[PFS_Aerondor] 00-08 Slave Pits of Absalom [tier 1-2] PbP Gameday 5 (Inactive)

Game Master Aerondor

Piping up, the gnome looks about the barroom while waving his hands, "Speaking of people getting hurt, does anyone need any healing of some sort?" Eying at the one eyed man, Triblin jumps into the conversation, "You do know that you can be forgiven for your past sins. If you help us our, maybe, just maybe, we can help you leave this building in one piece. I mean, we could just leave you here with these fine folks here and be on our merry way," gesturing towards the three men and bartender.

Intimidate: Aid: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Darn, no aid, oh well, haha.

Should've just taken 10.

True, but Triblin isn't that intimidating. Gnome with pink hair, flailing hands, holding a wand of Cure Light, and the only thing he did in the fight was heal someone, so a 60/40 isn't too bad of a shot.

Understandable. I'm fairly confident that a 14 will beat the Intimidate DC needed, how many drug addicts have a Wisdom of 18 or more?

BTW, you can't take ten when using aid-another. Not that is really matters this time.

"Anilah.....I remember her. Cute. I fobbed her off on Pardu Pildapush at his office in the Pits. ’Nough gold for a whole week o’ grit!”

After his speech, he hacks up a bloody cough, red phlegm foaming on his lips.

Bardic Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

"Misery Row, huh?" Lara asks. "Makes sense, I suppose."

The Taldan looks to the others. "We have a name and a place to start, it seems. Onward?"

"Yeah, lets go. What do we do with him? Knife to the throat, leave him in the dump out back?" Talia rests a hand on the hilt of her sword as she speaks. "He belongs in the trash after all."

Doh! You're absolutely right, Aerondor. Slipped my mind. Sorry.

Oh, sorry about that. Heal check ok?

heal, take 10: 10 + 1 = 11

Quinn raises his hand to stop Talia. "His fate is not for us to determine, but shall be by the laws of the land. We'll drop him off at the local constabulary."

Quinn looks down at the man, this time with true sympathy in his eyes. He understands how tough life can become when everything falls apart around you. "A word of advice, good sir. Grit would be the death of you, but it is not too late yet. Ask for yourself a priest of Sarenrae. They would accept you, if you are willing to redeem yourself."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 Expect this to fail, but oh well, Quinn would try.

Talia pushes Quinn's hand away and steps back, hand still on her sword. "And the laws of the land allow his deeds. Only the shock of a noble being taken has any consequences. What of the other poor wretches who do not warrant the notice of the upper class this slaver has undoubtably sold? For those crimes he would be left alone. We should end his waste of a life to get some justice in this world. Will the cult of Sarenrae buy every slave's freedom? If not, why should he get to live among them?" She pulls her hand from her weapon and points accusingly at Fredrik.

I don't really care if we kill him or not, just pointing out that what he did isn't technically illegal in Absalom. I'm not going to wreck a scenario over some bit-part NPC. If no one else votes to execute him, going to the guard is fine.

Ah! Slavery isn't illegal in Absalom but kidnapping is! :) Oh, both Quinn and Talia are in the same faction!

Quinn moves to stand in front of Talia's blade. "All men deserve justice, the wretches sold into slavery, the nobles taken from their homes... and him. The laws here may excuse the sale of slaves, abhorrent though the practice may be, but let the full force of the law fall upon him for the taking of this innocent from her freedom, be she a noble or otherwise." Stepping forward, he places his hand on Talia's shoulder in comradeship. "I trust that circumstances have brought us together to strike a heavy blow to these slavers. But not by slaughtering every slaver along the way, for new ones would only surface. No, but by dismantling the instruments by which they are run their vile practice."

Actually, I don't care either way also. Just roleplaying to fill the time. :)

Yep. Same here.

sense motive, if he is lying: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Taking 10 on the heal check for 13

Depending on the result will change how he reacts.

If he is telling the truth, he will just nod and walk out the door. Knowing that is fate will be punishment enough for the crimes he has committed.

If he is lying, he will let his less moral companions know, and step aside from the interrogation talking.

"Oh yes... take me to a priest." suggests the one eyed man.. the Down perhaps starting even as you watch.

For the moment I'm assuming you are leaving him behind, but if if you want to take some particular action, happy to have it retconned

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 slavers offices are typically up the top, and the various stairs are guarded.

Dru stops when the stairs are in sight. "So how shall we approach? With weapons or words? I will not be so quick to draw again if you wish to use words."

"Perhaps it would be wise to lead with words for now," Quinn suggests as he looks around. "The market look too open and it is best not to draw attention to us. Let's see if the guards would let us pass. After all, business has to be conducted at the offices up on top."

Seeing Drusillia and Lara has better Diplomacy, Quinn will let them lead the conversation, and come in to assist, where necessary.

"No weapons. Not yet. Let us use words first. Information is hard to get if they are dead"

"Yes, yes, having them alive is preferable. Besides, I don't think that the city watch would take kindly to us dispatching the citizens."

Lara nods in agreement, then walks up to one of the nearby staircases. Gesturing at one of the guards stationed there, she says, "Excuse me. I have business with Master Pildapush. Is he seeing visitors? Ones of an...acquisitive nature?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Quistina keeps her hand near her spell pouch just in case.

The guards look at you all a bit suspiciously. But Lara manages to persuade them of your legitimate intentions. They even provide directions to the slavers office.

Outside a sign announces "Pildapush Chattel: Absalom’s Finest.”

