While Mirak heads back to the tavern to get things sorted, Filimina and Ironclad head north.  Ironclad assures Filimina, well as best as they can, that they know the way.

On their way north, Filimina see a garden dedicated to the heroes of Titan's Gate, before the pair passes through what is called The Caravan Ward as it previously was where wagons and caravans would hold before passing into the city proper.  The area is a muddy mess, populated by the poorest people and those who take advantage of those folks’ desperation.  It has no sewer system and isn’t served by the Refuse Sweepers’ Guild which means flies and other buzzing creatures make the passage thru the Caravan Ward less than pleasant. Still, true to their word, the pair reach the North Gate with no real trouble.

Titan's Gate sits high upon a hill with a steep cliff on the Western side and the Northern portion still high enough to give a good view along The Great Road toward The Maw.  Not to far along the road Filimina can just make out a small settlement, perhaps another hour or so away, where the road forks with a smaller branch heading West while The Great Road continuing northward.

Filimena observes the city as she passes it by, an uncomfortable sense of familiarity settling over her mind. It's not only that she's lived most of her life in cities, and Titans Gate, as much as it is unique in its own ways, is a city nonetheless, sharing many of the same qualities any other city would have. It’s also that… She doesn’t remember arriving at Titans Gate - the Voices were in full control of her senses at the time - and yet, she must have arrived at some point, and when she’d arrived, it surely must have been through one of the city’s gates. It’s quite possible that she’s spent some time here, in this part of town, and just not been able to recall it.

It occurs to her she still does not know why the Voices have brought her here. At first she assumed it had something to do with Jzadirune. At present she cannot help but wonder if it might have something to do with her brother, although she cannot imagine the Voices would be so generous as to bring her to her brother only for the sake of reuniting them. The Illithid in the sewers… the other dwarven doors… She frowns, not so much annoyed as tired.

“Well, we’re here,” she says, after a while, turning away from her thoughts to look up at Ironclad. “Have you been to this part of the city before?”

"Yes, Ironclad is from Korim which lies to the north along The Great Road and arrived at Titan's Gate three dozen risings of the sun ago."  Ironclad extends their hand showing an image of the road and world around them moving as they travel to the North Gate.  The image fades as they continue, "Prior to Ironclad's arrive here, Ironclad spent a few suns in Spineguard Keep as well as Pallem for a time before that."

"Why does name is Filimena inquire?"

Filimena shrugs. "No particular reason," she says. "It's just, we're here, and we're waiting for Marik, and there isn't really a lot else to do. I just thought we should get to know each other a bit better, no? Well, I've asked you a question. Why don't you ask me one? Is there something about me you would like to learn? You could... er... put it in your report, maybe, to your people back in Korim." Filimena chuckles, playfully, finding herself genuinely curious about what kind of question the construct will come up with.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:40, Sat 11 June 2022.

Ironclad nods their head slightly, "A question, honestly answered, is powerful thing."  They turn their helm like head to the city of Titan's Gate then Northward.  After a few moments they look back to Filimina,  "Would you tell me about Jzadirune?  Did you encounter others like me there?"

Filimena considers the question for a moment. She is surprised how distant the ancient city now feels in her mind, like more time has passed than actually did. "Hmmm. What would you like to know about Jzadirune?" She says? "It was big, dark, and very dangerous. It felt like every room there was something hiding just waiting to ambush you. Yet it was also beautiful in a dark, abandoned sort of way. It makes you think about the dwarves who built the place and lived there, and what they were like."

She pauses for a while, looking around, before continuing. "We did encounter some constructs. I'm not sure I would say they were like you exactly. They weren't very friendly." She chuckles a bit. "I suppose... These would be your cousins? That's an interesting thought."

OOC: I did a CTRL+F of the Jzadirune threads. Haha. None of the constructs actually looked like Ironclad, did they? I know there was a large war machine, which maybe might have?

OOC yeah there were no constructs in Jzadirune like Ironclad

The mechanize marvel nods, "Cousin ...  the child of either of one's parental unit's siblings.  An interesting concept for ones such as Ironclad." Taking a long pause, Ironclad looks about before continuing  "How many suns were you and the others in Jzadirune?"

Filimena shrugs. "It kind of makes sense, doesn't it? As for how many days we were in there... To be honest, it's kind of hard to tell how much time has passed, when you're underground, and have no way to tell the time of day. But I reckon we were in there for two days, perhaps?"

OOC: It seems I'm being nudged to do a bit of revision on our past adventures here. Hahaha. I realise I don't actually know how many days we spent down in Jzadirune, but some CTRL+F research tells me we did have 2 short rests, which RAW means we could not have been in the dungeon less than two days.

OOC: That's fine - one of the weird things about D&D is the passage of time during dungeon crawls.  We weren't keeping the BEST track of time in Jzadirune


"Ironclad will to visit Jzadirune, it would be good to see what the makers created prior to Ironclad."

Filimena nods, pensively. "Have you ever... met your makers?" she asks, hoping it isn't a stupid question.

Ironclad's gaze shifts from the horizon back to Filimena, "Of course, they sent provided Ironclad with their prime directive of exploration and notation.  A trio of House Argentum's finest makers, Arkur, Undin, and Atund, built Ironclad, allthough Ironclad's original designation was Special Operations Construct Advanced Lifeform One Six or SOCAL 16 for short."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:21, Thu 23 June 2022.

