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"Oooh prettyful! A Cider Waxling?" Kronas bounces after the bird with a giggle, but looses it pretty quickly "You know, I have done a bit of acting myself..." he says to Gribbl as he rejoins the group "If you think we should trick that awful Madhi chap, I could pretend to be an obnoxious rich person." He clears his throat before continuing in a load voice, arms flailing about theatrically "Look at me! I have more money than sense and I absolutely MUST have someone to blow my nose for me! It is time to buy ten slaves for that very purpose..."
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Located in a rented office space in the Coins, Salbius’s solicitation 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 Salbius” 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 Salbius. 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.”
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Dale watches as the gnome chases after the bird "I believe you misheard me Kronas, I said CEDAR WAXWING. Aren't Gnomes supposed to be quite familiar with woodland creatures?" He shakes his head as the small creature makes little jumps to try to catch the bird. Maybe this one is an outlier? The beginning of a new strain of Gnome...
He does seem genuinely impressed with his acting skills though. "You do the acting when appropriate, I'll help you examine the wares maybe?"
Dale stops short at the doorway to observe the plaque . "Asmodeus? Interesting. Haven't read up too much on that fellow. So much to do, so little time, am I right? I mean, if it wasn't for the paying work and the promise of expensed travel, who'd even work for the Society anyhow?" He heads on inside at the back of the group and squeezes in the back of the shop examining anything within reach. Which mostly seems to be Carax's slowly developing bald spot on the back of his head. He starts to mention it when Mr Salbius speaks up.
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"Umm, Hi Mister Salbius, Sir. We were just wondering about some paperwork you did recently... for Lady Silviana Dimora that is." He looks around at the others before continuing, a little uncomfortable talking about the buying and selling of slaves "It seems she is having a bit of trouble with a slave she bought from a man called Mahjub Mahdi, and we were told by her majordomo that you helped with the transaction. I guess we were just wondering what you know about the chap, and why he in particular was used for the, umm... purchase?"
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You seem to have the chelaxian's attention. "Yes, well... you know it's about all the procedures required for the selling of the marchandise that..." and you see that he's trying clearly to use his professional jargon to befuddle you.
After some more exchange, you convince him to break his code of conduct. Grimacing slightly, the Chelaxian spreads his hands to admit defeat.
"Ordinarily I would not speak of privately executed contracts with an unaffiliated third party," Salbius 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."
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Dale will ask to see the letter in question "I'd have a look at that letter if you would be kind? Just pass it back, this shop is a bit tight for this many people."
As he leans forward to speak with Salbius he notices the rosewood desk . "Oh very nice desk Sir! May I smell it? Such a great fragrance rosewood offers, but the price is usually very very steep! Was this furnished with the building or is it from your personal collection?"
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"Thank you. Don't worry, we'll show Mahjub Mahdi the exact amount of respect he deserves..." Kronas says with a genial smile Which is probably none at all He thinks to himself as he slips to the back of the crowded room, a little confused by the behaviour of his comrades Is Dale actually sniffing the desk? That is peculiar... Aww, now I want to sniff the desk!
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With these information, you choose to head towards Misery Row. The area is an enormous and elevated platform that runs along the eastern edge of the Coins district, the place of transactions in Absalom, and serves as the main destination to buy and sell slaves in the city. 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. The Token Guard, the guards responsible for patrolling this part of the city, intervene only in particularly egregious crimes or those they’re paid to investigate. As a result, it is renown that petty criminals have numerous opportunities to ply their craft.
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.
You hear a low and threatening speech inside, punctuated by an object slamming against wood or the breaking of a bottle.
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Dale continues his guided tour of the city as they travel to Misery Row "Its quite surprising such a fine city as Absalom still participates in the buying and selling of slaves, but when the wealthy make the rules they have a hard time outlawing their money making schemes."
"And here we are at our destination... Closed? Well now! Something's going on here, look at that window! Keep your eyes, or tongue in your case Yelek, peeled!" With that Dale draws forth a small vial from a loop in his bandoleer, uncaps it and drinks it down, shaking his head a couple times as he reacts to the taste or something else... His pupils dilate and his brow furrows a bit.
"I should really improve the taste on that!" As he stifles a ragged cough.
Dale listens at the broken window then whispers "Something bad is about to go down inside, it may be best that we investigate immediately and swiftly with arms at the ready!" He draws forth a dagger.
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Kronas, despite enjoying Dale's grand tour of Absolam, finds himself distracted by a couple of stray dogs "Hmm, wha..." his eyes widen on seeing Dale's dagger and he immediately unfurls his colourful whip, taking a few steps back from the door "Umm. After you." he says to the two 'giants' standing in front of him.
