In all my years adventuring over the past several decades the Yawning Portal has been my favorite spot to gather like minds to grab a pint and drop a coin. I have so many memories of the adventures in the darkness that lay in Undermountain. I still remember the time when my Elven ranger was adventuring with a party and due to a magical mishap of a under skilled mage in the party I was transformed to the dwarf that I am today.
The Yawning Portal inn, built in 1306 DR by the later Lord of Waterdeep Durnan on the ruins of Halaster Blackcloak's old tower, 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.
Location
The Yawning Portal was located on Rainrun Street in Waterdeep's Castle Ward between Waterdeep Castle and Snail Street.
Patronage
The clientele consisted mostly of adventurers eager to enter the depths of Undermountain. The Called, 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, 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.
Architecture and decor
A stone building with a slate roof, the Yawning Portal offered guest rooms on the three upper floors. 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. 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.The room was dominated by the Entry Well, measuring 40 feet in diameter and descending 140 feet underground, the access to Undermountain.
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. The staff consisted of the waitresses and kitchen maids Luranla Dreer and Marrauda Belaskurth. Jarandur Tallstand and Parth Melander were the senior and junior cook respectively.The rest of the staff is made up of Tarlgarth Vathar, the stablemaster, his two hostlers and four hard-working chambermaids.Prices
- Entrance down the Entry Well to Undermountain cost 1gp/person
- The fee for getting hoisted up again was 1gp/person