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After narrowly avoiding a split infinitive, Luisila says boldly, “We will certainly keep an eye out for your mother. If she has been abducted by the Lissalan sect, we may be able to help."
"Those people ignore contracts and are generally bad for business. Josef, do us a favor and get the word out on the street that the Aspis have declared war on them.”
Once everyone is ready and Josef’s family has gone, Luisila will say “I agree it’s time to go to the Silken Veil, Thestil. How are we going to do this? ‘Honesty is the Best Policy’ … or a limited disguise for the ladies? I am happy with either choice. Also, before you start negotiating with the Lashmistress, I will cast Bit of Luck and Eagle’s Splendor on you, Guv.”
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"Yes, let's discuss this briefly - as too much delay would likely make Jenks suspicious. My gut tells me to be upfront with the Lashmistress. From our brief experience with her last night, I could see her as being a little more willing to push against the Aspis Consortium than the gentleman at the Publican House. However, that requires putting our trust in her, and I'm a bit leery of that."
"And to go in under disguise wouldn't be simple either. My disguise spell doesn't last very long, I'd have to borrow Ernie's hat... But they are expecting Aspis Consortium."
Linnea paces back and forth as she weighs the options.
"Alright, lets go in under disguise as Aspis Consortium. I think if things go south, then we can try to explain the situation to the Lashmistress. If anyone doesn't feel right about this, let me know now. Time is growing short."
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Roland falls in line behind the others...smiling briefly.
"Zounds like a good plan Lady Thestil. Well played everyone. I am proud to be on zhis mission with such professionals. And Var-Cleaver...impressive axework. You clearly deserve your namesake. I really hope we can help the father and his girls ind their mother."
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Luisila nods in agreement to Thestil’s plan before preparing herself for yet another role. There are surprisingly few changes to make to her clothing. She lengthens the narrow leather cord that her holy symbol is attached too, so that it sits underneath her traveller’s shirt, closer to her heart rather than ‘cameo-style’ at her throat as she usually wears it.
She waits until the party approaches the Silken Veil before completing the transformation into Filios.
**In character** “My dear, Thestil. Beauty and intelligence all wrapped up together in the one package. I might just allow vous to buy moi a drink once all of this is over …”
“Seriously, I’ve got half an hour before the clock strikes midnight and I’m going to have to leave. Otherwise I’m going to turn into a pumpkin.”
She will wait until Lashmistress Pamodae is ready to receive the Aspis delegation before casting Eagle’s Splendor and a Bit of Luck on Thestil.
Josef explains to Linnea where he and his daughters reside before thanking the group once again and leaving withing his daughters.
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Zynep reluctantly agrees to the plan, but does not offer up a better option. As the group approaches the Silken Veil, Zynep will duck into an ally to cast her spell.
Walking out of the side street is a dark skinned, Qadirian man dressed in well used leathers and an overcoat. A number of bottles and quick access reagents hang off his person.
"Greetings, I am Ezrek Filosten of Qadira. Let us be off so that we can accomplish this important mission."
Ezrek then slips on the smoked goggles, "We've got a stinger to take from this bee."
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As he enters the Silken Veil, Filios takes off his smoked goggles and gazes about the room before confiding to Ezrek:
**Top Gun** “Even Omrax the Bold could get laid in a place like this.”
“What have you been up to, Ezrek? Been entangled in any plots of betrayal, lately? Have you still got your precious ring? Just thinking about the horrors on that last mission makes me as nauseous as a Paladin of Iomedae finding out his mother was a working girl.”
Filios will scan the room for the Lashmistress, the dagger they've come for and any obvious threats.
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Filios says to a passing hostess … “Helloooo, Sweet Lips. I’m Filios Philandril. How would you like your eggs in the morning? Fertilized or unfertilized?”
" ... I find the application process to be allowed into the Society has become laxed as of late."
Ezrek then looks at Filios, then looks at himself, then back at Filios. He then shrugs with a sigh.
Aside to Filios, "I give them 3 minutes, 5 at the most."
The group enters the House of the Silken Veil and are quickly approached by an acolyte.
Welcome gentlemen, how may we be of service to you this evening? Have you brought your appetites? she purrs.
The acolyte frowns a little, but then smiles. We have all manner and variety here at Calistria's House
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Linnea, now using Ernie's hat of disugise to appear as a male dwarf, addresses the acolyte, "While my travelling companions are here for pleasure, I'm here on strict Aspis Consortium business. My name is Shan, and I request audience with the Lashmistress." Linnea maintains a serene look on her face, staring directly into the acolyte's lovely pair of eyes.
Linnea turns to Zynep, "I think I know that Sczarni fellow of which you speak. He is a bit unhinged, and don't get me started on that wolf of his..."
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... but I was hungry for a blonde without the tail and horns.
Without allowing the tiefling call girl to get close enough to interact with 'his' disguise, Filios says to her kindly:
“Nevermind my large friend. Recently, he’s been having a bit of an identity crisis, but I predict he’ll be back to his old self in no time.”“What about you though, Sweetie? What’s your name? Do I sense a tinge of sadness in you? How are things in your world?”
*Discreetly* “Say we needed a favor from the High Priestess … is there anything we could do or say to help persuade her we would make good ... partners?”
