“That’s quite good planning there…” Pardot says, adding, “I actually have met a friend here recently. Greenie. He’s a bit eccentric, but I think he’d be great at getting this done. And I could fortify the land tomorrow leaving it to him to deal with. Then we should be able to get on our way a bit sooner.”

"So, you would be ready to leave the day after tomorrow then? Good. Now, can you expand on this part about Davy's animosity towards bookwyrm." Ludolf asks Pardot and Daventry before starting to eat.

Daventry nods to Ludolf, having appeared lost in thought. Her head's been in the clouds as of late.

"I was able to find Davy in the shadows, or at least what lingered of him. Pardot was correct, his tongue had been cut in his ghostly form. It was... upsetting to see. I asked if he knew the person who killed him, and mentioned three names. Matreous, Bookwyrm, and Fembris. He reacted with anger and fear to the first two, and a sad longing to the third. Take from that what you will, but it seems damning enough for an initial lead, especially since we've had the mansion on lockdown to all except a select few since the Intellect Devourer first showed its ugly brain."

She looks to Pardot and Fistandia. "It's good you found a caretaker for this garden of yours. It still only solves one facet of the Candlekeep's problem, mainly, why did the village that has supported the keep for generations gone completely dark? Is that not the least bit concerning to anyone else?"

"Perhaps we summon the ship that usually sails the route via a sending spell. Surely one of the mages in these parts has that written away somewhere. Then, we go to the island with the village, and carry on to Waterdeep if nothing is amiss. Or we book passage in Baldur's Gate, and do much the same. I might have some contacts. It will beat going overland for a month."

"So, today Pardot initiates the agricultural project and the rest of us prepare for our journey. Tomorrow we can journey to this village and hopefully restore the chain supply of to Candlekeep after which we sail on to Waterdeep to find Matreous and Fistandia's library." Ludolf suggests, looking at the others. "I will go and see Bookwyrm when I have finished up here if anyone wants to follow along." He adds, continuing to eat his meal.

"It seems like a lot of waiting. But investigating the town then heading on to Waterdeep sounds like a good plan," Triäsa says. "Going overland, i am not sure we could track down Matreous. We just have to hope we are right to guess he is heading to Waterdeep." She seems a bit concerned about the plan, but doesn't say anything more.

The barmaid is just about to leave as she over hears your discussions, "I am sorry, I wasn't dropping no eaves or at least I didn't mean to but if you are going to look into the food problem and we sure would appreciate it I might be able to help. We are expecting a ship tomorrow and I am sure the Captain Jans can tell you more when he gets here in the morning."

"Thank you, that is very helpful." Ludolf turns and says to the barmaid with a friendly smile. "When and where tomorrow do you think we could we meet with Captain Jans? And do you know if the ship is going back to that village?"

"Well I don't know their exact schedule but the ship docks early somewhere under the Inner Sanctum. The captain and most of the officers come here around lunch time to get drunk. Rowdy crew but good intentioned, typical sailors." 

You all would have seen them in the Hearth at least once in your time in Candlekeep but would not have interacted with them. They are a loud bunch that get very drunk, sing and dance all afternoon and night. It's typically a very good time as they are a stark change from the bookish type that usually frequent the grounds.

(It is about lunch time now so you have roughly 24hrs before the crew would be at the Hearth. Let me know if there is anything you all want to do between now and then)

"Oh, them." Ludolf says a bit dryly as he realizes who they would be dealing. "Yes, I suppose as long as they find their way to Candlekeep any frivolities while on shore leave would be acceptable. Still, I hope they won't be any trouble for you. If they are I might be able to redeem myself slightly by convincing them to behave appropriately at your lovely tavern." He continues with a polite smile.

When Ludolf finishes up his lunch he would want to seek out Bookwyrm. He would also take his usual brisk walk around the Court of Air and spend some time at the Bath and Steam House, but mostly he would try to research the name of Yellowcrest.

History if applicable: 17 Another roll, using luck point if original roll was below 20: 14

Pardot would spend the rest of the day going to talk with Greenie about the plans, explaining what needs to be done to make the Keep self sufficient.

Triäsa nods in thanks to the waitress for the information.  To Ludolf she says, "We could certainly try to speak with Captain Jans when he first gets here. If you're concerned about their behavior at lunch. I would like to chat with Bookworm as well."  She glances to Daventry. "It might be helpful to have someone along that dealt with the ghost. I'm curious why he'd react as he did to Bookworm's name. But of course, Bookworm may not wish to tell us."

You set out looking for your boss, Bookwyrm now that your reunion is complete. Seeing as you are already in the Hearth you make your way up the stairs to his planar office and knock lightly on the door. The voice of the old dragonborn softly beckons you forward into the room. 

