Naras' Vignette

[JadedDM]

"Confessional?!" Hubert repeats, practically in a panic this time. "But I didn't do anything! He was the madman, I never had anything to do with it. I can't help what other people do. I'm sending for my barrister, I won't answer any questions without him. We're closed now, I'll have to ask you to leave or I'll call the wardens!" He gestures emphatically toward the door.

[JadedDM]

"It a phrase meaning that what you say would not be used against you. It would remain between you and the priest. In this case, me. I was viewing you as an _expert_ witness, a crafter, someone _reliable_ and with an eye for detail. You'll recall I merely said, would you tell me in your own words..." Naras explains and shrugs. "Anyway, I'm not sure why you want the wardens, but I can get them for you if you want?" she added, helpfully, but leaving it hanging in the air...

[JadedDM]

"Expert witness?" Hubert repeats again. "Look, the trial is over, it has been for a year. I was cleared of any wrongdoing. This whole mess has already ruined my reputation, both with the ladies and in the business world. There's nothing more to say about it. Now, please, get out of my shop or kohen or no, I'll sue you for every copper you have!" he demands, his face turning red.

[JadedDM]

"Of course, Hubert, I'm sure court was right. And I'm sure your business will prosper. If you decide you want a blessing, you'll know where to find me," she retorts. ~If he isn't hiding something then I'm a kobald.~
Naras left, carefully closing the door behind her. Off to the Paragon, to lead off with " "Hello, I'm Naras Stonebreaker..."

[JadedDM]

Next, Naras heads to the Paragon. The Paragon Inn is considered the nicer of the two inns in town, more classy and cleaner than its counterpart, the rather shady Barnacle Inn. There's a bar with several bar-stools before it. There are also a number of tables, some bigger, some small. A number of comfortable looking chairs sit around the fireplace, although the hearth is usually unlit except at night. A staircase leads up to the second floor, where the rooms are found. The whole place is well lit due to the sunlight streaming in from the various glass windows. At night, a number of lanterns are lit to keep the place illuminated. Above the bar is a warthog's head, stuffed and mounted on a plaque. It looks like it had been quite fierce and large in life.

The place is being run by a good-looking dark skinned human. "Welcome and well met," he says upon meeting Naras. "I'm Janjadel, the owner of this place. Get you a drink or something to eat, miss?" he asks.

[JadedDM]

"Lovely day," she answered. "Janjadel, I'm Naras Stonebreaker. Please to meet you. Standing in for the Kohen. And I'm hoping you can spare me some time to tell me about the town. Significant to-dos or happenings over the last 18 months. In return for your time, the temple would look sympathetically on any spells your establishment might require over the next period."

OOC: I'm want him to lead into the topics - it's just wrong for Naras to say baldly tell me about your murdered family.

[JadedDM]

"Ah, a new kohen," Janjadel says with interest. "That is interesting news." He leans forward on the bar. "Well, if gossip is what you are looking for, this is the best place to get it. Well, let's see...the last 18 months...quite a long period. I suppose the most recent big news is the kohen went missing. But I assume you already know that."

He thinks further. "Not too long ago, the Bullring docked here. Have you ever seen it? Biggest ship in the guild, they say. No idea what it was doing in our little, humble town, but it was all anyone could talk about for awhile."

He absently wipes a glass with his rag. "Before that...let's see, before that...well, not all that much of interest happens around here. I suppose before that, the most interesting thing were the murders. Some crazed gnome created these clockwork spiders to kill women. Some even broke in here to attack some of our guests! They even turned out to be responsible for killing the last owner's daughter. It was quite a scandal."

[JadedDM]

The dwarf climbed up and sat on a highstool so she could more easily its owner. "Well, Janjadel, all of those sound interesting. Yes, I do know the kohen went missing. WHat could you tell me about the mercenaries that he left with? Have they been back since? Or where they are now?"

She paused for thought, before continuing, "I don't know of the Bullring. What can you tell me about that? And for the guild for that matter?"

"Oh I'd assumed that you'd owned this place for ages. How long have you had it? And where'd the previous owner get too? I'd be interested in the rest of the story about these spiders and who they attacked too, if you please?"

[JadedDM]

"What could you tell me about the mercenaries that he left with? Have they been back since? Or where they are now?"

"The first time or the second time?" Janjadel asks. "He took different mercs with him each time. Well, the ones he took on the second trip are missing, too, I suppose. The ones he took the first time are outsiders. But they were here a few weeks ago. Actually, it looked like they came with the Bullring...and left with her."

I don't know of the Bullring. What can you tell me about that? And for the guild for that matter?"

