw jumps a little, but looks confused. "Bet? Who is odd? Yoiu are in what?" The kobold shrugs, confused at the concept of betting, and walks up to the door with the tree and displacer beast. "We go in?"

Andromeda glowered up at the voice echoing down the well, hands on hips.  She answered Onyxclaw’s question, “It means that some ghoulish folks up above are so certain we’ll die on our adventures that they reckon they’ll make money on the prospect!”  The pale druidess fished in her purse and threw a handful of gold coins into the bucket.  She said to the others, “I’ll take that bet, because I know they’re wrong.  That’s because I forbid any of you to die, and will ensure you don’t.  Simple as that!”

With that matter settled, Andromeda turned toward the passage bearing the symbol of the tree and the displacer beast and declared, “Our path is chosen, now all that remains is to walk it.”  With the celestial jewel aglow upon one hand and the mysterious potion ready in the other, the druidess strode into the passage and toward adventure.

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Subtracted 5gp for the wager :)

In reply to DM (msg # 48):

"All in." Travic said, throwing ten gold coins into the pot.

The kobold didn't understand fully, but fished two gold from a pouch and put it in. He shrugged, following suit....everyone else was doing it - maybe it was a big person luck thing.

The kobold turned and looked at the door, holding the potion. He sighed and followed the druid

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<OOC - Onyxclaw will wager 2 gold (though he still doesn't understand the concept he will follow suit)>

Devan says as he watches everyone betting on their survival,"I'm no betting man myself, just the punching guy. And sides, I think it's just about time for us to head to our destination, don't you think. Getting extra money is great and all but having the adventures is the best experience or so I've been told." he explains and follows suit with the others.