Sim and Mokiakia go through the door, while Adrasteia (slightly) reluctantly agrees. Despite their best attempt to stay quiet, the old door creeks loudly as it is being opened. On the other side of the door, the group comes across what is very clearly a cellar, which contains brewing supplies and lots of worthless clutter. A wooden staircase built on the far wall leads upstairs, where the conversation being held in the Halfling language suddenly stops. From what Sim could pick up, they were talking about soup.
Still in Halfling, a voice says in the distance: "Hello? Who is there?"
I softly tell my friends, "Some halflings above." Since I can't think of any good story to tell about why our whole party is in the basement, I decide to go upstairs and see if there's food and drink to be had.
You all are well studied enough to recognize the language as Halfling. You just don't know what is being said, except for Sim, of course.
As Sim appears from their basement, a middle-aged halfling couple looks in awe, from the other side of a large dinner table located in a very comfortable-looking dinning room.
"How... how did you get in here?" The male halfling says it in Common this time. Trembling, the female halfling is just staring at the huge dragonborn in their home.
"Rest easy, my friends. We mean you no harm. We have been on an errand in the sewers and are seeking safe passage. We are only passing through. What are your names? Perhaps we may be of some assistance to you."
"We.... we are... the Peabodys" the lady of the house volunteers after relaxing a bit. Her husband then adds: "This is our humble, small house. You look like the kind that could lend help, but right now I'm just curious about how you made it inside? We certainly didn't hear the bell." He turns to look at his wife, who confirms not hearing the entry bell with a hurried nod.
By now, Mokiakia, Floon, and Renaer have all made their way up to the Peabodys' living room as well.
"Well met, Mr. & Mrs. Peabody. Please forgive our intrusion, we found our way into your home through an access point in the sewers. We are uncertain who made such a passage into your dwelling, but it was a most expedient way for our exit. May I ask you how long you have dwelled here?"
"An access point? To the Sewers? Like the one they have in the Underbough Hostel? That is most horrid. We must seal that right away!" The husband says. "Otherwise," the wife continues "the City Watch might think we are criminals too!"
The husband then answers Adrasteia's question: "We've been here for over a decade and have never noticed a secret passage." The wife adds: "And Raymond spends days at a time down there, brewing his crappy mead."
Husband: "It's not crappy. Jonah and Tyras love it."
Wife: "They only love it because they are your mates."
Husband: "I trust their opinion. Yours on the other hand."
Wife: "How dare you?" she slaps him. "You are sleeping at Tyras' stinky house tonight."
Husband: "No, no... It smells like wet rat dung.... I'm sorry."
Wife: "Go sulk in the bedroom. I'll get the supplies to seal this passage."
You all watch this and it is super uncomfortable, though they seem truly intent on closing this passage.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"My companions and I would be happy to assist you in sealing the passage off. Are there any other odd jobs that we could potentially help you with? It sounds like you have the production of your mead under control, but perhaps I may be able to offer some assistance?" Medicine check?: 10
The halfling lady accepts Adrasteia's offer to help, but offer no recompense. The stone is placed in its right position and re-sealed properly, although neither the halfling nor Adrasteia are stonemasons, so the work is obviously not perfect. About half-hour is needed to complete the task given the lack of expertise.
Back upstairs with everyone, the wife says: "Now, how about we offer you some food for the road and then you leave our humble abode. No offense, but this still feels a bit like breaking and entering."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
I step in and bend over to her height and say "Thank you for offering us food for the road. We accept. We may look intimidating and showing up from the sewers into your home looks intrusive, but rest assure we mean no harm to you." I fidget with my noble signet so we can recognize that we are nobles will not rob and hurt them. Then, I add "We are willing to pay for a quiet safe place to get a good night of sleep, if a place like that comes to mind, please us know". I stand up again and wait for her answer. I add "Also, can you tell me what you know about the Underbough Hostel?" [skills]persuasion[/skills]12
"I wish my studies included more in the study of masonry, but we appear to have made a decent enough barrier. However I would suggest getting a proper mason to complete the task."
I want to offer them some money. How much would an average-skilled mason go for?
Wife: "Noble people don't travel through the sewers. HA! Nice try! Out of my house you schemers. Out! If you need a place to stay, you might as well go to the Underbough Hostel a few blocks away. They have a passage into the sewers there, so you can go back home anytime you want. Now, I promise you some food and I am not one to go back on my word, so here, take this bread and cheese and leave. Leave before you scheme us out of our belongings. Who has ever heard of gentle people breaking into your house through the sewers? Thanks for the help with the repairs, but I don't want your money! Out now!"
Husband: "But honey..."
Wife: "No! OUT!"
Renaer and Floon make their way out onto the streets, through the front door, without saying as much as a word.
(@All: Stone masonry is a highly specialized skill, and it comes at a high price. That said, this would be a small job, which is already partially completed. Let's call it 6gp.)
I am in a giving mood today, so I give her 3gp for her troubles. I ask Sim (who is more-familiar with this area), "Have you heard of this Underbough Hostel? Would we be safe there for an evening?"
I ease the door open and step through with as much stealth as I can muster in this form: 11
I peek through the ajar door after Sim stealthily enters, maybe I can see how many halflings there are. Also, I ready my dagger. Stealth: 10
Sim and Mokiakia go through the door, while Adrasteia (slightly) reluctantly agrees. Despite their best attempt to stay quiet, the old door creeks loudly as it is being opened. On the other side of the door, the group comes across what is very clearly a cellar, which contains brewing supplies and lots of worthless clutter. A wooden staircase built on the far wall leads upstairs, where the conversation being held in the Halfling language suddenly stops. From what Sim could pick up, they were talking about soup.
