Euan's Second Darkness (Inactive)

Game Master Euan

@GM_Euan - When you get to book 3, I have some maps for you. My group has been going for 3.5 years now, starting long before I really tried making my own maps. So, sorry no good maps until book 3. However, if you want them, they are yours.

Also, having made it this far, I can tell you that in Book 2 and 3, there are a lot of ... motivational holes in the AP. Be aware that your players may not have good motivation to follow the AP's course. You may have to fill in some plot holes to make things smoother (especially in Book 3).

@GM_Euan - When you get to book 3, I have some maps for you. My group has been going for 3.5 years now, starting long before I really tried making my own maps. So, sorry no good maps until book 3. However, if you want them, they are yours.

Also, having made it this far, I can tell you that in Book 2 and 3, there are a lot of ... motivational holes in the AP. Be aware that your players may not have good motivation to follow the AP's course. You may have to fill in some plot holes to make things smoother (especially in Book 3).

Thanks. I have read through book two already and I'm in book three now so I've already seen a little of what you mean. :) I think I've got the maps covered, but who knows what will happen in the grand scheme of things and I haven't looked at the maps in book three. Thanks for the kind and generous offer!!

Xynen wrote:
I don’t see why not, but I don’t believe the bonuses would stack. This assumes you pick urban as a favored terrain of course. Also, please link to the PRD, not to rolld20. I’m not a big fan of that site (too many ads among other things), but I do very much appreciate links. :)

Because favored community replaces favored terrain I wouldn't be able to choose Urban. Effectively my favored terrain would be Riddleport, which is why I was unsure if Terrain Bond would still work. Also, noted on the links, will provide the prd link here. Though they're on the same page and can't be linked seperately so scrolling is needed. Should hopefully have the finer details of my background and then my crunch done by later today.

Thanks for the quick response,

Nice tweak, I like it. I’ll look through your other posts if you prefer to leave room for others here. Any campaign in particular you’d like me to peruse?

I guess the best start are my other two APs: Raise of the Runelords with Delendir (a stout half-elf trapper strongly punished by life who suddenly finds himself standing in front of the danger that menaces a town that does not accept him; and actually Larandel's son), and Giantslayers with Leira (she hates orcs because she thinks they killed her father when she was a baby, but in reality her father was a half-orc and that taint is the source of her bloodline powers she is discovering here). But feel free to check any of my Society Characters too, I do not have writings for all of their backgrounds but I tend to interact with others and push the action with all of them.

Also, I wanted to say, although I am thinking on building him as an archer with magic and knowledge skills, I am more than open to take whatever role the party needs as long as it fits with his basic background with little work.

Because favored community replaces favored terrain I wouldn't be able to choose Urban. Effectively my favored terrain would be Riddleport, which is why I was unsure if Terrain Bond would still work. Also, noted on the links, will provide the prd link here. Though they're on the same page and can't be linked seperately so scrolling is needed. Should hopefully have the finer details of my background and then my crunch done by later today.

Oops. Totally missed that crossover. Seems to me then that, as you have no favored terrain, you'd lose the terrain bond ability. "When in his favored terrain..." this bit isn't true so I think you don't get the bonuses.

Thanks Balacertar, I'll take a look. :)

@ Hotlanta

I think a seafaring dwarf druid sounds awesome. I've had a hard time thinking up a dwarf I'd be excited to play so I hope you move forward. I'l love to see one in here. I for one am kind of attached my little fellow. The pathfinder take on gnomes is kind of my favorite of all the ways that oddball race has evolved through the years. I figure with the odds of recruitment not high I might as well enjoy him now while I can.

Cataree Butterflys Friend wrote:

My character information should all be in my profile.

I like your background, but want more. :) Any brothers and sisters? Which Quah

sent you? Was there some leader in particular that wanted you to go (as opposed to someone else)? Is your father still alive? Also, talk about your familiar a little.
...

Background updated. Also slightly changed skills (dropped use magic device, added spellcraft)

Note - I'm drawing a lot of information from The Crimson Throne Book 4. I'm not sure if all of that is considered canonical now but it is significantly richer in several places than Varisia, Birthplace of Legends (Which I am also drawing on, of course).

Turt burps loudly and begins to sway on his stool almost bumping into Madge. He then giggles and says ” Geh Wan Aqui (HIC) Ko, Ahrk Zu’u Los Faad!, Daar’s Aan Nu Ronak!” He holds up his ale victoriously and faceplants on the counter before going limp. You can hear light snores coming from his body

dot... pay no attention to the lurker

@GM Ah! I knew I forgot to add something! And thank you for being so understanding and thank you for the tip too! Appreciate it! Now back to our regularly scheduled RP tryouts!

