Mysterious Happenings - 2/5/23

I got home late last night, much later than anticipated. The church had me away for two weeks, attending to matters in a nearby city, and in these frigid times, those two weeks felt like an eternity. I was making good time too, but of course, nothing ever seems to be simple. Apparently there was a murder last night, the victim was the mayor's secretary JanJan, who I later learned has been missing for around 4 days now. Two guards, Karla and Kaern, were holding a suspect just outside the Geldenstag Rest. But when I got closer, it was just Shrekky (a dragonborn). He may be a thief, but he sure isn't a killer, he just doesn't have it in him. He was probably just taking advantage of the situation, trying to snag a few goods to sell. Not much to go on, Shrekky said he did smell the scent of a man, more than is normal for a halfling, so I imagine he was able to pick up the scent of whoever murdered JanJan. Said he smelled this man a few weeks back in Northlook, but never saw him. As for Janan, he was dressed surprisingly well, in fine garb, yet his cloak was cheap and dirty, I find that a bit odd. His wound was about several inches long and about a half inch wide frozen solid puncture on the left breast. There was not a single speck of blood stain on the clothing, but there was some red frost built up around the wound. I'll have to speak with Myrtle, the owner of the Geldenstag, maybe she heard some commotion or saw someone or something unusual. The cold was much to bitter to stay out much longer after traveling all day.
 
I most certainly did not want to get up this morning, in fact I stayed in bed a few moments longer than normal, enjoying the warmth of Vesstan's arms around me. I miss him when I am gone. To most, he is very stern and not very friendly, he leads his men strictly and demands absolute commitment and perfection from them, and he has earned their respect and loyalty. But to me, he sweet and gentle, and I miss the mornings we don't get to share a cup of tea. Even in silence, his company is my favorite. As I was gathering my things to leave, I found a note from Amarille, she found herself a love interest. She wants us to come for dinner in a tenday to meet him. I do hope I do not disappoint her yet again.
 
Karla had the files sent over the files she had on JanJan and another similar murder, a Dwarf name Tento. Before I had a chance to read to much in them, we had visitors. Apparently my assistance was requested by Speaker Duvessa to look into some trouble at the residence of on Wizard Arcos. Someone name Rohdri was sent to fetch me to aid them. He had with him another man, Verrick, and then Evelyn was surprisingly with them as well. It was nice to see her. We had one more to find and then we could be off to investigate. We had to find a Druid, Elodiel. While we waited for her at the Dancing Maid where she rooms, Verrick seemed visually uncomfortable in the presence of the barmaid, Melly, I bet he fancies her.
 
Finally we were off. We found Wizard Arco's home, apparently he is a neighbor of Verrick. Verrick must be some kind of spell caster, he was able to magically unlock the door allowing us to enter. Strangely, it was rather warm inside, warmer than it should be. The strangest thing on the first floor was the swarm of rats we found in the bedroom and then the trap door under the bed. This led to a basement , which again, was oddly too warm, even warmer than the upstairs, but yet there were strange patches of ice on the floors, managed to smack my nose into a wall from sliding on one of them. There were also these strange shadow like creatures. I couldn't do much to aid in eliminating them, but it seemed those who produce some kind of light were able to vanquish them. We did find Alcos, but sadly it was too late. He was dead, he was encased in the same strange ice material as was on the floor in patches. He was a friend of the Druid, Elodiel. We did find some books and scrolls, and a few coin for each of us. I also found a bag of imported marbles.
 
We made our way back to the Archives, which is where Rhodri works with his mother, Sillifrey. She walked into a back room and was attacked by someone, or something. The footprints left seemed much heavier than could belong to man. She was stabbed with some crystalline dagger that did some weird stuff. Luckily Evelyn was able to cleanse her.
 
Emotions were high today, between Elodiel loosing a friend, and the attack on Rhodri's mother, which apparently brought up a vision of an argument. Everyone seems to be very emotional at the moment I brought everyone to the Geldenstag Rest. It was close, and while Myrtle is not here, is the more private establishment. I need to speak with her, so hopefully she will arrive before we all leave. I also need to speak with the mayor in regards to JanJan. Thats two murders in as many days, and they are strange.
 
Things are getting interesting here, and I'm not sure if this is a good thing, that is to be seen.