Aldheim turns to see your approach. His eyes narrow as he scans your party, then his face spreads into a friendly smile, or at least as friendly of a smile as can be managed on his Draconic features.
'If it isn't my favorite pest controllers.' He announces warmly, approaching with spread arms.
Hamish spots several fair-haired and tanned individuals who could hail from the southern isles, numerous individuals carrying the bearded axes that they are known for, and a few more bearing the tattooed symbols, arm rings of precious metal, or the decorative hair and beard beads that their warriors infamously wear as signs of prestige. All in all, it seems that as the Southerners are well renowned for their sailing skills they maintain a healthy population anywhere there's a major harbor.
"Might want to keep an eye out for anyone you recognise", Darwin whispers to Agnarr as as they close the distance to Aldheim.
When he reaches the dragonborn, he raises his hand high hoping to shake his hand. "I am assuming your pest problems are a thing of the past seeing as we haven't heard from you?", he says congenially. "Mind you, it isn't pests that we have come to talk about, well not that kind anyway".
He looks up to Ida, knowing that she was likely best to explain the situation, but hoping he had buttered up the dock master a bit.
(OOC: aiming for the help action if rolls are needed).
"Aldheim, so good to see you!" Ida smiles and hugs him when he finishes shaking Darwin's hand. "I'm afraid we are in need of some information today, if you happen to have it and have a moment to spare. We're looking for someone, someone who helped a group take us prisoner for about 10 days. And we would really love to have a word with him about it. He may have come through anytime in the last few months and at this point I wouldn't be surprised if your pest problem and several other issues in Haukberg may have been because of him." Ida tries to keep her tone light but speaks quietly enough that only Aldheim, Hamish, Darwin, and Agnarr can hear her.
"He was killed when we were captured. Another reason we would very much like to have a discussion with the man we are searching for. This is Agnarr, who would be able to give the best possible description of him or his vessel when he arrived. Agnarr- this is Aldheim, the Dock Master."
Ida motions to Agnarr while speaking, hoping he can fill in some of the detail.
Darwin considers for a moment, having a little experience in the field of illusion magic himself.
”If your brother can use illusions then we need to think about it more outside the box. Does he have use of a particular ship, have any particular associates or guards or a pet of some kind? Does he have any unusual physical traits like a lisp or limp?”, he says trying to think of anything and everything that might give him away.
”We should also focus more on timescales, look closely at the ships that have come into port around the time of your abduction and are still here”.
Agnarr pauses to think, 'Usually, he will, if changing his appearance, keep his eyes. He's always been quite vain about them, a deep but bright green.' He offers. 'As for the rest, no, not really. I took our father's ship when I came here, he doesn't keep any pets and he's in good condition physically.' Agnarr sighs, 'If my brother is in the city, it is not likely that we'll be able to find him. This place is huge, new people come and go constantly, too many moving pieces in too large of an area.'
Agnarr seems to have an idea, 'Did we keep that stone?'
"We'd need to be careful to try anything like that. I assume he's a smart individual, and he could realize quickly that Volen is no longer in possession of the stone. Or he could possibly realize that his brother is free which is something he was trying to avoid.
Aldheim - when did you first start having the issues with your pests? Did anyone with piercing green eyes show up around the same time?"
Aldheim looks pensive. 'I'd reckon it was probably about a week before you folk took care of em for me.' he misses, 'And I ain't in the habit of studying the eyes of every man who comes through my dock I'm afraid.'
Darwin shakes his head. "We have no idea how often they communicate, it may be he already knows something is up as we have missed a check in or something. Point is, unless we use it soon, and preferably on our terms not when he calls us, it becomes useless".
"I could simply ask how the plans are proceeding? See what response we get. Looking around town here for someone who could like anyone doesn't seem worthwhile. Unless you are willing to show us the names of the boats that docked around the time of the pest issue Aldheim?".
Hamish listens to the conversation as he continues to scan the dock for anyone that might raise his suspicions. At the mention of the messaging stone, Hamish perks up. "What if I contacted him? We know Antonius was the specific target and we were simply with him. Your brother may not know who I am by voice, even if Volen described us. Maybe I can convince him the stone was simply found and, if I give away a location, he might send someone for it. Me and Lucy got really good at tricking people who thought they were smarter than us."
