Quote from Awaypturwpn >>

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

 "I hesitated initially in my response, but my vocabulary library did not contain a word encompassing all thinking creatures. 'Humanity' was chosen as it seems the 'common' language is biased towards humans. However, I shall endeavor to seek a new word that could be used in its stead."

Herd awkwardly bows in apology.

"hmmm, maybe somfin like 'peeps'?"

Herd looks at Tith (inquisitively?) and says, "Vocabulary library updated."

//Curascious would know where and what the Plague House was. //

The Plague House, also known as the Burned Church, was Trunau’s original church of Iomedae. When orc raiders burned the building down and killed the priests within, the church of Iomedae decided to build a new chapel inside the city walls. The ruined church became known as the Plague House following a tragedy 50 years ago, when Trunau was affilicted with a plague. The town’s authorities hastily rebuilt the structure and used it to quarantine the plague victims, but a mysterious fire consumed the building a few days later, killing everyone inside—patients and healers— and leaving the infamous site once again in ruins. None have attempted to rebuild it since.

//The Map in my signature has been updated.//

Quote from jr_el_leon >>

Herd looks at Tith (inquisitively?) and says, "Vocabulary library updated."

 “I suggest ‘mortal.’ You’ll find it more suited to your... demeanor. In any case, the ‘Plague House’ seems to be the most logical next step in this investigation...”

Quote from jr_el_leon >>

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

"Unfortunately, the only one we know of has fled. Our remaining leads are the girlfriend and the Plague House itself."

//To move things along, do you want to visit the girlfriend or the plague house?

// Let's go see the girlfriend, see if she knows anything. //

"Agreed; we resolve all "peep" leads before we approach this 'Plague House,' comments Herd. 

Rodrik’s fiancee, Brinya Kelver, occupies humble rooms in a boarding house just northwest of the Commons.  When you get there she is in a bad shape. She has obviously been crying a long time. "I don't need any more consoling, just leave me be." She then blinks when she sees it's not whoever she thought it would be. "Who are you?"

"Our apologies, Miss Kelver - we were hoping to find some information on the circumstances of Mr. Rodrik's death - our condolences. Have you perhaps seen a Mr. Urnsul either last night or today? He was trying to make a delivery to Mr  Rodrik - he might have come to see you," Herd says with a courteous bow. 

“No one else here...” Curascious looks around, “Expecting someone else?” The query is more aloud to himself than directed at Brinya.

"Friends keep coming by to try and to make me feel better," She sighs, "as if that were possible at a time like this. I don't know who Urnsul is. Sounds orcish though." Her eyes flash anger, "Did they kill Rodrik? What was he delivering?"

"We're still working to discover that. They were delivering a hope knife to replace one that was lost. Would you know anything about that? Or about the plague house?"

"He... he replaced it? It was my hope knife not his. I had it engraved and we exchanged them when we became betrothed." She reaches down and shows you Rodrik's hope knife. "This one was his originally. What about the Plague House? He never talked to me about that place. Did it have something to do with his work? He never talked about his work to me."

"It's possible there are other explanations regarding the hope knife but I'm not ready to jump to those conclusions yet. You say he doesn't discuss his work with you, but do you know of anyone who would profit from interrupting his work or who would want him harmed? "

"Other than the obvious, whoever was committing a crime? No. He didn't like to talk about work when we were together." Tears stream down her face, she has obviously been crying non-stop since she found out.

Curascious continues to rapidly analyze. "Possible racial motivation, improbable that assassins worked alone. Inside job most likely. Someone close to him. Anyone who disagreed with your coupling?" The gnome blinks his bulbous eyes at the female half orc. 

Tith tries to wander off again, stealth 8

Quote from Hardcopi >>

"He... he replaced it? It was my hope knife not his. I had it engraved and we exchanged them when we became betrothed." She reaches down and shows you Rodrik's hope knife. "This one was his originally. What about the Plague House? He never talked to me about that place. Did it have something to do with his work? He never talked about his work to me."

 “Where did you find the blade?” Mozu questions from the back of the group.