"I am aware of a great many things in this town. For instance, I am aware that you and your friend here arrived with another man. A cleric with a honey tongue just a few days ago but you are now snooping around my establishment claiming that I might know something about this young lass's murder. You must realize that in my line of work one does not simply wag their tongue every time some one comes in with muscle behind them asking questions. Our customers spend their coins here knowing that their privy is kept." She looks over to here Touv friend standing at the door. He doesn't appear to move or to change his stone like expression on his face.
"If I were to pass along information to you what is in it for me? I am a simple women. I conduct business and in exchange for that service I receive a payment. Coin, gems, precious gifts, favors...something that I can use in turn to increase my position and the position of my family..."
Ferona stares at the beautiful woman for a moment collecting her thoughts here. So is this all this means to you. A means to gain profit and power. Very well so be it.
"You are quite well informed Miss," she replies with just a touch of coolness. "I would not presume to ask you to violate your client's confidence here. Our purpose is simply to track down this murderer. While you may consider this of little importance I would imagine your customers may feel differently about this. Not to mention your...reputation may suffer should one of your clients lose their life while frequenting your establishment. Still, I am willing to pay for this...information. As long as it proves useful to us."
The women turns... it is not a quick turn but a slow turn meant to drive a point home. "Ferona...I am very well informed and it would be wise you knew that. One does not walk into my establishment asking things from me with out me knowing something about them. And since you didn't really bother to introduce yourself or your handsome friend but instead informing me of what you need I assumed you thought you had some power at your fingertips over me. Which you don't. I like introductions...I like knowing about the people I do business with and building a relationship with the people I do business with. Fair?" She sits back down with her drink and crosses her legs as if to relax... But Antas can see that she is clearly not relaxing and neither is her friend.
You can also make a Sense Motive check in addition to get a better feel for what is going on in the conversation.
The entire group make their way up the stairs and into the solitairy hall way. Once to the end you come to a thick wooden door that is reinforced with iron banding. Walthas opens the door and lets your entire group enter and he walks in and closes the door behind you.
At the end of the long room is a fireplace and in the corner near it sits a wooden desk by a window. Their sits Geolin looking over a map and several scrolls and parchments. He looks as if he has not slept but you can see he is brushing it off and working through it.
The veteran dwarf raises his hand to the many chairs and stands. "Sit down. Find a seat and get off your feet. Walthas has some drink and food coming for you as well. I don't want to hold you long as I imagine..." He looks at Soros and back at the rest of the group. "You will need to clean up and rest..." He looks at Narciso and Grond. "First who are these two? If they are not prisoners they must have assisted you in some way for them to be here." He then turns to Naia and the rest of the group. " Second I need a full accounting of your venture out there and back. I also need to know what happened to Thout and the rest of you as well. Who that man is that you had trussed up and Naia nearly tore apart in my yard."
For Narciso and Grond the dwarf that stands before you is stout mountain dwarf and is clearly a leader of soldiers. If he wasn't the Watch commander he could easily be a commander in an army. His office is sparse in decor but on the inside wall sits several axes and shields hanging on the wall. One is a old dented shield of the Keoish Army and the other is a clan shield. Thout has a similar shield on his person. There are also several helms sitting on shelves as you look around. Most are Keoish military or Dwarven clan helms. One big helm looks like an ogre could fit into it but it has a cleaved in area on the top...from an ax you would gather.
Naia does as bid, pushing back a rogue lock of hair and rubbing her temples.
"Geolin. I'm...sorty about Thout. He handled himself well. Marvellously. He's a good soldier. At least from my...naive perspective."
She looks at Narciso snd Grond.
"They're good folk. Narciso and Grond. This is Geolin."
Naia sits back and stares out an available window, slooking into the middle distance.
"Ah...We tracked the gobs to the old house up by the cliffs. There was a...magic ward or trap. In a back door room...like a...parlour? I don't know the fancy names for rooms. Anyway - it was an apparition that flew at us. Scared most of us half to death. We poked atound the first floor rooms. Not much to see. Mildew. Furniture rotting. Old books. Dust. Cobwebs."
