Brother Coltinar, "Ah an interesting traveling system."  He'll pull out 5 sp to use for his cost.  "Arr and Paladin you'll need 5 sp to pay for the ride to the lower city."

"This should be a wonderful experience."

Brother Coltinar proceeds onto the platform and pays his fare once everyone is ready to go.

Braxiel will stop anyone who is pulling out funds and he will say, “I told you I would fund this part of our excursion.”

6 folks x 5sp = 35 sp or 3 gold and 5sp. which I will pay.

Brother Coltinar, "My apologies Braxiel.  I had forgotten your intentions to pay.  Thank you."

Brother Coltinar adds his coins back into his coin pouch for later use.  He'll take in the sensory elements of this part of their travels taking in what he can.  "A marvelous adventure my friends.  We are lucky to have this moment.  Praise be to Dol Arras."

“Thanks Braxiel for covering our expenses,” states Arr with an air of excitement about them for descending into Sharn’s bowels. Arr eye Coltinar for their comment about a wonderful experience. They’ve been there on a few errands and the lower city won’t be anything comparable to last night’s indulgences. They’d certainly will keep an eye on their belongings perpetually and scan the shadows around doubly careful, “Best we are careful down there, what we had last night for dinner could feed people here for a whole week. We smell like coin and we might be taken for easy pickings.”
“Perhaps we can inquire in Terminus about the way,” they suggest when entering the lift.

As you enter the elevator, a moment before the doors close, a goblin rushes in. His expression is severe, and he doesn't greet anyone.

Bryn's gesture of goodwill doesn't go unnoticed – the human holding the child offers a sincere smile and softly thanks him. The elevator begins to descend smoothly. Its movement is almost imperceptible, its walls adorned with intricate patterns and symbols, indicating the mechanism's arcane nature. The symbol of House Cannith indicates that they were the builders of this engine.

The descent is gradual, the sensation reminiscent of being in a slow-moving elevator. The air carries a slight chill as they make their way through the layers of Sharn, the sense of the passage of time accompanied by the soft hum of the arcane machine. About ten minutes pass before the elevator finally stops, and the doors open, revealing the bustling scene of Tavick's Landing.

As you exit the elevator, you find yourself in Terminus Tavick – a hub of activity and a gateway between levels of the city. The terminal is a sprawling complex with multiple levels and platforms, bustling with people arriving and departing. The stream of travelers seems endless, and the clatter of conversation and footsteps creates a cacophony of sound. Some platforms away, you can see the line of the lightning rail and some passengers waiting for it to arrive, while others had disembarked just minutes ago, contributing to the organized chaos.

Above, below, and on the sides, walkways, stairs, and elevators intersect in a labyrinthine pattern, allowing a seamless transition between all the transportation connecting Sharn and the rest of Khorvaire, including the elevators. You watch as travelers transfer effortlessly between different modes of transportation, witnessing an intricate dance of passengers navigating the bustling heart of the city.

Amidst the organized chaos, while Bryn and Rylia converse and their defenses are momentarily lowered, a skilled pickpocket attempts to target Bryn's possessions. Arr and Coltinar, attuned to their surroundings, notice the poorly dressed young individual attempting to approach.

//--- DM Perception checks in the log---//

Brother Coltinar says, "Bryn and Rylia. Alert ahead of you a pickpocket. Secure your things. Everyone."

Brother Coltinar links to the Pickpocket, "Your actions will not go unnoticed and likely will cause you pain."

Brother Coltinar secures his things as well having his hands on his items.

A little startled at Coltinar's sudden admonishment, Rylia keeps her eyes out on the surroundings.  She makes sure her pack is close and her viol case well secured at her back.  "I suppose we should keep moving. But where to now?" 

Caught off guard by Coltinar's warning, the young pickpocket disappears into the crowd.

“You have to remember that in these parts poverty is normality. We lived here ourselves. Us walking around here is like a beacon of light moving through a dark cave, we will attract attention and must be careful,” Arr issue as warning and explanation. “Even though, chances are that we will not be able to avoid conflict entirely. Be on your guard, don’t display anything of worth - or anything even that seems worthless to you - publicly. Perhaps we can try to get further direction around here somewhere without needing to wander aimlessly into the less busy parts, that’d be a recipe for disaster surely.” Arr tries to remember where they have to go to descend into the forgehold.

(do they know? or have a clue? They lived here for some time after they woke and before Coltinar found them.)

The rogue is quietly chagrined that he so easily missed the young pickpocket...he really needed to get his head out of the clouds and focus on the very real dangers around him. His 'vacation' was over, and it was time to get back in the game.

"Well, there are a lot of carriages here to take folks who have arrived on the lightning rail to where they want to go. I bet we can find one that will take us directly to the Forge!"

