Kylaski spots the boots and asks, "Where did these come from?"

Quote from JSenecal >>

Kylaski spots the boots and asks, "Where did these come from?"

 'Took em straight of the murderer's feet, which is why I'm a little hesitant about them. I didn't see the coward demonstrate any particular magic abilities coming from them in battle, but magic is magic, so we should take what we can get, as long they're safe.' 

"Hmm, interesting. Mind if I take a look at them?"

{short rest inspection stuff is what she has in mind.}

Quote from JSenecal >>

"Hmm, interesting. Mind if I take a look at them?"

{short rest inspection stuff is what she has in mind.}

 'Yeah go ahead, I've had a quick look over them and couldn't glean much so a fresh pair of eyes is probably what we need to uncover all their secrets.'

In the comfort of the tavern, Xaul will also enjoy a short rest [if I remember correctly it's nighttime so he'll just do some light activity around the house, waiting on Skye's awakening and Kylaski's results before actually going to bed]

It is night time. And Skye awakens right near the start of the rest as she only needs an hour from the moment she was stabilised which was still by the docks.

Following the short rest, Kylaski has determined the boots are a pair of drow-made boots of elvenkind.

After Kylaski shares her findings about the boots with the group, Xaul will muse 'Hmm, interesting. So who should they go to? We'd all be suitable candidates of course, and whilst I consider myself to be just as elven as I am human or orcish, having spent my formative years in an elven conclave, I believe they should go to Damros, seeing as he's the only true elf of the party, and since the silent steps lend well to his shadowy, intimidating persona.' He grins and then adds 'I'm not particularly sneaky myself, and silent steps don't matter when I'd rather be swimming!'

Kylaski agrees with her tail twitching. "I'm the exact opposite of sneaky. Though Sehaethas would like to be unnoticed, I don't let him."

Damros went upstairs to check on Skye.   Since she is up but not 'healed'...  he will help her downstairs to the rest of the group.

"Xaul, you can vouch that the attacker is dead beyond recovery?   At least to the satisfaction of our 'employer'?"

Moving back and forth from the 'bar' area to the table and back, Damros gets a kettle on the boil and collects stout mugs for some hot brew for those interested.

"We really need to consider a supply of healing potions... or have potion maker under contract... at least until Xaul opens his own shop.  I felt less than useless when Skye nearly drowned.  I know how to wrap a cut or splint an arm or leg but... that is the extent of my healing skills."

Damros serves up tea and ale for those in the room. 

"I hate to bring such tidings up so soon after our little dock adventure, however, it seems an important note to consider.  WAS that the only dock assassin?  Or, must we post someone at the docks for the next few nights to see if it is some sort of contracted killing and others might be showing up looking for victims of said contract?    

Come to think on it, is there some guild or den of assassins that can be contacted to see if 'we' might have stomped on THEIR contracted services?"   

Damros runs his hand through his water drenched hair. 

"This has gotten complicated quickly.  Let us hope we are not weaving the knots that will soon ensnare ourselves."

Xaul nods and says 'Mmhm, he's definitely been dispatched alright, I can show them what I looted as proof, and if that isn't enough, they'll just have to see from the results.' He then looks about the party as Damros proclaims his want for healing potions, and responds 'Do any of you know if your patrons could provide spells of healing? If not, we can always look at getting potions from wherever's best, though I want to make sure our funds are chiefly going towards this place. Anything disposable, spend how you like, but we shouldn't need to chip into our renovation funds at all. Eventually this place will make us back more than we ever put in.' 

He graciously thanks Damros for the tea, before then getting up and pouring all but the dregs out, then filling the cup with fresh water so that it's just a mug of off-grey liquid, muttering something about liking it dilute. He smiles as he takes a sip and as he takes the cup aware from his mouth, calmly says 'Relax, Damros, the night is late and it is not good for the mind to stress on these things. Have you ever heard tales about the elven rogue Occam? I'm not a man of philosophy, but this particular piece of wisdom stuck with me, as my foster mother once told me of his exploits, In short, he found success in life through following the mantra of 'The simplest solution should be assumed to be the best until proven wrong', if I've remembered that right. I mainly paid attention to the parts of the story where he picked locks and disarmed traps. Anyway, what I'm saying is, we should just assume there was a sole killer and that no other syndicates were after him, as that's the simplest answer. If we're proven wrong, we can progress further in this business, but until we are, do not cloud your mind in worry.'

Quote from Kol_Drake >>

 

Come to think on it, is there some guild or den of assassins that can be contacted to see if 'we' might have stomped on THEIR contracted services?"    

 (well the Zhents do offer assassination services. They hired you to investigate this though)

Damros shuttles the empty tea and ale mugs back to the kitchen/bar... a quick dunk in a bucket of water and placed to dry on the counter.

"I believe Xaul is correct; it is well past time to sleep.  Pray things make more sense in the light of day." 

Damros waves a hand over his head, "Until the morrow then."

"Tommorow we can look for the talking horse!" says Kylaski.

Skye coughs, pressing her hand to her ribs as the others talk. Where Damros has helped her into a chair, she sits, head lolling and struggling to keep pace with the conversation even though her eyes are fever-bright.

”Only Occam I ever heard of was a rogue who’d cut you with his razor as soon as look as you. Said it was simpler that way, and saved time.”

Otherwise, she nods. She waves off any offer of help from the others before heading back to her bed. Tomorrow the horse. After that … well, they would see. 

Xaul mumbles something to Skye about 'Well I think we should focus more on the principle than the practices of its creator...maybe the tales are a little exaggerated...' He then heads off to his room to prepare for the next day.

Morning comes and you all get a long rest. Skye is looking a bit better than the night before. Still looks a bit beaten up, but doesn't look like that will stop her doing anything she might normally do. If you are heading to find the horse I need 2 checks (same person or different. Can be with advantage as I assume you help each other). The first is an investigation check to find the horse. And the second is a persuasion check to convince her that you are Harpers and to share her findings with you.

[Xaul could manage the investigation since he’s got speak with animals and could ask other animals if they’ve seen her around, but at the end of the day whoever has the highest modifier is probably best fit to take the checks] 

Sehaethas tries finding the talking horse with Damros trying to help. He wanders the streets, looking for horses that match the description, then approaching to confirm. Kylaski finds this interesting, but lets Sehaethas do the actual work since he's got a better idea of how to do this.
{Kylaski has magic and Arcana, Sehaethas has the rest of the skills}

Rolled 18 (in the game log).

It takes about an hour but you find the horse quite easily. Just need someone to try and persuade them you are harpers to get the information.

Damros sighs as he imagines what he must look like gesturing about with his hands as he speaks to a horse.

{game log}  Persuarion: 11

"Lady Maxeen, my associate and I have been tasked by Mirt of the Harpers to speak with you for information regarding the identity of any Zhent operatives and their whereabouts.  Mirt believes you, with your wide ranging work about the city, would be able to aid us in collecting such information."