The Pathfinder Society has discovered a new Aspis Consortium base in the pirate city of Riddleport and sends a small team of agents to infiltrate the rival cell disguised as newly hired mercenaries from Magnimar.
"We are civilised people here, don't you agree?", Shorafa responds as she gives Juno and Allesio a stern look, but she fills the emptied glass as she continues: "Let's not lower ourselves to rash threats."
She raises an eyebrow at Consequences' suggestion. "Oh? The infamous Thesil Shadowtongue, offering me a deal? I am honoured!"
"Would you like your subordinates to step outside? I'm afraid I don't have any secret room here for this kind of discussion."
She gives the halfling a mischievous look and waits for an answer as she readjust the belt on her gown with one hand.
Male Halfling HP:18/35 | AC 21 FF 16 T 16 CMB +1 CMD 16 | Per + 10 SM +1 Init +5 | Smokesticks: 3/4 Assault Leader 0/1 Adaptable Luck 0/3 uRogue (Escapologist) 4
Consequences gives a winks to the others in the room and asks them to step outside, making an obvious gesture towards his own belt.
Daddy Shadowtongue needs a minute guys the halfling says in his coarsest voice possible.
---
Once the others have stepped outside he reveals a fairly large purse of coin So I have business with the Andoren embassy here in town. I need to deliver a pretty over the top bribe to them in order to...shall we say seal the deal. So hand over the dagger as we already agreed upon and we make that bribe say....the 12 priciest girls you employ? Sounds fair doesn't it?
Male Human Alchemist (chirurgeon, wasteland blightbreaker) 5 | HP 38/38 | AC 21/14/17 | F+7 R+9 W+2 | Init +6 | Perc +7 | Bombs: 10/10 | Active Conditions: None
I don't like getting separated. Be on your toes. Alessio paces the room with his hand in his belt pouch counting the reagents at hand.
"Oh, my darling Thestil... but we have not agreed on anything just yet. One thing after another. I have a counter-offer, you see.", the tiefling responds with a smile and reaches for her thigh. she unstraps a small scrollcase concealed by her gown and opens it to pull out a rolled up sheet of paper. She puts it on the table next to the halfling, and kneels behind him to start massaging his shoulders.
"You're soooo tense... And your people, too, seem like they need relax a bit. How about instead of the dagger, I offer all of you a few hours of exotic wine and the company of my most excuisite acolytes. All of that, on the house. I can assure you this is an equal, if not better value for you. Think about it. What will Jenk give you in return for bringing the dagger to him, hmm? A pat on the back?", she lets out a quick and quiet laugh as she gently taps Consequences' right shoulderblade, then continues with her slow massage. "You already have a reputation. You don't need that. And I can assure you, that -anything- the House of The Silken Veil offers is far more pleasureable than a measly 'Well done' Jenk can give you.", she almost whispers in the halfling's ear.
Male Halfling HP:18/35 | AC 21 FF 16 T 16 CMB +1 CMD 16 | Per + 10 SM +1 Init +5 | Smokesticks: 3/4 Assault Leader 0/1 Adaptable Luck 0/3 uRogue (Escapologist) 4
Consequences sighs. You picked the wrong man. Sterile, I'm afraid. Nasty accident a few years back when I got on the wrong side of some pathfinders. Nothing your girls can do for me, though I am sure they are talented. Besides....this isn't about services rendered or debts. This is symbolism. You give the dagger so everyone here knows you suck the right serpent, so to speak.
Consequences rubs her thigh
So just give over the dagger, accept my side deal and let's not tell anyone that a not particularly attractive halfling turned down an hour with you
Shofara doesn't seem to be set aback by the response. "Oh, but we offer so much more pleasures than that of the flesh. While that is what we specialise in, sure, but ...", she stands up again, walking over to a lute hanging from a wall. "Like I said, the House may impress you in other ways."
She smiles and plays a slow, soothing melody while walking back towards the pillow pile. "Arts, wine, conversation, DANCE! I think you underestimate the services provided. I'm not even particularly good with the lute compared to some of my acolytes. Besides, there are ways to please a person. My servants would blow your minds, and open them to these ways. I urge you to discuss this with your people, and reconsider."
