Night clerk Connaillis smiled at Illendur even this late at night. His father was who he was, after all, and you didn't rock the boat unless you knew for certain you had cover from above. She gave the odd group a cool but professional once over. Illendur knew the news about this was going to get around very quickly; Conniallis wasn't a gossip, but a House scion acquiring property was always a topic of conversation and doing so with a group this... diverse would turn heads.
"Of course, master Illendur. Not a problem, that's what we're here for. Let me just give this a once over." She quickly scanned the deed, taking a loupe out of a desk drawer and fitting it into her eye to examine the seal and signatures, nodding to herself while Gaebler frowned and fidgeted. Connaillis looked up at the group after a few seconds. "Is mister Gaebler here?"
The moustachioed writer stepped forward. "Vordik Gaebler, at your service." Connaillis nodded smartly at him. "You acquired this property recently?" He nodded. The Phiarlan clerk asked him a few more questions and they went back and forth over a few minutes. Eventually she seemed satisfied and turned back to Illendur.
"Everything here seems in order, master Illendur. If you would sign, and any other new owners, we will be done momentarily." Connaillis opened a quill box and opened the inkwell inside; after she dipped the nib in the ink it visibly glittered in the bright light as she held it out to Illendur.
Ash hesitated - until he saw Dok sign with his thumbprint. Then he relaxed a touch, and did the same.
Once they'd left the Phiarlan clerk behind, Ash yawned, revealing a long row of sharp teeth. "Do you all wish to go see the property now, with Vordik? I rather thought we'd do that before signing, but it couldn't hurt to do it now. Or is everyone else tired, too?"
Zander had watched as each of the others scribbled a word or blotted a thumbprint onto the paper. When all had finished, and looked expectantly at him, Zander hadn't quite figured out why. Not immediately, anyway.
"It seems that they are expecting you to engage in the same behavior," the voice in his mind said, silently.
With some hesitation, Zander took up the writing instrument and, in the easily-readable script that almost all Warforged wrote in (a script that was exceptionally easy to read in dim light and the chaotic conditions of a battlefield, for example), printed the word, "Whurzander."
Then he stepped back, waiting to see the reactions.
Jixel had been going with the flow, opening up her pack for Peekee to watch the passing streets from within the safety of the cab. Guess it wasn't just hounds who tended to enjoy some lazy vehicular movement. At least with Peekee on-board, there was no slobbering.
The ratfolk lass seemed to be busy, "thinking", trying desperately to conceal any unprofessional excitement. A building? A home? This was going to become the largest physical thing she'd ever owned, legally. OK, part owned, but still!
Unsure as to if Dok, Ash, Zander, or herself might be deemed the strangest evening visitor to this place for a while, it was quiet steps and eyes mostly downwards, as the elven hottie dealt with business. When the time came to sign though, Jixel smiled, thanked Mister G, and proceeded to write her name.
"It seems to be a traditional time to sleep, but surely we won't get a wink, until the magnificent palace has been witnessed!"
"Dok thinks you should have looked it ova before we signed the paper..."
We have had a long day, let us rest tonight and refocus our wits, then in the morning we can explore the property properly? Illendur offers to the others?
Early the next morning the group found themselves looking up at their new property, Trollskull Manor. The group had discovered their new status as property owners in the district had sped their passage through the Aundairan checkpoint and they'd even gotten directions from the soldiers manning the guard post.
Trollskull Alley was a short street bounded on all sides by buildings, almost a long, skinny courtyard- and from the empty stalls there it looked like an occasional open air marketplace- with two entrances on the north and south side. Four stories tall and boasting balconies, a turret, and five chimneys, their new Manor looked like it had once been one of the grandest estates in the neighborhood.
Now, though, it looked like it had been abandoned for at least a few years. It wasn't falling down from disrepair but it also clearly hadn't been inhabited for a long time. The deed had included a single large iron key, so at least they wouldn't have to break in- while it was early, there was already smoke curling out of the chimney of the blacksmith to the southeast on the southern side of the Alley.
Ash frowned. "I knew we should have looked at it with Gaebler. Why is something like this abandoned in a city this crowded?" He shook his head, then jerked a thumb toward the blacksmith. "At least we can get some more keys made easily enough. Or do we need a locksmith? Was never sure about that."
He paused, then indicated he would circle the grounds.
Anyone up to help the ADHD shifter? XD
Illendur takes in the abandoned property and shrugs, Lots of places get abandoned for lots of reasons, I'm sure we'll find out if there is anything really wrong with it when we get in. Worst case we got SOMETHING out of Gaebler, rather than some empty promises. While Ash looks around, I'll go see if the Blacksmith over there knows anything about it
Crossing the alleyway, Illendur pokes his head into the balcksmith's shop, Morning there! How's business this morning? My companions and I just came into possession of the house over yon, and we were wondering if you could make several copies of this key for us? Also, any idea why the place has been abandoned for so long?
