The Quintessential Temptress James ‘Grim’ Desborough Contents Credits 4 Introduction Editor Matt Sharp 6 Character Concepts Illustrations 23 The Prestige Temptress Ronald Smith, Chad Sergesketter, Martin Handford, Jesus Barony, Vebjorn Strommen, Chris Quilliams, 34 Tricks of the Trade Jason Rosenstock, Nathan Webb, Alejandro Villen, Andrew Dobell, J Walton, Storn 43 Temptress Feats 47 Tools of the Trade Studio Manager Ian Barstow 55 Streets of Gold Production Director 60 The Honey Trap Alex Fennell 63 Guilds and Organisations Additional Support 67 Dens of Iniquity Ian Belcher 95 Designer’s Notes 97 License Open Game Content & Copyright Information The Quintessential Temptress is ©2004 Mongoose Publishing. All rights reserved. Reproduction of non-Open Game Content of this work by any means without the written permission of the publisher is expressly forbidden. The Quintessential Temptress is presented under the Open Game Licence. See page 97 for the text of the Open Game Licence. All text paragraphs and tables containing game mechanics and statistics derivative of Open Game Content and the System Reference Document are considered to be Open Game Content. All other significant characters, names, places, items, art and text herein are copyrighted by Mongoose Publishing. All rights reserved. If you have questions about the Open Game Content status of any material herein, please contact Mongoose Publishing for clarification. The mention of or reference to any company or product in these pages is not a challenge to the trademark or copyright concerned. Mongoose Publishing Mongoose Publishing, PO Box 1018, Swindon, SN3 1DG, United Kingdom infostmongoosepublishing.com Visit the Mongoose Publishing website at www.mongoosepublishing.com for additional rules and news Introduction 4 Quintessential Temptress Introduction 5 Quintessential Temptress Introduction Wits, steel, muscles and knowledge, these are the things chance to present old character types in a completely that most bold adventurers use when they seek their new way without overpowering or unbalancing the fortune in the dungeons and tunnels of the harsh and game as a whole. The Collector’s Series will not unforgiving earth. Those with a little more common necessarily allow a Player to create a better character, sense, which is to say – women, know that a flash of but they will be able to do a lot more than ever thought thigh and a glimpse of quivering bosom can extract possible before. just as much, if not more, gold with a fraction of the effort. From the lowliest barbarian thrall to the royal The Quintessential Temptress is, of course, a slight concubine with the ear of the king, women have always exception being, as it is, after all, a bit of a piss-take. known precisely which bodily organ most men actually There is, however, a great deal of genuinely useful think with and have found ways and means to lead him information contained within this book in spite of the around by it to get what they want. humour and mirth, things that can be used practically. The Quintessential Temptress is the sourcebook for those Some people lacking in the essential brain cells required who want to get by with a sly smile, a sultry glance, a to tell humour from seriousness, or who excuse their roll in the hay and perhaps a stiletto in the back, rather lack of understanding of the joke by accusing humour than by brute strength and powerful fireballs, a book for of perpetuating stereotype and persecution may find those who would rather earn their fortune by plumbing something within this book to offend them. Jolly good; the depths of human perversity rather than the depths enjoy being upset, you know you do. The rest of us of trap-filled dungeons. Here, temptresses of all kinds will get on with having a jolly good – not to mention will find something to help them make their more harmless – chuckle. delicate approach just as useful as any other, if not more so. From character concepts to tools, tricks and skills the temptress should come out of this book more than The Quintessential Temptress adequately equipped for the rigours of fantasy life, in This book differs somewhat from the standard Collector’s both senses. It is even possible to rise from the lowly Series books in style, content and execution. ranks of the pauper-whores of the dockside to become a wealthy madam or guild mistress feted by the city and Where the others present a race or class this book dripping with pearls. presents the temptress, a sort of ‘metaclass’ of a type of character that can exist across races and standard classes. The temptress is almost worthy of a class all her own but The temptress is more of an approach than a class, a because she shares so many