And the game shall start shortly
As the sun begins to set beyond the nearby hills and Calphiak Mountains, the city of Riddleport continues to hum with life. People bustle about, captains from ships trying to recrew and sailors hitting the local taverns. Occasionally a cyphermage bustles by to take some measurement of the Cyphergate or run some errand for a higher up.
But everywhere, people have only one name on their lips: Saul Vancaskerkin. Specifically, his new casino. Word is the man has wrangled a contract from a devil for a night that could make a man quite comfortable money-wise. Eager, he's handed out some free passes into the place to help promote the event. But the game is still a bit off, starting in about two hours.
No, right now five people are heading towards the Gold Goblin, eager to try their hand or at least see what all the talk is about. Finding the doors still closed, they make their way over to the nearby 'Mystery of the Gate' inn and tavern. A crowd has formed some as people eagerly await the grand opening of the Gold Goblin.
Quite coincidentally, the five are seated at the same table, the bar maiden apologizing for the lack of seating.
Devon offers a warm smile to the barmaid and nods in greeting to those around the table. Eager to stay clear from the fellows looking for him, he leans in and starts up a conversation.
So everyone here for the big gambling tournament? Seems like there's going to be a big turnout. What's your game? Running Man? Two-sticks? Towers?
My name's Devon, by the way. Devon Prissault. He wears an easy smile and a relaxed, confident attitude that might seem out of place in this town.
Alia smiles at Devon and replies in a thick Osirion accent, "Alia Talin. I'm... not sure what my game is. I'm not much into gambling. Saul invited me. You know Saul? Owner of the place?"
She grabs a well worn journal and places it on the table. She then rummages about in a small pouch on her side and brings out an inkpen and bottle of ink, "Tell me, Devon... what do you know about that strange shadow in the sky. Don't hold anything back. Have you seen it maybe move with the wind? Like this?" she asks, motioning a hand to a stray crumb of food that moves with a breeze coming from no obvious source.
An indignant squeak comes for nearby, and soon the person who the squeak belongs to sits at the table, her normally pale cheeks blazing crimson. Her long hair is done up in a braid that falls almost to her hips. She sets an over-stuffed pack next to her chair and looks at the others apologetically.
"Sorry, I was told this was the only table left," she apologizes. "And do any of you know what's with this town. The ship I was on pulled in about two hours ago, and I've already been groped five times. Twice in this place alone!"
Realizing that she'd started complaining without introducing herself, she shakes her head, managing to clear the blush a little and holds out a hand.
"Sorry," she says again, "the name's Alfsigr Snowborne. If that's a little much to say, just Sigi is fine."
Devon keeps his grin in place as he divides his attention between the two exotic ladies seated at the table with him. No, I don't know Saul, but it's always nice to know the owner. It can get you into private games, at the very least.
Alia's sudden shift in interest to the strange feature in the sky has him working to keep up, but he manages. Well, I haven't been in Riddleport long, so I'm afraid I can't give you a lot of insight. He goggles a moment as she blows a crumb across the table. Not that I've noticed, no...
Turning to Alfsigr, he puts on a serious face. You are certainly welcome at this table, if I have any say. Well met, Sigi, he says with a polite nod of his head. Riddleport certainly seems to earn its uncouth reputation. I've been here a few weeks, and yes, there's lots of unsavory characters. He tries to put on a charming yet innocent look that says he does not rank among them.
"And overly amorous hands apparently," Alfsigr adds with a smile of her own.
"Anyway, do any of you know if the Gold Goblin's hiring? I was told that there was a big tournament going on, and I thought they might need some to help out," she says in a sweet melodic voice that has a bit of a lilting accent.
Liara quietly walks in, one of the few times she comes into town, and today, like any other day, her mind was on that god forsaken blot in the sky. The girl orders herself a drink and then looks over the crowd, wondering where she should sit before she makes her way over to the table where Devon, Alia, and Alfsigr are at.
The girl looked no more than 13 or 14 years old, had a golden horn protruding from her forehead. She had brunette hair that went down to her mid back, and stood about 5', Her skin was alabaster in color an she had dual colored eyes, one icey blue while the other a deep brown.
