Gold Goblin
With a faint smile, the manager answers Dolgrin
Calistrian может быть злым, но большая часть их не злые. Все, что блестит не золото, но все, что темен не уголь
then he speaks in common
Thugs and pickpockets are a too much common occurence in these streets. Get something to eat , and some rest if you want. Tomorrow the Gold Goblin opens again, and we will need you to be fresh and alert. Where are the others?
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Mountains
Inceku waits for the next order, sitting on the ground.
Dolgrin chuckles at the dwarf's previous words before responding to his question. "I think that Cameron fellow went into the hills looking for his lost uncle," he says with a shrug. "They'll probably get back in due time. Meanwhile, I think I'll take you up on the meal and rest idea," he finishes with a wave, moving to get some food before heading to his room.
Alayna thinks about the bloodied clothes and frowns. "Cameron, wit' how lil' we know a' your uncle's travels, this bodes a farthing worse than bad. Maybe the Dreamer ken send us a sign o' his safety or at least his grave?"
Cameron smiles to Alayna briefly but he chews his lip looking torn, 'Should I gamble and push on, but where? I don't even know which cave he entered. Maybe I should take the flip side of the wager, and bet that poor old Milon is dead? Feels like cowardice that, but what can I do?'
"This here was lucky," Cameron points to Inceku's find. "It might seem a strange thing for a priest of Desna to say, but my uncle Milon always told me that you make luck. What he meant was hard work and being in the right place. Right now I don't know where the right place is, but this was a beginning of what might be a long journey... I'll find you Milon wherever you are."
He turns to head home, looking thoughtful but determined.
Mountains
The travel back to Riddleport is uneventful. You go back to the Gold Goblin, eat some grub, and have a nice sleep.
The day after
A new day starts at the Gold Goblin. A new game is displayed, with a talking, disgusting severed head that throws barbs and insults at the players. Of course, only those with the most coarse sense of humor stay at the table. The head, named "Dungo", takes a kind of twisted fondness for Borgmurch, and the two of them put a show at insulting each other, while the attendance claps and laughs as the words gets cruder
Dolgrin and Hal Dorel prove themselves useful more than once, as the new"no weapons" rules need some enforcement among the gamblers. Dolgin has just to be sure he's seen, and to display his own axe and big muscles while Hal is more a backup, unseen threat for potential wrong doers. Sometimes, it takes a little more than a show off, and the bad lot that comes to the Gold Goblin seems spoiling for a fight
Cameron sees again the desperate man trying his luck .. without too much success.He has already lots most of his money.
There's an argument between the girls, something about tip-stealing, and it's up to Nessa to bring back some peace
Nessa makes her rounds, her outfit almost identical to her harem of succubi except for the fact that hers is black with gold accents and she has the earrings she purchased on. Seeing the rather strange head she can't help but stop and look at it, trying to figure out who it was.
She ultimately gives up when she hears a couple of the girls arguing over their tips. She saunters over to them, "You, you," she points to the two, "We don't bicker in front of the customers, come with me."
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(+2 vs humans)
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Hal'dorel rests his hands on the table, elf eyes sweeping the floor as the night's events birthed louder and drinker patrons. As he leans forward in his chair he feels the tightness in his chest from the javelin wound. The thought of him having been bloodied by a filthy highway man makes his teeth grind.
His perch on the second floor balcony affords him a view of several patrons beginning the type of idiotic ego bashing that normally turns into fighting. The elf emits a short whistle, one he'd worked out with the dwarf in cases of trouble. When Dolgrin glances up, he nods once. He'd already seen it.
Tapping his temple, Hal'dorel stands and grasps his bow, moving slowly into position and knocking a Blunt Arrow to start. Saul had requested the non lethal means as much as possible.
The elf perches and waits, watching from the shadows. Once Dolgrin is in place and confronts them, the elf pulls to full draw and steps into a chair, placing one foot on the banister. "I'd listen to him. Calm yourselves and exit thru the front door. Or we will make sure you're dragged out the back."
Come down the stairs and tell that to my fist, Elf.
It seems that none of the rough sailors has seen Alayna so far
Alayna taps the drunk sailor on the shoulder, ready to block any clumsy fist he sends her way. When he looks at her she smiles, "Ol' Chappy! It's been a' long time since the ship's chirugeon put you back together! You don't wan' ta' repeat that bit o' nastiness do ya?" She winks and continues, "'Cause by tha Cap'n's beard! That's where yer ships sailin' ta. Step down swabby, or yer mate's'll be swabbing skin n' teeth from our decks." Her hand caresses the handle of her lash, implying a level of expertise any shoddy sailor would be familiar with.
