Jrahk thinks long and hard about Tessa's offer. Really hard.
Could this be another Charm? No...this feels nothing like what Pierce did to him. Under Pierce's spell, Jrahk felt like he needed to speak kindly to him, to avoid saying things that might make him feel bad or want to stop being Jrahk's friend.
Jrahk does not feel that now. He only feels the familiar sensation of lust. This is no magic - far from it, it's one of the most primitive forces in the universe.
Besides, he came here to earn Tessa's favor, and this seems like a great way to do that. Plus, with Ixrul still hard at work on crafting, this "investigation" would be a good way to keep the rest of the crew occupied.
Jrahk nods, grinning. "Jrahk accepts your offer."
Tessa smiles, all charm now.
"Excellent. But first, I need you to do some investigating for me, okay sweetie?"
"I can think of only two places that might have some knowledge of the traitorous Chelish informers in our midst. The first is the House of Stolen Kisses in Quent, a temple of Calistria and one of the best information brokerages in the Shackles. Use this note to obtain an audience with the temple’s high priestess, Dindreann."
"The second is the Temple of the Hidden Name, a secret temple of Norgorber said to operate in the town of Beachcomber on Bag Island. If anyone knows of these spies, it would be the followers of the Reaper of Reputation. I have no contacts with the priests of that temple, so I hope you can convince them to reveal what they know."
"If you'd be a dear and see what information they have for me, I'd be ever so grateful." she gives Jrahk a kiss on the cheek.
"Use these charts, they'll help." she unfurls several beautifully drawn and exquisitely detailed charts of the Shackles, and points out the locations to you, then hands them over.
Ixrul smoothly takes the charts. "Many thanks."
Ixrul will thoroughly inspect the charts for any magical qualities.
He will also drop twenty gold on magnesium.
He will buy Protection from Chaos and Protection from Evil.
Not much is known about Norgorber (for obvious reasons if you know his portfolio). He is one of the few deities to pass the Test of the Starstone and ascend to godhood from mortal life. He is the god of secrets, thieves, and assassination.
Calistria is the goddess of both lust, and revenge. Highly revered by Elves. She is often associated with wasps.
Many of her temples also double as brothels. As such, she is one of the more popular deities for young people to "worship". Though beware: Both the goddess and her priests can be not only vengeful, but downright VINDICTIVE if crossed. It is generally considered a better idea to cross one of the evil deities like Asmodeus or Norgorber than Calistria. At least the former two aren't as creative.
Ixrul will thoroughly inspect the charts for any magical qualities.
Ah, yes, The charts!
These are Charts of the Fair Winds.
These aged charts of thick, yellowed parchment display rough representations of the Shackles’ major islands and the sea lanes between them. The detailed markings on these charts grant a +2 circumstance bonus on Profession (sailor) or Survival checks to navigate within the Shackles.
In addition, a multitude of wrinkles, stains, and blemishes mar the charts’ surfaces. Anyone meticulously studying the charts notices that these markings shift over time. The creases, smudges, and blotches on the map represent real weather conditions (such as clouds, rain, and wind) in the region, allowing an informed observer to determine the current weather patterns over the islands of the Shackles. The charts grant a +4 competence bonus on Survival checks made to predict future weather conditions and a +2 competence bonus on Survival checks to gain a bonus on Fortitude saves against severe weather.
Finally, the pilot of a wind-propelled ship can make a DC 20 Profession (sailor) check to plot a course within the Shackles using the charts. If the check is successful, the charts grant the ship a +10% enhancement bonus to its waterborne speed as long as it follows the plotted course.All of the charts’ benefits only apply within the geographic region of the Shackles.
Upon leaving the feast, Ixrul will turn to Jrahk. "Make sure you think with the upper head, not with the lower one."
He will then return to his crafting.
"I wonder what he meant by that."
"He's referring to the Orc's penis, miss."
Jrahk grunts dismissively. "Jrahk secured alliance with Tessa, with mutually beneficial exchange of...services."
He nods toward Ixrul's laboratory. "If Ixrul not happy with Jrahk's methods, that his problem."
The crew embarks on the several day journey to the port of Quent on Motaku Isle, and then to the Calistrian temple and brothel based there.
Once inside, you are greeted by a woman dressed in nothing but red, translucent cloth, a g-string, and pasties.
She flashes her green eyes at you winsomely.
"What is your pleasure, masters and mistresses?"
"We request audience with high priestess Dindreann," Jrahk says simply, handing her the note.
The acolyte reads the note and smiles.
"Of course. Any friend of Mistress Fairwind is a friend of ours. Follow me."
She leads you through several corridors, each wall depicting scenes rendered in exquisite detail of exotic dances and scenes of passionate lovemaking between partners of all sorts. Men and women, women and women, men and men, women and several men, and the inverse, and even a few depicting men and women and creatures that are somewhat harder to classify, but nevertheless seem to be making their partners quite happy.
Finally you reach the innermost room of the temple, where you are greeted by the high priestess.
"Welcome. Please, have a seat." she indicates several comfortable seating options, from lounge chairs to piles of very comfortable looking pillows.
"Would you like some refreshment?"
"No ma'am, we're quite all right, though we appreciate the offer."
She makes a moue of disappointment.
"All business, then? You really need to learn to loosen up."
"Well, what can I do for acquaintances of my dearest friend Tessa then?"
"Jrahk has loosened up plenty."
"Tessa thinks Chelish Empire is planning attack. You know anything about this?"
"The House of Stolen Kisses naturally comes across a great many secrets. But these secrets are given to us in confidence, with the understanding that we will not just give them away. Though perhaps if you were to perform a service for us...?"
"What kind of services?"
"On of our ships, the Lady's Sting, has recently goe missing. We believe it was due to pirates preying on ships they've lured into wrecking themselves. Piracy is a fact of life, of course, but they were carrying a sacred relic of ours. A gold plated wasp statue called teh Golden Vespal. I would like you to find these wreckers and teach them what happens when you cross Calistria, and return the Golden Vespal to me."
"That is agreeable to us. Does this Golden Vespal have any magical qualities we ought to be aware of?"
"No. It is just very valuable."
"We shall recover it, and upon its safe return, you will give us the information we seek - " Here he pauses, and spares a glance for the others. "- In addition to whatever... physical compensation the others may desire."
"Of course."
"Get physical compensation for Ixrul as well. He has been working nonstop for days. Needs to relieve stress."
Jrahk clasps Ixrul on the shoulder, giving his best "buddy" grin.
"Okay, do you any any idea on any leads? Like where were they sailing to?"
"No, sorry."
"That's fine. We'll return with the Vespal."
We leave for the temple of Norgorber.
You arrive at the port of Beachcomber on Bag Island.
Ixrul tells this to his compatriots.
"Well, you are good with subtle-ness. Jrahk will let you handle this."
"Not so sure about that, remember what happened to your friend just a while ago?"
Ixrul acts like he knows what he's on about until someone believes that he should know where the temple is.