No... Sleese considers for a moment.  No, I don't think so.  I don't recognise it.  I doubt it's sanctioned by the authorities.  He takes the bronze shard and also sniffs it.  It's ours, I reckon.  Excellent quality.  Ours, or a good copy.  Or...  he looks pale suddenly.  Oh, dear.  Oh, Nima, what have you got yourself involved in?

He hands the shard back to Wash.  One of my most talented artisans, Nima Cinnarid,  has been sick for the last three weeks.  Holed up in her house in Hupperdook.  Several of us have tried to visit her, but she won't let us in.  I went myself, twice!  She just shouted through the door.  She sounded... terrible.  I was afraid what the illness might be.  I don't know for sure that she produced this, but...  he trails off, looking very upset.

Wash suggests "From what you say, it sounds like if she is involved it is under duress and she might be in danger." Wash looks at Alton and says to him [hoping to provide the help action on any charisma based check he might need to make] "What do you think?"

Alton enjoys his ale as they discuss the issue at hand and turns to Wash, "Well, I think it is getting late for any more investigations today. I say we pick it up tomorrow with this Nima." He turns his attention back to Sleese, "Is there anything you can tell us about this Nima person?"

Sleese gives you the location of Nima's house, and thanks you for offering to look in on her.  He seems worried about her, and the mood in the tavern has soured somewhat - he finishes this drink and leaves early, headed home.

This tavern has simple beds you could rent if you wish to spend the night here, or you could head somewhere else.  This is also a chance for the three of you to talk through, in character, the events of the day and what you hope to achieve.  After all, you barely know each other, but are now engaged together on a potentially dangerous mission...

Wash starts the ball rolling and says "Well I definitely didn't expect today to end up how it did, explosions, intrigue and all that. I'm glad to have fallen in with an obviously capable team though."

[OOC: how late is it approximately? If it is just after factory closing time, Wash will probably suggest checking out Nima's house before bed.]

It's getting late now.  Lower Hupperdook is shutting down, and most people have already gone home or gone to Upper Hupperdook for the wild nightly parties.  You could check out Nima's house if you wish.

Balassar just smiles finishing his ale as his companions gather information "I say we pick this up after some partying in the Upperside."

Alton sways in his seat a bit, more from the ale than how late it is, "I... don't think I could party. Besides, I don't think anyone wants to sit and listen to any stories at the parties you might be talking about." 

Wash thinks for a minute, visibly torn. He does love partying in the Upperside and loves a drink, though his time in the military has trained him to keep fairly sober when he has duties to attend to. He ends up agreeing with Alton and says "although I would love to have a drink or twelve with you another time Balassar, I think the events of today and what we have on tomorrow means that I'll call it a night. Should we meet back here in the morning?" 

You have different options for the night.  Wash has a home to go to, and Balassar as a long-term resident has a sort of dosshouse for mercs - though you are not obliged to go there of course.  Alton, as this is his first night in the town, may not know much about places to go, but this tavern has rooms to rent for one silver piece, plus six copper more for a meal.  There are other more expensive and nicer places in the town.

It would be preferable to play this out in conversation, with Balassar and Alton replying to Wash's question and then explaining their plans.  It's also a good idea to agree how you will meet up tomorrow.

Alton tilts his head as he looks over at Wash and thinks for a moment, "Hey, Wash. How did you do that thing back at the fight? You know. The thing with the energy that exploded after it was thrown."

Wash smiles and says "I’m not entirely sure, though I understand it to be a gift for a good deed I did once. I helped heal a gravely injured warrior on the battlefield she told me that for this I was "blessed by her ancestors". Shortly after this I found I had these strange abilities like a wizard or church-wizard, though I’ve never even seen a spell book. They are mostly to heal, but some help me to to protect myself. How about you, your words themselves seemed to hold magical powers, are you a wizard too?"

Wash has met a number of magic wielders and though he is of slightly above average human intelligence (11), he has never been in the situation where he learned how or where different classes get their spells casting powers. Most of his conversations with them have been about medical issues they are suffered greatly. It is more like how an elderly relative might not understand technology because they have not been around it as frequently growing up and no-one has explained how to use it, rather than because they are an idiot.

Alton smiles and shakes his head, "No, I'm no wizard. I just have a deep love for stories and I'm not really sure how my words have power; they just do, sometimes. I know that one day some goblins attacked a farm outside my home village and we all went to defend the farm. As the last of the goblins were running away I insulted it in some way and it just fell over dead. It was a little weird and isn't that great of a first story to tell people." Alton tugs on his topknot, "I was taught by a traveling storyteller how to do simple stuff. He said it is used mostly for wizards to practice their spells. Hey! Maybe you can teach me how to do that energy blast thing."

Alton pretty much knows as much about magic and how it works as Wash does. Though, he has heard stories told of powerful wizards and other casters and how amazing and devastating magic can be. 

Wash tries to explain the gestures and noises he makes, and how it feels like the power is already stored in his forearms ready to release to heal or to harm.

Balassar just smiles "Fine another time we'll go drink for drink. I might just head out to put my head down for a bit. Then in the morning we take that Goliaths head."

Alton practices the gestures and noises that Wash shows him, only to not have it work. "I don't feel any power in my hands, but I'll keep practicing. Maybe I'll get it to work one day." He turns to Balassar, "I know you'd have no problem drinking me under the table, so I'll let you and Wash have that competition. Anyway, it is getting pretty late and I'm sure we have lots to do tomorrow. I'll stay here for the night and we can meet back up here in the morning if that works for everyone."

Balassar, you head home to your bunk; a few others are already sleeping when you arrive, though you know many will be joining the party in Upper Hupperdook and may stagger home later.

Alton, you pay for a small room; it's clean and cheap, but bare, and you feel a tinge of homesickness as you settle down for what proves to be a good night's rest.

Wash, where are you headed?

Wash heads back to his home, but before leaving says "I'll meet you both here just after the rooster crows for breakfast.”

Wash, you head for the winch and the ride up to Upper Hupperdook.  You pass through the streets filled with people shopping, dancing, chatting or staggering from one tavern to the next.  Though you've joined the great party in the past, your mind is elsewhere tonight as you head back to the Goldcannon Estate.  As you arrive, a servant informs you that Bririck Goldcannon has already gone to bed, but left instruction to wake him if you need to talk to him.

(Let me know if you want Wash to role-play a conversation with him.)

The night passes peacefully, and you all complete a long rest.  The morning of the following day is a little damp; it rains off and on, just drizzle but the grey clouded skies hover over the town, seeming to promise worse later in the day.  You all head back to meet Alton as he breakfasts on bread and soup in the tavern.

Are you headed directly to look for Nima Cinnarid's house?

Wash is very keen to check on Nima as soon as possible, saying "I think it was a good idea not to check on Nima in the dead of night, but based on what Sleese said, she seemed to be either under duress or unwell. I think we should go there first thing to see if she needs our assistance. If she can provide information that helps with our task at hand, all the better."