GM: Iuona and Aviditi, you both find yourselves at the gates of Gortos' mansion it sprawls before you imposing even by orcish standards. Large black and red banners hang from the upper windows, their fabric thick and ancient, bearing symbols of old orcish nobility, clans that haven't held true power in generations but cling to their titles with desperate pride. The estate itself is all sharp angles and dark stone, functional and orcish. However, the gates are wrought iron worked into elaborate patterns that serve no purpose beyond display. Two orcs in ceremonial armour that's been polished to a mirror shine stand at the gates.
Iuona: I approach the guards stationed at the entrance, "I am Iuona Brightouch, here to see Gortos. He knew my father."
GM: The guards exchange glances. One straightens immediately upon hearing your surname. "Brightouch? You're Asterant's daughter?"
Iuona: "I am."
GM: The guard nods and waves you through without further question. The gates swing open with a groan of metal.
Aviditi: I follow close behind, my axe resting across my shoulders as I study the estate grounds. "Odd for an orc to live like this."
Iuona: "Gortos is a very odd orc."
GM: You approach the mansion's entrance, massive double doors of dark wood banded with iron. Before you can knock, they swing inward. Warm light spills out, and the scent of incense and roasted meat wafts over you. The interior is lavish beyond anything you expected, thick carpets in deep reds, tapestries depicting old battles, candelabras of polished silver. Gortos has expensive tastes, and he displays them without shame.
"My dearest Iuona!" A figure appears in the doorway, Gortos. Green skin, wavy salt-and-pepper hair, a well kept short beard, kind eyes. "I am so sorry to hear about your loss." He embraces you in a firm but comforting embrace. He smells of wine and flowered perfume. He lets you go and steps back. "Asterant was one of my closest friends, and his loss is felt greatly in my soul."
Iuona: "Thank you, Gortos. Your friendship meant the world to him." I step back and gesture to my companion. "This is Aviditi Wrathbound. She's travelling with me."
GM: Gortos' eyes sweep over Aviditi's crimson form, lingering on her exposed midriff and the massive axe. His expression shifts to something appraising, though not lecherous.
"A fiendkin warrior. Your father would approve of such protection." He steps aside. "Please, come in. It's early yet, but I insist you join me for breakfast. We can talk over griffon cheese and deepberry wine."
Aviditi: "It's barely past dawn."
GM: "It is dusk somewhere. The best conversations happen over wine, regardless of the hour." Gortos waves dismissively. "I won't take no for an answer. You've travelled far, and I owe Asterant's daughter proper hospitality."
Iuona: I exchange a glance with Aviditi and shrug. "Very well. We'd be honoured."
GM: He leads you through corridors lined with weapons and trophies, each one polished to perfection. The dining hall is smaller than expected, intimate, with a table of dark wood already set. Servants appear immediately, bringing out platters of bread, sliced meats, and a wheel of pale cheese veined with blue.
Aviditi: I settle into a chair that creaks under my weight and immediately tear into the food. "This is fucking excellent."
GM: Gortos pours wine into crystal glasses, the liquid a deep purple. "Only the best. I see your companion has refined tastes despite her manner."
Iuona: I sip the wine. "Aviditi doesn't mince words."
Aviditi: I stuff bread and cheese into my mouth, chewing with satisfaction. My tail flicks contentedly behind me.
GM: Gortos settles into his chair, swirling his wine. "So, what brings you to Dilmer? Surely not just to visit an old friend of your father's."
Iuona: I set down my glass carefully. "I need information on two matters."
GM: "Oh?"
Iuona: First, my mother Filimaia is missing. I hoped you might know where she is."
GM: Gortos' expression softens. "Filimaia is missing? That is terrible! I'm afraid I haven't seen her in months, but I can make inquiries if you'd like, if she is in Dilmer, my network will find her."
Iuona: "I'd appreciate that." I pause, choosing my words. "The second matter is less personal. Have you heard of something called Haze?"
GM: Gortos' hand stills mid-sip. His eyes sharpen. "Where did you hear that name?"
[Iuona and Aviditi roll their Insight (+4/-1) checks, Iuona gets a 23, Aviditi gets a 3.]
GM: Iuona, you can tell that Gortos is concerned, fearful even.
Iuona: "You've heard of it? We encountered bandits on the train. They were testing it, a drug that affects women. Someone called the Red Chief is behind it."
GM: Gortos sets down his glass with deliberate care. "That's dangerous knowledge to seek, Iuona. The kind that gets people killed."
Iuona: "I know, and I'm sorry to ask you such a thing, but I can't help but shake the feeling that my mother's disappearance and Haze are somehow connected."
GM: Gortos looks left and then right. "Let's not worry about Haze, it will just get you in danger anyway." He stares you dead in the eyes and blinks hard. "How about we take a dip in my hot spring?" You can tell he wants you to follow him and doubt that taking a dip is what is truly on his mind.
Iuona: "Very well. I could use a nice dip after my travels. Aviditi, do you mind keeping watch?"
Aviditi: I grab a huge hunk of meat on the bone and raise it up. "As long as I get to take this with me." I take a bite.
GM: "Of course, have as much meat as you'd like, you are my guest after all."
Aviditi: "I thought you were odd." I wave the meat at Gortos. "But turns out you're alright."
GM: Gortos leads you through a corridor behind the dining room, this one warm and humid. Steam curls from beneath an ornate door of carved wood. He pushes it open, and the heat washes over us both. The hot spring fills most of the chamber, water shimmering with faint magical light. Smooth stones line the edges, and enchanted lanterns cast everything in soft amber.
