The building has no signs, however on the door are inscribed some less than subtle symbols both Yonic and Phalic. The outside seems to blend into the background, though the same symbols as the door are etched into the very bricks as though it had always been that way. They lead to the door, pointing the direction.

Often it is merely referred to as The House or, more recently, Phryne's House. Inside, what appeared to be a single story building opens up to show stairs that lead downstairs. Private, dark, clean rooms that provide the privacy so many are looking for. The walls have a long history dating back to the earliest days of the town.

Inside the first floor looks like a combination pub and living room. A central bar dominates the room, allowing for small alcoves and gathering areas where people can talk and engage in all sorts of business. Men and woman circulate wearing tastefully sexy attire, nothing particularly nice but nicer than most have in the Roe. The illusion offered to all, a night to be a bit more than one is, better off.

Downstairs are a series of dark rooms lit with candlelight, though some of the more expensive have permanent spells and somewhat nicer appointments. The beds are better than most in the Roe, Phryne had instituted that change over the last few years.

The brothel caters to all, men and women and any orientation. And, women seeking men can be assured that there won't be any unwanted side effects of a night with her boys.

The rules are well known:

No Means No - The workers are free to take or not take jobs as they see fit.

No Harm or Pain - This applies to the workers, of course. They are more than happy to break out the cuffs and whips if someone is into that. And, of course, should they agree to other terms and are willing this rule can be waived. This must be addressed with management prior to any such engagements.

Respect the Workers - Disrespect, unless agreed and paid for, will not be allowed. They are not your property, they are performing a service and should be respected for their work.

Payment Up Front - Pay before you play


Breaking the rules, well, there are rumors of a horrible creature swooping down from the sky on those who have. Some were merely injured, others were not so lucky.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:43, Sun 13 Sept 2020.

--From the Roe-->

Phryne led the way and opened the door. At this time of day there weren't exactly many around. Most were sleeping or a few puttering around. "Here we are. Would you two care for a drink, we have wine and ale behind the bar as well as some juices and snacks."

Her attention turned to the half-elf. "Would you like to speak here or my office?"

In reply to Phryne (msg # 2):

The guards each raise a hand simultaneously, and give a short, polite shake of their helmed and hooded heads.

Sulthor looks about, clearly taking in the scenery with the discerning eye of one who has been in many such establishments over the years. For business or pleasure, you can’t quite say. “You trust those around us here, I presume? If that is the case, that’s good enough for me to trust them as well.”

Phryne shrugged. She had never been one for guards, then again she was also at home here in the Roe.

"I do, they're family." She offered a seat, "Alexi, could you please make a cheese plate for us, and that sherry I just got." She returned her attention, "It's an excuse to open it, nobody else is willing to drink it with me since the vintner is a bit mad. Comes in once a month and always has something new for me to try. Most is interesting, a few excellent but the couple of bad ones keep everyone else from touching the stuff."

She got comfortable in the way that someone who used to work at such a place was trained to do, relaxed ease. "So, you wanted to talk about the wellbeing of the Roe?"

In reply to Phryne (msg # 4):

“Well that’s all I needed to hear then.”

Almost at once you can see the facade drop away. Lord van Ellsworth ceases being the suave, sophisticated, gaudy man-about-town he was out in the street and instead slumps into a nearby chair as little more than just another overworked, anxiety-ridden citizen of the city. His polite demeanor never ceases, but you can now clearly see that this is not the man he pretends to be in the public eye. The pomp and circumstance have fallen away to leave little of the Lord you just met a few minutes prior. “This is a fine place you have for yourself here, Miss Phryne. Cherish it. The space and those that inhabit it... though I doubt you need anyone to tell you that.”

“I have come to understand that you are a pillar of this community with means others of a similar standing lack... means that could get coin and resources into the right hands without it ever needing to pass through certain shadier members of society who may lurk nearby. That’s what I need your help with.” He snaps his fingers and one of the guards pulls a sack (not a bag, mind you, but a sack; easily big enough to fit a person in) from somewhere within the folds of its cloak. This is sets down beside Lord van Ellsworth with a heavy thud and a jingle that immediately draws the attention of everyone in the vicinity.

