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I don't know how research works so add any bonuses as needed.
Nobility - (1d20+15)[21] about our employer.
Random - (1d20+10)[29] about the the condition people died of (from the description).
Random - (1d20+10)[28] unusual information in the Blue Desert.
and
Diplomacy - (1d20+13)[25] to find what the people of the town we're in might know about the Blue Desert or our noble friend.

Going to steal a couple of ideas from Meek. 201gp


Xeresaph spends the first morning shoping for some useful items, including a filter mask and an everful mug. After that, he starts interviewing people to get some idea of what they are walking into.

He then spends the next three days researching anything on the Blue Desert and the ark-eo-logical expedition.