You can't have all of the fun...I'm coming too.
She lets a wicked loose....
Everyone goes to bed, alone or by small groups, after this long day work and some new mysteries to explore.
Someone seems to wait for Alayna...
After a short night sleep, everyone is back to the Gold Goblin. Staff is talking nervously, and you are told that Larur and Saul are upstairs.
It's payday, and no one knows how much money he will get.
With the recent troubles, the Goblin isn't doing very well, but maybe next week the situation will be better.
You notice that most of the staff- at least those who haven't run away and where there even before you started working for Saul-look at you hopefully.
Cameron performs his job adequately, but he's not quite on his A game. Distracted by the mystery of the coins and the emotional aftermath of the tumultuous week just past.
As everyone is headed off to bed, Alayna notices someone hovering, and then se realizes this person keeps staring at her, trying to make eye contact. Oi, after all this night? She walks across the floor towards her How do 'ah know 'ees mine? guest.
Nessa and Sylee come in the next morning escorted by a couple of her brothers from the temple who quickly go about their own business elsewhere in the city. She takes Sylee upstairs to the catwalks to learn more about how to watch for swindlers from Alayna before heading to the dressing room to shed her day clothes for her "uniform". Nessa arrived on the floor and began to make her rounds, greeting customers and managing the girls.
After bringing Nessa to the temple, Izkrael came back to the Goblin to rest. He hadn't had the opportunity to talk with Mistress Pamodae, but the way of return to the inn was sure enough, despite his worries.
After spending four hours meditating, the elf bathes and wears his clothes, ready for his second day at the Gold Goblin. As the previous day, he would stay just outside the tavern, to make sure that everyone who enters it's in order.
After returning to the goblin, she immediately falls asleep. She rises early and greets her companions.
Dolgrin does his best to keep an eye out for any ne'er-do-wells.
The staff is quite angry, as the payday for the previous week is cut in half. People talk of quitting, other take whatever money they can, realising it's far better than begging or worse.
There are a few envious eyes as Cameron's group get most of the gold.
Then even more envy as the half elf bardess, Lavin Daebriss, got a little more over twelve gold pieces all by herself. She looks a little surprised, but stay silent.
Dolgrin looks down at his meagre pay before shrugging and passing it back to the boss. "I get free room and board here. Pass my share back to the rest of the staff."
He frowns when he notices the bard's reaction. He suppresses his dislike of elvenkind, knowing that the loss of the bard would delay or derail their plans for the Goblin, so moves in beside her, leaning in to speak softly. "We're only at the start on something that will, in the end, result in large pay-offs. Wouldn't you rather be a part of something at the beginning, to influence it to accomodate your needs as a performer while helping it grow so that it becomes the greatest place imaginable? A little short term pain will net some long term gain..."
The gift of more gold-and by a dwarf!-is welcomed as a kind of miracle by the staff.
But now they are looking with hopeful (and sometimes greedy) eyes toward the rest of the group.
Meanwhile, Lavin and Dolgrin speak together
Do you really think what you are saying, master dwarf? And more importantly, why should I believe you?
Dolgrin opens his now empty hands. "To answer both your questions with another question... I'm a dwarf... Do you think I would give up what little gold I had earned if I didn't expect a larger pay-off down the road?"
Nessa looked at the pitiful sum with distress and looks at Sylee as Dolgrin gives up his payment for the staff and kneels down pulls in the child close and wraps her wings around both of them. In that protected shelter she whispers into Sylee's ear.
She takes the two coins from Sylee and puts the in her money pouch then heads to the bard where Dolgrin is attempting to convince her to stay. "His point is a good one. We'll get this place turned around and when we do you'll be glad that you stayed. This week isn't typical, it's the first time we've had this poor of a turn out and I for one don't intend to let that happen again."
Izkrael looks at the workers, and at Daebriss in particular. They seem to want more...Tsk, I could try again and again, I won't never understand them. Why they give so much importance to money?
