"Well, I think you'd agree that it's common knowledge that ancient horrors sleep beneath the sea, alien things that deeply predate civilization. Not that anyone has faced one and returned to tell the likes of me. In any event, we can only pray they remain slumbering while the Styes still stands and I still breathe. Or should they awake, that they find no interest in the affairs of mortals. I trust you will not be poking your druid nose into such issues, Boko Alcor."

Qivys gets up.
"Where do ya want ta start lad." he asks Gerrard.

Gerrard:

Smiling at Qivys, Gerrard says, “Let us start at the Asylum…This whole situation has multiple layers of crazy—maybe they can help us sort it out.”

Unless there are other questions, Gerrard departs.

Qivys nods and readies to head out. 

Unless you have any further business at Thornwell Tower, her nameless servant sees you out.

You had seen some glimpses of the huge Hopene’er Asylum on the southern edge of the city, but it takes another twenty minutes or so, and across an ancient, slimy causeway, to reach the enormous building. This part of the city seems only lightly populated, its streets and boardwalks and boardwalks mostly empty. You spot another militia patrol, which ignores your presence.

At the end of a lane marked "Lamplicker’s Way", you finally reach the looming stone building, which appears prison-like with bare walls and barred windows. A faded sign bearing the words “Welcome Home” hangs above the main entrance.

Gerrard:

Gerrard moves up to the entryway and looks for some device to announce them (a knocker, a bell or pull rope, etc.).  Looking to Qivys, he says, “Master Qivys, if you would announce us—Feldren party seeks an audience with Doctor Trantor.”

Peri:

As the party approaches the asylum Peri stops. "If you really intend to go through with lookin' into this 'Ghost' story, I'll meet you at the Steaming Hog tonight. I'm gonna go try to find Kei. Frankly, I don't give a withered rat turd about this Ghost thing. I've already seen two folks murdered in broad daylight in this accursed swamp, and it wasn't by no Lantern Ghost, if such a thing even exists. I only agreed cuz I figured 20 platinum apiece was a pretty fair price for bringin' warnings of a real threat, and I wanna know who's spyin' on my shoes."

Qivy frowns at Peri's need to run off but says nothing.
he does look around for some sort of leaver or rope to pull to get the attention inside the Asylum. If he finds nothing he will just 'bang" on the door. 

After a moment of banging, a teenage boy with one eye white with cataracts opens the door. He says nothing; he just stares at you in a slightly unsettling way. You can see a bare foyer behind him, with two ancient wooden benches covered in stains and scratches. 

Thwack 

Reluctantly, Thwack leaves the comfort of the wooden bench and follows behind the group. No one speaks as they traverse the causeway and the mood seems to reflect their surroundings. Thwack breathes a sigh when Peri finally vreaks the silence. His tone though does not fill Thwack with hope. "Thwack come with Keri? " he asks with a squeak. "No should go around here alone. Maybe we find the goat everyone talk about". He tries his best to lighten the mood.

Gerrard:

Nodding genteelly at the boy, Gerrard strides in like he owns the place, saying, "Please guide us to your parlor--we seek an audience with Doctor Trantor." 

The boy nods and lets you into the foyer, then vanishes into a short, narrow wooden door on one side, leaving the party to wait on the benches in the bare room. The walls are badly stained; one bulges as if it no longer supports the weight of the floors above it properly.

(In the meantime, are Peri and Thwack peeling off to find the Steaming Hog? And/or Kei?)

A minute passes, then an older human woman arrives through the large door at the far end of the foyer. She has a worried brow and ashen-gray skin. And she looks harried and impatient. 

"Yes? You need something?" she asks. "I'm rather busy."

Peri:

Peri nods to the others as they head inside. He answers Thwack, "You're welcome to come; in fact you might be our best link to Kei, though I've no idea how to use you. But it'll likely be safer to stay with these others. Your choice." He gives the kobold time to decide and then strides back in the direction of the harbor, intending to take up the trail where Kei had been spotted -- if Boko had in fact seen him.

Thwack 

Without hesitation Thwack responds to Peri's statement. "Terry help Thwack , now Thwack help Terry. If safer to stay and you go then me keep you safe. Plus you no need find key, I can open door easy". He turns to the majority of the group. "We go get keys now". And with that he scampers on all fours to catch the short-legged but speedy halfling.

"So what we look for?" He begins to hum as they head back towards the harbour. 

Peri and Thwack begin to make their way back northwest from the Asylum, through the High Quarter, back toward Thornwell's neighborhood and the inner harbor. (Are they planning to go back across the bridge and circle the harbor counterclockwise, through the Alchemist's Quarter, past Refrum's Workshop, and retrace their steps on foot back to where they last saw Kei? Do they want to risk taking another aquatic taxi? And do they want to forego finding the Steaming Hog for now?)

----

Meanwhile, Emil Trantor looks impatient as she studies Gerrard, Boko, and Qivys. "I'm sorry, I have little time for long conversations or questions. Can I help you with something?"

"We are looking for information about the truth of the murders," Boko says, into the silence. "This Jarme, did you know him?"

Gerrard:

"Yes," agrees Gerrard, "There have been many disturbing situations we have seen since arriving in the Styes this day--we would help if we can." 

Persuasion if needed:  8

Again, Qivys sits back and lets the others take the role in questioning the woman. 
He will however look around a bit from where he is standing.
Perception: 21
(Just in case it's needed)

Peri:

Peri makes his way back in the direction of Thornwell's tower, with the intention of circling along the waterfront in the direction of their boat.

Trantor softens a bit when Jarme's name is mentioned. "A lost patient, yes." she replies. "A quiet sort. Resolute in his claims of innocence. I have no reason to doubt the evidence suggesting that he committed the murder, but his remorse was far more compelling — and far more believable — than that of any other troubled person I have ever worked with. His body was cremated and the ashes were dumped into the receding tide. So you're a bit late, I'm afraid. Did you know him?"

Qivys sees nothing remarkable. Trantor's weary demeanor, and worn and stained clothing, suggest that she is probably overworked and understaffed here, and is probably a hands-on boss.

-- 

Peri and Thwack make their way back through the High Quarter, past the spot where they were accosted by the militia, and over the bridge. They find themselves in the empty neighborhood where their boatman had left them. They encounter few people in the street. The sky is black with smoke and haze, the air foul to breathe.