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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jkason" data-source="post: 5616746" data-attributes="member: 2710">[sblock=Daylilly]heh. I probably should have set the DC much higher for Daylilly, given his background. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />[/sblock][sblock=Quioan]Gabbiano doesn't appear to be hiding anything at first blush. He seems to be an aristocratic businessman genuinely curious about a visit from strangers.[/sblock]Gabbiano's office, like the receiving area, shows taste and money, kept clean and orderly. Umberto sits behind a large oak desk as he offers the party seats in thickly-cushioned chairs, and sits attentively as they speak. His brow furrows as the tale continues, a look of concern clouding his features. At the mention of murder, he becomes visibly agitated. When Relic offers up the torn note, he hastens to collect and read it, the color draining from his face as he does so. Umberto regains his composure quickly, returning his attention to the party. "As I'm sure no end of gossips will have gladly told you by now, my House isn't what it once was," the noble says. "It certainly doesn't help that my late brother, Carnemorto, several times dipped into both our coffers and our collections to pay for his various ... appetites."  Umberto's gaze falls on a pedestal in the corner which is conspicuously empty, and he sighs audibly."While once we retained a wide range of skilled individuals and lands, as our primacy in the shipping industry has waned, so has my ability to afford such luxuries. I sold our family game preserve some years ago, and with it, obviously, went our game warden, Niam Caan. I can't say that I miss him, as more than once Carne's dalliances put him in the man's debt. I suspect he's your man, and this," Umberto holds up the note, "confirms what I long suspected. Namely, that Carne traded one of our most valuable family relics to Caan in order to erase an egregious debt."  Umberto closes his eyes, muttering to himself, "Gods of Venza, brother, even in death you cause trouble."At this point, Finia returns with a tray of goblets and a caraffe of wine. "Master Umberto?" she says with concern, glaring to the party as if to discern what they've done to upset her employer."Thank the gods, I most certainly need some of that," Umberto says, waving the attendant over and taking a goblet of wine. He drinks it back in one long swig. "Help yourselves," Umberto says absently, waving Finia to offer the party drinks as he props his head up with one hand and rubs his forehead against the headache he's clearly contracted.</blockquote>

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