"I'll help you look aboot" Dok says.
He follows along with Ash.
To the right of the front door and patio, Ash and Dok found a locked door that opened up right onto the alley. To the left, they found a set of stairs leading up to another locked door right off Saerdoun Street.
The windows were mostly covered with dust and the little they could see of the first floor made it look like the last tenants had left a bunch of junk inside.
The blacksmith was about halfway down the alley to the east; as he passed by the three story townhouse immediately to the Manor's south, Illendur noted that the entire top floor of the building had been converted into a tall greenhouse. It looked almost like a tiny rainstorm was happening inside at the moment.
The forge- Steam and Steel, based on the sign over the door- was busy with the noise of metalwork and smoke floating up out of the chimney and out the many open windows. Illendur had to raise his voice to get the blacksmith's attention- a deceptively slender fire genasi. They looked up when they finally noticed the Phiarlan. "Oh, sorry, I didn't hear you! What'd you say you need, a key?"
The firetouched blacksmith walked over and put out their hand for the key. "Let me see it?" They turned their head and called for someone else to come over. "Avi, come over here!"
An equally slender water genasi walked through a doorway, smiling at the fire genasi and Illendur both. "Oh, hello." They came over, their gait languid as the rolling tide.
"He wants more of these keys made," the fire genasi said to the water genasi. The water genasi looked curiously at Illendur. "What is that the key for, my new friend?"
Jixel was in awe for quite some time, until she saw Ash and Dok heading off to explore!
"Wait, I'm coming too!"
The ratfolk scampered up next to them, and another locked doorway.
"There must be a way in. Even a small one would do. Wonder what all the goodies in there are? Comes fully furnished? Oh gee!"
"Looks like we be needin' da key."
Pardon, thanks. Yes, my companions and I just came into possession of that house over there, the half-elf points with his thumb, And we need some keys made for it. I'm wondering, do you know who used to own it, and why is it abandoned? Illendur asks the pair.
Ash cocked his head, then glanced at Jixel. "Do we?"
The ratfolk returned Ash a cheesy grin.
"What are you implying Mister Ash, that I'm a thief?"
It seemed like a pretty reasonable assumption to make. Small. Sneaky. Dark clothes. Daggers. Ratfolk.
Alas though, as much as Jixel wished she was better at break-ins and moving wealth around, she was no such thing. She was a fortune teller, of the less law-abiding kind.
"Hiding is one thing. Breaking locks is another. I don't know how this works, on the inside? This is man stuff, making crazy inventions to do the most simple of things, like keeping a door shut haha."
"We either need da key or we breaks da door."
Pardon, thanks. Yes, my companions and I just came into possession of that house over there, the half-elf points with his thumb, And we need some keys made for it. I'm wondering, do you know who used to own it, and why is it abandoned? Illendur asks the pair.
The fire-touched genasi turned the key over in their hands as they responded absently. "I think it was owned by some nobleman, kind of a hobby. Story is they let the manager run it how he wanted into the ground and didn't care to pay off the debts to re-open it after they got done settling with the lawsuits."
The water-touched genasi smiled at Illendur. "I'm Avi, this is Embren. Glad to meet a new resident of the Alley, mister..." Avi put out their hand to shake with Illendur, a gentle reminder he had yet to introduce himself.
Dok looks at the locks and says:
"I tink da key weez gots is be fittin' da front door."
Illendur D'Phiarlan at your services gentlemen. Forgive my poor manners this morning! My colleagues and I are interested in getting a few of these keys made - perhaps I can come by later and see if you're free? Illendur looks outside at his companions, and seeing only the warforged waiting, shrugs. We're a diverse lot, so you may see some strange things, but wanted to get off on the right foot with you all.
Not to hold anyone up longer than intended, Illendur will retrieve the key and head over to the townhouse, opening the front door as indicated.
Emben chuckled and shook their head. "We're always happy to meet another diverse lot, my lord. Free, we're certainly not, but luckily enough I am a member of the Splendid Order of Armorers, Locksmiths, and Finesmiths. I can certainly make you copies as soon as you prove you own the property. Guild policy, as required by the City Watch, my lord. But come back and we'll be happy to work with you!"
Going back to the Manor, Illendur was able to open the front door. Inside, it looked like someone had just abandoned the place without taking any steps to move out or close down the business first. The first thing anyone noticed, though, was the pungent scent of mildew and sour beer.
The large taproom was furnished with several broken tables and chairs and an L-shaped bar. A dusty old dusty hearth dominated the north side of the large room and black ash has spilled out across the floor, where scattered tracks of small vermin are visible scurrying around the room.
