Illendur tries to talk the carpenter's guild into it, Its fine, he's a partner of ours and just think of it like a skilled owner pitching in to help on labor. he looks at the others to see if anyone wants to help convince them...
Illendur pauses at the hafling's question, I, I'm not sure. We haven't thought that one through all the way. I was trying to convince a colleauge to run the bar, but I don't know if he's a guild member. Alternatively, do you have anyone you could recommend as a brotherhood?
Let us get the paperwork drawn up, I feel like that's a fair percentage! Let us draw that up together certainly now. I think we only need 500 gold to cover the difference and some startup money, but we could extend that borrowing as needed to a point? Illendur looks slightly lost, but is willing to trust the process with his family's organization.
Illendur laughs at the Minotaur's response, Imagine this my friend, the whole nature of the place is going to appeal to those who want to see themselves as brave warriors, scholars, and adventurers, but haven't the stomach for the work. Stuffed curios, a trollskull even mounted, and then you behind the bar? The Northies would eat that up by the spoonful! Say you are a member of the Inkeeper's Guild? he slips that last question in...
"Do we have a good space in the inn for me to work on a clinic?" Dok asks.
"Probably should be quiet about it. Da healers get mad about me helpin' people for free."
As promised, Jixel had spent substantial time going through the property's innards, pointing to things, asking others to move heavy objects, and all the while taking notes. By the end of it she had a nice list of items and... what she thought were very accurate valuations.
"So, friends, what would you like to do with these things? Sell, or store? Their value is not so great, but you never know when you'll need sixteen glass rods, right?"
She was being sarcastic of course...
Illendur pauses at the hafling's question, I, I'm not sure. We haven't thought that one through all the way. I was trying to convince a colleauge to run the bar, but I don't know if he's a guild member. Alternatively, do you have anyone you could recommend as a brotherhood?
The halfling frowns at the response but nods. "Yes, we have a list of people who have been looking for an opportunity. Give me a moment, my lord. Would you like anything to drink while I retrieve that?" After either getting or not getting Illendur a drink, the halfling left for a good ten minutes before coming back with another halfling, an older woman with a reassuring smile but an air of confidence the younger man lacked.
"Hello, my lord d'Phiarlan!" She put out her hand to shake, and there were solid calluses on her small hand in spite of her being some sort of Guild leader. "I'm Gisaul Goldenale. We're pleased to do business with you. I hear you've purchased Trollskull Tavern in North Ward? That's so interesting- one of our members was interested in that very property only recently. Master Emmek Frewn? Have you met him?"
Let us get the paperwork drawn up, I feel like that's a fair percentage! Let us draw that up together certainly now. I think we only need 500 gold to cover the difference and some startup money, but we could extend that borrowing as needed to a point?Illendur looks slightly lost, but is willing to trust the process with his family's organization.
"Excellent, my lord! Let me send a note and get someone in here to draw up the paperwork." He writes something on a piece of paper and leans out the door to talk to his assistant for a moment. The two of them talk over minor House gossip and city events for a while- long enough that the man gets up to check to see where the House lawyer is twice before the solicitor finally shows up.
Illendur figured he knew the majority of Phiarlans in Throneport but that was only by sight, enough to say hello and chat. But the solicitor was someone he knew, his half-sister (and full-blooded elf) Fientia. "Host, Illendur, why didn't you just come get me!" She gave him a broad smile and stepped forward to give Illendur a hug.
Illendur laughs at the Minotaur's response, Imagine this my friend, the whole nature of the place is going to appeal to those who want to see themselves as brave warriors, scholars, and adventurers, but haven't the stomach for the work. Stuffed curios, a trollskull even mounted, and then you behind the bar? The Northies would eat that up by the spoonful! Say you are a member of the Inkeeper's Guild? he slips that last question in...
Goggh grunted. "Never had a need to join the Guild. More of a freelancer than a joiner. I imagine I could run a bar. Seen enough of it to know what needs doin'. You sure you want me to do it? How much, uh, freedom would I have when it comes to decisions an' such? Hiring, menu, decor, you know."
Eventually you're outside doing something with none of your friends close by and the tabaxi says from behind you "You're doing quite well for yourself, Jixel." You didn't hear her walk up, but that's not a surprise with the street noise and the banging from the construction. What is a surprise is that she knew your name.
