Library:
I didn't understand a word of what you said.. Nevermind.. Just look at this. It's a simple spell to create a few lights
She speaks a few arcane words, and four lights appears around her
As you might know, one of my colleague, the Cyphermage Argentus Blakely postulated that the Blot is some sort of convergence for focusing arcane energies. He has yet to prove his hypothesis but is running several experiments to test its validity. Until today, I was giving no particular weight to his theory.
Nothing seems to happens, to he surprise and chagrin of the mage. She frowns.
Well, what a fool I've made of myself. Now, I'll tell you that this morning, maybe an hour after I get up, any spell I used was surrounded by a purple mist. Less than a minute after, the mist, rised through the air, in the general direction of the Blot, before dissipating slowly in the air. I asked several other Cyphermages, and they all noticed the violet mist, even if some of them were too dumb to see where the violet mist was gone. To the best of my knowledge, this seemed to affect only arcanic spells, and not the god-given miracles. I don't think the Blot as gone any bigger, because it changes shapes so often, but it was as if it was "feeding" on the magical energies. What if the Blot wasn't a portal to another plane, as commonly supposed so far, but a sentient and hungry creature unknown of? That's quite a frightening thought, don't you agree?
She eyes the three of you, watching your reaction
.....................................................................
Gold Goblin
Saul lets you in, and listens to you.
Boy, lemme disagree with you on that one. Sure we could send Hans away, but first that will show that we fear "them", whoever they are, but that would probably weaken the Goblin, as Beyar will refuse to let his brother go alone. Besides, Hans and Boyar could be attacked and killed while away, or simply refuse to come back and work for us. They growl, bark and bare their teeth, but they didn't bite..yet. That's cause we're not important enough... yet. Second, the Gendarmes are mostly here for money. They show interest in us, cause as you said so brillantly we are doing a few things right. Let's make more money, we'll pay the Gendarmes for protection. Heard you hired a musician, and on your own money too? That's good thinkin". Continue like that and maybe you'll buy the Goblin out of me!
He laughs, puts four glasses on the desk and pours some wine in it
Let's drink to our future success! I knew I hitted tha jackpot when I hired ya all! The week is ending, we'll get more money in the next few days, you fellows kicked that thief a**, showing the underworld planning to rob the Gold Goblin ain't an easy task... To the Gold Goblin, and may Desna favor us!
He rises his glass
Oh, and Nessa, I'd like to talk with you after this impromptu drink, so you can show me what you have planned for the girls...
He winks crudely at the ravishing tiefling
Having made it back for the meeting with Saul, Nessa takes Sylee to the dressing room and says, "I need to meet with Saul honey and I need you to stay here while I do. Maybe the other girls will let you help them with their costumes and makeup while I do. I don't expect to be long honey."
With that accomplished Nessa goes to the meeting with Saul. Once the situation is explained she says, "I went to the temple to figure out what I could about the leader of the gendarme group. He's known as an honest man with a vengeful streak when it comes to dealing with those who harm the weak. As long as we don't go taking advantage of or hurt those he sympathises with he shouldn't be a problem."
At Saul's learning suggestion Nessa turns to Alayna and Cameron, "Since it seems I Wil be tied up longer than expected would the two of you keep an eye on Sylee for me please? She's in the dressing room helping the girls with their costumes and such."
Alayna frowns, "I ken try. But naught says I can make a sail out'a sheets." She turns and waits for Cameron in the hall.
"He may be actin' tha Cap'n o' this hole, but he's a damnin' fool. Is it his plan ta' lose this place he seems so proud of?" She looks left, then right, "And the demon Jenny and 'er 'lil chil'. My skin be a'crawlin' thinkin' abou' where she's gon' be led if left to the harlot's delights." Alayna is glaring now, "We nee' ta find this priest o' Hal's and get this lass off our gun decks so we can be clear's ta' fight anythin' tha' comes ta' us."
Krucina's eyes go wide at the mage's theory.
If this blot is a huge and hungry Magic-eating creature unknown until now....what can be done to combat it? What preparations are being made?!?
