Devon will patrol the floor a bit, looking stern. He is aware that he isn't the largest or most imposing figure, but he hopes that word would have spread about his and the others' actions.
As the spinner spins, Dungo ends up facing slide 9, 'Courage'. "If you all were a little bit better stout of heart, you all would have placed bigger bets! Wimps! Cowards! Go back to your mommies!" Lixi chuckles as she sees a few of the folks at the table a little more worked up and place some larger bets at Dungo's jibing. Sadly, though, Liara loses her coins once more.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, Alfsigr's rowdy songs get a few people to try and sing along, which draws in some more folks as well. Before too long, all of them are being supplied drinks, both alcoholic and otherwise, usually at the behest of a certain Aasimar woman.
Devon, meanwhile, patrols around. Word had indeed gotten out and about, and at even the slightest of slights, most folks see the man on the floor and decide not to test their luck as his glare meets their eyes.
As the night winds down, the crowds seemed to have been put at general ease and were well entertained.
After the Gold Goblin closes, the last drunk wanting one more round of Bounder finally leaving, Saul scurries away into the back room. Larur Feldin follows, but gives a wink at you all. "I think you helped tonight, lad and lasses."
Sure enough, a short while later, the key-handed man and the dwarf return, Saul downright giddy. "Well, not the best night, but we did well! Here, a small cut of the profits of the evening." He hands each of you a small sack pouch, the jingling of change heard from within.
"We aren't too profitable quite yet, but a couple more nights like this and the ol' casino will make us all quite rich I bet."
Devon shakes the coin pouch a couple times to hear the clink of the coins within. While nowhere near the most he'd ever walked away from a table with, it was also far more than the least.
He nodded to Saul with a smile of satisfaction. He'd stick around a bit longer, thinking that Saul likely would start taking larger risks with his casino. Simply working steadily for steady coin didn't seem like Saul's style; nor was it Devon's. But if the casino owner decided to play the long, steady game, he might decide to move on to bigger things.
Anyone up for a drink? How about that place across the street where we first met?
"Yes! Singing and dancing and playing! That sounds wonderful!" Alfsigr says as her eyes light up and sparkle like sapphires.
"I'll need to run to town and pick up some things tomorrow. While I'm out I'll see about getting people's blood burning about coming here."
With the night winding down, the party heads to the Mystery of the Gate to unwind. Stepping in, they find some faces they recognize from the casino and folks from around town. Some local performer, a Tian man, is in the corner playing music on a mandolin. As they look around, they find their table, the one they met at, available for the, to sit at.
Sitting down, the short, red-haired woman who served them originally steps over. "And what... Oh, tiger!" She steps over to Devon, a playful grin on her face. "I heard you own the Gold Goblin, now."
Liara places another bet, hoping she wins this time. Though that's not why she's playing, she's more or less trying to draw more people in. She bets 6 copper pieces this time on 9
She curses as she loses again.
The short red-haired woman nods at Kariel's comment, unsure how to take it. But then she grins and giggles some. "Sure, sure. That sounds fine. Say, you all won't be needing a bartender there, would you? I can make a mean mix drink."
Standing straight up, she smiles broadly. "Name's Marzielle, by the way."
Devon shifts in his seat, then turns back to Kariel. Worthwhile? Oh, yes! All along the Lost Coast, the legends will grow. More riches and fame to be had than anything even the great monuments of Varisia can promise! And the meanest drinks one could possibly find! he picks up his own drink and lifts it toward Marzielle.
Before she actually gets the entirely wrong idea, he brings himself back down to earth for a moment. Alas, only a part-owner. Well, partner, of some small interest in the place. It remains to be seen whether that place can really start to turn a profit. He knocks back his drink. Mmm. But that's one way to bring in the crowds and keep their spirits up. I'd be happy to invite you to come work. I'm sure Saul will see the wisdom in employing one of your keen sense for libations.
"'Slong as ye don't mess with the mead, I'll put in a good word for ye." Alfsigr gives Marzielle a cocksure grin.
Marzielle giggles and smiles at Devon, a very slight blush crossing her face. "You know, you talk almost as pretty as Lady Pamodae over there at the Silken Veil. Well, if you could pass along my desire for hire, maybe I could show some desire to you as well." She bats eyes at Devon playfully before looking over at Kariel. "Oh, I can make some very nice sparkling drinks. Same kick, less sick, though they aren't too popular here at the Mystery. Though I agree, I could probably get one of my friends to bring a special batch now and then." She nods over at Alfsigr.
"Well, you lucky scoundrels enjoy your drinks, and maybe I'll see you around the Goblin soon. Real soon." She looks one last time at Devon before scurrying away to carry on with her regular duties at the Mystery of the Gate.
Devon winks back with a broad smile. I'd say our little venture is coming together, wouldn't you say? he asks the group. We've still got to get the patrons coming in, but they'll be along soon, I'm sure.
The rest of the night passes relatively quietly, music and drink to be had.
The next morning, Larur Feldin calls the party to the main hall. There next to him, is Marzielle. "This woman here says you all promised her a job as a bartender. Is this true?"
Then, just before Marzielle could speak up to talk with the party, a loud noise can be heard outside. Shouts as well, but also something else.
She makes a mean drink, he says with a smile. Mean drinks make for happy customers. Well, drunk ones, anyway.
