The party manages to get a corner table away from the main crowd of the tavern. The drone of voices covers up your conversation from those near by. A barmaid with long brown hair shows up to take your order, slapping away wayward hands on reflex alone.
"What can I get for ya?"
Kal growls at barmaid, Were busy, come back in a few minutes. tossing her a gold piece for the trouble...
Aldon waves away the barmaid with an appoligetic look, "I may be able to track him if you can show us the spot. Haste would be prudent before any traces of his journey gets swept away"
The barmaid quickly leaves. Not a moment later a giant of a human walks over, none other then the owner of the Inn. The massive man is all muscle, of Ulfen heritage, and so tall even Kal cant look him eye to eye.
"Ye got a problem with me girl?"
Aldon looks to the innkeeper and puts on his best face, "Appoligies good sir, we are a bit on edge, I'm afraid. A friend of ours has gone missing and we fear the worst. We will be departing from your fair establishment shortly."
No problem, just wanted some privacy. Well be leaving, here is a gold for use of the table. he gets up to leave placing a gold piece on the table and begins to move to the exit to show his friends where he last saw Bungo...
"Let us go. We can talk while we walk."
The man's face softens a bit.
"Good luck, to many missing lately."
He leaves to another near by table that was getting to rowdy.
You notice out of the corner of your eye a lone person watching you with more then a passing interest. They have a cloak and hood making them hard to identify from range.
The person has an intense interest in you.
Aldon furrows his brows as he watches the cloaked man turn his head as they pass. Without causing too much of a distraction, he tries to determine if the man is interested in them specifically.
Aldon gets closer to the group, "We got a watcher, 5 o'clock. Speak to me like I said something funny and take a look."
The man's face softens a bit.
"Good luck, to many missing lately."
He leaves to another near by table that was getting to rowdy.
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
Sense Motive:
Speaking softly
"There is no way he is alone."
You could use your magic to get us next to him and then I could grab him or smash him? he whispers.
Aldon shrugs "Or we could see if we can just talk to him..."
"Indeed, lets not rush into battle again so quickly. It could prove to be foolish." Elbennon says. "Lets simply continue with our task and see what he does."
"I think we should watch him to see if he tries to communicate with anyone. That might let us know where his buddies are."
Once Kal leads us back to the spot, I begin looking for any sign of Bungo's tracks or anything that would have befallen him.
Not finding anything right away, he spends a considerable time looking.
Kal reluctantly nods in agreement with his companions although it is obvious that he is worried about Bungo.
He leads them back to the ally and then draws his Earthbreaker and begins to look around for danger...
The party looks in the general area of where Bungo was last seen. Their is no sign of his passing or what happened. Even the back alleys and streets of the docks have hard ground and regular passage. This makes tracking anyone nearly undoable without magic.
"Can't seem to track in this mess, not sure how we can find which way they went"
"Can't seem to track in this mess, not sure how we can find which way they went"
"I think I have an answer. We need some "locate creature" scrolls. I still have gold left. I will put in 200 gp. Maybe we can find the other missing people also."
A hooded and cloaked figure steps forward, none of you knew how he got there. A male voice speaks.
"Don't bother, that spell wont work in the docks. Now I think its time you all explain yourselves. Oh and it better be good."
The man before you is completely at ease. He has no fear of any of you.
You feel as if the area is not as empty as it seemed a moment ago. Something very dangerous is around and it is coming from more then just the man standing before you.
Aldon looks to the man with interest and takes out his wayfinder and shows him the Shadow Lodge symbol upon it. "Were looking for a friend who went missing while we were looking for the reason behind the disapperances, would you happen to know anything?"
He has a faint odor of brimestone. He removes his hood exposing a short black haired man with red scaley skin and blue purple eyes. He raises an eyebrow at the symbol.
"What I know is that you ambushed a group earlier today and killed one of their number before escaping. Now do you understand what that looks like?"
Kal looks at the rest of the group in a questioning manner...
