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"Despite our idealogical differences, Ye have me respect fer keeping to yer client's confidentiality so ardously despite us barging into yer office." Faerin begins seeing that the lawyer is worthy of some respect standing up to all of them.
"We'll be on our way towards the Lady Darchana, is there any message ye would like us to pass on yer behalf? Ah'll be certain to mention yer steadfastness in protecting yer client's interests. A pity about the last incident though." Faerin cocks her head and with a polite bow, begins to make her way towards the door.
"Please do accept me apology and a good day to ye."
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You are able to easily travel to Lady Darchana’s
estate in the Petals District. A tall wall of polished
stone surrounds the property and its gardens, and
many of the plants have arcane or alchemical uses
in addition to their aesthetic value. A doorman
greets you, confirms you identities, and
escorts you into the three-story residence,
noting that Lady Darchana has been expecting you. There, the estate
manager, Jemina, leads you to the upstairs study.
The walls of the study are inset with bookshelves
that are brimming with texts of all varieties. A large
drawing table in the middle of
the room bears an unrolled map of the
Inner Sea region. At the far end of the
study stands an impressive darkwood
desk, and seated behind it is a woman
dressed in midnight-blue robes. Her
piercing gray eyes look expectantly at Jemina.
The estate manager softly clears her throat and announces,
“Senior Lesser Councilwoman, Archdean of the Arcanamirium,
Second Spell Lord of Absalom, Lady Darchana of House Madinani,
please receive these agents of the Master of Spells Aram Zey of
the Pathfinder Society.”
Lady Darchana beckons with a short hand movement,
“Pathfinders, join me. That is all, Jemina.” She folds her hands
together and waits for Jemina to close the door behind her, then
continues. “After my conversation with Master Zey, he agreed
by necessity to keep the details that were passed on to you to a
minimum. I am keenly interested to hear what you were able to
learn based on what you were provided.”
She turns to Faerin. "What have you learned so far?"
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The Pharasmin priest, having been embroiled in his own share of noble intrigues back in his home country, is not at all surprised to learn that he and his comrades have been kept in the dark.
"My good Lady, Father Grigori Yefimovich, at your service." He greets his host with a slight bow and the polite gesture of raising his hand to his chest. He then quietly respects the lady's unspoken request to hear their report from the one party member who is sworn to be truthful.
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Darius bows towards the lady in an elaborate fashion. "Well my beautiful lady Darchana, we spoke to your procurer of laborers and he knew little of the girl in question. She was delivered by Waheeda Wardek, captain of the ship "At Sea" which we plan on visiting once she has arrived in the docks. For your troubles we made sure you are recompensated by Madhi." Darius says with the professional amount of respect and slickness usual for Taldor court.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Faerin bows as she turns to reply to Lady Darchana.
"It is true as to what my comrade has spoken. We have found that the others were innocent and did not know of this trickery. The lawyer was most insistant on keeping his client's details confidential and bade us to leave. We have returned to report what we have found and from here upon your gracious permission, we shall head to the docks as it seems that there is where we shall find answers. My comrades here are more akin to finding more answers for Ah admit ta' not being the brightest amongst me cohorts." Turning and speaking truthfully to what she herself knows.
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Father Yefimovich tells the noblewoman in a pleasing yet formal tone the portions of the Pathfinders' adventures that pertain to what she needs to know, evading how the information from Mahdi was garnered, "My Lady, vwe first met vwith one Miss Milana of Manor Demora. She seemed to me sincerely innocent of involvement in the unfortunate incident, and kindly directed us to the Lady Demora's solicitor, one Mister Solvius Salbus, and the slave trader who procured the slave girl Atlag, a Mister Mahjub Mahdi. Mr. Salbus merely informed us of his role as barrister for the slave transaction and of Mr. Mahdi again. Vwe rescued Mr. Mahdi from three thugs who claimed the trader was behind on his 'insurance payment.' We disposed of the barbarous racketeers. From the grateful Mr. Mahdi whose broken jaw I treated, we learned that Atlag was bought from one Captain Vwaheeda Vwardaka of the 'At Sea,' an infrequent supplier of his. Of note, Mr. Mahdi reported that the At Sea was equipped with the Okeno pirates' yellow sails the last several times it's docked at Absalom."
Grigori pauses a moment to rub his bearded chin in thought, then adds, "Mr. Mahdi also let it be known that he is expecting Captain Vwardoka to deliver a new lot of slaves tomorrow that, curiously, includes a Pathfinder."
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When the Lady Darchana ignores Darius he goes to sit on what looks to be an expensive table with a loud bump and starts cleaning his fingernails with a dagger. He stops cleaning for a moment and studies the knife's edge and looks alongside the edge at Lady Darchana.
He then flips his leg in the air and studies his boots.
"Oh dear, I got some blood on them. Better clean that off right away. I'm in the presence of a lady after all. One who is sooo well mannered." And he peels off some dried blood from his boot and places it neatly on the table.
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Darius puts an a very innocent face, which with the make-up is quite enhanced.
