Leaving Hal Dorel to his own devices, and in the company of Borgmurch, who doesn't show much interest for the carnal pleasures anyway, Cameron, Alayna and Dolgrin follow Nessa in the temple.
What they hear and see get beyond any expectations of their respective imagination. All their senses are titillated, and it's hard for them to focus... even to walk.
Nessa is caressed, kissed everytime she meet someone... and beautiful people you could only dream of try to do the same with you, touching your bare skin, licking their lips-or yours, if you feel lusty enough-sensuously
A bare chested human put his arm around Alayna's hips, stopping her walk
Nice whip....Are you of the faithful? I can't see the colors of Calistria, and you have to be a faithful to go ...
He playfully nibbles Alayna's ear, sending shivers down her spine
deeper.. in the temple. It's my holy duty, I have to check your whole body... That will take some time.All the time you need.. All the time you want... again.. and again.
He softly kisses her neck, and his wand wanders on the pirate lady's body, easily insinuating under her clothes
Meanwhile, three women calls on Cameron and Dolgrin making obscene gestures. They seem in the mood for some company.
Outside, a rat passes not far from Borgmurch and Hal, and he says to the elf
Mmmmm.. tasty snack! Borgmurch good rat catcher, you know! You stay and see!
The goblin doesn't even wait for an answer and darts toward the running rodent
As they are lead inside, Cameron tries his best not to gawk, but certain anatomical reactions are impossible to control. Embarrassed he thinks, 'Oh by the dreamer, it would be so easy to let go. I hope they don't know, I hope they can't tell how long it's been.' He gives a sideways glance at his companions and shrugs slightly, 'They have other things on their minds than me! It's funny, many would regard what happens here as getting lucky. I'm not entirely sure I agree, something so freely given looses its value. For me, getting lucky would be finding my soulmate. One day, Desna willing, I shall find her. Who knows maybe I've even met her but am yet to realise?'
Cameron shakes his head with a rueful smile, wondering how to get through this without offending either goddess.
And last night was the most horrible of your short live under the sky.
In a backalley of the town, you saw a big half orc beating the lights out of a poor guy...and then bite half his face off! You let a gasp of shock escape, and you saw the half orc turning his bloodied mouth (a mouth with big tusks) in your direction. You hope that he didn't saw you, or at least couldn't recognise you... as he came closer to investigate, you had no choice but to run away. Maybe he's on your trail? It's time to find a place to hide...
You were hiding in a side street near the House of the Silken Veil, local temple of Calistria and major brothel of the town. A big rat runs near you, followed by a goblin. There is not much goblins in the town- not much that stay alive- and this one must certainly be Borgmurch, a "famous" rat catcher... Time to make some well needed friends, maybe?
Alayna feels aroused to be sure, a beautiful man promising all this and more. But then she remembers So many promise this - at least his offer is more than a bit'a drunken rutting! Turning from the man, and pulling his hand out from under her shirt she says, "No time for tha carnal t'day, Lad. Our Cap'n has set us a task. Mayhap ye ken share something with us that is nae 'b'twixt tha sheets or tied ta a mast. Ther's a land lubbin' man with pearls fix'd in 'is beard an' a hound inked to 'is wrist. We need his help ta recover a bit o' scratch. Have ye seen a man as this?"
The man's voice is full of unspoken promises, his hands now firmly on Alayna's butt, taking her close to his body
I may be able to inform you, pretty one, if you dare paying the cost... One night. One night of your life. One night you might remember for the rest of your life.If not tonight, come tomorrow night. That will give me time to check for the information you seek.We Calistrian are very good at hearing and seeing things... and I'm even better at doing other things. Not the kind of things your mother warned you about... she probably hadn't enough imagination for all the things I could, want to and will do to you, if you accept my offer.
