Burahl's twitching nose, alert ears and investigating stare all dropped at the same time.
"Oh..."

Then he takes the papers and walks back to his counter, hops onto his stool and lights an oil lamp. "Make yourselves comfortable, there are some chairs there." He says with a grim look upon his face.

Alchemy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22
After some time and carefully reading the notes, the little ratfolk looks up from his desk to the others gathered around his shop.

"Would you like some tea perhaps? Or something more exotic? I'd reckon I could share some with you at this moment."
After putting a large kettle of water on and taking some flasks and jars from the shelves he walks to the group and stands leaning on his staff.

"I've got good news and bad news. The good news is, I've deciphered the notes and I think a cure is feasible. The bad news is that I can't make it by myself or fast for that matter. There seems to be some more notes missing. Find them and I might be able to produce something akin to a cure over a couple of days or a few weeks."

The black-furred ratfolk walks around his shop, arranging the orders he got the last day. Some will be picked up, others would warrant housecalls as the people who ordered them were sick with the new plague. Burahl himself was quite lucky that he didn't catch it yet, although being an alchemist himself might also have played a large role in that.

Then his ears twitched and he listened carefully. Sounds by the door... This late at night? He moved quickly behind his counter and grabbed his bomb-girdle. Then waited with a mixture close at hand. When the door was finally opened he began.

"Finest potions availa...Oh it's you again.... Why are you barging in here this late at night with three... five... six people?"

The ratfolk asked before jumping down his stool and moving quickly towards the door to close it.

"Well?"

"Not much else than a usual sickness, give her plenty of fluids and rest." Burahl replies to Grau.

"Of course a cure would be better, but I haven't got anything for that. I'd need to know where the source came from. If she gets worse Grau, come find me in Old Korvosa, I might have an infusion left for her."

Burahl collects his stuff and shakes hands with Grau and waves to the others.
"Keep me posted about her condition, if you need me you know where to find me."

Burahl walks up to Grau's little niece in the bed and checks her symptoms for himself.

Heal: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

"Hmm..." He says before he walks around and starts fidgeting in his jacket and robe.
"I don think I can cure this outright, however I can give her a better chance to fight this off herself. He concludes as he mixes up two potions with an odd-smelling fragrance.

He walks back up to the girl and offers her one of the glass vials.
"Here drink this, it smell strange and it's not tasty, but it will make you feel better.

Assuming she takes the infusion.
Lesser Restoration 1 to Con: 1d4 ⇒ 2

When she feels ready to take the second potion he'ĺl offer it to er as well.

LR 2 to Con: 1d4 ⇒ 2

The ratfolk takes in the half-orc and then the stranger one next to them and nods. He seems to think on what Tural has said about the symptoms and is lost in thought for a moment. Heal: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

"Ah no...Guess I should make a housecall then. The symptoms alone don't ring a bell. Where'd you say the house was?"

The ratfolk says as he moves to a satchel and a small backpack standing against the wall. He shoulders the first and puts on the second then grabs the quarterstaff next to it and uses it as a walking stick.

"I'm having a lot of housecalls these days, I just don't get around to my potion-making as much as I'd like. Show me the way, come on we haven't got all day."

As the green team descends down the stairs one by one, they can smell musty places, probably a little dusty too, and wet stones. The very different smells of multiple herbs, spices and alchemical ingredients also wafts into their nostrils, a hint of sulfur and mercury hangs in the air.

Down the stairs a busy ratfolk looks up from his cauldron with his beady eyes and then proclaims: "The finest potions available! Come in further, guests to my humble shop. It's always a pleasure to see new faces down here."

He says as he hops down from a little stool he used to peer into his cauldron.

"How can I help you hmm? Ointments for sore wrists? Got in a scuffle and need some tending to? Or something more dangerous?" He sniffs the newcomers and looks them up and down.

"I have many excellent things, many in stock, some things may need some time and will have to be ordered though."

Something tells you the ratfolk is more than he seems, he seems rather interested in you all and is keen as well. His jacket and clothing rinkles of glass as he gestures and moves from Mavor to Baer to Tural.

I'm happy to continue, but if you want to put it as inactive I won't hold you back if you want to inactivate it.

That said, I wonder if the others are still around.

