Mara can think of a number of reasons why Rahmir might be hard of hearing. The most likely, being subjected to loud noises repeatedly and for long periods. She knows she could cure the man of his troubles.
He answers rather calmly for a man nearly trampled to death, "Oh yeah I saw Dahab a few days ago. He was clearly smitten with someone, someone who was very generous, he had a new leather jerkin, a fine belt, and boots of this deep ocher color."
Mara followed up, "Did he say who this someone is? Did he talk about any unusual plans?"
Allegra helps Rahmir out of the cage and quickly shuts the door behind him.
"Did he give any indication who this benefactor is or where they might be found?"
Theophilus smiles.
No hat, then?
"I don't think Dahab would talk much about the identity of his new 'benefactor'... not if he didn't want Njano to know.
But maybe Theophilus is onto something... and we can use the clothing to track him down.
First I think we should go to the temple of Gozreh. But maybe after that we could try to figure out where one would get a jerkin, belt, and boots like that.
Any idea why the animals went so nuts?"
Pocky calls out, “I can explain the animals... but when you’re all out here. It’s poor form to holler through doorways, yet it would not be prudent for me to re-enter the menagerie.”
Remembering how unconvincing her child act is, she says, “I mean… mastodons are frightening.” If Pocky made any effort to sound childlike with those last few words, her acting needs work.
Rahmir shakes his head slowly with a kind of glassy look in his eyes, "No didn't say who, was real coy about it. Musta been someone who has money to throw around or someone really good with leatherworking."
Dervak can't make that Knowledge (Local) check, and while he has some chance of hitting the DC 25 Diplomacy (Mara or Theophilus would have a better chance), that would take 1d4 hours?
"Thank you for your time, Rahmir."
Allegra has a very good chance of beating the DC with intimidate gather info, but I'll hold on to that as a last resort in case we can't get it by other means.
Mara thanked Rahmir, and once everyone else had finished talking to him, took her leave and started asking around about what the beast tamer had told them.
She related to the others what she learned about the tanning pits.
"Tanning pits? Ugh," Ci Ci replies. "I thank the Lady of Fate my family didn't go into that profession. Ugh. The sheer reek of it."
Theophilus wrinkles his nose at the mention of tanning pits.
Temple then?
"Well... I would say the tanning pits. That seems like where we might find a person who would be able to give Dahab such gifts. I have a hunch we'll end up there. But we can go to the Temple if you want."
The party swings by the temple of Gozreh to see that it is under renovations for a large fracture topping its great dome. There are a number of ladders and scaffolding that the builders must use to ascend, however no one seems to be working at such a late hour.
Mara said to her companions, "Looks like we'll have to come back tomorrow. " She had a quick look atound the construction site to see if she could see if the builder Azeem was still around. She knew it was a longshot.
Theophilus seems reluctant to realize the facts. He pouts on the way to the pits....
”Tomorrow it is, then,” Ci Ci replies. ”May as well get the tanning pits out of the way.” She doesn’t seem to be any more enthusiastic than Theo, but hasn’t quite resorted to pouting just yet.
"So what is our plan at the tanning pits, if the 'kidnapper' is there?
Stealth?
Negotiation?
Trickery?
Or brute force?"
Pocky says, “I’m good at two out of three. Shall I attempt stealth first?”
I always find it best to confront murderers with charm, wit and the police.
The White Rabbit is seen in an officer uniform.
Allegra grips the chain from which her holy symbol and her badge hang with a grim smile. Then she remembers tanning pits and that smile turns upside down.
"I've never seen you look so handsome, rabbit. Now, if we're to investigate the tannery, lets do so now when they won't know to expect us. And outside of the midday heat. Ugh. If they are there...reconnaissance, followed by negotiation, with violence for dessert if the kidnapper sees fit to order some."
The White Rabbit executes a splendid, gentlemanly bow for Allegra.
He then sticks his tongue out at Theo.
After asking about the leathers once you mention the ocher dye it all clicks into place. That dye is only available at Salir's Fine Leathers. It is in the hour just before dawn. This is apparently a simple workshop, it consists of a single-story mud-brick building. On the western side of the building beneath a sign that reads "Salir's Fine Leathers," stands the primary entrance to the tannery. The door is locked.
