<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=208691.msg10984159#msg10984159">Quote from: Autocad on 15-02-2015, 09:34:14</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"You know, this has got me thinkinya. One of Faliensk's minions, she's a Taldorian scholar, right? So she must have a field of study - I wonder, could we use it to get through to her?"  Arensha mused, after Zelda had settled down a bit.</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>"Yeah, her name's Claudia," Zelda answered.  "Specializes in history, along with a little bit of a nationalistic bent which seems common to her culture.  I don't really talk much with her, but she has all the markings of noble blood.  Kind of makes me wonder how she ended up a concubine?"<br/><br/>"I don't think she realizes she's a slave, or doesn't want to admit it," Alfreldi said with a smile.  "Be wary around her, Arensha.  Sharisa was not an ally of convenience, but Claudia has genuine loyalty.  I've seen how they interact with each other, they seem a lot friendlier."<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Arensha was glad when she finally had an uninterrupted session with al-Samara, but she didn't know whether to be amused or jealous after hearing about the rest of his encounters, all in the same day, no less.<br/><br/>Like her fellow catgirl, she was engaged in acrobatics to keep herself in shape and flexible. It was a little scary how the ease and pleasures of harem life made it all too easy to go soft, something that she decided she would never let happen. "I bet he would have went through the whole harem if he could, if you didn't knock him out," she paused her routine to give Hanifa a playful nudge on the ribs before resuming. "What's your secret? You have to tell us!"<br/><br/>"Seriously though, either al-Samara simply can't go a day without sex, or his wife is a very terrible, terrible tease," she continued. "Or a very good one, dependinya on how you look at it, I guess. But the way he's been goinya at it, it's like he's doinya it as a job instead of for fun... I mean, it has to get sore after a while, right?"<br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>"Yeah, when we were done he fell back onto the bed and took a drink of freshly squeezed orange juice, like he's been beat..."<br/><br/>Hanifa let out a small laugh.<br/><br/>"Not that kind of 'beat,' Hanifa!  But since his wife just got here, I do have my own theory."  Her voice turned serious.  "After that...attack, it would make sense for his wife to come back and see if he's okay.  That, and maybe...maybe he wants to try spending more time with us over the next few days, in case..."<br/><br/>She did not dare to linger on that thought any longer.  "Our Sultan's such a nice man!  We shouldn't have to make him suffer for us!  I mean, it's our job to please him first and foremost!  Maybe the next time he gets with you, Arensha, and he seems tired, you should try asking him if he really wants to do it, or maybe read a nice book together in bed, or play some music or tell him a story.  I don't know, I'm just throwing out ideas now."<br/><br/><hr/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Later That Day</span></div><br/>Bakr was in his lab.  He and Garetz were given the corpses of the assassins after Ahriman finally completed his scanning of any residual magics.  After the golem deemed them safe, they were brought to Bakr for analysis.<br/><br/>"Hmm, I can determine the cause of death to be subzero temperature on this one, and blood loss and tissue damage from a catgirl's claws on this one."  Garetz approached the latter, and cast a<em>speak with dead</em>spell on it.<br/><br/>"No dice, tongue got cut out.  Not by Arensha, but before they entered the palace."<br/><br/>Bakr's mind flashed back to that catgirl, vividly remembering two days ago how she left his lab after tempting her.  He would not admit it, but he entertained thoughts of sex with her a lot more often lately.  This was understandable, as he had admired al-Samara's concubines but for many years had been in a loving marriage with a wife who was an accomplished illusionist to boot and did not really have much incentive to betray both her and his employer.  But a part of him was fascinated in more ways than one by the harem's newest catgirl, and recently begun work on an extra-strength memory serum.  It was cutting into his other work, and he hoped the others did not notice, but when he was finished he planned on offering it to her.  Unbidden, his mind conjured the scenario of a grateful Arensha licking the potion's residue off her lips, then kneeling down in front of him and undoing his pants...<br/><br/>"Bakr!"<br/><br/>A sharp rebuke from Garetz made the alchemist realize he had reached for the acid instead of the water necessary for a<em>scrying</em>spell.