Having handed over the key to Himo, Mirt then looks at Hob, "Truly, if you think to have time to adventure during the refurbishment, I may have to rethink my investment! I expect you four to have all hands on deck ! I'm sure this whole process will be an adventure in itself! "
He shuffles some papers on his desk, then looks back at Hob, "Mr Teabadger, don't worry, in this town adventure often comes looking for you !" he says, turning his torso slightly so his shirt parts, revealing a harp shaped pendant hanging there.
Then with a wave of his hand, "If it comes to it and Renaer's estimate is wildly inaccurate, I will gladly cover any shortfall!"
"Thank you, Mr. Mirt! It's nice meeting you," Talliree says while Mr. Whiskers gives a bow and scurries back up into his hiding spot from the cold.
"Maybe after the refurbishment. There's always more we can do to enhance the business but a solid foundation is the best start."
"Pleasure doing business with you. Perhaps this will be the beginning of a long and mutually rewarding business relationship".
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Mirt nods and smiles his agreement with all of you , "Indeed, one hopes for an auspicious future for us all!" he exlaims, then glances at an ornate clock on the wall.
"Hmm, the day advances! I must be off for an other appointment. Ren, can you see them out?!" he asks Renear, then with a wave he makes his way to a near by door and exits the room.
Renear looks at you and smiles, "Well that went well! Come, gather up your coffer and let's hasten back to the Manor, I suspect there may be some guild representatives already there!"
With that, the coffer is taken up and placed in someone's pack and the journey back through the cold morning air to the Trollskull Manor is undertaken. The sun has risen higher and the wind has died down even more, making the chill much more bearable.
Entering The Alley, you find a number of Guild representatives indeed already there, standing in an irregular line. They look a quarrelsome lot, frowning into their beards and scarfs, stamping their feet. A number of apprentices stand at their Master's elbows , looking completely miserable.
As you approach, eyes turn to you and you can almost feel the avarice pouring forth from the Guilders. Some jostling and shoving begins in the middle of the line, and Renear whispers, "They all know that they can't do another's job but they always struggle to get in first...If I may..."
He steps fowards, and shouts at the assemble Guild members, "Esteemed Guildmembers, the owners of the Trollskull Manor are heartened by your enthusiasm, but any rambunctiosness will not be tolerated. We will see each of you inside one at a time, show you the work needed and send you on your way. Any deviation from this and your Guild will be notified."
Renear's words have the desire effect, and the trademen, reminded of their manners settle down and wait to gain entrance.
As you enter the taproom, Renear suggests, "We should set a table here, have them introduce themselves and then you can show them the work to be done. "
And so, one by one, or in some cases two or three, members of the Carpenters Guild, the Roofers Guild, the Plaisterer's Guild, the Cellarer's Guild and the Plumber's Guild march in glad to be out of the cold and make their introductions.
All seriously take in the scope of the reconstruction effort and provide estimates that dovetail nicely with Renaer's estimates.
Later in the day , other Guilds make their appearance: The Launderer's Guild, the Dungsweeper's Guild, the Loyal Order of Street Laborers, the Guild of Butchers, the Vintner's, the Distiller and the Brewers Guilds, as well as the Baker's Guild, and so on.
By the end of the day, a stack of contracts lay on the table for services directly related to the reconstruction and for the activities of the manor after as an operating establishment.
Luckily, Mitchell was in his element managing to negotiate down a number of guild fees so that in total he saved the enterprise 25 dragons.
With promises of tradesmen arriving tomorrow from the Guilds' handling the reconstruction and promises of future visits from those providing all other services, the last of the Guilders depart into the lowering sky. The day was done and another looms tomorrow...
Renaer bids his farewell, "I'll be by to check in on how thing are going every few days, as my own business permits....good luck!"
Exhausted by the flurry of commercial activity, you prepare a quick meal and retire early, knowing you'll need to be up at first light to welcome the first labourers.
You are woken by the soft giggle of children , as if they stood in the room with you. The door opens and you hear the patter of tiny feet run down the stairs to the 3rd floor.
You come slowly awake, sure you hear some one digging in the cellar. Groggy, you assume it's morning and the Guilders have begun already, but you see that it's still pitch dark outside....the middle of the night.
Himo yawns.
"It has been a long day. Let us rest well and build on our labours tomorrow!"
The half-elf makes for a cozy spot not too far from the fireplace in order to rest.
"Mistah Whis'ers? 'Zat you," Talliree mumbles as she gets up and starts to shuffle over to the source of the digging with a heavy blanket draped over her shoulders.
Perception
Mitchell's guilt free dreams are interrupted by something. He rolls over and rises up on his elbows to see what caused this disturbance.
What Mitchell Does
In his nightshirt and cap, Mitchell takes his dagger from beneath his pillow, and quietly follows the apparition down to the 3rd floor.
Taliree's mumbles and shuffling steps rouse both Himo and Hob.
Blinking she looks out into the darkened tap room, certain she can hear sounds of digging coming from the cellar...
Mitchell steps quietly down the stairs, coming to the 3rd floor landing and immediately notices the door to the library was open and from within the flicker of candle light...