Cameron laughs politely and shares the drink but he feels unsatisfied with Saul's response. 'It's as if he isn't taking this seriously. Still I suppose he has more experience than me. Maybe it's not quite the problem I thought, at least not yet.'
Of course with drink, one through leads to another and predictably Saul wants his way with Nessa. Realizing that he'd asked her here, Cameron feels a stab of remorse. He mouths 'sorry' and then says, "Of course. I'll keep Sylee safe for you."
Outside Cameron nods grimly to Alayna thinking much the same about Saul. When the topic comes to Sylee Cameron seems less certain, "I uh know where you're coming from. If the gendarmes or someone else for that matter raid us, this is no place for a child. So I agree we should find that priest. Still I think Sylee is perhaps the best thing that has happened to Nessa, and lets not forget Nessa was the one who stepped up to the plate when Sylee needed someone."
Library
I might be wrong, of course. This is just a theory, not a certainty. And even if my theory is right, as long as you are not a creature made of magic, or a magic user, you might not be endangered. It's time for my regular stroll in town and pipe-smoking. So if you don't have other questions...
.......................................................................
Gold Goblin
While Nessa explores and uses her personal skills with Saul, Cameron and Alayna spots Sylee playing with the girl's clothes, and using way too much make up on her small face...
"Perhaps this... the Blot absorbs arcane energy at certain times of the day. Or it is random. Consider testing your minor magics throughout the day...," Dolgrin shrugs. "And who knows, perhaps the thing will thank those who have supplied it with magical energies rather than devouring them... since we're gabbing about wild theories and all."
"Still, thank you for the information. We will keep an eye out on further evidence of your theory. I have nothing further. It's probably best to get back to the Goblin."
Feeling guilty that she wasn't willing to take on the responsibility, Alayna says nothing. She does, however, arch an eyebrow and inclines her head at young Sylee playing dress up with the strumpet's clothes. "Best fer who, Cam?" She crosses the room to Sylee and sits a stool and offers to help the young girl to fix her makeup. "No expert I be, but any bilge-fool can see ya need less ta' make more o' you." With gentle, if inexpert hands, Alayna cleans most of the makeup and turns the girl to the mirror, "As pefect a' lass as cold ever steer a ship!" Hoping Sylee doesn't see through her she then brushes the child's hair, pulling it all back into a ponytail that Alayna secures with a length of back silk ribbon. "And wit' this an' a tri-corn, you coul' cap'n any ship in the Shackles." She stands up, and offers her hand to the girl. In an excited half-shout she declares, "Come now, to the riggin' we 'ave a voyage to set to!"
Dolgrin, Hal and Krucina have already came back from the Cyphermage's library when Alayna and Sylee walk back to the Gold Goblin. The young girl takes delight in her new, expanded, nautical vocabulary with many "Aaaaarrh", "All aboard!" and "Me lass!".
She is a little bit tired from her walk, and soon Nessa put her in a room upstairs for a nap, before the first gamblers arrive.
The hired bard , Lavin Daebriss, tries a few songs to check the mood of the crowd, then unexpectedly steals everyone's heart with an exquisite song she dedicates to Desna
Stars shining bright above you
Night breezes seem to whisper "I love you"
Birds singing in the sycamore trees
Dream a little dream of me
Say nighty-night and kiss me
Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me
While I'm alone and blue as can be
Dream a little dream of me
Stars fading but I linger on dear
Still craving your kiss
I'm longing to linger till dawn dear
Just saying this
Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be
Dream a little dream of me
Stars fading but I linger on dear
Still craving your kiss
I'm longing to linger till dawn dear
Just saying this
Sweet dreams, till sunbeams find you
Gotta keep dreaming leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be
You gotta make me a promise, promise to me
You'll dream, dream a little of me
There is a few seconds of silence when the song ends...
then thunderous applause. Lavin's tips will be well earned tonight!
The night begins well, as the crowd play and drink with an easy mind.
Of course, when there is good luck, bad luck may come in uninvited too.
A a bulky man with short hair enters the Gold Goblin, with a massive half orc for bodyguard, and another human with a goatee. Even the two guards at the entrance, Hans and Beyard, seem small and frail when the half orc pass between them.
