[IC] Aqua Mortis (Session 1)

Listening to the gnome's reminder of how we destroyed the kids' lives forever scaring them into a life of delinquency, Nekurr simply shrugs and says "Yeah, teenagers"

"We've been in the area a wee bit longer than your people. Tell them to mind the shadows the darkness isn't the only thing there." Tronus warns before taking his leave.

"Go with the gods," Eswyse says as you exit the shanty. "The good gods, that is."

As they leave Erfan's company Hildar quietly speaks to the others "This project they are working on, it's an attempt to pipe water into the area to somehow....I don't know, exploit a loophole in the curse that causes so many issues with crops in Cailn. The thinking is if they pipe the water in from somewhere that isn't cursed then they will be able to grow things here again.". He shakes his head slightly "I would have thought if it was so simple to bypass a curse that has been afflicting these lands since the Third Darkness that the curse would have failed by now but I suppose people need hope. Anyway, the project headquarters are in the castle so if we want to investigate that route further and see whether Dribbage Senior or his niece is involved that would seem like a good place to start. Unless one of you two have a different preference that is?"

"It is definitely worth checking with the Dribbages… if they would see us" Nekurr agrees, remembering the last time they crossed paths. "Though we may stop by the miners just to check if they noticed something strange before stopping the work there"

'You two aren't curious why the kids are doing what they're doing that lead to the riot and fire indirectly?" Tronus adds.

"Hmm I'll talk to the mining guild, you two talk to the kids in jail maybe Nekurr being nice will help and if there's something magical suspicious Hildar will pick up on it. Mett up to talk to the Olond office so I don't accidentally sock him in the face with a verbal fist..." Tronus pieces together.

Nekurr considers Tronus' proposal. Dwarf + mines, check. Angry dwarf = pain, check. "What a splendid idea!" the cleric decides to agree with his investigation partner. "We need to drop by the candy shop to get the kids some sweets" he adds to Hildar

Nekurr & HildarYou're find the castle garrison easily; everyone knows it's in the tallest tower in the castle. (Fortunately, Nekurr finds he has some candy in his pack already.) You hear the chaos before you see it: shouts of "Let us out!" and similar, answered by Miniing Guild chants, and finally answered by a gruff voice telling everyone to shut up. When you make it down the stairs to the small office, you find a lone guard at the desk speaking to the merchant from the scene of the riot. Mining Guild members sit on stools or on the floor. The cell doors beyond are closed; the refugees are presumably inside.

Gemma Lone identifies you as two of the ones who helped put out the fires. The guard looks up, obviously overwhelmed by the situation, but quill in hand. "You blokes come to give your statement? What happened, best as you recall?"

Tronus finds the Mining Guild's satellite office down one of the castle's bureaucratic corridors. Sunlight streams in from a clerestory above, something folk must appreciate when they spend most of their lives underground. Banners bear the Mining Guild crest, while tables provide plenty of room for guild meetings. A raised dais likely serves as a stage from time to time.

A male Dwarf, youngish to judge by his undergrown beard, perks up from his seat near the entrance. "Oh, are you the Guild Representative from Nornholt? I was told we were expecting Ebon Hensnest..."

"Not the Representative or Proxy. Here to talk about the Dribbage Tunnel job. Situation and people involved lead to the riot and fire in the district." Tronus lays out everything plainly.

"Hello again" Nekurr greet the woman before replying to the guard. "Well, we only helps putting the fire out mostly. " Nekurr tries to get out of having to explain all the details, since they probably can't add much more to what Gemma Lone already said. "We were actually hoping to talking with the kids. I mean..." the cleric stutters for a little bit as he realizes he probably needs a good excuse to do so. "We know the kids and were hoping we could have interviewing them as they already, well, trust us"

A voice, somewhat deep but still feminine, calls from outside the room: "Say no more, Mr. Barnpuddle!" A Gnome woman storms in, still huffing from the stairs. She positions herself between Tronus and the young Dwarf and stands to her full height—still a head shorter than Tronus. "Who sent you? The castle guard? I'm headed that way as we speak. I'm sure you'll agree that these so-called 'refugees' are totally at fault for the riot and fire you mention. They violated our guild charter with the barony. They struck first." She turns toward a desk and fishes out some papers. "This is our guild charter and agreement for the Dribbage Water Tunnel. I just wanted to grab it before I went to get my miners released. Now, will there be anything else, guardsmen, or am I free to go fetch them?"

The guard presses you both for a more thorough account: How did you come upon the riot? What is your relationship is to the miners and the refugees? How do you know the young man who assaulted the Gnome fellow? Upon learning about your exploits in Buzzard's Ford, he stops writing and taps the quill, splattering drops of ink as he thinks. "So you know these Buzzard Towners, eh? From the sounds of it, this Grimbly bloke and this Galbernost woman may not be eager to see the likes of you..."

"Oh I'm defintely not a guardmen, I'm looking into this incident with some associates until the Baron gets back to continue deliberations directly with him on a different matter involving the Barony as a whole. From your remarks you're implying the refugees are in fact a false claim and your miners aren't the primary cause although you aren't denying acknowledge they're action indeed lead to the riot and fire breaking out but you'd prefer to stick the responsibility and blame on the other party entirely. If I look at it another way you've just said 'Mr. Barnpuddle don't say anything else to him about the situation, I need to go get my miners out and attempt to strong arm and/or loophole around the contract to get the refugees, excuse me as you put it alleged refugees, off of the job and put my miners in that way they'll pretty much starve or have to find work elsewhere by way of having to leave the city. This way we can ensure the monopoly on work and the price.' That sound about right? Wouldn't want to misinterpreted your message and action if it comes up later as needing to be addressed with other parties." Tronus replies flatly focusing on the newcomer.

Nekurr takes the candies from his pack and smiles. "Well, I guess they are not talking much are they? A familiar face may be our best option. After all, we own them this after they lost everything, don't you think? Fortuna blesses their poor souls"