You hitch a ride on the barge of a spice merchant heading for the coast, and enjoy the smell of cinnamon and sesame as you drift along the river. The Tiariai Manor is easy to find, imitating Dwarven esthetics. A few people are working outside, bringing barrels of ale to a barge tied to their dock. They wave at you as you draw near, but don't seem curious or surprised by your arrival.

"This had almost slipped my mind..." Buck appears at Spriggy's side as they depart the pungent barge and return to shore, "... this is for books and various other items you're kind enough to procure and carry for us." Buck discreetly presses a small coin purse into the bard's palm and won't hear of any protest. He makes a beeline for Sir Gorrid to see what the old knight thinks of doing first.

((Removed 10 coins from Buck's inventory))

"Probably best to ask some questions, and I'm probably not the best one to do it.  For some reason, armor, swords and holy symbols tend to tie most folk's tongues..."

"I haven't run into that problem, but then, you do have much more steel than I do," Idi says with a bit of a grin. "You're right though, a few well-placed questions would be a good start. It may be more telling in how they answer, than what they answer; a good lie is surprisingly difficult, if you know what tells to look for."


How long is the trip to the manor? I think a Divination spell would be quite useful, but I'm not sure if there'd be time to commune before/after casting it?

Spriggy tried to refuse Buckthorn's money at first, but eventually relented. He decided to consider it Buckthorn going halvsies on some of the gear. After everyone was disembarked and Lydia's cart was all set up once again, the bard spoke up.

"I can try to break the ice and ask some questions, when the time comes," said Spriggy, attempting to reassure his friends. "Traveling entertainers have a way to get people to open up in a way that sometimes defies logic."

He took a closer look at the dwarven buildings and tried to guage their authenticity. Were they recreations? Commissioned construction by actual dwarven architects? Transplanted structures? Knowing that could help give insights into what sort of people they would be dealing with here.

And speaking of dealing with people, Spriggy also kept an eye out for the appropriate person to talk to. They needed someone who might be able to help them track down Charlotte.

---

I would like to use my elf racial move. "When you enter an important location (your call) you can ask the GM for one fact from the history of that location."

10 coin added.

The merchant you traveled with offers you a few sticks of cinnamon at Buckthorn's request.

During the trip, Idi casts his divination. Your vision shows you a bird's flight view of the White Sword Province, heading east along the Moonstone Stream. Then, moving lower, you see a small alcove in the Sunrise Reach, where a lone Dwarven building stands, almost hidden.

Looking at the architecture, Spriggy realizes that although built by humans, the architect was actually a dwarf, something rather rare this far north.

There are plenty of people around that seems like they would love an excuse to take a break, or you could ask at the manor directly if you prefer.

"It looks like this place was built by humans, but designed by a dwarven architect," reported Spriggy. "Rare for this far north. That suggests to me that these people put a lot of effort into getting the aesthetic they wanted, but didn't actually steal from dwarven lands. And it isn't a simple reconstruction of an existing building, so they wanted a custom design for their specific needs as well." The fact that the buildings weren't transplants of existing structures or simple replications suggested these people were not super shady, and had a ton of money to throw around on aesthetics.

"Are there any questions in particular you want me to ask? Just by looking around I get the sense that at least some people would be willing to talk."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:00, Tue 09 Aug 2022.

"I guess the first would be if they've seen our lady, and if so, if they know where she went.  Some insight into recent events might also be helpful."

Russel check for any gossip about foul play that might be going on in regards to the missing lady.
[When you spout lore about criminal activities, take +1.]
13:50, Today: Russel Albion rolled 11 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 4,6.  Spout Lore about criminal activities.

The Tiariai are a pretty wealthy family, not really involved with the criminal underworld. With one major exception: they have a big fetish for any objects of dwarven, and usually don't ask too many questions about the origins.

That's likely why no one is surprised at seeing adventurers drop in unannounced. It's a common occurrence for them.

Without having any reason to be exceptionally discrete, Spriggy walked over to a talkative-looking individual to inquire about Charlotte. "Excuse me, but I don't suppose you might know where I can find my friend Charlotte do you? Last I heard, she was in the area. Thought I might surprise her by dropping by. She is here to do some translations, if that helps."

"A translator? You mean the pretty woman with the green hair?" One of the worker says, more eager to set down the empty barrel he was carrying than answering your question. "Oh ya, I remember her. She came here... what, a week ago? Right after those fishermen came to sell stuff. Sir Tiariai left with her and a few servants not long after. Figure they found a treasure map or somethun."

"Is this a frequent fisherman stopover?" Buck questions, mostly because he is interested in fish but also because any information could potentially be useful. He refrains from asking in more detail about what they were selling, presumably local fish.

"Fishermen? Not really... Sometimes the cook waves one down to fill the pantry, but that's about it."

By the smell, you can tell that the various barrels are dedicated to carrying ale.

"I am sure that was her. Thanks buddy." Spriggy tossed the man a coin for his troubles, then turned to talk with his traveling companions again.

"I am willing to bet they headed to that place in Idi's vision. Anyone have any clever Ideas on how to get there? Should I try talking with some people at the main building?"

"I expect so.  If she was sent, someone either sent her or went with her.  In either case, someone at the main house should have an idea of the location - and maybe some information about it."

It doesn't take long to find the manor's butler, who invite you inside. "Please, make yourselves comfortable. I assume you have some treasure you wish to sell my master? I'm afraid sir Tiariai is off on a journey, and may be away for a while longer..."

"I admit, we do have an item or two I think he may be interested in," replied Spriggy. It was true, although he had no intention of selling those particular items. "Where might I ask has sir Tiariai gone off to? Perhaps we can meet him half way. I'm not much for waiting around with nothing to do. I would rather keep my feet moving, even if it happens to be toward a place I originally had no intention of going to."

Spriggy banters with the butler and it gives Buck ample time to meander about the room looking at curios and things of interest.

He wonders as he wanders; with the master of the manor not long ago departing with the girl, what happened here recently? Buck hadn't much idea of what a form helpful context might take and thought 'What should I be on the lookout for?'  Since joining the Phoenix Blades the druid was quickly learning much is not what it seems with affairs that require their intervention, if that is indeed the case again then what here is not what it appears to be?

He tries his best not to touch anything or draw attention.


Buckthorn rolled 11 using 2d6+2 (Discern Realities, Manor House)

"I'm afraid he did not inform us of his destination." The butler says. "Master Tiariai is rather... secretive, about his excursions. If you wish, you can leave me contact information so I can message you when he returns. Or I can give you directions to a reliable merchant who could compensate your for your relics."

The butler remains professional, but he seems a tad frustrated by his master's actions. It seems pretty clear Tiariai didn't put much thought or planning in this expedition, and didn't consider leaving instructions in case he get in trouble...

"Might you share exactly how long ago Master Tiariai departed and by which route?" Buck broke into the conversational pause that followed the butler's unsatisfactory suggestion the group find other merchants.

"And did anything in particular precipitate his departure?"

"He hired a translator after getting his hands on old Dwarven plates. When he learned of what they said, Master Tiariai gathered a few men and the translator, and took a boat west. He should be back in a week or two... That was a week ago." The butler sighs. "I do wish he had taken more time to prepare. Even the translator, who seemed like a competant adventurer, seemed hesitant to leave so quickly."