Dejah rolled her eyes at Jasper's jest and turned to Cade, who sat without drink in hand.
"You are more quiet than usual. Will you not drink, or join in the conversation, Cade?"
When Dejah mentions little creatures he laughs and says That is definitely true. One of the most ferocious creatures I have ever come across was a little creature that looks like a badger called a wolverine. This animal has been known to kill bears 15-20 times it's size.
"Mmm?" Cade looks over at Dejah, roused from his thoughts. "Oh, sorry--I'll just take an ale, thank you."
"Anyway, I've just been thinking about the letter we received."
At Jasper mentioning a wolverine able to kill bears and Cade and his occupied thoughts, Dejah took another sip of wine.
"The wolverine sounds suitably accomplished", she responded to Jasper and then to Cade, asked, "What in the letter has you so circumspect?"
"Well, it relates to what you told us about who sent it earlier." Cade replies as Viorec hands him a tankard of ale. "About whether or not this 'Garmen' has something to do with the torch going out."
"Can't say I'm eager to meet the man himself, if that's the case." He pulls a credit voucher from the letter out of his pocket and sets it on the table.
"I am with you in this, Cade. However, I suppose we have an obligation to discover if Garmen Ulreth did in fact put out the torch and the reason why."
Dejah's eyes flicked to the credit voucher on the table.
She looked up and across to the others, "What do you all think about the invitation to Garmen Ulreth's establishment? I am not a gambler nor wanting to partake of any other entertainment at Silverdisk Hall. Yet, we must gather information on Ulreth and his plans."
"If anyone else wants it, feel free to take it." Cade pushes the voucher away.
"Dejah, don't get me wrong--I'm just as interested in getting to the bottom of this as you are. In fact, I've got an idea."
"Viorec!" The large warrior waves to the charming priest. "Come over here."
As the Caydenite makes his way over to Cade's table, he turns back to Dejah and taps the voucher. "Here's what I'm thinking--I don't want to humour him with any business if he's really involved in putting the torch out. But there's still something else I can do to help. In case your investigation of his so-called 'illustrious card-room' or whatever he calls it doesn't pan out, I can at least see what else I can dig up."
"And that is where you come in, Viorec." Cade bids the priest to have a seat. "If I start asking questions, I doubt I'm going to get a straight answer. You, on the other hand... well, if the way you dealt with those skulks means anything, you can get a lot more done with words than I can. I can't pull this off without your help."
Triax looks with interest at the armadillo "Your choice in spirit animals is unusual." it notes flatly
After securing a drink, the android takes a whetstone out and begins honing his sword. It talks as it works. "Did your group uncover any survivors under the "hill". And what of the dangers within?"
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Tabitha walks in with a towel in her hand, rubbing her head vigorously. She continues on and takes a seat with the others. She places the towel on her lap after drying her messy hair and looks at the cute little animal with wide eyes.
"Aw! Such a cute armadillo! And... Oh. It's a familiar, isn't it? Um... Such creatures like armadillos grant a boon of... Um." She ponders a bit and recalls what the boon is. "Right! Such creatures grant their master's bond with a thicker skin! They are also much more smarter than they appear. But that last part is familiars in general." She holds her hand out to Shell to smell. "It is nice to meet you as well!"
Having listened to Cade speak of his plan, and watching as he turned to Viorec, Dejah caught Triax's question.
"Did your group uncover any survivors under the "hill". And what of the dangers within?"
Her answer was succinct and sombre. "No survivors, as yet. We discovered some bones - Humanoid: Half-Orcs and Halflings and some we could not identity with four arms. As to the dangers, there is the toxic water of the Weeping Pond, then fire beetles, young slime moulds, a Blindheim, a small tribe of Skulks whom we befriended and some Jinkin Gremlins. There are various traps within - some we disabled, others are intact and yet to be located. There was even a repair android of sorts. I am certain there are many more dangers, but those are the ones we encountered on our preliminary expedition."
Dejah levelled a scathing look upon Tabitha.
Looking back to Triax, she simply added, in cool voice, "Indeed. Jasper is a survivor. You may speak to him directly about it."
Jasper looks back and forth between the two women and then says to Triax. It is true, I was part of Khonnir's expedition but we were separated when we were ambushed. I have not seen him since.
Kadosh gives Triax a flat look at his words.
"I didn't choose Shell. He chose me. And what would you know of it?
"He is not a familiar," he responds more warmly to Tabitha, "but rather as the creature said, a spirit animal. He helps guide me in the right direction and lets me commune with the spirits."
Shell sniffs at her hand, and gives it a little lick. He shakes himself as he eyes her, and then returns to his bowl of milk.
