Jaru continues staring at the weird little man attempting to separate out the auras.
[dice=spellcraft]1d20+6
The aura is that of illusion. It is faint. He appears to bearing a few items which also radiate a faint aura, likely potions. One radiates conjuration (healing) the other transmutation.
Unless someone stops Grine he leaves.
So handsome, you'll stay with me for a meal?, the woman asks Nalun in a husky voice as she reaches across the table to take his hand.
I uh. I've got urgent University business to attend to. Homework, yes thats it! and Nalun scurries away
Not without a kiss you don't, she says reaching across the table and grasping your head with determined hands. She plants a sound kiss on Naluns lips before he pulls away entirely.
Emmett looks at Nalun, blinks, then returns to Simeon: "We get there now? Perhaps try to arrive before him?" he asks with his deep voice.
Simeon smiles at Elidal, his discomfort at her closeness forgotten in his success, "He confirmed that Dr Brada and he had an arrangement, whatever Brada was up to at the Sancturary, Grimes and his partner were involved. He was surprised and rattled at the mention of Brada, there's more to learn at the factory, I'm sure!"
Emmett rises from his chair: "Let's not get comfortable. We'd best get moving and hustle back to the factory. For all we know, he's made us and will disappear. I sure would if I were him. Burning Man aint no place I'd want to end up in..."
Nalun splutters and looks completely discombobulated from his encounter with the woman.
Uhh. If we are going to do something that the Watch might frown upon...shouldn't we wait until nightfall? Nalun says, looking from Emmett to Prof. Plavini unsure of himself
"The gnome was hiding something; there was an illusion on him. Are we thinking of breaking in? I'm not sure I am totally comfortable with that, but if they are well connected then we may not be able to rely on the local authorities. We must do something if you are certain that they are involved with grave robbing though."
Simeon considers Elidal's question, "It's a possibility, who knows what's connected with what in this affair. "
He ponders for a moment , then shakes his head, "I think we must strike now. Grimes is discomfitted right now, thinking I merely want a business relationship, so their guard will be down. At least less so than if they knew our true intent. "
Turning to Jaru, "I wasn't so sure when all we had was that vial we found at the Santuary ruin, but Grime's reaction leaves me no doubt that there is a much more substantial connection between the chemists and Dr Brada's work."
Pouting at the lack of attention from Nalun, the woman finishes her wine.
I hear the trial’s first day detailed a long list of crimes against the Beast, three of which are to be used as the basis of its execution—burned alive in the Burning Man, a giant pyre that is even now being raised outside the courthouse!
Ha! That fool barrister Gustav Kaple is defending the creature—he can’t even get a whole sentence out without stuttering! The Beast is as good as dead! I’ve heard that the prosecution’s case is watertight—murdering those poor children in Hergstag, killing all those swampers in Morast, and burning down good Doctor Brada’s hospice. Hurrah for Prosecutor Otto Heiger!
"Mmh... We can still check whoever comes in or out. I'd prefer to hole up around the factory and make sure that gnome doesn't move whatever he's doing somewhere else..."
I. Uh. I think I have heard of him...
Simeon sighs, rubbing a hand down his face, his disappointment evident, "Fine, we'll observe the factory for now..."
"Heiger, you say? Otto Heiger....." Simeon begins to rummage throught his voluminous memory for any recollection of this man.
You both know of 'Hang 'em High' Otto. He's got a fearsome reputation as a very strict prosecutor. Despite being married he has a few shadowy rumours of him being a ladies man
"Ah yes, Hang'em High Otto. Very strict, but that may be an advanatage once the trial begins, he'll have to admit our evidence, else he'd look crooked. " Simeon says as he leads the others out of the tavern.
Hurrying along, he takes them behind the houses and businesses into the dark alleys and service ways. Noisome and noisy, the alley's serve as the lifeblood of Lepistadt, wagons laden with food and materiel jockeying for room , teamsters yelling and cursing.
