"Question! what a... curious name,” Morgan says with a smile.
“I’m not very familiar with politics, organizations, or that kind of thing, but even I have heard of the Cobalt Soul.”

He sits down, leaning closer to look at the tiefling woman’s drawing.

"You’re very talented…" He pauses, eyes narrowing slightly as recognition sparks.
“Wait. Huh. That’s curious.”

He taps the page gently.
“This looks very similar to an amulet a friend of mine is carrying. Yours looks more… elaborate.”

Morgan exhales, suddenly more serious.
"Actually, that jewel is one of the reasons we’re here. It’s also why we’ve been hearing the name Prolix."

He looks up at her.
“They say it might be a 'vestige'… or something like that. The Jewel of Three Prayers. Does that ring a bell?”

Ylis looks at Prima with a smile and shrug, "Oh hey, do you guys have incense? I could use a bit."

Randa returned the gaunt elf's stare with one of her own for a good minute or so, she watched Morgan speak with the Cobalt Soul Tiefling with a slight pang but she had already noted the other drow behind the bar and her similarity to her own personality with a bemused grin.

Her stomach growled and she wished the food would arrive already when her ear twitched and she heard Morgan speaking about the item she carried, she took her eyes off the elf and regarded Morgans conversation partner more closely.

Question blushes at the compliment of her drawings. “It’s nothing.” Her attention is quickly drawn away to the picture that Morgan points out. As he mentions the Jewel of Three Prayers, her mouth drops open and her eyes widen in disbelief. “T-the lost Vestige,” she says with reverent awe. She quivers with excitement and pulls Morgan in by his arm gently, but with firm, strong hands. “Can I see it?” Her pearlescent eyes shimmer with joy and anticipation.

A few feet away, Prima bobs her head eagerly and ducks back into her small room, then comes back with an assortment of incense.

DM: Look up anything you might want that is in standard equipment. Prima will charge DOUBLE the listed price. War for some is opportunity for others. 

DM2: Randa, go ahead and specify what you are looking for as you scrutinize Question more closely, then give me a roll. The skill used will determine my response.

OOC: OK Ylis will pick up 2 blocks of incense for Find Familiar. That way Morgan can summon his familiar if it dies. 40 gp might hurt a bit but worth it.

4 Flasks as well so everybody has a dose of Critmas Cheer.

"Of course," Morgan says without hesitation. "Come with me, Question. I'll introduce you to the others."

He takes a couple of steps, then slows, her reaction catching up with him a heartbeat late. He glances back, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Uh… do you think we should be more careful talking about this… artifact?"
He frowns, thoughtful now. "I'm not sure we really understand how important it is. I know I don't."

Jacaranda perused Questions face and mannerisms as she spoke, she wasn't certain what she was looking for but something........something was...not wrong...perhaps skewed....

Insight- 14

Skewed but not exactly wrong is the right ticket. Question showed it only briefly, but there was a moment when she was discussing the people she went on her expedition with. In that moment, she flashed a look of guilt and shame before moving onto more pleasant topics. 

Jacaranda files that away for later and regards Morgan with a bemused expression as they approach.

Question nods in agreement. "Yeah, sure, I can do that. I can assure you it is very important." Morgan brings Question over to the others and she waits expectantly to be shown the jewel. "Um... Hi," she says. 

"Hey guys, this is Question," Morgan says cheerfully. "She's a member of the Cobalt Soul, and she’s very knowledgeable about the Vestige. She might be able to help us. And you should see her drawings!"

He points to his companions one by one.
"And, Question, these are my fellow adventurers.... strictly in alphabetical order: Frekor, Jacaranda, and Ylis."

He turns to Randa.
"Do you want to show her the jewel? She promised she won't steal it."

Morgan looks back at Question, narrowing his eyes just a little (mostly for show).
"You promised, right?" Then he gestures to a seat. "But please, take a seat."

Frekor smiles politely.

-Nice to meet you Question. I'm Frekor.- says the ranger and keeps a close eye to Question's reactions when she sees the jewel.