The tiefling hangs the loot back on the wall, and puts her index finger to her lips with her palm supporting her chin - she calculates. "Twelve of my priciest girls, was it? Any other details?"
@Setare - I saw no indication of eavesdropping efforts. I mean you can try, sure.
male human swashbuckler(rondelero)3, HP 28/28 AC 20, T 15, FF 16, F +2, R +7; W +3, Init. +6(+8 w/panache); Perception +7
Well, that can only add to his infamy. We should have came here before....you know...on a scouting mission...check the place out...just to be safe.... Miklos says with a wry smirk.
Female Dwarf Fighter 3 | HP: 34/34 | AC 22 (T10, FF 22) | CMB: +6 CMD: 16 | F:+7 R:+1 W:+2 (+5 vs. cold weather, +2 vs. poison, spells, spell-like) | Init +0 | Perc +8, SM +1, Social -1, Appraise +2 | Speed 20 ft. | Active Conditions: None
Juno smirks, "I could use a little pampering. But, really, it's them who should be paying me for my company..."
Suddenly she smiles. "Hey, Miklos, you should see if the Aspis have a running tab here!" Then she bursts out laughing so hard she's unable to finish her train of thought.
male human swashbuckler(rondelero)3, HP 28/28 AC 20, T 15, FF 16, F +2, R +7; W +3, Init. +6(+8 w/panache); Perception +7
That is an excellent idea...I'll do that. I can use a...diversion. And a massage...I have a nasty kink in my back...slept on it wrong on the ship on the way over here...stupid bunks..
With a roll of her eyes toward the halfling, Badriyah follows the others out of the room listening to the banter, but keeping quiet herself. After a few minutes she pulls out her journal and begins sketching the temple interior and a few of the acolytes.
Male Human Alchemist (chirurgeon, wasteland blightbreaker) 5 | HP 38/38 | AC 21/14/17 | F+7 R+9 W+2 | Init +6 | Perc +7 | Bombs: 10/10 | Active Conditions: None
Alessio has no interest in these dalliances. We should be furthering our goals, not wasting our time. Anything could be happening in there, he utters a bit frustrated.
Male Human Alchemist (chirurgeon, wasteland blightbreaker) 5 | HP 38/38 | AC 21/14/17 | F+7 R+9 W+2 | Init +6 | Perc +7 | Bombs: 10/10 | Active Conditions: None
Also produces his mustache comb and gives it a few strokes before returning the comb to his pocket. A way to mitigate his frustration, he supposes. something tells me Con would enjoy that. I'll wait.
Male Human Alchemist (chirurgeon, wasteland blightbreaker) 5 | HP 38/38 | AC 21/14/17 | F+7 R+9 W+2 | Init +6 | Perc +7 | Bombs: 10/10 | Active Conditions: None
I'll stand, thank you. Alessio takes out his mustache brush for a stroke or two. Have we come to terms? We'll take that dagger and be on our way.
Male Halfling HP:18/35 | AC 21 FF 16 T 16 CMB +1 CMD 16 | Per + 10 SM +1 Init +5 | Smokesticks: 3/4 Assault Leader 0/1 Adaptable Luck 0/3 uRogue (Escapologist) 4
Consequences nods Yes, I provided her with a deal that she be able to offer her services to you. If you all refuse after hearing her best pitch, she will give over the dagger....but you have to listen to the pitch. You know, like a timeshare.
male human swashbuckler(rondelero)3, HP 28/28 AC 20, T 15, FF 16, F +2, R +7; W +3, Init. +6(+8 w/panache); Perception +7
Yes...looking for anything we can use...info etc...
Miklos heads to the bar, mingling as he wanders. He keeps his eyes and ears open for anything useful.
Female Dwarf Fighter 3 | HP: 34/34 | AC 22 (T10, FF 22) | CMB: +6 CMD: 16 | F:+7 R:+1 W:+2 (+5 vs. cold weather, +2 vs. poison, spells, spell-like) | Init +0 | Perc +8, SM +1, Social -1, Appraise +2 | Speed 20 ft. | Active Conditions: None
Sorry, clarifying: We need to refuse her to get the dagger?
