Cain does his best to ignore distractions as he heads to intercept the proprietor. While not a complete stranger to this place, he is not really a regular either - his vices simply lay in other directions. "Madam Dalrorn? Might we trouble you for a moment of your time? We are helping the guards in an investigation of a certain individual and your name has come up, among others. It's surely nothing, but we still need to follow up on all possible leads."

OOC: The way Cain figures it, large sums of gold were exchanged between someone here. He is just not sure between whom and in what direction.

Zorden took a few quick glances around as they entered.  He hadn't been in Torch long enough to have ever visited the Merrymaid before.

As Cain zeroed in on the woman listed in the ledger, Zorden hung back slightly to let his companion do the talking.

Wrennie, who was already on her way to greet the new guests, smiles brightly as she recognizes the pair and answers in mock flirtation, "Oh, you can have all of my time you need, handsome! You boys are the ones who rescued Councilor Baine from the Hill and are going to save our little town, aren't you? I've seen you comin' and goin' from the Foundry; We all owe you so much!" She leans in and adds, "And I think some of the girls would be happy to help you fine boys relax after a stressful day of bein' heroes ... just don't go braggin' about it!" The young madame nods her head towards a small group of unoccupied ladies who have started to size up and smiles at the pair before considering Cain's words in full and finishing, "But I don't know what I'd have to do with any of the cave business?"

"As I said, it's likely nothing, but we still need to ask you a couple of questions." Cain makes a show of consulting the notes Zorden copied from the ledger. "May we inquire on what is your connection to one Garmen Ulreth?"

"Ulreth? Just business. Referrals and whatnot. He likes to have some girls at the Silverdisk to keep any winners gambling longer, or to cover a traveller's stay here." She narrows her eyes a bit and tilts her head as she asks in return, "Why? How'd he cross your path?"

Zorden gave a polite nod to Wrennie when she acknowledged and recognized them.  He did the same when he couldn't help but follow her gaze towards the group of women.  Zorden kept the nod brief to try and show a measure of gratitude for the attention but did his best to avoid encouraging it in any way, and very deliberately did not smile.

He turned his attention back towards Cain and the conversation at hand doing his best to follow along while trying to be as unobtrusive as possible.

"He, uh, seems to have disappeared when the guards wanted to ask him some questions and at the moment we are looking for him. We have found a ledger of his, which mentioned your name, among others. And along side it was a list of substantial payments, as well as another, rather shady name. Care to tell to us what that is about?" Cain carefully observed Wrennie, trying to gauge how much she was lying to them.

17:25, Today: Cain rolled 16 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 12.  Sense Motive. – 16

OOC: Zorden can freely join in on the conversation, it's not like Cain is using his (basically non-existent) social skills anyway.

Wrennie furrows her brow in thought for a moment, but soon shrug, shakes her head, and answers with an impenetrable smile, "Well, like I said, we have business dealings. I wouldn't know anything about shady names he might keep in a ledger." She seems sincere in everything she says, but you also get the sense she could tell you she is the secret Queen of Torch and you might believe her--why would that smile or those eyes ever lie?

Cain makes one last try to get to the bottom of this. "Hmm. I take it then that you have not seen him lately or know where he might be hiding? And what kind of business dealings include 800 gold pieces and the chief poisoner of Daggermark? I am sorry I have to insist, but the guards have the ledger now and I am sure someone else will come by to ask those questions if we don't get any answers for them."

At them mention of Daggermark, Wrennie reaches out quickly to place a hand on Cain's forearm, gripping firmly to urge him to quiet rather than cause any pain. After looking around guardedly for anyone who might have heard, she insists simply, "Come with me." She quickly heads around the Marrymaid's bar, leading Cain by the arm if he allows, to a small office with a desk, a few chairs, and a shelf overflowing with sheer, silky, and frilly garments. She doesn't take a seat, but once Cain and Zorden are inside she closes the door--leaving it cracked slightly so her guests don't feel trapped--and explains, "Look, I don't know anything about a ledger or where Garmen is or where he might be, but Nirmala might; he fancies her and I've covered more than a few of his visits." She purses her lips and sighs through her nose, considering her next words before adding, "I have history in Daggermark, which I really don't want to follow me here. Garmen dug it up somehow and has been threatening to send word back unless ... well, I've been paying for his discretion." She looks the two over and implores them, "I'd be in great danger if the Poisoner's Guild found out where I am. I hope I can trust you to keep my secret?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:29, Mon 11 Mar.

"I... see." Cain wasn't sure what he expected, but this certainly wasn't it. "Something of a familiar story to me. Well, you have nothing to fear from us. I can make no guaranties about what Garmen could still do though, so let us know if he contacts you."

OOC: Makes sense from what little we have to go on. Assuming she is not lying, of course. But either way, it doesn't look like we will find anything useful here. Does Zorden have anything to add? If not, what should we do next, rejoin the rest of the party?

Zorden followed as Cain was insistently invited to relocate the conversation to somewhere more private.

After Wrennie said her piece, Zorden nodded in agreement with Cain's sentiment.

