Fembris looks at the group and considers your request at getting past the gate, "I am sorry I am not the one who approves requests like that. Honestly, if I could get you in I really would but only the Keeper of Tomes,  First Reader or maybe one of the Great Readers have that authority and I've never even seen one of them. You could try though, never know what will happen."

She finishes her milk and wipes her mouth on her sleeve. "No one is 100% sure the last time he was seen. It's hard to tell with the older Avowed. They can disappear for days reading some ancient tome and no one will think anything of it. I heard a story once that one got so involved in a realllllllyyyy long book and forgot to eat or drink for a week. They found him dead, face down in a room when people noticed the smell.... So honestly had you all not come by we probably wouldn't have noticed Matreous was gone at all. I know it's not much help... but hey you all are very smart I bet you'll find before long." She smiles widely trying to inspire a bit of confidence.

Daventry ponders a moment. "Do we know what he was last working on, at least? Anything that the Avowed found in his chambers that might tell us if he's deep in the Pillars or lost in the stacks o' the keep proper?" 

Pardot looks up to Fembris and adds quietly to Daventy's questions, "Does anyone know what book, or books, he most recently checked out?"

Triäsa nods to Daventry's and Pardot's questions. "Not bad questions. Perhaps knowing those things would hint at where he might be."  She then turns her attention back to Fembris. "And how would we go about approaching one of the Great Readers for permission?  I do think that is where we might be the most helpful?  Could you show us the way to request an appointment?" 

(Persuasion check, if it helps: 13)

"Yes, indeed, questions whose answers are vital to our investigation. Tell us all you know of this Fembris, and direct us to someone who could assist us where you can not." Ludolf says, looking intently at Fembris. Persuasion:12

She thinks for a moment, "Well if he is researching something in particular it almost certainly relates to pocket dimensions. That was his biggest interest from the rumors I've heard. Often times the Avowed will gather their own books and take them to the Pillars of Pedagogy if they want to get out of the Main Collection for study. That's where the study rooms are for visitors but often the Avowed will use them as well. Perhaps you can see if he was there while I try to get an audience with one of the Head Honchos to present your request?"

"That is where we will begin our search then." Ludolf says to the gnome. "Let´s not waste any more precious time dwelling over plans." He adds and leaves for the Pillars of Pedagogy on the other side of the courtyard, secretly hoping for company although he has a weird feeling he haven´t quite earned that yet. Assuming Fembris explained where Matreous study room was, otherwise the plan is to ask at the Pillars of Pedagogy. Investigation to find the right study room if needed:21

For those of you that follow Ludolf to the Pillars:

The Pillars are surrounded by a twenty foot high wall with a single point of entrance through a large building. Entering the building you are greeted by a tall, pale human with straight black hair. "Welcome to the Pillars." He greets you coldly. "Name please and I will retrieve your tomes and show you into your assigned study area."

When Ludolf asks about Matreous:

The pale man checks his ledger and gets a strange look on his face, "Oh God not another one... seems he was assigned Pillar 12 floor 32 room 5 four days ago... hasn't checked out..."

"My name is Ludolf Crowley, but I´m actually here to search for a lost reasearcher named Matreous."

Four days ago, researching pocket dimensions, interesting. Ludolf ponders as he quickly makes his way to pillar 12 floor 32 room 5.

Pardot is following behind, silently observing the area and those around and watching for anything suspicious ((perception 9 - passive 16)) while he rotates two berries in his hand like one would stress balls (though more as a form of walking meditation than for stress).

Before leaving the front desk attendant, Daventry questions the man. "Do ya have a key to his room? If it's locked or barred in some way, we might need to get inside to make sure the man isn't keeled over his book and slowly turnin' to a pile of rot. Unless you want to accompany us?"

"Thank you Fembris for what help you could provide.  I look forward to meeting with one of these leaders of the Avowed," Triäsa says. 

She then follows Ludolf as he makes his way to the Pillars.  As they head over there she comes up beside him and speaks to him, her voiced lowered. "You had something to do with that waitress."  It might have been a question, but sounds a little more like a statement.  And she doesn't wait for a response. "A dangerous game.  I would imagine you will be thrown out should they discover you are attacking people - in any manner." 

Once receiving the information from the pale human at the entrance to the Pillars, she gives the man a quizzical look.  "If this happens often, why do you not institute a daily check of some sort?" she asks, though not really directed to anyone in particular.  She hurries as well to try and find this location, whispering "12-32-5" to herself as she commits it to memory. 

As Triäsa accuses Ludolf of ´attacking´ the waitress he quickly goes through a series of emotions starting with scorn and ending with guilt. He didn´t think of it as an attack, just an appropriate reprimand to a less than appropriate serving, but somehow the perception of the young bard mattered to him and he finds himself looking away in shame.

While Triasa and Ludolf are doing, well, whatever it is they're doing with the hushed whispers and angry expressions, Daventry nudges Klin with an elbow. "You and Pardot have been awfully quiet since we ate. Are ya both the silent, quiet type, always lookin' but never pontificatin? Ya got any thoughts on the matter at hand, or at least about those two over there?"

The pale man looks at the group of you and in a dull manner says, "Too many towers to walk them all regularly... You must be new the rooms don't lock... You should have no trouble finding the one you need." He points you toward a door that exists the opposite side of the building.

Outside you find your in a forest of stone towers with a cobblestone trail weaving between. It's impossible to say how many towers are here but neatly placed signs guide you down the correct pathway until you find your destination en route you pass very few people as it is getting late and the sun has almost completely set. 

As you enter the tower climb the stairs you're struck by the stillness and quiet surrounding you. Its a good climb to the floor you nned and you are slightly out of breath as you find the correct room. As promised the door is unlocked and swings freely inward. 

The room is empty...

...Mostly...

While no one is here it is filled with tomes scattered throughout there is a dark wood desk with a number of books sitting on top. 

(Let me know where you are searching and roll investigation)

"Ahh, finally, let´s get to work." Ludolf says to no one in particular, back to his normal self it seems after Triäsa´s ´scolding´, rubbing his hands and starts investigating the books on the desk, particularly if one is open as if Metreous was studying it before disappearing. Investigation:12 rolled with advantage if help is given with the books at the desk, otherwise go with first roll.

"Well, no corpse, so that's a plus." Daventry goes near the desk. While Ludolf is searching through the books themselves, Daventry looks for other signs of life - food remnants, drinks, or any loose notes that might have been left by Matreous.

Investigation 18

Though he does have a rather discerning eye, Pardot lets the others do the detail searching for the time being and stands just in the doorway looking into the room focusing on the whole picture, trying to get an idea of what the researcher had been doing and if there are any other details left in the room that might hint at his disappearance.

Ludolf chuckles at Klin´s answer. "Only one so annoyingly well-mannered as a monk would seek advice on behaviour. I´m convinced that any social missteps you may take while in our company will seem pale in comparison to my own boorishness." Ludolf comments while studying the books at the table, turning briefly to Klin and smiling wryly.