Cloudfur

The Tabaxi wanders down the stairs slowly and yawning.  He looks around at the patrons in the common room, spots the rest of the party and goes to join them.  He carries the deed Volo gave them in his paw and sits down next to Gargan..

"Morning, ready for another exciting day of adventure?" as he waves the deed around "I am thinking of calling it...Cloudfur Manor....has a nice ring to it..the rest of the family will be surprised to learn I am moving up in the world."

Sizan, roll a persuasion check.

(You wouldn't be wrong. )

As time goes by, Dori would eventually make his way down and start to make his way over toward the bar, but with no one there he'd freeze in his tracks until seeing Gargan and Cloudfur, then make way toward their table. While passing the half elf bussing tables Dori would ask about Durnan

Persuasion: 14.

Gargan

As Dori arrives at the table Gargan gives him a knowing grin, assuming the Goliath had spent more time drinking than sleeping that night. Turning to Cloudfur he says “Cloudfur manor you say. While it has a nice ring to it perhaps we should wait till we see it first. And until it is ours officially of course.”

Sizan, after inquiring with a few people you manage to find an individual who does research on aberrations, their origins and their anatomy.  He happily gives you 3 dragons for the carcass and doesn't even wait for you to leave before he starts dissecting it.  You make your way back to the tavern in time to meet the others before setting out to meet Volo.

The group of you head out to find the manor.  Though cold, the sun is shinning brightly today and as long as you keep away from shaded areas it's actually as pleasant a day as you could ask for at this time of year and there are more people out and about than usual.  It's quite a distance but you travel down the High Road through the Castle Ward and past the Market into the North Ward.  You turn on to Delzorin Street, then left into the alley just before Brondar's Way.  The North Ward is a fairly upscale neighbourhood, and this area is no exception.  It is filled with higher end rowhouses, all of which are well kept.  There are also a number of shops in the area, and although the cold prevents them from leaving their doors and windows open like they might in the summer, you can see the odd person walking in or out of one so at least most of them appear open for business.

The exception to the rather consistent appearance of the neighborhood is a large 4 story manor just off where the alley meets Saerdoun Street.  It has a deck with stairs leading up to it around the side, and a large turret-style feature on the NW corner.  The large house is clearly in disrepair, siding is cracking, rotting or missing, the railing on the upper floors looks near falling off, and most of the windows are boarded up.  There's a door leading out to the alley you came in through, as well as the front door on the deck.  A signpost sticks out from the building but the sign itself is long gone.  

Out in front is Volo, a halfling you don't recognize and also, of all people, Renaer.  Below is a map of Trollskull Alley.  

Volo waves you down.  You walk over to where the 3 are standing and exchange pleasantries.  Renaer says "Floon told me about the arrangement made to gift this manor to you and I wanted to come.  This is a relatively historic building that is long beyond need of repair.  I'm happy to see it fall into better hands."

"Once we've got the paperwork straightened I can show you around a bit!" Volo adds.  The magistrate steps forward with a roll of papers.  "I have the contract here," he says matter of factly, "I just need the names going on the deed, and signatures, and we're done.  Are you all to become the new owners then?"

Dori did nothing to attempt avoiding the shade or extra patches of snow. Simply continuing on a straight path as the group made their way to the North Ward. Any conversations would be ignored or responded to with short answers. 

Approaching Volo, Renaer, and the halfling Dori looked toward each then up at the manor. "Home ownership as Dori's next challenge..." The goliath stood in silence once again, not speaking up until the others have had their turn then finally saying. "Dori "Rockcrusher" Moogri."

The magistrate replies: "No.  Anyone may stay in Waterdeep, provided they abide by the laws of the city and can find a place to live.  Property ownership qualifies one to become an actual citizen of the city.  You must be a citizen if you wish to be a public servant such as the City Watch or Guard, or hold any official position."

You see Sariel startle a moment, looking around as if someone tapped him on the shoulder and disappeared.  He settles for a moment, and then holds up his hand and declines to participate. "I appreciate the opportunity here but this kind of attention is not really what I was looking for.  Friends, I have been called away on a matter I need to attend to.  I will try to rejoin you later on once I know more information."

