Happy that Saphren has been given authority and some responsibility lifted from her shoulders, Reva naturally falls into her routine of obeying orders. Keeping her near-disaster of a recruiting drive in mind, Reva focuses instead on the staff and customers. She also picks up a sap in order to avoid killing anyone else.
With customers she focuses on building the image of a good friend and a very bad enemy. Peaceful regulars get her somewhat awkward attempts to be nice, anyone who causes trouble gets a bad scare and quickly thrown out.
Weekly Activities
Saphren works the front door, but does an especially good job leaving an impression on those coming in as he disarms and intimidates the customers. His actions help the bad guys feel unwelcome and the few honest patrons seem much safer knowing a hulking half-orc is roughing up people at the door who have shady motives. That same story soon starts spreading around the harbor area of Riddleport and a few more of the "right" clientele start to arrive as a result.
Reva follows close in his footsteps, and works the floor ruthlessly. While still socially inept in most situations, she is a force to anyone acting up or acting out. She hauls out a few drunken or surly patrons, and the remaining bad actors start to keep a much lower profile.
Magnus gets to run his hands through the counting room take and get some gratification from it, but it doesn't really help with business much. He gets enough gold fever that he doesn't even leave with an accurate count on the amount in the counting room.
Working on the social upper crust (such as it is) in Riddleport, Blossom spends a few coins to be at the finest hair salons and spas, dropping comments about the renewed Gold Goblin and generally pushing the place as the next "it" spot. Her efforts pay off during the week as a few of the social elite make there way into the Goblin, dropping many gold coins in the process of an entertaining, and safe, evening. The elven entertainer spends 1d10gp on this endeavor.
Vris continues to work the town for good quality staff people to come and work in the Goblin, but while many men are interested in her, few new worthy applicants actually arrive.
20 Gozran 4709 Absalom Reckoning, late evening
As you gather with your new business partners to eat dinner in the upstairs common room, Saul Vancaskerkin appears with a troubled look on his face.
He motions to you to follow and takes you out onto the security balconies overlooking the gaming floor.
"Look down there. See that big hulking brute?" He points at a man playing at a game table. The man's chest is huge and his arms literally ripple with muscle. His thick neck and crew cut hair only reinforce the image of someone you don't want to mess with. "That is Clegg Zincher. We have...a history. He's one of the underworld bosses in town and runs a competing casino. I don't know what he's doing here, but it's likely no good. Keep an eye on him!"
Saul appears more worried and frantic than usual, as if this Zincher's presence is causing him great distress. He rubs his key stump with his good hand over and over while he speaks.
Tell me about that history boss, and what you know about the man - I've not heard much of him. Saphen asks. Perhaps if we know we can use it...
"Find out what you can. I'll watch him," says Reva softly, taking note of Vancaskerkin's nervousness. She moves out onto the casino floor and attempts to remain inconspicuous as she watches Clegg. Rather than hiding outright, she simply wants to blend in with the crowd.
Vancaskerkin shifts uncomfortably. "Let's just say, this key..."he gestures at his missing hand where the silver key now resides. "...would be still locked up in my safe if it weren't for him. We had a misunderstanding regarding my son Orik, a local working girl, and an alchemist named Falk. Anyway, he and I don't necessarily get along, and his being here, can't be a good sign in anyway. Careful, though, he's a crafty one even if he doesn't look it."
Trig asks her girls (she's become quite fond of them over the last few weeks) to keep an eye on Clegg and let her know anything useful.
Zhèlǐ jiǎndān de gāgā cū duǎn de lóngzi...
Shénme shì làngfèi.
Nodding in acknowledgement of Saul's 'warning', Blossom sashay's down to the floor, waving & embracing those few customers that might have become 'regulars' for her. Slinking up to Clegg, she sidles up to him languidly. "This doesn't look like the sort of...
amusement,
that a man such as yourself regularly partakes in, Lǎobǎn Zincher. My performance isn't for half an hour but I'm certain I could get you a good seat if that was your intent."
What a waste.