Through this 'underground' , Simeon leads the others until he stops at the end of an alley, looking out at the entrance to the chemical works.
Leaning against the wall, seemingly immune to the smell of rotting produce, urine and other unwholesomeness, he fixes his gaze on the factory...observing....
Simeon and the group are just in time to see Grine admitted to the factory via the main gate. You cannot see who opened the gate or who is shutting it.
"Elidal and I will go around the building to check for other ways for them to get out. We'll come back right after."
You search around the building - street traffic at this hour is enough that you can do it without looking suspicious. There does not appear to be a rear entrance to the factory. Its completely walled off except for its front gate. Broken glass set into the tops of the walls is sure to make sure anyone scaling the wall would regret it.
As Elidal and Emmett search around the factory, the others see Naluns girlfriend coming down the road and towards the factory gates.
"Yep. I've seen enough. At least we know who's coming and going. Wouldn't mind knocking that door and taking a look around though..." replies Emmett as he follows Elidal back to their companions and report.
Eh. Look there...I "met" her at the tavern..Curiously she is heading for Mssrs. Vorkstag and Grines Factory.
"That could mean Grines did the same thing we did, and placed an agent before he arrived. And she stayed afterwards too. She's heard a lot... I say we go now and talk to her before she gets in." offers Emmett as he starts toward the woman.
[dice=Perception]27
Nothing more to note here though you see the young lady, wanton in expression, if not in clothes making her way towards the gate.
"Yes! Quickly now, before she gets too close to the factory." Simeon exclaims, following Emmett out into the street.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Arrgh, she screams as you dash up to her, startling some of the people on the street. What do you want?
Nalun narrows his eyes You interfere with a high level government investigation. Your activities have not gone unnoticed, what is your purpose at the factory! Hurry we have not much time to lose.
Nalun decided to take the same approach as he did in the village earlier...lying was coming a bit easier to him now.
Jaru looks surprised by the turn of event. The black-robed priest follows Nalun's to stand beside the woman. "By the bones! Answer truthfully and remember that all who live must face Her judgement!" he warns. He judges her answer.
Emmett scrutinizes the woman and adds: "We should check her for magic as well..."
She's rattled. Seriously rattled - very surprised and scared.
Won't someone help me?!!, she yells out. While the streets are not crowded there is enough foot traffic to get more than a few looks in your direction.
Sensing that she is genuinely scared, Jaru takes a more reassuring tact. "Now, now. We will not harm you. Who are you really afraid of us or your employer? We can help you if you will tell us what you know."
Fine - fine. Take me somewhere where I can get a drink and I'll talk
Sense Motive rolls please.
Simeon nods at the girl's wise choice, "Good, that's sensible of you. Come, there is a decent tavern down this street. " he says, then leads the girl and the others down a side street.
Nalun narrows his eyes
You play a dangerous game. Interference with a lawful investigation is a serious crime!
I'm not going down one of those side streets with you lot. If I am going anywhere with you it's going to be off the main streets or I'll scream til' your ears bleed, she says a Simeon seeks to manuever her down off the thoughfare.
She points down the road.
The inn down there is called 'The Grapes'. Let's go there.
Emmett gruffs his agreement. As most of the group turns, he eyes Simeon widely and nods his head in the woman's direction.
Elidal can tell that flight is still on this girls mind but for the moment she is willing to play along... There is something not quite right in her bearing, her posture and her mannerism but it's nothing you can put your finger on. Under the 'threat' and pressure of your groups demands the girls look changes subtly - she now has the hard and old beyond her years look seen on prostitutes, women who succeed in dealing with the harshness of life by hardening themselves against the violence of men... But again, under that 'look' there is something more. Could it be the girl is intrigued? The subtle expression she wears is calculating.
Good - because you're buying.
Simeon drops back a few paces, looking back at Emmett, a questioning look on his face.
Lets go in and we'll talk.