Shattered glass and broken shelves surrounded the bar, behind which was a trap door in the floor and a door leading south. Going behind the bar, the smell of mildew and food gone bad was almost overpowering. It looked like one of the kegs under the bar burst and spilled all over the floor, enough so that there was visible water damage to the wood floor behind the bar and it looked like the trap door was swollen shut.
Two large metal hooks adorn the wall behind the bar, although whatever was once hung is no longer there.
"Did yousa folks know this ole place was a bar?" Dok asks.
Ash, who had been looking shamefaced since speaking with Jixel, perked up and shook his head. "Honestly, I thought it was just a house, and probably a wreck. This... has potential." He wrinkled his nose. "Well, with a good cleaning."
To Ash, it looked like there had once been a set of stairs up to the second floor but it had been removed at some point. Now, though, it didn't appear as if there was a way upstairs from inside. Which made sense for a noble manor converted into a tavern, if you wanted to keep the bar separate from the living quarters.
The only doors he could see were the front door they'd come in, the door to the patio, the swollen trapdoor behind the bar, and the door to the south past the bar.
Past the bar was a decaying pantry through a wide arch. Broken casks and crates leaned against the stone walls, with sagging shelves holding ripped sacks. Some of them oozed and dripped with the remnants of long-rotted produce. There were more signs of vermin here- nibbled holes in grain sacks, chewed on produce, and floury paw prints on the shelves and floor. Beyond the pantry were broken swinging doors leading to the kitchen.
The two heavy iron stoves in the kitchen looked mostly intact, aside from water damage and rust spots from a broken window that has been secured but not made water-fast with wood planks. A large, sturdy prep table in the center of the kitchen was covered with dusty and rodent droppings but looked like it could stand there for a hundred more years without trouble. Cabinets once holding kitchen tools had been flung open and looted. The hearth here had a few missing bricks but a large, heavy cast iron cauldron still hung in place. Inside the cauldron, there was a bird's nest but even that had been abandoned years ago.
There was another door here that probably opened right onto the Alley to the south- the group didn't have a key to open it but there was a latch on the inside that would allow them to get out.
Ash frowned more the more he looked around. "It seems like the previous owners left in quite a hurry, to leave all this behind. And why is everything broken?"
Illendur walks through the dust and debris. Someone maybe chased them out?? Maybe they were looking for someone or something specifically? Or just opportunity of looting? he kicks at a rotten sack in the kitchen, Should we check the basement first? Then go upstairs and see what there is to see?
Zander spent some time looking over the place, scanning both for threats and (possibly more importantly) anything interesting. His psi-crystal companion scanned the space as well.
They didn't detect anything interesting or dangerous but Zander was certain the swollen trap door into the basement would have to be hacked open. Luckily the rotten wood from the water damage would make that a little easier.
Ash nodded, and sighed. His first impulse was to let the strong nonhumans bash their way into the basement while he hung back, ready for trouble, but that was only his past speaking to him.
Rolling up his sleeves, he stepped over to the trapdoor. "Anyone have an axe?" he asked hopefully.
Jixel followed the others around the place, once they'd gained a more "proper" form of entry via the key. She squished her little lips together a bit at first, seeing the state of decay. Then though, came a smile as it all sank in. This used to be a tavern or something! A further grin was had at the remaining evidence of her half-kin. Rats and mice.
"Ah, always opportunists. My friends will outlive many a greedy barkeeper hehe."
She hoped over next to Illendur then.
"You know what this part of town needs? A cheese bar! Goat, sheep, cow, blue, creamy, ash-rolled..."
Jix was probably getting ahead of herself, but the idea of cleaning this place up and one day running a business, complete with some chicken breeding, was something to get excited about!
"Are any of us good at repairs and stuff? And an axe? No, sorry..."
For some reason Peekee clucked and wiggled a bit at the sound of the word.
"I never did have no axe." Dok says.
"Don't know if i'm gonna be any help pryin' dat up."
He steps out of the way if Ash is going to hack at it.
Zander spoke up.
"The only axe I have is the blade on my Halberd, but it is unwise to use weapons against solid objects. It dulls them quickly. With some time, I might be able to blast it open, however."
With those words, a blue-purple, translucent liquid suddenly flowed over Zander's form from seemingly out of nowhere. In an instant, the liquid hardened into what looked like the crystalline armor he'd been wearing in the sewers. He raised one hand, the palm of which began to glow with bright blue-white light.
"It might take some time, but I project that it will get through, eventually. Alternatively," he hesitated a moment, but then continued, "if the blacksmith Illendur spoke to has a crowbar that we can borrow or buy, I could simply pry up the boards."[/b]
Illendur nods at Zander's idea - Good thinking Zander, I'll go ask them and the half-elf proceeds to go do just that!
