Samir watches the warrior run off with a smug smile on his face and turns to look at Bjeorn as he suddenly hears the sound of approaching authorities.
He glances at Talar and Bjeorn and notes that Bjeorn remains standing with blood and bruises on him but does not make a mad dash to avoid trouble; flinging himself over walls, rushing through narrow side-streets and leaping over the dizzying gaps between alleys as he leads the authorities on an exciting and amazing high-speed chase!
Instead, it seems that Bjeorn instead stands before the crowd of on-lookers, spitting out blood as he remains in front of the very door of Abu-Khafi the noted... businessman...
Samir turns his glance to Talar and wonders if Talar himself will lead them somewhere.
While he waits for any specific instruction he bends over and picks up his fallen bolas and then ambles over to the ranger.
"Where to?" he asks him laconically.
"Samir, the authorities are coming and will twist this however they can. We need to flee."
Shouldering his shield Bjoern slowly moves forward toward the next alley."As long as we do not run, all should be well."
Taking a shawl from his backpack, actually a gauzy beauty, intended as a gift for his lady, Bjoern turns it twice and hides his face, to better camouflage his bruises.
The trio takes a double move and rushes around the corner just in front of the guards.
As they hurry around the corner they soon get to another street.
The sounds of the guards hot on their heels mellows somewhat and is replaced with the sound of a commotion in front of open square they had been in moments ago.
Samir scowls as they hurry forward and glances at the others.
"We are fortunate that they did not chase us," he says with a dry voice.
He watches Talar for a moment out of the corner of his eye.
"There are many options for us to pursue; it seems like you have nothing specifically in mind regarding where next to look for your sister."
"That being the case, I suppose that we could simply return to the estate at this time."
"Unless you have any other avenues you wish to explore?"
"The bathhouse. The man inside said something about one nearby. It's worth checking out. Any idea what bathhouse he is talking about?"
"The bathhouse. The man inside said something about one nearby. It's worth checking out. Any idea what bathhouse he is talking about?"
Samir's eyes widen.
"Ah yes; I forgot that," he says.
"That is near to the place that the folk who follow Belit-lil, I think."
"They have such places. I know them from my time in the east. We should go there, if you wish... it will not take us long to find the place, I deem."
At this Samir turns his direction in the city and soon leads the group so a series of twisting turns through more and more crowded areas until they suddenly open into a wider streets that have much less citizens and those that they see seems to be better dressed.
With a practiced confidence Samir leads the group until they come to a side street that the feel of humidity is in the air, coupled with the smell of sweet incense.
There, as you wander forward, you see a large set of steps leading forward to a set of double doors that are currently open. Lounging on the stairs, while others recline against the alabaster columns that stand before the gate, are a company of men and women who are wearing similar colored wraps and sashes.
"They are temple prostitutes," Samir says to you both quietly.
Several of them detach themselves from their places and move toward you and Samir smiles brightly at them and pulls out a few coins which he drops in the hand of the most lovely of the lasses who comes to him.
"May the goddess love and keep you," he says with a warm smile as he brushes off the potential advances, his eye on the door.
He pauses as a brown-eyed beauty lays her arm softly on Talar's arm and a dark-skinned girl with a full figure glides up to Bjeorn and smiles at him.
Talar enjoys the scents and sights of the bathhouse, it would be relaxing if it didn't make him think of his enslaved sister. He puts on a disinterested smile. "Flattered, but not my taste." None of you are. He gently takes his arm away, trying not to cause offense. "Come, perhaps what we seek is inside."
Bjoern will follow Talar, and raises an eyebrow. But then he looks down and nods.
"A hot bath might be good for my bruises!"
The three men move up the stairs and Samir gives the ladies - and even the men - an apologetic smile.
"A thousand blessings to you," he says, and passes a few silver coins to the workers as they move up.
He leans to Talar and Bjeorn -
"These are followers of the goddess; the faithful do not forget that," he whispers to the two men, then they move into the wide open entrance of the temple.
There, they are greeted with well-designed mosaic patterns depicting the moon, as well as various sexual actions.
Samir raises his hand and calls over one of the priestesses who moves forward to study you.
Her body and skin make her seem no older than thirty; yet the small lines around her eyes suggest she is likely closer to fifty, though she has done much to preserve the vitality of her youth.
