"Tomorrow, Rivington Wes' Side, down by th' water. Ax fer Ol' Finehair, he'll set ya up."

“Understood. Again my friend, I apologize for the trouble I’ve caused your and your fellows. Hopefully this deed shall make up for it.” I say looking hopeful. “Anything else I should know?” (After Magnus’s reply, I will make my way to the cemetery to meet with the rest of the group)

"Nah, Finehair'll add tha rest tomorrow. Now git, 'fore they start askin' questions 'bout a halfling talks ta an ol' dwarf without drinkin' a stout."

With that, Magnus ushers you out of the tavern, Shades. You quickly make your way to Tumbledown, where you arrive third. Uncle and Harper are both present already, but Uncle in particular seems worried. It doesn't take you long to figure out why, none of you heard from Doc in a while, and since last evening, you heard nothing more from Sparks either.

I look around the surroundings as I approach trying to see if anything is different compared to yesterday. Striding up to Uncle and Harper, concerned to not see Sparks or Doc, I address the pair “Sorry I’m late. What did I miss?”

perception 23

Without turning to face Shades, "It is concerning Sparks and the still absent Doc. It seems that our particular cell has been reduced further. I am confident that our security is safe but where could they be?"

Terin drums his fingers together across his abdomen, a slight sign of worry. "We should each send an informant independently to gather information on them. That way we can be sure we have legitimate news.

"Beyond that though, how has the night gone for assignment?"

Unsure if Terin’s questions were directed at me, I reply hesitantly, “There’s no telling were they could be. I imagine if the watch or the Fist had either of them we would know it.” Pausing for a moment to let out a heavy sigh, “Last night went poorly apparently, what with the big explosions and destroying the temple. What needed to have happened didn’t.” I pause again to judge my companions reaction to the news then continue “I’ve meet with Magnus and have an engagement tomorrow night to smooth things over. I’ll be delivering a crate of weapons to one of the druids at that old tree. Getting back to what happened last night, I for one would like to investigate the temple and see if we can figure out what was there.” Once finished speaking I look between the two of them and then glance around making sure we aren’t being watched. 

Shades, all you notice is that the nearby mausolea that were used for shelter by the sick and the homeless are now mostly abandoned, likely as a result of an increased presence of the Watch in Tumbledown. You seem to be unobserved, as far as you’re able to ascertain.

Terin turns slightly to Shades, his face  briefly hints at disbelief. "While the distraction took a turn for the extravagant it was still quite a distraction. Are you sure of your sources competence?"

“I’ve no reason at this point to question it. He said basically that it drew too much attention to the area making it difficult for him to operate in this area. Which makes sense to me.” I shrug my shoulders at the end of this sentence and continue, “Unless Uncle is opposed to it I for one would like to go see what caused the explosion. As we were leaving yesterday, I smelled a touch of something sulfuric which reminded me of gunpowder. But why would that be in a rundown, abandoned temple?” With a very confused and perplexed expression I look at each of my companions for a moment hoping that they might shed some light on this perplexing situation. 

Uncle looks around skeptically with a frown on his old, weathered face. "I don't like non of this. We did the job, we should get paid. I ain't sayin' I wanna press the issue. I just don't like doubts bein' put in my head." He scratches his grayish stubble. "I wanna know more about this Magnus.  We need dirt on him in case things go South or if he holds back payment again. I am all for helping the druid - we talked about that before - but we are lookin' in that crate before delivery, no matter what. As far as explorin' that old temple, I don't like it. Whoever owns it is gonna be watchin', and anything useful will be removed by tonight. Shades, I know yer pretty sneaky, so if you feel strongly I will help you, but I don't think it's a good idea."

"Uncle is right, how can we assist with this smuggling operation Shades?"

“I agree with uncle that finding out more about him would be helpful. I’ve know met him twice at the Stubborn mule over in Sow’s foot. Though given what we were attempting to help him with last night maybe one of your smuggling contacts knows something about him. Or maybe getting on the the empress might be beneficial as he’s mentioned he’s a sailor on that particular vessel? Or asking around near the docks? I’m not sure which of those would give us the most information.”

Pausing for a moment to consider my next words I look at Uncle and Harper and then interlace my fingers together in front of my chest. “I thought perhaps it would be better to do that one on my own. If you wanted to keep lookout while I meet with one of his contacts to ensure nothing goes sideways I would appreciate that. But I think delivering it would best be handle by me. Besides it’s not until tomorrow night and that gives us plenty of time to discover more about him.” Still looking a bit uneasy with my proposed plan, I continue looking at the group hopeful they will agree with me. “Now curiosity has gotten the better of me and I must try and find out what was in that temple” With those words being said, I start off slowly and cautiously in the direction of the temple. Taking care not to be seen by the watch or the fist until I am close enough to observe any goings on near the temple.

stealth 13
perception 25

"I myself am headed to an interview shortly for a new position so unfortunately I cannot help investigate. I would very much like to be there tomorrow night and keep an eye out. We need to stick togetehr during these trying times," Terin says as he smooths his robes, "Until we next meet." He nods and too walks off with his usual arrogance and confidence. His path leading him to spend time near his interview location until the time has arrived.

Shades, as you get around the corner or so, you see six members of the watch posted around the temple of lookout, and you can make out at least two more figures rummaging around inside the burnt out and collapsed structure.

Terin, you head back to the city and after paying the entrance toll quickly make your way through East side and past the Wide, heading to Uptown. Presenting a sealed letter of passage from one of your previous employers, the guards let you pass into the walled district. Although you’ve spent many years in service to the city’s rich, it still strikes you every time you cross the gates: The streets here are clean, and not a single house stands abandoned, not a single window is broken. Nowhere are the beggars and the homeless that seem to sprout in the shadows of the city and the outlying areas. It is as if the war hadn’t reached them here at all, safe behind their walls and with their private security. 

After a leisurely stroll, you arrive at the Caldwell estate, shortly before the agreed meeting time.

Surveying the area, I try and discern if there are any patterns to the movements. I also look at any nearby rooftops trying to find an area where I can get a ‘birdseye’ view of what’s happening in the temple.

The temple used to be the tallest building around, but with its collapsed roof, any of the nearby buildings could give you a vantage point. As to the movements of the guards, the six you can make out are spaced out around the ruin, around sixty yards between any two of them.

I will cautiously circle around the temple taking care note to be noticed by the watch to see if there are more than the eight that I have seen. I will also keep my eyes peeled for an easy way on top of one of the nearby structures. 

stealth 12
perception 6

Many of the nearby houses have steep roofs with moss-covered shingles and no drainage pipes, making climbing them difficult.

As you round the temple, you notice four more guards posted on the other side of the temple, for a total of ten guards outside and two searching the ruins. As you’re about to complete your rounds, you have one of the guards point at you and shout: “Hey there! Stay where you are! You spyin’ on us or somethin’?!”

He’s signalled the two soldiers closeby and quickly approaches.

I look behind me to see if there’s anyone else nearby. Seeing no one I turn back to the guards and point at myself “Me?” I ask. “I’m not spying. I heard there was a big commotion here and was curious as to what happened.” I pause to see how the guard reacts to what I’ve said. 

“You’re not allowed here, git goin’ now!” The guard shouts back, hand on his leather-covered jack, a long and heavy nightstick.