With every opponent either bleeding out or unconscious the only thing left to do is get the guard to pick these men up. As one of your group steps outside a small flood of people are coming back from the Starstone Cathedral, most shaking their heads in disappointment, others chuckling, some exchanging money. It seems Sir Reinhardt charged his horse into the chasm surrounding the Cathedral.
Upon returning with knowledge of Eylysia's cache Venture Captain Dreng pulls you into his office to personally thank you and congratulate you on a mission well performed. He indicates express interest in your future career as Pathfinders and assures that you will receive future assignments soon.
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As the last of the attackers fall, Sabert allows his song to fade away and puts away his crossbow. He notices that his hands are shaking.. he quickly hides them in his cloak. My first battle.. he thinks, his normal jovility gone as he peers at the dead and dying before him. The songs never speak of this... they always cut to the drinking and feasting.. He follows behind the rest of his companions quietly and returns to Dreng.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin has sent word to you to meet him first thing in his office in Skyreach, located on the grounds of the Grand Lodge in Absalom’s Foreign Quarter.
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?”
Valsin shakes his head, "We don't know who the target was, but it was at a large gathering of the powerful and up-and-comers. Lady Darchana is the archdean of the Arcinarium and holds the title of second spell lord. You can imagine where she got her fortune with that information.
To my knowledge it was a magical sensor, though she got nothing definitive from her tracing spell."
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"That's not a bad idea Kelris. We'll probably want to have someone with magic know-how talk to Lady spelllord mcfancypants, and we should also have a palaver with the woman who owned the slave...I mean handmaiden. If possible, we should try to talk to the handmaiden his or herself."
"I'm not partial to where I go. I'll probably end up just sneaking around to see if I find anything suspicious."
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Sabert rushes into the room, just in time to catch Auras greeting/ suggestion. "Ahh.. you must have seen me coming!" he says with a wink. "Fashionably late, I say.. Must stay in with the good crowd! I would be happy to join you, madam!" He finishes his statement with an overdone bow and a wide flourish of his arm.
Turning to the Venture Captain, he inquires "Sir. Other than reporting out findings to the Lady Darchana, what other objectives are we to look for, and to whom do we report them?"
"I'm sure Lady Darchana will have more for you once you reach her with solid information. It is likely she'll ask you to find the source of the sensor once you know where the handmaiden came from."
Misery Row is a street running along the eastern edge of the Coins district of Absalom, where the slave trade is always legal. This street is elevated from street level and separates the Coins from the Merchants' Quarter; access to the street can be gained via stairways located every few hundred feet. Although it is officially part of the Coins, no member of the district council or Token Guard visits the street for political reasons, although councilmembers and the Captain receive a kickback from every slave sale. Most slaves are held and sold from pits accessible from wall-height sunk into Misery Row itself, giving rise to the moniker "slave pits of Absalom".
Access to the slave market is restricted due to its elevation, but Lord Gyr has prohibited using magic to harass the slave trade. Otherwise, he ignores mundane efforts to free slaves, as well as slaver reprisals on would-be liberators.
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. Knocking upon the door reveals a butler awaiting the reason for your visit. Once it is explained he brings you in to a parlor furnished with plush blue couches and chairs. Entreating you to relax he wanders off to find the Majordomo.
It is not more than a minute before a stern-looking woman with dark brown hair and hazel eyes walks into the room. "I would like to apologize for wasting your time here Pathfinders. You see Lady Silviana departed for Oppara in Taldor two days ago and is not able to take unscheduled meetings at this time. Would you like to schedule such an appointment before heading on your way?" She raises a finely manicured eyebrow asking this question.
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Sabert flows smoothly to the front of the group as the stern woman addresses the companions. "There is nothing to apologize for, Mi Lady!" he says as he dips into a deep bow. "If the Lady Silviana is unable to assist us, I am sure that we are just as well off in your capable hands! We just need some information regarding a handmaiden we are told is in Lady Silviana's employ."
The woman's eyes sparkle briefly before she beckons you to follow her to a side office. "Well I can spare a little time at this moment. Please come in, and call me Milana."