When Cade mentions his hesitation about meeting some man, Kadosh looks baffled: "Not eager? If he's responsible for extinguishing that thing, he deserves to be thanked. Nothing good came of that flame, I promise you." he says. "What is this letter you speak of?"
Jasper arches an eyebrow at Kadosh and says Nothing good came from that? This entire towns economy has depended upon that flame for the last 100 years. If that fire stays out, the smiths can't work their metal effectively which means they will be unable to buy as much from the quarrymen which means that the laborers will lose their work and be unable to feed their children. That leads to destitution, poverty, hunger, and eventually a mass exodus from this town to other areas to find work. You may not like the Torch, but it is central, both literally and figuratively to this town's survival.
Realizing he might have been a little over-exuberant, he says after a deep breath, My apologies if I gave offense with my passionate response but my father had a similar situation where he lost work and my baby sister died from exposure when we were evicted from our home. After all, it is not those at the top that suffer when disaster strikes, it is the common folk.
If Triax notices Kadosh's accusatory tone, it doesn't show it. "I know nothing about the "armadillo". I have never encountered such a creature before."
It then turns his focus to Dejah's report. "The disparity of creatures encountered is noteworthy. Perhaps a connection to the darklands is implied by this variety of life?"
"It is good to see that some members of the original expeditions survive. It has been my experience that when artificial and natural lifeforms enter states of conflict, survival probabilities for natural entities approach zero."
Dejah was pleasantly surprised by Jasper's passionate remark regarding the torch and the town's survival. "Indeed, it is as Jasper speaks. The torch is what drives this town and all within. It will die without its flame. One may not like its consequences but the alternative could be more devastating, ultimately."
Dejah's eyes strayed to Shell after learning it was a 'spirit animal' to allow Kadosh access to the spirit realm. So not a common pet at all. Good. she mused to herself.
"The disparity of creatures encountered is noteworthy. Perhaps a connection to the darklands is implied by this variety of life?"
"In truth, I have not pondered the connection for we have just exited the caves. But you may have a point and we should look into it." Dejah smiled at the android, not expecting a returned simulation.
"Here's what I'm thinking--I don't want to humour him with any business if he's really involved in putting the torch out. But there's still something else I can do to help. In case your investigation of his so-called 'illustrious card-room' or whatever he calls it doesn't pan out, I can at least see what else I can dig up."
"And that is where you come in, Viorec...You can get a lot more done with words than I can. I can't pull this off without your help."
Dejah turned her attention back to the subject of Garmen Ulreth. Trying to follow Cade's alternative, she inquired,
"I am uncertain of the plan, as you tell it, Cade. We do not visit his establishment, yet you mean to question him - just you and Viorec alone - at some other venue?"
She remembered Kadosh had asked after the credit voucher and so she lifted it from the table and handed it to him.
To the latest expeditionary party,
I sincerely hope this letter finds you well. Allow me to extend to you a cordial invitation to my most illustrious tavern and gambling hall in our fair town--the one and only Silverdisk Hall.
Enclosed in this letter are several vouchers--five, to be precise. Each of them is worth 100 gold pieces of credit at the Silverdisk Hall--usable for gambling, drinks, or any other forms of entertainment on offer.
This offer is good for this week only! Why not make the most of it?
I await your response.
Garmen Ulreth.
"I am uncertain of the plan, as you tell it, Cade. We do not visit his establishment, yet you mean to question him - just you and Viorec alone - at some other venue?"
"Actually, what I was thinking was that you could perhaps investigate his 'Silverdisk Hall'--and while you're doing that, Viorec and I can check around town for any dirt we can dig up on him." Cade folds his arms. "And considering there's also the matter of finding Khonnir and figuring out what's wrong with the torch, the expedition can continue on two fronts, so to speak."
"Am I making sense?"
Dejah listened as Cade explained his plan. She was not happy with visiting Silverdisk Hall, but understood it was necessary.
"Aye, I understand you well enough now."
She gave Kadosh and Triax some time to peruse the credit voucher/invitation.
Looking to Jasper and the others, "What say you? Are the rest of you happy to visit Silverdisk Hall and make discreet inquiry within? Or at least observe the general goings on? I am no gambler, but I suppose I could sit and monitor the patrons and their conversations."
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Tabitha listens to the conversation about going to the Silverdisk Hall. "I don't mind going. And we may be able to turn in the vouchers for some gold for supplies for our next expedition under Torch." She looks at the voucher that lays on the table. "If nothing else, we could use the gold to help get supplies for transcribing a couple more scrolls. And maybe finally write down that spell of magic weapon into my spellbook."