"I don't suppose I could sit here, maybe chit chat for a bit. I heard about that new Casino in town, and I'm a tad curious, though frankly I'm more concerned with that thing lingering in the sky blocking out the sun here," She stated.
A large cat, specifically a white tiger with light grey stripes had followed her in and was sitting behind her, with pale blue eyes that had some red flecs to it
"Sure, the more the merrier! My name's Alfsigr. I noticed that when we pulled in a little while ago. None of the locals seemed to concerned, though, and I don't mind it dimming the sun. I tend to get a headache if it's too bright out," the pale-skinned, silver-haired half-elf tells the odd looking newcomer.
Alia smiles when Alfsigr comes in, "A pleasure to meet you. I... have no idea if they are hiring. I imagine they might be, since they are freshly opening, no? Perhaps there is still a position or two still available!"
When Liara comes in and sits down, speaking of the shadow in the sky, "I know, right!? The insanity. It seems as if they have just accepted it as part of their everyday lifestyle. Tell me... hold on," she says as she redips her pen. "Tell me, when you see the shadow, can you see objects moving through it? Perhaps at night, do you see the stars beyond? I'm new in town, you understand, so have not had much time to study it myself. And, of course, the streets are not very... well, safe. Especially at night. But, I'm not studying that. Does this shadow seem to... move or swirl... when you watch long enough? You can tell me anything. It's for research."
Devon scoots his chair over a bit to make more room for the newcomer and her pet. Hi, there, he greets, not saying anything about her unusual appearance, or her apparent youth. Yep, everyone's talking about the blot. Well, not really. This is Varisia, and there's a lot of strangeness. Like that big arch at the bay. I'm from Magnimar, and there's a big chunk of bridge that's so large that four teams of wagons could ride side-by-side and not come close to scraping their wheels. You marvel at the all the old stuff, then you sort of get used to it.
“Well I’ve been here a little bit before the blot appeared in the sky… and it seems no matter what, the wind, the rain, nothing seems to move that thing. There’s been really windy days, and not a single bit of that cloud, or whatever it is seems to move. I’ve researched it at night, I’ve researched it during the day, there are not viable changes to that thing,” Liara replied to Alia’s question. Then again, the girl had been watching that thing for quite some time, had been doing her research into it and came up with nothing.
“Everything I’ve done to research that blot… I’ve come up empty handed and it’s been there for over a month now,” She stated and then takes her seat, the tiger moving up beside her and laying down next to her.
“Oh, my name is Liara, but if you wish you can call me Lee,” She stated, looking over at the collection of people at the table.
“Hmmm, so what are your names? Don’t think I caught them if anyone said their name, and if not, it would be nice to at least know the names of the people I’ll be drinking with,” She stated.
"My name is Alfsigr Snowborne. It's nice to meet you Liara." the porcelain pale half-elf says in greeting.
Devon, he says, offering his hand in greeting. Who's your friend with you? he asks, nodding towards the big cat behind her.
Alia just stares at the cat as Liara talks, Oh, dear... I hope it's not hungry. Is it staring at me...? I didn't know such large animals were allowed inside... oh, dear...
She seems to be nodding as Liara speaks, but completely oblivious to everything she is saying, her eyes riveted on the giant cat, clutching her journal close to her in some sort of defensive position.
As the group introduces themselves, a woman with short red hair wearing a stain-cobered apron quickly approaches. "Sorry, we should have gotten more tables prepared in advance. Alright, anyone needing something to wet their dry throats? Or something to help keep the Gendarme from thinking your stmoach's rumbling ain't a dragon?"
She looks at the group and has a bit of a curious look to her face that just screamed 'when did the circus get in town?' Thankfully she keeps her opinions to herself. Better business that way.
"Mead and whatever you've got in the pot for me, please," Alfsigr says almost before the lady can finish. The half-elf continues to make herself at home and finds just the right angle to lean back and be able to prop her feet on the table. Seeing Alia's nervousness, she adds, "Better make that two meads, one for me one for the lady using her journal like a shield."
