Noro keeps her eye on the other group. waiting to see if they intend to start trouble.
Group 1:
Pelgrev- The woman glances at you and says I work with scribing, yes, but I was not close to the lad. I do more complex - and expensive - work.
It takes a while for Ragnaros to show. When he does, it takes a nod from Ol' Mum to point him out. Some of you even have to move to see him. He is possibly the shortest Gnome you've ever seen, barely coming up to people's knees. His entire being is patterned shades of vibrant red, making his lack of height less of a problem in getting noticed. He walks with an air of unshakable confidence. He saunters up to the bar and, surprisingly, manages to climb up on a stool with grace without giving up an ounce of his dignity. The thugs immidiately stand and encircle him silently like a pack of guard dogs.
Freia looks to her companions. "Is there anything else we need to ask?"
No? Go see owner, now?
Johnny moves over to the guys.
Now now we can't be having issues inside. Ragnaros, why don't you come this way and we can talk about a few things.
Johnny points over the the table that he had earlier staked out.
Group 1:
It takes only a couple minutes to arrive at the building in question. It is a nicely designed yet very function-oriented building with two stories and many shuttered windows. A staircase is attached to the left side of the building which leads up to the second floor.
After knocking several times and calling out for Ms. Arcadia, a balding man with a pot belly rounds the corner and shouts, Excuse me? Can I help you?
Group 2:
Ragnaros regards you coolly for a few seconds. What things... he says in a shockingly deep, solid voice that belies no sign of intoxication in spite of the strong smell of drink wafting off him.
Noro reamins off to the side ready for trouble. she is actually hopeing for trouble.
she keeps her eye on the thugs that surround Ragnaros. running through her mind how this fight will probably go down.
calmly Johnny looks at the gnome.
It is about your employer and it would be best if we talked quietly over there
He nods knowingly and follows you over without much fuss. His boys array themselves behind him. He stands on the chair and leans against the table like it's a bar. You have two minutes. he says threateningly.
En route
Freia takes the time to share her suspicions with the others. Hopefully they have something she missed and atleast there will be more minds working on what happened.
"So Taldi was working on one of the other ships - but found on one of the others. And there was signs of him being moved. Do you think he was killed on board of the Lady Regret and then moved to Idle Hands? Why would they do that? Did they try to find someone on Idle Hands to kill but couldn't - or was it somekind of message? Did he know the man with the seahorse tattoo found on Idle Hands?
She shakes her head in frustration. So many new questions! So little clarity... She hoped that Arcadia would shed some light on the situation, but her gut told her otherwise. There were many loose ends to this mystery - but in time they would weave it together and make sense of it. If only to bring justice to Taldi and all the other victims!
At Arcadias house
"We are looking for Ms. Arcadia - do you know where we can find her?" I wonder - the scriber where rather sure we would find her here. Does she work someplace else or is she also missing?
The wizard keeps herself well clear of where Johnny is speaking to the gnomes. She'll make attempts to avoid their notice. stealth and bluff to appear as if she's not listening.
The first time one of them goes to draw a weapon, she casts sleep.
Who are you?
Pelgrev moves away from the door to avoid crowding his companions.
Group 1: Arcadia? Wow, haven't seen here here in weeks! Got transferred or somethin' about a month ago, far as I can recall.
My name's Bart. I run the tack shop down here at ground level.
Group 2: Ariana- Every last one of them notices you at some point, but only Ragnaros and the Half-Orc seem to catch on that you're listening.
"About a month ago ?!"
Freia takes a deep breath to calm herself down. She shot a sideways glance at her companions - this was to much to be a coincidence - and she wanted to see that they understood. Turning back to Bart she mustered a more collected appearance, even if her mind was racing. Is she also dead?
"We would need to speak to her. Do you know where she was transferred? The location of her previous employment would also be needed - they might know more. Can you give us an description of her? The official channels are lacking in that regard..."
Zayid nods, studying the man in an attempt to discern anything he isn't saying outright.
Well my good gnome. It seems your employer has lost his life at the hands of some very nasty people. We would like to know who might have wanted him dead and who stands to gain the most. We also fear that you may be a target as well.
Johnny looks deeply at the gnome to ensure that he understands that this is very serious and he also wants to see the reactions of the gnome and those with him at this news.
Group 1: I'm sorry, but I didn't ask. She left in quite the hurry. Only took her a day to move out, and I was down on the docks most of the day. Who she worked for exactly, I couldn't guess. She always said a shipping firm trying to get a good foothold on the port. Maybe the company couldn't hack it.
She was average height, black hair, tan. Kinda plain lookin', if you get me.
Zayid- He is being completely truthful, as far as you can tell.
Group2:
Ragnaros and his cronies react with confused looks. Ragnaros glances around at his cronies before saying, You been at the good stuff, boy? It's aweful hard to kill Cap'n Smithies. Besides, I just came from a meeting with 'im not five minutes ago, and I can promise you he's very much alive.
"Do you mind if we look around inside?" asks Zayid quietly. Maybe there will be some clue...
Ariana comes up behind Johnny, unable to resist responding to that exclamation. "Did you not sail under Captain Ab's command? Were you his first mate? Perhaps we got some of our information confused.."
She have friend or... rival?
Pelgrev shuffles his feet nervously.
Why are there no clear leads or straight answers?