Kadosh humphs at Jasper as he defends the torch.
"And look at where the town is now? On the verge of ruin because some technological ... monstrosity ... decided it doesn't want to do its job anymore! If it hadn't been for this torch, these people would know how to live properly and support themselves from the land! As my people do!"
He's about to continue when Triax's comments break his flow. He scowls at the android, opening and closing his mouth several times, apparently at a loss for words as to how to respond.
Finally, he's saved by Dejah, and he examines the contents of the package, before handing them over to Tabitha.
"Do you have some reason to suspect this Garmen? It seems a fine way to relax before going to deal with this problem below."
Viorec shrugs. "Well, aside from rumours, not really. But I've never been one to turn down an invitation of hospitality."
Val tugs on Viorec's sleeve and heads back behind the bar. "I won't be able to go with you guys--I'm not old enough to be allowed in. By the way, Triax, you want anything?"
Jasper rolls his eyes at Kadosh before turning and looking at Dejah. I would be honored to accompany you and make some discreet inquiries. Plus it will be fun to see how the other half lives. He says, winking at Dejah.
The android looks about, considering the question. "Yes. Hardroot cider."
"In the absence of information, it seems pointless to guess the human's intentions." it observes. "The vices may or may not cloak some greater purpose, and friend Kadosh..." the android sips from his cider "...most are not enlightened as the Kellid. As baffling as it seems, some humans prefer to work starmetals, or play games of chance and partake in gambling, to the beauty of the hunt."
"I am happy to visit this Silverdisk hall. As Tabitha suggested, it might net us some immediate monetary gain."
Val fetches Triax the hardwood cider he requested, bringing over a cold mug of yellowish liquid.
"Do you have some reason to suspect this Garmen? It seems a fine way to relax before going to deal with this problem below."
Hearing Viorec's simple answer and not entirely satisfied with it, Dejah stepped up and added,
"Garmen Ulreth has an association with the local thieves's guild - the Ropefists. And ever since the torch has been extinguished, Garmen's business has been booming. It cannot be mere coincidence, especially since Khonnir's own business, the Foundry here, sits idle as the wizard explores beneath Black Hill and looks for answers."
As talk turned to making some much needed gold at Silverdisk Hall, Dejah screwed up her face at the notion of gambling and its ability to net them more than they would lose. "Those who would gamble in hopes of making coin, may do so. That is not to my taste. We do have gear and other articles we picked up from the caves we can sell to make some coin."
"I would be honored to accompany you and make some discreet inquiries. Plus it will be fun to see how the other half lives." He says, winking at Dejah.
"Good. Discretion is what will be necessary. I don't suppose Garmen Ulreth will readily fall for any tricks - for he is among rogues."
"Ah, I see," Kadosh says, nodding at Dejah's explanation. "So even if his ends may have been worthwhile, his reasons may not be. So let us go investigate then!
"And I see now reason not to spend gold he's given us at his business. As long as we don't spend any of our own, it's not as if we're losing anything or even supporting him."
When the other are ready, Kadosh downs the rest of his drink in a long swallow and stands up. He scoops up Shell, putting the armadillo back in his backpack and gives a little bow to Dejah, indicating she should lead the way.
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Tabitha raises an eyebrow while looking at the voucher. "Well, I hope we don't have to gamble. I rather just receive the gold and inquire about the situation there." She picks up the voucher and puts it into her belt. "Well... Tabi-I think we're ready to go. And I can't wait to see what we get for the stuff we found as well." She stands and puts the towel on the table.
Dejah sighed aloud. Did the girl even read the wording of the missive? "Tabitha, they are not giving away free gold coins to citizens. It is credit to be used by patrons inside the Silverdisk Hall for their various pursuits - be it gambling, drinking or other entertainment."
Seeing that Tabitha took the voucher, the archaeologist held her hand out, "Please give me the voucher and I will hold onto it". Dejah did not trust the girl to get out of a burlap sack ... let alone hold a credit note for five people.
And looking to Shaman, hoping the wizard girl now understood the meaning of the credit note, Dejah nodded to the man. "Aye, do not spend anything but the credit given. And you have lovely manners", in reference to his little bow. She stood from the table and collected her things and eyed the sacks with the gear.
"Jasper, are you ready to leave?"
Jasper smiles and says Of course sounds like fun. Lead the way.
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The Olandirs are headed by one Serantha Olandir, the blonde, hard-eyed leader of Torch's town council. Ever since her husband was murdered in a back-alley mugging two years ago, she's devoted most of her time to purging the city of crime and corruption.
