Morning turned into afternoon before the man known as Disanz Zahatharb arrives.

Disanz appears in a bit of disarray but still greets the trio with a smile before looking to the dwarf owner of the establishment, "Shakurd a round for me and my friends, please."  Disanz gestures to an empty table far from those gathered around the fire in the center of the room.

Once all have settled it, Disanz look at each of you sheepishly as he says, “I confess that I have but few coins to spare. But never let it be said that Disanz reneges on a promise. Allow me to present something much more valuable.” He holds out a scroll tube. “The deed to a remarkable property here in Titan's Gate ! We’ll need a magistrate to witness the transfer of ownership. I’ll arrange a meeting with one after you’ve inspected the estate and deemed it satisfactory.”
This message was last edited by the player at 21:53, Sun 13 June 2021.

Filimena quickly drains the rest of her cider. "Indeed!" She says loudly, smiling sideways in a manner that makes it plain she is only pretending to be impatient. "What does it take for a lady to get a refill around here?" Her eyes linger curiously on Marik, wondering what thoughts are passing through that sharp elven mind of his. Another time, she supposes. Business is at hand.

"Deed...magistrate...owner" repeat Marik under his breath after Disanz, as if to make sure he understood clearly all words. Disanz is offering them...a house?


Why would he need a house, especially in this city? He already has one, far up north, where he can return.


He is about to politely refuse ( or at least try), by saying they are not supposed to stay in this city for long. They were ready to go out just a day ago (feels like month it seems..) to seek Filimena's brother.  And while they decided to delay to help Disanz and things got more complicated with the presence of elven artefacts and a Illithid under the city, Marik figured they would be on their way soon. Especially given the propective of being embroiled in a gang war they have no business in.

Still, he hesitate. Even if only temporary, a house could serve them as a good base of operation, the time to hunt down and kill the illithid and learn more about  other elven artefacts that could have made their way here. Might also be preferable to avoid the logistics of finding place for Rani in the cramped inn room. Maybe the inn patrons would appreciate too. While Shakurd have been nothing but welcoming to the giant ball of fur, Marik noticed the uneasy glances of some patrons toward the giant cat happily chewing her boar steak in front of the fireplace.


"Hum...yes..inspect" respond mecanically the elf, still processing this.

Totally puzzled by the proposal, Raszire sits, lost in thought.

Raszire has always lived on the streets. How would he benefit from owning, at least part of, an estate? His mind races! He's never really settled into anything beyond the servitude of St. Fenwyn. Owning land? Binding one's self to land prevents one from travelling and spreading the blessings of one's patron.

He gestures, as if to speak, then looks around sheepishly, lowers himself back into his seat and closes his mouth. An estate...

"Friends, what do you say?" he slowly mumbles as he looks to Fil and Marik. "I mean, surely, there are other parties here that are more interested in this estate. Wouldn't this bring you more of a profit if offered to another land-owner?"

Raszire looks to his companions for their opinions...

Marik looks puzzled, visibly not understanding a single thing Raszire just said. Then it look like something just clicked as his face brighten.

"Estate...profit?...don't know these words but is like Gift to the Traveler, yes? ....Stay for time...thank spirits for provide shelter... and leave offerings for host and next traveler seeking...refuse...hum refuge...shelter, yes? Didn't know custom of Gift to the Traveler was known here." says Marik, with a glimmer of hope in the eye.

Surely this is what "profit" must mean if you share it with other parties?  he thinks. That's encouraging! Maybe the people of Titan's Gate know more about treating the land and the spirit host with respect than he tought.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:49, Fri 22 Nov 2019.

Filimena frowns. An estate? Here in Titan's Gate. Sure, the Algabassadur had led her here, and she had reason to believe they had an interest in her staying a while, but an estate was another thing entirely. She didn't fancy herself a landowner. If anything, that was the very life she had chosen to flee. "I don't think Raszire was referring refers to that, Marik," she says, gently. "I think he rather means we accept Disanz's gift of an estate, but sell it, and keep the money from the sale, rather the estate itself. Not a bad idea, although perhaps we should take a look at the thing first.

She turns to Disanz, a skeptical expression on her face. "Tell us more, sir. What sort of estate is this, and how did you come by it?"

Diza nods at Filimena as though he's expected the question, "Yes well ... umm," he pauses as though considering phrasing. "To be honest, the place is rumored to be haunted. You see I'm working on my next book Diza’s Guide to Spirits and Specters and thought the place might be a good starting point for the work."

A sheepish grin crosses his face, "As I owe you more than I have in my pocket, the property seemed a fair trade."