Ryssa is about to call over one of the serving girls when she realizes that they aren't serving girls. Hissing a bit in frustration and embarrassment as she comes to the realization that they must be regulars, she turns back to address Cataree and her question about the Blot.

"Well the Blot just appeared not too long ago out of nowhere. Got the whole city in a uproar and a panic! No one ain't been able to figure nothing about it. Let me think for a moment..."

The tiefling began to try to recall anything she knows about the Blot.

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Garridan makes his way back to the table with his purchases in hand, deftly avoiding tripping over the cat on the along the way. He places the two bottles of wine down on the table and nods his head toward the Shoanti while looking to Ryssa he asks, “Who is your new friend?”

Hey GM_Euan, I've got a concept that just popped into my head and need your opinion:

When

"Ah this is Cataree Butterflys Friend, who's here to investigate the Blot. Cataree this here is Garridan Brewmaster, a warpriest of Cayden Cailean. So Garridan maybe you know some stuff about the Blot?"

She then motioned to the Shoanti woman to sit next to her, smiling as she did so while studying Cataree.

Submitting this guy - open to changes, edits, etc.

Aelwyn
Male CG Elf Wizard (Evoker) 1, 5'11”, 121lbs

Appearance:
Aelwyn is a tall, slim, nimble elf with long, brown hair and green eyes. He tends to wear loose shirts (laced not buttoned), brown trousers and a green cloak with a single leaf embroidered near its clasp. Around his neck on a leather thong is a round wooden pendant with a stylised tree design. He rarely arrives on horseback, and tends to be on the edge of a group, watching rather than leading a party. His hands are usually clean, and he doesn't drink alcohol.
Background:
Aelwyn is estranged from his family. As a child, he was slowly introduced to magic by his grandmother, and showed an early talent, particularly with energy magic. His training stopped when his grandmother was slain in a drow raid. The dark elves were soon driven off, and nobody else was injured, but he resents her loss, having never been close to his parents. When nearly adult, his grandfather got him drunk at a family wedding, and he was so embarrassed at his actions and how his family reacted to him that he left, and has not yet (7 years ago) returned. He is still very nervous about alcohol or speaking in front of groups of people. He misses his younger sister Sileal, but is unwilling to return – he feels his parents did not support him at the time of his grandfather's prank.

When he first left his own people, he packed carefully, and intended to make his way as a travelling wizard, fixing small things with his magic, teaching where possible, but certainly not adventuring. He wandered through Varisia and ended up in Korvosa. Much to his surprise, he found himself in the city watch of that city. His elven sight made night patrols easy, and his magic allowed him to find a place, though he remained nervous of the Watch's carousing while off duty, and avoided their drinking sessions. The watch were mostly followers of Abadar, god of cities, and Aelwyn explored that faith while in Korvosa. He eventually decided with some reluctance that Abadar could be rather too morally murky for him. He's not going to lead a crusade of righteousness, but he'd like a deity that gives him something good to hope towards. He only left Korvosa a few months ago. He remains on good terms with the Watch there; most of the priesthood of Abadar think him naïve, though he remained friendly with Ishani Dhatri, a young, more idealistic priest there. Sensing, his friend's discomfort with his life, Ishani suggested he travel to Riddleport to investigate the Cyphergate. Aelwyn agreed, feeling it was a more fitting aim for a wizard than helping out with the watch.

On the way to Riddleport, he bumped into Clarissa, a travelling priestess of Desna. Clarissa was fervent in her beliefs, and encouraged him to wander. What she told him of the Song of the Spheres was intriguing – Desna seemed to have no truck with the moral pragmatism of Abadar, was certainly not interested in using hierarchy to crush people, and liked new experiences. He has quietly begun to worship the goddess on his own, and is looking for a shrine or temple to her in Riddleport to find out more.

He has only just arrived in the city, and will be somewhat of an innocent abroad until he can find his feet. His current aims are:
1. Find somewhere to base himself in the city, at least for a short while.
2. Find a temple, hopefully to Desna, but at least to Abadar if not.
3. Investigate the Cyphergate.
4. Work as a wizard, not as a guardsman. There's nothing wrong with being a guardsman, but he has magical abilities and feels he should use them.

The couple by the door finish their meal and leave and a couple other, less savory types, get up and leave with them. They fall into an easy gait as you watch them walk down the street through the front windows. Meanwhile, others come into the pub, still with a little room to spare, though it is crowded.

The tiefling began to try to recall anything she knows about the Blot.

