Buufreak
 The City of Waterdeep 

A true metropolis if ever there was one, spanning some of the largest borders known on the Sword Coast, and considered one of the mainstays of Toril. Anything can be found here, if you know where to look, know how to earn your keep, or have enough coin to get the attention you desire. Ruled by the Lords, nothing truly escapes their gaze, not even the workings of the seedy and illicit, and they maintain their rule by way of the Guard and the Watch.

Through these two, the city stands well guarded and policed, keeping codes and laws well enforced. Together, they serve and protect by all facets of the terms, combing streets for criminal activity, watching the skies from griffonback, taming the surrounding seas by means of a fierce naval fleet, and if all else fails, deploying the great wizards that call the city home.

But suredly you didn't come to this city to cause any sort of trouble and take issue with it's constables and military. So,  what does bring you to the City of Splendors? 
ShadowOfAStorm
Waterdeep. The city bit into Azradi's mental budgeting like shark-teeth. The layers of magic, such as the ancient dragonward, seemed only to be matched by the layers of intrigue. If it weren't so expedient when it came to procuring items, Azradi wouldn't visit at all; the powers here were strong, concentrated, and well beyond potential reward for meddling in their affairs.

Yet still, Azradi  had  come, swooping in one dark morning with little to their name besides their cloak and companions.

They'd been a busy servant of The Ruby Dragon. As a student of the secrets of nature, and natural magics, Azradi had been a clear asset in establishing a shrine to Sardior, deep in the wilderness. They'd even taken temporary leave of their duties to complete it. Yet, with the holy observatory now properly ensconced in the wild, sequestered by wards and woods both, and potential adversaries destroyed or deflected, Azradi has inevitably needed to return to their more active(read:temporal) role in the Greatest Game. Which meant getting back in contact, and replacing the various adventuring accoutrements which they'd lost in recent service.

Towards the first end, they'd already left the secret signs which they hoped would fetch a more direct course of action to their path. Towards the second, they currently attend, going between shops and stalls with their hippogriff companion in tow, buying basic supplies and loading them onto the saddle.
DeTess
 "Az, slow down a little!"  Yurna was having a little trouble keeping up with the human, though that was mostly her fault. She'd never left the great rift for any length of time before, and the city of Waterdeep had plenty of things drawing her attention. And every time she got distracted Azradi had moved to another stall.  "Seriously, this place might be normal to you, but this is my first time here."  She grumbled after having caught up to her companion again. Gale was likewise nervous, but a calming hand on her steed's neck kept the hippogriff calm.

 "So apart from buying supplies..."  Yurna lowered her voice.   "Do you have a... contact... in this city?"   When Yurna met Azradi in the great rift, she'd taught them about the care and riding of hippogriffs. In return Azradi had told her a little about their own activities, shrouded in mystery as they were. This had stuck around in her mind, and when she was looking for something to do after having left the great rift she'd sought the human out again, to see if she could assist them with their adventures.
Ancient
Dagonet

The little kobold flitted amongst the hustle and bustle of the city, the Great One's gift of the magical hat disguising him as something more appropriate for a city of man, one of the hair-footed ones, a halfling. Few, if any noticed him, man-things rarely looked below their coin purses, and he had no interest in those. The city was bright and crowded and interesting, exciting, dangerous, wonderful. Why had the Great One sent him here, was it as simple as meeting a contact, or was it more? It was always more, a Great One was the personification of MORE, but more what? More glimmer? More secrets? Whatever it was, it would require more from Dagonet, namely more courage. And courage they would have, for surely the Great One was watching, they always watched. Somewhere here, was a woman child, with a most interesting companion, a sky beast of somesort.
Buufreak
 
 Originally Posted by ShadowOfAStorm 
 Waterdeep. The city bit into Azradi's mental budgeting like shark-teeth. The layers of magic, such as the ancient dragonward, seemed only to be matched by the layers of intrigue. If it weren't so expedient when it came to procuring items, Azradi wouldn't visit at all; the powers here were strong, concentrated, and well beyond potential reward for meddling in their affairs.

Yet still, Azradi  had  come, swooping in one dark morning with little to their name besides their cloak and companions.

They'd been a busy servant of The Ruby Dragon. As a student of the secrets of nature, and natural magics, Azradi had been a clear asset in establishing a shrine to Sardior, deep in the wilderness. They'd even taken temporary leave of their duties to complete it. Yet, with the holy observatory now properly ensconced in the wild, sequestered by wards and woods both, and potential adversaries destroyed or deflected, Azradi has inevitably needed to return to their more active(read:temporal) role in the Greatest Game. Which meant getting back in contact, and replacing the various adventuring accoutrements which they'd lost in recent service.

Towards the first end, they'd already left the secret signs which they hoped would fetch a more direct course of action to their path. Towards the second, they currently attend, going between shops and stalls with their hippogriff companion in tow, buying basic supplies and loading them onto the saddle. 
 

It has been nearly months since you ventured from the Upper Downs, through the Troll wall, and into the wilderness beyond. Your shrine and altar, nearly immaculate, stands firmly, adorned with bright red gemstones and offerings to  The Master . But yes, time has come to return to your stationing.

You know the city, well enough at least, to find your way to your dwellings, your places of service, your handful of contacts within the city. Not taking even half a day, you manage to find the supplies you require, as well as loading up your mount.

But one thing stood out, above the rest. In the past, you had been tapped and signed with a task of locating one, a young man known as Lorhan. Not much information was given at the time, and it is possible you are well past your deadline of meeting.


