Recent Fires in Ravens Bluff

In the course of seeking the assassin Cybrarvain, Alaister and Mirielle have investigated several fires that have ocurred in the Bluff recently.

Zhentil Keep Embassy
While Misti Marva originally informed Mirielle of the fire at the Zhentil Keep embassy on the 4th of Marpenoth, she knew little about it except that it was claimed to be an accident. Mirielle investigated later that day, but was sent away with a threat of "trouble of an unspecified kind". No further information was forthcoming until her chance encounter with Vandroy on the 15th of Marpenoth. There the mage admitted that the fire was "all [him]". According to him, the "graycloaks" hired him and some other adventurers to raid the embassy and retrieve some documents. They were forced to fight some sort of acid-spitting constructs and in the scuffle the fire was ignited.

Dourmath Workshop, Gowntown
One of the workshops of Dourmath house burned down some time in late Eleasis. It is believed by most to have been caused by carelessness, a result of a worker becoming intoxicated by paint and glue fumes, passing out, and knocking a lamp over. While the fire spread "suspiciously quickly," this may be attributable to the layer of sawdust on the floor. Two died, including Milandar, the son of Vanja, a priestess of Tymora, and two more—a worker and a Red Raven—were injured. The insurance company that covered the workshop didn't allege neglect to reduce or avoid their liability. This is considered odd in some quarters because the damages surpassed 10,000 GP.

Elohnia's Beauty Shop, Swordspoint
Run by (who else) Elohnia, who was renowned for her looks, the beauty shop was burnt down when an experimental perfume suddenly shattered and combusted. While damage was minimal, Elohnia suffered severe burns to her hands and face. Since the accident Elohnia's business has suffered and she is rarely seen. She has hired a new assistant and insists the incident must be sabotage.

Leaf and Root, Swordspoint
The storage of the pipe and tobacco shop caught fire for unknown reasons, though sabotage and insurance fraud are popular theories. Chug, the assistant to the halfling owner, passed out from smoke inhalation but survived. As of the 15th of Marpenoth, the fire is still being investigated, but it has been conclusively proven to not have been natural. The owner is suspected and forbidden from leaving the city, while Chug quit his job. He apparently resents a perceived lack of gratitude for his heroism in trying to put out the fire and insults his former boss over beers, but doesn't believe him to have started it.