La Païva, Enigmatic Socialite

“La Païva: The Scandalous Seductress Who Defined Extravagance and Luxury in Paris!”

• Alias: La Païva
• Gender: Female
• Race: Human
• Occupation: Courtesan, Socialite
• Religion: Unknown
• Allies: Influential individuals in Parisian high society
• Enemies: Rivals in the world of courtesans and those who oppose her ambitions
• Abode/Base of operations: Luxurious residences in Paris
• Nationality: Russian (born in Moscow)
• Languages: French, Russian, possibly more
• Alignment: Lawful Neutral
• Affiliation(s): Parisian high society, wealthy patrons
• Significant others: Count Guido Henckel von Donnersmarck (husband)

La Païva, born Esther Lachmann in Moscow, is a captivating figure who has taken Parisian high society by storm. With her undeniable beauty, charm, and ambition, she has risen from humble beginnings to become one of the most notorious and enigmatic women. Her cunning and seductive nature have made her a prominent figure in the world of courtesans, captivating the hearts of influential men and leaving a trail of scandal in her wake.

Driven by a desire for power, wealth, and social status, La Païva has mastered the art of manipulation and seduction. She possesses an insatiable hunger for luxury and extravagance, using her charm and wits to maneuver her way into the highest echelons of society. Her ultimate goal is to establish herself as a permanent fixture among the elite, earning a place of prominence and influence that will rival even the most esteemed women of the era.

With her striking beauty, La Païva employs her allure as a weapon, captivating the hearts of influential men who are willing to provide her with the lavish lifestyle she craves. Through her cunning, she navigates the treacherous waters of Parisian society, strategically forming alliances and connections with the wealthy and powerful. Her ambition knows no bounds as she manipulates her suitors, using them as stepping stones to climb ever higher on the social ladder.

However, beneath her façade of elegance and sophistication lies a complex and enigmatic character. La Païva’s true motivations and desires are shrouded in mystery, leaving others to speculate about her true intentions. Some see her as a master manipulator, using her beauty as a means to an end, while others believe she yearns for genuine love and acceptance in a world that often views her with disdain.

As La Païva continues her quest for wealth, power, and social standing, she leaves a trail of scandal and controversy in her wake. Her extravagant parties, opulent lifestyle, and scandalous affairs keep the gossip mills of Paris abuzz. While some admire her audacity and unapologetic pursuit of her desires, others condemn her as a symbol of moral decay and excess.

In the end, La Païva is a complex and intriguing character, driven by ambition, desire, and a thirst for recognition. Her story is one of triumph, tragedy, and the eternal pursuit of a life filled with wealth, influence, and the fulfillment of her deepest desires.

La Païva, Enigmatic Socialite

Medium humanoid (human), lawful neutral

Armor Class 12 Hit Points 66 (12d8 + 12) Speed 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
10	14	12	16	10	20

Saving Throws DEX +4, CHA +9 Skills Deception +9, Persuasion +9, Insight +5 Senses Passive Perception 10 Languages Common, French Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)

Actions

Rapier. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage.

Charming Words. She targets one creature she can see within 30 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or become charmed by La Païva for 1 minute. While charmed, the target idolizes and is inclined to obey La Païva’s commands.

Legendary Actions

La Païva can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. La Païva regains spent legendary actions at the start of her turn.

Commanding Presence (Costs 2 Actions). La Païva uses her commanding presence to issue a verbal command to a creature she can see within 60 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be compelled to follow the command on its next turn.

Equipment

• Exquisite evening gown
• Jeweled accessories
• Intricately designed fan
• Elaborate masquerade mask
• Rapier

Abilities

Enigmatic Socialite. She has advantage on Charisma (Deception) and Charisma (Persuasion) checks when interacting with nobles and influential individuals.

Intriguing Manipulator. La Païva has proficiency in Deception and Insight skills. She can use her bonus action to make a Charisma (Deception) check to create a diversion, allowing her to hide or move without being noticed.

Social Connections. La Païva has an extensive network of contacts and acquaintances in high society. She can gather information quickly by making Charisma (Persuasion) or Charisma (Deception) checks, depending on the nature of the information sought.

Roleplaying Notes

La Païva is an enigmatic socialite renowned for her beauty, grace, and captivating charm. She holds an influential position in high society, known for hosting extravagant parties and gatherings that attract the elite. La Païva is a master of manipulation, adept at playing the intricate game of power and politics.

While not primarily a combatant, La Païva is not defenseless. She wields a rapier with finesse, able to strike swiftly and accurately if the need arises. However, her true strength lies in her ability to charm and manipulate others to do her bidding.

