She leans forward and lowers her voice and quietly adds, “I’m quite certain that you arrived yesterday, unless you’ve found some new way in.”
When asked about the girl, he smiles warmly, lifts her up, and says, “this is my daughter, Maria, and, yes, she is what we call towerborn.”
"Oh, of course, we did indeed spend a night on the stairs, how forgetful of me. Thank you kindly, Faunra, I am very pleased to meet you." Gavin replies, embarrassed by the lapse in memory.
"I am sure we will see each other often as I come to your lovely shop to fill my need for magical aids. I am a servant of Sarenrae and am blessed by the Dawnflower with a measure of magical ability, if there is anything you need that I could help provide, please don't hesitate to ask."
Gavin smiles warmly as he looks through the wares, making sure to stay long enough for Faunra to consider his offer and respond.
Gavin laughs out loud at the dwarfs question.
"I suppose a bit of both, if I am totally honest, good sir!"
He replies to the smithy.
"Humgrin Helmhammer, I am Gavin Soleques, servant of Sarenrae are admirer of Finley crafted things. My apologies for the interruption, but in my opinion, the opportunity for a paying job is often worth a brief intrusion."
Gavin takes a moment to view the work on display for attention to detail and craftsmanship, then continues.
"I would like a replica of a rose, head only, open in bloom, crafted of alchemical silver, about the size of my fist. Is this within your capabilities? What might you charge for such an item?"
"Greeting Kjell, I am pleased to hear that the pursuit of enjoyment is not lost to the residents of the Tower. I do not know if I will have need of your services, but I will remember your advice and try to both survive and enjoy my time here." the old man replies warmly.
"Greetings, Abund. Your wares are indeed lovely. I hope to secure semi-permanent lodgings in the residential area soon. I would like to offer friends and acquaintances the opportunity to contact me be dropping a letter in a place from which I can later retrieve it. It would mean a lot to me to have you craft such a box out of mahogany, or perhaps another suitable dark hardwood?" Gavin says, gesturing the desired size with his hands.
"I have some coin, but would be happy to barter service with you."
"Teague, I am pleased to meet you. The pursuit of perfection in your craft is as noble a goal as any. Your advice is sound, and I am blessed to be surrounded by capable friends. If you ever find yourself in need of travel assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. I will do my best to help you find a workable solution." Gavin says, not sure of a situation that might be remedied by the Mason's craft, but willing to lay a foundation for a future relationship anyway.
"I am very pleased to meet you, Ilse. You have indeed guessed the year of my departure from the outside world correctly!" Gavin responds with a wide grin.
"Is there some pattern that you have discovered that correlates entry time to the outside world, or has the style of my tunic experienced a short life?" the old man asks with a chuckle.
"Have there been other arrivals from my time in the market yet? We entered with others and it would put my mind at ease to know they made it to safety."
"Greetings, Archbanker. I am very pleased to meet you. Thank you for the assurance and advice. I am pleased to hear that this society has a proper respect for the value of time and service. This is good news to a patient, capable man, I'll let you know if I meet any!" Gavin laughs at the joke as if it catches him by surprise before continuing.
"You have a lovely little girl. It warms my heart to know I haven't seen the last of playing children." Gavin says as he watches the lesson for a moment.
"My companions and I have not yet secured a place to rest. Would you be kind enough to tell me what I can expect as a rate? So that we might avoid being taken advantage of?"
She smiles while the priest looks over some of what she has available and then offers, “but if we ever find ourselves in need of a spell he does not know, we will be sure to seek you out.”
"Thank you, Master Helmhammer, that price is indeed agreeable. I am happy to pay in advance for what I am sure will be exquisite craftsmanship." Gavin replies fishing coins out of his belt pouch.
"When can I expect the piece to be ready? And Thank you again for your time."
Once the transaction is completed, Gavin moves on.
