Upon first glance, it is hard to imagine the House of the Silken Veil as a brothel. It is a large, grimy marble building topped with an ugly blood-red steeple. Nevertheless, its three entrances are each hung with freshly laundered curtains and the heavy, floral smell of incense wafts from the building.
As the party enters into the House of the Silken Veils, they see in front of them beautiful half naked males and females of all the usual races of Golarion.
Yukine's eyes don't stray from the golden haired beauty, dressed in fine shimmering robes that hang loosely over her slim and curvy body. As she approaches, she removes the hair pin that keeps her blonde locks pushed up over her face, her long hair falls down over her shoulders, cascading over her breasts showing through the deep cut in her robes as they rise and fall with each breath. Her silky voice, sounds like the whispers of the breeze through the trees, "How may I help you? I am sure your wish or desire can be satisfied, see anything that might satisfy you?"
Across the room, the other side of a deep and luxurious yellow and black patterned carpet, soft and gentle on the feet, Jiraiya spies a long bar of mahogany wood, deep red. Sitting on a high stool, smoking a long white clay pipe, is a female dwarf. Her long red hair, plaited into two strands on either side of her face, interspersed with flowers. Most striking of all though is her beard, neatly twisted down in a single plait, it sparkles with threads of gold and jewels woven into its length. Her strong bare arms, are uncovered by the long green and yellow dress that covers her muscular body, in her heavy, but painted hands she holds a mug of foaming ale, which she drinks with relish. She turns and looks Jiraiya in the eye, she winks.
The air in the room is heavy with perfume, the smell of the woodland flowers, musk, the smell of love and lust surrounds you along with the sounds of kissing and flirtatious chat. The yellow silken drapes section the large room, into smaller more private enclosures, from some of these, you spy shapes and shadows moving and gyrating. A tall female elf who glides across the carpet, her long legs covered by high heeled black leather boots that extend up to her thigh, smiles at Elustra as she enters and walks towards her. A tall auburn haired woman, looks at Orrina as she enters, her eyes drift up to the ornaments of love making that hang on the walls, in particular a yellow and black whip, whose ends looks like wasp stings, she nods and smiles.
In one corner, the sounds of soft music, string and pipes make honeyed seductive notes, as two woman dance in their veils, their seer yellow chiffon clothes glide around them, their naked limbs showing bronzed flesh up to their torso. Several men, sit on cushions watching mesmerized.
All are asked what their pleasure is, with the exception of Father Mac, who is left alone, standing at the entrance way.
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Father Mac's nostrils flare as he looks around at all the decadence. He grips the whip at his side, anxious to let it loose and teach all these heathens some respect for the Gods. He's about to do just that when much to his surprise, Yukine speaks up. He takes in her disdain, uncertain if she's as appalled as him or just impatient and wants to keep moving.
He turns back to the blonde whore and he takes a step forward, "we're here for a dagger. If you can run along and fetch it, that would be greeeaaat." He makes a shooing motion before stepping back.
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"AHEM"
Cutting Yukine off before she can use her silver tongue again
"Ladies.. We were sent here to retrieve an dagger for Jenks, but perhaps we can work out a deal instead... If we lose, you keep the dagger"
Jiraiya stays quiet for a moment and then as if an idea just came to him
"We'll hold a contest like we did over at Rolf's place..."
"A SEX CONTEST! YES! First to finish loses!"
He begins breathing way too heavily
Had Jiraiya gotten his speech in before Miss Goody Twoshoes had ruined the fun, his contest would have been one for the records books!
Alas, it is not to be.
As Yukine spills the name of Jenks and your association with the Aspis Consortium , the once friendly ladies turn their backs to you and walk away. Two tanned and muscled men walk over, their bodies oiled, ceremonial whips attached to their loin cloths, they both bow their shaven heads, "Please follow us, we will let Shorafa Pamodae know you are here." As they speak, a woman holds out a silver tray with nuts, fruits, unleavened bread and cheese, "Please, take your pleasure?" before she continues on her way serving the temples real guests.