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Yelek charges the door, shoulder first. It gives way easily and the nagaji arrives in a workshop. 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 eastern half of the room is in slight disarray, apparently from light renovations that are nearly complete. The stone statue stands almost 2 feet tall and has simian features, massive horns, and a long tail. The windows have been smashed, and broken glass lies on the floor and on the desk on the opposite side.
The statute is a Bekyar tribal representation of Angazhan, gorilla demon lord worshiped in the Mwangi jungle.
As you get in, you hear rushed sounds from the other side of the western door, inside the house.
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Kronas runs into the room behind the others "Bwwagh... Demon!" and lashes out at the statue that looms over him from atop the table. Fortunately, his whip does no damage to the statues, and only Kronas' ego was bruised. He looks around the room frantically, taking note of the broken glass and the sounds from the other room "Did I see a back door before? Should one of us block off any attempt at fleeing?" he asks, secretly hoping he isn't the one who has to hold off what, in his mind, can only be an army of thugs.
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Kronas tries to intimidate the door while Dale listens carefully. Meanwhile, Yelek begins to subtly hack the door into pieces.
Eventually, the door cracks open and reveals a large office that seems to double 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.
A stout half-orc waits for Yelek in this room and two other shady individuals are at his side. The half-orc seems really angered and holds a bearded Keleshite man off the ground by his fine-spun tunic when you enter. When he sees you enter, he throws the man on the ground and shouts "WHO YOU BE? BEWARE AT YOUR WORDS!!!"
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Dale [9/9] : ?
Yelek [22/22] : ?
Kronas [9/9] : ?
Carax [21/21] : ?
Gribbl [12/12] : ?
Xanderfel [14/14] : ?
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Gribbl's eyes grow excessively big and he swallows, his arcane symbol-tattooed throat expanding to double it's size in agitation... Why didn't they just open the door? Not exactly the most diplomatic sort, he waits for his companions to say something pithy or calming... he moves forward to yelek's side, readying the components for a color spray.
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Following Yelek's aggressive approach, Kronas decides to try something himself as he walks into the room, dragging his long whip behind him "No no... The proper way of saying it is 'Who are you? Choose your words carefully!' Bah! Incorrect grammar makes me soo mad!!!" He starts hopping about, shaking his head violently so that his huge mop of bright hair seems to come alive "You won't like me when I'm mad!" the small gnome shouts as his mouth starts to foam from the capsule he had surreptitiously crunched between his teeth.
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Dale watches in somewhat silent horror as things don't seem to be going well. The large nagaji, true to form, does his best to pick a fight, but instead of the seemly level-headed gnome diffusing the situation he is preferring to agitate it in a similar direction. Prognosis: Not good, time for more armor.
"Umm.. there's no need for violence between us is there? We're just here to speak with Mahdi on Atlag's behalf. Is it possible we could do so before you string him up?" He can tell this isn't going well... "Or not, that's how it is sometimes I guess."
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"Fellers, fellers! Eeeaaasy, alright? We sure ain't comin' to pick no fight where we got no horse in tha race." His eyes shift uncomfortably toward the now-destroyed door, its splintered remains defying his words. "We's just here ta talk." He raises his hands up in mock surrender, giving his winning smile. "Honest."
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Yelek's weak hiss is not taken for a threat but your sudden appearance as a whole group is and your failed attempts for a diplomatic path only angers the half-orc further. He draws a greatsword and shouts at the thugs "KILLL DEMM!" and they both draw short swords.
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Dale [9/9] : ?
Yelek [22/22] : ?
Kronas [9/9] : ?
Carax [21/21] : ?
Gribbl [12/12] : ?
Xanderfel [14/14] : ?
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HALF-ORC [@]
THUGS [Green@ ; Blue@]
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Kronas stops shaking about with a bit of a blush after his 'terrifying' performance turned out to look more like a child throwing a tantrum. He clears his throat and starts, bizarrely, to tell a story to his comrades instead, ignoring the angry yells of the thugs "You know, this situation reminds me of the time the great Pathfinder Slathiel Forestsword stopped the mugging of Prince Crompton! After diplomacy failed she..."
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"Well, now tha milk's curdled." Xanderful eyes the standing thug strangely, his normally gregarious features cast in a sudden and sweeping shadow, as though a cloud had just passed over the sun. For a fleeting moment, all colors drains from his eyes, which resonate with the blackness of a starless night.
Just as quickly, the light returns to Xan's face, and he smiles brightly toward his companions.
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Dale steps into the room and sees the mangled body of the orc in chunks on the floor and a passed out thug and an unhurt one. He draws out a comical looking black ball with a smily face on it and a sparking fuse. "You can either surrender immediately and be lucky, or you can not and you can meet lucky" He glances down at the bomb and its ever shrinking fuse. "Make your decision quickly, this thing won't burn forever."