Naia stops and yawns.
"We found a corpse, and some giant insects. We smashed them. Upstairs, things got hairy. The stairs themselves, the back ones - broken and rotten. We get up and get attacked by more bugs, an' then ambushed by the gobs. Thout fought well there. We captured one gob, but we were a bit beaten up. We checked a few more rooms, but time was getting on, we were tired, wounded, hungry. We decided to leave."
At this point the Temlow girl stops. Unwilling or unable to go further.
"Someone else can tell you the rest." she says, looking down at the floor.
Narciso takes Naia's pause as an opportunity. "The big one with the axe would be Grond. I am.... well, I'm a bard. We were on the road and happened along and were able to help these fine folk finishing up with that death trap of a house. Unfortunately I have no real experience with poisonings, such as their prisoner apparently had used on their companion. My healing magics were just a simple cure for wounds. I did what I could to help. Grond was able to assist retrieving a chest from the house. I think there were some papers in it, but I don't know what else."
"Yes as my friend Antas has said, we did not wish to waste your time, which I know must be valuable. However," Ferona rises and gives a curtsy to the woman and continues, "as we have both seen the results of this...foul murderer it has been difficult to restrain my...anger at the foul deed." She gives her a wan smile, "I trust you can forgive the slight?"
Grond nods at the dwarf when his name is referred to, but otherwise remains silent.
"Yes as my friend Antas has said, we did not wish to waste your time, which I know must be valuable. However," Ferona rises and gives a curtsy to the woman and continues, "as we have both seen the results of this...foul murderer it has been difficult to restrain my...anger at the foul deed." She gives her a wan smile, "I trust you can forgive the slight?"
[dice=Diplomacy, DC 15]1d20+5+2
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+1
She lets a few silent seconds pass then smiles. "I appreciate the introduction." Her head turns slightly to Antas...{b]"Your accent sounds Aerdi...and your name Di Santos...that sounds Aerdi...Oeridian I believe. You are a long way from home Antas. And you are not in a place that I would expect a Paladin of Heironeous."[/b]
She takes a sip of her drink. "Umsa, I will be fine. I wish to talk to these two civil servants." The man nods but gives a stern look to both of you and then turns, opens the door, and leaves the room. You can hear he is checking to ensure the door is closed.
"Tell me about the young girl that was found? What you know and I will share what I know if anything..."
Soros
The young man looks uncomfortable and out of sorts. He is clearly tired and the weight of all the bites from the creatures he faced wieghs heavily on him.
D'ogryn might be able to explain it best but that man we have in chains came to the house claiming he was stranded on the beach by a storm...some sort about his friend being injured and he needed help. Long story short he tried to lure us outside and when we didn't fall for it they attempted to attack us. As you can see it didn't go well for them but Thout was seriously injured by the man... Edan's care was the only thing that really kept Thout from dying."
"Any idea at all why he attacked you?" - Grond pipes in, as he realizes he does not know, or does not remember this information.
She lets a few silent seconds pass then smiles. "I appreciate the introduction." Her head turns slightly to Antas...{b]"Your accent sounds Aerdi...and your name Di Santos...that sounds Aerdi...Oeridian I believe. You are a long way from home Antas. And you are not in a place that I would expect a Paladin of Heironeous."[/b]
She takes a sip of her drink. "Umsa, I will be fine. I wish to talk to these two civil servants." The man nods but gives a stern look to both of you and then turns, opens the door, and leaves the room. You can hear he is checking to ensure the door is closed.
"Tell me about the young girl that was found? What you know and I will share what I know if anything..."
Feroma pauses for a while to collect her thoughts and make sure she has her facts straight. "I can say she was the daughter of a merchant who does a great deal of business here and travels in for a few months at a time. The girl was beaten, raped, and then stabbed repeatedly in the western part of the docks where she perished. We also believe she knew the man. We managed to gather an important clue as to the identity of the killer, and we believe your...resources will prove necessary in order to determine who the killer is."
Just as last time, once the others seem to have finished saying what they will, Rabalar gives his report.