"'Boss'"
No, Blossom has no interest in treachery against Vancaskerkin, she just doesn't see a reason not to enjoy herself while keeping an eye on Zincher.
The wait staff report that even the other customers are wary around the big bad crimeboss, since most know his anger is quick and fearsome and his reach is long. Maybe his memory is even longer.
Reva watches him from the shadows and sees the man gambling, but never spending too much time or getting staked too deeply in any one game. Milling about is more what it appears like.
As Blossom approaches, the man Clegg smiles. It is a crooked little smile and it's obvious it never reaches his eyes which are flat and cold, like steel. "I may stay for that show. Then after I can show you why you'd be better served to leave this rat-trap and come to work for me?"
"I do not understand, boss-man." the dwarf says, gruffly. "If he took your hand then vhy do you let him feast in your hall? Should we not... ehhh... How you say, make the pig-meat of him? I vill fetch my hammer."
Smiling noncommittally at Boss Zincher's reply, Blossom quips. "But how could you be certain you would be well-served by such a fair-weather employee?" Continuing on, she adds. "Besides, we have yet to determine if you will even like my dancing."
When it becomes time for her performance, Blossom will leave Boss Zincher & make her way to the stage.
Saul frowns at Magnus his brow's wrinkled with worry. "This is a more delicate situation than that. He has powerful and connected friends and we are not strong enough to take them on yet. Better to see what he's up to then to get in a fight we can't win," says Saul with a wry look.
Trying to garner his motive for being here leads you no where, it appears to you that he is simply out for an enjoyable evening.
Leaving the muscle-bound crime boss behind, Blossom mounts the stage, dancing in tandem with her hair which seems to ripple and flow rhythmnically to the music on it's own accord. The music, the performance, and the girl are all exotic enough to be a strange wonder in this backward part of Varisia. The rough crowd becomes enraptured by her movements, and when she ends, a chorus of applause, catcalls, and cheers erupts through the house.
silver pieces in total.
Zincher applauds loud and long, and lets out a long wolf whistle as the sultry elven witch descends the stage, her hair still undulating softly.
He nods to her, and motions her over to where he is seated at a gaming table.
Reva remains at the back of the crowd, very carefully watching Clegg. She occasionally glances up to Bu.
A sinner and a show off. But she is talented. Ugh. I've been here for I don't know how long and I know nothing about any demonic activity. I'm just some low level thug for a crime lord. Well, I don't know everything yet and will remain until I do. I have to be here for a reason, and I don't feel it is time to leave. Yet.
Saphren nods at Saul's advise. I better get down there there then, and learn what I can.
Magnus nods uneasily and moves to Reva's side. He pays no heed to the dancing, and cradles his warhammer in his hands, just out of sight of the crowds. "By my grandfather's bones. There will be trouble. Vhat do you think? Vhy has he come?"
Stepping toward Clegg Zincher's table, Blossom pauses briefly as she acknowledges the rest of the audience's applause. Reva, her eyes catch your own for an instant & you hear a whispering in your ear.
"Well, Lǎobǎn Zincher. It seems perhaps we have reason to speak after all..." Her eyebrow arches in invitation.
Saphren, alert, takes his normal position by the door but moves about some to keep a charge lane clear, if needed.
"He's not playing to enjoy himself. He's examining the place. I do not expect trouble tonight though. Maybe later." Reva whispers back to Blossom.
Magnus scowls as Reva does not seem to notice him. Red-faced and grumbling, Magnus sends for another brandy and sits alone in the corner, hammer strewn across his lap as he leers at Zincher and expounds on several of the failings of humans to the bottom of his glass.
Reva blinks as she looks down at Magnus and follows him, tapping him on the shoulder. "Missed you there. He's uh... casing the place I think is what they say. Here to see what we're about I imagine. This won't be good for us."
Zincher smiles down at the elven dancer grimly. It looks as if his teeth have been filed down, giving him a ferocious appearance.
