Thumparr hands over the pouch of 35 chips the priestess took from the woman's body. "Wern't there another pouch too?" he asks, looking around at his companions.
Then he turns to Saul and says, "Not thirsty, but I'll listen to what ye have to say." He watches Feldin closely all the while.
Ebenadar heads back to the table he was playing at, hoping the pile of chips he made might still be there. Luckily the crowd had left in such a hurry (and mostly blind) that he was able to recover his winnings. He turns in 12g, 1s, 9c worth of chips to the assistant before finding a seat near Saul and taking a sip of wine, his legs swinging back and forth enthusiastically in the oversized chair.
Sevegny turns in her paltry winnings (3gp) and joins the sit-down.
Saul makes sure that everyone who wants wine is served and carries on some short chit-chat.
He eventually clears his throat and takes a long pull on his wine glass before launching into his offer. "Ladies and gentlemen, as some of you may know I wasn't always a gambling hall owner. Like many other people in this town I have a dark past, darker than some. Years ago I was the leader of a not-insignificant gang here in Riddleport. This life was far from easy and it eventually cost me my health, my fortune, my family and my left hand."
He holds up the stump of his left arm, the one with the key-shaped attachment and regards it momentarily as if trying to recollect something. He soon continues.
"After a particularly bad incident I was left with my wife dead, my sons exiled and much of my fortune gone. I lay low for a while, collecting old debts and gathering what little I had left. With the little I was able to scrape together I was able to put a down-payment on this establishment, a once-famous gambling hall that had fallen on hard times like me.
"I am too old now to return to the criminal life, and I have tried my best to turn the Gold Goblin into a profitable legitimate business. I had been moderately successful at this ... until tonight of course."
He lets out a long sigh, "I have to confess that it seems that my past has caught up with me. Although I no longer consider myself a part of Riddleport's criminal scene it seems that I still have enemies who would like to see me ruined. There are those who would still seek retribution.
"The bearded man who led the group that attacked tonight is known to me. At least I have seen him before. He is the leader of a group of street toughs that has come around the casino from time to time, he and that one-eyed woman. I know this gang has contracted themselves out to a number of the criminal gangs in the city, mainly for protection rackets and strong-arm jobs, but they have never tried anything this ambitious before. I am afeared that this attack will not be the last that will be launched against me.
"I am loathe to throw myself at the mercy of Clegg Zincher or one of the other crime bosses of Riddleport for protection. I am done with that life and want nothing more to do with them or their kind.
"This is where I am wondering if you might be interested in a business partnership. I need your help to avoid backsliding into my previous life. I am impressed with your abilities in defeating these thugs and I believe perhaps that we can turn around each other fortunes.
"I would like to offer all of you a job here at the Gold Goblin, that of a specialist and junior partner in this business. You would work directly for me and assist in the day-to-day running of this establishment. You could serve as dealers, bouncers, croupiers, or greeters, whatever you feel would best suit your talents. That job, however, would only be a cover for your true professions, namely that of bodyguards, messengers and ... consultants on certain specialty assignments.
"Each of you would be paid a regular weekly salary of 10 gp a week. In addition you would receive a cut of the gambling hall's profits. The higher the Gold Goblin's revenues rise, the wealthier you would become.
"Well," he says stretching back in his chair and taking another sip of wine, "what say you? I am sure you have questions for me.
This life was far from easy and it eventually cost me my health, my fortune, my family and my left hand."
"Better than ye left nut, eh?" Thumparr whispers to Mel.
Although I no longer consider myself a part of Riddleport's criminal scene it seems that I still have enemies who would like to see me ruined. There are those who would still seek retribution.
Thumparr nodded. "Criminals never forgive...or forget," he murmurs, glancing at Feldin.
I am loathe to throw myself at the mercy of Clegg Zincher or one of the other crime bosses of Riddleport for protection. I am done with that life and want nothing more to do with them or their kind.
Thumparr tries to think if he has heard the name of Clegg Zincher before, even though he hasn't been in Riddleport for very long.
You would work directly for me and assist in the day-to-day running of this establishment. You could serve as dealers, bouncers, croupiers, or greeters, whatever you feel would best suit your talents.
