Session 1: Arrival to Waterdeep

General Summary

The Lily, Detalosi and Gnosh arrive in the city of Waterdeep. Entering the main gate they were entranced by the large city with many vibrant colors, variety of races and cultures. It is truly a metropolis of many splendors hence for which it gets its name "The City or Splendors" Each of the adventurers had their own reasons for traveling to Waterdeep. While on the journey here Lily, Gnosh and Frances had met along the road south from Neverwinter by a band of orcs near the edge of the Sword Mountains. During the raid Frances was kidnapped and Gnosh was gravely injured. The small party seemed to be in a desperate situation before out of the woods stomped a very large furry looking bear. It turned out to be @Detalosi. Detalosi seeing the adventurers in danger ran over and assisted Gnosh. Gnosh awoke with a start seeing a giant bear man hovering over him! Lily attempted to hold off the orcs attacking them with her bow. Detalosi cast a spell at the orcs killing one where it stood and it was able to scare the others off! They discovered that Frances had been taken once the group had a moment to assess their situation. Lily and Gnosh convinced Detalosi to help them get their friend back from the orcs. They tracked them south through the sword mountains until coming to a encampment which seemed to have been vacated recently. It appeared to be used regularly for slavers travling through the area. Gnosh was able to find a small item he remembered Frances having at the camp confirming that he had been here. Detalosi found tracks heading south. The adventurers decided to head to Waterdeep since it was the most likely place to find a black market where slaves might be traded.   Detalosi had been alone for many decades in the Sword Mountains guarding his family's temple which was located near Wave Echo Cave Detalosi's family had been guardians charged with ensuring the safety of this cave and making sure none of the ancient relics contained within were released into the world. Detalosi's mother Eloh and his father Elop had journeyed from the temple many decades ago in search of an artifact. This had left Detalosi and his older brother Etirovaf alone at the temple. They eventually became worried about their parents when they didn't return. Etirovaf went to search for their parents leaving Detalosi alone at the temple.   After the first snows had melted in the and the roads were passable again Detalosi received a message from his friend Thoril Blackstone. It read:   Detalosi, Word has reached my ear of by the means of a traveler from the south who visited our clan in Neverwinter this past spring. This traveling merchant with his questionable wares and inferior workmanship alas he was but an elf..anyways ye had mentioned ye brother had left a few years back and this elf mentioned meeting a rather large furry fellow who seemed as might fit a description of ye, so I thought mebbe he might be related to ye. He mentioned that he had come up the way from Waterdeep.This traveler mentioned that said large fellow was getting supplies to traverse into Undermountain. He wasn’t really sure this man’s reasons but hopefully it is not your brother for I fear Undermountain is very dangerous except for the most formidable warriors.   Your Friend,   Thoril Blackstone   Detalosi was very concerned about his family and with the arrival of his new found friends decided it was a sign from Kelemvor that it was time to head south to see what had happened to his family and also to help free Gnosh and Lilies friend Frances. It took them 2 weeks to reach the city of Waterdeep.   Entering the city the adventurers asked many locals for the best places to find information. They discovered that many locals mentioned the same place the Yawning Portal a famous tavern in the Castle Ward of Waterdeep. The adventurers decide that it is probably the best place to start looking. They entered the city from the High Road passing through the Troll Gate into the Field Ward. Passing through the ward they came upon the Flower Market.   The Flower Market is open and airy marketplace selling mostly fresh flowers, produce, meats, and homemade liqueurs and ales. Detalosi meets Rakhia a female hill dwarf selling the finest dwarven brandy in Waterdeep. The adventurers traveled down through the Sea Ward to the Castle Ward. The Castle Ward is the beating heart of Waterdeep it contains most of the city's goverment, Castle Waterdeep, and the Yawning Portal.   The Yawning Portala two story stone building with a slate roof had a simple signboard that simply read "The Yawning Portal" hanging on chains from a black iron pole above the front door.