Indeed Simeon does know where the 'Chymic' Works are.
A tall, iron chimney belches yellow clouds into the sky from this small brick factory. Large leaded windows arch in a dozen places on its outer walls, but they are so begrimed as to be opaque. A large gate opens onto an inner courtyard beneath a sign proudly proclaiming “Vorkstag and Grine, Chymic Works.” The building has two floors and a tower, topped by a lightning rod.
The smell surround the place is acrid and hard on the nose and throat.
A twenty-foot-high stone wall, topped with broken glass, surrounds a small courtyard before the workshop. A heavy oak gate bars entry beneath a sign proudly proclaiming “Vorkstag and Grine, Chymic Works.” A bell hangs by one side of the gate.
His nostrils wrinkling in protest at the caustic smell, Emmett nods in agreement with Elidal. "If that's progress..." he mumbles to himself as he wonders to himself what brought them to this place.
A thin lead...
Jaru helps the old guard with a quick survey of the building before moving to the gate. He turns to Elidal, "Do we expect that they might not be cooperative?"
Emmett can't help but blurt out: "Well, are we about to tell them they're idiots because they think the Beast did it?!"
Your walk of the perimeter shows you not much more than what you can see initially but as you linger by the gate, talking there is movement on the far side of the study barrier and the sounds of "snuffling", something trying to smell the air beyond - dogs maybe?
Simeon's nose twiches and his face twists into a strange smile as he breaths deep of the noxious fumes surrounding the chemical factory.
"Ah, yes, progress indeed!" he says, rubbing his hands together, "The essenses of nature and magic, distilled, and refined...very difficult, very profitable. "
"We may want to not tell them we're here on court business. Perhaps a ruse , a business venture or scientific pursuit." he suggests, peering over the wall a the small glimpse of the buildings inside.
"Are those guard dogs? Or another guardian altogether?" he asks , curious.
Simeon feels that it is likely dogs.
"Well, let's knock on that door then, and see where it leads us..."
"Simeon should be the spokesman if we suspect they are somehow involved with the foul deeds at Karb." "I'm not sure having a Pharasmin along with you will help and ruse though."
"Sim-!?!" starts Emmett, but then stops himself and just looks down on the ground, his skin warming slowly.
Bolstered by the supportive comments of his companions, studiously ignoring Emmett's stifled doubts, Simeon strides to the gate and rings the bell hung there.
Simeon rings on the bell... and rings again when there is no response. The activity of the suspected dogs on the other side of the gate increases, movement happening back and forth but curiously, no barking.
At length you hear a shuffling approach the gate and then a strange gravelly voice calling out from the far side.
Vorkstag and Grine - what do you want?
Nalun agrees that the learned Professor should be the one to do the talking. He himself is but a student.
What should I do?
"Hello there, I would very much like to engage your services in the supply of various chemical extractions, both mundane and arcane." Simeon calls to the individual on the other side of the gate.
Wholesale or retail? The bosses don't do retail, the voice sales as if speaking by rote.
"Wholesale of course." Simeon states bluntly, holding his tongue before he blurted out anything else.
There are small scale businesses here and there - local alchemists but none nearly close to this enterprise.
what company - I'll talk to master Grimes.
At length the 'spokesman' returns.
Master Grimes is busy at the moment but can meet you at 'The Lion' for a meal at 6pm. What name should I communicate to him so he knows who to meet? He'll arrange the booking under both of your names.
"Certainly, that would suit us. The name? Plavini. I will see Master Grimes at the Lion. Good day." Simeon calls through the gate, then steps away.
The afternoon passes unless you want to do anything else? How are you showing up to the meeting?
I believe I will find out more about Masters Vorstag and Grimes. I'll meet you near the Lion around 5. Nalun says and then he heads into town to try and find more information on the aforementioned businessmen
"I don't think Simeon should meet with Grimes alone... Then again, we don't want Grimes to make us... I'd bet he has connection at the Lion. Eyes and ears... We ought to be there long before the meeting, or arrive after I'd say."
Nalun finds just what you've heard before: Vorkstag and Grine are well-respected merchants. Grine is a peculiar-looking fellow, though gnomes are that way, you know. That No workers are ever seen going on shift at the chymic works, but the smoke from the chimney never stops. Odd that, and that Master Vorkstag has a great many friends in high places, and whenever any minor trouble comes his way, someone is always ready to speak up on his behalf.
"I agree, Emmett. Perhaps you and I will meet with the chemist, you can pose as my bodyguard, with your steely gaze and all." Simeon says, then looking at the others, [b]"You all, shouls as Emmett suggested arrive before us, occupy the common room, so you see both us and Grimes arrive."[/b
"Hm... Yes. I can try." replies Emmet with a stern gaze, then manages a faint smile.
