Grint looks baffled by the sudden appearance of someone with a questionaire, but smiles and says politely.
"I guess we have some time to spare. Let me see that paper?"
Grint scans the paper quickly and frowns as he sees the different options.
"I've heard about the first two, but I get the impression this could be an investigation to relationships as well? I'd like to participate, however I'm not particularly afraid of anything." He thinks for a short while to himself as what might scare him.
He fills in the questionaire, but does it so that the others can't see what he fills in.
Worst experience ever: Tricked by my great love when I was fourteen, she had me stealing stuff for her. When I got caught, my parents wouldn't talk to me for a week, worst time ever.
What brought the most joy in my life: As a young boy, I had two cats as a pet, playing with them was so much fun. When I got older the time spent with my father and his best friend training in archery, my father had never been as proud as when I beat both of them. I still remember the look on his face.
Grint looks at the two guards, judging what he should tell.
"Perhaps you've heard about the prize money being stolen of the lottery from last night? We've found out that a man who has information about this robbery might be on the docks. We'd appreciate if you could tell us if you've seen him?"
"Unshaven, black hair and an eye patch? I know there might be multiple men like that here, but if you knowof one..."
Why's he hiding it? He writes down things a random stranger may know, but we may not? We're pretty much random strangers though, only having met yesterday...
Lyssa's eyes move from Grint to the girl with the questionaires, then back to Grint. Her eyes move to Sabel, back to Grint, then to Elsa... and back to Grint... then back to Elsa...
"He likes El...!" Lyssa covers her mouth with both hands.
What have they been doing last night...?
"Ahum, sure. I'll help you." Lyssa takes a questionaire, first reading all the questions before answering them. When she returns the paper, Lyssa doesn't seem to care if anyone sees her answers. "Good day, and good luck with your questionaire!"
The worst experience ever was:
Can't remember. But if I could remember my parents abandoning me, I guess that would be it?
The thing that gave me the most joy in my life was:
Not sure. Probably what gave me peace of mind; studying the law and training my martial skills.
Lyssa walks up to the Grint and the two guards. "He was wearing an earring which looked like a compass the size of a small coin," she adds to his description.
Malena, bemused, watches the woman go. She disappeared so fast... Malena is sure that there is more to this woman than meets the eye, and makes a note to lookout for her again.
Grint and Lyssa having posed the question, Malena doesn't say anything. However, she does keep a sharp out around the area to see if anybody else might be listening or observing them. She also regards the guards' manner with their response, trying to judge how straight they are being.
Sabel looks startled at Lyssa.
Please no, they don't match at all!!"
She eyed up both Elsa and Grint.
It can't be...
When her thoughts return to normal she turns to the new woman.
"I don't mind to help you, can I have a form?"
I am most afraid of:
Nothing
My worst experience ever was:
Torture
The thing that gave me the most joy in life was:
My best friend Hank, the skeleton.
"That is it I believe."
When the commotion of the university had ended they moved on and encountered the guards. After several questions:
"You guys would be a great help if you could point him out."
She said with a blush on her cheeks.
One of the guards chuckles at Grint's oh so obvious comment.
"Yes we get quite some types here."
The other looks at Sabel...."Of course we'd be a help, but you can't expect us to be lacking duty now can you."
The first one speaks up again:
"Jokes aside, we have seen somebody matching the description head into the city and come back. But if you want more details, head for the dockmaster's office.", he points his finger at the sign 20 ft ahead.
At the dockmaster's office
As you open the door the smell of wood and lampoil welcomes you. A few bottled ships decorate a plank above a desk.
A bearded man in a simple outfit sits behind the desk, writing something in a book. He looks up as the bell attached to the door rings.
"Come in, what can i do for you? Are you here to report docking, would you like to board a ship for travel, complaints to make?"
Elsa continues following Grint and practicing her regal scowl at others. She steadfastly refuses to report her deepest fears because in Irrisen such knowledge would be used against her so she doesn't trust the asker.