"I see," Filimena says. "I thought they might have used some kind of intermediary. Yes, Arkur, Undin, and Atund must have been very skilled makers indeed, if they built you. I can barely make my own bed in the morning! Ha. Ha. Heh." Filimena chuckles sheepishly at the terrible joke.

Pausing, she looks back up over the horizon at the settlement in the distant, taking in the sight, and wondering if her brother is truly there. Perhaps she is looking at him right now, without knowing it, one of the specks she sees moving up and down the road and between buildings.

OOC: Not sure if a perception check is appropriate, but FIlimena is just going to look at the buildings in the distance and decide which ones look like they might be taverns or inns, from their size. Obviously she's going to review this as they get closer. This is just sort of an idle sort of thing, while waiting for Marik.

13:38, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 20 using 1d20+3, rerolling ones with rolls of 17.  Perception.

At around that time, the distinctive sound of paws running on tile roofs is heard and a large cat carrying an elf rider ends her parkour by jumping from a nearby house to the street.

Marik arrives and hands something rolled into a small cloth bag to Filimena "For the road"

The bag contains a hastily prepared rye bread sandwich with thin slices of salty venison, pickled onions, various veggies and mustard, with the addition of rosemary, thyme and sweet gale. Something hearty, powerful and packed with flavor but with a woody, fresh taste like Marik likes his cooking :)

Filimena does see what she believes to be some sort of inn or tavern at the crossroads.  Titan's Gate does close their gates just before night fall so those caught outside the city walls would best try to find a place hide from what might bump in the dark around Titan's Gate.

Filimena greets the elf with a nod and looks curiously into the cloth bag. [Private to group Elf: "Hmm. Thanks!"] she says, licking her lips, tempted to bite into it immediately. [Private to Marik: "Everything is in order back in the tavern, I take it? I reckon we she get going right away, before it gets too dark."] She motions down the road and shrugs.

Marik nods and gestures toward Rani's saddle

[Language unknown: "Lice e vor e?" ]



OOC: Could Marik make a History check to see if he already passed in this area coming to Titan's Gate?

EDIT: Well, in any case, I rolled a 5 so I highly doubt it.




"[Language unknown: Na erslesven lo nintsa plwa sonsomousver ck aner con yinta es, ad wilwheted tedastcon es uneiropl. Rewafice evfi aino eent teisar som seaito whe viromeanyvir o stone wer ofad? M amein stme-aiplfo plli ou nteomepro ck weatlo...]"

He looks at Rani, which looks at him back.


"[Language unknown: Evev Man trastrwhi olck laelme...wa rut essverthi usurec undcomder amewereau tiomi isme.]"


And they set off?
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:34, Wed 06 July 2022.

The trio heads down into the small crossroads area outside of Titan's Gate.  The few people you pass seem a bit taken back by Rani and Ironclad so give your a wide berth.  There is a  modest two-storey inn and connected stables of timber and brick construction which stand proudly at the crossroads.  The inn's sign shows a person in a robe standing before a building, and the sign's text is written which is just legible declares the inn as The Pilgrim's Hall in the common tongue.

[Private to GM: a two-story building of timber and brick walls, with several leaded glass windows. Accommodations consist of wooden cots near the hearth.

Innkeeper - a humble female elf named Ilarel.

Menu

• Boiled Pork and Bitter Cheese, Tankard of Stout (10 cp)
• Spelt Porridge, Mug of Beer (5 cp)
• Boiled Goose and Whey Cheese, Tankard of Cider (11 cp)

]
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:07, Tue 12 July 2022.

Marik looks up. The sun is out and only a faint rosy hue denotes the presence of light in the darkening blue sky.


[Language unknown: "Ventedpre theoerset i rousal ou oer. Oveatiare utofek chncwa el Arttin'ounkor ovetedtedhat som prerutthe stinan esre Wilanders Icpl ca u treethul pl oulresrut p fo nc wi elng e red...Eratraday, p setivebut k werin hepoiv thahasugh m howiwi ur maunna. Resntinot ect usunat is ei tr astredantratfor wil earnt romforing nateut is es leswe yin yinmi?"]
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:06, Tue 12 July 2022.

"Numbers and a bit of the innkeep's magics keep The Children of Tuur friendly,"  Ironclad injects in common, though save for "the innkeep's" it sounded a feminine voice with a heavy elvish accent.

Filimena steps up to the door of the inn and pauses before it, nervous. [Language unknown: "Ca, p of bleiouant whe cani is, Atfo ofart ofer teatpoeeut itan evtr'neac,"] she says. Or, possibly, her brother is in there right now. That's a possibility also. She gathers up her courage, looks back momentarily at Marik, Rani, and Ironclad, and pushes the door open.

The interior of The Pilgrim's Hall would be categorized as plain but cozy.  A long table sits in the central of the space, and three more smaller tables along the two outer walls.  At the far end of the room from the entry is the fireplace hearth which is large and used for cooking as you can see thru the back into what appears to be some sort of kitchen space.

Almost dancing about as they drop off food and drink to the various patrons are pair of half-elves, who are certainly brother and sister. They are tall and slender with long chestnut hair that's tied back out of their faces, and both are dressed similarly in a well made leather apron which covers a light-green shirt and part of their thick breeches.  The pair are, perhaps strangely, barefoot as well.

