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With two keys and two locks left, it is only a momentary pause before the steel chest finally yields its secrets to the small gold key. This chest holds the map of the Salhar burial vaults beneath Sothis and an unidentified wand.
The jewelled key neatly fits the lock to the vault door, and turns dutifully within the chamber.
On the other side of the door, the manservant still waits dutifully, although he now regards you all with a slightly appraising eye as though looking for something, his eye raisies with a look of slight surprise and appreciation when he fails to find what he is looking for. "You may keep the map and the wand, but must return the keys"
He then guides you back to the front gate of the compound, you feel slightly upbeat having ticked off one item from the sheet...
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Kishara tries but fails at trying to stifle the slightly smug, satisfied smile on her face and decides to give the manservant a wink instead. She then presses a gold piece into his palm and says "Tell Amenopheus he casts a fine lure. Oh, and he might need a new basket."
Once she and her fellows are back in the open air, she breathes a sigh of relief and then turns to face the group. "I don't know what order you planned to take these in, but I will ask that we proceed to the Temple of the Shining Star next. If these children are very ill, even minutes can make the difference between cure and crypt, no?" She seems to be trying to seem matter-of-fact, but the wet shine in her eyes tells you this is far more important to her than she wants to let on.
Perception for the next trip:
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Departing from a job well done, it isn’t long before the party departs the Wise Quarter and finds themselves in the Ascendant Court where a celebration appears to be picking up pace.
No one enjoys paying taxes. Every year, though, on the 15th of Gozran, priests of the church of Abadar spend the day walking city streets, doing what they can to make the bitter pill of annual taxes a bit easier to swallow. From dawn to dusk, clerics of Abadar attend the tax collectors of sizable communities as the tax wagons roll from door to door. More than just aiding in the yearly errand, the faithful personally thank every citizen for contributing to the improvement of their city, extol the public works funded by their contributions, and foretell the grandeur of civic projects to come. The disenfranchised and destitute they attempt to comfort as best they can, quoting from their god's dogma on work and worthiness, but this is not a day for discounts or deferrals.
At dusk, the Abadarans host several celebrations in parks, plazas, and other communal areas about the city, organizing donations and contributions from local vendors to feed and entertain all comers. Having already preached to most of the city over the course of the day, the clerics perform only a brief opening ceremony, dedicating the feast to Abadar, the city, and its great people. These celebrations are often quite distinct from neighborhood to neighborhood and are almost always divided along economic boundaries.
The festivities involving the wealthiest citizens usually happen on the steps of city hall or other grand civic buildings and feature the best music and food, but often little more than polite card and guessing games. These galas usually wrap up by midnight.
For the common folk, the parks and marketplaces take on a carnival atmosphere, with simple but good food, local ales, performances by talented citizens, and games of chance going on well into the night. A prevailing superstition through these festivals is that, during the celebration, it's lucky to kiss—or in some regions, pinch—a cleric of Abadar, leading to many a rosy cheeked cleric.
Even the city's poor are given reason to celebrate, as the local temple of Abadar hosts a cheery but unabashedly religious gathering on its steps, feeding all comers, doling out a hearty ration of wine, singing hymns of the faith, and providing tokens for a second wine ration for any who return to attend a service within the month.
For a holiday that revolves around paying taxes, this Abadaran festival isn't as reviled as one might expect.
The party stops briefly to enjoy some of the festivities and to enjoy some of the feasting laid on as part of the Abadarian celebration. With satiated bellies and high spirits from participation in a little relaxation, you turn your minds back to the job at hand...
Entering the center of the City at the Center of the World you find yourseves in the Ascendant Court — Absalom's religious hub, the site of ascension of four gods, and the final resting place of the Starstone itself. The streetscape is crowded with temples and shrines to the various deities of Golarion, and standing out amongst these marvels is the cathedral of the Starstone. Located at the heart of Absalom, it serves as a hub between other districts: all roads in the Ascendant Court lead to the Starstone.
You pass several of the local guards, the Graycloaks, so called because of their uniform light gray wool cloaks, keeping the peace dutifully and with an even handed approach.
You aren’t sure how busy this area normally is, but with a religious celebration going on, it seems rather busy.
Arriving at the Temple of the Shining Star, you are immediately directed to Ollysta Zadrian. This paladin of Sarenrae is young in her years, but holds herself with the poise of a queen and warrior simultaneously. As she notices you all, she strides forward, addressing the group in a strong voice.