"What the hell is a croupier?" Thumparr whispers to Mel.
"Each of you would be paid a regular weekly salary of 10 gp a week. In addition you would receive a cut of the gambling hall's profits. The higher the Gold Goblin's revenues rise, the wealthier you would become.
"Well," he says stretching back in his chair and taking another sip of wine, "what say you? I am sure you have questions for me.
"I'm yer man, Saul. I got the muscle ye need and ye got what I need - gold. I ain't afraid of hard work or getting me hands...dirty. When do ye want me to start?"
Thumparr tries to think if he has heard the name of Clegg Zincher before, even though he hasn't been in Riddleport for very long.
"Sounds good. Gornak will be dancer. Gornak dance good. People come from all around Riddleport to see Gornak dance."
Knowing the truth behind whats going on, Kappasc rolls his eyes as he hears Saul's sad story a bit less subtley than he had meant to. With a dry tone, he agrees to Saul's proposition, "I'm not sure where the efforts of a magic user such as myself will be best used, but regardless, I am more than willing to lend my knowledge for a price."
"Better than ye left nut, eh?" Thumparr whispers to Mel.Mel blushes at the dwarfs crude comment
"What the hell is a croupier?" Thumparr whispers to Mel.
"Works the tables...you need a sure hand and the gift of the gab"
Mel considers the offer for a long momnet then smiles.."Sure count me in I can work the doors and the tables too if you like"
Ebenadar's eyes go wide at the mention of salary, and he barely notices the rest of the offer after that. As soon as he gets a chance he pipes in "Sure, I'll work for ya!" and then in all seriousness adds "I could be a bouncer even!" If anyone laughs at this, he'll have no idea why and look rather confused.
With a dry tone, he agrees to Saul's proposition, "I'm not sure where the efforts of a magic user such as myself will be best used, but regardless, I am more than willing to lend my knowledge for a price."
Saul turns to the elf and remarks without seeming to have heard Kappasc's tone, "Well, for one you could use your keen elven sight to spot anyone trying to cheat. Customers will think twice before pulling a fast one with a son of the Celwynvian in the house."
Beriadan thought about Saul's offer for a moment as he looked to the others joined here. The group was certainly an odd collection of people and it was true that he had yet to encounter someone who could help to explain the sense of foreboding that his superiors had felt. However, if he was gonna find out what was going on with this "Blot", then he would need to make a few allies in the city, and this group seemed just as good, if not better than anyone he would be able to find in this crook-infested city. "I'll take your offer. My elven senses and blade are here to help."
Ngozi smiles and nods, obviously very pleased with the offer of work to be paid in gold. "Ngozi agrees. These ones," he gestures around and the other members of this unusual group, "are strong, yeh? In Mzali, we have saying. A lion with no pride is food for hyenas. You keep us around, you no worry for hyenas anymore, yeh?"
Saul nods, "Good, good, I am glad you are in accords. I am sure each of you will find a way to be of great use to the Goblin, to be sure. Now, do any of you have any questions?"
Sevegny smiles. "As a priestess of Calistria, I would be honored to serve in your house. And your patrons would see it as an indication of your establishment's honesty."
Sevegny smiles. "As a priestess of Calistria, I would be honored to serve in your house. And your patrons would see it as an indication of your establishment's honesty."
Vancaskerkin's head turns toward Sevegny, "A priestess of the Unquenchable Fire?" He begins to stammer a bit, "I am afraid we are not set up for your ... devotions here, lady, but I am sure something could be arranged. We could arrange for you to have a private prayer room. As long as it wouldn't bother High Priestess Pamodae, of course."
Saul nods, "Good, good, I am glad you are in accords. I am sure each of you will find a way to be of great use to the Goblin, to be sure. Now, do any of you have any questions?"
"I got two - do we live here or elsewhere and what be our first job?"
"I got two - do we live here or elsewhere and what be our first job?"
If you do not have a place to stay in town you are welcome to stay here free of charge. There is a private apartment upstairs with enough bunkbeds for everyone here. If you care for your own private individual rooms, I'm afraid that those I can't give away for free as they are normally rented out to guests. I can rent them to you for half price, however. Those are on the main floor, and I can rent them to you for either 2 sp, 5 sp, or 15 sp a night, depending on the quality of the room. I will be happy to give you a tour of the Gold Goblin tomorrow once we have cleaned up from tonight's events.