A lean, blond haired, heavily tattoo'd dwarf male is cleaning a table.  He stops his clearing and turns with a smile as you as you enter.  The tattoo'd dwarf closes the distance between the table and entry singing a silly song, you think you hear something about azkaban that you don't understand.  He waits for the whole party to arrive before greeting you warmly, "Evening travelers!  I am Hankerin, and welcome to The Pilgrim's Hall.  Please take a seat anywhere you'd like that's open.  Though we've few spaces as Titan's Gate is closing up.  Kodo or Podo will be by to take food orders sooner or later I'm sure."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:31, Fri 11 Nov 2022.

Filimena smiles and nods in response to the dwarf's friendly welcome. She pauses, looking around to take in the crowd surrounding her, before finding a seat for the group with a clear view of the room and motioning at them to sit.

OOC: This sort of goes without saying, I guess, but Filimena immediately looks around the room for any sign at all of her brother.

20:30, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 22 using 1d20+3, rerolling ones with rolls of 19.  Perception.

Filimena scans the crowd and as she does see a halfling leap upon a table and hoist a mug in the air.  He cries out, "HA'BAKA!", and the entire tavern raises their mugs and cheers "HA'BAKA!" in response.

Tossing the now empty mug to the nearest person, he pulls a lute from behind him and as he strums the strings they let out a foul cord before breaking.  The crowd laughs as the halfling jumps down then disappearing from sight.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:29, Tue 19 July 2022.

OOC: By any chance would this other halfling be Filimena's brother? My instincts tell me that Filimena would recognise him immediately if he were, so the fact that it doesn't say so, or doesn't say at least that it looks like her brother, means it's not? But I might be wrong.

In reply to Filimena the Gentle (msg # 24):

OOC: Yes yes it is -- realized I was being overly vague... I'll adjust the post :D

As this happens, Marik is outside of the inn and near the stables, helping Rani make herself a comfy bed of hay to relax while they go in. He'll probably open a window and call her to join in his room later in the night, but for the moment, best to leave her outside. The place seems quite crowded and he's not sure how well people would take the sight of a giant cat making her way inside the place.

As he climbs back the steps to the inn, he hears a muffled "Ha'Baka!" followed by cheers and roaring laughter. Well, that certainly sounds like a great (and very loud) party inside. The relative peace and quiet of the outside of the inn suddenly look very appealing. Maybe he'll stay a few more moments here, sitting in the stairs, watching the stars before going to bask in all that noise. Maybe it will be a bit quieter then...

OOC: Ever went to a place, heard how loud it is inside, stopped at the door and decided you're not quite ready to engage just yet and need a moment? I can only imagine how it could be for a wood elf that was a hermit not that long ago

Filimena freezes, her eyes widening in... in what? Surprise? Shock? Relief? She gets up from her chair and takes a step towards where she last saw the halfling. It can't be, can it? After all this time, he's really just... there? She takes a deep breath, and finds that breathing is just about the only thing she can do. Her feet aren't taking her forward, as she wants them to do. Or, as she thinks she wants them to do. What happens now? What happens when she speaks to him? What is she even going to say? She hasn't met her brother face to face in half a lifetime. The room around Filimena seems to blur. She turns suddenly towards the door of the tavern and, swallowing, walks firmly and briskly towards it, opening it and stepping outside.

The silence hits her like cold air. Marik is sitting on the stairs leading up to the inn. She marches towards him, and sits herself heavily down on the steps next to him. [Language unknown: "N ughallsan N erhi diac ca,"] she says quietly, after a few seconds' pause. She notices her fingers are clenched tightly around the edge of one of the floorboards making up the stairs, and she lets go, rubbing her hands together instead, as if to warm them. [Language unknown: "Tr tepl we font wa? Se oreonsher pl k enicss ted Ar il acthe."] She sniffs. Not wanting to meet Marik's eyes, she looks instead towards Rani poking her head out from the stable.

OOC: Hehe. I think Filimena and Marik are alike in this situation.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:36, Thu 21 July 2022.

Marik eyes widens and frowns for a moment in a "Wait what?" fashion, as if to make sure he heard correctly. She think she just saw him? Right there? Well, at the same time, it could make sense. Things don't automatically become an extended hunt just because you thought they would be. That is...certainly unexpected, but also quite possible with how Filimena describe her brother.

Seeing Filimena's expression though, Marik quickly comes back to a neutral face, quite glad she wasn't looking at him at that moment. She definitely looks shaken and he needs to project calm in this moment to be here for her.

The thought passes in his mind. How would he react in her shoes? What would he do if suddenly he saw his dead sister somewhere after all these years? Probably he would have trouble believing it as well.

A flash of spotted grey fur passe before his eyes. In the few seconds it took this thought to form in his head, Rani has already gotten up and came running from the stable to comfort Filimena, rubbing her comically large head (in comparison) against the halfling's small hands and purring. She's so much smarter and better than him at this.

He smiles and nods.

[Language unknown:  "encic a ectwitson..."] he starts, before trying his best to cheer her up. [Language unknown: "Earconove ho itstr Caaine itisliit me tant? ....M unes onck foiviturad, simaur eau omss ssprha neosus shewi butil pr it onlail we sa ndilst wa. T ven t refila t nd out ut osout ioich ne erainttinwas elic are!"]

Filimena is taken slightly aback by Rani's approach, but chuckles and begins rubbing behind the big cat's ears, feeling immediately better, albeit also somewhat embarrassed. She's been down in a dwarven dungeon, fending off attacks from deadly metal constructs, and come face to face with an illithid, and somehow, this is the thing she's afraid of? Well, she'd been afraid all those times too, if she's honest with herself. But this is a different type of fear.

