The Surrender Parlor

Fine green silks sway in the breeze, decorating a ship in the harbor with no one aboard. Like other ships doubling as public establishments, the vessel’s platform is extended for patrons to use. The black silhouette of a cat’s head is painted on the deck. The silhouette has a radiating outline, as if a ghost were leaving the cat’s body. A sign above the staircase leading below deck reads, “The Surrender Parlor.”

Downstairs, warm light and the smell of incense fill a large, open room with two closed doors on either side. Clients are lounging on cushions and pillows scattered around the floor. Each group is engaged in their own unusual activity. Two guests stare intensely at each other, unblinking. Three others are having an animated, completely silent discussion.

A tall, posh chikitu in the corner snaps her fingers. As you look around, a hulking bull rushes to sit at her heel. She walks past you toward the stairs and utters one sharp word. “Come.” The bull bounds up to her like a month-old puppy. They both disappear up the stairs.

The parlor’s owner is a well-dressed, androgynous sheep. Their wool is a well-coiffed poof at the front of their head. As they emerge from a side room, you hear a man scream a quick string of unintelligible words. They close the door to silence it, then nod in greeting.

Jaden the Bard
 * Slow, quiet speech with lots of pauses
 * A sad smile lives on their face
 * Adopted by jackals, understands their eccentricities

Jaden is the bard who owns and operates the Surrender Parlor. They are a master of the bardic arts who specializes in the lore around enchantment magic. They have devised several theses, which they keep to themselves for fear that the spells would be used to hurt others if they were widely disseminated. Jaden is a kind-hearted soul whose only wish is to help unchain the minds of clients, and strengthen bonds between loved ones.

The Parlor’s Services
The Surrender Parlor offers a variety of enchantment magic for clients looking to explore their minds, become closer with another, or temporarily give away their consciousness to someone else. Its services are at the bleeding edge of bardic charm magic, but the spells on offer here are controversial in polite society. Many see the Surrender Parlor as a nest of temptation, meant to exploit those seeking to sate lurid and deviant tastes. Tonoro is one of the few places willing to let the Parlor dock and offer its services.

Rules of the Parlor
The Surrender Parlor operates under 5 strict rules. If Jaden detects that a potential client is lying to them, for any reason at all, they will cease all conversation and eject them. These rules are:

Consent. The Parlor’s spells are for willing clients. Some magic is ongoing when clients leave and Jaden encourages taking precautions.

Escape. Jaden casts all of their special spells with a means of escaping their effects. A word or concept decided beforehand will instantly release a client.

Courtesy. Clients are forbidden from interfering with another patron’s experience in the Parlor. If a client makes excessive noise or their public behavior offends another’s sensibilities, they will be asked to move into a private room or leave the parlor.

Weapons. The Parlor does not allow weapons capable of lethal damage. Jaden thoroughly pats down all clients and will ask one carrying weapons to store them elsewhere before returning.

Magic. All ongoing spells must end before the client can begin services. Magic items are allowed, but Jaden must cast identify on them. The fee is 200 gp per item.

Parlor Procedure
An ornate card sitting on a stand by the stairs lists the Parlor’s services. When clients are ready to begin, Jaden escorts them to a preparation room with five cushions and a short table. Jaden sits at the desk, pours tea for the clients, and invites them to sit.

After everyone sits, Jaden begins by explaining that they will cast detect magic, followed by zone of truth. True to their word, they cast detect magicon themself, then zone of truth (Charisma save DC 21) centered on the table. If the clients have any magic items, Jaden offers to identify them. If they have ongoing spells they cannot end voluntarily, the bard offers to cast dispel magic on them.

Jaden then asks a single question: “Do you intend to use my magic to exploit, harm, or distract another?” If a client lies to them, Jaden rolls Insight against the lie with a +14 bonus. If Jaden suspects deception, they ask the clients to leave. If the clients resist, Jaden casts mass suggestion(Wisdom save DC 21). Further resistance causes a fight with Jaden, an 18th-level bard, and two 10th-level fighters who they call from a side room.