Sirith looked at Dolgrin and Turanerra.
I see. Then maybe it's fate that brought us all here then. It's possible some divine hand guided us here. I have heard rumors stating that the ship's captain is involved in illegal slave smuggling as in smuggling slaves into Absalom to sell.
The Librarian's smile will return as he begins, There is a boat currently docked named The Broken Bow. Her captain is named Veddig Gorn. I have good information that says he is in the business of obtaining slaves illegally and smuggling them places. I don't know if he has his business with him, but I thought you'd be interested in keeping an eye on him, as I know how important the law is to you, Paralictor. He will then quickly check out the window to see where the sun sits in the sky, waiting for the response from the Hellknight before him, thinking it'd be wise to wait for her to give him leave rather than take his leave.
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The paralictor raises on eyebrow. "Veddig Gorn... yes, I am told he was up in the Slave Pits earlier today. Left quite recently, in fact. Thank you for that information. We will be sure to speak with any merchants that he spoke with and demand documentation on any of his transactions."
(Conversation can continue on the docks; I also want to see how Anara responds.)
Dolgrin stomps his feet a bit as it is revealed to him that the man is a slaver.
A slaver. Damnit to the hells. Now what do I do? I don't want to be helping someone that is going to be enslaving people...but I am obligated to fulfill the order...
Dolgrin speaks up after a moment and asks, "Isn't slavery legal in Absalom?"
Sirith thought for a moment.
Yes but I think it's illegal to smuggle slaves from elsewhere and sell them here.
I'm glad that I could be of assistance in bringing justice to those who would think to skirt the law, The Librarian says with a deep bow, and I hope this leads to a mutually beneficial relationship. All I ask is that I be kept abreast of interesting characters you... interact with, he says with a chuckle. Is that agreeable?
Whether it is or not, what the man is doing is OBTAINING slaves illegally to sell them elsewhere, Fist grumbles as he wanders up to Sirith and Dolgrin, And while The Reader is more ambivalent on most things, he does not approve of illegal slave trading, so he gave The Librarian free reign on what to do with this information.
He then grunts Personally, I would have leveraged the Hellknights with this, or perhaps bent the arm of the captain, but what do I know? I'm just the bodyguard.
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In other words, she more or less agrees, but wants to make sure it's clear that she's not yielding her thirst for justice.
All of you who live in Absalom would know: over the years, at times slavery has been both completely open and legal, and also completely banned. Just before Aroden died just over a century ago, slavery was illegal in Absalom. Following the global upheaval that resulted from that even, the Grand Council legalized slavery yet again in the interest of bringing trade and commerce into the city, to help keep it economically afloat. It was contentious, however, and so there is a compromise. Owning slaves is legal. Any slaves brought into the Ascendant Court must be registered with a church there. (A century ago, it was a coalition of priests that were politically loudest against slavery.) Slaves may only be legally bought and sold on Misery Row, a raised street in the Coins unofficially know as the "Slave Pits of Absalom".
Of course, almost everywhere slaves can be sold, there are illegal slaves, just as with any other form of property. There are a variety of reasons why this might be so.
Of course, Paralictor, it is only my duty as a citizen of law. The Librarian say with a final bow, now, I am truly sorry, but I must take my leave now. I look forward to meeting again. He pauses to see if she makes a move to detain him, and assuming she does not he shows himself out, being sure to bow his head to the receptionist on his way out.
He begins making his way to the Slave Pits, following up on the Paralictor's lead. He uses his Hat of Disguise to change his appearance and bearing to that of a Chelish man in fine, expensive clothes, the hat taking a form of a red ribbon tying back his hair. He mutters and thinks mantras along the lines of, "I own you. And I own you. And I own that. And I own...."
"Ssuch a sscandal a sslave merchant at my pier. ..why would he come here.. especially with my and my peoples hisstory with sslaverss. I musst attempt to handle thiss correctly."
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You head up the stairs to Misery Row. There are Coins guards on duty, making sure that nobody causes a ruckus.
