GM BBlackwood's The Slave Master's Mirror (Inactive)

Game Master Gum B the chewy

Welcome to the scenario.

As a clock chimes the hour, Ambrus Valsin opens the door to admit his guests then resumes his seat next to a grey-eyed woman wearing the robes of an academic. “Please seat yourselves quickly so we can begin. This is Lady Darchana Madinani, archdean of Absalom’s premier school of the arcane, the Arcanamirium. She has come to the Pathfinder Society on delicate business.”

Darchana greets each of you kindly, several of you by name as she recalls your recent actions in and around Absalom, and most notably against a hidden slave ship among those going through Absalom's harbor. She catches the others up to the situation.

“As Second Spell Lord of Absalom, I continually investigate magical attempts to attack our home. The Pathfinder Society recently aided one of my investigations by capturing a disguised Okeno slave ship used for several months to transport various unfortunates to Absalom for sale as slaves to the city’s noble families. Normally this would be legal, yet it seems someone has marked each of these slaves for use as divination foci. I can’t ignore the threat posed by such an insidious spy network. With the capture of that ship, we’re now in an excellent position to strike back at the hidden mastermind behind the slave-scrying."

“Know that I do not come to the Pathfinder Society lightly. I am taking on a calculated political risk by asking you to handle this investigation for me. But my long friendship with your master of spells Aram Zey has given me confidence in the abilities—and discretion—of Pathfinder agents."

“Using my own spells, I acquired an image of the slaver: a humanoid woman wearing a heavy veil and peering into a mirror. Her clothing is common in Kelish fashion, and I could sense her location was somewhere underground on Stonespine Island."

“Although we could pursue conventional means of tracking down the slavers, I have taken measures to ensure our quarry does not see you coming, and I would appreciate a similar effort from you. I propose disguising yourselves either as slaves for sale or possibly the slavers selling them. If successful, you need only allow our enemy’s agents to escort you to their hidden stronghold. Once inside, it should be a modest challenge for you to escape and take their leader by surprise.” Lady Darchana pauses for emphasis. “Your goals are to capture the veiled spymaster and to bring the scrying mirror I observed back to Absalom for further study. If the spymaster dies before she is brought here, that would be regrettable but also understandable.”

“Before you get too concerned,” Ambrus adds quickly, “it isn’t the Society’s practice to sell our field agents into slavery. We’re sending you with a reliable cover story and a magical edge we can discuss in a moment. This isn’t just because it’s a dangerous assignment; we also found the name ‘Muhlia’ associated with the captured Okeno ship. It’s not a common name, but if haven’t kept up with recent history, I can understand why you may not remember her. Pasha Muhlia al’Jakri was an associate of ours who represented Qadira’s interests to the Pathfinder Society. Three years ago, she departed following very ugly circumstances in Taldor and hasn’t been seen since. If it’s true that she’s building a spy network in Absalom, we need to head off the threat she poses to the society before she can strike.”

You may ask more of the Venture-Captain or Lady Darchana, and enough of you have had experience with this slaving ring to know more about it, including that it employs gnolls.

You may know more about slaver gnolls:

Knowledge: Local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Patting one of her guns, Betty says "My weapons are rather distinctive, especially my musket. Any suggestions on how we can sneak in yet still have access to them?"

"Those of us pretending to be slaver's, would we need to disguise ourselves as gnolls?"

It should be noted that Betty's Musket via a special boon has eyes on it that blink and look around.

Ambrus Valsin excitedly rubs his hands together as a proud grin cracks his businesslike expression. “Thought you’d never ask! I’ve brought one of our experiments out of development for a field test,” he explains while planting a boot on an unremarkable cedar chest. “This is a magic chest warded in much the same way as our craftspeople sometimes enchant small pouches. From the outside, it’s nonmagical and holds whatever you put in it as expected. However, if you speak the right command word before it’s opened, it instead accesses a secret, extradimensional space that can hold several hundred pounds of gear. It’s yours to use on this trip and should help smuggle most of your gear through Okeno. The forged paperwork we’re sending with you notes the chest is part of the shipment.”

