The Wizard's Challenge

"DON'T WORRY" Urselles calls to the two "we gottem"

"Got him?  Got who?  Tamm?  Tell me its Tamm!" Dar looks geared to throw another Firebolt.

"it's not Tamm" Urselles begrudgingly replies "we caught 9 finger John" 

"Nine Fing... You mean the fisherman?" Dar calls out.  He approaches soon after.  "Why you arrest him?"

Shalech explains, "We found his stash in the, ahem, 'Haunted House', next to your tower.  Urselles kept the jewelry to hand over to the authorities, and it appears John stole it back.  Some of us came upon John being detained, but that dwarf over there fell in the water, so I kept watch over John while the others tried to save the dwarf.  I told him there was no point in running, and he disagreed and slashed my face.  He didn't run far though."

((Yes, that is not what happened, but that is what it looks like to Shalech))

"umm, Shalech I don't believe the jewelry I had was stolen, if I remember correctly I gave it to Klander"

"Ok, so he stole it from Klander.  He had the bag of jewelry in his hands when I tried to detain him."

Klandar searches his pockets.  "Um... I think I left them with Kendrick; but yeah, those jewels you have there should be fakes." 

"we should probably go check then"

"It's on the way." Normand says, as he ushers the group north.  Dar intercedes, calling upon his apprentices to join him at his tower

The group travels north to the bauble shop most of them have seen before.  Normand breaks off, heading towards the zoo with John.

 Urselles follows with Normand, confident the group will check on the jewelry John had 

 Before the group starts out with Dar, Nathan asks him: "Master Dar, could you check whether the jewels here are real or fake? We are not sure about that. Also, we have found a pair of boots that seem to be magical, but I could not determine what they actually do. Could you look at that as well?"

"Looks like Shalech is taking the jewelry to Kendrick; that should determine their quality.  Honestly, that is outside my field; but I can look at those boots and any other potential magic items; just bring them to my lab." Dar continues to head for his tower, Theodore in tow.

((Ok, I guess I held onto the jewelry bag.  Off to Kendrick then.))

"Normand, where are you taking John? Be careful, the way he moved earlier.. he's one slippery fish!"

Croak chuckles to himself at his joke before turning to Shalech, "I guess we're off to check out these jewels. Then, as much as I distrust the wizards, we should tell Dar about our findings in the cave."

Replying to Croak, Shalech says, "Yes, this jewelry is an unwanted distraction.  Best get it over with so we can figure out what to do next about the journal."

(I hope I didn't miss Shalech handing off the jewelry at some point.)

The remainder of the group heads to the baubles store.  The sheer number of gems and jewelry around the shop is beyond impressive, lining every wall and counter.  Kendrick sits behind his desk, and calls out, without looking up; "Klandar, you return.  Did you solve the fake jewelry issue?"

Klandar replies; "Got the fakes right here." motioning towards the bag in Shalech's hands.  Croak comes in afterwards, ducking to enter the shop, bits of gold and silver chains and stones dangle on and around your head.

Normand walks John into the zoo, Urselles at his side.  As you enter through a large gateway, simply marked 'Zoo', you see several large cages holding strange and unique creatures; almost all of them you have never seen.  (Make a Wisdom (Nature) Check)  A gray hair Halfling female meets you soon after you enter.  "What's this?  What you do John?" She gives him a stern look.  Normand replies; "Turns out he's a thief that has been stealing from us for years." She clucks her tongue while shaking her head, and says; "Shame, shame, shame."

She turns towards Urselles.  "And who do we have here?" Normand replies; "She is a priest of Eldath that seeks to aid Northbank, and she is very welcome." The woman nods her head towards you.  "Names Rosetta, nice to meet you." She moves her hands towards her surroundings.  "Welcome to my zoo."

Nathan, you and Theodore follow Dar to his tower.  Heading up to the second story, you smell the sweet smell of cookies.  By the time you reach the third floor, even Dar seems to be hurrying.

Opening the third floor's door, you are hit with a wave of smell; fresh cookies, literally just out of the oven.  Isa sets the tray down on a long counter to cool.  She turns to you and says; "Oh, it'll be a bit longer on them to cool, I figured that you lot would be heading in about now.  Anywho, let me know about your adventures, you destroy the ghost yet?  Oh, it is killing me not sitting at the tavern, listening to how those Thad boys are up to no good again, them in there bully friends.  You know they are only friends because the pay them, not true friends, no..."  About here you fade off, unable to listen anymore.  

Dar looks annoyed.  Theodore looks like he has a headache.  At this moment you realize that this floor has changed.  It no longer is covered with research, with one small room in the corner; it holds now three rooms, a small research area, and a kitchen area.

Nature 6

"nice to meet you Rosetta, I'm Urselles" the Goblin looked around for a second "so this is a zoo, it's certainly a big place"

Shalech places the jewelry bag on Kendrick's work table.  "If there's anything useful you can tell us about this, like who made it, you can find us at Dar's tower.  Good day Sir."

Rosetta smiles and nods.  "Yes it is." She suddenly turns; "Okay Normand, you know the way." and she starts walking deeper into the zoo.

Urselles, you pass many creatures in cages; each with a bit of environment to ease their stay.  The majority of them are smaller than you and look familiar, but you can't place where you've seen them.

Rosetta stops at a cage with a stone floor and some cots.  Along one of the walls, at the base, is new construction; appearing to seal a large whole.  Normand notices and inquires about it.  Rosetta replies; "Recently two creatures escaped; a giant scorpion and an Osquip.  They appear to be digging into people's basements; making it impossible to find them.  I've asked a reward, but no one have taken up the task."  She then opens the door and Normand moves John inside.  John remains quiet, lost in thought, it appears.

Kendrick begins opening the bag, while saying goodbye as Shalech leaves; squeezing past Croak.  After looking in it, he dumps the sack on the table, next to the other jewelry.  They look identical at a glance; but as Kendrick examines them, he speaks aloud to himself.  "The material is the same, and quality work.  Real gold and silver here; these must have been expensive to make." He continues to examine. "He even replicated my maker's mark, impressive."

Pulling out a small glass tube, holding it to his eye, he looks even closer.  "Aha! Here's where the change is." He points the jewelry towards Croak and Klandar.  "Its the gems.  They are expertly carved glass.  You said Nine Finger John made these?  Kind of wish he had became my apprentice and not a thief, this is quality work."