Aldon snorts, he knew he smelled a dragon. Always so high and mighty... "It looks exactly like it's supposed to look, they were skulking around hiding in the shadows. If their intensions were noble they would have approached us in the light with good intensions. They didn't and were up to no good. I punish criminals to the full extent of my abilities!"
The man gave a somber look, shaking his head.
"Criminals are our business not yours. Following or observing someone is not a crime, actions are punished not intentions. I knew pathfinders tended to meddle but the lodge always knew not to involve themselves in running Absalom. You three have been charged with assualt and murder. Your confession has been recieved by myself, a ninth circle Varlokkur. You will lay down your weapons and surrender. It would be most unwise to attempt escape or struggle."
The Varlokkur brings up a hand holding three pairs of manacles.
The Varlokkur is an organization with in Absalom. They are spellcasting judges and ministers. These officials main role is to keep magic from getting out of control in the city. Crimes involving magic fall to them. They answer to the third spell lord of the city and are trained by the first lady of laws.
Aldon smirks as he grabs the quivers from his hip and back and throws them on the ground, he places his bow very carefully on top. "I will need that back" indicating his bow.
He looks to Kal and the rest, "Keep looking for Bungo if you can. If nothing turns up, head to the Grand Lodge and tell them I sent you. They might be able to help."
He walks over to the dragon and takes a pair of manacles from him and begins to fasten them around his wrists, once done he looks to the dragon. "I'm completly to blame for the incident, you can leave them out of it, they had no part in it other then to slow the group down or to get me out. No harm was done by them... They need to continue searching for our friend."
Aldon stops, almost as an afterthought "I invoke the right to choose my council and I choose Venture Captain Ambrus Valsin, he will stand for me."
He turns, looking to the dragon for him to lead him away
This is wrong! Kal bellows, These are probably the same men who have been kidnapping people around here and they attacked us to slow down our investigation or take us!
They have been following us most of the day! Kal assumes...
They have already taken our friend and yet you do nothing about it but question us!
Maybe you should use magic to question if you are doing the right thing. We are trying to help this city...what about you?
Kal small mind starts to wir, possibly causing more issues...
Oh and by the way, you are not taking him unless you produce some city officials to back up your claim to who you are. We have already lost one friend tonight, as you can imagine we are not going to let just anyone take him claiming to be the King of Taldor or some such nonsense.
I would like to know how you know this information and who claims that these men ambushed them? How do you know it wasn't the other way around?
"While I admit that our companion here was a bit rash with his arrows, we are attempting to provide a service for the city. People have been disappearing all over the docks, one per day and one per night. Did the men he attacked report the crime? Will there be a trial? Are you aware of the disappearances?" Elbennon calmly asks. Why do I get the feeling we are in way over our heads.
sense motive=
taking 10 on all knowledge local checks unless otherwise specified.
"Well obviously had you been doing your job people would not still be getting kidnapped. Tell me what is the penalty for lying down on the job?"
Without allowing the man to answer Damien continues
"You will not arrest anyone. What you will do is get our friend Bungo back if you want to be useful or you will be exposed as frauds. If you are incapable of doing that, and it seems like you are, then you will give us all information you have in this manner. When the whole of Golarion knows that the criminals run Absalom it won't really look good will it? You will also produce documents this moment so that we know you are who you say you are. While you are at it you can tell us why that spell won't work."
diplomacy:
The man's face slowly changes to a very annoyed expression. Its seems as if he is bearly holding back. He looks to Aldon.
"They were involved and helped in the ambush. As such they are accomplices to the crime. Your right to council is accepted and will be informed."
He turns his eyes to Kal.
"I do not care about what you think is right or wrong. I enforce the law, without proof of a crime no one is guilty of anything. Their are no witnesses to that group doing anything that breaks any law, your friends can not claim the same. I do not have to prove or explain myself to you."
As he looks to Elbennon his eyes soften at a reasonable and respectful tone.