Valsin demonstrates the chest’s use and command word. “Anything else you want to bring needs to be something you can hide on your person and keep hidden.”

Lady Darchana nods her approval and adds, “I can also shrink one essential tool or weapon for each of you. It should provide you enough of an edge in breaking out and recovering the rest of your gear.”

Valsin returns to the questions. "There are enough human and humanoid slavers in Okeno that you do not have to disguise as gnolls yourselves. Just be sure not to get too excited and all attempt to be slavers or slaves, or it will be a dead giveaway."

Fifi seems excited at the prospect of visiting Katapesh, despite the dire circumstances explained by Ambrus. With an interested look in her eyes, she says-"I think the plan is solid and well thought out. I can pose as a slave, as I am not very good at the art of deception to pose as a slaver."-scratching the back of her head.

Standing up, she says-"I can put my armor and other gear inside the chest, while keeping a shrinked version of my scimitar on my person. The divine powers of the Everlight can be channeled through my birthmark, so I do not need a divine focus."-motioning to her collarbone.

Looking around at the others in the group, Betty says “Who we got that can pull off this sort of shenanigans? Need least one pretending ta be a slaver that can talk our way past people.”

"Just a quick question. What will happen with say a large tiger in this potential plan?"

“There’s spell fer that, but yall probably want it in scroll or potion form. Pretty sure I know where I could git one.”

Assuming you don’t own that source book, I believe Society rules would require I buy it.

“Other option yer a slaver. Cat growls, ya tell’em tale bout how Cat keeps the slaves from misbehavin’.”

"I have the source book, I have the spell on several characters. I bought too many source books. I will grab a scoll if there is time before we head out. I'm behind in update my charter and had not got around to it yet."

I have the source book, I have the spell on several characters. I bought too many source books. I will grab a scoll if there is time before we head out. I'm behind in update my charter and had not got around to it yet."

Lady Darchana goes over the dismissal command with Fifi and shrinks her scimitar.

as with any other single item per person, you can state what the setup is by the time we're off. Slave or slaver, and what items are in the box vs on person.

Valsin seems proud at how well you're planning this out. "Thinking like Pathfinder veterans, good."

Looking towards Valsin and Lady Darchana, Betty asks “Were ya able ta git anything’ outta the people ya captured? What ta expect at this base, do they let any slave ship in or only those they know, that sorta stuff?”

“Lookin’ fer things that would help us fit in with the crowd there.”

Basically anything that would help us sell the disguises.

"I have the disguise spell, but it only lasts an hour each time I cast it. If we find ourselves in a situation where I need to be 'on' all day, we might be in trouble." Tenibri shrugs. "May be the best we can do, though. Good thing is, I can talk my way through most things."

Tenibri has disguise self, and a reasonable Diplomacy (+12); not much to speak of with Bluff, though, so he'll be careful to tow that line if that's the path we take.

While getting ready, the members of Liberty's Edge get pulled aside by Major Colson Madris, who seems to be in a bit of a hurry himself, carrying an armload of maps to a side room. He drops them on a table to make an Eagle Knights' salute.

“I have heard about your participation in Darchana’s plan, and I’m proud to know that you’re involved. Daring acts like these strike terror in the hearts of slavers and give hope to the subjugated. I know you’re unlikely to have—or leave—many witnesses, but if you can strike fear into the hearts of this villainous operation’s leadership, strike down the more dangerous and oppressive slavers in a dramatic way, or just be seen battling in the defense of the oppressed, we can share your exploits and inspire a new wave of freedom fighters.” He considers his advice for a moment and adds, “But don’t throw your life away trying to burn Okeno to the ground. Pick your fights carefully, and return a hero.”

Those that are part of this side instruction can make a Knowledge Geography or Perception Check.

Regarding what the Pathfinder Society knows from the slaves in Absalom:

Darchana remarks, “Since we know they have been prepared for use as scrying targets, it would be unwise to risk tipping off our enemies before we’re even within striking distance. Even those we have questioned under guarded circumstances have done little beyond confirm what we already know.”

