Koraq turns once again to Rasil. "Well, think we outta talk to Mista Pinecrest and see who talked 'bout the fragment, 'less you got anything else ta ask 'im., pointing his thumb back at Marblecutter.
"Nothing that I can think of," replied Rasil.
To Mr. Marblecutter the gnome said, "Thank you for your time."
Turning back to Koraq, Rasil said, "Let's go pay Lord Pinecrest a visit."
"I wish you had consulted me before heading off to Millis Manor, but I suppose you had no way of knowing. Certain members of the Council of Ushers, enemies of the Lord Mayor mostly, were opposed to the creation of this unit. I'm not sure why, though the reason may be as simple as if the Lord Mayor wants a thing, Lord Millis and his supporters oppose it out of principle. Then, within days of losing the battle and the unit being created, MSI shows up on their doorstep with an admittedly wild story about tattooed Shoanti and ancient relics he just happens to possess. He's going to assume your visit was part of some "rub it in his face" hazing slash harassment, probably orchestrated by myself, or the Lord Mayor as some sort of childish ploy." The captain sighs. "As much as he hates me, he won't refuse an audience request, though he'll stall and make me wait a day out of spite, but I'll get you in to actually see him and make him understand this isn't some ploy. However, Bannock was being truthful to you. Closed Council sessions can't be interrupted for many reasons."
Koraq follows the gnome as they head to Pinecrest Manor.
"I think if you can get us an audience, Captain Percival, we can continue our investigations in other areas. Time, unfortunately, is something we cannot bend to our will." Yet. The elf thought haughtily, licking his lips before glancing to his companions, wondering if they were ready to go.
Rasil and Koraq, after a bit of asking around, find the dilapidated and rundown manor house of House Pinecrest. Clearly fallen on hard times, Lord Pinecrest has let his curb appeal slip dramatically.
Ringing the bell at the door, it takes several minutes before an old man in thread-bare livery opens the door. "Yes. How may I help you?"
As nobody else seems to have any more questions for Captain Percival, he heads off to set up this meeting, leaving the rest of you to proceed to the City Planners' Office in Keystone. It's a short ten minute cab ride down the Escarpment, past the illustrious Stone of Seers magic school, and across from the Seerspring Park.
Upon your arrival, you find the doors open and go in. A sign indicates the City Planner's office, which is also open. Upon going inside, you see two men sitting behind desks with stacks of paper in front of them and on the floor.
One man, a name plaque on his desk reads "T Canolbar", is a balding man in his mid-forties. He shows evidence on the outside (and inside!) or his rumpled coat of having eaten a few too many sugar-powdered pastries at his desk.
The other man is little more than a boy, his desk devoid of name plaques. Pimples cover his lanky facial features and a mop of limp brown hair covers the teen’s eyes.
Canolbar dusts crumbs off his stomach as he stands up, and the hand he extends to you is covered in a paste of powdered sugar and saliva. "Good afternoon, gentlemen. What can we do for you?"
"Greetings, good sir! This is Koraq Silverclaw and I am Rasil Bathbone," the gnome said with a smile.
"Would it be possible to speak to Lord Pinecrest? We could make an appointment, if necessary."
"Why? What's this about? No matter. His Lordship's not here. In Riddleport, he is, good sirs. Not due back until sometime next month."
Issceran produced the blue torn parchment with the City Planner's Office emblem written on it from his scroll case. He showed it to the man behind the desk as he produced his badge. "We're from the Magnimar Special Investigations unit and were looking into a map that this tear came from," the elf explained. "It was found at the scene of a crime and obviously came from your offices, Mr. Canolbar."
"Well, we're needin' to check up on an possible acquantaince of his: a Shoanti fella by the name of Mikobar. An' how long's been the Lord been gone, anyway?"
"His Lordship's been gone almost a month now. Wait, Mikobar? Hardly an acquaintence. Lord Pinecrest had that lout thrown in prison some months back. Pestering his Lordship about buying some famiky heirloom and where his Lordship sold it to. Good riddance to bad rubbish."
Canolbar smiles politely at you. "I find that very unlikely, sir. Our blueprints never leave the records room, save in the possession of Jimmy, myself, or Ms. Rumblemountain, the city engineer, and then only Thora would ever take them from the premises. Besides, all our records are accounted for."
A crash of papers distracts your attention. Jimmy, the pimply-faced boy has knocked a stack over and is nervously trying to stop more papers from falling, and failing.
