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Session Nine: For Pleasure or Pain

General Summary

The session started with the party at Villa Cassalanter trying to piece together what happened during the ritual and the fallout from it. The party returns back upstairs to see Barnibus Blastwind had arrived with a large group of griffon riders and city guard. There were a large number of healers attending to the poisoned families in the courtyard curing and healing those who were poisoned. Barnibus offered the healers to aid the party and allowed the party one hour to search the manor house before he would start his official investigations. The party returned back inside and turns their attention to the temple downstairs and the manor house. After completing their search, the party collected petrified Sneachta and returned to the Trollskull Manor. When the party arrived back at manor, Volo approaches Valna and hands her a book stating a man looking for her had dropped it off for her.
  In the morning, Friac sets out to find a place where he can pawn some of the Cassalanter’s china he took from the manor. Friac’s journey took him into the Dock Ward and into the Old Xoblob Shop where he found the owner of the shop, Sezarn. Friac asked if he could sell the china which he had found. Sezern took Friac in the back of the shop and shared a smoke with the goblin. He offered to pay Friac but told him he would give him full price if he gave him something purple. Friac purchases one of Sezern’s home brews which will allow you to hear the purple elephant. Friac ends up pawning the china and inquired if Sezarn had anything he would be willing to trade. Sezarn said he had a special purple alchemical component he is willing to trade if Friac could obtain the purple offering bag on Lathander’s statue in the temple square. Friac said he would try and will come back later if he had it. He then left and returned to the Trollskull Manor later in the day.
  The party sets out to the House of Heroes, the temple of Tempus in Waterdeep, in order to see if they can get Sneachta restored. At the House of Heroes, they meet High Sword Turik Bloodhelm, the head of the temple. He tells the party he can restore Sneachta and grant them access to the Halls of Heroes if they are willing to help the temple in a small matter. High Sword Bloodhelm tells the party there is a patron of the temple who is in need of help. No one responded to his call for help and he has turned to the temple for help. When the party agrees to help, High Sword Bloodhelm has Sneatcha restored. High Sword Bloodhelm goes into further details as the party agreed to assist. High Sword Bloodhelm tells the party Taeros Bladesemmer’s daughter, Dhanna Bladesemmer, went missing. Taeros was convinced bandits kidnapped Dhanna, but he was not a hundred percent sure because there was no ransom note. Things changed the other day as Taeros received a note requesting two hundred and fifty thousand golds worth of magical armor and weapons if he wanted to see Dhanna alive again. Taeros has a deadline of 48 hours to collect the items and to drop it off outside of town. Taeros asked for the temple’s help because his cries for help from the city guard have been lost due to what has been happening in Waterdeep. The party departs the temple and returns back the Trollskull Manor to collect their gear and Friac. Friac and Sneachta sample Sezarn’s brew and found out it gave them ability to temporary speak with animals.
  The party departs the Manor and arrives at the House of Bloodhelm. They knock at the door and tell the staff member who answered the door they were there on behalf of the temple to help. They are escorted into the sitting room where Taeros and his wife, Oyna, greet them. Taeros is happy the temple sent some to help him. He tells the party he does not want to pay the ransom but will if time gets to be short. He doesn’t have much information other than Dhanna was last seen near the City of the Dead. He did not know why she was over near the cemetery. Cora asks if there is any of Dhanna’s clothing they could use to possibly track her by using Iris. Taeros brings the party except Sneachta upstairs into Dhanna’s room. A search of Dhanna’s room located several books of erotica. Cora found hidden in a desk a necklace with a red ribbon attached to it with a silver whip tied to the end of the ribbon. Inside one of the books they found an inscription from what appears to be a lover remarking about their encounter at the Book Fetish and the Temple of Painful Pleasures. Friac took the time while searching the room to steal a purple pillow and underwear.
  Downstairs Sneachta spoke with the family dog, Sam, if he had seen anything strange of late. Sam tells Sneachta Dhanna had been staying out of late recently. When she returned she smelled different as if she had several different people’s smell on her. Sneachta asked Sam if he was willing to help find Dhanna as she is lost. Sam agreed to help as the rest of the party returns to the sitting room. Taeros tells the party he will pay them 1,000 gold pieces for each bandit they kill for crossing his family. The party departs the house and follows Sam and Iris as they try to track the scent of Dhanna. The scent ends by an alleyway near the Book Fetish. The party enters the Book Fetish except Nyx which stays outside watching the alleyway. Nyx watches as several couples walk up to a wall and knock on it. The wall opens and a human male ask if they are there for the Temple of Painful Pleasures which they nod and present a token. The man takes the token and escorts them in. Nyx returns back into the Book of Fetish and grabs Sneachta. She transforms Sneachta into a moon elf and they go knock on the wall. The man opens the wall and asks if they were there for the Temple of Painful Pleasures. They both said yes and Nyx presented a counterfeit token. They were led into the temple.
