You surrender the wide straight avenues of the library district for the narrower and more twisting streets of the Merchant Quarter. A few questions to locals and you locate a respected tailor whose narrow shop offers a wide selection of coats and jackets in a riot of colors.
After a little haggling and a quick fitting, Jayse has a new coat and you head off towards Old Towne. Following Kilcrist's scrawled note, you wind through the rat's warren at the heart of Old Towne. You draw looks from the locals but no one seems hostile and your numbers and weaponry keep even the child-thieves at bay. Despite Jofram's skill at navigating, you are all but lost in the knotted, claustrophobic, maze-like alleys. Fortunately, Kilcrist's instructions lead you from landmark to landmark until you find yourself before one of a dozen unmarked doors set in a wall that looks like a topographic map of peeling red paint. The door is iron-banded and made of oak.
You knock on the door which feels more like iron than wood. After a long minute, you hear a bolt slide back and a thin eye-slot in the door opens. A pair of piercing grey eyes regard you all before a feminine voice says, "Are you lost?"
Jayse smiles as he re-adjusts his new coat, "I don't know yet. Kilcrist sent me to find Swan? Would like to see someone who knows their way around making potions."
Crow's feet appear on either side of the grey eyes as they crinkle with humor, it seems the woman on the other side of the door finds something amusing. "You've found the right place then... just a moment." The eye-slot gets slammed shut.
After a minute you hear larger bolts ratchet and the door opens inward on well-greased hinges. You step in, into some sort of herbalist or apothecary shop. Every wall is lined with shelves and every shelf is lined with bottles, flasks, and beakers of various sizes and shapes. Their contents are equally varied. There are liquids (in every color imaginable), slimes, gases, lights, plants, and (in some cases) small creatures in the bottles. There must be several hundred containers lining the walls... and not one of them is labeled.
It is such a ridiculous display that you quite forget the proprietress behind you until she closes the door and drives the bolts home. Then you forget the wall of bottles. Hand's down, this is the most beautiful woman you've ever seen. She isn't particularly exuding sex-appeal, she is just... flawless. While you are quite sure there is some magical effect around her, nevertheless, she is a stunning beauty - Grey eyes, long flowing blue-black hair, and skin that practically glows with vitality, without a single blotch, mole, or beauty mark. She is neither buxom nor thin, though she is tall. Her lustrous hair topping out at a shade under 5' 10".
She ignores the effect she has on the men in the room, shaking each person's hand in turn whether they are capable of more than just staring or not. "I'm Sudara - herbalist and alchemist. Acquaintances of Kilcrist, how can I help you today?"
Oh great, here we go again...
The room contracts around this beauty. This rose among thorns. This sun among stars. This warm fount of grace in a dry and cracked city full of ruin.
Jayse wracks his brain for a rival to this woman's timeless, ageless beauty. True, his memory was full of holes. But the memories that remain intact are full of wide travels, of visions of terrifying nightmares as well as breath-taking beauty, and of a diverse mix of an astonishing breadth of humanity. He's seen the society's most broken. He's seen the creation's moar mysterious. He's seen what was decried as the most beautiful in all the Isles... in all the world.
All of them pale and shrivel in the warm glow of this woman's breathtaking presence.
Jayse reviews and discards his best lines. Thinks and re-thinks his best approach to garner her favor. He must be at his absolute best to come even close to deserving her radiant smile. He tries to lock gazes with her as he steps forward, only to realize his legs don't seem to want to cooperate. Trying to mask the embarrassing falter, he opens his mouth to speak.
….
……….
…………………
"Um…. I, um…. Jayse…. was just… Ushari Straehan….. uuuuh… notting to want to…. " Drowning in his own embarrassment, Jayse pleadingly looks around at Jofram and Straehan for help, the last word of his attempted grand introduction eeking its way past his failing and dry lips in a weak whisper. "… potions?"
Ushari shakes Sudara's hand politely while barely concealing her disgust at the reactions of the males to the woman's unearthly beauty.
This is going to end well...I suspect I will need to learn how to brew potions at some point.
As Jayse and Jofram do their best not to make themselves sound like blithering idiots (and failing miserably, she thought) she eyes the woman with an appraising eye, wonder if there is some magic in play here...