“Hmm, some tea for me, along with some haggis, and if you don’t have that something from the pot is fine,” Liar replied before looking to the rest of the group. She looked back to her cat, thinking on that for a moment, tapping her chin.
“And maybe some meat as well for Karry here,” She stated, she looked to Devon and nodded.
“His name is Karry, nice cat, though he only knows one thing right now, and that’s heel, he’s a big baby though,” She stated before chuckling softly.
Ale, please, Devon says with a smile. Not sure if I'll have time to eat, though. I like to stay a bit hungry when I'm in the games. Keeps me sharp. He gives her a wink.
The lady takes the orders and smiles a little at them. "I'll try to get something out to you all real soon." As she walks away she glances back at Devon and winks back before disappearing into the crowd again.
And speaking of the crowd, it finally looks like they've stopped trying to press people in. As you look around you all see the typical ship-muscle mingling with a few folks with loose clothes on. A ways off is a man trying to rouse his friends into a song, his face red with drink. A number of women and a few men work the crowd for loose coin.
All in all, a typical tavern on a busy night.
After several minutes, the young woman reappears, the drinks in hand. A portly man in what appears to be his forties is hot on her with food, stew with a slice of hard bread and cheese.
"There you go, all, fresh from the kitchen." She collects the payment before meandering off back to work.
"Thank you," Alfsigr says as she pays for her drink and meal.
She savors the mead and the stew, the bread is a little tougher than she'd like and the cheese tastes funny to her, but she enjoys the meal none-the-less.
"Yes, thank you...", Alia manages as she accepts her honeyed mead, "Are you sure your cat doesn't want more meat? I don't want for it to be hungry..." She slides a plate of cheese between herself and Karry as she watches the feline, taking in every line and tuft of fur, every nuance of coloration and glance.
As the time slowly passes, you all continue to carry on your conversations as you eat and drink. Then, after about an hour, the crowd begins to thin. Talk now changes to what games the casino might be offering, a tightly held secret of Vancaskerkin's.
The waitress arrives one last time at the table to give you all one last refill. "Good luck at the games. And if you hit it big, don't forget about me, tiger." She eyes Devon before noticing Karry, an actual tiger. Gulping, she backs off and heads to the back.
Devon grins back, prepared to flirt, but then frowns when the waitress is scared off by the literal tiger. He shrugs, not forgetting that he is sitting at a table with several exotic beauties and turns his attention back to them.
Looks like it's time to check out the Goblin. Good luck getting some work; but with the size of this crowd, you probably won't need it. So hopefully I can.
He looks at all the faces at the table and raises his mug. We should have a toast! To fortune at the Gold Goblin! He holds his drink out. And I already feel richer for having met you all!
"Here, here!" Alfsigr says to Devon's toast before downing the last of her mead and setting the mug on the table.
Liara had her meal, and also fed her tiger the meat she had been given before shrugging as she continued one, watching everyone as she ate. The conversation about that blot about in the sky had died down. Well she could try her hand at some gambling though she knew nothing really about gambling. Well she could watch some maybe?
She finished off her meal and then when there was the toast offered she chuckled and held up her cup of tea.
“Well best of luck to everyone,” She stated.
As you all rise and head towards the Gold Goblin, you see a fair sized crowd. It looks like it will be a hopping little event, and on the streets around the casino those without the ability to pay their entrance fee have taken to smaller games in the alleys.
Just inside the main doors, two sultry beauties scantily clad and wearing faux bat wings, devil horns, and tails play the part of alluring succubi. Both are employees of the Gold Goblin, and they cheerfully register contestants for the tournament and process entry fees. Armed guards stand nearby to either side of an immense treasure chest into which each patron’s entry fee is added. The guards are on hand to not only protect the money, but to prevent any overzealous admirers from trying to dare the infamous touch of a succubus.
