Our quartet passes into the next room, which is about half the size as the large main workshop space but appears to be equality as busy if only in a much smaller scale.  Three rows of a dozen tables each line this space, each with a various sets of tools from alchemical to tinkering.

A trio of dwarves are working at a table each holding a liquid dropper which they use to oh so carefully dispense a single drop of liquid each into in a glass container. There is a dragonborn female is has a piece of crystal or glass which she is slowly heating then cooling with her breath.  This sort of things goes on and on in the room.  Each of you sees more of the priests of Saint Gili in their leather working cloths with the cog of their Saint on the shoulder.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:22, Wed 23 Mar 2022.

Filimena pauses at the entrance of the room, glancing briefly back to see at Marik and Ironclad to see what they make of the place. [Private to group Elf: "Let's see whether we can find Sanzir and Ricusi,"] she says softly. She looks around the room, trying to identify someone looking the least busy or occupied, whom she might speak to.

A ginger cat glances up from a nearby table towards the group and mews softly.

Filimena is about to step forward deeper into the room when she hears an odd mewing sound, and traces it to a cat looking at the group from a table a short distance away. She does a double-take, not quite sure what to make of this feline interloper. She leans forward, bringing herself marginally closer to the creature, and examines it through narrowed eyes. Then she straightens up and looks around again, to see if any of the priests and/or craftsman are reacting to this strange interaction.

Filimena sees the cat has a collar with a tag which reads Gudane in common.  The feline eyes Filimena for a long moment with unblinking eyes.

A deep rumbling purring sound followed by an unexpectedly high "meow" is heard behind Filimena, coming from a much larger cat. A curious Rani approaches the table, looking back at Gudane while purring, with a few occasional meows, as if she was engaging in dialogue. Marik gathers she must be quite curious and happy to finally see someone she can talk to in this city. He lets her socialize and turns to Filimena, speaking louder to be heard over the sound of blowers and machinery (which are thankfully a bit more tolerable in this smaller space).

[Language unknown: "On icat Loloan ouof Strtraver pail'neta ch rea atien?" ]

Filimena frowns. She was so excited to head to the East Wing she didn't think to ask. "I don't actually know. Let's ask one of the priests," she says, pressing forward once again and approaching one of the priests.

OOC: Blahhhh... Filimena looks around to identify the priest who looks least busy, taking the opportunity to cast Guidance on herself. The final roll is a 7, not a 16, because I can only re-roll 1s once. So... not great.

18:42, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 16 using d20+3+1d4, rerolling ones with rolls of {1}{1}10,3.  Insight w/ Guidance.

In any case, regardless of the result, Filimena would have approached politely, and if they are doing something, she would make her presence known but hesitate to interrupt unless there was no response after a few seconds.

A older male tiefling with blood red skin, a messy golden hair and gold eyes dressed in the "priest" garb you've seen.  He pets the ginger cat on the table, "Now, now, Gudane don't bother these fine folks; you're lunch will be ready shortly"  He gives a slight nod to the trio and smiles, "What can this servant of Saint Gili do for you?"

"Good evening," Filimena says, with a slight bow, before repeating what she told Gilas and Quinn about looking for her brother.

"We were told by your... uh... colleague Quinn that my brother had been working with Sanzir and Ricusi. Do you think it would be possible for us to speak to them?

"Well of course you may miss, and it seems you are in luck as while Sazir isn't here today Ricusi is ... well I am here ... I being Ricusi ... if that wasn't clear." the tiefling says stumbling over his words and pointing to himself with his tail.


"Now who are you all, and who is this brother?"

"Ah! That's great!" Filimena says, excitedly but softly, not wanting to disturb the work happening around her. She motions again to Ironclad for his assistance conjuring up an image of Finneas. "We were told that my brother had been here some weeks ago working with you and Sazir on something, a music box, perhaps, or a puzzle box. As I mentioned, I have been looking for him for some years. If you have any information at all which might lead us to him, that would be incredibly helpful. What he's doing in the city, how long he's been here, whether he goes by a particular name, etcetera."

Ricusi looks at the image that Ironclad conjurs and nods for a moment before Filimena gives a list of demands,  "Whoa whoa there ... how do I know you're actually his sister?  No offence but if he is keen on keeping himself hidden he likely has a reason."

OOC: a persuasion check would be good I think
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:31, Mon 04 Apr 2022.

Filimena frowns slightly, but nods in understanding. "I don't really have any physical proof that I am his sister," she says with a sigh. "Except I have been told by some that I am the spitting image of him. I can also tell you about our family. If he's told you anything at all, it should match."

She pauses, thinking what to say, then continues, "We were born in Haldrim. Our mother was Filipa, our father Leksi. They were merchants, dealing in furniture and antiques. Quite successful. My brother and I were supposed to take over the business, but I... I didn't think I was suited to trade... I ran away from home when I was twelve. I went back secretly to sneak a look at my brother from time to time, but I never spoke to him again. And then one day a couple of years back, he disappeared too. I guess my brother didn't think he was suited to the trade either..."

