"Then we are agreed. We will work to make the Goblin profitable and safe. Saul, what skills are you looking for in your new hires, and how many people are you seeking to hire? Perhaps we can locate appropriate people in town."
Maelorn thinks for a moment before continuing, "I think I'll begin by performing any minor repairs within my abilities. If any of you can think of a good way to get the brass dome cleaned and shining, I think that will put the Goblin in everyone's sight."
Eros turns to Maelorn and says:"hmmm perhaps I will look into that first thing in the morning."
The next morning Eros examines the outside of the building. He is looking for an appropriate place to set up a ladder on the ground or up on the second floor so that the dome may be reached for cleaning/shining.
I think I will go out the East window in room #16 on the second floor.
The roof looks sloped here, but the roof doesn't look sloped if i go East and then south to that roof section that curves around the dome. Somewhere along there might be a good place to set up a couple of ladders for multiple people to clean the dome. Myself included of course.
Saul, what skills are you looking for in your new hires, and how many people are you seeking to hire? Perhaps we can locate appropriate people in town."
Saul directs Maelorn to talk to Larur Feldin, as he had tasked Larur with hiring a dozen more men and women to serve as cooks, croupiers, and servers. It takes only a few days to hire back up, at which point the hall is once again staffed and open for business.
Larur takes Maelorn's interest as a personal insult...Maelorn Diplomacy check:
...But Maelorn softens him up over an ale or two, and Larur ends up hireing six neighborhood men and women on Maelorns reccomendation.
Although Saul hires the PCs to be his troubleshooters and enforcers, they can also take on other duties at the Gold Goblin as they see fit.
In fact, Saul gently points out that the actual fixing up and repairs should be left to the workmen and that the junior partners should look ahead to increase profitablity using the skills they have.
Examples of such duties include:
Barker, calling people on the street to come in and play.
Greeter, welcoming people at the door.
Dealer or croupier (run games for customers).
Crafter, making advertisements.
Staff manager (oversee the help).
Performer, entertaining the crowd.
Spotter (patrol the catwalks or the floor itself
and watch for cheaters).
As a general rule, you can assume that a character can spend 4 hours a day working for the Gold Goblin and still have enough time left in his day to adventure, craft magic items, shop, or relax.
Key skills that influence the profitability of the Casino:
Bluff (DC 15): Spend 2 hours a day cajoling citizens and
tricking them into visiting the Gold Goblin.
Craft (DC 15): Spend 2 hours a day and 10 gp to create
eye-catching advertisements.
Diplomacy (DC 15): Spend 2 hours a day managing the
help and greeting customers at the Gold Goblin.
Diplomacy (DC 20): Spend 4 hours a day convincing
citizens to stop by the Gold Goblin.
Intimidate (DC 15): Spend 2 hours a day working as a
bouncer at the Gold Goblin.
Intimidate (DC 20): Spend 2 hours a day threatening
customers of competing game halls that if they don’t
check out the Gold Goblin, something bad will happen.
Perform (DC 15): Spend 2 hours a day performing for
customers at the Gold Goblin.
Profession (gambler) (DC 15): Spend 2 hours a day
working as a croupier or dealer at the Gold Goblin.
Spot (DC 15): Spend 2 hours a day looking for cheaters at
the Gold Goblin.
Finally, a character can give Saul a bonus to his
profitability check by donating gold to the cause. Every 50
gp donated grants Saul a +1 bonus for that week’s check, up
to a maximum of +5 for 250 gp.
The repairs and new hires will take about three days, with the grand re-reopening on the fourth day.
"As for adventuring, how do you guys feel about investigating the missing smugglers at devil's elbow? I hear there may be a siren at play over there."
Eros asks the various employees at the gold goblin:"Tell me friend, what do you know about the famed siren who calls herself Virashi?
Zane acts as a spotter, observing not so much the direct actions of players as the disparity in probability that would indicate cheating.
As he ptrols the catwalk he will occasionally deploy detect megic to view things in the arcane spectrum in order to identify any cheating through superior application of will power.
THE RE-REOPENING
On the fourth day after the attempted heist, the doors open at dusk. Long lines of people waiting to get in go nearly around the block; nearly twice the number at the Tournament night. Word got around about what happened that night, and many present were half hoping something like that would happen again.
Led into the darkened Hall by waitress/succubi, the customers mutter nervously, but settle when a roll of bass drums begins.
Then with a crecendo of brass, the sconces flare up in a pyrotechnic display and Saul Vancaskerkin appears in a puff of smoke and dressed like a Duke of Hell.
Saul raises his hands.
"WELCOME TO THE GOLD GOBLIN GAMBLING HALL!
"I know you all came for a Hell of a good time, and here in the First circle of Hell, you will find it! Let the games...
"BEGIN!"
With another flash and puff of smoke, Saul disappears again, the lights come up, the band starts playing and the customers surge forward to lay their money down...
