"I didn't think you would care who took the master bedroom Finn as you most likely will stay up all night carousing." The blonde half-elf responds with a weak smile, doing her best to counter although not being in particular playful mood, but then she simply shrugs. "You go ahead and have your bath then Finn." She says plainly, not being in the mood for an argument, taking her glass of wine over to one of the sofas, waiting for her turn.

     "No worries Ty, just winding you up.  Go ahead...  Or Jararaka or Jirel, perhaps.  They got the worst of the ash and dirt, I think.  But it may make sense for the cleanest to go first.  Not sure we'll be getting five full baths of water brought up, may just wam it up as needed.  Anyway, Misses Binklesworth is back and she's not a fan of the water, so I will pass for now," Finn says to try to make sure Tylaerys knows he's not really bothered by any of it.  

     "Whoever takes the room is going to have visitors splashing around for a while though..."

     While waiting for the kids life story and for everyone else to work out who bunks where and bathes when, Finn really is indifferent to it, the bard does spend some time rearranging their kit and clothes.  Weapons are readjusted, disguise kit dipped into to help with alternate clothes and styles.  Finn had done a slapdash job of adjusting everything when they adopting this mask after Sweetjen's, adopting the new persona will be more complete now that they have time to really adjust the clothes and such as well.  ((Not doing more physical changes, just more efficiently changing style of dress and small details that matter - wearing swords differently, shining up the breastplate, etc...))

Jararaka hums amusedly at the suggestion to feed the Guild and the Flaming Fist false information, "I'm down for that. Kind of pisses me off now remembering them acting all like 'no evidence means no Cult'."

"Gimme one of the top bunks, I like it up there." Jararaka interjects as she nods along to Yeshil's story, though looking slightly confused because she has, in fact, not heard of what happened in Luskan. She does wince a little at hearing that the entire family had been buried in the burning debris, but distracts herself by picking out the fishbones stuck between her teeth. Compared to Finn, Jararaka's question to Yeshil is more curious than suspicious, and her eyes linger on the strange growth on the girl's head, "Arcane Brotherhood sounds like the magical bunch, you've got magic too?"

She looks intrigued when Yeshil pulls out the lockpicks, "eh, all's easier when you know how to hold yer breath." But when the box remains stubbornly closed, she receives it from Finn and leans down to peer at the lock.

"Bounty, huh... looks like they expect us to have a bounty on our heads, if not already, soon-- the way we were just asking around. Good instincts, Finn, who knows if these Crossers'd just turned us in if the offer was right." Noticing the lack of input from Tylaerys, Jararaka assumes it's the explosion that had blown away the usual enthusiasm. She waves a hand, "Ty or Jirel go take a dip, I'm used to rolling 'round in the mud and leaves... or soot, kind of a same thing."

She then produces her own set of thieves' tools, mutters a prayer for smooth lock-picking and good finds, and tries to get the box to open. If this doesn't work, it will have to be Jirel and her sheer strength again... [Thieves' Tools check: 11 + 3 dex + 2 prof + 4 guidance = 20]

Yeshil still has her lockpick in the lock when Finn snatches the box back, causing it to bend. A very mature curse word escapes her lips, and she looks at Finn indignantly as he reprimands her, then replies with attitude:

First of all, I'm not a kid, okay! I'm fifteen! And I have a job! Em-ploy-ment! Do you know what that even is?

She sits back in a huff, with arms crossed and eyes rolling. But there are four adults in this room and she needs their help to get her job done. How does the saying go? You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. So with another prompt question from Jararaka to soften things up some more, Yeshil smiles and expounds:

I've been at the Host Tower of the Arcane in Luskan for a couple of years, studying magic and stuff. It's more like having a job than going to an academy - kind of a mutual arrangement - the Brotherhood support my education, and I help them out with stuff. Anyway, I was heading for Candlekeep and stopped here when we found out about the dragon attack and the Cult and the Red Wizards. They asked me to put a hold on my trip south and look into stuff in Baldur's Gate: Where did the Cult take our gold and what's the deal with the Red Wizards getting bumped off. So far I haven't found out much. I met a few people who I'm sure are part of the Guild, but they're shut up tighter than a paladin's poontang, and anyone that gets too voicey ends up taking swimming lessons in the harbor. It's getting dangerous and I'm kind of out of leads...

And with that she looks again at the locked box... and looks impressed when Jararaka works her own set of lockpicks with skill.

Finn's mention of the 'old me' and what that means goes over Yeshil's head.

At this time the bath is ready and as hot as it is ever going to be.

