Zinou's Slave Ships of Absalom (Inactive)

Game Master Zinou

Open so you can dot in.

You all received a letter with the Grand Lodge's stamp. It was a convocation to meet Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin in the Grand Lodge.

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!" he shouts as soon as you're all inside the office.

"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 council member 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." Valsin pauses and stands to look through the windows.

"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 upand-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?"

In walks a small man with somewhat spindly limbs and an incredibly thick head of hair, not to mention full beard and mustache. The hair isn't styled but appears to have been cut haphazardly recently, making his head have a rather oversized, puffy appearance on first glance. The rest of him is rather mundane looking for an adventurer, wearing well oiled studded leather and a dark cloak that's seen better days over brown a long sleeved shirt and full length trousers. He has a backpack slung over his shoulders and a pair of bandoleers with a few various vials and containers stuffing the pockets.

"Mr Valsin! I've heard great things about you, happy to have been chosen for my first mission for this... this... investigation? It seems? My name is Dale, but enough about me... is there anything else you can tell us about this scrying sensor? I believe I'm a bit confounded, was the woman carrying an item that was spying or did she merely notice the magical sensor someone summons when they spy magically?" No one likes to be spied on! They discover your secrets!

I'm assuming with a take 10 of Knowledge Arcana for a 19 or Spellcraft 19 I'd know about the workings of scrying sensors?

An armored man, tall, handsome and blond carrying a furled flagstaff speaks in a clear and pleasant voice.

"As I understand it, scrying is rare and powerful magic. Is there someone we can talk to in order to get a better understanding of it?"

"Perhaps we should do both, starting with Milana, the majordomo. Is the handmaiden available to interview as well, should the need arise? Perhaps she might recall something that would help us trace this sensor to its source."

Gribbl blinks his large, liquid red eyes at the others gathered and shrugs. Blue arcane tattoos stand out clearly against his bright green skin. As he moves, various bottles and vials on his belt jangle together. A single wand is tucked in the vividly colored sash tied around his waist. His feet are bare, and like his hands, sport three digits with suckers on the ends, like any proper tree frog.

"By the way, I'm Gribbl, and I'm just growing into my powers. I'll do whatever I can to help of course in this investigation."

Kronas' pops his head out from behind Carax, his tiny brow furrowed behind an enormous mop of colourful hair "Yes, is it possible to talk with the Handmaiden? What became of her after the scrying sensor was discovered?" The little gnome bounces over to the window to see what Valsin is looking at "Why would anyone want to spy of Lady Darchana or Silviana Dimora anyway? Listening to them sipping tea at some fancy schmancy party can't be too interesting, surely." He asks on his tip-toes, hands on the window seal.

Xanderfel smiles as he glances over his invitation one last time. It was so like Valsin to keep it short, sweet, and frustratingly cryptic. With a little whistle he folds the parchment with a tight crease and tucks it firmly beside the blue feather quill that erupts from his hat like a geyser. Two quick raps on the pocket door and, without waiting for an answer, he slides it open and steps inside.

Valsin eyes him severely, already knee deep in his discussion of the assignment and clearly unhappy with the late arrival, but Xan taps the brim of his hat in salute smiles apologetically, straining to grasp the jist of the mission.

He whistles. "That musta been some mighty magic, indeed, fer Lady Darchana herself to be unable to root it out." He smiles and bows his head just a bit. "Name's Xanderfel, but ya'll can call me Xan. Magician of sorts, though many know me as a a learned leech." His eye twinkles merrily at the notion. ("Leech" is an old-timey term for doctor).

"Pleasure, Gribbl. Just fascinatin' ta work with a grippli. Not too many in the dwarf circus I'm from. Look forward to seein' them powers ya got."

He listen's for Valsin's answers to his co-agents' questions, nodding and smoothing his mustache.

"So it sounds like we got at least five solid leads: First, Lady Darchana herself; second, her dinner guest, the ambitious Lady Dimora; third, the handmaiden herself; fourth, Dimora's majordomo Milana; and fifth, Dimora's solicitor Salbus. I hope ya'll had a hearty breakfast, cuz this sounds like it might take a while."

