Jolon frowns when they examine the Liniment, at a loss for ideas as to its contents.
"Aloysia...you probably know more alchemists in the city than the rest of us...any ideas as to who we could take this to? We could also bring it to the Cathedral in the Gray...some of the brothers mix tinctures and salves for the wounded and sick and may know a thing or two about alchemy...but their time and talents may be occupied helping with the plague already..."
"I may have worked with a few alchemists in the past. There's one over on who does good work. I'm going to stay here for now. That man I described seems too off for me to not want to investigate a little. If you all want to go, I'll meet you at the alchemists' shop when I'm done."
Gamon frowns, Do you think it's a good idea to split up after what just happened in the shop? You might need help if things go bad.
"You're welcome to wait around, I just got kicked out because the guards were far more perceptive than I would have expected. The end result was still me getting a vial, just losing my chance to talk to the owner. This other person in there just strikes me as off. We can stick together in case he decides to be rough, but I'm not intending on being too confrontational with him. I just feel like he might be worth tailing to find out more about him."
You manage to find the small shop that Aloysia knows fairly easily even without her there to guide you. The shop itself looks like it has seen better days, but that may be because of the plague and quarantines. The glass to the shopfront is smeared with dirt and less identifiable matter and the door appears to have been broken down at least once.
Inside is a little better, the various bottles, tinctures, and ingredients sorted and properly stored on neat little shelves. Everything is labeled in an overly frilly cursive, though still legible, script. An elderly gnome that looks like he's started Bleaching glances at you from behind his work desk. "I'll be with you in a few moments."
The sound of liquid being dripped into other liquid rings throughout the room, then a large puff as smoke appears above the gnome's head. He waves the smoke away and looks back at you. "How can I help you this evening?"
After your companions have left it appears that the shop runs out of Liniments for the day and decides to close early. The man Aloysia pointed out doesn't seem put out that he didn't receive a Liniment, though he does go talk to Vendra quickly before heading out the door as disappointed customers are shooed out by the Cravats.
He leaves the store and begins heading towards the West Docks.
Gamon shrugs, I'll stick around for now, to be sure. If anyone wants to head over to the alchemist then we can meet up afterwards.
As the man leaves the shop, Gamon leans over and speaks quietly to Aloysia, He was handed something by Vendra just now, do you want to follow him and see what we can find out?
"Absolutely, this is too juicy to pass up. Care to make a gentleman's bet? I bet he's the supplier of whatever nonsense Vendra is using to make this fake treatment."
Aloysia lets the man start heading away, then says to Gamon, "You've proven to be someone sly, but you might want to stay back a little further and try to keep track of me while I tail the man."
She keeps her distance and tries to meld into the crowd while following the man.
-
-
You're on, I've a hunch that this vial is something more sinister. I'll stay further back, you're much quieter than me.
The man doesn't have a clue that he is being followed by Aloysia and Gamon. He takes no precautions, and in fact seems generally happy with his life. After he hits the docks proper he heads to a tavern nearby, the Cloak and Stagger.
An Imp glowers down at the streets below, before cackling and rubbing its tiny hands together. It seems the devil has picked a new person to torment as it sits upright, spreading its wings. Before it can jump down to ruin someone's day a purple blur rockets down from the sky. Majenko pins the Imp to the roof with his jaws as his silvered tail takes out its tiny heart. He trills in victory before eating, keeping an eye on Aloysia and Gamon so he can keep the two groups in contact with each other.
After your companions have left it appears that the shop runs out of Liniments for the day and decides to close early. The man Aloysia pointed out doesn't seem put out that he didn't receive a Liniment, though he does go talk to Vendra quickly before heading out the door as disappointed customers are shooed out by the Cravats.
** spoiler omitted **
He leaves the store and begins heading towards the West Docks.
Jolon spots the sly transaction and his eyes narrow.
"You were right, Aloysia. That man IS up to something. I'll leave the observation to you and Gamon. This noisy armor will only give us away."
Nicolai, along with Jolon, will head to the alchemist's shop. Once there he hands over the vial for inspection "We have a mysterious elixir we'd like to have analyzed. It's creator claims it can cure the Blood Veil and we'd like to see exactly what's in it."