Perhaps Yeshil softened up the lock for Jararaka?  Whatever the case, while the box lock refused to yield for the young woman, it opens easily for the lizardfolk.

The inside of the lockbox is divided into two compartments.  One side holds stacks of papers and note pads.  The other side holds coin trays.  A total of 25gp, 50sp and 100cp are neatly arranged in their trays.

"Yer tongue may be sharp Little One, best not get careless with it." Jirel cautions in Draconic, her tone a low a deep grumble from the dialect. While impressed by the range of languages, there was genuine reason for gentle concern when such tongues are wielded by pubescent youngsters. Especially if she were to recognize the tongue of the devils. Then, her voice drops to an even deeper baritone. "But do you know the language of the giants?" While deep in tone, even with the nature of the Giant language and dialect, the giantess had an air of elegance when speaking in her ancestral tongue. A language she currently believes she has 'no right' to be speaking... A language she hasn't spoke, or heard, in years.

Jirel's stance didn't waiver at the counter until Tylaerys bowed in reference to her. A bit stunned, she could only blink and shift a little uncomfortably at the unexpected gesture. She eventually places a gentle hand on the half-elf's shoulder to encourage that those formalities were not necessary, while still showing respect for Tylaerys' more formal ways of conducting socially. The goliath was happy to move on to the room, following the group from the back, and minding her head as she walked.

Food. Jirel is equally distracted by it, just as quickly joining Jaraka to the sea bass and ale. While she doesn't inhale the bones, she sure sucked them clean quickly and would down her first ale just as fast. She'd be mindful to make sure others had their fill, however couldn't be helped to be indulgent with enjoying a bit more. "Yes," Jirel grunts in agreement when Finn calls out for extra water to refresh the bath at least two or three times. "Wouldn't wanna throw the Little One out with the bath water..." She mutters off in jest as if trying to reference some old gibberish her nan used to say.

Naturally, it wouldn't be long before the giantess couldn't stand watching the bellhop struggle, labouring after their bath when she could have maybe done it in one trip. Jirel would impose and insist on going down on his last trip to grab a larger pale/tub/container, (maybe even extra snacks), to bring up the extra bath water for them. She'd share her bath with Tylaerys to spare water for the others. Of course, Jirel would be willing to pay more to the establishment for the extra accommodations, and tip the exhausted bellhop from her own pockets.

Once the group was left alone in the room, Jirel remained silent and observant as always. She needed to think. And that takes a while. So, the warrior sniffs around, familiarizes herself with the room, all the windows, all the doors, all doorways, any vents etc. As she did, the giantess was actively listening to the conversation flowing around her, busying herself with entertaining the thought of looking for any secret compartments. Maybe she was being nosey, but her instincts would carry her around the rooms, curiously wondering why it would be so important that they leave it so pristine and untouched; why they were threatened if something should happen to the room; why they needed to be on their best behaviour; if it was normal to be checked on every 30 minutes; and who could be so important to have this room throughout the festival.

A bounty on their head. Jirel grumbles. Considering her own kin may have a bounty on her head, that price could prove to be climbing quite high. While Finn and others may not be gravely concerned or giving this much more thought, it indeed made the giantess quite uncomfortable with the news. She'd also be guilty of shooting a look when there was fussing about the baths. They weren't the ones who were literally blown up.

"You may not be concerned 'bout being identified." The giantess eventually breaks her silence after Finn may have ruffled some feathers and ruffles through their disguises. "But yer other face," Honey hues meet theirs, "Made it one great, unfergetable, spectacle in Greenest." She reminds. They'd know Jirel's. "They know ours." Even she knew it wouldn't take long, or much, for them to get an accurate description of her, Tylaerys and Jararaka. Goliath, dragonscale half elf and a lizardperson. It wasn't like the three of them had uniquely defining features they could just shift away from. Not to mention the messenger literally ran into her. "Don't dismiss it carelessly." She simply cautions. Jirel didn't believe it would take much for persons to 'connect the dots'.

"An' am I the only one wonderin' 'bout the 'big whig' needing this room?" Jirel tosses the thought out there as she stands up and prepares to head for her bath. Was she just being suspicious? She'd leave the team of mischief to bond, and fuss, over the lockpicking. It was heartwarming even though the giantess may not express it. It was in good hands.