It does not seem to be in any way religious in nature, though of course some of its effects are. None that you know of worship the blot, as yet, but many are trying to tie religious significance to it - though nothing really seems to stick in your mind.

He places the two bottles of wine down on the table

You purchased the last of his ‘fresh’ wine. The wine, similar to the earlier goblet you had, is a nice medium quality drink. It does seem somehow fresher to the palette though, lighter and fruitier. All in all, very tasty.

Submitting this guy - open to changes, edits, etc.

You’ll need to switch out the murder of your grandmother to something other than drow. At this point in your careers drow are a myth - certainly not something you’ve encountered or had any sort of first hand knowledge of. They are the fairytale stories elven parents tell their children, ”Be good or the drow will get you!” - but not really believed any more than the boogie man. Also, a bit more on your Korvosan history - were you there during the civil war two years ago? You mention Ishani, a character from that AP if my memory serves me…

Everyone
Feel free to make knowledge and other rolls, discuss tonights gambling event (which you’re all attending for various reasons - some of which to be determined if you have a ‘friend’ going).

Taking a seat he shakes his head, "No, it certainly is strange though" He begins to poor himself some wine and continues as he pours, "It just appeared out of nowhere and will probably disappear just as quickly."

Turning to the others sitting at the table, ”Would anyone like to try some? He asks as he takes his first sip with great anticipation and enjoys the light fruity taste.

Profession, Brewer: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 to identify the fruit used in the wine
Knowlege, Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 about the blot

modified my original post

Perhilion pulls out a battered notebook with a brown leather cover.

"I don't really think it appeared out of nowhere. I've had that impression before, but strange things... they tend to come from somewhere."

He thumbs through the notebook.

"I was asked to come here and check the blot out. I'm expected to write a report. I'm not sure how worried anybody is about Riddleport, but curiosity runs deep in the arcane community and the cyphermages aren't talking. Certainly not to me anyway."

Knowledge(planes): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Knowledge(arcana): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Knowledge(local): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Let's change Aelwyn's grandmothers demise to this:

Aelwyn is estranged from his family. As a child, he was slowly introduced to magic by his grandmother, and showed an early talent, particularly with energy magic. His training stopped when his grandmother was slain in a orc raid. The orcs were soon driven off, and nobody else was injured, but he resents her loss, having never been close to his parents.

Will think on the Korvosa angle, and submit more detail later tonight. I'm assuming that the CotCT affair happened roughly 2 years ago, and that adventurers won and deposed the queen?

You're right, Ishani is a NPC cleric of Abadar. LG, if memory serves, and less cynical than the usually LN priesthood of Abadar. I can see Aelwyn getting on with him; they both want to make the world a better place, but not get killed doing so.

"Nice to meet you Garridan.

No, I don't think the Blot is something that will just pass"

Edit: added some stuff

@GM updated Madge's background, adding in a couple more significant NPC's to her backstory.

"Distinguishing marks? Like good grades? How would that help? I guess maybe you could look for him in a library."

Perhilion's eyes open wide with understanding.

"Oh! Physical marks! So you can recognize him when you seem him! Good! Practical place to start. Better than general descriptions of qualities yes? Many people have brown hair, medium build. Fewer with a wart on the chin. Smaller set to sort! I like it."

"Still, there are a lot people in Riddleport. To look at even a small percentage of them would take a good deal of time. So you need to know behaviors, to anticipate locations. Hmm... In a small place you would know most people, or know people who knew them. Likely locations would be a matter of habit. Here, there is no habit, no social web. How do you begin?"

Perhilion goes quiet. Then when the tall man arrives he looks up with seeming alarm.

"Oh, ya got a good sense of how policework works, dontcha know! The challenge sounds like it would be good for the old noggin'."

She taps her head with her pencil at the word "noggin'."

"There's so many ways to go about doing it. Ya could put out a BOLO if ya got the manpower and the way to get out the message, but with a super solid description, ya should just need to put in a bit of legwork."

Madge takes another gulp of her milk, then gives a strained grin.

"At least that's what I'm hoping, hon!"

Turt burps loudly and begins to sway on his stool almost bumping into Madge. He then giggles and says ” Geh Wan Aqui (HIC) Ko, Ahrk Zu’u Los Faad!, Daar’s Aan Nu Ronak!” He holds up his ale victoriously and faceplants on the counter before going limp. You can hear light snores coming from his body.

Madge reaches out to steady Turt.

"Whoa there, fella! I think ya might have had too muc--"

Turt's faceplant cuts her off mid-sentence. She looks back towards Perhilion, giving a quick laugh.

"Well, think that answers that question!"

