GM Glorious's Slave Ships of Absalom (Inactive)

Game Master Hrothdane

"Greetingsss, Atlag," Suna says, with as much kindness as she can manage. "I am Ssssuna. We were hoping you could tell usss about the incccident with the ssscrying ssensor."

Is there any information we'd know in-character about scrying/sensors? I probably should have asked this earlier. I am not sure if any of us have arcana

As you are in Absalom with access to tons of resources, I'm gonna assume y'all just looked it up. So I'd say you'd know all the stuff in the spell info for scrying.

OK. Didn't want to possbly metageme as a level 1 character :)

Anis brightens at the recognition of a fellow Qadiran woman, but her face quickly falls upon remembering Atlag's circumstances.

diplomacy(perfume): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Sheepishly, Anis turns to the group and adds softly in common "I do not wish to be rude by speaking to her privately, but I thought it would be comforting to speak in our mother tongue."

"I think you are wissssse, Anisssss."

Atlag does her best to keep her composure.

She tries to gather her thoughts, glancing about at the Pathfinders nervously, though you all get the clear impression that she is nervous at being victim to this situation out of her control, not that she is nervous because she has done something wrong. "I am afraid I do not know anything. This whole situation...I have only been forced into slavery because I am in debt. I am no spy, whatever other people may have told you! I did not even know what a "scryings sensor" was until Lady Silviana's guest said I had one on me. I am just a poor woman from Sedeq. I was sold in Katapesh, and then ended up here."

Suna tries to be reassuring. "We do not acusssse you! We only want to know what you remember. What happened? Perhapssss we can clear your name."

Pearl and Pule try to think carefully about what the woman is saying to see if she is holding anything back.

Sense Motive, Pearl: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8
Sense Motive, Pule: 1d20 - 0 ⇒ (10) - 0 = 10

But being new to the aboveground world, they don't really have a strong gauge on people yet.

Bah! Enslaved for being poor. To allow such a thing is the surest sign of a rotten society!

Wertlos voice softens as he speaks to the woman, displaying a softness you had not heard from him until now. "Could you look up as you speak, please? I'm afraid I cannot read your lips well while you look down." He walks closer to her and looks up into her face. "I was once a slave myself. None of us blame you for being used such. Please, just tell us what you can remember."

Zahnlos follows Wertlos over to the woman, nuzzling her hand with his snout.

Atlag nods as Wertlos asks her to look up. "I'm afraid I've already told you all I know. It was just a normal party like any other. My mind was on planning out when I would be free to head back to Sedeq."

You all get the feeling that she is absolutely telling the truth and that she really doesn't have anything else useful to you.

Shall we off to Solvius Salbus's office in the Coins, the Red Letter?

"Yeah, let's get out of here."

So here's the thing, Solvius Salbus will just give you the same info you already have and tell you to go to Mahdi's Chattel. The two options for where to go at the beginning are more about letting you decide which scene you want or to have a backup in case you muck up one. I bring this up because in the time I ran this before and the two times I played it people got frustrated when they succeed in both places (which I guarantee you will) and just got the same info

If y'all still would like to go to The Red Letter for the RP experience, i'm cool with it. Otherwise, Mahdi's Chattel is your lead.

I'm good going to Mahdi's Chattel

Pearl, I hear a voice in my brain. It is saying "let's go to Mahdi's Chattel instead."

I hear the voice in my brain, too. Its voice sounds like your voice. We should go to Mahdi's Chattel, Pule.

Wertlos grinds his teeth at the thought of visiting Misery Row. "And I suppose you expect me to be civil to this vile piece of filth?"

I'm good with going straight there. Wertlos won't be happy about it, though.

Zahnlos' hackles raise as he picks up on the sudden tension in Wertlos' demeanor. His ears flatten a bit and his tail lowers as he glances to the halfling for direction.

"ታች Zahnlos" Wertlos says in an icy tone, his hand resting between the dog's ears.

Jess also expressed their agreement with this course of action to me in-person

Misery Row is an enormous, evevated 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.

Unless someone stops her, Suna goes to knock at the door.

Pearl tries to look in the window without being noticed.

stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

So does Pule.

stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Anis had been lost in thought, glaring daggers through bleary eyes at the slavers. She seems to snap out of it and focus on the task at hand, surveying the building.

In a low, weary voice, Anis wonders aloud "The door is ajar and appears to have been broken into... None of this is right. Perhaps we should enter quietly?"

I marked the broken window with the red x and moved the Ms.'s over to it

Ms. Pearl and Ms. Pule peek in through the window, avoiding the sharp shattered glass around the edges to reach in and open the curtain enough for a look.

You think that a medium creature could get through the window by squeezing and a small creature without squeezing, but you would need to have strong coordination to dextrously move around the sharp glass without getting cut (acrobatics)

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 ratfolk Ms.'s don't hear or see anything else yet except a closed door inside.

Pearl doesn't like the look of that sharp glass and goes back around to the front door. We don't see anyone inside. Let's go in.

Suna pushes the door open and walks in.

Suna sees everything as described to the ratfolk twins, and also makes note of a stone statue standing almost 2 feet tall with simian features, massive horns, and a long tail.

