Arryn continues to search the tavern and his efforts are rewarded when he finds a lockbox behind the counter, containing 100 gp, the morning's grit sales.
Fredrik tells the party, between bouts of coughing up blood, that Pildapush can be found over in 'Pits' and that he is a human. Pildapush does indeed sell slaves.
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Arryn seems hell bent on finding drugs but on finding none at least takes the box saying, These ill gotten gains will not see the inside of these criminals pockets... and perhaps the wrath of the General of Vengeance will fall upon them under the natural laws of the streets as a result.
He rattles the box.
We will split this later or perhaps use these funds to buy back our quarry, if there is a need to do so.
What now of this villain 'Pildapush' and the dark underside of Absolom? Know you where we must go to visit a just judgement on the vile slavers?
Arryn and Morgrim come to the conclusion that Fredrik is on death's door due to his latest drug binge.
The party gathers up the drug money and their gear. Stepping over the drug addled patrons, the party makes their way through Absalom to "Misery Row".
Pardu Pildapush keeps an office on Misery Row, the only street in Absalom on which slaves are legally bought or sold. Misery Row is a massive elevated platform running the length of the Coins’ eastern edge. The platform’s base forms a wall between the Coins and Merchant districts. The slavers sunk cages inside the walls, accessible only from the top of the Row and filled with languishing slaves. These are the windows through which a prospective buyer sizes up future chattel. Between the cage pits and the slave trade, all of Absalom knows Misery Row as the
Slave Pits of Absalom.
The easiest access is up the heavily guarded stairs placed every few hundred feet. Though the guards do not let any one past who is not a known slaver.
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Hearing that, Hamailii decides that she needs to do something about Fredrik. He can´t be left there lying on the floor dying. She will use a charge of her wand of Cure Light Wounds if that is of any use. Other wise she will beg the rest of the party to do something about it, or at least help her bring him to a adequate healer nearby.
Hamilli uses her wand on the drug user and he appears to strengthen a little and no longer seems to be at the point of death.
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Arryn seems unconcerned by Fredriks approaching judgement of Pharasma.
He watches the elf use her wand.
You do him no great favour... He will poison himself to death again soon. Hopefully he will not rely on selling another into slavery before then.
***At the pits***
Fighting our way through this, while attractive, may end badly. Anyone want to try talking our way through? It may be, he looks sour, that we need to grease a few palms.
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He won't - He has me for that, he says with a dreadful finality. His brow strangely wrinkles in thought and he sounds uncertain as he gropes for words and an unfamiliar concept, Someone told me once its called "outsourcing".
He looks up at the multiple checkpoints. One day I may need to put in some overtime here.
Plans?, he asks the others?
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I'm not sure any of us can sweet-talk our way up, but you guys sure might be able to bully our way in. I'm not saying with metal, just impose your will on these fellas, so to speak. Faldoc looks at Arryn and then Morgrim as he speaks. I'm sure the two of you have ways to convince people to do the right thing.
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"We could have the guard send a message to Pildapush that we wish to see him about a slave, that is true enough. The wealthiest-looking one of us should do it, and the others hang well back so the guard does not recognize us if we have to try another bluff."
Morgrim glances into the cages as they walk by, trying to locate the cages with women who match the description of the kidnap victim, just in case his fellows attempt something...
Morgrim sees no one matching the description of Lady Salhar.
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Very well
He looks to the others. Fall in around the lady so she can be shielded from prying eyes while she prepares - when she is ready, I will act as herald and set up a favourable impression, and allow our Lady to say what she needs to get us through... Remember though, as much as I detest Slavery, this part of Absolom still falls under the rule of Law. Be slow to draw steel once we are inside.
If there are others swift of tongue, say now so that we can plan to use you to complete the mummery.
Your name M'lady?, he asks.
Between Hamillii and Arryn, the party is granted access, easily. Misery Row is filled with shoppers, guards, and servants/slaves. As the party makes their way down the street, the quickly see a wooden sign nailed to one of the buildings that reads: Pildapush Chattel: Absalom’s Finest. On the door, which is locked the is sign hanging that says, Closed. Not much can be seen through the few barred windows along the front of the building.
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Bombs are out of the question here. Perhaps we can try to crash the door silently. Either somebody very strong tries to break it or we destroy it by force. Or perhaps the strongest tries to break it and the rest helps him. That´s probably you Arryn.
Hamailii begins to push casually against the door, trying to look totally relaxed and legal.
The party huddles around Arryn and when the crowd is at its thinnest, the paladin kick in the door. Glancing around furtively, the group decides that no one has seemed to notice the breaking and entering.
The party sidles into the shop, looking around. Pildapush’s Chattel is tastefully appointed: colorful Katapeshi rugs adorn the stone floor, while water trickles gently from a decorative, mosaic fountain. Simple rosewood chairs surround a round table through which the shiny top of a hookah pokes, one braided and ebony-tipped smoking arm per chair. Beyond stands a large, ornate mahogany desk. Two man-sized oval cages, bolted to the stone floor, sit behind the desk.
A man and a woman huddle in the cages, while in front of them, a middle-aged Vudrani man, Pardu Pildapush, sits behind his large, mahogany desk reviewing his accounts. He looks up with a startled look on his face that quickly disappears. What is it that you want. Can't you read? The shop is closed.
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Ohhh Happy day.... , he smiles with a grim smile.
He flexes his arms and turns his head side to side cracking his neck, I would be very very quiet and tell us what we want to know if you know what is good for you, he says menacingly, his voice as final as the crack of doom.
Intimidate (hoping for a circumstance bonus)
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Arryn will carry on displays and veiled threats to get his point across and get him to talk.
Tell us about the Lady Anilah Salhar - we know that dogs pizzle Fredrik was working with you and that she passed through your hands. We left him near death and we are more than happy to repeat the performance!. He rushes the flesh merchant and looms over him ominously.
If you talk, you live... and we will KNOW if you are lying to us!
Pardu's face noticeably blanches at the paladin's demeanor. “I had no idea who she was—I swear it!” Glancing up at Arryn, he pauses. "Well, maybe I knew who she was, but its just business." He shrugs and takes a deep intake of breath, then lets it out slowly. "I sold the Grand Ambassador’s wife to a Katapeshi slave ship in the docks called the No Return. Renmil Emprey ordered Fredrik to kidnap Lady Anilah, he is a Taldan spy. The No Return is captained by a gnoll named Gnarl Bonegather." His words begin to tumble out as he finshes. "That's all I know, I swear!"
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Arryn nods grimly and then ties him up.
This is for your safety... its stopping me from beating you to death when you stupidly try to escape, he clarifies as he secures the bindings. Be silent for now.
He motions to the others and speaks to them softly.
I'd like to put a hood on his head and take him with us, just in case - your thoughts? We could put him in the midst of those two slaves as we are freeing them - we must free them after all.