Seeing that the workers are looking at him with hopeful and greedy eyes, Izkrael says them, with his usually raucous whisper: "You can keep my money, if you wish. If they would buy your happiness, maybe it's best you keep them. Here, split these coins among yourselves."
Two days are gone already, and I didn't learn anything about the Blot. Maybe this is not the right place. No, I must be patient. The moment will come.
Cameron takes the news about the money on the chin, 'I'm not bothered, hardly have anything to spend the money on anyway. Between here and the shrine I don't have to pay for room or board. Mind you the staff are not impressed and oh my Lavin is very angry.
Cameron was about to talk to Lavin but Dolgrin got there first. When he realized what Dolgrin was doing, a smile crept across Cameron's features. "Well well well, never thought I'd see the like." he whispers softly. Not really needing the money he offers to share his wages with the other members of staff.
Krucina looks at the wages in her hand and then to her companions and the staff...then back to her hand. Finally, with a sigh she hands her earning back.
Pieniądze przychodzą i zarobi! I don't need it anyway.
The staff is happy to share the money you offer, and Lavin seems to understand Dolgrin and Nessa point of view.
She shares her opinion on the situation
I guess I can give it one more week... But it's not only the money that troubles me, I'm not much a fighter, and that Zincher's guy looks very dangerous...I'm afraid the situation could still escalate and worsen.
Izkrael looks at Lavin with a perplexep expression: "What do you mean with "dangerous"? Was someone causing troble here before my arrival?", asks Ikrael looking at his new companions.
Seems like things are worse than I'd expected. I must stay wary. This place smells of trouble from miles ahead.
Cameron fills Izkrael in on the events of the past week or two and adds in a whisper, "I suspect Zilcher will be back. That guy is major bad news, and I have no doubt he could beat me or any of us into a pulp. Still the way he swans in here like he owns the place, pisses me off, I won't just roll over. We've worked pretty hard to make this place work, but at times, it feels like the deck is stacked against us..."
"You're not here to fight. The Goblin has people for that, and I'm one of them," Dolgrin says, patting his axe. "If there is trouble, get yourself to safety until we clear it up."
After the pay is delivered and shared, and to ease the minds, Larur offers a round of drinks on the house.
The morning begins slowly, with the few usual addicted gamblers.
Bets are done, money comes and go.
In the afternoon, there is more people, even if the Gold Goblin isn't full yet.
The two guards at the entrance, Hans and Beyar, looks into the street behind them, visibly puzzled
Don't enter this god forgotten place, folks! This is a place of sin and dangerous lust! You won't only lost your money, you will lost your hopes!
The voice is definitely male, and powerful
Krucina nudges her companions and walks towards a window to see what the clamour is outside.
You hear this, tak?
Hearing the inflamed proclaims coming from outside, Izkrael nods to Krucina and steps out of the Gold Goblin, positioning himself between Hans and Beyar. He searches for the place where the voices are coming, then takes an accurate look at the responsibles.
This is going to be annoying...
Not restricting himself anymore to a cordial voice, he says to the responsibles, with an intimidating attitude: "You say it like this whole city was not a crucible of sin and depravation. Who are you and what do you want?".
[b]My name is Garem Heristen, soldier of Torag. Who are you?[/ooc]
Izrael makes a step forward, looks in the eyes the dwarf and says: "My name is Izkrael, and I'm tasked with the protection of this place of sin and dangerous lust, as you call it. It would be very annoying to solve this difference of views in a violent way, and sincerely I would prefer to avoid it. But please, stop to bother our potential customers and turn your eyes to this whole city. This place is nothing more than a crucible of sin in a kitchen full of decadence." Izkrael says this with a calm expression, but his eyes makes clear that he won't allow the dwarf to continue his slander without reacting.
Dwarves are usually wise and experienced. I fear that he won't stop so easily, but nor can I abuse him for proclaiming his thoughts publicly. But I need to halt him, it's my "work"...What a strange word. Am I turning into a human already?
