Chapter Two: The Hippocampus on the Cracked Lintel

As the evening light fades, the door to the house swings open. A man of about sixty, balding, with dark bags under his eyes stands in the entrance.

"Come inside," he says.

Do we just go in, or gather the others by the pond first?

I think we're just supposed to hang out looking like random guys unconnected to Zangua and Mordred (although the house's occupant may well have seen us all arrive together), while keeping an eye out in case things Go Bad. Also Leth, Vad, and Felor might be recognised.

I'm worried about going inside without the whole group together.

At Zangua's question, the old man looks back, into the house, before answering. "Yes. Won't you please come in. My nephew...he's expecting you."

Agreed.

Jeb gives you an anguished look and glances back in the house. "I don't...if you would just come inside, please."

Shamush is with Felor. They can see the door from here, but are too far away to hear the conversation.

Jeb steps back to make way for Zangua and Mordred.

The house is modestly furnished and dimly lit by the glow of a small fire in the hearth in the center of the main room. In the far corner of the room, beside the door to the bedchambers, stands a woman of about thirty, her hair tied back in a long braid, a thick pink burn scar covering half her face. She does not look up as Zangua and Mordred enter. Her eyes are fixed on the man seated on the bench beside the hearth.

His hair is silvery-gray, but his face is soft-featured and youthful. He wears a black woolen coat, finely tailored. He smiles placidly but does not rise to greet you.

"Good evening," the man says. "I am Adan Tuell. I understand you are in a hurry, so I will not detain you long, nor inconvenience my dear uncle and sweet cousin any more than is necessary. I will see you depart handsomely rewarded for your answers to these simple questions: where and when did you see the girl, and who or what travels with her?"

Refresh my memory on the timeline of our adventure, Octo. How long ago did I help Zora out of Sthombo, when was Edvers executed, and how long ago did the party leave Sthombo? Also when was the Sphere stolen, or at least reported stolen?

7 days before execution: the Sphere goes missing
6 days before execution: Mordred helps Zora escape from Sthombo
Day of execution: party buries Edvers, stays overnight in longhouse
1 day after execution: party stays in Sthombo
2 days after execution: party leaves Sthombo, meets Zangua and Shamush
3 days after execution: party stays with Old Welg the fisherperson
4 days after execution: party arrives in Beerpool

Using standard lazy DM exchange rates, $10,000 would be about 500 GP.

"I will pay you one hundred gold for what you tell me here this evening. You may return here in a month's time, and if the information you give me bears fruit, you will find five hundred waiting for you in my uncle's care."

Adan nods along with Mordred's tale, his expression fixed in a state of bland amiability. "I see. Very interesting. You know exactly whom it is I seek, and I believe you have an understanding of why I seek her. Pray, can you recall the questions she asked you about Gurmar? I have reason to suspect her mention of Orsen was a ruse -- perhaps she did not trust you to know her true destination. And rightly so, for here you are!" He laughs. "If she intends to reach Gurmar unseen, she may intend to make her way through the Callow Hills -- a dangerous plan for a young girl traveling alone. There are dog-men who dwell there, and they are known to prey upon the weak without mercy."

He looks Zangua square in the eyes as he says that last sentence.