[ooc[Ever see The Gamers 2: Dorkness Rising? I have a feeling I am talking to Flynn the Bard ;) [/ooc]
Turning at the waist to face the overly bold, exceptionally endowed man and quips, "Nary a trace o' shame and all ya' 'ave to say fer yer soul is what you will do? It could be a might entertaining to see how long you ken hold out when given a port and no liberty." She leans in and whispers into his ear
She then pulls back away from the man and offers a smile, the chase is not over, and this bird is no easy prey. He could be a fun row, let's see what he has to offer for what we came for.
Seeing that Cameron is uncomfortable, if not uninterested, Nessa snakes an arm through his and leads him along. She looks at him a moment, "Not interested in enjoying yourself? Most men would jump at the chance." She thinks a moment as they walk before continuing, "It makes you a challenge though and draws more interest in you. Don't worry though, I'll protect you from the crazy lust bunnies." Nessa obviously ignores the fact that she is one of them. Seeing Alayna's suitor Nessa says to her, "Don't mind him, Brother Trenko is one of the biggest man w#@^€s around, and with good reason. Are you coming or going to stop and play?"
Either way Nessa leads the way into what are obviously living quarters for the residents into a moderate sized room that looks very different from what one might expect of someone like Nessa. There is a fair sized bed with the obvious...tools of her trade...around, various bits of clithing and in one corner what looks like a doll house inside a rather large terrarium. "Welcome to my room, it's not much, but I like to call it home." Moving to a smaller cage, Nessa reaches in to it and a great squeaking ruckus ensues as she pulls out a rather large mouse before closing the lid. Moving to the large terrarium she looks inside as she opens the lid cautiously, "Oh Zii~iith, I have a treat for you." She quickly drops the mouse in and closes the lid.
[Ooc] Enter the viper Zith and her terrarium home. [/ooc
"No! It's too soon!", she thinks. "I knew that accursed Blot would be the spell my doom! Run, you foolish woman."
Then a particularly foul-looking rat races by, followed by a goblin!
Help!! He's after me! Proszę! She calls after the small creature, maybe he'll help a fellow in the same trade??
Cameron recoils slightly and then clamps down on his tongue, realizing that Nessa isdoing him a favor. He manages a weak grin and reminds her (and possibly himself), "This place is uh distracting, just remember why we're here. I don't believe it was for communion..."
The goblin looks at you, confused, while the rat runs away
A rat is after you? Must be big rat! Best big rat with tasty, chunky bits! Leave it to Borgmurch!Need help, you go to great Aldo, elf with bow and pointed ears, can't miss it, near big house with naked people!
the goblin rat catcher waves toward the temple, and sniffs around, back on the hunt for the rat
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A middle aged woman comes near you, swinging her hips with more hope than skill
Looking for some good time, sir? Leslay might help you, if you're in need..
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Trenko delivers a beautiful smile at Alayna, breaking through the mold of the everlustful, well endorsed man to show something more
Dreams?I'm not a Desnan, I'm a Calistrian.. I live my dreams...I give pleasure to those, rich or poor, who need it. I ain't a saint, ain't a sinner either, I got the freedom to be myself. I don't seek love, and I don't promise love. No burdening chains, no remorse or regret, no lies, treachery or deception.
he whispers in Alayna's ear, before she goes
I just hope to worship all your holy holes...
A rat? Yes...you may say it's a rat. This one bites back! He was....eating someone's face! She mimes giant teeth with her fingers in front of her mouth i would be fearful that even the mighty Borgmurch would fall against such a horrible foe! she pleads the goblin with her eyes Hurry, let's find this "Aldo" together.
The rat having escaped Borgmurch, the goblin seems unhappy
You own me a rat.
he looks around, still trying to find his small prey, but then sighs and farts at the same time.
Come.
He walks towards the temple again, and speaks, as much for himself as for the strange woman
Big rat... eating faces? If Borgmurch catches it, Borgmurch bestter rat catcher of town.Longshank gives money to Borgmurch.This must be my rat, not yours. You stay with Aldo at Gold Goblin, Borgmurch will hunt and kill facemunchin" bigrat. Longshanks build biggerer gold statue for Borgmurch... Borgmurch famous. Longshanks brings rats to Borgmurch. No more stones to my skull. Borgmurch maybe even be god of ratcatcher. Nice.
