"Right, Sterling," agrees Oriace. "Let's check out the woodworker in the alley, and let's say hallo to our neighbours." 

"Sounds good."

With everyone in agreement, Sterling took the initiative to lead the way to the woodworker.

You head over to The Bent Nail.  The front room contains displays of ornate wooden furniture, as well as a selection of bows and crossbows. The wall behind the counter is lined with rows of finely carved wooden canes, quarterstaffs, and shields. A male half-elf is there to serve you. "Greetings. I am Talisolvanar Fellbranch, but you can call me Tally. How may I help you?"

"Hello, there, neighbor! We're a troupe of performers that have come into possession of a nearby property and are looking to fix it up, add a stage to the tap room as a base for our performances. We're not experts in the field of building so we thought we could consult with you if you had the time," says Wagner. 

Persuasion: 18 if wanted

Oriace steps forward, his deep bass voice resonating warmly as he addresses Tally. "Greetings, Tally. I am Oriace, one of the new owners of the nearby tavern. We've recently come into possession of the place and are eager to breathe new life into it. However, the state of the tavern is quite dire, and we need expert assistance to restore it properly. We're particularly interested in adding a stage to the taproom to serve as a focal point for our performances. Beyond that, there are numerous repairs and refurbishments needed throughout the building, including furniture restoration and perhaps some custom pieces that align with our vision. We understand that such a project will involve significant time and resources. Therefore, we'd like to discuss the possibility of segmenting the work into different stages, starting with the most essential repairs and the stage construction. Could you provide us with an estimate for these initial stages, and a rough idea of the overall cost for the full renovation? We aim to manage this project within our means, and any flexibility you can offer would be greatly appreciated."

Sterling raised an eyebrow at Oriace's addition, then gave a friendly smile and waited for the response.

"I would be happy to sell you items for personal rooms. But before I sell you anything for the tavern itself, I must ask, is your guild membership all sorted yet? I don't want to upset the guild by helping a tavern that hasn't got membership."

Toser and Mana, you have made your own ways to Trollskull Alley, whether by following the party or asking around for people who saw them. It is up to you both if you have met up yourselves yet, or if you are arriving independently and are yet to notice each other. You were getting ready to go and talk to them having seen them enter the front of their newly acquired building, when they left and headed off to a neighbouring shop, and are currently all in there.

"Hum, is that so?" Oriace responds pondering, "To be honest, we don't know if the previous owners were in good standing with the guild. Do you know where we can inquire? I feel that the tavern is our highest priority. You see, when it generates income, we can hire you for the renovation of the rest of the building. Perhaps, you can already work on giving us a quote for the tavern renovation and, meanwhile, we sort out our membership with the guild post-haste."

"I can look into that. Will you be around this evening for me to pop in and take a look and discuss sizes with you? As for the guild, the previous owner was in good standing until his death, but membership isn't carried over to new members. I will let some people know you are interested in renovating and reopening the tavern and then they can get in contact with you. as soon as possible"

A small 3’ tall humanoid falls in lockstep with you all as you make your way between shops.

“I guess we can arrange that,” confirms Oriace toTally with a glance to his companions looking for approval. 

Oriace glances at Mana, noticing the mouse and the well-worn flute. With a nod, he speaks in his deep, rumbling voice, "Mana, you say? You've got spirit, I'll give you that. If you're as handy as you claim, we might just have a place for you. We're fixing up a tavern and could use all the help we can get. Stick around, show us what you can do, and maybe there's a spot for you in our troupe.”

Oriace, who really isn’t that much taller, gives Mana a reassuring pat on the shoulder, then turns back to the group. "Shall we get back to work? We've got a lot to do. We can at least clean everything and continue to repair as much as possible. Also we need to find out how broke these chair legs.” He glances sideways to Mana’s mouse, an idea forming in his mind. ‘Could we let the little one stay on guard?’ He wonders, thinking to himself. 

Toser sat a table sipping from a tankard of ale. He was a bit down on his luck at the moment after drifting from town to town. Now he found himself in Waterdeep, quite a large city, probably the biggest he had been in quite some time. He had stopped at a few other inns, checking to see if there was a chance to perform, play for money and replenish his funds. But so far he had struck out and hadn't found a place interested enough to keep him on for more than a day or two..