While philosophers disagree on whether they are sentient, they are clearly able to respond to stimuli, adapt to unexpected situations, and communicate. Perhaps most importantly, they are not covered by the warforged provisions of the Treaty of Thronehold and are therefore still considered property.
For some reason, Throneport actually contains a multitude of clockwork constructs, with nimblewrights as the most advanced and obvious, but over the course of repairing the roof you notice a small, golden clockwork bird that tends to fly past Trollskull Alley, most often from west to east or east to west. Based on your observations, you (or more precisely J’r-V’zz, constructing flight models while you focus on roof repair) think the bird is likely flying back and forth between a nearby noble manor to the east and some location in Sea Ward.
"Someone is killing elf and half-elf sailors in Dock Ward. Three dead so far, each one decapitated by a blade in the dead of night. One of them was one of ours. Look into it." You would recognize your father's handwriting anywhere. And someone was targeting elves and half-elves? Maybe you should start reading the paper, because you hadn't heard anything about it.
When you finally have time to turn away from the patient on the table in front of you, you immediately recognize Miss Catherine, headmistress of the House of Hope not too far away. In spite of it being the middle of the night, in a clinic full of people alternately throwing up on the floor and bleeding onto chairs, she still looked radiant and serene as she smiled at you.
"Dok, would you mind if we talked? I have a favor to ask of you."
One of them was an elven woman, noble from the way she dressed and spent money, who came by every morning to buy fresh produce and talk to the elf who ran the greenhouse across the Alley from the Manor. One morning she approached Ash, a smile on her lips. "Hello. Do you mind if I speak to you? I'm a friend of Renaer ir'Nelview. He said you might be able to help me with something a little... out of the ordinary."
"Of course I'm not mindin' Miss Catherine. I is down here to help when I can. What are you and yours needin'?"
Illendur stopped a moment, always held in the shadow of his half-siblings, but at least Fientia was always so kind to him. Of course she'd looked exactly the same the entire time he'd grown up, so he was always uncertain if she just looked at him like a puppy, or genuinely appreciated him, but he always chose to make the best of it with her.
He returned the embrace, threatening to crush the smaller elven woman against his armor as he swept her into the air, Fientia! It completely slipped my mind to bother you with such a little thing. he let her down gently, and leaned back against the desk in the room. It has been a week like you wouldn't believe. So my companions and I, wound up on a rescue mission for this foppish nobleman, and got paid for rescuing his 'friend' with the deed to a tavern and house. So we figured we'd open it, but are a little short on coin. he pauses and breathes out, Well, I figured there were a number of places I could get a loan to finish the renovations, but coming here made the most sense, since I was trying to attract up and coming talent to perform at the Trollskull Inn at the same time. So here I am! And here you are!
He grinned at her again, my companions even got the Cassalantar's to fund a hospital somehow. So its been an interesting week.... So what are the next steps in this? I've got to coordinate the finishing touches on the Inn, get linens and barware ordered, and install a small stage for singers. he says, running his hands through his hair.
Illendur pauses, with stacks of receipts and invoices half-covering the bar of the Trollskull Inn. A small paper bird alights atop the center pile, and the warrior unfolds it, reading it twice, and then laying it to his right-hand side. He looks around the bar, Anyone feel like heading to the Dock Ward tonight, need to frequent some seedy sailor taverns. Seems like trouble's a-brewing down there, and I've been 'asked' to go look into it. with that he puts the pen down atop the paperwork, stepping around the mop bucket and a half-reconstructed bench as he approaches the table where his armor is carefully stacked and begins putting it on.
"Messenger?" Zander thought the question at his crystal companion.
"That would seem like a logical conclusion," J'r V'zz replied into Zander's mind, "but as we do not know for certain what the endpoints are - though the probability is 97.23% that the manor is one of them - nor who might be at either endpoint at any given time, such a conclusion, while statistically probable, is still somewhat premature."
If he had the ability to exhale in a wistful sigh, Zander would have. As it was, he merely tracked the nimblewright's flight across the sky once more.
"When I can fly," he thought to J'r V'zz, "I will be able to follow that creature - and others like it."