Aldheim shrugs helplessly, 'I wish I could help ya more but I don't think any of them are still in port at this point. You're more than welcome to look through the log books?'
“What do you think Ida? I get the feeling the stone is our best option, the rest is just looking for a needle in a haystack. Worse actually, more like looking for a particular bit of hay in a haystack!”, Darwin says to Ida.
"Using the stone makes sense, but we need to be somewhere quiet and dark, if he perceives who or where we are based on the surroundings, we have lost the only real shot we have. Hamish may be able to trick him, but if he's an illusionist he could just as easily trick us, probably without us realizing. It may be better to pretend to be Volen. At least we know how she speaks and can imitate her. If it falls apart, it could be possible to use Agnarr to convince him of something. Maybe that he's still a prisoner or maybe that he's escaped which could cause the brother to try to stop him again. Agnarr, you know more of him, what do you think is the best play?"
Agnarr looks a bit uneasy, 'It is hard for me to imagine my brother had a hand in my imprisonment, but it seems to be the case. Then again, he did once pretend to be a snake then stabbed me.' he shrugs.
'We don't know what the relationship between Volen and Leif was, having me talking to him seems to go against better judgement, for it would reveal his involvement, which he is apparently going to great lengths to hide.'
Darwin shakes his head. “To summarise, we are saying we should pretend to be Volen but be quite vague in what we say, try to let him do the talking and definitely don’t call him by name. Oh, and we should find a quiet place before we try”, Darwin says, a little frustrated that they appeared to be wasting their time at the docks.
”Let’s go do that then, we are just wasting time here I think”.
"Agreed. My next suggestion after the docks was going to be to try to see Antonius to determine if he had been able to get any information from his partner or anyone else about his kidnapping. But he's already seen the stone and didn't offer much on knowing anything about how it could work. It's best to get somewhere dark and quiet to see what Darwin can find out.
Is there anywhere we need to go while we have the horses?"
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Aldheim turns to see your approach. His eyes narrow as he scans your party, then his face spreads into a friendly smile, or at least as friendly of a smile as can be managed on his Draconic features.
'If it isn't my favorite pest controllers.' He announces warmly, approaching with spread arms.
Hamish spots several fair-haired and tanned individuals who could hail from the southern isles, numerous individuals carrying the bearded axes that they are known for, and a few more bearing the tattooed symbols, arm rings of precious metal, or the decorative hair and beard beads that their warriors infamously wear as signs of prestige. All in all, it seems that as the Southerners are well renowned for their sailing skills they maintain a healthy population anywhere there's a major harbor.
"Might want to keep an eye out for anyone you recognise", Darwin whispers to Agnarr as as they close the distance to Aldheim.
When he reaches the dragonborn, he raises his hand high hoping to shake his hand. "I am assuming your pest problems are a thing of the past seeing as we haven't heard from you?", he says congenially. "Mind you, it isn't pests that we have come to talk about, well not that kind anyway".
He looks up to Ida, knowing that she was likely best to explain the situation, but hoping he had buttered up the dock master a bit.
(OOC: aiming for the help action if rolls are needed).
"Aldheim, so good to see you!" Ida smiles and hugs him when he finishes shaking Darwin's hand. "I'm afraid we are in need of some information today, if you happen to have it and have a moment to spare. We're looking for someone, someone who helped a group take us prisoner for about 10 days. And we would really love to have a word with him about it. He may have come through anytime in the last few months and at this point I wouldn't be surprised if your pest problem and several other issues in Haukberg may have been because of him." Ida tries to keep her tone light but speaks quietly enough that only Aldheim, Hamish, Darwin, and Agnarr can hear her.
Aldheim arches his brows, 'Well of course, I'll be happy to help in anyway I can.' he glances around, 'where is your unpleasant friend?' he asks.
Agnarr's mouth twists slightly, 'It may not be simple, my brother has a perchance for illusion magic'
"He was killed when we were captured. Another reason we would very much like to have a discussion with the man we are searching for. This is Agnarr, who would be able to give the best possible description of him or his vessel when he arrived. Agnarr- this is Aldheim, the Dock Master."
Ida motions to Agnarr while speaking, hoping he can fill in some of the detail.
Darwin considers for a moment, having a little experience in the field of illusion magic himself.
”If your brother can use illusions then we need to think about it more outside the box. Does he have use of a particular ship, have any particular associates or guards or a pet of some kind? Does he have any unusual physical traits like a lisp or limp?”, he says trying to think of anything and everything that might give him away.
