Secondous finds himself on the rooftops within seconds and he starts heading along the rooftop highway in search of birds. It doesn't take long to find a pigeon.
Meanwhile, Araxiel follows along on the ground, trying to keep an eye out for any place a poacher may frequent. After a short while you're able to find a tannery.
There is a bartender. He stares incredulously at Drau.
"What? I er... uh... look mate we got wine and cider. You want a fancy drink go to the University bar. And you!" He turns and stares at Rowena. "I dunno what yer game is but I've got my eye on you and yer tricks."
Araxiel tell Secondous about his idea to inquire about the poacher there, and heads into the tannery.
Otis makes his way to the bar a little ways down the bar from Drau
"Good sir, a mug of your finest Ale to wash the dust of the trail from my parched throat. And if it was not too much trouble mayhaps you could point me in the direction of a fine tool makers shop."
Rowena looks wide-eyed at Drau and crosses her arms. " I don't drinks anyways. Cider sounds wonderful."
She sits at the bar, trying to look amiable. "Tricks? I'm not much of a trickster...I'm just here for the cider." She scans the room for less hostile locals. "And I'm looking for a poacher."
She rambles out a story she thinks is believable I have a...forest nymph problem back home, you see. Damn thing is eating my potatoes. I heard Nan Klebem was good, but that he disappeared. Don't suppose you have any information on where he went..?"
He looks between Rowena, Otis, and Drau. "Strange bunch, but s'pose yer polite enough. I ain't seen Nan Klebem fer nigh over a year. Dunno what happened with that fella. That said if'n ya need tools made, check the Surgeon's Flats area. If yer quick some stores may still be open."
Secondous calls over a pigeon, which curiously hops forward.
"Food? Food? Food? Food? Food?"
After Secondous finds some crumbs the pigeon speaks a little more readily.
"The big water? I don't go there. Food is here with the people! Bad things in the big water. Dunno what poacher is. Ask the outside birds or find a gull! They go in the big water sometimes."
Araxiel walks into a tannery, the pong of drying hides immediately assailing his nostrils. A gruff-looking human looks up from a scraping rack.
"Eh? Whatcha want big fella? Ain't seen yer type around here before."
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secoundus thought about how to phrase this for the pigeon. " Know about the beast? errr. . . big, wrongly made, two leg walker? he is in a cage. he hoped the bird would at least know the man. maybe it could give some sort of insight. maybe it could point him in the right directing. . . even if the bird was. . . well . . . the "rat with wings" variety of birds.
"Big two-leg walker? He makes all the other walkers very noisy! Drop food. I like food. Big two-leg walker lives by the big water. Friend to the birds, always gives food!"
Rowena casts a glance at Otis and Drau. "We should head over to the Surgeron's Flats. It sounds promising."
She swiftly exits the bar, whistling for Toypurnia who was being ridden by a local toddler. "Enough of that, Toy! We have work to do!"
As Otis turns to follow Rowena he flips the barkeep what he owes for the ale plus a little extra. "Thanks for the fine ale."
Following Rowena, glancing at the big cat and smiles.
Although a dangerous wild animal, Toypurnia's love for children is noted and you finally manage to get the toddler away from her before a terrified parent starts throwing things. The three of you make your way across town towards the University of Lepidstadt and the area nearby known as Surgeon's Flats.
This is an area known for master crafters and specialty goods. This is a far wealthier area and you see a dizzying array of different signs with nothing loudly proclaiming "We make surgeon's tools with a raven stamp on them". A few people walk along the street with the three of you attracting fewer stares than one would expect. People are used to the unusual in this district.
"Drau, you work at at the University do you not? Do you have any insight in to what shop might have made or sold these tools. Or maybe you know someone in the area?"
Professor Derein in the Department of Health would very likely know considering he teaches people surgery.
"Well I think we should have the good professor take a look at these tools."
"Let's head that way, then." Rowena is eager to understand the strange markings, but feels oddly at ease in the crowd. No one was staring at her or Toypurnia. Maybe people here were interested in dark and obscure magic...
"Ah, yes, the University. Judging by the architecture of this place, which is both awe-inspiring and grotesque in it's own disturbing way, it is between one hundred and seven thousand years old," Drau says in his best tour guide voice as he shows everyone around the campus.