 
 Originally Posted by DeTess 
  "Az, slow down a little!"  Yurna was having a little trouble keeping up with the human, though that was mostly her fault. She'd never left the great rift for any length of time before, and the city of Waterdeep had plenty of things drawing her attention. And every time she got distracted Azradi had moved to another stall.  "Seriously, this place might be normal to you, but this is my first time here."  She grumbled after having caught up to her companion again. Gale was likewise nervous, but a calming hand on her steed's neck kept the hippogriff calm.

 "So apart from buying supplies..."  Yurna lowered her voice.   "Do you have a... contact... in this city?"   When Yurna met Azradi in the great rift, she'd taught them about the care and riding of hippogriffs. In return Azradi had told her a little about their own activities, shrouded in mystery as they were. This had stuck around in her mind, and when she was looking for something to do after having left the great rift she'd sought the human out again, to see if she could assist them with their adventures. 
 

The sights of the city, truly a wonder to your senses. Creatures of all shapes and sizes, as well as varying degrees of sentience and friendliness, filled every street. Every stall, another peddler trying to push shiny trinkets and glittering baubles into your field of view, desperate to make another sale to someone who might not fully understand what they are buying.

But you can't help but have the feeling that despite the air of fair trade about, there is something deeper happening here. Maybe it is just the difference in setting? There are far more people on this street alone than you had seen gathered in a great many occasions, and here was only a small portion of the city at large.


 
 Originally Posted by Ancient 
 Dagonet

The little kobold flitted amongst the hustle and bustle of the city, the Great One's gift of the magical hat disguising him as something more appropriate for a city of man, one of the hair-footed ones, a halfling. Few, if any noticed him, man-things rarely looked below their coin purses, and he had no interest in those. The city was bright and crowded and interesting, exciting, dangerous, wonderful. Why had the Great One sent him here, was it as simple as meeting a contact, or was it more? It was always more, a Great One was the personification of MORE, but more what? More glimmer? More secrets? Whatever it was, it would require more from Dagonet, namely more courage. And courage they would have, for surely the Great One was watching, they always watched. Somewhere here, was a woman child, with a most interesting companion, a sky beast of somesort. 
 

You navigate your way through the great forest of knees and thighs, escaping the notice of all but a few who don't give a second look at an unimposing halfling. The Great One who has sent you seeks out one in particular, but gave no name. You were told to be on the look out for a sign, one that would make itself well known. Was this winged beast that sign? Ah! Look! There is another! 2 winged beasts, side by side. No common sight, for sure. This must mean something!
DeTess
Yurna tried to rein in her boundless curiosity a little while she waited on a response from Azradi. There were many more things to see, but something about the city was getting to her. It was a bit like the feeling of bein judged by some hidden observer, a feeling she unfortunately knew all to well.  "Az, is it just me, or does it feel like we're being observed? By the city I mean. Well, not the city, as it is just inanimate rocks, but by something here..."  She shook her head.  "Sorry, it is difficult to explain the feeling." 
ShadowOfAStorm
"If I slow down," Azradi comments in charming tones, "no doubt you'd linger overlong, and be caught up in some strand of Waterdeep's web."

As the pair makes their way through Azradi's final checks and resupply, Azradi nods to their partner, "I don't sense anything out of place. Which isn't to say I doubt you: the city of Splendors might as well be called the city of eyes, with the amount of-"

They stop for a moment, turning on their heel and quickly taking in their surroundings, even, subtly, sniffing the air for any hint of the untoward. "...subterfuge."

Taking the moment of relative peace, they lean closely to Yurna's, mouth shielded by their hand, and whisper in such low tones that, were it not for the extreme proximity, the sound would die at their lips "We are directed to a certain 'Lorhan', we may be already late."

As quickly as the deed is done they withdraw to a more formal distance with a smile.
BelGareth
The city of splendors rose before him like a tidal wave of stone and noise. Lenny adjusted the strap of his well-worn pack and let out a low whistle.   "Ah, Jaysus, would ye look at the size o' that?"   he muttered under his breath, his emerald eyes wide as he took in the towering walls and bustling gates of Waterdeep.

The road behind him was a long and dusty thing, a ribbon stretching back into the unknown, but the one ahead was lined with opportunity—or so he hoped. Lenny scratched at the back of his head, ruffling the mop of dark auburn hair that perpetually looked like he’d just rolled out of bed. His cloak fluttered in the sea breeze, and he wrinkled his nose at the tang of salt and fish.   "Ah, reminds me o' home. Well, the fishin', not the glamour."  

He patted the side of his satchel, feeling the weight of the old brass coin tucked within—a coin he’d found in the belly of a trout, o' all things, back in Athkatla. The strange markings on it, written in some language that practically hummed when he held it under the moonlight, had led him here.   "Waterdeep,"   he murmured, rolling the word on his tongue like he was tasting a fine whiskey.   "Where the dragons play their games. Madder than a bag o' weasels, this."  

As he approached the gates, the city guards barely spared him a glance, their attention more on the merchant wagons and their bulging cargo. Slipping through the crowd with the practiced ease of a hunter, Lenny found himself standing in the shadow of the city’s great spires. He tilted his head back, taking it all in.

  "Well now,"   he said, hands on his hips,   "looks like this place's got more twists and turns than a drunkard's story. Reckon I'll fit right in." 
 
With that, he tipped an imaginary hat to no one in particular and strode into the thrumming heart of Waterdeep, the coin’s weight feeling heavier with every step.