Damros stands near Xaul as his spell licks all the surfaces.  "You do realize, that is a bit weird, right?  Unfortunately, I have no spells or innate traits that would lend assistance in these 'no see um' searches."

Anyone else doing anything while Xaul is doing his.... questionable searching?

Xaul looks to Damros and grumbles 'It's not THAT weird, it gets the job done and besides...' the coiling wave topples over as it completes its search and disappears, '...it's proven that they're aren't any creatures hiding here, so what that means is whatever creature that smashed the plates has now escaped somehow. My guess is it's either teleportation, or more likely is that it's probably gone through a hidden tunnel or trapdoor to the sewers, like the one I used on our last quest when we went to that...other tavern. So, we have two choices: Search about the room for where the perpertrator might have gone and likely get roped into another sewer adventure, OR...' Xaul is already making his way back to the ladder up as he speaks, '...we just remove anything of value from this room, which is now probably nothing, lock the hatch down and cover the door with a box or the like so the creature can't get back in again. Problem solved!'

Xaul has made his way up, and having a plan, goes to find a box or equivalent to put over the hatch. Which is easily enough done. You are sorting this all out and suddenly hear a new noise. Another bang, but not from the basement. You start to question what it is when it happens again, and you realise, someone is knocking on your front door.

"Damros," shouts Skye, "the noise is coming from up here. Come back up, we need you at the door!" 

If Damros comes, Skye gestures towards the front door, and moves to be behind the thick wood of the bar, ready to duck down. "Don't worry, I'll still be right here."

Xaul drops the crate he was carrying and swivels his head to the banging. It could be the mischief maker they were after, in which case he'd advise approaching with intimidation and malice, or it could just be somebody else who happened to knock with pretty poor timing, and if that is the case, it might even be someone like Savra who's looking to recruit, so a friendly demeanour might be more positive in order to not scare away any potential offers. Either way, he simply waits for either Damros or Sehaethas to answer, growling 'Good luck, call if you need back-up, we'll be right here...'

With a sigh, Damros goes to the front door, straightens himself up, and opens the door.

You open the door to see a halfling with mutton chops and bushy eyebrows. "Greetings, I am Broxley Fairkettle, with the Fellowship of Innkeepers, I was wondering if you were planning on reopening this establishment and if so, if we could have a friendly chat about the guild."

Damros makes a sweeping gesture with his arm, "Do come in Master Fairkettle.  Guild chatting seems appropriate.  Do come in and grab a seat while I call my friends to this meeting."

He will direct Broxley to a table with several chairs; make certain he is comfortably seated and then move off to call to Xaul, Skye, and the others to come down to the main floor to meet 'our new visitor'.

Skye heads over to stand at Damros' side. She nods, a filthy rag in one hand and an even filthier, cracked glass in one hand. She sucks at one of her foreteeth while she looks the fancy innkeeper up and down. "What's your ... poison? On the house, we've got some tipples to die for in these old casks."

"No thank you, I would rather not risk my life for some unknown drink. Depending on the outcome of our chat today though, I might be back for a drink in the future. Firstly, may I congratulate you on your new purchase, it is good to see a living occupant here. It has been... empty, for far too long. May I ask what your plans are for the place? I can offer assistance if you are looking to make it a tavern, or if you want another business I might be able to find you some contacts. Of course, operating without a guild isn't illegal, but you will find it hard to get any real progress on your own."

Xaul idly makes his way over to the table. He's glad the visitor wasn't the cause of the mysterious bumping noise they'd been investigating, and answers his question without an introduction 'We're not entirely sure on what our plans are if I remember correctly, though we are saving up for general renovations. Do you perhaps have a guildhall or the like that we can visit and possibly network further in? Although we are not completely settled on what type of business venture we're planning to pursue, having some helpful contacts to get us started would be wonderful.'

"Or at least the name of some decent wood and stone workers.  It would be nice to have this place evaluated for structure integrity before we dump coin down an endless pit."

Damros looks aroud the table, "Since Master Broxley Fairkettle is here, representing the Fellowship of Innkeepers, we best see what all is involved in being an innkeeper, or tavern own or shop owner.   And, what might the costs be in becoming a legitimate member of this Fellowship.   AND, what advantages there might be in joining."

"Seeing as its not strictly illegal to not be a guild member, I reckon advantages are nice to know, but what disadvantages come upon them as aren't part of the guild? That's what I want to know, friend." 

"We have no guildhall for various guilds to meet. But I have contacts in some guilds I can inform of your interest if needed. We can definitely get someome from the stonemasons to inspect the foundations of your building or the carpenters guild for the wooden structure.

As for our guild, we will, for the cost of 10 dragons per tenday, following an initial 250 dragons legal and startup fee, we will handle all your alcohol and food deliveries. We will also support you in any potential legal matters or disputes. Not joining will also limit your income as the wealthier clients limit themselves to guild members for a top quality service. Also guild members talk. If you aren't in a guild, you will probably find that any members of guilds do not do business with you, so you would have to try find an independent brewer and baker etc, who gets their ingredients from an independent farmer."

Xaul exhales and politely asks 'may we discuss for a moment privately?' Assuming the party follows him to the backrooms, he says frankly 'Well, we clearly don't have enough money for the initial joining fees, so I think this avenue might be closed off for now, though I don't exactly think we were in a position to reopen the inn at the moment anyway. My suggestion is that we politely ask for Master Fairkettle to please keep in contact with us for when we are ready to begin business, and then dedicate our time to taking up more tasks from the Order of the Gauntlet and any other adventuring guilds that might need our help until we have the funds to accept his offer.'

Sehaethas agrees, "We're far from having the funds to open a business. Doing tasks for the Silver Gauntlet, on the other hand, is something we can do. Actually opening a business is a big outlay up front that may or may not produce rewards eventually. So I'm in no hurry to be part of that."

"Should we consider bank loans?  Or guild loans?      Or hope somebody needs a gold hoarding monster taken down?

Even if we do not immediately go into business, what do we need to just stay here for a secure place to sleep and store our things?"

Nothing is needed for living here. But living here comfortably will cost some money. For now you have no beds or furniture in your rooms. And no food supply. But furniture and food is not as expensive as a business (just also earns you nothing)