"The university was undoubtedly founded by some rich individual who inherited his wealth, never did a day of work in his life, and wanted some sort of legacy so people could remember his name rather than his deeds - or lack thereof. Well, the joke is on him. No one seems to know a damn thing about the history of this place."
Drau stops at the enormous wood and iron front door of one of the buildings.
"Now, just to clarify a few things here," he says and clears his throat awkwardly. "I don't really know Professor Derein that well. We only met once and that was under particularly tragic circumstances. You see, I had a crate of beautiful pseudacris feriarum brought in for a lecture on the effects of love songs on frogs - which do not mate the same way you or I might... Well, you all, anyway. I don't seem to be particularly attractive to the women of this university and I have no idea why. I think I'm rather clever and I feel I have a lot to offer a woman in terms of companionship."
He shuffles uncomfortably and pulls at the collar of his robe.
"Ah, right. Yes. Where was I? Oh yes. Professor Derein may have accidentally ordered the deaths of all two hundred of my test subjects. The frogs, not the students. Haha. Oh, to be young and in love and eviscerated on a cold stone slab by a child with a knife. University is so full of all kinds of unexpected life lessons."
Drau leads the group to the Department of Health in search of Professor Derein to inquire about the tools.
The four of you make your merry way over to the Department of Health. The mistrusting stares and xenophobia of the common folk has given way to indifferent or outright curiosity. A few students move over to try and pet Toypurnia, who is becoming more and more used to the city but is still on edge. You finally arrive at the department, an older building that predates a lot of the spectacular new architecture, and is a really boring affair made of brick.
Drau makes a few polite inquiries upon entering, and you are lead to the office of Professor Derein. After some cursory introductions and some attempts to convince him that Toypurnia is peaceful, the tools are displayed.
"Oh very nice set!" Derein is a whispery, grey-haired human with exceedingly long fingers. He shoots Toypurnia a nervous glance. The firepelt cougar has simply curled up to nap on his rug. "You're in luck, these were made locally. Look for Zbraslav Hora and Sons. It's a workshop on Anatomist's Alley nearby."
Araxiel nods at the man in the tannery, and holds in a sneeze from the rich smell.
"Aye, I'm not a local, but I am lookin' for a man who may have passed through here. Poacher, name of Nan Klebem, said to be mighty fine at his trade and I was hoping to speak to him and get his insight on some business I'm conducting. Problem is, no one seems to have seen him in some time and I'm just tryin' to see if I can figure out where he might have gone."
The man scowls darkly at Araxiel and looks to say something sharp, but keeps quiet.
"I ain't seen Nan in a year or so, and even had his poor wife looking for him. Reckon he got eaten. Since he's vanished she's been holed up in Arson Alley not too far from here. I give her some work in the shop now and again. Names Lydia, half-elf with real long hair. Most know 'er in that area."
"Local...then maybe someone in that workshop knows about Klebem. Toypurnia, come!" Rowena rushes out of the Department of Health, cougar slinking behind her. "Which way to the Anatomists Alley? Drau? Otis?"
"Thank you Professor you have been very helpful." Looks at Rowena and Drau "Off to Zbraslav Hora and Sons then"
The three of you push into the shop and find yourself in a very neat, sparse space. A hooked-nosed man with a stern countenance looks up from a desk to the three of you.
"Why have you brought a giant cat into my shop? Please tell me you're here to buy something."
"S..sorry." Rowena waves Toypurnia out of the shop. "We have a question actually, about this."
She gentle rolls out the set of surgical tools onto the man's desk and points to the raven marks. "These belonged to a man named Nan Kleblem. Don't suppose you recognize them?"
Zbraslav stares at Rowena curiously.
"Nan Klebem... Nan Klebem... that scruffy hunter? He'd never be caught dead in this part of the city and couldn't afford my work anyways. Nonsense. Wouldn't have a use for them either. Hunters need strong, robust knives. My delicate tools would snap doing his dirty work. Let me see those."
He flips open the case and looks over the tools to locate a number carved into them. Setting the tools aside, he checks over a ledger before nodding once over to you.
"If Nan Klebem got these, he got them at an auction. Or killed someone for them. Ugh. These were sold to one Vladka Kostel. If I recall she was a Varisian woman with a green silk scarf - nice swan on it. I believe she works at an auction house, but I am unsure which one."
