Yelling over his shoulder, the half-orc bellows "Well, das jus too bad now innit? We's here first, doncha got any..." turning to finally look at who is speaking from the other room the half-orc's words trail off ..."manners?"
The two men look at the half-orc, then at each other and shrug in near synchronicity.
"Mahdi 'ere waz jus 'bout ta kon-klude our bidness." the half-orc smiles, taken with his own cleverness. "Nobodies gonna hurt nobodies, right Mahdi?" the half-orc drops the Keleshite man back to the ground. He lands with a stumble and immediately runs his hands through his hair. "Jus 'nother minute er two an we's'll be done."
Kujo moves into the building and sizes up the thugs, the half-orc is carrying a fine greatsword, a heavy mace and a breastplate. The two thugs have scimitars and studded leather.
The half-orc sizes up Kujo turns back to look at Mahdi and says, "Now den, 'bout wut yous owe da beast? We's commin back for it."
All three thugs begin heading out the door onto the street...
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Samuel moves towards Madhi, extending him a hand to help him up.
"What happened here?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
Mahjub Mahdi runs his hands over his slicked down hair, pulling it back toward his ponytail. "Ah! New friends! Welcome, welcome to the house of Mahdi! Mahdi's Chattel, Absalom's Finest! Special friends, you have done me a great honor running off those camel dung thugs! Please, please, tell Mahjub what it is he can do for you Abadar be praised!"
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Samuel nods a greeting at the man, before asking his question.
"Firstly, why don't you tell us what were you assailants were after? In my experience such brutal behaviour tends to have a motive."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Hearing conversations within that don't sound hostile, Shang makes his way back around to the front door and enters with his allies. He nods politely at Mahdi but doesn't interupt the conversation.
As he listens, Shang's eyes wander the interior of the room, looking for anything that seems odd or suspicious.
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Waiting for Mahdi to answer the question of what was going on between him and the thugs, Pethwen then joins in the chat. "Think nothing of it, although if those men have a genuine issue with you, or at least believe that they do, then I suggest you get it sorted out soon as you might not be so lucky as to have someone step in and save you next time. Now, as for what you can do for us in return." The aasimar smiles her enchanting smile as the words flow from her beautiful face like the notes from a flute. "We are looking for information on a young girl called Atlag. We have been informed that you arranged her 'employment' with the Lady Silviana and drew up the paperwork with her agent, Solvius Salbus. Are you able to shed any light on how it came to be that she was acting as a spy on the Lady Darchana at a recent event?"
Kujo and Shang Li notice a small, locked chest under Mahdi's desk, but nothing else of interest.
To Samuel Mahdi replies, "Nothing but the sad way of things here in the Row. Mahdi earns his blessing to Abadar, the Sanguine Beast comes around to take my blessings in return for protection. Protection from their own thuggery." Mahdi runs his hands through his hair, tugging at his ponytail. "Mahdi can pay the Beast, or pay the Token," he shrugs.
Turning to Pethwen, "Yes, yes beautiful lady. Mahdi is honored to help special, new friends!" He tugs on his braided beard a few times, thinking. "Salbus, yes. I remember the girl. But a spy? That waif? Surely you are mistaken?"
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Pethwen remains smiling but studies the man for any sign of deceit or indication he is witholding information. She also spares a quick glance across to her companions to see if any of them picked up something in the man's cagey response.
"Unfortunately the young girl was found in the possession of a scrying device at Lady Darchana's residence. Atlag claims no knowledge of what the device is nor how it came to be on her person. Please, if there is anything you can tell us about Atlag or anything unusual with regards to her employment by Lady Silviana it would be much appreciated. At this stage any detail may be of importance."
Mahjub nods his head a few times, watching with Pethwen intently.
"Because we are to be special friends, and because of your selfless heroism Mahjub is blessed by Abadar to offer you this information. The slave which was purchased for Lady Silviana, she was part of a lot I purchased from Waheeda Wardak. She is a very skilled captain and sometimes supplier of merchandise for Mahjub. When I met her at the Docks last time, her vessel At Sea was flying the yellow sails used by the Okeno pirates. This I believe means she will become a more frequent supplier in the future," he removes the tie holding his hair back, slicking his hands through pulling it all back again and deftly retying it. "In fact Mahjub is to be meeting with captain Wardak dockside tomorrow morning. Mahjub has been told she has a new lot that Mahjub may be interested in bidding on. If the At Sea is not already docked, it will be coming through the Graveyard today."