[Language unknown: "M tousof n aveithith a ngomouev enwe taiv,"] she says. [Language unknown: "U dayillate Com inemi wh. Arncatme notatesan Me undpreset t o ch o plca ersat lat. I tedhouoer eve liec ineeauartarewer tatona, ain ur O enc der, ck elrini i miac whaiweaing ulshe butst ivecdiisli."] She laughs.

Looking back towards the door, she prepares to get up. [Language unknown: "Onwher to? U, t etpato ect yinac is ne ilreri itwiwe."]

Marik gets up too

[Language unknown: "T ave icho Di inivch ne. O allom hi shewhistr t arev sela mipe Es een onhas oulwilearint intherent ekent whee hatlesoreast ck meun arnd om, nipa A sinthe iv k ee ndto m ingwaspre re wilev peni no ers na ecsti lecare at nd butantint. Ithnc o he chble...e ie atiounica. Day ess iche beday is ill betra osaili p tho sente urerlo tinyinave o weeiiv ilse ho verhisoul ai p postle. Wall na t ughmo thuntiand but te hoer I liseat t trwe wit Ec nole wh thoad set housetant n wi asain sanel. On alurisoses, ionasteau ectughnde, K fonc...Nd lat in eiieel behois p linwh urlepr standi for metr. U st nde ove ichil dince ne bletioing, somughastour poek he derli stfoasacleon k trnace u oniowi isnopreece. Prckpo anal wil u tic hill acosbe redntiour a ro p toilie sstr p herentillterear lehas ugh ndeundentpro. Riiola p tho... outvorthueen p t...actrac washoupreers ce fornotati eepo but tintheartlat a ertrncro illut whianyughureman?....Usieec, K veromecom"
]

He pauses.

[Language unknown: "Mo ureearive allio ortonence at ntierehas maneenest. Ndeameeen el osrock no was loasmo le ear ter pr wech." ] He add, with a forced chuckle. He stands ready by her side. [Language unknown: "To? Een iouredtin on p?" ]

Filimena takes a deep breath. Marik is right. Her brother is alive. She's seen him with her own eyes. All she needs to do now is say hello, and whatever happens happens. Maybe they will end up getting a drink. She imagines them sitting at the bar, talking, catching each other up on all the things they've been up to. She'll ask how he's doing, and how he ended up leaving the family home. She'll ask him about how the family reacted when she left, and how they are now, whether he stays in touch with them at all. And then maybe, tomorrow, they'll part ways again, say goodbye, and she can tell him about their tavern, how he's welcome there any time, and - the book. The book! Filimena blinks, remembering how she ended up here in the first place. Her brother had left her a clue in a book, which he'd arranged to have delivered to her. What was that all about?! She frowns ever so slightly. [Language unknown: "Estll, somectyin ilhaen, ngekhi m he,"] she says, nodding. [Language unknown: "Artwhindetho tited ch ndlickil eenoulhat iveundenchis."] She turns and heads towards the door, beckoning Rani and Marik along.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:00, Thu 28 July 2022.

Ironclad has remained standing just inside the doorway of The Pilgrim's Hall and seems to be having a conversation with a rather lively Hankerin

"I'm tellin' ya, we often find ourselves taking the long way around to choices just cause it takes us so much time to figure out the nature of the choice.  Now, it isn't how every choice happens but I'd say its half or so,"  Hankerin says gesturing wildly.  "Take me for example, I didn't know I wanted to work at a place like this.  Went off to be a fisher, next I was a soldier, spent sometime as writer, a painter, a candle stick maker..." he pauses as our heroes approach.

With a big goofy smile, he says, "Ah or these two, they didn't know they wanted to be here till they talked about it first."

Filomena clears her throat by way of an apology for interrupting what seems like a riveting philosophical discussion.

"Hi," she says. "We were planning on staying the evening, yes, but actually, we're also looking for someone. A halfling, like me." Filimena glances around to see if she can spot him herself.

"We've got a handful of halflings come thru here from time to time - farmers mostly.  But like YOU ... that would be Fastolm I'd guess That young fella who jumped up on the table, right?" Hankerin inquires with a smile.

Filimena swallows hard. "Yup! That's him alright. Now I'll, uh... I'll go talk to him," she says, putting on a nervous smile, then turning and heading towards where she last saw Finneas.

OOC: Give me a Perception check at disadvantage, please

OOC: I tried to roll with disadvantage once but did it wrong, so just rolled another d20, but it turns out both came out 20!

22:07, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 20 using 1d20+3, rerolling ones with rolls of 17.  Perception again.
22:07, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 20 using 1d20+3, rerolling ones with rolls of 17.  Perception w/ Disadvantage.

OOC Double Dirty 20s! Very nice

Filimena moves thru the crowded common room easily as many of the patrons move out of her way.

[Private to Filimena the Gentle: Brother _lost
      Wayward one
Traveler found]

She finds the other halfling enjoying a tankard of something as they play a game of cards with a trio of humans who seem to be merchants.

Marik and Rani follow suit as best they can behind the three-foot-something cloaked ball of energy that hurries through the room and people. The elf notes many people moving instinctively out of the way as if they felt something in the air. It's not unusual when folks see Rani for the first time, but this feels different. There is a certain smell around Filimena, a tense, electric air.... not unlike like what you smell moments before a hurricane.