If J'r V'zz had the ability to sigh in exasperation, he would have.
"You do not need to fly to follow creatures," he began, fully intending to repeat (for the two-thousand, eight-hundred and twenty-seventh time) his admonitions against Zander's irrational obsession with flying, only to be cut off by Zander's... agreement?
"You are right! The answer was blurted aloud, as Zander began rapidly descending from the rooftop. The bird-shaped nimblewright had been heading towards the East this time, and Zander knew approximately where the manor was.
It was time, he thought, to investigate.
As though the live-in cats and kittens weren't enough, this tabaxi had been getting on Jixel's nerves. Were they being staked out? Should she tell her friends? Or was it just an overly curious cat person, who liked to know everything that was going on on the street?
More likely, the ratfolk eventually realised, was that this tabaxi might be a contact with her "employer". That didn't bode well, for in recent days she'd been thinking about how a life of crime might not be necessary anymore. Her new friends had shown her how to do good... and profit from it, and share in winnings equally too.
When the stranger snuck up and mentioned her by name, Jixel hopped and spun half-circle, like a startled rabbit!
"Huh? Oh goodness. You know me? I'm sorry you're not familiar at all. Doing well? Oh, I hope you are too."
She attempted a nervous smile then.
"How can I help you?"
When the stranger snuck up and mentioned her by name, Jixel hopped and spun half-circle, like a startled rabbit!
"Huh? Oh goodness. You know me? I'm sorry you're not familiar at all. Doing well? Oh, I hope you are too."
She attempted a nervous smile then.
"How can I help you?"
"Why so jumpy?" The tabaxi grinned. "This seems like a nice place. Safe. No reason to be worried about talking to strangers on the street. We're just two friendly people idly chatting, right?"
The feline woman leaned forward a little and dropped her voice. "Of course we both know that's not true, but nobody needs to let your new friends or neighbors know that. This is a nice setup. Good plan, looking legit. Useful."
"Just like you still need to be, Jixel. We have something we need you to do. It shouldn't be too hard. It won't even be that illegal. But we do need it done by the end of the week," three days from now. "So, are you ready to do some work?"
"Of course I'm not mindin' Miss Catherine. I is down here to help when I can. What are you and yours needin'?"
She took a deep breath, looking relieved. "I'm so glad to hear that, Dok. I don't know exactly why they think it- well, I do, I've seen your friends," Miss Catherine gave a small laugh, "But there's trouble in Field Ward and the Cassalanters think you may be able to help. Of course, there's always trouble in Field Ward, and we do our best to help, but specifically there's trouble that's impacting our aid efforts and we could use your help, and your friends help."
Illendur pauses for a moment, exhausted by the negotiations, and knowing a misstep could be dangerous for his friends and himself, breathes out. Thank you Mistress Goldenale. No, I can't say I do know of Master Frewn, nor have I made his acquaintance at this point, but perhaps he'll take the opportunity to pay a call upon us when we open. he thinks for a minute, considering his options.... Where might I find this Master Frewn? In case I get curious....
The older halfling shook her head. "I believe..." she held out her hand for the sheaf of notes the younger halfling had brought and quickly rifled back through the stack of papers "Oh, he filed ownership of another bar in the same neighborhood. Frewn's Brews. Brewpub. It should be just around the corner from your tavern. You should definitely go make his acquaintance if you're going to be neighbors."
She looked up, frowning, and took a moment to consider before she went on. "Master Frewn is... he's a... very straightforward sort, my lord. Has friends in the Butchers' Guild, if you take my meaning. If you go see him you may want to take someone... adept with their fists."
Illendur set down his beer, letting the condensation form a ring on the bartop, Well, we've got the theme, decor, and the like settled. And I'm handling the entertainment aspect of it; but we've known each other for a long time. There is a fellow by the name of Emmek Frewn who might be interested in helping set us up with managing the bar, but I don't know if we want him involved or not. the half-elf picked up his beer, wiping his finger through the ring of condensation on the polished wood, Like I said, it'd be that edge of adventure, sanitized for the North Ward softies. Where they can imagine themselves as brave and surround themselves with the trappings of those who do things. I've paid the fees for the Fellowship to operate the place, but it is up to you certainly if you are interested. We all have roles to play, and I thought of you when this came up unexpectedly.