"Was I not supposed to clean my boots? Oh heavens me! I figured since you ignored me it was because my boots were so dirty. I do apologies dearly, my Lady dearie. I had no idea my manners offended you so! Let this be a lesson to all, lest there be relationships that fall. And when those go out the door, any mutual benefits are no more."
He makes a twirl off the table and the dagger dissapears in a sleeve. He does a bow towards the guards and shows that his sleeves are empty.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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With a nod of her head Lady Darchana has the two footmen take up station by the door.
"Pathfinders are known for their irreverence. There is a fine line between that and disrespect. A very fine line."
She takes a breath, and then continues.
“An Okeno pirate captain? Captain Wardak of the At Sea.” she nods her head, a brief smile.
“Yes, that would stand to reason.”
She flips open a ledger sitting on her desk that bears the seal of
the harbormaster and begins scanning the pages, “When I became aware of the eavesdropping handmaiden, using my own magic I was able to follow the arcane trail back to it’s origin. I only got a brief glimpse
of the heavily veiled perpetrator, but based on the distance and direction, I knew the culprit was on Stonespire Island—somewhere underground on the island at any rate, with a powerfully enchanted mirror. The Okeno pirates’ base of operations is a city on that island, and the Fleshfairs may be the largest slave markets on all of Golarion. It is a cunning place through which to move these sensored slaves.”
Her hand finally comes to rest in the ledger. “At Sea, here we are. It has been to Absalom two other times in the last three months. According to this, however, it has been marked with a bounty. ‘Failure to fully declare cargo value for taxation.’” She clicks her tongue loudly.
“Excellent. You said Mahjub Mahdi was expecting another shipment from the At Sea tomorrow? If it hasn’t already docked, it’ll be anchored
outside the Ship’s Graveyard, waiting for a pilot. We cannot allow those slaves to make it to the Docks unaccompanied! I trust I count on you to help?”
If you have completed 05-03 on another character, and earned the Impressive Influence boon for Lady Darchana, please let me know.
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Grigori rolls his eyes at the jester's antics. Looking to the noblewoman, "Apologies, my Lady. Vwe are not all so ignoble."
After her revelations, "Indeed, it vwould seem there is much to learn from this shipment." With a regal bow and a glint in his eye, the charming priest then takes the Lady's hand to his lips in a formal manner (if it would not seem too inappropriate to do so). He adds, "Do not fear. We shall uncover the plot, my Lady."
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Lady Darchana explains that by law, a ship like the At
Sea must have a Pilot’s Guild member bring it in through
the hazardous Ship’s Graveyard. She then excuses
herself briefly to follow up on this information and
returns 15 minutes later. “I have spoken with a contact
at the Harbormaster’s Grange. There is an outstanding
docking request for a ship called Kat Season, which is
likely our ship with a flimsy disguise.” She writes out a
letter, seals it in wax with her seal, and hands it to the
Pathfinders. “Carry this note to the Harbormaster’s Grange—it
authorizes the inspector to provide you with a rowboat
and a pilot. So long as you can confirm the ship’s identity,
you are legally free to claim the bounty yourselves.”
"Well, off with you." she gestures to the pathfinders.
"But Not You." she says to Darius. The two footmen flank the Jester in an intimidating manner while the pathfinders file out.
I think this is just Darius, anyone else from Soverign court is also included in the extra briefing...
"You disguise yourself well Darius, but I know your true affiliations."
“I have spoken at length with one Lady Gloriana Morilla, who has demonstrated considerable ambition in Absalom and abroad. Among her strengths is her dedicated and talented corps of agents whose virtues she has praised at length. I have had few opportunities to see these
agents in action, but consider me tentatively impressed. I would
request a favor while you are at the Harbormaster’s Grange,
and I trust you might complete it for me with discretion as a
sign of good faith between your patron and us. Find and remove the docking certificate for the At Sea, then destroy it when you have the chance. It is perhaps not the easiest of feats, but you have proven
your resourcefulness.”
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"Oh Grigori you sly old canine, please constrain yourself. I'm sure Lady Darchana has no need for courtship from the likes of you. Why hundreds young ravishing nobles must be after her hand." Darius says with a grin.
When the Lady asks for Darius to stay he bows and smiles "I am at my Lady's mercy. Ta ta fellows. I will meet up with you soon...ish"
"But of course. I will make sure the paper disappears from sight and mind my Lady." He grins and bows majestically again.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"Ah Fearin good that you and I share a goal. Perchance you can distract the harbormaster while I procure the paperwork? Or would you prefer to do the dirty work so to say? Perhaps I can try and trick him into giving the papers to us straight away though." Darius says as he stands outside the door of Lady Darchana with Fearin.
Darius rejoins the others a few minutes later with Fearin in tow.
"I hope your not jealous Grigori? We had such a wonderful time in the lady's presence, didn't we Fearin, hi hi hi." He grins and nudges Fearin with his elbow.
"Let's head for the harbor. There is a harbor master that needs questioning as to the whereabouts of a certain ship. I do hope you will bring out your tools again Grigori, hi hi hi!"
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Turning to the rather strange companion capering around.