The Yawning Portal seemed like it would be a good spot. He had settled into the common room and took a good look around. But shortly after he got there the room started to fill up. It looked like another troupe was playing. Toser sat and listened to them play and something tugged at him from the inside. He had been on his own for quite some time. He missed playing with others and he saw an opportunity. There were 3 of them. Perhaps they would be interested in having another.

But when they were done he didn't get a chance to talk to them, and then they didn't stay at the inn, they packed up their stuff and left. Grabbing his own stuff Toser followed them and discovered where they were staying, an old place that looked a bit run down.

He determined to return the next day, introduce himself, and give an audition, if they would give him a chance.

He was hanging around the front when the group returned to the place they were staying and he quickly noticed there was a fourth with them.  Not to be daunted he quickly stepped up and introduced himself.

With a flourish he removed his hat and bowed.  Before them stood a gnome with sandy brown hair wearing yellows, greens and browns.

"Greetings my fellow musicians.  My name is Toser Sipplewapple, I am a bard of good reputation.  I have sought you out to see if you are in need of another to round out your troupe, to move your audiences with songs and tales of love and sorrow?"

“Thank you. Thank you. A thousand thank yous!” Mana gushes. “You won’t regret it, I promise.”

Mana was about to introduce his pet when a colorfully dressed gnome walks up. He snickers at the timing of the introductions.

”Well met, Toser. Seems we have common purpose. My name is Mana and this is Yersinia Pestis.” Pointing to the mouse in his pocket. He digs into a different pocket and retrieves a crumb of some indeterminate morsel to feed to the docile mouse.

Sterling's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked down at the young Verdan. Someone was following them? Maybe he was the reason for the broken furniture that the bard had spent so much effort fixing?

Quote from cyreon >>

“I guess we can arrange that,”

It took effort for the would-be jeweler to keep a poker face at the suggestion.

Quote from cyreon >>

"Mana, you say? You've got spirit, I'll give you that. If you're as handy as you claim, we might just have a place for you. We're fixing up a tavern and could use all the help we can get. Stick around, show us what you can do, and maybe there's a spot for you in our troupe.”

Well, he couldn't complain at that. Oriace made sense; they did need more help with the place, and turning down a free offering without reason seemed silly. He'd have to keep an eye on him around the furniture though.

Suddenly someone else approached... a gnome?

Quote from Paladin54 >>

"Greetings my fellow musicians.  My name is Toser Sipplewapple, I am a bard on no ill repute.  I have sought you out to see if you are in need of another to round out your troupe, to move your audiences with songs and tales of love and sorrow?"

"Well, we're becoming popular, apparently," thought Sterling with a mixture of surprise, pride, suspicion and exasperation. Looking the latest newcomer up and down, the bard again kept up his poker face. "Looks like we're only attracting commoners, though. No one of noble lineage, or high culture, or clearly any knowledge of fashion. Pity."

Sighing, he nodded to Toser. "To be honest, we are in need of expanding a bit at the moment, so you've picked the right time to show. My name's Sterling by the way. This is Wagner, Oriace, and--" he had to think for a second, "--Mana."

Smiling, he turned to address the group. "I suppose we're done here then, if we'll get the quotes this evening? If that's the case, I'll be back at our place shortly... I have a few items to procure. I'll meet you all there." With that, Sterling bowed and made his way towards the markets.

(( @DM: Sterling needs to do some basic shopping, if that's alright. If mundane equipment is available at normal prices, I'll just provide a list of purchases in the private thread so we don't need to roleplay it. ))

Mana bows deeply and enthusiastically as each are announced. Yersinia squeaks unhappily because the pocket keeps trying to dump her out at each low point.

 "Well met, Toser," Oriace begins, his eyes flicking to the gnome with a hint of curiosity. "We are indeed looking to expand our troupe. Your timing couldn't be better. We've been working hard to breathe new life into this place, and the more talent we have, the better."