(Insight check: 8, 3+5     really bad roll)

Ylis smiles in greeting and holds out her hand, "Hello there! I'm Ylis!"

She hops down from her chair to get another seat and order another sandwich and drink.

Question giggles lightly at the faux scrutiny, then shifts in place uncomfortably at the praise. “It is a pleasure, Frekor and Ylis. I don’t know that I would say I am very knowledgeable about the Vestige. How knowledgeable can one ever really be about such things. I have some theories about it that is supported by my research though.” She pulls out her drawings, shuffling the loose pages until finding and placing the Vestige on top.

“Pleased to meet you all. How strange that one of the Vestiges that has historical significance here would find its way here again. Another point for mythic resonance,” she says while cocking an eyebrow at Morgan. The party looks over the drawing while Randa presumably fishes out the amulet and indeed, Randa’s looks just like a smaller version of the centerpiece of the amulet drawing.

Delez comes out with drinks and the clam shell like sandwiches. They are tasty, but there is something about them that tastes off, as if on the cusp of spoiling but not quite there.

At this moment, the elven woman in red and a floppy hat strides over. “Hello. You are look so wonderfully powerful and I couldn’t help but notice you. I am in need of powerful people. I am Aloysia Telfan and I am looking for a prayer site inside Betrayer’s Rise. Are your services for sale? I can pay handsomely. I surmise you would benefit from taking me there as well, as there are certainly magical trinkets along the way. I care not a wink for them. You can keep what you find in addition to my payment, so long as you get me in and out unscathed. 50 gold each for a day’s work. People work their entire lives for less.”

DM: The top character. Ignore the bottom (for now), that's Prolix! 

At the mention of Betrayer’s Rise, Question looks away, losing her enthusiasm. She slides her drawings back into her satchel. 

"Powerful people? I think you got the wrong folks lady. Or at least not me, I'm just a class D wizard. But this guy, is the most powerful sorcerer I know!" she says patting Morgan on the shoulder.

"Anyway, we're kind of eating here. If you want to talk business, we can talk tomorrow." Ylis smiles at the elf lady.

Aloysia's smile drops off her face like a fallen portrait clattering to the ground. She looks down her nose at Ylis with eyes that... Brrrr!! I get chills just thinking of the death glare! 

"Yes, well, perhaps tomorrow." Her teeth on edge, she looks to want to say something with a bit more bite, but she sees Frekor and Jacaranda and thinks better of it. Instead, she begins to storm off, but the display is frustrated by the fact that she has to gently lower herself down the escalator on the pulley system, or risk injury. It takes a great deal of self-control to rigidly lower the ropes. Her dagger eyes never leave Ylis' back until she lowers out of sight. She can be heard below kicking the front door open and a guard yells. "Hey! You're not supposed to leave!" The sound of heavy footsteps can be heard trailing off at a run. 

Morgan looks a bit surprised.
Then he turns to Question.

"Sorry for the interruption, dear," he sighs. "This happens all the time. I’m so powerful…"

Morgan gives Ylis a sharp look.
"Now… where were we?"

Ylis looks at Morgan with full cheeks, "Wuff? Yerf the omy Forferer I mow." and shrugs.

Then she makes a sprinkling motion over the food to remove the off flavor. She scrunches her brow before taking another bite. Is this poisoned?

Perception check to see if the food is poisoned or spoiled 24

DM: Ylis can detect no poisons and it is not quite spoiled, but the food is starting to turn. This would align with Foghome's earlier comment that all food in this city spoils impossibly fast. This requires a constant feed of supplies coming into the city.

Seeing their target for interrogation leave and hearing the guards pursue her, Frekor stands up.

-Sorry everyone. It seems that something is happening outside, I'm going to see what is happening. You guys keep talking, I'll see you later.- Says and hurries to leave the tavern and follow Aloysia. Whatever she is planing, it doesn't seem she can wait to tomrrow.

The Fellowship promised Verin they would investigate Aloysia, and that promise is almost literally "running away".