<div class="floatright">(https://wallpapers.wallhaven.cc/wallpapers/full/wallhaven-395051.jpg)</div>The temple was aglow and welcoming in the dusk, made quickly darker by the forest that wrapped all around and canopy that made up the common ceiling.  There was a chapel for praying, with a priestess reading from the Book of Joy, reciting teachings to never let others dictate one’s path or choices, to boldly stand up for oneself, and to take justice or vengeance on those that would harm you.<br/><br/>"Savor the t-three stings of passion, guile, and... vengeance.<br/>No food you ever taste, no thing you ever build, will--will satisfy you as much as my gifts..."<br/><br/>She read directly from the book on the podium, in the thin, shaky voice of a novice, one learning her duties as a public servant, and not really with the spirit of text.  Not only was there a tone of nerves, however, but her posture as she leaned on the podium and held on tight for support.  The few worshippers there either prayed or meditated quietly, ignoring her.  There was a large lounge area that had both many elves, as well as fairly regular turnover: prostitutes and/or priests in lingerie, robes, or even leather and toy whips welcomed visitors and took them to private back rooms or upstairs for privacy, while in the middle a few danced in silks.  In one of these corners a group of women—elves and half-elves—drank and laughed together, all wearing bold black and yellow garb and armed in some fashion, whether with whip, dagger, or sword.  They were exchanging boasts of past deeds and exploits, whether some fight, plot, or theft they’d completed, each with a more impressive twist of personal revenge or petty showing off.<br/><br/>Downstairs would be a cellar of wine and food storage cut out between the roots of the giant tree.  Spiraling up the trunk would lead to common sleeping quarters for acolytes, which Alice would have free use of, and further up were private suites for more senior priests for their personal use or to entertain clients.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Sense Motive 20</div><div class="spoiler_body">Hunches:<br/>The priestess is green, some new acolyte doing public readings for the first time.   But even then, she’s more nervous than one should expect--rather anxious than nervous.<br/>The gossiping/boasting women aren’t just loud, but are definitely showing off for anyone else to hear their exploits.<br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Sense Motive 25</div><div class="spoiler_body">Sense Enchantment:<br/>Not magical necessarily, but the nervous priestess is definitely under some sort of ongoing effect distracting her.  While elves all have large pupils, her eyes, breath, and posture all point to continual sexual stimulation.</div></div></div></div>