<br/><br/>"I'm sorry, Garetz, these last few days have been stressful, and I'm not at my best."<br/><br/><hr/><br/><em>Menya now has some free time on her hands.  She can do 2 events each per day, with the ability to retry the following day in case of failed attempts.</em><br/><br/><strong>Rumors:</strong>Through casual conversation and leading questions, Arensha can gradually find out the true happenings around the palace.  Once per day she can roll a Diplomacy check (harem pants apply) and unearth some knowledge!  Alfreldi, Hanifa, and Zelda can all aid another, granting a further +6 bonus.<br/><br/>Roll 1d4 and check the number in the spoiler, doing a reroll if you already received that number.  Once Arensha gets 3 secrets of that kind she automatically uncovers the final one on a next successful check.  Also, Arensha rolls 1d4 twice on a result of 20 or better (she finds out 2 secrets).<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Unimportant Secrets DC 15</div><div class="spoiler_body">1, Harem Girl: "Judi al-Samara is one of our Sultan's four wives.  He's in a long-distance relationship, and they live separately, meeting together once every few months and write letters to each other.  Of the four, Judi has been the closest, although she's more akin to an advisor and they're all in a political marriage."<br/><br/>2, Eunuch: "I know it's been hard for you, but we appreciate how you defended al-Samara from those assassins.  Some of the guys have been debating whether to help train you in some techniques, although Ahriman frowns on that idea.  Still, couldn't hurt to try, and you might get in some good exercise while you're at it!"<br/><br/>3, Harem Girl: "Hee hee, didn't you hear?  He doesn't let on, but Bakr's been rather worried about you ever since you lost your memory.  When Valerie bumped her head on the banister yesterday he actually gave a hop!  Maybe it's chivalry or being a good friend, but he seems to have a desire to protect women."<br/><br/>4, Servant: "I've noticed you helping out the mermaid in the library.  Were you a scribe before you became a concubine, you seem to know your way around the shelves!  Also, I can sort of detect a slight tinge of Osiriani accent in your speech.  Might you be from northern Garund, by any chance?"<br/><br/>A result of 4 triggers a flashback as Arensha thinks about Osirion by happenstance.  She sees the bustling streets of Sothis as a little girl, her hand being led by an adult, possibly a family member.  They passed near the giant beetle corpse of Ulunat, and her trying to climb it before being yanked down by a guard and receiving a scolding.<br/><br/>She also remembers the salty ocean breeze near the docks, the grim-faced clerics of the Necropolis overseeing funerary rites, and devotees of the goddess Bast (with their shrines home to many stray cats) asking her to lead some ritual in spite of the young catgirl not being a trained priestesses.<br/><br/><em>Your first post had Menya mention she wanted to climb the beetle of Sothis since she was a child, so I figured she spent her early life in Sothis.  If this conflicts with her backstory, just tell me and I'll edit the post more to your liking.</em></div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Reveal Major Secret DC 20</div><div class="spoiler_body">1, Amvi: "Ah, hello there Arensha!  You made quite a good show humiliating Faliensk at the party!  I figure that's reward all its own, but I'll tell you something not too many people know.  I've seen Roshul sneaking in various...ingredients into the lotion of the palace's catgirls.  I've never been able to find out what they are, and I only found this out via a daring <em>scry</em> spell, but I think it's worth checking out.<br/><br/>2, Sharisa: "Eh heh, hey Arensha," the elf says with a nervous smile as she pats the catgirl on the shoulder.  "Can you give me some of that tea?  Er, I was with al-Samara and he didn't pull out.  In fact, he seemed intent on remaining inside me while he finished."<br/><br/>Zelda overhears this.  "You too?  Was he holding you by the waist, not letting you pull out?"<br/><br/>"Uh no, he was on top, but yeah, not much room for maneuvering.  So Arensha, would you be a dear?  I haven't heard anything yet about your elf friend, but I'll be sure to tell you when I get word of things."<br/><br/>3, Zelda: "You know, Judi's been hanging out a lot in the aquatic chambers.  You know, where we held our swimming lessons about two weeks ago.  She's been rather stressed out, and talks quite a bit about her legacy.  She seems pretty worried about the sahuagin, too, viewing her and Sultan al-Samara as the only ones able to stand against them.  For a noble, she's rather approachable."<br/><br/>4, Alfreldi: "Hey Arensha, psst!"  Her friend's hiding underneath Arensha's bed.  "Get down here!"<br/><br/>Hanifa passes by.  She sighs as she walks into Arensha's room.  "Should I tell her?" she asks nobody in particular.  "No, I can't shock her yet.  I...ugh, I hate being here thinking of the Aspis and the Hellknights being ahead of us in the search."<br/>Hanifa writes down something on a piece of parchment, then tucks it in one of Arensha's books.  "Heh, hope she's still an avid reader..."<br/>And she walks out of the room.<br/><br/>Getting up to examine the paper, it has a drawing of a crown on it, along with an X and four-pointed star above it. (http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/pathfinder/images/1/12/Pathfinder_Society_symbol.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20090308070053)  <em>You have old friends who remember you back on the Material Plane.  Wishing you the best!</em><br/><br/>"What does that mean?" Alfreldi asked, puzzled.  "I had no idea she could talk!  Should we confront Silent Girl about this?"<br/><br/><em>Arensha recognizes the symbol as belonging to the Pathfinder Society, but she does not remember her time with them.</em></div></div><br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Task 1, Claudia the Taldorian</div><div class="spoiler_body">As befitting her scholarly nature, Claudia is in the library.  She is by herself, with a teetering stack of historical volumes on the table.  Ranging from the religious practices of Aroden to the biographies of Qadiran satraps, her research seemed very broad.<br/><br/>"What do you want?" she sneered as Arensha approached.  "I'm not in the mood to talk, especially after what you did to my friend."<br/><br/><em>Roll Diplomacy.  Claudia's starting attitude is Unfriendly.  DC 21 shifts her attitude to Indifferent, DC 26 to Friendly, DC 31 to Helpful.  Harem pants do not work on her.  A result of 16 or less turns her Hostile.  Once per day Arensha can return, attempting to shift her attitude one more step, as per the Diplomacy rules.</em><br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Hostile</div><div class="spoiler_body">"Get. Out. Now."  If Arensha sticks around, she jumps up and screams for the guards.  "Help, this catgirl's harassing me!"</div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Unfriendly</div><div class="spoiler_body">"Don't think my filling in after you made Faliensk pass out indicated a fondness for you," she says coldly.  "I was keeping up the act for al-Samara."<br/><br/>She gives a look of disgust.  "I don't even like girls, but I'm willing to make sacrifices for those I'm loyal to.  Just as I'm sure your friends will do for you.  So you should understand if you try something like that on Faliensk again, I'm going to be a lot more unpleasant to you if I can help it.  Now leave me be."</div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Indifferent</div><div class="spoiler_body">Claudia sighs.  "Yeah, you're not as terrible as Faliensk lets on.  Listen, there's a pecking order in this harem, and nobody living in this palace has not made a relationship of some kind.  I hitched my sail to Faliensk some time ago, and I can't go back on that.  I know you hate her, view her as a threat, and probably think I'm some evil conniving bitch scheming with her, but the truth is more complicated than that.  I have to stick by my loyalties, my honor as a Taldorian demands it."<br/><br/><em>Arensha gains 300 experience points for this.</em></div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Friendly</div><div class="spoiler_body">"Okay, okay," she says, smiling.  "I can see that you're a good person and not Asmodeus incarnate like one of Faliensk's impressions.  Yeah, I like to study history.  There is a lot of great thing hidden in the past, and I think that a lot of societal problems and decline stem from forgetting what happened before our time.  As a Taldorian, this kind of work comes naturally to me...although I have the willpower to study societies beyond my motherland.  I learned quite a lot of about genie culture during my stay as an ambassador to Sultan al-Samara's palace."<br/><br/>When the conversation shifts to Faliensk, Claudia frowns a bit.  "Faliensk actually saved my life from an assassin's blade six years ago."  She cringed a bit, hoping that this didn't trigger recent memories of the latest attempt on Arensha.  "It was meant for me and not Sultan al-Samara, oddly enough.  Ahriman knew what happened, told us it was the agent of a rival Taldoran family, the Adamolis.  They actually spent their last fortune on the assassin, so they fell into obscurity after this failure!  Talk about just desserts, huh?"<br/><br/>Claudia rubs her hands against her dress.  "And as for why Faliensk hates you so, she's worked for decades to earn and maintain her position as al-Samara's favorite.  Before she was bought by him I do not know, but think of what it's like from her side.  You swoop in and upset her in virtually no time at all.  