The Party Gathers

It's odd. Whenever I enter Sullivan's I never really know what is going to happen. Today was no different.
 
So I'm in Sullivan's, and when I say that what I really mean is Konrad is in Sullivan's, when I get wind of a new job. Individual posting seemed nervous, as if this was their first time in this part of town, which intrigues me. If they are desperate enough to come here then Konrad and Garrett both want to know why.
Turns out the client is Nyls Factor, a wool merchant from the fancy part of town. Inherited the family business a few years ago when his father died suddenly and has been growing it ever since. His father's death, while sudden, was not thought to be suspicious and not investigated. Having met Nyls, I may have to rethink that decision and have another look into it. Lack of a body will make that more difficult.
 
Nyls is known as a collector of rare artefacts: ancient art, rare books, that sort of thing. Anyway turns out that something of his got stolen and he wants it found. Willing to pay 20gp for it as well. May find I have some competition here. Doesn't want Guard involvement either. This sets alarm bells ringing. I know most of the Patrollers can be a bit dim, but I have professional pride to think about, my colleagues and I in The Eyes are good at our jobs. No Guard involvement usually means the client knows something related to the job is illegal, or at least questionable, and could blow back onto them.
 
Decide to pay Nyls a visit to find out more and get a read of him. Investigation is not something Konrad would be involved in, he doesn't get his hands dirty! Going as Garrett is out of the question, I'm known in those parts of town, often in an official capacity. Have to be someone else. I pick an old persona I haven't used in a while, a Shifter by the name of Lukas Ritt. Last time I used him he was a bounty hunter, seems perfect for this sort of job. Have to rummage around for some roughworn clothes to make him seem a bit down on his luck and in need of coin. No real time to do better, so it will have to do.
 
Nyls' home is much as you would expect it, a compound with private guards patrolling. Part home, part warehouse once admitted I'm escorted through to the office. House seems suitably decorated for someone with his reputation and standing. Turns out his office was broken into last night and a large book was stolen. He wants it returned and was most perturbed by its theft.
 
He claimed he could not attest to his contents as it was in a language he could not read, however I noticed enough tells to know he was lying. He described the book as large (measured in feet), covered in vellum with a black iron clasp. He could not, nay would not, tell me the name, but did provide an "approximation" of the title. Will need to find someone who knows some obscure languages and see what they have to say.
Anyway, the book is very old, preceding the years of darkness and is a family heirloom. Or so he claims.
 
The book itself was kept in a chest in the office alongside a circlet of silver and gold, which was also taken. Claims nothing else taken. Target was clearly the book, although whether it was stolen because of its inherent monetary value or its contents is something I must discover. The circlet could have been taken opportunistically or be linked to the book. Given the wealth on display throughout the house it seems odd that these were the only things taken.
Checked the chest open, looks like the hinges were melted though, probably some sort of acid. Would have to be highly potent to eat through steel quickly, which may mean magic!
The room is on the ground floor looking out onto the grounds . It has a single doorway and two windows that I could see. The client indicated that the window was found open in the morning and that the door is locked when the room is not in use. Investigation of the door lock confirmed that it was not picked. Searching around the windows I noticed disturbanced and footprints indicative of an individual of smaller stature, possibly a halfling of gnome. May need to get Flint involved in this. His presence would certainly help when dealing with The Overlooked.
Window to perimeter wall is roughly 10 feet, with the wall being roughly 7 feet tall. Easy to scale for a human, would require some tools and skills to traverse for a halfling or gnome but it is not impossible. Paving between the wall and flower bed make it difficult to trace where on the wall the thief came over. Although even if it were grass or earth, the client's guards would likely have trampled the evidence away.
Adjacent neighbour house has a view, although chances of them seeing anything are slim and chances of them admitting to it are next to non-existant. Will need to question them anyway, but I might need some help. I also checked the street between the houses. Looks like the candles in the street light were extinguished at some point. Forgot to grab one, will have to see if they are still there when I return as they could help provide a time of entry.
 
This job has certainly peaked my curiosity, although more for the fact that I want to know what shady business Nyls, and possibly his family, are up to. If my suspicions around the book and its purpose are true, then preventing its use is also a must.
 
Keeping an open mind on this, although it being an inside job is obviously the top of my list. The servants knew the book was in the chest and would live in the poorer side of town. However, no staff were reported missing (that would be too easy), and those I saw did not appear uneasy. Maybe someone was paid for information, or saw an opportunity for a bit of coin by providing information. Will need to question staff in detail but the client was insistent that the job was intended for a group, which means he possibly knows more about who stole it than he is letting on. Finding a thief and retrieving an item shouldn't need more than myself but I know when to take a hint.
 
Flint is an obvious one to call upon. He and I have worked well together in the past, and a member of The Overlooked could be handy when dealing with the halfling and gnome communities. Flint suggested a priest friend of his. Supposed to be tough and as a healer is well known and liked east of the river. I've had a few dealings with him before. Seemed a decent sort, could be useful, and Hells, if my suspicions are correct having a god on our side could be essential.
Whilst discussing this that new bard Sullivan has hired came over. I've spoken to him a few times before as Konrad and he seemed an OK sort. Certainly has a silvered tongue and a way with words. Could help with chatting up the neighbours. If nothing else bards make for great distractions.
 
So that is us. A halfling and three misfit humans, investigating a theft and possibly about to get out of our depths very quickly. If nothing else this could be fun.