Ambrus Valsin adds, “We do have a detailed report from Rilla, a Pathfinder who spent some time as a prisoner of our enemies. Rilla remembers being separated from the other Pathfinders while in Katapesh, taken to Okeno, then marched inland to a little fort with a lot of gnolls. The fort is not accessible by sail, so you will be marching from Okeno if you can get in with the gnolls. The gnolls deferred to a humanoid woman who always wore a heavy veil that concealed her head and face. At least once, the veiled woman used surgical tools to take some of Rilla’s blood. Rilla vaguely recalls lessons on how to serve multi-course meals and help nobles into and out of fancy clothes. When the veiled woman was satisfied with Rilla’s progress, the gnolls marched her and several other slaves back to Okeno and put her on a ship bound for Absalom called the Kat Season."

“The gnolls tend to nap or just relax during the day, trying to avoid being given chores. At night, they’re more active and alert, and usually several of them leave the fort to go hunting. Rilla wished she could help us more, but her memory of the last few months is hazy. We found and removed a curse placed on her to weaken her resistance to divination, which may also explain this memory issue.”

“Any chance blood was fer divinations? Heard of people using hair fer that, but blood seems pretty personal.”

Frowning, she says “If we need ta keep disguises up during an inland march, doesn’t sound like our spells will hold long enough.”

“Did Rilla say if she got searched? Did they strip her of all her clothes? Jes tryin’ ta figure how likely it is we could slide somethin’ past guards.”

"It sounds like someone--or two, maybe--should buy a hat of disguise?" Tenibri asks or suggests, uncertainly.

1,800 gp isn't that much. I'm hesitant to buy one for Tenibri, though, given that he can cast disguise self on his own and would only need it for the continuous duration in this case. It would also be much better worn by someone who actually has a good Bluff skill.

Awkin will pick up 3 scrolls of carry companion. The figure will be his item.

"I travel with a fellow who used a sling for underpants. Saved the day a few times."

Darchana answers about divinations. "That is true blood and other parts can be powerful divination and enchantment components, and the mirror itself is a powerful scrying device, but be on the lookout for other unusual practices."

"If you're worried about the blood," Valsin taps the magic equipment, "just act quickly and decisively before anyone has a chance to take any."

“So the ones pretendin’ ta be slavers, any reason they gotta hide equipment? Seems likely people would expect ‘em ta have some weapons.”

Kess steps forward from the back of the room.

She wears her bruises and scars as proudly as she wears the medals adorning her outfit—prizes from various fights, as well as a short stint with a mercenary company.

kn local: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

"Gnolls are primarily nocturnal, typically worship Lamashtu, and are known to kill and eat sentient creatures. Some exceptionally aggressive, strong, and clever gnolls are known as flinds, and they typically rise quickly to the top of their pack hierarchies. They’re known for using flail-like weapons called flindbars." she shares with the group.

"I usually try to be positive and upbeat but slavery really makes me angry! I knows that I´m often aggressive and sarcastic so I will not make a good slave but I need no weapons to be dangerous so it is better that I play a slave in this act!"

She thinks for a moment and looks at the lady mage next to Ambrus.

"I am not afraid to say what’s on my mind, especially when facing authorities who try to tell others what to do but I will try to restrain myself. I also don´t pay much mind to complicated bureaucracies and outdated social mores, and tend to live my life the way I want so just let us do what we do without much further restrictions!" she says.

perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

“Think it best If’n I pretend ta be a slave. Mah skills don’t include the sorta trickery it would take ta pretend ta be a slaver.”

She then takes her spell component pouch and hands it over to Lady Darchana. “Please shrink this. I figure best no one know ‘bout it. I’ll buy an extra in town before we leave and stuff that in the chest.”

Betty takes a little bit of time hiding her cold iron dagger on herself.
Sleight of hand, dagger, clothing: 10 + 8 + 2 + 2 = 22

Valsin continues answering, ”True regarding the part of the slaver or slavers. If you all choose to play the part of slaves, you may be able to stick together better. We can have the handoff in Okeno. The slaver or slavers with the group will remain armed, it is expected in Okeno. However, even the slavers may need to stow or otherwise hide any obvious Pathfinder or anti-slavery equipment, like Eagle Knight paraphernalia.”

