“And, more importantly, do you keep a log of people you’re sellin’ to? Or a manifest of your inventory, in case something was stolen? I know this wasn’t your intention, but it’s always possible they got the bomb from your shop without you realizin’ what was coming.”

River's perception in the workshop. Anything interest her? 5

"Hiding under the bed is going to do squat. If anything, they probably used the bed as cover. And I can't tell anything about the bomb when you're just giving me a shell. Easy to tell it carried blasting powder in it but impossible to tell where it was made. And don't be assuming I'm selling it to random people, all my products goes to war efforts and blasting the shit of the Dynasty."

He gives a laugh as he points to the gnome guard, "Hah, he just called you shit at your job. Funny, since it ain't true. I pay'em good for their watch. We ain't as lax as other workshops, complaining about how there's thieves going about. Bet you ten gold they just lost their shit in their mess. If you want proof, I got my ledger saying I met my quota a few days back. Now I'm trying to do double, but its hard to do since my best worker is still sick. Damn shame she had to come down with something..."

He looks to the guard with a serious look, "Send someone to check on Nima after this."

The guard sighs as she replies, "Boss, she just needs rest."

"She had three weeks of rest, check if she needs to see a specialist." He rubs his eyes with the back of his hand.

At River:

"Would you be willing to send someone with a good eye to look at the sight of explosion? In the prison? The criminal on the loos is quite dangerous, a bloodthirsty Goliath, accompanied by kobolds with intentions to harm the city. Anything you could help us with will be appreciated. And if you could check the safety of your later production, in might make Watchmaster sleep easier." Isobi smiled as convincing as she could.

"When you've seen one explosion, you've seen them all, only difference is the size of it. We ain't able to look back in time to see what kind of bomb or who made it. All we'd be able to tell is what kind of bomb it was and how big the explosion was. I can guarantee you it is a mix of blasting powder and I can also guarantee you that it didn't come from here. Proof being the ledger and having about already twenty of them double checking the records for me while I check them for the tenth time for today. And if you suspect any of my boys pitying that goliath, then you're dead wrong. Only thing I'd give her is a bomb and a torch down her throat. Best to rid her now rather than wait for crownguard to decide what to do with her." He grumbles.

He looks to the guard once more, "Send a squad of your men, I want to be sure Nima is safe." The guard opens her mouth to say something only to be cut off, "I ain't paying for your opinion! Send a squad and check on Nima!"

Dose Sky believe him?

insight: 6

For Sky:

The man gives a sigh as he moves to grab something underneath the table. "Look, if you all want to count the numbers and question each of my boys, go ahead. Here's the ledger and Clary here can grab each of the worker. Just let her go send a squad to Nima's house, I'm worried for my best supplier and artisan, about a damn quarter of my workforce there and I'm trying to make due without her." He tosses the ledger to Clary, who catches it. 

"But of course! And one of us would gladly go with your men in case help is needed there. With that terrible creature on the loose you can not be sure of anything!" Isobi turned to others: "Would someone join the workers?" She would gladly go herself but was not sure others were keen in gnomish paperwork.

"I have to also assure you, that no one here suspects either you or your people in helping the criminal. On the contrary, we here depend of your judgment and perception. Quite likely some of those kobolds - or, who knows, someone else -  could try to contact your people to ask where and how can they obtain the powder and required knowledge to assemble the bomb. If anyone remembers something like this, it would be most helpful".

When Isobi addresses the party, including River, the bugbear listens intently. In response, she narrows her eyes and looks around.

(Isobi meant the a squad of workers sent to Nima's house, to make sure she is ok)

“This one can join your workers to check up on her it would be no problem.”

(It is a squad of their guards, so about 4 gnomes. Isobi is talking about the prisoner a lot so the gaffer is growing more worried about his worker. The ledger will take about 2 hours to go through, that is including asking questions to each one of their entry, if they encountered anyone, if anyone asked about making explosives to them and to determine if they're lying or not. The trip to Nima's place will take about 15 minutes.)