Goggh snorted. "Well, alright. I can run a bar, sure. And I can't say I don't like the idea of rubbing it in the noses of those highfalutin' North Ward fancies, walkin' in there every day. One other thing, though. You know I like to keep my ear to the ground, keep on the lookout for opportunities for work for friends of mine." Kind of like how Goggh had been the contact for everyone at the Yawning Portal that very first night. The minotaur had kind of been building up a reputation as a fixer and organizer for mercenaries over the past few months. "You mind if let people know where they can find me or would you prefer I keep that business out of your business?"
He grinned at her again, my companions even got the Cassalantar's to fund a hospital somehow. So its been an interesting week.... So what are the next steps in this? I've got to coordinate the finishing touches on the Inn, get linens and barware ordered, and install a small stage for singers. he says, running his hands through his hair.
Fientia snorted and shook her head. "Only you could go out on a job and somehow end up owning a tavern and a hospital. I'll get all the paperwork done for you. You wanted 500 crowns?" She gestured at the clerk. "I vouch for it, Randolf. Go ahead and write up a note to the bank and I'll get you the completed contract by the end of the day." She looked back at Illendur. "Done and done. My only stipulation is that you come to dinner next weekend. We're having people over. You know Lillian? From accounting? She'll be there. Just broke up with her boyfriend...," Fientia grinned.
Based on observation and triangulation, Zander guessed the bird that was very likely a messenger was flying to and from Gralhund Villa. Out Trollskull Manor's front door, it was barely a block and a half to the east down Saerdoun Street. Most of the grounds were actually visible from the windows in the Manor's tall turret, but for the part that was obscured by a single tower at the corner of Saerdoun and Whaelgond Way.
A 12 foot high stone wall enclosed the Villa and its grounds- not quite as expansive as Cassalanter Villa but still quite large for a single family's home, even in upper-class North Ward. The streets around the villa had pedestrians and coaches traveling along them, traffic heavy enough that Zander thought he could probably loiter for some time without being immediately accosted by the authorities.
Jixel had let out an exhale of relief, that the tabaxi seemed friendly, that was until she'd leaned in closer. The ratfolk's suspicion had been right, this was a case of the past catching up with her. Well, it wasn't like she'd requested an "out" or anything. Restoring the old place was going to take funding anyway... and this could be her way of contributing.
"Ready to work? Oh yes, I guess so. What is the opportunity that's come available?"
At least they weren't asking for money laundering services... yet.
"A bit outside your old role, but you are the one who decided to move to the city." The tabaxi sighed and rolled her shoulders then leaned back and idly rolled her neck too, coincidentally looking both directions up and down the street. No one was close enough to overhear.
"We need a trinket from the ir'Crommor family- a signet ring or embroidered handkerchief, something like that. Something identifiable and clearly traceable to a member of the family. Deliver it to the tiefling girl who sleeps in a crate at the corner of Net Street and Dock Street, down by the docks. She'll be there every night until the end of the week."
The armored half-elf leans against the mostly finished bar in the Trollskull tavern, listening to the sounds of the workers mending some chairs for the seating area, and makes eye contact with the others as they come through the common area.
Well, we took care of everything on the list. We've got our large minotaur friend Goggh to manage the bar so we can keep up on our other things too. We registered with the Fellowship of Innkeepers for the year; apparently there is a Master Frewn who opened a place around the corner - Frewn's Brewpub. So maybe we should say 'hi' in a neighborly way? And I was able to get the rest of the coin on loan, which we'll have to pay back out of the Tavern's proceeds over the next year or so. he breathes out, relaying all the things he's gotten done.
Looking at the others, So what else have we learned? I've been asked by my family to look into the murders of some elvish sailors in the Port Ward, how bout you?
"Mmm..." Jixel exhaled, taking an opportunity to quickly think. She'd not turn down work of course, and these employers had always been good to her, especially during desperate times... like when you had no coin.
ir'Crommor, they were North Ward, right? Not too far away?
[b]"Trouble like the kind that needs swords and muscles to deal with?"[b] Dok asks the lady.
"Trouble like the kind that needs swords and muscles to deal with?" Dok asks the lady.
