Ends Meat (Boddynock Judging)

[Errandir]

Reis bites his lip, outraged, but not willing to show it. "Well, if you three want to play both sides there's not much I can do about it. But you're acting like the bands of mercenaries who will take on a job to defend a town, and then, when offered more by the attackers, switch sides and open up the gates for them. You may be comfortable with that, but I'm not."

He shifts from foot to foot, thinking, and lets out his breath softly. "Maybe I'm over-emphasizing this, but it's definitely starting to seem like there's more in this than a simple group of thieves." He pauses and shrugs. "Well, we'll have to see what Huffgood's reaction is, but I would bet quite a bit that he's not going to be pleased."

He indistinctly mutters something in elvish under his breath, then turns away and waits for the others to finish their business with Fat Sal.

 

[Voda Vosa]

"Dear brother, the halfling offered us a job, that he insist we must do, in the shorter period of time. This 'business' with this man will only speed up things. If we are not to talk or arrange things with all the people Huffgood dislikes, then we would not talked to Yarman in the first place. You must learn to discern between pure hormonal bitterness and real facts based suspects. Remember how Huffgood exaggerated the robbery of his store in the first place. I take that he tends to exaggerate about everything." Ciprinus smiles "Besides we are not betraying him in any way, we are merely accepting help from a person the hafling dislikes. I fail to see anything bad about it." the druid explains.

OOC: Making his 16 in wis worth something, although I think my language constraints hinder me from fully express myself.

 

[Errandir]

Reis glances at the druid with distaste. "'Associating with people Huffgood dislikes' is a nice way to put it, but the two definitely seem to have conflicting interests, and you've just agreed to put this one's interests before that of our employer by contacting him first.

"But in any case, I've already said there's nothing I can do about it, and if you're going to stand around trying to persuade me when you've already won, we'll be here for a while. Do what you must, and let's get on with our work."

 

[Walking Dad]

"The halfling said himself, that Mr Breen and others suggested us to speak with Fat Sal. And the halfling never said anything about reporting back. I see no real interest conflict.
It would if we had agreed to stop the investigation. And the 'good' halfling dislikes orcs, too. Shall we not speak to any? And pretend that all people he likes are unguilty?" Midias asks.

 

[Halford]

Fat Sal looks amused by the parties squabbling, mirth glinting in his beady eyes.

"So do you have questions? As I said those with the greatest motives, that I know of, are Huffgood whose sexual proclivities could subject him to blackmail - he hired you at the Associations behest not out of his own initiative and you would do well to remember that; Perkiss whe owes a certain loan shark a great deal of money," a nasty smile surfaces upon Fat Sal's face making it perfectly clear which particular shark is owed. "And Mertoff who has a hankering for opium and potions of heroism and eagle's splendor, spends hundreds a week."

 

[Voda Vosa]

"Interesting information. I think we could have more questions as our investigation continues. If that's the case, where could we contact you sir?" the druid asks.

 

[Halford]

Sal gestures vaguely,

"Here and there, here and there, just ask for me loudly in the Bard's Tail and I shall contact you at my convenience."

With that he turns to his full focus to his meal and begins to plough through what must be four pounds of meat with gusto.

 

[Errandir]

*Post deleted*

 

[Walking Dad]

"I have another question", Midias says firmly. "Have you any useful informations about the first victim?"

 

[Halford]

Fat Sal reluctantly stops gorgeing himself and wipes his face off with his bib,

"Perkiss? Well he owes me a great deal of money. Its only a matter of time before I own the menagerie, and trust we it will be put towards more profitable ends than housing a bunch of geriatric flea bags. He's managed to scrimp together enough to stave me and the boys off for the last six months, but the few stragglers that wander into that place can't pay for his interest payments let alone make a dent in his debt."

He shrugs, which causes his whole body to ripple.

"I'd say he's a likely suspect, but he's too pathetic. Those beasts cost him a fortune to feed, even with Yarman's generosity, if he had any sense he'd simply sell me the place take the money and run."

He scarfs down the last of his meat and stands.

"Delicious as usual Gunt. Well I must be on my way, business does not take care of its self!"

Fat Sal departs followed shortly after by the party who head to the Blackhope Menagerie. The Menagerie is housed inside a large utilitarian building, much of which is roofless and open to the sky. There is an unattended toll booth at the open wrought iron gate, to which a note is pinned.

Back in five minutes - lizards hatching!
​

Through the gate the party can see several cages nearby. A curious black and white striped horse watches them lazily while chewing. A small troupe of monkey-like creatures with odd red buttocks, long incisors and strange blueish colorationa round their faces are engaged in a scuffle. An artheritic dog-like creature manages what sounds like a wheezing laugh, and a large humped creature regards them coldly. In so far as its possible to tell all of the animals look well cared for.​

[sblock=Knowledge Nature DC 11] You see a Zebra, Baboons, an elderly Hyena, and a Camel.[/sblock]​

OOC: The cage positions should let you know you are entering the side of the meagerie nearest to Yarman's.​