|
Pethwen smiles warmly at Atlag and also steps forward to speak with the girl, her pleasant musical voice gently trilling like a fine flute. "Yes, you would be of great help to us if you could provide us this information. May I also ask how you came to be indentured to Lady Silvana? Is there anything we can do to help you gain your freedom. Is that something that you desire?"
Atlag answers Shazzara and Pethwen, "Princess Shazzara, I am not certain what device you are speaking of? My family comes from Sedeq, in Qadira. Three years ago, I borrowed money from a lender to get my import export business underway. However, there were many problems and eventually I was unable to cover my debts. I was sold into slavery and quickly sent off to Katapesh. A few months ago I was brought here to Absalom and sold again to Mahjub Mahdi. I wasn't with him very long before I was sold to Lady Silviana. Of course I desire my freedom, m'lady. When the debt is paid, I shall walk again with the sand under my feet."
Kujo is fairly certain that he has spotted an invasive type of jungle vine creeping up the side of the gardening shed.
Samuel can see that the woman is in good health, and seems in good spirits.
|
Sad looks at the dirty hoe, then turns his glance away from Shang Li and towards the gardening tool in his hands that he had just cleaned.
"You know, Sad remember he need to garden in Packminder Grand Lodge," Sad says. "Maybe you guys take care of things, maybe Sad go dig for turnips."
Sad drops the tools and begins to run waddle back to the Pathfinder Grand Lodge.
Clearly uncomfortable with the question, Atlag faces Samuel but does not look him in the eyes. "Lady Silviana holds the debt, m'lord."
|
|
"Thank you so much for you help, Atlag. We'll be sure to speak to Lady Silviana and see what we can do to help you." Pethwen then turns to the group. "So, shall we visit the solicitor Salbus or head straight to this Mahjub Mahdi gentleman...did I get the name right? Perhaps see what the solicitor has to say, to be thorough?"
Atlag bows gently to the Pathfinders, "Thank you all. I am sorry that I was not able to be of more help."
--
The Pathfinders travel back across Absalom from the Petals into the Coins in search of the Red Letter. The Coins district is always busy with people going about their business it seems, regardless of the time of day, but in the early morning it seems crisp and peaceful. After asking a few merchants along the way, the Pathfinders come upon the building they are looking for...
Located in a rented office space in the Coins, the office is located on the ground floor of a recently rebuilt two- story building that houses several different professional offices and merchants. A small plaque with an Asmodean pentacle and an inscription reading “Red Letter— Solicitor Salbus” hangs outside.
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.”
|
Shazzara smiles as she approaches the solictor, sketching a brief curtsy as she approaches the gentleman. My good sir, we not not seeking to retain you for additional services, but rather, are inquiring into a certain matter of indiscretion of which you are already involved.
You facilitated the purchase of a certain handmaiden for the Lady Dimora recently. I am sure word of the ensuing scandal has already reached your ears. We have been asked to find when, where, how and under whose direction this handmaiden acquired the scrying device she carried upon her person while present for several sensitive conversations. You cooperation would be appreciated and I am sure full cooperation will help ensure there are no lingering doubts over your lack of acquiense in the incident.
Salbus arches an eyebrow as he listens to Shazzara. "Fascinating." he mutters to himself.
Clearing this throat, Salbus' lips turn downward in a small frown, "While that certainly is a fascinating story, I am afraid I've never heard of this...Lady ... Dimora was it?"
|
|
After discreetly enhancing herself with a spell, Pethwen again steps up next to Shazzara and introduces herself. The unusual tag-team act of fiendish and celestial blooded Pathfinders, if not putting on a good cop/bad cop routine, surely at least provides an interesting sight for those they converse with. "A slip of the tongue, I believe. I am sure my companion meant to say Lady Silviana. We're led to believe she is your client and that you drew up the paperwork between the Lady and a man named Madhi Mahjub, in the matter of acquiring the...shall we say services...of a young girl by the name of Atlag. As Shazzara says we are after any information you might be able to give to us about this girl, her past, why it was she who was chosen to work for Lady Silviana and any insight as to why she might be carrying a scrying device on her person when accompanying the Lady to a dinner party." The aasimar's voice as always resonates with a musical tone, clear and crisp like the note from a reed instrument played by a master.
Seeing Pethwen Salbus looks back at Shazzara then back to Pethwin, a momentary look of confusion on his brow. "Ah! Well now Lady Silviana, that is a fish of a different color now isn't it?"
"I know nothing of a scrying sensor of which you speak. Should it become relevant to the proper authorities, they will find that everything was executed within the letter of the law. Your vague assertions otherwise are offensive." he sneers at Shazzara.