Borgmurch finds Dungo great company, much better than the bandits the day before. A favorite trick of his is to throw small items in Dungo’s mouth, then rummage under the table and bring out different items
“Well done Dungo!” he screams as he emerges from under the table-rug. “You turned that rock into a very useful spoon for porridge!” he holds triumphantly in his hand a silver spoon stolen from the buffet table “You see folks! Dungo will turn you coppers into gold! Just do not put your fingers near its mouth!”
“Dungo the Head will mock you and curse!
He eats your copper and spits gold in your purse!
Insults to the left, winnings to the right!
But if you get too close your fingers he’ll bite!”
Cameron notices the middle aged man again and wonders, 'Is he going to do something stupid and desperate? Can I help him avoid that?'
Before he has a chance to talk to him it seems some drunken sailors are getting increasingly rowdy downstairs. Cameron moves to watch the confrontation, hoping the others will have a chance to talk him down. If not, well he will Command the sailor to HALT (DC 14 will save).
Later Cameron finds the middle aged man and asks him, "I see you're back again. Do you need somebody to talk to?"
Dolgrin looks at the rowdy man that had just threatened the elf. "As much as I'd like to see that, it seems like you brought a fist to an axe fight," the dwarf says, his dwarven waraxe gripped in one hand as he slaps the curved blade across his palm in a meaty smack. "Listen... I'm not much of a talker, so I'll just give you to the count of three to be out of the door. If I don't see your back on the count of 'one', however, we'll see how your fist matches up against my blade..."
Well, your threats are just coming short, dwarf. I dunno mind getting my blade bloodied. That cutlass has served me well, as you will learn.
Another one adds, as Alayna talks
And ain't get afraighted by a whip carryin" lass. I've seen worse.
It seems the sailors are quite willing to get into a fight,and take Alayna's words as a new offense as the first one takes an old but vicious looking cutlass out...
Only to froze out as Cameron speaks. The two other look confused
As the girls are still arguing at the back of the gambling hall about who should get those tips, Nessa tries to intervene
So you whined to the horny one to get MY money? You're her cream girl now?
Why should I ...ouch!
A fight starts between the two girls, and Nessa is pushed in the action
by a customer
Seeing that most of the Gold Goblin's employee and customers have their attention occupied elsewhere, the old man grabs as much money on the table as his poor hands can take, and tries to run toward the door
At getting shoved into the fight like she was, Nessa becomes royally ticked. She steps out from between the girls and casts a spell, catching the both of them in the effect as a spray of color comes out of herb hands and gets them both.
Knowing that those in the spell will be stunned for a few seconds at the least, Nessa waves a paur of guards over, "Take the two girls to the dressing room and restrain them I will deal with them shortly."
Knowing the Elf will not hesitate, Alayna steps back, and unlimbers her whip. She winds it up in an arc over her head and...
Cameron feels a moment of bitter disappointment as the old man decides to steal from the casino. Rushing down the stairs and in a voice more suited to thunderous sermon, Cameron bellows, "Martigan! Come back here this instant!"
Pushed by despair, Martigan frail will resist Cameron's magical order, but one of the two guards at the doors slams an heavy blow on his skull with the hilt of his weapon
and the old man goes down. Some of the money he just stole rolls on the floor and toward the street, creating more chaos
Even pushed around, her hair pulled and half slapped, Nessa manages to get the arcane words out, and a multicolored flash springs from her fingertips, dazzing both the fighting girls and the man who pushed her into the fray
Only one of the girl is still standing and seeing after the spell, and she wastes no time in snatching the small purse with the tips which started the troubles
Told you it was mine.
"'One! I don't see your back and you drew your weapon. Looks like a happy day for me!" the dwarf says before bringing his axe down upon the armed man.
Cameron lightly steps over Martigan's slumped form with a deep frown on his face, muttering, "Why did he have to do that? I'd have helped him if I could, but now my hands are tied..."
He then helps the door staff pick up the coins. If anyone gets too close he'll menace them with his longspear, shouting "GET BACK!"
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(30 ft | vs humans)
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Hal hisses an elvish curse and knocks another blunt arrow.
Alayna whip completes another circle and finds its way towards the second ruffian. It flicks around his ankle and she yanks back hard pulling the man from his feet. Her other hand draws out her rapier, in case the other fool decides to try something.
Hal Dorel arrows hits only the floor, but Dolgrin buries his axe in the cutlass holding sailor's belly.
Alayna sends another sailor crashing down with her whip, and he bites the dust so hard that he breaks some teeth
Cameron tries to pick the money previously stolen by Martigan, as the last sailor surrenders
Please dont kill me....
Meanwhile, Nessa manages to trip the girl and to get the purse from her hands with her tail. She gives some orders, and is quickly obeyed
Cameron gives the man a hard stare, "I was going to try and help you, but now? I'm not feeling particularly charitable..." In a low and dangerous voice he adds, "You'd better do some explaining Martigan and fast."