Group 1: Rivals? Only every other shipping company in the Docklands. Wasn't the friendliest of people either. No matter, search if you like, but I cleaned it up in order to attract a renter, so I doubt you'll find much, but go ahead. Maybe people will think you're customers and attract more. He chuckles at himself and then tosses you a small key to the door. Just be sure to give it back. I had a ward placed on the place to prevent vandalism, so please don't go in without the key. Even if you have to toss it back and forth, don't cross that threshold without that key.
Group 2: Cap'n Ab? Haven't seen him for... Oh, he's dead then. Was wondering his he so perfectly fell off the map. Well, that's unfortunate. Not a bad guy, as skippers go.
Ragnaros looks reminicient for a moment before returning to the present.
As far as being a target, tell whoever it is to get in line. As for Cap'n Ab's foes. Not many. 'Ol Mam over there probably told you he was the good sort, and she'd be right.
Time's almost up.
Zayid nods and catches the key, moving to examine the door and threshold for any sign of other traps. Finding none, he reaches forward to open the door and peek inside, then steps within and hands the key out to Pelgrev. Turning, he studies the inside of the building before stooping to begin a thorough search.
Freia nods understandingly. Don't cross the threshold without the key. Got it! "Thanks for your time Mr Bart!"
She follows Zayid and Pelgrev up towards the apartment, her mind working franticly. "She moved just as the murders took place? Dammit!" While waiting for her turn she takes the time to use Detect Magic and look for Barts ward, if only to take her mind of the case for a few moments. When she is inside she does her best to help Zayid look around - it is obvious that he has an better idea on how to search the place, so she follows him closely and makes sure he does not miss anything.
It does seem we have had some misinformation. How long ago did you leave Cap'n Ab and what was the reason for your departure?
Johnny looks some what confused.
Group 1: The room is an open square with a small back room and a closet. By examining subtle scratch and scuff marks on the floor and faint discolorations on the wall, you determine that the room was sparsely furnished, which would explain the quick move-out claimed by Bart. In fact, you can only find solid evidence of one standard table, two chairs, and something with the dimentions of a cot, though you can't be sure exactly what it was. You find no evidence of other office furniture.
Group 2: What? Three weeks of no contact or pay isn't enough? I could have had the decency of firing me first! And my new position hasn't been filed with the Harbor aster yet as I Just got it.
Looking around in the now rather empty room the odds of finding something to tie to Arcadia seemed slimmer and slimmer.
"She certainly seemed to prefer a spartan lifestyle - or perhaps she had some other address? Maybe we should go door to door and ask her neighbours - someone is bound to know something"
"The Captain was having a problem paying his men then. Do you know of any groups he may have gotten involved in to help pay off his debts?"
Zayid frowns at the scuff marks and nods. "It seems important that we find her," he adds quietly.
"Yes - she was certainly not one of the corpses we found. So she is either dead and hidden, fleeing and hidden or a murderer and hidden... Also she might be kidnapped and hidden. Anyone got a good idea on how to find her - or shall we look into the other victims? There might be similar circumstances to their deaths also - they are dead and someone else is missing."
"Maybe..." begins Zayid in his soft way, "maybe she is somehow connected to all the victims?"
"Indeed - she was Captain on the ship where one victim worked and another were found. Hmm I wonder if any of the other ships Captains are available or if they also disappeared?"
The young man shakes his head. "So many possibilities... I think... I think perhaps we should stick with this clue until it peters out? So... maybe try to find her?"
Where look? Shipping company?
Freia nods. "The shipping company seems like a good bet. I guess we could also speak to the city watch - they must have tried to get a hold of her since they impounded her ship!"
Group 2: Sinking man, was he? Never told me, though he did tend to get nervous about the same time every month whenever his shipping loan came due. So, if I had to guess...
Ragnaros contemplates something. You sure he's dead? Becuase I have certain interests in that ship 'o his if its true.
looking down at the gnome with a bit of disgust at his last statement.
This piece of work could care less of the death just what he can gain
thinking he might be able to use this to his advantage.
His face is unrecongnizable actually only magic led us to understand it was him. So you are telling me you have something to gain with his death?
looking down at the gnome with a bit of disgust at his last statement.
This piece of work could care less of the death just what he can gain
thinking he might be able to use this to his advantage.
His face is unrecognizable actually only magic led us to understand it was him. So you are telling me you have something to gain with his death?
So you see we want to find out what we can to be able to close out this case.
Johnny continues his bluff in hopes of shaking this guy a bit and if he doesn't give up the information he might be able to track the gnome to see where he goes next.
Go ask big company if Acadia work there?
"There are a lot of big companies in this city. But ... wonder - what if? Yes ! Might just work! She has a shipping company - and since it is based here it should also be taxed here - we simply need to go to the city office to find the address !"
Zayid frowns slightly, trying to follow the logic. We could just ask around... someone is bound to know... but she seems confident.
"They'll tell us?" he asks quietly.
Group 2:
Ragnaros looks at you hard for a few seconds before answering, I think your time is up. and leaving the table. His cronies follow him as he heads for the door.
"Certainly" She tapped the silver mask she wore as he spoke. She wasn't sure where the confidence came from - but it was in there somewhere. Perhaps borne out of desperation not to face more taxing social encounters?
Ariana doesn't try to stop them as they turn to walk away..but she does walk to the door and cast Sleep on them once they reach the street.