"Before entering the gate, we circled the fence and found evidence that someone had been going through a break in the rear. We approached cautiously using this route. We gained entrance and began trying to evaluate the area, when, I guess it was an illusion of some sort, manifested and caused some serious confusion. We explored the ground floor, most notably finding a corpse that was still fresh enough to stink, and some vermin. As we moved upstairs, we encountered the goblins. They ambushed us with a pincer movement from three directions. We were injured, but victorious. My companions managed to capture one of the goblins, and suddenly we were injured, in a partially explored facility, with a prisoner. After some questioning, I accepted the goblin's claim that we had killed all of his companions, and we blocked ourselves into a room to rest and recover." The olf shrugs, slightly.
"Then we continued to explore the next morning. While we were exploring, the human came to the house seeking assistance for his companion. Claimed they were shipwrecked sailors. D'Og went to check him out. That erupted into a fight. Apparently he thought he could take out D'Og, and whatever companions he might have with him, as he didn't know our force. As that fight started, we were also attacked by more vermin within the house. While our team's attention was split, the prisoner managed to stab Thout with a poisoned blade. Once the vermin were dealt with, I was able to start sniping the prisoner's team through a window, and that fight ended very quickly afterwards. D'Og and I went back inside for the goblin prisoner. When we came out, this pair was chatting nicely with the others. THey tried to help us with Thout." He rubs his chin, and looks at the group, D'Og last, before continuing.
"D'Og is obsessed with fully exploring and looting the building. We made a deal with him to try to get the chests we had skipped over because of the threat of combat, and then heading back to town to get Thout help. Grond here helped get the chests out. One of the chests was full of written records, which the group is carrying and plans to investigate in greater detail. I assume D'Og is going to go back to the house, alone if no one else will go with him, in an attempt to find whatever he feels is there. On the trip back, though, D'Og said he identified a brand on the horses. Zove's family's brand. So, we think it likely this man, and his already at least partially dead band, were responsible for whatever happened out there."
He looks around the room. "I know I skipped some details. Did I miss anything important?" Then he turns to Geolin. "Any questions come to mind?"
Naia looks at Rabalar. Then looks away. She stands and halts by the window, looking out.
”No, Rab. You did great.”
"From my end, I have nothing to add" - Grond nods.
The middle-aged man chimes in.
"Aye...lots of fisherman come in and out...some live on the waters and make their way in to the harbor to sell their catch." He wipes his hands off and then wraps up some rope and throws it into the boat. "We have seen a few other boats coming in that don't dock here at night. They drop their loads off and leave...crates of fish."
The young man chimes in..."Yea, four days ago a boat came in dropped off eight crates of fish and a wagon came up hauled them off. Must be taking them to be smoked or salted I guess."
The old man..."I remember that boat. It has come in five or six times in the past few months."
"Now isn't that interesting. Do you remember the name of the vessels that drop off their catch in the crates? Is it the same one each time, or different ones? Also, does anyone here do bulk smoking of fish for outsiders, or perhaps you noticed which way the cart went?"
Walthas
The old master-of-arms looks surprised. "The horses of the men that ambushed you belonged to Quandor's stable?" He turns to Geolin. "That might explain the death of Zove, if she had found out about the connection and tried to stop them they very well could have ambushed her."
Quandor is Zove's uncle and he owns the Hanade-Mar Livery & Stable. Quandor raised Zove when her parents died. They adopted her and he is half-elven and married to a human women. They have a young son that Zove is close to called Qual. Her aunt's name is Kialla and they have two older sons that are now married but live around the Salmarsh area.
D'ogryn remains quiet as the others talk.
As the last words were spoken.
There was a body in the kitchen area that was not dead long. Not killed by a goblin either. His lantern was destroyed by a human size foot and the attack came from behind and definitely not from below. It was not a goblin that killed him. So who did?
He pauses and looks to the others...
There is also this little detail that we still do not know the answer to. Why were those thugs coming to that house? The human prisoner did not seem to want to answer any questions about that when pressed...which leads me to believe that there is something there that he wanted.
