Meanwhile, Lyssa and Grint are wading through the masses.
Lyssa saw the movement head towards the docks, noticed it stopped before it hit the streets leading there.
Perception 14
You can hear a voice, though not out loud.
[smaller]"You have done well to bring this to me, but you failed miserably by getting caught. We shall not speak again..."
"Caught, what do you mean, i lost them...didn't i?"
The thief is standing still, alone, looking around with a nervous look on his face. Seemingly unable to decide where to go.
They're coming for you. They have the others, and they'll get to you too.
Grint spots the thief and moves in to introduce him to his sword.
"Stop your flight and I'll not kill you." he shouts as he draws closer.
The one who hired him? Let's take out the root so no more weeds sprout.
If she can make it Lyssa charges the person talking to the thief. "You rotten...!"
The thief is now very much filled with anxiety, seeing a man with a drawn sword and an angry looking woman stopping next to him.
"S...stop my flight? Do i look like a p-pigeon to you?
I surrender, i surrender!"
The guy practically falls to his knees.
"Stop being a wiseguy and hand over the item you stole at Mary's. And who were you speaking to just a second ago?"
{*}
With a sword likely just a foot away from his chest, he pulls down the cloth that masks his mask.
"I don't have that note and.."{*}
Perception 14
The thief is anxious, but his eyes shift from you to upwards and back.
An *Awk..whistle* can be heard, but it's origin or direction thereof can't be pinpointed.
A sharp sound as an arrow lodges itself into the beam just next to the thief and he falls to the ground.
{*}
Hearing the thief mumble of a note, he hears the slight awk/whistle in the sky above him and looks up.
"Where's that blasted parrot?" he asks no-one in particular.
He then looks to the thief before the arrow lodges inside a wooden beam close to them.
"What was inscribed on that note? Why is it so important that they would kill you for it? Speak up man or do you want to die for it?" He says as he abruptly pulls the man to his feet.
{*}
No second attempt is made on the man's life. All the better for interrogation.
"Adresses man, something about important people. And there are worse things than death man."
{*}
With all the commotion, a few city guards have arrived at the scene, wishing to know what the ruckus is all about.
Sabel grabs her dagger and puts it to the neck of the person who was just talking.
"If you do not tell us exactly what your man looks like I will slit your throat.
Hank kneels by the man and puts his skeleton hand over his head, pulling it back to bare his throat.
A man in a fancy outfit misfitting his pirate-like face
"You won't simply do that miss. That would just delay any searching you might want to do."{*}
Several guardsman, including Lt. Maettus (sort of deputee) alerted by the public, enter the inn.
"There have been reports of a fight in here. Please explain the situation.", looking at you and Mary.
Lyssa hortly relays what has happened at Mary's and how Grint and she chased the last thug. "I request we bring him to Mary's, mister of the guard. I wish to have a word with these thieves, and punish them by washing their mouths with soap."
The 3 guards whom met up with Grint and Lyssa agree to the suggestion of the inn.
"As much as punishment is due to criminals, any sentence will be decided by the guard captain. However, if the rest of the group is at the inn, then we shall head there as well."
One of them ties the thief up firmly and he is dragged along by the arms between two of the three guards.
Malena says to Mary, "How many of the names that were on that list do you remember? It might be worth our giving them a visit and warning them. If thieves and possibly worse are after them, they may be in danger."
"Well, i'll write you a list. You can visit them at your own convenience if you will."
She hands you the note with the adresses, as well as their whereabouts during the day.
Hayley's - lower markets
Kromm brothers - specialist quarter
Lamares - specialist quarter
Landorras - upper markets
Guard station - central plaza
"Though i can't imagine what mere hired thieves want with their adresses. These 4 hardly look the assassin types."
A few minutes after that, the other guards along with Lyssa, Grint and their latest prisoner walk in. They put down the man with the other one at the bar.
Some basic aid was applied to the thieves whom had taken in the arrows.
A long piece of rope ties them all in a line.
Lyssa doesn't appear to be very happy when she returns with Grint and the guards.
'Any sentence will be decided by the guard captain...' Bah... If one of them hadn't run away I could've stuffed their mouths with soap before the guards would arrive...
"There was a man, and he took the stolen item from this one." Lyssa points at the thief. "We didn't see where the man went, but at least we got him."
It's then that Lyssa realizes she's still holding the flowers in one hand. A smile shows on Lyssa's face when she wonders what people were thinking when a girl in a dress, holding flowers, gave chase to a thief.
Upon the return of Lyssa and Grint.
"Well so much for the contest. Now what? Do we go to the addresses and warn those people of what happened? Do we go back to the ship to find the thief? Maybe these two might be connected. One pirate and a fancy looking man with a pirate look... might be the same person."
She ponders on the options for a moment walking in circles around the inn.
"I don't know what to do! If we catch the thief then we don't need to warn the people. But if we track the addresses to warn those people we might be too late to catch the thief."
"Perhaps we are not searching for a thief, we don't know his plans with these people. As of now we don't have concrete evidence to point out a specific person. The only thing we have is this list of of adresses where this man could possibly go to." Grint says as he stands near the door.
