In reply to Tarrov Garrick (msg # 34):

Tellin's fingers go lax as you ask your hypothetical. She laughs a trifle too loud and says, "Let us not worry about the real world. This is the House of Clouds. There is no trouble here." That last line was said too loudly. Obviously a code phrase.

Perhaps you wonder if you are about to get escorted out by one of the burly guards. Perhaps you do not worry about it at all. But before you can draw the breath to sigh, the madam herself is standing before you. Helvara is more attractive close up than she was fifteen feet away. Her hair is greying slightly at the edges. And there are slight lines at the corner of her eyes. But she seems to make no attempt to disguise these signs of age or to cover them in make up. Somehow that makes her more lovely.

She smiles at you. "Well good evening sir. Are you forgetting your cares? This is a place for forgetting the whole world. Ah. But I see you have almost run out of wine. Tellin you naughty girl. Our client must never run out of drink. Go freshen his cup." As Tellin scurries away with your almost full cup, Helvara sits next to you. "Pehaps you will allow me to take over that massage while Tellin freshens your cup? I am Helvara. It is a pleasure."

Selvin glanced at Toke, ignoring the steely eye he was given. He glanced at the wine for a moment and the took the cup. He stared into its liquid depths as he spoke again. "Business is business.  It takes all kinds to make the city go. Some people like to have their fingers in many pies, taking a little bit from each to satisfy their...hunger. You work for one such a man. My...employer...would like to see about helping your employer with both sharing and expanding businesses of several sorts. I'm just here to look things over first."

He lifted the cup and looked at the innkeeper once more. "Shall we toast to business then?"

Vaddis heads for the brothel next as he planned but keeps his eyes on the three at the end of the pier to see if they get their audience.

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"Helvara!"  Tarrov gave the establishment's madame a genuine smile as well.  "It is good to meet you.  Tellen has been nothing but complimentary about your capabilities, although it seems as if," the bard lowered his voice, "your landlord might be making things more difficult on you than they really need to be."

Tarrov coughed.  "As I was noting to Tellen, and I was just talking, mind you," he grinned, "it seems as if this establishment might benefit if there were a change of landlords or if, heaven forfend, it was allowed to begin operating . . . independently."  He gave Helvara a meaningful look.  "Such freedom would certainly be invaluable, don't you think?"

"Now," Tarrov's voice was all seriousness, "it is possible that there are those outside Eel's End who are also interested in a change of landlord.  I was simply commenting to Tellen that if such people were to fall into the company of those whose primary interest is the House of Clouds' future, that second group might see fit to provide the first with information regarding the landlord.  And by information I mean his habits, practices, businesses, aliases, and so forth, along with the identities of other sympathetic persons who might have similar information."

The bard grinned at the madame.  "Don't you think?"

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In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 36):

Tuggins lifts his cup. "To business..." He quickly drains the wine.

"These...hungry friends of yours. What're they gonna offer? Devargo isn' well known for sharin' after all. They might need ta give him some incentive." Tuggins wipes some drops of wine off his chin with his sleeve. "He is a hard man ta shop for. Gift givin' wise. Too bad your friends don' know someone who knows what his tastes are." Tuggins smiles. Toothlessly. "It takes a lot ta impress 'im."
This message was last updated by the GM at 03:58, Fri 03 Jan 2014.

In reply to Vaddis Sonaden (msg # 37):

As you begin to board the House of Clouds, you see the guard return and speak to the three men. The guard simply nods and the three men begin to ascend onto the Eel's End.

"Welcome," says a honeyed voice as you part the silk curtains that surrond the pavillion doorframe on the deck of the House of Clouds. A young woman, shamefully dressed, purrs and slides a powdered hand across your chest. "My. Such a big man. Come in. Leave your cares behind you. All is play within these walls."

You see Tarrov on the other side of the room. He is having his shoulders massaged by a lovely older woman. The bard smiles at her but she seems less than delighted as she replies.

Please note. You can not hear them from this distance over the din.

In reply to Tarrov Garrick (msg # 38):

"Hmm," Helvara smiles as she talks. Though the smile does not quite reach her eyes. "I think it might be best to keep some hypothetical situations hypothetical. Reality is the last thing we worry over here in the Clouds."

She leans down, resting her chin on your shoulder while dragging her hand rather deliciously down your chest. "Because if we were dealing with actuals. Realities. I might just decide the hell you know is better than the promise of a strange heaven."

You feel her fingers tease the belt line of your trousers. "You know what I mean?"