Pethwen sense Mahjub wants to tell her something else, but seems reluctant.
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"Thanks you Mahjub! We would most likely be interested in joining you when you meet with this Captain Wardak tomorrow. if you don't mind?" Pethwen's brilliant blue eyes glisten like diamonds and she graces the man with a nod of her head. Her voice then lowers ever so slighly similar to a practiced lute player changing his chord as she continues to question the man. "Please, what can you tell us about this Captain? Where does she obtain the unfortunate people she provides to you, I wonder? How have you found her in her dealings? Do you any have reason so think she may have anything to do with the scrying incident we've been charged with looking into?"
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Smiling at the distraught merchant Shazzara smiles, encouraging him to continue. I am sure your future relationship with Wardak will be most lucrative and bring you many blessings from Abadar. If you could introduce us, this would be most helpful. I am always looking to establish new contacts for my own growing enterprise.
Mahjub continues trying to answer the other questions posed, "Mahjub's dealings with Captain Wardak have been excellent. She is a good, strong Kelish woman." Mahjub nervously runs his hands through his hair, "As for her sources, Mahjub is not exactly knowing them of course. Qadir, Katapesh, Okeno fleshfairs." Mahjub tugs on his beard slightly, "Mahjub is not opposed to introducing special, new friends to Captain Wardak. Such a meeting though, would require special arrangements and blessings to Abadar. Of course."
Mahjub seems very tense for a moment, but he finally blurts out, "Mahjub was told to expect a pathfinder in Wardak's lot tomorrow."
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"A Pathfinder?" Pethwen's surprise at this news is further confounded by Shazzara's response. The aasimar's smile faltering for the moment, she spares her companion a sideways glance before turning back to Mahjub.
"Well, I for one am even more keen to meet this Captain now." Pethwen's hand instinctively reaches up towards her shoulder as if drawing her bow but it pauses halfway as she catches herself in the motion. The cleric's voice has become even more deeper, now resonating like the plucked strings of a bass. "What special arrangements need to be made exactly? Please get them started, if you don't mind."
Mahjub rubs his hands together, "There are blessings to Abadar which must be paid in order for arrangements to be made...properly. If Mahjub shows up to the Docks with special new friends to meet Captain Wardak, everyone will be Qadira fighting." He runs his hands through his hair, twirling his ponytail, "For 200 blessings to Abadar Mahjub can arrange a proper meeting with the captain."
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Samuel raises an eyebrow at Mahjubs comment, growing weary of the mans attitude.
"You seem to have suddenly forgot that we just saved you from a beating at the hands of those thugs, and now you're looking for coin for a service I'm sure you can do for free. The last things you want is for us to regret our decision..."
Mahjub raises his hands in supplication to Samuel, "Special friend! Please, Mahjub is not forgetting the aid you have rendered. Though, perhaps it is you who is under-valuing Mahjub's services. Normally such a business contact would cost at least 400 blessings, so Mahjub has already taken upon half of the cost from his own blessings to offer you the special friend price of only 200 blessings!"
Mahjub shrugs, "Or, special friends can be showing up to the Docks and assaulting citizens going about their legal business and stealing merchandise. Under the watchful eyes of Sarenrae."
Raising his hands in defeat Mahjub concedes, "The biggest problem, special friends, is that Mahjub introduces Pathfinders to captain selling Pathfinders." He tugs at the braids of his beard. "Then captain is not wanting to deal with Mahjub, special new friends are not wanting to deal with Mahjub. Mahjub is showing up at the temple looking empty handed. Is no good for everyone. Mahjub is happy to return debt for no beatings by the Sanguine Beast. Please, come to Docks tomorrow after ten-bells and meeting Mahjub in Split Cockatrice tavern. You are meeting with Captain Wardak then. "
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Kujo relaxes his grip and returns his greatsword to the sheath on his back. The weapon making forming an X with another greatsword so located. The barbarian seemed almost disappointed he didn't get to hit something or kick something, but the day was far from over.
Kujo seemed to wait for someone to decide where to next, or maybe he just liked hanging out with Mahjub.
"In the meantime, you have no other paths to find?" Mahjub looks around his office and frowns. "Mahjub is having much work to do, cleaning and making preperations for meeting in the morning!"