As the group takes in their surroundings, Arr, you struggles to piece together your memories about this particular part of the city. Among the bustling scene, your attention is drawn to two warforged figures passing by, prompting fleeting fragments of recollections. Memories of your days on the streets of Lower Dura slowly resurface. Vague images of the scrapyard where you first awoke come to mind, yet a substantial gap remains when trying to recall the details of your departure from that place. 
Terminus appears recognizable to you, however, your recollection of how you left Lower City remains hazy, with a significant gap in your memories. What remains clear is finding yourself in front of the Temple of Dol Arrah in Upper City, the very spot where Coltinar found you. Your attempt to piece together the fragments of your thoughts is met with puzzling gaps and inconsistencies.

Bryn, who maintains his apartment in the district of Northedge to the south of Tavick's Landing, is aware of the diverse transportation options originating from Terminus. You've personally used carriages and skycoaches to travel to Middle and Upper City for your performances, although the elevator followed by walking remained be your choice once is the more budget-friendly.

To the right, you spot an information kiosk for the Lightning Rail. On the opposite side, a bit farther down, there's another kiosk of House Orien selling tickets for skycoaches.

Closer to the exit door, you notice a guard. This half-orc figure, though not a member of the Sharn Watch, wears a hat and a distinctive uniform that strongly suggests a security role.

Feeling a bit more wary now after the pickpocket runs off, Rylia takes a moment to summon her winged snake, having it appear right atop her pack. Mentally she speaks to her, 'Alright Kystri, you just rest there and make sure nothing sneaks up on me.' Having done that, she takes a look around and the half-orc catches her eye.  She takes a step in that direction, then pauses just long enough to say to the others, "Hey, keep an eye on me, I'm just going to step over there."  She makes her way confdently towards the exit until she gets close to the half-orc. 

"Hi there, I was wondering if you might be able to help me," Rylia begins, giving him a bright smile. "I'm not quite sure how to get to The Upper Cogs. Could you provide a little guidance? It would be very much appreciated."  (Persuasion: 7) 

Brother Coltinar, "Very well Rylia, we've got you covered."  Brother Coltinar keeps an eye on her and casually sweeps their surroundings for any suspicious activity of other pickpocketers or worse.  "We should all try and stay alert from here on out.  We don't need any bad surprises.  We all got lucky; I think."  

Brother Coltinar makes sure he has his gear secured and accounted for. 

Rylia approaches, adorned in her elegant blue cloak, the case of her violin slung diagonally across her back, and Trisky, her serpent companion, perched atop. Attempting to muster a friendly smile, she makes her way toward the half-orc guard. He glances at her momentarily before returning his gaze to the bustling terminal. Clearly not in the mood for pleasantries, he doesn't exactly radiate warmth or approachability.

As Rylia requests help, the half-orc's eyes flicker toward her, and he lets out a dry, sardonic chuckle that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Well, I'm lucky to be mistaken for an information attendant today," he quips, his tone dripping with sarcasm. Leaning against a nearby pillar, his arms folded across his chest, he seems more interested in whatever is happening inside the terminal.

"Upper Cogs, huh?" he grunts. "I'm not even going to ask what a girl like you is going to do in Upper Cogs." His response carries a hint of skepticism.
"Well, miss, Upper Cogs is quite big. You can try walking if you're feeling adventurous, going to Black Arch, and with a 1 to 2-hour walk, you should arrive, depending on where your destination is... This... if you get to make your way down there in one piece."
His tone is brusque yet not unfriendly. With a nod toward the exit, he continues, "But I'd recommend trying to find someone to take you wherever you want to go in a more safety way and avoid troubles."

During this conversation, Rylia observes an embroidered emblem with three heads on the right side of the dark red uniform. The emblem consists of a dragon, a ram, and a lion, overlaid by a metal fist holding a double dagger.

The young wizard looks around and notices two carriages parked by the curb, each drawn by sleek big black horses. Two young elves engage in a conversation nearby.

//--- DM everyone can give me rolls of history checks ---//

(Rylia History Check: 23; where was that roll trying to Persuade!!)

Quote from Culuril >>

(Rylia History Check: 23; where was that roll trying to Persuade!!)

 🤣

Rylia recognizes the half-orc emblem as the symbol of House Deneith.
She knows from her studies tha House Deneith is a dragonmarked house of humans who carry the Mark of Sentinel—the oldest of the human dragonmarks—in their bloodlines. House Deneith’s Blademarks and Defenders Guilds provide security and mercenaries for clients throughout Khorvaire, while the house’s Sentinel Marshals have special dispensation to mete out justice in all nations signatory to the Thronehold Accords.

She also knows that in sharn they also work with logistic and protection of goods´ transportation.

Brother Coltinar  - History roll in log...13

Arr also rolled in game log, history 19

rolled an 14 just for fun