The guards nod solemnly as they take the bodies and prisoners into their care, and the party moves into the more comfortable indoors, where Kalgor relays his report. The mayor's color begins to drain again, and he falls into his chair at the mention of extraplanar interlopers. He sinks into his chair as the information pours forth.
"Rupman Myre?" he says. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. You mentioned a ghoul, yes? My Crows have been following rumors of Myre's involvement in illegal necromancy for a while now, but the man's got clout. He's one of our middenstone barons, owns a large vathouse along the riverbanks, and much as they might try, the Crows haven't been able to find enough evidence to manage an arrest.
"I suppose his name on this list probably confirms the whispers I've heard about Hyve, as well," the mayor continues, running his fingers through his hair in a gesture of concern. "Ostensibly, he's a regional historian, even keeps himself in an abandoned church on Maple Street, down on the southern slope. Says he's restoring a historic building, but the rumors there--less substantial than those on Myre--mention black market poison and a drug trade. You said those ... creeper things used poison, did you not?
"As I recall, too, Baskerwhel, the potion maker, used to stay with him when in town. Apparently they were brewing far worse than even the gossips knew."
On the subject of the tunnels, Yrehgg seems unsurprised. "Our city was built atop any number of others. I imagine the place might be honeycombed with deserted pathways of previous residents. But our Crows might find this useful; I don't know whose underground paths they know about and whose are still undiscovered."
The mayor looks at the ring, but its design is rather plain and nondescript. He shakes his head. "I've no real eye for jewelry, I'm afraid. It looks to be of good make, and your mention of the Pearl: I take it this is magical in some way? You're welcome to ask, and they may have records, but I'll tell you now, the Kopec, like most towns, holds little clout with the mysterious hub of the Pearl. They've been known to simply close their doors to those towns which refuse them their right of free, unencumbered trade."
The mayor shrugs on the interrogation of the creepers. "I like to think mine isn't the kind of town that is skilled in torture, if that's what you're implying. Heth suffers the rot of Xarr, but I have hope still that we might hold out against fully succumbing."
Yrehgg listens to Anaerion's warning, then glances back to where Kalgor has all but fallen into a chair. "Time or no, by the look of you, you're in no shape to face man or otherwordly beast tonight. We'll try to urge folk away from the vats and the church, but the city is a mess; I'm afraid I can make no promises.
"But I can fulfill the one I made you earlier today, however." The mayor reaches into his desk and produces a hefty satchel, which he tosses to Ausk. "Your fee for information. I'll also arrange for lodgings for you. I've begun assembling what little we have in the way of magics that might aid you. It's not much: a few potions and scrolls, but from what you've told me of your encounters thus far, I think they might help."
The desperation in the mayor is clear at this point as he says, "I wish I could give you more aid, but the chaos visited on the citizens in the wake of this monstrosity ... I join you in wishing no good slumber to these men." The mayor's voice lowers a step, and there is a clear menace to Yrehgg as he finishes: "They deserve any justice you can deliver unto them."
[sblock=ooc]The satchel has the 1,000 gp agreed upon for information.[/sblock]