You are awaiting your briefing.
|
Seiji steps lightly into the lodge, dressed in very loose clothing. Various marks and tattoos adorn his exposed skin, giving the impression that they moved of their own accord as he walked. Nodding his bald head to the barmaid, he casts a slow glance around the room. He takes momentary notice of the tiefling and the man brazenly polishing his large sword before taking a seat next to a window.
Seated behind a large, antique desk in his wood-paneled office, Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin looks up from the pile of papers before him and shuffles them to one side. “Perfect timing! Welcome Pathfinders!
“I had an interesting conversation with the Master of Spells Aram Zey yesterday. An old friend—Lady Darchana, Archdean of the Arcanamirium here in Absalom—contacted Master Zey. She’s a councilmember on the Low Council, too. It seems her dinner party last week had an unexpected guest: a handmaiden of her fancy guest’s had picked up a scrying sensor somewhere. When Lady Darchana learned that someone was attempting to eavesdrop on her party, she used her magic to trace the sensor back to its source. It sounds as though she didn’t learn anything conclusive, and she’s interested in bringing in an independent party to try and learn more. Master Zey agrees.
“Make no mistake, this is an excellent opportunity for you to impress a well-connected friend of the Society. Lady Darchana requested that the Pathfinders call upon her at her estate in the Petal District once they learn something of the origins of this servant. The owner of the handmaiden is named Lady Silviana Dimora. Lady Silviana isn’t a councilmember or the like—at least not yet. From what I understand, though, she is an up-and-comer who is rubbing elbows with all of the right people, and she likely has little knowledge of where the slave was purchased. I recommend speaking to her majordomo Milana about the handmaiden, or you can pay a visit to her solicitor, a Chelish fellow named Salbus over in the Coins. Questions?”
|
Just before the Venture Captain begins his briefien, a tall, well-armored and equipped Human walks across the room. His demeanor is soldier-like with a ramrod straight posture and the hilt of a finely-crafted greatsword sticking above his shoulder as it is sheathed on his back. He simply nods at the other attendees with a dour expression on his face as the briefing begins.
After hearing the briefing, Jake simply snarles.
Slavery, exploitation of individuals at the price of freedom. It disgusts me thoroughly...
He stands straight and looks at Ambrus Vaslin.
I accept the mission.
|
|
"I suppose having a connection in high society can be helpful..." Seiji shrugs with disinterest. He adjusts his forearm wraps out of habit and steps towards the group gathering for the mission. "Is there anyone in the slave market we can talk to?" he poses the question to Ambrus. "And is anyone familiar with the law regarding slaves in Absalom. I haven't been here long enough to know... Let me introduce myself. I am Seiji. Follower of the Master Irori." His accent becomes more noticeable when one pays more attention to him. It is difficult to place him unless one has experience in the Tian Xia region of the world. His physical features are also exotic: his skin a shade of yellow, eyes more sharp at the edges, and a little on the shorter side compared to the locals. He also has dark hair but most of what's on his head is shaved.
"Slavery is perfectly legal here in Absalom, as it is in most of the Inner Sea," the Venture-Captain responds to Seiji. "I don't know if asking around the slave markets at random is wise, we don't want to alert anyone of our investigation yet. But Misery Row is where all the slave buying and selling goes on in Absalom."
Turning to Rufus, Valsin continues, "Visiting Dimora Manor and speaking with Majordomo Milana would be a good way to start." He informs Molos, "Lady Darchana is expecting you, but not quite yet. She's expecting you with solid information so don't embarrass me by showing up empty-handed."
"And my understanding is that Lady Silviana already left for Oppara two days ago. It seems Lady Darchana is trying to avoid turning this into a public debacle by working through intermediaries and not alarming other nobles, and Lady Silviana's recent departure may even be to ensure her safety and silence on the matter. Of course, that's an educated guess."
|
|
Consider it handled, Master Valsin. We won't let you down. I'm sure you are aware of The Bold Strider's punishment for failure... Stag nervously thinks of it himself as he sheaths his greatsword across his back.
We will not fail you! Let us leave for Majordomo Lilamana! Stag boldly leads the way out the door!
The party makes their way across Absalom towards the Petal District. An 8-foot-high fieldstone wall surrounds Lady Silviana Dimora's estate. The grounds are recently tended with thick, soft grass, several well-placed shade trees, and many species of flowering plants. Directly in front of the manor house is a pond with several large lilies and a lion-shaped marble fountain that bubbles gently. When you claim to have business with Lady Silviana, members of the household staff entreat you to relax in a parlor furnished with plush blue couches and chairs.
Her majordomo Milana, a stern-looking woman with dark brown hair and hazel eyes, enters some time later and formally apologizes that Lady Silviana is not available to take unscheduled meetings at this time. She invites you to arrange a scheduled meeting in the near future but gradually tries to direct you toward the door so she can return to her other duties.
"I'm sorry, you seem to have misunderstood me," the majordomo replies, "but Lady Silviana is not here right now, nor would she be interested in 'righting wrongs and kicking butt' even if she were. If you have nothing else, I really am rather busy...."
