One of the guards nods and leaves the room, disappearing down the hall and coming back with one of the initiate cultists in manacles. He's a broad-shouldered man with a shaved head, his dark blue eyes darting about as if looking for an avenue of escape. He looks like he hasn't been able to change out of his white robes.
The guard shoves the initiate into the interrogation room and turns to the party. "Proceed." He then disappears through the door adjacent to it.
The cultist looks around the room, bewildered.
Adriana starts to take out immpecally cleaned implements of torture. Without looking she throws Vixie zome ripe and aays,"We will start with the big one. Tie him up and guard the other one."
Swearing a number of vile curses, Khalaban allowed himself to be dragged to the table and put into place, straining hard with his full might against the restraints once they were in place. Roaring, he bellowed, "I know nothing about any of this! Leave me be, you demented idiots, or you will suffer!"
The initiate looks on as Khalaban is put in restraints, his expression turning nervous.
"W-wait... what-what are you going to do to him?"
Vixie, still surprisingly strong for her small size, gives Khalaban something to struggle against as she ties him to the table.
Adriana looks at the initiate,"This investigation has been taken over...by outside interest. Apparently your little cult 'recruited' , brainwashed, and abused someone's important daughter." she gives him a grim smile,"The daughter was also a very close to me. So I am tasked to find everything out about your...little cult. Ultimately to get to the leader of your little club."
The initiate looks between Adriana and the bound Khalaban with discomfort--and more than a bit of surprise. "And, what--you think we'll talk? I'm not afraid of you."
Adriana gives him a sweet smile,"Oh my dear boy. I love it when they say things like that." she picks up a shiny pair of scissors and starts cutting off Khalaban's shirt.
"As to your question... she shrugs,"Honestly I pray to Calistria that neither you talk atleast not at first. As I said the woman in question was more than a friend to me." she puts on a leather apron And looks at him with a very grim expression,"So right now I am looking for vengeance. By Calistria's sting I don't even think talking would stop me right now." she turns to Vixie,"Gag him please. His turn will come"
She than pick up a cat of nine tails and starts working on Khalaban.
Khalaban looked in vague horror as his disguise shirt fell away, to reveal his rather massive torso. Well, at least it had served its purpose. And it wasn't a shirt he liked, anyway.
He tried to steel himself again both Adriana's words and the coming sting of the lash, but knowing a blow was coming and being unable to do anything about it was...difficult to accept. Of course, that was part of the horror of this form of torment - that someone else was hurting you and you were powerless, physically, to stop them. For many, Khalaban suspected, it was the idea of taking back control as much as the pain that made them speak. It was the only thing they had control over, after all.
None of this lessened the sting as the leather lashes struck flesh and the Kinetcists yelled in pain. It was one thing to be able to move, to absorb some of the blow, to deflect some of the energy. It was another thing entirely to simply take the strike. "Argh! You're all mad! I have done nothing!" He looked over at the cultist, his face twisted in a mix of fury and pain.
Vixie blinks at the order to gag “him.”
”D-do you mean the c-cultist or M-Mister Khalaban?”
When that gets clarified, she totters over to the cultist and crams a rag into his mouth.
The initiate starts to protest, but Vixie stuffs a gag into his mouth before he gets a chance to.
His eyes widen in fear as Adriana starts lashing the bound Khalaban.
Adriana continues to torture Khalaban...
The session only lasts for a couple more minutes before the initiate starts tapping his feet against the floor.
He looks like he's ready to talk now.
Khalaban slowly 'broke' over the next few minutes. It did not require much in the way of acting, really. Even pulling the strikes Adriana was good at what she did.
Finally, he cried out, "I will tell you anything I know! Do you want to know about when I was caught stealing honeybread for my girlfriend? Then I will tell you! The time I was beaten for stealing silver from my father? Then I will tell you! But I know nothing about this!"