Just to give you a heads up, I'll be out for the Easter holidays, starting tomorrow morning, sadly that's about 4 days.

I'll be AFAK (Away from Any Keyboard), during the whole time there. Bot me if needed.

Burahl nods to Fredo as he closes the box again.
"Quick thinking Fredo, but yes, I think currency might have been the used vector or transmitter for this disease. A quite effective way to be sure. As to whether it got into the Bank I can't say, but in essence it only had to get to a market to be efficient enough."

Burahl looks at the box with sad eyes.
"Whoever had the idea to wipe out part of the city has no qualms about killing innocents, what it was that person wanted to achieve I can't say for sure. Though with what we know, quelling unrest might be a reason."

Burahl looks at Fredo and then back at the rat.

"Well couldn't it have been a cloud of magical disease hidden inside the box? Meaning, that whoever opens the box may get sick? I'm assuming these items, the dead rat and the coins might have been affected with a normal disease, the one the city is dealing with at this very moment."

"The question remains why someone would bring these into the city locked inside such a box."

Burahl will find a more sucleded spot away from the rest before opening the coffer.

Fort Save?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 +4 vs Poison, but I guess that's not applicable here.

"Now, let's see what we've got here." the little ratfolk murmurs to himself as he opens up the box after putting a cloth before his nose and mouth.

"I will do just that Fredo. I'd reckon that I am the most safe of us to do so, rats and pestilence and such."

Burahl remarks as he chuckles a little bit.

"Time to get going gents and lass? Or do we need to rummage more in this ship? We might have found the source of this plague upon the city yes?"

"They look like they have to hide something behind those masks if you ask me." Burahl remarks as Fredo mentions the masks and the unholy symbol.

"Guess their allegiance to an evil deity suffices as fitting that description. But now the question remains as to what has happened here. Aren't such masks usually worn only when there is an illness abound?"

Burahl follows after Goffred, his mutated body still a little odd to behold but it makes him better in swimming and he's able to keep up with the rest.

"Should we split up and search the ship? That would be faster I'd reckon. It seems we might have cleared the most dangerous threat already from the ship." The ratfolk says in bubbles as he nears Goffred.

Fine with me.

Swim check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Burahl tries his best to swim closer to the fight, holding out his quarterstaff in his now bulkier arms as he tries to get closer to the shark.

Probably need a double move I'd reckon

Fine, I didn't wan to do this. The effect is quite horrible.

Burahl brings up a flask he has kept hidden for quite some time and unstoppers it with his teeth before drinking it. Suddenly the ratfolk grows bulkier, his muscles seem to bulge and it looks even as though he has grown bigger and his teeth more dangerous. He looks more like a wererat now than his own self.

Drinking a Str mutagen, got to be a first time for everything. AC 19, 21 cs animals.

Swim check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Burahl keeps swimming to not sink any further and keeps his quarterstaff in a defensive way out in front of him, ready to defend and strike back when the shark approaches.

Swim: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Readied Attack, Fighting Defensively: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 5 - 4 = 201d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

AC=19, 21 vs animals

He looks at the master of the shark inquisitively and tries to determine what she is.

Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15

Fort Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26

Burahl immediately looks alarmed at the shark and motions the others to halt their advance and points to the jigsaw shark.

With little bubbles and a loud voice he tries to make clear it's not a normal shark.

"That's not a normal shark. Not even a trained pet. More self-aware than any of those. That must be someone's Animal companion, a druid's probably."

"Be alert, it might be left here to guard this ship."

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Burahl inspects the section of the galley and finds it odd there's no evidence of supply cargo present.

Said in a brabbling water voice. "Look! There's no traces of supplies, or food storage for that matter. It almost looks like this ship was meant to be sunk when it departed its original port."

"Well if Eries's expectations are correct we have enough time to explore the entirety of the ship, barring any problems we encounter of course."

"Though if no one else voluneers, I'll take a potion instead. Though you should share your spellbook with me again after this Fredo, I haven't mastered the art of making water breathing potions yet."

Burahl frowns and shifts his whiskers when the group leaves or at least isn't within earshot of Vendra. "So, now that this problem is settled, shall we continue on with our investigation to which we're assigned to? I'm wondering what can be found in that ship myself."