You walk down the street, seeing a range of institutions on either side. You also see the pits that give the street its nickname, usually covered with grills with unhappy people down underneath waiting to be sold.
It smells pretty bad.
What are you going to look for up here?
While you're walking around, a bird lands on your shoulder. You recognize this as one of the Bird feather tokens that your people use (part of the cost of doing business). You take the note from the bird, and it disappears in a shower of blue sparks. The message reads: "New information regarding Captain Veddig Gorn. Four years ago, was confirmed working with the Twilight Talons, the Andoran secret service."
You cast Charm Person, and the man becomes friendly. "I would love to help you," he says, "but the Captain really is very specific about security...."
Give me a diplomacy check. Given how he's reacting, this is "reveal an important secret" level of difficulty, or more. However, you've got him Friendly now....
Those of you on the pier see the disguised Anara and Esha talking to the first mate.
"I completely understand", Amara replies thoughtfully "That said, the Captain and I are such close friends, and really, I just want to make an inspection, and see what precisely is available. I would be ever so grateful if you could make this request just a little easier for me..."
Curious... perhaps we should follow up on this... The Librarian says, pausing in the street. He will pull out a piece of paper and write, New information regarding Gorn. Confirmed Twilight Talon 4 years ago. Have teams follow up, find out if still in good standing. and will then break a feather token, tie the message to it, and release it.
With his new wheels set turning, he will begin asking around about Veddig, trying to discover who he dealt with while here, trying to discover if he sold slaves and to whom, usually opening with You there, I am looking for an associate of mine, Veddig Gorn. I understand he has been here today, and will pay for information regarding his whereabouts.
Indeed. While I would love to just cleave the man in half, I have learned that tact and charm can win a battle just as easily as bashing someone's head in with a mace. Still, Dolgrin it might be wise to use your...client's order to aid us. He probably wants that trident badly, Prakar said.
Prakar and I can assist you Sakaan as best as we can, the undine added.
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The first mate hesitates, and says, "I expect the Captain back soon, with one of... um, with a guest. I think it's best if I defer to him on this one."
It's not too hard, and one of the merchants you talk to indicates that Veddig Gorn recently left Misery Row, and that there was a Osiron man dressed in a simple white shift-- a purchased slave-- with him.
A runner comes up to the pier and hands Fist a note.
Relaying information from Nameless....
Dolgrin hands the box to Lithandra, who takes the hefty box without a measure of difficulty, and begins pacing about in deep thought, puffing on his pipe.
After a few moments, he shakes his head and says, "Nay. I just can't betray a payin' customer who has given me nary a reason to just on hear say. If'n 'e was proven guilty, or thar was a warrant out fer 'is arrest, or if'n thar were proof, then maybe. If he turns up, and has the remainder o' 'is outstandin' balance on this 'ere weapon, then by right, it is his ta take."
Amara smiles sweetly to the first mate, thoroughly pissed off. "In that case, I'll need your name, and your best guess as to how far away the Captain is, so I can cover my ass when he realises you personally delayed my attempts to keep in touch". Rustling around for some paper on her person, Amara continues to rattle off instructions. "I'll need you to sign this here (thrusting a piece of paper into the First mates hands), taking responsibility for the delay, and then I'll need you to sign this paper here". Gesturing awkwardly in the general direction of Esha she rummages around, scratches a figure on the sheet and hands it over to the first mate. "Its her bill you understand, for time wasted, so if you would be so kind as to sign either you or your captains name, I'm sure one of you can afford to pay umm....oh yes and here is my bill (pulling our a fourth sheet of paper), since Mr Gorn instructed me to meet him in person on this ship, the moment I succeeded in the task he set me, and I carried out my instructions to the letter, I was just unable to board the ship due to outside interference".
