.
There should be six of us in the end. You should disregard Joesef (he joined by mistake, then left again).
There's two more players joining:
Cacumattus (Sor 2)
Forst (Pal 1) (Assuming his preferred character is not released from a Devil We Know game in time...)
Seated behind a large, antique desk in his wood-paneled office, Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin looks up from the pile of papers before him and shuffles them to one side. “Perfect timing! Welcome Pathfinders!
“I had an interesting conversation with the Master of Spells Aram Zey yesterday. An old friend—Lady Darchana, Archdean of the Arcanamirium here in Absalom—contacted Master Zey. She’s a councilmember on the Low Council, too. It seems her dinner party last week had an unexpected guest: a handmaiden of her fancy guest’s had picked up a scrying sensor somewhere. When Lady Darchana learned that someone was attempting to eavesdrop on her party, she used her magic to trace the sensor back to its source. It sounds as though she didn’t learn anything conclusive, and she’s interested in bringing in an independent party to try and learn more. Master Zey agrees.
“Make no mistake, this is an excellent opportunity for you to impress a well-connected friend of the Society. Lady Darchana requested that the Pathfinders call upon her at her estate in the Petal District once they learn something of the origins of this servant. The owner of the handmaiden is named Lady Silviana Dimora. Lady Silviana isn’t a councilmember or the like—at least not yet. From what I understand, though, she is an up- and-comer who is rubbing elbows with all of the right people, and she likely has little knowledge of where the slave was purchased. I recommend speaking to her majordomo Milana about the handmaiden, or you can pay a visit to her solicitor, a Chelish fellow named Salbus over in the Coins. Questions?”
It's just about investigating for now. Do whatever you can to impress our friend.
Lady Darchana is expecting you, but she's also expecting solid information. Do not disappoint her, or embarrass me by showing up empty-handed. I'd suggest talking to Majordomo Milana first, or to Lady Silviana's solicitor, the one named Salbus.
The Dimora estate is in the Petal District of Absalom. An 8-foot-high fieldstone wall surrounds Lady Silviana Dimora’s estate. The grounds are recently tended with thick, soft grass, several well-placed shade trees, and many species of flowering plants. Directly in front of the manor house is a pond with several large lilies and a lion-shaped marble fountain that bubbles gently.
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Marra comments "I't seems that Solicitor or Majordomo would have the information we need. As I understand it scrying works best if the target is well known and of a weak mind. It's quite possible the handmaiden knows the one scrying. We should ask to speak to her too. Let's start with the Solicitor Salbus, if we can get his on his good side then we should have more access to the house hold. Otherwise if we just go in asking questions we may be shown the door."
Marra defers to the sooth talking Telemnana as to which person to talk to first, and will try to aid his effort. Before entering the halfling cast Message spell linking her to Telemnana, Cacumattus and Adrianna.
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"Mara, you mixed things a bit: we talk with Milana, the majordomo here, and if we got no information we need, than we can look for meeting solicitor in Coins district. Anyway, I always for an honest talk over fighting and bloodshed", Ariward nodded, "as far as I can help, I'll try to participate a dialog, but I'm far away from all magic stuff, despite of my heritage".
Ariward was wearing shining breastplate with heavy bronze shoulder guards and several elements of gold decor around neck. On his back was attached large darkwood shield, that holds silvered figure of bird embossed in a middle. He was armed with a glaive, that was decorated with numerous colourful ribbons, waiving as he was marching, but in his other hand he was holding several freshly-cut red roses. Regardless of current weather, he still hold thin deep red cloak on his shoulders.
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"Property is theft. What cares the land for any who claim 'ownership' of it." observes Orophin.
"Still, ownership is a useful convention from time to time."
On the way to the mansion, Orophin had stopped in at a respectable tailor and jeweler to make sure he had the appropriate clothing for dealing with the nobility (or wanna be nobility).
She looks to Ariward when they arrive. "You may announce me."
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The small halfling in well made lamellar armor with two scimitars in crossed sheaths her back smiles as she looks up at the decorative paladin "There is a order to every story. In the proper order a task flows easy, taken in the wrong sequence and you are fighting the pattern. As for slavery I would very much like to see the practice abolished, but that will have to wait for another time."
The dawnflower bard bides her time as Orophin and the group seeks a meeting with the steward of the Dimora estate, if she understands the term majordomo correctly.
The majordomo Milana, a stern-looking woman with dark brown hair and hazel eyes,answers the door as the party calls and says I'm afraid the Lady is not available for unscheduled appointments at the moment. My apologies.
She then gradually ushers the party out of the door.
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looking up from her 3 foot stature and trying to keep a neutral face, Marra starts off "We apologize for the lack of an appointment, but there is serious issue that we have been asked to look into that may if not resolved adversely affect your Lady's future social ascendance. which a few moments of your time maybe adequate to dismiss the concerns."
Using the message spell cast earlier the halfling informs the others via a wisper "It occurs to me we could use a detect scrying during our mission."
Well,you can come on in and wait in the waiting room, but I honestly cannot guarantee that there will be time today. the major-domo says. Marra believes this is more of a token courtesy than an actual hope they party may get to speak with the lady. I, of course, cannot discuss household matters without prior approval of milady.
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Adrianna listens for the tone and inflection of the majordomo's words and phrases. Was she trying to hide something, or was she truly just a very busy official within Lady Dimora's house?
"Lady Dimora is expecting us. We are to get answers to this dilemma. But we would not dishonor you - and so we speak with the Lady's majordomo first. You will find time or we must proceed without your knowledge or consent..." the young woman says with an air of confidence.