Back while the old woman was still talking to Malena:
In response to the question about what she got for her fifth birthday, Malena's face assumes a distant expression. "My fifth birthday? That was quite a while ago... I remember this scarf. My mother gave me a scarf that I loved, I loved so much I wore it everywhere, even to bed, for months after my birthday. It was orange and violet in an ornate swirling pattern, with frilly bits at either end."
In response to the other question, Malena assumes a guarded expression. Her mind goes instantly to the slaughter of her family and her caravan, with her hiding in a hollow log nearby, hoping that she would not be found by the Hellknights who thought her family part of the Sczarni. Not wanting to elaborate on the most painful episode of her life with a stranger, she simply replies, "Yes, I have."
At the Dockmaster's Office:
"A question, actually. We're looking for a man. We don't know his name, but we have his description. Black hair, unshaven, eye patch. Has an earring that looks like a compass the size of a small coin. Do you have any idea who this might be or where we might find him?
The dockmaster listens to your question, hands folded together.
At the mention of the earring one of his brows raises.....
"Oh? Yes i remember such a man. They arrived here 2 days ago aboard a ship at pier number 4. The ship was called The golden Compass, fitting wouldn't you say. You can't miss it."
After sharing the news with the group, a man who seems to be a dockworker walks in. Taking a bite out of an apple h notices the company present with his boss. "munch...munch...*gulp*...pardon. Boss, have you heard yet? I was at Mary's this morning and.."
"Man, at the tavern this morning? No wonder i couldn't find you, you'll be working extra today!"
The dockmaster is standing with a spyglass in hand.
"No boss, hear this. Talk is a young lad was brought in to the guards the evening of the lottery. But this morning, the lad was clean as a slate. At least if you believe his story, he didn't remember anything, not his name his home, anything at all. Had a weird look in his eyes from what i hear....
Anyway...i'd best get to work huh. Catch you later boss."
The dockmaster sits back down, rubbing his chin in surprise.
Sense Motive 15
The man seems to know something about the boy.
Sense Motive 20
You'd expect the look on his face to show with someone who's baffled to hear of someone's exploits. Like that of a parent or close friend.
Grint listens as the women talk to the dockmaster, content in the thought that they might get more out of him than he perhaps could do.
Then as the man barges into the office and tells his story, Grint only looks at the man and the dockmaster's reaction. Grint himself is surprised by this turn of events, but can only think of one cause: Magic.
As the other man leaves, Grint looks at the dockmaster with interest.
"You look like you know something more about those events. What can you tell us?"
The dockmaster looks up to Grint.
"Nothing of the events themselves. But i've seen the boy in question.
Not that it's any of your business. If i had asked every sailor who arrived here about what they do i'd be a very disliked man.
But the boy is normally a good lad.
Now, unless you have any other important questions, i still have filing to do."
"What's your relationship with this boy, are you his father or another close relative? A friend of the family, perhaps?"
Before the dockmaster can reply, Lyssa continues talking. "I you wonder why I care, I'm the one who captured the lad and handed him over to the guards. The lad was promised gold in return for distracting people, and the man we described to you hired him to do it."
"The lad used the gold the man gave him to buy a present for his mom's birthday. If he's normally a good lad, this man with compass earrings used him. We should go after this man. So tell me all you know, and I'll see if it's possible to restore the lad's memories."
"I stand with my friend here, we are trying to help. We do need some information first though if you want us to help, else we won't be able to do it in time if we are to do it at all."
Malena turns a sharp eye on the dockmaster, but finds him very difficult to read.
"If the lad's memory has been wiped, there's probably more at work here than simple looting of lottery money," Malena says to the dockmaster. "I've heard of relatively common spells to make somebody forget a few seconds or a minute, but completely wiping somebody's mind? There might be something dangerous afoot here, that could threaten us all. If you know something, as the others here have said, please share it with us."
The docksmaster leans forward, eyes focusing upon each of you before standing up. He seems to be convinced of your sincerity, though he looks at Lyssa with a glare of angry tension as his eyes narrowed for a moment.
