To Utar: "Their commonality l-li-lies in the fact-t-t that only a single book from each scholar and/or enthusiast was t-t-t-t-taken. I am no professional crime investigator, but I gather that tome-stealing is not a very common type of th-thhh-theft, recent history notwithstanding. This seems like a series of pinpointed attacks to me. As for... for... for the Library's property, it is the tome on the Weave, uns-...-unsurprisingly. Regarding specificities of the crime scenes, I suggest you question the victims themselves."

To Neya, after getting a map of the town to use as a reference: "I guess it could be just a petty search for valuables, but then why would-wou-would they only take o-o-one book from each location? Speaking of locations, you can find Aya Glenmiir's shop over he-he-here, just a few blocks away. Marten Foss l-l-li-lives in this home over at the Nobles' Quarter. Fi...Finally, Agin Lamarck's office is over here, right at the Plaza." With the halfling pointing to specific locations on her map, Neya finds she can rely on her memory and navigational skills to find the referenced destinations.

To Obsben: "Hmm... They looked distraught or irritated, I'd say, but-t-t-but that is not surprising given they e-ee-eee-each were recent victims of robberies, wouldn't you say? As for details on each theft, I su-suuu-suggest you visit each victim."

To Graxx: "Very specific inde-ee-eeed, which is very intriguing. That is a great question to keep-p-p-eep in mind as you investigate these thefts, I'd say." 

Uat rubs his chin, "So targetted thefts of individual books... All from a central location around the square... Hmmm...  Cassra, are we certain that the only book to be taken from the Library is the one we know of?  There are so many books here and recent experience tells me that it is nigh on impossible to keep track of what might and might not be on the shelves.  A simple mistake by a scribe returing a book to the wrong location... Anyway, would you be able to begin a sweep, check that you are only missing the one title?  In the meantime, what do we say to continuing our enquiries with the victims directly?"

"Sounds good to me, jelly bean." Obsben replied to Utar, refering in that moment to the very and exclusive treat made from cultivated oozes... that everyone may or may not have heard of. >.>;  "First stop? Glenmirs, seeing as they would be the closest to us. I hope you don't mind us dropping your name to help smooth over things, Cassra? Or might you even have something for us as proof of our arrangement, just in case they get a touch cagey? If not, well.. I s'pose we have other ways." 

Graxx shakes his head in agreement.

"Glenmiir's sounds well.  They should be very willing to help us catch this thief!" says Graxx confidently.

"We need to ask who all would have known this book was in their office.  We can then work back from there.  I don't expect many people to have been in the office.  Or maybe someone had asked about the book recently and can give us a lead." states Graxx.

To Utar: "We have been double-checking our shelves since Spernik pulled his trick on us. This is a long and time-consuming effort-t-t-t. So far, we have not found any other tome m-mi-mis-missing. The three newly stolen books are permanently housed away from the Library, even the one that is our property-perty. W-we'll continue to check our inventory."

To Obsben: "I do not-not min-mind it. Here, let me sign a quick note or three-th-re-three so you can show to the victims."

To Graxx: "You sound like you know how to go about the investiga-ga-ga-tion. I am glad the library can count on your services again."

(OOC: Anything else here before departing to Glenmiir's?)

"Thank you Cassra. If you find anything else is missing, please let us know. Captain Burrall can contact us at any time."

"It is our honor to be called upon" says Graxx.

Graxx gives a wave goodbye.

"Be seeing you soon" says Graxx.

Once she or the group had whatever rite or the like they could use for the job from Cassra, Obsben gives a small bow and said, "Indeed. Until next time, Cassra." She then looks off into empty space near Cassra and made a couple of 'follow me' motions. "Now come along, Basil. That invisibility potion you drank won't last for much longer."

-Deception: 21. 

Regardless of whether she successful managed to trick Cassra or not(and by extension the rest of the party), Obsben would depart with a satisfied smile on her face. 

"Thank you for your time. We hope to bring back news soon," Neya nods as she bids farewell.

(OOC: Regarding the invisibility claim, I'll let the other CRAPers roll WIS saves {DC 21} if they so choose. 😂)

The conversation seems to come to a natural end and most of CRAP delivers their farewell wishes. Cassra does the same but is interrupted by a claim that an invisible mastiff had been behind her this whole time! "WHAT!" Cassra turns so fast, somehow hoping to spot an invisible canine, that she slips and falls on her bum. She rises quickly, showing that no serious physical harm has come to her, but her attention is now completely focused on spotting evidence of an invisible presence in her office. She continues her search long after CRAP has left.