"Ah! Did Pinecrest bring up who he sold it to? Lastly, can ya gimme a good description of Mikobar an' where he may be staying? We're tryin' to find the lout ourselves."
He casually glances to the mess of papers the boy knocked over. "So you say," Issceran mused. "But if you would humor me..." The elf places the tear of paper in front of the man, gesturing for him to look it over. "Can you confirm or deny that this piece would come from one of your documents, based on the insignia and paper quality?"
Canolbar pales at the sight of the scrap. "Well, I suppose it is of similar quality to our blueprint paper, but any competent forger would make sure of that."
"Mikobar? Bald man, Shoanti tattoos, about your height. His Lordship sold it to Triffan Marblecutter, a jewelry merchant of good repute. He has a shop in Naos someplace, I believe. I have no idea where the Shoanti lives, however. Sorry."
The elf quirked his mouth. "How many documents would you say that you have on record? And of those documents, are blueprints restricted to this type of paper? I'm wanting to find what this tear came from," Issceran pressed, leaning against the counter.
"Mikobar? Bald man, Shoanti tattoos, about your height. His Lordship sold it to Triffan Marblecutter, a jewelry merchant of good repute. He has a shop in Naos someplace, I believe. I have no idea where the Shoanti lives, however. Sorry."
"Well, we're trying to figure out how Mikobar found out that Lord Pinecrest sold it to Mr. Marblecutter," said Rasil.
"Of course, if the fragment was in Mr. Marblecutter's shop for a year, so Mikobar could have learned about it from anywhere. Thank you for your time, good sir."
Turning to Koraq, the gnome said, "So, back to HQ?"
"Thanks fer the info, Jeeves. If you can think of anything else interestin' bout Mikobar, let Cap'n Percival of MSI know, kay?"
The half-orc then turns to his gnome companion. "Yea, Raz. Gotta see what the others found out and if we can use it to spring a trap or two."
Rasil smiled. "Let's go!"
"Yeah... that could be pretty useful. Listen: this either is the original document or it isn't. Either way I guess you'd like to know if one of your precious blueprints was stolen or if someone is actually forging them... so we are actually helping you, I think!" Finishes the dwarf with something akin to a sneer.
Canolbar ponders Barin's face for a moment, clearly trying to decide if the dwarf is actually interested in helping him or not. He seems to have decided not, as he turns back to Issceran.
"We have several hundred blueprints, any building built or seriously renovated within the past fifty-one years since this office was created. They're kept in the records room, unless Thora needs them, and that room is locked up tight with magical alarms in place. Only she and I have keys, so there's no way anyone could get in there without me ....knowing about...it."
He trails off with considerably less enthusiasm than when he started.
"Here, let me help you with those." Simza offers the pimply Jimmy while Issceran and Barin keep Canolbar busy. She sidles up to the young assistant and helps him pick up the scattered papers, peering at him discretely as she does so. The timing of his fumble had her wondering if perhaps he didn't know something, Canolbar had said he had access to the blueprints...
"So have you been working here very long?" she asks him as she gathers and tidies up. "What interested you in joining the city planners office, isn't it all rather stuffy here?"
"Oh, um, thanks," Jimmy says. "Say, you're really pret-" he cuts off quickly as he really sees beneath the veils. "I mean..."
Beads of sweat pop out of his forehead and start running down his face and onto the papers.
Oh, he's definitely freaked out about something. Canolbar is only mildly squirming, but this kid's about to become unglued.
I know the veils are opaque, but I figure, super close range, Simza bent over picking up papers...something's going to show through somewhere.
"You're familiar with the building collapse, correct? We found the torn paper at Irefoot Hall and it may be connected with West Naos. If that narrows down your search, it would help us out a lot if we can check these documents. And if its unconvenient, show me where you store these documents and I can personally go through them."
"Well thank you..." she murmurs to the boy's started compliment, though she can't quite manage to muster up a smile, judging that the boy must have caught a glimpse of her hidden features. Feeling rather selfconcious she nevertheless pushes on. "Have you ever met a Shoanti Jimmy? They have some interesting tattoos don't you think?" she asks, trying to get the boy talking again, going for a bit more of a direct approach.
"Shoanti? Tattoos?" Jimmy squeaks. "Terry, they know already! Just tell them!"
"Shut up, you fool!" Canolbar growls, but realizes the damage has already been done. With a glare at the youth, he continues, "Fine. About mid-Arodus, some guy came in, says he was studying Magnimari architecture and wanted to look at some blueprints. I told him that, of course, just anybody can't come in and look at blueprints, but then he, you know, offered some incentive."