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Shang bows graciously.
"Thank you, you have been most generous with your information."
He then turns around to address his companions, looking slightly uncertain of the situation.
"So, do we retire and reconvene tomorrow night at the docks? Or do we have other leads to investigate before our rendevous with Mahjub?"
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Once the group is out of earshot of Mahjub, Pethwen answers Shang's question. The events of the day seem to have taken a bit of the musical tone out of the aasimar's voice and she looks a little bit tense. "Personally I don't think I'll get much sleep until we meet this vile slave trader and put an end to her evil ways. What do the rest of you think about heading down to the docks this evening and seeing if her boat has already docked?"
The Pathfinders leave the depressing sight that is Misery Row and easily travel to Lady Darchana’s estate in the Petals District. It is located further north than Dimora Manor, much closer to Azlanti Keep. 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 the Pathfinders and escorts them into the three-story residence. He takes you to the estate manager, Jemina. She thanks and dismisses him.
"Pathfinders, excellent. Lady Darchana has been expecting you, please follow me." she says leading 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.”
Lady Darchana focuses her attention on Kujo and motions with her hand, "Please, tell me what you have learned thus far."
Lady Darchana looks encouragingly at Kujo, "There is no need for nervousness here friend. I find we each bring our own unique perspective to the same situation, and it benefits me to understand things from many different perspectives."
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With due respect Lady DDarchana, to date we have learned only that the servant involved has little knowledge of how the scrying device came into her possession. To date we have backtracked the slaves point of origin to a slave ship, a lead we intend to follow up on, but an unlikely source for a targeted attempt at scrying given the chain of ownership.
Should we find the slaver in question was responsible, we will discourage him from such future actions. Further investigation into the servant herself will most likely be better served via divination magics able to discern the truth regardless of the servants awareness of the devices origin.
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Pethwen spares Shazzara a sideways glance, not the first she has given her tiefling companion today. "Although I agree we have not uncovered anything concrete with regards to the source or motive of the scrying attempt, it is worth mentioning that this slaver, a kelish female by the name of Captain Wardak is expected to be selling a Pathfinder as part of her lot tomorrow. Needless to say we will be there to help free our fellow Society member and as many other of this slavers unfortunate captives as we possibly can."
The cleric says this with complete confidence, her voice sounding out like a morning trumpet exclaiming daybreak. She doesn't even look around to see if her companions agree with her assertions or not.
Lady Darchana looks at you with a strangely stern look on her face, "You will report findings to me warrior."
"Ladies, please." Lady Darchana holds up her hands. "Each perspective is valuable in turn."
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As Lady Darchana employs the force of her charisma and personality, Kujo seems to stiffen. He then kneels and lowers his head, in a slow deep monotone, he responds, as if trying to remember what Pethwen and Shazzara had just said,
"We...are... after....the...slave...trader. A...captain..by..the..docks. He has one of our own members on the block." Kujo's Shoanti accent is thick, but his words are clear and his pace seems to quicken and resemble normal speech as he continues. And then as if the next part were his own thought, "...but first we must kill the sanguine beast for the scum Mahjub. A debt is owed. I do not trust this Mahjub, but a debt is owed. What is your command, Lady?"
The barbarian's breath is deep and heavy as he waits for a response.
"Thank you Kujo. Have no fear, all debts will be paid." Lady Darchana smiles wryly. Turning to Shazzara and Pethwen, she muses, "Aren't you two just a pair? Now, if I understood correctly you have traced the slave back to Captain Wardak, who now sails for the Okeno pirates."
“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. ” Lady Darchana continues, "By law, a ship like the At Sea must have a Pilot’s Guild member bring it in through the hazardous Ship’s Graveyard. If you will excuse me for a few minutes, please..."
She sees herself out, and after a moment Jemina returns with a man following behind her with a massive silver tray of refreshments and snacks. "Please enjoy this while you wait." Jemina says as the man sets it down near the large map. There are several carafes of iced water, a light elven wine, and a small, beautifully decorated teapot with hot green tea. The snacks include fresh fruits, hot rolls, an assortment of cheeses, and several sweet lemon pastries.
---[15 minutes pass]---
Lady Darchana returns, a look of absolute glee in her eyes. “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 Koemi. “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, in the sum of 1025 gold, yourselves. We cannot allow those slaves to make it to the Docks unaccompanied! I trust I count on you to help?"