He again pauses for a bit...
Why was the illusion trap only on one side of that room. Why not the entrance. A trap is just a way to guard something. Something around or in that fireplace.
He stops again but keeps going a short time later
What else is there that we did not find will help to secure those answer. Loot is not a concern...finding answers is.
The middle-aged man chimes in.
"Aye...lots of fisherman come in and out...some live on the waters and make their way in to the harbor to sell their catch." He wipes his hands off and then wraps up some rope and throws it into the boat. "We have seen a few other boats coming in that don't dock here at night. They drop their loads off and leave...crates of fish."
The young man chimes in..."Yea, four days ago a boat came in dropped off eight crates of fish and a wagon came up hauled them off. Must be taking them to be smoked or salted I guess."
The old man..."I remember that boat. It has come in five or six times in the past few months."
"Now isn't that interesting. Do you remember the name of the vessels that drop off their catch in the crates? Is it the same one each time, or different ones? Also, does anyone here do bulk smoking of fish for outsiders, or perhaps you noticed which way the cart went?"
The middle-aged fisherman thinks about that for a moment. "Na...I din'it see no name on it. Old dingy with clinker planks and a single mast." He finishes securing the nets and lines. "long overdue for a cleaning and scraping."
The young man chimes in..."The only time I ever saw someone pick up the catch was when that man showed up...wasn't a fisherman though. He worked for one of the merchants. I thought he knew the mean though but was acting as if he was in charge..." The finish up and secure their boat and say their good byes to you and wish you well. You are on the inside corner (North-east) of Harbor Road and Dock Street right now on the lower tier of docks.
D'ogryn remains quiet as the others talk.
As the last words were spoken.
There was a body in the kitchen area that was not dead long. Not killed by a goblin either. His lantern was destroyed by a human size foot and the attack came from behind and definitely not from below. It was not a goblin that killed him. So who did?
He pauses and looks to the others...
There is also this little detail that we still do not know the answer to. Why were those thugs coming to that house? The human prisoner did not seem to want to answer any questions about that when pressed...which leads me to believe that there is something there that he wanted.
He again pauses for a bit...
Why was the illusion trap only on one side of that room. Why not the entrance. A trap is just a way to guard something. Something around or in that fireplace.
He stops again but keeps going a short time later
What else is there that we did not find will help to secure those answer. Loot is not a concern...finding answers is.
Soros
Nods in agreement with D'ogryn several times until he mentions returning to the home and has a look as if someone just beat him with a stick.
"I am pretty sure they followed us from the town D'ogryn. Not sure why...but there could be a lot of reasons why they did... I am not sure of any at present but I am not sure we can say with any certainty the house and the strangers are connected. I do agree that the magic we saw was not what I would think would be a goblin in nature. It was meant to scare people and it was clearly designed by someone knowing the stories behind the house. I would think if it was goblin magic it would not have been as subtle and far more brutal in nature. Plus I don't recall coming across any goblin that was knowledgable in magic. We could ask that goblin prisoner that Naia is found of." He smiles at Naia.
"I need to get this off my chest before we move along. With the loss of Zove and after our brief mission into that house I am quickly realizing I am not cut from adventuring cloth. I would like to be of assistance but I can't do anything like we did last night. Geolin, I would be thankful if you took me on with the Watch. I will help in any way I can but these missions are not for me."
Geolin
Geolin listens everyone. "Thank ye Naia. That is the chances you take in doing things like this. The boy will heal in time and we have healers looking over him now. The boy was blooded but from the sounds of it, he handled himself well."
He turns to Rabalar. "Did anyone escape from the ambush? Four horses...four men correct? D'ogryn said they came from Quandor's stable and that concerns me. We need to figure this out because it means we stepped on someone's toes and they didn't like it...so why?"
He turns to Soros. "Boy not everyone can handle what you went through in that house. Get cleaned up, get some rest, and tomorrow if you feel the same way then there is a place for you with the watch. Best you work with us. Magic wielding can get you in trouble so best you are tied to the watch. I have word from the Lord Mayor that the Viscount as sent a decree down that I have to enact soon. I can delay it for a few days but once the council makes it official I will have to enforce the law."