"I think a nice bit of oak is preferable to a delay in crafting, and I'm sure it will be lovely." Gavin replies after considering the delay another step might mean.
"What remuneration can I offer? And when can I expect it to be ready?"
"If I may pry, who were the others to have reached Redwatch? Names or descriptions would be fine. Are any still here? In the residential area perhaps?" Gavin asks in excited rapid fire.
++Redwatch is quite cosmopolitan.++
"Archbanker, how would one go about having mahogany imported?"
"Square edges, slotted,but removable, top. Smooth finish, undyed. There will be an ornamental metal rose attached to the top, near the slot." Gavin replies after some thought. "And the box should bear my last name."
"Thank you for the delightful news, it warms my heart to know they are well. I must see to a few other things before we try to find respite for the night, but I very much look forward to speaking with you again." Gavin smiles.
"I am curious, is it possible, or even common, for residents of the Tower to leave the Tower temporarily to obtain supplies and then return to it?" Gavin asks the Archbanker
"How do you want to remove the top- just lift it off, or something that might trip anyone who tried to sneak a look inside?" Abund asks while he jots down a couple notes in Mbamba. "And, what kind of lettering for the name- simply block letters or something more ornate?"
The archbanker chuckles softly and pauses momentarily to weigh his words before answering, "it would be difficult to run an import business if it were not possible to import things into the Tower. 'Common' is perhaps not the word I would use to describe such outings, but some residents leave temporarily more often than others."
"Are Towerborn able to leave the confines of The Tower?"
Giorgio winces slightly at the question. “My wife and I would not dream of taking such a risk with our little treasure,” he answers.
"Simple letters will be fine, nothing too ornate, and a simple liftable lid. The box may by somewhat unattended at times and I'd rather it be poked through than broken."
The man seems disappointed with Gavin's desired simplicity but answers, "I could have such a box finished tomorrow. What method of payment do you prefer?"
"I have coin if you prefer, but I am amenable to barter, or trade in services."
"The first few days after new people arrive are usually the best time for barter," the woodworker replies with a big grin, "please, tell Abund what you've brought with you from outside of the tower that you would like to trade?"
"Of course, good sir! I've still got a bit of fresh fruit and a healthy supply of dry tea."
"I'm not one for tea. Do you have any tropical fruits- mango or papaya, maybe?"
"Well, let's have a look at what's left to pick from." Gavin happily replies. Fishing all the remaining fruit out of his haversack, he stacks it neatly on the table between the two.
Abund is slightly disappointed by the selection but after a little hemming and hawing offers, "okay, I will make your box for all of this."
"Splendid! We are agreed then!" Gavin replies, vigorously shaking the carpenter's hand.
"I look forward to seeing your work."
Leaving Abund to gather up his pay, Gavin at last heads to the 'Temple' for a drink and chat.
As he nears the bartender, Gavin calls out a greeting.
"Hello, good sir! I cannot tell you how pleased I am to see you. My name is Gavin Soleques and my friends and I have arrived just yesterday. Our experience thus far has been both strange and tiring, and I am in need of a cup of tea." he concludes as he rests an elbow on the counter.
Abund nods and moves all the fruit out of sight below the counter. “It’ll be done by this time tomorrow,” he informs his newest customer as he begins setting up his tools.
Across the walkway at the bar, the red headed man behind the ‘altar’ grins at Gavin’s greeting. “Finn O’Donal,” he answers, “one tea coming up.” Pulling a mug from beneath the bartop, he fills it with a light amber liquid that smells like beer and sets it in front of the priest. “First one’s on the house. Welcome to Redwatch.” Finn grabs three more mugs as he looks expectantly at the three other people following quietly behind Gavin. “What about you three- care for a bit of Cayden’s hospitality?”
"Understandable. I'll let you know if I decide I need import services, Archbanker."
Ah, Finn O'Donal of Cayden's Choir - finally a firm reference point to begin obtaining useful data. Perhaps I should practice my skills at conversation as well? A devotee of the Drunken Hero seems likely to be a forgiving test subject.