She studies you three and her eyes pause as she takes in Samir's gear and weapons.
"Greetings, noble born," she says and offers a small incline of her head.
Then she looks at Bjeorn and Talar.
"Greetings, son of the north - and you, child of my own homelands."
"How may I serve you?"
Samir clears his throat.
"My northern friend and I wish to cleanse the filth from our flesh and partake in some refreshment," he says.
"But this one," he says with a wave of his hand toward Talar "is seeking something more specific."
Samir looks at Talar and gives him the nod, hoping that the ranger will be able to find what he seeks, and hopes that he will proceed with the subtlety required to achieve his goal.
Three young lasses come forward smiling and giggling, one with Samir and two touching and caressing Bjeorn's heavy arms while smiling and laughing and lead the two of them to a place where they can be bathed and refreshed.
Feeling the artistry of their magic hands Bjoern will gladly pay for another hour. Smilingly he nods politely and let them work him over, giving the others to question the local hands, maybe even finding here much needed hints.
Secretly enjoying the women´s gasps at his northern sword and the size of it.
Feeling the artistry of their magic hands Bjoern will gladly pay for another hour. Smilingly he nods politely and let them work him over, giving the others to question the local hands, maybe even finding here much needed hints.
Secretly enjoying the women´s gasps at his northern sword and the size of it.
To clarify, as it is a temple of Belit-Lil they'll do more than simply massage you at this point.
You take another 1d8+5 of healing from their combined touch, though I'll need a Con check to see how well you impress them ;)
Total Healing -
Talar gives the faintest nod to Samir. Inside he gazes about, appreciating the art itself but not the gratuitous nudity. When introduced to the woman who obviously seems in a position of power he inclines his head respectively. "Yes, my friend speaks the truth. I am looking for...a particular woman. Another from our homeland, long hair that is curly at the end, dark green eyes." He points to the left side of his forehead. "A scar here. I believe she is..new. Does she sound familiar?" He says with an eager look in his eyes.
Well it seems Bjoern knows what is important in life!
Talar gives the faintest nod to Samir. Inside he gazes about, appreciating the art itself but not the gratuitous nudity. When introduced to the woman who obviously seems in a position of power he inclines his head respectively. "Yes, my friend speaks the truth."
At this point, noting that Talar is beginning to speak with the woman, he bows and heads off to workers who can tend to his needs.
The woman says nothing, but you notice her eyes observing Samir's gear; from the gold on the hilt of his dagger to the dust and filth on his boots to the bolas hanging from his belt.
She raises an eyebrow quizzically at him, then turns to consider Talar.
"I am looking for...a particular woman. Another from our homeland, long hair that is curly at the end, dark green eyes." He points to the left side of his forehead. "A scar here. I believe she is..new. Does she sound familiar?" He says with an eager look in his eyes.
The woman watches Talar thoughtfully for a moment, her head cocking somewhat as she notes his half-empty quiver, the bow at his side and his other weapons and armor.
She sees your features are native, but you are dressed for travel.
"I am Mother Jaleh," she says after a moment, noting you have not introduced yourself in any way; either with title, rank or name.
"I am a servant of The Goddess, and I am delighted to aid the needs of any man who comes to her for aid, even so - I do not feel comfortable with sharing details with bounty-hunters or mercenaries," she says with a polite but firm voice.
What strikes you as strange is that she obviously assumes you are likely a man who is used to violence and danger, she does not seem afraid that you may do violence to her personally. She either overestimates her own guards - ones you cannot see at this time and may not even be there - or she is extremely confident in her own abilities.
Either way, she is clearly not eager to help you track down a target for personal reward, whether or not she knows more about who you are looking for remains to be seen, but she is now very clearly suspicious or you and your motives.
Talar shakes his head. "Bah, even when I try I can't help but be rude. My name is Talar. I am no bounty hunter or mercenary, I fight only for myself. I ask about this women because she is close to me, and I'm sure she is just as eager to see me."
Bjoern raises his hands palms outstretched in a sign of peace.
"We are in no ones employ, and we seek no bounty. Yes this hands have learned to fight. But you are the mistress of this house. We honor the sacred oath of hospitallity."
The priestess gives you a small, half smile.
"Perhaps," she says slowly.