You follow the two men, through the main reception area, as men and women pair up or more and play out their erotic dreams with the temple's entourage. You are led through soft chiffon curtains into a soft and well lit corridor, with small rooms spread on either side. From behind the doors, the sounds of groan of pleasure can be heard, until at he far end, you enter a large room with luxurious fittings. Sat on a pile of cushions, between two large statues of golden and black wasps whose stingers look deadly hard and sharp steel, is a tiefling woman. Her delicate and soft hand points to golden tray on which stands green ornate glasses and an equally ornate bottle. The woman's soft and sultry voice invites you to pour yourselves some wine and make yourselves comfortable in her parlor.
"My friends, take a drink and relax, let us at least enjoy each others company and get to know each other before we get down to business." She clicks her fingers at one of the men and points to the bottle full of wine, he goes over and pours a glass and takes it to the tiefling. She holds the glass up, swirls the wine, breathes in its aromas of blackberry and chocolate, before drinking some. "A fine vintage, please join me in a toast to your health and happiness." She drinks a little and smiles enticingly at you. "So to what do I owe the pleasure of entertaining such fine men and women who are of the Aspis Consortium?"
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"Enough!" Elustra shouts. "I don't know what you are trying to pull here, but stop the games. The Aspis has tolerated you for this long because of the service you provide for our... weaker... men and women, but that service will only get you so far. Your payment is due, and it is due now. I hope that I do not have to repeat myself once again"
Jiraiya heads back outside the door and moments later there are giggles and laugther as it appears he has found what he was seeking.
To Elustra the tiefling answers "Well, you seem a little reluctant to enjoy my hospitality, surely, I'm sorry what was your name again? You don't need to stop your ...... companions from having some time off, whilst we discuss the business we need to. Hmmm?"
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"My name is only told to those who deserve to hear it. " Elustra flashes her bronze badge. "And I'd prefer to keep it that way. As I have mentioned, you do provide services to those weaker. Take Number 4 back there as an example. " She points to Jiraiya who was just leaving. "But that is why people like me are in the position I am now. Some of us need to get things done. Like Number 1 here. " She points to Yukine "Now, shall we get on with this?"
Unperturbed by Elustra comments, Shorafa Pamodae's eyes narrow as she looks Elustra up and down. "So, your name is a secret. So be it, I'm used to secrets in my profession. I was hoping we could negotiate, but it seems you don't see any profit for your advancement with the Consortium. Your reputation for quiet resolutions of the Aspis' interests, seems not to be true." She shifts and puffs up the cushions on which she sits, making herself more comfortable. "The evening is yet young, there is time for some enjoyment before we conclude our business about ... the dagger." She claps her hands and calls her servants, acolytes to attend her, as she looks at Elustra, "Bring us some sweet meats, my guest is ... agitated." she smiles.
As Orrina begins to take interest in the fine wares the madam offers "Maybe I can make an offer to you. You leave the dagger with us and I invite you to a few hours of indulging in exotic wines and the devoted company of my acolythes. In exchange I require a signed statement on behalf of the Aspis Consortium that my temple's debt has been paid in full, including the past-due interest." Pamodae says."
With a sigh Shorafa produces a locked iron case with a glass lid containing a dagger shaped like a wasp’s stinger. The case is locked.
"If Jenks wants the dagger so badly, he can get the case open on his own."
Shorafa waves her attendants to escort you from the brothel as she exits the room. You arrive outside and find your monk friend is missing. Waiting patiently for several minutes you are about ready to come back inside when he strolls out blowing kissing to several different ladies.
The box is locked. Father Mac inspects it and finds there is no ordinary lock on this box, it is a superior lock and likely way behind anything the party would be able to open.
Crossing the river seems awkward, as no bridge spans the river. Passersby direct you to the ferry farther upriver. Apparently, bridges across the river have been banned due to troubles with trolls and ogres which live in the northern mountains outside of town.
