03/11/2020 - All about Alan

## Talking to guards, none called Alan :(

Having looked around the docks, Bayul, Elyan and Galdor decided to head for the barracks to try and speak to the guards who had found Kyris’ body: Penny Stone and Masha Dobraya. On the way there, Galdor suggested that Bayul should do the talking, which made Elyan chunter. Bayul asked what information needed to be gleaned. They agreed that they needed to know whether the guards found Kyris’ body with or without the fake white ioun stone pendant, who alerted them to the body, and which route they took the body after finding it. Elyan asked if anyone was capable of magically locating objects, thinking that if they could find the real ioun stone they’d possibly find the culprit. Galdor helpfully explained that he was great at hide and seek, but usually had a servant who did the seeking for him. Using a sending spell, Elyan asked Ves if she knew any good method for finding things. She suggested either the guilds findy-stick or a locate object spell for close range searching. Unfortunately, no one had access to this spell, and they couldn’t find any spell scrolls for it in the market, so decided to go to the barracks without it.

There were several guards outside of the barracks. Bayul greeted them and asked if they could point him in the direction of Masha Debroya and Penny Stone. After explaining that they had come from the Councillor of Justice, Talos Chan, one of the guards went off to find them. The guard was gone for about 10 minutes, during which time Galdor suggested that Bayul should challenge them to an arm wrestles for information. Bayul suggested that perhaps Galdor should challenge them to a wrestle against his tentacles. Elyan rolled his eyes.  Eventually the guard returned with two humanoids, and introduced them as the two guards the group sought.

Elyan took lead of the conversation and quickly found out that Masha had seen the body from where they were patrolling on the wall. The pockets of the body had been completed turned out, even the buttons had been taken… But strangely, the white ioun stone pendant had been on the body, which they had thought strange given that everything else was stolen. Masha and Penny had found the body at 10 pm (approx. 2 hours after the group had found it), around 3 hours into their patrol shift that had started at 7 pm. Elyan thanked them for their info with a GP each, and asked them to let him know if they thought of any other info. Masha added that the body had now been transferred to the temple of Ilmater, so they could see it there if they wished.

Before going back to the candle, Elyan suggested waiting somewhere nearby the Barracks for 30 mins or so to see if the two guards seemed spooked by their questions. Bayul thought Elyan was a sneaky man, but that it was a great idea. They watched as Penny come out and briefly talked to some of the other guards. But she didn’t seem spooked or acting in anyway suspiciously, so the group left. On the way back to the candle they discussed whether they should go straight to the temple first. Galdor explained that there was usually a good week before a body would be dealt with, so they would have time to do this another night.

## Dragonborn disguise: a cry for Alan

Back at the candle, Kunai had been doing shooting practice and expertly sorting his disguise. As the others entered, they were shocked to see no sign of the others but a very strange looking golden dragonborn. Kunai pretended to be a server, but Galdor saw through his disguise and revealed to the other that the dragonborn was Kunai. Kunai explained that as people at the Rosewood know him (Alan!), he thought it best to look a little different.

Bayul asked where Blagden had gone. Kunai said that he had gone off exploring, but he wasn’t sure where. This made Bayul grumble.

## Time to plan: intro to Alan!

At this point Ash wondered down from upstairs where he had been training. As everyone was back except Blagden, Elyan suggested that they start planning their info-gathering mission to the Rosewood. The Rosewood was a posh establishment, so Elyan wondered if it would make a better impression if they arrived with a horse and carriage? The others agreed that this was a good shout. Kunai added that he knew the Rosewood to be a centre of upper-class crime, and that he knew a guy who worked there: Alan, the maître d’ of restaurant who also assists behind the front desk. At this point Blagden skipped merrily into the room, a worryingly large grin on his face.  After some initial confusion about the golden dragonborn, Bayul demanded to know where Blagden had been. Blagden was evasive, and Ash noticed that he was now wearing a very fancy pair of dark leather, silver lined gloves. Deciding it wasn’t worth the effort of pursuing the details of Blagden’s shenanigans, Elyan outlined his plan…

As he could disguise himself, and Ash was relatively inconspicuous, the two of them would go in as wealthy patrons to talk to and listen to the other diners (Ash was not happy with the idea of having to wear clothes for this, but agreed it was necessary). Kunai would sneak in as a staff member to talk to Alan and the other staffers. Elyan would make Blagden and Ratty invisible so they could sneak around listening and looking in places the others couldn’t get. Bayul (who would act as the carriage driver) and Galdor would wait in the carriage as they were both way to distinguishable and undisguisable to go inside.