All those years of hard work become a waste.  And it pains her so.  I...I'm sorry, Arensha, but Faliensk is my friend.  A friend who can be mean, spiteful, and petty, but a friend nonetheless."<br/><br/><em>Arensha gains 500 experience for this; for a total of 800 experience points.</em></div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Helpful</div><div class="spoiler_body">Claudia's happy to see Arensha today.  "Hey Arensha.  So I've been thinking over time, and in spite of my misgivings I feel that you're a good person.  I like Faliensk, but I really don't want to see either of you feud.  I know you might still be resentful, but I want to make this work.  I...if you want to talk with me, I have a copper wire for us to send <em>message</em> spells from afar.  Can you cast it?  Well, I had an idea of how we can get Faliensk to stop bothering you.  It's going to be tough, though.  There's already some suspicion on her in the palace, and I...I worry about what might happen to her."<br/><br/>Claudia's idea is to get Faliensk in trouble.  Not too much that she gets severely punished, but enough to make her rethink her train of thought.  Claudia suggests stealing faking a vision from one of her ancestors, asking her if they'd approve of her actions.  "She's very devout, and holds her elders in high regard.  The pang of conscience might be enough to make her rethink her actions.  Such as with an illusion spell or something.  But Arensha, if we do do this, I want you to lay off Faliensk; any point onwards would just be bullying.  I think there's enough room at the top of hierarchy for both you and her as favored concubine."<br/><br/><em>Arensha gains 1,000 experience points for this; for a total of 1,800 experience points.</em></div></div></div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Task 2, Confronting Hanifa</div><div class="spoiler_body">Arensha can do this on her own, or with Alfreldi.  It can only be done if Arensha uncovered Major Secret #4.<br/><br/>Hanifa still puts on the charade of muteness, but points to a nearby closet to talk in.<br/><br/>"Okay, I am not mute, you caught me.  But I feigned this for a good reason.  Arensha, do you have that note I put in your book?"<br/><br/>If produced, she nods.  "That's the symbol for the Pathfinder Society, a world-famous organization of travelers, explorers, and scholars dedicated to unearthing forgotten lore.  And I've helped the Pathfinder lodges in Garundi for years."<br/><br/>She stares into Arensha's eyes (and Alfreldi, if she's there).  "Promise me you'll keep this a secret.  For my safety; I have my share of enemies."<br/><br/><em>Alfreldi nods.  "I understand completely.  I won't say anything which would put you in danger."</em><br/><br/>"Alright?  Good.  Well, you see, I was on a quest to find an ancient treasure, but was foiled by gnoll slavers who caught me.  They were to sell me and some other girls as sex slaves; fortunately al-Samara bought me, but my gear is gone and since I've been in this palace I'm worried about my mission.  I..."<br/><br/>She looks down at the ground, a few tears drop in wet pools on the floor.  "Al-Samara treats me and the others well, I can't deny that.  But the last time I was a slave, my people were forced to work the mines for the terrible dragon Susurex.  My tribe, the Yerbira nomads, are still under his thrall; I was one of the lucky ones to escape.  For seven years I had been free, to make my own way in the world, but I always wanted to go back one day and free them.  To be a slave again...all the pleasures, all the fine foods, magnificent library of tomes, cannot make up for it."<br/><br/><em>Alfreldi is crying as well.  "I had no idea, Silent Girl!  I'm so sorry!"  She gives the Garundi girl a hug.<br/><br/>"This Susurex...where does he lair?  Maybe al-Samara and the marid can take him out!"</em><br/><br/>"We can't tell anyone what I just told you.  For one, Susurex labors with the advantage of secrecy; if word got out that people knew about this operation, he'd kill my tribe and relocate to find another to enslave.  I can't take that risk.  Also, as a member of the Pathfinder Society, the rival treasure hunters need something only I have, otherwise they're going to be lost in the dark.  It might be best for me to remain here for now for that reason.  And finally..."<br/><br/>She takes Arensha's hand in her own.  "I have a good friend here.  You may not remember, Arensha, but back on Osirion we used to have so much fun together!  I'm really glad at least that we're meeting again, even in circumstances which aren't exactly ideal.  I'd rather stay here and weigh my options in good company instead of risking the chance of leaving and end up hurting myself or someone else."<br/><br/><em>"You're not in the gnoll's hands, and you happened to meet Arensha upon your arrival.  