Pizazz's Ravenloft and Beyond

The woman sighs even more heavily at this question, and closes the appointment book, as if that option is no longer an option for Lionel...and slides it back into its slot.  She pulls out a piece of paper from another shelf and hands it over to Lionel.  "Please fill out this Expedited Bureau of Customs and Traditions appointment request form."  She directs you to another line off to one side, although admittedly it's smaller..****y a half dozen people.  She glances to the next person in line and yells, "Next?"  

Lionel looks at the form, "Name, Resident or Visitor, Home address including World and Plane of Reality, Justification for Expedited Appointment".  The form also states that "Appointment Expedition requests are subject to a 5sp processing fee.".

Assuming Mordekai is next in line, he steps forward and gives her a polite nod of the head. 

"The Association of Heralds and Criers, please, good lady." As she reaches for a ledger or whatever else, he adds more informally, "I'm really just looking to catch up with the most recent news. Are they the best people to ask? I imagine you'd be a fountain of knowledge in that respect yourself, but I realise you don't have time for chit-chat."

It was a moment of weakness but Lionel almost threw the scary looking thing back to the "fountain of knowledge" as Mordekai eloquently called the fish behind the desk. He had to remind himself about the battles of the past to build up the courage and try to fill in the form ( "anyone got a pen?" )

"Name"... Lionel did not see any reason to hide his identity. "Lionel Silverstone" (on the other hand... with that body could come another name? No, no other names!)

"Resident or Visitor"- that was simple and he underlined "visitor", thought a bit and wrote it separately too.

"Home address including World and Plane of Reality"- first obstacle. Home address? He could mention Waterdeep but... He would not be recognized there nor counted it as home for the past two years. Well... He had to write something. "Waterdeep, Prime Material Plane" (he sure hoped it was enough and, most of all, correct)

"Justification for Expedited Appointment"... Now that was a problem if they expected here some particular phrasing... "I want to go home" did not sound like one... "Accidental arrival"?... Still accurate and still does not sound as a reason... Lionel sighed deeply and wrote "Utter lack of critical information potentially endangering personal existence."

He felt as if he single-handedly chopped a wagon of hard wood. 

The woman looks at Mordekai blankly as he asks his questions, then looks back to her book, "I can set you up with an appointment with Association of Heralds and Criers tomorrow at 4 AP. There is no processing fee. Would you like to accept the appointment?" 

Lionel, feeling very proud of himself...stands in the next line to wait. 

"I'd love nothing more, thank you."

The woman nods in a business like fashion, repeating something she's obviously said hundreds of times, "You are limited to discussing a single issue at the appointment. Follow up issues or other issues will require an addition appointment to be made. Please return here to make any such appointments. Your name please?"

She takes Mordekai's details, writing down his name, and his race in the appointment book, then hands him a wooden token.  "Please bring this token to your appointment.  The waiting area for appointments  is over there."  She motions to a large part of the lobby set with benches where dozens of people wait.  "NEXT?"

Meepo walks up to the woman. 

(each of you in-turn can make the appropriate appointments....if you wish to attempt any other sort of conversation /questioning etc feel free to just go ahead). 

Lionel reaches the front of the line.  "Form please?" says the perfunctory Bariaur from through a small window in the wall. He curled horns are tight to his head around his curly brown hair.  He scans the form. In a bored voice he says, "Very well."  He pulls out a book from a shelf of books. He flips it open and runs his finger down it, "I can fit you in at 1 AP today...that's in....two hours from now. Try not to die of ignorance before then. The seating area over there is usually quite safe."  He scribbles into the book. He slides over a wooden chip, "All the usual restrictions on appointments are applicable. NEXT." 

     Ketch considers going very Half Orc and attempting to intimidate the functionary when his turn finally arrives, but he's seen the denizens walking around here and must admit that he is definitely not the most intimidating presence this civil servant has likely seen today.  He'll get his appointment and move on with as little conversation as possible... Though he does drop quite the air biscuit at the desk before departing.  Those odd meats can be quite odiferous....

"Will do my best." Not that the clerk was expecting his answer, but "thank you" seemed to be too simple for the occasion. He took the wooden chip, waved to others, pointing at the room he was sent, and went there. For the next two hours he was going to think about the questions he was going to ask, while studying the "people" around.