The wizard steps up to the barltar. "I'll sample whatever's free."
I've observed that most humanoid sentients "warm" to conversation; best not to begin with my main interest. I'll try a three-step process of building to my true question.
"Do you brew this here in The Tower?"
"Please, and thank you." Seth says with enthusiasm.
Finn fills two more mugs from the same earthenware pitcher and sets the beers in front of Seth and the Witness. “Not this stuff,” he answers the wizard, “this is magically transformed from water. We do brew, and distill, real drinks here but our supply is limited and the price is quite a bit higher, even when you’re actually paying for these.”
Not wanting to be rude, Gavin sips his drink while the others get settled into drinks of their own.
Now for the final piece of this puzzle....I hope.
"Finn, it is my wish to be available to help the residents of the Tower, the ones with Just intentions anyway. To this end, I need to make myself reachable in a meaningful way. I have begun to have crafted a letterbox which I mean to make public to as many people as possible, but I lack a conspicuous, public, easily accessible, but monitored place to leave the box." Gavin says, taking a sip and letting Finn catch on before continuing.
" I have seen far from all of the Tower, but I believe I shall find no better place in it than your fine establishment for this task. Tell me, good Sir, what would you need from me to make this a workable agreement?"
Finn let’s out a full, deep belly laugh. “You want to use the Temple of Cayden Cailean as a drop spot for your personal correspondence?” the bemused barkeep asks. “Well, I suppose the Accidental God wouldn’t be one to shy away from boldness! What do you offer, Gavin, in exchange for your own personal space in this holy place?”
"Think of it less as personal correspondence and more like putting those in need in touch with help. Those in dire need are often unable to enjoy a drink and a song. If this is a place one could bring both their merriment and their need, it would truly become a place for all." Gavin says, doing his best not to sound like a salesman.
"As to what I can offer, I will tell you that it is likely that my companions and I will find lodgings in the residential area, and before we begin each days activities, we will partake is a Hero's feast. I would invite you and a guest of your choice to join us in that blessing any morning I am here to make it available. I will also offer 5 gold pieces for each legitimate message retrieved from the box, with the good faith understanding that the box not be purposely stuffed to inflate this price, and I am willing to prepay for the first 10 messages."
”If you’re just looking to help people you’re a couple decades too late,” Finn answers with a smirk. “The House of Healing, right next door, is devoted to helping those in need. It’s run by the Order of Benevolent Healers, who are always looking for volunteers and new recruits. They offer healing, sure, but they also help organize food and water for any who can’t make their own and those sorts of things. If all you want to do is help, they’re the ones you should be talking to.”
”Now, if you still want personal correspondences beside that, I think we can probably work something out. I love a good feast, but my partners and I can put that on ourselves, and we do, everyday. What I need is more alcohol to keep up with demand. So, how about this... we set up your box over there by the entrance and I teach you a spell for turning water to ale, then you come cast the spell for me once a day for every day it’s here? It wouldn’t have to actually be everyday- you could cast them a few at a time beforehand to build up a balance for times when you’re out.”
"I am certainly Glad the House of Healing exists to serve the healing and logistical needs of the Tower community, and I am certain I will find myself in service there. But I want to focus on aid outside the scope of a few spells cast in the comfort of a temple. I yearn to know the heart of this community, knowing what troubles its people will teach me where my place in it is." Gavin responds, happy to hear of the good works done by the order.
"I gladly accept your proposal. Shall I return here tomorrow morning before my meditations to learn this 'libatious' magic?"
"How long does it take you to produce a batch of your own brew?"
Seth drinks the passable drink. They haven't been gone from the real long enough from the normal world to find this drink to be great. "I'm a cobbler and a violinist myself, not sure if any of that would be in a need around here, but maybe I could help a bit, before we move on." while this is all interesting Seth and his sister need to find out that is up at the top.