"Hey, don't look at me like that!" he protests, whether or not you were actually looking at him in any particular manner. "Not all of us are big shot Watchmen! I was losing my house, my wife was ready to pack her bags and a hundred gold coins was the chance of a lifetime! So we took a long lunch break, that's all! When we came back, everything was in order, so I just figured he looked at the plans he wanted and left. I didn't know he'd take them, and I certainly didn't know he was planning on taking any buildings down or killing anybody."
"You do realize that you have aided a potential suspect in the destruction of West Naos Market, Irefoot Hall, and any future collapse in the city?" The elf spoke pointedly, eyeing the man with a look of irritation. He put his hand on Mr. Canolbar's desk and rapped his thin fingers across the surface. His look was pensive as those pale eyes stared the man down.
Accepting a bribe to grant access to confidential city documents to somebody without any clearance...probably a crime of some sort. Certainly enough to lose their jobs over.
"How were we supposed to know that?"
"If you were not derelict in your duties, you wouldn't even be in the situation you are now," Issceran spoke sharply. []"I am going to have to submit this in my report. You have jeopardized the lives of the citizens of Magnimar with your insolence. Now, if you want to minimize the damage you have dealt I recommend assisting us to the best of your abilities."[/b]
"Tell me," he said, "How long would it take to confirm that no other documents were taken? I need to see if another building in the city is a possible target."
Canolbar pales and wilts under Issceran's glare. "Just an hour or two at most, for me and Jimmy to go through the stacks." He springs from his desk, heading for a door. He stops just shy of it. "You know, from one civil servant to another, how tough times are. We had no idea this guy was anything but a well-funded scholar. I can't imagine you folks get paid much more for your work as we do. It's only been a month, after sll. A man can't spend 100 gold pieces in a month!"
He waits as Jimmy heads through the foot to the file room, gauging your reactions.
Issceran just looked to Barin and Simza. "Do you two want to wait? I can wait here and help them search their archives if need be," the elf suggested, not wanting to bore Barin. He wouldn't mind Simza's company, however. The man's words did not settle with him and said nothing, wanting to keep an eye on the two of them.
Barin gives a long hard look to the two clerks:"So you helped a murderer and your excuse is you are not paid enough? Do you think THAT will help you if we report you? At the very least you will lose your jobs here... at the worst you will lose your heads! Now listen: let's suppose we believe your story and think you were acting in good faith... if you help us out then we could close an eye on this whole mess... you'll get to redeem yourselves by helping the watch proving your good faith. You'll still be in our debt, of course, but I think that's much better than the alternative"
Canolbar is quite ready to agree to Barin's proposal. He takes Issceran back with him, and between the three of you, you go through the inventory of blueprints.
Besides finding six blueprints that we're just sloppily misfiled, you conclude that four blueprints are missing: West Naos Market, Irespan Hall, Rimblesnuffin's Fine Jewelry (in Vista someplace), and Millis Manor, home of Lord Stafford Millis.
The way Issceran felt was that the two needed to make up for their ill deed. In the matters of kharma, that had facilitated a negative force to be unleashed on the world with the rogue Shoanti's destruction of the two buildings. They could redeem themselves only if they facilitated positive force by helping them stop their suspect from doing any more harm. He grudgingly agreed with the dwarf. "If you aide us, we'll try to ignore your past transgressions," Issceran said carefully, not wanting to be as lenient on the two.
After they find out that there are a total of four blueprints missing he slams his hand against a table in exclamation. "Mr. Orcbane, do you realize what this means? We need to meet up with our fellow investigators as soon as possible. Come on Miss Caumlo, lets go!" The elf had the eerie feeling one of the two locations would be collapsing soon.
Rasil and Koraq waited for the others to return to headquarters.
To pass the time, the gnome suggested that they familiarize themselves with the building's layout.
"I sure hope the others have had a more productive time than us!" Rasil exclaimed as they finished their tour.
"Eh, hope the Cap'n's pleased with the progress so far." It doesn't take long for Koraq to get bored before he gets an idea. "Hey gnome, need ya here so I can work out."
"Yeah, it means we've got to visit yet another abode of the noble and financially empowered people who seem to infest this city... oh joy! To Rimblesnuffin's Fine Jewelry... or do you think we should pick up the others? There might not be time for that, I fear" Barin seems genuinely doubtful about how to proceed. Both options seem to have their merits.
