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"Is our best angle on the brothel as customers or employees? Might be fun to be a whore for a few days wearing the hat of disguise." Jelani says chuckling. "Bunch of sleezy men paying to unkowingly sleep with a big mwangi devil!" Jelani says chuckling. Gods, I'm sick. After a moment he stops laughing, and continues, "Though if there's a way to get close to the pimp without debasing one of ourselves that's probably better."
Orwen looks at Mirrender and says, "What do you want to know about the dawnflower? I know a little more about here. Though her followers are proficient with that slender blade, though I prefer something more solid and powerful like what the Lord of Iron provides me."
Upon arriving home, Blast immediately sets about bringing some few chemicals from his room to the main room, where he sets up the notes from the vial to reveal clearly the writing to everyone. "I'd rather not have to sell my body--seems like our enemies already want part of it," the tiefling comments drily.
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"Well ... everything Mirrender answers Orwen. "All our Priestesses talk about is Demons. I can't say I paid much attention to them though ... all the same, really. 'Do what I say or the Demon Such-and-Such will take your soul' blah blah blah ..."
He watches Blast bring out the chemicals. "Oh, you know that one already? Good, good ..." At some point they'll need to set up a library underground so Mirrender can engage in spell research.
"I don't think I would do well at a Brothel" Mirrender finally responds to Jelani, "Though underground it is normally men serving women ... seems the other way around up here."
"Cheliax is ruled by a queen, though. Seems like the weak serve the strong, is the rule; more than it being strictly gender based."
Taurven drops his pack, and starts rummaging around in the kitchen for food.
"I like music and beauty, so when I call on a god,which ain't often, I bother Shelyn.
Blast twitches at the mentions of demons, wondering if the drow might recognize his name... then realizes that, as far as he can remember, he's never shared that with the group. Some things better left unmentioned...
Shaking his head, the tiefling finishes revealing the writing, and leans back as talk of deities comes up. "I personally mutter to Cayden when I'm doing my own form of 'brewing,' and I also like the teachings of Desna."
"Desna's a fluttery dream. Sarenrae is a bright star, a beacon. A person's got need of both. I've never understood them as close their mind or heart to all but one. I loved my wife, I still do. And I never strayed. But I still listened to other women, I didn't pretend they said nothin' of value. Any light so bright it blinds, that's a darkness."
"Musin' on that brothel, that means you all want not to move against the Takers? We had the plan to raid their tavern. I'll set it aside, if it's what you all want. Plans change. Was there something you saw, waved you off of it?"
"Alright, then. It's Gull Season."
Mellany considers the notes then says, "Tomorrow may not be Gull Season. We may have an opportunity to get their real feed at the trough. If I'm reading the Knight's notes properly, we can get the 3500 that 'Siccero' is dropping off at the stockyards. That's coin they won't be able to share with their followers. And that we could give to those who need it."
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"We must be careful about the drop off ... just to make sure the Gulls don't trap it. But we definitely need to know the identity of 'Madame Gull' and Kore. The only question is how best to do that."
Paranoia is a Drow's best friend.
[/b]"If we move too soon, they will simply move underground and come back to haunt us. About this ... the Gulls apparently represent ... what's that word? 'Sins', I think. So ... would our mysterious Madame Gull ... or whatever ... then use Lust? Probably more subtle, I think."[/b]
"External observation may be in order before we tackle that."
Eventually Naboo returns, appearing out of nowhere as he usually does.
He has little to report- no mobs of Tail-Takers rushing out of the bar, no overheard conversations, nothing. He's quite glad to see you all in one piece, and curious as to what you've done and found.
"I take it you haven't been 'behind the scenes' at a brothel, Jelani," Mellany responds to his questions about the Silver Harlot. "A successful madame makes sure the only charm spells that are cast are cast by the house." She thinks a little more and adds, "Of course we've got a veritable store house of Silver Harlot knowledge right over our heads. You don't think the girls at the Lily know more about the competition than we could hope to learn in weeks?"
"Such interest goes both ways. What's asked at the Lily might be heard of at the Harlot. But I'd trust our Mel to be cautious. Might be the madam above would have more cause to speak, and less cause to speak of speakin'. If we struck next at the Harlot, the madam above would be sure to put it together. Can we trust that? Bob seemed to. Worth asking him, as I reckon."
