OFD04 As Dusk Falls on Pipers Corner

Your suspicions deepen as the strange events unfolding around you continue to raise questions.
Ben has returned from Westmeet Square with unsettling news—the colour of the potion does not match that of a typical healing tonic. This casts further doubt on Rendoulf’s intentions toward Sir Rubin. Whatever he is planning, you cannot afford to take it lightly.
It’s clear that Rendoulf and Mosaiche need to be closely watched. However, if you are to uncover the truth, you must find a way to get Ellucasim alone and press him for the potion’s ingredients.
As dusk settles over the city, shopkeepers begin shuttering their doors for the night. From the warmth of the Blue Piper Inn, you observe Rendoulf and his wife leaving their shop, moving with purpose towards the inn. You watch as they step inside and make their way upstairs.
With measured caution, Suzi slips from her seat and quietly follows. She watches as they enter the room and then she moves forward.
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Keep watch on Rendoulf & Mosaiche visiting Sir Rubin

Listen at Sir Rubin's door
Suzi roll Perception DC15 with Listen at Doors - success

Suzi creeps along the corridor sticking to the shadows, getting up close to Sir Rubin's door. Listening carefuly, she hears Sir Rubin coughing and moaning, and then a soothing voice from Rendoulf saying he has made some adjustments to strengthen the tonic and hopefully this time Sir Rubin will be feeling much better. She then catches the sound of the tonic being drunk, a few more coughs, then easing. Sir Rubin says something quite muffled, but it could have been along the lines of "Oh, that feels much better...." but the voice fades away, as if he's falling asleep.
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Find out potion ingredients

Meanwhile, the party have to act quickly. As soon as Suzi has followed the couple up the stairs, Ben heads for the door of the inn, and straight over to the apothecary to speak to Ellucasim.
The shop is all in the dark downstairs and only a faint light shines from the first floor. You (Ben) try the door. It's locked!
You knock. No answer. You knock again a bit louder. "We're closed!", Ellucasim calls out from the first floor. You knock a third time, and also call out saying how important it is that you speak to the young apprentice.

Convince Ellucasim to open door
Ben roll Persuasion DC20 - success

You wait anxiously as you hear the door being unlocked, checking over your shoulder that Rendoulf is not returning yet. As soon as Ellucasim opens the door, you are ready.

Ask the question "ingredients?"
Ben cast Command (1st level)

Howler’s Bile (Blue-Tinted) – A rare secretion from the Howler beast, a fiendish creature known for its relentless rage. Causes uncontrollable bloodlust when ingested.

Frenzy Root – A twisted, gnarled root found in deep, cursed woods. When distilled into a potion, it suppresses rational thought and increases violent tendencies.

Frostcap Mushroom Essence (Blue-Tinted) – A fungi that grows near glacial caves; increases stamina and dulls pain.

Sapphire Dust – Crushed sapphire is often used in spells of compulsion and mind control, possibly helping ensure Sir Rubin remains in a violent trance.

As you cast the spell over the Apprentice, you whisper a single word, clearly and questioning, "Ingredients?" you demand.
A fog mists over Ellucasim's eyes and he stares directly past you, his mouth opens and he lists each of the four ingredients you hope were the ones used for Sir Rubin's healing tonic, "Howler’s Bile, ...Frenzy Root, ...Frostcap Mushroom Essence, ...Sapphire Dust". His eyes glaze over again, he steps back and closes the door. You hear it lock.
Time for you to get back to the Blue Piper Inn.

Know the ingredients
Ben roll Medicine for each DC20 - success, failure, success, failure

The names of the ingredients swirl in your mind, stirring half-formed memories from deep within your thoughts. Some seem familiar, though just out of reach. You concentrate, sifting through old knowledge until two stand out with uneasy recognition.
Howler’s Bile — a rare, blue-tinged secretion harvested from the Howler beast, a fiendish creature infamous for its relentless fury. When ingested, it induces uncontrollable bloodlust.
Frostcap Mushroom Essence — a similarly blue-tinted fungus that thrives near glacial caves. It is valued for its ability to enhance stamina and numb pain.
The other two ingredients elude you, but the implications are clear—this is no ordinary potion. A deep unease settles over you.
You must warn the others immediately.
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The Party Devise a Plan