She takes her coat off the counter and drapes it over Turt. Even her heavy winter coat manages to look like little more than a mantlet on the much larger man, then returns to her conversation with Perhilion.

"So, you seem like a knowledgeable fella--specially since you're writing about it--what's this 'Blot' thing I hear everybody all up in a tizzy about?"

"Well met Cataree! Brewmaster is the name I chose when I decided to follow The Lucky Drunk." He considers for a moment and asks, "What do your people do for entertainment and relaxation if they don't drink? Do your people Gamble?"

Bartlebe takes the bucket back into the kitchen and returns juggling that and two steaming plates of food. He leaves the bucket on the bar a moment and delivers the plates to a table crammed in the back of the room. On his way past the group, he grabs a few empties and brings them to the bar for a quick rinse. He then pours the new bucket-o-wine into bottles and takes a deep breath before moving along the bar refilling goblets and collecting silvers.

Will think on the Korvosa angle, and submit more detail later tonight. I'm assuming that the CotCT affair happened roughly 2 years ago, and that adventurers won and deposed the queen?

You are correct. It was two years and a few months now. The adventurers won, deposing the queen and placing a local lord as the new King. Elements of the party remained behind as a strong counterfoil to keep the new King honest and forming a sort of parliament with the other power centers of the city which acts to counter any, well, evil tendencies he may have…

Ishani grew to some prominence during the events of the day. He had loudly argued against the queen in the church, which had (at least tacitly) supported her even during some of her less savory endeavors. When she was unmasked, he was heralded by the church as one of the new up and coming leaders within the hierarchy - mostly as a face saving measure. He had, in fact, been tortured to death during the queen’s reign of terror but the church raised him, largely under pressure by a citizenry looking unfavorably on the church after the coup.

I could go on, but I’ll leave it to you from here. :)

…updated Madge's background, adding in a couple more significant NPC's to her backstory.

Thanks for the heads up! I’ll take a look.

"I agree. The Blot won't just go away. I got a bad feeling about it. I don't recall anything religious pertains to it and no one's worshipping it yet. We do have a lot of doomsayers yelling at the top of their lungs that the world's coming to an end. Ha! I doubt that though. But yeah good question, what do your people do if they don't drink? I'm sure they take part in more...intimate acts of recreation yes?"

She hissed the last part so that she was very interested in the Shoanti woman as she wagged her scaled tail.

"Here's what I know. Or what I think I know. A local cyphermage first noticed it, it was fainter at first. He called it an 'atmospheric shadow'. Sort of sounds like that doesn't mean anything to me. As it became harder to ignore they started calling it "Blakely's Shadow'. They being a small group of people in the know. I'm not sure they know anything and Blakely's Shadow is probably less descriptive than 'blot'."

Perhilion sighs.

"I know, i know... you see the thing and say 'if that isn't a portal to the plane of shadow or something I'll eat my hat.' Well start your hat-pot boiling and get out the knife and fork because there is so far no indication that there's anything extra-planar about it at all. Not a portal, not a window, not a peephole or otherworldly garbage pit. So far not a font of evil. It might even be a natural phenomenon though nobody seems to want to entertain that notion. Magic sometimes is easier explanation than 'stuff just is what it is'."

"This Blakely fellow, he'd be one to talk to. He's yet to have the pleasure of my acquaintance however. So here's what I've got. Sum total of my research and the product of my free expenditure of the largish advance I received."

He flips open his notebook to a page on which the has written 'The Blot' in very large letters, underlined with a bold stroke. There is nothing else on the page. He has the decency to look a little chagrined.

"So finding Blakely... a good next step for me maybe? But not for tonight. Truth is I should have found him weeks ago but I'm curiously unable to move on. I've been preferring my nightly speculations to reality. I'm pretty close to broke now, and I have some big bills coming due sooner or later. So... there's an event tonight. I've already bought in. Shiny new gambling hall opening and intend to make my money back and keep my legs the same length or loose it all and be suddenly very motivated.

What do you say? Sounds like your thing Brewmaster!"

Perhilion looks over at Turt.

"I wonder if he always talks in Draconic when he's drunk? Is two bottles alot? I don't drink wine."

Xynen here, submitting Ederin for review. Right now his crunch is on a mythweavers character sheet. I'll be moving it over to the alias, once I get home from work in the morning.

As the pub doors open once again tonight a tall Dwarf strolls in and looks around to see if he can secure a spot at the bar. As he climbs up into an empty seat and swings his legs you notice that he's not Dwarven at all, but a short human. The scars on his arm and face mark him as a Riddleport native, as does his accent.