"Perhaps the men you travel with - men who hail from nations far from this one, and who have thus traveled a long journey for a purpose which, I doubt, is more than simply reclining in my House... perhaps these same foreign men who are armed with bloodied gear as well as tools used to capture rather than slay folk... now these same men have brought with them a local man who likely knows the land well enough that he elects to travel to my House to speak for them so that you three may find this woman who is - what? Your lover, your cousin, perhaps?"
She chuckles a bit, then her gaze grows serious.
"If you wish my aid then you must do better than that to convince me," she says with a stern voice.
Talar feels his blood pounding. This game was not one he played well at, and it took a great deal of effort and patience for him to pretend at it. He grits his teeth and stares at the woman. "She is my sister and she was ripped from my hands by force. We both bear scars from that night. I am not here with trickery, I am here for family." His eyes have a desperate look to them.
But as soon as the desperate look shows it is replaced by an angry, wounded one. "I will do anything to rescue her. I am willing to play nice, but my patience wears thin. If my silver tongue and coins do not buy her freedom, then I will try my bow and a river of blood. The choice is yours."
Talar feels his blood pounding. This game was not one he played well at, and it took a great deal of effort and patience for him to pretend at it. He grits his teeth and stares at the woman. "She is my sister and she was ripped from my hands by force. We both bear scars from that night. I am not here with trickery, I am here for family." His eyes have a desperate look to them.
The woman lifts an eyebrow at you, she clearly does not believe your story about her being your sister, but is prepared to believe that you are perhaps more than a mercenary or bounty hunter.
Before she can respond, you continue.
But as soon as the desperate look shows it is replaced by an angry, wounded one. "I will do anything to rescue her. I am willing to play nice, but my patience wears thin. If my silver tongue and coins do not buy her freedom, then I will try my bow and a river of blood. The choice is yours."
The woman notes your weapon and her sympathetic looks is instantly replaced with a gaze of iron as she stares at you.
"Are you threatening me?" she says with a very quiet, calm voice.
"If you stand between me and my sister, you're gods damned right I am." He returns the hard stare.
"If you stand between me and my sister, you're gods damned right I am." He returns the hard stare.
Her gaze has become brittle, but she responds to you with a calm, flat tone.
"I do not know your sister; nor do I know any of your kindred."
"But now I know you."
"May The Goddess keep you," she adds, then turns and leaves you.
She may have recognized your description of your sister, but you are not sure. Of course, even if she recognized the description of your sister that does not mean your sister is within the temple, or within her care. In any case, if she knows your sister - or where she may be found - she is certainly not interested in helping a person who threatened her life in her own temple before her own followers.
Logic would suggest for her to withstand your intimidating presence she is likely very powerful; threatening her did not help you nearly as much as your earlier diplomacy check might have.
You feel you have upset her very much; trying a diplomatic attempt again might be better, but you believe that you need to give her time to cool down - and possibly a re-try with someone more versed in Diplomacy.
As it is, you have made her an enemy, for now...
Talar's face furrows in rage. She was either a manipulative a%#%%~+ who knew nothing about his sister and enjoyed watching him twist in the wind, or she knows something and is willfully keeping it from him. As she turns to walk away he shouts after her, not caring if the whole damned temple hears him. "You better f!~$ing not, or else the only fluid that will be on the floor of this whorehouse will be your blood!" He storms out, finding the most expensive-looking decoration on his way and throwing it to the ground.
Talar's face furrows in rage. She was either a manipulative a@#~@@@ who knew nothing about his sister and enjoyed watching him twist in the wind, or she knows something and is willfully keeping it from him. As she turns to walk away he shouts after her, not caring if the whole damned temple hears him. "You better f~$*ing not, or else the only fluid that will be on the floor of this whorehouse will be your blood!" He storms out, finding the most expensive-looking decoration on his way and throwing it to the ground.
The High Priestess watches you storm out, noting that you smashed one of the various artwork dedicated to her goddess.
Her eyes narrow and she beckons to one of the male escorts that gathered toward her earlier and speaks softly to him in Jairanian -
"Dispatch a man to find where he comes from; also, see to it that the other two he traveled with are followed, too."