"The only room in the entire estate warded against scrying," Gortos says as he begins to disrobe without ceremony. Orcish culture treats hot springs as communal, naked affairs. Modesty has no place here.
Iuona: I watch him shed his clothes, my cheeks warming, though I force myself to maintain composure. This is normal. Expected. I start unfastening my mail dress, and my undergarments follow. It feels surprisingly freeing to have my breasts and ass bared like this.
GM: Gortos enters the spring first, water rising to his waist as he settles onto a submerged stone bench along the edge. His body is surprisingly well-maintained for his age. Thick muscle beneath glistening green skin, minimal scarring. His cock hangs heavy between his thighs, thick and uncut. He doesn't stare, but his eyes definitely track your movements as you approach.
Iuona: I step into the water and wade toward him. I settle onto the bench nearby, the water coming up to my breasts. The warmth soaks into my muscles, loosening tension I didn't realise I carried. I catch myself glancing at his body, at his cock. It's... substantial. Bigger than the ones I have seen before. I force my gaze away, heat rising in my face that has nothing to do with the spring.
GM: Gortos notices but doesn't comment. "Forgive me for the subterfuge," he says quietly. "But these walls have ears. Magical ones. The Shaman Council has informants everywhere, and what I'm about to tell you would get us both killed if the wrong people heard."
Iuona: "I understand." I lean back against the smooth stone, trying to focus on his words instead of the way the water laps against him. "Please, tell me what you know."
GM: "I know who's making it. It's not the Arcanist Guild, despite what the official story claims. They were framed." He meets your eyes, and his voice quietens. "It's the Shaman Council itself. They're the ones producing Haze."
Iuona: "The Council? But why would they be producing such a destabilising substance?"
GM: "They want to bring back the old ways. Orcish tradition from centuries past, when female slavery was commonplace. They see Haze as a means to that end. A way to subjugate women, make them compliant." His expression darkens. "They're starting with test batches, refining the formula. Eventually, they plan to deploy it widely."
Iuona: Horror crawls up my spine. "And my mother?"
GM: "I don't know for certain. But if she stumbled onto their operation..." He trails off, the implication clear.
Iuona: I think of all of the possibilities, none of them good. The shock makes me readjust myself, which causes my breasts to rise slightly above the waterline.
GM: When you glance back at Gortos, you notice his cock has begun to stiffen. The thick shaft lifts slightly in the water, responding to the sight of your body.
Iuona: I should look away. Should pretend I don't notice. But my gaze lingers, following the gradual hardening, watching it swell fuller. Thicker. Heat pools between my thighs.
GM: Gortos clears his throat, shifting position. "Forgive me. The view is... distracting." His cock continues to harden regardless of his apology, jutting more prominently now, its tip flagging out of the water.
Iuona: "It's... fine." My voice comes out breathier than intended. I force myself to focus. "What should we do? If the Council is behind this..."
GM: "Tread carefully. Very carefully. The First Shaman, Thulgrak, might seem like a gentle old sage, but he is ruthless. Cross him directly and you'll disappear."
Iuona: "I should get going." I shift to stand, eager to escape the charged atmosphere before I do something I regret. The water sloshes as I rise.
GM: Roll a Dexterity save.
[Iuona rolls Dexterity (+0) with disadvantage due to her Shepherd class. She gets a 5.]
GM: The smooth stone beneath your feet betrays you. Your foot slides, your balance gone in an instant. You pitch forward with a startled gasp. Your hands flail uselessly as you tumble toward Gortos. You crash against him, the impact sending water splashing everywhere. Your face slaps directly into his erect cock, the thick shaft pressing against your cheek, it feels hard, it feels strong.
Iuona: I scramble to push myself up, mortified.
GM: Your hand reaches out blindly and closes around something thick and pulsing. Yes. His cock. You are gripping his fucking cock.
Iuona: "Oh gods, I'm so—" I let go instantly and stumble backward in the water.
GM: Gortos steadies you with a hand on your shoulder, his expression carefully neutral despite the obvious arousal jutting between his legs. "Easy. These stones can be treacherous."
Iuona: "I'm so sorry. I'm clumsy, I didn't mean—" My face burns hotter than the spring water. I can still feel the weight of him in my palm, the heat of him against my face.
GM: "There's nothing to worry about." He releases your shoulder but his gaze lingers on your beautiful face, your water-slick breasts. "Had you not been engaged to that human of yours, I would have been very flattered by your... accident."
Iuona: The tension crackles between us like lightning before a storm. I should move. Should leave. But my feet won't obey. His cock still juts from the water, thick and demanding attention I shouldn't give it.
GM: Gortos steps out of the spring first, water cascading down his muscled frame. He reaches for his robes with deliberate slowness, giving you ample time to look your fill.
Iuona: Which I do, gods help me. I force myself to turn away and climb out on shaking legs. I towel off with jerky movements, hyperaware of every inch of my bare skin. Of how close we just were. "What am I thinking," I whisper under my breath. "I love Prestant."
GM: You both finish dressing in charged silence. Gortos finishes first, his robes concealing the evidence of his arousal. When you're both presentable, he speaks again.
"If you need somewhere to stay, my estate is open to you. All of your party, of course." His eyes meet yours with meaning you can't quite parse. "It would be safer than an inn. More private. More protected."
Iuona: "That's... generous. I'll discuss it with the others."
GM: "You might find more information at the Bearers Guild. But be careful how you ask. Trust no one fully, not even them."
Iuona: I nod, still unable to meet his gaze fully. "Thank you. For the information, and the... hospitality."
GM: He escorts you back to the dining hall, where Aviditi has demolished most of the remaining food.
Aviditi: I say as you both as you enter. "Can I have another roast pheasant?"