Her motivations revolve around maintaining and expanding her social standing. She desires to control the upper echelons of society and influence their actions to suit her desires. La Païva relies on her wit, charm, and persuasive skills to navigate the treacherous waters of high society, using her offensive capabilities sparingly when necessary to protect her position and secure her objectives.

La Païva’s current surroundings are opulent ballrooms, adorned with lavish decorations and filled with guests in elegant attire. Her mood is one of confidence and intrigue as she skillfully maneuvers through conversations, gathering information, and subtly shaping the opinions of those around her. She revels in the admiration and envy of others, ensuring that her presence is unforgettable in the minds of all who encounter her.

Plot Hooks

• The Lost Love: Deep within La Païva’s heart lies a lingering pain from a lost love, a powerful noble who spurned her affections long ago. The players are tasked with finding any remnants of their relationship, whether it be letters, mementos, or forgotten places of their past encounters. As they delve into the intricate web of their intertwined lives, they discover a tale of forbidden romance, political rivalries, and shattered dreams, helping La Païva come to terms with her past and find closure.
• The Rival Courtesan: A rival courtesan, envious of La Païva’s success and allure, seeks to dethrone her as the most sought-after companion in the city. The players are recruited by La Païva to gather evidence of the rival’s illicit activities, revealing a hidden network of influential clients, dangerous intrigues, and scandals that could tarnish La Païva’s reputation. As they navigate the dangerous world of high society, they must protect La Païva’s standing while unraveling the true motives behind the rival’s plot.
• The Artistic Patron: La Païva wishes to commission a grand masterpiece that will solidify her legacy as a patron of the arts. The players are enlisted to locate a reclusive artist known for their unparalleled skill and convince them to create a work of art that captures La Païva’s essence and beauty. Along the way, they navigate a world of eccentric creatives, jealous rivals, stolen artistic treasures, and even supernatural elements that challenge their resolve and test their loyalty to La Païva.
• The Cursed Necklace: Rumors swirl around a cursed necklace once owned by La Païva, said to bring misfortune to anyone who possesses it. The players are tasked with retrieving the necklace and uncovering its dark history, as its return threatens to unleash a vengeful spirit from La Païva’s past. Their journey takes them to haunted locations, ancient burial grounds, and encounters with occult practitioners, all while they strive to break the curse and protect La Païva from the looming danger.
• The Masquerade Ball: La Païva hosts an extravagant masquerade ball in her opulent mansion, where secrets are whispered behind masks and hidden alliances are formed. The players are invited as esteemed guests and are tasked with navigating the labyrinthine social landscape of the event. They must unmask the true intentions of guests, unveil hidden scandals, and prevent a potentially devastating revelation that could tarnish La Païva’s reputation and disrupt the delicate balance of power among the elite.
• The Alchemical Concoction: La Païva seeks a rare alchemical ingredient known as the Midnight Orchid, with the power to halt the aging process and maintain her youthful allure. The players embark on a perilous journey to obtain the ingredient, encountering eccentric alchemists, dangerous creatures, and hidden laboratories along the way. As they delve into the alchemical mysteries, they uncover dark secrets and face moral dilemmas that challenge their perception of beauty and immortality.
• The Legacy of Glamour: La Païva desires to establish a prestigious school of glamour and refinement, training the next generation of social elites. The players are tasked with recruiting promising talents, organizing grand showcases, and defending the school against rival institutions that seek to undermine La Païva’s influence. As they navigate the world of aristocratic education, they uncover hidden rivalries, ancient traditions, and the sacrifices La Païva made to elevate herself from humble origins to the pinnacle of society.

Currently in the World

La Païva is an enchanting and captivating woman with an air of elegance and allure. Her presence commands attention wherever she goes. With striking beauty and an impeccable sense of fashion, she is always dressed in lavish and extravagant attire, adorned with exquisite jewelry. Her long, flowing dark hair cascades down her back, framing her delicate features.

Currently, La Païva finds herself in the heart of Parisian high society, attending a grand soirée hosted by a prominent noble. The opulent ballroom is filled with glistening chandeliers, elaborate decorations, and a sea of elegantly dressed guests. As she gracefully glides through the room, her poise and confidence are evident, captivating the attention of those around her.

Her mood is one of confidence and ambition, as she navigates the complex social circles with finesse. La Païva is strategic in her interactions, charming influential individuals and cultivating alliances that will further her rise in society. Behind her enchanting smile and engaging conversations, there is a subtle air of determination and a hunger for power and recognition.

As she moves through the crowd, her charisma and captivating presence draw the gaze of both admirers and rivals alike. La Païva’s current surroundings reflect the lavish lifestyle she has meticulously crafted, surrounded by the elite of Parisian society and immersed in a world of intrigue, luxury, and societal expectations.