On the way out of the library, you spot Harper walking from one room to another. He waves politely but lets you go on your way as he goes on his. Back on the streets, Neya leads the group to their next stop, Aya Glenmiir's shop. Based on the map, the group's destination is located in one of the buildings on the nicer side of Podol Plaza. Upon arriving at the intended spot, you have the impression that you were being expected.

The door to this rather unassuming building opens, and a female elf wearing robes stands in the doorway. The smell of flowers and incense flow from within. Perched on the elf's shoulder is a small, grey-furred monkey. “I take you are here to interrogate me about the missing book?" She smiles, "Master Opanrael is certainly distrustful.” Her smile is quick and coy, and she has long, black hair and radiant green eyes. She twists her hair as she looks at you. The last threads of sunlight still linger in the sky but, behind the elven's silhouette on the door frame, you can see that the interior of the Aya's shop is already dimly lit by candles. The window on the front of the shop is obscured by heavy curtains which prevent most of the lingering sunlight from entering her domain.

With a few nods and words, you confirm that you are indeed here regarding the stolen book. "Come on in. It is best we discuss this inside." Inside, the smell of incense, flowers, paper, and ink is even stronger. The simple shop is small but well organized. It deals primarily on supplies needed for scroll and spellbook preparations. Although she seems to be alone (monkey notwithstanding), you can hear the sounds of scratching of quill on paper coming from somewhere else in the shop. She brings you to a small table, which only sports four chairs. She takes one and invites you to sit, failing to acknowledge than one of you would have to remain standing. She waits for you to further the conversation beyond introductions and pleasantries.

(Utar's wisdom save against Obby's bullshit - 13, if he is successful, he'll say nothing but allow himself a little smile.)

Purposely not taking a chair, Utar instead looks around the room. "Was this where the book was stored? It might be better if we were allowed to see where the theft took place, or tried to see where the thief gained their access to the property? Or do you already have something to tell us in that regard?"

(Why not? Wis save: 11 (14))

Neya looks around at the mention of Basil’s name, “How long has he been out?”

But after a moment of seeing and hearing nothing, she looks at Obby with a crooked eyebrow.

(At Anya’s shop)

”Was anyone showing any particular interest in the stolen book before its theft?”

(OOC: The only thing that would make it funnier is if she wound up finding some other invisible presence by the time we see her again. xD)

"Oh you know. A while at least." Obsben replied to Neya in keeping up the ruse if only for ongoing enjoyment. She's otherwise content to follow along, making the occasional mental note to possibly visit spied along the way to their next destination.

As soon as she lays eyes on Aya's furry friend, Obsben puts her hands together before her lips with an expression that screamed 'squeeing' in delight. So distracted had she been in fact that her response was an absentminded nod in agreement. Her attention on the beast only momentarily falters at the invite inside, which she did so most readily. Where it came to introductions, Obsben not only did so with more gusto then usually from a seat, but even pulled a napping Salty Bottom from her hat, introducing him as well. Though no stimuli save the most direct seems to remotely disturb the well dressed winged beast.

"...And if you took any magical precautions against theivery before, it might help in our investigations to know what kind and to what extent, if any. As well as the knowing of what you were doing at the time of the theft?" She eventually asked upon finding the moment to do so politely... and when her own attention span allowed it when not occupied by Anya's furry friend.

While introductions are still taking place, Obsben pulls our Salty Bottom from her hat. Aya's smile widens, accentuating the elegant elven lady's charms. Aya's monkey is very well behaved, and reacts to SB's presence only once the elf gives it her permission. The gray monkey leaps from her shoulder and disappears behind a corner, only to return with a peeled orange. Its tiny hands separate the orange into two halves, one of which is extended to SB. The non-winged monkey then returns to its master's shoulder.

Aya responds to Neya's question first: "The book is a rare treatise detailing the Weave; its history and hypotheses about its nature. It belonged to the library and had been in my study for two years before it was taken six days ago. Because the book was so valuable, only a handful of people knew that I had it stored in here: myself, Master Cassra Brandywine, Master Opanrael, the Lord Sage, and maybe a few more depending on how the librarians choose to share such information. None of my customers or apprentices knew, so there was no undue interest on the book in the days leading to the theft. If the information leaked, then whoever took the book more than likely had access to the Library’s records."