Lady Darchana speaks to Kess, ”Normally I would applaud speaking up like that. For now, I will advise to look for when you should maintain your cover or strike decisively. There may only be one good chance for the latter.”

The Pathfinders present slave disguises. These are simple loincloths and tunics, and items known as slave collars. These are true slave collars, usually used to identify and rope or chain slaves together. The Society recently acquired these collars, and they're believed capable of passing inspection of the Okeno authorities. You can, however, alter these to release without tools or a key with a Disable Device check as they're donned. A success or failure will only be known when the collar is taken off.

You need to prepare for the slave ship transport. Describe your slave outfit and any final preparations. This means that any Disguise checks and Sleight of Hand checks should be declared, but not rolled; these checks will need to be made if/when encountering the expected slavers for handoff, but the bonuses are set up here in Absalom. You may take 10 on the Disguise checks, but not Sleight of Hand.

Kess will wear the simple clothes that were provided to her.

She does not need anything else.

Awkin is keeping his normal bookish clothing and removing any religious insignia or pathfinder give tells.

Awkin says to Fifi, "They got the to religious people up here lying, the pathfinder's know how to staff missions, don't they. If need be I can Central or fascinate people before combat starts if we need to change plans."

Betty buys a disguise kit, a second spell component pouch and a dagger sheath designed to conceal that she is carrying it. She offers use of the disguise kit to anyone else that wants to use it.

She puts all of her equipment except the shrunken spell component pouch, sheath,, and cold iron dagger in the concealed portion of the chest.

Sheath is MW Tool for SoH w/dagger

Disguise check +7 total (+5 minor details only, +2 kit)
SoH +9 total, (+7+2 dagger +2 MW Tool)
SoH one lower than normal because not wearing Dex belt

Tenibri wears the provided loincloth and tunic, and dons the collar when it comes time.

No ranks in either Disable Device (to prep the collar) or Sleight of Hand (to hide an item), so he's going in with his shrunken headband of vast intelligence only. Do those presenting as slaves even need to make a Disguise check? Tenibri's is +2, with an additional +2 from Betty's kit if it's crucial.

Fifi smiles at Awkin, saying-"Often, lying can be seen as an inherently bad thing, but the Dawnflower teaches a more practical approach to doing good. During the age of Creation, Sarenrae herself assumed mortal guises, and lied about her godly nature - all to push mortals to do good not for the sake of a reward, but for more solidary reasons."

She requests help from Betty in donning a Kapateshi disguise, as she tries her best to imitate a Kapateshi accent-"How's this? If a deception can save lives, a liar I will be."

A Pathfinder Agent leads you, hidden, into the Coins district, where the diminishing vestiges of slavery in Absalom still operate. Mahjub Mahdi, a nervous Keleshite merchant whom some of you may recognize from the slave ship incident, writes up appropriate descriptions and paperwork of your slave and slaver guises. He is clearly apologetic, and appears to be working off his capture and conviction. Mahdi accompanies you and other Pathfinders in disguise to a ship in the Docks.

The impounded ship is the exact one captured previously, and still smells of sweat and wet gnoll fur, but that all contributes to the disguise as well. All those aboard hide their alliance to Lady Darchana and the Pathfinders, thankful that you're the ones trying to pursue this mission and not them, and you're treated well for the trip despite maintaining your disguises for practice. Outside the reach of Absalom harbor, the ship switches to the yellow sails of an Okeno slave ship.

The voyage south is uneventful, and you have time to practice and talk over your plans. which you may share OOC in your next post if anything has changed

In Okeno,

Sharks casually feed on cast-off corpses that float like buoys marking the channel into Yellow Harbor. This close to Okeno, the rocky mountain range that gives Stonespine Island its name is a blur against the sky, hidden by the city’s haze of smoke and dust. Each pier is crowded with yellow-sailed slave galleys, pirate clippers, and the occasional, heavily armed merchant ship. Past a row of taverns, the slave markets are smelly and crowded, packed with auction blocks and pens.