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" I read somewhere your periods attract bears. Bears can smell the menstruation. Since there are a lot of periods here, do you get many bear attacks? If so, I have just the reagent for you. It is bear mace. If you ever find yourself close enough to use it, you should have ran away a long time ago. I will send a crate over if we can talk to whom ever is in charge."
The acolyte's eyes widen a bit at the ramblings of the party before she nods at Linnea/Shan. I will go see if the Lashmistress is available for an audience. She nearly trips over herself as she moves quickly away.
After a short delay, the party sees Lashmistress Pamodae glide slowly over, followed by her retinue of guards. I am Lashmistress Pamodae, you requested my attention?
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Linnea/Thestil/Shan stands with her arms crossed.
"Yes madam, my name is Thestil and I represent the Aspis Consortium. I've been told that I should collect a dagger from you. It seems that you offer quite a few amusements here at your little uh... temple. While my travelling companions may be interested in such base excercises, I seek only the dagger - if you please."
Shorafa stares at Zynep/Ezrek in confusion for a moment before answering Linnea/Thestil/Shan. Well met Master Thestil. I knew to expect you and what you were after. Why don't you make yourselves comfortable and partake of the wine. She says motioning to a set of sofas and a table with wine and goblets upon it. I have a proposition for you. Would you and your men accept a few hours of indulging in exotic wines and the devoted company of my acolytes? In exchange, I require you, Thestil Shadowtongue to sign a statement on behalf of the Aspis Consortium that states the temple’s debt has been repaid in full, including the past-due interest. She smiles wickedly at the party and lounges back on a sofa to await the response.
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Linnea gives the offer some thought. "My dear Lashmistress your offer is most generous. I can only assume that to spend an evening among such fine drink and fine companionship would cost quite the coin. While I am surely intruiged by your offer, I would like to simply collect the dagger. I am willing to write a significant portion of your debt in exchange for the dagger, but we simply don't have time for such recreations as you offer."
Linnea avoids Varg's eyeline, certain that he must be staring daggers into her heart.
Shorafa's shoulders slump a miniscule amount. Have it your way, you Apsis are so rigid. Not in the good way either. she quips. Shorafa produces a locked iron case with a glass lid containing a dagger shaped like a wasp’s stinger. She holds it out to Linnea/Thestil/Shan. Once Linnea takes the case, Shofara waves to her attendants to escort the party out.
The case is not trapped, but it is locked.
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Roland slaps Varg on the shoulder as they are escorted to the exit.
"Fear not comrade! Zhere will be plenty of time later for zhe ladies once we have completed our rounds and our Aspis work is done."
He walks out with the others, watching for anyone waiting outside for them.
There sure were not many places to hide weapons on those ladies! And they smelled much nicer than the filthy crew down at the publican house.
The party heads back to the Barracuda Cartage with all three items. Arriving at the warehouse, the party finds Jenk in his office. He is elated to find that all three items were recovered. You have done as well as I hoped your reputation suggested you would. He hands Linnea a letter. You have done such a noteworthy job, that I will let you take the items to the Lissalans. Read that letter to understand what is involved. He stands quietly waiting for your reply.
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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Linnea looks over the letter, then looks up at Jenk, "Don't worry, we will be happy to deliver these items to the Lissalans. Let The Spider know that it is taken care of."
She folds the note and places it in a pocket.
"Anything else before we go?"
Linnea's thoughts turn to the letters author. I didn't realize The Spider is involved with the Aspis Consortium. That is...concerning.
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Ernest has nothing to add in the office.
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After getting outside, however, a barely-disguised Ernest speaks up, with one lens of the still-borrowed Smoked Goggles resting on his forehead and the other over his appropriate eye. "Hey, guys. In case you haven't heard, the Ruby Prince is having some trouble with the Lissalans, so I'm supposed to look into their methods of meditation, in case I can find a divine cure or something. If I could get that done before we put their house to the flame, I'd be grateful."
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"I had a run-in with Spider in Andoran a while back. The Society sent us to my homeland because she was involved with slaving. We weren't able to bring her in for justice, she escaped."
Linnea eyes the foot traffic on the street, "I'm not surprised that Spider is involved here. Jenk will likely be replaced once we're done with our assignment."
Linnea hands Ernie back his hat. "Thanks for letting me use this, Ernie, my boy. Can I have my shades back?"
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Once outside … “I have also been on a mission in Andoran, where our group captured a person claiming to be the Spider … maybe they escaped or their deputy has filled a vacancy.” *shrugs*
“What of the current mission. Do we have a plan going in? An invisible scout seeking alternative entry ways to the complex? See if we can convince any sentries that we are allies bringing gifts to their leader? Frontal assault? Something else?”
Luisila will place her smoked goggles on top of her head and put her ioun stone back in motion.
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"I've heard tales that some people think Drendle Dreng is not a man at all, but is actually a bored entity that lives outside the space-time continuum and sometimes supplants agents into parallel existences that are identical but different, like one of those Choose Your Own Adventure novels..."
Ernest complies with Linnea on the return of "his" goggles. "Aww, I was just getting used to the 'being one-eyes' thing, like a pirate or something..."
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Varg looks at Ernest with a raised eyebrow.
Are you drunk? Because half of the time, you make no sense at all.
He just shakes his head.
We are already expected as allies, based on the letter. I do not think there is a need to sneak anywhere. We destroy from within, once there. As for Jenk, Roland, that is a good point. He may take to the wind when he hears what happens at the safehouse. We may want to handle him before we go.