"If you're planning to splash around I suggest a visit to the harbor." The blonde half-elf quips back at Finn, cheering up slightly again, getting up from the sofa to get her precious bath, though as Jararaka opens the box she stops by the table and peeks inside. "Pays for our stay here at least, unless we want to send it to some relatives back in Thay." She says with a wink and a quick smile. Before leaving she listens to the green-skinned girl with the attitude again. She seemed a tough one, particularly for being so young. Tylaerys didn't believe the Arcane Brotherhood was on the best of terms with the Harpers, or the other factions that sought to oppose the cult for that matter, but for now their objectives seemed the same. It was a pity though the girl was out of leads, they could certainly do with some of those now. She then nods in agreement with Jirel. "The cult seems well entrenched already and clearly has the upper hand. We must expect them to find out who we are and why we are here so we'd better stay vigilant all the time while in Baldur's Gate." She says in a more serious tone now, pausing to think for a moment. "As we have no clear leads maybe we could play a gambit and set someone in the team up to be found by the cult, making them reveal themselves. Or maybe Finn could pose as Dovnod Imbros who miraculously survived the blast to draw them out in the open." She says, turning to Finn at the end. "It's dangerous of course, but you wouldn't want it any other way right?" She adds with another wink. As Jirel mentions the 'big whig' the half-elf nods again. "It would be quite a coincidence if whoever is having this suite after us would be connected to the cult, but I too am certainly curious about it, definitely worth checking out so I thought I might turn myself, or someone else, invisible to sneak and check the ledger later. First thing first though..." She finishes, leaving for her bath, stopping in the door, silvery eyes looking back at the blonde giantess. "You'd have to be gentle with me in that bath, I'm such a tender one..." She says with a playful smile before disappearing into the master bedroom.

Jirel, the bellhop seems slightly ashamed to accept your help but not enough to refuse the assistance.  He does adamantly refuse any tip, acknowledging that your help with the last buckets was more than enough.  On your trip downstairs, you are able to place an order for more snacks (another round of dinners for everyone would be a total of 3gp... for just another basket of bread it would be 3sp). 

Make an investigation check for your search of the room.

Quote from ZorgAlmighty >>

First of all, I'm not a kid, okay! I'm fifteen! And I have a job! Em-ploy-ment! Do you know what that even is?

 

      "It's pronounced 'employment'," Finn says with mock patience.  "All one word.  Like fifteen... which is an age kids are."

     Then Finn notices the bent metal tool and winces.  "Sorry about that...  The new one is on me, eh?  And if you're around long enough maybe you could show me how to use them bits and bobs?"

     Finn listens thoughtfully as Jirel scolds him a bit about the ability of the others to be identified.  He takes that to heart but doesn't fully agree.  "You have a point...  But that's assuming that cultists from Greenest first paid enough attention and were impressed by us enough to remember us, second made their way here and third got clued in that a troupe matching out likenesses were here poking around about them.  We were split up in Greenest almost as often as working together and the guy from Sweetjen's shouldn't likely know the makeup of our party... Just that there was four of us.  And as luck has it know, to further confuse things, there's five of us now." Finn looks to the kid when he adds the last bit.  ((Actually we had... umm Cheddar with us back at Greenest but Yeshil is obviously not a cat person.))

     "So yes, we need be careful...  But I don't think we need be overly worried just yet."

     Looking around the room a bit when the topic is brought up, Finn shrugs.  "Honestly I just figured someone with money had reserved it.  Have to keep the well heeled happy, can't have ruffians like ourselves leaving behind a mess to spoil their day or anything.  But again, being careful and curious couldn't hurt..."  Finn would lend his help in the investigation of the room.

Yeshil's eyes flick from one person to the other, trying to make sense of the conversation without any context. Finally she asks: So, uh... who's this guy from Sweetjen's? And what happened in Greenest?

She also watches Jararaka carefully to see what the papers in the box comprise, holding herself back from leaping at them like she did with the box itself.

DM:

     "On the bridge, small vendor selling spices.  Was told they may be able to point us to the cult, went to talk to them but got the wrong vibes so bailed.  The guy is the one I mentioned wanted a part of any bounty," Finn explains, throwing in a description of the pair if it seems like Yeshil may have any chance of recognizing them.

     "Greenest was attacked.  By a dragon and the cultists.  Looted.  Mostly smash and grab.  We were nearby.  Did what we could.  That eventually led us here..."

Quote from Kaemgen >>

I think we're all keeping an eye on the box and papers?  Some of us just not so hasty as to try to snatch them away from the scary Lizardperson!  :)

 No doubt, no doubt. The intent is not for me to get one over on the other players. I believe the DM has indicated elsewhere that PvP is not good form. Rather it's simply to introduce some more aspects of Yeshil's skills and personality through RP.  Happy to get caught!

Yeshil continues putting pieces of the puzzle together, and inquires further...

