Stirges, Gangs and Ghostly Deals
Sessions 1–2
Our story begins in the sprawling, chaotic city of Waterdeep, where five very different adventurers cross paths at the legendary Yawning Portal tavern. They didn’t mean to start a tavern. They didn’t mean to get involved in a gang war. But, well—here we are.
Meet the Party
Eva / Uno / Ichiro / Een
A warforged with multiple personalities and a mysterious past. Depending on who’s “active,” Eva might be a charming bard, an awkward robot chef, a moody soul-seeker, or someone entirely new. Just don’t hit them too hard… it tends to trigger a swap.
Isac
A smooth-talking noble with secrets he’d rather keep buried. Specialises in illusions and getting out of sticky situations. Haunted by his past—literally and figuratively.
Viktor
The eccentric magic tinkerer. Loves to overthink everything and collect very questionable artefacts. Has a curious mind, a sharp eye for loot, and surprisingly good instincts in a crisis.
Life, Death and the Other One (LDO)
A shapeshifting force of unfiltered chaos. Sometimes a person, sometimes a hydra, always a little bit terrifying. Often unexpectedly insightful between unhinged decisions.
Marvin
A roguish realist with a dry wit and a soft spot for misfits. Part-time dad friend, part-time chaos goblin. Known for carrying the emotional weight of the group in one hand and a big knife in the other.
These five adventurers didn’t exactly plan to work together, but after the first tavern fight, it was pretty clear: they’re stuck with each other now.
Troll Trouble at the Tavern
It all began at The Yawning Portal, the busiest tavern in Waterdeep and home to a massive well that leads straight into a monster-infested dungeon.
The group was enjoying a relatively quiet evening when a brawl broke out between members of the Xanathar Guild and a tough half-orc named Yagra, who revealed herself to be part of the Zhentarim. Apparently, a rogue faction of Zhentarim had started a turf war, and things were getting bloody.
Before anyone could finish their drink, a troll burst out of the portal, followed by a swarm of stirges. Durnan, the barkeep, nonchalantly pulled out a greatsword and handled the troll. The party stepped in to distract the stirges—with raw meat, of all things—which actually worked.
And then… came Volo.
Enter Volo
Yes, that Volo. Self-proclaimed author, definitely not as famous as he thinks he is. He introduced himself with flair and immediately begged for help finding his missing friend Floon, who vanished after a night out at the Skewered Dragon.
The party wasn’t thrilled, but the promise of 100 gold each changed their minds.
Into the Dock Ward
They headed into the Dock Ward and stumbled across City Watch officers arresting some Zhentarim. When one tried to flee, the party helped bring him in. That’s when they met Captain Hyustus Stagart, a gruff officer who warned them to keep their weapons sheathed while in the city.
They made a detour to the Xoblob Shop, a bizarre purple-themed curiosity store. The gnome owner was obsessed with all things violet. Isac traded fashion advice for a magical cube. Eva bought a beholder plush. Death tried to steal something. They also found a dead pixie in a jar, held a funeral for it, and moved on.
At the Skewered Dragon, they met a drunk dwarf who promised information—if someone could beat him in a contest. Eva accepted and promptly knocked him out. When he woke up, he admitted Floon had left with Renear Neverember, and both had been followed by some rough-looking men who frequent a nearby warehouse.
Warehouse Mayhem
At the warehouse, Isac disguised himself as a Kenku and tricked the others inside by shouting, “There’s a bomb!” in perfect mimicry. Chaos erupted. The Kenku panicked and fled. Meanwhile, Death set off an alarm from a back window. Somehow, it worked.
Inside were the signs of a battle—dead humans with Zhentarim tattoos, dead Kenku with Xanathar eye tattoos, and Renear Neverember hiding in a cupboard. Turns out the Xanathar Guild mistook Floon for Renear and kidnapped him by accident.
Viktor also found a hidden Zhentarim treasure hoard behind a false wall. Typical Viktor.
Sewer Battles and Brain Monsters
The group followed the trail into the sewers, where they found a Xanathar outpost crawling with goblins, bandits, a mind flayer, and an intellect devourer—a brain with legs and serious attitude.
The mind flayer left through a portal, leaving its minions behind. A battle broke out. During the chaos, Life, Death and the Other One turned into a hydra, picked up an enemy leader, and threw him into the portal.
They rescued Floon alive and unharmed. Also, Isac made friends with a goblin. Because of course he did.
Volo’s Payment… Sort Of
Back at the Yawning Portal, Volo was overjoyed—but broke.
Instead of gold, he offered the deed to a “charming fixer-upper” in the North Ward: a haunted, run-down tavern called Trollskull Manor.
The party accepted. The manor came with its own ghost, Lyf, who just wanted to see the place running again. Rooms were claimed. Plans were made. A new chapter had begun.
The Spoopy Inn was born.
Next time: haunted renovations, secret factions, magical identity crises, and how not to handle a job interview at a rival tavern. Waterdeep’s about to get weird.