As you walk to the ferry, a large, bowl-shaped stone structure catches your eye. It is built right against the riverbank on a stone platform, with a narrow set of stairs ascending the base and leading into the bowl. A chain has been drawn across the stairway to prevent easy access, and a small sign reads, "Closed". From the information you possess, this may be the so-called "Fish Bowl", temple to the minor goddess Besmara, the pirate queen.
As you regard the building from street level, a shrill scream pierces the night. Passersby seem to take no notice of the sound, which is followed almost immediately by a deeper yell, and a pair of young voices screaming in terror. The sounds seem to come from above street level from within the large bowl-shaped building.
As you climb the staircase, you can see that the temple beyond is dimly lit by a guttering red light, suggesting torches or braziers. (Normal light within the temple.) At the top of the stairs, a wall blocks your view of the central temple, but openings to either side lead farther into the structure. On the left, you spot a pair of legs sticking out from around the wall. As you reach the opening, you hear a hiss from somewhere inside.
Inside the central temple is a scene of carnage. Directly in front of you lays a woman, facedown in a pool of blood. At first you think she is still alive and moving, until you spot the creature eating her.
Perched on the woman's back is a creature which looks like a 4' long snake with two large lobster-like claws and a large, beak-like jaw. It seems to have crawled out of the large ceremonial pool, attacked to woman, and is now enjoying the fruit of its labours. On the other side of the pool, a second lobster-snake feasts on a man, wearing similar garb to the woman. At a staircase on the far wall, two more of the creatures are struggling to climb up the steep spiral staircase, but their progress is impeded by a wooden table which partially blocks their path. From the motion of the table, you can tell that someone is holding the table in place as a barrier. From behind the table, you can hear the panicked grunts of at least one person. As the creatures press their attack, you again hear the screams of two younger voices from behind the table.
Yukine dispatches the first creature with the stroke of her blade before it even had a chance to do very much. Interestingly enough, after the final blow was dealt, the body of the creature began to spasm and both of its claws flung about wildly. While closer this time, both of them once more missed. The second creature near it moves up and swipes at her with both its claws, but she is too quick to allow it to touch her.
Orrina's attack misses, but Father Mac's whip cracks as it strikes the creature adjacent to him. In retaliation the creature moves adjacent to Father Mac and swipes at him twice. The first attack his and the creature lashes out once more and barely is able to slash Mac's calf
Orrina is able to damage the creature this time, though it remains on its feat. With her second strike Yukine decapitates the second creature next to her, ending its life.
Father Mac feels the poison set into his body and his attack with the Whip is off the mark by two feet. Jiraiya moves in and quickly ends the combat, taking the creature down to the ground with a solid offensive strike.
The man holding the table looks up at you as you approach, then drops the table and buries his face in his hands. Farther up the stairs, two young girls, age about 6 and 9, are sobbing. They run to their father and hug him, and the man looks up at you again.
"Thank you, thank you for saving us! Those bleedin' Besmarans cultist were going to feed us to the reefclaws, they were. But someone must've had other ideas... the reefclaws went straight at them instead. Guess the Pirate Queen wasn't satisfied with their sacrifice."
The man stands and offers you his hand. "I'm Josef, and these are my girls, Niana," he gestures to the older girl, "and Frelinda." Niana smoothes her long, tangled hair, and you can see the slightly-pointed ears which hint at a touch of elven ancestry.
Josef's gaze shifts to behind you, where the creatures and lie dead, and he shudders. "We owe you our lives... not that it's of much value. I have nothing I can reward you with but my thanks."
The man blinks having just explained what happened he looks to Yukine's companions and repeats himself, "Uh. I'm well, are you well? Perhaps you were struck with some of their poison?"
"Anyhow, thank you for saving us! Those bleedin' Besmarans cultist were going to feed us to the reefclaws, they were. But someone must've had other ideas... the reefclaws went straight at them instead. Guess the Pirate Queen wasn't satisfied with their sacrifice."
Shaking his head Josef explains, "Two of these cultist crabbed my family as we were leaving the market this afternoon. No explination but I overheard them talking about some sacrifice for Besmara because my wife Redelia cheated them out of some vast treasure or something ridiculous."