He turns to Walthas and then back to the group. Narciso, Grond, if you are up for it this brave group is down two and it appears we have more work to do. If you are up for it I would like you to join them. I trust their judgment and it appears they trust you."
A knock on the door and a set of young guards bring platters of bread, cheese, a bowl of nuts, and steamed spiced apples and plums. It smells wonderful to each of you. They also bring in dark ale and freshwater in pitchers. Walthas helps them in and Naia, D'ogryn, and Soros can tell they are a tad younger than they are and seem to be a bit awe struck by the lot of you.
The old dwarf looks at them..."Ok. You are finished get back to your duties."
Walthas urges them out the door and he closes it with the silent laugh.
She lets a few silent seconds pass then smiles. "I appreciate the introduction." Her head turns slightly to Antas...{b]"Your accent sounds Aerdi...and your name Di Santos...that sounds Aerdi...Oeridian I believe. You are a long way from home Antas. And you are not in a place that I would expect a Paladin of Heironeous."[/b]
She takes a sip of her drink. "Umsa, I will be fine. I wish to talk to these two civil servants." The man nods but gives a stern look to both of you and then turns, opens the door, and leaves the room. You can hear he is checking to ensure the door is closed.
"Tell me about the young girl that was found? What you know and I will share what I know if anything..."
Feroma pauses for a while to collect her thoughts and make sure she has her facts straight. "I can say she was the daughter of a merchant who does a great deal of business here and travels in for a few months at a time. The girl was beaten, raped, and then stabbed repeatedly in the western part of the docks where she perished. We also believe she knew the man. We managed to gather an important clue as to the identity of the killer, and we believe your...resources will prove necessary in order to determine who the killer is."
Aydi takes in each and every word and then looks to Antas and back to Ferona.
"What else? You mentioned clues? How old was the girl? I am aware of the girl's death but I am not aware of the details. It seems my resources didn't mention much as the watch appears tight-lipped. That old warhorse of a dwarf knows how to keep his men in check. The western part of the docks are fishing shanties and old huts mostly. Not a place for a merchant daughter...a bit unusual I would think??? Go on."
She knows something she is not saying. Her facial expression indicated it when you mentioned the beating and rape.
"Yes it is unusual perhaps. Yet what better place to hide a crime such as this? The young victim was in her teens, and in addition to the signs of struggle we found, we also found evidence her killer belonged to one of the guilds in town."
|
Antas says she was thrown into the water to hide the crime and allowed to drift and be chewed by sea life. She knew the attacker or her father knew him because she took a walk with him thinking herself safe to do so. The actual place she was killed shows signs of struggle. The girl did not go easy nor well. She was brought to the ground dazed and her clothing ripped. I think the rape done before she died, but do not know. Lastly, you see something you are not sharing with us. The image we share brings something ta yer mind
Naia turns to listen to Geolin, favoring him with a curt nod and pursed lips by way of reply, She smirks a little as Soros ribs her, and by the time the smells of food assail her nostrils it appears whatever funk she was in has abated.
”Food!” She sighs delightedly and sets to with gusto.
”Mm, y’right D’og. The way that ghost only guarded that back door was...strange. [shlurp] Mmm. Why not the front door? Yum! Like whoever made it, thought to scare off intruders or thieves, not honest folk breaking down the front door. Spiceapple! As to our landlubby seafarers, well...I can’t figure them or where they fit.” She pauses, cheese’n’bread paused en route to a quick end.
”So they...stole some girls maybe? Stole some horses? What in all the gods’ names are they up to?” Naia turns sombre.
”Geolin? Have you talked to Zove’s uncle? He know...about Zove? Did he see anything of these miscreants?”