Finally, Rendoulf exhales sharply and turns to his wife. “We’d better leave him now.”
The moment Suzi hears this, she swiftly retreats, moving quietly down the corridor and slipping down the stairs to rejoin the group. Ben has also returned, bringing his own findings.
You keep a careful watch as the apothecary and his wife descend the staircase. At the bottom, they pause, casting a suspicious glance in your direction. You do your best to appear indifferent, feigning disinterest in their movements. After a brief hesitation, they exit the inn.
A tense energy crackles between you as you exchange information. The potion has been administered to Sir Rubin—and the ingredients suggest something deeply troubling. A formula designed to induce rage and bloodlust.
The implications are chilling. Could Sir Rubin, the very man who enlisted you to investigate the murders, be the killer himself? If the potion is pushing him into a violent frenzy, he must be leaving the inn at night—but not through the front door.
Determined to uncover the truth, you divide your efforts. Suzi and Asus agree to check the back of the inn, positioning themselves beneath Sir Rubin’s chamber window to watch for any sign of movement. Meanwhile, Ben and Suilven will return to Mylitis’s Apothecary to inquire about the remaining ingredients. Matrox, ever the steady presence, remains downstairs in the inn, keeping a watchful eye until the others return.
The pieces are falling into place. Now, you just need proof.

Devising the plan
All Passive Insight DC20 - automatic success

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Set up watch at back of Inn

Slipping around in the shadows, Suzi and Asus find the spot underneath Sir Rubin's window. How is he getting in and out of the room so easily?

Check wall for climbing
Suzi roll Investigation DC15 - success

Although the wall is rough, making it an easy climb for someone as nimble as Suzi, Sir Rubin is a large man and far less agile. Yet, the signs are unmistakable—scuffed stone, disturbed mortar, and faint marks where hands and feet have gripped. Someone has been using this route to enter and exit the building recently.
Another suspicion confirmed.
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Verify potion ingredients

Ben and Suilven hurry back to Westmeet Square, but their hopes are quickly dashed—the apothecary is closed, and not a single light glows from the upper floors.
Where could Mylitis be?
Turning, you spot the warm, golden glow spilling from the windows of the Ford Inn—a likely place to start.
Sure enough, inside you find Mylitis seated at a table, enjoying a hearty meal. As soon as he sees you approach, he waves you over, gesturing for you to sit. "Ah, my friends! Come, join me. What brings you back so soon? Was I mistaken about the potion? No matter—let us discuss it over an ale!"
But there’s no time for pleasantries. You quickly apologise and explain the urgency of the situation. You’ve uncovered all four ingredients used in the potion—two of which you recognise, and they are deeply troubling. However, you need his expertise to confirm the nature of the other two: Frenzy Root and Sapphire Dust.
At the mention of these components, Mylitis pales. His expression shifts from curiosity to alarm.
"Yes, yes… this is deeply disturbing. Very disturbing indeed."
He sets his mug down, his fingers drumming anxiously on the wooden table. Then, in a hushed tone, he first confirms what you already guessed:

• Howler’s Bile—a rare, blue-tinged secretion harvested from the Howler beast, a fiendish creature infamous for its relentless fury. When ingested, it induces uncontrollable bloodlust.
• Frostcap Mushroom Essence—a similarly blue-tinted fungus that thrives near glacial caves. It is valued for its ability to enhance stamina and numb pain. This is undoubtedly what gives the potion its distinctive blue hue.

Then, leaning in slightly, he continues:

• Frenzy Root—a twisted, gnarled root found in the deepest, most cursed of woods. When distilled into a potion, it suppresses rational thought and heightens violent tendencies.
• Sapphire Dust—crushed sapphire is often used in spells of compulsion and mind control. In this mixture, it likely ensures that Sir Rubin remains in an unbreakable trance of rage and destruction.

Mylitis grips the edge of the table. "You mustn’t waste another moment. The potion will take only a couple of hours to fully take hold. Once it does, there may be no stopping the man—or the beast he becomes!"
There’s no time to lose. You thank Mylitis profusely, tossing a few coins on the table for his trouble, before rushing out of the inn.
You must get back to Piper’s Corner—now!

Confirm potion ingredients
Ben & Suilven Passive Persuasion DC10 - automatic success

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Reconvene at the Blue Piper Inn

Ben and Suilven arrive back at the Inn, and immediately grab Matrox.
"We must check on Sir Rubin immediately. His life and the lives of other innocents are in danger!" The three of you rush up the stairs.
Pip the inn-keeper is slightly confused by the commotion, but is aware that you are working for Sir Rubin now, so let's you head up without any hinderance.

Parent Plot

337-113 One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night