Miss Catherine nodded. "Yes, unfortunately. I wouldn't ask you to put yourself in harm's way, Dok, but Lady ir'Cassalanter said you've done this sort of thing before? And I know your friends looked... formidable." She shook her head. "We're trying to help the refugees in Field Ward but some of the gangs have been trying to extort money and supplies from our people. We give them out for free but there are people who need them more than the gangs do, and we've heard the gangs are actually reselling the supplies that we give out for free."
"Can you and your friends persuade the gangs to leave our workers in Field Ward alone?"
"Mmm..." Jixel exhaled, taking an opportunity to quickly think. She'd not turn down work of course, and these employers had always been good to her, especially during desperate times... like when you had no coin.
ir'Crommor, they were North Ward, right? Not too far away?
Jixel remembered that Crommor Manor was only about two blocks up and a block over, their compound right on the border of North Ward in between Thunderstaff Way and the High Road. She also remembered they had a warehouse on Lackpurse Lane in Dock Ward.
Duth ir'Crommor: Patriarch of the noble house, mid-60s human male
Brigit ir'Crommor: matriarch of the family, mid-50s human female
Kadiou ir'Crommor: heiress to the family, early 30s human female
Ghodus ir'Crommor: late 20s human male
Bleys ir'Crommor: early 20s human male, member of the Deep Delvers, a group of young adventurers who hang out at the Yawning Portal.
Apropos of nothing, I'll also give you without making you roll an arcana check that brass and brassworks are also used in making clocks and clockworks.
"Ok then, I'll get it done," came Jixel's reply to the tabaxi middle-woman.
"Is there anything else I should know, or be aware of about this project?"
What she really wanted to know was "why", closely seconded by "how much", but it seemed better to see if the cat lady would cough up the size of the potential commission of her own accord.
Jixel was already running her small knowledge of the ir'Crommor's through her small hairy skull. Would a family like that have workers to do their laundry? The prospect of a hanky heist seemed a lot easier than whisking a ring off a finger. Mmm, this job was going to require at least a day of observation, before even considering diving in. The last thing she wanted to do was get caught... just when things were looking up!
Then she wondered how she'd present this news to her friends...
A 12 foot high stone wall enclosed the Villa and its grounds- not quite as expansive as Cassalanter Villa but still quite large for a single family's home, even in upper-class North Ward. The streets around the villa had pedestrians and coaches traveling along them, traffic heavy enough that Zander thought he could probably loiter for some time without being immediately accosted by the authorities.
With little that needed to be done on a specific timetable (Zander had come to understand that "two weeks" was a somehow malleable and non-specific measurement of time where construction work was concerned), Zander had no problems giving in to his natural curiosity.
J'r-V'zz, on the other hand, had a meticulous schedule of projects, tasks, sub-projects, and sub-tasks that needed to be accomplished. All on a tightly managed and minutely scheduled timetable. As Zander settled into a quiet corner, the psicrystal let out a heavy psychic sigh. Then it began reorganizing the list with one part of its processing capacity, while it set the rest to spotting, identifying, and tracking every person, vehicle, construct, and animal that passed within 40 feet of them.
To Miss Catherine: "Doesn't sound like much of a problem. We can probably see off some bullies."
"Ok then, I'll get it done," came Jixel's reply to the tabaxi middle-woman.
"Is there anything else I should know, or be aware of about this project?"
The tabaxi stretched like a... well, like a cat, and her smile looked amused. "Probably so. But this is a cakewalk, my little friend. How much information can you expect for something so simple?
To Miss Catherine: "Doesn't sound like much of a problem. We can probably see off some bullies."
The inhumanly beautiful woman impulsively leaned in to give Dok a hug. "Oh thank you! I don't know what we would have done if you hadn't come along! The Watch doesn't even go to Field Ward and if we hired mercenaries we'd scare off the people we're trying to help. This is such a load off my mind!" Miss Catherine's smile lit up the room- even the sick and hurt people waiting for help seemed uplifted by her happiness.
"Do you need anything from me, Dok? I don't know how I could help you and your friends but I'll do whatever I can."