Still in Halfling, a voice says in the distance: "Hello? Who is there?"
(Sim is the only one that understands Halfling.)
I remain quiet as I do not understand what is being said.
Do I recognize that they are speaking halfling, or I do only understand it to be another language?
I softly tell my friends, "Some halflings above." Since I can't think of any good story to tell about why our whole party is in the basement, I decide to go upstairs and see if there's food and drink to be had.
You all are well studied enough to recognize the language as Halfling. You just don't know what is being said, except for Sim, of course.
As Sim appears from their basement, a middle-aged halfling couple looks in awe, from the other side of a large dinner table located in a very comfortable-looking dinning room.
"How... how did you get in here?" The male halfling says it in Common this time. Trembling, the female halfling is just staring at the huge dragonborn in their home.
I decide to speak up.
"Rest easy, my friends. We mean you no harm. We have been on an errand in the sewers and are seeking safe passage. We are only passing through. What are your names? Perhaps we may be of some assistance to you."
I growl in approval of Adra's introduction and try to look less threatening. Persuasion: 15
"We.... we are... the Peabodys" the lady of the house volunteers after relaxing a bit. Her husband then adds: "This is our humble, small house. You look like the kind that could lend help, but right now I'm just curious about how you made it inside? We certainly didn't hear the bell." He turns to look at his wife, who confirms not hearing the entry bell with a hurried nod.
By now, Mokiakia, Floon, and Renaer have all made their way up to the Peabodys' living room as well.
"Well met, Mr. & Mrs. Peabody. Please forgive our intrusion, we found our way into your home through an access point in the sewers. We are uncertain who made such a passage into your dwelling, but it was a most expedient way for our exit. May I ask you how long you have dwelled here?"
I wait to see what the halflings will say. If they didn't know about the sewer passage, maybe we can offer to block it off for them.
"An access point? To the Sewers? Like the one they have in the Underbough Hostel? That is most horrid. We must seal that right away!" The husband says. "Otherwise," the wife continues "the City Watch might think we are criminals too!"
The husband then answers Adrasteia's question: "We've been here for over a decade and have never noticed a secret passage." The wife adds: "And Raymond spends days at a time down there, brewing his crappy mead."
Husband: "It's not crappy. Jonah and Tyras love it."
Wife: "They only love it because they are your mates."
Husband: "I trust their opinion. Yours on the other hand."
Wife: "How dare you?" she slaps him. "You are sleeping at Tyras' stinky house tonight."
Husband: "No, no... It smells like wet rat dung.... I'm sorry."
Wife: "Go sulk in the bedroom. I'll get the supplies to seal this passage."
You all watch this and it is super uncomfortable, though they seem truly intent on closing this passage.
"My companions and I would be happy to assist you in sealing the passage off. Are there any other odd jobs that we could potentially help you with? It sounds like you have the production of your mead under control, but perhaps I may be able to offer some assistance?" Medicine check?: 10
The halfling lady accepts Adrasteia's offer to help, but offer no recompense. The stone is placed in its right position and re-sealed properly, although neither the halfling nor Adrasteia are stonemasons, so the work is obviously not perfect. About half-hour is needed to complete the task given the lack of expertise.
Back upstairs with everyone, the wife says: "Now, how about we offer you some food for the road and then you leave our humble abode. No offense, but this still feels a bit like breaking and entering."
I step in and bend over to her height and say "Thank you for offering us food for the road. We accept. We may look intimidating and showing up from the sewers into your home looks intrusive, but rest assure we mean no harm to you." I fidget with my noble signet so we can recognize that we are nobles will not rob and hurt them. Then, I add "We are willing to pay for a quiet safe place to get a good night of sleep, if a place like that comes to mind, please us know". I stand up again and wait for her answer. I add "Also, can you tell me what you know about the Underbough Hostel?" [skills]persuasion[/skills]12
"I wish my studies included more in the study of masonry, but we appear to have made a decent enough barrier. However I would suggest getting a proper mason to complete the task."
I want to offer them some money. How much would an average-skilled mason go for?
Wife: "Noble people don't travel through the sewers. HA! Nice try! Out of my house you schemers. Out! If you need a place to stay, you might as well go to the Underbough Hostel a few blocks away. They have a passage into the sewers there, so you can go back home anytime you want. Now, I promise you some food and I am not one to go back on my word, so here, take this bread and cheese and leave. Leave before you scheme us out of our belongings. Who has ever heard of gentle people breaking into your house through the sewers? Thanks for the help with the repairs, but I don't want your money! Out now!"
Husband: "But honey..."
Wife: "No! OUT!"
Renaer and Floon make their way out onto the streets, through the front door, without saying as much as a word.
(@All: Stone masonry is a highly specialized skill, and it comes at a high price. That said, this would be a small job, which is already partially completed. Let's call it 6gp.)
I am in a giving mood today, so I give her 3gp for her troubles. I ask Sim (who is more-familiar with this area), "Have you heard of this Underbough Hostel? Would we be safe there for an evening?"
I try to remember what I've heard about the Underbough Hotel, as we start to walk there...
Adrasteia: please subtract 3gp from your inventory.
Sim: please roll a history check to see what you remember about the Underbough Hostel.