"Aye, Ah shall do what is needed though subtle is not what Ah be doing best. Torag must be thinking I be needing more forging since this task requires Ah do tis."
When they meet up with the rest, Faerin shrugs and raises an eyebrow at her companion saying nothing else.
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Looking back and forth between the jester and the dwarven lass, Grigori's expression shifts to mild amusement. "I see... I am sure you did, Darius." He then pats his satchel twice with a smirk, indicating the tools are with him if necessary.
Grigori now turns his attention back to Sehrli, striking up casual conversation along the way to the harbor with the beautiful woman, and trying to ignore Darius's likely attempts to distract them...
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The Inspection and Pilots’ Office of the Harbormaster’s Grange is
cramped and perfumed by a particularly smelly bowl of salted
fish stew that’s cooling on one of its several desks. Ledgers and
loose papers occupy most of the horizontal surfaces in the office,
and a bookshelf on the southern wall sags under the weight of
heavy files.
At present only one inspector is on duty. The sleepy-looking
halfling woman sits up, covers a yawn, and says, “Welcome
to the Harbormaster’s Grange."I’m Inspector Second Class Lilia
Ginsi. How may I be of service?”
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Darius introduces himself and makes a slight bow "Greetings my dear, we were sent to inspect a ship, the "At Sea". If you please would provide us with a rowboat and pilot." and shows the letter to the Inspector (but does not hand it over).
If this all goes smoothly Darius will separate himself with Lillia for a moment.
"My dear our lady wishes to be anonymous and some discretion, as you can imagine. There has been some awful business going on with that boat and we also require the docking slip. Our Lady promises to pull the strings and make you Inspector First Class Lillia Ginsi if you cooperate and gain her favor."
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"Ah my mistake the name they probably used was the Kat Season. You do have that ship on record yes?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Grigori smiles at the inspector, but allows the jester to do the talking this time. He steps in only if she refuses the request.
For now, he returns his attention to Sehrli, suggesting they return together to admire the ocean view at sunset, which might make the watery view more appealing to her fiery taste.
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"Grigori, you wished to be in the good graces of our Lady Darchana yes? Would you mind giving me a hand looking for the docking slip. I'll even let you get some of the credit." Darius says with a wink.
He starts looking at the records the halfling girl was looking through to find the name of the "At Sea".
"This place is a mess. Maybe you will need to distract her a little Faerin, and stall for time."
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At last distracted from the fiery lady's visage, the priest hears Darius's plea. Smiling knowingly at Sehrli, "If I must." Walking over to Darius, "Clearly my faith in your ability to read has been overestimated."
Grigori splits the stack of papers in half, hands half back to Darius, and begins to neatly glance through the other half...
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As this is kind of a side quest, I'll do some extra perception rolls to speed us all along.
--pity
Second stab at the search, to be kind, I'll assume anyone getting a ten auto aids the best perception
Lilia comes around a corner, and Faerin moves to intercept. He asks several questions about the various boats and the wreckage in the harbour. Just as it seems he can't hold her anymore, Darius plucks a piece of paper from the desk. "Ahah!" and quickly hides it as the second class inspector enters the small office.
"I've arranged a boat and a dwarven pilot for you. Zigil. She will be ready and waiting for you at dock #49."
Making a graceful exit, the pathfinders work their way to a large rowboat at slip #49. The dwarf within points to the oars.
"You do the rowing, I'll do the navigating through the ships graveyard."
Sehir looks at the rowboat, looks at the sea, and then throws up.
"I think it must be something I ate... Maybe I'd better stay on shore..."
Absalom’s harbor is an inky, shifting landscape of shadows at
night, illuminated only by the city’s lights, the waxing moon,
and the distant blaze of the Absalom Lighthouse on Pilot’s
Island. Eventually, a three-masted ship with white sails comes
into view. It’s just over one hundred feet in length, and its
bowsprit is a weatherworn representation of a canine-headed
mermaid. The crew is busy as they await an escort through
the Ship’s Graveyard. A rope ladder hangs from the rail of its
starboard to a foot above the waterline.
Darius, Hanud and Faerin all notice that the name of the prow 'Kat Season' is a recent and sloppy modification of the original name 'At Sea'.
Zigil looks at the group and says "You first! I think I'll wait here until the coast is clear."
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Grigori nearly stays behind to tend to the ailing Sehrli. With duty calling however, he feels his chances with her would be ruined if she didn't think of him as heroic. So, after giving her some medicinal and herbal advice for her ailing belly, and after promising to check in on her later tonight, he finally gets onboard.
Grigori wonders similar thoughts to Hanud about his own breastplate armor as they prepare to climb aboard. He briefly prays for guidance from his goddess, and for anyone else who cares for his blessing. He manages the climb rather well. He attempts to do so as quietly as possible. However, he winces to each of the few loud clanks his armor makes against the wood of the ship...
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Faerin breathes a sigh of relief as her questions were skillfully answered by Ginsi without a need to lie. Being shown where to go was easy until the rope ladder presented itself.
Glancing at her equipment, she resists the urge to face palm as she mutters.
"Torag Guide me. This is but one more task that needs to be done."
Right down to the splash......