As they wait Nicolai peruses the shop, picking up and examining the various vials and flasks.
Nicolai, along with Jolon, will head to the alchemist's shop. Once there he hands over the vial for inspection "We have a mysterious elixir we'd like to have analyzed. It's creator claims it can cure the Blood Veil and we'd like to see exactly what's in it."
As they wait Nicolai peruses the shop, picking up and examining the various vials and flasks.
"We're friends of Aloysia," Jolon adds.
The gnome looks up through large spectacles, "I like her. Professional, in and out, no nonsense. Now then let's see this Blood Veil cure. I'll analyze it out of curiosity, but if you want to know its composition it'll cost you. 5 gold to learn what its made of." As he says this he begins taking out distillation equipment and various chemicals, setting the Liniment in several vials of the same size to perform various tests on it.
Jolon spits on the floor in anger.
"My blood ignites! We've got to shut this deception down and fast!"
** spoiler omitted **
An Imp glowers down at the streets below, before cackling and rubbing its tiny hands together. It seems the devil has picked a new person to torment as it sits upright, spreading its wings. Before it can jump down to ruin someone's day a purple blur rockets down from the sky. Majenko pins the Imp to the roof with his jaws as his silvered tail takes out its tiny heart. He trills in victory before eating, keeping an eye on Aloysia and Gamon so he can keep the two groups in contact with each other.
Aloysia looks back at Gamon and nods for him to get closer. When he's close enough she says, "He's in the tavern, probably don't need to be sneaky now, lets get a table near wherever he sits down." She heads in and subtly scans the room for her mark and a place to get in earshot of him.
Aloysia and Gamon take up a position near their quarry, grabbing a drink each for appearances sake. The man seems to be spending coin rather freely and quickly has the bar maids at his table more than any others with the frequent tips he gives out. It is over one exchange that the two party members catch the man's name, "Solt". It seems he isn't inclined to leave for some time with the amount he is drinking. When questioned about his good mood he only responds with a vague, "Good payday."
Aloysia turns to the man, "Good payday?! And aren't you handsome to boot! I like an ambitious man, come sit with my partner and I."
-
Solt appears happy to be getting more attention and saunters his way over to the table. "What can I do ya for miss..."
Aloysia uses her foot to push a chair out slowly, wearing a coy smile, and looking him right in the eye, "Please join us!" She leans back, crosses her legs, and takes a small sip of her drink, "My partner Mikhail and I are merchants..."
"And I can't help but be interested in someone who celebrates a good payday. Tell me, friend, are you a salesman," she asks as she traces her finger tip around the rim of her glass.
Nicolai plunks the five gold down on the table "Would you also be able to write down your findings so we have something to show the guards in order to shut them down?"
Once outside he turns to Jolon "Well, do you want to go to the guards and tell them what we found, or would you rather we return to the shop and wait for Aloysia and Gamon and handle it ourselves?"
<flashback> That morning, before joining the others at the perfumery, Nicolai sits down at his table and draws out his well-worn Harrow deck. Absentmindedly shuffling the deck he draws one card out at random and places it on the table. A picture of a dwarf wreathed in flames, The Brass Dwarf, stares up at him. "Invulnerability to the current danger, Surely that's a good omen." he thinks to himself as he places the cards back into their pouch. </flashback>
Solt frowns, but quickly shrugs it off and sits with Aloysia and Gamon. "Oh, no, not really a salesman. I actually work the docks around here, got paid handsomely by a client for not breaking any fancy bottles. After a good day you have celebrate in a good way, ha, ha, ha!" He nudges Gamon and throws a wink at Aloysia while chuckling.
The gnome shrugs, "Sure. And thank you for your business. You ever need help just come to old Nanfoodle. Not much'll get by me, seen and done too much."
Aloysia frowns slightly, "Fancy bottles? Do you make them or deliver them? What are they for?"
"Oh, just moving them onto a ship. The Bloody Mary, though that's off to sea now. No idea what was in them."
