Heading through the thick fog and relentless rain the group reach Clamour. The forges are long since lit and the sounds of vigorous metal working ring out even through the noise dampening fog. It is not hard to find Sara Morning Gail who looks above the half dozen apprentices squinting at an axe blade she has been setting to the grinder.
Nodding to Ivan and Daseem, she sizes the rest of you up and says "Heard from Olinda, Kurst has you investigating Rodrik, god's rest, and that you riled up the halflings something fierce. How can I help?"
Daseem kinda slumped, everyone would know about this soon enough. He was never going to live this down, a moment's foolishness during the confusion of last night had undone months of Tessa's efforts to integrate. Her fury would be a sight to behold.
"Y-yeah, that was b-badly done." he muttered more to the floor than anyone present, feeling really bad about it. Daseem struggled with his inner demons for a moment before looking Sara in the eye and showing her the hopeknife, "F-fine work. Is it one of yours?"
Menrozzar breathes a sigh of relief as Edgar tells what he's found. "Thank you, Edgar. This helps support the possibility foul play was involved - although it could be a false trail, it's one to consider. Once we've finished at Clamor and talking to Brinya, we might be able to swing by the House of Wonders and see if Agrit has anything we could use to detect poison."
Menrozzar considers a moment, then says, "Daseem, Ivan, you both have pre-existing relationships with Sara. You two and Edgar should take the lead on asking about the receipt and the smith on the receipt. Once we get to Brinya's, I think we should let Edgar do most of the talking - perhaps while the rest of us wait outside. She's likely to be distraught, and we don't want to unintentionally make things worse."
Once they arrive at Clamor, Menrozzar will hang back, allowing those he named to take the lead in asking questions. As he does so, he thinks about the name Melira, trying to recall if any townsfolk have that name.
Sara examines the knife and her eyes widen,
"Yeah, it is one of mine, by rights it should still have been in the shop... I finished the preliminary work nearly a week ago and handed it off to an apprentice for finishing. It was that clumsy oaf Urnsul! She never showed up yesterday, I thought maybe she thought she was supposed to have the day off for Ruby's Hopeknife ceremony - she wasn't." Sara says expression turning thunderous.
Daseem paled slightly, "M-maybe we should talk to her, any idea where she might be?" He then showed her the receipt, "We think this could be important, any idea who commissioned it?"
Sara gives Daseem a funny look and points to the name Rodrik Grath upon the receipt, "I'd not have let anyone else commission in Rodrik's name. He came in about a week ago. Didn't ask questions, not my business - though I told him it would never be quite the same as another knife, don't use molds here, not for Hopeknife at any rate."
Daseem knew the question seemed foolish to Sara so he haltingly tried to explain, "T.the engraving suggests it's a p.p.present for Rodrik. S.strange he'd o.order it. Had to be sure Sarah. Any idea where we can find U.u.rnsul?"
He looked at her hopefully, she had a temper but Sarah Morninghawk was good people.
Sara gives Daseem a funny look and points to the name Rodrik Grath upon the receipt, "I'd not have let anyone else commission in Rodrik's name. He came in about a week ago. Didn't ask questions, not my business - though I told him it would never be quite the same as another knife, don't use molds here, not for Hopeknife at any rate."
”thank you Sara, did he specifically ask about making it look like another knife? Was he trying to make a replacement for an existing knife?” Edgar inquires.
Only if the DC is 10 to know about Urnsul
Bah! Halflings riled themselves up, though I don't blame the poor folk, surely ain't used ta stuff like this happening. Specially not there... Anyway, Sara, ye mean ta tell me that Rodrik ordered a knife what said. "to Rodrik, my love"? What would he do that fer?... He pauses a moment.
And aye, Do ye kno' where we can find Urnsul?
Sara shifts uncomfortably, and speaks warily, "He never said, I was making some assumptions... Not sure what I should say, you know about his closest... friends yet? Normally you would only have another persons Hopeknife if you were betrothed."
To Ivan's question she scowls smacking a meaty fist into the work surface, "If I knew where to find Urnsul, you can be damned sure I would be there giving her a good whuppin' this instant! Came along a few weeks ago with nothin' and I took her in here, even though there was much to be desired in her smithin' skills. The way Trunau is us Half Orcs have to look out for one another, but she goes and lets me down like this."
"So she missing. In place where people no like her? That bad." Scrabbler said, starting to feel like he was following what was happening.
Sara frowns, "Ahh, you are making me feel bad now. I know folk around here do not like half orcs, but nobody goes around killing them without reason... I cannot believe she would just vanish, maybe get beaten up a bit, but even that would be pretty unusual. But she must have taken the knife, I can't see anyone else who would have, she was the one working on it, even asked me to do it. Though now I look back at it, I had a few suspicions she could not read, I remember being surprised she asked to finish a knife with an inscription at the time, though I had gotten hold of the wrong end of the stick..."