Juno lets out a loud scoff, right in Shorafa's face. "The Aspis don't appreciate your games." She snatches the half-drank bottle of wine from earlier, plops down on the comfiest looking pillows, and takes a swig. "Well?" she asks. "Get it over with."
Rolling her eyes at the thought of having to sit through some tedious religious sermon, Badriyah lets out a heavy sigh. "Fine." She says . "But I still say it would be easier to just burn the place down and find the dagger in the ashes rather than do this silly dance to get something they've already bargained away to us."
She slips her drawing materials back into her pack and follows the others back into the priestesses quarters.
I'll try to sneak a few posts in before leaving, so that you can discuss the tiefling's proposal for the duration of my absence.
@Juno - all will be clarified in this post.
Miklos:
I'll briefly put you on rails, so that you hear what shofara has to say. Sorry!
You approach the bar, and the servant offers you a glass of red wine on the house. "Courtesy of Mistress Shofara.", he simply adds with a smile. As you sit down and take a look around, you listen in to a few conversations in the room. The acolytes provide company to the patrons, and make mostly small talk. You do overhear a pair of acolytes nearby, talking about 'hearing about some Aspis in the building'. This probably won't come as a surprise, but apparently they don't like Jenk and his local outfit on the count of 'being competition to the Mistress and the temple'. One of them notices you in the room after a while, however, and they retreat to a more private place to continue in their discussion. Soon afterwards, you are approached by another acolyte. She bows as she approaches you, and leans in, whispering softly: "Could you follow me? The Mistress yearns for your presence, sir."
She straightens herself again, observing you for a while with hungry eyes, then turns around and playfully motions to you to follow. She leads you back to the upper floor to Shofara's 'office' and stands at the door. "The gentleman you asked for, Mistress"
Shofara makes herself comfortable and picks up the rolled up paper she previously put on the table, toying with it as she starts with her proposal.
"My dear ladies and gentlemen, welcome again! Help yourself to some wine if you wish.", she gestures towards the pitcher on the table again. "Your friend Thestil here suggested that you listen to me personally. I'll steal a few minutes of your time, and then you can make your decision, agreed?"
She looks around the faces in the room, and raises an eyebrow. "Do tell - where is that dashing young fellow that was here with you?", she rings a small bell, and an acolyte appears in the door a few seconds later. "Mistress?", she asks.
"My dear, there was another young man in the company of my visitors. He seems to have wandered off. Please go fetch him and tell him that I am eagerly awaiting his presence. Thank you, dear."
While you wait, Shofara pours wine to everyone with empty glasses, and sits down, taking a sip and savouring the taste. "Wonderful, as usual. So hard to get hands on the chelish wine, but it is all worth the effort, wouldn't you agree?"
The servant appears in the door a few minutes later, and gestures towards the hall.
"The gentleman you asked for, Mistress", she states as Miklos enters the room.
"Ah yes. Thank you again! You may go now.", Shofara nods at the servant. The servant closes the door as she leaves, giving you all some privacy.
"Now - as I was saying...", the tiefling straightens her back and takes a sip from her glass. She somehow manages to keep a hold of the rolled paper and her glass with the same hand, without crumbling the thing.
"Thestil here insisted I propose this to you myself, so to the point. I know why you are here. You want my dagger. I wanted to give you another option, a much more expensive one, and much more enjoyable to you. You are more than errand boys and errand girls, and you know it. Why not treat yourself? More specifically, allow my acolytes to treat you like kings and queens for a few hours. Exquisite wine, wonderful music, and all of that, with the refined company of the temple servants. We can close the upper floor for you only, and your hearts' desires would be filled to the brim. Under only one condition. The dagger remains in my possession."
She pauses, and smiles: "Well, two conditions. The other one is that this paper gets autographed by your own, secretive, mister Shadowtongue."
"You can sometimes counts services such as these in the thousands of gold coins. All I desire from you, is to leave something that is mine here, and one signature. I'd call that a good deal."
She puts the paper on the table in front of Consequences, and smiles gently, awaiting your response.