Toke, or "Reet" as he was apparently now being known as, drained the glass while trying to give off an aura comprising of a combination of tough and unapproachable. He was never much of a talker; thinking is what he did best. In the few times that he had to be present when his gang did some mouthing, he was always given the same task: to keep his mouth shut. Besides, wasn't this supposed to be a recon? He trusted Selvin enough, but he hoped he knew what he was doing.

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"Mmmmmmm."  Tarrov smiled as he enjoyed the attentions of the beautiful older woman.  "It might be you would.  But I'm not sure that the woman who has risen to her current lofty position at the House of Clouds is one entirely without a willingness to risk.  Or devoid of ambition.  Or," Tarrov raised an eyebrow, "has a desire to live in a perpetual servitude, put through hell by the whims of an unforgiving master."

Tarrov ran his own fingertips up Helvara's arm to the top of her shoulder.  "It seems to me that the hypothetical risk we are discussing is minimal.  Not non-existent, of course, but small.  Information, given to one man, who would then pass along that information without any clue as to who may have been the source.  This is not an action that places the actor in immense peril."

Tarrov began manipulating the woman's neck muscles, which were surprisingly tight.  "The reward, on the other hand, is great.  Freedom to run this fine establishment how you choose, and without the exorbitant overhead you currently experience.  Without any cruelties visited upon or liberties taken with your girls . . .or yourself."  He watched to see if his educated guess elicited any reaction.  "For a certain type of person, such rewards might justify any risk."

The bard gave the madame another genuine smile.  "The choice is yours.  Neither I or those with whom I work will take personal offense if you choose not to get involved.  But," Tarrov glanced down at Helvara's roaming hand, "it is entirely possible that change is coming, whether you wish it or not.  Would it not be better to directly influence that change for your benefit rather than just try and keep your head above water as it occurs?"

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Vaddis is completely enraptured with the goings on, not noticing much at all of what goes on around him, his senses completely overwhelmed!

19:03, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 9 using 1d20. Perception.

In reply to The Dealer (msg # 39):

Toke you can't help but be unimpressed with Tuggins. His manner or asking for a bribe is rather obtuse.

Toke and Selvin, you figure it might take about ten to twenty gold to get the little weasel to spill whatever he is blathering about. The question is...will it be worth it...

In reply to Vaddis Sonaden (msg # 44):

Tarrov, Helvara's hand stops just a bit above where it shouldn't stop. She continues to rest her chin on your shoulder as she considers. At last she sighs. "Men. You all make promises but never follow through. A girl likes to have a sense of security...a commitment...before she goes running off with a new beau. " She glances at you. "You're not the first to ask me to run away with them you know. Why should I believe you'll be the last?"

Vaddis, a young courtesan gracefully slides by you and out the door. She looks worried.

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"I think the answer to that, milady," Tarrov brought his hand up and gently ran it through the woman's hair, "is that I am not seeking to use you, or take what is yours.  I am only seeking some small aid in accomplishing what I think might be a mutually-beneficial task."

The bard moved his arms so that he held the woman closer, almost protectively.  "I can tell you have no love for Devargo.  You are not," Tarrov smiled, "the only one.  So why not take this chance of escaping out from under his thumb?  You seem like an independent woman with initiative and intelligence."  He looked around the House of Clouds again.  "I don't think you need a patron to succeed.  In fact, I think you will find true success only when you are able to spread your lovely wings without fear of having them clipped."

"That being said, what kind of commitment did you have in mind?"

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This message was last edited by the player at 04:31, Fri 03 Jan 2014.

Vaddis, noticing the look on the girls face, follows her outside and watches to see where she goes.

A small smile started to slide on to Selvin's face as he listened to the man talk. "Ah! I see. A...friend...such as that might be very helpful to have indeed." He appeared to ponder for a moment, as reached down and pulled out a few coins from his pouch out of sight. "I would appreciate any insight you might be able to shed on this for us." He set the 5 coins down on the bar top with his hand still casually over them, but visible to the innkeep. He then brought his second hand in to view with another 5 coins in it but kept them near his body for the moment, the promise of doubling the 5 coins once information was flowing evident.

In reply to Vaddis Sonaden (msg # 48):

Tarrov

Helvara considers a moment. "One moment." She stands and walks towards the door.

Vaddis

You lean out the doorframe, pushing aside the silks. The girl is scurrying towards a guard. It could be nothing. But then again...with the luck you've all been havng lately...

