30th of Lenzin

In the morning when we came down for breakfast, everyone met up at one of the larger tables, and Harper began to discuss his magical scarf that seems capable of holding items. Harper realized he hadn't thought to check if anything was stored inside prior to finding it, so he opted to unload it to see what he found.
 
This was a mistake.
 
Out came a ton of flower, as well as the desiccated body of a Halfling. While we were trying to figure out who they were and, admittedly panicking a bit, Nicodemus came up and wanted to confirm a few things, most importantly, and understandably, that we didn't kill the man. He cast a spell to speak with the corpse and confirmed we weren't the killers. We were able to ask a handful of questions and found that his name was Milo and that he was killed by a group of "angry flowers". Afterwards Nicodemus cast a pair of spells to dissolve the body. He and Guy left after exchanging greetings with Harper.
 
Afterwards, curiosity overtaking me, I inquired with Ashton about his boots, made of a similar material to my bracer, and found that they had grown as well. Likewise, Mara chimed in and said that her crown had grown as well, becoming more of a helmet. It's interesting but also concerning that these armaments are... growing, or perhaps evolving? They seem to be granting us benefits for the time being, so I'm willing to continue to use them, but hopefully they aren't causing long term harm such as feasting on our life essence or something of the sort.
 
It seems though I must have been poor with my choice of words, as Mara got upset with me, and seemed to think I was calling her strange or odd. Before I could try to explain she left in a huff. I have no idea what I said wrong, but I'm still confused even now.
 
When breakfast was done I inquired with Harper again about my song, and he suggested paying a visit to the Bowen estate as they have a large library we could look through for info. He offered to help, and ultimately Ashton joined as well. We decided to split up, with Mara, Velvet, and Chael heading off to a... tattoo parlor, I believe? Meanwhile, Harper, Ashton, and I would head to the Bowen estate to look into anything related to my song. Perhaps sheet music or something of the sort.
 
There, we met Harper's stepfather Nelfir, a tall and broad statured man. He has bright green skin, clearly of orcish origin with small tusks jutting out of his mouth. It's uncommon for half orcs so he must have a stronger orcish lineage. He allowed us to visit the library as he acknowledged we were to rescued his daughter, and Harper's sister, Tambourine. We saw Harper's Mother, Sonata, who just walked back upstairs without a word.
 
We entered the library at Harper's home and found Tambourine who greeted Harper, hugged him, and left. We then spent a while doing research after playing the song once more as a refresher. We looked through sheet music, historical records, etc. Unfortunately Ashton and I were not able to find anything. Harper, on the other hand, found a note in a journal from his father who was to work with someone with the last name Rudra, but it didn't pan out. Some kind of long form project setup a long time ago. It talks about some kind of laboratory that he setup in essentially what he called his "shared workspace" from 2 years prior.
 
[Insert text from Sigurd's notes that say what was noted above]
 
We spoke with Nelfir who mentioned that he would speak with Sonata about this. He went upstairs to get Sonata. We noticed an extravagant portrait at the top of the stairs. Featured was a tall red skinned woman with horns who is Harper's mother, Sonata. Additionally, there was a tall, tan skinned blonde man with reddish color eyes, a young boy with tan skin and black hair, a girl with dark blue skin and horns, and an infant with red skin and black hair with purple eyes. Harper mentioned it was a family portrait.
 
When Sonata came down, Harper explained the situation and she mentioned that Rudra was not a familiar name, but mentioned Harper's father was away during that period mentioned in his notes. Harper asked about the shared workspace and Sonata said she didn't know where a place would be. She knew of a place where he did his personal research, though. With someone named Dunbar, likely Artificer Dunbar from the Academy. She also mentioned that Chord, Harper's brother was the caretaker of Harper's father's stuff and notes, and that he may have additional information. Finally. A lead!
 
Before we left, Sonata mentioned that recently there was some trouble beneath the inn. Some sort of ooze has made its way into the water from below, and she asked us to take care of it. We agreed, of course. I'm all too happy to return their kindness in kind.
 