The bulky man, you quickly hear as the crowd speaks in fearful tones, is none other than Clegg Zincher, one of Riddleport's crimelord...
Cameron glances down at the girl cored with make up and looks at Alayna sadly, admitting "Aye, I think we both know the answer to that question."
He then gets down on his knees to talk to Sylee, so he's on the same level as her, and helps Alayna clean her up, "Whoops, you've made a clean spot. Now we'll have to finish the job. Sylee I know you've seen a great many strange things recently, and that's OK I guess. Just remember makeup doesn't make you beautiful. It's what's in there that counts." He smiles and points to her heat and adds, "Beauty is a state of mind and an expression of the soul. I'm not sure if I'm making any sense. Anyway the goblin isn't going to be a fun place for kids soon with all the customers, many of who will be drunk. Besides I think going with Alayna will be fun. She knows how to all sorts of fun things, like how to climb up real high and get to places only the birds should be able to reach. Sounds good huh?"
Later Cameron holds court over the gambling tables, dealing out cards and blessings as his flock (as he calls them) require. Later when Lavin breaks out his tribute to Desna, Cameron leads the applause and gives him big smile and a thumbs up! 'Wow that guy is good! We made the right choice there...'
Nessa laughs when Sylee returns from her trip with Anty Alayna. She's obviously worried and utterly delighted when the two return. She Swoops down and gives Sylee a hug and says, "So did you have fun with Anty Alayna my Sylee girl?" She looks at Alayna and says, "Thank you for taking care of her while I...discussed things with Saul."
Once Sylee is down for a nap after her trip, Nessa goes about her work, stopping only to hear the bard sing and giving a round of applause like everyone else before getting back to work. She flirts, she cajoles, and she occasionally intimidates, but is careful not to anger or offend any patron.
Alayna shares what she knows with Cameron. She ends the description with, Wouldna' wan'a fight 'im. Win er lose, we'd 'ave ta cut n' run."
From what she heard from pîrates and sailors who like to bet money in more violent games than the Gold Goblin offers, seek Zilcher's place...
one of Riddleport’s more notorious crimelords, Clegg runs the quite profitable Zincher’s Arena, a place where anyone can pay to see desperate men fight monsters (or, more commonly, each other).
With a lump in his thtoat, Cameron nods gravely to Alyana and informs Hal.
He then goes to fetch Saul. If Saul can be found, he tells him "Boss Clegg Zincher just turned up. Don't know what he wants yet. He sighs, "Well I can guess", he pats his purse which jingles faintly, "thought you'd want to know."
Unless instructed otherwise Cameron returns to the the gambling hall to keep an eye on things.
.
.
.
Hal eyes the men entering, noting the leader and frowning. When Cameron and Alayna confirm his suspicions, his eyes narrow. Zilcher...
"If it does come to a fight," Hal leans over to Alayna. "...go for Zilcher first. Keep the bodyguards on the defensive."
Hal sees Cameron go tobwarn Saul and turns to inform the others. He winds his way thru the crowd, locking eyes with both Dolgrin then Krucina then nods to the entering trio of Zilcher and Co. Then he heads upstairs to resume his perch on the balcony and watches the trio closely.
vs Zilcher & Co.
For once, Saul's face go pale... which does nothing to dissipate Cameron's fears. He rises clumsily from his seat, and follows the Desnan, clutching with his only hand the stump where his other hand should be
Is he alone? I don't think so...Who is with him?
.
.
.
Hal'dorel keeps himself as still as possible, seated in his customary chair, longbow across his lap. Inceku looks up from where he is curled up by the upper room fire but Hal simply shakes his head. He slips a pair of blunt arrows from his quiver and lays them alongside the bow and waits. Ok, what are you watching?
Zilcher's Attention
staying inconspicuous
...your bodyguards are quite confident if try don't have weapons. Or there's more of you outside...
Cameron shakes his head, "He's got the meanest looking bodyguard I've ever seen. Some half orc who looks like he breaks iron bars for fun. There's also a man with a goatee that none of us recognize. What do you want us to do? The staff are entertaining him for now, but what if he makes any unusual requests?"
