Briga laughs, and responds, "Well thanks, Griff.  I feel like a six foot tall woman squeezed into a tiny five foot tall woman's dress, but I don't feel like something dredged out of the sewers, so that's a plus.  You look like you're ready for a visit to the grand temple of Bahamut, yourself, assuming that's a thing.  I like the shiny new greatsword.  Ooze free, very nice."  

"Tyrus wanted to know how much this place is worth.  Now I'm starting to worry it could be in the negatives.  Volo wouldn't unload a place riddled with back taxes on us and call it a 'reward,' would he?  I never imagined that would be something I'd have to worry about, taxes and junk.  Then again, I never expected I'd have to worry about brains exploding.  Life's full of surprises." 

"Eh, looking good and nice is all relative. People see what they want, you'd be surprised the simple act of making an effort will make other see you in a whole new light. You see yourself in rags, but people will see the effort you put in... as long as you carry yourself with confidence." Griff looks sad at the mention of the greatsword.

"It's actually a maul," He pulls it off his back so she can get a better look. "It'll do for now. But uh, it just doesn't swing the same. Greatswords don't come cheap, and so I'm going to have to pinch my coppers until I have enough for another without going completely broke.

[OOC: DM, During his time in the sewers, Tyrus picked up a dagger and a scimitar from the foes that were beaten. On his way to this meeting, he will attempt to sell these surplus weapons in the marketplace for the best price he can get for them using his proficiency as a Smith and a Tinker and his knowledge as an Artisan to prepare them for sale and his skills as a Bard to get the best deal. (Tinker Tools Roll, based on Dex I assume: 21 and a Persuasion Roll, if relevant: 22.) A dagger cost 2 gp and a scimitar costs 25 gp to buy new according to the PHB. I'll let you tell us what he gets when he tries to sell them.] 

Tyrus arrives at the meeting point dragging a sorry-looking mule laden with gear behind him. He has cleaned the worst of the sewer muck and blood off himself, but his clothes still look travel worn and dirty.

"Briga, Griffdar," he says, nodding to the two of them in greeting. "No sign of Arlon, yet?"

He will then show them the money he got from the sale of the two weapons and give them each a quarter share. "Here's something for our troubles last night. It's what I could get from those weapons I picked up." 

[OOC: Tyrus - that's right, as the Ground Floor is a public space, and the upper floor is a private residence, it's accessed from the outside of the building with a separate locked door, so you don't get the public wondering up - of course, you can have that changed if you want to (for a cost), but the furniture would need replacing either way.  You could also start a business in the ground floor as an extra source of income if you guys wish to, the ground floor of the building was a Tavern before, so it still has that setup of a taproom, kitchen and pantry.

Griff - you'll be able to get 20 gold for the greatsword, and half price on the war pick is correct - 2 gp and 5 sp]

As you visit the property for the first time, you find yourselves standing outside a manor with two large entry doors, and a tower, at the location of the address.  Though the property needs some work, it's a very good piece of property, in a prime location.  To buy it would definitely be more than 100 gp each to purchase, so in a way - the value of this place in its current state is about double what you would have been paid in gold in total between you all.  With work, the value could even increase.  

As you go in for the first time, you enter an old taproom, the furniture dusty and broken, so will need replacing, and a layer of dust covers the place where it has stood empty for some time.  

A bar can be seen at the back of the taproom, though the taps are currently not connected to any barrels of alcohol, and there is a hatch to the cellar.  There is also an area that could act as a kitchen and pantry on the ground floor should you wish to provide food, if you decide to go that route. 

Heading outside and up the stairs to the private residence, the place is currently unfurnished, but there is plenty of space for each of you to have your own room, and you can assign these as you wish - there is also extra space for each of you to do with the place as you please.

There are a total of nine rooms (not including hallways/cupboards/WCs or the entry hall) that you can assign as you wish - so an extra five rooms to do as you please with.  The place is big, and there are plenty of opportunities here, so this definitely looks like the better deal.

[OOC: DM, Was Tyrus able to sell the dagger and the scimitar, and how much did he get for them? Also, is there a stable attached to the manor, or a public stable somewhere close for his mule?]

(Ooc if it helps bottom left is 1st floor, 2!d floor is above that and the 3rd floor is top right)

[OOC: I realised that, I just didn't know it was two separate residences and was expecting an internal stairway to the second floor.

As it is, renting out the first floor to someone as a drinking house might make for a profitable, but noisy, way to make the place pay for itself.

Though Briga might have to cut down on how often she plays the bagpipes, to avoid frightening the customers away ;-)]

[OOC: The manor itself doesn't have a stable but there is a public one nearby.  For the scimitar, you'll get 12 gp 5 sp and for the dagger, you'll get 1 gp.  Also, you could have Briga perform the bagpipes as a performance in the place as well.  It's actually common in the UK (I think it happens in some areas in America, but I don't know if this is a thing in Australia) that there are (sometimes multiple) residences above shops that are accessed separately from the business (I actually used to live in a place like that), sort of like homes above shops, that sort of thing.]

