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The lock design is familiar to you, but tiny, and a challenge for your typical toolset. You reckon you could get it open, but it may take you a few minutes to measure the tumblers, so you can use the correct tension tool and rake without ruining the lock.

Do you want to proceed?

It takes you several minutes, but you finally match the right sized tool to the lock. The cupboard slides out, and you find a smattering of documents. Specifically, there is a stack of various papers, an envelope, and a small leather pouch.

After several minutes of Amake standing there with his line cast, you see him jam his fishing pole in between two of the pier's planks, keeping it upright for now. He stands up, turning back toward the house as he begins to walk.

Several minutes pass. Sisera stands guard outside. What are the other two of you doing in the meantime?

Is there a vantage point or sth. nearby that gives Vaughn eyes on Amake?

You reckon you could hop the waist-high fence into the yard between Amake's house and shed, which would provide a view of the rear of his house and private pier.

If you are attempting to do so with little notice, roll Stealth.

Dess will wait here for a bit longer, just in case.

Stealth check using Speak with spirits: [1d20+6]=2+6=8

You hop the waist-high fence, moving into the small enclosure between the house and the shed. On the side of the house is another door. Spread throughout the enclosure are a few planter boxes, filled with various crops that appear well-kept. You spot some small bushes of culinary herbs as well as some potatoes and onions. Ahead, the enclosure wraps around the house to the left, toward a ladder that leads down to a small, private pier.

On the pier, you see the form of Amake walking back toward the ladder. He looks up in your direction, but you slip out of sight — unsure if he saw you or not.

As Amake heads back, something catches his eye. His pace quickens toward the ladder.

The pouch tinkles softly as you pick it up — the distinctive sound of Groznid sovereigns inside.

The papers are all seemingly unrelated to each other. Some are notes in some shorthand that appear to be about fishing. Others are an improvised ledger of sorts, with scribbled numbers and corrections on them. However, a few pages deep one catches your eye: a sales receipt in what you now recognize as Gilo's stationary. It is written in the same terrible handwriting as before, though somewhat more legible. Listed is one purchase last week for ten sacks of smelling salts, amounting to fifteen gold.

The envelope is open and appears to have a letter inside it. The front is addressed to Amake, in a scrawling print unfamiliar to you.

Going to make a Perception check to see if Dessarius notices anything worrying on his return: [1d20+6]=15+6=21 He's looking to see if he can specifically spot what worried Amake, anyone else watching the dock or something.

You pocket the sales receipt. As you close the cabinet and go to open the letter, you catch movement in the window to the front of the house. Vaughn looks to be returning, in a hurry.

Vaughn returns suddenly from around the side of the house.

You quickly return to the front of the house, where Aeron, Sisera, and Cymril are gathered. Alierin appears to still be inside the house.

You notice that Amake had glanced upwards, toward his yard beside the house. Something clearly caused him to pick up the pace.

You begin your way back around the dock and toward the others.

OOC

It will take another DM update or two for you to reach their position, just FYI.

Alierin appears at the door, stepping through it and outside, before closing it quietly behind her.

"What? Did you see him?" Cymril whispers to Vaughn.

You open up the envelope which is unsealed already, pulling free a letter. It appears to be dated just over a year ago, and is addressed from Tiz Teberi to Amake.

Mardia, 43rd of Grens, 2E Y22

Amake,

I was informed yesterday by a mutual party that you have decided not to compete in this year's competition. While I really would've liked being told in person, I am grateful to have received a response one way or another before the entry window closes tomorrow.

I know you have your reasons, as Kumara knows you are right to. However, I'll repeat again what I said last year — the decision to disqualify you was by no means personal. The rules must be upheld, otherwise what good are they? I would have made the same exact call whether that fish was in the hands of some mewling pup or a reigning champ's.

If you ever change your mind, there will always be a spot for you next year. Otherwise, I hope to see you out on the pier sometime.

— Tiz

As you speak, Amake appears at the waist-high gate that leads into the enclosure Vaughn came from. He immediately spots your group lingering near the corner. "You juvenile little shits! I saw one of you lurking back here, like the creeping sort you are," he shouts at a distance. A pair of passersby glance in his direction, which causes him to shrink somewhat. As they continue on, he redoubles his haranguing with a pointed finger and a growl. "I told you, get the hell away from my property. The next time I see you around here, I won't hesitate to use force!"

Amake stays at his gate, watching you, until you leave sight of him. You continue back west along the boardwalk. In just a short moment, you catch sight of Dessarius.

Making your way back to the group, you find them halfway, having already left Amake's.

Gold Harbor was closed for the day, as you saw Ulungi locking up and leaving. You could report your findings to him at another time, but Tiz Teberi would likely be your main priority.

Do you want to go back to Fisherman's Wharf?

She hands you the equivalent of 200 gp.