## Hiring a carriage: journey to Alan

With the plan agreed, the group headed to the wealthy part of the city in search of a carriage. Shortly after arriving into the greener, fancier area, the group spotted a stables. Elyan asked if they could hire a carriage for the evening. They could, at a cost of 30 GP / hour including the horse. Elyan asks for a multi-hour discount, and was offered a deal of 100 GP for 4 hours. Elyan agreed and Kunai payed in many many silver coins from the bag of holding. Kunai also suggested that they should get a discount for having their own driver, Bayul. Elyan agreed and skilfully re-negotiated another 40 GP (400 SP) discount, of which he gave 10 SP to the girl who would have been driving.

With the carriage secured, Kunai asked how Elyan planned to disguise himself. Elyan explained he would use a spell, but Kunai suggested he should have a physical disguise too, in case the spell ended unexpectedly. Bayul then spent a while driving around (badly at first) whilst Kunai gave Elyan a disguise. The disguise was excellent, with Elyan looking almost unrecognisable even without the spell.

## At the Rosewood: Alan!!

As they pulled up at the Rosewood, Blagden disguised himself as the old halfling woman again, but with fancier clothes. Elyan then cast invisibility on Blagden and Ratty and disguised himself as a fancy woman. Taking Ash’s arm, Elyan inspired him and stepped out of the carriage, with Kunai following as a footman and Blagden following invisible. Ash appreciated the inspiration, but suggested it would still be best for Elyan to do the talking! As Ash struggled to walk in actual shoes, a valet appeared and directed Bayul to park the carriage. Kunai paid the valet 5 SP as he left. Galdor stayed hidden in the carriage.

The Rosewood was spread over three floors, with turrets and a red slate roof. Inside, the group found themselves in a wood panel entrance hall, beyond which was a cloakroom, a dining room full of people and a staircase. Kunai immediately spotted Alan at the desk and told Elyan to follow him. Seeing them but not recognising Kunai, Alan asked Elyan if they wanted a table for three. Elyan explained that Kunai was his measly footman so they only needed a table for two. After Elyan and Ash had been led inside the dining room, Kunai lent in towards Alan and said:

“I have arrived to inspect the evening’s dance, with a Royal Flush, Hearts and Clubs.”

With a grin, Alan replied:

“The Herd of Cows hold all the Spades. Play a hand or two.”

This strange code broadly translated to Kunai saying he needed to be on the lookout at the Rosewood, and Alan saying no probs you can work here tonight. Kunai then asked Alan if they could speak somewhere more private, so Alan took him to a storage cupboard.

After exchanging pleasantries about Kunai’s gold appearance, Kunai explained that he was working for the Ilbidor archaeology guild and was investigating a murder that they thought was linked to Krieg Venusto. Alan said that he had heard news of the messy murder – what amateur leaves the body lying around! He also said that Krieg had been in the Rosewood, mostly complaining about his cousins and stating his intentions to want to overthrow them. Rumour had it that his cousins, the head of the Venusto mafia had gone straight. Krieg was furious about this and wanted to reclaim the mafia and its activities for himself.  Apparently he had approached some pirates to try and persuade them to help him, but they weren’t keen, and Krieg had left three days ago. Furthermore, Goltorah, Krieg Venusto’s pal, was most likely the one behind the robbery on Ilbidor as he had an associate who was working with a guild member. He had left the city about a day ago.

Thinking that this associate could be Leticia, Kunai asked for a name, but Alan did not have it.

Irritated, Kunai asked if there were any other brothers he could get information from?

Alan said there were two other brothers. Elisia who worked in the backroom and Artur who worked at the bar. Satisfied with this information, Kunai took a staff uniform and headed towards the kitchens and bar to observe.

## **Alan is distracted, the others go sneaking**

Whilst Kunai was talking to Alan, the invisible Blagden investigated the now empty front desk. He didn’t recognise any names on the reservation list so decided to go upstairs to look around.

In the restaurant, Ash listened for talk about the devil baby, whilst Elyan listened for talk of Venusto and Goltorah. Elyan didn’t hear much as the very expensive menu was too distracting. Ash heard a hushed  conversation between and elf and two humans about the re-emergence of the Tieflings, and what this said of Kore. It was mostly excited speculation.

Going to the bar, Kunai told the bartender that he had been ordered by the Maître d’ to look after some prestigious guests. Taking a bottle of wine, he wrote a note telling Elyan and Ash what he had found out from Alan, slipped it under the bottle, and took it to them. His sneaky wine bottle message trick was nearly foiled by Elyan requesting a better vintage, but eventually they got the note which said:

KV – 3D, G – 1D. Which meant: Krieg Venusto left 3 days ago, Goltorah left 1 day ago.

