On this day, the 22nd day of Lharvion, the quarter of Dura is abuzz with activity as the people prepare for their beloved Races of Eight Winds. The voices of merchants can be heard, lifted above the din as they extol their wares. The distinct sound of children’s laughter occasionally breaks through the rest of the noise. Groups of older children can be found roaming the streets, stopping here and there to peruse the stalls, some distracting the merchants while their friends pilfer goods before running away laughing. Here and there a scuffle breaks out, swiftly to be broken apart by the guards. Frequent beggars can be seen strategically located; hoping to take advantage of the high-spirited mood that sometimes moves people to acts of generosity.
In the Callestan District, things are not quite as loud. The buildings are much more ragged, and filth lines the streets. It is not at all like that of Upper Dura, nor even that of Middle Dura. Lower Dura reeks of misery and hardship not that anywhere in Dura is for the rich and noble. People pass by you, some look to have not bathed in quite some time. Eyes, some cruel, some simply empty watch you as you move along the broken streets. Some of the younger locals meet and hold your gaze as you pass them by and in those eyes you see the faintest glimmer of hope, but much more than that a spark of defiance from a soul not quite yet broken. Somehow, though, you are sure that spark will soon be put out by this dreary existence.
Each street seems shoddier than the last. Temples to The Traveler, Olladra are kept in slightly better condition than the buildings around them. Slum buildings with signs depicting their services; lodging, food, trade, and various other services line the streets.
Akasha hand stays at the hilt of her sword as she walks through the crowded streets of one of the city’s worst districts. The combination of desperation and danger was nothing new, but projecting one’s capability was never a bad idea around here. Better to seem like one of the predators than easy prey.
The Races always brought all kinds to Dura, and it was during her time in the military that she’d gotten into the tradition of coming here to watch, milling around in the grime and the danger just felt more…natural than the heights in which she was born. Eyes alert to the area, she continues her stroll through the crowded streets, keeping an eye out for the inevitable brawls that erupted when drunken fans crossed paths and money changed hands amongst the desperate.
The first few hours of Blaze's new life pass quietly. Following nothing more than whim, he traces a zigzagging path from Highhold, moving ever downwards. He can't help but note how, with each level he descends, the squalor of the streets and the haggardness of the citizens increases. Somewhere near ground level, he stands for nearly a minute looking up at the tower reaching towards the clouds above him and muses that it is a rather obvious metaphor for how the born races order their economic affairs.
He is jostled from his reverie by two children, laughing as they pass. After checking to make certain all his possessions are still in place (he's lived in Sharn too long not to know that little trick), he watches the kites they drag behind them, one in the crude shape of a pegasus, the other a barely recognizable griffin. A thought occurs to him.
I think I would like to place a wager on the race. He nods to himself, satisfied. Blaze resumes his meandering journey, scanning the signs and faces about him for a place or person who can help him complete this course of action.
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Lianna looked around, looked at her map, looked around again, huffed in frustration and stowed her map somewhere in between her back and the quiver on it. For someone armed as she was, a bow on her back and a sword on her hip, she didn't look like she was dressed as if she had much idea what to do with either to the casual observer. However one would note that though she was 'dressed to kill' in the metaphorical sense rather than literal, her clothing would in no way hinder her movement if it came to that, and in the mean time it would cause a distraction for 90% of the men and 10% of the women.
And since she couldn't seem to figure out her map of this insane city, she oozed a bit of sensuality into her gait and went to go find a guide.
~~~~~
Blaze spots a half-elven woman leaning against the doorframe of an open building. The building doesn’t appear to have any discernable purpose from the outside. Males and females alike of various races come and go from the building, many stop and after a brief exchange with the woman hand her money and she writes something down on one of several sheets of paper she holds in her hand before tearing off a small section and handing it to the patron.
~~~~~
Aeyra snakes between the people as fluidly as water, noting who is stealing what and muttering to herself to keep track. She also amuses herself by switching the coins on people without changing their value, such as taking a gold and replacing it with ten silvers, then sitting back and snickering at their confusion. As the time passes she eventually sighs, turning her attention away from the oh-so interesting lower-class people and to the matter at hand. Right, to the inn. Work and all that...
Aeyra steps into the inn she was directed to investigate, stepping in casually and heading for the bar. Her eyes remain strait ahead, but in her peripherals she examines each patron, sizing up their character. She gets to the bar, getting the attention of the bartender. "Yes I'll have an ale...water...wine...you know what surprise me." She turns just slightly, brushing back her hair to reveal her delicate cheekbone and elvish ear, just waiting.
"Here's my good deed for the day."she mutters.
With a sigh to herself Akasha locks in in the impending assault, striding across the distance intently focused on the young man with the knife.
Coming within 30 ft of the pair she makes a brief gesture, whispering a word of power and flicking a hand out as a small glob of conjured acid flies towards the knife wielder.
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Laughing, Silian plucks his way through the crowd, pausing briefly every dozen steps or so to take a drink of blackroot tal until his bottle is empty. Muttering mostly to himself, but partly for Vannevar's benefit, "Surely a vendor must have some zil on hand."