"Your group was reported, not counting the half orc. Yes we are aware of the disappearances but that issue is not connected to this one."
As he looks at Damien his eyes grow hard once more.
"You do not order the Varlokkur, you do not make demands or threaten us. More then that little fool if you knew anything about the magic you so recklessly throw about you would know why that spell wont work in the docks. Also have any of you even cast the most basic of magical detection spells?"
Not waiting for an answer he snaps his fingers. With in a moment the area is filled with cloaked and hooded figures, they number in the dozens. He tosses the two remaining manacles on the ground. A pair of Varlokkur flank him.
"You will be taken, the condition in which you are in is of no concern to me. As judges we do not require a trial, it is a courtesy on our part."
At this point he could care less if he takes you for a trial or a burial. He considers you criminals.
Locate spells can be blocked by running water and lead. Both a very common thing in the docks more so then nearly anywhere else in the city.
You are not blinded so much as your vision is heavy with a thick fog that is in fact a massive aura of divination. No matter where you turn it seems to be coming from everywhere and everything. It is not very powerful but it lacks a source or direction. You also notice that it overlaps other magical aura's, strange as normally more powerful aura's overlap the weaker.
Aldon realised the type of person they were dealing with, someone who pronounces guilt before hearing the facts and weighing the options. He was a bit of the same and it made him feel quite ashamed.
"When all seems lost and hopeless...." He mumbles to himself and drops to his knees. He looks up at the sky and does something he has never done in years... he prays. Abadar...your loyal son has become lost and estranged. Please see to my friends and see them free, especially Bungo who has become even more lost to us. I ask this not for me, but for them... Please see that I get the justice I deserve..."
The big man considers killing the man just for his arrogance...but he knows this is his Orc blood calling to him. In the end his hammer droops to his side resting on the floor.
He seems dejected and defeated saying...You might as well arrest me too because once I get a chance I plan to kill the men that caused this...every last one of them.
Elbennon doesn't want to die here. Obviously outclassed he allows himself to be arrested. Damn these humans and their impatience. One hasty arrow cost us our freedom and possibly our lives. At times like these I wish I had never left Sovyrian.
The man's face slowly changes to a very annoyed expression. Its seems as if he is bearly holding back. He looks to Aldon.
"They were involved and helped in the ambush. As such they are accomplices to the crime. Your right to council is accepted and will be informed."
He turns his eyes to Kal.
"I do not care about what you think is right or wrong. I enforce the law, without proof of a crime no one is guilty of anything. Their are no witnesses to that group doing anything that breaks any law, your friends can not claim the same. I do not have to prove or explain myself to you."
As he looks to Elbennon his eyes soften at a reasonable and respectful tone.
"Your group was reported, not counting the half orc. Yes we are aware of the disappearances but that issue is not connected to this one."
As he looks at Damien his eyes grow hard once more.
"You do not order the Varlokkur, you do not make demands or threaten us. More then that little fool if you knew anything about the magic you so recklessly throw about you would know why that spell wont work in the docks. Also have any of you even cast the most basic of magical detection spells?"
Not waiting for an answer he snaps his fingers. With in a moment the area is filled with cloaked and hooded figures, they number in the dozens. He tosses the two remaining manacles on the ground. A pair of Varlokkur flank him.
"You will be taken, the condition in which you are in is of no concern to me. As judges we do not require a trial, it is a courtesy on our part."
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **...
Coax information (Ex) A rogue with this talent can use Bluff or Diplomacy in place of Intimidate to force an opponent to act friendly toward her.
The man rolls his eyes at Kal.
"As I said, we do not judge people based on their intentions. If you commit murder then and only then will we come for you."
He signals, the Varlokkur move in. They place the manacles on them and with a tap, they feel their magic disappear. Weapons are collected and stored. He hands Kal a scroll.
"That is where the trial will take place tomarrow at noon."
With that they flank their prisoners and begin to march off.
