A heavier-set gnome looks up when Eryn addresses him, taking in the badge; his expression clears of the annoyance at having been interrupted immediately. He reaches up to scratch thoughtfully at his chin, humming over the mud. "Can't say I have any idea where you might find that; haven't seen any mud 'round here that color," he muses thoughtfully, shaking his head. Then, just as Eryn thinks this attempt at questioning is probably a bust, the portly gnome brightens. "Know where you might inquire, though, if'n yer set on it. There's an herbalist shop down the Ironlot streets," he points in a general southwesterly direction. "Called Lay of the Land; run by an odd 'ole human. Likes to ask weird, probin' questions. Might have more answers for you." 

"Thank you, good sir," says Eryn looking in the direction where the gnome is pointing. "Do you perhaps remember the name of this shop? Or the human who runs it? From the sounds of it, you have had dealings with him in the past."

(ooc: Sorry if that wasn't clear - the shop itself is called Lay of the Land.)

Quote from inkedwolves >>

(ooc: Sorry if that wasn't clear - the shop itself is called Lay of the Land.)

Oops. My bad. There it is clear as day, now that I look properly.

Eryn thanks the gnome and leaves him to his celebrations. He then goes and speaks with Menodora.

"Menodora," he begins, "You are human and you have been in this city longer than I have. Do all the human residents partake in these nightly celebrations? I have a lead that involves speaking with an elderly human who owns a shop in the Ironlots streets? I was wondering what the chances were that such a person might still be in their shop at this time."

(ooc: apologies, had a surprise baby duck hatch from eggs in the coop we didn't think were viable)

The drunken gnome squints up at Aeros, marveling at how tall he is for a moment before nearly falling backwards, stumbling a bit in his effort to catch himself. "Uh," the gnome blinks, "yer very tall." Then he shakes his head, visibly bringing himself back. "No, not seen anyone that tall 'round that don't belong." 

"Have you seen anyone come by in a hurry? And not in a hurry for the celebrating. Tall. Perhaps with some kobolds in tow?" she asks the group, with a smile. Her back straightens ever so slightly at having been recognized.  

 Menodora offers a shrug at Eryn. 

"Honestly? I've been quite focused on the," she pauses and gestures at the slightly more than inebriated group subtly, "entertaining. I've seen a few humans around the parties but, I can't be certain of who they were or what they did." 

"Do you at least know of these Ironlot Streets?" Eryn asks Menodora. "The human I am interested in talking to runs a herbalist shop called 'Lay of the Land'. Even if it doesn't help with our investigation, I would like to visit a herbalist now that I have some coin."

She raises a brow, and grins.

"Well, if you must know...you're in luck. That's where we are standing. This whole area compromises the Ironlot Streets."  

Eryn gives a wry laugh and says, "Can you please check my back, I think I might have a sign there that reads 'Tourist'."

He then says, "Now is probably not the best of times to go looking for anyone in their place of work, as most honest people are probably out celebrating with everyone else. But perhaps it might be a good time to see who is at home... Perhaps they have dishonest work that is keeping them there."

So saying, he looks up and down the street looking for buildings that have lights on inside them, possibly indicating that someone is home.

{OOC: Oh cool.  Do you raise ducks or something?)

Seeing that he wasn't going to get much more from the gnomes, he gives them his thanks and flips them a couple of silver pieces before returning back to the group to share what they've all learned.  

Aeros cannot help but laugh at the slight gaffe that Eryn had just made.  Slapping the elf on the shoulder he comments "Don't worry about it Eryn, it always takes a while to get used to a new city unless you're used to traveling often.  Regarding your other comment though, I think it's dangerous to assume that just because someone is home that they are up to no good.  That seems like a great way to get ourselves locked up in Gearhole Prison next!"  After laughing to himself a little bit more, Aeros will summarize what they've discovered so far with, "So it seems that though we do not know which direction Zabriss ran off too (our friendly friends over there confirmed that to the...err...best of their abilities) we might have a couple of leads from Eryn & Arthasis about the breakout attempt potentially being related to the Firemark Facility and the Lay of the Land.  Not sure what we'll find there tonight but it can't hurt to swing by each place and see what we find; we could also return in the morning if no one's around.  That work for everybody?" 