Hey bartender, where's the cat? You've got so many people here tonight I can barely see through their legs. Thought I might try to win him over again today! Suddenly all the scratch marks on his hands look less devious. He stretches his arms out and yawns, not bothering to avoid anyone's personal space.

I'll take a mug of Rogut if you don't mind, just finished some church work and I wouldn't mind getting a bit soggy before I knock off for the night. All these folks here for the tournament?

While waiting for his drink Ederin looks around the room and nods at anyone he makes eye contact with. Real man of the people, he is.

Looking at the Gnome as she explains about the blot, That is a lot of words for such a little person. I liked the blot better when I knew less about it, he concludes.

He takes another swallow of wine and smiles at Perhilion's suggestion "You have read my mind, I've had plans to go gaming tonight. I've had a recent run of luck and hope to continue it tonight. Plus I hope to find some work and heard the might be looking for a few people to hire."I could use a steady paycheck for a change.

He scratches his goatee and asks, "You could accompany me if you like." He gets excited as a thought comes to him, "Are Gnome as good luck as halfings?"

Added a small section in Perhilion's profile about the present and future.

"Yes! I am definitely as good at luck as a halfling. It's a known specialty of mine! Without question I will be as good a luck charm as you could hope to have. Of course i've mostly been good at bad luck lately which is good news for you because when the situation normalizes the luck is bound to swing so dramatically to the fortunate that you are simply not going to believe the results!"

Perhilion sits back with a satisfied smile.

"By the by, you don't happen to have studied probability have you?"

Garridan almost chokes on his wine as he listens to Perhilion, his choking turns into a heart felt laugh and with a smile, "I know enough about probability to know that you will probably be coming with me tonight and that the probability of stopping you is not highly probable." Gnome are definitely good companions he thinks, they can liven up any situation.

Updated and made some additions to his background

"Here's what I know. Or what I think I know. A local cyphermage first noticed it, it was fainter at first. He called it an 'atmospheric shadow'. Sort of sounds like that doesn't mean anything to me. As it became harder to ignore they started calling it "Blakely's Shadow'. They being a small group of people in the know. I'm not sure they know anything and Blakely's Shadow is probably less descriptive than 'blot'."

Perhilion sighs.

"I know, i know... you see the thing and say 'if that isn't a portal to the plane of shadow or something I'll eat my hat.' Well start your hat-pot boiling and get out the knife and fork because there is so far no indication that there's anything extra-planar about it at all. Not a portal, not a window, not a peephole or otherworldly garbage pit. So far not a font of evil. It might even be a natural phenomenon though nobody seems to want to entertain that notion. Magic sometimes is easier explanation than 'stuff just is what it is'."

"This Blakely fellow, he'd be one to talk to. He's yet to have the pleasure of my acquaintance however. So here's what I've got. Sum total of my research and the product of my free expenditure of the largish advance I received."

He flips open his notebook to a page on which the has written 'The Blot' in very large letters, underlined with a bold stroke. There is nothing else on the page. He has the decency to look a little chagrined.

"So finding Blakely... a good next step for me maybe? But not for tonight. Truth is I should have found him weeks ago but I'm curiously unable to move on. I've been preferring my nightly speculations to reality. I'm pretty close to broke now, and I have some big bills coming due sooner or later. So... there's an event tonight. I've already bought in. Shiny new gambling hall opening and intend to make my money back and keep my legs the same length or loose it all and be suddenly very motivated.

Madge leans in to listen to Perhilion's explanation, her eyes widening in interest. She gives occasional interjections of "Yep" and "Oh, gosh" at appropriate moments to let him know that she is engaged.

"Gosh! No wonder everybody's been fretting over the Blot, if it's all that complicated. Sure is super interesting. Wish I knew more about all that planar magic stuff. Might have to start reading, especially if everybody's talking about it!"

Madge frowns at the mention of the gambling hall opening.

"Oh, that doesn't sound like such a great idea, going to wither away all your money. Those places could only stay open because they got the math on their side, dontcha know? People go in thinking 'oh, yeah, I'm gonna be the one that wins!' then find themselves without a copper piece to tip the waiter."

She shakes her head.

"Oh, no. Not such a good idea. Especially with what ya said about people getting all in a tizzy and thinking they got the right to kill ya if they don't like ya. Ya win all a guy's money, well I think he's gonna be kinda cross with ya, ya?"

”Hey bartender, where's the cat? You've got so many people here tonight I can barely see through their legs. Thought I might try to win him over again today!” Suddenly all the scratch marks on his hands look less devious. He stretches his arms out and yawns, not bothering to avoid anyone's personal space.