Amara smiles innocently again, holding out her hand for the documents. "So if you could sign all of those, and then, I don't know, stamp them or something so its official, that will be perfect, I can go on my way, conscience clear, and if either you or Mr Gorn could pay both bills for time wasted, that would also be much appreciated. Don't have a stamp? I believe Mr Gorn has or did have something he used to formally acknowledge anything he signed with me, whether thats in his cabin or on his person I don't know, but I'm sure I'll accept it was an acceptable stamp of approval if you can sign this 5th sheet of paper claiming that you used such a stamp in full knowledge of who owned such a stamp, and you did not mean to impersonate them in any way."
While Prakar didn't agree, he did have to agree with the dwarf's strong sense of honor.
Good point. Still I'm surprised that you would deal with a slaver. I thought dwarves despised slavery and were the first race to abolish it. I would have thought all dwarves would gladly champion freedom for all around the world.
Sirith shook her head in disbelief and covered her face with her hands as she muttered in Aquan at what her companion had just said.
Dolgrin stops pacing and glares at the nearly naked half-orc. "I didn't know 'e was a damned slaver when I got the order, now did I?" he says in a huff, his tobacco smoke rolling out of his nose like a dragon preparing to spout flame. "But I took tha order, an' I'll be damned if I let anybody say I didn't come through on it's completion! Besides, I don't condone murder either, but I guarantee ye that at least some o' my weapons 'ave taken a life. Tha' doesn't make me tha one responsible, now does it?"
"Besides, all you lot 'ave ta my knowledge is rumor, an' if ye could take legal action on someone just based on a few words, then I bet ye good coin that thar ain't a soul alive tha shouldn't be behind bars!"
Agreed. That is true Master Smith. You'll have to excuse Prakar as he is bit...naive about the world. So forgive his...nonsense.
Sirith made a quick glare at the half-orc before returning to the dwarf.
All we wish to do is see if this true. Besides, a Gray Corsair friend of mine will be arriving real soon and you know how the people of Andoran are about slavery. We just wish to keep things from escalating into bloodshed. Would be bad for business if that happened. Besides how much did he pay for his...product?
"All in all, he will have paid me three 'undred an' fifteen gold measures. Paid 'alf up front, 'alf upon delivery."
I see. How about we pay you 50 gold pieces more than him? Or would you prefer to wait and see if he'll take it first? We could work out a deal.
Dolgrin shakes his head, "I dun' run an auction block, lass. It twas a fair purchase, an' 'e 'as first claim to it, fair an' square."
Curious... Fist mumbles as he shoves the note in one of his pockets unceremoniously. He then looks at those gathered, having missed a bit of the exchange. When he figures out where the conversation has lead he scowls at Sirith as he growls, He didn't get where he is by selling his wares to people other than his agreed customers. As well, I find his work fine, worth more than just a 50 gold markup. In any case, despite the fact that this information comes from a good source, one should obtain proof of things before acting rashly.
He pauses for a beat as he looks around for the captain, mumbling, Though when he gets here I'll be sure to figure out if he has his wares with him
Did he bring any merchandise with him, or was he just here to buy? The Librarian asks while looking down his new Chelaxian nose. That's longer than expected... he muses to himself as he draws coins from his pouch in an exaggerated manner and continues before he receives an answer, was there anything special about this Osiriani man, or was he a slave like any other?
Osik wanders the area telling the pier workers that their may be a situation happenning when the captain gets back and to make themselves scarce. He then returns to the group.
"Yes even if he is slaving scum the law applies here"
Good thing you don't run an auction block! She would immediately offer everything including the clothes on her back if you did!
The undine turned bright red as she gave the half-orc a look that said 'shut the Abyss up!'.
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Turanerra had been stunned to speechlessness by the allegations of illegal slave-trading on the Broken Bough. It meant that she had perhaps been making assumptions -- too many assumptions -- about Maricelli's interest in the ship. But it still left her with a basic quandary where to proceed.
"Doctrinally," she said at last. "Maricelli was silent on the issue of slavery, and it is not something we in her church have spent much time trying to define. But I know that personally she never owned slaves, nor sought to own slaves. As a teacher, as a friend, as a sister, she always strove to free others from servitude to their vices and preconceptions -- so I cannot but believe that she would wish people free of more literal servitude, though I do not believe she would have broken the law to do so."