Watching the brawls opening up, Silian leans in to various crowds, sending a root for the Gargoyle here, an unpopular vote for the Hippogriff there, and watches as heated tempers rise even further.
Weighing the contents of his purse and turning to Vannevar.
~~~~~
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Aeyra does try the drink, warmth searing down her throat. "Marvelous drink, very smooth. Could I have your name?" Aeyra fiddles with her cup while talking, considering the dwarf.
"The name's Mrogab. Are you looking to rent a room?"
Blaze observes the transactions with the half elf for a few moments before approaching her. He waits respectfully until he has her attention. "Are you taking wagers for the Race?" he rumbles.
"Yes, but not for a bit. Just looking for a roof and warm drink right now." She sips, eyes mulling over the room. "Any strangers in lately? Strangers as in strange, not unknown."
Before Blaze can approach the woman, a red haired elven woman comes to stand beside her. When Blaze approaches, the half-elf woman looks ever so slightly bothered for but a second before smiling brightly at Blaze. "Why yes, yes I am. Would you like to place a bet?"
She hands Blaze a list of odds and turns her attention back to the red haired woman while he looks over the list.
Eagle: 1:5
Gargoyle: 1:10
Gildwing: 1:5
Griffon: 1:10
Hawk: 1:5
Hippogriff: 1:2
Owl: 1:5
Pegasus: 1:2
~~~~~
Mrogab looks around the room thoughtfully for a moment before chuckling and responding wryly to Aerya, ”Only you, lass. How’s your drink?”
"It's sweet and reminds me of moonlight nights, you certainly know your way to an elven girls heart." She absentmindedly brings her hand from her drink to her chin, running them lightly over Mrogab's hand. "Well I was just hoping you would know of the man I was looking for, friend of a friend really, so I don't know what he looks like. He's a real charmer of the ladies though, if you know what I mean. And I would just be oh so grateful if you knew anything about him." She smiles sweetly, tasting the drink again.
Mrogab leans towards Aeyra and using a low, conspirators whisper he says, "I've been told I can be quite the charmer myself." He chuckles heartily at his own joke, his face turning quite red. In a normal tone he says, "Sure, sure. We get a lot of charmers around here. A few guys who come here every night with a different lady on their arm. Does this fella you're looking for have a name?"
"Flenn, Flenn something. I'm told he's rather tall and skinny, lanky even. Finding him, or any of his lady friends..." She leans in, using her much more practiced conspirators voice "...would make me very happy."
Mrogab smiles at Aeyra's suggestiveness and gives her a little wink, "Aye, that one over there is named Flenn. Might be he's the guy you're looking for." He points towards a tall human sitting in the corner of the room eying a couple of women sitting across from him.
~~~~~
The woman's eyes light up, "Indeed, I'm one of many. By far the prettiest. My name is Jessamin but you can call me Jess, if it pleases you."
~~~~~
Jessamin turns to Blaze to see if he has finished reading the odds sheet so that she might allow Lianna to take a look.
Aeyra smiles, pecking Mrogab on the cheek. "I think I will take that room after all. I might need it later. Some of this drink as well, to go?" She smiles, running her hands along his as she passes along the money then heads up.
Aeyra closes and bolts the door, then gets to work. She takes out a small needle and pokes a hole in the wax of the drink. Then she takes out a syringe, carefully drawing from a liquid from the vial she keeps so well padded in her belt. The blue liquid known as the Oil of taggit flows smoothly as she deposits it into the drink. She swirls the bottle, making sure none of the poison is visible, then uses her flint to light a splinter and she reseals the wax, making it look as if the bottle has never been touched. She stows it in a cabinet, then heads back down.
Aeyra stumbles slightly as she clears the last few steps, shaking her head as if trying to clear it. Then she laughs and makes her way to the bar. "Mr.Mrogab, I shall take one more of that fancy drink that was so delightful." Aeyra takes her new drink, then delves into the gaggle of girls with loud peals of laughter and a copious amount of drinking. As she tells the story of an overweight man who attempted to trick ride a pony, she keeps Flenn in her peripheral to see if he's taking the bait to take advantage of the poor drunken elven girl.
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Before long, Flenn approaches Aeyra and offers to buy her another drink.
Aeyra looks up, giving him a once over. "Now misshter, why should I let you do thhat?" She smiles playfully.
One corner of his mouth turns up in a smile, "Because I'm a nice guy who wants to buy you a drink, what could it hurt?"
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Blaze peruses the odds sheet for a while. He realizes he doesn't really have any basis for preferring one over the other. Initially drawn to the bigger payoff, he reflects that this must be due to a lower probability of winning.
Blaze finally notices that the elf is waiting for him. "Sorry - I did not mean to make you wait. Here you go." He hands her the sheet. "Have you done this before? This is my first wager and I would appreciate any advice you might have."
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"Having not seen the others I can't honestly say, however the odds are definitely in your favor," Lianna replied with a grin.