”We should also focus more on timescales, look closely at the ships that have come into port around the time of your abduction and are still here”.
Agnarr pauses to think, 'Usually, he will, if changing his appearance, keep his eyes. He's always been quite vain about them, a deep but bright green.' He offers. 'As for the rest, no, not really. I took our father's ship when I came here, he doesn't keep any pets and he's in good condition physically.' Agnarr sighs, 'If my brother is in the city, it is not likely that we'll be able to find him. This place is huge, new people come and go constantly, too many moving pieces in too large of an area.'
Agnarr seems to have an idea, 'Did we keep that stone?'
“I believe we wrapped it up and stowed it in one of our bags”, Darwin answers.
”What are you thinking? Can we use one stone to track another maybe?”.
Agnarr shrugs. 'Maybe? I don't know how it works but we could try talking to him.'
“I could maybe use my magic to make an illusion of Volen’s voice, like I did during the escape when we found the stone”, Darwin offers.
”But what would I have her say?”.
"We'd need to be careful to try anything like that. I assume he's a smart individual, and he could realize quickly that Volen is no longer in possession of the stone. Or he could possibly realize that his brother is free which is something he was trying to avoid.
Aldheim - when did you first start having the issues with your pests? Did anyone with piercing green eyes show up around the same time?"
Aldheim looks pensive. 'I'd reckon it was probably about a week before you folk took care of em for me.' he misses, 'And I ain't in the habit of studying the eyes of every man who comes through my dock I'm afraid.'
Darwin shakes his head. "We have no idea how often they communicate, it may be he already knows something is up as we have missed a check in or something. Point is, unless we use it soon, and preferably on our terms not when he calls us, it becomes useless".
"I could simply ask how the plans are proceeding? See what response we get. Looking around town here for someone who could like anyone doesn't seem worthwhile. Unless you are willing to show us the names of the boats that docked around the time of the pest issue Aldheim?".
Hamish listens to the conversation as he continues to scan the dock for anyone that might raise his suspicions. At the mention of the messaging stone, Hamish perks up. "What if I contacted him? We know Antonius was the specific target and we were simply with him. Your brother may not know who I am by voice, even if Volen described us. Maybe I can convince him the stone was simply found and, if I give away a location, he might send someone for it. Me and Lucy got really good at tricking people who thought they were smarter than us."
Aldheim shrugs helplessly, 'I wish I could help ya more but I don't think any of them are still in port at this point. You're more than welcome to look through the log books?'
“What do you think Ida? I get the feeling the stone is our best option, the rest is just looking for a needle in a haystack. Worse actually, more like looking for a particular bit of hay in a haystack!”, Darwin says to Ida.
"Using the stone makes sense, but we need to be somewhere quiet and dark, if he perceives who or where we are based on the surroundings, we have lost the only real shot we have. Hamish may be able to trick him, but if he's an illusionist he could just as easily trick us, probably without us realizing. It may be better to pretend to be Volen. At least we know how she speaks and can imitate her. If it falls apart, it could be possible to use Agnarr to convince him of something. Maybe that he's still a prisoner or maybe that he's escaped which could cause the brother to try to stop him again. Agnarr, you know more of him, what do you think is the best play?"
Agnarr looks a bit uneasy, 'It is hard for me to imagine my brother had a hand in my imprisonment, but it seems to be the case. Then again, he did once pretend to be a snake then stabbed me.' he shrugs.
'We don't know what the relationship between Volen and Leif was, having me talking to him seems to go against better judgement, for it would reveal his involvement, which he is apparently going to great lengths to hide.'
Darwin shakes his head. “To summarise, we are saying we should pretend to be Volen but be quite vague in what we say, try to let him do the talking and definitely don’t call him by name. Oh, and we should find a quiet place before we try”, Darwin says, a little frustrated that they appeared to be wasting their time at the docks.
”Let’s go do that then, we are just wasting time here I think”.
"Agreed. My next suggestion after the docks was going to be to try to see Antonius to determine if he had been able to get any information from his partner or anyone else about his kidnapping. But he's already seen the stone and didn't offer much on knowing anything about how it could work. It's best to get somewhere dark and quiet to see what Darwin can find out.
Is there anywhere we need to go while we have the horses?"