Beyond the registration table is the hall’s game floor. Dozens of gamblers, waitresses dressed as succubi, and bouncers mill about the room, wandering amid tables offering various games while dealers shuffle cards, roll dice, and spin wheels. Moving through this throng are a dozen more of the barely clad, bat- winged vixens serving drinks and batting coal-black eyelashes flirtatiously for tips. In the center of the chamber is a short podium atop which sits a massive gold chest affixed to the floor by similarly gaudy chains. On either side of it stands a bare- chested bouncer in the exotic garb of some foreign sultan’s court. Each stands with muscled arms crossed over his chest and with a naked scimitar of prodigious size tucked through his waistband. High above them, from the hall’s cloth-draped ceiling, hangs a brass birdcage within which crouches a small, bat-winged, pointy-tailed devilish creature that sulks as it gazes over the room and occasionally rattles the bars threateningly.
Once the fees have been paid, you are handed a contract to sign. It appears to be on old paper, somewhat aged, but a small waterstamp reveals it to be a modern printing. The contract itself, however...
Devon shrugs, goes over the contract a couple times, then scratches his name on the document in the space provided. Then he flips his coin to the register for his entrance fee, and strides into the establishment while rubbing his hands together.
Alia follows behind the group, and well behind the cat. As they move to the Goblin, she keeps casting a watchful eye to the sky. Entering the Goblin, she immediately looks about for Saul and is surprised by the sudden difference in style and scenery the place has assumed since she left this morning. The gaudy decorations, the cages, the contract, even the bodyguards that could have been plucked right off the street of her hometown.
Hmm, something about this seems off
For a moment, she studied the creature in the cage. It seemed somewhat familiar from the books she'd read. Something about the horns and the long, pointy tail. The leathery wings, too, of course. What was it...
The document didn't look right. It read more like a prop made up to excite the "rube" into thinking they were joining something bigger and more dangerous. The age of the papyrus lent an authentic note to the tale spun within the wording. But there was something else about it she couldn't quite put her finger on. Something just on the tip of her tongue...
Pledge my soul? This can't be legitimate. Alfsigr thinks as she looks at the contract. After a few seconds, she looks up at the scantily-clad girl (Please, please, PLEASE! Tell me I don't have to wear that!) who handed her the document and smiles pleasantly.
"Excuse me, miss? I am not here to participate in the tournament. I was trying to see if there was anything I could do to help. I just came into port and I'm in need of work, so, if it's not too much trouble, could I speak to whoever I need to about getting a job?"
@Alia: You recognize the creature in the cage as a simple imp. A dangerous enemy, but it being locked up makes it appear pretty harmless at the moment, if disgruntled.
@Alia and Alfsigr: You both also figure that the contract is basically worthless as a 'hell contract', being a gimick from the looks of it.
As you all enter The Gold Goblin proper, there are a number of tables for various local games, from Bounder to Skiffs (a game of dice and a game of skill largely handled by opposing players). As you all look about and see people heading towards the various tables they seem most eager to play. But the dealers and runners refuse to start. Confusion is quickly abated though as a shorter man with greased but thinning hair and a large 'key hand' steps up on a small podium near the center of the casino. Though some may have never seen him before, all know him as Saul Vancaskerkin.
“Welcome, one and all, to the Gold Goblin Gambling Hall and your chance to cheat the Devil and win back not only your soul but all of his gold as well.” He says this last as he pats the large chest before which he stands. “I hope you found your reception by the Devil’s lovely temptresses suitably entertaining.”