similarities to specialised lifestyle either chosen or dictated by circumstance that rogues she falls just short of that requirement. The rules encourages one to use one’s wiles and body to achieve presented in this book are designed to compliment your victory and riches rather than other means. chosen character class, rogue or otherwise and to allow the seductive and wily temptress to be a valid choice to This book will allow you to make choices and changes play. in your characters that allow them to take up the reins, straps, chains or low-cut tops of the temptress. You will Take up your lace and perfume, practice your smile and discover new uses for Feats and Skills that you never go knock ‘em dead. thought possible, or decent, specialist gear, tips and tricks, expanded rules for seduction and flirtation and a whole new section on getting your character set up The Collector’s Series in the ‘entertainment’ business or involved in the guilds The Collector’s Series is a range of class and racial that regulate such business. sourcebooks from Mongoose Publishing, all designed to greatly widen a Player’s options for their character All this and the familiar options of prestige classes, new within one of the most popular games system. Slotting feats and new skills; The Quintessential Temptress is the into any fantasy based campaign as seamlessly as a guide for those who want to add an adult dimension to grease enchanted wang into a bodily orifice. Each will their game or to allow those who choose to use their give a comprehensive view of one class or race within feminine wiles as a weapon to use it to best effect. the game, allowing both Players and Games Masters the Introduction 4 Quintessential Temptress Introduction 5 Quintessential Temptress ‘Alright…’ said Kumo, the leader of the little band. ‘The vault lies within the castle in the third level of the dungeons. The Wizard keeps his pet monsters down there to protect it and they’re trained to attack anyone but him. Even before we get into there we have to get across the moat, scale the walls and get inside, past his elite guard and his magical traps. It isn’t going to be easy.’ Danga the master thief picked his nails with his blade and considered the map. ‘Those gates can’t be broken through and I heard they were mage-locked and trapped. I’m willing to try and pick them if you can get me across the moat, even so, we’ll have to deal with the guards in the square beyond.’ Kumo nodded sagely, brushing his axe with his fingertips. ‘I think I can take the guards, it is ten to one odds but I’ll do what I can, it’s up to Mica to get us across the moat though.’ Mica smiled from underneath the broad brim of his wizard’s hat and took another puff on his long-stem pipe. ‘Levitation is one of the more elementary magics, I foresee no difficulty there, but once inside my spells will be of no avail, only the Wizard’s magics work within those walls I am afraid.’ The little group sat for a moment and considered the map in the flickering light of the lantern, Mica’s pipe smoke curling lazily through the light. Kumo voiced their thoughts. ‘This is really going to be a bitch of a job to pull off.’ As if in answer to his comment the door opened on their little group of conspirators and the last member of their party Jaiela, slinked into the room, her velvet cloak whispering across the floor and her perfume overwhelming even the pungent scent of Mica’s pipe. ‘You’re late.’ Remarked Kumo, agitated. ‘We’ve been going over the plan, it looks difficult indeed but I think we can get hold of the idol from the vault without getting too hurt.’ ‘This idol?’ Said Jaiela with a smile and set a bundle down on the table, the cloth wrapping fell down it and revealed the very idol they sought. Once the fuss had died down again, Kumo spoke for the group. ‘How?’ Jaiela’s smile broadened even more her eyes flashing with barely concealed mirth. ‘While you plotted with your knives and magics I got one of the guards drunk and went home with him. Once I was inside it was child’s play to be seen by the Wizard. He was a little kinky but I managed to survive. The amulet on his neck warded off his monsters and once he was asleep it was simple enough to waltz through his dungeon and into the vault. There you are!’ Grumbling rumbled around the room and became grudging respect. ‘Well done but what are we supposed to do?’ Asked Kumo, frowning over his maps and plans. ‘A glass of wine would be nice and maybe some of those gnomish chocolates, I saw a trader had some down in the bar.’ Jaiela smiled her sweet smile once again and fluttered her eyelashes, for some reason Kumo found himself doing exactly as she asked, muttering to himself as he made his way down the stairs.