Malena is about to reply to the banter when the smell of smoke and the commotion arises. Hearing the footsteps outside at the same time as Lyssa, she stands and follows the Monk towards the outside.
When the monk jumps on the man, Malena rushes in behind to see who it is, and what's going on. "Who are you?" she sharply asks the lad Lyssa has captured. "What have you done?"
Sabel stands up and grabs her bow. Next she casts doom on the target Lyssa is grappling.
This spell fills a single subject with a feeling of horrible dread that causes it to become shaken. A shaken character takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.
She aims her bow ready to fire, then she yells to the stranger
"इस कदम की हिम्मत मत करना" Sabel looks angry and nervous at the same time.
"Don't dare move!"
Grint aims his bow at the same lad, lest he escapes Lyssa's grasp.
"You should do as the ladies tell you boy, this will be over much quicker if you do."
Lyssa grins. "Look around, and tell me what you see. I see seveal bows aimed at your face, lad."
"Could someone else search his pockets?"
The lad looks carefully around, arrows pointed at him. A sense of fear crawls into his mind. He's choosing his words carefully, 5 on 1 isn't the best of odds.
GM roll
"Ugh....stop harrasing me, i....i didn't do anything. Why are you attacking me?", he does see Lyssa when he turns his head sideways....
"Though miss, you can sit on top of me any time."
Searching pockets, any1?
Pockets
The lad isn't carrying anything of value, a few copper coins and a mint hankerchief.
"If you didn't do anything why did you try to run in the first place? If not running away with the prize money, what were you running for?"
Grint says as he approaches the lad, his bow still pointed at him. Before awaiting his reply he puts down his bow and kneels next to the lad, searching his pockets.
"He's got almost nothing on him. Tell us how you're involved in this lad, perhaps the guards will be lenient on you."
He checks the lad for any other signs of incriminating evidence on his clothes or body.
I don't trust what he's saying...
Lyssa shifts her position just a bit so the lad's arm twists uncomfortably. "Why do all the Grints hit on me today?"
"And a more important question is why you even try talking your way out of it. I know you're involved, now spill how before I snap that weak arm of yours. And do tell me all the details, boy. Or I'll be the last woman that arm of yours is ever able to feel." The grin on Lyssa's face grows wider and wider while she speaks. When Lyssa notices the lad's looking at her, she makes sure he notices her evil grin.
Sabel, still on guard, moves towards Grint and halts next to him bow still drawn. "मुझे रूमाल दे दो" Loosening her boy she grabs the handkerchief.
"Give me the handkerchief"
"आप इस लड़के के साथ क्या कर रहे हो?" She looks at the boy while asking.
"What are you doing with this boy?"
If he doesn't any of the questions Sabel will move closer to the boy and notch an arrow against his throat.
Unimpressed by the man but more so by the women, the lad starts talking.
"Ahh....guh, don't go so on the arms.
All...all i did was throw a flask. Someone paid me to sneak around the tent and toss it into the back to cause confusion and then run."
The hankerchief lost....
"Hey, give that back. The hankerchief is a gift for my mom's birthday tomorrow, i bought it at the upper markets this morning."
"You're not telling me enough." Lyssa twists the lad's arm some more. "Who paid you, and where is this person?"
And what in Irori's name is Sabel saying? I don't even recognize words in her speech, and she sounds like she got a devil stuck in her throat.
The lad has a grimas of pain as his arms are twisted tighter.
"Ow!....I..i don't know a name and i don't know where he is now.
It was an unshaven man, black hair, eyepatch on the left eye.
I was given 5 gold pieces and the promise of more if i tossed the flask that made the smoke into the tent. He didn't tell me they were going to steal the money."
With the given situation, it'd be foolish for the kid to keep lying.
"Unshaven, black hair and an eye patch? That sounds like your stereotypical pirate right there."
Grint says as he looks to the others, looking up he expected to see more of a crowd gathering around the scene.
"Tell us lad, where did you meet with this man?"
When she hears the description, Malena starts out into the crowd, looking around for the man described. She'll also ask people she passes: "Unshaven man, black hair, eyepatch?" to see if she can get somebody to point in a direction. She'll ask one or two people, people she knows in passing if she can find them, Varisians if not that, and if there aren't any Varisians handy, then whomever.
(I'm not thinking a long-term Gather Information here, but a couple of rounds of quick searching.)
"The commons, yesterday evening. Now lemme go!"
Malena
You don't see anybody this time of the evening matching the description.
However, asking your friends who did pass by reveals a man fitting the description was yesterday evening having a drink at Mary's, the tavern in the commons.
Jedwiga
You did not see any suspicious figures inside the tent, except the few people giving chase to a young lad whom they are currently interrogating.
And he used the five gold to buy this handkerchief?
Lyssa ignores the lad's cry for release. "This man you talk of might've seen all of this happen, but perhaps not. He promised you more coin, which means he'd have to contact you again..."
...though I doubt he will...
"...I'd like you to tell us where exactly you met him in the commons. Are you supposed to meet again in that place, to receive the other part of your payment?"