Gargan

As they arrive to find Volo and Raener there Gargan offers a greeting “Well met this morn friends, ‘tis a pleasant morning today.”

As the magistrate asks for names Gargan says “I certainly intend to be named on the deed, I am Gargan of clan Jurnixus. From Tymanther if the records must show this also.”

As the paperwork is being completed he spends a few moments looking up at the manor taking it all in. After studying it all he looks back to them “There is much potential here. You say it is a historic building, might you be able to recount the history of this place for us?”

Cloudfur

"The High Winds Upon The Mountain Flow Through His Cloudfur...." he tells the magistrate and instead of a signature, he puts his paw print on the document never taking his eyes off the manor and all its glory and promise.

Once the paperwork is taken care of he finds a small patch of land near the manor, digs a small hole, places 1 dragon in it, buries is and says a quiet prayer to Chauntea, the Earthmother to watch over this home and his friends.

“Very well.  Quite the lot these aren’t they?” He glances at Volvo, who just grins back in response.  He rolls up the final deed in a scroll tube, and hands it to Gargan.  “Congratulations on your new acquisition.”.  Volo pays the halfling’s fee and sees him off.  He pulls a key from his jacket and walks up to unlock the door.  “I took the liberty of lighting a fire so it should be warm!”, he says, opening the door and gesturing for you to enter.  

Renaer follows as well, answering Gargan, “perhaps not historic in the famous sense, but this building has been a staple business in the North Ward for nearly 100 years.  My father used to frequent it, as did I once or twice.  It’s just always such a shame when something like that is abandoned.  It has stood empty and derelict for nearly 8 years now.”

You enter the room and look around.  The main floor is a moderately sized tavern (or used to be).  The main room has  4 tables of varying sizes with chairs, some overturned and others broken or worn.  On the far side of the room to the left (North) is a large fireplace open all the way around, fire blazing away.  Just to the left is a round open area (in the turret shaped parts of the building.  On the east wall in the center is a large L shaped bar, which sits empty.  You can see a doorway off to the right behind the bar.  There are no other exits you can immediately see, nor are there any stairs going up.

(If I must. )

Dori enters the space, "Smaller than I imagined." Barely bothering to look around the first floor as the goliath makes a beeline for the bar, grabbing an overturned chair on the way, if necessary, and seating himself. Waiting, as if someone might appear to serve him a drink. 

Gargan

Noting with interest that Yazara has provided a different name Gargan listens to Raener as he describes the history of the place. “Perhaps we can return it to its former grandeur and you might be able to frequent it once more.” He says to Raener with a smile.

As they enter he looks the room over, noting the lack of stairs. “Are the stairs through the back there?” He says indicating the door behind the bar.

Volo says "That's the pantry and kitchen, and there's a trap door down to the cellar.  The stairs to the upper residence are outside - they are separate."

Dori pulls up an overturned bar stool and sits down.  As he sits there waiting and Gargan as talking, another stool sitting on it's side about 10' away slides quickly across the floor and uprights itself beside him.  Volo doesn't seem phased by this but Renaer's eyes widen slightly at the act.

Sizan Sidrosin

Sizan's eyes lit up at the mention of a fire. And as soon as he saw the true for himself inside, he makes a bee line for it, forgetting or ignoring all in his rush to get warmed up. "If there is any season I dislike the most, Winter is certainly it." He admits, rubbing his hands near the flames. "The shadows are too long and deep for my taste, and a few fellows I know." Sizan chuckles. "Makes me almost long to hire a bard for some uplifting songs as I go." Afterwards, the Yuan-ti looks back to Gargan and says, "If its all the same, I'm staying down here for a bit." 

For DM:

Cloudfur

Cloudfur gasps as he sees the stool upright itself and runs over to it.

"Did everyone just see that?" and he'll sniff the stool for a moment, then he'll lick it as well.

"Hmm yes....definitely a spectre of some type....so Volo was correct." and he'll pull out his bundle of 'spirit grass' and head to the fire and light it.  Once it starts smoking he starts waving it around the room and asks that Kelemvor come collect one of his lost ones.

(I don't expect anything to actually happen - but for fun here's a religion roll just in case [Religion: 6] its possible Cloudfur is just barmy)