Filimena bows her head, suddenly sad. It occurs to her that she's never thought about how her parents must feel with both their children gone. What will happen to the business when they grow old? She's always just assumed that at least her brother would be left to take over.

She looks back up at Ricusi sombre. "Please, won't you find it in your heart to help? Even if you won't tell me where to find him, couldn't you take him a message? I've been searching for him so long. To come so close, and then to fail..."

OOC: That's a 15. Not using Guidance cos I can't imagine Filimena would cast it right under Ricusi's nose. For that matter, I don't think she's even in the mood to consider it.

16:41, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 15 using 1d20+5, rerolling ones with rolls of 10.  Persuasion.

The tiefling nods, his tail swishing much like Gudane who is enjoying the gentle pets he is getting.  "I see. An interesting place you put me Ms..."  he pauses as he realizes that Filimena hasn't introduced herself or anyone with the group.

He waits a moment for her to make proper introductions before continuing, "... Ms Filimena.  On the one hand, I could assume you're honest souls in search of this wayward brother, but then again what if you wish him harm.  A tough place to be for one such as I."  Gudane purrs rather loudly, which causes Ricusi to stop and smile revealing the previous bit a jest, "Ah I see so do you trust them ... because of their large feline friend there ...  well yes that does seems as good a reason as any, I suppose.  Your brother was here going by the name Fastolm.  He is a rather crafty halfling was curious if he was part dwarf honestly.  Last we saw him was a few days ago; he did mention staying outside the city along the Great Road I believe."



Setting Lore note: The Great Road is the road leading north from Titan's Gate to Spineguard Keep and Pallem beyond; some call it Maw Road as well

Filimena blinks. Falstom. On first consideration, the name means nothing to her. Did Finneas have a reason for picking this name in particular for himself? No point speculating now.

"He was here, just a few days ago?" She frowns. "Does he come here often?"

Ricusi nods and says, "Yes three days I believe.  He had put the finishing touches on what he was working on, so I didn't think we'd see him again unless he was going to work on something else."

Filimena nods, then looks down at the ground solemnly. The Great Road, he said. Well that's the next place to look, then.

Filimena looks back up at Ricusi. "Did he ever mention..." she hesitates, and seems to change her mind about something. "Did he ever mention where along the Great Road he was staying, or what he was crafting?"

Marik stays silent but can't help but smile at the mention of the Great road "Great Road? Finally some fresh air! It will make a excellent change of pace from the city. And three days only since Filimena brother passed by? That would mean there will still be relatively fresh sign of his passage. Much easier to track then. Given the harshness of their last few outings, this sounds like a relaxing stroll so far. But there is the Ban'thuur that could be a problem, this could be close to their hunting grounds

Shaking his head, Ricusi says with a frown,  "He couldn't be too far outside of town as when he was here he spent most of the day here or perhaps he stayed in the city when he stayed late."  His tails swishes left and right as he drums his fingers on the nearby work table in thought. "It was some sort of box.  He didn't share much of the design, only giving a few bits and pieces to those here who could aid him.  It definitely had various gears some of which I made for him."

Filimena ponders this answer for a while and nods. It makes sense. She pauses, looking around a bit, wondering if there's anything else she would like to ask.

"I guess there's nothing to do but go look for him then," she says, finally. "I really appreciate your help. I'm not sure if there's anything I have I could give that would be of any value to you, but if you ever needed any help..." She pauses, not certain if she should be speaking for the entire party. "I can... try to see what I can do..."

Ricusi shakes his head, "I'm happy to help, and honestly it is one of the tenants of Saint Gili to help whenever one can."  The tiefling smiles as he pets the ginger cat.  "Also who would I be if I did NOT to help one who found Jzadirune?  That enclave's discovery has made quite a stir around here."

Filimena tilts her head in curiosity. "We've been hearing that a lot," she says, looking back at Marik and shrugging as if to say, Right? "How is it... uh... is it really that significant a discovery?"

A look of surprise lights up the tiefling's face. "You don't know?! The dwarves of Jzadirune were master crafters with the combined knowledge and skill of Kalazanbaar and Korim working together!  Saint Gili himself was a dwarf from that enclave - so some of the priesthood have been allowed to go there and we are work towards recovering the research that was happening."

"We did...experience those master craft for...ourselves" respond Marik, recalling the construct (and the resulting pain) they met below. "Hopefully, it was worth...the cost" he add, rethinking about the orphans they couldn't save. "Do you know...if they cleared the Dark....the hobgoblins from Malachite fortress below?" he ask Ricusi

"A group of guards accompany any down to the the Enclave, and Malachite Hold and its connection to the world below is guarded at all times by Dwarves of Korim," Ricusi says with a bit of a nod as though he understands what Marik means.