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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 yesterday. An old friend--Lady Darchana, Archdean of the Arcanamirium here in Absalom--contacted him. She's a member of 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 to learn more. The Master of Spells 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 on 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's 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?"
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With no outstanding warrants in Absalom, Kaminari Raijan is present outside of his 'work clothes', instead he wears an unfashionably loud outfit.
Bright colors, some of which are clearly stains, don't so much clash as wage all out war across Raijan's body.
Despite his dissolute appearance, at the briefing his eyes are sharp and alert.
I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the Low Council. Do they commonly harbor slavers? he says, a little too sharply.
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The lithe young woman in the rakish hat speaks up.
I'm afraid, Venture Captain, that I'm not familiar with high society so much as I have friends in low places. What is the function of a majordomo and a solicitor in this case?
Do we know any more about either of them? Where they're from, perhap? Or what their reputation is?
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Venture-Captain Valsin addresses Kaminari, the garishly dressed tengu, first. "The Low Council is part of the government of Absalom--the less powerful part of the Grand Council. There are 49 people on it, including merchants, mages, one representative from every district in the city, and so on. Lady Darchana holds her seat there as Archdean of the Arcanamirium." He frowns slightly. "And slavery, my friend, is legal in Absalom...though it's not widespread."
Turning to Jinhong, he adds, "I don't blame you for being confused, Pathfinder--I didn't know much about such things before I became a Venture-Captain." He chuckles. "A majordomo is the head of a noble household--like a butler or a steward. They run the estate. A solicitor, on the other hand, is a kind of lawyer who manages contracts and accounts for wealthy and powerful folk. I know the solicitor, Salbus, is Chelish, as I said, and has all the reputation that comes with that. But I don't know much about the majordomo. She's probably an Absalom native."
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A young man of Chelaxian heritage enters into the room in white robes with trim of crimson and gold. He carries a quarterstaff and a few daggers, simple weapons really. From a pouch the head of grey, chinchilla colored lop eared rabbit pokes out, munching on a spring of cilantro.
I apologize for being late. I had a little business to take care of in making sure I had a treat or two for Chinchi. My name is Quintillus Hpsaninus, follower of Ragathiel and a user of arcane might. Where were we?
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Amut is a tall woman, standing well over six foot tall. Her Suli ancestry shows in a bronzed skin that sometimes sparkles when hit by the light, in flowing dark hair that seems to catch the slightest wind, and in milky white eyes without color or pupil. Her dress is a cross between the styles of Qadira and Taldor: She wears loose-fitting pants under a white shirt and a short crimson coat. At her belt is a falcata of exquisite workmanship, the weapon of choice for the Rondelero duelists of Taldor. She nods her head in greeting to Quintillus. "Me name is Amut Al'Noor. I also study the arcane, mostly to bolster my prowess with the blade."
The woman listens to the Venture-Captain's explanation, cocking an eyebrow at hearing that slavery is legal in Absalom. "I know the practice from Qadira, but didn't think the people of Absalom would stand for it." Turning slightly to Roscoe without making it obvious that she's addressing his question, she adds I think a request for aid by the Archdean of the Arcanamirium would be reason enough to investigate. Even without her position on this 'Low Council', she'd make a powerful ally. Also, I caught Master Valsin say that the handmaiden wasn't Lady Darchana's, but one of her guest's. The woman herself was probably oblivious to her role, a simple pawn in a larger play." She considers for a moment. "I'd favor our chances with the majordomo, to start with. He'd know almost anything that goes on in the household, and I'd rather deal with him than with a Chelaxian solicitor - No offense intended, Quintillus." She directs a final question at the Venture-Captain. "What do we know about House Dimora? Are they moving up, or down? Any recent changes in their behaviour? Enmity between them and Darchana? Or the Arcanamirium?"
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"The Society neither condones nor condemns slavery, Thorngage," Valsin says, somewhat sharply. "Whatever certain of our agents may do while engaged on missions or on their own time, the Grand Lodge is concerned primarily with forwarding the mission of the Society: to explore, report, and cooperate in the search for antiquities and information about Golarion's past and the hidden places in its present."
He sighs. "I understand your feeling, though. But Agent Al'Noor is right--the slave in question was owned by Lady Silviana Dimora, Lady Darchana's guest. As for House Dimora," he turns to Amut, "like I said, I understand that Lady Silviana's definitely on the way up. There's no enmity I know of between her and Lady Darchana--one reason that she was at the Lady Darchana's dinner party. And no, no bad blood between them and the Arcanamirium either." He pauses slightly before adding, "It's my understanding that Lady Darchana brought us this problem now in part because she wished to avoid causing any scandal or trouble for Lady Silviana."