"But the question I still have, the question that brought me here this morning, is 'why?' Why paint this ship a decade ago? Even if this particular painting was not prophetic or divinely inspired," Turanerra pursed her lips at her near-blashphemy, "it remains the case that she was always an extremely meticulous woman who always worked on many levels as an artist. The fact that the Broken Bough was both the central subject and the title of the painting means that it is important. So why draw our attention to it? What happened ten years ago that she was commenting on?" Turanerra paused dramatically. "Or if there was no such incident, was her intent to draw us all here together, today, a year after her ascension? And if so, what are we to do now?"
As Turanerra finishes speaking, she looks around at the faces of the others. Then she colors slightly. "I'm afraid the only times I open my mouth these days, it's to give a sermon. Come by the gallery one of these Sundays and you'll see."
Sirith listened to Turanerra as she regained her composure.
Its possible she wanted you to stop it. Maybe she made the painting as a way to tell you that you were to fight evil. She probably foresaw or knew that the ship was being used for evil and wished for that evil to be stopped. Maricelli must surely have been a good person.
I guess it wouldn't hurt to visit one of your sermons. Besides I might find one of Maricelli's paintings and buy it from you and put it in the Heart of the Ocean's Passion to signify a friendship between us.
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"Jusst to be an alternate voice, maybe Maricelli painted thiss sship while it wass under a different captain and purposse, I have taken ssome of your classses and found them profoundly usseful, not something Maricelli would have found in sslavess"
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On the ship:
The first mate is suitably befuddled by your flurry of requested paperwork, and, a bit mystified by what's going on, starts signing things with only the occasional protestation that he might want to read what he's signing. "First Mate Regent, Allistair Regent," he tells Amara when she demands his name-- his signature is illegible enough that that would have been hard to figure out just from the signature. "And I am sorry for the inconvenience, but, well, I want to make sure things are safe. The Captain didn't get where he is by hiring... indiscreet officers."
In Absalom:
"Just here to buy,[b] the merchant responds. "[b]The Orisani man he left with -- just dressed as a slave. Looked like a recent purchase. The slave looked to be in very good condition, healthy. Are you interested in some wares? Pleasure slaves, perhaps?"
Those of you on the docks see that whoever that woman was (i.e. Amara in disguise, but I don't think any of you know that) who went up on to the ship is still deep in conversation with the first mate. They appear to be transacting some sort of business right now, as paperwork is going back and forth between them, and the first mate is writing on a fair amount of it.
"Well, with all that paperwork done, the only thing that remains is for me to wait directly for the captain, so that I don't miss him for this urgent situation. You have two options, you can let me stand here, thus drawing attention to this particular ship, or you can get me wait on board the ship, out of sight from everyone else, while we wait for the captain. Since I'm feeling nice today, you can pick."
Sirith then remembered what Fist had said earlier.
Fist you mentioned earlier that the Librarian should had gotten the Hellknights involved. Would they be interested in aiding us?
Then she said to Turanerra, Art classes? Just curious here but would you be interested in having me model for your students? Now before you say no I would like to add that I'm willing to do it for free.
Prakar whispered to Dolgrin, Ha! She's really a softhearted person. Once she turned down an offer of diamonds and Mithral bars worth 9,000 gold pieces to model for an Andoren sculptor doing it for three-fourths less than that. The sculpture is however worth three times the amount the artist offered for Sirith to pose, or so I've been told.
Because I could leverage the information to get favors from them. Specifically, Order of the Chain Hellknights deal with slaves and slave owners. They support it of course, but they're just as likely to bring in a runaway slave as apprehend an illegal slaver, he says with a smirk, and if out intel is good, an illegal slaver is exactly what we have on our hands.
"Illegal sslaver? What iss illegal about the captainss operation pleasse Fist?"
"Thank you, Sakaan. It's been a pleasure having you in class. I've heard nothing but good things about you from our instructors -- you seem to be making wonderful progress. And your work is very striking. I'm very curious about your visual range -- I suspect you see colors we don't have pigments for."