"Yesss... ssstarting with the ssslave ssseemsss appropriate..." says Yelek as his forked tongue keeps darting in and out his maw as he eyes gribbl.

Good it looks like everyone's here. Let's go :)

Valsin curtly answers “My understanding of this magic-related affair is that Lady Darchana learned something, but nothing definitive. You had best ask her yourselves, as for how she could identify the magical item by itself.”

Dale would know that a scrying sensor is often used to learn some informations about a subject and his environment.

Valsin waves towards the door.
"If you have no more questions to ask, I suggest you head towards Lady Darchana's manor. She's expecting you with more solid information than I currently have. Do not disappoint her, or embarrass me by showing up empty-handed. Now go. I have work to do."

So where to first? Majordomo Milana? Lady Darchana? Lady Silviana? Salbus?

"We should go... we have a lot of investigating to do, it seems." Gribbl states the obvious.

Dale stares back at the Captain with a bit of a blank look on his hairy face as they are curtly shown the door Isn't he the helpful, cheery fellow I've heard so much about.

Dale quickly turns to the group on his way out the door "We best get going, busy busy man! By the looks of things maybe our best first stop would be Milana? Doesn't sound like we should visit the Lady Darchana without a bit more to go on."

What would Dale know of these people? Milana, Darchana, Silviana and Salbus in that order

Knowledge: Local/Nobility: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Knowledge: Local/Nobility: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Knowledge: Local/Nobility: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Knowledge: Local/Nobility: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

"... Sssure. Lead the way!" says Yelek, in his typical flat tone.

Milana is fine with me

"Yup," agrees Carax. "Let's go!"

That's a little rude! I bet he's hungry. I always get cranky when I'm hungry. I bet they had nice food at Lady Darchana's party... FIGS! I bet they had figs dripping with gooey sauce. If we solve this thing, Lady Darchana will be so grateful she's sure to invite us to her next party! All that fancy person food...

"To intrigue!" Kronas shouts as he runs out the door, the colourful feathers that decorate his hair trailing in his wake. He gets to the end of the hall before skidding to a sudden stop, and he turns around with a perplexed look on his face "Does anyone know the way to Lady Silviana Dimora's pad?"

Another vote for Milana

Dale knows a whole bunch of things. He does not know many things about the majordomo Milana, though, other than she's serving for the house Dimora. However, Dale has heard that Silviana Dimora has been absent from her manor for some days now. Darchana is a powerful Lady that resides in the city council but more than that, the alchemist doesn't know. He also knows where the Manor Dimora is, in the Ivy district of Absalom. Dale learns that Salbus works in a rented office in the Coins district of Absalom, where he holds a solicitation business.

The group seems more interested to look after the majordomo and head towards the manor Dimora, in the Ivy district, following the well-informed alchemist.

After some minutes of walk, a 8-foot-high fieldstone wall stands before you, surrounding Lady Silviana Dimora's estate. As you make your way inside the walls, through the gates, you notice that 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.

A servant waits for you before the large wooden door of the manor. He smiles at you and bows deeply before asking "Welcome, travelers. My name is Norbert, servant of Lady Dimora. To whom do I have the pleasure to speak?"

You can sense easily that despite his good manners, he doesn't seem to understand the reason of your coming in the estate.

The hairy man named Dale relays what he knows to the group about Lady Dimora as they walk "I wonder where she's been? Does this timeline coincide with the party perhaps? Maybe its all connected!"

He continues to walk along ahead of the group providing what could be best described as an overzealous and extremely knowledgeable tour guide. This continues once inside the Manor grounds themselves. "What fine granite stones in this wall! You'll note the crystal size in granite. Very small usually, a hard stone that cools slowly, forming small crystals." He stops for a quick breath and continues "Also, notice the lack of square edges and quarry marks on the stones themselves. The irregular shapes and sharp angles suggest they are typical field stones. A more rounded stone would likely be collected from old streams or river beds. I wonder if they came from the grounds or a nearby farm?"