Sudara seems pleased to meet all of you and pays close attention to Jayse, giving him a warm, encouraging smile. It almost undoes the monk that he coaxed a personal smile from this radiant angel, this paragon of womanhood.
Straehan, with a hint more aplomb than Jayse, tries to pick up where he left off. "A great pleasure, Miss Sudara." Even her name is enchanting! The gnome blinks from his reverie. "Jayse was hoping to buy some potions an.. and we have some unidentified ingredients that we hope you'd uh... identify."
Smoooth...
Sudara gazes on the three men whose faces range from 'slightly star-struck' to 'fully poleaxed'. She gives Ushari an Oh dear... look, then plucks a thin vial from one shelf and pours a few drops of the liquid between what the gentlemen see as her perfectly-formed lips...
In a moment, their fogged heads clear and they regain their usual composure. Sudara is still there and still ridiculously beautiful but the majority of the otherworldly perfection fades. Whatever her heritage, she is clearly not fully human.
She looks to all, "You have an interest in potions? What sort?"
Ushari gives Sudara a smile as she removes the glamour surrounding her, indicating no hard feelings between them. She waits for Jayse to take the lead here but is struck by curiosity just as to what race this woman is.
Jayse's eyes snap back to the woman as the fog lifts. He can't help but slam his mental defenses back into place as he regards the woman through narrowed eyes.
Nothing moves but his lips, "What was that?" He doesn't feel any residual effects.
Magic can be an insidious thing, though.
"A demonstration... You asked to see the Swan. You might have asked to see the Hag and seen something less pleasing." She sees the latent distrust and sighs. "Kil didn't tell you what to expect, did he? It seems we've both been set up."
Jayse does his best to squelch distrust, indignation, and out-right anger. He smooths the front of his jacket, a wasted effort to regain a bit of composure. I believe I asked for Swan… not the swan…
He looks down as he speaks, adjusting and re-adjusting the buttons on the sleeves of his coat. "Don't get me wrong, Ms. Swan. That is your name? I'm all for professional demonstrations, and it'd be reckless of me to purchase goods I haven't seen work or from a maker who's unproven." He looks up, forcing a smile. It's hard to suppress natural instincts, sometimes. "Let me try it this way. If applying for a body guard or combat position, I wouldn't attack my employer personally as proof of my skill unless they specifically asked me to."
He tries to shrug out the last of the uncomfortable stiffness from having her so easily slice through his mental defenses, his smile relaxing. "But you're not me, and you didn't ask my advice on business practices. Kil's particular brand of humor will have to be an issue for another day." His smile comes back in full; he appears to genuinely have gotten over it.. only a shadow of reservation remaining in his blue eyes. "So other than potions of brain-melting, what can you provide? I'm specifically looking for a few combat-related potions, but I'm an equal-opportunity buyer."
Ushari's eyes widen as she realizes what race the Swan is a member of, but says nothing, for now.
She frowns, clearly hearing the tension in Jayse's voice. She stands very still, almost regal in her angst and beauty. She bows her head, her voice is utterly contrite. "I can see I've offended you. I'm sorry. It wasn't my wish. I am Sudara. Swan isn't my name. Those coming to my door asking for the Swan or the Hag are usually seeking an experience of wonder or horror - a thrill one way or another. For customers, it is a proof that I sell true potions... that I don't shill palm oil as a cure for all diseases. In Old Towne, there are many who vend 'potions' that will give you little more than flaming diarrhea."
She pulls out a pad of cheap paper, scribbles something down, and hands it to Jayse. "This is the name and address of a competitor - no more than 15 minutes from here. He's quite good and reputable. Were I in need, I'd see him. He offers as wide a range of potions and salves as I do, so I'm sure he'll be able to help you. And... I'll speak with Kilcrist about this 'prank'. Again, I apologize."
She moves to unbar the door to allow you to leave.
Jayse watches the beautiful woman. He doesn't stop her, but he doesn't move, either. "Well, now, hold on. A misunderstanding is a misunderstanding, no? Much as I don't have an appreciation for being the butt of this particular joke, Kilcrist has steered us right before. If he says you're the best to come to for potions, then I'd rather deal with you. Why don't we just start over?" Jayse sticks out his hand in greeting, his smile as disarming as he can make it. "I'm Jayse. I'm in the market for a really good potion-maker, and I hear-tell your potions are…" he cocks his head with a mischievous grin before continuing. "… highly effective."
