The Yawning Portal inn, built in 1306 DR[1] by the later Lord of Waterdeep Durnan on the ruins of Halaster Blackcloak's old tower[2], gained most of its renown for being the primary open route to the Undermountain. A well within its walls led down into the first dungeon of Undermountain.[3]
Location
The Yawning Portal was located on Rainrun Street[4] in Waterdeep's Castle Ward between Waterdeep Castle and Snail Street.[5]
Patronage
The clientele consisted mostly of adventurers eager to enter the depths of Undermountain. The Called,[6] as they were sometimes known, listened to Waterdhavians, who were only too keen on sharing rumors and stories about the dungeon. As Durnan, despite his old age, was still a brawny man,[as of when?] who kept his old greatsword among the racks and asked any troublemakers to leave the inn, the Yawning Portal remained safe from toughs and brawlers.[7]
Architecture and decor
A stone building with a slate roof, the Yawning Portal offered guest rooms on the three upper floors.[8] Well-worn boards covered the floor, but the main impression was of comfort. Rich blue tapestries decorated the wood-paneled walls of the common room, which consisted of a bar and tables of stout wood.[8] A signboard that simply read "The Yawning Portal," hanging on chains from a black iron pole above the front door, announced the entry to the inn.[4]
The room was dominated by the Entry Well, measuring 40 feet in diameter and descending 140 feet underground, the access to Undermountain.[citation needed]
Management and Staff
The Yawning Portal was run by its builder, Durnan, and his wife Mhaere Dryndilstann with the aid of their daughter Tamsil Dryndilstann.[as of when?] The staff consisted of the waitresses and kitchen maids Luranla Dreer and Marrauda Belaskurth.[as of when?] Jarandur Tallstand and Parth Melander were the senior and junior cook respectively.[as of when?] The rest of the staff is made up of Tarlgarth Vathar, the stablemaster, his two hostlers and four hard-working chambermaids.[9][as of when?]
Prices
- Entrance down the Entry Well to Undermountain cost 1gp/person [8]
- The fee for getting hoisted up again was 1gp/person [8]
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Appendix
Appearances
- Adventures
- Computer games
- Novels
- Waterdeep
- Escape from Undermountain
- Downshadow
- Realms of the Underdark: "A Slow Day in Skullport"
Further reading
- Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- Eric L. Boyd (June 2005). City of Splendors: Waterdeep. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-3693-2.
- Eric L. Boyd, Ed Greenwood, Christopher Lindsay, Sean K. Reynolds (June 2007). Expedition to Undermountain. Edited by Bill Slavicsek. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 978-0-7869-4157-5.
References
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd, Ed Greenwood, Christopher Lindsay, Sean K. Reynolds (June 2007). Expedition to Undermountain. Edited by Bill Slavicsek. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 8. ISBN 978-0-7869-4157-5.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (June 2005). City of Splendors: Waterdeep. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 54. ISBN 0-7869-3693-2.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (June 2005). City of Splendors: Waterdeep. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 126. ISBN 0-7869-3693-2.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Eric L. Boyd, Ed Greenwood, Christopher Lindsay, Sean K. Reynolds (June 2007). Expedition to Undermountain. Edited by Bill Slavicsek. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 41. ISBN 978-0-7869-4157-5.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (June 2005). City of Splendors: Waterdeep. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 100. ISBN 0-7869-3693-2.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd, Ed Greenwood, Christopher Lindsay, Sean K. Reynolds (June 2007). Expedition to Undermountain. Edited by Bill Slavicsek. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 40. ISBN 978-0-7869-4157-5.
- ↑ Matthew Sernett (2005-03-09). Return to Undermountain Introduction. Wizards of the Coast. Retrieved on 2008-02-11.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Eric L. Boyd, Ed Greenwood, Christopher Lindsay, Sean K. Reynolds (June 2007). Expedition to Undermountain. Edited by Bill Slavicsek. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 41. ISBN 978-0-7869-4157-5. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "EtU-p42" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "EtU-p42" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "EtU-p42" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Eric L. Boyd, Ed Greenwood, Christopher Lindsay, Sean K. Reynolds (June 2007). Expedition to Undermountain. Edited by Bill Slavicsek. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 45. ISBN 978-0-7869-4157-5.