J'r-V'zz, on the other hand, had a meticulous schedule of projects, tasks, sub-projects, and sub-tasks that needed to be accomplished. All on a tightly managed and minutely scheduled timetable. As Zander settled into a quiet corner, the psicrystal let out a heavy psychic sigh. Then it began reorganizing the list with one part of its processing capacity, while it set the rest to spotting, identifying, and tracking every person, vehicle, construct, and animal that passed within 40 feet of them.
North Ward was primarily a residential area, and a less populous, more wealthy one at that, but this was still a public city street. Over the course of the day J'r-V'zz catalogued dozens of tradesfolk and commercial delivery vehicles and hundreds of unique faces representing almost every species present in the city. While Whurzander wasn't bothered, the pair also noted several patrols of Aundairian soldiers over the course of the day- at least one pair of wand-toting peacekeepers passed by their spot every hour, the same pair in the morning and a different pair after noon.
More specific to the villa, Whurzander noted the following:
The grounds main access point is a set of ornate iron gates along the northwest wall along Pony Way in between Horn Street and Saerdoun Street (G1 on the map). The grounds are well tended, with several large shade trees and a manicured lawn. There is a single groundskeeper who seems to have a pair of large mastiffs who follow him around.
A secondary access point is a large stone building in the southern corner (G3 on the map) on Saerdoun Street that seems to be a coach house and stables. A sliding wooden door is secured by a padlock on the outside.
A tertiary access point is a wooden door in the southwest wall along Saerdoun Street (hard to see just to the left of "Ground Floor" on the map). It appears to be secured from inside, as when a delivery cart came up the door was opened from the inside and the groceries taken directly inside by what looked like kitchen staff.
The warforged observes 15 distinct staff members and 20 unique guards (there is a shift change just before sundown).
There are 2 children on site, though they appear larger than most of the ones at the ir'Cassalanter home (they're 13 and 10 but I wouldn't expect Zander to recognize that). They appear to be nobles from their dress.
There are 2 adults who seem to be in charge, one male and one female. The male doesn't leave the grounds while Zander is watching during the day but he does come out onto the balcony at one point (G17 on the map), reading a book. The female does leave the grounds for a few hours, on a black riding horse and accompanied by a large half-orc bodyguard on his own horse.
During the day, Zander observes the clockwork bird fly in from the west once. The warforged isn't in position to see where it lands, but from observational data it seems likely it landed on the balcony. The bird stays in the building for less than an hour and then flies back to the west.
One of them was an elven woman, noble from the way she dressed and spent money, who came by every morning to buy fresh produce and talk to the elf who ran the greenhouse across the Alley from the Manor. One morning she approached Ash, a smile on her lips. "Hello. Do you mind if I speak to you? I'm a friend of Renaer ir'Nelview. He said you might be able to help me with something a little... out of the ordinary."
Jixel returned a smug looking smile. A cakewalk? Suuuuure. That's why they'd sent some stray cat lady half way across the city to ask a sneaky ratfolk girl to do the job. Either this project was hand-selected for her, or was so risky that they wanted to use someone who knew virtually nothing about local politics. Anyway, work was work.
"Fair enough, I get onto it then. Hope you have a great day!"
Not long afterwards, assuming Jixel could reconvene with a few of her housemates, she'd come clean on what had transpired.
"Umm, friends, I bring good news! My, ahem, employer... the folks who helped me move to this great city, have provided me the boon of a job. A task. Would anyone like to assist me in this?"
She explained the basics of the project, just has it had been done by the middle-woman.
"I think I'll begin by walking around their neck of the woods, and getting a feel for what opportunities might present themselves?"
The armored half-elf leans against the mostly finished bar in the Trollskull tavern, listening to the sounds of the workers mending some chairs for the seating area, and makes eye contact with the others as they come through the common area.
Well, we took care of everything on the list. We've got our large minotaur friend Goggh to manage the bar so we can keep up on our other things too. We registered with the Fellowship of Innkeepers for the year; apparently there is a Master Frewn who opened a place around the corner - Frewn's Brewpub. So maybe we should say 'hi' in a neighborly way? And I was able to get the rest of the coin on loan, which we'll have to pay back out of the Tavern's proceeds over the next year or so. he breathes out, relaying all the things he's gotten done.
