Sleese looks over the device before shaking his head, seemingly offended that Aeros would even suggest such a thing. "No, no of course not. Even if they did make it past the rather impressive force guarding the facility, we do not just hand out blasting powder to anyone who comes along," he explains, slightly impatiently. He turns back to his desk, digging through a drawer until he pulls out another notebook, paging through it, muttering to himself again. "Yes, yes, see here. All of our powder has been accounted for, as is only proper. We're in a war you know! Our work is vital to the Empire's war effort!" He sighs then, closing the book. 

"Of course, shorthanded as we've been, it's been difficult to meet demands," he grimaces. "Our most talented powder artisan has been out ill for weeks! It's made my life very difficult."

"And who would that be?", Arthasis asked the fireworker. "Would this artisan be able to produce explosives outside of this facility?" If it was true that someone was missing for weeks, maybe that someone started to work for the other side. It had to be considered, even more if there were no other leads to be found here. Judging by the paper trail the workers kept, it looked like the facility itself proved to be a dead end.

"Of course she would; she's one of the most skilled craftswomen we have!" he exclaims, then narrows his eyes. "But don't go accusin' Nima of such things. She's one of our most diligent suppliers of raw materials and crafts some of the highest quality powder we have!" Then he sighs, slumping back. "At least, she was, until about three weeks ago when she took ill. Been holed up in her house ever since! We've tried to visit but," he swallows, noticeably fearful now, "she won't let anyone in! I'm tellin' ya, it's got t'be some bad sort of illness for Nima t'be actin' like that!" He pauses then, looking you all over thoughtfully. 

"Ya know," he starts, digging around on his desk. "If'n you lot will go check up on Nima, I'll give ye this pouch of black powder." He looks sincerely concerned over this Nima. "Her full name is Nima Cinnarid. She lives up northern Ironlot; just 'round the corner from the Sootswallow."

Surprised by the offer of black powder, Eryn joins the conversation.

"Do you often give away pouches of this dangerous material? A material so important to the war effort that it has to be fully accounted for..."

Then, scratching his chin thoughtfully, he adds, "Or have you perhaps paid others for a service in such manner? Off the books, as it were."

Sleese rolls his eyes. "I've already tol' ye, all me powder is accounted for, so don't try to trip me up, boy. I know my business better'n ye," he says, clearly annoyed. "I don't do off the books; this would be goin' in the ledger, same as the rest." He turns back to his desk, already picking his pencil up again. "Now get out of me hair; I've work to do and no time to be accused by the likes o' ye. Take the powder if'n yer of a mind to check up on Nima or don't." 

[OOC: I realise we are supposed to follow the obvious lead, but this character's attitude is just too suspicious to let this go as it is. It also might be useful to gain some evidence of possible misconduct to use as blackmail material in future.]

"So," begins Eryn, taking off his glasses so the gnome can see the dangerous look in his eyes. "if you consider this dangerous powder as a suitable consideration for our seeing to your sick colleague, are there any others you have similarly recompensed for other such services? Perhaps in larger amounts?"

After giving the gnome a moment to think about this, he adds in a quiet but intimidating tone, "I would like to see these books you talk about to find out just who you have been gifting this black powder to."

[OOC: Intimidation check: 23 And here's another roll if Eryn's argument gives him Advantage on the roll: 23 ]

Though not exactly how he would've gone about it, Aeros, straightens up and attempts to look intimidating to help Eryn's tone hit home.  Though feeling rather silly, he does his best not to smirk or break character.

(Trying to give Eryn advantage on his check)

The gnome is not in the least bit intimidated. "Look here, my name is Sleese Firemark," he informs them, emphasizing the surname and peering at them over the rims of his glasses. "This place is mine; somethin' I built with me own hands. I'll not have ye in here accusin' me 'o nonsense when I've taken th'time to talk to ye. I'm no young apprentice t'be bullied about or stand by an let ye insinuate I don't know what I'm about," he says, and it's clear he's lost his patience at this point. "I don't go about givin' black powder to jus' anyone, no; given ye all are supposed t'be workin' for the Watch t'help apprehend an escapee, I figured it'd be helpful; clearly I was wrong an' yer just out hasslin' folk," he huffs, crossing his arms. 

"My ledgers are my private business. Kindly see yerselves out 'fore I call the guards."