Geolin
He looks over at you as you eat and drink. "Sadly we just discovered the lass's body. Lira was like a mother to the girl and she was with the group that was searching for her. Lira is going to inform her uncle and aunt. It would be best to come from her...but he is not aware of this news and it might be best if you coordinate with the group of investigators that are working on it. I have spoken with them but this group was brought on by the town council and the church council for their own reasons. Sharp group...like you. I suggest you get cleaned up, rest and in the morning go to the Rest and ask for these three." He writes down something on a small piece of parchment and then puts his seal and signature on it.
Peran, Ferona, Antas;
These brave folks that have this letter are the group of hunters working on behalf of the Town Watch. They might be able to assist you in your investigation and I believe you might be able to assist them in theirs.
Geolin,
Watch Commander - Saltmarsh.
Geolin finishes making his mark and stamping it and hands it to Rabalar. "It is just a letter to ensure that they know you are who I say you are. There is much going on in our town...so keep what you know to yourselves, myself, my commanders and this lot you are about to meet."
He looks at the map of the town and surrounding area. "It seems you have dealt with the goblins but we need to understand what else is going on and if these two murders are related at all. I am also worried about this house... D'ogryn's instincts might be right but in any case who or what set those traps was clearly not goblin. So why? I might need you to return to the house but I would like to figure out if there is any link between that house and anything in town. I will let you decide how to proceed. But a nights rest and some food and drink is in order."
He turns to Walthas and back to the entire group. "Thank you for bringing my nephew back. I am going to go check in on him now and then I am going to go talk to our two prisoners."
Walthas
After Geolin finishes. "Naia, no one reported any horses stolen. So they might have been paid for which means Zove's uncle might know who took them."
"May the blessings of St. Cuthbert go with you.", the priest says as the group leaves.
Looking along the piers, Brother Peran attempts to find anyone else who might know about these crates and the merchant who it is delivered to.
GeolinHe turns to Walthas and then back to the group. Narciso, Grond, if you are up for it this brave group is down two and it appears we have more work to do. If you are up for it I would like you to join them. I trust their judgment and it appears they trust you."
Grond looks to Narciso for a second, then back at Geolin - "I will let Narciso speak for himself, but count me in" - the half-orc nods, reaching for a piece of bread and some cheese and a large mug of the dark ale - "I've got some debts to repay"
After listening intently to Geolin, he finishes his drink then turns to the others - "It is settled then? Rest, and meet up with these investigators in the morning?"
Naia nods to Walthas as she finishes her food, and wiping her face with the back of a sleeve she murmurs a quick "thanks". She sits back and sighs again contentedly - the fatigue, stress, tiredness and pain all trying to take a toll on her at once. As if mindful of her own fragile state Naia stands and nods to the group.
.lFood eaten. Rest is up! My invitation stands - you're welcome to stay at my house if you wish, but if that is too homey or familiar I'll meet you at the inn quite some time after daybreak. I'm planning on sleeping in! As much as I'd like to track down killers, cultists and crazies I'll be asleep on my feet without a good rest."
Narciso just listens as the full story comes out. He wishes he had heard of the illusion before leaving the house. If it is still active perhaps he could examine it if they return?
When Geolin asks, he quickly nods and smiles. He starts to reply but hears Grond beat him so just adds, "Count me in. There are still questions that seem to need answering!"
As food is brought he hangs back, letting the others partake before joining in. "So D'og, this illusion? Is it still there? That would speak of interesting power, and I'd like a chance to examine it."
"Naia, if you've room for two that would give Grond and myself a much better place to sleep than we've seen for over a week. A good rest will have us all ready for the morrow."
Grond does not seem as relaxed as Narciso regarding the idea of sleeping at Naia's house, but he nods and grunts in agreement - "Any place will do really"
Narciso notices Grond's apparent discomfort at accepting Naia's offer but just grins. "Seriously Grond? We've had to clean dirt from our cloaks as we've slept on cold dirt for the past week, and you are uncomfortable accepting a place under a roof from the Lady Temlow? Well you know I'll accept the comfort, and you can lay your warrior frame wherever you feel comfortable. Maybe we can scrounge a few rocks for your pillow?" Narciso's grin is as wide as his face can handle as he obviously teases his friend.
There are many questions and I will be happy to help with what I can when I can.