There are also bits of glass from the broken window strewn about the room. No mechanical effect

Suna also sees movement and undiscernable low, threatening speech from the other side of the door to the east.

The ratfolks draw their weapons and move to the door to the East!

Assuming Suna would share this info?

Yes, Suna shares!

Anis enters and immediately takes notice of the stone statue - she bristles.

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

She whispers to the group "That statue there... it's a Bekyar tribal representation of Angazhan. I'm afraid I don't know much about it, except for that the Bekyar are known.... slavers."

Wertlos doesn't realize Anis is speaking until halfway through the sentence, but still catches enough to get the gist about the slaver tribe. He grits his teeth and draws his spear, saying nothing.

Suna gestures to everyone that there are voices on the other side of the door. Once everyone has given the go-ahead, she opens the door.

Pearl nods, giving the go-ahead.

Pule nods, giving the go-ahead.

Suna opens the door to reveal a dramatic scene. 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. Two bottles of wine have been recently shattered on the floor. A half-orc man with a greatsword on his back holds a Keleshite man off the ground by his fine-spun tunic while a rogueish human is thoroughly engrossed in picking dirt from his fingernails with a dagger while he leans up against the curtained window.

"I'm tired of your word games, Mahdi. Simple truth is, you need to pay up or--" The half-orc cuts off his threat midway through as he hears the door open. He scowls at Mahdi, and when Mahdi doesn't recognize you, scowls at the roguish fellow.

"Oh. Looks like there's someone at the door, Mezuk." He cranes his neck to peek around Suna. He draws his short sword and stands upright. "A few someones."

"Mezuk" drops Mahdi and shakes his head at his comrade. "I told you to watch the damned door, not your damn fingernails." He swipes at the cloaked man who dodges out of the way and gives a half-hearted shrug and grin.

Mezuk draws a heavy mace and cradles it in his hands as he turns to all of you. "Great timing. Just great. What the hells do you people want?"

"We have bussssinesss with Mr. Mahdi. We can wait until you have finished your meeting, though we do expect Mr. Mahdi to be able to speak at the end of it."

"Heh, don't let us interrupt you."

"I must agree with my companions here - I assure you, we can wait until you finish your... meeting."

Anis smirks a little.

Mezuk raises a brow and looks to his cloaked companion. He shrugs and smirks. "Mighty kind of you. Very professional."

Mezuk saunters over to Mahdi, pauses, then headbuts him, "And THAT--" smacks him in the stomach with his knee, "--IS WHY--" then bashes in his shoulder with a heavy mace swing, "--YOU DON'T--" punches him across the face, "--MESS WITH--" then pounds Mahdi across the back and into the ground "THE SANGUINE BEAST!".

The rhythm of violence clearly is starting to get to Mezuk, and you all can see the adrenaline start to really hit him. He paces as he seems to be contemplating his next combination of strikes with a sadistic glee.

It looks like at this rate Mr. Mahdi may not actually be able to speak at the end of his current "meeting." What do y'all do?

Wertlos lets out an exasperated sigh, then calls out. "Alright, alright, that's enough. As much as I'm enjoying this, we need information, and we won't get any if you cave his skull in."

Mezuk swivels around and snarls at Wertlos.

"I'M NOT DONE. How about I cave YOUR skulls in, too? I'M the one in-charge, here!"

The cloaked man seems ready to immediately take action, but his eyes are on Mezuk amd he waits for the half-orc's lead. Suna has a natural sense for battle and immediately tells that this situation has taken a turn towards direct combat, and thus she takes the initiative.

Bold is up
Suna Shima
Mezuk
Cutpurse
Anis
Wertlos/Zahnlos
Ms Pearl/Pule

Consolidated a bit for simplicity

Suna eyes up the situation and realizes that her nodachi will be better than the naginata in the cramped quarters.

She draws the blade, steps in, and slices at Mezak.

attack!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
ouch!: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Mezuk grins as Suna draws her nodachi. "Heh, so you wanna fight with the big blades, do yah?" He holds out his heavy mace and drops it after a dramatic pause. He reaches back and draws his greatsword. "I can do that." He holds it up above his head. "Now...DIE."

Mezuk Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Mezuk Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 = 9

The cloaked lackey chuckles as Mezuk's sword goes wide. "Real impressive, Boss." He twirls his short sword in his hand. "My turn."

Cutpurse Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Cutpurse Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

In his bravado, his fingers stumble as he tries to catch the short sword. He manages to get a grip, but not without completely losing his focus.

Suna Shima (Round 2)
Mezuk
Cutpurse
Anis
Wertlos/Zahnlos
Ms Pearl/Pule

Anis takes a few steps towards the office and lets her voice cary, offering up a prayer "O Sarenrae, my Goddess, let me be a vessel for your divine light, so that you can guide Suna Shima towards swift justice."

Anis casts Guidance on Suna

Pearl and Pule delay.

Suna stabs again at Mezak, this time with Sarenrae's assistance.

attack with guidance!: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 = 15
damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

She then takes a five foot step back, to let her allies have a shot.

Wertlos whistles and speaks in a harsh tongue. "Zahnlos, ጥቃት!" He then draws his spear and pokes at the orc, trying to create an opening for the wolf.

CI longspear to aid Zahnlos: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20 +4 on success