Nessa continued her rounds, serving drinks and having the girls encourage the intake of more spirits and riskier wagers. Sylee, who had taken a liking to the catwalks, stays up there and learns more tips and tricks from Aunty Alayna. During all of this Nessa starts to become distracted as an idea forms in her mind. Nessa being Nessa this isn't an easy process but her affection, if not quite yet love, for Sylee drives her to push through the usual difficulties in new concepts. I think I have an idea on who I can leave her with when working or when we are out doing a job for Saul or ourselves, Caithlan! She has been retired for some time from the temple, and she always cared for me growing up, I bet she might appreciate the company as few of the faithful visit her anymore, well, few but me.
outdoor,the dwarf seems tense and on his guards, whilethe guards call Krucina and Dolgrin, saying to the burly bouncer
Maybe you can calm him? You now, as you are both dwarves? There might be a fight...
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Upon hearing the word of possible trouble, Dolgrin heads over to the indicated area, looking for an angry dwarf that was not in a mirror. "What seems to be the problem here?
The dwarf looks at Dolgrin intensely as he comes into the street, then more quietly. His voice is calm and somber as he speaks
You shouldn't be here.This place is tainted by the dark powers of Hell. This is why I try to warn people. I know the whole town, more or less, is a den of iniquity and a place of sin... But this is the only place I heard of which was holding a "Cheat the Devil" tournament. And what about the small devilkind I was told of? Souls might be at risks!I, Garem Heristen, will not just stay idle while creatures from the deepest pits of Hell try to corrupt people, by Torag's most sacred works!
"Honestly," Dolgrin began, "I came to this town and, indeed, the Gold Goblin, for the exact reasons you have stated. The rumors of that tournament and everything behind it made me think the same things, that something sinister lurks within. All I've seen thusfar are several examples of poor taste, but nothing relating to otherworldly evil. That small imp is kept away from others, locked in its cage, a witness to sin, but not likely an instigator."
The dwarf leaned forward and continued with a softer voice. "Now there's always the chance that the Evil lurks in the shadows. This was one of the reasons I took a job there, to keep an eye on things, just in case. So far all I've seen were mundane issues, criminals butting heads over their turf. Still, if there is something here, your coming out here and making pronouncements the way you do, may keep it hidden, working behind the scenes. I'd rather it felt safe enough that it could eventually show itself... and ultimately feel the blade of my axe. Would that not be a better outcome?"
The dwarf seems pensive, after Dolgrin words.
He rubs his beard, then say
This seems to be a curious and risky strategy, but it might pay of. Do you worship the god of our ancestors, the mighty and wise Torag? And may I know your name?
Inside the hubbub of the goblin, Cameron is unaware of the drama outside and he attends to his flock of gamblers. Some of them are winning, some are loosing but everything seems to be trending to the average, at least so far. Still he knows there's some strange things afoot and he does his best to keep an eye out for anything strange. In particular is anyone knocking coins off the table...
Mid way through the morning, one of the gamblers asks Cameron to read an omen from the deck. Reluctantly Cameron agrees saying, "I've not consulted the harrow deck today." He pulls his prized harrow deck from within a pocket from his immaculately clean waistcoat and shuffles, cuts and re-shuffled the deck with practiced ease. He invites the man to pull a card and frowns, "The Waxworks heavens above! Jarred that's a bad omen. Come back tomorrow, I don't think you should play anymore games today."
---> Constitution
---> Chaotic Evil
Cameron notice that, for the fifth time in a row, on next table's roulette, the gamblers are winning money.
Not big sums each time but these are loss for the Gold Goblin all the same.
More gamblers come near the roulette, wanting to try their luck too...
Nessa notices the big turnout at the one roulette table and remembers that there was something fishy the day before so she directs a few of the girls to go to that table and try to "distract" the players with drinks and their charms so as to induce their winning streak to end due to mistakes. Nessa herself makes her way over there as well and finds the player with the biggest streak so far and says, "Oh my, you're really good, can you teach me how to play?" Her wings are folded down but he can see her cleavage and eager smiling face as well as feel a tail sliding up his leg.