The young man answers the bard with a calm demeanor.
He looks around the room
If there is nothing else...I need to get to work. So if you need me I will be at the mermaid. Got a lot of work to catch up on.
With that said he turns to leave and makes for the mermaid's backdoor to the kitchen.
"May the blessings of St. Cuthbert go with you.", the priest says as the group leaves.
Looking along the piers, Brother Peran attempts to find anyone else who might know about these crates and the merchant who it is delivered to.
You look down the north top of the docks and you can see net menders and crabbers finishing up for the day. You see teamsters hauling off goods from several merchant ships and a few others bringing in cargo off of wagons as well. You see a few boys on the northwest corner fishing with cane poles over the egde of the lower docks while a few other boys appear to be line crabbing with cut bait.
"I would be happy to take you up on your repeated offer, Naia. Your family are amazing people. But the day is still very young. I should see if I can't contribute something for dinner before going back. Even if it ends up being little more than a few berries." He grins, knowing that hunting too close to town is unlikely to produce much meat, but will be safer while alone in an area he really doesn't know.
Brother Peran wanders down the wharf, greeting all the various people and helping out where he can. He continues to ask about strangers and if anyone noticed where these crates went after unloading.
Perception:
[dice=Sense Motive DC 15]1d20+1
"Yes it is unusual perhaps. Yet what better place to hide a crime such as this? The young victim was in her teens, and in addition to the signs of struggle we found, we also found evidence her killer belonged to one of the guilds in town."
The women seems to bring her facial expression back to a somewhat neutral gaze with Antas mentions her look.
"Yes it does...but from a long while ago. Nothing recent I am afraid. In this line of work you see come across many appetites... Some pleasent... Some not so pleasant. Some dark...desires that satisfy a more carnal desire of lust that should not be allowed. Violence is a problem in this line of work but there is a darker sort that must never be tolerated." That seems to trail off as a thought.
She finishes her drink, stands, and moves to pour herself another. She turns back to the two of you. "My understanding of this situation is this is actually the third girl to die in a month. The young merchant girl, the olven girl, and a young girl several months ago. That girl, the one a few months past, I understand was raped and her throat was slit from ear to ear and left by the graveyard." She sips the drink. "Frightful mess I understand... It was a fishmonger's daughter...she used to sell oysters on the streets in a cart with her brother. Went up and down the streets and if memory serves it was some of the best oysters in town. They used a special sause with them...many a guild member and townfolk fancied the seafood off that cart. We even bought some at times." She looks at the two of you for a bit. "So now the watch commander as hired three of you to investigate the murders?" She again pauses for a moment. "I do recall something... It happened years ago... Really right before all these deaths started happening. Never really thought about it until now but it might be of importance."
Brother Peran wanders down the wharf, greeting all the various people and helping out where he can. He continues to ask about strangers and if anyone noticed where these crates went after unloading.
Perception: 1d20+3
You don't notice anything out of the norm or unusual. You see a drunk man taking a swig from a bottle. He sees you staring at him...he looks away and seems to crawl around the wood pillar of the dock to avoid you. Or maybe it is the watch that just walked by you and gave you a nod as crossed path. The guard never saw the man but he saw you and the guard.
Two sailors walk by you going the same direction of the guard. They are talking about getting drinks at the Black Dog and maybe doing some gambling. You can hear them still talking as they go by you.
Narciso notices Grond's apparent discomfort at accepting Naia's offer but just grins. "Seriously Grond? We've had to clean dirt from our cloaks as we've slept on cold dirt for the past week, and you are uncomfortable accepting a place under a roof from the Lady Temlow? Well you know I'll accept the comfort, and you can lay your warrior frame wherever you feel comfortable. Maybe we can scrounge a few rocks for your pillow?" Narciso's grin is as wide as his face can handle as he obviously teases his friend.
"Bah! Rocks would do, if they had to" - Grond chuckles at Narciso.
"I would be happy to take you up on your repeated offer, Naia. Your family are amazing people. But the day is still very young. I should see if I can't contribute something for dinner before going back. Even if it ends up being little more than a few berries."