Looking at the others, So what else have we learned? I've been asked by my family to look into the murders of some elvish sailors in the Port Ward, how bout you?
"Umm, friends, I bring good news! My, ahem, employer... the folks who helped me move to this great city, have provided me the boon of a job. A task. Would anyone like to assist me in this?"
She explained the basics of the project, just has it had been done by the middle-woman.
"I think I'll begin by walking around their neck of the woods, and getting a feel for what opportunities might present themselves?"
Certainly Jixel, and once we've wandered past, perhaps we can drop in on Frewn's pub and introduce ourselves? I feel like the port district and murders is definitely an evening endeavor as generally midday murders draw more attention. Dok, Zander, Ash? the half elf asks as he finishes armoring himself to wander the streets.
Along with your new friends, you've been spending most of your time for the past few weeks on getting your Manor fixed up enough to live in and operate as a tavern. You've gotten to know the people who populate Trollskull Alley- the residents and shop owners, the small merchants who set up stalls in the Alley and make it an open air market during the day, and the regulars who come to shop.
One of them was an elven woman, noble from the way she dressed and spent money, who came by every morning to buy fresh produce and talk to the elf who ran the greenhouse across the Alley from the Manor. One morning she approached Ash, a smile on her lips. "Hello. Do you mind if I speak to you? I'm a friend of Renaer ir'Nelview. He said you might be able to help me with something a little... out of the ordinary."
This wasn't the life Ash had been expecting, neither before his stint in the wilds, nor, for certain, after it... but being flexible was a journey, and it was a lesson he took to heart. He'd been doing what he could to help, and quietly spreading the word around the shifter community about Dok's new clinic. They were going to need staff, after all, both at the tavern and the clinic, and Ash was determined to help the qualified shifters he could find.
When he was approached by the elven woman, he'd been prepared to direct her to one of the local shops... not expecting her to ask him for help. But Renaer's name gave him pause, as much as her request.
He set down the supplies he'd been carrying on a convenient stack of crates. "Of course, my lady," he answered courteously. Court had not been unknown to him, once. "But... is it just my help you need, or that of my friends, as well? I can't speak for them, but I'm certain they'd be willing to help an associate of Lord ir'Nelview, if you wish to speak to us all together."
Belatedly, he realized they hadn't been properly introduced. He bowed with the precision of a soldier. "My name is... well, they call me Ash, my lady. May I inquire as to your name?"
The woman smiled at Ash. "Remallia Haventree. I'm extremely pleased to meet you, Ash. Renaer has nothing but good things to say about you and your friends. Listening to him you're all ten feet tall with halos atop your heads. We're all so happy you were able to help him with his recent trouble." From her nonchalant tone, either Renaer hadn't told his friends exactly what had happened or he got caught up in things like gang kidnappings all the time.
She gestured at Trollskull Manor, and the guildsmen currently repairing the roof on the far side of the building. "I'd love to meet your companions but it seems like it would be a bit loud in there, doesn't it?"
Illendur walks into the sunlight with Jixel he half elf smiles seeing Ash conversing with a woman outside the Trollskull Tavern. Morning Ash, who's your friend? My name's Illendur D'phiarlann, friend of Ash. he says inclining his head to the woman who seems well-dressed enough to warrant such a greeting. He waits on the others to introduce themselves as well.
Remallia returned Illendur's head nod with one of her own. "An honor to meet you, Lord Phiarlan. I am Remallia Haventree." In spite of her clothes, she didn't claim a noble d' or ir', so she was likely just a well off commoner. On the other hand, Illendur knew more than one House scion who used a surname rather than their House moniker when trying to keep a low profile- Gisaul Goldenale at the Fellowship of Innkeepers, for example, was almost certainly a d'Ghallanda even though she introduced herself with a common surname.
"I was just about to tell Ash about an odd... well it's not a problem so much as a request. Renaer ir'Nelview is a friend of mine and after what you did for him the other day he's telling everyone he knows about these amazing heroes he met- when I mentioned to him I had something strange I needed done he recommended I come talk to you as soon as I could."
Investigating some seaside murders sounded strangely agreeable to Jixel. Perhaps such a task would help clear her conscience some, considering the worry she had about the imminent stealing of an ir'Crommor knicknack? It was nice of Illendur to agree to lending a hand! Yes, they could assist each other through the plethora of opportunities that had popped up.