Talar; as you storm out of the Temple proper it occurs to you that you are no longer with Bjeorn and Samir (they will be involved with their activities for roughly thirty more minutes) - what do you wish to do at this time?
** spoiler omitted **
Your horse is at the mansion; your companions don't know where you are, or where you are going, or when you will return if you leave like this.
Do you want to tell them, or at least leave a message at the house with the servants you're staying with?
** spoiler omitted **
Well, I do remember you taking your horse to the house of Abu Khafi; after that, I thought you were making a mad dash to get away from authorities, including zig-zagging through the streets and back alleys and make sure you broke any tails - I think I was confused at that point about your horse; but, if you have your horse then you have the horse so I guess that's my bad, no worries.
Meanwhile, Bjoern enjoys the treatment.
- Talar -
As you get your horse you realize that the streets are far too crowded to gallop through them; though you could ride on your horse through them, though given the crowd it would not be much faster than walking at this point.
In any case, as you leave the temple you glance to the direction of the road leading to where Abu Khafi's house is.
Despite the fact that your little issue there was a little more than a half hour ago, you see what looks like a company of guards coming to the temple down the street with what looks like a temple acolyte leading them and seeming very upset.
She seems to see you and gestures in your direction, but whoever is leading this company brushes her aside roughly (you cannot hear what is said over the noise of the people on the streets, and also at the distance).
However, it's clear that whatever he said to her doesn't matter; indeed, it looks like he forcibly pushes her out of the way and she stumbles back in to one of his men as he moves forward.
You are not sure, but you do not think he even bothered to look in your direction, for it would be very easy to see a man with a horse among a crowd of people walking on the streets, even if you merely leading the horse - much less riding it.
Instead, he seems more determined to go into the temple, despite whatever the girl may have told him and his men.
That said, you tack your horse away from the temple and push on into the crowd, but with a quick glance over your shoulder you note that the company goes rushing up into the temple and enters the doors.
You realize that Bjeorn and Samir are still in there; even so, as of now you travel where your heart and emotions lead you...
- Bjeorn -
You are letting out a great sigh of contentment as the two ladies flanking you seem to be genuinely worn out by your staggering display of prowess with them when the door to your chambers is flung open and two men of Jairanian features stride in.
The women to your side clutch the bedclothes to cover their bodies, but you suspect this is more of a reaction to the sudden intrusion rather than being embarrassed to be seen in a state of undress.
While one of the guards looks lustily at the two ladies, the other who addresses you seems almost a bit embarrassed; but you feel the source of his embarrassment comes from the fact that he is intruding on a quasi-religious practice.
"Your pardon ladies," he says to them, then turns to Bjeorn.
"You are required to come forth and speak to our captain regarding an incident that has been committed at this temple," he says with a stern, though almost apologetic voice to you.
He then jerks his head at his companion and the two men wait outside the room for you to collect yourself.
When you dress, gather your gear and give the ladies a proper, and reassuring send-off, you notice that Samir is in the same condition as you, though he's certainly more vocal about the situation.
"This is madness! I was in the room paying respects to the goddess, as she can attest to! I had no knowledge of what... what the other man did while I was not there," he spits out.
"Silence, you Nabastisian wretch, lest I order my men to lash you for your insolence," a man with a golden helmet, falchion, and heavy chain mail barks out at Samir with a haughty and imperious voice.
Behind him are six mercenary types, all of them are wearing the colors of the city guard. While those six men are Jairanian, their leader who spoke to Samir is clearly Khazistani.
He then notices Bjeorn.
"And what is this, now? A rogue from Tharag Thule as well? Your kind are like lice in this city; when a man scratches an itch one of your kind is there to cause the trouble, eh?" he says to Bjeorn, but its clear he is baiting you.
Samir, suddenly realizing the man is intentionally baiting both he and Bjeorn in to doing something foolish or dangerous he can take action against, gives Bjeorn a look to caution him from saying anything that could be used against you.
Meanwhile, while Samir is dressed in his boots and silk robes, he yet holds his armor in his hands as he has not had time to don it yet (nor have you, unfortunately), though you can see he has at least fastened his sword belt on.
Before things can get out of hand, the High Priestess speaks.
"Captain; I caution you to remember that you and your men are in the High Temple to the goddess," she says in a calm, firm voice.