You would practically drive right by HQ to get to this address, and it's just past supper time. If the villain is going to strike tonight, he's always done if before during the wee hours of the morning.
Simza simply frowns as the truth comes out, sighing softly as Canolbar admits to what happened. She saw no reason not to report what these two had done given what had resulted from it, but if she did she would do her best to try and put it in a good light with how they helped them after admitting to it.
The attempt at bribing them-if that was indeed what Canolbar was insinuating-did not encourage her to do them any favours however, no matter how poor she might be. "You are aware that a man was killed because of your actions? Greed is no excuse for such negligence..." she advised Canolbar solemnly, she didn't think Jimmy had really had any say in the matter, but he should realize what had happened and she hoped, learn from the mistake.
With the discovery of two more missing maps, specifically Lord Millis's Manor and another jewelry store it seemed they had the right leads, and perhaps enough time to get to the last unaccounted fragment before Mikobar. As the others prepared to leave she remained behind a moment, helping herself to Canolbar's writing supplies and penning a quick note informing Captain Percival of the discovery of the missing maps, leaving out for now the clerk's involvement. When she had dried the ink she turned to Jimmy and handed the letter to him. "Take this to the Pediment building and ensure it is delivered to Captain Percival, tell them Simza Caumlo of Magnimar Special Investigations sent you." she instructed him, brooking no argument from either of the clerks, she just hoped that her name would be enough to ensure that it didn't just get ignored. When she was sure Jimmy was going to do it, guilt tripping him further if necessary, she hurried to catch up with the others.
"Headquarters is on the way, so we should be able to check in and leave a note if they're not there."
Jimmy nearly swallows his back teeth when Simza sends him to the Pediment Building, but once he realizes he might not be decapitated today, he agrees and runs quite quickly. You see him several blocks later as you pass by in your carriage.
Arriving at MSI HQ, you find Rasil and Koraq. Rasil is probably quite glad to see you, as it seems Koraq was using him as some sort of workout dummy. You should be able to find enough pieces of the gnome to bundle him into the carriage as you head off to Rimblesnuffin's Fine Jewelry.
This two-storey 25-foot-square building has walls of plain, if nice, stone, looking for most purposes like a sturdy cottage, but for the thick iron grates in front of all the windows and the iron-bound thick oak door in the front. Three shallow curved stone steps lead up to the front entrance; both the height of the risers and the lowness of the door’s lock suggest an occupant of less than average height. A carved wooden sign swings from a hanger above the door, depicting a spectacled gnomish man holding up a gemstone, as if to appraise (or perhaps, sell) it.
This place is in Vista, and boy is it ever! Not ten feet behind the shop, the Escarpment itself drops away. A three-foot high marble balustrade protects pedestrians from a gruesome three hundred foot fall to the arts district of Lowcleft below.
It's well after supper time. A cafe across the street from the jeweler's, with a small outdoor patio, still boasts a few patrons, and inviting smells of roasts, coffee, and pastry cause your stomachs to loudly remind you that none of you have had your dinners yet.
"Well, you've all had a more interesting day than us!"
"Now, should we check with the jeweler first or eat?"
The wizard's stomach roared loudly in the presence of the cafe, protesting the idea of not eating. He looked at his stomach with a little bit of embarassment. "A bite to eat won't hurt or else we'll be running ourselves ragged," Issceran suggested.
Simza seems a bit hesitant about neglecting their duty with such a recent reminder of what that could cause, but Mikobar didn't seem the type to attack in broad daylight... "Well... order me something, nothing too heavy. I'm going to talk to Rimblesnuffin, Rasil, he sounds like one of your cousins or the like..." she waited long enough to see who else was coming before approaching the Jewelers.
The elf didn't hesitate to head over to the cafe. There he arranged for a table to seat five and ordered five glasses of cold water. He then ordered a simple roast sandwich for Simza and himself and for any other companion who decided to check out the jeweler's first.
Two more at-ease folk could ever be found. With casually-rolled-up sleeves, hair slightly out of place, and welcoming smiles on their faces, the Copperhills practically scream hospitality. The cafe itself is decorated in soft, warm colours, and the comforting scent of coffee and tea mingle with the spicy odour of fresh baking.
Peora Copperhill seems quite taken with having five members of the City Watch in her cafe, and, as she doesn't have much other patronage at the moment, pulls up a chair to ask after your day and what business the City Watch could possibly have in such a sleepy corner of Vista.
Wilmer, her husband, brings you your sandwiches, piled extra high with succulent beef. "End of the day, so I threw a few extra layers on there for you."