  Back inside the Book Fetish, Cora and Valna looked over the different areas and found the erotica section of the store. They looked over the books to see if they could find any books which may have any messages from Dhanna’s secret lover. Unsuccessful, they decided to enter the temple as well. They asked the shop clerk about the temple and they were able to purchase a token for entry. They left Friac alone in the shop as they posed as a couple to enter the temple.
  Inside the temple Nyx and Sneatcha were greeted by three acolytes of Loviatar, the maiden of pain. They were explained the rules of the temple and offered to wear a see through robe or go naked. They decided to go naked and store their equipment in the storage room. Once inside the main chamber they witnessed several couples interacting with each other in sexual ways while in the center of the chamber the high priestess of Loviatar watched on from a throne. She was called the Maiden as she seemed to take delight from the activities taking place. Sneatcha approached the Maiden if she would be interested in going into a private chamber. Maiden told Sneatcha he had to pay to play and said was a 1,000 gold pieces. Sneatcha told her he couldn’t pay but was interrupted by Nyx which paid the cost for them both to have private time with the Maiden. They were escorted back Maiden’s room where she pointed to a set of chains. Sneatcha walked over and the Maiden locked him in. The Maiden pulled a whip out and whipped Sneatcha asking if he seek pleasure or pain. In tranced by the power of the whip, Sneatcha became submissive to the Maiden. The Maiden whipped Sneatcha which heighten Sneatcha’s arousal. After things came to a climax, the Maiden turned her attention to Nyx. She asked the Maiden about Dhanna. The Maiden said she has not seen Dhanna for a few days. Dhanna’s partner was at the temple and Nyx asked where he was. The Maiden said Harlan was in his private chambers he enjoys renting. Nyx and Sneatcha depart from the Maiden’s private chambers.
  Nyx enters Harlan’s private chambers and witnesses Harlan entertaining two women nether are Dhanna. Nyx tells Harlan she has heard a lot of things about him from Dhanna. As Nyx presses about Dhanna, Harlan tells Nyx she was just a fling and he hadn’t seen her in a while. Nyx tricks Harlan into putting the Manacles of Cooperation. Harlan, influenced by the manacles, tells Nyx that two men approached him and offered to pay him to turn Dhanna over to him. He tricked Dhanna in meeting him by the cemetery where the two men kidnapped Dhanna. He met one of the men at the Shanty Inn in the Dock Ward where he paid him. Nyx got an image of the man from Harlan’s mind. After releasing the manacles, Nyx threaten Harlan if he ever contacted Dhanna again she would kill him. Harlan rattled by Nyx’s threat agreed.
  Cora and Valna gain entry into the Temple of Painful Pleasures and enter the main chambers looking for Nyx and Sneatcha. They witness Nyx exit the Maiden’s private chambers and enter a different chamber. Debating if Nyx needed help they decided to split up to see if they could possibly find Harlan. Sneatcha approaches Valna and asks if he could join her. Valna agrees and Sneatcha joins her. After some small talk and flirting Sneatcha revolts Valna as he tries to suck on her toes. Valna dismisses Sneatcha and Sneatcha decides to look for Cora. After meeting up with Cora, Sneatcha begins to flirt with Cora.
  Valna upset, hears in her mind Barley. He mocks Valna for her lost love and how he is interested to see she is in a temple of pleasure. He pushes Valna telling her he owes her a bit of pleasure. People watch as Valna has a violent outburst which seemed to gain the attention of the Maiden. The Maiden approaches Valna and tells Valna she is there to help Valna with her desires. Valna tries to resist but because in tranced by the Maiden. She follows the Maiden to her private chamber when Nyx, Cora and Sneatcha notice it. They intercept Valna and ask if Valna was going on her own free will which Valna replies she was. Nyx still a little suspicious paid to have her, Cora and Sneatcha to watch. The Maiden led Valna into her chambers where she chains up Valna. The Maiden gets out her whip and whips Valna repeatedly until something inside her snaps. Valna turns to face the Maiden as the chain suddenly releases. Valna lunges forward tackling the Maiden to the ground. Valna starts punching the Maiden in the face when Sneatcha and Nyx grab her. Nyx tells the Maiden Valna had enough as they drag her out of the chambers. The Maiden just smiles at Valna as she leaves. They take Valna and leave the temple. Once outside the temple Valna slowly regains her composure.
  Back inside the Book Fetish, Friac is approached by a woman. She looks at Friac for a brief moment and asks Friac what’s his name. She tells Friac she is Karla and she hasn’t seen a goblin before. She asks Friac if she could have a lock of his hair because she heard it was good luck. Friac told Karla he is willing to give her his hair if she can help him obtain the offering bag. Karla giggles and tells Friac she maybe able to help because she just recently discovered some new things about herself. Friac and Karla leave the book store and head to the statue.
  At the statue Friac points out the offering bag and tells Karla that is the bag he is supposed to take. Karla giggles and tells Friac it will be easy. She tells him to hold her hand as she stops time briefly. Friac grabs the bag and they leave the square as the spell wears off. Karla excited at what they had just done asked Friac for his lock of hair which Friac gives her. Karla then expresses the desire to meet Friac’s friend as she really likes being Friac’s friend too. Friac and Karla depart for Old Xoblob Shop.
