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"Oh, bother." Professor Masaendri mutters, striding purposefully into the room, past the poor lady who likely had no intention of turning into a crazed murderer when she came to work today. She casts Acid Splash on her backside, remarking: "I'm afraid your supervisor will have to inform your next of kin, madam."
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"An interesting question. Rope can easily restrain her now, though if she transforms it is likely that those ropes would be the equivalent of a disappointing salad to her new palate. I suggest we examine her body to determine how much time we have before she transforms. What other suggestions do we have?" The Professor asks the other Pathfinders.
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"If you're certain," Professor Masaendri says, clearly uncertain she trusts Piotr's bravado. "Then I suggest we search quickly, starting at the west door on the north wall and work our way clockwise around this room." Rather rashly, she strides to the aforementioned door and opens it (if it's unlocked).
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While you search the area, you find nothing of significance. But before you can leave, Ambrus Valsin arrives with several additional agents, explaining that he was able to conclude his part of the festivities and hurry over…
Seeing Dalva (the name of the infected Pathfinder agent you subdued) is alive but restrained, Ambrus examines the infection from a safe distance and authorizes one of the agents to cast remove disease followed by remove curse when the first spell seems insufficient to clear up the disease…
The spell combination appears to cure Dalva for now, and she relays her recent studies, the sudden outbreak of madness in the patients, and her own concerns about how quickly her own infection progressed. She turns herself over to Ambrus to be quarantined for further observation and study, citing that the magical healing she just received may not have been sufficient. She also recommends that you, Valsin, and the other agents submit to an examination by other Society alchemists to ensure that they do not carry and spread the disease further. Were this a weapon Bonekeep’s master had intended to use against Absalom, Dalva speculates, the city is fortunate that he never succeeded in unleashing it.
After spending an hour, Society researchers confirm that all but Piotr are free of this tumor infestation and are cleared to leave quarantine. They detain Piotr momentarily, with Valsin’s blessing, so they can cure the early onset of his condition with a remove disease spell. In thanks for your service, Ambrus Valsin offers to pay for the cost of this spell. He then addresses all of the agents.
“In the past three years, the Pathfinder Society has embarked on as many significant expeditions. We’re about to claim the dwarven sky citadel Jormurdun as our own—a major accomplishment. As you can see, though, these discoveries come at a cost in mortal life, and I need agents who are sharp enough to get the job done, get out alive, and pull out any Pathfinders who aren’t as lucky or capable. Keep up the good work, and you’ll go far.
“Explore, report, and cooperate,” Valsin quotes as he gives an uncharacteristic, honest smile.
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As you depart, Valsin says to you in parting, "As you completed this mission so quickly, you should go back to the festiviites you had to leave so suddenly; food was soon to be served as I left, along with a good deal of wine and ale, so enjoy yourselves, you earned it..."
Taking him up on his suggestion, you head back to the gala...and before you can even reach the food table, a beautiful woman approaches you...and you recognize here as the Silver Crusade faction leader, Ollystra Zadrian...
“While I am happy to see you here, I have come because I need someone I can trust to help me right a grievous injustice.
“When Queen Galfrey called for troops during the Fifth Mendevian Crusade, many who answered her call were criminals in their homelands who joined our cause in efforts to seek redemption. For their valor and sacrifice, Queen Galfrey granted them a warrior’s pardon. Despite this official declaration, a number of bounty hunters followed these criminals north. Either ignorant of the declaration or in defiance of it, they have begun capturing several of these felons-turned-war-heroes and turning them in for profit. More troubling, when they cannot claim their bounties, these hunters simply sell our heroes off as slaves.
"I have learned that three of these champions are to be auctioned in the slave pits of Absalom today. What’s more, I am familiar with the particular villain who is hoping to buy all three—an unfitting end for these redeemed souls. Such auctions are generally closed to the public, and those bidding are required to purchase special coins in advance. Fortunately, the Society owes us many favors for our valor over the past year, and they were willing to provide me both seats at the auction and auction coins.
“However, I’m too well known in Absalom, and my appearance at the auction would jeopardize the mission. Please, attend the auction, buy the freedom of these crusaders, and bring them to the Grand Lodge to give them a true fresh start.”
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As Ollystra finishes, the din of the gala fades behind Piotr, the fire in her words stirring something deep within him.
He straightens, eyes narrowing with grim resolve.
“Those soldiers fought and bled for a better world. If some gutter-scraped bounty hunter thinks he can chain them for coin, then he’s mistaken.”
He takes the auction tokens from her, his voice firm and low.
“They sought redemption and earned it with steel and sacrifice. I’ll see to it their chains are broken—and the ones profiting from their pain regret ever lifting a coin.”
He nods once, resolute.
“You can count on us, Lady Zadrian. They will walk free.”
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Hellebore looks increasingly sour as Venture-Captain Zadrian speaks. "Not the reward they deserve for their service." She pauses for a moment, then continues. "Not to be crass, but are we expected to purchase them ourselves and be reimbursed, or will the Society front the money for their freedom? I'd much rather just steal them, but I'm guessing that would be more difficult."