I'd say that's a win-win!  And don't worry Silent Girl, your secrets are safe with us!</em><br/><br/>At this point Arensha has another flashback.  She remembers riding horses with Hanifa across the sandy dunes of a desert nation, boarding some reed rafts along a fertile river with here, and going shopping in a sprawling city whose buildings are made of clay.  In her point of view she notices that Hanifa's in a white desert robe and well-armed, with a scimitar at her side and a shortbow slung over her back.  Arensha's very close to fully awakening her true memories now!<br/><br/>"Silent Girl, where are you!" Roshul's voice comes calling out.<br/><br/>Smiling, Hanifa spoke no further and opened the closet door, before waving goodbye.<br/><br/><em>Gain 500 experience points.</em></div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Task 3, al-Samara's Legacy</div><div class="spoiler_body">If Arensha got Major Secret #2 as a rumor, or it's the Fourteenth Day and the catgirl meets Judi, she can infer that al-Samara's trying to impregnate either his concubines, his wife, or both.  If Arensha desires to be the only one to bear him an heir, she must be quick, clever, and crafty.<br/><br/>Without the use of magic, Arensha can try slipping in doses of night tea into the ladies' beverages with a DC 15 Sleight of Hand or DC 20 Stealth check.  A failure catches her 'drugging' the tea, which might result in her getting into trouble with Roshul.</div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Task 4, Roshul's Secret Lotion Recipe</div><div class="spoiler_body">It can only be done if Arensha uncovers Major Secret #1.<br/><br/>Through some sleuthing, Arensha finds out that the various oils and lotions are ordered locally in the City of Glass, by Roshul herself.  They're quite expensive, or so she says, and as such is stored in her personal chambers.  As the matron of the harem, Roshul's quarters are guarded day and night by a pair of eunuchs, and the door reeks of magic (an <em>alarm</em> spell, as Arensha identifies).  If she can't distract the guards and disable the spell, she could sneak in via climbing through an outside window, although she'll need to succeed at a DC 25 Stealth check (automatic w/ <em>invisibility</em> to get inside.  On a failure, some passing guards are too close to the window, meaning that Arensha must try again the next day.<br/><br/>If she manages to get inside, Arensha will find an opulent room.  A bowl of roasted chestnuts covered by a lid sits on her night-stand.  The nearby dresser is lined with various lotions and oils.  Most of them are labeled, although a few look particularly peculiar.  "For catfolk," one of them reads.  Arensha is not an alchemist, so she can't identify it right now, but perhaps she can ask Bakr or someone else for help...<br/><br/>Gain 750 experience points if Arensha manages to sneak in unscathed.</div></div><br/><br/><hr/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Fourteenth Day in the Gilded Cage</span></div><br/>Judi al-Samara graced one of the palace's living rooms with her presence.  Arrogant and commandeering, a servant can be seen cooling her with a giant peacock fan, the marid noble's feet resting upon a comfy-looking divan.  The chefs brought out a tray of hot soup to serve her with a miniature table traditionally for having breakfast in bed.<br/><br/>"Oh hello there catgirl!" Judi called out as she spotted Arensha.  "Come over here, I need a good conversation partner!"<br/><br/>The marid was beaming ear to ear as she offered Arensha some coffee.  "Do you prefer none, some, or a lot of sugar?" she asked sweetly.<br/><br/>"So, Arensha is it?  I heard the news of how you saved my husband's life from those foul killers.  You have my eternal gratitude for that.  I was wondering something...how familiar are you with marid politics?"<br/><br/>Regardless of her answer, Judi continued.  "Every marid is a true noble, but even amid society's greatest there is a hierarchy.  Those at the top, the true pioneers of the Marid Empire, meet regularly at the Council of Leviathan in this very City of Glass.  My husband is the leading faction of the militarists, those who seek to guard against the encroaching sahuagin.  Those fish-folk serve diabolical forces from Hell.  Cities which fall under their rule are destined to never no freedom again.<em>Some</em>marid think that these barbarians can be reasoned with, that they'll halt their aggression in exchange for payment.  You're a learned woman, Arensha, you know that servants of Asmodeus never stop at mere coin.  I fear that the traitors to geniekind are responsible for the assassination attempt."<br/><br/>Judi carried on with her meal as though the enormity of the conversation was but a trifle.  "I see no reason why we can't enjoy a good meal, even when discussing grave matters.  