Nearly a year ago, Absalom fought off an invasion of demonflesh constructs and undead marines remembered as the Fiendflesh Siege, during which the city's siege lord offered every slave freedom in exchange for their assistance in defending Absalom. Practically overnight, one of the city's cruelest industries came to an end, and many hundreds of the liberated have since become Absalom's newest citizens.
Although most have welcomed their manumitted neighbors with open arms, an unidentified serial murderer known only as the Rose Street Killer has systematically slain at least a dozen of these freed people. So far, the city's guards have questioned scores of witnesses and suspects with no luck.
Your team of Pathfinders recently returned from their Confirmation, an initiation trial for members of the Society. When you returned, a letter was waiting for you.
Pathfinders,
The Society doesn't normally investigate crimes in Absalom, but events that transpired during your Confirmation have forced our hands. A member of our Society, a woman named Nelfurhin Zor, had disappeared. The Watch believes her disappearance to be related to this Rose Street Killer, but that seems too convenient an explanation and nothing will be done if we leave the matter in their hands.
I want your team to investigate the Band of the Palm, a flimsy front for a despicable collection of villany known as the Bloody Barbers. One of our own is at stake this time, Pathfinders. We will not leave a member of the Society to the cruel hands of fate, the Barbers or this Rose Street cretin.
Come see me for details.
Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin
After getting help with some of the longer words on the letter, Morg grabs his gear and heads off to report to VC Valsin.
"Morg Dau'ut, Reporting for duty, Sir." Morg does something that seems to be a sloppy form of salute.
Reading through the Letter Anvaras gathers his gear and strolls to VC Valsin.
"A pleasure to serve Vice-Captain Valsin." Anvaras sing-songs with a deep bow and flourish of his cap.
Entering the room gently, letter in hand, Vaughn pauses before the desk as he moves across the room to take his place.
"Venture-Captain Valsin, I was asked to report to you for this assignment." He places a hand on his chest, bows carefully, and then moves to stand with the others.
Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin flicks an invisible speck of dust from his impeccably pressed cuff before speaking.
"Not everyone has arrived yet, but time is of the essence. You'll have to fill in your fellows. I hope you have your wits about you."
"It's all well and good for everyone in the city to concoct their own thrilling hypotheses about some serial murderer, but Pathfinders need to be a bit more..." Ambrus thinks for a moment before continuing. "... evidence based."
"To that end, I'd like you to find some low-ranking members of the Bloody Barbers and press them for information. I suspect their straight razors are ultimately to blame for the disappearances."
Almost as an afterthought, Ambrus adds, "I shouldn't need to tell you to be careful in dealing with Absalom's largest thieves' guild, but do try to avoid the old crimson shave." He draws his thumb across his neck for emphasis.
Morg seems to start talking several times before he manages to arrange the words in the right order to begin speaking.
"Where do they make their base of... Where is their base?"
"Finding the Bloody Barbers is where you come in," Ambrus states. "Pathfinders often have to rely on one another for help. I would start by comparing notes; you should be able to piece together a likely location for one of their meeting places."
"is there anything we should know about our missing compatriot, the lady Nelfurhin Zor?"
There is a loud knocking on the door. When the door is finally answered.
"Excuse me, but does..." Marie looks down at a mostly eaten letter. "Venture... something... Alsin live here? I think that they sent me a letter, and this is the third place I've checked. All because somebody," Marie glances behind her at the young bear. "loves the taste of paper." Marie looks around the room and notices the assembled group. "Looks like this is the place. I'm Marie, it's a pleasure to meet all of you. It looks like I'm late, what have I missed?"
Venture-Captain Ambrus looks at Marie sternly, "Your friends will have to fill you in on the way. Time is of the essence, and the life of a Pathfinder is on the line. Nelfurhin Zor was a former slave, recently freed during the Fiendflesh Siege. I didn't know here personally, but she was working for us in the archives."
"Find the Bloody Barbers and find out what happened to our Nelfurhin."
Upon hearing that Nelfurhin was a freed slave, a fierce light sparks behind Morgs eyes, and upon being dismissed he rushes from the room anxious to begin. He immediately begins accosting any nearby members of the Society for more information.
"WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THE BLOODY BARBERS?!" His voice comes out in heavily accented common.
Not even the Bloody Barbers dare to operate in large groups in Absalom’s central district, known as the Ascendant Court, full as it is of churches and good-aligned priests. They’re unlikely to meet nearby, eliminating that district from the search.
Anvaras will chat up nearby members for information on the Bloody Barbers
The barbers retaliate against the Pathfinders, trying desperately to turn this battle around. Morg manages to evade the weak attacks of his opponent while Vaughn is stabbed once and Anvaras takes a slingshot to the face.