"Not that you don't have your charms, missy, but you get the wrong idea. I'm only here to check out Sauly's newest project and get a look at his new playmates." He points out Reva and Magnus and Saphren in turn. "That means you lot. I guess I've seen enough." He stands to leave, but before he turns he tosses you a leather purse filled with coins. "Take it and split it how you will, with Clegg's good wishes." And he strides purposefully out the door without looking back, elbowing a pair of gamblers out of his way in the process.
As he reaches the door, he stares Saphren down with unblinking eyes, the challenge there for all to see. If unimpeded, he exits.
Just as he leaves, a cry goes up from the kitchen. A terrified and breathless cook flings open the galley door crying:"A big red snake's got in the scullery! Hurry, Efrain's bit already and who knows what that mad thing'll do next."
An Unfriendly Warning - Round 1
22 Blossom
17 Saphren
15 Trig
15 Magnus
8 Snake
5 Reva
5 Vris
As you race into the kitchen, you see one of the scullery hands unconscious and convulsing on the floor. Then rising up from the scullery sink, a bright red long languid snake appears, it's posture aggressive, hissing mouth open to show venom-injecting fangs.
Reva looks up at the call and lets out an audible groan. She claps Magnus and Blossom awkwardly on the back in an attempt at camraderie before she takes off to the kitchen.
Magnus scowls as Reva does not seem to notice him. Red-faced and grumbling, Magnus sends for another brandy and sits alone in the corner, hammer strewn across his lap as he leers at Zincher and expounds on several of the failings of humans to the bottom of his glass.
Saphren says to Zincher as he leaves Thanks for your patronage sir. Do come again. You can count on me to bring equal "patronage" to your business ventures in the future. He smiles his best toothy smile at the man. His oversized scimitar, point down on the floor never moves.
At the call for help Saphren will actually bar/lock the door before moving to see about the snake. Not falling for that diversion. he thinks to himself. To the customers in the area he says Be right back folks. No cause for alarm.
Trig isn't nearby for Clegg's enigmatic exit, but she hears the screams and goes running. As she and the others enter the kitchen, she pants, "Give me a second to talk to it... maybe we can get it to calm down and take it out of here without us killing it and without it hurting anyone else!"
"Glorious, beautiful serpent, deadly in the tooth and fast as lightning, I greet you with respect. We mean you no harm if you cause us none. We can return you to your home, but we will fight you and kill you if you attack us!"
Eyebrows arched at Zincher's dismissal, Blossom sniffs disparagingly herself; only to whirl in response to the cry from the kitchen. Skipping quickly to determine the severity of the poison, she intones a sing-song phrase of arcane power.
An Unfriendly Warning - Round 1
Blossom arrives first in the kitchen and finds the scullery hand writhing on the floor. She casts an enchantment to verify the poison and the returning dweomer tells her the poor man is indeed poisoned, likely from a bite from the fire-red venomous viper, now uncoiling in the scullery sink. The snake looks vaguely familiar, but you can't quite place where you've seen or heard of it before.
After seeing the rival crime-boss out, Saphren also hears the cry of alarm from the kitchen. Knowing it's likely a diversion, he locks the front door of the casino and calms the customers, before heading to see the cause of the panic this time.
The wee gnome arrives in the kitchen after Blossom and tries to open a dialogue with the snake using her gnome-ability of speaking with animals, but it appears to have no effect as the angry hissing snake continues writhing, looking for the right opening to bite.
"Eyn imglik iz far im veynik. One misfortune is too few for him." the dwarf growls, sullenly. However, this does not stop him from snatching up the purse and immediately counting out the coin. That is, until the terrified runs out of the kitchen.
Magnus will double move into the kitchen, ready to charge next round. He'll stop along the way to reprimand his fellow chef. "Be qviet, you fool. Do not the guests be hearingk you. I vill deal with zis snake."
An Unfriendly Warning - Round 1 - continued
The dwarven fighter arrives in the kitchen as fast as his stubby legs can take him. Huffing and puffing he surveys the scene readying his warhammer for more duty.
The angry snake rockets forward along the wall, striking at Blossom and nicking her with it's venomous fangs on the leg for 1hp.