”I’ll take a mug of Rogut if you don't mind, just finished some church work and I wouldn't mind getting a bit soggy before I knock off for the night. All these folks here for the tournament?”

Bartleby pours some ale from a less-used pitcher and slides it to the big little man. He looks to the south and shrugs, ”Hadn’t thought of it, but you must be right. Folks waiting here for the doors to open. Hadn’t thought of that.” He looks around, ”Lurch’s around somewhere - be nice to him, he’s not used to all these people. Bound to be feistier than usual.”

- - -

Xynen here, submitting Ederin for review.

Good background, nice storytelling. How’d you come by the recent influx of cash you have if you’ve been earning less of late due to your conscience? You’re very well equipped for your history, where did it come from?

Everybody please note!
I’m going to leave the recruitment up until tomorrow (Tuesday) midnight. Please continue to role play and interact with each other, the scene, etc. - as well as any new applicants today and tomorrow. I’ll make my final decision Wednesday and the campaign will start soon thereafter. If I have notes out to you, please try to get back to me before then.

If you have not yet applied, this is your last chance to do so. Please apply, if at all possible, early tomorrow so we have a chance to work out any details, discuss your background, etc. before I have to make final decisions.

- - -

Full submissions so far
Ederin Valenta
Aelwyn
Stephen Rogerson
Madge Zolversson
Cataree Butterflys Friend
Perhilion Brightpebble
Garridan Brewmaster
Devon Prissault
Larandel
Turt Snacko
Dimitrio Carini
Ryssa

Incomplete submissions
The Pale King - needs character build
Lief Anemoi - needs the all important background

"Just surviving in the places that the damned Chelaxians left to us is pretty much both gamble and entertainment enough. We don't have a lot of time for much else."

Still working on my character's background. I'll do my best to finish by tomorrow.

”FOS KOR-I mean where am i?” yelps Turt as he suddenly wakes up ”where am I!, who’s coat is this!, why do I feel like I swallowed a load stone!” He pushes off the stool and looks around wildly like a cornered animal until his eyes land on Madge and Perhillion and his tensed up, bulging muscles unwind, the wild look in his eyes fading.

Slowly sitting back down he looks at Madge and says quietly ”sorry… I uh didn’t know where I was ya see…again, sorry if I scared you” Turt sounds pretty subdued about what just happened and is avoiding eye contact
" i suffer from nightterrors often, its nothing really, alot of people get them" he gives a half-hearted smile.

Jallena's eyes dart wildly from side to side as if expecting to see her own ghost. Though the streets of Riddleport were rarely safe, she feared something other than the denizens. She had since she entered the city. Mostly, she hated walking alone, let alone under the open sky. When she does, she feels targeted, like a beacon for her death was marked in Pharasma's book.

Ducking into the Drunken Lurch, she exhales deeply as if finding safety within the dingy hovel of ill repute. Still, it was extra work, extra shifts, and more coins toward what she hoped was a cure for her problems.

"Hey Bartlebe," Jallena quips, moving behind the bar and removing her hide armor and stowing her weapons within easy grasp under the bar. Bartlebe had told her not to worry about getting robbed, but she was never sure how that could be true. Many establishments were often robbed in Riddleport. "I got 6 hours, then back to my other shift."

Jallena moves closer to Bartelbe, looking over the current patrons, and speaking in a lower voice.

"Seems fuller than usual today. What's the occasion? Anything I need to watch out for?" Jallena's experienced eyes go over the barflies with a practiced eye for trouble. "We serving gnomes now?"

Her eyes flick twice to the entrance, as if hoping to see nothing.

Because if there is nothing there then I'm not there. And that is good.

"Hey Bartlebe," Jallena quips, moving behind the bar and removing her hide armor and stowing her weapons within easy grasp under the bar. Bartlebe had told her not to worry about getting robbed, but she was never sure how that could be true. Many establishments were often robbed in Riddleport. "I got 6 hours, then back to my other shift."

Jallena moves closer to Bartelbe, looking over the current patrons, and speaking in a lower voice.

"Seems fuller than usual today. What's the occasion? Anything I need to watch out for?" Jallena's experienced eyes go over the barflies with a practiced eye for trouble. "We serving gnomes now?"

Bartlebe smiles, ”There was a couple by the door I didn’t like the look of, but they’re gone now. Otherwise yeah, it’s busy. Folks waiting for your place to open I think. I’m waiting on a man to come see me, half orc. Get me when he arrives.”

He looks to the gnome and scowls but says nothing as he heads to the kitchen.