Himo continues to sleep blissfully.
Mitchells Actions
Mitchell tries to look quietly into the room to see what is happening. Is there any sound?
Perception
Stealth (No Armor)
Himo continues to sleep blissfully.
Mitchell pauses and listens, but hears nothing but the occasional rattle of the shutters as a breeze presses against the Manor. Looking into the library, he sees a similar scene from before. A number of books lay on the ground, upon the desk a few candles sit, flickering in the darkness. In front of the candles a single book lays open...
"Talliree?" Hob half mumbles as he rubs his eyes. Yawning he follows after the elf woman.
Mitchell's Actioins
Mitchell moves into the room, taking note of the books scattered on the floor, and peering about the room, before moving to the open the book to read whatever text it is opened to.
Perception
Edging into the room, Mitchel slowly enters the sphere of light emitted by the candles. Looking down , he sees the open book is a collection of Fairy Tales...but then a sound catches his attention. A giggle...from the corner.
Peering , all Mitchell can see is the old chair sitting there...but then the dimness seems to deepen, until the chair and bookcases are lost in darkness...it seems to press against the halo of light given off by the candles.
Suddenly a chill breeze sweeps throught the library, sending the candle flames guttering...but not out...the flickering light revealing a scene in the corner...
Then a voice, from out of the darkness, "'Who's that trip-trapping over my bridge?' roared the troll," and old woman crows to a crowd of restless, aw-ing children. "'Why, I'm off to eat sweet, green grass!' said Little Billy Goat Gruff. 'No, you're not,' roars the troll, 'Because I'm gonna gobble you up!'"
The library erupts into a tangle of children's shouts and surprise as the old woman snatches up a youngster, laughing, cackling...
The candle's return to their steady burn, and the vision disappears into the dimness, the corner with the chair as it was...
Looking down , Mitchell sees the book is open to a tale of 'Three Billy Goats Gruff'. As he watches another chill breeze stirs the pages, they flutter to the first page where he sees an inscription : Children, know that Mama Esther will always love you
After that....all is quiet...
"Huh?", murmers Himo as he blearily looks about, then follows Hob.
Talliree, still half-asleep, shuffles to look at Hob and Himo.
"Sumthin' in the cellar, probably Mr. Whiskers," she yawns before shuffling off to see what the commotion was and if she Mr. Whiskers was getting into anything he ought not.
Hob nods and casts light... better to find Mr. Whiskers quickly or Talliree might keep them awake half the night.
Himo joins the sleepy searchers in their seeking of Mr. Whiskers.
Taliree shuffles out into the taproom, dimly illuminated by the nearby street lanterns.
Hob steps out with her and with a few arcane words,considerably brightens the room.
Both he and Himo, now hear the sound that so roused their friend. The definite <chunk> <chunk> of a shovel diving into dirt. It comes from below the taproom....in the cellar.
Taliree feels Mr Whiskers tickle her ear, so she suddenly realizes it can't be him.
The sound has a slow cadence....<chunk>....<chunk>....
Hob puts his ear to the ground to see if he can make it out more clearly, perhaps he might hear whoever it was talking.
Mitchell's Actions
"Mother Esther huh! Thank you for reading to the children. Is there something keeping you tied to this house and this room".
Mitchell feels a bit silly talking to a ghost... but you never know???
Perhaps I shall try reading them a story tomorrow evening so they don't disturb my sleep.
Himo rubs his eyes - and wakes up considerably more when he realises the reality of the sounds.
He imitates Hob in listening from the floor.
Talliree giggles sleepily as she feels Mr. Whiskers tickle her ear.
"Stop it," she chuckles, "I'm trying to find out what you're doing to make that noise."
She stops as soon as the words leave her mouth. She stands still for several moments, not even noticing Hob and Himo's antics. She turns on her heel and marches back to her gear and grabs her sword. Looking just a little silly with one hand holding her blanket around her like a cloak and her other holding her sword, she marches back to the door leading to the cellar and swallows.
"N-not that I need it, but could you m-move the light over here, Hob? Please?"
Mr. Whiskers pats Talliree gently on the cheek, which seems to give her a little more confidence.
Himo and Hob both crouch down on the floor, pressing their ears to the dusty floorboards. All they can hear is the intermittent sound of a shovel hitting dirt....<chunk>....<chunk>. No voices are heard by either.
Mitchell asks his question, then stands awkwardly waiting for an answer. The dim room remains quiet, it appears no answer is forthcoming.
The candles waver and gutter slightly as a draft catches them, casting multiples of Mitchell's shadow across the wall, and for a moment Mitchell is sure that there were three smaller child-sized shadows cast beside his own...but then in a blink they are gone...
Himo turns to look at Hob with worry on his face, then starts to both get up and turn to face Talliree.
He quietly says:
"Shovel. Below. No voices. Ambush?"
Hob moves the light over to Talliree, wiping the sleep from his eyes. "It would be easier to pick the locks. There's lot of things burried under Waterdeep though like Undermountain."
"Yeah, so let's stop 'em before they break into some muck monster's den," Talliree says more bravely than she feels before heading down into the cellar.