The door is locked and a "closed" sign is hung on the door.

take 10 sense motive for 13

Ignaru knocks on the door, relatively loud.

If no one answers. He looks to the rest of the party.

"maybe we should try to find another way in"

sense motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17

"Perhaps we could pick the lock. Or create a distraction and break it down. Or maybe there's another door into there from the side."

Dru looks at the doors on either side.

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Are they unlocked? Does one appear to be a service/non public entrance?

sense motive: 1d20 ⇒ 20

sense motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

"I don't think that trying to enter from here is a good idea. Maybe he's out bargaining with some prospects?"

The windows are all barred and locked.

No answer is received to your knocks.

Quinn scans the area and the crowd, pondering over the different options the party has.

GM Aerondor, not certain of the lay of the ground and the crowds, but if say the bulk of us just crowd around the door, pretending to be talking to each other, could someone pick the lock without being seen?

Sense Motive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7
Yeah, I need some info. Time of day, is there an alley, where are the windows, how many people are around? Quinn, typically you need to be one size bigger to provide enough cover for Stealth checks.

Time of day - afternoon. There are people around, but not massive crowds.

If you were discrete and clustered around the door, you would be able to pick the lock moderately discretely. Probably not time for a take 20, and if others were going to try and aid-another it would be harder to conceal what you are up to..

Bashing down the door would likely attract attention though.

"Quinn, Quistina, cover me." Talia pulls a lockpick set from her belt and kneels down by the door.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Disable Device: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Disable Device: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Disable Device: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Thank you, Aerondor. If someone is able to aid me, 12 seconds to get in, assuming a DC 20 lock. If no aid, 24 seconds. I have been surprised by absurdly high door DCs in PFS before though.

"We might not have time to hunt for another entrance," Quinn intones. "If this Pildapush is present, he would heard us knocking. If he didn't open up, it would only mean he's avoiding us. We need to get in quickly before our quarry flees. Quick, gather round and shield Talia. Act natural!"

Disable Device: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Lara huddles up against the door, seeking to help pick the lock.

Ugh, should've just had you do it, Lara.

Quistina stands with her back to Lara to give her cover with the 6'5" frame.

Take 10 on assisting?

Can't take 10 to assist, as Aerondor reminded me. Thanks for trying :)

It takes almost half a minute, but the lock falls eventually to the teams efforts. You can slip inside without a huge amount of difficulty.

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.

Each cage has a man in it, while a third sits behind the deck. He looks up, annoyed.

"Can you not read? We are closed."

Talia pulls out her sword and throws a shuriken into the desk just in front of the man behind it. "Where is Anilah Salhar?! Speak or we'll see how many lashes you can endure."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Ignaru stands behind the keleshite and stretches his neck and starts cracking his knuckle, like he is preparing for a fight.

intimidate aide: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (4) - 2 = 2

Closing the door behind himself, the gnome looks at the man, and at the other while shaking his head, "So much violence. Well then, I apologize for my companions, but it seems that we are in a hurry to find Anilah Salhar. While I myself won't be a participant to her interrogation, physically, I can keep you quite alive for a while. You could be forgiven though, if you help us out."

Intimidate: Aid: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Quinn stands at the back, leaning against the door that Triblin just closed, as if making it clear there is no escape from there. He adds on after Triblin, in an ominous tone, "You have already made some dangerous enemies with the nobility. Let's not make some more, shall we?"

intimidate, aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Intimidate: 1d20 ⇒ 8

"You may want to rethink your line of business also"

Pardu looks shocked that people would break into his office and threaten him.

“Perhaps someone of that name came through here. Lots of slaves come through here. I will check my records. Come back tomorrow. I may have an answer for you then.” he stammers.

"Tomorrow might just find you lying in a trash heap behind a grit den, just like we left your associate Fredrik. The records, now. Fredrik learned we don't like to ask twice." Talia takes a step towards the desk.

Bluff check to get him to believe we killed Fredrik.
Bluff: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Dru uses the conversation as cover to attempt to talk to one of the caged men. "How about you?" she asks quietly. "Any chance you were here when the Lady Salgar came through? Any assistance you can give might get you freed."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Quinn states intently at Pardu's reaction, trying to determine if he is trying to cover up something.

sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Quinn also takes a good look around the room, looking out especially for where records might be kept.

"Yes, we have time. We can wait, while you look at the records now."

Watching the man behind the desk as the others poke and prod him for information, the gnome tries to read the man to see how uncomfortable is is with what he has told the group.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

The men in the cages cash scared looks at Pardu, and say nothing to Dru.

"I really don't have the time at the moment. Lots of business decisions need to be made, thus the door sign. Look.. I think I may have bought and then on sold this 'lady Anilah'. She went to a Katapeshi slave ship - The No Return. It's somewhere in the docks."

Triblin thinks that Pardu is probably telling the truth as far as he has said anything.

Quinn continues to press on. "Were you the one who ordered Fredrik to kidnap Lady Anilah? A fine amount of gold you would make, selling a lady of nobility!"

intimidate: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15 in case further intimidate rolls are needed

Quistina fidgets eager to get to the dock.

"No, no, no! Certainly not..."

He looks at the formidable Quinn

"I am a buyer of slaves. What noblewomen get up to in their fantasy lives is not my concern."

Feeling like we are at a dead end. Ignaru turns around and starts heading to the door. Thinking that the docks could lead to the one they're looking for or possibly an ambush. Either way, it was better than talking with this man.