Buttonholing Saul in the back, Maelorn confronts him, "This is the sort of thing I meant when I asked if we were partners or just employees. Had you given us any indication that you were going to continue this 'Cheat the Devil' theme after the Tournament, I would have stated my objections then."
Maelorn stalks off, his expression uncharacteristally angry (and apparently is a rather poor spotter for the rest of the night).
Saul listens to Maelron attentively.
"Maelorn, my good man. I am sorry if you don't like it, but the fact of the matter is I have sunk too much money into the set decorations to make a change right now."
He fixes you with his eyes.
"Listen, if you're serious I will make you a deal. If you can come up with a different theme, something just as dramatic and attention getting as the Circle of Hell thing, I will listen to your proposal. And if we can bring us up to profitablity we may be able to implement it. What do you say, deal?" He sticks out his hand.
"Done. I'm still uncomfortable with what you have here, but at least the Imp is gone."
Saul nods slowly.
"Yes... I don't understand the Chelaxian fondness for such creatures. It was certainly more trouble than was advertised."
Maelorn: Managing and Spotting.
Eros: Bouncing and Spotting.
Zane: Spotting.
Bor: Spotting.
Baral and Nakoda?
You spot suspicious persons concentrating in the crowd, looks like they've workded themselves up to a fever pitch. You see suspicious bulges that suggest weapons smuggled it as well.
Sense Motive:
You're not sure, but it looks like they aren't robbers, but they do intend to bust up the place. Looks like they've drunk enough to get a little courage, but no to the point of impairment.
Bor hurries up to Maelorn, "Looks like we may have some trouble. Those guys are armed, drunk, and seem to be a lil tired of loosin." whispers Bor to Maelorn, trying to gesture to the men, without looking like he's gesturing...
Maelorn looks over at the group Bor indicates, attempting to size them up.
Not getting a good sense of their deeper motives, Maelorn quietly speaks to Bor without turning his head, "I'd appreciate it if you can warn the others. I'm going to try to clear this without bloodshed."
Smiling, Maelorn approaches the group.
"Gentlemen, good evening. I'm Maelorn, one of Torag's Makers. Today, I am trying to make a business succeed. You look upset, and I'd be happy to listen to your grievances. The people here," he gestures to the crowd in general, "are simply trying to relax and forget their troubles. It would be a shame to upset their evening."
A big halforcish looking fellow and six of his buddies look like the're just looking for an excuse to bust some heads. They were on track to becoming hostile and attacking, but Maelorns diplomatic offensive held them to unfriendly.
So instead of attacking, he starts talking. Talking about how the Cheat the Devil tournament was a robbery, they never got their stake back... unfair... racist... anti sailor... and so on. The thugs are still on the edge of busting heads, but now their words start attracting attention from the other patrons. Some disapprove of the thugs, some disapprove of the casino, and a few shout helpful comments designed to throw the sailors into a mini riot.
The rest of the party have either gotten the word or noticed the potential disturbance and are two rounds away...
Maelorn can't pin them down, they Might have been in during the Tournament...
Zane observes the exotic barbarian beauty alongside the massive warrior. Following her path he sees the commotion and the potential chaos that might ensue and begins making his way to the area.
"Well then, that is easily enough addressed. You must have left before Larur started repaying the stakes. Tell you what, let's go take a look at the books and we see your recorded stake."
Maelorn reaches out, offering to grasp forearms with the leader of the group, "The Gold Goblin is not going to cheat anyone, regardless of their work or their origins, as long as I have anything to say about it. Shalle we?"
Eros notices the commotion, and he notices his companions gathering towards the half-orcs. He tries to use stealth and the crowds to sneak up behind the half-orcs in case his services will be needed.
Once Eros gets close enough he will ready a charge if he can find a clear path. The charge will be unleashed upon the nearest half-orc the moment Eros notices any of the half-orcs drawing a weapon. Eros will use his spiked gauntlet which he is already wearing rather than attract attention by drawing a weapon.
From your position on the catwalks, you see the commotion that Maelorn is facing with the big sailors.
But since you have Detect Magic running, you get a flash, multiple flashes of magic in different areas of the casino.
Spellcraft:
You can't ID what the spell is, might be a custom job; but it is definately the same spell and it is definately an Enchantment of some kind.
Sense Motive:
Your diplomacy seem to be holding the sailors from becoming outright hostile, but now the crowd around you seems to be getting in the same ugly mood.
Perception:
The crowd makes it difficult terrain, so no charging is possible right now.
Perception:
You hear the thud of fist to stomach to your left, the quick mutter of a spel to your right and all of a sudden you're in the middle of an eight person brawl.
Kick: Someone aimed a kick at your groin, but your armor stopped it.
Perception:
While running to pass the word to the others, you notice a shiver run through the crowd, there is a quick mutter of a spell, a angry shriek, the sound of a fist to the stomach and abruptly you are in the middle of an eight person brawl.