"Ah! How goes the investigation? Have you found Fistandia's books already?" He smiles widely, "Rather impressive work, even by your standards!" As you walk in the First Reader stands and pours a couple glasses of his strong, dark drink and pushes you each a glass. "So who was the culprit and what ever could their motivation be?"

As they walk towards the Reader's room, Pardot brings his mind back to the issue at hand, and decides he can speak with Greenie later to plan things out. Before entering he places a hand on his chest and his senses open ((owl)) even more than normal. He then follows the others in, and seeing the glasses offered, takes one and takes a good sniff; the old man did stock quality drinks. He then steps back to let the others speak, but focuses on looking around the room, and listening to Bookwyrm's replies. Though he doesn't yet mistrust the Reader, there is something about Davy's response earlier that didn't he doesn't quite understand.

The drink smells of a good strong whiskey, there are pleasant notes of oak and cherry. The alcohol burns your nostrils a bit as you inhale. The First Reader seems sincere in his questions and greeting, there is an air of pride in his voice. Nothing about the office strikes you as unusual or out of place. There stacks and stacks of books in various stages of cataloging, it seems he has made good progress on whatever he is working on since your last visit.

(I'll update your impressions as the other speak but I was here figured I would post. I dont know that we need to RP the interaction with Greenie, you'll meet him at some point. I think he will be.... interesting.... Similarly I will give Ludolf, and whoeever else wants to look into anything a research montage later. You won't have a lot of time so info gained will be basic.)

"Sadly, the investigation is not completed First Reader," Triäsa begins. "We do have leads, though I am afraid some parts are still obscure."  She hesitates a moment, as though something has just occurred to her.  "You would not be any chance know of the Yellowcrest family in Waterdeep? Or Maria Yellowcrest specifically?" Although she hoped to ask about Davy's ghost, she thought it might be interesting to know of he had any knowledge of this name. 

Ludolf nods in agreement with Triäsa that it would be good idea to have someone along who met the ghost of Davy. He finishes up lunch at the Hearth and follows the others upstairs to Bookwyrms office. Before entering he would call upon his eldritch powers to scan the others and the Bookwyrm as he enters his office. 

(Detect Thoughts, scan everyone briefly, just to make sure no one is now an Intellect Devourer, Triäsa, Daventry, Pardot, Fistandia and then Bookwyrm. With Bookwyrm he would try to pick up any surface thoughst as he starts to speak.)

"We haven't found Fistandia's books yet but we may have a lead that we will look into First Reader." Ludolf starts reverently with a slight bow to the dragonborn, taking one of the glasses, smelling it's content and smiling politely. "We have reason to believe it might be Matreous that has made away with the library, possibly on his way now to one Maria Yellowcrest, possibly in Waterdeep. We actually had some unexpected help from none less that the ghost of Davy who conveyed some inresesting information as well. Just so we get the facts straight, when was the last time you dealt with Davy, honored Bookwyrm?" Ludolf asks calmly with a polite smile but studying the dragonborn intently while taking a sip of the whiskey served, quite enjoying it.

Insight to determine if Bookwyrn strays from the truth: 9

Daventry adds in, holding her own glass but not yet drinking of it. "I found Davy's remnant, his lingering soul. His tongue was cut, but he was able to react to us, to communicate with us in his own way. Was his body mutilated as well?"

"Ah I see... well I am sure you will have the last details figured out in no time." He smiles but there is a disappointment in his voice. "You think Matreous might be involved? He is an odd arrogant man but he never struck me as the murdering, thieving type. I would be certain before you throw accusations at one of the senior Avowed. Particularly one with such a distinguished resume as Matreous." His voice is uncharacteristically serious and grave. "As for Davy, a truly tragic tale, you know Fembris was going to propose... She asked if I would officiate the ceremony..." He think carefully before continuing, "I've never really talked to the young man except a passing hello when I would see him. Never had much reason to engage him otherwise. A missed opportunity I suppose he seemed like a nice boy." He then opens his top drawer of his desk pulls out a sheet of dark parchment. "I had the medical team put this together for you. It is a report on the medical findings from the scene. This should answer your questions regarding the body."

"As for a Maria Yellowcrest the name is not familiar to me, my interactions with Waterdeep have been limited to some remote book procurements. I am embarrassed to say I have actually never been to the city."

Pardot

Ludolf

Looking over the report, Daventry points out a few things to her more arcane-inclined friends.

"So... If you were to cut a person's tongue out... There is only so far you can get a blade in without cuttin' the rest of the face up, and they'd bleed like a stuck pig..." She looks up from the paper. "Don't ask."

"The fact that there was so little blood, and no other injuries, but yet he was filled with such terror that he left a remnant... Is there any obscure creature that fits that bill? Something that causes fear and...eats tongues?" Daventry ponders. 

(Help action on a knowledge check for Lud or Tri...)