Quote from che_ja_pa >>

[OOC what is Dora's "beat"? What other places in the Scholar's Ward should Dora introduce to Guilliame?]

[OOC: To show Guilliame the entirety of Dora's 'beat' would probably take many days. As mentioned above, there are only two official guard posts on the northern island: one in the more heavily populated southern part of the island (which is based at the office of the ward's Sheriff and is normally manned by two hands of guards); and the one Dora is currently assigned to at the bottom of the sparsely populated northern part of the island (it covers a large area, but is thankfully generally fairly quiet). There is also a group of guards employed to patrol the Northern Docks on the ocean side of the island, but that is a private organisation paid for by a group of merchants for their own protection and the Sheriff's policy is to leave that all up to them.

For Dora:

With regard to Guilliame's question as to other sites that should be checked, the only thing that might be of contemporary interest is a warehouse owned by the now-outlawed Negress Black (twin brother of the Archmagus) that was raided a couple of days ago. Negress Black is another high profile follower of Arion that has gone into hiding since the king decreed non-Mithran gods anathema and is being hunted by Donai Seekers. Dora was involved in the raid on his warehouse and she could show Guilliame the site (NB: Another of Negress Black's warehouses was burnt down recently as well).

Note: The outlawing of Negress Black might have had a good commercial benefit to Guilliame because his family business operated in the shadow of the much larger Black Magic Shoppe, which has now ceased to trade.

]

"Let's go via Negress Black's warehouse. We raided it a few days ago and I would like to see what has transpired since then."

"I should declare for the public record that Negress is a commercial rival. But I'd really like to have a look."

Things seem to be much quieter in the taproom now that the arm-twisting competition is ended and some of the patrons take their leave while Dora and Guilliame finish their free drinks.

[OOC: What do you two want to do now and are you keeping the lantern you found as well as the flask?]

[OOC we are keeping the flask and the lantern and heading off to the Warehouse, after which we are proceeding to Guilliame's pad for him to conduct various thaumaturgical tests on the Flask.]

"I am introducing you to a location of interest to the Watch, its part of your job. Anything you learn should not be spoken of outside the Watch. Besides you may be able to offer some informed insights. Come now Guilliame, the game is afoot."

Innkeeper Brock gives Dora a salute of farewell as the two of you leave the Shepherd's Rest and head back southwards towards the city on the Northern Road.

The clouds that have made the night so dark are still apparent and there is a feeling of impending rain in the air, so any travellers you meet on the way seem intent in getting to their destination quickly; however some—those who recognise Dora or her guard uniform—do acknowledge her with a brief wave before hurrying on.

[OOC: Paul, On this road, Dora and Guilliame will reach the northern guard post before you reach Negress Black's property. Do you want to stop in at the guard post or take an alternate route so you don't run the risk of being sidetracked from your task?

On another matter, I presume each of you is now carrying a lantern. Has the second one been lit to improve your lighting?]

[OOC: For future reference, here is the World Anvil link to the Negress Black site, which is more of a preparation site than a warehouse as I said previously. The link gives you the prior information each of your characters know about the site and recent events and will be used as an adjunct to the description that I will give you when your characters reach the site.

Finally, please don't hesitate to ask any questions about information you think your character would know.]

Give a friendly wave to passerby.

"Should we check into the station to see if there is any news or keep going directly to the warehouse?"

"Ho Guilliame, we pass the Northern guard post soon, we will stop by to introduce you and then hopefully be on our way. Also let's not light the second lamp, I want to examine it more closely given the circumstances in which we found it."

Quote from che_ja_pa >>

"Ho Guilliame, we pass the Northern guard post soon, we will stop by to introduce you and then hopefully be on our way. Also let's not light the second lamp, I want to examine it more closely given the circumstances in which we found it."

[OOC: Though it might seem a long time ago for us, this is the guard post the two characters left just an hour or so ago, so no introductions need to me made. Paul, you might like to change what Dora says here.

For Guilliame:

The Identify spell could also be used on the lantern, though Guilliame would have to spend the time to cast it as a ritual.

I am about to start work for the day, so won't be able to respond at any length until this evening.]

[OOC retract previous statement.]

"Ho Guilliame, we pass the Northern guard post soon, we will stop by to let them know where we are headed and hear any news and then hopefully be on our way. Also let's not light the second lamp, I want to examine it more closely given the circumstances in which we found it."

"We will top up our lamp oil as well."

"I can check it's origins as well if you think it is worthwhile. It will take longer to do both obviously."

As the two are leaving the stockyards area on their way back to the northern guard post, they are hailed by two people carrying their own guard-issue lantern: Handsmen Jack and Luca [OOC: Paul, see here for reference; this might have happened before you started running Dora. Also see here for general reference on Dora's hand.].

"Handleader?" says Jack jauntily as the two approach from a side road. "Checking up on us, are you?"

"We are on our way to Negress Black's. How did your patrol go?"

"Got called upon by a farmer that said some of his stock had been stolen," answers Jack. "But it turned out they had just been put in a different yard for classing before the auction tomorrow morning."

Then Luka adds, "We did put our heads in the door of Shepherd's like you said. They were preparing for some sort of contest... There was an interesting bunch of people there, If you get my drift. Might be worth sending us back to see what is happening."

[OOC: Guilliame can't help but notice the questioning looks the two men give him, but neither of them say anything.]

"We've just come from there. We saw the contest and the interesting mix. Be alert for a gang of four seamen who were tossed out before they could do much mischief. And if you meet a chap named Hazluk, I will want to know what he was up to. Also there is the odour of dark magick wafting through the night. Be careful."

At the mention of dark magic, both their eyes turn to Guilliame for a moment.

Then Jack asks, "So, do you want us to come back to the guard post with you? I could do with a nice cup of char, my mouth's as dry as stockyard dust."

For Dora:

"Chas on me, provided it's free of course."