"If you could perhaps inquire of Miss Nirmala on our behalf, and let us or one of the guard officers know of any potentially useful information she might relay to you, that would be appreciated."  Zorden added.

ooc: I think we're ready to rendezvous with the others

OOC: Somehow I managed to completely miss the part about Nirmala in DM's post. Want to ask her some questions first, or should we just wrap it up here and move on?

ooc: Well Zorden asked Wrennie as he figured Nirmala might be more willing to share with her boss than two strangers (whether Wrennie will follow through to pass on that info is perhaps in question).  Especially if she thinks she'll benefit if Garmen gives everyone the slip.  However if Cain thinks he can convince her otherwise, feel free to point us off in that direction.

OOC: Nah, let's go with that. Off to see what the rest of the team is up?
This message was last edited by the player at 19:40, Mon 11 Mar.

ooc: Assuming Wrennie agrees to our request, likely the way to go.

Gonna take the liberty to stretch this out a bit and keep you here. You've covered more time than the other group and it'd be an awkward reunion if you just popped in to their thread now.
"I appreciate that." Wrennie says sincerely, but soon asks, "What kind of trouble is Garmen in? It would be a load off my mind if he were no longer able to make his threats." Apparently motivated by the urge to help, the Madame pulls open the door slightly and calls out softly to the bartender not too far away, "Rolog! Could you have Nirmala join us for a few minutes? Give Mister ... Teshak? ... a few drinks for the inconvenience."

It isn't long before a young Tian-Min woman softly pushes on the door to peak in and ask, "Yes, miss Wrennie? You needed me?"

"Nirmala! Please, come in and have a seat," Wrennie directs the girl and closes the door behind her as she enters before taking a seat beside her. "You've spent some time with Mr. Ulreth. I know it can be hard to separate business and affection, but the guard are looking for him and I need you to answer these mens' questions about him."

Nirmala's eyes go wide for a moment as she begins to protest, "But--"

"I need you to answer their questions," Wrennie stresses, and after a weighty pause Nirmala nods in acceptance and turns to look two the pair of adventurers.

"To be honest, we are not sure ourselves what Garmen was up to. That's what we are trying to find out. All we know is that he was in possession of something dangerous, possibly to the whole town. When the guards tried to ask him some questions, he disappeared." Cain shares what little they know with Wrennie, not seeing a reason not to do so.

When Nirmala arrived he asks her his question. "Eh, this may be a long shot, but I don't suppose you know anything of what Garmen has been up to lately? Specifically, what kind of business dealings and with whom he may have had? And where he could be now?"

"Locating where he may be staying may be a help in getting the torch relit."  Zorden added softly but earnestly, hoping that perhaps a chance to aid the common collective good of the town might help the young woman overcome whatever personal or professional reluctance she might be feeling regarding giving up such potentially confidential information.

Nirmala shakes her head at Cain and Zordens suggestions, explaining in her soft, accented voice, "No, he would not have anything to do with the torch. He can be selfish and..." she pauses a moment to think of the word before finishing, "underhanded? But he wouldn't do something that wicked." She looks hesitantly towards Wrennie for a moment before continuing, "We usually stay here, or sometimes he would take me for a picnic in the countryside. Otherwise he is always at the Silverdisk Hall. Or he has a warehouse near the Guildhouse. But, last week ... he treated me to a home-cooked meal at a place on Seven Tears road. I think it belongs to some of his friends ... the third house on the right after Seven Tears lane."

"Thank you for your candor. We will not take up more of your time." Cain nods and leaves the two women to confer with Zorden. "Only one new lead, I think. Want to see if anything is there? Or should we see what the rest of the party is up to first?"

OOC: Should we rejoin the rest of the party now? We could check out the new lead alone if they need more time. Could be risky though.

ooc: I'd generally be inclined to regroup before checking this other location.

If gameplay considerations require us to stay separated, then grabbing a guard officer and a few underlings would be a prudent move.

With no more questions to answer, Nirmala excuses herself to return to her business while Wrennie walks the pair to the Marrymaid's door. Before the two depart, the madame reiterates, "You boys are heroes to this town for braving those caves to turn on the torch, but if you can sort out this problem with Garmen, too, then I'll be doubly in your debt. Stay safe!" And with the final exchange of farewells, the pair head off up Silver Tears road towards Silverdisk Hall to see about regrouping with the others.

As the pair near, they find a young ropefist casually leaning against the wall outside the hall's front door, dressed in the common dirty leathers and linens of the bunch but wearing a notably clean and vibrant red fedora on his head. It is no surprise for Silverdisk Hall to have a bouncer, but the last time Cain and Zorden were here the man stood guard inside--probably preferring to do his work out of view of passersbys and guards. The man tips his hat in greeting to the pair, and any other passerby, as they near the establishment.

At the intersection the door faces, across from the Silverdisk, a pair of guards pretend to be standing guard as usual and to not be giving the establishment any extra attention.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:51, Fri 22 Mar.

As they moved towards the entrance Zorden couldn't help but wonder if the man's hat was a personal choice, or some sort of badge of station, either at the establishment or within the ropefists as an organization.

Either way he touched his brow in response to the man and made to enter to see if the rest of the group were still investigating inside or if some lead or another had taken them elsewhere.

Cain follows after Zorden, flicking a gold coin up in the air and catching it repeatedly. He gives the bouncer a nod in response to his greeting.