She followed Illendur outside when Ash was engaged in a conversation with some strange lady. So... their reputation had been getting around. The ratfolk wasn't too sure how to feel about that. Anonymity was a useful thing, but there was an attraction to crawling out of the dark and becoming a better person. The walk in the light down to Ash's friend felt good though, like a symbol of better times.
Jixel didn't introduce herself yet, but gave Remallia a big cheesy smile.
During the day, Zander observes the clockwork bird fly in from the west once. The warforged isn't in position to see where it lands, but from observational data it seems likely it landed on the balcony. The bird stays in the building for less than an hour and then flies back to the west.
Zander let his curiosity keep him there for most of the rest of the day, before eventually returning to the Manor. He reasoned that he could probably return again later that night, since he didn't actually sleep, after all. He could meditate while J'r-V'zz kept track of comings-and-goings until something more interesting happened.
Zander had come along with the others. There was so much interesting activity that appeared to be coincidentally coalescing around this randomly assembled group of humanoids! Zander was very pleased with this.
As was so often the case, the conversation with this new person raised a question in Zander's mind.
"Is it usual for humanoids of your society to recommend persons who can accomplish 'strange' tasks as a sign of positive regard?"
Remallia smiled at Zander. "Renaer can't stop talking about you all. He definitely holds you in positive regard." She shrugged. "Usual? I don't know if it's usual, but among our society," her smile turned wry referring to her friend group as a society, "friends usually like to brag about interesting people they've met or skilled people they've worked with. You're both."
"As for whether it's a good or a bad thing that he recommended you... I'd be happy to let you decide that for yourselves." She looked around at the bustling market and frowned. "Maybe somewhere off the street, though. And your place looks busy as well."
The elven women looked down the Alley to the east, where Illendur had mentioned another tavern had opened. "I haven't been to that new place yet, would you like me to buy you all a round and we can talk?"
The half-elf grins at Remallia, Surely a round sounds great for a conversation, and I'm interested in what troubles have crossed your threshold that Renaer's advice seems sound to seek us out. We have a .... particular and diverse set of skills. he says accompanying the woman to Frewn's Brews.
The group proceeded down the Alley to a squat, three story building that looked like it was originally a warehouse, now marked by a large sign displaying a frosty, overflowing beer stein. A broad, sloped ramp leads down from street level to two wide double doors that could easily fit a large wagon between them with room to spare. With the heat, the doors have been drawn wide open to reveal a pleasant taproom. Fresh straw covers the stone floor under broad, stout tables. The chairs are simply made and look sturdy enough to hold a loxodon. The decor is simple, dominated by decorative antique farming and brewer's tools on the walls and overshadowed by the dozens of barrels of various beers stacked along the walls, each marked with a brewery name. In pride of place were a stack of kegs marked Frewn's Brews, of which there seemed to be three varieties.
Remallia nodded appreciatively. The space wasn't fancy or luxurious but it did promise a large variety of brews, and it smelled of yeast and fruit, wood and hay. It wasn't exactly the kind of place one might expect in upper class North Ward, but it wasn't even lunch yet and the place was almost half full so it seemed to be doing alright.
The man behind the bar was an older human who still managed to look quite sturdy and strong. He said in a deep voice "Take any open table and we'll be right with you."
Their benefactor led them to a table in a corner of the room and sat down, looking around. "This is nice. I'm not much of a beer person but I know a few people who would probably want to come try this place out."
Ash nodded affably. Leaned back in his chair, the shifter seemed as much at ease as he ever was, eyes watchful and shirt buttoned up and sleeves rolled down despite the heat. The fastidiousness of his clothing was at odds with his forever-mussed appearance; he could never quite seem to tame his mane, much to his chagrin.
He'd come to be rather fond of his comrades during their brief acquaintance, and found he'd like to have them to depend on for any work that might need doing. Remallia seemed a decent sort too, much like Renaer. There was a niggling part of his brain that filed them away as potential patrons. Try though he might, he couldn't ignore the thought entirely.
Between those gathered, he managed to ease conversation around to the Lady's needs. "What is it, exactly, that you'd like to see done?"
