Cerebral Paladin
First Post
Session 16:
5/29
After some further discussion the night before, the group has a plan for how to get more information on Desi. The plan really begins with Vannser's meeting at the Imperial Arms at noon, but the group takes care of some preparations beforehand. Melania and Dove shop for disguise supplies, and Melania does her best to make it not entirely obvious that Dove is Desi's sister. Ginara asks Kinric to prepare a fake of the Commander's Seal, in case they need to make an exchange. Kinric warns her of the dangers with this plan, but agrees to have it made.
Around noon, Vannser leaves his station and heads to the Imperial Arms. The rest of the group has already set up. Melania waits in the Imperial Arms, blending in with the rest of the clientele. Ginara is in the street outside the tavern, most of a block away. Dove, disguised as best as she can, watches Ginara from further away. Lhovrik, in turn, waits outside a temple on a side street, ready to follow Dove. Finally, Sister Aurora, the most obvious person in the group besides Vannser, prays quietly in the temple, waiting to hear from Lhovrik.
Vannser arrives at the tavern and takes a seat at an empty table. He looks around the room, but does not notice anyone except for Melania paying attention. Fortunately, Melania notices that a heavily built, balding man in leathers is clearly focusing his attention on Vannser. After a few minutes, a nondescript man, perhaps thirty years old, with light, unkempt hair and a thin, clean-shaved face approaches Vannser's table and seats himself.
After looking around to make sure no one is listening in, the man gets right down to business. "Did you bring it?"
"I couldn't yet. I haven't had a good opportunity to get one. It wouldn't do any of us any good if I'm stopped while trying to smuggle it out."
"You were supposed to bring it today."
"How do I even know she's safe? You have to let me see her."
The man sneers. "You know I can't take a chance like that. You'll see her when you get us the thing. We're not interested in hurting her-- if you make the delivery, we'll let her go."
"I still need proof that she's alive. Have her write a note to me."
"Will you be able to recognize her handwriting?"
"I wouldn't be able to recognize a good forgery." Vannser pauses. "I'll ask a question that only she would know the answer to."
The man thinks for a bit. "Alright. But you'll need to bring it with you next time. When I give you the note, I expect you to give me it back." He takes out a scrap of parchment and a piece of charcoal and passes it over to Vannser.
Vannser quickly scribbles a message:
Desithia- this is Vannser. I need to know that you're actually safe, so please describe your wedding dress so I know this message has reached you. I'll get you free soon.
He folds the scrap and passes it back to Desi's captor.
Melania concludes that she's seen what she needs to see. She quietly slips out, carefully watching to make sure that neither the man Vannser's speaking with nor the man in the corner who was paying so much attention to Vannser pay attention to her leaving. Satisfied that she wasn't recognized, Melania hurries over to Ginara and gives her a description of the man Vannser was speaking with. Having mostly finished her part in the plan, Melania heads to the temple where Sister Aurora is praying, and begins offering some prayers in another side chapel.
The kidnapper puts away the note. "You understand that we'll need to get the object next time. I don't want any funny business."
"I understand. But it might take me a while to get it. They keep a close eye on the Seals."
The man looks skeptical. "With your position, it should be easy to get."
"It might take a while to do it secretly, though. I think I could get it for you within two days."
The kidnapper thinks that over. "No good. You can have until tomorrow evening. But I expect to be able to get it from you then."
"I can do that. It will be a little difficult, but that should be enough time."
"I'll meet you here at about 6 tomorrow evening. I expect you to have it with you."
"I will."
Vannser remains at the table as the man leaves. He wants to give the man some time to get ahead of him.
5/29
After some further discussion the night before, the group has a plan for how to get more information on Desi. The plan really begins with Vannser's meeting at the Imperial Arms at noon, but the group takes care of some preparations beforehand. Melania and Dove shop for disguise supplies, and Melania does her best to make it not entirely obvious that Dove is Desi's sister. Ginara asks Kinric to prepare a fake of the Commander's Seal, in case they need to make an exchange. Kinric warns her of the dangers with this plan, but agrees to have it made.
Around noon, Vannser leaves his station and heads to the Imperial Arms. The rest of the group has already set up. Melania waits in the Imperial Arms, blending in with the rest of the clientele. Ginara is in the street outside the tavern, most of a block away. Dove, disguised as best as she can, watches Ginara from further away. Lhovrik, in turn, waits outside a temple on a side street, ready to follow Dove. Finally, Sister Aurora, the most obvious person in the group besides Vannser, prays quietly in the temple, waiting to hear from Lhovrik.
Vannser arrives at the tavern and takes a seat at an empty table. He looks around the room, but does not notice anyone except for Melania paying attention. Fortunately, Melania notices that a heavily built, balding man in leathers is clearly focusing his attention on Vannser. After a few minutes, a nondescript man, perhaps thirty years old, with light, unkempt hair and a thin, clean-shaved face approaches Vannser's table and seats himself.
After looking around to make sure no one is listening in, the man gets right down to business. "Did you bring it?"
"I couldn't yet. I haven't had a good opportunity to get one. It wouldn't do any of us any good if I'm stopped while trying to smuggle it out."
"You were supposed to bring it today."
"How do I even know she's safe? You have to let me see her."
The man sneers. "You know I can't take a chance like that. You'll see her when you get us the thing. We're not interested in hurting her-- if you make the delivery, we'll let her go."
"I still need proof that she's alive. Have her write a note to me."
"Will you be able to recognize her handwriting?"
"I wouldn't be able to recognize a good forgery." Vannser pauses. "I'll ask a question that only she would know the answer to."
The man thinks for a bit. "Alright. But you'll need to bring it with you next time. When I give you the note, I expect you to give me it back." He takes out a scrap of parchment and a piece of charcoal and passes it over to Vannser.
Vannser quickly scribbles a message:
Desithia- this is Vannser. I need to know that you're actually safe, so please describe your wedding dress so I know this message has reached you. I'll get you free soon.
He folds the scrap and passes it back to Desi's captor.
Melania concludes that she's seen what she needs to see. She quietly slips out, carefully watching to make sure that neither the man Vannser's speaking with nor the man in the corner who was paying so much attention to Vannser pay attention to her leaving. Satisfied that she wasn't recognized, Melania hurries over to Ginara and gives her a description of the man Vannser was speaking with. Having mostly finished her part in the plan, Melania heads to the temple where Sister Aurora is praying, and begins offering some prayers in another side chapel.
The kidnapper puts away the note. "You understand that we'll need to get the object next time. I don't want any funny business."
"I understand. But it might take me a while to get it. They keep a close eye on the Seals."
The man looks skeptical. "With your position, it should be easy to get."
"It might take a while to do it secretly, though. I think I could get it for you within two days."
The kidnapper thinks that over. "No good. You can have until tomorrow evening. But I expect to be able to get it from you then."
"I can do that. It will be a little difficult, but that should be enough time."
"I'll meet you here at about 6 tomorrow evening. I expect you to have it with you."
"I will."
Vannser remains at the table as the man leaves. He wants to give the man some time to get ahead of him.