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You are in the city of Absalom, one of the most influential cities in the Inner Sea Region. In here you have a group of Pathfinder Society. And the city’s slaves, whom Siege Lord Wynsal Starborn manumitted in return for their aid in defending their home—in the process ending the decades-old Flesh Tax, which legalized one of Absalom’s crueler industries.
However, a much smaller and illegal slave trade has sprung up, led by those unwilling to surrender their lucrative business in mortal servitude. Even with only a shadow of their former power, these slavers have lashed out at those they believe brought about their financial ruin. In some cases, the slavers have attacked the Pathfinders, as it was a band of Pathfinders who read out Wynsal Starborn’s mandate to free the slaves in Absalom’s Misery Row. In other cases, the slavers have struck against other liberation-minded individuals who continue aiding the manumitted souls.
You arrive just inside the gates of the Pathfinder Society’s Grand Lodge to meet Ambrus Valsin, the venture-captain in charge of daily operations there.
Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin flicks an invisible speck of
dust from his impeccably pressed cuff before speaking.
“Thank you for arriving together; I don’t like to repeat
myself. I trust you received my note, and I hope you have
your wits about you. It’s all well and good for everyone in
the city to concoct their own thrilling hypotheses about
some serial murderer, but Pathfinders need to be a bit
more…” Ambrus thinks for a moment before continuing, “…
evidence based.
“To that end, I’d like you to find some low-ranking
members of the Bloody Barbers and press them for
information. I suspect their straight razors are ultimately to
blame for the disappearances.”
Almost as an afterthought, Ambrus adds, “I shouldn’t
need to tell you to be careful in dealing with Absalom’s
largest thieves’ guild, but do try to avoid the old crimson
shave.” He draws his thumb across his neck for emphasis.
"A note you say? I do not recall receiving a note, but we may have missed the courier. Who are these Bloody Barbers? What is their connection with missing ex-slaves?"
A massive half-orc with green tinted skin, WAAAGH!!! stirs restlessly while leaning on his greatsword, eager to get out of the practice yard and into the middle of action. His deep voice bellows out in an almost guttaral accent, "Whot we lookin fer? Where we find them?" He grins a wide, tusked, grin. "We give barbers a hair cut if need to."
"If you sent note to Fumbus, it was burned." Fumbus remarks to Xavier. "Fumbus no want to read words and put soul in peril."
"Besides, Fumbus already know lots!" the goblin muses aloud.
"You mention murderer of serial? Why do you think Barbers have something against serial?" he asks. "Oh, and where find Barbers?"
No note, oh, they must have just told you, it was brief anyhow.
He replies to Waagh, You are looking for bloody barbers. Several of the dozen murders in Absalom were linked to the guild. These corrupt roots touched nearly every aspect of Absalom life. He accidentally raises an eyebrow. They have an meeting place likely set up, but you'll have to compare notes, as I have no idea where they are at this time. Ask around as to what they've been doing and where they went.
It is an expression, they have committed many murders, er that is what murder of serial means. You one smart goblin.
The Pathfinders go looking for answers.
Not even the Bloody Barbers dare to operate in large groups in Absalom’s central district, known as the Ascendant Court, full as it is of churches and good-aligned priests. They’re unlikely to meet nearby, eliminating that district from the PCs’ search.
The handful of families that control the Bloody Barbers are of Chelish descent, and many have taken up their homeland’s worship of devils. The PCs are likely to find signs of devil worship near one of the Bloody Barbers’ meeting place.
A well-known recent victim of a low-level Bloody Barber burglary has been reluctant to share any details for fear of reprisal, but a PC convinces them to give a few details about the location, timing, and other helpful details. The victim’s fear of the Barbers means he does not report the PC to the authorities, though he might retaliate
in a different way.
True to their appellation, Bloody Barbers often work as barbers, using barbershops as bases of operation
and meeting places. The Band of the Palm, the cover organization for the Bloody Barbers, meets regularly in the Coins. Searching in or near that district is likely a good starting point.
Blood Barbers are notorious loan sharks and often run illegal narcotic dens, so a neighborhood with a high concentration of such activity is likely to house at least a few chapters of the Barbers.
Though the Bloody Barbers are the larger guild, the Smoke Knights thieves’ guild is much more secretive—so much so that it’s never been proven to exist. However, the Barbers at least attempt to maintain a veneer of secrecy and are unlikely to gather anywhere that a high-profile crime has recently taken place, lest they draw attention. This eliminates a number of neighborhoods from the PCs’
search.
The little-known head of the Bloody Barbers, Anken the Cutter, is notoriously paranoid, and he is likely to forbid meetings of lesser members anywhere near his favored parts of the Coins.
The Bloody Barbers are always looking for new recruits, and a PC who carefully represents herself as looking to join the guild might be instructed to look for barbershops whose trademark poles are painted
differently from the usual in a subtle way, further
narrowing the PCs’ search.
"Smarter than you think, Mustache-face!" Fumbus cackles.