1 hp Dmg minimum
Saphren double moves towards the trouble.
Seeing everyone charge for the kitchen, Reva forgoes her planned spell and charges in at the kitchen. She stops at the door, staring at the massive snake.
"This dwarven cooking is getting out of control," she says dryly before she looks down at the convulsing kitchen aid. Composing herself, Reva speaks aloud a prayer before attacking the snake head-on.
"Gaha oiad olpirt ol oiad nazpsad balzizras!"
An Unfriendly Warning - Round 1 - concluded
Despite the wound on her leg being no more than a scratch, the viper is able to inject its neurotoxin into the elf witch. Her breathing gets more shallow and difficult as the venom seeps through her blood supply.
continue to check 1/rnd for 5 more rnds.
Reva rushes into the kitchen and seeing the venomous snake, slices it with her sword, a long wound opening in the snake's side.
Far away from the galley when the call went out, Vris hurries to investigate, being careful not to look too hurried and upset any customers.
End of Round 1
An Unfriendly Warning - Round 2
22 Blossom (poisoned)
17 Saphren
15 Trig
15 Magnus
8 Snake (wounded)
5 Reva
5 Vris
Feeling quiet uncomfortable with poison coursing through her, Blossom full round withdraws, back towards the doors of the kitchen.
Hearing the commotion and knowing the front is secure, Saphren double times it to the galley to investigate for himself, the falchion in hand.
"You do not find snakes in the mountains, girl. You are thinking of ze Shoanti." the dwarf grumbles, echoing his battle cry along with hers, voice echoing throughout the Goblin as his chastisement of his kitchenhand a moment before is forgotten. ""
An Unfriendly Warning - round 2 - concluded
Magnus, nearly yawning with boredom, smashes the snake under the mighty head of his warhammer like a man stepping on an insect.
End of Combat
Blossom Saving throw rolls:
This will take 7 days to heal naturally, or something like lesser restoration to restore more quickly. that much CON damage takes her HP down to 3 and reduces her FORT save to -3. She was pretty close to dying herself from that poison, as her effective CON is now 2.
Trig knows a thing or two (but no more than that) about snakebites, so as soon as Magnus squashes the snake she runs over to Bu, says, "Gotta suck the poison out, forgive me!" puts her lips on the cut and starts to suck, stopping every second or two to spit blood onto the floor and grimace.
Trig's timely suction withdraws much of the venom, leaving Blossom a little worse for wear, but not nearly as bad off as if the insidious poison had coursed through her entire body.
"Zat vas quick thinking, leetle one. But you must be more careful." the dwarf says, shouldering his hammer and placing a concerned hand on Trig's shoulder. He grins at the others. "So. Vhat vill we do with our prize?" he says, lifting up the enormous snake by the neck. "Drop it on our unvelcome guest's doorstep, perhaps?"
Trig smiles at Blossom, her mouth red with blood, and then runs for the sink to wash out her mouth. "I'm sure you're ever so sweet, Blossom, but I could have done without tasting your blood. At least we got the poison out. And now you owe me one!" She winks happily at the elf.
She smiles at Magnus's praise and concern. "I'll be fine. I spat out any venom that was in there, and a ranger once told me that it has to be in your blood to cause you harm."
"Hmm, I wouldn't mind some snake-skin shoes."
Saphren arrives too late to help much, looking a little sad that the snake is dead when he sees and understands the treat. Lets eat it. he adds quite seriously. That way we can thank our 'benefactor" for such a fine and exotic meal. And I have a use for its poison gland. His eyes twinkle disturbingly as he pulls out a dagger and prepares to skin the creature. Realizing he does not quite know what he is doing he ask Any one ever skin a snake before?
Reva glances over to Blossom and sees Trig administering her wound. She instead rushes over to the dying scullery hand to see what she can do.
"Come on come on..." She glances over her shoulder. "I have no opinion on what to do with the snake whether we drop it off or eat it. But that bastard needs to be stopped from hurting anyone else."
"Do we know, for certain, that Clegg arranged the snake? Is it possible it's a coincidence?"