"As for your first job, I am glad to see you eager to get to work. As you can see," and here is gestures around the main gambling hall, "there is plenty of cleanup to be done this evening. I'll be lucky if I have half-a-dozen staff members left after what went on. Tomorrow we'll need to get the place cleaned and ready to accept customers for tomorrow evening."
"Fair enough. I'll bunk here in a common room fer now; might get me own room once I've saved a bit."
Thumparr says, beginning to help straighten up the place. And then asks, "Should we still head down to the docks, er, Saul? Say, what do ye prefer we call ye, now that we're working fer ye?"
Thumparr says, beginning to help straighten up the place. And then asks, "Should we still head down to the docks, er, Saul? Say, what do ye prefer we call ye, now that we're working fer ye?"
The older man gives the dwarf a toothy grin, "Just Saul is fine. I don't stand much on ceremony, and we're in this all together."
"A'ight, Saul, I could bunk in tha common room too - keep short stuff 'ere company," pointing at the dwarf. "I'm still up fer 'eadin' t'the docks, but if'n this 'ere mess's more important, I'll get started."
Saul looks a bit puzzled, "The docks? What's at the docks?"
Mel helps straighten the place out..making sure the chips are properly accounted for..it wouldn't be a good thing to steal therse it would be ruining your own profits
Saul looks a bit puzzled, "The docks? What's at the docks?"
"Whar ye been all night? I thought we told ye - the Chelixian and the one-eyed wench were supposed to meet up with whoever hired them for this job at the docks later in the evening. We were headin' down there afore ye offered us this business proposition."
Saul looks a bit puzzled, "The docks? What's at the docks?"
"Why, tha contact th' bearded fella was s'pposed ta meet....ah, never mind." And with that he hops down from his chair and helps with the cleaning. He passes the time wondering if a certain pretty halfling girl will be among the few employees to return to work tomorrow.
Saul sputters a bit, "What? I didn't hear him say that. Well, if that's the case you better be off. We can certainly work out the details of our arrangements tomorrow morning. LATE tomorrow morning, please. It's already late and I know I won't be getting to sleep anytime soon."
Saul sputters a bit, "What? I didn't hear him say that. Well, if that's the case you better be off. We can certainly work out the details of our arrangements tomorrow morning. LATE tomorrow morning, please. It's already late and I know I won't be getting to sleep anytime soon."
Ebenadar looks back up at him, then around at his companions. "Do we know anything about th' fella we're lookin' fer? Hmm...if not we could disguise one of us ta look like..." he takes another good look at his companions before continuing, "or short-stuff could sit upon ma shoulders..."
"The Chelixian said he was a young feller with a scar on his neck. But if we're goin' we better get goin'! Time's a wastin'!"
"Indeed. If we tarry too long here, the remaining conspirators will get word of their failure."
"Mayhap we should disguise ourselves or sommat. Anybody here who can look like that Chelixian feller and the one-eyed wench? The rest of us could be their guards."
Mel is convinced that this is going to be a wild goose chase..rumour and gossip will have spread throughout Riddleport by now and there will be little chance of securing the quarry. Still the basis of a plan begins to develop
"Well if we're going then lets go..Don't worry I've got a plan, it don't involve no stupid disguises either.."
Something about the young man inspires confidence in the priestess.
"Good. Then let's start moving ..."
"I'll remember ye said me suggestion was stupid when arrows start flyin'," Thumparr growls, glancing at Mel before gathering his gear and getting ready to move out.
"Hey Gornak! Ngozi! Ye comin'?"
Kappasc's face reflects his growing boredom with the situation...his voice takes on a hurried tone as says to the group, "I agree, to the docks with haste...perhaps our exploits have not reached EVERY ear in this vile city yet..."
Thinking on it a moment, Kap continues, "And...although the disguises are a good idea...as was stated previously...it might not be a good idea trying to dress up like people who it is probably widely known to have been arrest just moments before said meeting..."