A harbormaster checks the paperwork, which seems to be in sufficient order to avoid scrutiny, and sends you to a specific pen in the Fleshfairs, A1G, close to the gates into the island's interior. As you do not have many disguised as slavers, a couple of Agents accompany you to the handoff.

"Right on time," a jowly pen-master looks over the logbook when you arrive, chatting amicably with Fifi and the other Pathfinder slavers, "your client should be here before the end of the day. The pen is ready for merchandise, so everyone enjoy some shade before, they, get here."

Fifi struggles to keep her friendly and bubbly personality from ruining her disguise, and she tries to force a more serious personality with a bad attittude. In her mind, that is how a slaver should be, and she tries to rehearse with the other Pathfinder slavers-"Our client is going to look to skim on the cost of our merchandise, and we can't let those beasts get away with it. We'll try to squeeze some more gold, get even more than they are worth."-in a grumpy voice.

She holds her waterskin's tip, ready to take a swig of it just as the clients arrive.

She requests help from Betty in donning a Kapateshi disguise, as she tries her best to imitate a Kapateshi accent-"How's this? If a deception can save lives, a liar I will be."

Betty asks Fifi “هل تتحدث اللغة”

Frowning when Fifi doesn’t reply, she suggests “Bad idea ta copy an accent fer an area where you can’t speak the local lingo. That said, gotta be some slavers that don’t come from Katapesh.”

“Ahm from Alkenstar, which is jes ta the south of area we’re headed. That’s why I know the lingo. Got bit of an accent though, don’t think I could fake being from Katapesh.”

“If’n ya need translator, maybe use me? Ah figure there probably be slavers would use slaves that way.”

——

Although she starts out a bit too cheerful, the chaffing collar and being kept like a slave do dampen her spirits. By the time the ship reaches Okeno, she has adopted a much less chirper demeanor.

She drags her feet as she is herded from the ship to the market. She just stands there silently as Fifi talks to the merchant.

Awkin goes along with Fifi's rehearsal, "Yep, boss. We's got to get as much for 'em as we can."

Kess knows that the more she says the more she could reveal.

“I will just keep quiet! I think that this is the best route of action! If my brawling skills are needed then I’m here for you guys! I see this is a competition but I am sure that we will prevail!“ she says with a smile.

Tenibri adjusts his slave tunic uncomfortably, fidgeting with the collar and generally looking unhappy and miserable.

The "slaves" Tenibri, Kess, and Betty get loaded into the pen, and the Pathfinder Agents acting as escort leave. As if on cue, a pair of gnolls with a hyena and a group of three slaves already roped together by the slave collars ambles up to the pen. One checks the paperwork, while the other gets a look at the merchandise.

The inspection is punctuated by the gnoll at the cage. They both speak Common, punctuated by barks and hyena laughs. "Hey, Vangru, hee, this little one doesn't look right. I'm getting a better look at it. Snapper, with me."

The other gnoll continues checking the paperwork "Yeah, yeah, Hargur, just don't eat the merchandise. Heehee, says here they're tenderfoot slaves. Probably just trying to hide some old jewelry or valuables or something. If you find anything, put it in the box they're bringing on this trip. It'll cover the, hee, pack expenses."

Hargur does a full inspection of Tenibri with a pat down.

Inspection 2 vs SoH25: 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 4 = 20

Hargur fails to find the shrunken headband or anything else amiss. Vangru goes to Fifi and Awkin. "We were expecting a slaver or two. Your merchandise isn't in good condition, one doesn't even look like a proper slave according to Hargur over there, hahahee. Probably needs a beating or two. Sooo, we've got a new security policy we've been working on the way over. You've got a special box with you. I'm going to need you slavers to put all of your jewelry or magic items in it, you can keep your weapons and anything you need to keep them in line, heh. If everyone behaves themselves on the trip, heee, we'll let you have your stuff back when you talk to the boss, or, hehe, if you ask nicely."

seems they're looking for a good faith deposit into the box from Fifi or Awkin. Lots of different options for what to do.