Following the goblin, Krucina sees an elf, with a scantily clad woman talking to him. Borgmurch high pitched, excited voice made him impossible to ignore
Aldo! This is.. another Not-as-Long Longshank. Borgmurch almost god of ratcatcher now. Borgmurch is back on the hunt. You strange, Aldo, but you hunt too. Big facemunchin" rat to catch.No problemo.Girl Longshank stay with you, need help. No problemo. Gotta run now. On the hunt!
With that, he turns heel and start running, leaving the elf, Kruncina and the streetwalker in an uneasy silence
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(+2 vs human)
(+2 vs human)
Hal'dorel eyes the woman up and down, the thought of a human's familiar touch upon his skin appalling. "Remove yourself from my sight, human. Your...services, such as they are..."
Inceku emits a mixture of a growl and a whine next to him as Bogmurch and his keening voice draws his attention to the feminine form alongside him. As fast as they approached, Bogmurch is off again.
"I am Hal Greenwater. Who are you and what is it you require of me?" Hal'dorel offers, suspicion clear in his eyes. Though he addresses the stranger, his attention is divided between her and the lady of the night to his left to ensure there's no trouble.
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"You strive to conceal the only thing good running thru those all too human veins." Hal says to the woman. The fear in her he can sense, Inceku emitting a subtle growl in response. Hal's eyes narrow. "Clothe yourself properly, girl. Do not cover yourself in the dross of this city."
He eyes the half-elf skeptically at first, but presses a question in elvish. Let her second redeeming quality be that she knows the language of her ancestry...
He leaves an ear open for the other stranger's response too. But deep down, he wonders if the appearance of the half-elf and this stranger are baits to a trap. Hal casts a weather eye upon the shadows.
Laughing at Cameron's comment, "No communion? How did you think you were going to find someone with the information? Don't worry, I won't let the horny worshipers get you." She gives him a shifty, smouldering look, "But that doesn't mean I will protect you from me." She laughs once again as she leads him along.
As the mouse hits the bottom of the terrarium it immediately starts running for cover and almost reaches it when a sudden motion hits the rodent which squeals in agony. The blur resolves itself into a very pretty viper that glares at Nessa as it's tongue flicks out and tastes her scent. Once the mouse has quit moving, the snake opens it's mouth wide and pulls the mouse in to begin the long, slow process of swallowing it.
Nessa coos at the snake, "Aren't you a pretty little viper. Zith, this is Cameron," she gestures to Cameron and then looks at him and then says, "Cameron, this is Zith."
Cameron watches the process with sick fascination as the snake eats the mouse. Once the prey is being swallowed, he comment, "Nature red in tooth and claw. Quite the antidote for any misplaced amorous feelings don't you think?" He looks her in the eye as he says that and smiles briefly before saying, "I would be at all surprised if this Krung made a tour of the brothels. Likely made an ass of himself. Perhaps your brethren have heard of him? Perhaps they'll be glad to be shot of him!"
"That is kinda the point of being venomous, to kill your food when needed and protect yourself. Considering my mother, I should know." Nessa sighs somewhat sadly, "At least she gave the gift of her venomous nature see?" She opens her mouth and a pair of snake like fangs pop down from where they are concealed in her mouth before popping back up. "Quite useful for getting rid of lovers who won't take a hint. Even if our thief doesn't come here, I'm sure we can find out something about him. So, shall we?" She offers Cameron her arm.
The woman before Hal is garbed in grays and faded blacks. She is of average human height, though her features are lithesome and gaunt. Her face is partially obscured by her hood. From within the he darkness of her hood, a faint, yellow glows where her eyes should be.
With the low growl of Hal's dog the stranger raises both her hands, palms exposed to show she has no weapons in hand.
Greetings, Hal Greenwater. I am called Krucina Sarai. The goblin Borgmurch the Famous said you are the one to seek if one is in need of aid.
