IC Story Thread: Ch.1,Ad.2 - The Far Reach

"Well, they were very private with their comings and goings this week, and have not been forthright with us in any of their movements. However, just this morning, just before we returned here, we were able to learn a few most-interesting things...

First, the ship our Seller set sail on harbors in Annulond. If you're not familiar with the village, you couldn't be blamed for it, because it is the very farthest west inhabited steading in all of Gondor! A little nothing of a village that is little more than a gatehouse on the bridge that spans the river between western Gondor and the independent nation of Andrast.

Annulond, very interestingly perhaps, if you care for you history studies, has been the historic launching point for many a raid and war by the Corsairs over the years...

Now, second thing we learned, this ship is owned and last-Captained by a man named Urqakar. This is the same name as the owner of one of the associated properties which we had looked into in Umbar, back when we first began trying to contact our Seller.

We didn't get far with Urqakar in Umbar, because he was a wealthy and influential figure there.", the agent takes in and let's out a sharp breath after all that, his face indicating his mind is rather reeling at it all. And he puts up a finger to hail a tavern girl for a drink.

The agent nods, "We can't know for certain, but I believe Annulond is now our best lead.

The Seller has been moving ever northward between these cities - Umbar, Pelargir, Dol Amroth - where they have connections to these properties. Perhaps Annulond is the destination?

There are questions of; why visit the properties? And, what is at the destination? But that's not necessarily our goal, so much as just getting a meeting with the Seller.

The property here, as far as we have been able to tell, is vacant now. We've not had the opportunity to have a showing again since the Seller's departure, but I think we should. And if you all would like to see it for yourselves, we could take you there?"

😂

" Shall we have a spot of luncheon first?", he smiles sheepishly.

When you're ready, the agents lead you all down toward the docks and to a small building just one street off the water.

From the outside it is very unassuming. Aged and bordering on delapidated. Constructed of mason-worked stone with a poorly maintained roof, the building is about the size of a wagon-house, with a set of double doors on the front that are large enough for a wagon to be maneuvered into, but not horses. And indeed it looks like it may have been a wagon house at one time, attached to a larger building, as there are jagged remnants of masonry that indicate it used to have adjoining walls. However the adjacent buildings are clearly unassociated with it anymore as they are of a newer make and different materials, and much better kept.

There is a single window on the south/back side of the building adjacent to the backs of other buildings (somewhat sheltered from view though conceivably viewable from a ways off by anyone who passed by the long narrow alley and happened to glance down it), a single entry door on the east side in a narrow alley that passes between this and the adjacent building on that side (less sheltered from view but visible for a moment by anyone passing by who would happen to look down), and the wagon-doors on the north/front side which face the street. The window is coated on the inside with a film of grime that prevents it from giving any view of the interior. And both sets of doors are better maintained than the roof, the entry door with a keyed lock, and the wagon-doors padlocked.

"Here it is!", exclaims one of agents, "A real beauty, aye? Perhaps we leave you all to it, and we will keep an eye on the streets?"

It is mid-day right now, and there are people going about their business on the streets.

One can imagine there would also be some work to getting in through the roof. Prying up shingles and boards. It may be less visible, but potentially you might be making noise for a longer period of time. So there are trade-offs here too.

Plus it would be easiest with proper tools. Various weaponry would suffice in a pinch as a prybar, but could risk damaging the weapon.

Those watching the streets hear the groan and agonizing creak of wood split the air around the building, and clearly multiple passersby hear it too.

And while a couple stop what they're doing and look around, all but one carry on their way after not seeing anything immediately amiss. After all, not only does work sometimes occur that might necessitate such force, but also accidents. And so when there is no further disturbance... most people move on.

But one person in particular seems to be more concerned and starts moving towards the alley to investigate further.