Gamon cracks an uneasy smile, trying to play along with Aloysia's game. Someone must've had a lot of money to pay so much just to move some bottles, whose mansion should we be hanging around outside for work? With that he lets out a laugh.
Solt chuckles and coughs, "Eh, it was...Harry Tombs. Don't know where he lives, just know he's got a nice boat."
"Oh, now honey, there's no need to lie to us! We're just looking to expand our business. Now why don't you just tell us the real name, not what you're drinking!"
Solt is clearly getting more uncomfortable. "Caught that, eh? Well, the employer doesn't like being named, but you seem like a trustworthy lot. I was actually employed by Vendra Loaggri."
Nicolai plunks the five gold down on the table "Would you also be able to write down your findings so we have something to show the guards in order to shut them down?"
Once outside he turns to Jolon "Well, do you want to go to the guards and tell them what we found, or would you rather we return to the shop and wait for Aloysia and Gamon and handle it ourselves?"
"Thank you, Mr. Nanfoodle. May your spiral on this world be long and blessed, and may your ancestors smile on you," Jolon replies, tracing the spiral and giving him a bow.
"I think we should wait for the others to add their evidence to ours before providing it to Cressida, that way we'll have a water-tight case against them. At the moment we know the cure's fake, but we don't know just what the point of this scam is?"
"I know the name, so she just has you moving bottles around and that's it? Seems odd that someone as successful as her would pay handsomely for menial labor. What gives? I don't doubt your skill, but we're looking to expand our own business and need skilled laborers."
A bit of sweat drops from Solt's brow. "Oh, you know how it is. Some people like particularly attractive people to work under them." His eyes are starting to dart towards the door as his hands grip his mug tighter.
"Oh come now,no need to stress! Nothing is coming back on you with this information. This is a job interview! I don't care about Vendra's business, I'm not looking to expand into perfumes. However, if I want to enter into a business contract with someone, don't you think I should know what it is you do?"
"The only special thing about me is that I know how to move a product. With care even! I'm just glad someone appreciates it." He is still nervous, and may be clearly hiding something.
Nicolai will return to the shop with Jolon to await the others return. "Might as well settle in, it might be awhile." he says to companion. Putting words into action Nicolai finds a spot where he can keep one eye on the shop and the other on the alley behind it.
Jolon follows Nicolai and starts watching as well.
Nicolai and Jolon's vigil is not for naught. A mere thirty minutes into watching the storefront they see the gate to the alley beside the store open. Out walk the two toughs in Cravats, rolling a barrel out into the street. They roll it down and stop when they notice something. Quick glances both ways lead to them quickly and efficiently replacing a neighbor's full rain barrel with their own (presumably empty) one. Smirking they begin rolling it back to the alley before closing the gate behind them.
"Friend, please clarify, you physically move products with care or you help sell them with care? Handsome paydays don't line up with lifting boxes. My partner and I certainly don't wish to overpay for manual labor that can be done by anyone outside here on the docks. If you're telling me that you charge highly to pick up objects and set them down, then I'm afraid our money is not for you." As she says this, she slips 10gp seemingly from no where and sets it on the table.
Solt's eyes shine with the gold lining the table. "I do a bit of both," he says reaching over. "Truth is, I help move the material there when Vendra asks for an unbiased opinion. Say it cured my Bloodveil right up, and makes my bad leg feel better to boot. I've never had Bloodveil, but I guess it would cure it, especially since my leg has been feeling better..."
** spoiler omitted **
Nicolai and Jolon's vigil is not for naught. A mere thirty minutes into watching the storefront they see the gate to the alley beside the store open. Out walk the two toughs in Cravats, rolling a barrel out into the street. They roll it down and stop when they notice something. Quick glances both ways lead to them quickly and efficiently replacing a neighbor's full rain barrel with their own (presumably empty) one. Smirking they begin rolling it back to the alley before closing the gate behind them.
"Well we know where they're getting their secret ingredient from."
Jolon thinks for a minute on the implications of this, if where these people are sourcing their water from may have consequences for the health of their customers.