"My name's Hammilton.
I've heard the lad was quite bruised and nearly had his arm dislocated when delivered to the prison......as much as crimes should be punished, that was too excessive.
Now,...the lad is my nephew. His mother has fallen ill, a very bad case of flue and if i had to guess Matthew, the nephew, would have then taken the money for a birthday present and medicine."
He sighs, holds his hands on his back and walks forth and back as he looks at you.
"You wanted to know about the compass earring huh? That man came to sign the log for docking here, paid his fee on the spot, which was enough for a week while he said he'd only be here for the 3 days the festival is lasting plus 1. As i said, it's at pier 4. It is registered as a merchant ship from north western Varisia. We keep the order here at the docks, but unless there's a strong valid reason, we don't search the ship. It's crew is numerous too, registered at 40.
Tell you what, you find out what has happened to my nephew and i will try to find out what i can about the ship and it's crew. But remember, it's leaving the day after the festival, 2 days from now."
Perception 14
The Golden Compass is a big ship, you're guessing larger than your average from a merchant vessel.
Perception 18
Despite them walking around, you'd count about 18 men on deck.
"I don't believe my treatment of him to be excessive, but a memory wipe most certainly is. Matthew didn't deserve that." Lyssa walks to the door and opens it, but she doesn't yet leave. "We'll do our research, and you'll be contacted soon."
Lyssa leaves the dockmaster's office and walks up to pier 4. She observes the ship while walking the pier.
The Jadwiga hears this story of a man's family problems and it causes some small sympathy in her heart. She turns to her escort Grint and says
We should see about this man's nephew. A trade of knowledge might unravel some of this mystery
From pier 4 Lyssa observes the ship, and she takes her time for it. She'll try to draw the attention of one of the sailors by waving, and motioning the sailor to come closer.
Acting suspicious will cause suspicion. I'm just a gal watching ships.
"Hi! Do you have some time?" Lyssa smiles her cutest smile at the sailor. "Do you know how they make these ships?" She points her finger at the ship, and some similar ships she happens to spot.
Grint nods to Elsa. "I agree, like Lyssa has mentioned we should start at pier 4 to get any information. Whoever did wipe Matthew's memory must've been a powerful spellcaster, I've never heard of one that can do such thing. So we'd better keep a lookout for any of those among the ship or an item in their cargo if we could get that close."
Grint looks around to see what the others think and determines that Lyssa has already left.
"She seems pretty impatient that one. Shall we all go and check out the docks? Though it might be best if we ask around for a possbile passage to not arouse any suspicion of a group as large as ours."
Grint looks ready to leave the dockmaster's office when the others are.
He greets dockmaster Hammilton and thanks him for his time.
Malena head with the others who are going past pier 4. She looks at the ship as she passes.
She also thinks if she knows of any arcane procedures that could produce the full memory wipe that the dockmaster was describing.
To the others, she says, "Perhaps we should speak with the lad. It might be that we could learn something by talking to him, or that he remembers something he doesn't realize he knows."
Elsa nods at Grint Let us go and ask for passage, we shall pose as a Lord and his Lady. Puff your chest out like so and leave the speaking to me.
Elsa will let Grint lead her to the ship in question
Grint looks at his clothes and then back at Elsa, "Ok, but I would hardly make a noble in this soldier's outfit. I'd think they'd rather believe I'm your bodyguard than something else."
Grint follows Elsa to the ship and acts like he means to protect her, still puffing up his chest as she asked him too.
Sabel follows everyone to the ship. She stops next to Lyssa and also looks very interested.
"The ship is beautiful, how do they indeed make such a thing. I can't imagine how complicated that would be!"
She follows Lyssa's example in tricking the sailor in believing them simple townsfolk. She stares at different ships waiting for a response.
A crewman looks down as Lyssa clearly shouts upwards. As he stares down a 2nd stands by him. The answers are returned blunt and short.
"We haven't got time, we're busy. If you want to know how these ships are built, ask at a warf."