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Hal looks at the woman, his own eyes narrowing in suspicion. Yellow eyes... Instead of speaking further, he simply nods as if to day; 'get on with it.'
The woman blushes a little, ashamed of herself, and tries to cover herself more. She answers at Hal, but it's obvious she didn't speak her ancestor's tongue for a while
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Nessa knows that a few questions to her brothers and sisters in faith about the man they seek will probably get some answers, at the cost of some favors at one time or another. Finding one man in the whole town will be no easy task, anyway. But the network of prostitutes and their clients sees and hears much.
There is an Orc following after me, a big one with teeth like daggers. I don't know what his name is or what he wants from me but I need sanctuary. I watched this creature bite a man's face in half without so much thought as swatting a fly. Proszę! Can you help me? She pulls back her cowl to show a worried smile.
Cameron takes her arm, but Nessa can tell he's not entirely thrilled by the idea. Worse you get the feeling he's trying (ever so hard) to be polite and accommodating. He makes a disultory attempt at conversation, "I see you inherited a unique set of gifts from your mother, what of your father? Fathers always have quite the effects on their offspring, assuming they stick around. My father got my brother and I interested in music amongst other things. He was a fascinating man, interested in everything and seemingly knew half the world. Alas that curiosity got him killed..."
Taking a deep breath she continues, "Taking my mother is what brought about his downfall as it roused the anger of the Calistrians, always a bad thing to do. They hunted the man down and found he was in league with a succubus he had called and made a bargain with. She was using him to impregnate the women and give birth to tieflings that she was taking back to the abyss for some reason. They arrived and drove her off before she could take me, the last child, and consigned her consort to the abyss with her." During her story Nessa doesn't seem particularly upset about any of what she says. "Due to my mothers place here I was taken in and raised here in the temple and found my way into my mother's position as an abbess here." She looks at Cameron questioningly, "Is there anything else you want to know about me?"
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...question related to Knowledge (local)
Based on his background, would Hal know of various low-lives with which to plant the seeds of that rumor we were cooking up? The one where we're looking to pull out our slimy thief? I'm thinking of trying to use the skill as a way to work contacts.
Hal eyes the half-elf or a moment.
"Your refuge in this carnal house of perversions has made you weak. This so called sanctuary is the home of listless, self-indulgent fools."
(half elf)
Hal hands her 2 silver pieces and nods towards the west. "Dust yourself of this sinful pit and purchase a proper set of clothes. Then go to the docks and find Marcum al'Dahn. He captains a boat to Magnimar named The Maiden's Sword . He is of the blood as you are. He will put you to work on the decks, so you will earn your passage or you'll be thrown overboard for the sharks." He looks her up and down and grunts. "Hold your head up, the blood of the Elves runs in your veins. Sully it no more."
He nods westward again. "Go. Stand for yourself."
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He studies the woman's face, brow furrowing and a low growl at his throat to match Inceku's. "Resist the urge to exaggerate, pale one. Orcs do not venture into cities. Even one as...colorful as this. Do you speak of a half-orc? Why does he chase you? Where is he?"
scanning the surround
He looks at her, in the eye, wondering what kind of reply he'll get. Nessa can tell he's in earnest and this isn't his idea of a joke.
The same could be said of goblins in cities, yet Borgmurch is tolerated. In truth, seeing the blood dripping from its massive tusks, I didn't think to ask what race his parents descended from...I don't recall ever seeing him before or have a clue as to why he would have grief with me. I'm a rat trapper.
She attempts to match Hal's seriousness and points in the general direction of the half-orc.
There is no orc, or half orc, in sight. Or Hal Dorel can't spot him, which is quite unlikely. Nevertheless, the pale girl seems in fear too.
Half orcs are not that uncommon in Riddleport, and more than one is involved in a life of crime and brutality. The pale girl story makes sense on this point.
Hal thinks that a few of his contacts might be able to spread that kind of rumors, but who among them can be trusted? Who can be the most effective?