Menrozzar thinks about Urnsul, but he never spent much time in the smithy. Still, half-orcs tended to be pretty distinctive in Trunau. Maybe Brinya knew her.
Sara shifts uncomfortably, and speaks warily, "He never said, I was making some assumptions... Not sure what I should say, you know about his closest... friends yet? Normally you would only have another persons Hopeknife if you were betrothed."
Menrozzar responds, "We are aware he was close friends with a weaver, yes. We haven't spoken to her yet, and I don't know if word will have reached her about what happened." Menrozzar hoped to convey to Sara that they knew of Brinya, without publicly naming her. Sara was smart - the message should get across fairly well.
Daseem looked at Scrabbler thoughtfully and listened to Sara's words. He muttered, "I'm worried for her. D.d.did she have no friends at all?"
Somehow Daseem got the sense they'd stumbled upon something large and sinister that was going to trample over folk left and right. They needed to find this Urnsul, who might be a victim just like poor Rodrik.
"Then I imagine you can put two and two together right? About why he wanted a knife with that inscription. As for Urnsul, she mentioned a brother I think, not a big talker for the most part, and you can barely hear yourself think in here at any rate. Think they were staying at the Ramblehouse, most new comers do."
Sara folds her arms, "Now if there is nothing else can I get on with my work?"
Bupkis said to Sara, "Betrothed mean will marry? Kurst say Rodrik will marry Brinya Kelver."
Sara glances about, "Out there now is it? Jagrim ain't going to be happy, miserable old bastard. Poor Brinya, you be gentle when you talk to her otherwise I will be very upset."
Vein popping in her forehead she picks up a nearby iron bar and bends it like taffy before setting it down and giving you a pointed look.
Ta be honest, I'm not as worried about this Urnsul as I am suspicious. Someone should check tha book at the ramblehouse again on her by me thinkin'.
As sara bends the bar, Ivan's eyes widen a little.
Bah! Do that when it's red hot. Then I'll be truly impressed. Still, despite himself, he can't help but stare at the bar a few moments.
An' no worries, I do kno' what it's like ta lose a loved one, lost most of mine already... We'll be kind.
Before leaving, Ivan remembers something he had forgotten about due to all the going ons today. He turns back to Sara.
Oie! Sara! Mightn' not be the best O' times, but, maybe a lil' something to get the mind to think 'bout something else. About those materials I asked ye for to help re-forge that plate armor. Have ye managed to get all O' 'em yet? I've still got the coin fer when ye do.
"Still waiting on the next caravan, thought they'd have been in yesterday truth be told. Not like they have a schedule, but old Julio normally tries to make it in time for a Hopeknife ceremony when he knows about the ahead of time, and he did. Maybe the weather is holding them up, gods know it is horrible out there. Its all ordered at any rate. You could make a start though, we have all the metal you would need, its mostly the specialist leathers and joint fixings I am waiting on."
Menrozzar quickly nods and says, "Yes, we'll be as gentle as we can be. I don't believe it's 'out there', as it were - Kurst told us about it earlier, when he asked us to investigate." He eyes the iron bar, and thinks to himself, And I thought I was strong. If I tried to do that, I'd likely pull a muscle or dislocate my shoulder. Maybe Ruby should have called on Sara.
Menrozzar eyed Bupkis and Scrabbler. They didn't quite understand Trunau culture. Perhaps he should have a talk with them about not being so open about that. He himself didn't have any issues with it - life was too short to be biased to those who had proven their worth to Trunau - but not everyone had his thought and temperament.
"Thank you for your time, Sara. We appreciate your help."
”hmm there were two half orcs who were at the Ramblehouse last night.” Edgar says trying to gauge Sara’s reaction.
”I do agree with Ivan though, we should see if Cham will allow us a look at her ledger. Perhaps after we visit Brinya.”
"Not really unusual, lot of half orcs round these parts, lot of them don't fit in anywhere, so you tend to get a lot who wander. Mostly we know which way our bread is buttered, humans might treat us badly, orcs treat us worse. But same as anyone people are people, and half orcs are no better than anyone else, and often have harder lives. I would be surprised if there were only two half orcs at the Ramblehouse last night truth be told, think a bunch showed up around the same time as Urnsul, probably driven off from one of the other border towns poor buggers."
As far as you can ascertain Sara is being her usual plainspoken honest self.
”thank you again for candor Sara, one last question before we depart, does the name ‘Melira’ mean anything to you?” Edgar presses one last time.