Filimena winces only slightly, for once unbothered by what They are saying to her. The queasiness in her stomach comes from her own nerves, and not from Them, reaching across the planes and into her mind.

Filimena steps up to the halfling, puts on an incredibly stern look, and clears her throat loudly.

The halfling without looking says, "One second, we are almost done here." He smiles as he lays out his hand of cards. "Sorry fellas, looks like you lose this round.  Don't worry you can win your money back later."  The trio all throw their cards down and grumble as they leave.

Raking in the various coins on the table, the halfling pushes them into a pouch which then vanishes into his shoulder bag hanging. Turning to Filimena and Marik, he says "Now, what can I do for ..." the words stop instantly as he realizes who he's seeing. "Oh ... you."

OOC: Can Filimena tell anything about Finneas' attitude toward seeing her from his body language and tone of voice? Rolled a 14 on insight =/

17:25, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 14 using 1d20+3, rerolling ones with rolls of 11.  Insight.

OOC: He isn't hiding the fact that he is NOT thrilled to see you.  He's not hostile as of yet

Filimena purses her lips slightly, not knowing quite what to make of her brother's apparent displeasure at seeing her. "Hi," she says, tentatively. "Yeah, it's me. I, uh, got your note."

Finneas pats the tabletop, "Come, sit, let's chat over a game." He shuffles the cards and waits.

Filimena hesitates for a moment, then approaches the table. "By the way, this is Marik. We have been travelling together. And Rani. Something tells me you might already know that."

Finn nods to Marik, "Yes, you two are quite famous around the city, the Finders of Jzadirune and all that." A mischievous smile cross his lips then he springs up, standing in his chair and hoisting his mug.

"OY! Look here you lot!  We have bonified adventurers here!  My sister and her friends Marik and Rani are the Finders of Jzadirune! Raise a glass to them!"  The noise in the room is deafening as the patrons roar their cheers and glasses crash together.  A few of the patrons pat you both on back, though none try to touch Rani as the big cat does inspire a bit of fear without trying.

Filimena miles politely at the crowd. He's stalling, she thinks. This gives her a boost of confidence, somehow. She steals a glance at Marik's direction to see that he's okay, then looks back to her brother. "What are we playing?"

Marik tries to wave back at the crowd, but instinctively gets closer to Rani. He is uncomfortable with the attention and doesn't quite know how to act. But mostly, he feels bad for Filimena. She's been waiting years for this reunion and... a flash of anger builds in his belly toward this man. Does he even realize what is happening at the moment?


"That is....certainly way to meet...long lost family...after years apart....Sure...Let's play game" He articulates in broken common. He makes a few steps toward the table, put a hand on Filimena's shoulder as he passes by, wants her to feel supported, and then take a seat. He can't help but glare in Finneas direction*.



(*Which is basically the same face he has on his portrait.)

Finneas smiles, "Of course we can... of course.  Top card, winner gets one question. We play till we run out of cards or question. Seem fair?"

He shuffles the cards and flips over three card, "Find let me make it easier, pick one of these. Left, right or center..."

[Private to GM: 13:26, Yesterday: Secret Roll: Finneas the Meek drew the 3 cards: 2S, AS, 7S using a deck of 54 cards.  High Card - Left, Center, Right.]
This message was last edited by the player at 21:44, Fri 02 Sept 2022.

Filimena shrugs. "Sure," she says. "Centre."

With a nod, Finneas flips the center card over revealing an Ace Of Swords "Ah, very nice sister dear very nice."  He slides the card in front of Filimena then turns his gaze to Marik, "And you? Which will you have the left or right card?"

"[Language unknown: hat]...oh...sorry...Left."

Finneas doesn't look at the card as he lifts it from the table as tosses it gently to Marik,  [Private to group Elf: "Two of swords ... bad luck."] His hands alight atop the remaining card, but he doesn't flip it nor look at it. He slides the card away into a discard pile and inquires of Filimena, "Alright sister, what is your question?"

As seems to be happening with increasing frequency lately, Filimena finds herself uncharacteristically at a loss for what to say. And so she asks the only question true on her mind: “How are you?”

A smile appears on the halfling's face, "How am I? Hmmm..." he slowly gathers the cards back and sets them off to his left side. "Such a simple, yet complicated, question to ask dear sister." Finneas takes the mug before him and drinks deeply from it. Setting it down he nods to the mug before looking back to Filimena then says, "I am well" confidently.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:57, Wed 14 Sept 2022.

Filimena nods, pauses to swallow, then nods again. “That’s good,” she says, letting some silence pass to see if Finneas has anything else to add, then motioning towards the cards, as if to say, let’s continue then. She doesn’t know what her brother is up to, if he is up to anything at all, but if he is, let him continue.

"Again?" he asks but before anyone answers Finneas draws another trio of cards laying them face down in front of him.  His esys shift to Marik [Language unknown: "Ereallshe itil, no io ie ei taurul, inha el nden acalha."] He gestures to the freshly drawing cards before him.

[Private to GM: 14:12, Today: Secret Roll: Finneas the Meek drew the 3 cards: 9H, AH, 5C using a deck of 52 cards.  High Card - Left, Center, Right.]