"Seems like we start search where lots of people, but not too many. Coins, I would say. Look for a barber shop with special pole and devil signs nearby. But not near Anken's house." the goblin suggests. "Fumbus could pretend to be looking to join Barbers."
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"Too much thinking not enough fighting." WAAAGH!!! mutters as the group decides where to go. He nods at the goblin, mentally trying to determine how far he could toss the alchemist and if that would count as a ranged attack. "Let's go, sittin' here does nothing."
"Agreed." replies Fumbus, mentally trying to determine how far the oafish half-orc could toss him and if, given the number of vials of alchemical substances held on his person, he would count as a splash weapon. "Let's go!"
"Well, let's go look for some special barber poles. I wouldn't mind putting paid to scum like these Bloody Barbers who infest Absalom. In fact, I think it counts as public service. Let's go!"
He smiles viciously and heads out the door.
The man is embarrassed the goblin caught on, but just waves you all buy.
You arrive at the run-down barbershop in the Docks district. It seems to be open for business as you can see through the window there is a lone lady working there.
"Fumbus could go in and ask for a hair cut... or to join Barbers." the goblin suggests. "But, if they give Fumbus written application, Fumbus may have to burn it."
WAAAGH!!! considers the barbershop. "Not look like much of a threat. One woman, maybe know information? WAAAGH!!! think that we should go convince her to talk."
"Anyone need a hair cut or a shave? Let's go in and see what's up."
Xavier goes to the door of the barbershop, opens it, and enters the shop.
She turns to you all as you enter. Wow so many customers. You all here for a haircut or something else?
"Yes." Fumbus replies.
"A haircut or a cut hair, one way or another." The half-orc grunts with a tusked grin. "We're lookin' for the Bloody Barbers. You know anythin' 'bout that?"
WAAAGH!!! leans on his greatsword meaningfully.
Xavier rolls his eyes as Waagh!!! uses no finesse in speaking to the woman.
"Actually senorita, we are here for more than just a haircut. I need the ringlets in my hair oiled. I fear the rainy season has caused them to droop rather unseemly. You wouldn't by any chance be capable of addressing that for me or should I seek a salon?"
He glances over at the half-orc and back to the woman.
"And of course if you do have anything that you know about the Bloody Barbers, you can tell us in the process and we will be quite generous with our reward."
He winks at her.
There are other people frequent in this area, like they plan a meeting around here, but they don't work here. I have no idea what they do. And when Xavier gives her a wink and says something about a reward. No thanks, I have everything I want or could need whatever that reward is. I especially don't need someone else to cut my hair, I actually can do that myself, not to many barbers can cut their own hair well, but I can.
She then finishes up with her customers and shows her the mirror. Looks Nice? The barber says to her. Yes.
And the boy 11 years old, snips continues sweeping up the hair from her previous customers. Good job. Then looks at you all. This is my son Snip, shy but a good worker.
She tells you when they will be here and that they will meet outside the building next door.
"Hmmm," Fumbus muses as he looks over the customer, unimpressed with the overall look. "Maybe shouldn't have stopped cutting at the hair."
He turns to the human more closely hi height. "Snip? How'd you get that name?" he asks.
Once satisfied with the answer, he looks for a hiding place in a nearby building.
Playtest Pregen is hidden well, he doesn't just hide near or behind a building, he decides to the hide in the second story of a nearby building with a nearby attached latter to the building, looking out open window peering out.
I'm going to say, pregenerated beard also hides. but he crit fails, and the barbers as they walk by just laugh as they think he is playing hide and seek. Even we found you.
Map is up and so is Playtest Pregen then we go into round 1.
Xavier moves out, draws his sword, and raises his shield.
"Hold, barbers! I wish to speak with you!"
WAAAGH!!! Likewise moves forward with his greatsword with a tusked grin. "Of course, if you don't want to talk, that's fine too."
As Xavier speaks he is also holding a sword. We are not barbers and surrender and give us your weapons or we will kill you. Give us your gold, or you can murder with us for profit.
Barbers.
Not talking eh, normally ranged weapons are lethal, but the odds of us accidentally killing someone are slim
cover penalties
They all miss Pregenerated Beard. except for this guy dealing piercing to him
All heroes are up
With a fight having broken out, Fumbus brings an alchemical rain to the barbers. "Shoulda talked to us!" he cries.
He then grabs another pair of vials of the same substances.
He mutters a curse in goblin as his vials crash harmlessly against the stones of the street.
Xavier uses two actions to move forward and raises his shield.
"If this is the way you want to discuss things, then so be it."
The half-orc moves up towards the barbers, greatsword aloft, and recites a stirring anthem to Gorum, bringing the Blesssing of War for the party!
(What everyone else hears): "WAAAAAAAAGH!!!"
Everyone buffs up or puts on shields. Pregenerated Beard fires three arrow shots
He did crit for but missed the other two times.
Killing one
They fire back after moving to a better position and +5 to each
and +0 to each.
last round.
Pregenerated Beard has 6 dmg on him. One Barber is dead.