The Otterbie family is in charge of the town's local consortium of artisans and smithies. Bazlundi Otterbie, the dark-skinned, dark-haired heiress at the consortium's helm, controls access to their services and organizes how the profits from jobs are distributed.
Once business has been concluded at the Foundry, the new team sets out as the sun sinks low on the horizon.
The streets of Torch are rapidly emptying as the party walks along them--the few citizens who aren't hurrying home are either town guards clad in chainmail & tabards or locals on their way to somewhere they can drown their worries for one more night. A strong, chilly wind blows past them as they move, sending stray flecks of paint from the nearby houses.
At a glance, the Silverdisk Hall doesn't look like much. It's an L-shaped, two-story wooden building with a small set of steps leading to a covered porch and a pair of double doors. The sides of the building have more than their share of stains of dubious origin--some old, some fresh. Several torchlights can be seen flickering in the windows, and judging from the raucous laughter, cheering and jeering coming from within, the place is quite busy.
Two men stand guard at the closed double doors, both of them clad in leather armour. One has a sturdy club tucked into his belt and the other is wearing a bandolier of knives. Well-worn, knotted lengths of rope are coiled around their fists.
One of them, a man with ashen hair and a scar the size of a walnut under his eye, sizes the party up as they approach.
Triax puts on a crooked smile as they approach. "Hail, friends. We are here for a little fun - what is the game tonight?" It makes pains to keep its hands open and moving, consciously nonthreatening.
The scarred one snorts as Triax makes his overtures. "Got plenty o' game inside, if you've got the coin. Cards, roulette, booze, even slots upstairs." He fingers his bandolier of knives.
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Tabitha looks at Dejah and nods. "Alright." She pulls out the voucher and hands it to Dejah to hold on to. "There you go."
Tabitha walks with the others to the gambling den, the Silverdisk Hall. With night beginning to fall, she notices how the streets are starting to empty. I haven't been out late much since I arrived here. Looks like other than the Foundry, I guess that Silverdisk Hall should be busy. But who knows. She shrugs slightly and puts that thought away for now.
When they arrived, Tabitha is surprise by all the activity of the place. Leering and laughter, merriment and other things. It is a sight to take in, though not a pleasant one as she sees someone vomit on a wall down the side of the building. .... Ew. She will lean to Jasper and whisper to him. "Jasper? Are such places suppose to be like... This?"
Looking up the steps and at the lit windows, Dejah took a deep breath and smoothed down the front of her skirt. There was no harm in ensuring one's appearance was up to scratch, even if they were playing a role here this night in order to obtain information. Dejah wished Cade had come along, however he had other plans with Viorec.
In a pleasant voice, Dejah stepped forward and spoke, "We were sent an invitation from Mister Garmen Ulreth. May we enter, please?" Dejah had noticed the scarred man stroking his knives upon Triax's greeting and simply smiled hoping to calm him. She took out the missive/voucher from her pocket and held it in hand just in case the man wanted to see the invitation. The Changeling had never visited a gambling hall before and offhand did not know the appropriate etiquette.
Jasper grins at Tabitha's question and says Oh no not at all...this place is much nicer.
The scarred one takes a look at the credit voucher Dejah holds out. "Huh. You're the ones Garmen invited, eh?"
The large, bearded man next to him pats the club at his side and looks the party over. "Here's the rules, then--don't start anything while you're here. The folks inside want to have a good time, and they don't need troublemakers bringing s$@& into their evening."
"Second, don't do anything that pisses Garmen off. He's the host here, and what he says goes."
"Third: no cheating." He folds his arms and glares at the party. "We'll know."
"Indeed. We are not yet acquainted with Mister Garmen Ulreth, so we cannot guarantee we will not do or say anything to upset him, but we shall endeavour to try our best to be amiable and acceptable. Thank you. My apologies, I do not know your name."
Dejah refolded the voucher and carefully placed it inside her pocket. She waited until the glaring thug said something more or stepped aside so they could move into the gambling hall.
Once they are through the door, Dejah will look around carefully, hoping to spy anything noteworthy inside Silverdisk Hall.
The burly doorman nods once and steps aside while his scarred colleague opens the door for the party.
"Good. Now that we've got all that straightened out, please..." The burly man offers a small bow. "...enjoy your stay at the Silverdisk Hall."
The interior of the Silverdisk Hall is considerably better-furnished than the exterior--in stark contrast to the building's facade, the walls here are wrought from fine maple, without even the smallest of stains. The torches on the walls provide much needed illumination for the patrons on the carpeted casino floor.
