"I will accompany you Bedlam, and we can fill Javin in later. We do not have to leave for this festival today, tomorrow will do as long as we do not drink away what little money we have left tonight." Alwyn says.

We all leave together to the meeting re the murders..

You all head over to the Hall of Potentates to hear about the mysterious murders.

Three people have been found dead in a particular alleyway, their bodies drained of blood. The alley is in a seedy part of town, with a tavern, a tanning works and a minor temple, but crimes like this are uncommon and rumor has it that the local crime lord is adamant that he had nothing to do with it.

The local people want to put on a 24 hour patrol of the area.

Curiously, Lord Rudario argues vehemently against this, claiming it is unnecessary and oddly enough will frighten people even more. He seems to have some leverage with the council, and the patrol plan is scotched. The meeting ends in muttering.

You talk to the stall-owner Filius, the one who's just lost his wife. He claims that witnesses have noticed movement of the stone covering the entrance to the sewers on the nights of the murders. Also, someone heard the actual grinding sound of the heavy stone moving one night. A stone that's not meant to be moved.

"Will you help us? More killings will surely follow! I am not wealthy, but other folk in my neighbourhood will dig into their savings to compensate the brave investigators. What's more - I do have something of value. We will give you gold for an investigation, but something of substantially greater value if you can definitely rid us  of this scourge."

Alwyn nods thoughtfully and says, "We three will talk about it Filius my friend and see what we might be able to do. I am sorry for your loss and would be honored to avenge it for you. What say you Bedlam... Javid?"

Bedlam pushes a finger thru a hole in his jerkin as says "How much gold? Will you provide garlic and a wooden stake? I'll do it for a good price to risk my life.

Bedlam argues in favour of campng out in the area near the stone and waiting to see what comes out and then deal with it if we feel able, or withdraw and plan an incursion later.

Alwyn nods as Bedlam describes his plan, "That sounds good to me Bedlam, I am strongly in favor of trying to get a glimpse of what we would be facing while we still have plenty of escape routes before attempting to defeat it."

"I'll do what I can," Javid agrees.  "Though I'm not much use in a fight, I'm afraid.

"In the meanwhile, I'll see what I can do for Wen, maybe hear what others are saying, what they've seen or heard.  And maybe bring in a little money while I'm at it."

"Fair enough Javid, is there anything else we can do to prepare? I know I'm broke, so all I can do is go scout out the area and perhaps find as a good vantage point." Alwyn says, "Do either of you have any idea what might be causing this and how to fight such a creature, if a creature it is? Is it some sort of spirit maybe? How would such an entity be defeated?"