[DM question: I take it that my familiar hasn't shared with me that it is able to shapeshift yet or that it would be willing to do so? A Sprite's Heart Sight ability could be a very handy tool for figuring out if someone is hiding information, but the resistance to even helping to watch the bag means I'm guessing it isn't volunteering that info.]

Wash will follow Alton and assuming Alton will be asking questions, Wash will ask follow up questions (in a friendly tone, not accusing anyone of stealing).

Wash asks his little dragon friend "Is there anything you can do to help in this situation? Our friend Alton is very upset. Can you read minds with that telepathy thing you do? Do people need to actively communicate for it to work?"

[For this and any other conversation with his familiar, Wash will allow time between any questions for his familiar to answer (with a positive or negative emotion or image), but I'll write the questions out back to back rather than write 1 question posts.]

It's early morning.  The only people in the common room are one elderly gnome woman and one of the halfling innkeepers, who waves at Alton:  Ready for breakfast?  We have some of our trademark porridge for you, best in the region.

(No, the familiar is not yet revealing anything at all, though they do seem interested in what's happening to Alton's map.)

In response to your queries, you get an image of the creature knocking on the side of a generic human head, listening, and then shaking its head.  It then sends the same image, except that a cartoonish version of you has replaced the generic human, and the creature in the image nods its head very slightly.

Wash grins after the images appear in his head "Just in case I haven't let you know yet, I like you and your sense of humour. I know that our earlier attempts to converse were a little challenging, but are you able to convey your name? If you don't have a name in spoken language or common, are you happy for me to give you a name that I use when speaking to you?"

Wash then thinks an image of an idealised/more handsome and wise looking version of himself with a cartoonish/exaggerated version of the dragon on his shoulder. 

Alton will go ahead and have breakfast, no sense in searching on an empty stomach. While he is up at the counter, Alton asks the barkeep, "Have you seen anyone else come down and leave this morning, or maybe late last night? I had something stolen last night and I think it was this guy." He gives his best description of what Art looks like.

Wash, the creature sends positive and accepting feelings to you; it seems it is fine with being given a name.  You hear a snicker at the cartoon image, and a stronger image of approval.

Alton, the innkeeper looks stunned:  But... he was with you, wasn't he?  One of your group?  However did he.... that's terrible.  I'm so sorry, I'm afraid he rode off this morning.  Oh my, was he not one of you?  He took one of your horses, then.

3

(A brief investigation reveals that Wash's horse is missing.)

Wash then asks the innkeeper "did the thief not arrive on his own steed? How long ago did he leave? Also, can you let us have a look at the thief's room? He has escaped with a very expensive mount from your stables, so I appreciate your assistance with these questions."

Wash doesn't seem too annoyed about the missing horse, and after questioning the innkeeper winks at Alton "Looks like you and I might need to share a horse if that is ok? Or maybe you and Balassar, as we might end up making better time if he is only having to herd one of us?"

Wash also checks to make sure nothing else is missing from his pack, whilst thinking of names for his dragon friend. When there is a moment Wash suggests "Well you are very majestic.  I once heard a song once about a majestic dragon called Trogdor, so do you think that works for a name?"  

I, no, I mean, the innkeeper is rather flustered.  I... he said he was here to meet you, and that you'd agreed he would go on ahead.  I'm... I'm terribly sorry, this is unimaginable.  Of course, you must have a look at the room - I don't think it has been cleaned.

The innkeeper shows you to a room very similar to the one you slept in.

Alton thanks the innkeeper and looks around the room hoping to find any clues as to where Art might have gone.

Investigation: 20 

Wash tells the innkeeper "I appreciate the apology. Don't beat yourself up over it, mistakes happen and it is a good learning experience."

Wash will either help Alton investigate (advantage), or if seperate investigation rolls are allowed:

Alton, you inspect the room that Art stayed in.  It looks very little disturbed; perhaps someone lay on the bed for a while, but it's quite a nice bed with sheets and everything, and you don't get the sense that he slept there.  That's about all you can tell.

Balassar just lets out an annoyed grunt at the waste of time "We are wasting time. We might as well try and track him. Wash can your pet fly faster than the horses gallop. We could use it to scout from the sky. I'll go ahead on my horse, you and Alton share and work to stay close." with that he begins to walk towards the horses.

Balassar, you find your horse has been well cared for and is ready to go.

What are Alton and Wash doing?

Wash responds to Balassar "you know, I’m not sure" and asks Trogdor "is scouting for Alton’s thief on my horse something you could and would be happy to help with? Are you a swift flyer, or would you be better riding with me?"

[OOC, as a player I know I can only telepathically communicate with Trogdor to 100 ft, so rather than fly ahead (flying speed is 60 ft, so double dash is 120 ft) it would be more useful for Trogdor to fly up and communicate if he sees Art. My player doesn’t know that though.]

Wash will take Balassar’s suggestion, head to Alton’s horse and hop on, waiting for Alton to join him.

Alton follows with Wash and climbs up onto his horse, "Too bad we don't know a druid or one of those firbogs. I've heard they can talk with animals." He pats the side of his horse, "Come on Trigger, lets see if we can find your missing friend."

Balassar just nods as the others mount their horse "Did they say which way he went exactly?" he asks scanning the ground for any types of tracks that might be old enough for when Art left.

OOC:

survival check: 11

Trogdor takes flight and does a few loops in the air, sending a sensation of satisfaction and eagerness to help.

Balassar, the innkeepers didn't say which way Art went, though you didn't exactly ask.  If you do, they will tell you he went south along the road towards Felderwin.

You see a fair number of horse tracks, some of them from your party from last night, none that you are certain belong to Art and not to other travellers.

OOC: Sadly he most likely would not have done this...

Wash likely would ask if they got to the horses and didn't know which way they should be going, unless Trogdor sees something. 

[Let me know if perception check is possible, but I understand that even from 100 ft up, Art might be too far away.]

Although Wash doesn't know the details of their imperfect and still forming bond, Trogdor of course does.  He soars high and then swoops low to pass on what he sees, and he is able and willing to share remarkable photographic images of what lies ahead.  However, there's no sign of Art, at least not yet.   

Are you riding south?  At a normal or fast pace?  Aside from Wash who is focused on relaying and interpreting the information he's getting from Trogdor, are Balassar and Alton doing anything to help in the chase?

Alton looks over at Balassar, "Sense we don't have any real direction to go from here. Let's just go to Felderwin. I think Art said he was heading there and he was going to meet up with someone named Starosta. I guess we can at least try that." He slouches a bit in the saddle, "I was hoping to swing by home for a visit, but I don't want to fall too far behind trying to get my map back and finishing up our job."