"You still don't get it," Mellany says with a grin. "Working girls will say things to clients they wouldn't share with each other. Of course it would be a nice change of pace to be a client." It's hard to tell if the look on her face is amused or serious.
"I'm sorry I don't have much experience in this region," Blast says, grinning as he glances up at the group. "Most girls only care to take care of one appendage below the belt."
"If the madams are in competition, they aren't as likely to compare notes. They might be on friendly terms, but if one has knowledge that would help the other's business, she would probably keep it to herself.
"Thing is, tomorrow is the day for 'Siccero' to do his dead drop thing. If we are going to take action in that direction, we should plan it now, rather than worry about brothels.
"On the other hand, maybe to just to watch the dead-drop, see who checks it, and follow them back to where-ever; is all we need to do. If so, that is something I could do alone. I'll just need to borrow the hat of disguise, and that decoy ring, for if things go really wrong.
"Taurven, ... Say you know, never gave you a name for when you shouldn't wear your own... Do you fancy Mister White? Seems to fit. But anyway, as I recall, a dead drop is likely not to be checked, so much as have something left at it. I think we killed the ones might be expected to check it."
"And we may as well use the swoppin' round rings, as well. Just get out of sight for a second, swop another of us in, and it'll look you got clean away. We ought to have Mel wear one, and we could call it castlin' queenside."
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Mirrender looks at Taurven for a second, then to Mel, and then back again.
"Even the most ruthless of Drow women will have their alliances with other Noble Houses. I doubt this 'brothel' will be different. What she tells who will depend on who and what she is aligned with. Being where she is, one can hope that she is aligned with us. But the 'Silver whatever' ... best to check their alliances."
"Is that something you can do, Mr. Naboo? Or is it too dangerous?"
"Exactly."Taurven tells Gunser. "Someone will leave, or already has left something at the drop. Or they expect to pick something up. All depends on when we get there, doesn't it?
Taurven smiles. "Even if our timing is off, we stand to gain a nice lump of change. The real prize is; if we spot someone checking the drop, though. Since you use the chess analogy, we are playing the game without seeing all of our opponent's pieces. The more of them we find, the better.
Taurven's face has a thoughtful look. "Mister White. I could live with that. At least it doesn't call out: Hey, I'm a Bard.
Taurven's eyes twinkle with humor. "Or you could just call me the knifster. My weapon of choice, after all."
"I'll allow as how there may be more than I suspect. I'm no great wisdom. But them two were blackmailers; I expect that's the whole of it. Happy to be proved wrong; that also proves you're smarter than me.", Gunser grinned.
"Actually, it's Mellany's idea to check out the dead drop. I just happen to think she is right. It would be worth our time to take a look."
"Oh? Well, Mel smarter'n me, that's already been proved.", Gunser smiles.
"I sincerely doubt that, Captain," Mellany returns Gunser's smile. "I think we should find out who is making the drops and why. They could be the Gull's confederates, or they could be victims. Either way, coin may be the key to breaking Kore's organization."
"As I read the bits we've seen, these were the eagle-fellow's blackmail victims, and he was a Gull. And the knight, just a hired hand. We don't know how long we'll have before they're missed, but Naboo might have some idea how often the knight was seen at that taker's tavern."
"I'd only caution that 'raid' may be too strong a word. Otherwise, if that suits Naboo, it suits me. If Mel is wanting to have words above, that's a wisdom I'll not question, either."
"If we're planning on going out, I can brew up some extracts to disguise ourselves--up to four of us." The tiefling shrugs as his tail swishes. "Might make traveling through the city a little easier."
"Especially for some of us.", Gunser agrees, observing the tail's motion.
Blast grimaces. "Indeed."
"Well, I stand corrected. Trust you to read every bit. Even the burned bits."
"We should also try to find out who this Siccero is," Mellany says. "It would be best if we could get to the drop before he, or she, makes the payment."