The scroll:
Unrolling the paper reveals a pre-written statement, with the name 'Thestil Shadowtongue' under the signature line:
Quote:
I, Thestil Shadowtongue, declare on behalf of the Aspis consortium, that the debt of the House of The Silken Veil in Riddleport towards Virdin Jenk, the Barracuda Cartage, and the Aspis Consortium Riddleport Branch, or any other affiliated organisations, has been repaid in full, including the past-due interest.
Aaaaand discuss! I probably won't get back to this until after I am back, but we shall see. Go ham.
Female LG follower of Sarenrae | human (actually mostly human Ifrit) | freckles, sweet, naive, fierce personality in battle | Outsider (Native), Humanoid (human) | Resistances: Elec. 3, Acid 3, Fire 2, Cold 3 | Smite 1/1 | Boots of Speed 10/10 | Swashbuckler 5, Paladin 2, Unchained Monk 3, Bloodrager 1 | HP 106/106 | Protector Familiar HP 53 | with mage armor/rage: AC 35, T 30, FF 24 | CMD 37 | F: +23, R: +25 (Evasion), W: +17 | Init: +13 | Perc: -2, SM: -2 | Ki Pool 7/7 | Stunning Fist 6/6 | Rage 6/6 | LoH 7/7 | Panache 6/6 + Plume 1/1 | Reroll 1/1 + Lesson of H. 1/1 | Eefriti Magic 1/1 | Darkvision 60ft | Speed 40ft | Active cond.: +4 Dex
Setare looks quite intimidated by the offer. "I ... I have ne ... never been to such a ... a temple. What do you think about ... you know ... about this offer?" Setare says blushing.
Female Dwarf Fighter 3 | HP: 34/34 | AC 22 (T10, FF 22) | CMB: +6 CMD: 16 | F:+7 R:+1 W:+2 (+5 vs. cold weather, +2 vs. poison, spells, spell-like) | Init +0 | Perc +8, SM +1, Social -1, Appraise +2 | Speed 20 ft. | Active Conditions: None
Juno lets out a derisive scoff.
"There's one problem with that, Princess." she says to Shorafa. "That dagger you seem to love so much? It's not yours anymore. It belongs to the Aspis Consortium. And what the Aspis wants, it gets. Whatever it takes."
Leaning closer she adds, "So a word of advice, from me to you: give them what they want, or they'll take something greater. Then you'll wish you'd have bowed in the first place."
She glances at the contract, then lets out another laugh and leans back against the pillows. "As for your sh**load of debt: that's not going away. But, hey, if you want to try this shit again, I'll be sure to let my bosses know you're unhappy. Then you can try to renegotiate. But, I wouldn't recommend it. Not if you like this place, anyway."
"Interest's a bi***."
I vote we make her angry and leave with the dagger, but on the way out Thestil returns and tells her he has a secret affiliation with some other group, and signs the paper for her anyway. Telling her to make a move against the Aspis or something. Thoughts?
Male Human Alchemist (chirurgeon, wasteland blightbreaker) 5 | HP 38/38 | AC 21/14/17 | F+7 R+9 W+2 | Init +6 | Perc +7 | Bombs: 10/10 | Active Conditions: None
As my dwarf friend rightly points out, your offer is highly illogical. This is not property for you to offer. It belonged to Apsis before we even passed the veils. Keep your offer of carnal delights and hand us the dagger. Alessio delivers his rebuke as clearly as possible. He's not one to mess around about his missions.
Male Halfling HP:18/35 | AC 21 FF 16 T 16 CMB +1 CMD 16 | Per + 10 SM +1 Init +5 | Smokesticks: 3/4 Assault Leader 0/1 Adaptable Luck 0/3 uRogue (Escapologist) 4
Consequences snickers Told you my lady....I may be the one with the reputation, but its my team that are the real hardliners. Massage and music doesn't interest them. Interest does though.
He narrows his eyes at the Tiefling Of course, a snake can always be found returning to the nest for his real prey, no?
Consequences tries to pass along the secret message that he could be open to signing the document in exchange for favors.
Bluff DC 20 (average) or DC 25 (complicated message):1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
Badriyah yawns after the woman's presentation of her offer, following that with a thin smile in response to most of her companions. Eventually she leans in toward the priestess and drops her voice.
