Bellamy graciously takes the coin and heads out of the office and turns to his companions "Alright we finally have a lead, but what should we do. Find a way to help Vale or chase after Vrakath?"

Rel finds herself a little stunned that law enforcement in Port Damali, when presented with evidence of enemies and criminals, takes the approach of not doing anything themselves but instead exhorting (and implicitly threatening) those who reported the news to deal with the intrusion themselves.

I've never heard of such an approach, even in Menzoberranzan...

"Marquis, to be clear, are you deputizing us to eliminate Vrakath or other Revelry from Port Damali?"

She thinks for another moment, observing:  "Saying we 'brought' Vrakath is an interesting way to put it.  Clearly, he can come and go as he pleases with teleportation, and may well have spent time in Port Damali all along without your knowing it, long before our arrival."

Nevertheless, after waiting a moment for an answer to her first question, Rel departs respectfully with the others.

Thren how’s been quite for most of the day just says “it’s up to you lot”

Rel, the Marquis looks at you as you question her methods. "I have not heard of any Revelry activity within Port Damali for several months. Your story suggests that he is here in pursuit of vengeance upon you, then he is your responsibility unless a larger Revelry threat is found. Currently, all of my resources are tied to other......problems, within my city. "

As the others file out then Zane hangs back to be the last one out. As the others have left he turns and looks at the Marquis, "Other problems like... vampires?"

"Vampires?" The Marquis responds inquisitively. "I have not heard of a vampire or any sort of undead creature in Port Damali for a long time. Why would you ask about such a thing? Is there something you have not told me?" She looks at you sternly Zane, awaiting a response. 

Zane says, "We were stretching our legs yesterday after disembarking from the ship and came across a mansion with halfway faded sign that said 'Briarwood'. It looked derelict and abandoned, but then some people came by and carried stuff inside, which seemed weird. It's the name of probably the most famous vampire couple who ruled Whitestone for a while some 30 years ago. It's probably just a coincidence, though, nothing to worry about."

And he turns to follow the others...

"The Briarwoods..." She says clenching her fist. "That manor and that name is a stain on Port Damali. A stain that will soon be wiped away. The building is due to be demolitioned in the coming week. Once that is done, any remnants of such an evil will be gone from my city. I hope one day that name will have no connection to Port Damali. You say you saw people enter the manor, this is something that needs to be investigated at once. I will send a Zhelezo guard to investigate this claim. Now then, if you have no further surprises, l have much work to attend to. Good day."

Zane bows and exits without further delay.

Once they're outside the building he says, "Lets observe the processing of the ship for a bit. Zandir, if you have any personal belongings still on the ship then it's probably best to gather these and stick with us."

He then quickly adds, "I mean we should all stick together and not let Zandir out of our sight at all. Same goes for you, Vale."

Zane checks that nobody is in earshot and quietly adds, "The Magister is going to send some Zhelezo to investigate the Briarwoods manor today. We might want to head in that direction soon as well."

Rel is still shaking her head at the Marquis' strange approach law enforcement.  Solving problems by deputizing witnesses to the problem.

She cannot even say for sure that it is a poor practice, just utterly foreign to her.  Yet a voice inside her head muses in turn, isn't that what She already did to you as you escaped Menzoberranzan?  And suddenly, Rel is no longer thinking of the Marquis...  Rousing herself from her reverie, she suggests:

"So.  Perhaps quickly check the Dragonfly one last time to make sure that the guard we saw earlier was not also murdered?  Then a stop at 'Buy the Way' to gear up and spend a bit of our gold.  Some healing potions at least.  Then seek out the Marquis' contact, Jarsali Firahel, at The Bee and Bugle.  If no further leads after that, we could surveil the manor where the crate was delivered, or try Thren's approach with the Temple of Korg."

Tex must have caught something on the ship. At breakfast all seemed normal but not long into the day his head felt like it would explode any given moment. At first he didn’t want to bother his companions with that but it became obvious quickly that he wasn’t much himself, more silent than usual and mostly simply tagging along. On account of observing the two places, he suggests turning to Bellamy, “Perhaps your bird could take one spot where we’re less likely to be able to do anything anyway, like the Briarwood mansion?”