Dolgrin keeps an eye on the new arrivals, waiting to see if they decide to cause trouble, or if the group will be told to cause trouble first.
As long as they don't trouble the other customers... Let's see them, and hear what they have to say. Zilcher is a braggart, but he can back his bragging.. quite violently. The dwarf and the elf are ready, I suppose?
Saul sweats a lot. Then he walks on the balcony. He tries to regain his composure and starts to talk.
Zilcher... What a pleasure to see you in the Gold Goblin. You are not a known gambler,so I suppose you've heard of our exquisitive establishment, and the many games it propose for the fun of our customers... I guess your bodyguards know of the rules here, no weap...
Zilcher stops playing and cuts Saul's talking
Yeah, a fine establishment. I'm happy for you, old pal!I was around, and wanted to check on this newest project of yours, and of course your new pals... as you can see, I have some new pals on my own too...And they don't have any weapons. I know your rules, Saul. I know how you like to play.I would say I know your hand, but that would be quite a rude joke, don't you think, my old friend?
He smirks as Saul bites his lips instead of answering
The crowd is silent and tense, waiting for whatever will happen
With the tension that occurs at the arrival of this strange man Nessa begins sending the girls about to keep the patrons content and is preparing to sashay over to Zilcher and find out if he needs anything when Saul comes down to speak to him. Realizing that Saul is terrified Nessa rethinks approaching and instead keeps an eye on the two who came in with him. Realizing that things are about to get ugly Nessa prepares to get her girls to guide patrons out of the area as she's taught them after the fights that have occurred in the casino.
.....potwór...Krucina whispers as her spine stiffens visibly.
She pulls her hooded cloak tightly around herself and attempts to sneak her way to the kitchen.
Alayna sees Hal's girl blanch, I dinnae think she could do tha'! As bemused as she is she doesn't catch where the fetchling got off to. Huh? Alayna keeps watching Zilcher from across the room, all the while keeping rowdy hands at bay with taunts of her own.
Cameron finds Saul mystifying, unable to get a proper handle on the guy, surely he should be doing something more? Slightly nonplussed Cameron, "I reckon, but Desna Willing I don't think violence is the answer here. Maybe you can talk to him?"
He watches Saul go and winces slightly when Zilcher talks right over him like he owned him. Deeply worried, Cameron muses, 'This could end badly, we need something to break the tension.' He heads over to Lavin and whispers, "That last song was amazing! The crowd loved it. Unfortunately the mood has take a turn for the worse and I think we need another little miracle. Can you play something popular to lighten the mood?"
Cameron then has a quiet word with the barman, "We should send something over to Zilcher's table. Something strong but drinkable, but leave the bottle at the bar. Also tell him there's complementary chips at the poker table if he'd like to have a flutter."
Cameron quickly heads back to the poker table and composes himself if the even that Zilcher avails himself of the Casino's entertainment.
The half orc doesn't seem to see Krucina, who pass unnoticed among the crowd.
Lavin nods and tries to play and sing something soothing and peaceful, but it's hard to hear her over the now rowdy crowd
Two-Thumbs, the barman, nods at Cameron suggestion, and sends a fine old Chellish brandy to his table, and give the drink (and Cameron's message) to Nessa to deliver. Strong drink and a good looking girl seems a good idea..
Saul doesn't want to be defeated, and points Alayna and Dolgrin
You too, keep a close eye on Zilcher and his bodyguards. If they do something wrong, put them down and throw them out.
The tension is now even higher, and Zilcher has an amused, but humorless, smile. The half orc wild eyes focus on Alayna, daring her to come closer to him, his huge muscles ready to break her in two.
Receiving the note Nessa quickly goes over to get the drink. She adjust the fit of her top so it barely contains her, adjusts the skirt so it barely comes below her backside, then takes the drink and chips and makes her way to Zilcher with the most devastatingly smouldering look she can manage. She keeps her wings furled but up, her hips sway, and her tail moves in counterpoint to it all, as she approaches, every bit of her succubus heritage showing through as she takes the drink from the tray and hands it to him saying, "Your drink Master Zilcher, on the house, as are these chips." She produces the chips for him, "We take extra special care of our VIP guests so I've been assigned to serve you for the duration of your time here this evening."