"Oh...this broke too fast." Adriana says disappointingly. She looks over at the initiate cleaning hands. "Get the guards to drag this one in with the other. He can at least serve as a...object lesson for the others. Than we will start on this one. Now that I am warmed up I should be able to make this last hours." she pauses looking carefully at the cultist..."Mmm....He really looks like he wants to say something. she will go over and remove his gag...
The initiate gasps for air as Adriana rips the gag out.
"Wait! Wait! You won't need to do that!" He starts to babble. "I've seen a lot of things in their compound--I'll tell you anything! Just please stop hurting him! Please!"
Adriana sighs in disappointment,"As you take this one out," she says indicating Khalaban,"Go get the Captain and tell him this one is ready to turn civil evidence. If anything you say is a lie you become mine again...and you are not going to enjoy my penalties for lying. she says as snaps close shears.
"Max, MAX! The 'Corp has come down with the newest version of the contract! They agreed to not hire any elves or dwarves for the duration, and they offered to give us TWO flamethrowers instead of just one. Nicer ones than the one we were asking for, too... fusion-powered and high-efficiency! We've won, Max!" chimed an eager Darketz, one of the negotiation team members for the most recent talks for a collective bargaining agreement with the Schnee Corporation.
The world they'd been Dust-mining in the Vast had amazing resources, but KWI 6318 had been in extended talks after the end of the last contract.
"Good, good, that means we just have a few loose ends to tie up, then. Bring in the scabs that tried to undercut our shop!"
A few 'bolds who looked rather worse for the wear were shuffled into the meeting room next to the office after Max dialed down the window to OneWay transparency, and he watched his expert loyalty officer Adrianyx go to work on the scabs.
She was REALLY good at this... some of the other folks on the team wondered if it was a religious obligation that drove her zeal for getting to the bottom of matters...
"WAIT! WAIT! You don't need to do THAT!" babbled a 'bold but in... of all things, Common??
Suddenly Max realized that whatever little bit was some sort of dream, perhaps leftover from the good sleep they'd had earlier. After shaking out the fuzz from their brain the little dragon glanced into the other room.
"I've seen a lot of things in their compound--I'll tell you anything! Just please stop hurting him! Please!"
Oh, RIGHT! I'm supposed to be watching these guys to see if they're lying to us or for any other information we might be able to pick up on!
"I'll talk! I'll talk! The boss--he's--he's got a lot of money he's bilked from his new acolytes!" The initiate starts to babble as Khalaban is escorted from the room. "And a lot more that his cult's robbed from others!"
"He even brought himself a golem from home, made entirely of his cult's masks!"
"They preach against the aristocracy, but behind closed doors they indulge in drugs, hookers and anything else they can get their hands on!"
"The boss sent one of his best operatives off on a mission somewhere--I didn't catch where!"
Adriana gives the cultist a thoughtful look,"So...how do they get the drugs and prostitutes? And dont use the word 'hookers' again...or I will need to...teach you the correct vocabulary."
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The initiate swallows. "Th-they get the drugs and ho-prostitutes from places in town. Well, the working girls at least. I think they ship drugs from across Lake Encarthan. None of it's local product, I guarantee you."
"I think there was supposed to be a new shipment coming in tonight--that's what the Boss told my mates and I. Said that when we met them, we were to tell them 'May you ascend to the 30th step.'"
"It's kind of a password or something."
Vixie, not feeling particularly useful to this point in the proceedings, finds herself a seat and begins munching on a crunchy pastry.
"Where were you to make the pick up?"
"The docks. Pier 15. Supposed to come on a ship called The Enlightened."
"All right...you are doing good. Just one last thing...we are going to give you some paper and I want to draw out the lay out of their compound...with notes on where the guards are stationed, any info on patrols, any traps you know of, what doors are kept locked and who has the keys. Also I want the names of everyone you know that are there...and anything else you think might be useful
If you do all of that...you have committed a lot of sins that cry out for vengeance. I will hear your confession and offer you atonement in the eyes of Calistria so when vengeance does catch up to you after this life it won't be that terrible."