She then attempts to answer Utar's and Obsben's question simultaneously: "Follow me." She leads the group to an even smaller room in the back and points at a glass display of breathtaking quality. "The book was stored in that glass display case. I had enchanted the case myself; you can see the runes on the edge if you squint hard enough." She extends her palm toward the case as if inviting any takers to inspect the runes (arcana check). "I had invested a significant amount of time warding my shop and apartment. I am sure I would have noticed if the thief had attempted to use any unconventional points of entry."

She paces a bit before answering the last question: "As for what I was doing at the time of the robbery. I have to admit I cannot pinpoint it exactly. I remember seeing the book in its case early in the day and, later on, it was simply not there. It might have happened a minute after I saw it, or a minute before I noticed it was missing, or anytime in the many hours in between." 

Peering closer to the runes on the display case, Utar tries to see if he can decipher their meaning. Most likely not, but it's sometimes worthwhile to make the effort.

Arcana - 14

"So presumably, none of the other safety precautions were triggered either? Presumably the same level of warding is not applied to every entrance though, it wouldn't be practical to.  Is there anywhere a person could go unnoticed within the shop or your apartment? Although I appreciate if you knew that, it would probably be warded too."

Graxx listens intently and pauses and focus in on one particular sentence that he feels is dire.

”Are… Are you saying the library has records of where rare books are in town?  Even if they aren’t in the library?” asks Graxx.

“Just for the sake of making sure we have the whole picture, have noticed anything else is missing?” Neya begins. “The book is the higher priority, to be sure, but sometimes larger events overshadows others to the point of them falling between the cracks.”

"No, no other safety precautions were triggered," Aya's answers with well-paced words. "Unnoticed?" She asks herself, in thought. "Well, I can't quite ward the front door during business hours... I would have no customers if I did."

While listening to her answers, Utar takes a look at the glass case. Since he knows he is looking for them, finding the runes takes no more than a few seconds. They are cunningly etched around the edges of each pane of glass. Interestingly, one of the runes has been subtly marred. Utar understands the imperfection to have been deliberately made to efficiently and completely defeat the case's protective enchantments. This was the work of a professional.

Turning to address Graxx, Aya responds the next question: "Well, I am not privy to such records, but Librarians excel in keeping inventory, wouldn't you agree? One can easily assume they keep some sort of records, yes." She shakes her head as if trying to convince herself. Her hair bobs up and down in a motion practiced to frame her face perfectly. 

Neya's question is next and, this time in a harsh motion, Aya quickly dismisses the notion: "No! The book was the only thing stolen." She breaks eye contact with Neya for a second and begins to fill the air with other words: "The book was about a foot and a half wide and just as long. It was bound in fine, white leather with golden lettering along the spin and a ribbon of white silk as a placeholder. The front of the book was emblazoned with the symbol of Mystra, the goddess of the Magic..." She continues on until she is interrupted next.

Utar lets Aya talk, but runs through the facts of the case in his own mind.  The theft here was undertaken by someone who knew the book was here and knew about the protective warding and knew enough to bypass said warding.  The list of likely suspects was narrowing, even they didn't have any suspects.  Those who knew the book was here is a small list.  Cassra and the Lord Sage likely are above suspision, Lord Opanrael is a new name, at least to Utar and could bear some digging into. Maybe someone else at the library might have known, but Spernik was clear that there were no other Cult of the Dragon members present and Moneus was clear that the Welcomers were not involved, so it would be a new party unknown to CRAP...

Unless it isn't.  There was that Welcomer offshoot whcih had captured Doozey.  Utar assumed that their members were either dealt with, but some could have fled, but maybe not.  Still too many unanswered questions.

"Do you employ any staff here, people who might know about the warding, or what was in the case? An assistant, or housekeeper perhaps?"

Roused to alertness at the tangy scent of the orange, Salty Bottom sleepily accepts the offer with an absent-minded tip of his hat, before finding purchase on his mistress shoulder to chow down on breakfast. Some of the juices find their way on Obsben's clothing, but in itself seem not to bother the wizard. Especially once she set her focus on studying the runes in greater detail once given a shot at inspecting them.

-Arcana: 27. (if only for her own deduction at the time)

"Also, and do forgive the presumptions on my part, but... safe to presume you've already used what divination spells at your disposal to try and locate this book? You know, just on the off chance that this is some very elaborate prank going around." She eventually requested as well. And as she asks this of Aya, she looks at her more closely and reflects on her responses, hoping to get a better feel for the type of person she was.

-Insight: 12.