Sudara takes his hand and gives Jayse a winning smile. "I'm Sudara. As it happens, I make highly-effective potions... the best in Orfallen." She releases his hand and looks him over, "Judging by your stature, and not anything you've said before, you are a fighting man who could use some combat-related potions. What are you looking for?"
Straehan gets the unmarked vials of turgid liquids from the case in Jofram's bag. He chimes in, "Could you tell us what these are? Also, I dabble a bit in alchemy myself. Could I perhaps rent some time in your workroom?"
Sudara smiles at the gnome's self-effacing claims as she looks over Dinwat's vials. She shakes each vial, glances at it momentarily, sometimes pulls the stopper to run a drop of the liquid between her fingers before confidently identifying each one.
#1 "This is a Hide from Undead potion, worth 50 Sovereigns, I'll pay 38."
#2 "Ghoul Ichor, an uncommon ingredient... I can offer you 10 Sovereigns for it."
#3 "This is Intraocular Fluid from a corpse, I can offer you 5 Sovereigns for it."
#4 "A Cat's Grace potion, worth 300 Sovereigns, I'll pay 225."
#5 "A Bear's Endurance potion, worth 300 Sovereigns, I'll pay 225."
->
->
Jayse listens to her offerings, chewing his lip as he rubs his chin. Finally he seems to come to a decision, "I'll take one Keen Senses, two Greases, and one Enlarge. Can I get fried potatoes with that?" He waits a beat for everyone to laugh at his ridiculously funny joke before continuing. "We'll call this a live test. If your potions perform as well as I think they will, I'll pull together the finances to be back for a bigger haul."
Sudara has no problem with that arrangement and the deal is struck. "Do any of you other folk wish to buy something?"
While Jofram and Ushari debate purchases, Straehan can't help but try to fence intellectually with the tall beauty on the science of alchemy. It quickly becomes a stratospheric discussion of complex chemical interactions... and Straehan blinks first then smiles broadly. Thankfully, his ego isn't invested in being the finest mind in Alchemy because it's clear Sudara is more than his match.
The gnome laughs, "I concede defeat. You flat-out lost me on that bit about extracting the essence from an incorporeal creature bound to the Astral Plane. I may need to purchase your help along with lab time here at some point."
Ushari whispers something in Jayse's ear, which causes the monk to break out in a huge grin. She speaks up, "I will take another one of those Enlarge Person potions, Sudara."
Once the transaction is completed, she turns to Jayse and hands him the potion. "A loan, Jayse, NOT a Gift!"
Jayse laughs as the potion disappears into a pocket, "Fair enough. I'll try to survive to pay it back."
"I could do with few cure potions, and perhaps a potion of See Invisibility as well."
Their purchasing done, our heroes wind their way out of the alleys of Old Towne and onto the main roads. Another fifteen minutes has them sauntering past the Fish on their way to the Brazen Strumpet.
Their gnome companion mutters distractedly to himself, trying to plan some clever turns of apologetic phrases that will lift the Complaint.
Straehan debates aloud with himself, "I could always throw money at the problem if I can't talk my way out of this..."
You enter the walled forecourt and patio to the pink brothel. Trellises decked with honeysuckle line the area, giving the whole patio a sweet smell. Waxed paper lanterns, unlit currently, dangle everywhere. The only person in sight is a slender man leaning against the alcove wall next to the double-doors leading into the brothel itself. He exudes an air of indifference. Or at least, he attempts to seem indifferent. All of you spot the furtive looks he's giving you.
Straehan heads directly for the door moving past (and largely ignoring) the wall-hugger. He's reaching for the door when the wall-hugger says, "There's a meetin' goin' on. You wanna come back later."
The little gnome doesn't hesitate. He scowls at the man and snaps, "Does it look like I'm here for a piece of low-end tail? We're IN this meeting... stay out of our way."
The man slides back against the wall, clearly buying the implied threat. Straehan gives him the once-over and then scowls at his 'crew', "Come'on - we're late." He shoves hard against the heavy door and steps inside...
