Re: Eburacon's Songbook
"There are several free merchants from the Empire in Silvergate. One of them is named Claudius. Are you familiar with him?" Elias pauses for your answer.
"He is not your problem. From what I know he's no more crooked than any other merchant around. The issue is a fellow by the name of Flavius who associates with him. This man is surely an agent of someone bigger back in the Empire, but my knowledge pretty much ends at the shore. Flavius is a broker interested in securing treasures, magical objects, wonders, and artifacts. Items like these are spread all over our lands and many of them are lost, or forgotten, or simply their true value or power is misunderstood. Some of these treasures have been in these lands for countless generations. Others have been brought here from raids that have been going on as long as history records."
"Flavius keeps his activities secret, but when he does speak of them, say while doing business, he claims to be merely returning Empire items back to the Empire where they belong. What he's really doing is plundering our lands, even if he does throw considerable gold to make the transactions look fair."
Elias shifts to get more comfortable.
"Finding Claudius is simple. His presence is very public. Everyone in Silvergate knows him. Keep your eye on Claudius a little while and Flavius should be somewhere close by. The two of them might not be directly in league, but they are close friends and allies."
Elias gives you a quick description of Flavius. It's a tad vague and generic, but it's the best he can do.
"I've never met the man in person. I'm going off what I've heard."
"I think I know who Elias is describing, but I've never known his name. He's an Empire man often accompanied by a bodyguard with metal armor and a red cape. The bodyguard looks very out-of-place in Silvergate."
With Elias' description and the added bodyguard tip, you think you can pick him out. Of course you can also ask around Silvergate for more information.
"So that's the 'who' for sure. The 'where' is Silvergate. Flavius can't leave until one of Claudius ships departs, so he might be around for weeks, depending on your luck."
"He'll want to personally accompany the songbook and whatever else he's picked up. It's too valuable to just ship back in a crate," Leon suggests.
"The 'when' is uncertain, but you don't need to act until after Jacob sells it and before Flavius sails off. That should be a wide window."