The initiate nervously complies, taking whatever paper and writing utensils are offered him and beginning to sketch...
"There are three levels to the compound--the main floor, the priests' quarters and the basement level."
He goes on to explain that there are usually about twenty acolytes and initiates around the temple's grounds, but in the event of an alarm they can muster more patrols from inside the city. They usually come in patrols of five. There are usually only eight ranked priests of Razmir within the compound at any given time--and there were once six 'heralds' (which he explains are the inner circle of the temple), but with two of them off somewhere on an operation there are only four remaining.
"And regarding traps--I only know of a couple of them. One of them is on the second level, guarding a golden mask at the top of the stairs. It's a trap that electrocutes whoever tries to touch the mask while setting off an alarm when you reach the top of the stairs. Acolytes aren't allowed upstairs except when running errands for one of the heralds."
"And speaking of the heralds, the entrance to their quarters is rigged with a magical trap that'll freeze anyone who tries opening the door without the proper key. The heralds carry all the keys to the compound--they wear black iron masks and better robes than any of the other worshippers."
"The heralds there are Egarthis--our leader--Faltore, Xantar, and there's also Krant, who's responsible for disciplining acolytes who step out of line. They should all have keys."
Once the interrogation is concluded, it's a simple matter to report what the party has learned to Forest Marshal Gavirk. He's practically elated to hear the news. He gives you leave to investigate the shipment arriving tonight--and to perhaps use it to infiltrate the cult properly.
----------------------
The skies are a dark red as the sun begins to set. The crowded docks of Nirmanthas are gradually starting to empty out as sailors and dockworkers alike begin to clock out and wander off to find the nearest tavern. There are a few ships moored at various piers, but the one you're searching for--The Enlightened--appears to have been delayed.
Not for long, though, as a new ship soon comes into view, its silhouette becoming more distinct as it sails out of the evening shadow. The Enlightened is a three-masted, square-rigged ship with an image of a hooded man carrying a lit lantern as an ivory figurehead.
Once the ship docks, the remaining dockworkers begin the task of mooring the ship to the pier. A closely-shaved man dressed in a heavy blue leather coat and puffy white shirt beneath it starts walking down the gangplank to the pier.
Adriana says to the others she is going to check out the Crimson Club during the day. She should be back in time for the drug deal...Though if she is not they should go without her.
So Adriana will go back to the inn room on her way she will pick up a disguise kit and a courtesy kit. Dye her hair blond and apply her make up differently to highlight different features. She will dress in her professional courtesan outfit.
She will than make her way to the Crimson Club...if it is closed she will knock on the door.
The Crimson Club is a two-story brick building painted a vibrant, alluring red. Curtained windows line the front and sides of the building, with the faint sounds of passion coming from inside. The well-crafted oaken front doors have images of flowers carved into them.
As you walk inside, you notice the common room of the brothel is decorated with red velvet carpets, couches, lounge chairs... it appears to be the owner's favourite colour, by far. You're approached by a young man with a well-groomed dark chin-strap beard and a red tailored suit.
"Good evening--" He starts before looking you over. "--my. Welcome to the Crimson Club, and might I say you've chosen wisely this evening."
"You've come at a bit of an exciting time--the Crimson Club is currently looking to hire some new faces." He glances around the club. "We're expecting some discerning clients to come by in a few minutes--their tastes run to the... exotic."
"Well than can I talk to the Madamn of the house about that job? I am pretty exotic after all...I have Genie blood...I can even grant minor wishes....well besides making people's dirtiest fantasies come true...Though that is more skill and a lusty outlook on life."
Adriana is also checking out the doorman...more to see if anything is out of place.
"Genie blood? Well, I can't recall if we've ever had any clientele of that persuasion before--I suppose I can bring you to Madame Irina."