The slaves with them consist of a halfling woman in similar rags as you, a human male in worn merchant clothing, and a human woman in kellid barbarian clothing.

When the two gnolls comes into the cage, Betty backs away pressing her back against the bars. She tries to keep her eyes cast down.

She is relieved when the gnolls leave the cage.

Fifi gives a gruff exhale, trying to frown whislt simultaneously smiling-"Our merchandise is on good condition to march - they are not used to the Katapesh deserts, and I don't want them falling over on our way there. Once they arrive at your fort, beat them all into shape as you see fit."-internally cringing at her words.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18

She raises an eyebrow and does her best impression of a hearty laugh, following it with a strain of her voice to sound gruff-"Hey now, no need to get all protocolly on me. I know how this works - you are both the muscle doing the actual work, and your boss just sits tightly and collects the pay. Tell you what, I'll just put a few coins here, and won't take em back even after our leave, if you catch my wind. If your boss has any problems with my attitude, she can talk directly to me"-messing up a few words as she improvises but trying to get persuade the gnolls nonetheless.

Diplomacy+10 gold: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25

To the rest of the group, it probably looks like Fifi is imitating a male sailor rather than an actual slaver, but to the paladin, this is the best she can do without getting flustered. Seeing as the gnolls are not really questioning her bluffs (yet), she will stay off the bottle of honeytongue elixir for the moment.

Bluff Aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

"Ya we let the client work the slaves in however they want. You don't want someone working in your pants and you don't want someone working in your slaves."

Vangru gladly accepts the bribe and the talk, but adds, tapping a spiked whip at their hip, "Good for you, but know that if a slave speaks out, we won't hesitate to teach a lesson to them all. Hargur really likes eating any wiggly fingers. You hear that, new meat?"

Hargur licks his maw menacingly, eyeing Tenibri mostly after the close call. "Yeah, heehee, no magic! I can smell it on you."

Vangru stashes the money in the newly purchased box as soon as the paperwork gets to the penmaster. Hargur hooks up the slave collars along a rope. This puts everyone in the slave line unable to move more than 5' from the next in line. The gnolls put the strongest looking at either end and separate you from each other using the other slaves.

This is your marching order

Front
Vangru
5' gap
Kess
Talmin - male human NPC
Tenibri
Gima - female halfling NPC
Betty
Epanas - female human NPC
5' gap
Hargur and Snapper

Fifi and Awkin can choose where to be.

Vangru barks "Slaves, first task, sort out who carries the new box. Drop it and Snapper'll make sure you won't be able to sit down for a while."

It appears slaves can speak to the other slaves, but be careful. If you are trying to say anything bold or, for example, who you really are, you will have to do so in coded language, and that is a Bluff check. Whispering amongst yourselves will likely be met with violence as well.

Looking the others over, Betty points to Epanas and says “You look pretty strong. Carry it ‘tween the two of us?”

Mostly judging based on artwork on slide 5, looks to me like Epanas is fairly strong. I am assuming the box has handles so two carrying it isn’t too difficult.

Fifi will walk alongside Betty, trying to remain at the midpoint of the line. She tries to keep herself from looking at the gnolls, so as not to make any weird faces.

Kess will stay silent. She will wait for her opportunity!

If asked then she will support to carry the crate.

Epanas agrees to carry with Betty, and Talmin looks relieved. Relieved and sweaty.

Gima the halfling comments on the situation. ”Talmin doesn’t look like he’s worked the fields a day in his life. Course, I wouldn’t be here either if not for a bad turn in the weather. Maybe the skies are looking better ahead for a good harvest.”

Something seems odd about those sayings.

Kn local : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Sense Motive: 10 + 8 = 18
“Think yer right. This aint the wastes, patience and plannin’ should bring a good harvest.”

Sense motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

"There were these folks I used to sell to. Had to take the old 'path' to 'farm' where we sold the slaves. Hated that walk. Hot, no trees. But the pay was good."

Bluff (convey a simple message): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15