We could release and shadow him.
"If you cooperate you'll get back your mom's gift," Lyssa adds while she softens her grip on the lad, "Do we have a deal?"
Hearing the odd speech coming from Sabel and her combative nature....Elsa moves closer. They are not here it seems....perhaps these know more about the magical display
Malena wanders back, and says in a low voice to the others, "A man matching the description this lad gave us -- black hair, beard, eyepatch-- was seen last night at Mary's the tavern in the commons. We might get more information there."
"Well I know our next destination then. Let's head to the tavern and ask some questions, I doubt that he'll show up again there."
Sabel starts to move in the direction of the tavern.
"Let's gather some information first and let's decide what to do next afterwards."
"Isn't that the tavern where the beauty contest will be?" Lyssa asks while she continues to twist the lad's arm.
"Stop whining, boy. Just answer!"
Sabel stops in her tracks at Lyssa's remarks."Yea, now yo mention it. It is indeed where the beauty contest will be held! Just so you know I will go there but I won't participate." She said to Lyssa.
"And I think he just gave all the information he's gonna give for today. We could perhaps drag him along to see if he has more information. Or a couple of extra twists and hurts could do the job." She gives the boy an angry glare."Either way let's go before it's to late." Sabel starts towards the tavern again.
The group arrives at the commons. Malena and Sabel already know where it is, so you get there pretty fast.
As you open the door, the music of a flute and mandolin welcome you.
Some patrons facing the door look at you for a moment, then resume their chatter. A youn woman with silky curly black hair and a soft smile comes up to you.
"Welcome to our inn, my name is Mary, please have a seat."
She gestures at an empty table.
"So tell me, what can i get you?"
Dragging him along will probably not reflect well on us. The one who hired him could see me drag him with us...
Lyssa searches for the nearest guard, and drags the lad with her. She quickly summarizes the situation, and leaves the lad in the guards' care before she moves toward Mary's.
GM roll.
Grint nods as he sees Lyssa going to seek the nearest guard.
"Handing him over seems like the best idea, we're not exactly the law in this town, though we can help with solving a crime. Hopefully the guards and us won't get into each other's hair."
Grint follows Sabel and Malena to Mary's and keeps an eye out for any trouble or suspicious looking characters along the way.
Grint keeps his mouth shut for the first few seconds, looking at Malena and Sabel with a questioning look as if to say; What should we tell them?
You see nothing suspicious.
You do however, see a little cat sitting on top of the roof.
Malena smiles at the innkeeper. "Hello, Mary!" she says. She tosses a couple of silver pieces to the woman. "A glass of wine, of some Varisian vintage-- your choice." she adds, with a smile. She figures she won't start asking questions until they actually have food.
She looks around the establishment, trying to get a sense of the people here. Does she recognize any regulars? Does anybody look out of place? Does anybody look furtive?
Malena
As you look around nobody in particular stands out at first.
One table in the far corner though has an elderly woman sitting alone.
None look 'furtive', but one does look 'flirtive', some out-of-towner is giving you a wink.
"Varisian vintage, we still have some. How about your friends?"
Grint looks up at the cat on the roof and smiles.
Brings back meories of home, we used to have a young tabby when I was little. I wonder if it's an alley cat.
Grint waves the question off with a hand, like he's uncaring of a certain drink.
"I'll have a normal beer please, miss Mary."
"A fine Varisian vintage sounds good to me, and perhaps you have a meal prepared for the night we might share? Didn't have dinner yet so some food would be welcome."
She wait's for mary's reply to ask further questions.
Mary recognizes Sabel.
"Oh hey there, Sabel right? From the stand that makes bad food tasteful again. I've heard good things about your stand.
To your question of the food, sure thing. But with all the customers we've had so far it'll be a simple meal."
Mary heads off and returns a few minutes later. Along with your drinks you get presented a simple meat& veggie stew with bread.
"Enjoy. If there is anything i can do for you just ask."
Around the same time Mary returns with the drink and food, Lyssa enters Mary's. She looks around for the others, and spots them at a table. "Hey!" Lyssa greets them as she walks to the table.
Lyssa takes a seat and turns to Mary. "Hi! You're Mary? My name's Lyssa. Lyssa Kail, by the way. I'd like to register for the beauty contest tomorrow, if possible."
"Yes, that's me! And thank you, you have quite a name for yourself too." She said with a smile, then she adds."A meal is a meal when you're hungry, so please."
Sabel now talks more softly to Mary"Might I ask something? We are looking for a man; black hair, beard, eyepatch. He has been seen here yesterday I believe. We have some business with him."
Mary, with the tray under one arm listens quietly to the question.
On an equally modest tone Mary replies.
"Yes....i do believe we've had someone fitting that description yesterday. The guy kept to himself most of the night. But...there was one distinct thing. He was wearing an earring which looked like a compass the size of a small coin. So the docks would be a good guess i suppose. Sailors rarely show their face in town except in a tavern or..ahem...a brothel. Guessing by the tone of the word 'business', you want to talk to him don't you?"
Lyssa is welcomed after answering the initial question.