"Best thing we could do is warn these people of a possible thief."
Lt. Maettus speaks.
"If you will take that task upon you we will leave you to it.
In the meantime, these 4 will be taken to jail to await their sentence, unless you have any other question for them."
"No questions here," Lyssa says, and waves the guards goodbye. She then stands quietly, close to Mary.
She mentioned a small winner's fee, I hope I'm still getting it...
Sabel turns to Mary after all the excitement died down.
"So what is the prize for the competition, I am very curious!"
She said with enthusiasm, hoping her friend wins some of the clothing costs back.
After talking with Mary for a while she turns to Grint.
"I think you are right Grint. We should warn the people. Shall we go then? Oh, Mary do you have the addresses for us?"
After the conversation with Grint and after she gets the addresses from Mary, Sabel moves to the door to go to the nearest address on the list.
"Ah yes, the fee. A moment please."
Mary walks to behind the counter and hands Lyssa a small pouch containing 5gp. Aside from that it also contains a metal object. (Similar to a pocketwatch)
"That second item is a gift as a thank you for dealing with these thieves. It's a sample of a special salve a friend of mine gave me. Supposedly it makes your wounds recover faster."
"Aye let's head out to check pon them as soon as possible."
Grint looks at the adresses.
"Hmm...wichever is closest I guess should be our first stop. We could split up at the specialist's quarters, so we can give the warning to the Kromms and Lamaraes at the same time."
Elsa nods, indicating she is ready to leave.
"Thank you, Mary!" Lyssa accepts the salve and gold, after which she retrieves her backpack from Sabel.
Lyssa searches for Jules Lamare, and walks up to him again. "We were interrupted before and didn't get to talk, but your mother asked me to come see you. Also, we will have to visit your home. The thieves stole a list with your address on it, and I fear some other thieves will show up at your door."
Jules, as "courageous" as he is full of himself, was hiding beneath a table along with his friends. With the woman in the dress talking to him now that he was sitting again, he answers her politely, albeit a tad casual.
"Ah, you must be the lovely lady i was to give the change to no?"
He hands Lyssa the 2gp back.
"But why are you insisting to visit our home? It is very chique, if you must you should wear the delicate clothes from our shop.
I do not understand why a bunch of these lowly miscreants would want to get to the house of our family. But if you must, i can not stop you even if i tried."
Malena, will you go with (assuming here) #1 Grint & Elsa, #2 Sabel & Lyssa, or will you go alone to one of the adresses?
Lyssa frowns when Jules doesn't get what's going on."Why do you think thieves would want your address, huh? To pay a nice visit and chat? They're either going to steal from you, take you hostage and demand money, or something entirely different that is equaly or more awful."
Dimwit...
"Shall we go, Sabel?" Lyssa asks her friend. She meanwhile pulls Jules on his feet. "Show us the fastest way to your home, Jules. Your family may be in danger."
Grint searches and asks people around the marketplace and stalls and shops in the specialist district where he might find the Kromm brothers. If or when he finds them he'll ask politely if they had any trouble.
"Brothers Kromm? My name is Grint and this is miss Elsa. We're here investigating and warning you of trouble that might be coming your way. Forgive me, let me explain. The lottery money was stolen, we had a lead going to the docks and eventually Mary's, but at Mary's some thiefs stole a piece of parchment with your name and adress on it. If you're a target for them we do not know, but we'd advise you to use caution."
Grint lets the message sink in, before asking further.
"Have you seen any strange things today or the days before? People that stood out? Perhaps a man that resembled a pirate with an earring in the shape of a compass?"
Malena will go along with Grint and Lyssa.
When they get there, and Grint does the talking, Malena will hang back. She'll both look at the Kromm brothers to gauge their reaction, and look around to see if anything looks out of place at their residence.
The teams decided, the group splits up at the main plaza and head for their destinations.
At the Kromm brothers' shop
As you open the door the bell rings.
The smell of varnished wood enters your noses and you can see a few finely crafted chairs on display.
One stands up from behind the counter.
"Greetings, name's Callum Kromm, how can i help you?"
Hearing Grint's words he gets a worried look on his face.
"You're suspecting a theft spree during the festival?
Now that you mention it, a man as you describe came to order some furniture. He requested 2 chests with a peculiar decoration, 1 was already picked up and paid for. Usually people pick up their orders in 1 go though."
Callum takes a note from his pocket, showing you the image of a pitchblack circle with a gate with 2 doors. A small road leading towards it like an S lying on it's side.
Perception 15 at the Kromms
Footsteps can be heard from above. Then again, the 2nd brother isn't present with you.
At the Lamares
Lyssa and Sabel arrive at the Lamare house along with Jules. All the while the lad was complimenting on how well the dress looked on Lyssa.
The interior of the house is neatly decorated and by the looks of quality it seems some furniture definitely came from the Kromm brothers.
A maid comes up greeting both you and "young master" Jules.
"This young woman is Trixie, our maid."
Upon closer look the maid appears of half-elf blood.
Entering the living room, mother Brigitte had just come home prior to you. She tightly hugs Jules, nearly suffocating the lad.