“This is coin meant to go to the poor of the Roe. Coin that has been collected for the better part of a four years now in the hopes of getting it to those most in need of it... coin that I recently discovered hidden away in the personal coffers of the late Lord Quentin Viaduct’s private estate.” The second guard produces a second bag of similar size and weight. “Four years. Four years of good will and charitable donations; all collecting dust in the private safe of a man who never once in his life set foot in this district. You’re clearly not a naive woman, Miss Phryne, so I can’t imagine I need to tell you what that means. Suffice to say that, in the time since his death, the rest of the council has made it a point to review his earnings very, VERY thoroughly. We’ve been... well, let’s just say ‘mildly appalled’ by what we found. Spending coin from the import and export taxes at the docks on all manner of personal needs. Shipping goods off to a private home he had set up for himself a few miles outside of town. Running small businesses into the ground in order to make room for his own shady associates... and now this. Suffice to say, things are a bit tense back at Council Hall currently.” There is a rage emanating from him as he mentions Veraduct that is almost palpable in the air around you. You sense this may have been a betrayal that went deeper than he is letting on.

He lets out a long, exhausted sigh. “I am Lord of ‘Entertainment’ here in Tideswallow. That means the joy and well-being of our citizens is my first and only concern. I can’t pretend that I’ve always been the best at this job, and I have certainly let the Roe down throughout the course of my tenure here. Nine years of this, and this is the first I’m showing my face down here without a disguise on... But do not doubt for a moment my dedication to wanting to help the people of this city; wherever they might be. As such, I am here to personally recruit you into my service to help spread this wealth back to the communities that it was originally meant for to begin with!”

He reaches into one of the sacks and tosses you one of the coins. Your discerning eyes can see from the moment that it leaves the burlap prison its been confined to that this isn’t silver or gold that you’re dealing with. The shimmering, lustrous sheen of platinum is what lands in your dexterous grip when the coin reaches you. “I understand this is probably a lot to take in at once, so please. Take your time considering this. I need this sort of thing to stay, at least relatively between you and I. I don’t know how many eyes and ears the Sunless have here, but the last thing I need is them sweeping in and taking a cut of this away from the citizens.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:03, Fri 18 Sept 2020.

Noting the change, that was good. She loved watching the artifice fade away. "I do, we all worked very hard to make this a place where all who work here are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve." She wasn't saying that as an advert or throw away, she truly meant it.

 She listened intently, having heard some of the rumors she knew of being confirmed was not exactly the best for the people here. Corruption. Always so much corruption.

There was definitely some surprise at realizing this was platinum. The good she could do would far outweigh the risks. However, directly giving wouldn't work. She ran through some scenarios in her mind and took a deep sigh.

"Of course I'm happy to assist in any way I can. I think it wouldn't be good to give money directly, though, especially in large amounts. Those who have little rarely know how to deal with a windfall, but paying some of their rent, funding a larger food handout system, making certain the sick can get the care they need that I'm not always able to provide. A trust, perhaps, with highly limited access." She was musing out loud as the cheese and drink came with a loaf of bread. She mindlessly made a pair of plates and offered him one, along with a drink.

"It will have to be distributed slowly or too many parties will get wind. Or all at once but I think that would create too much chaos. Planning will take some time." Perhaps her mind was spinning a bit even though she tried to hide it. Her words not necessarily as clear as they usually are.

In reply to Phryne (msg # 6):

“No, of course. Dumping this much coin out into the community would do nothing but attract unwanted attention... and horribly disrupt the city’s economy. No, it definitely needs to be doled out slowly across numerous parts of the district; but that is why I came to you specifically about it. I am, unfortunately, not particularly familiar with much of the Roe. Even your business, which does for the record, fall under my jurisdiction as Lord of Entertainment, has been left fairly untouched by my hand specifically because I feel it more prudent to let the people of the Roe have a bit more control over their district than the rest of the city gets. Extreme circumstances, and all that.”