Knee to face: Someone tries to knee you in the face, but you easily dodge it.
Perception:
You see the crowd around you seem to shiver for a moment, then break out in an eight person brawl.
Sense Motive:
Elbow: Someone throws an elbow, but you almost casually block it.
Perception:
Moving through the crowd towards Maelorns confrontation, you are stil twenty yards away when you see a shiver run through the crowd.
Abruply you are in the middle of an eight person brawl.
Kick: A kick is thrown in your direction, but misses.
Glancing behind you, you saw an elbow thrown at Nakoda, which she fends of easily.
Baral, very aggravated that someone has the nerve to try to kick him, attempts to trip the one who tried to kick him, while fighting to control a bubbling rage, so as to prevent pulling weapons and turning this into a bloodbath. Just before moving to trip he glances in Nakoda's direction and sees an elbow thrown at her, which she fends of easily, and this just makes him even more aggravated, intend on moving to her side as soon as he has dealt with the idiot who tried to kick him.
Trip:
Free Action: Eros shouts "Bouncers!! Deal with this!"
Move Action: Eros Glances right and tries to spot the spellcaster
Standard Action: In all likelihood, Eros did not spot the spellcaster, so he will go full defensive and continue to identify the spellcaster.
Eros thinks he is the real threat here. The mindless crowd is just an annoyance.
If the Spellcaster is spotted then Eros will attack him with his +1 Humanbane Spiked Gauntlet instead of going defensive.
Acrobatics
Perception
Noticing the shifting mood of the crowd, and the sudden brawls breaking out, Maelorn looks at the group of sailors with a new eye, "You are being used. Someone has tried to make you start a fight like those weak-willed people over there."
Maelorn puts on his best oratory voice, "But you are stronger than that, right? Yes! Don't let those who wish to use you for their own purposes win. Fight this. Remember who you are, don't let someone else set you up to be called a violent thug."
"Please, stand down and return on the morrow so that I can make sure that you haven't been cheated. I have to see about helping stop those who don't have your strength of will."
Perception:
Spellcraft:
Zane cannot pinpoint the source of the casting, and now whoever it was has stopped. All he can see is the amber/redish haze of the Enchantment surrounding a nubmer of clusters of people throughout the casino. Coincidentally, there are brawls in each of those areas.
Zane realizes that this is an exotic spell, but only of first level magnitude. Something a student might come up with at the college of magic when spellcrafting. Not very practical, but it can affect several people at once; especially if they are weak willed.
It's weakness is that, just like Sleep, victims can be snapped out of it by a sharp slap (physical or verbal).
As you are on the catwalks, you can either jump down twenty feet to the floor below, or lower handy ropes for just that purpose.
Perception:
Sense Motive:
Spellcraft:
Will save:
Will save:
Will save:
Will save:
Maelorn knows the people are being affected by some kind of enchantment, but that's all he can determine off the cuff.
The bosun seems to frown in thought, hesitating. One of his little buddies looks around and says; "Hey boss, I think he's right."
Unfortunately, his other friends roar with outrage; "You think we're supid?" and attack.
Punch: misses widely.
Kick: bounces off his shield.
Perception:
Eros doesn't hear the sound of spellcasting; but he notices something.
Off to his left, beyond struggling bodies, he hears the sounds of chips sliding off a table. Not in a random scattering sound, but in a steady stream.
Punch: blocked by Eros.
Kick: slips through, striking Eros' knee for points of nonlethal damage.
Acrobatics:
Perception:
Bor makes a spectacular leap, grabs a chandelier and swings over to one of the tables. On landing, he catches sight of a pile of chips being swept off the table at the other end and into the waistband of one of the people who arent engaged in brawling. He's trying to do that and look innocent at the same time.
Perception:
Spellcraft:
Through Detect Magic Nakoda studys the amber/reddish enchantment that seems to be only affecting the people engaged in brawling. It doesn't seem to be a standard enchantment, it targets emotions but was barely powerful enough for the first level. It felt kind of amateurish; like something a raw aprentice would come up with. Fortunately this kind of spell is vulnerable to a sharp slap (verbal or physical).
Nakoda doesn't hear the sound of spellcasting; but she notices something.
Off to her right, beyond struggling bodies, she hears the sounds of chips sliding off a table. Not in a random scattering sound, but in a steady stream.
Punch: misses widely.
Kick: bounces off her shield.
Punch: misses widely.
Kick: bounces off his shield.
Perception:
Baral doesn't see anything but weakling civilians who had no business attacking each other, much less him. Especially not Nakoda!
Maelorn nods to the Bosun, "You might want to restrain your friends before they get hurt."
Taking a step back, Maelorn casts Bless, and begins to look around for someone seems neither confused nor angry.
Standard Action: Eros turns to the angry mob and yells:"You guys stop brawling, or I'll cut off your heads and piss down you necks!"
Move Action: Survey the room, and make a perception check
Free Action: 5ft Step away from brawlers