After pushing and various wall panels, Imra realizes the party's just in a gaming parlor.

"huh..... I uh....... I'm not used to the city... I think this is just the parlor.... I'll hold onto the letter, does anyone else want to stay with me to make sure I don't get pick pocketed as we find our rooms?  I think we should find our rooms and two of us take the letter right there.  Or do we want to keep it here and take shifts in this room?  Is this parlor part of our arranged rooms?"

Asledin pinches the bridge of his nose, thinking, then says, "This room is paid fer the week, it will hold us all, and, barrin' any secret, trap, or hidden doors, it is defendable.  With one door, and that small window, we can control access.  If we split up into suites, then we will open things up, allow easier access but make sumthin' of a shell game for those tryin' to get the letter.".  "Anyone know the law here?", Asledin continues, "If someone tries to take from us, what can we do in return?".  Asledin thinks a little more and says, "Of course, there might be merit in takin a different parlor room...".  Looking around the room, Asledin gives a shrug, "We dun know anyone's motives, including the one who dropped the coin on this room."

Quote from Waerlak >>

Asledin pinches the bridge of his nose, thinking, then says, "This room is paid fer the week, it will hold us all, and, barrin' any secret, trap, or hidden doors, it is defendable.  With one door, and that small window, we can control access.  If we split up into suites, then we will open things up, allow easier access but make sumthin' of a shell game for those tryin' to get the letter.".  "Anyone know the law here?", Asledin continues, "If someone tries to take from us, what can we do in return?".  Asledin thinks a little more and says, "Of course, there might be merit in takin a different parlor room...".  Looking around the room, Asledin gives a shrug, "We dun know anyone's motives, including the one who dropped the coin on this room."

 (the main Haven thread has the very detailed laws of the land. https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/play-by-post/110004-worlds-of-pphost-haven#c3.) 

Dyumi will slip out to ask Theran about which rooms they have reserved for them, then come back in to talk.

To reply to Asledin, "Remember, that even if it is legal to attack or do something to someone who steals from us, the contents of the envelope may be illegal or contriband. Drawing the authorities very well could require us to turn over the envelope, so we would need something else to be what they stole from us." Douglas will try to helpfully provide.

Seeing Dyumi going to see Theran, Douglas is relieved. "Once we know what rooms we have, and what limits the owners put on our movements, we can work out the details of our plan. From my count a majority seem to want to keep the letter in one room. Not play a shell game and not risk carrying it where it could be lifted. Is that correct and agreed?" Douglas asks.

"I agree we should try to avoid contact with the authorities unless absolutely necessary," Ula says, nodding at Douglas. "This envelope business seems shady. I've no problem doing the job, but I'd rather not risk getting *caught* on the wrong side of the law." 

Ula thinks a little more about the different plans that have bern suggested. "I vote that we should keep the letter in one room and take shifts guarding it. But maybe we could also have a few decoys made, to be carried when we take turns mingling in the tavern. To try and get an idea of who is looking for it. Or is that too convoluted of a plan?"

Douglas casts Prestidigitation, "Make it appear like we exchange the envelope outside the room? Not complicated at all."  Douglas holds out his hand producing an (illusionary) exact duplicate of the envelope. Turns his hand over and it disappears.

"We have to pick a plan.  Someone needs to find out what rooms are ours.  I can do that if someone else wants to hold onto the letter."

Imra shakes the envelope, creasing the paper slightly.

"Hold onto it for now Imra. Dyumi just left. Give him a few minutes." Douglas makes a  patting down motion in the air with his right hand.

 To Dyumi

Dyumi runs back into the room.

"Lads, we need ta figure something out quick, Theran and Raskin's waitin' to give us a tour of our rooms. Someone pocket the letter and we'll just stick close together during the tour."

Asledin looks at Imra, nods and says, "Lookin like you got the duty."  After glancing at the letter he continues, "Stash that, and lets go as a group.".

"Imra keep the letter! Stick it in a your tunic, a pouch, or your breeches. Just physically keep your hand on the letter. Everyone else have one of your hands in your tunic,  in a pouch, whatever so it can't be seen. Like you are carrying the letter until we can get alone again in a room together." Douglas cobbles together quickly. He sticks his right hand under his shirt. Occasionally he uses his Prestidigitation to make a copy of the letter in his right hand so a bit shows out from under his shirt before he adjusts his hand. This will happen several times as he moves with the others.

 .

As Soriah follows the others out of the room, she wonders what she has gotten herself mixed up in.  There could be anything in that letter.  Contraband.  Body parts. A magical bomb.  I really think we should have a look inside....

She swivels her lute around and starts to absently pluck a melody, sprightly and inspiring, and whispers the name "Imra".