At Stag's persistence, the woman drops her formality and shakes her head, touching her hand to her forehead. “Yes, Lady Darchana’s dinner party. What an embarrassment for Lady Silviana. Can you imagine being told that your handmaiden is some sort of… well… spy? Dreadful. The woman’s name is Atlag, and she has been here for almost three weeks! Three weeks! When I think of the private conversations that happened in front of Atlag? It makes me ill, honestly ill.”
Composing herself, Milana continues, “Lady Silviana retains a solicitor, a Chelish gentleman named Solvius Salbus. He works out of an office in the Coins called the Red Letter. He drew up the paperwork for my Lady to complete the transaction on Atlag with a man named...” She wags her pointer finger a few times, shaking her head as she tries to recall the name. “Mahdi Mahjub. No, Mahjub Mahdi! He does his business down in Misery Row, of course. It’s a small shop with several large windows to allow passersby to see into his display parlor from the street. ‘Mahdi’s Chattel: Absalom’s Finest,’ so the sign claims. Honestly, I think every third building in Misery Row claims to be ‘Absalom’s Finest.’ I wonder how many spies like Atlag he’s sold over the years? It’s a dreadful, dreadful business. I am not sure there is anything else I can tell you, but I am sure you understand my Lady’s desire to move on from this embarrassment? Good? Yes? Thank you.”
|
|
Jake bows deeply.
Thank you, mi'lady.
He turns his back and sneers.
"Absalom's Finest". We will have to pay a visit to this slave trader, if nothing more than for me to rattle his teeth.
Obviously uncomfortable to the point of a coiled spring, Jake makes his way to the door and stands just inside with his arms crossed awaiting his companions.
The Majordomo blushes at Stag and hurries to the door to go about her other duties.
---
Misery Row is an enormous, elevated platform that runs along the eastern edge of the Coins district, and serves as the main destination to buy and sell slaves in Absalom.
The cages are set into the platform such that slavers and prospective buyers can walk over the pits to inspect the merchandise easily. Mahdi’s Chattel is located along the platform, where his many-windowed storefront can catch the eye of discerning buyers. The massive wooden platform is well worn by foot traffic, and is active all hours of the day and night. The Token Guard, the guards responsible for patrolling this part of the city, intervene only in particularly egregious crimes or those they’re paid to investigate. As a result, petty criminals have numerous opportunities to ply their craft. A hanging sign identifies the single-story building with large, full-length windows as “Mahdi’s Chattel—Absalom’s Finest.” Heavy curtains are drawn over all of the windows—one of which has been smashed—and a small painted sign that reads “Closed” hangs over the latch of the door. The door is not completely closed and shows signs of scratches and damage to the wood around the latch.
|
|
Gilthanis stays quiet as the mission is detailed out before him. He can only shake his head as Stag says and does the things he does. Sheylyn help me. This is going to be a long and tiresome expedition if that young man keeps acting the way he does. I am surprised he hasn't been knocked out yet.
I can take point if need be. , Gilthanis whispers back.
Recognizing that action needs to be taken (and that Stag's plan might require a bit more work than is necessary), the party bursts into the shop!
Mahdi’s Chattel is pleasantly decorated. An Andoren rug lies over the polished wooden floor of the entryway, and a small decorative table holds a curious stone statue. The eastern half of the room is in slight disarray, apparently from light renovations that are nearly complete.
The stone statue stands almost 2 feet tall and has simian features, massive horns, and a long tail.
The windows have been smashed, and broken glass lies on the floor and on the desk on the opposite side.
The work table in the center of the display parlor conceals a heavy, polished stone with a 4-inch-diameter steel ring attached to the top, providing an anchor for manacle chains.
A door stands at the back of this room; the noises issue from that direction....
This large office doubles as a private parlor for Mahjub Mahdi to conduct his legal but objectionable business. The room’s furnishings consist of a round table with two comfortable chairs, a desk with a metal-banded strongbox beneath it, and a refreshment cart. Two paintings hanging on the north wall both depict the bustling harbor of Katheer.
Mahdi has positioned his desk in front of the door that leads to a back alley. Several smashed bottles of wine lie on the floor next to the refreshment cart, and a half-orc holds a bearded Keleshite man off the ground by his fine-spun tunic as a pair of human thugs stand by and watch the proceedings.
The half-orc snarls at you and demands, "You'd better leave and mind your own business!"
The half-orc snarls again as he unceremoniously drops the Keleshite man and motions to his two thug companions to take you out.
The two humans react quickly as they draw their sword swords and stab at Jake!
Jake gravely wounds the half-orc, cleaving through the two lesser thugs and dropping them in one bestial swing!
The half-orc seems so overwhelmed by the display of martial prowess that he succumbs to Molos' hex easily.
HO: 20 dmg, -2 AC
|
|
Stag looks very disappointed. He moves forward while drawing his greatsword and ignores the half-orc. He puts out his hand to help up the slaver. Ugh... Of course we get the easy mission.
He looks at the half-orc and points at Jake. I'd just surrender if I was you. I don't think he's messin' around.
Gilthanis steps up and swings ineffectively. The half-orc heeds Stag's advice and puts his hands in the air. "Just let me go," he pleads.