Trust, for the elf, is an hard thing to earn. Working among thieves and lowlives doesn't help. Nevertheless, there's one major fence in town, Hedarold the Pearl, who owns him a favor. Most of the thieves know the nearly white-haired gnome, if not by trade, at least by name. And he knows most of them too, and he's discreet. You recall Hedarold is always interested in small, uncut gems of all color. Bringing such a "gift" would be helpful.
Nessa and Cameron reach some peace, and Alayna waits outside the tiefling room. Dolgrin is nowhere to be seen, but the pirate girl points to a door... The dwarf seems to have succombed to the lustful atmosphere of the place, and is probably in good company.
"You didn't have to wait out her Alayna, you could've come in, we were only talking while I fed Zith." Already holding onto Cameron, she reaches out and pulls Alayna in on the other side of her, "Well, what do we want to ask about this person we're looking for?" Her other wing goes around Alayna's shoulder as they chat and walk.
Seeing that the elf may be beginning to believe her earnestness, she tries an additional tactic.
Look, I don't know if you believe me or not but I understand your caution. The "truth" in Riddleport is a rare commodity. I've only been her a short while and I understand that all too well. However, I don't really feel safe on my own right now. Perhaps I can offer you a deal? In exchange for being seen with you, sort of like a companion, I'll lend my services to you. I'm exceptionally good at obtaining the often unobtainable. Is there something you desire to acquire?
Dolgrin loses himself in the unexpectedly pleasant sensations, not entirely sure how he ended up in the room, but certainly enjoying the company.
"Aye, ta' lay the beam o' this ark, where does this dock slug make his sleep? Then we nee' ta' be informed a' any friends and acquaintances on 'is bloddy crew. And o' course we need ta' know if the retch has a Cap'n or master. No way ta' make good if we have to break a whole gang a' these twits."
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If I am to be ensconced within this thieve's paradise, it was inevitable I would need to associate with them. The girl's shift in presentation, however, does speak towards a certain honesty. Not many are willing to admit their faults in this place. Such actions normally do not have positive results. If she can prove herself useful...
He considers his options, a certain gnome coming to mind. "I am going to pay a visit to a gnome later tonight. His services will require an uncut, small gem. Any color will do. If you can procur this item for me, then you may journey with my company for the time being." He eyes her steadily. "Your resourcefulness is what I seek to observe. Trust will come later."
Hal studies the woman's features for an uncomfortably slow 5 seconds then asks, "Your eyes, your pale skin. Is this some form of affliction?"
The half elf woman waits a little, in case more money comes in. She looks desperate, and covers herself as much as she can, ashamed of herself.
She looks at Hal Dorel with hope
Krucina smiles at his wording. Affliction? No, no...my people evolved abilities to thrive in the shadows. We've been doing so for centuries...I am of the Kayal, the "shadow people".
After a few minutes, Dolgrin joins back the team inside the temple, with a pleased and tired face.
Leaning over and kissing Alayna Nessa then responds, "Good points, Cameron, Dolgrin? What do the two of you think, should those be the questions we ask?"
Thinking on Hal's request for a moment, Krucina smiles. "And as for your request, I will see if any of my "friends" might have a small gem such that you have described that are no longer in need of such finery."
Dolgrin looks over at Nessa having just arrived back to the group. "Questions? What questions? My just-completed search in the room over there, although quite interesting, turned up nothing on the fellow. I'm sure whatever you're thinking will be fine."
Asking the questions that Alayna proposed, Nessa and her companions begins asking around for the desired information.
Krucina works the criminal underground for answers:
Alayna spends the afternoon flirting with the temple's denizen, but never giving too much. Nesa's a fish in the ocean in this place! Fun, but not me!
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Hal nods at Krucina's willingness to prove herself and offers the names of other fences he knows in town and how to approach them.
(aid another - or not)
••••••••••
For the half-elf, he eventually provides a gold piece and nods for her to go. He dislikes beggars, bit does want her to get away from sullying her elven heritage.