Everyone
The lunch crowd is easing off, but it is still busy. You’ll know that this place is just a couple blocks from the Gold Goblin, and in a safer direction than the other cardinal points.

Jallena reaches for an apron so dirty that she wonders why she bothers to put it on, but she does. Both out of force of habit and to identify herself the patrons.

"Yeah, go take care of whatever you do. I got this out here," Jallena says, already working to clean mugs and wipe down the counter. Her eyes go to the bottles, registering what might need to be brought up from storage. "Wait. We need more wine. You look tired, Bartlebe. You want me to go get it? Where is it again?"

Jallena's eyes narrow, as if she was poking at something she knew the answer to.

"Yeah, go take care of whatever you do. I got this out here," Jallena says, already working to clean mugs and wipe down the counter. Her eyes go to the bottles, registering what might need to be brought up from storage. "Wait. We need more wine. You look tired, Bartlebe. You want me to go get it? Where is it again?"

Jallena's eyes narrow, as if she was poking at something she knew the answer to.

Bartleby looks thoughtfully at the woman before replying, "We're nearly out, and none in the crawl. I need to get more... but after my meeting." he heads into the kitchen without another word.

Turt looks at Jallena from his seated position and tiredly asks "do you work here...if so can i get some water?"

Bartlebe must pay the help well to compensate for his personality, Turning to the halfling he asks, "I take it you frown upon gambling.

After listening to the gnome's theories on the Blot, Ryssa nodded before saying, "So it's some sort of arcane event then eh? Well that explains it. Of course I don't often get involved with Cypermages. Had a run in with one a long time ago before I became a priestess. Used to have a gambling...problem back then too. Luckily the House of the Silken Veil helped me with that. 'Course I still have the itch from time to time. Heard they're holding an event at the Golden Goblin. Cheat the Devil and Win His Money it's called. Planning on heading over there myself actually. Paid off all of my debts so ain't nothing holding me back. Besides I might win big! And not to mention I can donate a good bit to the temple of Calistria as I owe them a great deal for taking me in when I had moneylenders and sore losers breathing down my neck. The nerve of some people!"

She takes a drink of the wine before continuing, "I was just lucky and just good at gambling and then we I start winning big some sorry arsed loser accuses of me of cheating! Then moneylenders I borrowed money from and others I beat at cards, fairly I might add, come after me. Nearly got a dagger thrust in my skull by a pretty little halfling whose sister I beat at cards! Luckily the priests of Calistria, particularly the head priestess herself Shorafa Pamodae, saved me tail. Got those fools off my back as well. Shorafa took me under her wing and taught me how to serve Calistria. She saw I was a natural at being a courtesan, so she helped me nurtured me. So I have to win that pot to thank her and my fellow clerics for all that they've done for me."

After she was finished she heard what the halfling said.

"I try not to gamble as much as I used to. Don't want to cause any problems to the House of the Silken Veil. I still gamble from time to time, but I'm much more careful now than I was living on the streets."

Jallena's eye focus on the human.

"Sure. Water. You want water?" Jallena asks, wondering how she is supposed to get tips from serving water. Bartlebe is tight enough with his coppers, I'm almost paying him for the right to work here. And the patrons want piddlespotting *water*.

Jallena nods, offers a weak smile and turns herself, looking for the dusty, musty carafe of water that Bartlebe uses to water down some of his drinks.

Choosing the cleanest mug she can find, Jallena pours the water.

First gnomes. Then water drinkers. Jallena sighs, looking around at what her life has become. Soon. Soon I'll have enough.

Garridan nudges Ryssa and whispers, "Shush, your story is just helping to make the halflings point about the dangers of gambling. He moves his chair a little closer to Ryssa and in a consperital tone continues, "She's a halfing, they're the luckiest people I know," nodding vigorously, "we need to convince her to come with us."

Turt gently grabs his water and swiftly tosses 15 gold coins on the counter-top.
He then proceeds to start chugging it down, when finished he looks at jellena and gives her tired thanks

Cataree sorry I missed you earlier post, you used the wrong alias ShayllaI do it all the time :)

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Garridan smiles into his wine at Cataree's discomfort. He considers her peoples aversion to drink and thinks that there is a lot of work for the disciples of The Lucky Drunk to do among the Shoanti. He asks her, "how far away is you home?"

Perhilion consider's Madge's words.

"Well there is something to consider. I'm hoping to win at at tournament, not swindle anybody in particular. Still there are bound to be some there who will resent loosing no matter how reasonable the circumstances. Presumably the establishment will have considered that but maybe it's best not to count on that, especially once outside the doors. It would be smart for a reasonably sized person to not flaunt their winnings, should they accumulate any. Perhaps I could hire one of my more unwieldy acquaintances to provide some security in that eventuality."