5 oclock rolls around with Nalun meeting you at the Lion Inn to share what he has been able to find out. The place is not particularly busy - the dinner crowd not yet rolling in and it affords you the leisure to talk among yourselves.
Meal time rolls around and the place begins to fill. Simeon asks about his allotted table and both Simeon and Emmett sit in wait.
One of the ladies in the bar seems to be batting her eyes at Nalun and waves him across to join her at her table . After some time a pale gnome with a shock of bright red orange hair makes inquiries with the bar and then comes to Simeons table. He gives Emmett a cool appraising look before giving Simeon a small bow.
Master Grine at your service - you are Simeon Plavini then?
He looks around the room, eyes lingering on the rest of the party for a moment.
Nalun gives the girl a winning smile Heya there. I'm Nalun, a student here at the University.
Emmett stares back at the man, stoic.
Nalun gives the girl a winning smile Heya there. I'm Nalun, a student here at the University.
Has anyone told you that you have dreamy eyes? Join me. I'm Samantha. Stay and eat with me... who knows, maybe we may even take some time on a walk for you to show me your books, she says to Nalun with a winning smile of her own. She looks over to the corner booth where the rest of the party are sitting. What are you doing out with that group anyways? Is that one in the armour your girlfriend? Isn't she a bit old for you?
At the chemist's question, Simeon rises and gives Master Grine a short bow, "At your service, ser." he says, "I am most appreciative that you would deign to meet me. I assume you're a very busy businessman. "
He waves at Emmett, "My bodyguard. One can't be too cautious these days."
Of Course. The little man maneuvers himself onto his chair and regards Simeon cautiously and with a faint smile. I was told that you have a need of large quantity of product, can you share more as to your needs and sales distribution intents? I thought we had a handle on the local market with our retailers and the university.
Nalun fights the urge to turn red Uh. Ah. No. That is. No, she and I. Are, no. She isn't with me. I uh. I'm just eating dinner here. Do you eat here often?
Simeon chuckles, "Of that I have no doubt." Simeon answers, then gazing at the gnome contemplatively, continues "You must forgive me, Mr Grimes, but I have, of necessity, been forced to some prevarication on the nature of my business with your fine company."
Holding his hand up to forestall the gnome's anticipated indignation, Simeon hurries on , "I had a friend and fellow scholar in the late Dr Brada, a fellow with whom I shared a great many opinions. He had revealed to me that much of his 'work' at the Sanctuary on Karb Isle was only possible due to the quality of the alchemical formulae provided by Vorstag and Grimes. I would continue his 'work' and to be successful , I would very much like to renew whatever arrangements he had with your chemical works. "
Emmet keeps his gaze locked on the gnome, analyzing any betraying sign.
Samantha is fine. Grines however radiates magic. On concentration Jaru can tell it is illusion magic.
Simeon chuckles, "Of that I have no doubt." Simeon answers, then gazing at the gnome contemplatively, continues "You must forgive me, Mr Grimes, but I have, of necessity, been forced to some prevarication on the nature of my business with your fine company."
Holding his hand up to forestall the gnome's anticipated indignation, Simeon hurries on , "I had a friend and fellow scholar in the late Dr Brada, a fellow with whom I shared a great many opinions. He had revealed to me that much of his 'work' at the Sanctuary on Karb Isle was only possible due to the quality of the alchemical formulae provided by Vorstag and Grimes. I would continue his 'work' and to be successful , I would very much like to renew whatever arrangements he had with your chemical works. "
Doktor Brada, he says flatly, Oh and he told you of his relationship with our company. Interesting.
He thinks for a moment.
Well I hate to cut our meeting short but this is something that I had not anticipated. I take it that you are interested in the same arrangement that we had with him then? Not sure about how long before your new enterprise is up and running but rest assured you will have my own and Master Vorstags interest.
With that he stands and gives Simeon a perfunctory bow.
Simeon tries to get a sense of the gnome's sincerity...
Simeon stands as well, returning the bow, "Splendid! That is indeed the case. I or my factors will be in touch to make arrangements. "
Simeon you can tell Grines is worried by the mention of Doktor Brada and his "sharing" of the arrangement he had supposedly done with you. Its caught him off guard and rattled him.
"That's it then?" asks Emmett as he watches the gnome leave.
Jaru continues staring at the weird little man attempting to separate out the auras.
Simeon say softly to Emmett, "He was taken by surprise by my 'revelation'...worried, rattled. We're on the right track, Brada and the chemists had an arrangment...we must investigate the factory!" Simeon hisses quietly, motioning the others to join them.