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Marra comments to majordomo Milana, "We accept you hospitality, thou we have limited time. I noted your servants seem to be exceptionally healthy and well trained! You obviously didn't get time from the local coin market, you must have a private source for such quality slaves! I must ask where do you get them from?
Marra whispers to the others via the message spell "keep her talking!"
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"By all means, if Lady Silviana has not empowered you to speak on this matter you must check with her." says Orophin.
"We were hoping to avoid bothering her if it was not necessary. I know various lords and ladies don't always entrust even their majordomo with all confidences. It is however just a small matter."
She checks to make sure there are not other people who can listen in before continuing. "Lady Silviana has recently acquired a new handmaiden. One she took to a dinner party with Lady Darchana. We were merely wondering where you acquired her from?"
She continues to pour on the charm, hoping to keep the pride of Milana fluffed up with being a trusted and important member of the household.
Takes another ten on diplomacy (21) plus aids.
Milana shakes her head, touching her hand to her forehead. “Yes, Lady Darchana’s dinner party. What an embarrassment for Lady Silviana. Can you imagine being told that your handmaiden is some sort of... well... spy? Dreadful. The woman’s name is Atlag, and she has been here for almost three weeks! Three weeks! When I think of the private conversations that happened in front of Atlag? It makes me ill, honestly ill.”
Composing herself, Milana continues, “Lady Silviana retains a solicitor, a Chelish gentleman named Solvius Salbus. He works out of an office in the Coins called the Red Letter. He drew up the paperwork for my Lady to complete the transaction on Atlag with a man named...” She wags her pointer finger a few times, shaking her head as she tries to recall the name. “Mahdi Mahjub. No, Mahjub Mahdi! He does his business down in Misery Row, of course. It’s a small shop with several large windows to allow passersby to see into his display parlor from the street. ‘Mahdi’s Chattel: Absalom’s Finest,’ so the sign claims. Honestly, I think every third building in Misery Row claims to be ‘Absalom’s Finest.’ I wonder how many spies like Atlag he’s sold over the years? It’s a dreadful, dreadful business. I am not sure there is anything else I can tell you, but I am sure you understand my Lady’s desire to move on from this embarrassment? Good? Yes? Thank you.”
She pauses for a moment then adds: “You seem to possess a keen understanding of how things work in Absalom, so perhaps you might be willing to perform a small service for my Lady. It would be unheard of for Lady Silviana to demand recompense for her handmaiden purchased from Mahjub Mahdi; however, were you to secure such a deal, it would be gracious gesture that might lead to a budding friendship, don’t you think? And should he refuse you, who were you to ask in the first place?” She shrugs her shoulders and frowns slightly.
Our procurements are always handled by Solvius, who has his preferred suppliers. He drew up the transaction, but I do not know who suggested Atlag in the first place - Mahdi may have had a fair share of influence there. I keep myself far from these practices, though. I prefer not to be part of these deals.
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"Thank you _so_ much" gushes Orophin at Milana. "I can see why lady Silviana puts so much trust in you."
He pauses for a moment before asking.
"What has happened to Atlag? I assume you sent her back to Mahdi?"
He keeps up a constant prattle, complimenting her on the orderly household she keeps and on her initiative in getting a discrete refund for the handmaiden.
We have taken Atlag of the roster, but she is still here. She is but a pawn in a greater scheme here.
Marra reads that the major-domo is very concerned with keeping good form, but finds no signs that betray anything else.
Of course, I can arrange a conversation.
It only takes the experienced majordomo a brief moment to set this up. In a private room, Atlag is able to tell her story: I was a businesswoman in Sedeq. I made some horribly wrong investments, and couldn't pay my debts anymore. That's how I ended up being sold into slavery...
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Ariward tried to comfort Atlag:
"Was your debts paid full, when you were sold? Might it be, that someone is looking for you, because of your previous involvement?"
It was bunch of questions, and he wasn't pressing with new, until the first one was answered. When girl became sad and was nearly ready to cry, he was there to hold her hand and whisper some words of support.
"What was that deal, that made you slave? Could it be, that you promised to do something and now those people are trying to push you to do that?"
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When meeting with Atlag, Marra cast detect magic to see if there is any divination auras in the room, before asking any questions .
If clear then, the hafling ask "Being sold for debts is unfortunate. Did you have any other masters before working for this house? Anyone who spent time talking to you. Taking hair clipping or other personal items from you?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
No. I was sold in Katapesh to pay off my debts, then brought to Absalom.
These espionage allegations! she reacts to Marra's inquiries I swear to you, I know nothing of them! I was just hoping to work to regain my freedom, and now with these allegations - it is all so far away...
I understand. she says with a thankful smile I don't know the height of the contract, I was kept away from the transaction. You could ask one of the trading parties, though.
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Before leaving, Orophin confirms with Milara the amount that was paid for Atlag. She also asks how long Solvius had been associated with Lady Silvania, and any difficulties there may have been with him in recent months.
"I'm thinking the slave dealer next. Though to be honest the joy in dealing with him is likely to be only slightly less than a Chelixian lawyer."
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"Orophin", said armoured man, walking down the street, "It's hard to find roots of all causes, but I believe we might need to speak with that elusive Cheliaxian as well. Than we can find, where are the real threat is coming from. I was thinking, Cheliax might be in trouble and sold information about her clients to someone."
Petals district was nice and clean, and very pretty. As Ariward saw a flower girl on a corner, he immediately stopped and bought new bouquet of fresh roses and generously paid for that 5 sp.