"Yes, very good Triäsa, I suspected as much, but it is good to have those suspicions confirmed." Ludolf says smiling warmly to the half-elven bard.

"We need have a talk about your relationship to that entity Daventry, believe me, it won't end well, but we can help you, remember that." Ludolf says giving Daventry a sincere and compassionate smile. "And yes, I will try to leave your mind alone."

"About the books. It seems that these proprietors of the Amberdune bookshop is at least in league with whoever is summoning these life-draining shapechangers. It might just be to earn a lot of gold selling fake copies of a valuable tome. It's still unclear to me what makes them attack but apparently the seekers that brought the books to Candlekeep did so without problems. For now we must expect the books to turn at any moment though." Ludolf says to the others as they are gathered at their stakeout spot. "I agree with Daventry's plan. Pardot, it seems, can communicate to me where they are heading, and like Daventry said, it is likely not in this affluent ward." He adds, keeping a lookout on the progress of closing down the bookshop. "Be ready Pardot."

"'Twas a joke, Ludolf. I'll let you know if I hear any internal monologues that aren't mine alone." Daventry says, trying to lighten up the old man.

Ludolf chuckles. "I'm glad you can take so lightly on something so unfathomable evil as the entity that black tome concerns. We should at least talk about what I saw that night, soon I hope." He says ending in a very serious tone before returning his attention to the bookshop.

Perception if needed: 19

Triäsa watches the discussion between Daventry and Ludolf then speaks up. "We need to make a decision everyone.  Those guards already are eyeing us and will come over any minute to move us out."

"Decision made, then. Pardot, you've got lead. We'll be just behind you." Daventry nods at Pardot, keeping close to their alcove while the druid does his thing.

"Pardot will tail them and inform us of his progress. If we get separated we'll meet back at the Inn."  Ludolf says like it's been decided already.

"Klin, you and I will stay with Triäsa and Ludolf... we'll keep an eye on them and look out for any guardsmen, so that Ludolf can communicate with Pardot as we keep moving. We'll need your sharp eyes and quiet step." Daventry says.

OOC: I'll toss some pre-emptive rolls out there.

Stealth: 21

Perception: 9

Triäsa seems glad to have Daventry give them a plan.  She keeps back with the others, doing her best to try and stay out of sight. 

(Stealth: 18)

Seeing the guards getting ready to chase people out Ludolf tries to keep a low profile by Triäsa.
Stealth: 19

Advantage roll for Dav Stealth: 6

(Klin's stealth roll will not change the results as more than half of you have already passed the check, though feel free to roll Klin :))

Just before dusk the merchants finish packing their goods into two small hand cart and begin walking together toward the northwest. Pardot trails carefully behind them as they make their way out the north gate back to the Outer City and into the Blackgate community. As he follows carefully behind them the sights and smells hit you even stronger after spending time in the resplendent Upper City.  The merchants continue their progression through the dilapidated and poor neighborhood until the reach a small wooden hovel. This single story building has a single window out front. Pardot can see a gentle candlelight and signs of movement from within. The merchants enter through the front door taking their goods with them  as the door closes behind them. 

As the same mostly black tabby cat with white paws and chest, Pardot strolls after the proprietors of the shop, only occasionally distracted by the quick movement of a rat or another cat in an alley, but remembering his mission heads forward, occasionally scratching a small mark that he had shown the group before changing shape to indicate his direction. Once the merchants enter their small wooden house, Pardot messages back to Ludolf saying, “This seems to be their destination.” He then waits just a couple of minutes and hops up onto the windowsill and stretches, arching his back, as he peers in the window, trying to get a lay of the place, as well as to see what they are doing. ((Perception 7))

The house is small 35 foot square with a single door in the front which faces south. There is a window peering into the front room that appears to be a common area. Seven mismatched chairs are scattered around this homely common room. There is a small circular table in the center of the space. A tattered and faded rug decorates the wooden floor. The three merchants are greeted by two others as they enter this room. Together they take the carts through a door to the north leaving this room empty for the briefest of moments. As the initial 5 leave through the door to the north you get a brief glimpse into next room and are able to make out part of what appears to be a large corridor.

A few moments later a 6th humanoid figure comes into the room from the east carrying a meager meal of raw appearing meat. She sets it on the table along with 7 dirty glasses of water, wooden utensils  and stale appearing bread. As the door to the east opens and swings shut you see a simple kitchen.

Pardot mentally whispers back to Ludolf saying, "There are 6 or 7 in here. I don't know what they're doing though. Let's see if I can get a meal." He then meows loudly as the meat comes out, and hops down towards the front of the door meowing again before sitting and looking at the door, occasionally letting out another meow. If anyone opens the door, and doesn't immediately kick him away, he'll try to slink in, rubbing up against the legs of whomever opened the door and wandering around the room, looking up to the table and meowing again, hoping for a small morsel to pick at while he listens.

As the merchants make their way into the Blackgate community, tailed by a black tabby cat with white paws and chest, Ludolf signals for the others to discreetly follow as well. He is deeply focused on not losing track of the cat and the signs it leaves them to find their way to the small wooden hovel. There they find a new stake out spot with Ludolf giving a glare to those about to approach them. "Pardot just messaged that there are six or seven of them in there. We should wait with entering until hopefully at least some of them retire for the night. Our objective is finding the real books. Wait, what's he doing? Oh no, he's trying to get in there by himself." Ludolf says to the others, clearly worried about their small furry friend. "Pardot, please be careful, we're ready to crash the party as soon as we smell trouble." He messages the cat. "Alright, I hope everyone is ready to go in fast if Pardot needs us." He says to the others, peeking over at the wooden hovel, ready for Pardot to send him an update.

Intimidation if needed: 24
Stealth if needed: 14
Perception if needed: 11

Daventry nods. She pulls her crowbar from her pack, strapping it somewhere easily accessible. She tightens her grip on her shield, and pats the pouch on her belt to make sure her tools are within reach. She's ready to either pick the door if it's locked, or burst in if it's a fight. She watches which way the door opens, so she knows where best to leverage her equipment.