The guards relax slightly. At least they take their hands off their weapons. "You shouldn't run up at guards like that, especially after the attack."

By now you notice a crowd has started to gather. 

A voice from behind you, "I see you found it." You turn to see Sara Morninghawk indicating the hopeknife you have. "How did the engraving turn out, it was her first attempt at engraving."

"There was no engraving on it."

"Hmmm, that means she took it after I gave it to her for polishing and engraving. Do you think she might have had something to do with it?" She looks confused.

That’s awful convenient... Insight?

//Sure roll. You think she is lying?

Perhaps. Seems interesting that she pops up right after we had a chat with her.

Insight: 18

She appears to be telling the truth, she is genuinely confused. The town is a pretty small one and you are in the commercial district so she just had to step outside her business. Most of the businesses are in one general area.

Herd observes.... Learning. 

She leans in and whispers to Curascious, "Someone wants to talk to all of you. Back at my shop."

Curascious finds this all highly suspect.

Insight 15

Regardless, he will quietly inform the others and ask them to accompany him to the shop.

Red agrees and heads that way.

As will Mozu. This whole thing is suspect.

She walks in and when you get in there there is an old half orc standing there in the shadows. He is leaning heavily on a cane.  

"Forgive, Sara she is not good at subterfuge. She is just protecting me. My name is Katrezra, I believe you were looking for me."

Mozu glowers at the orc, “You are the murderer then?”

He shakes his head, "No, of course not. I am not sure I could even climb the stairs anymore to even get where he was killed. No, you were asking for my whereabouts." 

“It is no great secret that I was cursed with preternatural visions many years ago, during my time with the Empty Hand. Since I left those savages, many have sought my counsel into matters ranging from the mundane to the dire, but I’m afraid the omens that assault my dreams are nigh indecipherable, even to me, and I have no means of directing them.

“Rodrik originally approached me to ask for advice while courting Brinya Kelver. The love-struck fool—bless his soul—thought I might have some special insights into the traditions of her people or visions of the couple’s everlasting happiness... but come now, do I look like the romantic type?” He smiles wryly, then shakes his head and moves on. “I couldn’t help him with his relationship, but we gradually became close friends. I’d been experiencing vivid hallucinations of white swords or crosses, and dreams of the Plague House outside town. When I told him of them, he seemed to think my dreams might help with his investigation. I told him about my visions as best I could, but the muse of my nightmares is as abstruse as she is unkind.”

Tith used the distraction to try to sneak over to the walls and gate and see if he notices anything

stealth 8

investigation 14

"Mr. Katrezra, it seems that you may have detailed insights into Mr. Rodrik's investigations... Could you elaborate on them?" Herd asks the elderly half-orc. 

The guards immediately notice Tith and yell at him "Hey stop that!"

The guards have kind of been keeping an eye on the goblin... and it is broad day light.

@herd

“To be truthful, I don’t think even he knew exactly what he was looking for. Rodrik had run afoul of a f lood troll in the Plague House not long ago, and the poor fellow was convinced it was not just an isolated incident. He came to me seeking guidance, and his curiosity was piqued by my visions. I told him that f lood trolls are native to Belkzen, but they rarely roam this far south of the Flood Road. Since learning of his investigation, though, I have had nightmares unlike any before, and I fear that some greater evil may be at play within Trunau’s walls.”

"So dem guards is fishy, fink we should look for da apprenice now?" Tith asks as he walks into the shop. "Her an 'is pa are our only leads other den his girl"