The children gasp as Father Mac collapses to the ground. "Oh my! I bet he was poisoned by one of those vile beasts! Although he does look quite old, perhaps it was his time?"
Josef shakes his head, "She is a sailor and out at sea currently. I'm sorry, this is all I know. Thank you for saving our lives, bless Desna!" The man escorts his children from the temple and returns home.
Searching the bodies you find what you came here and scoop it up. In addition to Besmara's Bicorne, you also find two rapiers, two l leather armors, two scrolls of cure light wounds and jewelry worth 90gp. With all of the items recovered you head back to see Jenks.
Jenks looks over the items, and a smile creeps onto his face. "Nice work," he admits grudgingly. "Your reputation turns out to be true. You've earned your pay tonight!" He gathers up the items, glancing at the dagger case for a moment, before handing them all back to Elustra.
"As a bonus, Thestil, I'm going to let you and your team have the honor of delivering these to the Lissalans. Handling this will really boost your standing in the Consortium if you handle it well... so don't blow it."
Jenks returns to his desk and pulls a roll of vellum from his center desk drawer. He passes it to Elustra. "Here's the address of the Lissalan safe house, and the details of what you have to do." He hands over the piece of paper, as well as a roll of vellum he pulls from his belt.
The vellum seems to be a message from someone higher up in the Aspis Consortium, and reads as follows:
Agent Jenk,
You demonstrate excellent initiative in collecting our overdue debts and offering them as gifts to the Lissalans. This way, we can start to stem the hemorrhage of our goodwill with the Lissalans for very little actual cost to the Consortium. Deliver the items to the Lashmistress at the Lissalan safe house with our best wishes for future negotiations. If Thestil Shadowtongue’s team has impressed you, they can make the delivery in your stead, but be sure they understand that the situation is politically tenuous. Indelicacy here could do us serious damage. The Lissalan safe house is located underground. Their complex is accessible via an abandoned tattoo shop called “Seven Needles” just south of Zincher’s Arena and the Gas Forges.
The Lissalans remain paranoid, secretive, and edgy. Tread carefully, so we can turn this situation around. Success so soon after our arrival in Riddleport would mean accolades for me, and thus for you.
—The Spider
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Before they leave, Father Mac turns to Jenks, "the cultists had some kind of poison. Any chance you can help out with that?"
He falls in behind 'Thestil' and once they're clear of the waterfront, he leans in to ask, "how do we want to handle this? Do we want to burn down the tattoo parlor? Figure out how to flood the underground portion?"
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"Well I think that might be the final thing we do. We should definitely seek out this safe house through the tattoo parlor, and once we learn more about the safe house, we may have a better idea of what we need to do next. I have my own thoughts too on how to play this on the aspis." Elustra nods to the group while pointing to her shiny bronze aspis badge.
Let us continue on our way.
Jenks looks concerned and quickly rushes to Father Mac's side to check out his wounds. When he looks it over he reaches into his pocket and says, "Here. This will fix it, rub this on it." The Aspis agent pulls out his balled hand and extends it to Father Mac, slowly lifting his middle finger in the process. Once he's done he burst into laughter and smirks, "When you're all done here get a good nights rest and sleep it off like a man. Do you think I pay you to come in here and complain because you got a scratch? Maybe I should reconsider send your group over there Thesil?"
You leave the yard of Barracuda cartage and head south along the waterfront. As you walk, the air becomes hazy, and the smell of the sea is overwhelmed by a sickly sweet smoke that seems to climb to your skni and clothes. To your left, a huge stone arena towers over the other buildings, and beyond, a series of large smokestacks belch plumes of black smoke into the sky. The smokestacks emanate from an immense structure or brick and iron, showing unmistakable signs of dwarven architecture.
Directly across the street from the smokestacks, you find your target: an alley leading to a ramshackle wooden building tucked between two flophouse tenements. The windows are broken and partially covered by rotting boards, and the entire side of the building facing the smokestacks is stained black with soot. A faded sign by the door is barely legible: "Seven Needles Tattoo Parlor".