[Private to Filimena the Gentle:
Alley ^named for a skull
Manor _{without a} master
_Elf ^left a drift
]
This message was last edited by the player at 21:54, Sun 13 June 2021.

“Well there goes your idea,” Filimena says, smiling wryly at Raszire. “Can’t imagine there’s much demand for haunted houses. I suppose we ought to take a look at least. Where is this house? Down a dark alley, maybe, full of skulls?” She makes this last suggestion tentatively.

« I…don’t know…word...haunted…but course, spirits can become angry if not treated… with respect. Spirits, specters take…many forms…Some open to reconciliation…some not. But important...to heal...not further divide and agression. What can tell about these spirits? Describe?”


[Private to DM5:
OOC: As an animist with utmost respect for Spirits and the memory of the dead, Marik would like to make a Religion roll to recall information about different types of Spirits and specters and the rituals to appease them. If such a roll is possible, Marik would roll 17.
]

Raszire's brow drops, and his puzzled expression turns to one of beleaguered acceptance. He mumbles to himself, "Of course there's a catch. There's ALWAYS a catch..."

Addressing the group, he says, Filimena's right, we should at least view the estate before coming to a final decision. It would be impolite of us to deny your offer before thoroughly vetting it."

"Of course you may tour the property first, won't expect otherwise," Disa says with an easy confidence before looking deflated at Marik's question. "it is just a rumor, sadly I haven't started my investigation yet into the truth of the matter - could just be a hoax."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:54, Sun 13 June 2021.

OOC: ***comb his hair back, point a finger a la Phoenix Wright and says "INSIGHT CHECK!!!"

OOC: Marik rolls 17 for a Insight Check on Disanz statement that he doesn't know anything about the possibility of spirits. He study Disanz body langage to see if he's bullshitting them.

Marik winces and frown at Disanz statement. He tries to test the waters further.

"And what...rumors says? Surely....be something...worth looking...if investigate?"

ooc Disanz appears honest

FIlimena taps her left foot impatiently, quite conscious of the fact that Disanz hasn’t reacted at all to her very pointed question about alleys and skulls. “Ok well, shall we?”

Figuring he won't get any more information about the matter, Marik nod

"..Yes...maybe...pass shop before...see..if can buy some things...but before..."


He lean forward toward Disanz.

"We have...problem....problemS, more so that need attention...First one is....hum...You seem...well-traveled...Do you know illithids?"

[Private to Marik: Until you know more about the spirit you can only guess, though often spirits have something they feel they need to finish from their life.]
This message was last updated by the GM at 22:51, Thu 19 Dec 2019.

Filimena's ears perk up at the mention of "Snake Skull Alley". Alley named for a skull. Manor without a master. Elf left a drift, she repeats to herself silently. She refrains deliberately from commenting on the illithids.

"Know...weaknesses of...these? Ways to defend against...powers? Spells helpful?" ask Marik.


OOC: I know you said silently, but if you are muttering to yourself, would Marik be able to hear that? Passive perception 15.

"Disa, thank you very much for your candid discussion of the vile creatures and past tragedies. I know bringing up such memories can be traumatic and stressful at the very least. As Marik asked though, seeing as how you or those you're familiar with have had previous dealings with those nasty beings. Is there any advice you could pass along as to how to best them? Any vulnerabilities that you've been made aware of? We're trying to prepare for future run-in's with the fiends as I fear it's practically guaranteed that our paths will cross again."

Raszire thinks to himself, Snake Skull Alley, huh? Sounds ominous. I fear no Yuan-Ti, but I'm worried that this manor is bound to be more than what is being presented to us. I know St. Fenwyn is protecting me, I just hate walking into any situation unprepared...

 "My companions and I were fortunate enough to have a group of Gith save us from the illithids we ran into"  Disa drums his fingers along the table as he's thinking, "Overall they are weak physically, if you can keep in close combat then you're going to be better off then letting them be far from you. Still I'd suggest to avoid them friends."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:54, Sun 13 June 2021.

Filimena looks to her two companions. "Seems like we're being drawn into something quite otherworldly," she says, with a wry smile. "Maybe we'll be lucky and some Gith will come save us too!"

She turns to Disanz. "Or maybe we should get moving first, and see this house of yours. I must admit I'm getting rather curious about it now. We can always talk more there."

OOC: Sorry Marik. When I was imagining Filimena's reaction, I specifically imagined her not moving her lips. Haha. But I'll let our DM decide if 15 perception is enough to notice Filimena's ears perking up.