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For once, the Professor nods approvingly at Hellebore. Correct on both counts. She's not surprised that Piotr's nobility exceeded his practicality, but she's glad *one* of her pupils had the forethought to realize that slave auctions work on wealth scales beyond what this team of Pathfinders likely has on their persons at this time.
The Professor lectures the group on what relevant information she knows on the subjects of the slave pits, the auctions, and Midley Blackburn.
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Ollystra smiles in gratitude at Piotr’s response, thanking you profusely. She promptly answers Hellebore’s query, telling her the Society will provide you with the proper coins to bid at the auction…
The Professor is able to tell her companions the following information about the slave pits and the slavers:
The slave pits of Absalom get their name from the deep pits in which slaves wait in plain view of potential buyers. The site hosts auctions regularly, many of them operating through licensed auctioneers. She also tells of Midley Blackburn being one of the most infamous slavers in Absalom, always disguising himself differently in each auction to avoid notice; he is also is not above stealing slaves that he's been outbid on...
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After you agree to attend the auction and bid for the enslaved heroes’ freedom, Ollystra gives you a rolled leather coin purse containing 30 bronze coins embossed with an image of stocks and the words “Stig’s Twenty Five.” She then tells you to head to Misery Row, where the auction is to be held in about an hour. The inscrutable individual running the auction is a large Varisian man known as Bounder Stig.
She also tells you that Bounder runs a closed, buy-in auction, meaning the only people allowed to bid are those who have previously paid to signed up for the action and purchased special bidding coins. The coins are worth 25 gp each; they are non-refundable (but always usable at the market). She finishes by telling you that using the coins allows bidders to avoid carrying a lot of money during auctions and ensures that the slavers are making a profit, following it up with "Thank you...and good luck!"
As you arrive to the auction site, you ask one of the 'guards', whom appear to be more thug than guard, where you can find Bounder Stig. He grunts and nods his head to an unkempt fellow with a feather in his hat...
As you approach him, he scowls before you even speak, "Bah! I know you not...get lost!"
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After the Professor shows him your special bidding coins, he changes his tune causing him to grumble and tell you to find a spot. Once seated, several more groups arrive after you, and all told, there are about 50 people representing perhaps a dozen bidding parties. Bounder crosses names off a list as they arrive, and then he launches into his opening banter.
“Alright, enough of the chitchat! Anyone up fer bidding find a spot around the pits. Anyone else… shove off!
“Today, I’m holding a quick sale auction! That means I’m doing this quick. Any of ya with complaints can stick around to thank the pesky Andorens that keep showing up and getting’ in me business.
“Each auction is one bid per slave, got it? No haggling today, and no complaints! Look at yer bid coins an you’ll know I already got yer money.
“I ain’t havin’ no arguments today neither, so don’t nobody spill blood on my block unless you paid for it.
“So here’s how it works. I put a slave up for auction and anyone interested writes down a bid. I check the offers and the slave goes off to the highest unique bid. If yer bid’s the same as anyone else’s, ya both lose. I ain’t got time to sort out no arguments. Remember, I keep all bids, so even if ya don’t win, I’m still taking yer coins, so if you can’t afford to lose ‘em, don’t place a bloody bid!
“Lastly, the bids for all auctions start at 8 coins. I ain’t repeating that and if there’s anyone dumb enough to offer me less than 200 gold, don’t expect me to take any more offers from ya, period. All clear?”
From about the block, the buyers grumble in agreement, after which the auction begins.
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Bounder Stig nods to one of his thugs and he brings out a rugged looking human male, dressed in only a loin cloth, his muscles well toned…
”This fine specimen is Talmar from Isger. While he looks shifty, he’s a sturdy lad and can do all kinds of manual labor; working the fields, or mines, or quarries, he can do it all…now, write down your bids, and be quick about it…”
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The bids are handed in to the auctioneer. Bounder Stig’s eyebrows raise and then he smiles as he inspects the coin for each bid. ”The Lady Hellebore (or whatever name you put on the bid) with a bid of 15 coins takes this prize specimen! You may collect the merchandise now so we can move on to the next bid…”
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Hellebore moves forward to collect her...prize before returning to the group.
"We might have overdone that a little bit. Maybe we should have started lower to give us some room for the next one."
"And watch that character in the corner. He's absolutely livid that we won."
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After Piotr and Hellebore identify Blackburn, the lady Belladonna claims her ‘prize’ and leads him back to where the rest of you sit…
Bounder Stig nods to another of his thugs and moments later, a proud looking woman is brought up from the pits and, like the one before her, wearing only a loincloth…
”Here we have Holianda from the River Kingdoms; this one has the finesse to serve within the home or the strength to toil in the fields…not to mention, she’s easy on the eyes…write down your bid and send up your coin and be quick about it…”
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Bounder Stig, as before, checks all the bids along with the enclosed coin, smiles wickedly, and announces loudly. "Once again, the Lady Belladonna, with a bid of 15 coin, has secured this purchase. Come down and claim her so we can move on with the last piece of the auction..."
Having marked Midley Blackburn during the prior auction, you notice his glare darkens and his face reddens, before pounding his fist into a small table...you also notice he calls to one of this 'bodyguards', whispers in his ear, and points in your general direction...