(I’m ill and so is my partner and my two kids, already for a few days. All things together, I’m out of my waters with the situation and couldn’t post much and might still be falling short for a few days more. Sorry!)

Heading through the docks back to the Dragonfly, you can see now a crowd has gathered. The Zhelezo you spoke to earlier now stands in front of the dock that is roped off. You see a few people inquire about what happened and the Zhelezo just brushes them off saying, "Nothing to see here, be on with your day"

Bellamy nods and directs Melby to watch the manor and report back if anything changes.

Now at the Dragonfly "Well that officer is safe lets go to that store Buy the Way" he waits for someone to lead the way.

Port Damali is starting to make Rel paranoid.  Why am I so suspicious of the guard merely securing a crime scene?

She watches the Dragonfly intently for a moment longer as Melby flies off.  As if the vessel somehow holds secrets Rel has yet to decipher.

Then, remembering her mental notes from yesterday's walk, she turns and leads her companions to Buy the Way.  (Assuming they follow).

As they continue with their day then Zane is keeping his eyes open to see if Vrakath is anywhere nearby or following them.

Following Rel for a bit, you find yourselves at a cedar building with circular windows and at V shaped roof. The wooden sign hanging in front of the door reads 'Buy the Way' and in small print underneath the name it says "General Goods".

Walking inside you can see all sorts of adventuring equipment; ropes, satchels and waterskins among various other items. Behind the counter is a Dragonborn man wearing a white collared shirt with tan pants and a red scarf wrapped around his waist. He has off white scales and a thick grey crest. He greets you as you enter "Ahh, welcome to my store. Looking for anything in particular?"

Zane buys a potion of healing, a sack, one set of manacles, one flask of holy water, a grappling hook and 50 feet of silken rope. (added to inventory, removed corresponding sum)

He looks at Zandir and Vale. "We should gear you up as well." He turns to the shopkeep, "Where could we find some armor and weapons for those two?"

"Well this is a lovely store with a catchy name. I am looking for material components for my spells and a few other items" says Bellamy

1. Brass Brazier, charcoal, herbs - 10 gp for find familiar spell
2. Small Diamond worth 50 gp - for chromatic orb spell
3. Flask of holy water 25 gp
4. 5 Flask if oil - 1 gp
5. Scroll Case 1gp
6. 10 paper - 2 gp
7. Bag of caltrops - 1gp
8. Grappling hook 1 gp

Tex coughing from a rough throat and orders with coarse voice, “a waxed raincoat, woolen scarf, a set of leather boots, a healing potion <coughes>…, or better make it two, and a half? You think with half a potion I could get rid of this cold?” He tries to concentrate despite the pain in his head, and mutters to himself, “Wasn’t there something else?” He looks over the goods and takes a round in the shop, returning, “A small chest, if you have, I always wanted to add a hidden compartment to my mechanical turtle. <more coughing> Do you have outfit for janitors my size? I’d take one of those. A few sealable glass bottles, let’s say ten. A small sales chest, you know the ones that are worn in front of you. Well, actually this I could make myself if you just have a small box and some leather straps.” He continues parsing the shop and lets the others place their orders before finalizing his order.

Rel reaches for her father's Guidance and, upon entering the store, beams a fetching smile at the dragonborn, flipping her hair lightly behind her shoulder nonchalantly as she had seen her (vile) mother do on so many occasions when negotiating one of her... purchases.

"My friends and I might wish to buy quite a bit.  Perhaps inspired by your store's name!  Might we convince you to offer us a modest volume discount?"

Rel's Persuasion plus Guidance:  18 + 3 = 21

(Regardless of the shopkeeper's response, she will also ask him if he can give them directions to The Bee and Bugle.)

Rel's Shopping List:
- 3 Potions of Healing:  3 * 50gp = 150gp
- 1 Vial of Antitoxin:  50gp
- 50' Silk rope:  10gp
- Steel Mirror:  5gp
- Crowbar:  2gp
- 2 Bags of Caltrops:  2 * 1gp = 2gp
- 6 rations:  6 * 0.5gp = 3gp
- She also asks if the shop has a backpack with higher capacity than the 30 lbs that her current one has.