Dolgrin moves to a position where he could swiftly close on any possible trouble, but otherwise stays far enough back to keep from being an overt threat, as he waits to see how this all plays out.
Zilcher grins when he sees Nessa coming, with as little clothes as not being totally naked can be...
Saul, you got a pearl on that one. But I guess you already know that, you dirty one-handed pervert? A free drink, some free Gold Goblin chips... You're a very generous one! What's your name, girl?
says Zilcher with a big slap on Nessa backside
Just kidding. I know who you are. I'll recognise your a** anywhere. I mean your face, of course.
Big grin
You're as safe from me as anyone here could be. In fact, be careful Saul don't get jealous of your security...
To his half orc bodyguard, as he gets a firm grasp of Nessa's bottom under her skirt, talking to her while his hand get busy
Tuyp, I guess the pirate lass got your message: "Don't mess with me, and don't mess with my boss." Funny fact for someone who works for other's pleasure like you: you got to be very careful with what you wish and say with Tuyp. He takes the saying "Eat me out" a little too much litteraly. That girl screamed for nearly half an hour before dying, or at least losing conciousness.
Everyone around Zilcher is pale and terrified. The closest gamblers rise from their seat, as slowly as possible and do their best to walk away calmly from the table. Some of them even just grab an handful of chips and nearly run away, leaving a part of their earnings. Zilcher adds their chips to his.
My, ain't I lucky tonight...
Meanwhile, the second bodyguard looks at Dolgrin, with an almost amiable smile.
No one seems to give attention to Hal, up on his balcony.
Nessa gives a gasp as Zilcher begins to grasp her backside and a blush of pleasure as he admits to knowing of her. While his story about his story about Tuyp frightens her the things his hand is doing combines to turn her on even further. Leaning into him she whispers breathily into his ear, "Well then, it's a good thing I'm here to attend you and not him" She licks his ear then puts an arm around his shoulder and snuggles up next to him as he gambles.
Alayna makes eye contact with the half orc body guard and sees something. A look that she had seen once, when she was about 13.
* * *
The lass had just joined the crew and it was only a couple of days under sail out of Quent. She had seen the other sailor leering at her but thought not too much of it. After all, the Cap'n had told her, "Ya ken fight to protect yerself, but don' go fightin' yer crewmates." She was on firewatch, wrapped in a salt-sprayed blanket when she heard the scuff of a boot behind her. She jumped to her feet and pulled out the brass knife she carried in her belt. Standing next to the foremast was that lout, strong and brutish. He smiled at her, "Funny you shud' be above decks, sweetmeat." Alayna brandished her knife and the sailor laughed, "Put it away lass, the crew'll nae care if I gut you mahself and send you to the depths." Uncowed, Alayna said, "Then try it, swabbie!" There was a brief scuffle; her cheek was boxed, his arm was cut across some important cables. Within seconds, the Cap'n was there, cuffed her hard across the cheek and turned on the wounded sailor, "Blast it man! Not with yer crew!" Within minutes the whole crew was assembled and the quartermaster drew the scoundrel's blood with a whip. Things were quiet the next few days. Then they arrived in Ollo, way in the west. The goodly Cap'n dropped Alayna off, "Too much trouble to 'ave you crew me ship!" was all he told her. As she walked down the gangplank to the docks there was a hoot and holler - from the would be rapist. "Nae on this crew now. And your tart mouth owes me for some stripin' ya earned me!"
* * *
Alayna shakes her head, Nae, long ago and my wounds 'ave done healed, thanks be tha Dreamer." She keeps to the other side of the room from the orc, and his hateful, hungry eyes, but she won't shirk her duty to keep the Goblin safe. Or, as safe as she can.
Not moving from his position, Hal glances about for Krucina. While he can see the others, she'd disappeared from view. But she's either hidden or nowhere near the floor. A silent curse and he resumes his study of Zilcher and his bodyguards. The half-breed savage will be the most dangerous up close. But the other...I don't like unknown quantities.
As Nessa cozies up to Zilcher, Hal begins running down strategies in his mind...