He gestures toward the rundown tavern behind them. "As you can see, we've got our work cut out for us. But with your skills, Toser, and the help of Mana here, I'm sure we can make this place thrive. Why don't you give us a sample of your talent? Show us what you can bring to our performances."

Turning to Mana, Oriace adds, "And Mana, thank you for your enthusiasm. I can see you're eager to prove yourself, and I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do."

With this he heads back to the tavern, curious whether he will find something else damaged.

Mana glances to Toser. He fingers his flute and a sparkle gleams in his eyes.

”Shall we audition as a duet or would you rather perform solo. I’m sure we could come up with a song that could highlight each of our instruments.”

He smiles confidently, yet deep down hopes he can uphold his half of the duet. At least he has a young back and can help carry their equipment or scrub their floors if his performance isn’t up to snuff.

Toser is nodding a hello at each person as they are named.  When Oriace mentions hearing a sample he is already drawing out his lute when Mana speaks up.

"Um, er, perhaps another time?  If they accept me we can get to work right away on something together.   But I think I prefer to audition with something I know well."

He quickly tunes his lute and then starts to play.

"‘I will tell you the tale of Tinúviel, in brief – for it is a long tale of which the end is not known; It is a fair tale, though it is sad." He was silent for a moment and whispered a few different words and then he began not to speak but to chant softly.  He played a soft slow tune on the lute, creating a moving mood that flows with the words.

As he did behind him an image of a forest glade appeared behind him (Minor Illusion) and above them 4 points of light that looked liked stars appeared (Dancing Lights)

"The leaves were long, the grass was green, The hemlock-umbels tall and fair, And in the glade a light was seen Of stars in shadow shimmering. Tinúviel was dancing there To music of a pipe unseen, And light of stars was in her hair, And in her raiment glimmering.

There Beren came from mountains cold, And lost he wandered under leaves, And where the Elven-river rolled He walked alone and sorrowing. He peered between the hemlock-leaves And saw in wonder flowers of gold Upon her mantle and her sleeves, And her hair like shadow following.

Enchantment healed his weary feet That over hills were doomed to roam; And forth he hastened, strong and fleet, And grasped at moonbeams glistening. Through woven woods in Elvenhome She lightly fled on dancing feet, And left him lonely still to roam In the silent forest listening.

He heard there oft the flying sound Of feet as light as linden-leaves, Or music welling underground, In hidden hollows quavering. Now withered lay the hemlock-sheaves, And one by one with sighing sound Whispering fell the beechen leaves In the wintry woodland wavering.

He sought her ever, wandering far Where leaves of years were thickly strewn, By light of moon and ray of star In frosty heavens shivering. Her mantle glinted in the moon, As on a hill-top high and far She danced, and at her feet was strewn A mist of silver quivering.

When winter passed, she came again, And her song released the sudden spring, Like rising lark, and falling rain, And melting water bubbling. He saw the elven-flowers spring About her feet, and healed again He longed by her to dance and sing Upon the grass untroubling.

Again she fled, but swift he came. Tinúviel! Tinúviel! He called her by her Elvish name; And there she halted listening. One moment stood she, and a spell His voice laid on her: Beren came, And doom fell on Tinúviel That in his arms lay glistening.

As Beren looked into her eyes Within the shadows of her hair, The trembling starlight of the skies He saw there mirrored shimmering. Tinúviel the elven-fair, Immortal maiden elven-wise, About him cast her shadowy hair And arms like silver glimmering.

Long was the way that fate them bore, O’er stony mountains cold and grey, Through halls of iron and darkling door, And woods of nightshade morrowless. The Sundering Seas between them lay, And yet at last they met once more, And long ago they passed away In the forest singing sorrowless."

As he finished the illusion and lights faded away.

"I hope that is good enough?" He asks.

Mana is frozen in place, shoulders slumped and leaning forward. Blinking eyes clear the welling moisture in occasional rivulets down his cheeks. He doesn’t have the sense to wipe his face, he is so lost in the song. Only after Toser finishes and the room returns to normal does he realize his mouth is agape. How long had he stood like this?