"Perhaps Vendra can make us some Water breathing potions as I myself don't have that skill yet."

"Just like any venom or toxin, the cure of the effects lies in the venom itself. The substance of the spiders that is used in Shiver can also be used to help someone get clean of it. I've had some success with that, depending on how willing the patient is of course."

Burahl speaks up as the discussion about dreamspiders and Shiver goes on.

As the talk of changes to a new employer for Vendra, Burahl twitches with his nose and seems ill at ease as he glances at Fredo.

No you don't. You're not gonna ask me to get her a job, I like my quiet little shop.

"I've never said murder, I said retribution. The terms of how we apply such retribution may differ, but she will have to pay for her fraud nevertheless."

Burahl speaks up as he looks up at Fredo and Raijinn.
"I'll accompany Akiki if she wants to snoop around. Her skills and my knowledge would be good enough to determine if there's a lab in the other building."

"Hmm.. Have to say my hands are itching a bit for some righteous retribution against one who uses shiver in her draughts, but now the store is apparently closed. Akiki, could you get us into the other building without making too much noise? I'd like to snoop around there as well, now nobody is apparently at the shop."

Yeah we will definitely confront her with it, guess we will do this ourselves and not get the guard involved.

I'm withdrawing from the submission, I'll be interested in seeing how this pans out though, but I have a sort-of inspiration block.

I'll be following the gameplay though.

"That might be true, but I'd not want the people to throw away their gold just to buy a fragrant watery solution. I could put in a harmless bitter tasting herb into the liniment, making it far from consumable unless you've got a good stomach. It wouldn't ruin the shop, but would take care of the unethical distribution of a fake cure."

I am very much interested in the idea, though I'm torn between two concepts.

I have an idea of making either a Hobgoblin Hunter with a Giant Weasel as a companion, primarily a hunter by trade near the town and a good tracker to boot to aid in the search for the halfling.

The other concept is a Sylph Investigator, a regular know-it-all who loves a good puzzle and mystery, usually from the well-protected confines of his own home in the town, though also quite inquisitive which leads to interesting conflicts in his own personality.

"Indeed, anyone giving shiver to people without them knowing it is bad in my book. And she even cons people into buying this stuff. I had hoped with Lamm's ending the amount of shiver in the city would have subsided and diminished. I'd like to have a good long talk with her about who her supplier is of this source."

Burahl says as he finishes his notes. He looks quietly in contemplation and frustration to the others and his fists tighten.

"So what do we do with this information Fredo? Should we confront her ourselves or do we tell Marshall Croft about her malpractice?"

"Follow me everyone. We've got a ways to go towards Old Korvosa, and I'd need the time to figure this 'Liniment' out."

After some time the group arrives at the ruins of an old house, the rubble having never been cleared and Burahl approaching it almost immediately after having checked that there are no nosy people around.

"Alright Fredo, I wonder if you can solve this riddle." Burahl points to a crude mark and sign on the side of the ruins.

Burahl gives the others a moment to contemplate the riddle and answer, then moves over behind wall on which the sign is hung and waves the others over. Through a hidden stairs and door, the group enters Burahl's hidden shop.

Inside the air is filled with different kinds of scents of herbs, spices, dusty glasswork, charcoal and cauldron spatters on the ground.
It seems as if Burahl isn't that much here anymore as another smaal stack of letters has piled up in front of the door.

Burahl picks up the letters and places them on a small table with two chairs next to it.

"Make yourself at home, but don't try to break anything okay? Not all of these bottles here are healing or healthy for you."

Burahl takes out the bottle of liniment and places it on a workbench, than gathers his alchemical supplies, tubes and apparatus to determine what's inside the liniment.

"Right. Show me what secrets you hold." He mutters as he opens the bottle and begins his scientific work.

Craft Alchemy take 10: 10 + 15 = 25

[smaller]"Not it certainly is not, but I'll try to distill the components of it and check if any of the ingredients are actually healthy for you. We need to get back to my shop as I've got better equipment there. I'm not sure how long it would take, but two days at most, but probably sooner."[smaller]

Burahl whispers back as they go, he is still looking curiously at the clay jars as they go, breaking his head already about what the jar might contain.

Burahl frowns at the woman's words, but can't pick out the exact amount of lies within them.

