“Do you know what other things he’s taking and from who?”

"Why would I bother myself with other people's business? I have enough issues of my own to deal with without thinking of other people!" The Lord responds, starting to get agitated with the questioning.  "If you want to investigate speak to that broadsheet publisher - he likes to get his nose into other people's business!" he says.

"No need to get all snippy, if thats all you have for us then thats fine. We'll go. You catch more flies with honey mister."

"And more thieves with bounty hunters!" Briga adds enthusiastically.  

To her friends, she adds, "The journalist might be a good stop, I think I'd like to try some street level contacts first, though, get both sides of the story.  Much as I hate to admit it, the guy's right about the nobles not having as much motive as someone from a poorer district.  Even if the last batch of Black Viper robberies were 100 or so years ago, some of us humans tend to forget the lifespans of elves and dwarves and such.  It could be a new Black Viper but we can't rule anything out, is what I'm saying.  If it is a noble, maybe it's not about the money.  Could be a thrill seeker, maybe a noble who bought their way into their title with this sort of thing back in the day who was itching to get back to it. Basically I don't think we know enough yet to draw any real conclusions."  

OOC: Before consulting the newspaper staff, Briga would like to take her allies to meet her local information contact using the Background feature from Urban Bounty Hunter - Ear to the Ground:

"You are in frequent contact with people in the segment of society that your chosen quarries move through. These people might be associated with the criminal underworld, the rough-and-tumble folk of the streets, or members of high society. This connection comes in the form of a contact in any city you visit, a person who provides information about the people and places of the local area."

Ideally she's like to reach out to a street level contact, an underworld fence would be perfect, someone familiar with the local actively practicing thieves of note, who would know if any of the recent Black Viper stolen goods have been resold to the secondary market, for example.  

Before you reach your underworld contact, a female in plate armour, brandishing the symbol of Tyr and a clenched gauntlet around the blade of a sword on her breastplate approaches you all.  "You look like the people the magistrate told me about, you're the ones on the hunt for the notorious thief known as the Black Viper?" she asks.

"That would be us, yup!  The Abandoned Dragons adventuring company," Briga proudly answers.

"That would be us, yes." Arlon says with a slight bow. 

"What can we do for you ?" 

[OOC: The symbology on this woman's armour? Does it mean anything to Tyrus? Roll: 20; +2 for Religion or History; +3 for Arcana]

[OOC: LOL. Apparently not.]

Tyrus will watch on warily keeping an eye out to see if there are others in the area paying any unusual attention to this meeting. [Perception Roll: 13 ]

As you acknowledge the task at hand, the woman nods and says "My name is Savra, I represent the Waterdeep branch of the Order of the Gauntlet, you may have heard of us," and as she introduces herself you all notice where you had seen the gauntlet holding the sword before.  "I was told that a group of people who had recently solved master Neverember were looking into some business that we had an interest in.  I'm glad I was able to find you, as I was informed that you weren't at home," she answers.  "The truth is, I've been looking for you," she says bluntly.  "Briga, isn't it? I've seen your work before, and we can use someone who wants to see justice done.  But I also come with a vague description.  We haven't been able to do any better.  I wanted to share some information, whether you decide to join us or not," she says directly to Briga.  

"We have found that the Black Viper is a woman, from the eye witness accounts from the ones she has... gotten into fights with, definitely a female voice.  What we don't have is what she looks like, nobody knows as she wears a mask to cover her features.  We also have a list of places that have been supposedly robbed by the Black Viper," she says as she hands over a piece of parchment.  "And, this," she continues as she pulls out an article from the Waterdeep Wazoo, a news article written by a Gaxly Rudderburst entitled "The Truth Behind the Black Viper," which she hands over.  "It's not much, but it might help in the investigation, and to be honest, we could do with the extra eyes.  No, we are not the ones who posted the bounty, but we have been discretely monitoring the situation for a few weeks now.  Hopefully with this information your able to find out something more, and if you want to know more about our Order and join us, come visit me at the Halls of Justice," as she turns and leaves.  Locals to Waterdeep know that the Halls of Justice is the temple of the god of Tyr in Waterdeep, which matches the holy symbol she bears around her neck.  

The halls of Justice are located in the Castle Ward, which is on the other side of the Market Ward which is to the south of where you are currently, the Sea Ward. 

“Order of the Gauntlet... it’s an honor! Griffdar Goodwar, happy to serve such a noble guild!”

Arlon looks at Briga and smiles. " Well you would make a great knight, that is true." he manages not to smile. 

"Let's check that article. And maybe see if there is a pattern to the places she hits." 

"I've been thinking," says Tyrus after they leave the presence of the warrior woman Savra. "If this Black Viper person's been kicking around for a century or more as Lord Aristach says, then there's either a family or business connection between the two sets of robberies, or we talking elves... And if it be the same elf, then we be being way out of our league. A hundred years of experience is more than we've probably got between all of us."

"Nice to meet you, Savra!  We must be doing good work, to get recognized by the Order of the Gauntlet.  I think my pal Griff here would more likely fit the ideal of a knight, more than me, but it's still flattering, fer sure," Briga says.  "We'll track this thief down. Thanks for the lead, we'll read up on the Wazoo article and work the case."  

Savra smiles and nods.  "Mr Neverember did say you were all good people, so if your interested Griffdar, then feel free to come and find me at the Halls of Justice," she replied, though with a slight sense of disappointment on Briga's part.  Checking the article, it reads:

"About a century ago, the Black Viper was a notorious assassin, thief, rogue, and neer-do-well.  Nobody had seen or heard from them for at least fifty years, until about two weeks ago when a noble said that they were attacked by someone who fit the description and method of the shadowy figure known as the Black Viper. 

Theories abound to who it is, but for certain, it has always been someone among the nobility of Waterdeep that fulfilled the role and based on the manner of speech, this iteration of her is no different.  Of course, we don't want to make it completely public, but we believe we have found the identity of the Black Viper.  Further information can be sought for a reasonable fee to Gaxly Rudderburst, publisher of the Waterdeep Wazoo," 

The article is joined by a portrait of a hooded, masked figure, wearing a black cape covering any identifying marks, they are also wearing black gloves.  

"Well I guess we will need to talk to this Gaxly. And verify the veracity of all this." Arlon says out loud.

"Now. Anyone knows where is the Wazoo's headquarter." 

"Thank you m'lady. I know that the order serves mainly Tyr and Helm... great great deities... however, I ask if the followers of the Platinum Dragon are too welcome? If they are you will surely see me at the Hall of Justice as soon as we solve this caper."

Tyrus is worried. "What's so special about this thief's description and methods that it is still common knowledge fifty years after they were last seen?" Tyrus wonders aloud. "Surely anyone can wear black and call themselves the Black Viper. How do we know it is even the same person?"

"Maybe it's more than just a disguise." Arlon continues with Tyrus questioning, " Maybe it's a group and a statement. Same methods, not the same person." 

"You could be right there, Arlon," says Tyrus. "But it might be useful to be knowing what those methods are. We might be able to second-guess what the Viper can do, or work out where they might strike next."