"I can show you to the Library; that seems to be the best place to start, yes?"
"Sounds like a good place to start."
Ikshvaku leads the way back to the Library, giving Mai an update on what little he knows about the incident.
Fibek speaks with his usual tact.
In conversation with the bard, he will buy her a drink and casually probe her for information/rumors of a local sort (especially of any banditry-along-the-roads type).
Mai/Vak/Fibek: You learn that the magical traps/wards on the book were guarded with passwords, which the thief somehow learned, but failed to discover the mechanical trap until too late.
Alfric: Ceara is happy to share her theory with you.
"I have researched the legends of this Ranulfr the White. His name means 'White Plundering Wolf' by the way, so I suspect it's an alias." here she pauses to look around, then continues "He's always been described as having pale gray skin, pure white hair, and milky blue eyes...and he never seemed to show any aging. *I* think he's a dampir. That would explain a lot, especially why he's still around."
"Let's be careful with the book, since it left proof it was trapped."
"What other information is there, other than someone stole a book.
Like What he or she looks like, possible reasons for wanting the book, etc."
"Well, I would be interested in meeting this character. If we can let goblins go, maybe we can let this one go if he sees reason."
"The book is a treatise on fey magic, I believe. It has value due to its rarity, at the least."
"Yes, it is a treatise on magic. I would like to hope it would help my spell powers reach an epic level.!!"
"If it's a rare book that covers magic the only folks who would want it are book collectors and those who use magic."
"If anyone came here and showed even the slightest interest in the book should be checked out."
Sir Alfric buys Ceara another drink.
"So this famous bandit, Ranulfr the White, you think he's a dhampyr? How long has he been plaguing the roads hereabouts?"
"If it's the same person and not someone trading on the name...around 50 years or so. He seemed to slow down and eventually just vanish 25 years or so ago, about the same time Brinewall was destroyed. Recently, however, he's returned. The description matches, the tactics match, I think it's the same man. Given everything, him being a dhampyr fits."
She shrugs, then smiles at Sir Alfric. "So, that's my news and views. Tell me about yourself. What brings you to Galduria?"
KN: Arcana (info on the book) DC 20
Perception (for spotting clues) DC 20
The alert elf looks for clues. Although he uses magic, he hasn't studied much formally. With his heart set on the ranger lady, he doesn't think magic knowledge will impress her much.
He does see this as a perfect opportunity to show Shalelu how to use the magnifying glass he gave her as a present.
"Look how easy it is spot clues with this!"
"So, that's my news and views. Tell me about yourself. What brings you to Galduria?
Sir Alfric takes a sip of wine.
"Well then, I am Sir Alfric, Knight of the Shield. I ride as a guard for Milord Sandru and his caravan..."
@Sir Alfric: "Sandru Vhiski? Now that is a nice recommendation. Where's he headed this time? I thought he might be resting for the end of traveling season."
@Mai, Vak, & Fibec: After Mai heads off with Vak, the others head back to the caravan. Meanwhile, you do discover what seems to be a spot where someone small was hiding out, seemingly to watch the spot where the book once sat. On the wall beside the spot is a small smear of a sticky amber substance which Fibec recognizes as gum arabic.
@Braydon: Not long after the gnome arrives, Shalelu, Koya, and Ameiko arrive back at the caravan. Sandru pulls Ameiko aside to discuss adding the gnome to the crew. meanwhile, the gnome approaches you and strikes up a conversation "Hi. My name's Vaylenchek. Nice to meet you. Say, who's the Tian? I thought the Varisian was in charge here." He looks you over. "You don't look like you're from around here either. What's it like, being a part of this caravan? Are they nice folks? Where are they headed?"
"Hm, Northwards I think. You should talk to Sandru about itinerary and schedules and such."
He arches an eyebrow.
"Why? Thinking of signing on?"
"So given what we know so far we are dealing with a short thief, who knows either alchemy or someone who does."
Fibek discusses the evidence with Shalelu.
"I am thinking small creature."
Fibek looks for tracks on the ground.
"Someone short and stealthy, it seems."
Ikshvaku looks for one of the staff, preferably an older and more knowledgeable one. "Excuse me, but do you know what gum arabic might be used for? Besides in painting, of course."
Fibek returned to consult with Shalelu hoping th get her involved.
If the tracks are small, may involve goblins.
Vak: The professor you approach says "Gum arabic? it's used as a spell component in several spells." He turns to a group of students he seems to be guiding and says "How many of you can say just which spells use gum arabic?"
After a brief discussion you get some answers: Gum arabic is used in the following 4 spells, at a minimum; sequester, disguise wounds, invisibility, and polymorph any object.
Fibek: Shalelu looks interested, but comments "I doubt goblins are involved. I don't see how they could sneak into one of the most prestigious magic academies in Varisia, just to steal a book on magic when they're known to believe writing steals words from your mind, and -more practically- do no other damage. If goblins were involved, I think it's more likely we'd see the library having been set on fire. There are quite a few other small races that are far more likely to be involved. For that matter, if it concerns fey magic, I'd suspect fey involvement."
Ikshvaku bows to the professor. "Thank you, sir." Then gives a courteous nod to the students. "And my thanks to you, as well." He returns to Mai with the information. "Invisibility would seem to be the most likely, yes?"
"I'd say, Very likely.
It's hard to find or id one you can't see.
But it also limits the list."
Those of you doing the investigating:
@Sir Alfric: The young red-head shrugs. "I am interested in traveling a bit more, and Sandru has a good reputation for maintaining the safety of his crew and passengers." She chuckles and winks. "Besides, he's kinda cute, too."
"They'll want the book out of here, and a caravan is the way to do just that."
"So we should speak to other caravans about this...and look for short stowaways with ours, yes?"
"Yes, we can see if they have anything to hide. I can help with this."
To Vaylenchek: "My..my name's Braydon. I'm..kind of..a cook. For the caravan. And..an escaped..cloistered priest. Long story."
Braydon looks the new arrival up and down, while drinking in his scent.
"Vaylenchek..so..what is it..you do? Trader? I..hadn't thought..gnomes a..wandering race."
@Braydon: The strange gnome seems rather nervous to your enhanced senses.
"We're all as different as you big folk. Also...we do need to keep having experiences, excitement...something about this world drains us in a way the First World does not."
@investigating group: You can head back to the caravanserai and start looking around there.
@Sir Alfric: do you want to escort your new friend to Sandru?
Sir Alfric nodded.
"Well then. I am about to return to the caravan for the evening. If you like, you can accompany me and I can introduce you to Lord Sandru."
Ikshvaku will return to the caravanserai with Fibek and Mai. "We should speak with Sandru first, yes?"
Sir Alfric will escort Ceara to the caravan.
Fibek heads to Sandru for direction. "What so we need to do so we are ready to go?"
Sir Alfric knocked on the tent support.
"My lord Sandru. May I present Miss Ceara; a magnificent musician who desires to travel with us."
He nods at Ceara.
"Welcone. What can I do for you, Miss Ceara?"
Before she can answer, though, there is a commotion outside, from one of the nearby caravans.
A young woman, accompanied by a half-elven male dressed as a university guard, is in a loud argument with the leader of second the caravan to your left. The leader appears to be highly insulted by whatever she has said, but after a few moments he allows the two to examine his wagons, loudly proclaiming his innocence to all the gods. From the pair's actions after the search, he does seem to be innocent, of whatever they were accusing him of, at least.
The pair moves on to the next caravan, seemingly intent on searching all of them.
"Now, what is THAT all about?" wonders Sandru.