  At the Old Xoblob Shop Friac and Karla meet Sezarn. Friac tells Sezarn he has the offering bag and Sezarn eagerly tells them to go into the backroom. In the backroom, Friac produces the offering bag and gives it to Sezarn. Sezarn takes the bag and jumps up and down at finally getting the bag. Sezarn gives Friac the purple alchemical item. Karla, not amused at the little gnome grew bored and asked if Friac wanted to see her other scary friends. Friac told Karla it could wait but Sezarn grew suspicious and told Friac his friend was bad news. Karla, not liking what she heard, called upon her shadow friends to appear. The room grew dark at the shadows began to swirl around them. Karla looked at Friac and told him when she called the shadow friends they had to feed. Sezarn turn to run as a creature appeared out of the shadows grabbing him and disappearing into the darkness. Karla squealed with delight. Friac sat and watch as the shadows began to slowly dissipate. Karla tells Friac there is someone else which did something bad and they need to be punished for it. She grabs Friac by the hand and they head out of the Old Xobolb Shop.
  The party checked the Book Fetish for Friac but did not locate him. Pressed for time they went to the Shanty Inn without Friac. At the Shanty Inn, the party noticed one of the men responsible for the kidnapping sitting in the back of the tavern. The party made a move on the man surprising him and he was quickly subdued. With the Manacles of Cooperation on the man told the party where Dhanna was being kept. The party left the Shanty Inn and followed the man to an old farm house outside of Waterdeep.
  The party snuck up to the farm house and Nyx scoped it out. Nyx determined there were four people in the farm house including Dhanna. Sneatcha made a distraction at the front of the house calling out the people inside acting as he was drunk. One of the bandits came out of the house and challenged Sneatcha. While Sneatcha distracted the bandits, the rest of the party attacked from the back of the house. After a few blows were struck, the party overwhelmed the bandits and killed them. All the bandits had a tattoo on them which was the sign for the Cult of the Dragon. The party found Dhanna in a side bedroom. Dhanna was surprised at the entry of the party. Dhanna was under the impression this was a fantasy of Harlan and he was coming in to rescue her. She was embarrassed to find out she was kidnapped for real and Harlan had a part. Dhanna was reluctant to return home as she did not know what her father would say. Nyx, Cora and Valna convinced her to return home and they will take care of everything.
  Back at the Bloodhelm house, the party safely returned Dhanna. They tell Taeros Dhanna was kidnapped and they took care of the bandits. Taeros was impressed with the party and paid them four thousand gold pieces each for taking care of those responsible for the kidnapping. Taeros tells the party he will forge any weapon or armor they would like for the price of material.
  The party returns to the House of Heroes where High Sword Bloodhelm thanks the party for helping the Bloodhelms. He tells the party as promised he is giving them access to the Halls of Heroes. The party returns back to the Trollskull Manor to see if Friac had returned.
  Karla takes Friac to the marketplace where she points an older human male which looked like he had seen better days. The older man stops and looks around before moving and stopping in front of a shop. Karla tells Friac this is the man who needs to be punished. She wants Friac to help and if he does, she would give him something in return. Friac resisted but is overcome to help Karla. Karla asks Friac for some of the poison he just got and she places it on a dagger. She has Friac distract the man as she sneaks up and stabs the man in the back. The man falls to the ground as time stops. When time begins again, Friac is standing in front of the man with a necklace in his hand. Seeing the man on the ground and thinking he is dead Friac flees from the scene.
  Just before the party arrives at the manor, the party is surprised as an assassin steps out of the shadows and attacks Cora. Cora is seriously wounded from the attack. As the party attempts to react, the assassin disappears in the shadow. Left behind was a note warning her to stay out of their affairs.
  Back at the Manor the party regroups with Friac. They asked what happened to him. Friac tells them what happens. Valna, from hearing the news from Friac, acts in a bit of rage and tries to attack Friac. Valna is restrained by Nyx and Sneatcha. Friac retreats to his room as Nyx and Sneatcha take Valna to her room so she can calm down.
  The session ended.

Rewards Granted

Experience for the session: 1,867xp. Party's total experience to date: 15,396xp. This should take everyone to fifth level.
  Taeros promised the party if they wanted any armor or weapons forged he will do it for them for the cost of materials.
  High Sword Turik Bloodhelm gave permission for the party to enter the Halls of Heroes.
  Party share of the treasure as follows: (total value:4,050gp)
  1. Taeros paid each party member 4,000gp for the return of Dhanna.
  2. Total amount of gold pulled from the bodies (300p/each player gets 50gp).
  Items pulled off the dead Cult of the Dragon members:
  1. One set of Banded Mail
  2. One Greatsword.
  3. Two daggers with the Cult of the Dragon symbol on them.
  4. One brown robe.
  5. A week of iron rations.
  6. One maul.

Notes

Key Findings:
  • There is a hidden temple to Loviatar called the Temple of Painful Pleasures.
  • The Cult of the Dragon kidnapped Dhanna and was requesting a large amount of magical weapons and armor as a ransom for Dhanna.
  • The Cult of the Dragon had no intention of returning Dhanna. They were planning to kill Dhanna once the ransom was paid.
  • A mysterious woman named Karla has powerful powers which she claims she recently discovered.

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