Qualksander looks from Abishai and then back to the carriages again, exasperatingly saying 'Ah...yes, I...uhh, clearly didn't get that search organised like I should have...its easy to get distracted when there's so much to think about...I'll, uh...see what I can do with what time we have and the position we're now in. Whilst I...solve that issue, try not to worry yourselves over it. I'll get things back on track in no time, just enjoy the carriage ride and I'll let you know what developments arise...' He's clearly quite flustered and inept at this sort of thing, hurriedly floating towards the boarding residents to salvage what is already a squandered opportunity to get a leg up on the traitor. You all get the sense that Abishai's intuition might not be as far-fetched as he thinks; this has been, at least so far, a wild goose chase that you don't see yourself winning any time soon with the level of your current intel. Your employer, Brimbul, would most likely want you focussing on the real task at hand, the Balowang, so that's something to consider when deciding how you handle the situation ahead. Speaking of which, it wouldn't be absurd to think Brimbul would check in on you by now, seeing as you're about a day into your investigation. Depending on whether you receive word from him and what his thoughts might be, your opinions could be swayed as to how you progress.

Wendell agrees with Abishai about their overall goal, but also feels sorry for Qualksander and feels he needs help in this unfamiliar situation. 

"Think of it this way, the Balowang is a giant mystery. The traitor is a small mystery. How do we expect to find the Balowang if we can't even find this traitor? We can call it practice, or team building. And for all we know, maybe the traitor wants to capture Qualksander to use his antimagic against the Balowang and has a clue we could follow."

Abathax is here for the Balowang, and isn't sure they need to figure out about this traitor. However

"I do think if we want to keep having access to all information of these adventurers that the best way to get that is to solve this traitor thing."

You discuss your thoughts and feelings about the journey back; tensions are high, and current findings are slim. Hopefully, Qualksander's report will illuminate the situation. 

On your return, you report to his office. The residents have all been sent to their dorm rooms, with the staff keeping a watchful eye on them, so at least something is being done right. The beholder has much to say on your arrival. 'Ah, there you are. I've got two pieces of news. Firstly, we were able to identify that Klapton had been hexed, and that the arrow used on him was adamantine. Clearly, this shows the traitor was going for a one-shot kill, however I believe your quick thinking saved him. There has also been an excellent oversight from the traitor; not only had they kept concentration on the hex for long enough for it to be identified, potentially so they could have had the curse present for a second attempt at the assassination, but the specificness of the spell used helps us narrow down who this traitor could be; not only are they a spellcaster, but also a warlock, as they are the only ones capable of casting hex. We luckily have a fairly small population of warlocks amongst the residents, so I see it best that you interview each one in a controlled environment to see if you can narrow down which one is the traitor. Whilst the attack on Klapton was despicable, I am glad that it has brought us so much closer to finding our traitor, who under the observation of the staff, is now a sitting duck. I believe we are close to capturing them, and bringing this mystery to a close.' 

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you don't know for certain that the hex came from a resident and not an outside source working with the resident. Also I did once come across a bard who through careful study could cast spells that were not your typical bardic magic. But it's the best lead we have"

Abishai listens, not with intent, but disinterest. He yawns and looks around the room as Qualksander speaks during their meeting. He's not truly bored, he's... something else. Disappointment, confusion... anger. He finally interjects as Qualksander speaks of the arrow. "I'm surprised the attempted killer didn't fire that arrow at me. After my performance, I was sure the target would be put on my back."

Abishai begins pacing the room as the group talks. Nodding in agreement at Wendell's correction. "Although rare, we can't rule out that possibility; it could be a bard. It might even be me!" He gives a sideways smirk after the jest. 

"Perhaps we should approach these interviews under the precept of seeking information about the Balowang."

"Why not both? We might learn more about our main goal while also learning the traitor" 

Silvosh agrees, "I agree, that sounds good."

"Very well. Let's get started then. Shall we?"

Abathax listens to the new information before speaking

"So a spellcaster who is also handy with a bow. There aren't many warlocks who are proficient in martial weapons i suppose?"

Qualksander grits his teeth as Wendell exposes the magical capabilities that could be held by certain bards, and reminds him that the caster could be an outside source. 'Well, as you say...let's run on the assumption that the traitor and caster are one in the same for now, purely because of how remote the grounds are. We know from the prophecy that the traitor is calling in allies later on from now, so that could imply they don't have any around at current. We'll take any Bards with a varied knowledge of spells in for questioning too, if you think they could be shifting the blame on to a Warlock by utilising their diverse collections of gathered magic.' He seems happy when the party agrees to run the interrogations under the guise of it being focussed on the Balowang, but his eyes grow thin with concern when Abathax highlights that the warlock must have had some training with a bow to perform such a lethal shot. He quietly says 'Unfortunately, archery is one of our most popular recreational activities. Therefore, it's likely the resident has picked up the know-how from there. I'll be removing it from the timetable after this, that's for sure...'