“Thank the light of Sarenrae you have arrived! I knew Ambrus would come through for us in the Silver Crusade. I desperately need you to bring medicine to an orphanage and let me know if the headmistress, Gilga Baltwin, is deserving of our charity. Since our quest began, the needy have clamored for our aid, and I suspect some are abusing our generosity. It may sound cruel, but there are plenty of dishonest people out in the world eager for easy gold”. She looks a little dismayed, but continues “Do you know of the Silver Crusade? After discovering so many factions splintered the Society, a number of us banded together to proliferate the cause of charity and kindness using the Society’s resources. As it is said, ‘The Dawn brings new light’ and I’ve made it my life’s work to use our recent darkness to bring a new light to the world and to the Pathfinder Society. I apologize for straying off point. Will you bring this parcel of medicine to Auntie Baltwin’s Home for Recovery in the Eastgate district?”
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An investigator can roll twice on any Diplomacy check made to gather information, and receives the information for both results. This takes the same amount of time as one check. If the lesser of the two checks reveals false information, the rogue is aware of it.
False information is not revealed in this way if the people she questioned do not know it to be false.
Diplomacy roll 1
Diplomacy roll 2
Sense Motive (just in case)
Sense Motive (just in case)
Sense Motive (just in case)
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I've personally been in real-world areas like this and you must curb your wish-to-do-good-for-all-the-little-children instincts there or you will a) get mobbed by a hundred street urchins begging for a handout; b) get mobbed by a hundred more street urchins trying to get you to buy their crappy trinkets; and then c) get mugged by the teens/young adults hanging around looking for "rich" foreigners with more dollars than sense. =(
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Ollysta meets the reassurances of the party with a comforted and reassured smile, one born of dignity and grace.
"I don't wish to delay us long, but if I may ask what has you troubled regarding this "Auntie Baltwin"? If there is a rumor, we may be able to track it to it's source, yes?"
The paladin listens thoughtfully to your question, measuring it well and taking the time to consider her reply, ”Auntie Baltwin’s Home for Recovery has long been known for being a place where sick kids go to get better, and the results seem amazing. She has been running the place for many, many, years. There is no doubt she is effective at her job, and without the Home for Recovery many young lives may have been lost or damaged, however there will always exist enough rumourmongers and detractors that eventually cast doubt and suspicion on such an institution, especiallyover such a long time, that the original whisperers may well have moved on or disappeared. We must instead attempt to approach this with fresh eyes and a fresh heart, that we may avail ourselves of facts first hand, and pay no mind to the nameless whisperers”
”We need to ensure that our benevolence is spread to the needy of righteous hearts and where it can do the most good. If there is fraud in such a place, then our benevolence is in vain”
The party departs to the home for the Recovery, headed for the Eastgate.
Eastgate appears to be a typical sort of residential district that could be found in just about any larger city that you could name. Small houses sit cheek by jowl along cobbled road and pathways, with thatcthed rooves sitting like badly fitting wigs atop the tenancies, which consist of single story dwellings through to two to three level terraces. Occasionally a more stately home is passed with the smallcomforts one might expect of a trader or merchant, with most of the houses likely belonging to ordinary folk working ordinary jobs. Only occasionally do you get splashed with the odd drop of water falling from clothes lines suspended above the streetscape like the sails of a fleet of galleons making way down the roads.
Generally the place appears fairly quiet and orderly with the Guard keeping a more discerning eye out in an area where crime would have fairly personal tones, whilst scallywags might thieve from a business and that is to be expected, and to some extent understood, returning to a robbed house is another thing again.
Kishara does her best to bribe kids and drum up conversation;
Miltivis, a nearby market vendor, claims he’s served Auntie Baltwin for over 30 years, and while a good customer, ”she is quite demanding and often rude to the other customers” and also adds almost jokingly that ”she’s kept my supplier of fine whiskeys in business for decades!”
Closer to home, Baltwin’s neighbors Travost and Tirelle Anthos are frankly tired of ”All the the noises the children make and the retinue of cats, but at least the cats are worth something in that they keep the mouse numbers low”
They also mention that ”Suppose it’s not noisy all the time, we get a few hours peace and quiet when the old crone sends the children “off into the town” during the day, and can at least have some silence til they all come home for dinner”
A few of the other local children the party talk to seem to paint a picture that they think she is a mean old bag, but everyone agrees it is still great what she is doing for the kids.
The party now finds itself at the home, staring at a nice home with a wide open doorway. Nearly swarming with cats and children, this fine upper-class home appears to be clean and in good condition considering the number and ages of its inhabitants. Three young boys shoot marbles in the dirt near the side porch, and inside strewn toys and more cats lie about on the floors. A few children take care of chores, while coughs and sneezes softly erupt from the children’s dormitories upstairs.
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""...even minutes can make the difference between cure and crypt, no?" Do you wish to recant this? We may have the element of surprise on our side, unless word has already reached Mistress Baltwin of our inquiries. Decisive tactical action is the way to go - go in now and start our investigation before she has a chance to hide evidence or threaten children. Of course, she could be completely innocent and doing the best she can to help homeless children."