Trying to keep cool, Cameron notes the ever increasing pile of chips and remarks, "Apparently so. They say luck favors the bold..." A common Desnan saying.
He expertly retrieves the cards from the last hand and quickly shuffles, cuts and performs another elaborate shuffle one handed before dealing the cards quickly and accurately to the remaining players.
As he does so he adds, "Of course the thing about luck is it's ever changeable, like the seas and the tide. You in for another round? The house would appreciate a chance to win some of that back!"
Too bad I won't appreciate giving the house some hard earned gold, Cameron. Madrebo, takes the chips and get me my gold.We're leaving.
The second, silent bodyguard obeys quickly as Zilcher observes the priest of Desna, and rises from his seat. Near the entrance, the master thug has a few parting words
Thank you for your hospitality, Saul. And for your staff... I'm willing to pay 5 gold pieces a week for more informations on this place. I already got a snitch here, of course. But two or more sources are better than one.
With theses final words, they go.
Nessa is becoming highly aroused and about ready to jump him in the middle of the room when he stops what he is doing and heads to the door. She moans in frustration but doesn't follow him but instead going to Saul and whispering,
Hurrying into the kitchen, Krucina is amazed at the hustle and bustle of various food preparations. She gets several confused looks from the staff, but they all immediately go back to work.
Politely shooing away a cook stirring a big pot of stew, she wraps kitchen rags around the handles and takes over stirring the roiling meal.
.
.
.
Zilcher
Hal watches as the human and his lackeys depart. He feels anger boiling beneath the surface, seeing years scum Zilcher leave behind such a challenge to the authority within the Goblin's walls as though it means nothing. Humans, roaming their respective territories and pissing on the ground. No better than dogs... He glances down at Inceku, the Ridgeback meeting his eyes. "No offense." Hal mutters in elvish.
He rises smoothly from his seat, bow now at his side as he slips the two blunt arrows back into his quiver. He steps to the balcony railing and glares down at the gathered gamblers and pathetic hangers on. I shall show you territorial pissings... Hal'dorel brushes a tankard of half drank ale from the railing, letting it crash to the floor below and drawing attention to himself. "Hear me well! Knowledge, gold, merchandise...stealing is stealing. And you'll be held accountable." He sweeps a finger across the casino. "Ask around and see how far you'll get after stealing from here! Ask how far you'll get before I find you and " Hal places his hands on the railing and concludes. "Then we'll see how far 5 gold goes towards paying the rats to eat your sorry carcass."
(26 vs humans in room)
The wild look in Hal's eyes spills over the crowd as he withdraws from the rail and resumes his seat. In his rage he barely notices that Inceku is next to him growling low to match his master's mood.
By the dark pits of my soul I hate this place. I want it to burn...I need it to burn for its inequity...
The elf begins searching his memory for word on this Mardebo fool serving Zilcher. Perhaps Hal'dorel would go on the offensive and take away some comfort on the man's part.
Word on Madrebo?
For once, Saul doesn't seem too much interested in Nessa's lustful antics. He walks back to his office, disgusted and furious.
Hal's powerful words takes the crowd and staff by surprise. At least they aren't sure anymore who they should be afraid of: Zilcher or the elf?
When Krucina comes back from the kitchen with a full pot of boiling soup, she spots Zilcher and his bodyguards getting out, under Dolgrin vigilant eyes.
Somewhat angry about Saul's rejection, Nessa starts trying to think of some one who can help her right now. She rearranges her clothing to it's normal fit and looks around for Cameron. She moves to him when he has a break and says to him as quietly as she can while still being heard, "Would you come speak with me a moment please?"
Nessa pulls Cameron into an unused side room and closes the door before speaking, "Look, I know you and everyone else seem disgusted by what I do, my antics. I know none of you even care to have me around most of the time, except maybe Dolgrin. I don't think any of you realize though that how I act, what I do, has nothing to do with trying to be base or lewd, it is my very nature, the circumstances of my birth. When I get as turned on as I just was by that bastard Zilcher and then left I can't go back, I have to go through the rest of the way," She looks a bit ashamed as she says, "and I can't do it myself." She looks up into Cameron's eyes with not a bit of deceit as she pleads, "Will you help me, please, it won't take long I just need you to help me because I know you won't take it for something it is not." There are tears in her eyes as she finishes and complete honesty in her words.