Theo casts Feather Step on Dervak.
I am predicting that you will be stepping in the s%~&, my friend!
The Witch then casts Detect Magic; once the group is within 60' of the mud building....
Dervak nods to Theophilus. "Maybe so."
He casts See Invisibility and Shield.
Mara thought it was best to be ready for trouble. She recited some prayers to get the group ready.
"Let's do this," Ci Ci says, tapping herself with one of her wands.
She also calls upon her power to renew her field of protection around her body.
"Okay, we've got a closed and locked door. We have nobody skilled with locks. Want to knock?
Want me to break it down?"
Theophilus looks at the door. He looks at Dervak. He looks at the White Rabbit.
The White Rabbit shrugs.
Theo knocks on the door....
There is no answer to Theo's polite knocking.
"Dervak, would you care to knock harder?"
Semore does know disable device...
Dervak casts Enlarge Person.
He Str-rages (so 30 Str, with a +4 to break doors from being Large) and throws his shoulder against the door.
He will end his Rage immediately after breaking down the door (so Fatigued 2 rounds).
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Pocky was going to mention that she can pass through a locked door and open it from the other side… but what prude doesn’t appreciate a good old-fashioned door-kickin’?
Dervak's shoulder easily breaks the thick wooden door. Pausing for a moment behind the nearby untouched double doors you can hear the growl of some large animal, likely a large cat.
Folded stacks of dyed leather fill the well-organized shelves in this store, each labeled with the type of animal the skins are from as well as the going price for wholesale and individual purchases. Boots, gloves, pouches, satchels, and clothing serve as just some of the examples of the fine wares provided here. No one is tending the store currently and a single door leads further into the tannery.
Pocky has her guard up, but explains, “You’ve seen my animal magnetism. It’s essentially north-on-north.
“Likely, the cat will not bother us.”
As for how to approach, she asks, “Shall I scout ahead? We’ve drawn attention if people are here, but I can see if there will be an ambush. I’m willing, with or without an invisibility spell.”
Mara replied to Pocky, "Scouting would be a good idea. Will animals react to you even if you're invisible?"
She listened at the interior door for sounds of activity beyond.
Dervak looks at the halfling.
She doesn't look like a hideous abomination from beyond reality. Maybe a more subtle curse.
Pocky nods, but her expression becomes uncertain. “I think so. In my experience, they react without necessarily seeing me. Just now, in the menagerie, every animal struggled to move away from me before I entered the room.
“But whatever the big cat does, what it won’t do is follow my scent and harm me. It should move away from me.”
Of course, Pocky is mindful to keep her voice down as she explains this, just in case there are people listening for intruders.
Theophilus winks.
Semore is a superb sneak...
The White Rabbit agrees.
Through the door Mara can hear the gentle sound of someone snoring "Snbtz...crugh...sneeghe." One wonders how they slept through Dervak's ruckus. Unlike the prior door this one's handle turns easily.
Mara whispered to those nearest to her, "Someone's sleeping in there; don't ask me why they didn't wake up."
Pocky says, “I suppose if I walk softly, it’s safe to look around.”
“—in the form of a curious child,” she adds with a soup-pea’ing grin.
She enters the room quietly—
—very quietly—and looks around…
A heavy wooden table covered with cups and plates sits in the middle of the room surrounded by finely carved chairs. Crates are stacked in the southern end of the room, and two rows of shelves line the room’s northeastern corner.
A single guard sits at the table with a plate from a recently finished meal. He doesn't move as Pocky enters the room.
Pocky checks the doors for traps, and looks at the boxes. She then tells Mara of her odd experience and asks two questions: “Should I make sure the man will not wake? Without killing him, I mean. And either way, shall I explore the nearest rooms?”
Mara replied to Pocky, "I think I should examine him; I'd like to understand why he's sleeping so soundly. Perhaps you could restrain him? After that, by all means, continue your exploration."
She stepped into the bedroom, trying to be as quiet as she could, and examined the sleeping guard.
If someone has rope, Pocky is more than happy to tie the man to the chair.
If that works out, she remains in kid-guise as she checks the doors...
...and, if all is well, she peeks in as it opens, ready to slip in silently.