But my point is that I came here to see to it that Sultan Hasan ibn Akilah al-Samara's shining light of hope continues on, even if his soul were to leave this world."<br/><br/>It didn't take a body language expert for Arensha to infer that she sought to bear the Sultan's child.<br/><br/>"Arensha, my stay here will be long-term.  Don't worry, our marriage is a political one; if you bear genuine feelings for him, I won't stand in your way.  And besides, I figure you and the other concubines can use a noble lady's touch around here.  Umm, do the catfolk have nobles where you come from?"<br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Fifteenth Day in the Gilded Cage</span></div><br/>Al-Samara is alone with Arensha again.  She's the third woman he's had today, right after Judi who came after Faliensk.  Even though he had less energy than usual, with the catgirl in his arms he felt like a marid half his age.  He stared deeply into her eyes as he penetrated her, edging closer to her face for a deep kiss.<br/><br/>"I love you, Arensha.  I mean it in every sense of the word..."<br/><br/>After their lovemaking finished, he did not go to sleep or send her off.  "Can you stay for a bit, Arensha?  There's some things I want to talk to you about."<br/><br/>He let her curl up in his arms.  Washed with soap and the trace of perfume, made him bury his face in her lovely pink hair.<br/><br/>"For the past two weeks, since your memory loss, I've done my best to ensure you and your silent companion a good stay here.  Throughout the years I've purchased many concubines, all of whom I treat well and ensure they have a good life.  As for my wives, we married to solidify our respective dynasties.  I've befriended and lust after many women, all of them I count as good friends, but only a few do I view as something more."<br/><br/>He crawls to the side of the bed and reaches for a box.  Inside is a serpentine scale.<br/><br/>"Ages ago one of my ancestors, the great Nagi, defended this city from the rampaging Leviathan.  He and a thousand marid pierced its hide with spear and spell, and after many hours of battle it died.  For generations we held onto this scale, passing it from father to son, mother to daughter, a memory of the heroism of the al-Samara bloodline."<br/><br/>He put the scale in Arensha's hands, folding her fingers over it.  "You may not be related by blood, but after you saved my life I think you earned it.  Someday, Arensha, when you grow older and have children of your own, I want you to give this scale to them and tell the tale I told you."<br/><br/>Al-Samara had lied about many things, both Arensha and his wives and concubines.  But this gesture was genuine.  He did care for her in his own way, and while he could imagine the look on Judi's face of him giving a prized marid treasure to a mere catgirl, it felt right.<br/><br/><em>While alone, Arensha can ask al-Samara a number of questions.</em><br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Bearing children (concubines)</div><div class="spoiler_body">"How did you figure it out?" he asked.  "Well, I suppose gossip likes to travel fast, and I guess I have been...insistent on spilling into you ladies a lot lately."  He takes a deep breath.  "Yes, it's true.  I hope to secure my bloodline.  Even us marids do not live forever, and I seek to keep the al-Samara name alive.  The assassins have been weighing on my mind a lot; if they succeeded, I'd be the last one.  After a lot of thinking, I made the choice to stop chewing the redthaw leaves and spread my seed."<br/><br/>He touches Arensha's cheek.  "I'd appreciate it if you kept this a secret until the first signs of pregnancy begin to show.  It's possible that my enemies will make you all targets if they found out my plan, and I don't want that."</div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Bearing children (wife)</div><div class="spoiler_body">"You figured that out fast, but I suppose there's few other explanations.  Among the marid, marriage is not done out of love, but to further one's power.  Traditionally nobles would take wives to bear their children, and concubines for love and pleasure.  I've been rather slow in securing an heir, so after the assassins I sent out word to my four wives of what occurred.  So far only Judi has returned, and ever since we've been vigilant in securing our bloodline."</div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Hanifa's Purchase</div><div class="spoiler_body">"The white-haired Garundi?  I purchased her back in Katapesh.  I found her in a slave market being sold alongside other women.  I do not know her name, for she's mute.  Not due to injury, but I believe some sort of vow.  Her original owners were a pack of gnoll slavers.  Disgusting beings who worship Lamashtu and plague the many villages of the desert.  