Nezu'mi wakes up early and begins his day as normal, reading his textless book. He begins his search at the Northshore then makes his way counter clockwise talking to locals chatting up his usual contacts around the city,
Northshore,
Bosom Strand,
East and West banks,
Pine Island,
Nezu'mi takes his time, paying attention to the smells and sights of the city but makes a point to avoid the Central District... He takes some time out of the day to visit his favorite trinket shops and food vendors, tapping his cane and chattering to himself for most of the day.
After leaving the city he makes his way to the Cloudwood and Nettles
Nezu'mi wakes up early and begins his day as normal, reading his textless book. He begins his search at the Northshore then makes his way counter clockwise talking to locals chatting up his usual contacts around the city,
Northshore,
Bosom Strand,
East and West banks,
Pine Island,
Nezu'mi takes his time, paying attention to the smells and sights of the city but makes a point to avoid the Central District... He takes some time out of the day to visit his favorite trinket shops and food vendors, tapping his cane and chattering to himself for most of the day.
After leaving the city he makes his way to the Cloudwood and Nettles
"Oh, you're with the police. You should have said so from the beginning." The man relaxes. "My name is Caleb Turnburry and as I said to Officer Porter yesterday, yes a Dr. von Recklinghausen is a guest here. Lovely man. Impeccable references. He hasn't been back as of yesterday, if that is what you're wondering."
You spend most of the day in a futile search, going from district to district and stopping by any establishment that looks even remotely alchemical in nature. You have little luck but you finally hit pay dirt in Pine Island.
You step into Waryeye’s Apothecary and exchange pleasantries with the gnome proprietress. Looking over her wares, it doesn't take long for Nezu to recognize the same telltale crafting peculiarities in these products as the remnants of the invisibility potion.
I see. Lets go together to see his room. I fear it is necessary. With you with us you can look out for your customer. Jace recommends.
"Would you mind telling us what his references were? We might want to speak with him, and information of this sort might make it easier," Abunan adds.
Saturday Stood behind the others, quietly bringing up the rear of the group. He was glad Jace was with them again. Coaxing answers from the dead was far easier a thing than coaxing answers from the living.
Nezu'mi wanders around the shop in Pine Island and makes small talk with the gnome,
"Very peculiar ingredients, yes. How long have you been at the craft?"
Nezu picks up varying ingredients and smells and sniffs them, he keeps his eye out for anything remarkable,
"I have an interest is a particular type of alchemy.... one that might make things not as they seem, or not seen perhaps."
Nezu gives the gnome a wink and giggles to himself
The man fishes though some paperwork and provides you with names of the references: Dr. Barnaby camp, a local surgeon and Lynn Kindleton, a professor of human biology at Pardwight University.
He grabs a ring of keys and leads you to the Doctor's room. The matress has been flipped and evidence of an invasive search is everywhere. Caleb says, "The officer yesterday was quite thorough. I hope the good Doctor isn't too upset with the mess." He gives you a look, "Assuming he's not in some sort of serious trouble, that is"
"Oh, I've been add this for ages luv. Famous all through the district. Wont find anything finer."
The gnome shakes her head. "Potions of invisibility are illegal. No that they are difficult to make mind you, but they're considered contraband unless you've the proper documentation."
Officer? Yesterday? Did you get that officer's name? Regardless Jace will take 20 on a search for a 24.
Nezu'mi nods his head as she explains the legalities of alchemy. He straightens to his modest height addressing the Gnome
"I am quite informed on the legalities of alchemy and I also know of the reputation of..."
Nezu waves his arms in a broad sweeping motion,
"...Waryeye’s Apothecary."
Nezu flashes his identification for the RNC.
"You may have heard of me, Nezu'mi Jwee. Resident Master Alchemist of the RNC. Ingredients have been curated from your shop to craft illegal potions in the city. Now I either have reason to believe that you are crafting them, or perhaps a frequent irregular patron. Might your memory serve you to serve me m'lady?"
Zezu'mi makes a broad sweeping bow.
"It sounds just slightly more likely that the man might actually have been a doctor. We should definitely check his references when we finish searching the room," Abunan whispers to Jace and Doc Saturday.
"I can find out if he is a true doctah easily enough." Saturday said. "We just need to find him."
Caleb searches his memory briefly, " He identified himself as Officer Roger Porter, with the Flint police department."
Your search doesn't up much of anything, but you do find one item of note. In the room's small waste basket, you find an oily pocket kerchief that's been stained with some sort of black viscous substance that smells like burnt axle grease.
The gnome seems unconcerned by your badge, "Can't say I've heard of you. Regarding said potions, I've made them in the past for individual that had the proper papers. Nothing improper with that. Perhaps if you were a little more specific, it might jog my memory."
Jace picks up the oily pocket kerchief with interest. Waht have we here? he asks the room
Abunan looks closely at the kerchief. "I wonder where that grease could have come from."
"Constable Jwee may be able to tell us." Saturday said.
I have to ask you to make sure you verify identities when you speak to any officer. I do not know an Officer Porter. He certainly does now work with me. I fear he might have been part of this conspiracy. What all did you reveal to him?
"Hmmm, more accurate. Some young'in tried to drinks the potion."
Nezu opens his alchemical book and sniffs a page,
"Nilasa Hume. Taller than us, young, did something at one of those fancy houses."
Nezu waves his cane in an attempt to display how tall the woman was.
"Who you makin' these potions for?"
Caleb frowns. "Well I don't know about that. His documentation seemed to be authentic. As for what I revealed, nothing above what I've mentioned to you. He had much the same questions. If he took anything from the good doctor's room, I did not see it."
The gnomes nods, "I know Nilasa. She was one of my regulars and yes I recently made her a potion of invisibility, but she did have the proper documentation. I don't know how she got approval, or what she needed the potion for. I don't pry."
Abunan thanks Caleb for the information and turns to Doc Saturday and Jace. "Do we have more to look at here, or are we done with investigating the hostel?"
Jwee nods his head as the gnome explains, his whiskers twitching feverishly as he picks up and places objects he finds on the shelves.
Abunan thanks Caleb for the information and turns to Doc Saturday and Jace. "Do we have more to look at here, or are we done with investigating the hostel?"
I would like to continue as long as there's interest.