As he watches the exchange, Marik mellows. The flash on anger he felt passes, and he just feel a sort of deep sadness watching this reunion. Sadness for Filimena, but in a sense sadness for Finneas too. Brothers and sisters, so close, yet so far apart. The elf has no idea what the symbols on the cards represent or what is higher or lower, yet he feels it has no real importance in this moment. He doesn't need deep insight to see how Finneas is not trying to play cards but themselves. The game just seem background for a mind-game of cat and mouse.

[Language unknown: "Unlaar" ] respond Marik laconicaly, gesturing with his gloved hand.

Finneas smiles and flips the chosen card towards Marik, [Language unknown: "He Andtr k Tanice, ur ev en u thive laomel oreingeen."]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:43, Mon 26 Sept 2022.

Filimena raises an eyebrow, wondering if perhaps there is more happening here than mere bad luck. Nevertheless, she shrugs and gestures at the centre card.

Finneas nods and looks at the cards with a smile, "I've good feeling about this for your sis."  He flips the cards over revealing an Ace of Cups, then he piles the cards up into the discard pile, again without looking at the remaining card. "So a second question you may ask."

[Private to GM: clubs = wands, hearts = cups (hearts), spades = swords diamonds = coins]
This message was last updated by the player at 20:09, Thu 29 Sept 2022.

Filimena raises an eyebrow. He's clearly fishing for a question. Should she give it to him? Does she even know what it is? "How were mum and dad, the last time you saw them?"

Finneas nods and tilts his head slightly in thought.  He starts to pick up the mug beside him but stops himself from doing so.  "They were well a few months back.  I stopped by to give them some coin from my sales and generally makes sure things were okay. They miss you, you know...  and are thinking of selling the shop to move closer to the rest of the family."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:40, Mon 03 Oct 2022.

Filimena looks down, saddened by her brother's reply. In a way, this is what she has been afraid of. "And where would that be?" she asks solemnly, not looking up, and not caring that it isn't her turn yet to ask another question. "Do they know they know you're here? Do they know I'm here? They could-" She hesitates, only realising what she's about to suggest just as she's about to say it. It seems like yet another act of selfishness to expect that they would want to come to Titans Gate, just because she is here.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 05:53, Thu 06 Oct 2022.

"You never were much for following the rules of a game," Finneas says with a sigh as he puts away the cards. "They don't keep tabs on either of us like that.  Obvious people will chat with them as is the way, but I told them I was heading to Titan's Gate to do some work.  I didn't know you were here till I arrived and head about the Jzadirune business."

The halfling pauses as he ponders what to say next, "As for where they're going ... well they were talking about Aunt Athel's over in Falworth or near Cousin Ryany in Keys, you know how father like the water."

No, actually. She didn't know father liked the water. Or maybe she used to, and she just forgot. She pauses a while, eyeing the cards as Finneas puts them away. "What about you? I'm sure you have questions."

Finneas smiles, its a sad smile, before saying, "Oh I'm sure I have hundreds but what would they matter? You'll vanish again.  Just like when I tried to track you down only find out you never got into the Brandish Gilhelm Fighting Academy you wrote mom and dad about.  So you vanished for years only to pop up here unexpectedly as an adventurer having found a lost dwarven enclave."   He takes a moment and shuffles the cards.  "Does seem that you are in need of more sun."

For a moment, Marik was thinking "This is more like it..." as Finneas and Filimena started talking more about siblings catching up. Mentally, he recited a quiet prayer to Ahrenvoth that their relationship would regrow, as the Ageless itself does constantly.

The last comment by Finneas does take the conversation to a turn, though. Seems they were both searching each others? And he senses a deep well of grievances underneath that comment about their mom, his own search and Filimena adventure. Could that be jealousy? or Genuine fear for his sister safety?

Quiet but ever more engrossed in the social dynamics of this situation studies intently both Finneas and Filimena, see how they react to each comment, if one is trying to feign reactions. In particular, he would like to study if Finneas reaction of hurt seems genuine or if he's picking hints he's trying to manipulate Filimena with guilt.

OOC: Marik would like to roll for Insight and would roll 16 if that is possible.

Filimena looks down at the table again. "I don't really know what to say," she ventures after a while. "I felt like I was trapped. Back home. Our family have been merchants since forever. Mum and dad always made it clear they wanted to take over the business one day. And I... I just could never imagine myself doing that. Kind of ironic now, actually." She glances over at Marik, thinking about the tavern they now suddenly co-own.

"I thought I was being brave, running away, seeking adventure out in the world on my own. I don't think that any more."

Finneas follows his sister's gaze to Marik, then looks to Rani, and finally to the room a whole.  "Funny how that works out."

Filimena lets the silence hang for a while, not quite sure what to say next. "You know... If you're in town anyway, how would you like to come back with us. I'm not sure we're ready to take paying guests yet, but we do have spare rooms upstairs. You could uh... you could save a bit on the rent. And it'd be nice to get a chance to catch up a bit more. You know. If you want to." She looks up at Marik, hoping he's okay with her making the offer without consulting him. It sort of occurred to her on the spur of the moment.

In reply to Marik (msg # 70):
You don't get the impression that Finneas is doing anything outside of what one who's upset at another person might do - he's not being EVIL or anything.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:58, Mon 17 Oct 2022.

Marik listens and takes in all these exchanges attentively. He realizes he never saw Filimena so vulnerable, but is silently glad she can share this. He wants to help her.