"I would join you, if that is ok" - the half-orc adds, happy to find a way to ´repay´ Naia´s invitation.
The women seems to bring her facial expression back to a somewhat neutral gaze with Antas mentions her look.
"Yes it does...but from a long while ago. Nothing recent I am afraid. In this line of work you see come across many appetites... Some pleasent... Some not so pleasant. Some dark...desires that satisfy a more carnal desire of lust that should not be allowed. Violence is a problem in this line of work but there is a darker sort that must never be tolerated." That seems to trail off as a thought.
She finishes her drink, stands, and moves to pour herself another. She turns back to the two of you. "My understanding of this situation is this is actually the third girl to die in a month. The young merchant girl, the olven girl, and a young girl several months ago. That girl, the one a few months past, I understand was raped and her throat was slit from ear to ear and left by the graveyard." She sips the drink. "Frightful mess I understand... It was a fishmonger's daughter...she used to sell oysters on the streets in a cart with her brother. Went up and down the streets and if memory serves it was some of the best oysters in town. They used a special sause with them...many a guild member and townfolk fancied the seafood off that cart. We even bought some at times." She looks at the two of you for a bit. "So now the watch commander as hired three of you to investigate the murders?" She again pauses for a moment. "I do recall something... It happened years ago... Really right before all these deaths started happening. Never really thought about it until now but it might be of importance."
Ferona nods slowly, a sympathetic look in her eye as she realizes Aydi must have taken the loss harder than she was letting on. "I...understand the difficulty of your position here. Protecting your confidentiality is vital for you yet...it must be balanced with the needs of this community. The longer this murderer practices his art the more the fabric of trust is torn, until it is finally rent asunder." She strokes a lock of hair for a few seconds, gathering her thoughts here, "Whoever this predator is his motives seem to be of a carnal nature. You mentioned something earlier...just before these murderers started occurring? What do you recall, if the matter is not a sensitive one for you?"
”Now you stop right there Master Narciso - I am not in any sense of the word a lady! Grond probably feels a lil anxious on account of he’s a greenskin, and has tusks and...well..looks like an orc. Right Grond?” Naia looks to the half-orc earnestly.
”Staying with townies, and humans at that could be...well...it could be wyrd.” Naia frowns. ”Heck it’s wyrd for me an’ I’m related! But Grond, Nan adventured with a half-ogre, and the Temlows don’t hold with much crappe. As long as your heart is good...you’re...good!” Naia finishes winningly. ”You boys have fun hunting and we’ll see you for dinner. C’mon Narce.”
"As long as our heart is good... Don't even remember when it was I last heard words like those" - Grond pauses for a moment, then nods at Naia - "Understood then, and thank you"
Narciso openly laughs at the responses from Naia and Grond. "So right you are Naia! I'm no more a 'Master' than Grond is a halfling! And he's certainly one of the best men I've known in years. As for wyrd, perhaps you or your Nan could identify some work I could do to earn my stay? I wouldn't be of much use to the hunters but I do prefer to earn my keep."
"When we were surprised by the invitation, I cut wood for them. That's a chore always in need of doing."
Geolin & Walthas
He finishes his mug and puts it on the table. "Go get some rest and I will check up on Thout. In the morning get back over here and I will set up an introduction to the other three so you can discuss what has happened."
At that Walthas opens the door and the six of you make your way out Geolin's study and you make your way down the hall and into the courtyard.
Walthas walks you down and out the main gate. "Try to get back here an hour after the rise of the sun."
Seeing the drunk looking a little shifty, Peran walks over to his direction.
"Hold on there friend. Can I have a moment of your time?", he calls to the drunkard.
Soros
Soros makes his way down the stairs stops short of the main gate and turns to Naia. "I am heading to parents home to visit with them. I will meet back up in the morning at the barracks."
Edan
The Touv makes his way to the courtyard and after Walthas finishes. "Master-at-Arms I would like to check in on Thout." He turns to Rabalar. "Once I get done checking in on our friend I will walk over to Naia's."