Drau pops outside to ask somebody and looks back in.
"Would it be Ledov's Chirurgery Merchants?"
Zbraslav lets out a coarse laugh. "Of course it was. Go see them. I warn you though, they probably won't be as happy to give names of their buyers."
You receive directions to Ledov's, which is just a few blocks away.
"Thanks." He says gruffly, and nods his thanks to the shopkeeper before asking him exactly how to get there.
Whether or not the man is cooperative or not in his answer, Araxiel then heads out to regroup with Secoundus.
"Ke'lel! Quit jaw-bonin' with them feathered rats - I might have a lead."
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secounds trys to grab more scrap from his pocket and toss it to the bird in thanks, making a mental note that he should buy some bread. "Arī esmu atradis potenciālo klientu. tu devies jau mājās radījumiem var būt pavediens tur."
Rowena hurries out of the small shop and finds Toypurnia outside. "To that auction house, then...I hope this Varisian woman is still alive..."
Having found your directions easily enough the three of you make your way over a repurposed warehouse. Leaving Toypurnia outside, you make your way into a large room. The auctions for the day appear to be done and you see a few staff cleaning up. One of them is an obviously Varisian woman, speaking rapidly in her thick accent. She wears a green silk scarf, identifying her as Vladka.
A stuffy-looking man stomps up to you, looking you up and down.
"Hmph. The auctions for the day are over I'm afraid."
You have two leads here, one pointing to the Beast living near 'big water' and another to the residence of Nan Klebem's widow. Where do you go?
Araxiel nods and contemplates a moment.
"The tanner here said that the poachers wife is not far from here. We can go there and then head towards the Beast's dwelling. Call one of your feathered friends though, and see if you can't convince them to carry a message to our companions about this development. Tell it to look for Toypurnia, the cat should be easy enough to spot and that her mistress should have some food for it if it doesn't loose the note."
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secounds agree's, he hops down from the roof, then goes into the tannery. he asks for the use of pen an paper, pays the man a copper for it, then tries to convince a bird to deliver the note to a woman that will be with a big purple cat. and promises the bird food upon success. he includes that part in the letter.
in the letter it tells the party where they are going and what the plan is for at least the tiefling brothers.
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"Araxiel and I (secoundus) have gone to speak with the poachers wife," and I give the location of that, would having had asked Araxiel. " from there we look to the beasts home its self I will send you another message when we learn of its location. "
"P.S. I will attempt to have the bird locate me if you have a return message, but i cannot say wether or not the creature will have that much of an attention span."
"Oh good sir we do not mean to intruded, but we are looking for the owners of this fine set of tools that we found. Through our search we discovered that they were purchased here at your fine auction house. We dearly want to return this fine set to the rightful owners. Is there any chance you remember who bought them."
The man looks over the tools and frowns at Otis, relaxing a bit in wake of Otis' good manners.
"I of course keep careful records of every successful auction. But I can't just give away the names of my buyers! Think of the harm to my reputation! I keep the utmost pride in confidentiality!"
You're pretty sure that he wants a bribe.
You affix the note to the pigeon and send it off, hoping it finds Toypurnia.
The two of you make your way into the alley and at this time of day the residents are out of their homes, drinking and talking. Many of them scream and back away as the two of you approach.
There's only one half-elven woman in the crowd, and you see her near the back. She's unkempt but looks tough as nails.
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Secoundus leans to his brother and speaks softly. "ka puse elfu atpakaļ, viņa izskatās pazīstams? ir viņa, kas mums ir jārunā ar? Viņa drīzāk izceļas." he kept his eyes on the lady.
Araxiel grunts in response to his brother, and wades through the crowd towards the half elf woman.
As he approaches, he gives her a few feet of space, but otherwise he makes it very clear he wants to talk to her.
"Are you the wife of Nan Klebem?" He asks her in an authoritative voice.
Rowena reads between the lines and takes out 10 gold pieces. "Would this be a fair trade for risking your reputation?"
The woman lets out a squeak as Araxiel approaches her in all of his intimidating glory.
"Y... yes?"
The man takes a look over Rowena's proffered coins and he lets out a sigh.
"Tough times where I accept that paltry amount. Double it and we will have a deal."
He pockets the coins. "Come with me."