The situation calms down a little.
One sailor is nearly toothless, thanks to Alayna's whip. But its better than suffering Dolgrin's wrath, and having his intestines out of his belly.
The last sailor has shamed and soiled himself, but doesn't seems to care much.
From the back of the gambling voice, you all hear the bellowing voice of Saul
He doesn't seem happy, to say the least...
Seeming surprised by the sound, Nessa gets up and looks for a couple of the guards, "Take those two upstairs and off the floor for the moment, the tips come with me while I explain things to Saul." With that, Nessa saunters away and heads to Saul's office.
SITS.
He cracks his neck, and slams his fist on the desk
Nessa, I got no trouble with you using your magic on whoever tries to steal from me. You got to rule with an iron fist, and to blast to Hell those who try to cross or betray you. But I forbid you to use your spells on the customers, from now on. Is that clear? We need them, we need their money.If they are scared to come to the Gold Goblin, we can close the gambling hall. If you use magic on our staff, they will run off. Slaps the girls faces if you need, show them they have to obey and fear you.But I got enemies in this town, enemies who spy on me. I don't want them to believe we're too weak to defend ourselves, but I don't want them to know all our strenghts either. We're walking a thin line here. We gotta make a show of ourselves, but without revealing too much.. I guess you, among all, can understand that?
He drums the desk with his fingers, pensively. Then, with a wicked smile
I should give you a fine, for putting the customers at risk... Or maybe we could find a compensation?
Nessa takes a deep breath which causes her cleavage to heave as she calms, "Now, with permission I will send this pouch of money to be split between those two who helped me and then we will see about compensating you for any trouble I've caused for you."
Now that the scuffle has calmed down, Alayna turns to the gentleman that so nearly became either toothless or dead like each of his friends. "Seems ya found the better part a' valor, Lad. Now, take yer grin'in' idjit here and take back to yer scamp! If ye' need the sharkbait 'ave yer Mate or yer Cap'n come get 'em later." She cracks the whip one last time before looping it back over the hitch on her belt. "Hal, Dolgrin. Thankee for yer aid, I think a blue moon'll come a'fore anyone tries to figure us easy marks." Seeing the crowd discontented by the events she pauses and thinks. Customers keep us open and we gotta keep the customers....
She stands straight, and bellows - "A roun' o' drinks for all our faithful lads and lasses! An honest hall is a happy hall; a drunk one, happier yet!" She grins broadly as she watches many of the patrons make for the bar. I hope our Cap'n aint gun' be mad at me for sharin'" She ambles over to the bar and sets a stack of five gold coins out for the bartender. She smiles and winks at him and tells the 'keep, "And of course this were planned by you and paid by me for just such a' event." She winks, "We both check our best tha' way, aye?"
A little mesmerized by Nessa's cleavage, Saul tries to regain the lead of his thoughts
I'm not saying that you acted without thinking... I just appreciate a little restraint on the magic things. I know next to nothing of it. A blade is a blade, I can recognise that threat, and react accordingly. How can I know what kind of spell you'll be using, or what kind of effect it will have? I put a ban on weapons, and we're trying to enforce it, but it's not so that any spellcaster can come and send balls of fire flying all over the place! Fire one of the girl, or even both, your choice.You got my backup on that. Show them who's holdin" the reins. Then comes back so we can discuss your own... punishment.
in the gambling hall
Patrons of the gambling hall come to the bar, trying to make the best of Alayna's offer.
She is pretty sure five gold won't cover the bill...
Wonder what you are tasting, goblin.. I'd like to chew the flesh out of your skull...
Cameron snakes his head with puzzlement at the Man's unresponsiveness. After some time he realizes the man is dead. Mixed with sorrow and confusion, Cameron closes the mans eyes and administers the last rites. Shakily Cameron gets up and a heavy heart he mutters, "I don't understand what was driving you Martigan. I tried to help, but you wouldn't listen. I hope your soul finds some measure of peace in the afterlife. I suppose we need to get you a proper burial and inform your next of kin."
Dolgrin nods at Alayna and then looks at the two remaining sailors before wiping the blade of his axe on the unspoiled area of the man he just laid low, shaking his head. "I trust that you two now see the light of things here? You cause no trouble, you bring no weapons, you don't see the business end of my axe... Perhaps you can collect your friend... all of him... and leave now."
The two are escorted back out as she turns back to the two unruly succubi, "Now, the two of you are on probation, the next screw up will cost you your jobs. You now have a much larger problem as you have caused me to be in trouble with Saul for what I did to break up the fight. That is very bad for you because I now have to let him 'discipline' me to make amends. That means that both of you will be doing what I say when I say it until I tell you otherwise because if you don't you will face my wrath and I was raised in the Calistrian temple from infancy so just imagine the kind of vengeance I will take on you if I have to. Now leave for the night and come back for your shift tomorrow." As she concludes her threat her wings mantle and extend out as far as they can within the room.