He raises a hand and one of the guards retrieves the second sack of coins, stowing it back somewhere within its cloak. “One bag will be left with you, as I trust your judgement more than most down here; given your reputation. The other will be going to another, undisclosed individual down here who I have come to trust in a similar capacity. I feel it safer to split it this way than to leave it all with you. Last thing we need is someone catching wind of this and raiding your lovely little abode here for the entire payout.”
From within his jacket, he pulls out a small envelope and hands it to you.
“In addition, I feel it only right to extend an invitation to you to this week’s little get-together at my villa up in the Office District. Bring a guest if you so choose, appear whenever you like and leave whenever you feel like it. Or don’t show up at all, I wouldn’t blame you. Heavens know if I wasn’t hosting the damn thing I wouldn’t be going. Truly drab, dismal affairs that are really just an excuse for the nobility to gather and show off for one another. But, you are one of the business owners under my jurisdiction, so it seems only proper to pass the invitation along. The seal upon it will get you into the Office District whenever you like, as well, so feel free to abuse that to its fullest extent.”

"The Roe is it's own thing. I think most people in better circumstances don't even want to think about it. I try to make this place better than it should be not only for my family here but for our visitors. Everyone deserves a few hours of something better. And the Sunless are more a governing body here than anyone, though if I had my way that wouldn't be the case. Alas, we live in the circumstances of our birth in many ways." Hers being a little, toad like looking demon baby with a certain verdigris like skin tone.

She nodded, "That definitely makes sense. I would hate to see something happen to it all so even if misfortune befalls one of us the other could still do good." She took the envelope, "Oh, I may stop by. I think it would be good making some connections now that the business is fairly settled. And, if I'm not mistaken, restaurants are also under your purview. I have a deal here to get extra food from some of the pubs around the Roe, but working with some of the larger, better off, establishments may provide a bigger boon. Cast off food can save so many families in need. Even if it's questionable I can make it safe to eat. Do you know any that would be willing to work something out?"

In reply to Phryne (msg # 8):

“Well that’s a considerable weight off my consciousness, then. My sincerest thanks for taking on this, admittedly unenviable task... I trust you’ll handle it splendidly. Now as for this place you have for yourself here... Should you need anything for it, I’d like you to consider coming to me for it. As far as the city is concerned, brotherly and the like fall under my watch to care for, regardless of where in the city they might be. I’d hate for anyone to think I was shirking my responsibilities simply because this lovely little chateau is a bit more out of the way than most...”

To your answer regarding his invitation: “Haha, now that’s the sort of thinking that will take you far in the Office District! You’ll do fine. Do stop in once the party’s started. No sense being too terribly early to an event like this... better to make a memorable entrance.”

With that, he stands, seeming to almost have to fight to do so. You get the feeling this little visit was the closest thing to a break he’s gotten to take today. He turns to leave, his guards matching his every step with their’s.

Phryne needed to think. "If you ever want a moment to rest away from prying eyes my personal rooms are always open. We can do salacious things like read a book and, perhaps, even a rousing game of cards or chess over some mediocre local wine." She could see he needed just a break, some time to decompress and not be the persona. Funny for someone who hid herself at all times, only those who wronged her family ever saw her true form which, she felt, wasn't exactly horrifying but at night, in the Roe when the equivalent of a volley of arrows was falling on them it was all shadow and fear and never a hand laid on one of her girls or guys again. Thankfully it had been a while.

With a nod, "Until we meet again." She understood being overworked, she usually was. But now she needed to figure out a lot more. Who and how to help. Debts behind the scenes may be a good way, and the food. Of course some work in the Ash. She decided to hide the money and get out for a while. Not in a single place, though, no she had a few safes hiding around. If one robbed her it would likely only be a small amount of the whole.

With a heavy mind she headed up to the roof, hidden behind a bit of building she changed her appearance. Her red hair turned a deeper shade, unnaturally so, and in a pixie cut. Her face lost all the little sun freckles, shape changed to be a little more lifted. Cheek bones more pronounced, eyes a different shape, rounder and a little larger and completely pupilless and opalescent, lips a bit less full. An entirely different person with beautiful white angelic wings tight against her back. This was Janelle, one of her personas that wasn't from the Roe, a traveler who came in every so often when she needed to think and stretch her wings out.

And she did, taking off straight up into the air until she was far enough away to head to the entertainment district. It was time for a flight and maybe a meal.

--to Entertainment District--
This message was last edited by the player at 13:52, Mon 21 Sept 2020.