He turns on his heel and starts walking to an office in the far corner of the establishment. You catch the guilty look in his eye as he turns.
Adriana says,"Trust me when you clients see me they will not get enough of genies..I have my ways."
She will follow him to the office...
The shaved man in the heavy blue coat finally makes his way down from the gangplank and spies the group loitering at the end of the pier. "Oi! You! This is a private dock!"
"Don't reckon you're supposed to be here, so clear off!" One of his hands rests on the golden hilt of a sabre on his belt.
-------------------
The madame's office is decorated with lavish-looking paintings depicting old-fashioned acts of chivalric romance. The office's furnishings are a bit less extravagant--a few chairs arrayed before a well-polished mahogany desk with an overstuffed velvet lounge chair behind it. The entire room smells like a mix of cheap perfume and cheaper incense.
The madame herself is a woman past her prime. Her once luxurious raven-black hair has lost some of its lustre with streaks of grey running along her temples and she has some barely-visible crow's feet around her hardened blue eyes. The elaborate dress she wears seems tailor-made to compensate for her age: its collar is made of puffy white mink fur, velvet gloves that go almost all the way to her shoulder, several gold bracelets dangling off of each arm and a slim dress that goes all the way to her ankles. Aside from the mink collar and bracelets, the entire dress is dyed a lush crimson hue.
"Javier? Who is this now?" She asks in an imperious voice, her eyes narrowing at you.
"A... a new hire, Madame Irina." The doorman, Javier, flinches. "I-I mean--"
"I decide who new hires are, Javier. Not you. You are simply the greeter."
"Yes, Madame, I'm sorry. It was presumptuous of me--"
Madame Irina snorts and waves off any further apologies. "Now, I don't believe you've introduced yourself." She refocuses her eyes on you.
Adriana thinks to herself for a moment deciding how to approach this Madamn...
Adriana give a very polite curtsey keeping her eyes down and granting the Madamn a great view of her cleavage...and says,"My name is Ashandra. I am but a working girl looking for a job in this city and heard this was the best place to do the kind of work I am very good at."
Max quietly approaches with a hood pulled up to hide most of his features. "It is hard to show the true glory of His Works in town right now. Forgive us."
"A-also me?" she whispers.
The captain's demeanour changes almost immediately when Maxilla speaks. "...oh. Right, of course. Sorry about that--thought you were someone else."
He pauses before approaching the group. "Greetings, my brothers-in-faith. To which step shall we ascend?"
------------------------
"Mmhmm." Madame Irina gives your cleavage a cursory glance before looking you in the eyes again.
"With assets like those, I imagine you fetched quite a price."
"I was selected because one would expect little from a halfling. His wisdom guides us all." Max explains off-handedly with a toothy smirk.
"Each of our paths upwards is different, brother. May you ascend to the 30th Step in His Name." the 'halfling' (Max) then offers with proper deference and obesiance.
Khalaban tried to look like semi-dumb muscle and keep his mouth shut, but that had sounded like a passcode. He prepared himself to fight, just in case Maxilla hadn't guessed the right one.
"I am quite good. My specialities include women, being a submissive, and non-humans...though I am willing to do just about anything."
The captain smiles. "And with ye as well."
"Now, reckon we oughta get this product to where it's bound, eh?" He says as the dockworkers finish bringing up several large crates and start putting them on a nearby parked wagon. "I mean, Egarthis' been hounding me for this stuff for weeks now. It'll be a relief to get him to shut up about it for a day or two."
-------------------------
Madame Irina arches an eyebrow. "Submissive, eh? Well, I've got a few clients who'd love to meet you."
"Javier, have they arrived yet?" She shoots the doorman a hard-edged look. He scuttles out of the room like a fleeing cockroach.
"In the meantime, let's talk wages." The madame folds her hands on the desk. "Our clients pay well for good company--especially good, discreet company. Payment is per commission--starting at one gold piece, with higher wages being a possibility... if you're willing to do everything a client asks."