"So we might be looking for servants -- cleaning folk, launderers, grocery or firewood deliverers, even -- as much as for bankers or priests.  Anyone, no matter how lowly, who might be trusted.  Those might even be the sort most likely to be drawn in by some of the items we saw in that shop."  Ardenas shakes his head.  "How many are there in Northport who hold a job that gets them a key, or access to an important person, or someone important to an important person?

"I liked it better when I thought we'd be looking for city functionaries."

"And they might not be anyone now or ever.  A favor is an investment that often requires waiting to be useful.  They could be homeless, or knowing they accepted goods of a dodgy nature from an evil shop, being the sort who clearly take risks they might have died in some dangerous venture.  We'll never know till we start hunting them down.  Do you know a Wizard with seeking and finding spells?  Or even just start by checking to see if they're Guildsmen, most guilds will have rosters.  You'll need a convenient cover for guilds you're not members of, as they would seek to protect from enemies, retribution, debt collectors, etc.  Do you know someone who knows people?"

"I think the Adventurers' Guild keeps track of who's in other guilds, for, um, business reasons.  We might be able to start by talking to someone in Operations.  Even if they don't have detailed membership lists, they're likely to know who would."

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 398):

Mancini might know of someone... and might have the right knowledge as well.



[Private to Mancini: Lucian the Crier could probably notify the public of a reward to find someone in the city, Bellarius keeps the best records in the guild ]
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:34, Mon 09 Nov 2020.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 399):

Sederic remains quiet...the names seems familiar...

[Private to GM: Area Knowledge (Northport) is 13, so -3 is 10. Rolled 9 and 8 for those two names!]

In reply to Sederic (msg # 400):

You know of a porter named Betancourt but cannot remember the first name. DuFontaine is an employee of the Department of Aqueducts and Sewers, and had offered his services as a guide at one point. Betancourt has contact info at the guild, DuFontaine cleans the city fountains, although he lives somewhere near the Cathedral.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 401):

Once Sederic has relayed this information to the group, he suggests they start with these individuals. Starting with DuFontaine? The Department of Aqueducts and Sewers would be first place to visit to get information on where he is.

Finally with something concrete to investigate, Sederic is impatient to get started...

In reply to Sederic (msg # 402):

OCC: no idea where the player is

"As we are in the guild, let me check and see if this Betancourt is currently here."
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:08, Fri 20 Nov 2020.

Mancini opens his mouth. "I have a contact or two that could be useful in this situation."

17:09, Today: Mancini rolled 10 using 3d6.  Area knowledge Northport 15.

17:09, Today: Mancini rolled 11 using 3d6.  Current Affairs (Guild)- 15.

In reply to Mancini (msg # 404):

"Then it sounds like we have some information to get started. Lets gather what we have and start to investigate! Mancini, lets find your contacts..."

"I could do with a brief sitdown.  I feel like I just ran out into the endless void and back."  he gives a staid, dry look.  "If I know where you're going I can always catch up.  Or you can swing back here in an hour or so and find me?"

In reply to Benny Morales (msg # 406):

"We are meeting up with some from the guild. See you there."

In reply to Mancini (msg # 404):

You know of a guild porter named Francois Betancourt, who is probably up at Ashbury's, about to transport goods to the outfitter's tavern that sits next to a slaughterhouse.

DuFontaine was consulted about other access points to the undercity, but proved to be somewhat untrustworthy.  His main job is cleaning the municipal public fountains and is probably over by Cathedral square.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 408):

"Maybe I should go deal with the porter...along with someone who knows him by sight?"

She heads up to Ashburys...preferably not alone.

"We're looking for Francois Betancourt?  Can't say I recall him, but I'll come along."

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 410):

Upstairs you see Ashbury adding items to the oversize bundle strapped to the back of a man in peasant clothes.

In reply to Francois Betancourt (msg # 411):

"Ah, Ashbry, we need to have a chat to your porter about some of his recent purchases..."

In reply to Sederic (msg # 412):

"Oh ho! What sort of things have you been buying Francois?"

"Well, that's part of what we want to ask him."

Ardenas turns to the porter.

"Did you recently get something, maybe magical, from a shop full of wonders?"

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 414):

He responds to the question with indignation and confusion. You note that he wears a wooden triunist symbol on a string.
"I have done no such thing," he looks over Mancini's badge of rank,
"I work for a wage that barely feeds my family. I have no means for magic, I can barely afford a bottle of wine to share with my wife."

In reply to Francois Betancourt (msg # 415):

"Actually, it was not with cash that the item was paid for. That is what we wanted to discuss...unless there is someone else with your name around?"

"Wait -- you're Francois Betancourt.  I think we're looking for Andre Betancourt.  A relative, perhaps?"

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 417):

"Andre? That is my son... he is a mere child! Master Ashbury, give me leave to attend to this, and I will return to make the delivery."

He appears to be flabbergasted.

Ardenas blinks, blinks again.

"A child.  They play a long game, it seems.  Unless...

"Monseiur Betancourt, do you have any other relative with the same name as your son?  A cousin, perhaps, or an uncle or grand-uncle?"

In reply to Francois Betancourt (msg # 418):

"How old is your son?"