You head out into the Dragon's main room. Theran is at the bar. There are 5 booths along one wall. Two of them are set up with card tables, two are empty and one is set up for dice. There are three lanes with targets for either darts or daggers. The stage is fairly large, 15'x15'. There are several long tables and quite a few small round tables. There aren't many people there. A Tiefling just finished his breakfast and is heading out. There is a woman sitting alone at a table near the bar. She is playing with an infant.

There are signs all over the walls, along with armor, stuff monster heads, and a weird assortment of other items. You notice a sign over the door

"There aren't many people this time of day. It's well after breakfast and we don't get many people for lunch. It really starts filling up till mid-afternoon" Theran tells you "Is Raskin still in there?" she asks

You hear the town bell strike 11

Imra tucks the letter beneath his armor and his shirt, against his skin.  He follows the party out, staying in the middle of the group.  He 

Slight of hand : 17 (used inspiration)
Performance: 3

In an attempt to look nonchalant, Imra stays in the middle of the group and whistles a cheery little tune.

(Tune sounds like the Pink Panther theme song)

.

Asledin follows behind Irma with his left hand under his tunic.  Listening to the tune Irma is whistling, he says in a low voice, "That tune sounds familiar."

When they reach the bottom floor, he shakes his head in answer to Theran's question.  The mention of food elicits a low grumble from Asledin's mid-section.  Asledin frowns in thought, then mumbles to Irma, "Are we really gonna to stay in this tavern for a week?  That alone will look suspicious.".  Asledin looks around the room.

Perception: 13 

"Uh, No. He left after asking somethings of us for pay. He seemed...cagey?", Douglas responds out loud both archaic and awkwardly, but his attempt to use a more modern form of cagey means he is attempting to adapt his speech poorly. 

He is looking about the tavern as if searching for the Kenku as he speaks. " Because he seemed a bit off, Raskin was the Kenku who rented that gaming room correct? He said he rented a suite for us here for a week and that you could provide the details of that please? I realize it generally goes without mention, and I can read the sign, but could you mention what you consider improper behavior and proper behavior? If we are to be with you for a week we would like to be good guests."

Douglas will look around the group to see if everyone agrees, "Then I believe we would like to see the room, get settled, before coming down for lunch. If that is acceptable?"

"Rooms here include 2 meals, including a drink each day" Theran tells you. With a smile she's suddenly back in 'Innkeeper mode' "I can have the cook get started on lunch while I show you the suite. The menu (and more) is here"

[Feel free to submit an order for lunch when you can and we'll say you did it here]

Theran leads you up one of the two staircases that flank the bar. There is a 4'x6' landing with railing. There is a side table with a drawer next to the large door. Inside is a 15'x15' sitting room with two armoires, a small table that seats 4, chairs, a sofa and 5 cots, still rolled up. There is a small fireplace.

Imra and Flint

 "The suite is very popular for exclusive parties and special guests and newlyweds. Oh, and the bedroom has a killer view" she tells you as she opens the door. It's a beautifully furnished room but what catches your attention is outside the large window. As one of the taller buildings in the Scholars, you get a stunning view of 'the Device' on top of Cassandra's Magic, just a few streets away.

The room is 10'x10', there is a large bed, armoire, standing mirror and a dresser. There is a very small fireplace that connects to the fireplace in the sitting room.

There is a 5'x10' private washroom/water closet, with a door to the sitting room that latches from the inside and a door to the bedchamber that latches from the outside.

Once you're all in the sitting-room Theran closes the door and gets serious for a moment "to answer your questions Douglas, I didn't see Raskin leave that door and if I didn't see it, it didn't happen" she says with absolute certainty "As for 'proper behavior', if I were to kick people out for doing some clandestine operation, backroom deal, special mission or dubious dealings I'd lose more than half my business. But folks, there are things about this that don't add up. There's a lot going on I don't understand and I get the feeling you know even less. Just be careful and don't do anything to damage my business. Keep in mind the Dragon is more than just my livelihood, my business, my 'place'. It's the roof I keep over my wife and child. Screw with that at your peril" the smile returns as she goes back into 'Innkeeper mode' again "Shall we see about lunch?"

 [Addition to above]

"Raskin only rented the back room for the day, but it's yours however you want to use it till tomorrow morning" Theran tells you

"Thank you, Theran. Both for your profession help and your opinion. We are in over our heads, but we accepted, so we will do our best to finish this without it getting out of hand." Douglas will tell her straight. "If we find things are going to turn violent, we will inform you immediately. You have our word on that."

"We will be right down for lunch. We need to get settled, make some decisions, and divide up tasks. But I would really like some bread, cheese and fruit. A nice light beer would be grand. Do you have Pilsners here? Sorry. We just need some time." Douglas will smile awkwardly.

 .