As you all get your long rest, the next day arrives without issue as you make your way to the magistrates in the castle ward for the transfer of ownership.  Waiting outside the courthouse is Volo, and he claps his hands together when he sees you.  "Greetings, friends! Renear has already dropped me the gold required for the transfer fee, and we'll be able to get this underway and hopefully without issue" he says with a warm smile. "Did you check the place out, is it to your liking?" he asks you all.

[OOC: The thing that tricked me about the building description was that it was referred to as a manor, which I assumed would be a single residence.

Bagpipe playing outside of specifically Scottish clubs doesn't happen in Australia, and also the suitability of Briga playing the bagpipes would also surely depend on her skill with the instrument; I just hope she has proficiency in the instrument and the Performance skill to back it up.

At this meeting, Tyrus will give Briga and Griffdar their cut from the weapons he sold. This is 3 gp and 4 sp, though Griffdar's last silver is in the form of 10 cp.]

Tyrus, who still thinks that gold would have been more convenient, just nods in answer to Volo's question. Then he will ask a nearby guard—which I presume are very common near the magistrates offices in the castle ward—to watch his mule and bulkier equipment while he goes inside to do the deed transfer.

(ooc having briga perform gave me an idea... lets have an open mic night at The Abandoned Dragon Speakeasy)

OOC: She has the instrument trained but not the Perform skill, so she's probably better as a backup instrumentalist or background noise.  

"Volo!  How are Floon and Renear doing after their ordeals with organized crime and all?  Better, I hope!  We're ready to move into our new lair, no longer abandoned.  It's an inside joke," Briga says."  

"Also, Tyrus, thanks for the cut of the proceeds, dude," she says.  "When I come into some big money I'm going to get that magic glaive I keep talking about, and some fancy clothes.  We've got a manor, gotta live it up like the artistocrats. They probably all have magic glaives.  Another good adventure or two and we could be all set.  Renting out the bottom floor as a working bar might get us some regular income, too, though that's less exciting."  

"We could also rent out a bedroom if we need, there are only 4 of us. I do think that leasing the bar space would make a lot of sense though..." Griff trails off a bit, "The Abandoned Dragon Manor... that sounds kind of nice... OR WHAT IF WE MAKE IT AN OFFICE! Abandoned Dragons HQ, the people of Waterdeep can come in and schedule appointments, tell us of the evil around town -- we solve it, get paid. The gold comes to us... That could be a neat idea too..."

"Anyway, Tyrus, thank you for the gold, with your help I'll have the greatsword in no time at all. Now that we're here, we've got room and board, I suppose we'll be needin' to fill up this place with furniture and food. If you all don't mind... could I claim that L shaped bedroom on the third floor? 

"...Oh, hello Volo! Did you need to rent a room? haha. Or maybe you'd like to be secretary of Abandoned Dragons HQ P.I. Detective Agency MD DDS"

"Whoa, that was a lot of letters.  Which one of us is which?  We have an MD... Magic Dragon?  Griff?  DDS... Doctor of Draconic...Sorcery?  Is that Arlon?"  Briga takes guesses, poorly.  

[OOC: As a Bard, Tyrus likes the idea of an open mic night, though he would probably be wondering who this Mic person is ;-) ]

Tyrus is nowhere near as enthusiastic as Griffdar and Briga apparently are regarding becoming the owners of property, however, he does want his cut of the reward that was promised him.

"Who's names are going to go on the deed?" he asks. "I'm thinking it should be someone local, and I'm happy to be a quiet partner, as it were."

After a moment he adds, "And what about Arlon? Where is he? I hope nothing's happened to him..."

“I was thinking we either incorporate our adventuring party and put that on the deed or put all our names there if that’s possible. You deserve just as much of this place as I do”

[OOC: Regarding Arlon: Something's come up in real life which requires him to spend some time away from the screen, without going into too much detail.  He did say he would be off for three days so I have followed up since then as it's been longer than that, but I can understand why based on the reason he hasn't been posting. Just thought I'd give an update if when he comes back he wants to share more, that will be up to him ;) Will put another post up either way in a couple of days as the three-day rule, as this is more roleplay - if anything outside of RP happens I'll be making rolls for him etc.]

[OOC: DM, Do we assume Arlon's character is with us? Tyrus was about to assume the worst and that he was missing because he'd been grabbed by Xanathar's guild.]

[OOC: Arlon is with you, yep :)]

Tyrus relaxes as he sees Arlon walking up to join them. "Arlon, there you are!" he says aloud. "I was just about to suggest we storm the sewers again looking for you."

After a moment's thought he then adds, "Seriously though, we should probably be worried about that Xanathar crew coming after us. I'm thinking we spoiled some sort of major plan of theirs when we rescued Floon. They may want to get revenge against us."

He then turns to Volo and says, "Not that they wanted your friend, Volo, but I'm thinking they grabbed him thinking he was Renear. You should warn them both to be careful."

He then goes on to muse aloud. "Hmmm. Maybe Renear might be interested in hiring somebody to protect him. I wonder..."

"Maybe a different haircut?" Griff ponders, "How will they know who to come after? I suppose that last weird guy..."