Naboo shakes his head. "I know the Harlot; well, what little there is to know. A brothel only for the truly powerful and influential; those who know how to avoid attention. The Harlot is a reasonably large building, supposedly centuries old, though that is from rumour and the stonework. It is a most frustrating building. The only visible entrance is from the front; I have been before, and it is guarded an an alarm spell. The Harlot's walls are, of all things, lined with lead; impregnable to most spells of divination. It fits, for the Harlot caters to the most discrete and private. Inside the entrance is a welcome desk, manned by a lady of beauty."
"All of this I have learnt through rumour and checked first-hand. I am afraid I can find out no more. The nobles and peoples who visit their keep quiet; the silent alarm spell makes a stealthed entry impossible... and I never dared to attempt a direct break-in. It is said that their guards are numerous and well-trained."
"However..." he pauses for a moment, and thinks. "Perhaps there is a way to get you in. The Harlot is an establishment that works by recommendation and word-of-mouth. Thus I am sure they have a system whereby visitors can extend entrance passes to others. I may be able to pull some strings and acquire some trial passes for you, or whoever you are able to disguise yourself as... it would be worth a try. Would this suit?"
"It would only take me a few minutes to brew up a batch," Blast says. "So I can put them together tomorrow before we go out." Musing for a moment, he nods at Naboo's suggestion. "That seems as good a plan as any."
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"I have some things to ponder, but I suspect I will be of no use in infiltrating the Silver Harlot in any event. Too many oddities about the Surface World for even a disguise to work, I'm afraid. But I must ask, Naboo -- how do the 'clientele' stay hidden from divinations before they enter? How much can we learn about their clientele outside the lead and alarms?"
"It seems that security is lax on the outside ... well,compared to where I'm from that is. Or am I mistaken?"
"It seems like the Silver Harlot will take some time to watch, maybe we can follow a couple of the clientele home and keep them under house arrest while a few of us disguised as them go in? Just an idea. But I agree we should go to money drop as well."
Naboo shakes his head. "Outside of the Harlot, security is in the hands of the clientele; and they have their own means of protection ,magical or otherwise. I feel you underestimate these men; they are influential and powerful, and their discretion and security is prized above all. I would advise against an attack."
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"When the time is right, we need to get one or two agents into the Harlot, and then have the others outside standing ready with a scroll that would allow them to teleport in. We need a method of magical communication at a distance as well. The 'clients' go in, and incapacitate their whores in a non-lethal manner, and then find the madame/pimp's room. They alert the outside team, who teleports in to their location. Then we strike."
"I'm not clear on just why it is this brothel or it's madame is so much a target. Just 'cause it's the next? I'll agree it and she may be on our path, on our list. I have to wonder if either is next, or even near. To be plannin' as you are, Jelani... I would have spoke to the knight and eagle, if we could have. I'd favor such be part of any plan."
"As for gettin' us in... If two of us are in, and the castlin' rings are with, with touched rings on two more of us... Well, we motivate our playmates to put them on, and say their words. Then our own are in the place, and playmates are wherever our own were, which we might arrange be both quiet and stoutly-built."
"Have a proper care, we'd not want to maim some judge, nor see some prince bein' rid like a cheatin' maiden. This is one place we might win and lose all at once, and make enemies we'd not have chosen. I'll urge a gentle caution. Extra masks, mayhap. We offer them to all inside, we don't want their secrets, just the end of their ties to the Gulls."
"I'll grant we have to follow what we know. But I'll just state, we don't have to follow it today, if we might know more, tomorrow."
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"No clearly, eyes on the dead drop tomorrow is priority right now. I'm just musing ways to get at the Gull in the Harlot without alerting them first. Seems as if the place is a fortress, but I find it hard to believe that ALL of the Gulls are fanatically loyal to Kore. Some of them must be willing to talk. Especially once they realize that Kore is going down. Long as we keep their number shrinking eventually they'll be more scared of us than Kore. I think that taking down all the Gulls, and then raiding their main base is the only way we're going to keep the gang from just scattering to the shadows like roaches and reforming to trouble us again under new leadership."
"For our long term goal, it would be nice if they formed under new leadership. Namely, ours."
Taurven gives Blast a wink. "In the case of the Tail-takers they would need a new hobby as well. Something like the Tax-Taker Breakers."
Taurven looks doubtful. "Or something..."