"Only that it's the biggest ship in the Guild, something I can confirm myself after having seen it. They are calling it a 'galleon' and word is that it is only the first of many the Guild hopes to produce. It's massive and powerful; merchants need no longer worry about pirate attacks once these things are on the market," he explains.

The Guild, Naras would know, is the name of the largest trading organization on the islands. It was started by dwarves over 300 years ago. Vaneil itself is owned by the Guild, which is run by the High Merchant Council, a group of 10 merchant lords and ladies. The Guild has almost a monopoly on all major trading on the islands.

"How long have you had it? And where'd the previous owner get too? I'd be interested in the rest of the story about these spiders and who they attacked too, if you please?"

"Only about six months," Janjadel answers. "I was just a waiter here before that. The previous owner was Brock Brewmaster. After his daughter died, he sort of lost his grip on things. He locked himself up in his room and refused to come out. But then one day he cleaned up, came out and gave me the inn. He packed up his things, said something about finding himself and just left. I have no idea where." He shrugs.

"As for the spiders...well, the story goes something like this. Women started being found dead. And we're talking violent, gruesome deaths, too. Their hearts had been cut out. But nobody could figure out why or who was behind it. The kohen would even speak with the deceased's spirits, but they would only say gibberish. None could give a good description of the assailant." He sets the glass aside. "There was a group of outsiders staying here at the time...actually, come to think of it, I think they were the same outsiders who accompanied the kohen on his first trip. Anyway, they decided to investigate the murders. They managed to find a connection among the victims that the wardens had missed--all of the women had been lovers of the local jeweler."

Wiping his hands on his apron, Janjadel continues, "The thing is, they couldn't find any evidence that the jeweler was behind it. But one night, while they slept, several clockwork spiders burst into their room with the intent to kill. They managed to destroy them. When Brock realized they were responsible for his daughter's death, he armed the outsiders and sent them to find the killer. Well, turns out the jeweler wasn't the killer, but rather his best friend, the clockmaker. While the jeweler was something of a ladies' man, the clockmaker was not. His jealousy made him hate these women for not choosing him, and so he killed them, literally stealing their hearts."

Leaning forward, he says, "Now what happens next is a little confusing. But from what I've been able to piece together, the outsiders broke into the clockmaker's shop, destroyed all of the spiders and killed him. The ruckus got the attention of the wardens, who arrived shortly after. The outsiders were arrested for breaking and entering, interfering in a warden investigation and murder. But I guess since they stopped the murders, the Highwarden went easy on them. She exiled them for a year--a pretty light sentence, considering the charges."

[JadedDM]

Naras leans forwards too, "You're a great storyteller, Janjadel. But tell me, do you believe the jeweler had nothing to do with it?"

[JadedDM]

Janjadel shakes his head. "Nah, no real motive that I could see. Plus, I don't think he has it in him. The wardens cleared him of any wrongdoing, and the kohen had him testify under a truth spell to confirm he didn't know anything about it. But plenty of people believed he did anyway, and it's really hurt his business. Even now, a year later, he's still pretty touchy about it. I think he'd rather everyone just forget the whole thing."

[JadedDM]

"Ohhhh" I've just realised," says Naras, perhaps a touch theatrically, "I've probably just upset the same jeweler. Well, let's hope none of those mechanical things come after me tonight." She smiled at the thought of a fight, ending up with her kicking the jeweler in the jewels. ~Perhaps I'm being unfair, but I just do not like the gnome.~

Coming back to the matter in hand, she closed, "Well, Janjadel, thank you so much for the stories." She started to rise and head for the door. "Will we be seeing you in the Temple?"

****
Outside, Naras looks up to check how late in the day it is. If time permits, she heads across to the warden's keep.

[JadedDM]

Janjadel nods. "Sure, I'll pop in next chance I get. I'll let everyone know there's a new kohen in town, too. You should get a nice crowd next Rockday."

[JadedDM]

She nods. "Please do. That would be grand. Remember what I said about if you need a spell. But that's got to remain between you and me, ok?" and waves him a cheerful goodbye.

She starts to head across to the Warden's Keep.

[JadedDM]

Naras heads to the warden's keep next. The place looms over the town with all of the sternness and gloom of a maximum security prison--largely because that is exactly what it is. For not only is the keep where the wardens bunk and train, but it's also where the criminals they arrest are held.

Once she is allowed to pass through the large and well-guarded gate and cross the courtyard, she enters the keep and finds herself in a waiting area. The place is completely immaculate, with not a single dust bunny or smudge to be found.

A young male dwarf sits at a small desk, filling out tedious paperwork. He is young enough that his beard has not fully come in yet and his uniform seems a tad loose in places. Looking up, he blinks in surprise to see Naras. "Uhh..," he begins in a breaking voice, "can I help you, miss?"