Deacon took his winnings from Typhus and promptly asked where the guild bank was. Typhus agreed to show him curious as to why. Once they left corridors leading to the offices, Deacon finally saw what the entire guild looked like. It was a sprawling open area in the center with four floors looking down onto it. To the left of his position, you he could see the small arena he had his combat trial in. On the right was an obstacle course and what looked like a maze that people were shifting walls in as a group made their way through.

“What is that? A maze trial?” Deacon asked Typhus.

“No that is just practice. The dungeon adventurers use it to keep their wits sharp in down times. Something about you never know what’s going to happen in a dungeon.” Typhus replied.

Deacon thought about that. He had a vague idea of dungeons, but they were always grinding locations in the games he played in his last life. Terrified by the idea that he’d be trapped in one, he decided right then and there to avoid them at all costs. Besides, it looked like there was plenty to do out in the real world. Best to avoid them.

Typhus then took him down a stairway in the back of the building around to the Teller. Behind a window with bars sat a withered old man. He was, at max, five foot tall with a beard that reached his knees. It appeared as if he was sleeping. There was a small sign on the counter that read, “ring bell for service”.

“You’re kidding me, right?” Deacon asked Typhus.

“Don’t know what you expected. Very few people use the Teller for anything other than collecting guild points. They don’t give those out like candy you know.” Typhus said.

“Excuse me.”, Deacon said as he rang the bell, “I’d like to make a deposit.”

“Humph, what? Um hello.” Said the Teller straightening up and brushing off his beard.

“Yes, I was told the Guild Bank offered accounts. Does it also offer management? Suppose I wanted to funnel some business funds through this bank, would investors be able to make deposits to my account?” Asked Deacon.

“What are ya going on about boy?” Typhus asked.

“Well yes, although no one uses the banks full capabilities, but we would be able to handle that for you across the entire guild network. Some nobles use the Guild Bank to move their money around, so they have access to it in other cities. What were you thinking about doing young man?” the Teller asked.

“I have a few ideas, but I need to lay the groundwork first. What is the exchange rate of real money to guild points?” Deacon asked.

“Oh great. Get ready for the walls to come down.” Typhus quipped.

“What?!” the Teller hopped off his stool and took cover under the counter.

“He’s just kidding. Please come out from under there. I’m afraid I didn’t catch your name. I’m Deacon.” Deacon said as he tried to coax him back up to the stool.

“Not a funny. I’m old and it isn’t easy for me to move that fast. Now where were we. Name right, most people just call me The Teller. I can’t remember the last time someone wanted to know my name. It’s Finley by the way. Nice to meet you Mr. Deacon. Now did you want to collect your guild points or something?” Finely asked.

“I was asking about the services. What else do you do here?” Deacon asked.

“Well, we handle the renting of private rooms, living spaces at the guild, and account management.” Finely explained.

“Living spaces? Like apartments?” Deacon asked.

“I guess you could call them that. Not much more room than cot and piss pot.” Finely replied.

“It’s an adventurers guild, not much adventure in your own room.” Deacon said with a smile.

“Then you aren’t living your best life young man. He he he he.” Finely replied with lecherous grin.

“Right, so how much for a room and I’m still curious about that exchange rate.” Deacon said.

“Ok, the rooms a five copper a week. You must clean them yourself and we’ll hold them for two weeks after your last payment. After that, the contents are sold off in the guild shop. The exchange rate for coin to guild points is two silver to one guild point. It keeps people from just buying their way to a higher tier. Effort is what’s important here, not your daddies money.” Finely explained looking tired.

“Alright so how much is this worth?” Deacon placed one of his gold bars down the counter.

Finely picked up the gold bar. He held it in one hand and then the other. He tried to bend it checking its malleability. Then he took out a scale and placed the bar on one end and started counting out gold coins on the other. About five minutes passed and Finley was still counting. Finally, the scale reached equilibrium at one hundred and fifteen gold coins worth of weight.

“I’d say that’s about right. One hundred and fifteen gold coins. Where’d you get this gold bar from? I don’t recognize the engraving. Certainly not a noble house of the Griffin Kingdom, I can tell that much.” Finely asked.

“Found it in an old ruin. I found fifteen of them, well I have fourteen of them.” Deacon said.

“Well, you are stinking rich. Surprising for a man dressed like a pauper.” Finely replied.

“What? One hundred and fifteen gold!” Typhus said while jumping up and down like a lunatic.

“Calm down champ. I would like to exchange these and open an account please. I would also like to start renting a room on one gold piece. That should last me twenty weeks. I’m also supposed to be taking over the Alchemy responsibilities for this branch. I’d like my earnings to be funneled into the same account.” Deacon asked.

“Very good. Just let me notate what you are giving me. Would you like any portion of this converted into guild points? You can use points to purchase items at the guild shop. Its really the only way to buy things there, otherwise they charge an arm and a leg. Helps keep the best gear for guild members only.” Finely replied.

“No not now. I still have a lot of work to do before I start pilfering the guild shop.” Deacon said.

“What work, we aren’t going anywhere for awhile and you still need cloths. Can’t believe you ran through everything you got in Everhart already.”, Typhus said, “Can I open an account too?”

“Wait your turn, can I please see your guild mark? Just put your arm in this stone ring.” Finely asked.

Deacon put his arm through the ring, and it lit up dark green before settling down to a pale green. Finely looked shocked and then exhaled when the color settled. Deacon took note of that since it was the second time that happened to him. Typhus just looked bored until Elle came down the stairs with Sophie and waved him over.

“Everything checks out. Your guild mark has now been logged with every Adventurers Guild Bank in the Griffin Kingdom. Can honestly say I’ve never seen a mark like that in all the years I’ve worked for the guild. Here is your key. You are on the fourth-floor room one. Only one up there as far as I know. It was a pleasure doing business with you Deacon.” Finely said as he handed Deacon a small round stone. Then he promptly leaned back on his stool and fell back to sleep.

“Didn’t Typhus want…never mind.” Deacon said.