[D2 LE, Temple of Eilistraee, Open] Silver Like Her Hair

[Fyne]

Fyne has simply been observing the conversation. It's a great way to learn about people, seeing how they interact and learning what they focus on and pay attention to in conversation.

[Dare Shah]

"So, one day, you just went through your family portal as usual, and instead of arriving at the usual spot in the Feywild, you ended up in Sigil? No precursory sign or omen at all?

I would also like to ask if anything weird has happened to you since. But, if you're a newcomer in Sigil, everything likely must feel weird right now."

[Illiam'iira]

"I would also like to ask if anything weird has happened to you since. But, if you're a newcomer in Sigil, everything likely must feel weird right now."

"Pretty much." Her smile's sheepish too.

"People keep assuming that," Illi answers with a laugh. "But honestly, Sigil feels weirdly familiar. It's a bit uhm..." What's the polite way to put it? "It's silly to think everyone who finds their way to Sigil has no experience with the wider world. And even if they don't, that's not a poor reflection on them, just means their life was different before they got here. Though I get why it's a bother for y'all! City folk don't have time for someone who needs help or explanation, they've got their own lives and own problems to deal with on their own schedules. Most don't got time to stop and offer help. Country life's totally different in that regard, and I'm guessing most people who end up here are country folk, or your equivalent, anyway."

[Dare Shah]

"There's a theory that there's only one true city in existence, the Urbs, and that every other city in the multiverse is simply a reflection of it. With contentious debates about whether Sigil is that one true city or just yet another mirrored image of it, and in the later case how distorted it is compared to its model.

A hypothesis lacking solid evidence to support it, but still a poetic way of highlighting how, as a city grows, its peculiarities tend to disappear behind issues and advantages all cities share: high density to population and related issues, easy access to rare goods, criminality and law enforcement, lots of politics, et cetera.

Left wondering how big was your hometown compared to Sigil, as the later size is heavily constrained by spatial concerns."

[Illiam'iira]

"Left wondering how big was your hometown compared to Sigil, as the later size is heavily constrained by spatial concerns."

Illi blinks. Dare Shah's mind works in mysterious ways, but, well, the same thing can be said for her own. And she can see the logical transition between topics.

"Oh, uhm... hm." How to explain? "I was... a very fortunate child. My parents had many homes all along the Sword Coast, which, ah, is a coast along the continent of Faerun. Some of those homes were in places very large, and some of those homes were rural. I've been in big places and little places. The little places are pretty nice," She adds with warmth to her voice. "If I had to pick a place as my hometown though, it'd have to be Waterdeep, 'cause I was born there. Honestly, I'm fairly certain Waterdeep's twice as large as Sigil, population-wise, but it has much more space, too, and the possibility to grow more if it really needed to. Sigil's pretty darn cramped. That really doesn't help with things. The more people in a tight space, the crankier they can get, 'cause you're sharing that space, and you can only go so far to get away from someone who annoys you."

[Dare Shah]

"While an exact census of the population of Sigil is basically impossible to establish, it would indeed mostly highlight how overcrowded the place is. It's already magic, likely quite literally, that so many people can fit in so little space. And a testament to people's ingenuity that anyone can pay rent. On that, I hope you went through that portal with more than pocket change on you, otherwise finding a roof must have been complicated."

[Illiam'iira]

"While an exact census of the population of Sigil is basically impossible to establish, it would indeed mostly highlight how overcrowded the place is. It's already magic, likely quite literally, that so many people can fit in so little space. And a testament to people's ingenuity that anyone can pay rent. On that, I hope you went through that portal with more than pocket change on you, otherwise finding a roof must have been complicated."

"I, uh, got robbed?" She meeps out. "But Quev didn't, so we've been okayish, and we found ourselves a room in the Guild Ward."

[Dare Shah]

"Luck and misfortune interwoven, as always.

If your family is important enough to own many properties in various locations of Faerûn, it likely has business partners within Sigil that would be happy to offer you money and services in exchange of the gratitude of your fellows. Pedigree can be worth way more than physical gold if used wisely."

[Illiam'iira]

If your family is important enough to own many properties in various locations of Faerûn, it likely has business partners within Sigil that would be happy to offer you money and services in exchange of the gratitude of your fellows. Pedigree can be worth way more than physical gold if used wisely."

"I'd, uhm... I'd rather not... rely on my family's name," She says very softly, her hand going up to cup the only thing she's wearing -- the brooch hanging from her neck. "Though your advice is very sound! I'm just, uhm... it's complicated." Illiam's practically squirming at this point.

[Dare Shah]

A quick glance at the other drow in the room for insight regarding their internal political issues.

ping

Then back to Illiam'iira:

"Not gonna lie: Unless you've got a pretty unique talent to market, making a decent living mostly by yourself in Sigil is not going to be easy. The city and its people have many needs, but there's also quite the competition within the workforce."