“The Pit That Drinks”
Of all the taverns in
Waterdeep, none is spoken of in as many tones—reverent, fearful, boastful, or amused—as the Yawning Portal. Rising plain and squat from the
Dock Ward's cobbled streets, its stone frame and broad timbers are unremarkable at a glance. But ask any adventurer, bard, or drunkard, and the same name will drop from their lips like a dare: the Yawning Portal.
Its fame, of course, stems from the great well that yawns at the tavern’s heart—a black, roped shaft plunging down into Undermountain, the most infamous dungeon in all of Faerûn. They say it drinks the foolish and spits up only the mad.
Exterior and Structure
The tavern is a tall, old building of stone and heavy wood, dark with age but expertly maintained. It has few windows on the lower floor—perhaps to discourage opportunists or to muffle the chaos within. At peak hours, laughter, shouting, and the occasional battle cry spill through its doors. Those who step inside are greeted by a wide common room centered around the gaping hole in the floor: twenty feet across, ringed by thick stone and reinforced by metal bracings. A rope-and-pulley system dangles over it, sometimes still swinging from a recent descent.
Soot-darkened beams hold aloft the upper balconies, where onlookers, gamblers, and thrill-seekers watch adventurers descend into myth or resurface in ruin. Around the room, carved tables, old benches, and a hearth perpetually ablaze give it the air of a place both welcoming and completely indifferent to your survival.
People and Patronage
Durnan, the stoic proprietor, is a man of few words and fewer indulgences. He tends his bar with the calm of someone who has seen more than you can imagine and still finds most of it unworthy of comment. Though he rarely speaks of it, Durnan once braved the depths of Undermountain himself—and lived. He is not quick to threaten, but he does not bluff. Those who cross him rarely do so twice.
Bonnie, the lead barmaid, is a cheerful and quick-witted young woman whose memory for faces and drink orders borders on magical. Friendly and attentive, she seems to glide through chaos unscathed, her tray never tipping even in the rowdiest brawls.
Threestrings, a
Harper agent masquerading as a mediocre bard, provides regular entertainment. With his humble lute and off-tune charm, he plays simple songs with surprising heart. Some say he’s sharper than he looks, and he’s always where gossip brews thickest.
Yarga, a hulking female
half-orc with a tusked grin and a talent for violence, occasionally acts as Durnan’s bouncer and enforcer. Friendly enough to those who know the rules, she has an unshakable loyalty to the staff and a talent for removing problems without breaking too much furniture. She considers it a point of pride that most people she drags outside survive the experience.
Rules and Rumors
Though the Yawning Portal sits near the border between the Dock and
Castle Wards, it is neutral ground in all but name. The
Zhentarim, and perhaps the wider underworld of Waterdeep, regard the establishment as off-limits—a place where violence against staff or patrons is not only forbidden but foolish. Durnan’s reach is long, and no faction wishes to make an enemy of the man who holds the keys to Undermountain.
That said, scuffles still happen—particularly between rival adventuring bands or when old grudges boil over. But these are handled swiftly. More than one hothead has been thrown down the well rather than out the door.
While the Portal offers drink, food, and song, it also serves as a crossroads for coin, contracts, and secrets. If you linger long enough, someone will offer you a job. Whether you take it is up to you—but if it involves a descent into the well, don’t forget to leave your name with Bonnie.
You might not be coming back.
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