These words, while spoken gently, seem to have a sobering effect on his men. Even the ones offering the acolytes lustful glances suddenly stiffen, realizing that this woman not only has supposed powers granted by gods, but certainly have strong political and civic connections with the leaders in the city.
Even so, this does not matter much to their leader.
"First I am told that two Tharag Thulian basterds are brawling in the streets like dogs; when I and my men arrive I find none of their pale-skinned brood, despite a long and pointless search."
"Now one of your wenches comes wailing into the streets as I and my men seek to return to our station and tells me some dog is in this temple destroying it and threatening you!" he continues with an arrogant voice, clearly meant to inspire some aggression so he can take action against someone.
"When we arrive I see before my eyes a whoreson from Tharag Thule, and despite his gaudy dress, what is likely nothing more than a filthy reaver from Nabastis; the same sort of wretches reported in the streets earlier?"
"This cannot be coincidence! Now, where is the third of this group?" he growls.
The High Priestess gives a glance to Bjeorn and Samir and seems to be calculating something.
She then turns to the guard.
"These two came on their own accord and have been here for several hours. Yes, a Khazistani man did come to my house, and yes - hard words were spoken and some of my property was damaged in error as he left; but in an effort to protect the temple and my person my girl may have misunderstood the details."
"These men are surely not whom you seek; as for the other man? I do not know where he went; likely it was to reclaim some modest coin to repair the damages he did to my temple in error," she adds in a tone meant to placate the man.
The tone seems to be working, at the least his mercenaries seem to be grudgingly accepting of this answer and they shuffle their feet as if ready to go, though some of them do look a bit longengly at the girls near to the Priestess; and while they are clearly trying to tempt their looks to distract their anger at their mistress, it's clear that the guards are either very poor at their job, or even they are very uncomfortable with the attitude of their own captain at this time.
The captain then turns to Samir.
"I do not wholly believe that one of my countryman would disrespect this temple so brazenly; how do I know it was not this fool who did the deed that your own people whined to me about?" he adds and points an accusing finger at Samir.
Talar, as you urge your horse into the streets you find that the crowd of people in the temple district make it hard to ride and after a short while of sitting on the horse you are forced to either ride it while it walks, or to dismount and lead it by its reigns.
As you do, your face dark from frustration at the events, you notice a young woman following you int he streets.
She is not being covert; clearly trying to study you, and when she sees you looking at her she waves a beckoning hand and moves closer to you.
You see she is in her early twenties, based on her features you would wager she is Jairanian.
As her robes part you can see beneath she is wearing well-made leather armor; and you see the gleam of steel from twin pommels of short-swords sheathed at either side of her shapely hips.
Her hair is in a long braid that drapes over her shoulder but her light cloak has a hood which she has pulled over her head to help shade her features.
"Kindly sir," she says to you in Khazistani, hoping you will respond "please... a word?" she asks.
It is clear that she will not try anything overt in a crowded street in front of so many; and her face and manner suggest someone of some breeding, not a common thug - yet her weapons and features suggest a person who has some skill in duties not typically given to exotic beauties.
Talar turns with an impatient scowl in his face. "What?" He says abruptly.
Talar turns with an impatient scowl in his face. "What?" He says abruptly.
[dice=Int]1d20
[dice=Wis]1d20+1
"I saw you and your comrades earlier. You seem like a decent fighter; I am looking for folk who are skilled but not known within the city limits... If you can help me, the rewards shall be high..." she answers.
Talar's scowl doesn't get any softer. "Unless you know every brothel in the city and can find a certain girl within them, your work means nothing to me."
Talar's scowl doesn't get any softer. "Unless you know every brothel in the city and can find a certain girl within them, your work means nothing to me."
[dice=Sense Motive (with Ramul) to determine her motives]1d20+9+2
Her eyes widen in surprise and she holds up her hands, palms out, as if to forestall any issue.
"No; I am not knowledge about every brothel in the city... as to finding a girl? I am no oracle - perhaps you would have better luck in finding someone by seeking the gods," she says with confusion.
Realizing that you are likely not interested in work, she backs away slowly, not eager to have bloodshed in the open streets.
Talar continues his storm out of the city, trying to get as far from everything and everybody as possible.
Talar continues his storm out of the city, trying to get as far from everything and everybody as possible.