"Fair enough.", Arthasis interjected. There was nothing else to be done here if he continued to stonewall them. Well, besides knocking him out, which could prove problematic considering the man's apparent importance in the dwendalian war effort. He could understand why the gnome wouldn't want them to look into his business ledgers, no matter if guilty or not. His family wouldn't have allowed that either, there were to many sensitive informations to be found in such books. "But know that if this investigation leads us back to you, we will be the ones bringing the guards."

Eryn nods at Arthasis' words and then just smiles at the gnome before putting his spectacles back on and heading towards the door.

As the others walk out of the room, Aeros will linger behind for a moment to say, "Sorry if we were a little bit...er, rough back there.  Just tryin to catch a criminal before the trail goes cold; nothing personal." before shooting the gnome an apologetic look and heading to the door.  Once the group was back outside, Aeros comments, "Well that was certainly interesting," pausing to laugh at what had just occurred, "Don't think we'll be getting anymore information out of that group anytime soon but this Nima seems like a good lead to follow up with.  Anyone have a preference to where we should head next?" If there isn't, I'm guessing Aeros would head off in the direction of closest point of interest (assuming he knows how to get there).

(OCC: I think we have Nima and the herbalist shop left to check out right?)

(Yes, you have Nima's house, which is right around the corner from Sootswallow Lodge, and you have the herbalist shop, which is about a block east of the winch lift to the upper city. Menodora has added it's approximate location on the map, so you all could get to either location fairly easily~)

"This Nima person would be the best person to talk to first," suggests Eryn. "It might be useful for us to get to her before Sleese decides to send word that we are looking for her."

"Eryn is right.", Arthasis agreed. "We shouldn't waste any time before we talk to this Nima." He sincerely hoped that this would finally lead to something they could work with. If they didn't make any progress soon, Zabriss was potentially gone for good. 'We need to pick up the pace. I need this bounty.', he thought to himself as they left the Firemark Facility.

As the group head back towards the Sootswallow Lodge, Eryn says, "If this Nima is involved in recent events and, as I believe Sleese said, she knows the secret of black powder, then I doubt she is working for the enemy by choice. Otherwise, she would be somewhere the other side of the front line in this war that is going on. We must therefore be careful in what we do next and I would suggest we approach her residence with either stealth or subterfuge."

Quote from phillberrie >>

As the group head back towards the Sootswallow Lodge, Eryn says, "If this Nima is involved in recent events and, as I believe Sleese said, she knows the secret of black powder, then I doubt she is working for the enemy by choice. Otherwise, she would be somewhere the other side of the front line in this war that is going on. We must therefore be careful in what we do next and I would suggest we approach her residence with either stealth or subterfuge."

 "I see your point but that might make her less likely to talk to us if we sneak into her residence unannounced.  Maybe just scouting the surrounding area for anything unusual would be a better option?"  Aeros offers.

Eryn stops walking and looks at his dragonborn companion and then speaks to the group in general, "That would be the obvious first step. And perhaps a well-armed group of five entering the area is not the most subtle of approaches. Perhaps we should split up so as not to be so obvious in our searching."

He then asks to look at Menodora's map and points out a path that will lead to the rear of the the suspect's house. "I am going to make my way here, so I can observe the building from behind while you others take a look, and perhaps make the initial approach, from the front." He then takes out a signal whistle [OOC: DM, Part of my initial gear purchase.] and adds, "And, if I see anyone trying to escape or need help in any way, I will blow this."

So saying, Eryn heads off quickly down a side street in the direction he indicated.

[OOC: I am doing this because I will be otherwise occupied for most of the day, unfortunately, and this is a way most of the group can move the story along. DM, please make any rolls for Eryn as needed.]

"Perhaps we try not to make her annoyed with us, as we did back there?" Menodora remarks, after having remained mostly quiet, quirking a brow at the group. 

"I mean I am not naïve and I understand we've found ourselves in a...far larger situation than at first glance but. What benefit is it for us to simply make enemies of people who are doing their job? It certainly doesn't help us find Zabriss."

Clearing her throat, "And now that I've said my peace, are simply we knocking on the door of this Nima? Or have we another plan?"

Okay, so Eryn can approach from the side, not the back. There's no movement outside on either side. 

As you all approach the house, you see 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. 

You have a number of options; are you going to knock, try to pick the locks, or just stake the place out? 

If you're trying to pick the lock, I'll need a thieves' tools roll~ 

[OOC: Just here briefly.]

If possible, Eryn will try to get into a position where he can see any other exits from the building other than the front door.