Oh, so that's what you were talking about when you mentioned 'treasures'? The looting of Greenest? Huh! So the cult didn't just loot Luskan then. I wonder if they are hitting other places too. And Greenest is south, so the treasure you're following is heading north, toward Luskan. Maybe they are gathering it somewhere in between?

And this guy from Sweetjen's. I take it your familiar followed him into the Lower City? Could you find the place he went to? If you're trying to spy on people... I might be able to help with that.

((lol, no worries.  Knew Finn would fail, just like imagery of the papers floating by as he somehow misses it.))

     “Yeah, our info says here.  This city.  This is the hub for all the treasures they’re looting.” Finn confirms.  “Just don’t know the precise location or why here or how they’re getting it out..  and where to.., and all the rest.”

     ((As for if Misses Binklesworth could find the locations or identify the people the Sweetjen’s guy visited, I got distracted from checking with DM on that. lol))

Jirel grumbles and shakes her head to Finn's words. She finds them narrow minded to be thinking about the cultists being the only ones to provide the information; be the only ones seeking that information; be the only ones seeking them; and/or too dumb to piece things together. Those weren't just the doors of cultist members the messenger was knocking on, she was sure of it. Any one looking for gold, no different than Finn themself, could follow the information trail quite easily, in the same way they would. Pubs. All they had to do was follow the trail too, or start in Greenest, and listen to the local tale of the 'Heroes of Greenest'. It's not like the group's been discrete. And even if your basic bounty hunter couldn't figure that out, the giantess would put her money on The Garbage Men if they were to catch whiff of their new lucrative scent. Top it off with the coin sack she's been carrying around. Call her paranoid. They could agree to disagree agree. She accepts his help with a grunt.

Investigation: 7

Quote from ixi >>

They could agree to disagree agree. She accepts his help with a grunt.

Investigation: 18

 
(Whoops extra agree in there.)
(Jirel wouldn't be paying close attention to the lockbox scenario. By then she'd either be distracted by what she may or may not have found, then on her way to the master bedroom for their bath.)

Yeshil is able to grasp and retrieve the papers with her mage hand.

 Jirel doesn't find anything dangerous or suspicious in her search.  She does turn up two mildly interesting finds...

Yeshil scans the papers surreptitiously, trying to remain nonchalant as she continues the conversation with the others, while thinking about what she sees.

Huh, nothing but boring business-related stuff. No maps or letters or anything. But then why would he keep these under lock and key? Is there something sensitive about them?

Yeshil examines the papers more closely, and taking less care to remain secretive, but searching for anything that might indicate communication with another important party, or transactions that would be significant enough to remain hidden... or perhaps anything that might be written in code, hidden within numbers and figures.

Investigation: 26

Not sure what happened there. I just picked basic d20 roll from the tooltip, and got a natural 20. But when I hover over it, it says 100d20, drop 99 lowest. Does anyone else see that? 

My post log still shows [ roll]1d20+6[ /roll]

Jararaka worked on the box, and sighs with the talk of getting recognised, "Jirel ain't wrong. M'cloak's good enough but it's not like it'll hide my claws and tail. And we are an outstanding bunch. But hey, us being at Greenest and now here at Baldur's Gate, that could all be 'coincidence'. If we build a front or something, or just stay on the down low. They've got bigger things to worry about anyway, like, the Alliance. Maybe we should actually get a job in the city... with Blackrim, for example."

When the lock pops opens, she doesn't look at it immediately, focusing on the conversation, "huh, the disguise idea might just work... it'll be risky though, I bet the guards would like to to speak to the shopkeeper who's still miraculously alive."

Turning back to the box, and seeing the coins first, she sniffs, "oh, is this just the cash box...... hey, hold up, why's this paper floating?!" But quickly, she sees the paper land in Yeshil's hands, and rolls her eyes a little, "my Lord, I thought there's magic acting up in this box. Gimme a warning the next time. Any maps to the Cult in there?"

Noticing the investigation around the room, she hums and sits back in her chair, starting a slow chant. [casting detect magic as a ritual!] With the spell active, she gives the room a once over again.

[also zorg I'm seeing a nat20 for a 26 on your investigation check but if I hover over it, it says roll 100d20 drop lowest too :0 I think it's a forum roller issue again?]

Jararaka, completing your ritual, your nictitating membranes slide across your eyes, and you are able to see in an entirely new spectrum, picking up the subtle energies of magic nearby as they radiate through the weave of reality.

 Yeshil, thoroughly reviewing the documents takes you a full hour of quiet reading.