## Interlude from Alan: Galdor and Bayul do weird things

Back outside, Bayul and Galdor were waiting at the carriage. Galdor asked if Bayul wanted to have sex. Bayul looked super embarrassed so Galdor said he wouldn’t be offended if Bayul said no. Bayul thanked him for the kind offer but declined. After several minutes of awkward silence, Bayul received a message from Elyan explaining that Krieg left 3 days ago, but that they would stay longer to investigate more. Bayul responds “OK”.

Safe in the knowledge that Krieg was nowhere nearby, Bayul asked Galdor if he wanted to walk or fight. This made Galdor very excited, though perhaps not for the reasons Bayul hoped. Bayul told Galdor to attack him with his best shot. Galdor cast hunters mark on Bayul and fired and arrow that missed. This made Bayul angry and he commanded Galdor to try again. This time Galdor also sends his swarm with the arrow, and it strikes true, doing a decent amount of damage. Still not satisfied, Bayul commanded him to attack again. Feeling inspired by Bayul’s command, Galdor hit critically, doing another 17 damage. At this point a furious looking member of the Rosewood staff came over to ask what the heck they were doing. Bayul said it was none of her business, but she countered that as they were in her hotel it kind of was. Bayul asked if she wanted to play fight too. She did not. And angrily ordered them to leave the premises. Bayul explained that they were the drivers so couldn’t leave in case their patrons suddenly needed to go. This excuse did not go down well either, and the staff member insisted they bugger off. Not wanting to ruin the mission, Bayul and Galdor acquiesced and stomped out. They pass the rest of the time with Galdor introducing Bayul to all 1000 of his swarm.

## Where the heck is Alan

Back upstairs, with no sign of any hotel staff such as Alan, Blagden and Ratty were peering through all the hotel room doors to see if they could see anything interesting. He spotted some dodgy looking men exchanging money and a woman with a pearl, but nothing weird or relating to Venusto. After looking through every door, Blagden returned to the restaurant to listen to tables on the opposite side of the room from where Elyan and Ash were. Kunai was also listening to table talk as he served tables. He heard one table discussing artefacts that were recently on the black market. They said something about the artefacts being legitimate and that they could be used nefariously. They also said something about an auction happening imminently near Araelot, which Kunai recalled was the region where Goltorah lived.

At this point Elyan realised his disguise spell was about to end. So, leaving Ash, he nipped out and then came back just in the disguise Kunai gave him. After paying Alan some gold, Alan allowed him to re-enter and join Ash. Seeing Elyan do this, Blagden realised his time being invisible was almost up, so quickly stole 38 GP with his new gloves before heading back to the carriage.

## Artur (we prefer Alan)

Intrigued by the information he had gleaned from the tables, Kunai requested a private chat with Artur, one of the people Alan had suggested might know more about Venusto. After confirming that Artur wasn’t a brother, but could be trusted, Kunai asked him about Venusto. At first Artur wasn’t keen to talk, but some intimidating persuasion by Kunai soon got him speaking. Artur makes it clear that Kunai should stay away from Venusto, but explained that Krieg had spoken with someone called Lilian Alvero, who was a high black-market dealer of objects, and with someone called Salaman Rober, who runs a mercenary business. He added that Krieg was just in Eastshore as a stop-off. He was here to collect stuff (people, loyalties, artefacts?) and to amas a mob before heading to the Wretched Hive and then to the Wastelands (presumably to set himself up somewhere in or close to Merchendale).

Deciding that there was little else to be gained by staying longer, Elyan and Ash left. However, on the way out Elyan noticed a gambling room and thought he might as well have a look. With Kunai watching from behind, Elyan sadly lost 38 GP to some random gamblers, so left fairly promptly.

## Back to the Candle: will we ever see Alan again?

Once everyone had regrouped at the carriage, Bayul drove it back to the stables whilst Elyan played some banging tunes. Everyone told everyone else what they had learnt, which was essentially that: Krieg left three days ago. Goltorah left 1 day ago. Krieg had been speaking with a black-market artefact dealer called Alvero. There was an auction of artefacts in Araelot that could include the stolen Ioun stone as Goltorah was known to be in contact with an associate of the guild (which could be Leticia, who from the diary we know was due to meet Kyris on the wall the night he died).

Armed with this new information, the group decided that tomorrow they should head to Goltorah’s mansion / find the auction in Araelot as this seemed the most likely place for the stolen ioun stone, and thus the murderer, to be. Kunai added that before they left he would like to speak to Elisia, who was a friend of Alan’s and a singer in the backroom of the Rosewood who had apparently communicated with both Venusto and Goltorah.

After arriving back at the candle, Elyan immediately left again to do some entertaining to re-earn his lost GP, whilst Kunai racked up some spirits with the others to celebrate a successful information gathering mission and seeing Alan.