"I've heard the news, i'm glad you're safe......
Ah, the young ladies from earlier. How did you fare in the contest? Did they hurt you too?"
"It might have been the other way round miss"
Said sable looking a bit shy.
"The contest itself went fairly well! My friend here win it. But we are here on more pressing matters. You apparently have already heard about the robbery. They have stolen a costumer list from Mary's with your address on it. We came to ask if anything has happened and to warn you that something might happen."
She looks a bit concerned at the woman standing before her, and waits for a response.
It really is a great dress, but this dude should shut up about it. It's not healthy for a guy to be talking about dresses this much. Unless... oh no... He doesn't like me, does he...? Damn it...
When Lyssa sees Brigitte her mood lightens, for she actually liked the woman. Unlike her snotty son. "Hello! Like Sabel said, I managed to win! It's all thanks to your dress, I love it!"
Lyssa also waits for a reply to Sabel's words.
Malena looks at the symbol. Does she recognize it? Does she have any idea what it might signify?
She'll ask Callum the same question: "Any idea what the significance of this peculiar decoration is?"
Using a knowledge check and/or Bardic Knowledge to attempt to learn something about the symbol.
Is it the device of a particular family?
Is it an arcane symbol of some sort?
Is it a religious symbol?
Is it a symbol of something relevant to the local are?
Grint has no idea as to what those symbols might mean, but he sees malena studying them intensively and wonders what she might know.
"I take it your brother is upstairs working?" He asks Callum Kromm. "Was there anything else any of you two noticed about the man?"
At the Kromm Brothers'
Callum shrugs to answer Malena, "Beats me what it means, i've never seen it before."
Callum then turns to Elsa and Grint.
"Aside from his unusual symbol request he seemed to have a pressing vibe upon the two men who he came back with to pick up the first chest. They were nervous as hell around him, haven't seen him since."
The second Kromm brother steps from out of the back room.
"Who's working upstairs?"........
Malena
The symbol is not connected to any known noble houses within Varisia as far as you know.
No arcane records you can remember mention it either. Though there is a library in the city.
No local people have ever been seen with furniture with the emblem, nor on clothes for that matter.
If it is religious, which could be possible with such a peculiar symbol, there's several churches throughout the city. Abadar and Desna's churches are adjacent to the plaza. The minor churches with followers from the general beliefs are scattered within their relevant zones.
At the Lamares
Mother Brigitte responds delighted. "Oh my, how nice for you dear. I'll bet you had the men fascinated."
At the mention of the robbery her face looks more serious.
"Indeed, dreadful business. I've heard the lad who's done it is still in prison, clueless of anything. Nothing has transpired here, but i shall keep your warning in mind and ask the guard captain for a few men to keep watch. I'm sure he could."
"I heard footsteps on the next floor, I assumed it was you that was up there." Grint says to the brother a bit dumbstruck as he enters the room.
Elsa nods to Grint as if to say You might want to see about that.
To the brothers Elsa says So, your expecting someone upstairs then?
Callum and Henry, as the other is called both shake no.
"None, Henry, take over here! I'm taking these 3 with me upstairs!"
Callum grabs a hammer from the workbench and a handled-board as a makeshift shield and heads for the stairs.
Grint quickly unsheathes his bow and sprints after Callum.
"Right behind ya, Callum."
Lyssa turns to Sabel. "Shall we visit the Hayleys next? Do you know where they live?"
Elsa smiles and follows, snowflakes falling from her hands.
"Ah yes let's visit them, I'll lead the way."
She moves away from the door and waves the mother and son goodbye.
"I hope everything turns out well!"
knock knock knock!
At the Hayleys
A voice behind the door can be heard. "Coming."
Likely one of the two sons, a black haired young man opens the door, though it is still attached to 2 smaller chains it seems.
"Who are you, why are you here?"
At the Kromm's
Callum carefully moves up the stairs. He briefly looks at the scene of the upper floor, then ducks and turns to you.
"Intruders, i can see 2 and i hear one of our bedroom doors open, so there's 3 at least. My guess is they're looking for the 2nd chest, we keep the special items on the 2nd floor, since this is both a shop and house. These last steps of the stairs are noisy, we can't take them by surprise regretfully."
Round 1
-Elsa & Grint
-Malena
-Callum
-Thieves
Grint moves up the stairs quickly, looks around for a first target and fires his bow at the closest one. Then he waves Malena and Callum over as they seem to be more of a frontline fighter than Elsa would be.
At Kromm's
Round 1
-Grint fires, scoring a hit for 5 dmg.
-Elsa launches a ball of ice, but it misses.
-Malena
-Callum
-Thieves
[ooc]Edit: Thieves are last in line, Malena doesn't have to wait for me.[/oc]
Elsa moves up behind Grint and unleashes a blast of snow at the nearest thief. You have been foiled, drop your weapons and you may yet live!
the ball of ice flies over the head of the thief and snowflakes fall on his head.
"The tavern Mary's was attacked by some thieves, who stole a list with names on it. The list contained several important people, including you. We'd like to ask you if anything's happened? And we want to warn you, because the thieves may come here to steal something."