Clary opens the ledger and checks for today's entries, then passes it to Isobi. "It'll take a few moments to get the morning crew, but you can start with the night crew if you want." The man nods to Sky, "Alright then, tell her that Sleese sent you to check on her. And here, for the trouble of checking on her." The man, Sleese, turns back to the table, filling a pouch of the powder he was mixing. He tosses the satchel to Sky, "Blasting powder, incase you run into that goliath, set her ablaze."

Blasting Powder has been added to Sky's Inventory

(Final confirmation that Sky is the only one going with the squad.)

River sees Isobi accept the book and breathes a heavy sigh, clearly impatient. "Take," she says, moving into the gnome's line of vision. "Go. Go." She motions toward the building's entrance, even taking a few steps toward it, clearly trying to say she thinks they should leave.

"We need to talk to the workers," explained Isobi, "they could have seeing someone suspicious. But you are right, I can do it alone, your strong hands can be needed on the streets, if only for the sake of that squad."

It looks more like Isobi will stay behind to look through the books and talk to workers (as a fellow gnome who can somewhat understand the ledger) and the rest is going to Nima.

Dornik, who was always better in the field than behind a desk, moves to leave with the guards. However, before he leaves, he plucks the little green dragon off his shoulder and looks her in the eyes. ”This little one here is a friend. Watch over her for me, and if anything goes wrong, come find me.” He walks over to Isobi and gently places her on the gnome’s shoulder. “This is Trick. She’s a little prankster, but she’s been a reliable friend for years. If we’re all going to go, then I’d feel safer if you allow her to stay with you.“ 

"Thank you!" Isobi was surprise but happily - and who would not? The dragon was adorable! "I am sure we can be friends. Would feel better if we can communicate too." She wished the group all the luck and now feeling double encouraged - returned to the papers and questioning.

(First 15 minutes.)

For Isobi:

With Clary's suggestion, you started to work on the night crew first. The first seems irritated that you'd suspect her when her nephew was the victim of the prisoner. While the second is just tired, saying he's been here for most of the week since he lost a bet. Both of them can recount their total, even without seeing the ledger. Both of them testify that they haven't spoken with any kobolds or anyone else about crafting explosives, except for their co workers. The third arrives shortly after Clary left for him. His face has some white powder on it, to which he apologizes for. He was taking stock of the saltpeter and Clary opened the door too suddenly and caused a bit of a gust. He starts to clean himself as he settles before you.

For the rest of the Party:

With this many people, they decide to lessen the squad to a single guard, as such a large group will attract unwanted attention. Traveling to the north end of the Ironlot, you approach the humble abode that the guard leads you all to. The green-painted wooden walls are streaked with dirt washed down by the rain. A sign hanging on the front door reads: “Sickness within. Do not disturb.” Curtains at the windows all appear to be closed.

When most of the party begins to leave, the bugbear appears more than willing to accompany them. She pauses for a couple moments when she realizes Isobi isn't joining them, but continues on without another word. Then, when the group heads toward the upper level instead of in the direction the escapee went, she pauses again, even pointing in that direction, though no one pays attention, as they are already headed in the other direction. Finally, with a grunt of frustration, she follows along to the humble abode. She draws herself deep inside the cloak again as they walk among the people.

(I probably had to emphasize it before: Isobi does her best to underline, that neither she personally, not the citywatch in general suspects anyone here in a fowl play. She is asking for help to identify outsider-thief)

Isobi was patiently waiting for man to clean himself up. When he was ready to talk she asked politely but quite direct: "Good evening. I am Isobi, investigating a prison-break on behalf of citywatch. The prisoner had outside help and those helpers used explosion to break in. We suspect the bomb was made in the city and most likely those involved would try steal materials from that facility. Have you seen anyone suspicious around? Quite likely it could be a kobold. It could be an unusual order or a questions about ordering for private needs?"