Thinking on it a moment, Kap continues, "And...although the disguises are a good idea...as was stated previously...it might not be a good idea trying to dress up like people who it is probably widely known to have been arrest just moments before said meeting..."
"Well, that's a better way of sayin' it....I guess," Thumparr murmurs, checking his weapons and gear. "Let's do this."
And he walks out of the Goblin and into the street, stopping only to wait on his companions to follow.
As Mel leads the party down towards the docks he explains..The Plan..
"It's quite simple see., we finds us'selves the one who hired those rubes and we tell him that we are the ones who took them down and that he might want to hire a more efficient bunch of ruffians.. like..oh..us for instance..you see the way I'm thinking"
The lad walks backwards as he speaks facing the rest off you yet never puts a foot wrong
Looking at Mel, Ngozi will smile. "Ngozi likes the way you think, yeh." Then he looks to Thumparr and says, "Yeah, Ngozi will come. We go now, yeh?"
"Hmm. That ruse might suffice. But what if he asks for the loot?"
"Well off course 'e's going to ask for the loot..and that's when we negotiate..or at least we pretend to..you see whoever planned this can't be too smart..or 'e wouldn't have 'ired that bunch of tossers in the first place"
"We tells 'im we 'ad ter let Saul have the loot back but we can get it for 'im..we asks for payment in gold..cos' no-one wants to carry that much silver around wiv 'em right..and when 'e brings that to the rendevous..we take 'im down..get the reward for 'is capture and the gold he brings wiv 'im..see...it's easy"
The rest of the party may notice that Mel's voice and speech patterns change drastically as the conversation progresses..the well spoken lad now sound's like a gutter lout
"We tells 'im we 'ad ter let Saul have the loot back but we can get it for 'im..we asks for payment in gold..cos' no-one wants to carry that much silver around wiv 'em right..and when 'e brings that to the rendevous..we take 'im down..get the reward for 'is capture and the gold he brings wiv 'im..see...it's easy"
Thumparr just shakes his head at Mel's plan and gestures to his companions. "Be it just me or do the rest of ye think this lad's plan has more holes in it than his head?"
Thumparr spits to the side and continues, "Tell ye what, lad - ye do the talkin', alrighty? Way up front from the rest of us. We'll back ye up," he says with a grin.
"The ringmaster will not be fooled for long. But all we need is to get close enough to apprehend him. May I do the talking? I have a way with such characters."
Ebenadar tries not to look like he's trying too hard to keep up with the taller folk as they walk. "Thing is - how're we ta know who th' feller is? What'f he's just hidin' in the shadows waitin' fer 'is contact ta show up?"
Ebenadar tries not to look like he's trying too hard to keep up with the taller folk as they walk. "Thing is - how're we ta know who th' feller is? What'f he's just hidin' in the shadows waitin' fer 'is contact ta show up?"
"Mayhap the priestess can coax him out of hiding, eh?" Thumparr grins at the halfling as they walk and then turns back to Sevegny.
"Sounds good - I like that better. I'll stand near ye in case sommat goes wrong."
"I can try to disguise myself as the one-eyed bandit leader. But I'll need some time to change my appearance ... up to thirty minutes."
Mel gives the priestess a dismissive look.."If you want..but that's probably going to lose us our prey"
"I would like to. In the darkness I have a fair chance of deceiving him. And unless he sees someone he recognizes, he will not reveal himself. Does anyone object?"
"Go ahead, we'll watch our fer ye." Thumparr says, looking around at the shadowy buildings along the road. "I doubt our man is gonna go anywhere - he's thinkin' he's gettin' a $#!+ load of coin - he'll wait."
The flame-haired woman disappears for a short while (ten minutes) then returns wearing a long, hooded cloak and an eye-patch.
"OK..lets get down to the docks...and see if matie hasn't scarpered"
Mel leads the way down to the reeking shoreline.
"Cor..what a niff...don't you just love Riddleport chummies"
"OK..lets get down to the docks...and see if matie hasn't scarpered"
Mel leads the way down to the reeking shoreline.
"Cor..what a niff...don't you just love Riddleport chummies"
Thumparr glances sideways at Mel and says, "Ye sound more like a gutter rat with every step. Ye tryin' to get into character too?"