They then return to work an completely ignore Lyssa.
Malena
Spells that have an influence over the mind are mainly arcane spells, either compulsory or enchantment. These range from lowly temporary spells to very powerful degrees. But even the lowest, if properly applied, can cause what sounds like a sort of amnesia.
Info from perception as per above. It's a larger ship than you'd expect from a merchant ship.
The docks are busy as usual. Merchant vessels are loading in and off their cargo, as are a few fishing boats. Walking the boards towards the piers is a bit of a hassle, since sailors are carrying cases, chests and the sort. A few seaguls fly over as the rest of you (Lyssa already having rushed over it seems :} )get onto the piers.
Lyssa reacts as offended as she can. "Ru-ude, mister!"
She rolls her eyes and walks off the pier. "You coming, Sabel? Let's ask somewhere else."
"Yes, let's leave these people."
She turns her head to Lyssa and whispers.
"We need to know where the thief is, how do we know where to find him if we can't get them to talk?"
She walks a bit with lyssa side by side waiting for an answer.
"There about 18 men on the deck, but you heard the number the dockmaster mentioned. Sneaking onto a ship with 40 men doesn't seem like a good idea..."
Lyssa stares out over the water as they walk. "Let's try to think of something else, but do it after the beauty contest. I need to go there soon."
But let's see if Grint and Elsa have something up their sleeve before you rush off.
"Actually, with the time we spent here, I do think I'd better go rrright now." Lyssa quickens her pace and walks to the others.
"I'm going to Mary's for the contest. You coming to watch, or will you continue to investigate?" After asking this and waiting for a response, Lyssa hurries over to Mary's.
"I would like to see the contest. Afterwards I have to work though. You guys could come to my house later in the evening to tell me what has happened. Or you could come to my stall if you're early enough. But if you come to my stall please don't punish customers."
She rushes off after Lyssa to join her at Mary's.
Elsa leads Grint to the ship in question and barks orders to the nearest seaman available You there, come here. Will there be passage on this ship available tomorrow? Yes YOU. Who is the Master of this Vessel and will there be cabins available for a Lady and her manservant. Don't Gawk! Who is the Master here? Elsa, used to command uses her formidable will to bully one of the lowly seamen into answering questions.
Two of the sailors appearantly feel uneasily adressed, as they drop a crate they were carefully getting up a small set of stairs. Their hearts coming back to a somewhat normal rhytm, they and several others stand at the side.
"What the HELL is going on here, that you are standing still and looking at?" a booming voice yells from behind them.
A few of the crew pushes aside, a bull of a man shows up.
"Scipper sir, this woman is yelling, demanding cabin space for passage."
"Miss, this is a merchant ship, we have no cabins for passengers. Ask one of the other ships here, a city this great has those sort coming and going as well. Now if you would excuse us, we still have alot of work to do."
Lyssa enters Mary's and searches for Mary. "Hi Mary! I'm here for the contest. Do you have a room where I could change into my outfit?"
"I'll just wait here, or do you want me to help you in your dress?"
She looks around the room to see what has been changed to allow the contest.
Indeed, and who are you? Elsa continues undeterred.
At Mary's
Mary smiles warmly when Lyssa and Sabel walk in.
The other women whom signed up have also arrived and are getting ready for their final touches.
"Hey, you're in time. Sure, there's a small room at the far right corner where you can change."
GM rolls {*}
Meanwhile, back at the docks the docks the scipper measures you up.{*} Not the best at reading people, he falls back to his job.
"I am the scipper, and we have work to do.
Do i make myself clear? {*}...Now, have a good day miss."
the man says with a firm but reserved composure. That shifts back to rowdy as he slaps the two who started standing still over the head, pointing them to get back to work.
Grint wants to object to being called a manservant, but quickly understands Elsa's goal and his role in that.
"Forgive me Mistress for speaking, but perhaps a mention of a large purse of gold will help. I've never learned of a merchant not wanting to earn some extra coin."