As he passes by the well placed shade trees he again pauses to marvel at their shape and overall leaf density "Very good choice here! These trees make excellent shade to relax under, their iconic wide and drooping branches make this species of oak a fabulous choice. I bet the gardener though wouldn't agree, the sheer volume of leaves and acorns produced is enough to drive even squirrels into a frenzy!" He chuckles to himself at the.. joke?

At the door

"Dale here Mr Norbert. What a fine estate the Lady keeps. That wall really sets the stage. Do you happen to know if those stones were dug on the property or brought in? Is there a farm associated with the Manor perhaps?"

I like this guy! Great hair and full of knowledge. It's like reading a book without all those meddlesomely tiny letters that strain my eyes

Kronas' beaming smile, somehow gets even bigger as the servant greets everyone "Hello Norbert! I'm Kronas, Kronas Kronglic..." He rushes up to Norbert and shakes his hand vigorously, bouncing up and down "We're Pathfinders on a matter of very serious seriousness." He finally lets go of the man's hand and continues with a conspiratorial air "Someone's been spying on her ladyship, and we're here by request to find out who and why. Would it be possible to speak with Milana? Oh, not that we're suspicious of her or anything..."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Ha, good I was hoping someone was the diplomatic type. Dale... not so much, unless maybe you're a librarian or a scientist, then he's cool.

Xan whistles softly as he walks, nodding in appreciation of Dale's knowledge of all things stoney and leafy.

He smiles his ever-charming smile and tips the brim of his hat at the butler. "Course we ain't suspicious. Just here to ask a few questions, get a feel for the situation. I'm Xanderfel, but you can call me Xan."

Diplomacy aid Kronas?: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Carax smiles. It is a charming smile that has soothed the hearts of butlers, doormen, barmen and mothers many times.

"The Lady Milana, if you please, my good man."

Diplomacy Aid Another: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

"Ah yes, we are here to speak with the Lady's Majordomo, Milana... if she's available that is... if not, can we make an appointment to see her? soon, I hope?"

aid diplo, dc 10: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Yelek glares silently at the man named Norbert, then mutters"Well met. I'm sure we are ezpected..."

Aid another (diplomacy) check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

The servant frowns at the mention of a farm associated at the estate but he listens to your request and smiles.

"Miss Milana? Well, of course, please come in, pathfinders. You're all welcome into the manor."

After that he opens the door and waves you inside. You walk some time into the house and are shown a parlor furnished with plush blue couches and chairs. You wait here a few minutes after what a stern-looking woman with dark brown hair and hazel eyes comes in and bows. "My name is Milana. I formally apologize but my mistress Lady Silviana Dimora is absent of town. Do you want to set a scheduled meeting with her?"

"In time, perhaps," says Carax. "But for the moment, madame, it is you we have sought out. Thank you for agreeing to see us."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

"We have been requested to investigate an incident that occurred at the home of Lady Darchana. Before we presume upon Lady Siviana's time, we wish to learn all we can of the incident and of the handmaiden at the center of it all. Do you perhaps know her name or anything about where she came from, good lady?"

Kronas struggles to get out of the soft blue coach that swallowed him while they waited for Milana's arrival. Once out, he skips over to stand beside Carax and nods enthusiastically "Yeah, we're spy hunters!" he says with a touch of pride "We will leave no stone unturned in pursuit of the insidious evil doers behind this outrageous act! Your mistress and her friends can rest easy knowing that we're on the case."

Aid Another, Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Hehe, we certainly seem to have diplomacy down :)

Dale questions the man's reaction to 'farm' Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19 and goes on to explain himself "Many beautiful estates were once farms! Or in the very least built on old farm land, with materials harvested from such lands. Why, the reason I mention it was the stones in your wall, I was merely curious where they came from... on site or somewhere else. It really helps to get a better understanding of the local geology of an area." He continues as he follows the man servant to the parlor.

Instead of having an seat he walks himself about the room admiring the architecture and furnishings, not to mention any paintings. Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15 He starts with admiring the coffee table "Oh very fine grain in this wood here called spalt, if you notice the odd inflections in it, these are caused by a tiny amount of rot setting in as the wood dries too slowly, giving a beautiful speckled grain. It does gain quite the fine patina with age... how old did you say this piece was Mr Norbert?"