She turned next to Sirith, nodding thoughtfully at the undine's offer. "That's very generous of you, Sirith. I've no doubt there's space on the schedule...especially if you've previous experience as a figure model. Why don't you come by the gallery one afternoon this week, and I'll ask around. Probably Darizen..." Turanerra trails off in thought.
"As for the ship, I could also try going through Maricelli's notes from that time, and see what she said about the Broken Bough. Zirnan has them well organized, but they can be very hit and miss. Sometimes she goes into excruciating detail, and sometimes she says next to nothing...almost as though she intended to be mysterious. I was also hoping to have something more concrete before I made Zirnan aware of this matter. He loves Maricelli, but it's his job to be skeptical."
Sirith smiles and nods.
I'll do what I can, Turanerra. And you're welcome. I might not be an artist, unless you count music, but I do have a great appreciation for the arts.
Fist huffs at Sakaan before saying, From what I understand of the Librarian's and the Reader's sources, the captain deals with slaves that are illegally obtained. How, I'm not sure. I leave that to the Librarian.
Enticing, but no. Your information was very helpful, The Librarian says as he drops 10 coins on the merchant's stall and turning to walk back to the docks, taking up a jog in hopes of catching up with the captain and his new purchase.
"I would not be suprised if I did at that,I shall have to compare with Osik, that knowledge may come in very useful actually, thankyou"
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Out on the docks: As you are talking, down about 100 feet away coming around a corner is none other than Veddig Gorn. The captain is a striking figure, with loose leggings and a shirt that leaves his arms, including generous biceps, bare, below a sculpted face with a few days worth of stubble and sandy brown hair underneath a feathered brimmed hat tilted at a jaunty angle.
Walking just behind and to the side of the captain is an Garundi man, wearing sandles and a simple white shift.
As the captain approaches your group, he calls out. "I say, I docked here because I thought this was a quiet pier; it's reputation is as such. But, it looks like there's some sort of party going on here! Dolgrin Girndmar, is that you?"
You will arrive at the docks sometime later; I'll let you slide in when you think it's appropriate.
"Aye, tha be me, Captain Gorn I presume?" Dolgrin says as he takes the case and heads towards the man, motioning for Lithandra to follow.
"I trust ye 'ave tha rest o' yer coin? It was 'ard work gettin' 'er done in time, but she is one o' me finer pieces, I do believe," Dolgrin says as he pats the case appreciatively.
Well well, the captain of honor has arrived.
The undine began humming a tune as she watched the dwarven smith begin talking to the captain.
Amara and Esha wait patiently next to the first mate. The idea being that the captain will likely chat with everyone out on the dock, and them move up to the first mate, where she can pass on her information and take things further.
"Yess it iss ussually a very quiet pier but your fame has brought sseveral partiess here that wissh to catch your attention Captain, I wass attempting to determine if their pressence here would be a valid usse of your time"
Don't mind me, I just appear to have chosen a poor time to visit a friend. Perhaps I should have come at twilight instead, Fist says with a chuckle as he turns his back, giving an exaggerated wave as he turns the corner, see you around, Sakaan. Remember our discussion.
Fist will turn the corner and look for a good point to hide while still remaining within sight and earshot of the Lizard Pier, if possible.
Sakaan waves in return
"Goodbye Fisst"
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Captain Veddig Gorn accepts the case from Dolgrin. He gives it to the Osirion man with it, who quietly and dutifully holds it while Captain Gorn opens it. Captain gorn takes out the masterwork trident, forged very nicely in the dark steel that is the trademark of Dolgrin. (Dolgrin, you can tell everybody more about it if you like.)
He hefts it, and whistles. "Your reputation is well earned, Master Girndmar," he says, and delivers a small pouch to the dwarf with the rest of the payment in it.
He turns to Sakaan. "Interesting, so you say that there are people here who might want to meet with me."
He looks over the group. "And why might that be?"