Not waiting for their respond and leaving the room, Nessa returns to Saul's office, "There, that is dealt with we'll see if they learned or not tomorrow. I imagine either they will be on their best behavior from now on or fleeing the city to avoid me shortly. If not, well, they'll wish they had." Her demeanor quickly changes becoming very submissive, "Have I been naughty master? Are you going to punish me?"
The door of Saul's office is quietly closed after Nessa enters, and locked.
Whatever happens there is better left to your imagination.
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Needless to say, Saul doesn't seems so angry anymore.
On a sadder note, Cameron sees the guard who hit Martigan on the head coming closer, and he whispers to the priest of Desna
What, you mean the guy is dead? I didn't want to kill him, by all the gods...I just wanted to stun him!
The guard seems sincere. It's probably not the first time he kills someone, but this death was totally unintentional.
Now, there's the tricky part of getting a corpse out of the Gold Goblin without anyone noticing.
Fortunately, Alayna has unwillingly created a diversion, as most of the customers group themselve to the bar. Desna must smile upon you, Cameron!
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Hal descends the stairs and goes to retrieve his arrow. He'd have to repair it but the practice would remind him not to miss in the future.
To his right, Cameron sees to the old man's body with clear melancholy in his demeanor. Perhaps the old fellow is a friend of his? Perhaps the disappointment is not in the death, but in the life of the old man. Some humans are at least sensitive to the poor choices made within their pitifully short lifespans.
He turns from the scene of grievance and finds his eyes resting upon the little Imp still held within the guided cage above the gaming floor. The creature's devilish eyes are focused on something. What is that calls your interest little fiend... Hal makes as though he's studying the condition of his damaged arrow and follows the creature's gaze to the dwarf. Hmm...what is your interest in that hairy creature?
With a twitch of his cheek muscle Hal resolves to inform the dwarf despite his distrust of the species. If he is to be part of this group of tavern workers, then I will need him performing without limitations. He looks at the arrow in his hand and frowns. The awareness that he'd underperformed against a dwarf did little to raise his spirits.
It's of little effort to position himself in Dolgrin's path. As he passes, Hal puts out a hand to forestall his progress. "A word, dwarf."
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"The little demon in Saul's cage is paying quite close attention to you. Perhaps studying you. Be on your guard."
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To his right, Cameron sees to the old man's body with clear melancholy in his demeanor. Perhaps the old fellow is a friend of his? Perhaps the disappointment is not in the death, but in the life of the old man. Some humans are at least sensitive to the poor choices made within their pitifully short lifespans.
Seeing the five crowns dwindle away before the round is over, she just thinks Ta' Besmara's damned teets anyway! Cost a' doin' business! With that, she embraces the celebration and has a heck of a night reveling with her new friends.
Cameron quietly tells the guard, "We can't leave him here on the street, help me bring him inside. No not through the front entrance, lets take him round back."
Once they're inside Cameron tells him, "Look I know you didn't mean to kill him, you'd have used your blade otherwise. Sometimes we get dealt a terrible hand and we've got to deal with it. I'll talk to the others, we'll figure something out."
Cameron quietly slips back into the gaming hall and whispers to Hal in Elvish.
Dolgrin's hand grips the haft of his axe firmly as the foul elf confronts him. His eyes narrow at the Hal's words and he glances over at the imp before looking back. What game is he playing at?
Nonetheless, the dwarf relaxes his grip and sidles away from the elf without a word, making his way over to the infernal creature, to examine it more closely, his eyes darting around for some kind of elfin trick.
My brother, Beyar, would help me, but it's best if he stays alert at the door, we don't need anymore trouble and I don't want Saul to get mad at us either...Thank you for helping me, man.I'll praise Desna . I'll wish in my dreams this dead guy would have been more lucky tonight.
He lifts the body with your help, as if the guy was just still stunned, and whispers
It's been some time I haven't seen Milon. Got any news?
There's not a place left at the bar, and a few girls are asked to help Two-Thumbs the bartender.It will be a quite a tab tonight... But as long as Alayna got enough money to pay, there will be no problem.
Well, Saul ain't no ship's Cap'n but sure as wave an' wind he has'ta recognize my good works!
The revelry continues, with bawdy songs and free flowing grog, it is a loud revelry, as well.
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Hal watches the dwarf turn and head straight for the Imp. Probably curious how a creature can snell so poorly...
To his right, Cameron approaches regarding the man out front. A difficult situation but not insurmountable. He responds to the priest as he uses Martigan's shabby cloak to wrap his body.
He gestures for Cameron and the guard to lift the dead man and nods towards the back. Hal assists in getting a hole created to move thru the crowd.