Pardon me, I'm wondering if you may have a crowbar available for borrow neighbor? Or purchase worst case? Illendur will ask the blacksmiths, and either borrow or purchase the item reqeusted, returning it to Ash and Zander so they can open the door.
A Cheese bar huh Jixel? We could do wine and cheese, might make money doing that. Illendur smiles at Jixel.
Once Illendur finally got their attention, Embren looked up from their work at the anvil and nodded. "Crowbar? Yeah, sure, just bring it back." The flametouched looked over their shoulder and yelled. "Avi!? Our new neighbors need to borrow a crowbar!"
After a moment the water genasi walked back in through the doorway, a solid iron crowbar in their hands. "Hello again, my lord. Mind if I ask what this is for? You said you own the Manor, didn't you? Do you need help opening a door? As I said, I am a member of the Splendid Order of Armorers, Locksmiths, and Finesmiths. I could help once you provide proof of ownership."
Illendur will nod, trying not to show his frustration, and produces the notarized document from the evening before to show the genasi, affirming the group's ownership of the former tavern and house. I trust you'll see that these documents are in order, the basement door is swollen shut, and we're trying to conduct an inventory of the property before bringing in folks to clean and repair things. Illendur waits for the smith to accompany him back to the manor.
Avi looked over the deed for a few seconds, nodding to themselves before handing it back. "Technically I'm supposed to verify the seal is legitimate but I trust you," they grinned at Illendur. The fire genasi handed Illendur the crowbar.
"Swollen shut, you say? For a new friend and neighbor, let's call this visit free. Let me gather a few things, won't take more than a few minutes. If the door won't open at all, are you open to removing it entirely?" Once Illendur responded with his preference, Avi went back through the doorway and came back in about five minutes with a thick leather work belt stuffed full of tools, a slim roll of tools slung over their shoulder, and a pair of multi-lensed goggles pushed up onto their head.
The fire genasi followed Illendur back to Trollskull Manor, stopping to smile at the group as they entered the main room. "Hello, new neighbors. Lord Illendur says you have a door that needs opening?"
Grateful that he didn't have to hack open the trapdoor with his sword, Ash nodded, raising his hand in greeting.
"Hello, neighbor! Thank you for your help! I'm called Ash, and the trapdoor we're trying to open is here." He glanced at Whurzander, not sure if the warforged would know the appropriate thing to do, then added to him under his breath, "You can introduce yourself now. It's polite."
If the door is salvagable I think we'd all prefer to keep it intact, perhaps remove it and plane down the swollen edges some? the half-elf instructs Avi.
Clearly he looks embarrassed about being referred to as 'Lord' Illendur, and shifts uncomfortably at the craftsman's acknowledgement of his status, meager as it was.
Avi nodded at Illendur. "I will do my best, my lord."
The genasi smiled at Ash. "I'm Avi, Ash. Nice to meet new neighbors. We own the blacksmith across the way." The water-touched locksmith walked over to the door, making a face at the smell. "Ooohhhh, I see what you mean by swollen shut now. Alright. The door might have to come off, I'm sorry to say."
Avi knelt down on the floor behind the bar, investigating the hinges and swollen trapdoor's frame with their magnifying goggles for a few minutes before sitting up. "Yep, the best I can do is take off the hinges to make it easier to take the door out, but with the wood the way it is we're not going to get this open without breaking it."
"Luckily, you've got one of the best carpenters in the city over at the Bent Nail. Tally'll be able to get your floor fixed up in no time." Avi held out their hand to get the crowbar back from Illendur. "Give me a few minutes and I'll have this out."
They were true to their word, Avi had the door removed in less than 10 minutes, hammering out the hinges and putting shims into the swollen cracks in the door to make room for the crowbar, then levering out the ruined door with an impressive display of strength and a noise that hurt the new property owners right in the wallet.
"Alright, friends, that's that." Avi looked around at the group. "Anything else you need help with?"
Illendur looks at Avi, shaking his head in the negative, I don't think so? We haven't found anything else which would require your services good neighbor. Say, were you living here when this place was open? We didn't even know it used to be a tavern. the half-elf inquires.
Satisfied with Avi's answers, Illendur leads the way into the basement, Let's get this over with, before we start making heads and tails of this place. Still need to meet with Davil about those opportunities he's spoken of. he draws his shortsword as he heads down the steps.
Ash cleared his throat. "There is the matter of the second floor door. We don't have the key to that. We'd really appreciate it if you could open that, too." He shot Illendur an apologetic glance.
Avi nodded and when taken to the second floor door managed to have it open in under a minute. "Come by and let me know if you want me to install a new lock here." The locksmith and armorer then made their goodbyes, leaving the group in full possession of their new property.
Well, as the basement door is completely off its hinges, let's explore there first, then head upstairs? Illendur sticks with his initial idea and poses it to the group.