Key moves up to the thug dressed in green, and swings at him with her fist. Hitting him square in the face. "Why are we using lethal force here? Does anyone know what the issue was or did you not like their looks?" she sighs.
After 10 weeks working here you'd think one of us would have a sap.
Zarine, your magic missile hits and dissolves him into dust.
Miss key, guy stiffens up and falls backwards.
Sorry Key. You're right. I... didn't think. I'll try to research some less deadly spells. Honestly, I... <she looks at her hands> I didn't know I was that powerful. I really thought they would only be hurt a little.
"Why are we using lethal force here? Does anyone know what the issue was or did you not like their looks?" she sighs.
"Them skels asked for it when they took a poke at me mate over there. I know Able can take care o' himself in a fair fight, but four t'one, I jus' wanted t' even the odds a bit, s'all. Rule number one o' thuggery, 'don't draw down if you ain't ready t'pay the price'. 'Sides, we can't have every Joe an' Jim stormin' in here makin' la-dee-da with our cash, yeah?"
To Zarine, he says:"You done jus' fine, doll. Remin' me t'stand behind ya when them blasts are comin'. Mighty impressive far as castin' goes." He gives her a thumbs up and a wink.
Fingers seems pretty satisfied with that answer. And then goes about looking through the pockets of the fallen thugs, to see what they might have on them or if he knows them from around town.
"It's bad for business to kill the unhappy customers. That's all I'm saying. "
She casts stabilize any that might still live. "Let's toss them out back when your done looking through their pockets Fingers." Key grabs the legs of one to drag out of the building.
"Hm. I woulda preferred we whoop dem boys and toss me out the back. Wasn't gonna stab them, 'less they took a swing first. No call ta worry 'bout it now, anyways, dead is dead, after all. At least noone is gonna try an' rip off da Goblin on our watch now."
Herman helps to divest the recently departed of their worldly possessions, then carts their bodies out.
If'n they keep it to fists that's fine, when they pull the weapons I'm not playing anymore." Is able's blunt comment.
"Why are we using lethal force here? Does anyone know what the issue was or did you not like their looks?" she sighs.
"Them skels asked for it when they took a poke at me mate over there. I know Able can take care o' himself in a fair fight, but four t'one, I jus' wanted t' even the odds a bit, s'all. Rule number one o' thuggery, 'don't draw down if you ain't ready t'pay the price'. 'Sides, we can't have every Joe an' Jim stormin' in here makin' la-dee-da with our cash, yeah?"
To Zarine, he says:"You done jus' fine, doll. Remin' me t'stand behind ya when them blasts are comin'. Mighty impressive far as castin' goes." He gives her a thumbs up and a wink.
Fingers seems pretty satisfied with that answer. And then goes about looking through the pockets of the fallen thugs, to see what they might have on them or if he knows them from around town.
[dice=Know Local]1d20+4
After the local guards come take the thugs away, saul takes to the center podium "Lady's, gentlemen, I would like you all to know that the gold Goblin is under new management" he says as he points to you guys. "These individuals are my new business partners and will be from here on out handling the Gold Goblins day to day operations. I do also have a few new rules, from henceforth, no acts or people of criminal lawlessness will be permitted on the premises. i ask all you spy's out there to go back and tell your bosses that any hostile acts against the Gold Goblin or its staff will be met with force. The gold Goblin will also be enforcing a NO WEAPON policy, All weapons much be checked at the door. Anyone caught with a weapon will be treated as hostile and dealt with." saul steps down and approaches the group.
"Please meet me in the catwalks upstairs, i have something to show all of you."
Zarine (the smart but unwise), figures that is a totally normal speech from a totally normal business owner. She suspects nothing and skips on up to the catwalk.
Fingers turns the chips back into the cashier, and lets the guard take the weapons away with the unconscious thugs. He silently approves of Saul's little speech, but wonders how the rest of Riddleport's crime bosses might take the Gold Goblin on the rise.
When Saul asks them upstairs, Fingers follows along to hear with the boss might have in mind.
Herman helps clean up and then stomps upstairs with the others.
"Looks like we just got targets pai Ted on our backs, folks. Better be on our guard all the time, now."
"Business partners? That's quite a promotion for only ten weeks of work, and no monetary investment." Key elbows Herman. "Keep an eye out something isn't right."
She heads up to the catwalk with the group.
"Yeah, lass, I feel the same. He's got somethin' to sell, and we're the target audience. I'll keep my eyes open, suggest you do the same."
Once up in the catwalks, he points to a quite large built man playing at the Golam table. "Keep an eye on him, that's Clegg Zincher, one of the local crime lords and my largest competitor. I have no intentions of removeing him but i would like you guys to keep a eye on him and figure out why him and not his spy's are doing here."
Fingers watches the large man play games from above for a moment, contemplating any stories he's heard about this fellow around Riddleport.
Zarine goes down and starts playing at the Golam table as well, keeping her concentration on the game, but listening and subtly flirting with Zincher when there are appropriate moments... giving him a wide grin if they both win, nudging him if it's his turn to bet, etc. Nothing overt, just friendly... seeing what she can pick up from just being there and listening. She doesn't initiate a conversation; she wants that to be his idea. Instead, she just comments on everything about the game. Wow. and Yes! and pleasepleaseplease and Darn it. and similar, as she reacts to things at the table.
Able sticks to the background workings, as he was hardly the pretty face a casino wanted charming the customers.