Hob casts mage armour before moving after Talliree
Taliree flips open the trapdoor that leads down to the cellar, the light from Hob's light spell spills down the narrow stair way. From within, as if from the far corner of the cellar, the trio heard much more distinctly....<chunk>....<chunk>...
Descending, Talliree, Hob and Himo look towards the source of the sound. In the north east corner, a thin mist hugs the floor and in the middle of that nook, they see a misty figure with a shovel, now patting down the 'earth' with it's shovel. They hear a raspy voice say, "There, there children...all tucked in! Mama Esther needs to check on the stew! "
At that moment, the light from Hob's spell edges into the nook, the mist evaporating once touched by the light. For a moment, it appears as if the apparition was turning to see what disturbed it, but it also fades away...leaving nothing but an unmarked cellar floor.
Himo blinks.
Still staring at the spot where the gravedigger stood, he says:
"Did you two see that?"
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Well that was spooky.
Mitchell takes a moment to examine the books more carefully. Opening them and looking for any writing, or loose papers tucked into any of the books. He will also look for any portraits on the wall and try to determine if they look familiar. After about 30 minutes of searching he turns and goes back to bed, thinking that he'll pass on to the others what he witnessed.
No need to disturb their sleep.
There's clanging sound as Talliree drops her sword and wraps her blankets tight around herself. She shuffles, stumbles really, over to a wall and leans against it as her knees give out.
All of those times she's laughed off stories of ghosts as being just someone spinning yarns to scare their friends and now she's sleeping in a gods-danged haunted house. She nods at Himo's question, not able to speak for a long moment.
"I-I don't like it here anymore," she manages to get out a few minutes later.
Himo taps Talliree on the shoulder. The meaningful tap, for stealth work.
"We go back up. If someone is messing with us, we sort them out. If it is ghosts...well, we find a way to sort that too. This places is ours, after all!"
"I'll get Mitchell to go with me to see the watch tomorrow... since we might have uhm some explaining to do about what might be burried there." Hob gulps before clearing his voice and trying to sound confident. "Lets go back upstairs and have some tea."
"That makes sense. Especially the bit about tea. Up we go.", replies Himo, clearly eager to leave the cellar.
Talliree nods and follows the others up. Mr. Whiskers nuzzles her as she shivers. She only hopes it was someone trying to mess with them.
Once everyone is back upstairs in the kitchen Hob wedges a chair firmly under the door handle to brace it. He then puts some more logs into the stove and puts the kettle on it. "So, who's game for setting up a watch tonight? I know I'd sleep better."
"Definitely yes for me. I doubt I will sleep much anyway. I volunteer for first watch."
"I-i-i guess I'll t-t-t-take s-s-second," Talliree stammers.
After an unsettling night, the new owners of the Trollskull Manor may have been forgiven for wishing a few extra hours of sleep the next morning.
However, that wish was to go unfulfilled as workers from various Guilds arrived with the dawn, climbing about the outside of the building, banging and sawing as they mended roof and window.
There is a persistent knocking on the front door, until the workers there are greeted by the always early-riser, Mitchell, who unlocks the door and grants them entry.
One crew begins the process of demolishing the rotten walls of the tap room and and another approaches the kitchen, only to be brought up short by the bleary eyes and possible snores of Talliree, Himo and Hob.
The member of the Bricklayer's Guild, a tall, gangly man, speaks "Pardon, lords and lady , but we needs to get at the oven, you see. Needs to see to the cellar too, see..."
Talliree, who'd fallen into an uneasy sleep shortly after her watch, sits bolt upright screaming, "NO! I'm not a fluffy pancake!" Waking anyone still asleep and causing Mr. Whiskers fur to stand on end. She quickly checks to see if her arms and legs and all of her digits are still attached before sighing with relief.
It was only then that she notices the guild members.
"Uh, how long have you been standing there," she asks sheepishly.
"Huh! What!? Oh.", sputters as he regains consciousness.
"Sure, sure. We will get out of your way.", he blearily continues.
The tall Guilder, sketches a bow to Talliree, "Beggin' yer pardon, Lady. Didn' mean to startle ya. Just got here, see. Doin' brick work , see. Here in the kitchen, in yonder oven and dow'n in the cellar proper, shorin' up a wall or two..." he explains, the prominent Adam's apple in this throat bobbing up and down.
He scratches his head, "The boss told me the cellar hatch was aroun' here someplace..."
"Oh, uh, It's over there," Talliree says as she points out the comically large pile of furniture over the door to the cellar.
Hob rubs his eyes "We over slept... I'll go find Mitchel."
Hob moves over to Mitchel. "How did last night go for you, ours was eventful."
The tall Guilder looks at the pile of furniture, scratches his head, and deadpans, "Heh, I gues' that's the why I dain't see it."
Him and his helper, begin to move the furniture back into the taproom proper, where they immediately get into an argument with member of the Plaisterer's Guild, who object to the furniture getting in the way of their demolition work.
The bickering serves as background noise as the group catches up on the events of the night...
"So, that is what happened, Mitchell."
"We need assistance I think."
Hob's attention is diverted as things heat up. He moves back and begins to try to settle them all down.