"Look, I know you and everyone else seem disgusted by what I do, my antics. I know none of you even care to have me around most of the time, except maybe Dolgrin"
Cameron tries to get a word in edgewise, "Uh Nessa, when we first met, I uh didn't know what to think. But now well, lets just say Sylee has opened my eyes to a whole other side of you."
Of course she carries on speaking, revealing something fragile. Blindsided by this Cameron kinda stares like a rabbit in the headlights, 'Hells! If she knew I'd secretly hoped it would be Alayna propositioning me and never her, gods below if she knew I think that would end very badly.'
Of course the first stupid thing lame thing he thinks of comes out of his mouth, "I find cold water helps."
Realizing what an arse that made him sound he says seriously, "I don't think I've insulted an propositioned in the same breath before." He looks at her sadly, "Nessa in truth you've been treated terribly tonight. Right now you're well, you know. You think you know what you want. I think I know what you need."
If she lets him, Cameron takes her hand (although he resolutely resists any attempts at getting it on) and leads her back to the temple of Calistra. Inside he opens a door a crack where Sylee is sleeping soundly. Whispering so as not to disturb the sleeping child, Cameron closes the door and says, "Alayna took her back here hours ago. There that's what you need. As to what you want, well you know that bronzed hunk out front. The one who looks like a avatar of some god? He is what you need, he'll treat you much better and longer than I ever could and he'll enjoy it. The best thing is tomorrow, you won't feel bad about it either."
Realizing she isn't going to get through she resolves herself to what she's about to say, her wings fold down protectively around her body. Once she takes a few moments to collect herself she begins, "You have to understand the circumstances of my birth I think to grasp what I mean. You see, a little over 60 years ago there was a serial rapist, he'd abducted many women for his enjoyment, the last of which was a vishkanya woman. This last victim was a priestess at the Calistrian temple and as such the then mistress mobilized to capture him and retrieve the woman. When they found him it was in a warehouse full of the women he'd collected, almost all having given birth and been killed, only the last was to deliver. They broke in just in time to find the woman dead and the rapist conversing with a succubus, the true mastermind of the plot. The infants, all conceived by him and tainted by the succubus were all tieflings and all of them but me had been taken through to wherever in the abyss she came from. They drove her off and the monster of a man was taken with her, only one infant was left behind. That infant, the child of the vishkanya, was me."
Nessa pauses a moment as they reach the temple, "You see, I am so close to being half-succubus it isn't funny, and as a consequence, my body functions very differently, including this overly active sense of desire and lust. Once I have reached a certain point I really can't come back, the only way over is through to the other side." As they reach her rooms and see Sylee sleeping Nessa listens to him, then asks, "Please, would you sit with her for a short while, if you won't sate me then I need to find someone to do so, it shouldn't take long?"
With that, Nessa quietly slips out of the room and to the front. She returns a short time later, with no sign of what she has been doing, and crawls into bed with Sylee. She gently pulling the child into her embrace and, wrapping her wings around them both, drifts off to sleep.
While Cameron and Nessa are away, things are not so quiet inside the Gold Goblin, even with Zilcher and his goons gone....
One of the cook run into the main room, grabbing Alayna by the arm
Quick! A big red snake! It bited Larty! It's into the scullery!
Completely exasperated at the half-orc's quick departure, Krucina clinks the large pot down on the bar and seethes.
Alayna looks to the cook, "Oi, Ya say? I been spoilin' fer a fight..."
She moves cautiously into the scullery, waiting for the damned thing to move. She checks high and low, thinking of some jungle monsters that are known to fall on top of the unwary.
Snake HP 13 AC 14/11/13, Init +5 F+5 R+4 W+1 Melee bite +2 (1d4-1+poison, save Fort DC 13; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d2 Con; cure 1 save.
Alayna sees a cook's apprentice lying on the floor, his face pale and his mouth open, with two deep holes on his left hand...
Then she spots the snake's red scales, not too far from the body.