While confused with the first portions of Fethril's statement Milana does blush prettily being asked about herself rather than after her Lady. "I've been working with Lady Silviana for some ten years now. And you are correct, this is a terribly important position to be sure everything runs smoothly."
She thinks quickly back to Fethril's earlier question and sighs mightily. 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.”
Her eyes flicker among your faces quickly and she reaches a decision before you move from your chairs. “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.
"Sadly Atlag is still with her owner, and we do not know where she has gone off to."
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Sabert rises from his bow, and accompanies Milana into the home. He listens quetly as she tells her tale, nodding at all the right places and making small sounds of encouragement when she pauses. When Milana mentions the recompense and disposition of the slave, he pipes in again. "So the Lady Silviana backed out of the contract once the handmaided was fingered for the spy?" he asks, affecting complete agreement in an effort to get more information. "I can completely see where this would place her in a predicament. I assure you that we can broach the subject tactfully when we speak to this Mahjub. And who could refuse such a friendship as your ladyship offers?!" he concludes smoothly. "Well, if my friends here have no further questions, we will not take any more of your very valuable time."
Sabert rises and gives Milana his hand. "It has been a pleasure, and I look forward to seeing you again with good news for your Lady!"
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. Mahdi’s Chattel is located along the platform, where his many-windowed storefront can catch the eye of discerning buyers. The massive wooden platform is well worn by foot traffic, and is active all hours of the day and night.
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. The door is not completely closed and shows signs of scratches and damage to the wood around the latch.
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Moving through the city, Sabert keeps up a running chatter with whomever isn't tired of him by this point. Reaching Mahdi's Chattel, he grimaces and peers about, disconcerted by the noises of abuse coming from within.
"My friends, I believe that we are just in the nick of time.. it seems that someone inside is very displeased. We should make haste!"
With this he throws open the door and strides into the establishment.
Mahdi’s Chattel is pleasantly decorated. An Andoren rug lies over the polished wooden floor of the entryway, and a small decorative table holds a curious stone statue. The stone statue stands almost 2 feet tall, weighs 15 pounds, and has simian features, massive horns, and a long tail.The eastern half of the room is in slight disarray, apparently from light renovations that are nearly complete. The windows have been smashed, and broken glass lies on the floor and on the desk on the opposite side.
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.
A half-orc with a large sword strapped to his back and a pair of scruffy humans are in the process of shaking down a Kelish man with an elegantly plated beard. Both humans are watching the door as you enter and the half-orc is holding the bearded man off the ground. Several bottles of wine lie shattered on the floor. "Customers of yours Mahdi?" the half-orc growls with a scowl.
James' show of force visibly shakes the half-orc, who eyeballs Aura after her statement. "You're lying," he says finally. "But this man here does owe my boss money." He puts Madhi down, though still holds him by his well-spun shirt. "I am Mezuk of the Sanguine Beast. If you can pay this man's down payment of 50 gold my boys and I are amenable to leaving."
Mezuk sniffs haughtily, "We are consummate professionals sir, unlike the reckless abandon other third parties are known to show. We would take the strongbox and take what we are owed before returning what remains of it. Now will you pay this man's fee or won't you?"
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Sabert thinks for a moment before he comes up with an idea. "I am sure that my friend meant no offense. We are not normally privy to this business so we had no idea we were working with true professionals. You say that the money is in the strong box? Well then. Take your fee and we shall call it even. I will not be paying this filth's debts, but neither can I allow him to be harmed.. just yet. So.. while we are conversational, what does Madhi owe your boss for? Just to be sure that we are not shaking him down twice for the same reason, you know...?"
Madhi speaks up when Fethril questions him, "I'll be more than willing to discuss my finds when the current...situation" he looks pointedly at Mezuk, "is resolved."
Upon hearing Sabert's idea his eyes go wide and he begins to speak hastily before Mezuk places a large palm across his mouth. "This rat only has his down payment owed to us, any further funds will not be taken until their own time is due."