"I am Dolgrin Hammerfist. My mother's father, on his deathbed, sent me here to investigate. He had an inkling that the appearance of some vast unknown evil was imminent and, by Torag, I aim to crush it."
Noticing that Dolgrin is managing to calm down the exalted dwarf in front of him, Izkrael silently steps aside, getting back to where the Varisian brothers are. "Stay alert", he whispers, "Things could turn well or bad for us in the blink of an eye. Be prepared." In the meanwhile, he keeps his hand close to his longbow, ready to draw it and fire a warning shot. Hope there's no need for this, but one never knows in this city...
With all due respect to your mother's father, let's hope he was wrong. If the devils and demons come to this sin-filled place, I want to be part of the fight.
The dwarf seems to be more relaxed now. He takes something in his backpack, and presents a vial to Dolgrin.
You might need this in your quest, Dolgrin Hammerfist. May Torag be with you.
Nessa charms are way too much for her poor "victim", and the man very quickly lost all interest in gambling, using his hands on Nessa's body. Nevertheless, the roulette continues to fail making money.
Alayna finds two cards, inverted, near Cameron's pack. He doesn't seem to have seen them
Enjoying the attentions of the suddenly amorous man Nessa considers doing him but takes a look at the table that's still losing money trying fo figure out the problem.
But the man's affections have aroused her too much to focus on anything else so she nods at the girls to try and lure the highest winners away and makes her way to a private room with the man to get her daily dose of us in while she can.
"Oi, Cam. You dinnae drop these two, but maybe they be a sigul? Can ya suss out their meanin'?" She hands him the two cards, "Coul' be a sign, summat from the Dreamer ta our eyes? I found 'em facing towards their own nethers if tha' means a thing ta ya." Alayna present the two cards to Cameron, hoping they mean something more pleasant than their appearance suggests...
Cameron smiles, "Thanks Alayna, lets have a look. Hmm The Survivor well that's usually considered a good card to draw but, oh dear." Cameron shows her the card, "The sickness. Combined with The Waxworks suggests we're going to have a hard time. Taken literally that means a place of torture, imprisonment, helplessness, and paralysis combined with corruption, famine, plague, pestilence, and disease. On the other hand it won't kill us, so at least we have that going for us..."
He looks troubled and remarks, "Could this be a sign? I rather hope not, although these things only tend to make sense afterwards. Hard to say what it means without a full reading, and even then it's usually open to interpretation. The best thing we can do is keep an eye open." He leans in close and whispers, "Like on the roulette table were Nessa started flirting. She had good reason too they where on a winning streak, and still are by the looks of it."
Cameron closes the poker game and decides to swap over to the roulette table. He smiles at the remaining men and sits down on the dealer's stool and tells the first man on his left, "Your call, what's the bet?"
The man, seating and excited, answers to Cameron
The odds are in our favors! Time to get some money back! I'll bet five silvers on the red!
As he sits down, Cameron notices Sylee, 'Oh, she saw that didn't she. Up there all alone, this is no place for a kid. She needs someone, but I'm stuck on duty here'.
Cameron nods, "Right you are sir, one second." He turns around and tells Alayna in a low whisper, "Sylee is wandering around like a lost soul, poor thing."
Turning back to the table, Cameron says, "Sorry about that sir." and spins the wheel vigorously. He watches the ball bounce around, and the people too out of the corner of his eye. But he finds his eyes resting on the small lonly figure above.
The clatter of the wheel draws his attention back and he sees the ball fall into place and announces, "Twenty one red it is sir, winnings are one silver. Bets please!"
Over the next few games, Cameron watches the gamblers closely, or at least means to. Sylee is weighing heavily on his mind and distracts him. Still some autonomous part of his brain is awake and he forms an impression of what the men are about.