The guards go back to their posts shaking their heads. Two guards remain across from the shop watching.

Quote from Hardcopi >>

@herd

“To be truthful, I don’t think even he knew exactly what he was looking for. Rodrik had run afoul of a f lood troll in the Plague House not long ago, and the poor fellow was convinced it was not just an isolated incident. He came to me seeking guidance, and his curiosity was piqued by my visions. I told him that f lood trolls are native to Belkzen, but they rarely roam this far south of the Flood Road. Since learning of his investigation, though, I have had nightmares unlike any before, and I fear that some greater evil may be at play within Trunau’s walls.”

 "This sounds grave indeed, Mr. Katrezra, however, the apocalypse is currently outside of our scope of services. However, those hoping to incite the apocalypse, would have motive to end Mr. Rodrik's investigation. Did he have any leads or further paths of inquiry that he may have mentioned to you?" Herd replies. 

He turns to the others in the group, "Please feel free to interject with your own comments as this is my first investigation into the non-natural death of a formerly living individual."

“Rodrik had plans to go back to the Plague House, but because of the unease I felt from my visions, I suggested he leave his journal with me, which he did. The night of his death, my visions were even more terrible, though still indecipherable. When news of Rodrik’s death reached me in the morning, I knew it must have been foul play, so I f led the Sanctuary, fearful that whoever targeted Rodrik would come after me as well. His death grieves me to no end, but at least my efforts bought me enough time to share this information with you.”

 He hands you Rodrik's journal with a page marked.

//The rest of the journal, it appears to be a pretty new journal is drawings of a pretty half orc and musings that having nothing to do with anything.

Curascious has been looking around the shop, poking at things and only half-listening to the conversation. 

When he sees the book, Curascious tries to read it with the others, but he is too short to see the open pages initially.

"Should we trace his steps then? Where is this plague house and what do you know about it?"

“Whose steps? What plague?” Curascious gives up and sends Crawley up to Herd’s shoulder so as he can get a good look at the journal.

Quote from Hardcopi >>

He hands you Rodrik's journal with a page marked.

//The rest of the journal, it appears to be a pretty new journal is drawings of a pretty half orc and musings that having nothing to do with anything.

(courtesy of Gimpster) 

How I wish I could divulge my fears and Hope's to my beloved Brlaya. The risk is to great, of course-- I would hate to implicate her in the dire scheme I've only just started to unravel. Not to mention how much I fear her ire over my loss of the hope knife she gifted me. What a fool I have been these past few weeks.

I still haven't found the hope knife and whoever's making the replacement at Clamor is certainly taking her time. Katrezra was oddly quite when I met with him today. When I asked for his thoughts, he told me to leave him be, and to give up my foolish investigation altogether. He was so supportive of my mission until now-- what could have changed his heart so?

Katrezra's visions of the plague house have been getting more frequent as the days go on. He claims "something wicked lurks beneath the ashes of the past." I'm fearful of what his strange dreams portend, but I must investigate the plague house ruins again. Tonight is Ruby's hope knife ceremony, tomorrow I will search the ashes once more. Katrezra recommended he hold onto my journal for safekeeping, and while I am hesitant to part with my writings for even a moment, I know his logic is sound.

Herd comments, "I find it odd that this spider has climbed to my shoulder and seems to be trying to peer at the book - is this normal arachnid behavior in this era?" 

Katrezra looks at the spider, "Not that I know of. Things do get weird from time to time."

"Itssa famler, magicy types use em for pew pews"

"He's my eyes, this moment," says Curascious, whose own bulbous eyes are moving rapidly behind closed eyelids. His speech sounds distracted, as if he is concentrating on reading. The gnome continues, speaking rapidly, "Rodrik was uncovering something... hopeknife stolen... same knife used to murder him? Or was it replacement knife? ...Was planning on searching Plague House ruins...

"Katrezra—what logic was it? Why did Rodrik leave journal with you?" He finally opens his eyes and refocuses on his surroundings, ending his ramblings with a pointed question at the old half-orc.

“Rodrik had plans to go back to the Plague House, but because of the unease I felt from my visions, I suggested he leave his journal with me, which he did. The night of his death, my visions were even more terrible, though still indecipherable. When news of Rodrik’s death reached me in the morning, I knew it must have been foul play, so I f led the Sanctuary, fearful that whoever targeted Rodrik would come after me as well. His death grieves me to no end, but at least my efforts bought me enough time to share this information with you.”

"Should safeguard Katrezra," Curascious says, still speaking a mile a minute. "Protective custody, five guard detail...too much? Three guards, plain clothes?"

Sara Morninghawk crosses her immense tattooed arms. "Or you could just not tell anyone he is here and he will be safe." To emphasize her point she taps the giant hammer hanging from her belt.

Herd, noticing Sara's disposition, comments, "I believe Ms. Morninghawk is implying that between her hammer and our silence, Mr. Katrezra should be safe. Upon further analysis, I would agree with her assertion."

Mozu arches a brow at all of this and nods, “I agree with Herd. If no one knows that he exists, then that is his safest bet for survival. Guards would only serve to attract further attention.”

Tith just looks at the blacksmith with the heart eye emoji

"Unless he was being watched." Curascious pauses for a moment. "But very well. Silence and secrecy, sometimes better than obtrusive sentinels.

"Now, hopeknife," says Curascious, pondering. "Replacement knife was supposed to have engraving, while murder weapon had nothing inscribed. Curious that the gift knife was lost, then the replacement used to kill Rodrick. Coincidence?"

Quote from Awaypturwpn >>

". . says Curascious, pondering. "Coincidence?"

 "Coincidence is a construct of humanity used to explain away results not congruent with their belief patterns," replies Herd.

"Who was the last person with this Hope Knife? We must make inquiries to them."

"Resent that remark—gnomes are perfectly capable of falsely rationalizing incongruent results. Just as good as humans at making constructs." Curascious blinks.