Gribbl blinks slowly at Milana, his bulbous eyes peering at her curiously. He can't think of anything to add to the questions and comments put forth so he simply listens attentively to her response.

"Yesss... we are here to help... ssso pleassse give usss every detail you can..." says Yelek in his sibilating tone.

Aid another (diplomacy) check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

"Maybe it's bold, but can I ask where Lady Milana is gone, or at least when ya'll expect her back?"

The servant seems to not understand genuinely the link between a farm and the estate.

---------------

The majordomo raises an eyebrow at Xanderfel's question. "I am her0" As for my mistress, I don't know yet.

She listens reluctantly at your questions but she grows more at ease thanks to Carax, Kronax and Yelek's oratory skills. She shakes her head, touching her her forehead with her hand.

“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.”

Dale bids Norbert goodbye as Lady Milana receives them I suppose there are benefits to having staff with under developed intelligence, easier to control I guess.

The Lady

Dale listens intently on her statements to the group, doing his very best to remain on topic even though these brilliant blue couches are quite fascinating. She probably doesn't know anything about their construction or design anyhow, just another level of servant I'm sure He nods along taking the key words and names to memory. "Misery Row, sounds like a rough neighborhood to establish a business. Where's Atlag now?"

Does Dale know anything else in regards to: Slavery in Absalom, legality?, Misery Row, and has he ever heard of this Mahjub Mahdi/Mahdi's Chattel in that order.

Knowledge: Local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Knowledge: Local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Knowledge: Local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

"Well, either Atlag was meant to spy on any random person she was placed with, or this Mahjub Mahdi was complicit in making sure she was supplied to your Mistress specifically. He must know who arranged for this. We should speak with Mahjub for sure."

"Let's not assume that Atlag knew she was being used. It's possible she is a dupe."

GM, what is the majordomo's name? I think there's a typo above.

Milana is the majordomo's name. Lady Silviana Dimora is the noble she serves. Lady Darchana is the woman that asked for your help on this mission.

Dale knows indeed that slave ownership is legal in Absalom, though not widespread. Misery Row is the only place where it is legal to conduct that sort of business. However, you never heard of Mahjub Mahdi.

Milana frowns. "Atlag is locked. Why?"

EDIT: Oh, I get what confused you, Carax. Xanderfel assumed that Milana was the noble woman and I chose to answer through Milana's mouth "I am here. As for my mistress, I don't know yet." but my keyboard decided otherwise :D

What confused me is she actually said "I am her0." I wondered if her name were Hero.

"Locked up where, Lady?"

"Becaussse we have to talk with her. With your permisssssion... of courssse..." says yelek in a rather menacing tone now.

Kronas looks up at Yelek, and then back to Milana with an innocent smile "It would be nice to speak with her if possible. Get all the facts from the poor woman before we go after this slimy Mahjub character..." he hops over to Gribbl and puts a friendly arm around his shoulder "I think you might be on to something about him! He could be behind this whole affair." Kronas gives the tiny frog a bit of a squeeze, making the bottles on his belt jangle Oh it's soo nice working with someone who isn't a giant for a change!

Dale continues listening in on the others questions while the other half of his brain continues to be distracted by more interesting subjects around the room Gribbl, such a strange name, but I guess fitting for a frog like creature... and I wonder what that flag is that Carax has all furled up? Does he work as an advertiser on his off days? This gnome sure is the friendly touchy feely type, his eyebrows are nearly as big as mine! Since when do dwarves wear such fancy hats? Aren't they more a helmet type of race? I wonder if Yelek would eat Gribbl if he thought he wouldn't get caught...

Dale smiles and throws a word or two in during a brief pause in the conversation "So if slavery is such a dreadful dreadful business, then how come this house chooses to partake in it? I'm sure there are other options available to rake those leaves outside?"

Milana shakes her head. "Into the basement. You can speak to her, if you wish. But I don't know what kind of information she might possess that Lady Darchana didn't already learnt with her spells."