Solt's eyes shine with the gold lining the table. "I do a bit of both," he says reaching over. "Truth is, I help move the material there when Vendra asks for an unbiased opinion. Say it cured my Bloodveil right up, and makes my bad leg feel better to boot. I've never had Bloodveil, but I guess it would cure it, especially since my leg has been feeling better..."
"I see, so, you're a hired hand for her who doesn't ask questions. I appreciate that in an employee. Look, if you're interested in making some more coin where this came from, meet me at this address tomorrow at 5:00pm."
She scribbles down an address and a couple of sentences, "He's good enough for Vendra, so he's good enough for us. You know what to do." "Give the man this slip of paper. The man will give you our product, and if you push it well you can count on 10 times what was just on the table. Mikhail, shall we?" she says as she stands to leave, but not before giving Solt a wink and a smile.
The address listed is to that of a local private detective who has harassed Aloysia a number of times in the past in her previous jobs. She smirks as she walks out the door hoping to throw the PI for a loop with this random stranger.
Majenko, flitting back and forth between the two locations, catching some bugs to eat, and chatting with his family in this part of Korvosa, does what he can to bring the two groups back together.
It is getting into the evening and it seems people are desperate enough for this cure that some have taken to camping outside of the store, waiting for it to open the next day.
Jolon doesn't think that the water from rain barrels would be too bad for consumption. Even the river water would be fine if everything was boiled.
Gamon nods along to Aloysia's pitch, wondering quietly what was going on, then stands up to leave as she does.
Once outside, he turns to her and asks, Where did we just send that guy?
Jolon doesn't think that the water from rain barrels would be too bad for consumption. Even the river water would be fine if everything was boiled.
Jolon sighs.
"Well, they're not contributing to the plague through their choice of source, the Veil is carried on the wind, not in the water like cholera. The only way they're making it worse is the false hope they're offering, which brings sick people to mingle with healthy ones, allowing the wind to do its wicked work."
Nicolai nods at Jolon's assessment "Aye, all they're doing is peddling false hope, not caring who dies in the process as long as they make a couple of gold off of it." a look of disgust crosses his face before being replaced by one of determination "They need to be shut down and it needs to be done now before anyone else dies from their callousness."
Nicolai casts a spell on himself, finely tuning his senses to the area around him before casting another and disappearing into thin air. "I'll be back in a few minutes and if I'm not, don't tell the others I was this stupid." a disembodied voice jokes with Jolon.
Making his way across the street Nikolai will slip beyond the gate and into the alley beside the shop and, pausing at each door, he will listen for any sounds of work being done.
Jolon opens his mouth to protest, but is too late as Nicolai begins putting his plan into motion. He frowns as he watches from the dark.
Majenko alights on Jolon's shoulder. "Woah! That's crazy that he can just disappear like that, huh? Aloysia and Gamon are on their way back, it may take them a bit. They had to go out to the docks."
Nicolai finds that the only door that sounds like work is happening behind it is boarded up. Once he casts his spell he's got a better idea of what's going inside.
Bits of broken crates and barrels cover the floor of this dilapidated apartment. A tub of oily liquid, its lip about four feet high, fills a corner of the room, a well-used oar sticking out of it. Next to it squat several large casks of murky water and two stacks of boxes. One holds dozens of small ceramic vials with magenta stoppers; the other holds a mismatched collection of delicate perfume bottles. The apartment’s kitchen nook holds another crate, this one filled with broken shards of multicolored glass. Despite being in shambles, the apartment smells delightfully of spices, flowers, and exotic oils.
Vendra and her two thugs are busy using the water from the stolen barrel to make more 'Liniment'. "Here," she says, "we're running low on sugar. Put a few drops less perfume in there to compensate. We'll get more tomorrow."
Jolon nods and fishes a piece of moose jerky out of his pack and offers it to Majenko.
"Thanks for the information, Majenko."
Nicolai joins Jolon and Majenko back across the street from the store. "Looks like they've set up shop in one of the apartments in the back. Vendra and her thugs are there mixing up a new batch of their "cure all". Only thing is that the door from the alley is all boarded up, so there must be a way in from one of the adjacent apartments."