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Well. I'd certainly hate to cause any sort of scandal or embarrassment for Lady Silviana regarding her slaves.
I think we might be able to find interesting information by meeting the Chelaxian, but I suppose speaking with the majordomo first might make it easier to pick out the truth when we do meet him.
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Valsin nods at the suggestion that you seek out the majordomo. "Best of luck," he says, adding as Roscoe adds his own question, "My understanding is that it was an invisible sensor of the type that's standard in scrying divinations. Some sort of spell cast on the handmaiden, not any magical object itself."
With your questions answered, your group sets out from the Skyreach, the Grand Lodge, and you make your way through the Foreign Quarter and across the Ascendant Court to almost the opposite side of the city. Lady Silviana Dimora's manor in the Petal District is surrounded by an 8-foot-high fieldstone wall, and moving through the gate you find yourselves surrounded by grounds of thick, soft grass, well-placed shade trees, and flowering plants. A pond with several lilies and a gently bubbling, lion-shaped marble fountain lies directly in front of the main house. When you knock on the door, a servant answers in mere seconds.
"Yes? What can we do for you?"
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I concur with the tengu. We should seek first the majordomoe. he says simply.
Amut notes that apparently Quintillus had felt insulted. He agreed with her suggestion to visit the Majordomo first, but couldn't admit as much. She smirks. Chelaxian...
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En route to Lady Silviana Dimora's manor, it's clear that Amut is not too familiar in Absalom, but she's at ease in a big city. The bustle fits her, and she walks with a brisk confidence. While walking, she eyes Jinhong's rapier. "So, tell me. Is the rapier a weapon of choice on Tian Xia as well, or did you receive your training here?"
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At the door, she lets the Tian Xia woman do the talking. Amut casually adjusts her coat to show the Wayfinder at her belt to the servant.
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"Yes, of course," the young woman says smoothly, opening the door to allow you entrance. "Please come in. Milana is attending to some tasks in her office right now, but if you'll follow me to the blue parlor I'll fetch her as soon as can be."
The servant leads you through the foyer and down a short hallway before ushering you into a small room furnished with very plush couches and chairs that are, indeed, all a deep, royal shade of blue. "Please, sit and relax. I'll be back in a moment..." She bustles out and returns in seconds with a tray of small pastries. "Just settle in now, and I'll ask Milana to see you as soon as she can."
The parlor has a nice view over the grounds to the west, which is fortunate, since it takes the majordomo several minutes to make an appearance. Finally, a stern-looking Taldan woman with dark brown hair and hazel eyes appears. "I am Milana, majordomo to Lady Silviana Dimora," she says curtly. "I'm sorry to say that Lady Silviana cannot take unscheduled appointments at this time. I'd be happy to arrange a scheduled meeting for you in the near future, but in the meantime I'm afraid there's little I can do for you."
She doesn't seem awfully inclined to give you much time...
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Milana bites her lip, then smiles slightly. "Well, perhaps. It depends on what you want, of course, but I do assist Lady Silviana on a great many matters." She nods to you all and sits, smoothing her skirt as she settles into an armchair across from you all. "So what did you need to speak to Lady Silviana about, Master...?" She looks at you inquiringly, expecting an introduction.
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Amut cocks an eyebrow at the Tengu. What angle is he playing? Why shouldn't we just state that we're investigating, looking out for the well-being of Lady Dimora and her good standing with Lady Darchana. She looks somewhat annoyed, but keeps her mouth. It wouldn't do to immediately contradict her companion's words. She could always step in with the real reason why they came here if the majordomo didn't seem inclined to help, explaining that they were just trying to avoid suspicion.
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Milana shakes her head, looking afflicted, and touches a hand to her forehead. "Ah, you've heard. I hope the story's not spread too far? 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 have 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 passerby 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'm sure you understand my Lady's desire to move on from this embarrassment? Good? Yes? Thank you." She barely even pauses to register whether you're nodding or not.
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Amut listens intently, trying to remember all of the places and names mentioned. When they're about to be brushed off, she coughs and addresses the majordomo. "Thank you, Miss. You've been very helpful. We will be discreet of course, and protect Lady Dimora's good name through this incident. Just a few more questions, if you have the time: Who was it that... 'selected' Atlag? And where is she now? Oh, also - Could you think of any person who might wash harm upon the Lady Silviana's reputation, or her good standing with the Dimora's?"