A soft hand rests on your arm. An older woman, a lovely silk clad older woman, smiles at you. "Don't hang about in the doorway Sir. Come in and join the party." She doesn't wait for a reply. She simply leans outside as well and calls, "Tellen! Tellen!"

The girl stops just a few feet from the guard.

"Don't fret Lovely," calls the older woman to her. "Everything is ducky."

The young girl nods and then smiles nervously at the guard, who regards her with some amusement.

The older woman turns back to you and smiles. "Your pardon. Let's get you some wine Sir. Tellen..." she says as the young girl comes back to the door. "Will you help this fine...robust..." the older woman gives you an apprising glance. "young man settle in? Mama has to mingle."

And with that, the older woman gives you a smile and turns back towards your bard.

"Do you like ale?" says Tellen, moving in close. She laughs, not at all concerned any longer. "Life is so fleeting. Come inside and let's have a drink."

Tarrov

You did see all that and heard what Helvara shouted.

The madame starts to walk towards you then veers. She heads for a cabin door and opens it. Giving you a come hither look she walks through it.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 49):

Tuggins glances at the five coins. A small line of drool creeps from the edge of his mouth. He quickly tosses back the last of his wine and wipes his mouth with his open hand. "You e er hear tha story about tha lion gets a thorn in it's paw? And tha mouse comes along an' pulls it out? Well. I might know about a thorn or two..."

He glances at your hand Selvin. Or more acurately the second set of coins in it. "Might that is..."

Vaddis joins Tellen and accepts the drink, but sets it aside after a moment. "I prefer to keep my wits about me, but you may drink if you wish. My you're a pretty little thing aren't you."" he says with a smile.

Toke removed a handful of coins from his pouch and discreetly lay five coins in front of Tuggins, mimicking Selvin. His distaste for the man only made him want to speed up this awkward clandestine meeting further. He hoped he hadn't accedentally stepped on Selvin's plan, but they were already way off script. He looked at Tuggins expectantly, waiting for him to go on.

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Tarrov sighed with relief.  Inwardly.  It could have been messy if Helvara and Tellen had called the guards on him.  As it was, it looked like he was making progress.

Outwardly, the bard grinned and nodded at Helvara as she walked through the cabin door.  He stood, giving Vaddis a surreptitious wink and a grin, then made his way across the crowded House of Clouds for a semi-clandestine meeting with its formidable madame.

He hoped he was up to the task.

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In reply to Vaddis Sonaden (msg # 52):

Tellen giggles and snuggles up to you. You see Tarrov out of the corner of your eye. He is heading for a door that leads to a cabin or below decks perhaps.

"Oh my!" The prostitute says as she presses a goblet into your hands. "You're certainly athletic. Do you...exercise alot?" And yes...she did mean the double entendre.
This message was last updated by the GM at 05:25, Tue 07 Jan 2014.

In reply to Toke (msg # 53):

Tuggins giggles as the new coins appear. He snaps them up. "Ol'Devargo's had a couple a' snags in tha works. Someone's been movin' in on some a' his business." Tuggins leans closer. "One a' his lieutenants got hit. A real SOB named Gaedren. Never liked tha yob myself. But Devargo's kind a' nervous. Least as nervous as he ever gets. He would really be interested in any information about who took Gaedren down...An' tha ones who do would certainly get in his good graces quick like..."

In reply to Tarrov Garrick (msg # 54):

The door opens onto a set of stairs that leads down below decks. The passage is remarkably clean. Candles lightly scented with honeysuckle line the walls. You come down the stairs into a passage. Several doors line the hall. Helvara is standing just before the one at the end. She smiles and steps inside.

Various groans and sighs coming through the thin wooden doors leave little doubt as to what these rooms are used for. As you come to the end of the hall, you see Helvara leaning against one of the walls of this sall boudoir. She nods for you to shut the door and speaks in a low voice. "Alright. You have tickled my imagination. Speak plainly. What are you proposing?"

Selvin made a serious look appear on his face and frowned to hide the smile that wanted to emerge. He could only imagine Devargo's face if they arranged a meeting and told him who had killed Gaedren....I understand you wish to find out who killed your lieutenants, a man named Gaedren I beleve? Good news. We have the answer for you...we did! And then combat would ensue.

Selvin snapped back to reality and nodded to the innkeeper. "Thank you. I have a feeling I can find out that information for him." He gave a small smile. "I think we shall take our leave..unless you have anything else you wish to impart?" He slid the rest of the coins onto the bartop for the man.

"As much as I can, not nearly often enough. Perhaps you could,...help,..me exercise?" he says with a grin.