Have a look for the Merciful Annibel. If my eyes fail me, enquire with the docks workers. Prioritise those that look like they have ties to the Church - the name sounds like a Church ship. Make no mention of beasts, but instead say "I'm on business on behalf of the recently deceased," if asked.
[Self:]Have I ever heard of/encountered the Merciful Annibel in my travels?
You look around the bustling port for the ship, and when you fail, you inquire with some of the burly men hoissts crates nearby a three-masted kraken-ship. They point you the right way, and with a nod of thanks, you locate the ship.
It's a thick, wide ship, with the high rails used for hanging their catch on. It has the dagger on the bow for ramming kraken, but it is shiny - a sign of disuse, perhaps, or a recent replacement - the ship seems in very good condition. Kraken blood and sea water is a corroding mixture for most metals.
It's got all the recent equipment, as well - the paddle wheels on the rear let it move faster than a sailing ship without relying on the wind, though it has a pair of masts as well. Cannon ports are shut, and there a few figures moving on deck, moving around goods, and generally performing the standard acts of ship life.
You sincerely doubt it's a Church ship. The Church tends to have very little to do with the sea, in truth - it keeps a few cursory warships, but not many would attack something of the Church anyway. They wouldn't run a kraken-ship, certainly - their wealth comes from taxes, tithes, and land ownership rather than many businesses like that.
The pair of sailors at the gangplank look unimpressed when you mention your reason.
"Really," one says, "and what business is that?"
The other continues whittling at a piece of wood. It resembles Kaaldunafa, a Primordial that is associated with sea life - particularly, those that crawled on the bottom, like crabs. It was said that the fishermen could barely haul their nets up when Kaaldunafa was near, so heavy were they with catch...
Given Eleen thought the meeting was unlikely to dissolve into fisticuffs, she supposed a conversation would be in order. Best not to give people too much reason to be suspicious by rushing away rudely. She was lucky to have snagged an out of towner-they wouldn't be likely to stick around and identify her (Or even know who she was) if someone came around, asking questions.
"Ayah, a cup worth's of conversation is right up my alley. It's a beautiful morning, innit?
...So, you say you're writing a paper on the Myths of Sleangate, do I reckon you rightly? Well, I could tell you some stories, I kid you not..." She said, sipping her tea. It wasn't hiji, but she supposed it would do. "Anyway, tell me what's on your mind."
"Well, it's interesting. Very much so. One finds this is not the first time that beasts are mentioned in the myths of Sleangate, on close look. There were similar reports a good long time ago." He smiles.
"Can you guess when?""Thanks for yer help, sir..." Oriana says. Her eyes drift to the Church Giant.
[Self:]Do I know anything about the Church Giants? Probably not much, if they're just in this city, but if they're more common or at least well known I might know a little.
The Church Giants are probably one of the most famous Church creatures, even if they're not very common. They're very tall, obviously, and incredibly strong - in battle they tend to carry cannons primed with canister shot or huge maces to pulp their enemies. They have an infamous rage when assaulting an enemy of the faith. Not something you'd like to fight, really.
Looking at them, they're almost triangular, with a proportionally small head on a colossal body. It seems engrossed in watching the fountain. It doesn't have a weapon nearby, but you can't think of anything that could withstand a blow of those metal-clad fists... it's likely it's unarmed because otherwise it'd trash any part of the city they were in if they got in a fight.
As with all church beings, you don't have a clue how they come to be, other than it includes a lot of self-sacrifice and devotion. Unlike the Sacred, which are always silent, it is possible to talk to Giants (well, with the possibility of a reply), but expecting an answer can lead to disappointment, Just because they
can, doesn't mean they
will.