<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=315225.msg15234237#msg15234237">Quote from: PerpetuallyAnnoyedCleric on 10-01-2020, 09:48:14</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">They would have met with an intermediary (a mercenary broker type) a few days before departure, so would have met then assuming none of them have any existing relationships with each other.  Whether they stuck together after that meeting or split up to do their own things before regrouping at the ship is up to everyone.<br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/><strong>Before departure:</strong><br/>In the past, for a time Lyssiah was a part of a smuggling crew, participating in several risky and highly illegal operations, smuggling weapons and exotic animals. Through that crew, she got to know numerous other smugglers, contacts which she used on occasion to acquire artifacts, arts and exotic pets for wealthy collectors.<br/>After meeting with the intermediary, Lyssiah would remember stories she heard while flying with the smugglers about space pirates using derelict ships as bases and hiding places. Then, she would visit a couple of smuggler acquaintances and an information broker who owed her a favor and ask about the sector their target is located and what they could possibly meet there. Mostly, her investigation would resolve around two questions: are there any known pirate activity there and did they see any smugglers or scavengers in the area.<br/><br/><em>Not sure about this - do I need to do a roll for the success of "information gathering"? If so, what skill?</em><br/><br/>Also, others wouldn't know it, but part of the reason Lyssiah agreed to this assignment is a failed recent job: during a fairly routine smuggling run, she discovered that she was hired to smuggle drugs and that is one of the few things Lyssiah wouldn't do for any money - she deeply despises any and all drugs (Lyssiah values personal freedom above everything else and she has seen too much times how drug-related problems take away such freedom, one way or another). She returned the money and the smuggled goods to the gang that hired her, but they were not amused and put a bounty on her head.<br/><br/><strong>After departure:</strong><br/>Lyssiah would act calm and reserved. In the mess hall or other common rooms, she'd sit in the corner where she could overlook the entire room and never ever would sit with her back to the entrances. Usually, she would spend most of her time reading something from her computer, but when she'd see conversations, she'd sit and listen, talking rarely but always on the point.<br/><br/><br/>Vergil Tanner: Since Valerie gets into trouble and sometimes Lyssiah acts as a "problem solver" for hire, perhaps Valerie hired her in the past to dig up some blackmail dirt on other artists who are her competitors? Or perhaps Valerie hired Lyssiah couple of times to help get out of trouble? (something like planting or stealing evidence to help Valerie with police troubles). Alternatively, since Valerie is sometimes a mercenary, perhaps<br/>they met in the past and were parts of the same crew on a couple of jobs?<br/>Vergil Tanner: Since Valerie gets into trouble and sometimes Lyssiah acts as a "problem solver" for hire, perhaps Valerie hired her in the past to dig up some blackmail dirt on other artists who are her competitors? Or perhaps Valerie hired Lyssiah couple of times to help get out of trouble? (something like planting or stealing evidence to help Valerie with police troubles). Alternatively, since Valerie is sometimes a mercenary, perhaps they met in the past and were parts of the same  crew?<br/>If Lyssiah and Valerie met in the past and knew each other for some time, I'd imagine Lyssiah would secretly envy Valerie's social skills and at the same time consider her bubbly attitude a bit annoying.<br/>What do you think?<br/>