Grimacing slightly, the Chelaxian spreads his hands to admit defeat. “Ordinarily I would not speak of privately executed contracts with an unaffiliated third party,” Solvius says before patting a folded paper on his desk. “However Lady Silviana had a letter delivered to me prior to her departure for Taldor, authorizing me to disclose to the deputized agents of Lady Darchana the identity of the chattel merchant. Mahjub Mahdi is the purveyor in question and can be found at the northern end of Misery Row. His private shop is called Mahdi’s Chattel. It’s a step up from the Slave Pits to be sure—a much more orderly experience, a very fine display parlor with excellent lighting, and he always keeps excellent wines on hand. I trust you will treat him with the respect that he deserves.”
"As to the contract itself, it was nothing remarkable in anyway that I recall. Lady Silviana provided some basic requirements in her search for a handmaiden." he shifts in his chair. "I executed a search based on her requirements, selected the aforementioned Atlag from Mahjub Mahdi's shop where we completed the sales contract over an excellent Chelixaian vintage and the young woman was transferred to Dimora Manor."
He seems to be taking relish in correctly using Lady Silviana's name as well as that of Dimora Manor, looking directly at Shazzara when he says them.
"I am sorry that I cannot be of any more help than that, Pathfinders."
Heading across the Coins you approach Misery Row...
Misery Row is an enormous, elevated platform that runs along the eastern edge of the Coins district, and serves as the main destination to buy and sell slaves in Absalom. The cages are set into the platform such that slavers and prospective buyers can walk over the pits to inspect the merchandise easily. The massive wooden platform is well worn by foot traffic, and is active all hours of the day and night. The Token Guard, the guards responsible for patrolling this part of the city, are notorious for intervening only in particularly egregious crimes or those they’re paid to investigate. As a result, petty criminals have numerous opportunities to ply their craft. Asking around for Mahdi's Chattel yields you many conflicting answers, and many offers for better prices, better quality chattel or both. Each merchant in Misery Row seems bent on undercutting their rivals and making new friends of the group of Pathfinders. Eventually you find yourselves in front of the shop you seek.
Mahdi’s Chattel is located along the platform, where his many-windowed storefront can catch the eye of discerning buyers. A hanging sign identifies the single-story building with large, full-length windows as “Mahdi’s Chattel— Absalom’s Finest.” Heavy curtains are drawn over all of the windows—one of which has been smashed—and a small painted sign that reads “Closed” hangs over the latch of the door.
|
As the group approaches the building, Shang leans in to his companions and quietly says, "I will sneak around the back and look for a back door, to watch for anything suspicious activity. Once I hear anything suspicious, I will join you. If anyone else wishes to join me, feel free, though I prefer to be as quiet as possible. I don't trust this neighborhood..."
|
|
As the group travels through the Coins, Kujo is seen frequently looking over his back and placing a protective hand over his sack.
As Shang Li clunks along the backside of the building, the phrase "quiet as possible" seems to take on its own meaning and the barbarian tries to match Shang Li's stealth
Kilgharrah, Kujo and Shang Li move around the side and back of the building. Though the curtains a drawn over the windows, the western window (where Kujo and Shang Li are on the map) looks like it has been broken by heavy looking stone thrown from the inside (which lies in the street along with glass shards). They are able to move the curtain and peer inside. The store itself looks like it may be undergoing some kind of renovation, with various tools and bits of wood laying around. There is a large, heavy stone set in the middle of the room with an iron ring driven into it, and several lengths of chain bound to the ring.
The rock is not interesting, though it has a good weight to it in Kujo's hand.
|
|
Remaining true to the plan, Samuel continues to wait at the front door. Silently waiting on his teammates.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Shang Li and Kujo move around the back, where there is a second door in the wall, but judging the by the state (dirt, mud, cobwebs) of it it hasn't been used in quite some time.
Pethwen keeps her allies in sight, watching for trouble and Samuel and Shazzara wait near the front door as Kilgharrah climbs onto the ceiling watching the inside door.
With the Pathfinders getting ready for the trouble they suspect, Samuel moves forward and opens the inner door.
Samuel and Kilgharra get a good view of what's going on inside...
This large office doubles as a private parlor for Mahjub Mahdi to conduct his legal but objectionable business. The room’s furnishings consist of a round table with two comfortable chairs, a desk with a metal-banded strongbox beneath it, and a refreshment cart. Two paintings hanging on the north wall both depict the bustling harbor of Katheer.
Several smashed bottles of wine lie on the floor next to the refreshment cart, and the half-orc holds a bearded Keleshite man off the ground by his fine-spun tunic. Through his tusked mouth, "Pay up Mahdi. The Sanguine Beast will get the money, one way or another. Mezuk's not leaving empty handed." Without lowering the bearded Keleshite, the half-orc looks over his shoulder at you and bellows, "Get out. You can have sloppy seconds when I'm done."
Two cloaked men stand between the half-orc and the door watching with twisted grins.
|
|
Pethwen, hearing the shouts from within, quickly rushes around into the building, readying her bow as she moves. Her own voice carries into the room like that of a well-trained actor calling out from the stage. "What's the commotion? Before this situation gets any more out of hand, can we please all take a moment to talk?. We simply want to speak to Mahdi ourselves, while he still can..."