[Language unknown: "T nalefo. Ativirsom est i ripeceit. Oul traun! Ch Hisillall'oredin eve of sheithtinint po mepre tiheee tathi Ne onete chncta ei ries o ver oulviroer ckllli t." ]

As he feels the looks of both halfling on him, Marik can't help but feel some deep emotions stirring inside him. It feels like words just start pouring out of his mouth.


[Language unknown: "T n...of...a iveesstinund est o arelatson n wheio ntenc heilates ort ate etstwi i thiastrea any iolat antaadmi oul nt....lo ckac andac loder hame'elto sentch adullisa. Son ntiortomeman ardit estlatcomhou, st sanessort thi m si. Avefo iclo nderedrut tha olnc, esites icet ceivse... illlarati, moll anhis hathit... sisi, nato ast, miho risaiv undlatare re utwh astic osecfo u pleve ted. Ma ecancaer osev-iond waeice mahi inilll e bleousati ntiounher k pl ck etusof...wil o ai ushion wabeac m omeanyout plthi hererethi oer k evseek niei."]

He pauses.

[Language unknown: "M ismiou ioin oveil fovor ouryinore n whmi"] he says looking at Finneas. [Language unknown: "No thohatany stiwerbut pe, ilndma ncplhi pro icaro asus se theho teai ac" ]he pursue, looking sadly at Filimena. [Language unknown: "Rowe P wenedi thiti venpo icion ni prinin en setearwhiect midile. Red sa isnot...anywa ess ardsa hou peni... mient lin erhe'atos honoetie...u verri eradayera...Ardtr....He te elac oures, Ho the se ectareichect P ore o rutri laron ai erel we tase niut orent ivre...ar hasthasti..." ]

He lower his head once more, stopping before Finneas or Filimena might see the small tear that started forming on the corner of his eye. He notes his right hand was gripping tightly the scabbard of his elven short sword as he spoke. He turns and frees it to give Rani some scritches, hoping it went unnoticed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:22, Tue 25 Oct 2022.

Finneas looks to Filimena with his head slightly tilted, [Language unknown: "In prek nawemamaat forandain urevirect."]

The halfling shrugs at his sister's silence then turns to Marik, [Language unknown: "Na outresoun p inngac hoiou te ca minobe wi m m erawil-ticnot ul n erour ecers evlo o k, ul He ulwhnd u sepoch er thaul linmennce il osdiin and areeenlar eeee plwimi."]

Filimena chooses to overlook the fact that her brother has apparently decided to ignore her suggestion for now. "We came here to look for you, actually. The offer of drinks extends to us, presumably?" She looks at him innocently.

Finneas nods, "Of course, I'm heading out in the morning for Pallem.  Hoping to reach Spineguard in a couple of days if the usual raiders aren't about.  So next week I'll be back north of the Spine I think."

Filimena lets out a breath of air, disappointed. Is that all he wanted to say? After luring her in with the book, and the note, leading them on this little game of chase? There's so much more she wants to know. But it hardly seems fair to protest him leaving, after she left herself without a word.

"I see. Seems like you're quite the traveller yourself now. Like I said, we really only came down here looking for you, so I guess I'll just stay the night and hang out around here. But if we don't get the chance to talk again... It was really good to see you again. I mean it. Say hi to mum and dad for me. I'll write, of course. Let them know where I am. And you know where I am now too. Feel free to come by if you're ever in town again. No need to sneak notes into suspicious books." She grins somewhat cheesily.

"You could always come with me."

Filimena frowns and lets out a long sigh. "You know I can't do that," she says, sadly. "I have responsibilities here now. There's something happening in this city. Something that isn't right. I'm not sure what it is yet, but it feels like something we need to figure out. Not to mention the tavern..."

Filimena gets up from her chair and turns to look her brother in the eye, then turns to look at the people around them. "It was wrong for me to leave then. It would be wrong for me to leave now, too. I can't change the past, but the future... well that's in the making."

She taps a finger against the table, thinking for a bit before continuing. "You know, there are opportunities here. What kind of job were you doing in Titan's Gate? You need a store front? We have one. Kind of." She looks towards Marik, then back again. "And, Titan's Gate is on the water too. Just saying." She let's the hint of a mischievous smile show on her face.

Marik doesn't quite know how to act in this last exchange, already feeling he said too much or something inappropriate. He noticed Finneas talking to Filimena in their mother tongue, probably to ask her if he's crazy or what his deal is. He prefers to stay silent and see how this plays out.

"You can't leave without a drink at least," Finneas waves to one of the passing staff, a young half-elf woman, and gestures in a circle to the table to which the half-elf nods as they move thru the space.

"Wait wait wait ... You want ME to try and convince our folks to move all the way down here to Titan's Gate?  That's a tough sell ... even for me," he pauses as the server comes by and deposits a trio of mugs at the table. "Thank you Podo," Finneas says as he deposits a few coins into her hand.  Podo smiles, nods, and wanders off into the crowd dropping drinks off at other tables.

"Now, I understand responsibilities just not terribly sure how you became an tavernkeep"

Filimena accepts the drink and raises it to a silent toast.

"Well I was planning to write, actually, but... I thought there was a chance I might need a bit of extra endorsement," She chuckles, taking her first cup of the beer, then gazes down at it, frowning slightly. "I know it isn't fair, after running away, and after all these years, to expect mum and dad to pack up everything to come here... It's just a suggestion, you know? I'm just saying, it's an option."