Kal follows them at a distance, more than a little paranoid that as soon as they disappear from sight so will he...
Aldon allows himself to be led away, and tries to speak to his group. "For what it's worth, I am sorry that I caused you to get arrested for my mistake. Wish I could say this was the first time my rash behaviour got me in trouble such as this..."
The man rolls his eyes at Kal.
"As I said, we do not judge people based on their intentions. If you commit murder then and only then will we come for you."
He signals, the Varlokkur move in. They place the manacles on them and with a tap, they feel their magic disappear. Weapons are collected and stored. He hands Kal a scroll.
"That is where the trial will take place tomarrow at noon."
With that they flank their prisoners and begin to march off.
The man who had lead the criminals in was up in what passed for an office. A heavy knock hits his door.
"Come."
Thru the door steps a fully armored paladin of Iomedae. The man raises an eyebrow. The paladin speaks.
"Would you be Turnus?"
Turnus wanted to lie, nothing good came from the churches.
"Yes I am. Can I help you?"
"It has to do with the group you have recently taken and with a missing member."
He knew it was going to be a pain.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
A dimly light room somewhere in the docks holds a caged halfling bearly clothed. Near by at a table playing cards are some of his captors.
"Got us a good one, his stuff alone will bring us a small fortune."
"Bit of a shame, seemed he was one of our kind."
One of the men spits on the floor.
"Thats what he gets, not part of any group or anything. Loners are fair game. He isn't no Barber or worse yet a Smoker."
"Now thats not fair, you cant tell a Smoker."
"Smoker's an't interested in nothing but their own business. Anyways we would be dead by now if he was."
"Good point, and he had no back up. Smoker's are more organized from the stories."
One of the men takes a pair of cards after discarding a pair.
"So when we selling him?"
"Our employer wont be happy, we were just supposed to watch anyone who was snooping. He may just kill the little bugger."
A massive crash was heard from outside the door, it lead down a narrow alley that was filled with bounty hunters, thieves, and thugs of all kind. One of the men throws down his cards.
"Damn those whelps, having another go around or drinking contest. How many times do I have to tell them to keep it down."
A few moments of silence were met with the thunderous crash of the door being thrown off its hinges. A fully armored helmed figure filled the door way with a longsword and shield bearing the symbol of Iomedae. Before the shocked rogues could move hands where placed on their shoulders by Turnus, his fiendish smile bearing rows of pointed teeth and fangs.
"Well boys, normally petty slavery is not my concern. But you really stepped in it this time, maybe even fell head deep. So you want to come with me or do I give you to my holy friend over there."
The trial was taking place at noon. A Varlokkur was seated in the high judge's chair looking over notes. The Varlokkur, Turnus, that had captured the party was seated in the accuser's chair. While the party was seated in the accused chairs behind the defenders chair, wearing simple clothes and still bound in manacles. The pathfinder venture captain Ambrus Valsin sits in the defender's chair along with a armored paladin of Iomedae. The judge places his notes down and taps his forefinger causing a loud snap to sound. His voice is strong, clear, and has the tone of no nonsense.
"Before we begin I will hear anything the accused have to say on their behalf. I warn you, speak well but keep it plain. I suffer no speeches. Once the trial begins the accused will not speak unless spoken to."
"All I can say in my own defense was that I killed no one. I am accomplice to the crime of assaulting a group whose only crime was following us from hiding." Elbennon says his eyes downcast. No point in lying...
"We have not killed anyone, yet we find ourselves in this courtroom accused of a crime with no evidence. Now my friend here was a little quick to use his bow, but we were trailing bad people doing bad things, and then we found ourselves being followed. How were we to know we were not next on their list? If these people were agents of the law then why not say so? Is it a crime to defend yourself in Absolom, or must I let the other man strike first so that I might be die? Tell me what is the proper course of action when you find your in a dangerous situation with nobody to help you, and why where agent of Absolom following us anyway? Surely this is not the way of Absolom."
diplomacy=