I was purposefully avoiding that myself. By which I mean, not 'open' in a tavern/inn, nor DM-prompt anyone to go to one. I believe every PBP game I've ever been in but not been the DM of has opened in a tavern/inn.<br/><br/>Several PCs initiated it though - which is a perfectly logical thing to before setting out on a dangerous adventure. So my suggestion is, the characters who want to can do so, but it needn't take more than a post or two (I'm not going to be describing the interiors of a bunch of taverns, unless, I dunno, you pick a fight in one and so suddenly the layout and the NPCs in it actually matter). This is basically the reason Gather Information exists in the "1d4+1 hours per roll" form it does (it's very reasonable to go around thoroughly asking about or looking for X but very boring to roleplay in extreme detail). This is why so many PBP games go so slowly; people feel obliged to do everything 'real time' and write everything the character says, rather than just saying what they said and did.  ("Let's not, and say we did.")<br/><br/>(And Tacky and I have already arranged over PM that ifwhen Randal comes to rendezvous with Arivel as they agreed when they split up, the staff will call him down or knock or whatever and they can be on their way, and meanwhile side threads can be used where called for.)