"Welcome. You'd like to participate in the contest? Great, you'll have to be here at noon. If you can, pick something nice to wear, your current attire is a bit bland, no offense."
Hardly a minute later the door to the tavern practically slams open as two sailors barge in.
"Oi, who'eva's in charge, we wants a good ale."
Mary is not charmed at all.
"You can get your drink, but keep it down. This place is to relax at."
"Woman be quiet, we have worked hard an wants a drink, now!"
The other patrons this evening aren't the most abled bodies from what you can tell and Mary's attempt at talking them down doesn't seem to have any effect. Despite the boasting, the sailors don't appear to be armed though.
You guys are 50ft away from the entrance
GM roll
From her spot against the wall, studying Sabel, the Jadwiga bristles at the disrespect given to women here This Varisia...has no respect for the most powerful sex.
You there. How dare you come into this place and speak as though you are owed. You will get upon your knees and beg forgiveness from this Mistress. The Jadwiga says, surprising herself with her own vehemence.
Sabel turns to the sailors. "Pipe it down a bit you disrespectful grunt, I'm trying to have a normal conversation here. One more word and I will put my dagger through your throat. Now sit down and be quiet."
She said on a very angry tone. She looks around to see the new woman joining in and gives her a nod.
She turns to Mary again as if nothing happened. "Well thank you for the advice, it's been a great help. We want to talk to him alright, and get our stuff back." She said with a, slightly evil, smile.
"And don't worry about Lyssa's clothes, we were going shopping anyways. If you have some spare time you could join us too!" She says with a smile.
One of the sailors is baffled as a woman with white hair gives him backtalk as much as his captain normally would...... taking a step back he slips on a bit of grease, actually dropping to his knees as requested.
"Erm....yes, we're ....sorry miss. We'll pay you an extra silver and be quiet..."
The other one clearly buys the bluff, he's quiet and pulls his friend up and over to an empty table.
"See? Told you it would be a pirate." He says to Sabel and Lyssa before taking a slow sip from his ale.
Grint looks as if he wanted to stand up and intervene, but Sabel and the white-haired woman seem to have everything under control.
"Haha, if all women were like that. Nicely done, both of you, I bet that's never happened to them before." Grint laughs heartily as the two sit down at a faraway table.
"Though miss, if you don't mind, I'd like to ask you besides your name why you called Mary, Mistress?"
Grint asks Elsa while looking up from his seat.
Hearing the other man speak the Jadwiga turns to him and snaps Their impudence and misbehavior should lead to the stockade, but instead they buy drinks and slink away as dogs. She stops and calms herself visibly taking a deep breath and then she continues to Grint.
My name is Elsa, I am new to this land Varisia. I apologize for my words, I was made angry.
"Oh you shouldn't apologize, not for such rude loudmouths as they were. Join us, have a seat."
"What brings you to Varisia then? And why did you come to this town of all places?"
I, ah, came to see the sights..yes. I will join you. Elsa says, with a tone that shows she does not brook argument well.
Lyssa stares at her own clothes and nods. "Yeah... monks aren't known for their awesome clothes... I intend to change that, though."
When the two men enter the bar Lyssa's thinking about the outfit she'll buy for the contest. Lyssa doesn't notice anything, until one of the men kneels for Elsa. "That your boyfriend or servant?" she asks Elsa when the latter joins the table.
That kind would not be fit to serve the lowest thane in the hold. Elsa says, and stops herself short before she spills more about her life than she wants. These may be trustworthy allies, but I must remain cautious
"I agree, he's hideous and rude," Lyssa says laughing.
"So... Elsa, it is? I'm Lyssa, nice to meet you. You'll come shopping with us tomorrow? We're going to buy clothes for the beauty contest."
Not having anything else to do Elsa replies I ah, yes. I will go. then she thinks of a question What is this contest of beauty?
"Tomorrow at noon there will be a beauty contest here at Mary's. Girls and women who participate come here dressed up nicely, and the one who's most beautiful wins."
Lyssa shrugs. "Of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Still, winning such a contest would be awesome."
"Ah hello Elsa, my name is Sabel Ae'tari. You can call me Sabel. I see you have met Lyssa and her boyfriend?" Sabel says with a mischievous look in her eyes.
Turning to the next subject Sabel adds her opinion for the beauty contest.
"Ah on the subject of "beauty" I think a lot of men will come to see the beauty contest. So my vote goes to lots of cleavage and short skirt, that should do the job."
She nods.
"Mary? How many women are participating tomorrow?"
Grint rolls with his eyes before taking another sip.
"You seem to be real stuck on that don't you? If you know how to win such a contest, why don't you dress up yourself like that and win the prize?"
Grint looks up at her with a sly grin.
"Stop trying to push things and give the example first."
He takes another sip, one eye open to see how Sabel reacts.
Sabel looks up from her plate and looks a bit sorrowful.
"No I won't participate for... personal reasons. But that doesn't mean that men don't like a bit of skin, or would you say that is not so?"
The last question she asked with a slight grin and spoke it as a challenge.