He looks to the clay jars and inspects them with great care to look for any sort of cracks or so in them and what not he might be able to discern about the jar's contents without opening up the jar yet.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Craft Alchemy if needed: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27

Burahl looks up at Raijinn, his nose twitching and moving as much as a hovering hummingbird.

"Can't say, I've never enjoyed this fancy scentery at all. From an aclhemist's view it's quit einteresting but give me the natural scent of something over a fake one."

Burahl winces at the overdose of scents and has the incredible urge to sneeze, so much perfumes and luxury scents that it might kill someone with a superior nose.

He looks round the room and shakes his head in disdain, but refrains from saying anything just yet, he waits for the others to speak or for the owner to approach them.

Burahl frowns and sees Akiki skulk off around the edges, then sees Thaven take up a good position as well.
Well at least someone has the right idea, or two someones.

He looks to the others and then quips into Goffred's conversation, by talking out loudly to Raijinn so bystanders can hear.
"So good to be true that some people thought to believe a perfumist to come up with a cure rather than a doctor or a herbalist. I'm just here to support a friedn of mine, but I told him to better stay in bed and get some decent medicine. Any decent healer knows that real medicine tastes and smells unpleasant, anything else is detrimental to the curative powers."

Still here as well.

A Magic the Gathering Tournament Grand Prix, another hobby of mine.

I'll be out for most of the remainder of the day and tomorrow as well, competing in a tournament. If I'm lucky I can compete on sunday as well, so if I'm playing/DM-ing your campaign, you know why.

If I'm playing in your campaign feel free to bot me.

"Can't imagine a perfumerie would be able to find a cure for anything actually. Probably they only found a cure for the stench of the sick and claim that if 'If you can't smell it, it isn't there.' Bah."

Burahl frowns and wants to spit on the ground because of the thought, but composes himself.

"Good to see you again Akiki. Sorry if I appeared inquisitive, ever since our encounter with a certain wizard I'm a little anxious with people , strangers or people whom I didn't think to see so soon again."

Burahl looks expectantly at the doors of the gate, chatting with the other four about what this could be about. Then the door opens and he is silent for a moment raising his eyebrows.

"Akiki? But wasn't she...? She was gonna look after her sister right?" Burahl seems to be taken a bit off guard at the first sight of the rogue that apparently came back to the city.
Though when realization dawns that she might as well be the real person, he approaches as one of the first of the group.

"Welcome back Akiki," He says as he leans on his quarterstaff in front of her and eyes her carefully for any odd signs.
"What made you came back? Weren't you taking care of your sister? What was her name again...?" He purposefully asks her that question to make sure it's her and not a clever ruse of that royal mage of Ileosa.

Burahl nods when Majenko finished his message and replies. "Thank you Majenko. It's good that you came after we were done cleaning. I was just sorting out my mail again. Tell Goffred we will leave immediately, we'll meet him at the Citadel."

When Majenko has left, the little ratfolk turns to Raijinn and grins. "Never a dull moment nowadays. Who do you think it is who wants to meet up with us?"

"That sounds like a good idea." The little ratfolk says as he puts a kettle on for some tea and grabs a broom for later.

"Most people know I'm a pretty busy person nowadays, though they don't know why exactly. I think most of them believe I'm helping out with the sick, so that's not a complete lie."

Grats on that as well Goffred.

Well one was far from very subtle indeed, Burahl almost admitted that one actually. The other one is indeed very sketchy and no one could pinpoint Burahl as the perpetrator of that one.

Safe to say, you shouldn't let me alone with an evildoer and a flask of alchemist's fire. It's a dangerous situation, somebody's bound to get burned.

Hmm, thinking either another time Extra Discovery or taking Point-Blank shot or Ricochet Splash Weapon for a Feat... Decision decisions

Of course Akiki, welcome back!
Frees up more skill points for me eventually, I had taken up the role of rogueish rat to fill up a little of the void.

Also I must still select a Feat for level 5, anybody a good idea?

*Going back to the drawing board*

Not only brew potions for myself I could make extratcs even for all of us to use...

If we'd have time you could possibly learn Invisibility from Fredo, Raijinn. Or if you'd need it I could give you an extract for it.