Bupkis cowered behind the larger party members. "No hurt Bupkis! We just want find who killed Rodrik. No tell anyone else!"
"Not a god blummed thing, should it? Not a local, but there might be a few newcomers who I don't know, best to ask Cham in that case," Sara replies to Edgar.
In response to Bupkis her face softens and she shakes her head, "I ain't going to hurt you young goblin, I just don't want you to hurt Brinya's feelin's, she just lost the love of her life, you seem like a nice enough lad so I am sure you are in no danger. Right?"
Scrabbler stared at the twisted metal bar. He'd seen the strongmens do things like that. "You should be a circus." he said, his eyes wide.
”thank you once again Sara,” Edgar says as he bows slightly. ”does anyone know where Brinya lives?” he asks the group.
"T-thank you Sarah." echoed Daseem as they headed out. Talking to Sarah had given him a lot to think about, [i]'Clearly the half-orcs got the short end of the stick. But what about these goblins? In many parts they'd be shot on sight, but strangely enough they where given a pass here. Perhaps the shared risk of living here made that possible?"[/b] Daseem shook his head in an effort to concentrate on the task at hand.
"Does anyone know where Brinya lives?”
Daseem shook his head once more, they needed to find Brinya and Urnsul and he had no idea where to look for either.
Sara Morning hawk grunts, "Not a problem, Rodrik was a friend, and a great man, if someone was responsible for his death I'd like you to make 'em pay for it. As for Brings, you will probably find her at home, she has rooms in the boarding house near the Commons, just head there and take the path headed north west and its the first house you come to."
The group leave Clamour and make third way through the fog, it is tough to navigate, but several of you have spent many years in Trunau so it does not take too long to locate. Knocking on the door after a few moments it is opened by a pretty half orc woman whose orange hair contrasts well with Herr green skin, but currently she is a bit of a mess, eyes puffy and red from crying.
The room is simple, but decorated with dozens of weavings, and several bouquets of wild flowers in makeshift vases giving a well cared for homely feel, a stark contrast to Rodrik's bleak room. A large loom sits in one corner with a partially completed piece in progress inside.
Wordlessly she ushers you in and gestures to some chairs around a table set taking a seat, trying to look up at you, but quickly looking down shoulders heaving as she sobs silently.
On the way to Brinya's, Menrozzar walks with the goblins, saying, "So, what we were told about Rodrik and Brinya earlier isn't something that you should talk about too loudly. Not everyone is understanding about it, and may react harshly if they hear about it. Do you understand?"
While it was nice they'd been brought in so well, Menrozzar was intensely uncomfortable with even her silent weeping, and had no idea what it was he needed to do to comfort her. He looked at Edgar, and jerked his head, indicating he should do something.
'Blasted fog, I'll never get used to this.' thought Daseem as they made their way towards the boarding house. It was easy to loose your bearings and get all twisted round. Fortunately Trunau wasn't a big place and Edgar had grown up here and knew his way regardless.
Daseem wondered what he might say to Brinya, the enormity of her loss was something beyond anything he had experienced. There there were things they needed to know, but raking over the coals would almost certainly prove to be too much unless handled with the upmost delicacy. Daseem could almost feel the misery as they approached the door, and he found his mouth go dry. This was a bitter harvest. He found a sudden urge to try and comfort the poor woman, and tell her it would be ok. But it wouldn't. It would never be ok. In the end he muttered, "S-sorry for your loss." Words failed him and he glanced at Edgar, hoping he'd know what to say.
“Thank you my dear,” he says as they enter the room, “your Brinya yes? I take it you have heard the dreadful news? I have no words I could say to ease your pain. I’m taken to understand you were betrothed to Rodrik? he says, giving her a moment to respond before continuing,”I’m afraid all the facts may not be in order as of yet, Rodrik may have been murdered...” he says to the pretty half orc, trying to sound caring and concerned.
”We have all been selected to find out the truth of his death and if you can summon the strength, answering a few questions may help us find justice.” he says to Brinya.
Bupkis didn't know what to say to Brinya. He hesitated, while Daseem and Edgar spoke, and then said, "Bupkis sad; Rodrik friend. Brinya sad, maybe more sad than Bupkis."
Brinya nods, "I hope so Bupkis, I would not wish this grief on another. Please ask me your questions. I do not believe for a moment Rodrik took his own life, and I never will, if this is some whitewash for that blowhard Jagrim then you will need to silence me, because I will not let it stand," then she looks up at them eyes sorrowful and fierce at once.
Edgar’s hand goes to his chest in suprise at the accusation, ”Never m’lady, we are of a similar mind. Rodrik didn’t seem the kind to take his own life.” Edgar says trying to assuage her worries. ”I have never met Jagrim, but I’ve heard he has some misgivings about your kind that I do not share, you can be assured. he says firmly.
