We interviewed the bag-men, and determined that they had little more information to go on than we had. They apparently took regular dropoffs of goods of unknown nature and providence throughout the docks from Archibald, and would themselves then drop off the packages wherever they were told to. It seems that they were simply couriers for some shady enterprise to which they themselves were not privy to the details of. However, Egvein, the rat, at least, was keen to assist us in our investigation, in hopes of getting a fat payday. I attempted to extoll the value of the knowledge of a job well done, and the uncovering of the truth for truth's sake, but my pleas seem to have fallen on deaf, twitchy ears. Alas, but any help is appreciated.
After tea and Ali's famous blueberry scones, and discussing the matter, we decided to attempt to track down any information we could on Archibald and perhaps investigate his place of residence, or question his neighbors, but it seems that despite his regular interactions with Amrita, Egvein, and Winston (the kobold), he kept such information very close the the vest indeed. So, lacking any better options, we set out to his last known residence, the apartment on the north end of the docks where he lived with Ali, before selling her off to my father to clear his debts.
We spoke to the building manager, who was quite forthcoming, but didn't reveal much beyond the fact that he skipped out owing the fellow six months back-rent, and that he had apparently applied at some point to another apartment at the other end of the neighborhood. Naturally, we checked up on this other apartment building, but it was there that our trail ran cold, as the landlord had nothing of value, and had no idea who Archibald was.
It being quite late, and there seeming to be nothing more of urgency in the case, we decided to head our separate ways for the evening, and reconvene in the morning, refreshed, renewed, and with daylight on our side. "Where darkness may hides many secrets, the light may show the truth", as they say.
That night, I examined the scimitar that I had surrepticiously pilfered from one of the diner hooligans on our way out of the building, and noted a distinctive sign of a raven on the handle. Perhaps on the morrow, we can ask around at pawn shops and the like and see what we can uncover connected to this emblem.
The next morning, after a fine breakfast, courtesy of Ali's ever-waxing cookery skills, Egvein arrived with news that obviated our need to ask around about this Raven ensignia. It seems that, according to one of his contacts, this gang, called "The Ravens", is a new up-and-comer in the docks, surprisingly well-funded, and that they frequent a dive bar on the south Island known as dockside. Amrita arrived shortly thereafter, and naturally we went to investigate this "Dockside" immediately.
Just as naturally, the bar was closed, because it is a bar, and it was nine A.M..
Never one to be daunted by such matters, myself and Ali went about investigating all about the building for a way in or any clues that might lead us to more information on this gang or their connections. Amrita seemed nervous to be getting involved in such criminal matters, while Egvein vanished for a time, only to suddenly reappear with a large (for him) wheel of cheese.
Ali and I noted that the dumpster out back was full of liquor bottles of a distinctly higher calibre than one would expect in this part of town, lending further credence to the wealth being channelled through this organization and this establishment. We also found a single, small, window looking in on a back storeroom with more of the same bottles, as well as a drain that Ali's keen eyes noticed was stained with blood.
Once Egvein returned, he readily agreed to be hoisted up and through the window, where, after pocketing several bottles of mid-grade booze, in what I am sure he thought was a sly way, he was able to open the front door.
Now, our company (Egvein, perhaps, excluded), are certainly not ones to perform criminal acts, so I must stress that we only entered the premises for the purposes of investigation, and pursuit of the common good. We had seen blood, after all, and Ali and myself agreed that we probably heard cries for help from deep inside. It was our civil responsibility to enter the establishment and determine the truth, as any good citizen would.
Anyways. The blood stains seemed to indicate that one had simply cleaned up there, rather than it being the scene of foul play itself, but we did manage to find a set of three keys. Naturally, one was to the front door, one was to the safe, which unfortunately, only contained cash, rather than an incriminating set of business logs, and just as naturally, the third trapdoor concealed under a movable cooler.
We quietly crept down the stairs, before Ali detected something ahead, and signalled for us to stop. There was light ahead, and chatter of several voices. As we crept closer, the light revealed a small grotto, complete with an underground dock. It seemed immediately clear to me that this must be some form of smuggling operation, and I decided to try and leverage my own criminal upbringing to attempt to gather information from the four obvious crooks who were playing cards and relaxing in the cave.
While my comrades remained in shadows behind me, I approached the cardsters, and with my best criminal persona, and inquired as to the status of "the shipment". Using as much of my thieve's cant as I could to ingratiate myself, I informed them that I was sent by the Don Platon Archofovizo of the Minotaur Mafia to check on their status. They were a tad confused, having no knowledge that the Ravens were working with the Minotaurs, but they just managed to believe my ruse, and told me that my timing was way off because the shipment had been and gone hours ago, to its delivery in the Aetherdocks. Sensing that my welcome was wearing thin, and that if I stayed much longer they'd start asking too many questions, I gave these fine goons my sincere thanks, and bid them a hasty farewell, and we retreated up the stairwell, while I promised to lock up behind me.
However, under the light of day (and without four crossbows trained on me) I realized that I never got an actual address beyond "The Aetherdocks", which is, as we all know, a whole district of Caer Dunvane. So, reluctantly, we went back down, and I tried to find out the exact delivery address of "the shipment". Unfortunately, it seems that this time my deception fell short, and if not for the swift actions fo my companions, I'd likely have been riddled with crossbow bolts in short order.
What ensued was a short, brutal, and perplexing fight. Ali unveiled a new invention right as the conversation turned to violence: a little gadget that spews fog, and blanketed nearly the whole grotto in mist so thick that no one could see through it. This lead to quite a lot of "shots in the dark" as 'twere, with myself taking a couple of bolts, one to each shoulder, before the fight was won, and without the timely intervention of the merciful Amrita, it may well have been the end of me. In the end, we managed to take two of the four crooks alive: one unconscious, and one soaking wet and under the sway of Egvein's arcane charms. The other two, well, lets just say that after Ali was done with them, they'll need a mop, rather than a body bag.
Hopefully, now, we can start getting some real answers.