"However, we are lacking solid intelligence. Another potential course of action is to infiltrate the establishment and get eyes and ears on everyone. Who feels like reliving their childhood?" Grimaldus looks at Aegon...
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Tikrit enjoys his day at the festival, but you do notice that he gets a little twitchy from time to time.
The trip through the Eastgate district causes him to comment, "This place always reminds me of home." with a certain wistfulness.
After their investigations, he says. "So she likes her drink, does she? And has a bit of a temper. And what is this about sending the children out into the town? Clearly a little bit of running roughshod never did me any harm..." he says with a touch of sarcasm, "But is she really letting them run wild?"
He eyes the children out front. "What about those boys? Maybe they can tell us something." he whispers to Kishara.
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So to summarise:
Yhen, Grimmy, and Mandrak are waiting outside for some children who might be returning, keeping eyes peeled.
Tik and Kish are going to talk to some of the children presently playing around the yard 'on the quiet'.
Aegon is going to get more appropriately attired and ready to try slip inside undetected - did he wish to deliver the package BEFORE or after attempting to infiltrate?
Any amendments/second thoughts/changes before I resolve?
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Kishara looks torn until Tikrit whispers to her, "Yes, good idea. That is probably the best place to begin."
Kishara ends her pacing with the map so that she is in the eye-line of the boys playing marbles and sighs noisily. She then reaches into her pouch and pulls out a candy and makes a show of eating one. "Mmmm... they do make good sweets here in Absalom." She pulls out 3 more and begins juggling them lazily. She casts a glance toward the boys and asks "Would you young men know your way around here? I think I may be lost, no?"
Perception (to observe the boys and their condition)
Diplomacy
Bluff
Sense Motive
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Aegon hops out of his armour and packs away his sword, with only a little jiggery pokery he manages to look rather like one of the children on casual perusal.
"Mmmm... they do make good sweets here in Absalom." She pulls out 3 more and begins juggling them lazily. She casts a glance toward the boys and asks "Would you young men know your way around here? I think I may be lost, no?"
The children initially look a touch surprised, you expect they are some of the younger ones. They seem to react fairly positively to Kishara’s approach staring at her and muttering something between themselves, but are really at a loss of what to make of a big bird man. Whilst most of the kids go back to playing their marbles, a couple circle round and look at the pair of strangers ”This is Aunties house...Miss, are you a fairy?” the child enquires, pointing at your ears, whilst the rest make affirmative sounds of agreement ”Is that your dragon? Does it bite?” they point at Tikrit who they are a bit more cautious about ”In the fun stories Auntie reads us each night they always say fairies are a short, but you are much taller. Do you go on fun adventures? Auntie says fairies and pixies are always stealing lollies and cakes and making people laugh, and you are here with lollies so her stories are true. She makes nice cakes Auntie does, she’s a great cook. I like apples best, do you like apples?” some other kids join in on the talk of food, and pretty soon they forget the pair of you whilst they debate which meal she makes is the ‘best’.
Meanwhile Yhen, Grimaldus, and Mandrak maintain a careful watch on the comings and goings of people, whilst keeping an eye out for any familiar faces that might be creeping around. Though there aren’t any people of suspicious nature, they do note a slow but steady stream of children making their way back to the orphanage, looking rather wearied and tired but still upbeat as they exchange questions with each other and speculate on the evenings meal. Looking closely, the group notes soot marks on some of the children’s clothing, whereas others seem to be a bit damp.
Striking up a conversation with some other local kids kicking rocks around the street (some sort of odd local game to which the party doesn’t know the rules to), a few of the kids and their parents seem to paint a picture that they think Baltwin is a mean old bag, but everyone agrees it is still great what she is doing for the children, echoing the word on the street you had already heard. No one seems to say anything particularly bad.
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"I think we have gained what we will. Let us deliver the medicine as a group to allow Aegon a chance to slip in unnoticed. We can then politely question Mistress Baltwin directly about what we have heard and observed. We should also request a tour of the establishment in the name of the Silver Crusade."
"Let us not be accusing but rather honestly interested in the woman and children. We should not provoke Mistress Baltwin with accusations. If she becomes defensive by our innocent questioning, then perhaps we shift tactics. I volunteer Mandrak and myself to be the 'bad cops' at that point." he says, grinning.
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Kishara's giggles cut off short and she gives Grim a somewhat appalled look and shakes her head as if to cast off an unpleasant mental image. She then seems to deliberately arrange her face into an apologetic smile and heads into the house to address Auntie Baltwin.
"Hello? We have a package here for Auntie Baltwin on behalf of the Silver Crusade..."
Sense Motive (for Auntie, when we get face to face and speak)