The Interrogation: Know your Fantasy Rights.

Or [Can you waterboard something with a squid for a face!?]

The over worked watch sergeant gives a look (like bloody sheltered wizards) and with a sigh clarifies a few points: 

"From their investigation of the crime scene it looks like he was trying to get away with about 50gp of goods, the Merchant in question barely has two nibs to rub together. If this had gone poorly, he'd have been financially ruined. 

Not to sure of the Why, we'll leave that to your lot to poke around in his head. 

As for the Who for, M'Lady Blackstaff, I'd have thought it obvious. Only one creature employs these sort of unsavoury characters. The Xanather - Crimelord of the City. He controls every goblin pickpocket and kenku con-artist that bubbles out of the sewers". 

As the words hung there, he pulled out a small gnomish pocket watch. "That's 5th evening bell, my shifts ended. Any further questions can be directed at the duty sergeant. Evening Ma'am."

Vajra Safahr rubbed both hands together. 

"Mistress Stonemarrow and Lady Valetta follow me to the cell".  

A few minutes later she was greeting there new tentacled friend cordially. 

"I trust you have not been too uncomfortable. I thought it best we try and break this - unfortunate - impasse.  Cooperation is something that can yield...benefits."

The Blackstaff nodded to the mage and priest. They began to cast Zone of Truth and Detect Thoughts on the Mindflayer.

Her gaze returned to the creature.

"Who do you work for?"

The bronze dragonborn Priest began to channel the divine might of Gond. While the sour faced Dwarven archmage, it was easy to see why they called her the Gargoyle, began to gather enough arcane power to breach the psionic creatures mental defences. Her shield guardian stepping up, interposing itself between the creature and the two women. A ward on its chest piece glimmering slightly.

"This creature does not fear the power of Gond, I have failed to compel it to speak the truth." Valetta sighed. 

Vajra could swear the creatures  facial tentacles shifted into something of a smirk. 

"No matter. I can read its surface thoughts like a book" the old dwarf grunted, beads of sweat gathering on her brow. "He truly is one of the blasted Beholders dogs." she scowled.

Vajra pushed on.

"Who are you following? Who engenders such loyalty?"

Again Ulkoria caught a glimpse of 10 small eyes moving in the dark, before a single large eye blinked into focus.

"WHERE.  WHERE DO THEY RESIDE..." the Blackstaff demanded.

WHERE IS SHE!

Flashes of worked stonewalls and a sensation of being deep deep underground, was all the Gargoyle got before the creature spoke. Its muffled voice (like Banes) rippled out from where the wizard stood, the dwarfs face grimacing in concentration. 

'The current Blackstaff. You should ask your boss. The Open Lord knows exactly where to find us.' its facial tentacles writhed slightly. 'And I would hurry, the longer I am held here, the closer the city comes to knowing The Xanathar's wrath.' 

The tone Vajra heard in her mind was unmistakably that of someone smirking.

"What do they look like I wonder? Your...Xanathar?"

Vajra filed away the worrying concept of the Open Lord being in on things.

Ulkoria described the pure unfiltered image she saw.

The creature almost seemed surprised by how little Vajra seemed to know.

'A beholder...well...isn't that interesting.' Vajra's mind was racing.

"What did you want with the merchant? Petty thievery seems somewhat shallow for someone of your...capabilities..."

She made a mental note to review all the items he'd allegedly stole...

The mindflayer seemed almost playfully amused at this point. 

'If even for a being of my mental prowess, The Xanathars mind is beyond comprehension, how do you think you'd fair in unravelling its schemes. I have learned over the years, not to question what it requires of me.' 

Its tentacles rub together as though contemplating something. 

'I soldier and keep my mouth shut...', 

A very strange turn of phrase for a being such as he. 

'...it keeps me out of the firing line. So to speak.'

Ulkoria saw an image of several creatures being disintegrated with not but a glare.

Turning to the dwarf, the Blackstaff growled in a low tone.  

"Deeper.  Delve Deeper."

Before turning back to her prisoner.

"I will have your thoughts creature, one way or another."

"What exactly did the Xanathar want you to achieve with your interaction with the Merchant? Where is the main headquarters of the Xanathar within the City?"

She only got those 2 questions, before the squid man forced Ulkoria from his mind

"He only wanted the cash" and "Orsabbas's Fine Imports, Vellarr's Lane". 

Were all she was able to get, blood trickling from Ulkorias bulbous dwarven nose, As she was forced several feet back. Their mental link forcefully terminated. 

The glyphs around the cell flared to life, as Valetta rushed to tend to the older woman.

A few days after the interrogating had long since concluded, Vajra Safahr noticed Meloon Wardragon acting strangely as he patrolled the Force Greys base within the city; the Blackstaff Tower.

[Next Poast]