Raelin came for dinner tonight, Obscura was out at a party.  We compared notes as to how our investigation was going.

Samus was looking for where Snargras lived and was spending much of his time down at a bar called ?? where the merchants hang out.  Apparently Snargras pretty much runs the University Market as they merchants pay him for protection.  He as a platform he likes to stand on overlooking the market and all that he owns.  Samus did find out that he lives in the noble district on ?? Street and that he and Cedric Tunney are in cahoots together.

Samus had thought to follow him once he left the market but each evening Snargras goes behind a curtain and disappears.  He is a user of magic  so he must have a portal or some sort of transportation spell that he uses to transport him and his imp.

I let them know that my source may have a lead on the displacement beast as there were some sightings in the woods to the west of the city.  We thought to go for a hike the next morning under a rouse of gathering herbs for Friz’ potions.  Samus could not come with us as he had University business to attend to. We discussed possible ways out of the city so we wouldn’t have to keep paying gold, but Raelin did not know of any place that all of us could safely get over the walls and the sewers were too dangerous.

That night we decided to check the market place and the curtain area.  While Samus, Friz, and I watched for any trouble, Raelin snuck behind the curtain but only found a chair and a table.  It confirmed my suspicion that Snargras was using magic as a mode of transport.

The next morning we awoke, Samus was already gone for his morning workout.  We made to the forest without incident.  Raelin was a nervous wreck and finally told us he hated being out of the confining walls of the city.  Nature scared him.  I for one couldn’t get enough of the scents of the rich soil and wild flowers growing in the dappled sunlight.  Of the drone of insects and the joyous song of birds.  Of the green canopy of leaves that towered over us. At first I thought Friz shared my enthusiasm for the woods, but I soon found that his scientific mind only saw possibilities for remedies and potions…and that got us in trouble.

We were following a path through the woods and Friz found mint, an herb he was looking for.  We followed it until it split.  I knew of meadow to the right that I had gone before with Samus and thought Friz may find some herbs there.  We followed it and came to meadow of all sorts of wildflowers.  Bees were buzzing and butterflies were dancing and before I could stop him, Friz grabbed one of the butterflies, quickly killed it and began examining it with his magnifying glass.  He discards it casually.  I pick up the butterfly tucking it away. He takes a step away from us and falls over, asleep.  Before Raelin and I can do anything we join Friz in sleep.

We awake feeling well rested and it is dark outside.  I have lost my bearings and can’t see the path. I send out my dancing lights but they do not help.  Friz finds a small birch bark scroll on his chest and written in neat common – Leave the butterflies alone.  “Fey,” I whisper. 

Raelin is beside himself look for the lights of the city.  He is beginning to panic.  Friz and I calm him down and say that we will spend the night under some bushes and I will watch as I can see further then them in the dark.  Friz notices a campfire in the distance but we decide to stick with hunkering under the bushes. 

It is not long when we hear the sound of someone, or someones, approaching, and they aren’t being very quiet.  We hear two orcs crushing though the brush sniffing the air.  “I smell gnome,” says one.  Raelin squeaks behind me.

I pull out my rose petals and mutter my sleep spell and one of them drops, but is roused quite quickly by another two orcs. Friz whispers a plan in my ear and I nod. 

Friz stands up and in an elven accent tells them he is Woodroot of the forest elves and they have trespassed on their territory and they should leave now or face the wrath of his entire clan.  Raelin changes into an elf and steps out carving into the first Orc and bring it down.  I send dancing lights positioning them directly above their heads.  The three remaining Orcs run.

We find: Fur pelts, scimitar, and dagger.

At daybreak we head back into town and Raelin disappears into the crowd.  After a short nap, I had to the library, now that I at I know the name of the street Snargras lives on and which district.  I go back to the plat maps and  find his home. I will send Mouse to scout the location out for us.