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"I believe that Salbus simply put in a request to Mahdi for an appropriately trained handmaiden, and Atlag was Mahdi's recommendation. Neither I nor my Lady saw her in person before she was purchased, if that's what you're asking," Milana says with a little sniff. "And I can think of numerous petty foes Lady Silviana might have, but not any with the ability to pull off a trick like this! Just jealous relatives and other minor families...Atlag is in her quarters right now--I've ordered her to stay there until this whole situation is resolved, so as not to expose anyone else to this scrying."
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As you're all standing to leave the room, Milana stands as well. Just as you're turning to go, she coughs discreetly, and adds, "You all...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 a 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.
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"Of course, Miss. We'll see what we can do. This depends, of course, on who had knowledge of this incident, and who was actively involved. But we will take your suggestion under advisement." She then gives their Tengu companion a stern look. "Kaminari, I don't know how they run things over where you're from... I've seen enough slavery in Qadira, and while I don't particularly applaud the practice, I can see its merits. , people are never product. Please remember that." She's made her point, and doesn't want to dwell on it. "So, we're going to pay the solicitor a visit, then?"
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Raijan rounds on Amut with quiet ferocity. First, it's Raijan, or Kaminari Raijan if you're being formal; second, slavery 'wherever I'm from' is nation-wide to crueler tyrants than these; third, the merits of slavery are countless - to slavers and those too jaded to recognize misery when they taste it; fourth, speaking to slavers in their language does not mean I agree with them; fifth, pretending that slaves aren't bought and sold like cattle doesn't help them. Seeing them freed does.
His eyes soften and lose focus as he smiles, Shall we?
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Milana looks faintly affronted. "Don't be absurd. Milana is not 'defective;' any recompense would simply be acknowledgement of Mahdi's failure to ascertain the complications of the woman's background. Anything you can do for Lady Silviana in the way of gaining such recompense from the dealer would be appropriately appreciated, but that is all. A favor from a talented group of individuals to a woman who may have occasion to return it in the future. Now, good day." She sees you to the front door, then shuts it firmly behind you.
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The journey to Lady Silviana's solicitor takes you into the Coins, and you cut through Eastgate on your way to the economic heart of the city. You arrive at Salbus's office in the early afternoon, and find that it's the first floor of a recently built two-story tenement building. A small plaque bears an Asmodean pentacle and ornate lettering reading, "The Red Letter - Solicitor Salbus."
As the office door opens, a small bell chimes overhead. Inside, the cramped space holds a meticulously organized bookshelf and a rosewood desk.
Seated at the desk, a middle-aged Chelish man with short red hair and a widow's peak peers intently at a sheaf of legal documents as he carefully copies out key clauses, then acknowledges his visitors. He looks up from his work with a slight smirk on his thin lips and introduces himself. "Solicitor Solvius Salbus. What brings you across my threshold this glorious day? Though I must warn you, given my current workload, accepting new clients may not be possible at this time." His eyes are already straying back to the document before him.
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Amut raises an eyebrow as Raijin rounds on her, with a thin smile that shows surprise, not necessarily of the bad sort. "Apologies with the mix-up regarding your name, Raijin. I see what you're trying to do. Now, I don't really believe in telling people what I think they want to hear, but that's just a matter of style. You could have warned us beforehand, though. Could have spared some confusion..." She smiles at Quintillus in acknowledgement of his effort in defusing the situation. "Yes, let's go. We have work to do."
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Amut sizes the Chelaxian up, but keeps her mouth. She lets the Tengu choose his approach (which seems needlessly obscure to her), but she's interested in seeing what effect it will have on the solicitor.
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Roscoe non-chalantly moves to the back of the party, easily maneuvering among the tall folk as halflings have learned to do. He discreetly makes mental notes of the layout of the place, the location of items such as keys and log books, and how many workers.
The Society may not be able to do something about this slave trader, but if the place were to burn down or incriminating evidence were left there...
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The solicitor sits up, appraising Raijan--and all of you--with new interest. "Ah, you're here about that business. I see. Well, whatever may or may not have happened with the slave sold to Lady Silviana sounds most unfortunate, but you realize of course that I could hardly discuss such matters without her knowledge. Or her permission." His lips twist slightly. "It would not be...professional."
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"We've spoken with her majordomo," Amut counters swiftly. "The Lady Silviana stands to lose much if this business isn't cleared up. People could think that she herself had a hand in spying on a friend, or that her close associates had anything to do with it. Rest assured that she approves of what we're doing. We're just following the trail to see where it leads. If you tell us what you know concerning Atlag, we'll soon be on our way."