Grint says, soft enough to not arouse immediate suspicion that he isn't Elsa's guard, but loud enough so that the bull of a man might hear it.
"I'll manage, but thanks Sabel. I do want your honest opinion though, before the others see me. Give me a second, I'll let you know when I'm ready." Lyssa moves into the small room and kicks off her sandals. She changes into the green Lamare dress, and puts her feet in the flats.
I forgot to check if they fit... Luckily they do.
Lyssa then takes the beige sashes of her monk's outfit and ties them around her waist. She doesn't tie them like a monk would usually tie her sashes, but instead uses them to tie a ribbon. Placing the ribbon just a bit off-center on the front of the dress, Lyssa smiles content.
A little personal touch, to add just a bit more detail.
"Sabel!" Lyssa pokes her head out of the room, and beckons Sabel to come. "What do you think? I added a ribbon, my sashes were perfect for it."
GM roll *
The man does stop for a moment, glaring at Grint.
"As much as we'd like some coin, you do understand you'll be paying extra coin for every member of our crew don't you? Sorry to say though, the man in charge isn't on board."
[/spoiler]
Sense Motive 16
The thought of the extra pay seems to appeal to this man.
A parrot sitting on the bow of the ship is fooling around, landing a bit away from Grint and Elsa on a pier's support.
Perception 12
A familiar cat is stalking the parrot.
"I'm coming!"
Sabel looks Lyssa up and down and says "Turn around." After Lyssa makes a beautiful pirouette.
"Oh that does really fit indeed, it's a perfect match. I think you are completely ready to go!"
She said with a smile.
"How about some make-up actually? We could bring out your eyes some more."
Sabel looks to be thinking of some matching colors for make-up and her clothes.
"Thank you! Make-up, you have it with you? If you're able to help me with that, yes please." Lyssa looks around to see if there's a mirror.
Should've bought a hand mirror too.
While waiting for Sabel to get her make-up, Lyssa folds her monk's outfit and tucks it in her backpack. "Could you carry my backpack with you during the contest, Sabel?"
"Sorry I don't have it with me, everything is at my home. That's why I asked you. Well it will have to do then."
She looks her up one more time.
"Where is Grint actually, he should be carrying your bag right? Well if he isn't here on time then yes I will carry your bag."
She adds with a smile.
Malena lingers at the docks when Sabel and Lyssa head back to the contest.
She hangs back while the overbearing Jadwiga and her erstwhile "manservant" talk to the sailors, observing the situation.
By "familiar cat", do you mean "a cat which is a familiar for a spellcaster", or "cat that we have seen before"? If the latter, I fear I don't remember our having seen a cat before...
"Hmpf! Grint, that hairy ox? He's indeed better suited to carry our backpacks, but he's totally into Elsa. Did you see the way they looked at each other?"
Lyssa exits the small room with Sabel. "Anyway, thanks. Shame about the make-up."
Malena
Grint looks to the man and then back at Elsa with a look that says at least we know that. He then shrugs and backs off, his eyes falling on the cat stalking the parrot.
Hey there, little buddy. Back again? I'd be impressed if you could catch that parrot. Grint thinks to himself as he watches the cat stalk it's newfound prey.
Lyssa looks around to see if she spots anyone resembling Jules Lamare anywhere. "Sabel, do you see Jules? You may know what he looks like, I only know he's a judge and Brigitte's son."
Where's Brigitte's son? She told me I should see him.
Lyssa
Jules isn't a judge. He's a spectator.
But you see the guy sitting at a table with 2 others, giving off this air of "i'm soooo much more priviliged". A blonde 16 year old with freckles.
Lyssa first walks up to Mary, and excitedly starts to talk to her. "Hey Mary! Do you like my dress? I bought it this morning at Lamare's."
After some girl talk about dresses with Mary, Lyssa leaves Mary to run her tavern. She walks up to Jules and greets him with a smile. "Hi! My name's Lyssa. Your mother told me to say hello to you. I'm the girl promoting your family's new dress, to promote your store."