I know this sounds unseemly, in how I'm indirectly encouraging them, but the stories of what happens to unsold slaves is grim.  Mostly they end up as sacrifices to their goddess.  I decided to save her from that fate."<br/><br/><em>DC 20 Sense Motive reveals that he's telling the truth.  Mostly.  But he's leaving something out.  If asked, he mentions this in a moment of weakness:</em><br/><br/>"It was...different, but I also purchased you from them during the same deal.  I...I'm sorry, this is hard...you both did not look well.  You were putting on a show to present yourself as desirable, probably to fetch a high price.  The silent Garundi was staring daggers of hate at the gnoll captors. Beyond that I know little of your former lives.  I think in the end I made the right decision.  Who knows where you'd be if I did not buy you from them."</div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Council of Leviathan</div><div class="spoiler_body">"Oh, you really don't want to hear about that.  It's marid politics, with all the ugliness and spite of mortal courts magnified tenfold."<br/><br/>If Arensha persists, he sighs.  "Well, I suppose you share much in the ways of curiosity with your feline cousins.  The Council of Leviathan is what passes for a centralized government in the Marid Empire.  The families with the most power come together to discuss all manner of business and government, from tax rates to national defense to inter-family disputes.  The majority consensus tends to win out, but there's a lot of favor-trading, blackmail, and other sordid deeds to get what they want.  Currently there's been a lot of debate about the sahuagin territories, who have been threatening our holdings.  I am part of the militarist faction; the sahuagin serve Asmodeus, and concessions will be seen as a sign of weakness.  In spite of the flaws of marid families other than myself, they're far more just and fair than the devil-worshipers.  For a land-based comparison, think of Cheliax.  Taking this stance has not earned me friends in the Council."<br/><br/><em>If Arensha suggests the possibility of the rival faction being responsible for the assassins:</em> "I fear you may be right, although I have earned my fair share of enemies over the centuries.  The concession arguers are the likeliest candidates, but we don't have hard proof as of yet."</div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Faliensk</div><div class="spoiler_body">"Ah Faliensk," al-Samara says wistfully.  "I remember when I first met her.  She was a lively wood elf in the service of a Qadiran satrap.  She along with hundreds of other concubines was to be sent east to the pleasure palaces of the Empire of Kelesh.  During my stay I chatted with her, and over time I learned of her reluctance.  At the time I did not know if I could pull it off, but I suggested the possibility of serving a noble genie in a land of eternal water.  This was the right thing to stay, and through some graceful choice of words by yours truly, I averted her fate and now she's lived here happily for thirty years."<br/><br/><em>If Arensha suggests that Faliensk hates her, he'll look concerned.</em><br/><br/>"I take it she's jealous of all the time we're spending together, right?  Heh, I suppose this is the inevitable result of many women having to share the same man.  I'll try to divide my attention better from now on, but by no means does this mean I'll be neglecting you.  Faliensk and I have had frequent sessions of lovemaking for years; I think the near-week of absence makes her feel abandoned.  Don't worry Arensha, I'm sure that any hard feelings she might have to you will fade soon."</div></div><br/>Sharing this close moment reinvigorated him, and he wanted to be close to Arensha again.  That night he spilled his seed twice more in Arensha's womb, and when Judi visited his bedchambers to "secure the bloodline," she found him and Arensha asleep together.  Sighing, she dressed down and entered the bed, being careful not to disturb them.<br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Sixteenth Day in the Gilded Cage</span></div><br/>Before the first rays of artificial light from the glass city lit, Judi awoke.  Nude like Arensha and the Sultan, she slowly rubbed her body against al-Samara, who was still unconscious.  Groggily, his inner lust responded positively to her movements, and his manhood hardened against her.  Grinning, his wife took him inside her before either he or Arensha could realize what was going on.<br/><br/>Arensha woke up to the sound of grunting and flesh slapping, but it wasn't her own.  Judi was astride al-Samara in the cowgirl position, riding his cock as her breasts heaved with every bounce.  The Sultan for his part seemed to be half-awake in a dreamlike state, unaware yet willing, his wife doing the work of fucking him.<br/><br/><em>Does Arensha rudely interrupt?  Join in?  Try something else?</em>