Ptolus: 165 Vock Row - "Rat-catchers"

[Vdou]

Ella frowns briefly, then smiles at Benris.

"Why would you pay for a cipher which cannot be easily translated?" Ella frowns again.

"Perhaps I should go to the City Library once I am finished with this map book. Thank you very much, Miss."

Ella returns to the table beside Valana to consult the map book.

"Any luck Valana?"

 

[Aeshen]

Aeshen thanks the boy and tosses him another silver before heading in the direction of the clock tower...

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

A large crowd has formed on Shadow Road, looking up at the Clock Tower, calling out words of encouragement or catcalls to the members of the City Watch. Aeshen watches as enormous bats, with a wingspan almost twice as wide as a man, are periodically disgorged from the holes in the little-maintained tower.

Watchmen, covered in guano and with sour expressions stand near the base of the tower outside, calling up orders to their subordinates.

* * *

Back in the library, Valana and Ella comb over the maps sold to the Delvers by Erac Kunstler's cousin. Below the 200-year-old clock tower, a basement opens to a family crypt built on the site in an earlier age. And there, a hole has been punched into a staircase from an even older age, which leads down into a small complex and from there into a cave system below the city's sewer system, although the mapmaker notes that the caves touch on the sewers in multiple points.

 

[Voca]

Mata follows Nogol out of the room as he goes to check the neighbouring vaults, leaving Marian and Thurst to talk to the guards when they arrive.

 

[Fyrie Windlitened]

Mairan waits for the guards to arrive hoping that they make haste and allow them to finish the questionning quickly.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Mata finds the guildmaster almost frantically searching a storeroom that looks, to her eyes, perfectly fine as she stands in the doorway. A shuffling sound announces the arrival of more of the oversized guards, apparently the ones summoned by Nogol. They stand around the doorway, looking expectantly down at her.

 

[Vdou]

"Well now, that's interesting." Ella shoots a quizzical look over at Valana.

"I think perhaps its time to check the City Library, what do you think Valana?"

 

[Aeshen]

Aeshen looks for a guard who appears to be somewhat in charge before offering "Hello sir, Rather grim task you have here... Is there anything I can do to help? I could climb up through there if you like, flush out the bats maybe?"

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

The watchman blinks in surprise at Aeshen's offer.

"Oh, we would definitely like that. Climb on up." The lieutenant leans his head back and yells, a hand cupped around his mouth to let the sound travel further. "Gallaway! Munro! Come down, we've got a volunteer taking your place. Go pound some cobblestones. Start over on Fetch Street."

 

[Wool]

Thurst suppresses a yawn and then pokes his head in the doorway, "I thought I heard something, get in here you louts!"

Ignoring the guards' annoyed glares, Thurst continues,"Now why don't you tell us exactly what happened. And donnae skimp on the details just because you think it would get you out of here faster!"