Baron Thorne arched a brow, then gave a knowing smile. "Of course. I’ll have my steward fetch a map of the area.  Anything to aid your… deliberations."  He gestured to the butler, who gave a curt nod before departing the room.

A few moments later, the steward returned with a crisp, neatly folded map, his expression unreadable as he extended it toward the group.  Baron Thorne leaned back in his chair, watching them with measured patience.

"So you'll help, then?"  The baron asked.

"Yes, we will help." Doc says "Thank you for the map, that should help us getting our feeling of the land."

Cassian nods in agreement, his expression resolute. "Yes, we'll find Luna and m-make sure she's safe."

Chromir finds the question a bit confusing. They were here asking the baron for help and now the baron is asking if we would help? Chromir has mostly ignored the baron, and has instead focused on the steward to see if they reacted when anything was mentioned. 

Additionally, after the others affirm we will help, and the meeting starts to come to a close, Chromir will speak up. "I don't suppose I could take a look around the greenhouse? Just for my own curiosity as I have spent a lot of time protecting druids and so I have a bit of a fascination for plants."

Navrine takes all this in very carefully, and nods in agreement to her comrades offer to help. She feels very uneasy around the Baron, and regardless of his words his deeds may be more telling in the longer run. Curiosity about the greenhouse is a powerful lure as she excelled in both herbalism and alchemy studies at the monastery. She loves seeing how other practitioners work their arts and to see a real greenhouse! To her this is a new experience as the monastery where she trained really lacked funds for something so extravagant. She wonders to herself how many poor could be fed and for how many years on the funds necessary to construct a greenhouse? Again she is forced to see the contrast between the luxury of the wealthy and the suffering of the poor. She sinks deeper into her cloak following behind the others.

Baron Thorne offered a gracious smile.  "Of course, you are welcome to examine the greenhouse — anything to aid in your investigation. I trust you will find nothing out of the ordinary."

The greenhouse stood at the far end of the manor grounds, its iron framework draped in creeping vines, glass panes fogged by the damp heat within. Inside, the air was thick with the mingled scents of damp earth and a heady mixture of exotic flowers cultivated far from their native lands. Lush greenery filled every available space — rows of orchids in deep purples and blues, delicate ferns curling over stone walkways, and tall, waxy-leafed plants stretching toward the sunlight filtering through the glass ceiling.

At the center of this immaculately curated wildness, set apart on a raised stone planter, grew a rare and striking flower with deep crimson petals that darkened to near-black at the edges.

Its scent was strangely coppery, like blood, and its pollen was a dusky gold that clung stubbornly to anything that brushed against it. 

"The pride of my collection."  The baron admitted, proud to show off his darlings.  "The blood rose.  Very rare.  Very beautiful."

Chromir looks confused "The greenhouse aids our investigation? Oh right. Luna was here at some point. I just like plants. These orchids are beautiful. And that blood rose too. Where did you manage to find a plant like that? I have never come across something like that before." (Nature: 7)

Cassian moves carefully through the greenhouse. The humidity clings to his skin, heavy with the mingling fragrances of the exotic plants around him, but he forces himself to stay focused. His sharp eyes scan each row of flowers, looking for anything unusual—disturbed soil, cracked glass, anything that suggests a struggle.

When he finally reaches the raised planter at the heart of it all, he hesitates. The blood rose is beautiful, undeniably so, but something about it unsettles him. The rich, velvety petals seem almost too perfect, too unnatural, and the coppery scent sets his nerves on edge. His breath catches as he steps closer, his fingers twitching with an inexplicable urge to touch it. He shouldn’t—he knows he shouldn’t—but his hand lifts anyway, fingers trembling slightly as they brush lightly against a petal.

@Cassian, test Wis (Perception) if you please.

Cass perception: 12 (tried using inspiration, but was a nat 1)

Navrine takes a deep breath and lets out a barely audible gasp “This is beautiful!” She looks at the place almost in disbelief. Staring intently at the blood rose, she mentally notes its strange characteristics. “Truly awe inspiring!” she whispers softly almost to herself.

Nature: 14 

Baron Thorne offered a faint smile, folding his hands behind his back. 

"The blood rose is a rarity, from the distant jungles of Valachan. A gift from a trading partner — difficult to cultivate, but well worth the effort, don't you think?"

As Cassian brushed his fingers along the petals of the blood rose, a fine dusting of golden-flecked pollen clung to his skin. 

That's it for clues and reveals at this location.  What would you like to do next?

Doc suggests to first find out more about the locations in the map. (was there a library?) 

Cassian wants to go talk with Cora more, hoping she will be more open without Darian around.

The Weeping Willow was quieter than usual in the early afternoon.  The evening crowd hadn't shuffled in, leaving only a handful of regulars scattered about. A fire burned low in the hearth, filling the air with the scent of smoldering wood. Cora sat at a table near the bar, hands folded tightly in her lap, her usually warm eyes shadowed with worry.

At first, she answered the heroes’ questions with careful restraint, her voice steady but lacking its usual ease. Yes, Luna had seemed distracted lately. No, she hadn’t mentioned any plans to leave town. She avoided meeting their gazes for too long, often glancing toward the door.

But as the questions pressed on — about Luna’s last few days, about Darin, about whether Luna had ever seemed upset — Cora’s composure began to fray.  She shifted in her seat, wringing the hem of her apron between her fingers. Her replies grew shorter, more uncertain. A tremor entered her voice.

Then, at last, her mask cracked. Her breath hitched, and she dropped her gaze to the worn wooden table. "It's my fault that she's gone."  She whispered, voice thick with guilt.

"She must have known … she must have found out about Darin and me." 

Her shoulders shook as she buried her face in her hands, and tears began slipping through her fingers.

Chromir listens in. "And what exactly was there to find out about you and Darin?"

(insight 15 as chromir tries to work out if her story is true or if she is covering up something bigger) 

Doc takes a moment to put an arm around Cora, if she doesn't push him away.

"Tell us Cora, everything you know so we have the best chance to find her."

Cassian's expression falls at Cora's last statement. Luna's closest friend and her fiance...It's no wonder, if she really did find out...He struggles to look at Cora after that.

"I-is...there a-anywhere Luna would g-go to help her c-calm down? Or anywhere s-she always t-talked about wanting to go?"

Navrine quietly sips her tea in as much of a non-judgmental demeanor as she can muster.  Listening to Cora causes doubt to cross her mind. For if Luna ran in the wrong direction we may never find her.

“Maybe we should split up and do a quick search around the town for any more clues?” Navrine looks to her companions “Though I will certainly follow your lead in this matter, I just worry the trail may be too cold to give us signs on which way she might have fled?”

She looks at Cora, “We will do our best to find your friend. Is there anything you might be holding back that would help us?” Navrine speaks from a place of compassion “We only wish to help, we are not here to judge.”

Cora's quiet confession lingered in the air, heavy with guilt and uncertainty. She wiped at her tears with the corner of her apron. Around her, the heroes exchanged glances — some filled with sympathy, others with deepening suspicion.

"We were together,"  She began, sobbing. "Darin and I."

"I fear that Luna learned about our affair ... or maybe Darin ... maybe she confronted Darin and he ..." 

Cora's words were left unsaid as a breathless man burst the doors open and stumbled inside, his face pale as he scanned the room.

"They found her!" He gasped, drawing every eye in the Weeping Willow.

"They found Luna. Down by the sawmill."

The words landed like a hammer blow. Cora let out a choked sob, her hands flying to her mouth.