All heroes are up
With his foes out of sight, Fumbus stows the two vials and begins to climb down the ladder from the second story hiding place to the street below.
WAAAGH!!! moves up to the group of barbers, yelling "Cowards! Quit running from WAAAGH!!! It hard to kill... question you if you run!" The half-orc then brings his sword down on one.
"That's a warning! Don't run, so you can die!"
Xavier uses two actions to move into position and then swings his sword at one of the barbers.
Xavier kills one on the spot, while Waagh injures one.
Pregenerated Beard will
Finishing the one off
Treasure: 4 daggers, 4 slings and plenty of ammo
Although the Barbers may commit numerous other crimes, they were paid off to say they have been murdering people when they really haven't as you find a note saying so. You can trace the note, but in comes from a messanger from a messanger from a messanger along with gold in the original messsage to make him hard to trace and track. With each messanger being told to open a certain note only to pass down the message to the next messanger The real person comminting the murders is the Rose Street run killer. Ambrus Valsin is relieved to hear that they opponents were easy, but he remains troubled that the killer is still at large.
Abrus Valsin speaks Take this minor elixir and rest for a while. This investigation is getting dangerous and will take some time. Until then, we do have some kobold trouble, if you want to take care of that until we can figure out what is going on. If you accept, it would be well appreciated.
"Kobolds?" Fumbus muses. "What kind of trouble?"
WAAAGH!!! shrugs. "Well, the barbers not enough of a challenge. Maybe Kobolds have one."
"Let us investigate these kobolds. Aren't there supposed to be some that the Society works with beneath Absalom?"
"Nah, must just be rumors, Longshanks." Fumbus says to Xavier. "After all, why would any member of a small, diminutive race, one that has traditionally been adversaries for adventures, and for generally harboring mischievous and evil tendencies, ever be deemed sufficiently capable and trustworthy to be made a member of the Society?"
You head into the sewers to find out what is happening. You meet up with Engashez.
Dragonspeaker Engashez gesticulates wildly while pacing within the tight confines of a foul-smelling side chamber in the sewers. The energetic and elaborately attired kobold strides around a deep circular pit in the center of this chamber, waving her hands to accent her ongoing speech. “Bandits! Intruders! Not-true dragons! These new kobolds, these so-called ‘Dragon Sharks,’ are a blight upon the Sewer
Dragons’ dominion of Absalom’s most grand sewer ways. They cannot be allowed to continue their intrusion into our territory and must be stopped. You will help us, yes? The heroes have always proven to be firm allies in thepast, and it’s time our allies made their presence known in these sewers.” Engashez looks down into the out-of-place pit, a hint of disappointment in her eyes. “Especially after one of our other allies decided to wander off!” She then looks up and nods her head vigorously. “Yes, you can go with Fazgyn. Trap the Dragon Sharks between two sides and crush them for the glory of the Sewer Dragons and Chief Yiddlepode!”
"Heroes? What heroes? And who was it that wondered off?" Fumbus asks, before adding, "And do you know that this place really reeks? No really. It stinks, horribly. And not in a good way."
The goblin considers what he knows of underworld things and society.
He speaks pointing at you all. Heroes I mean you all, unless you ain't no heroes, then were doomed.
He then lifts his finger off. “A loud oaf wondered off who was supposed to be guarding this section of sewer! I wonder where he and the other man want off to? It doesn’t really matter though; we have you to help us now!”
Playtest Pregen knows the following
Kobolds are small reptilian humanoids that often inhabit deep forests or underground areas with little sun, largely because kobolds’ eyes are sensitive to bright light.
Kobolds love to engineer traps. As most other humanoid creatures are far more physically powerful than a kobold, most kobold tribes line their camps with countless traps to even the odds against intruders.
Kobolds tend to follow the most powerful member of their tribe or scouting party. Defeating the leader often causes the remaining kobolds to panic and lose combat cohesiveness. Spellcasters often take leadership roles among kobolds by citing a lineage going back to a true dragon.
"Yah, we'll help." Fumbus says, volunteering the group for service to the Dragonspeaker "But, seriously why the smell?"
Turning to the others, Fumbus recounts what he knows about battling kobolds. "Look out for traps. My advice: don't set 'em off."
"Furthermore," the goblin continues, "the best way to beat kobolds is to kill the leader, or maim her, or just knock her out--but usually best to just kill. She is usually the one casting spells at you."
"Now, I suggest that we all gear up and cover our noses! Fumbus adds, determinedly. "Because, whew! That stank is nasty!"
"So kill the leader, eh? And find all the traps? This could get very difficult very quickly."
He shrugs and goes, "Oh well, it's what Pathfinders do."
WAAAGH!!! shrugs. "Little dragonlings not so great; cowering behind traps. WAAAGH!!! will show they what Gorum does to cowards." He looks around after a beat, adding, "Someone good at searching?"
He turns to you all then It seems like you got this then.
You are now in exploration mode
"We will need to search for traps. Who wishes to take the lead?"