"It works for me.", Arthasis replied to Aeros. They had managed to gather some leads that could potentially bring them closer to Zabriss and her accomplices. 'Talking to the locals for once didn't turn out to be a complete waste of time. What an unsuspected surpise.', he thought to himself. If those leads would prove useful they were one step closer to their bounty. By now he was getting tired, he had been up all day and it started to show. He yawned every other minute now. "Maybe a little sleep wouldn't be all that bad though. The Firemark Facility won't run away, I guess.", he added.

"It would be good to take this heavy pack off," says Eryn, "And perhaps wash away some of the dust from the road. Perhaps this 'Sootswallow Lodge'  that our young bard here mentioned might be the best place to find a room for the night? It will certainly make it easier to follow up these leads in the morning."

All of the excitement, admittedly, had started to wear off into sleepiness. And as interesting as the leads were, there didn't seem to be any that would prove fruitful into the night. And while perhaps turning a few coins from the Upper parts of the city could be helpful, this new pursuit -- and her new compatriots, was too exciting to avoid. Menodora pulls out her hastily made map, and peers around. 

"I think we're actually not too far from the Lodge," she tells them after a long pause to admire her surroundings, and judge them against her own scrawl

"I can lead the way if you'd like? A night's rest seems fitting at this point. Especially if it's an early start to continue our pursuits."

 "Perhaps you're right and we'll have more success in the morning.  If you say the Lodge is nearby then lead the way!"  Aeros replies to Menodora

"After you, young lady," says Eryn, indicating for Menodora to take the lead.

As the party heads off towards the Sootswallow Lodge, Eryn will keep an eye out for the Lay of the Land herbalism shop as well as keeping his nose sniffing for the distinct smell of the kobolds.

Here's a Perception check, if it is any use: 23

You all follow Menodora easily down the street until you come upon a large, fairly old-looking building ensconced between what appears to be decrepit tenement-style housing. There are several people lingering outside, some on their own, others in pairs, clearly engaged in dealings of some kind. The sign hanging on the building vaguely proclaims this to be the 'S-otsw--ll-w L----' and appears to have been grafittied over several times, the most prominent being the words 'shithole' written in stylized letters over 'Sootswallow' which has a bold line drawn through the letters that are still there. It has a very...Specific kind of atmosphere, which does put some of you off, making you hold a little tighter to your newly-procured purses as you enter. 

The inside is perhaps no less sketchy, but a little warmer, at the very least. It isn't quite bustling, though there are some full tables - one in the back full of a diverse group, all chattering and playing cards; another table host to the mud-stained boots of a red-haired half-elf who sits with his feet propped up, leaning back in his chair. Menodora would recognize this man as Udoth, who has tried multiple times to buy her beloved lute, and who winks at her, grinning, though he appears busy enough with the halfling woman standing before his table. 

The barkeep is what you might assume to be a middle-aged gnome woman if you look closer, though you can only tell when she's serving a drink as that's the only time she appears tall enough to look over the bar. She has keen green eyes, though, when she turns to look at all of you; the calculating expression turns pleased and happy when she spots Menodora and Aeros amongst you all. "Back already is it," she teases, though kindly enough. "Them upper city folk ain't got no real taste fer music, y'know. Ought to just stick down 'ere with us; we appreciate yer songs." She turns then towards Aeros, eyebrows raising. "An t'be frank, I didn't expect you back so early, either, Master Aeros. Figured ye'd be askin' yer questions t' yon venerated patrons of the Blushing Tankard, where yer friend lodged while he was here." There's a distinct sarcastic lilt in her voice when talking about the patrons of the Blushing Tankard. 

(Eryn encounters neither the herbalist shop or kobold-scent)

Eryn approaches the bar and says, "A stiff drink, a meal, and a room for the night, if you please, barkeep. In that order."

"I'll also take one of your rooms.", Arthasis said to the innkeep as he stood besides Eryn. He couldn't await to finally get into bed. A good night's sleep would do wonders and he sorely needed it if he wanted to chase some war criminal. As he thought about Zabriss he realised that the gnome behind the bar probably would be able to answer some questions. "You wouldn't know where to find the Firemark Facility or a shop called 'The Lay of the Land', would you?", he said while barely suppressing another yawn. The thought of a warm planket made him smile and for the first time today it was sincere.

It takes everything she has to restrain an eyeroll at Udoth, though she does off the faintest offering of a smile in his direction out of friendliness. Menodora's face, though, immediately brightens as she approaches the bar. 

"Why do you think I come back?" she chirps perkily, "I can tell those who have the best taste...especially in music." 

She offers one more smile. 

"I'll take my usual, please, and whatever hot to eat that you might have. Then, I'll call it a night as well."