"A'ight then." Fran says with an affirmative nod, "Let's not waste any more time. Let's go." the artificer would agree with the others, following them to where they believe Thavius to be.

The group left Owis near the door to V31 and made a beeline to Thavius Kreeg’s Quarters. The door was not even locked and opened up silently. Wrought-iron candlesticks topped with flickering candles lighted the room, which was heated by a cast-iron stove with clawed feet.This is not a luxury guest room, but far from a prison cell, or any kind of an insulting confinement.

Across from the crackling stove is a modest desk with a matching chair. Other furnishings include a small table and chair for dining, a bed, an iron chest resting at the foot of the bed, and two tapestries: one showing spirits rising as lemure devils from the River Styx, and another depicting a dead man dangling like a marionette from hooked chains.

There are some papers on the desk. On one is a picture of a shield with a complicated and somewhat disturbing design. Anther is covered with short sentences, as if someone was writing short reminders to himself. You could see something like "Remind to servants about new lamp" near more interesting "Thurstwell promised to place my box in the vault, but it is not there. Ask why does he still keep it."

((Does Polly keep mental contact with Owis or only periodically checks up?))

Choir will attempt to search the desk, in case there are more interesting papers or items in it. Investigation 9

"He's not here... Damn... Okay, okay, okay... Let's be quick.  Let's toss the room for info." he calls out.  "Fran, can you check the trunk for anything tricky.  I'll help at the desk."

Investigation: 13

Ordrag will check under the mattress, then help Fran with the chest.

EDIT: Make that under the mattress AND all around the bed. Perception: 19

Polly will sit down in the middle of the room in a meditative stance. Unless the team need to translate something or identify something she will be in constant contact with Owis. She is a little worried about him.

Reya watched pillaging of Kreeg’s Quarters with disturbed expression "Is it really necessary?!" could not she help but comment on Ordrag's attempts to check the bed (nothing is in there) and Fran's rummaging through the obviously personal chest. The chest was unlocked and not trapped, though content was not worth the trouble: clothes (worthy a noble, and the that cares about fashion) and a silver pendant shaped like a right-handed gauntlet on the end of a silver chain.

"High Observer's Holy Symbol!" exclaimed Reya immediately snatching the pendant, "why would he leave his holy symbol of Torm behind?" 

There were some more papers on the desk, mostly concerning the shield - some attempts to analyze separate elements on it. There are phrases like "nothing like the legend says" and "wish it only talk". Another mention of the box "check for the box". Interesting notion "I am sure this is the key, and he agrees with me. Still need some time.", "Thalamra's influence is growing".

Owis reports sound of wings flapping but can not pinpoint the sound or see the flyer.

Choiur scratches her head and points to the line about "Thalamra's influence is growing." Thalmyra's influence over who and what, she wonders. Over Thavius? Over the city?  In the Hells?

Fran too would scratch her head after looking through the chest with Ordrag. The tapestries would catch Fran's attention for a few moments. While studying the tapestry she'd blurt out in response to Reya's question, "Are you sure he still practices his faith in Torm?"

"I dont like this...  The door was unlocked, he has access to his belongings and this place doesnt feel like a prison..." Adray says.

For a moment Reya looked like she was about to bite Fran's head off. But then she turned away. "I do not believe the lies of that scarecrow you freed!" she declared stubbornly, but it was difficult to say who was she trying to convince - you or herself.  

Well, you can ask him yourself, if us ever find him. Ordrag looks impatiently out the door and to each side. Maybe he's locked in with the Duke. Either us keep looking or us hide and wait for that door to open.

Fran would give Reya a side glance before looking to Ordrag, "Is there any way we could draw them out?"

Ordrag thinks for a second and suggests: Burn down the villa?

Her eyes would light up like that was a brilliant idea. "Smoke em out?"

"That... might be too drastic, but I like the idea of smoking them out.  Or we clear out the rest of the house and lay siege.  Eventually they will get hungry and thirsty."

Ordrag is encouraged by Fran's interest, and starts to get carried away. Or us could find that weasel son of hers, drag him down here and whip him in front of the door until him mum can't bear to listen to the screaming ... or is that against the rules?

"That isn't likely allowed by the captain.  Even if it was.  You remember how they treated the other brother?  Bet ya the demon worshipping lady doesnt bat an eye at it.  But good it of the box thinking there." He says.

"Then what are we still doin' here? Either way we all agree we should be back at that door aye?" Fran would peek out the doorway to see if the coast was clear. Assuming all was clear from her perspective and Otis/Polly's, the artificer would head back to the locked door with Brutus in tow.

Using a dagger, Fran cut off a dry chunk of cultist robe. Then, she'll rummage through her pack, pulling out her tinderbox all while inspecting the door for the widest cracks and crevices. The artificer will light the cloth on fire, allowing it to burn and smoke. With a little magic tinkering, she'll exaggerate the smoke and its smell, wafting and blowing it through the cracks in the door. Let's hope this works...

"Best take all the notes and papers from the desk.  Could be good evidence," he says while stuffing it all into a bag.  "Outside this, I think we start smoking them out otherwise we post a guard and search every single room down here as well.  I mean we can do it but if there are other demons around here I think we will need all hands on deck."