"What'a going on out there?"
Marzielle looks at Larur with a wicked grin. "Hear that? Drinks to help loosen wallets. What more could a casino want?"
But Mr. Feldin looks at the doors, his face furrowed. "What in the hammers..."
Alfsigr falls in behind Kariel. She didn't like what she'd heard, and it's better to be safe than sorry, right?
Sounds like birds, Devon says while he steps outside to investigate.
Stepping outside, it becomes very obvious to the group what the ruckus is. Seagulls, probably every one within miles, are swarming in the sky. They whirl around erratically as they fly, wheeling and twirling in patterns that don't even look natural.
"'Tis an ill omen." Alfsigr's voice is soft, almost a whisper as she watches the gulls. Her eyes are wide, and her something, perhaps fear, had replaced the normal, rakish smile on her face.
That's... very odd.
He takes a couple steps forward out into the street, but realizes there's little he can do. Huh. Any ideas?
The seagulls appear unfazed by Kariel's call, though several people look at the Aasimar funnily before their attention returns to the spectacle playing out before them.
About the time Devon asks his question, the swarm begins to move closer towards the Cyphergate, still acting largely erratically. And then the begins to slam into the mysterious arch. Several fall to the water, either stunned or killed. Others begin to slam into each other, falling some before flapping again. But more and more begin to be drawn closer towards the structure that names the city.
"Ill omens indeed." Alfsigr makes a sign to ward off bad luck and misfortune before turning back and heading inside. Her entire being seems muted as she goes to pour herself a stiff drink.
After several minutes, numerous birds lie dead or broken around the Cyphergate. Crowds have now gathered and finally the seagulls that remain airborne fly off . The number in the water and now on the shore are too numerous to count.
Larur and Marzielle, having stepped out with you all, stare in amazement. Finally, Larur coughs, mumbling about 'those damn-fool cyphermages,' before stepping back in.
Devon looked about for something to do, but unless he suddenly sprouted wings himself and join Kariel, there was nothing. After the strangeness and the death, Devon shakes his head and heads inside the Golden Goblin, grateful that Kariel didn't succumb to the gulls' madness herself.
He takes up his position as bouncer, guard, and general keeper of the peace as the crowd begins to filter in. He hoped that his easy-going face would be a welcome change from the usual scowling bruiser types that generally fill that role. But he makes sure that his quick eye and hands discourage any shenanigans.
As she prepares for the coming night, Alfsigr sings, something that carries an undertone of melancholy.
Saul slowly makes his rounds as the night slowly begins. Overall, it's being a bit smooth, though the music could be a tad better. Stepping over to Alfsigr, he places his real hand on her shoulder. "Maybe you should help that new bartender, Alfsigr." Pointing over towards Marzielle who is trying to make a drink.
"With the line over there forming, a second hand could help."
"Oh, uh sorry, I'll go do that," Alfsigr manages to stutter out before going to help however she can, which is mainly being as charming as she can.
Liara is going to head Cypher Mages location and ask them what they know about the blot.
Saul nods, watching the northern-bred Half-elf walk over to help, though in the end it tended to keep most away from her. Sighing, he retreats to his office.
As he does, he misses the scene with Kariel soothing hearts and spreading the joys of non-alcoholic beverages to the patrons.
As Liara makes her way towards the Cyphermages, she crosses the river that divides the town in two. She had been told by Larur where to go, though he advised her to be careful with her words. "They can get touchy at times, lass. But on she goes. Drawing near the doors, she can hear someone on the other side arguing with someone. Before Liara can react, the door swings out and catches her broadside. A young half-elf with wavy red hair and Varisian facial tattoos, realizing she had struck someone, rushes over.
"I'm so sorry! Here, let me help." Helping the Aasimar up to her feet she looks her over. "Everything fine? Nothing bruised?"
Alfsigr was definitely off. The normally cheerful elf only manages to cause most of the patron to walk away from her, and while Kariel's help was welcome, it cut her deep that she wasn't even capable of being likable.
After trying for almost an hour, she decides she'd be better off helping by being out of sight, and slips out the back when no one's looking.
Seeing Alfsigr have a rough go at it this day, Devon takes a break himself from strolling the floor and looks in on the bard. You all right, lass? Anything I can do to help?
About the time that Devon steps out, that's when it happens. Devon almost doesn't hear it but it then registers what it is. A shout from within the casino!
It happened almost too quickly, but soon one of the bouncers is on the floor holding his stomach, a little outpour of blood coming from him. There are people rushing for the doors as shouts of 'Madman' and 'Thief', as well as 'Murderer' echo around.
Liara tilts her head when she hears someone inside arguing. She didn’t realize she’d be knocked down soon enough and when she is she lets out a yelp before falling back and then looks up at the elf girl, her eyes going wide some before she accepts the half-elf’s help up.
“Y-Yeah, I’m fine, I don’t think anything’s bruised… What was that argument about in there?” She asked before looking the woman over, a slight blush flushing over her cheeks now.
"Maybe. I jus--" then the screaming begins.
Alfsigr doesn't think twice before spinning around and hurrying inside. Seeing the injured man, she rushes over and murmurs a few quick words as a soft soothing light gathers in her hands.
"Oh no you don't! Today is not the day you go to meet your ancestors."