A set of steps lead down to the casino's gambling floor, and several tables are visible in the torchlight. Most of them are crowded--one table bearing a roulette wheel being a particularly popular attraction, if the dozen patrons gathered around it are any indication. Other tables have card dealers and dice rollers, ready to take on the newest high-rollers and cardsharps.
An expansive bar takes up almost the entire back wall of the casino's main gambling floor, with several tables scattered around the floor's perimeter. The two pug-nosed dwarves behind the bar are busily taking orders and serving drinks to the thirsty patrons this evening.
The right side of the casino appears to be where the patrons go to exchange their gold pieces for silverdisks. A blonde, half-elven woman in a low-cut top sits at a desk behind a mesh wall, taking gold pieces offered by a customer through a slot just above her desk. She ducks behind her desk and returns with several silverdisks, sliding them through the slot and into the customer's waiting hands.
Standing with his back to the entranceway is a man dressed in well-oiled studded leathers and bearing an ornate-looking sword at his side, his brown hair neatly combed and cut short. He turns as the doors open and a smile breaks out on his face.
"Ah--welcome to the Silverdisk Hall, ladies and gents." He spreads his arms wide, his brown eyes twinkling. He then puts one hand on his goateed chin and arches an eyebrow. "Allow me to thank you for accepting my invitation. I am Garmen Ulreth, owner of this fine establishment."
Triax looks quizzically at Dejah. As they cross the noisy room towards the proprietor, it leans over and says - trying not to shout over the noise - "I have observed that discretion in matters of identity is advantageous when dealing with humanoids. Although going unnoticed may be problematic for some of our number - including myself - delaying the announcement of our presence might have given us some time to make more unbiased observations." Its remarks are conversational, insofar as one can be conversational over the noise of the tavern.
It turns to focus on the crowd, scanning for immediate threats, pickpockets and general intentions.
Hyperspectral imaging (active, scanning)
Threat analysis
Triax edges away from the crowd a bit, uncomfortable with the volume of input data and potential threats. "I would be best if this meeting does not take too long." he notes quietly and to nobody in particular.
Jasper sticks with Dejah and scans the room as well. He buys a non-alcoholic drink for her and a cup of mulled wine for himself. Walking nonchalantly around the room he looks like someone who is trying to decide which game to play.
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Tabitha sticks close to Dejah as they enter the building. Looking around, it is nearly overwhelming to her. So many people! She thought. It was never this busy at the Foundry. And when she does open her mouth, all Tabitha says is "Wow."
Looking around, Tabitha notices the owner of the Silverdisk Hall, Garmen Ulreth. She tilts her head. Huh? He looks nice. Why would he want Torch's Torch go out? He would be in the same situation as everyone else. And seems rather kind, since he did welcome us. She thought while looking at him. She takes a deep breath. "Right. Tabi-I will go say hello."
Getting herself in order, Tabitha walks over to Garmen. "Greetings Mister Ulreth. And thank you for the invitation. My name is Tabitha Flynn, and it is nice to meet you." She bows her head slightly to him.
Dejah accepted the mild beverage purchased for her by Jasper and sipped it and they walked about.
He turns as the doors open and a smile breaks out on his face.
"Ah--welcome to the Silverdisk Hall, ladies and gents." He spreads his arms wide, his brown eyes twinkling. He then puts one hand on his goateed chin and arches an eyebrow. Allow me to thank you for accepting my invitation. I am Garmen Ulreth, owner of this fine establishment."
Before Dejah could stop the silly chit from moving toward the proprietor, she heard Tabitha introduce herself and even bow to the man. Is this a ply to subdue him? Or is the girl really this trustful of every stranger she would cross paths with? If it is the latter, it will be problematic. Dejah, clenched her petite hands, yet stopped her large talons/claws from biting into the flesh of her palms. The talons were not designed for piercing but climbing; still, they were sharp and she did not want to be bleeding inside Silverdisk Hall at this moment.
Dejah then stepped forward from the group, to stand beside Tabitha, with a practised smile upon her lovely face. She wanted to pinch the girl for her disregard of impending danger.
"Good evening, Mister Ulreth. I am Dejah Simin. Let me extend our gratitude for your kind and most generous invitation. We were surprised to receive such a boon from someone we are not yet acquainted with. May this evening improve the acquaintance."
Dejah's smile did not slip as she looked up, gazing quietly with one silver eye and one brown eye, at the leather-clad man with the sword.
"Indeed," Kadosh adds happily, eyes glinting as he looks around the hall, a broad smile on his face. "How do these vouchers work? We give 'em to the elf girl over there?"
The general tumult seems to distract the big Kellid. Inside his pack, too softly to be heard by even the best ears, comes a long-suffering sigh.