"What you don't seem to understand is that we aren't here to bargain with you. We are here to collect what you have already bargained away. Now we can do this easily or...." She pulls out what is clearly and alchemical explosive and tosses it the air casually. "Or we can collect what we need from the ashes and bloody remains of your pathetic little temple of carnal waste. So rather than wasting any more of our time, why don't you have your errand boy there run along, and get what you owe us. Then we can all move on...before I get tired and drop this little beauty in someplace that would be most inconvenient for you and your people."
She leans back and continues to bounce the bomb back and forth from one hand to the other.
Shofara seems more and more displeased as you conjure up responses to her offer.
"Well, then... That is sorted, I guess.", she stands up, walks towards one of the walls. She whispers something to herself, and a small part of the wall disappears. The tiefling reaches inside, and pulls out a container made of metal and glass. She rotates the box to show you the upper side. Through the glass lid, you can see a dagger in the shape of a stinger.
"Mister Shadowtongue. If you would please sign that paper in front of you with the ink and pen provided on the table, we can exchange these valuable prizes."
She offers a smile that is, copared to the one you saw earlier, a bit less convincing .
Female LG follower of Sarenrae | human (actually mostly human Ifrit) | freckles, sweet, naive, fierce personality in battle | Outsider (Native), Humanoid (human) | Resistances: Elec. 3, Acid 3, Fire 2, Cold 3 | Smite 1/1 | Boots of Speed 10/10 | Swashbuckler 5, Paladin 2, Unchained Monk 3, Bloodrager 1 | HP 106/106 | Protector Familiar HP 53 | with mage armor/rage: AC 35, T 30, FF 24 | CMD 37 | F: +23, R: +25 (Evasion), W: +17 | Init: +13 | Perc: -2, SM: -2 | Ki Pool 7/7 | Stunning Fist 6/6 | Rage 6/6 | LoH 7/7 | Panache 6/6 + Plume 1/1 | Reroll 1/1 + Lesson of H. 1/1 | Eefriti Magic 1/1 | Darkvision 60ft | Speed 40ft | Active cond.: +4 Dex
"Well, well ... I would be willing to ... to comply with the ... the ... whatever that test was ..." she says and apologetically looks at the rest of the group.
Female Dwarf Fighter 3 | HP: 34/34 | AC 22 (T10, FF 22) | CMB: +6 CMD: 16 | F:+7 R:+1 W:+2 (+5 vs. cold weather, +2 vs. poison, spells, spell-like) | Init +0 | Perc +8, SM +1, Social -1, Appraise +2 | Speed 20 ft. | Active Conditions: None
"He'll do no such thing, harlot." Juno growls. "Enough clumsy attempts at trickery and bargaining. The Aspis has you pinned. Just take it. You won't get out from under them. Ever."
As I previously mentioned, Thestil can come back and sign after we leave, if he wants to pretend he secretly works for some other group and is only a spy inside the Aspis or something, but don't sign it with all of us here. You'll undo our efforts to make the Aspis look like giant jerks. lol
EDIT: Wait, why did you sign that? Now she thinks the Aspis let her out of a debt for no reason? This dagger isn't all she owes them.
Thank you., the tiefling takes the paper as she puts the box down on the table.
She looks at the parchment and before you know it, it is rolled up and hidden in her garments again.
"Now - you have what you came for, so I believe our business is done here."
She walks over to the door, and reclines against the wall with her shoulder blades. She seems in thought for a moment, and then addresses you again.
"You know, for a trading consortium - at least that is what the outside folk know you as, yes - you sure have Ulfen-like negotiating habits. You might want to work on that."
She pauses, and adds "You never know who you might be dealing with.", in a calm, but menacing fashion.
Male Human Alchemist (chirurgeon, wasteland blightbreaker) 5 | HP 38/38 | AC 21/14/17 | F+7 R+9 W+2 | Init +6 | Perc +7 | Bombs: 10/10 | Active Conditions: None
You never know, indeed. Alessio shuffles out with the group a bit anxious about all the chicanery we've set up for ourselves.