Finn nods to Gavin. "Sure," he answers, "I won't actually be here in the morning, but I'll let Dagny know you're coming and she can show it to you."
The barkeep brushes his shaggy red hair from his face as he turns to the Witness and informs him, "actual brewing's no different here than anywhere else, except that the materials are harder to come by. There's usually a couple hours of prep work--boiling mash, juicing fruit, those kinds of things--and then once it's stored for fermentation it takes how ever long it takes: anywhere from a few weeks to a couple months depending on what it is."
He smiles when Seth chimes in with his offer and asks, "did you bring a violin in here with you? The Temple has a house band--Cayden's Choir we're called--but we don't have a fiddler... if you've got something to play, and you're any good, I'm sure there'd be times when you could sit in with us."
"I see." The wizard takes a sip of his free ale. "An interesting choice of business to pursue is these environs. How long have you been doing it?"
A brief chuckle escapes from the jovial barkeep at the Witness' observation. "Well, we didn't do it to get rich, that's for sure," he replies, "although, truthfully, we do pretty well for ourselves... the elves'll take payment in drink, and so will most of our suppliers, so we've got very few actual costs here. Really though, its more an act of devotion than a business. The four of us in Cayden's Choir all do worship the Drunken God, and it just didn't seem right to have a little settlement here with nowhere to worship. Plus performing's always more fun with drinks. We 'consecrated' the Temple fifteen years ago now; we started brewing again that day, and we've been serving magically created drinks all along."
Seth's eyes light up at the offer to play in a group. Traveling as the twins have done for so long, chances of doing so has come few and far between.
"A fiddler without a fiddle would be sad indeed. Assuming we are staying for a little bit... let me know when to come by, and I'd be pleased to play a tune for you."
Finn smiles and answers, “we play just about every night, and sometimes during the day too. Just keep your fiddle handy whenever you decide to spend some real time here and you’ll get a chance to play it eventually.”
As the others finish their drinks, Gavin wanders across the 'street' to the last stop in the marketplace.
++The House of Healing, sounds nice.++
Walking up to the doors, he takes a cautious look inside.
Upon seeing a priest or attendant he make his introductions.
"Hello, good folk, I am Gavin Soleques, Servant of Sarenrae. My companions and I entered the Tower just yesterday and I am doing my best to get my bearings. Tell me, what service do you provide here?"
Gavin very quickly realizes that his last stop in the marketplace is actually a return to their first stop in the marketplace. The Vitolian woman who was receiving the unusual needle-treatment has apparently finished and departed, but the half-dwarven woman who was treating her remains.
"Good evening, Gavin Soleques, and welcome to Redwatch," she replies. "I'm Stanna Ironshield and this is the House of Healing. Our primary service here is to offer healing to people, but we do our best to aid people in whatever way we can. We help to organize food and water for those who can't create their own. We remove diseases that might get brought in, and purify foods and drinks, to make sure illnesses don't run rampant in these closed quarters. Sometimes we even help with other projects... after the last New Tran, Claudette put up some walls for a new home or two. Are you interested in getting involved, Servant of Sarenrae?"
"I am very pleased to meet you, Stanna Ironshield. I is nice to see the Tower does not lack servants of faith. I would like to be able to help with the service you provide, however I am not sure what constraints will be placed on my time and I have already committed to several future tasks." Gavin replies in a polite but non-committal way.
"Well," Stanna answers with a smile, "when people first arrive they always think that life here will be very busy, and--for many--it begins that way: there's so many things to explore and try to figure out. Some people do manage to stay busy here, but a lot of us find we have more free time on our hands than we expected. If ever you find yourself in this latter group, feel free to come back and we'll help you fill some time."
She takes a step closer and lowers her voice a little before adding, "plus, the elves will often take time working here as payment for fees, so if you want to set up somewhere to stay, or a business, it's not a bad option for paying your way."