The Devonshire Problem - Part 3

Session 16 Recap

General Summary

In an attempt to lay low, the party starts spending more of their time at the Library, trying to research clues into Verant and the Amaelian family. One day, they notice a member of the City Guard enter the building and speak with Bilia, subtly sliding her something in the process. Bilia points the guard to the party, and he moves to engage them in conversation, introducing himself as Officer Jespen and stating that Captain Engelson wants them to start looking into the plot against them. The party senses that something is wrong, playing along with him but being cautious of his suggestions. When he leaves, they confront Bilia, who tries to lie to them about her connection to the man, but they catch her and learn that he is probably not a member of the guard, and that she knew him from "before she worked at the library." They take this information to Captain Engleson, who is concerned by the development and vows to look into the issue, telling them that if anything else comes up, to talk only to one of her sergeants, whom she trusts. The party agrees and starts to head out to gather character witnesses for their case against the Devonshires when they spot the shady guardsman in plainclothes. They stalkw him to a poorer section of town, watching him enter a flophouse that Qas and Rayne identify as a likely haven for criminals. They question some of the locals and learn that the business is, indeed, a front for Malorek's gang. They report this knowledge back to the sergeant of the guard, who lets them know that while the guard will look into the business, without hard evidence any action by the guard will take time and investigation. The following day, the party heads back to the library to continue their research when "Officer Jespen" returns and tries to get them to raid Malorek's hideout. The party refuses, toying with him and egging him on without revealing that they are on to him. Finally, in a huff, he bids them farewell and leaves them to their books.