"Never," she replied taking the list and looking over the creatures, "However I do have some knowledge of the creatures involved,I'll take ten on the hippogriff, and ten on the gargoyle." she said handing Jess 20 gold. "You said you had a room over there?" Lia asks pointing in the direction of the inn across the street.
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Peering balefully through the crowd, watching hands and weapon hilts closely, Vannevar stands beside Silian with his arms folded over his chest. He places a hand between those who get too close to the young elf, and quietly nods in agreement whenever he speaks.
As the human nearly collides with Silian, Vannevar reaches out to grasp him by the scruff of his shirt.
With a wide grin she says, "Aye. The Cracked Mirror. It's as good as place as any around here." She accepts Lianna's coins and makes a note on her paper, she tears off a piece and hands it to Lianna. "Don't loose this." It's a simple slip of paper that has your bets written on it and a signature mark.
To Blaze she says, "What about you, big guy? The Hippogriff and Gargoyle for you as well?"
~~~~~
Vannevar is unable to grab the man as he barely misses running Vannevar and Silian.
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Silian's swing catches the man in the side of the head and he stumbles forward but swiftly regains his footing and attempts to withdraw.
~~~~~
As the man runs off you, Akasha sees him nearly run into two elves. One of them attempts to grab the man, but is unsuccessful while the other swings a bottle and connects with the side of the man's head. The old man is struggling to his feet.
Silian
Vannevar
Thief
Akasha
Akasha, Thief (withdrawing), Vannevar, Silian
Aeyra slowly leans in close, then sarcastically says "My liver." She leans back, laughing and accepts his drink offer. She sits next to him, eventually drawing a hand up his leg for a few minutes before whispering in his ear "Would you like to see my room, Mr.Nice guy?"
Flenn brushes her hair back from here face before leaning in next to her ear to whisper, "I'd love to see your room."
Aeyra grabs Flenn's hand and leads him up to her room, winking at the other ladies.
Aeyra closes the door, then locks the bolt. She walks up to Flenn, leaning in for a kiss but instead pushing him down on the bed. She undoes her hair. "Now I think I need just a little more of my judgement compromised before we start anything." She searches the room a bit, then cries out in joy as she finds the bottle she set earlier.
Aeyra pours two glasses of the pernicious drink, then hands one to Flenn and hooks her arm through his. "To...good opportunities!" She smiles, bringing the drink up and taking a long drink...but keeping it all in her mouth instead of swallowing it.
~~~~~
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Hours unconscious
Seeing the two elves engaging the thief, Akasha walks over to the old man taking his elbow to help him up. "Are you alright?"
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A sardonic chuckle leaves the man's throat, "I've been better. Thank you, for your help. If those fellows over there can manage to get my money back from him then perhaps you'll allow me to buy you a drink to show my gratitude."
He yells across to Silian and Vannevar, "He's got my coin-purse! Stop him, please?!" and begins making his way towards the men.
~~~~~
Aeyra is able to keep from swallowing the liquid herself.
Aeyra takes out her waterskin and washes her mouth out, making sure nothing gets down. Then she flips Flenn over onto the bed, searching him, and finally coming up with a ring. "Ah, beautiful. Would love to keep this one...what a shame." Aeyra puts the ring in a bag and pockets it, then arranged Flenn as if he's sleeping. "Can't steal so obviously Flenn, or people like me are going to find you. You're lucky they didn't have a mind to kill you for this."
With a grim expression Akasha stalks towards the altercation between the thief and the two elven men.
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Blaze considers for a moment more. Recalling the children he witnessed earlier, he pulls out some coins and hands them to the Khoravar. "I believe I will take 5 each on the Pegasus and the Griffon." He accepts his receipt and says gravely "I will not lose this."
With nothiing better to do he follows the elf into The Cracked Mirror. He taps her on the shoulder. "Excuse me. I believe we are now in opposition - I chose the Pegasus and Griffon. What was your basis for choosing? And what prompted you to bet in the first place? Forgive my questions - I've never observed or participated in wagering before." He pauses uncertainly. "I believe the custom in these cases is for me to offer to buy you a friendly drink."
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Lianna smiles up at the warforged. "I'd appreciate it, I spent most of my day lost a drink would be lovely." they walk up to the bar, order drinks and Lianna starts explaining how the gambling works to the best of her knowledge. "So we're not exactly opposed here because if our bets win we both get paid for it. As for what made me choose what I did, it was the knowledge of which were the ones that're most able to sabotage their competitors that made me pick the hippogriff and the gargoyle. Also when gambling I've heard it's good to play both sides of the odds, this way I have a mostly sure winner and I'll make my money back, and a big winner who might just get me a large haul.
Aeyra makes sure there's nothing else...interesting on him then leaves the room. She travels across town to the richer district, knocking twice on the backdoor of a manor. "Cover the cost of the poison and I'll call us square, we never talk again."
The woman accepts her ring from Aeyra and nods in satisfaction. "Very well."