Jayse follows his small friend.
The little gnome doesn't hesitate. He scowls at the man and snaps, "Does it look like I'm here for a piece of low-end tail? We're IN this meeting... stay out of our way."
Jayse steps up to stall Straehan, reaching out as he speaks. "Hey, man… maybe we should--"
"Come'on - we're late." He shoves hard against the heavy door and steps inside...
"-- or that…" Jayse avoids the door-man as he follows Straehan through. Not like he hasn't had to put up with some of my finer decisions, Jayse thinks as he tries to take in the entirety of the building's interior in a heartbeat.
Barging in could turn ugly… might as well be prepared for fight and/or flight…
As the door swings shut behind our heroes, they see a large open room set with tables and chairs, as well as soft couches and cushioned seats. The entire place smells of hibiscus and vanilla. Two expansive marble-topped bars display an impressive collection of liquor bottles. The largest bar holds court at the center of the North wall. The smaller, though no less opulent bar, hunches in the Southwest corner of the room. The slanting evening light pours in at an angle through the 10' high, stained-glass panels that line that Southern wall, flanking the main door. Each one tastefully portrays a scene of excess with semi-dressed women, flowing liquor, and delighted men enjoying both. In the Southeast corner, along the Southern wall, is a smaller door that also exits back onto the patio - most likely beneath the honeysuckle-laced trellises. Most of the tables are cleaned and waiting for patrons. A few have the remains of meals - eaten and half-eaten. One table, oddly, is on its side... its crockery and food sprayed across the floor.
At the main bar, a disheveled and greasy looking patron in leather armor is having a very 'animated' conversion with the middle-aged woman behind the bar. 'Animated' in this case meaning he's pulled the woman halfway across the bar by her blouse and is whispering fiercely at her. The most odd thing about the scene is the quiet... there are no other patrons here, none of the working girls, no staff cleaning the tables, no one. For the moment, the two people at the bar haven't noticed you - they are intent on one another and the woman is clearly pale.
Straehan turns briefly to fire off a hushed and intense whisper. "Gotta make this quick. We don't have time for a conversation. There should be customers here and on the patio, girls giving lap dances, drinking, the whole cloth. I'm pretty sure the Strumpet has an arrangement with the Guild so they don't get hassled. Business is business... even if the Guild were gonna lean on the owner, they wouldn't slow down the trade. You don't slaughter a cash-cow, right? I think maybe we've got an opportunity here. We scare these boys away, get in good with the owners, and maybe get my complaint lifted."
He concludes with something he's been chewing on since the morning, "Bitiborium has his network of connections... maybe we need one, too."
Maybe the gust of wind from the closing door alerts the two people by the bar, or perhaps the woman saw you and her diverted attention was noted by the man... in either case, the result is the same. The greasy fellow, while retaining an iron grip on the lady's blouse, half turns to regard the four interlopers in his business. His dismissal is categorical and spit through yellowing teeth.
"Push off! Bar's closed for a private party. Come back in a hour 'less you wanna get thumped." He yells for the benefit of the door-guard, ""
Jayse instinctively settles into a low, casual stance; ready to react. "What is it with you and this joint, little buddy?" It's clear that Jayse has Straehan's back, whatever his decision…. well, mostly. :)
Relieved at the unstated offer of help, Straehan musters a smile, "Liquors and whores? What's not to love?"
Ushari says nothing verbally but clearly the look of unconcealed fury on her face as she glares daggers at the greasy man and his treatment of the woman says it all.
Straehan nods, proud of the cleric's pluck. He casts a glance to the ranger. "You in?"
Bad #2 Init:
Jofram steps up next to the gnome, making a placating gesture at the sorcerer. He addresses the bouncer. [b]"Sorry to trouble you, goodman - my friend here has business with the owner of the establishment, on order of the watch. The kind of thing better attended without the need to trouble your patrons, and affect your custom. I'm your your boss would prefer we didn't come back at a busier hour.
The gnome casts a spell on himself as he advances on 'Greasy'. He decides to save this two-bit hustler's friend a little time, yelling "". He eyes Greasy, "Now... let's see who does the thumping here."
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