I also grant that it's not likely to come up. You are of course right about gambling houses tipping the odds in their own favor, and not really being receptive to their patrons doing the same. I know enough about probability and luck to know that I could virtually bet on my not being the winner. And besides I certainly don't have Ryssa's experience or skill in the matter. Probably she'll need alert smaller folk to be watching her back."

He shrugs, then raises his right arm. "How about this? I pledge not to gamble away my last copper. Unless it seems like a really good idea at the time."

Perhilion quietly asks at the table "Is serving gnomes not common practice here? I mean serving to gnomes you know. Not serving any portion of gnomes to others. I hope that's uncommon."

Knowledge(local): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 In regards the the local attitude about gnomes.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 13 Does Jallena have a particular problem with him or is she just
grumpy.

Perhilion is pretty in the dark. He doesn't understand local customs. Or any customs for that matter.

"I mean, i'm not much trouble right? Why, i've been sitting here the whole time and haven't ordered a thi... Oh, that's probably not great, huh?"

Perking up at the the word "security" Turt looks at Perhillion and says
"if you need security, i would be willing to do so free of charge," Turt grins "Think of it as a gift from one friend to another"

Madge waves at the now awake Turt, then retrieves her jacket.

Turning to the halfling he asks, "I take it you frown upon gambling.

Madge feels her mouth, which--is indeed--frowning. It swiftly morphs into a smile.

"Well I guess if ya mean literally, then ya got me! But, oh, well I wouldn't want to tell ya what to do, fella. I'm just saying it doesn't sound so safe to me, here in the big city with lots of folks not caring whether something's legal or not, dontcha know?"

She finishes off her milk, pausing for a second before putting the glass back on the table.

"I guess I just don't get it, that's all. Maybe that's just 'cause we didn't do any of that stuff back in Braynard. I mean, ya, Jorgesen and my friend Astrid's husband Rolf would have their guy friends over for some cards and laughs, but it was just for laughs."

"I try not to gamble as much as I used to. Don't want to cause any problems to the House of the Silken Veil. I still gamble from time to time, but I'm much more careful now than I was living on the streets."

Madge leans in, engrossed by Ryssa's biographical tale.

"That was quite a tale ya had there, Missy. Quite a tale, dontcha know! That sounds like ya know what you're doing now, though, so that's good. Ma Zolversson always said, 'Be safe or be sorry.' And you're doing it for a good cause, I suppose, so who's Madge Zolversson to say anything bad about it, ya know?"

Garridan nudges Ryssa and whispers, "Shush, your story is just helping to make the halflings point about the dangers of gambling. He moves his chair a little closer to Ryssa and in a consperital tone continues, "She's a halfing, they're the luckiest people I know," nodding vigorously, "we need to convince her to come with us."

Madge's eyes widen at the suggestion not only that she's lucky, but that she should come along to a gambling hall.

"'Come with ya?' Well, I mean, I don't exactly have a lot else to do right now."

She catches Turt in the corner of her eye.

"And from the looks of it, some of you guys might need a Designated Halfling--that's what we called the job back in Braynard. It's the person that's supposed to make sure everybody gets back okay when they go out and have a bit too much of the juice of the evening."

Perhilion consider's Madge's words.

"Well there is something to consider. I'm hoping to win at at tournament, not swindle anybody in particular. Still there are bound to be some there who will resent loosing no matter how reasonable the circumstances. Presumably the establishment will have considered that but maybe it's best not to count on that, especially once outside the doors. It would be smart for a reasonably sized person to not flaunt their winnings, should they accumulate any. Perhaps I could hire one of my more unwieldy acquaintances to provide some security in that eventuality."

I also grant that it's not likely to come up. You are of course right about gambling houses tipping the odds in their own favor, and not really being receptive to their patrons doing the same. I know enough about probability and luck to know that I could virtually bet on my not being the winner. And besides I certainly don't have Ryssa's experience or skill in the matter. Probably she'll need alert smaller folk to be watching her back."

He shrugs, then raises his right arm. "How about this? I pledge not to gamble away my last copper. Unless it seems like a really good idea at the time."

Madge raises her hand in just the same matter as Perhilion.

"By the power (formerly) vested in me by the City Council of Braynard, Varisia, I, (former) Deputy of the Sheriff's Department accept your pledge."

She gives a hearty laugh and pats him on the back.

"Sounds like I might be going with you guys, so I'm gonna be enforcing that pledge with the full force of the law, dontcha know!"