Afterwards, we went back to the inn and met back up with the group. We all discussed about plans for the beast pelt we had acquired, as Velvet had spoken to a friend who would be able to make something of it. I figured we could do well turning it into something like a cloak. The group seemed receptive, and we decided to inquire with Velvet's friend later about it.
 
After lunch we headed up to Chord's office door. He seemed very cold when we knocked on the door and Harper announced it was him, however, he allowed us inside. The office had a lot of various items. Trinkets, books, wands, etc. It seems Chord is quite the collector. The feeling of magic in the room was palpable. When we asked, Chord said that he had no solid leads on his father's workshop. There was some sort of key that is no longer in Sonata's possession. She gave it to someone, but he wasn't sure who. He also mentioned that Artificer Dunbar was a good in with the craftsmen of Magnell, the Dwarven city.
 
He also mentioned the same Cube-like monster that is causing issues for the inn that Sonata had asked us to take care of. He seemed relieved when we said we would help. He mentioned there is a system of tunnels beneath the town that was already a bit dangerous to traverse. He mentioned that it would likely not be a good idea to go this evening, so we decided to go in the morning.
 
Before we departed, I asked Chord about the name Rudra. Since we found it in his father Sigurd's notes, and he seems really interested . He mentioned he did recall a research partner with that name, but not much other information. He mostly noted that "Rudra" was called out specifically by name as a he. Otherwise the only other time it comes up is with his father's lab. Thanking him, we left.
 
We headed out to the clothing shop where Velvet's friend Merlin worked, the Unicorn Sigil. We each discussed about clothes for the evening, as we were invited to the Bowen's for dinner, and Harper offered to get us some formalwear for the occasion on the Bowen's tab. We made our requests with Merlin, and headed out. After that we went to a nearby magic item shop, the Mystic Mythic. There, I purchased a Wand of Magic Missiles with Harper's help at lending me 20 gold. This is very much what I wanted, as anything to improve my arsenal will help us considerably.
 
Once we were done at the Mystic Mythic, we returned to the Unicorn Sigil to see Merlin. I had opted to get a two piece suit, coal, and tie in the black and gold colors I'm used to. Everyone else got their own formalwear of their choosing. Everyone looked great, although I was particularly impressed with how mine turned out. Merlin is very skilled at her craft.
 
Dressed in our new formal attire, we went to the dinner at the Bowen estate and met with Harper's family. The dinner progressed well, and we all introduced ourselves properly. Sometime during the dinner I'd remembered that Eamon requested Dwarven artifacts, and Harper had indicated that the Bowen family had Dwarven artifacts. Perhaps I may be able to inquire about that later.
 
We learned from Thalassan that the kidnappers from Twin River who tried to take Tambourine and the others are the Jackal's Fang. They take any job that pays well. Thalassan told us they were likely not the initiators of the kidnapping attacks but they were the ones paid to perform it. They seem to operate outside of Woodgate, near the Steaming Plateaus to north and a bit to the east.
 
Chael seemed to do a lot of networking with the Bowens, seeming to be trying to make merchant connections, which I know he's certainly good at. After Sonata had left, he spoke at length with Nelfir about the Emerald Vale, the Hill Tribe, and the tale of Inheritor Haverthorne, Chael's brother, who fought a ritual battle. It seems like Chael feels he has been cursed by the same thing that drove his brother to madness, but is trying his best to resist by not giving in to the anger. Tambourine was enamored by his tale. I certainly feel for him, and wonder if that may be why he acts the way he does, with purpose to try to avoid succumbing to the same fate.
 
When the dinner was over, we returned to the Heartfire Inn for the night.
 
All in all, I felt good about today. I found my first real lead, got a fairly splendid new suit, and we're off tomorrow to investigate below Hotlake. Although by the time I'm writing this passage this I feel like it's rather late, so I should probably get to bed.