Then, she glares at Dale and scoffs. "I never said it was a 'dreadful' business. I don't want to speak about that with you."

She then leads you down to a cellar closed by a heavy wooden door. "There she is. Call me when you're finished." and she leaves you.

A woman in rags is in the room. After some questions, she tells everything she knows.

"My name is Atlag. I... only recently enslaved myself in Sedeq to pay off debts that I could not cover after a failed investment. I am so upset about my sequestration! They don't have any proofs! I'm innocent! I was sold in Katapesh before being taken to Absalom, and I have never met this Pasha Muhlia Al-Jakri!"

"Hello, Atlag. I am Carax. My friends and I will get to the bottom of this, rest assured. Who is Pasha Muhlia Al-Jakri? I don't believe I've heard that name before."

Kronas looks a bit sad and confused "Oh Atlag... Like Carax said, we will do everything we can to help you, but you have to help us too. If they had no proof, why did they lock you in here? Were you in possession of the scrying device at any point?" How can these rich tofts treat people like this? I oughta give Milana a piece of my mind!

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Dale scratches his head as the 'Lady' leaves them "Am I the only one that remembers her specifically saying, and I quote"

I wonder how many spies like Atlag he’s sold over the years? It’s a dreadful, dreadful business.

"I wonder if there was a misunderstanding in context or maybe I struck a nerve? I've always been told I can be a bit.. blunt?"

Dale will look over Atlag, what race is she? Is there anything odd about her he can pick up? Does her story add up from what I know of Katapesh and secondly does he recognize this Pasha name?

Knowledge: Local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Knowledge: Local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

"Passsha Muhlia Al-Jakri? I feel like I ssshould have heard the name before..." whispers Yelek trying to remember something.

"Well, lil lady, were tasked with gettin' to the bottom of this. I for one sure hate to think an innocent lady would get duped in a scheme like this. Do us a favor, then, 'n tell us anything that might help."

As he speaks, Xan casts a hand toward the girl, searching for the traces of lingering magic. detect magic

"Yes who is this al Jakri fellow?... name doesn't sound at all familiar to me. And can you tell us anything about this Mahdi Mahjub... I mean Mahjub Mahdi?"

"A slave owner saying a slave is a spy does not make that slave a spy, Dale," says Carax. "Let us stick to what we know and can prove."

I'm sorry, folks. Week-end has been much busier than expected. I should be good, now.

Atlag shakes her head.

"I don't know who this Al Jakri is. I just told you. I said this because I was interrogated about it. Ask the one that sold me! That filthy bastard! Yes, Mahdi. This one! Find him and kill him!" and she spits on the ground.

At that time, Milana comes back and says. "Do you have the information you needed? I say you won't find much more here. Try looking in the Misery Row for Mahdi's chattel, as I told you before. Or you can try to look for Salbius, the solicitator."

And she escorts you back in the room in which you were before. "As for the judgement on slavery, pardon me. My thoughts might have gone further than my mouth. Which is to say... What I think is not relevant." and she winks at you.

So where do you want to go? Salbius or Mahdi?

"I think it's time we visited Mahdi's establishment," says Carax. "Shall we play it straight or pretend to be buyers?"

"Well it seems that if we go in there making accusations and being interrogative, he will go on the defensive and be reluctant to speak with us... Maybe giving him the impression we are prospective buyers might get us more information, at least to start with."

Dale gives Milana a bit of at confused face at the wink "Ok? Have a nice day!" Then he goes back to admiring the decorative ceiling design.

Onward somewhere else!

"I can't say I ever said anyone was guilty of anything Carax, I'm no judge, just an investigator like everyone else here. I make statements and ask questions to further our goal for the Society. Got to keep the masters happy am I right?"

His attention is quickly captured by a bird song and quick flyby "Ooo a cedar waxwing, brilliant bird! It tends to eat fruit tree blossoms in the summer, not a favorite of the farmers I can tell you that!"

He pauses then gets back to topic "As far as our next visit... While it is starting to look like Mahdi is our final destination, it would be beneficial to speak with this Salbius first. We wouldn't want to jump to any conclusions quite yet would we Carax?"