"I wouldn't feel the need to remove it. I think this traitor is an isolated incident. But I would like to speak to whoever supervisors the archery. That shot is someone who is more skilled than your average recreational shooter. It will be someone they are surprised by their accuracy. Someone who gets more bullseye than expected, especially if they were not trained in bows before coming here."

Silvosh offers, "I have worked with one warlock who could change his sword into a bow. And he was rather skilled with it. I think he said he was a hexblade or something like that? And he mentioned that he could never be without his weapon."

Qualksander bobs his head in agreement with Wendell, 'Yes, getting a list of any residents the archery instructor has noted as particularly adept would certainly prove helpful; I'll request their presence after the interrogations. Now, I shall gather up a list of names of Warlock residents, and any Bards that are a part of the College of Lore, seeing as that is the bardic tradition which encourages the sharing of spells between arcane classes, I believe?'

He turns away to use his fine-control eye ray to flick through a tome containing a charter of the residents and their occupations whilst Silvosh speaks. Just after she is finished, he turns around, and informs you 'A warlock of that class would definitely be a worthy candidate for traitor, though we don't seem to have any with such a patron here. The suspects of the highest priority are as followed;

Eminastus Levilisil: A Half-Elf who follows the Archfey of the Feast and Harvest, Kelderoth. He runs the Luncheon Club that is held bi-weekly here, and feels particularly strongly about the etiquette of dining; a potential motive could be that Cangtumble's standards for meals don't meet his. He's quite vocal about that, and it could be the case that his patron is the one spurring him forward to overthrow me. [Abathax seems to recall a resident matching this description complaining quite loudly at breakfast]
Agnit Cajolrn:  A Drow who follows the fiendish Lolth, demon queen of spiders. Whilst seeming quite kind and nurturing in her old age, she did use to be part of a cutthroat thieves' guild, and it took her many years to grow and atone for her crimes. Perhaps it was a ruse, and her old associates are the allies the prophecy speaks of. Their motive for attacking me could be for the treasure I possess. [Wendell remembers speaking with a drow of this description about the Balowang at dinner last night]
Merico DeNataz: A human that worships an eldritch being; a Great Old One, as they are called. I don't know the specifics of the patron, and Merico himself is quite solitary. He is rather small in frame, and enjoys gardening, but outside of that I know little of his past adventuring years, or any potential motives. However, just because there are few leads on him, does not rule him out. The traitor could be trying to fly under the radar, and Merico's subtle nature would lend itself to that [None of you recognise this description]
Tathalita Ginxt: A tiefling bard that used to part of a College of Lore who collect lines of prose and song like treasure; perhaps her past bandmates are the prophesised allies, and they're after the tales I've amassed. She stands out from the rest of the residents due to her youth; she had her rhythm stolen away by a hag, crippling her ability to play and stripping her of her source of income, though that could have been a lie to infiltrate the Home. In addition, me and her aren't on best terms either, as she disapproves of Beholder Golf. [Abishai in particular recognises this description; this was the sole person attracted to his song meant to root out the traitor]

 
I'll let you discuss your initial thoughts on this narrower group of suspects. Once you think you've gleaned as much as you can from this data, I'll call them in one by one, with the Balowang being the veil to disguise your interrogation. Let me know if there's a particularly order in which you want to question them.'

Abishai listens intently in their meeting with Qualksander. His curiosity was stunted as Mr. Lumens proved to be inept at managing the situation, but when the beholder begins to describe the prime suspects, one name stands out to him. The teifling woman whom looked far too young to be in a retirement home. This is the name that immediately sparks his interest. "You are correct Mr. Lumens. Bards who study at the College of Lore often possess skills from a wide range of disciplines. I would know, as I studied there and have mastered several spells that would otherwise elude bards."

Abishai begins to pace about the room as he continues, "I would like to question the teifling Tathalita. She stands out to me as the most likely suspect. She is the only one who seemed interested in the song I created to lure the traitor out and we saw her on the field of beholder golf arguing with our host here." He gestures to Qualksander. "Of course, I would like to question them all, but this one is the most curious to me."

Abathax listens intently aswell, wondering who they should talk to first

"Agnit sounds like the likeliest suspect based on her previous occupation. However, if she has atoned to her crimes she might be fine now. Let's start with the tiefling than." he in the end agrees with Abishai.

"I spoke with Agnit about the beholder already. We do have that to work with for our ruse to talk. But Tathalita would be fine to talk to first. Mr Lumens, does she have an outside facing window at all? And if so could you give me directions. I would like to take a look with my Raven and see if there is anything suspicious going on, such as her actually singing with rhythm in private."

[Sorry for being absent for so long, back now!]

Qualksander is thrilled to see you come up with some strong hypothesises on the traitor's identity given the shortlist of suspects, and nods to Wendell when asked about her having on outward facing window. With his raven perched unsuspectingly on her windowsill, Wendell can see and overhear through his familiar's senses, trying to pick up on anything that could show that she's been lying about her curse whilst the party continues to work out a plan for the interviews. However, he sees and hears nothing that is immediately suspicious about her; she seems just to be reading on her bed.