Talking to Fingers. "He's right. What's a boss like Zincher doing playing games here? Unless he thinks it's already his."
he turns and gives Zarine a big pat on the back "So your sauls new big project huh" he smiles "Least he finally hired some attractive help". He winks at Zarine "how about you and that other lady partner of yours come to my place for the night" he pats a bag of coins on his side "ill pay you triple what saul pays you"
Zarine laughs.
We're not guards or whores, Mr. Zincher, so I'm not sure what you would need us for, or what "project" you think we are involved in. We just help out around here, making sure the place stays profitable, through perfectly legal means of course.
... I mean, honestly, I'm not averse to the thought of a better salary. I just don't want you to misinterpret what it is that we do, and get disappointed when you hire us.
Theoretically before she starts to interact with Zincher, Fingers will share the information with Zarine and the others. Prefering to be more covert than the sorceress, Fingers stalks Zincher as he plays on the gambling tables, trying to stay just out of sight or mingle in with the rest of the crowd, but keeping an eye on the man just the same.
Key will walk along the cat walk keeping an eye on things below. She taps herself with Touch of Good, as she looks around.
He gets up off the chair and grabs his winnings. Well young lady, i best be off. Tell old saul i stopped by As he gives Zarines butt a nice slap and heads out the door
Keybella, as Clegg walks out a young looking half elf walks by him and into the Gold Goblin. Clegg always looking for a "toy" checks her out but she pays him no mind. This young half elf walks up to the first person she sees working and asks to speak with "who ever is in charge"
Zarine, fuming, follows Zincher to the door, wanting to burn HIM to death too, but her recent experience with accidentally killing people has made her more cautious than normal, and she figures that she should probably put fire on her list of "things never to do" as well.
One he's out the door, she visibly calms herself, and tries to go back to greeting people normally, figuring she doesn't have anything to report to Saul.
Some random half-elf comes up to her and asks to speak with whoever is in charge. She says Well, that would be Saul, but I'm one of his partners now, so I could likely help you. What do you need?
"Hi, yes, hello" she says as she shakes your hand. "My name is Samaritha. i arrived in town couple weeks ago to find a mentor and become a cyphermage, but i find myself running low on funds. i was wondering if you are in need of a waitress or host."
Zarine instantly likes her because her story seems somehow familiar. :) She doesn't sense motive, doesn't see the timing as suspect... just thinks she is super cool.
Welcome Samaritha. Hmm. Well, now that I am a partner, I think I can hire people, so... you're hired. You're our new waitress. <She points to the kitchen> If you go in there, Lixy (or whoever is on duty) can get you fixed up. They'll be happy. The rush should be here soon.
Err, that is... if you are ready to start today?
What is that you are reading, by the way?
Have you studied the blot at all? That's what I've been studying. I really want to get into the Order of Cyphers. ... Oh, wait, no. You aren't *in* the Order of Cyphers already, are you?
Key shakes her head as she watches Clegg tap Zarine on the rear. She's going to have to learn to zap people when they do that.
She sees Zarine talking to the hal-elf. Zarine speaks to her nods, and points her to the kitchen, and then ask more questions. I wonder what that's about. Better go see.
"You doing ok Zarine?" she asks as she approaches the two women.
Oh, hey Key.
Samaritha, this is Keybella Astara, another partner of this establishment.
Key, this is Samaritha. She's studying to be a Cyphermage. Pretty cool. She needs work, and since we're partners now, I decided to hire her. That's okay, right? We do need a waitress.
Herman moves to introduce himself to the new person.
"Hi, I'm Herman. I guess I am the big scary guy who hits things and gets hit when needed. Pleased ta meetcha."
He extends his hand and offers a firm, but not bone crunching, grip for the handshake.
She lets out a squeal and hugs Zarine tightly "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" after she lets go she introduces herself to the other before skipping into the kitchen
Not long after she enters the kitchen so you hear an ear piercing shriek and the cook come running out "SNAKE!!! That poor girl didn't stand a chance!!!
Snake? Is there a snake in the kitchen?
"What do you mean snake?" Key takes off for the kitchen at a run.
Zarine follows.
Hearing the yell Able starts running to the kitchens.
Confused, Herman also heads into the kitchen.
in the kitchen, Samaritha lays on the ground, a small wound on her arm indicates shes been bitten by a snake. Close by her a small red snake slithers into way into the pantry.
As soon as Zarine sees the snake she casts Magic Missile at it.
Can you heal her? Zarine asks Key.
Herman barges his way into the pantry, readying his shield as he goes.
"Gotta be a poison snake! Squeezers won't drop ya that fast!"
Key hits her knees and slides across the room to Samaritha. "Where did that snake come from. She casts Cure Light Wounds on the girl.
Leaving the gaming area at the shouts from the kitchen, Fingers sees the girl lying on the ground and Zarine loose a magic bolt at the snake.
Reacting quickly, the slips a dagger from his boot top and flings it at the serpent in one smooth motion before anyone else can close in and block his line of sight.
Seeing that the others have the situation well in hand, Zarine goes back out front to make sure everyone is calm. She doesn't want the cook to start a panic. She privately tells the cook that the girl is okay, and sends her to her room to calm down, promising her a bonus for keeping her head and alerting them to the trouble.
She then tells everyone that things are okay, and that there was just a bit of a mix-up in the kitchen, but nothing to worry about, and says, nodding to the bartender, Free round of drinks for everyone!
Once the snake is dealt with and Zarine works on crowd control, Fingers takes a closer look around the kitchen to determine how a snake got inside.
Key reaches down and touches the girl with Touch of Good.
Then she touches herself with the same spell. [b]"Let's see if I can help you get rid of the poison.