This is met by a general murmur of laughter and a few catcalls. “Let’s take this moment to thank Old Scratch himself for attending this event. Not only did he loan us these lovely, dark angels, but he also emptied the deepest vaults of Hell itself to provide the gold for this tournament.” With this, Saul directs the crowd’s attention up to the imp in the birdcage. At the sudden attention, Old Scratch flies into a flurry of rage, banging the cage bars, spitting, howling, and screaming vile epithets in Infernal at all assembled. His theatrics are received with guffaws and even a smattering of applause. As the crowd dies down, Vancaskerkin continues. “Of course, he plans on replacing what he loses in gold with the souls of those of you who don’t win. The tournament rules are quite simple—as you play, you’ll earn more chips. And with those chips, you’ll be able to bribe your way out of the current Hell you’re trapped in, working your way down deeper until you get to Old Scratch’s treasury. Currently, all of you are Old Scratch’s prisoners in the first of the Hells, Avernus. If you want to work your way down to the ninth circle, you need to win games. Each time you win, you’ll be awarded a golden eye. If you come in second, you’ll get a silver tooth. And third place wins a copper heart. These bits of flesh and bone are what the devils use in Hell for currency, and they’re what you’ll need to pay in order to bribe your way into the next layer of hell. The first player to win a game after reaching Nessus not only keeps his winnings for that game, but also earns back his soul and the ten thousand silver coins that the Devil put up for this tournament. You can, of course, decide to cash out your winnings at any time you want, but if you do, or if you run out of money entirely… well, that means Old Scratch gets you.” Vancaskerkin grins evilly and the caged imp cuts loose with another profane tirade. “And that earns you the Devil’s Mark and an escort out of the game hall until the tournament is over. What, you ask, exactly is this Devil’s Mark? Well, it’s something too utterly horrible to even contemplate. The forfeiture of your very soul, it is. But I suppose I can show you what it is— gods know I more than deserve the Devil’s Mark. In fact, better make it two, girls!” With that, the two succubi accompanying him lean over and each firmly plants a kiss on Saul’s cheek with her ruby-red lips. When they pull away, their lip rouge has left clearly visible prints in the same shocking red on his cheeks. Saul beams as he cries out, “The Devil’s Mark, everyone!” which is greeted by a flurry of shouts, catcalls, and hoots. “Now, let’s cheat the Devil and take his gold!” which prompts one more rabid flurry from the imprisoned fiend above, and with that, the tournament begins.
@Alfsigr: The woman you talk to smiles and shrugs some as the crowd truly starts to gamble. "I think Boss Vancaskerkin has enough help tonight. But check back in the morning, if tonight was a hit he may need more help." She saunters off, a guard eyeing her to make sure no dares tempt the succubus.
@Kariel: For the most part, everyone is playing the tables, running food and drink or being a guard. One man seems to have already 'lost his soul', a woman dressed as a succubus kissing his cheek and leaving a big red kissy mark on it before being led out. You do spot Vancaskerkin retreating off towards one of the side rooms, a dour dwarf walking beside him with a sheet of paper held up and both smiling.
But nothing major, it seemed. Just folks having fun losing their money.
Devon claps along with the crowd, a confident smile on his face as he enjoys the theatrics thus far. Walking like the gold was already in his pockets, he moves toward the nearest game table and introduces himself.
Let's get going, boys! That gold's not going to win itself, now, is it?
"Hey!Waitaseco-Aw who am I kidding." Alfsigr blurts out after the girl walks off. She takes another look at the contract and shrugs.
"Well," she thinks out loud, "Ain't got anything better to do." She signs her name in elven and plops a crown onto desk.
Once she has signed up she makes her way inside and seats herself at the nearest table, right next to Devon.
"E-excuse me sirs. Would you happen to have room for little ol' me?"
From beneath her robe a quick chirp sounds forth before Alia can silence it, casting a quick and sharp look at Karry before whispering into her neckline, "I know, but now is not the time to be out and singing. There's danger below and above. Stay there until I say it's safe to come out, you hear?"
Walking slowly towards the imp, Alia looks up at it, studying it, Such things never end well... Shuddering, she moves on with the others to the games, reassuring them about the contracts, "They're just silly props, do not worry. Your souls will not be in forfeit if you lose. Well, not anymore than they would be otherwise... Though that imp up there might cause trouble if it breaks free."
She looks about the room, looking for someone who might look a bit more... scholarly, to discuss the shadow in the sky, maybe someone from out of town since everyone in town seems to not care anymore, This is, of course, the only reason I came to this... And Saul did give me that pass for free... Might as well make the most of it!
Devon gives the frosty elf a wink. 'Course we do. We've always got room for another, don't we, lads? he announces to the others at the table.