Durnan
Yawning Portal tavern ownerMale Human Retired Adventurer
“I'll give you a free flagon of ale if you don't talk to me about the weather.”
Durnan "the Wanderer" (occasionally known as Durham) is the gruff, burly yet close-mouthed owner of the Yawning Portal Inn and considers himself the self-appointed gatekeeper to Undermountain. He is known for having explored Undermountain.
The proprietor of the Yawning Portal is a man of few words with a gruff demeanor and a mercenary outlook to life. Long ago, Durnan returned from Undermountain with a haul of riches; among which were said to be magic items which extended his own lifespan. He bought the Yawning Portal by investing a small portion of that treasure haul. He keeps a magic greatsword hidden behind the bar in case any beasties clamber up out of the well.
Description
He is the owner of a very sturdy body. However, he is also very wise and knowledgeable to the point of being considered a "thinking man's barbarian". He knows a lot about various weapons and martial arts, including from Kara-Tur and the Hordelands. While he has no spellcasting abilities of his own, he is knowledgeable enough that he can recognize the properties of a lot of spells.
Personality
He has a strong dislike for hobgoblins. Durnan himself never speaks on the subject. His also hates injustice and unfairness.
Personality: Durnan believes that everyone must fend for themselves in this cruel world.
Ideal: “Someone who can stand alone can stand against anything.”
Bond: “The Yawning Portal is my home. I’ll not get attached to the people here: just like the tavern, I’ll outlive them all.”
Flaw: “If you want sympathy you’ve come to the wrong place.”
Background
Location:
Durnan was born in the remote North in 1283 DR. He started adventuring with Mirt when the two were ten.
Durnan was known as "The Wanderer" because that was precisely what he spent his youth doing: wandering around seemingly aimlessly, killing monsters.
In 1302 DR, Durnan and Mirt the Merciless went into Undermountain and managed to come back not only alive but also rich. This was one of the first instances of somebody surviving a foray into Halaster's property. He used the looted wealth to tear down the remnants of Halaster's Hold to build the Yawning Portal inn. He spread the information about the size and the wealth that could be found in Undermountain. Combined with the good location, on which he built his inn, it guaranteed him his living by selling equipment to people who wanted to enter the dungeon too. Durnan retired as an adventurer. The reason for this was that he made a promise to his girlfriend at that time to come back to her when managed become rich.
Relationships
Durnan was friends with Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun.
He is married to Mhaere Dryndilstann and had a daughter with her called Tamsil Dryndilstann whom he taught the basics of battle to give her the necessary skills against problematic customers. The age difference between the couple is giant. Durnan was born in 1283 DR, and his wife was thirty in 1371 DR turning them into a couple with an age difference of fifty-eight years. Furthermore, his daughter was sixteen when his wife was thirty, meaning that she conceived when she was fourteen.
He also has a special relationship with the local clergy of Tymora. He daily pays the deity's temple to send one of their clerics over to heal people. This service is not charity on the temple's side. It was not merely expected but paying donations to the caster is actually enforced and Lady Luck's clerics accept nothing but cash, meaning no credits.
As an additional security, Durnan hires skilled fighters, who were at all times armed, to pretend being customers. These people are no mere mercenaries but are incredibly loyal to Durnan. So loyal in fact that magically compelling them to disobey or harm Durnan, his family, or the family's property is not just impossible but actually something that broke the spell.
Feel free to describe any encounters or your character's viewpoint on this character below in the Comments.
Attitudes