He leads the three of you into a back room and takes the tool. Very carefully, he looks the set over before nodding once and then going over the ledger.
"I trust in your discretion. This is not my usual business, but today was slow. Let's see... chirugeon's tools... ah. Yes. Here. This was sold to a Master Vorkstag, of Vorkstag and Grine's Chymic Works on the 17th day of Calistril, 4708. That's all I have I'm afraid. The amount he paid is confidential, I'm sure you understand."
None of you have ever heard of this Chymic works, although Secondous or some other locals may know.
Drau thanks the man and wanders back out into the street. He finds the first reasonably well-dressed person he can and walks up to them.
"Excuse me? Old man?" he asks politely. "Could you tell me what Vorkstag and Grine's Chymic Works is? Or where it is? Or if it has anything to do with chimes? It sounds like chimes. I do so love a well made set of chimes. It reminds me of the sober days of my youth." He chuckles. "Not that my adult years have been spent deep in cups, smothered by a haze of inebriation. Rather, I meant the other meaning of the word sober. Devoid of frivolity, you understand. I did not grow up in a House filled with the ringing laughter of elves at play. No, my family doesn't see the point. It was terribly tragic, now that I can think back on it as an adult."
"Anyway. What can you tell me about this Chymic Works?" Drau smiles politely and waits for a response.
The roughly 30 year old woman looks at you in horror.
"OLD MAN?! Do I look old? Do I look like a man!? You insolent cretin!" A handbag gets waved threateningly at Drau before she storms off in a huff.
As Drau is left bewildered, a loud cooing sounds from overhead. A rather terrified pigeon has perched above Toypurnia with a note strapped to its leg.
Otis thanks the owner of the auction house, and leaves to see what the yelling outside is about.
Although Otis nearly walks into a wall, he can still spy the pigeon which Drau is very obviously staring up at. It starts pecking at its leg, trying to get the note off.
Otis tries to get the bird to come to him so he can take the the note off its leg.
Rowena slowly walks toward Toypurnia. " Toy..." She whispers. "don't...move..." Rowena reaches for the bird's leg while Toypurnia stands statue-still.
The bird seems captivated by the druid's natural affinity with animals, and actually hops down onto her outstretched hand - though it still warily eyes Toypurnia. Toy doesn't seem to care. She's eaten a lot of pigeons today already.
You unfurl the note, which is as Secondous wrote above. He and Araxiel will visit the poacher's widow in the northeast of the city, and then go to The Beast's home.
Rowena recalls The Beast saying that it lived by the lake near Hergstag, the scene of the second crime The Beast has been accused of. It's a couple hours to get there and back, and it is coming on to evening.
"I think it would be best to find a room for the night and make our way to the Beast's home tomorrow. Rowena, can you send the pigeon back with a reply asking the brothers to meet us at the city gates in the morning and we can all travel to the Beast's home."
"You don't like travelling at night?" Drau asks Otis while staring intently at the bird. "I find there are few times more suited to travel than the cover of darkness. My people - my family, rather - conducted all of their business at night. I think I just feel more at home there. That's what my mother used to tell my brothers and sisters, though I believe her exact words were 'your brother should be kept in the dark about these activities.' That was my dear mother for you: considerate to the end."
Drau plays with the hem of his sleeve and looks around.
"The end? I hear you ask in your thoughts. Surely the mother of this poor scholar cannot have departed this mortal realm! But she has," says Drau sadly. He rubs the corner of his eye with his fingertip. "Her children are orphans! Someone else has picked up the mantel of the head of our House, yes, but we are without the firm hand of a parent to guide us. It is truly tragic. I miss my mother greatly."
He sniffles now and blinks his eyes rapidly.
"Come then, let us send the bird back. We shall depart in the morning as you prefer."
"I agree with Otis. It might look suspicious to go poking around a crime scene at night...we should wait til tomorrow." Rowena finds a scrap of paper in her bag and a rough quill. She scrawls onto the parchment in barely-legible writing: expect us tomorrow at the Beast's house.
She gently ties it to the pigeon's leg. "So where's the nearest hotel?"
Eager to do something for its new friend, the pigeon flies off away from Rowena, flapping to the northeast of the city. There are plenty of inns to be found. More expensive in this part of town with them getting cheaper as you get past the town centre to the north.