Mordekai wouldn't give his name as Mordekai, by the way. He'll use the name Malekai for the purposes of this appointment. 

Meepo would happily set up his appointment. He is really looking forward to discussing the location of any lost and found places in this city.

Mordekai gives over his fake name, as smoothly as if it were his own, with a practiced tone and hand showing zero deceit. His appointment made.  The others also all come away with their appointments as desired...which all seem to land tomorrow at some point, except Ulthan who's inquiry into taxes apparently lands him an appointment three days from now, along with a reminder that failure to pay taxes in a timely fashion does not change, regardless of any inquiry to this department.  You all gather over by Lionel...the crafty dwarf who seems to have landed an appointment today showing that he's as agile at red tape slicing as he is with cutting everything else.

You sit around for a while, until eventually Lionel is called.  Apparently there is no limit on group size though, since as you head over there...no one stops the whole group from going.  You're led by an attendant down to an office, and all shuffle into a tight little office space with a gnome behind the desk. His work space is littered with objects and papers.  He glances up, "Welcome, my name is Bronze KnockerKnuckle, associate secretary of Bureau of Customs and Traditions. Reminder that you may only discuss one topic in this appointment. Other items must be discussed at subsequent interviews.  Now, who is ...ahem.." he reads off a sheet "....Lionel...who setup this urgent request?  You?  Very well, what issue would you like to discuss?"

Meepo moves to the desk and, getting up on his tip-toes, glances around on the top of it. He does not speak as he is not The Lionel. He does look around though, cocking his coppery head from side to side as he takes in whatever is on top of the desk.

There's a wooden stamp that says "DENIED", a stamp-pad....a box of little pins....likely for the cork board on the wall...some little metal clamp things that seem to be used to hold papers together. He also spots a sharp, though overly thin knife...a box of wax cubes, several wax sealers with different symbols on them, a few scroll cases...but like small ones for little tubes of paper...four quills, two with broken tips....an ink pot that's open, a closed ink pot, three pencils, a rubber eraser, a small chalk board with dashes on it, two dishes holding several copper and silver pieces and a few gold, another little dish with a bunch of empty wooden chips in it, a wooden ruler...a stone coaster with a bronze cup on top that says, "Bronze" on it, and a few other odds and ends. 

"Yes, it's me." Lionel had two hours to think about the question. "One topic" when there are myriads of things you need to know was the tough one and others could not help either. Well, let it be the test of the system. "I need full information about Sigil's Customs and Traditions necessary for one to be a well adjusted citizen, including official ways of entering and leaving the city." He sincerely hoped the request sounded official - and reasonable (!) too, while broad enough to yield some practical knowledge. 

The man looks up, non-plussed by Lionel, and says, in a droll voice, "Yes, I applaud your personal goals. So, if I understand your request properly, you're seeking information about citizenship? Part of citizenship is the citizenship test. During your application process you will be presented with official materials regarding life in Sigil with which to prepare for your test." 

Well... that was a start. Lionel did not plan to live in that crazy place (he had enough time be absolutely sure about its craziness) but "materials regarding life in Sigil" sounded too good to pass on it. "Indeed I would." (Thank goodness he was not asked for an oath) "When can I get the materials? To begin the process, of course."

He nods, "This is the Hall of Information. We provide information only. You will need to report to the Bureau of Customs and Traditions itself, in the Lady's Ward, in order to begin your application process. It can be found at #22 Advocates Row, on the Spike-Lowerward side of the building. Good luck."  He looks back to his papers.

(If the citizenship test is like any in the real world, the customs and traditions that feature in the test will be entirely outdated and irrelevant to real life in Sigil!)

Mordekai mutters something to himself about "...waste of time...should've just asked Tommy..."

     "Weren't you asking for information about what the application would entail?" Ketch asked quizzically, looking to Lionel.  He then quickly remembered this wasn't his appointment and he wasn't sure if he was allowed to speak, so he snapped his mouth shut and took a step back.

The gnome glances up at Ketch, "All information about the application, its requirements, and what it entails can be found at the previously stated location."