”let us begin and we will try to be brief. Do the names Urnsul or Melira mean anything to you? Do you know of anyone who may have considered Rodrik their enemy? Or anyone who would benefit from his death?” he asks trying not to seem too pushy, ”please, take your time thinking, your answers could help determine the true cause of death.”
its probably best not to mention he was sleeping at the ramblehouse just yet, lets find out what she knows before showing our hand he thinks to himself realizing the others couldn’t read his mind and praying they did not anger the grieving girl.
"Benefit from his death? I cannot think of anyone, some of the more vehement anti half orc types did not like him much, after The Other Side of Contempt and all, but I never had the impression that anyone wanted to harm, let alone kill him. He was virtually estranged from his father, and there was a lot of anger there, but that was only because there was a lot of love and a lot of nothing between the ears. Plenty of orcs would call him enemy I suppose, he was a big part of Trunau's defences," Brings manages, voice soft and throaty from crying.
”And the names? We know Ursnul is a smith over at Clamor who he may have had business with recently...” he presses some more, still unsure if he wants to share the reciept.
"I am afraid I have never heard of any of them, I wish I could be more helpful," Brings says, letting out an exhausted sigh.
”you have been more than helpful my dear”, Edgar says “I fear we have expended our welcome here, however if you should think of anything else that might help us or if you just want to talk, I’ll be staying at the Ramblehouse” Edgar says as he bows he head to her once more.
Scrabbler didn't know what to say so he didn't say anything. It was too big. He knew this hurt. He knew there was nothing to say about it, especially when it was new. Instead he pulled a slightly squished paper flower out of somewhere and put it next to one of the vases of real flowers.
Then he shuffled out the door with the others.
Brinya slams her fist on the table and stands trembling, "Are you kidding! You are supposed to be investigating his death and that is all you want to ask his betrothed? Really? You haven't asked me anything I even know about! You haven't even asked anything about Rodrik, I want to help catch whoever is responsible for taking him from me!"
Bupkis asked the others, "Show re-seat?" He turned to Brinya and said, "Piece of paper says Rodrik gets Hopeknife made. Bupkis confused engraving."
He paused for a moment, until he remember the note from the mystery guest. "Other paper in Ramblehouse; man with no name. Says Rodrik 'poking around'. Also say something about 'our work'. Sound like other man search something. Man pay Cham to not give name."
Ivan nods his head, surprisingly agreeing with the goblin.
Aye, do ye know what exactly Rodrik was doin' in that room? Was he investigatin' somethin'? Soomethin' that may or may not be connected to this incident?
”My Apologies Brinya... I did not to pick at wounds so fresh. Here,” he says as he produces the reciept and offers them to her. hopefully she can read...
Brinya clenches her fists looking at the receipt, "Rodrik lost the hopeknife I gave him, the knife I grew up with in the course of his "investigation", wouldn't tell me about it, said it would be his greatest work - I always loved his work, he was such a wonderful writer. When I found out about it about a week ago I was furious... It was supposed to be the symbol of our love, how could he be so careless? And he would not tell anybody about us, as if it was a shameful thing, I hated it. I told him..." She sobs, and continues, her speech broken, "I didn’t want to see him again until he found it or made things right. If I had known that night would be the last time... I would never..."
Then as if the strength has gone out of her she slumps back into the chair tears rolling down her cheeks. With a lethargic movement she undoes a chain from around her neck and pulls a hopeknife from within her blouse setting it down on the table before you. The inscription reads, "For Brinya my love."
Bupkis said to his companions, "Who know where Rodrik look? Kurst brother, maybe he know."
”Is that why he was sleeping at Ramblehouse? Because of your quarrel?” Edgar asks and continues with, ”and do you know anything about this ‘investigation’?
"I don't think Kurst knew, but he said he had a muse at Sanctuary, would go there often... I assumed he was talking about Iomedae, the goddess, but now I am not so sure. And no he never lived with me, we never had that chance, we mostly met in The Plague House, romantic destination of every girls dreams, ha. It was because his father Jagrim found out about us, they quarrelled and he left the Longhouse, I do not know who made that decision, I am not sure Rodrik knew."
Brinya's anger made Daseem flinch, yes there were more questions they should be asking.
" If I had known that night would be the last time... I would never..."
It was too much, Daseem blurted out, "Y-you couldn't have known!"
Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Daseem was suddenly paralyzed with embarrassment. He wanted to say 'show her the letter' but the words wouldn't come. She deserved to know that much he was sure, but the others wanted to spare her feelings and he didn't know what to do.