"As for how we ended up with the tavern..." Filimena looka up at the ceiling, eyes widening. "Where do we even begin." She begins to give a brief summary of how she and Marik had accepted a job to rescue someone who had been kidnapped, traced his location to the hideout of a local gang, found themselves in the sewers under Titans Gate facing off a brain with legs and, of all things, a mindflayer.

"And then, instead of being paid in cash, like we were hoping, we got this house instead, which, shall we say, had some 'prior residents who weren't keen on leaving'." She gestures some air quotes.

"So you two sort of got taken by that fella, then?"  Finneas says with a raised eyebrow.  "Or did you want to become business owners?"

[Language unknown: "Starof butsetday ll ionhiskor ch urethuiontra nolait"] respond the elf. [Language unknown: "Om ekheta m heplas loivlo rilait erhahe po Nc evewhidin ol oveta a th sa hath nance ticom"]
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:47, Tue 29 Nov 2022.

Filimena shrugs. "Yeah, I was a little annoyed at first, but... Starting to like it, kind'a. What about yourself? You running some kind of trade?"

"Oh me?  I'm doing a little of a lot,"  Finneas says off-handedly then takes a swig of beer.  He gestures at the bag slung over his seat, "Working on a verity of trinkets, occasionally singing or playing, and interviewing folks I meet."

Filimena perks up at this. "Interviewing folks, you say? You must hear a lot of interesting stories!"

"Of course! though if I told them to you well then ... then you won't read the book I'm working on." Finneas replies, grinning.  He pats the satchel that's hanging behind. "Some Zahatharb fellow I met in The Scoundrel and Dirk got me a line on a publisher, which to be honest was far more legitimate than I expected."

Filimena bursts into a wide grin and raises her drink to a toast. "That's incredible! Congratulations! When will it be out? I look forward to reading it!"

Something nags at her, though. Where has she heard the name "Zahatharb" before? "Hmmm," she begins, once the excitement dies down a little. "This person you met at the Scoundrel and Dirk. Zahatharb, you said their name was? What did they look like?"

OOC: I know it's Disanz. But I had to check to confirm it, so I think Filimena would have to as well =P

It doesn't take long for Finneas' description to line up with what Filimena knows of Disanz.  The rest of the folks at The Pilgrim's Hall don't seem to be paying your group any mind, though a few to keep looking at Ironclad who's standing unmoving near the table.

Filimena can't decide if she feels more amused or annoyed. She must have mentioned to Disanz at some point about her looking for her brother, right? She doesn't quite remember, but it seems like something that must surely have come up at some point. "That's the guy I was talking about, who uh... gave us the building on Snakeskull Alley in exchange for rescuing his friend. How long ago did you meet him?"

After ordering another round, Finneas replies, "A couple or three weeks back," then downs his beer. "Nice chap, little full of himself though."

Filimena chuckles. "He's alright. I should introduce you to Ironclad. He's been travelling the world, learning about things too, it seems. Maybe not interviewing people per se, but sort of the same deal right? You could be friends."

The motionless suit of armor waves at Finneas, which frightened a few folks nearby,  "Ironclad was design to be a good traveling companion. As Ironclad does not eat, drink, nor need to sleep."

Marik is intrigued. That can't be right. All life is touched by spirits in some ways.

"What.. do you... need then?" he ask the ironclad. "Surely...you must run on something? Fire? Water? Rocks? Or maybe...[Language unknown: wasomeandeen]...hum...sparks? Like those other... constructs we saw in Jzadirune?"


OOC: Just realized (late, I know) that Ironclad matter-of-fact statement raised quite an interesting point. Since I don't want to hold the party too much and this conversation appears to be wrapping up, maybe we could open a new thread where we return to the tavern to press forward while I continue the conversation with a few more post with Ironclad in this thread?
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:15, Mon 23 Jan 2023.

Ironclad states simply that they have yet to require rest or sustenance of any type.

The night wears on and as the city gates are closed, you are offered space at The Pilgrim's Hall to spend the night. Hankerin, Kodo, and Podo are always wandering thru taking care of folks needs, as well as making sure things never get too rowdy.

Finneas floats around abit, talking with most everyone from the look of things, he does stop by from time to time to check in on you, and folks keep offering to buy you another round as the Finders of Jzadirune.


OOC: Any other questions feel free to ask, we can either start a new thread as you return to SnakeSkull Tavern or anywhere inbetween.

At some point during the evening, having imbibed multiple rounds of ale, Filimena allows herself to be swept up in the moment, hopping onto a table and entertaining the crowd with a tale from the party's time in Jzadirune, surprising even herself!

Afterwards, she keeps a look out for her brother, hoping to catch him before things get a little too out of control, to ask him how best to keep in touch. "You can always write to me at Snakeskull Manor here. Even if I'm not in town to receive it, I'll have one of our staff hold it for me till I get back. But what about yourself? I don't suppose you really have anything like a permanent address. If I write to the folks, will they be able to forward anything to you?

OOC: Hehe. I don't think this is very like Filimena's character, but then she's finally spoken to her brother!

22:20, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 18 using d20+5+d4, rerolling ones with rolls of 11,2.  Performance with Guidance.

I'm okay to start the next thread back at Snakeskull Alley. Can't really think of where else Filimena would go at this point. I don't really have any questions to ask, other than the above, but if Marik has anything he wants to explore RP-wise, I'm okay to keep this thread running in parallel as well, like we did with Ghelve's Locks?