"Smeed filed a report that his life was threatened?" Meghan asks, acting surprised. "When did this happen? It may be related to our missing, possibly murdered associate!"
"Smeed's a moneylender in Riddleport, and a paranoid one at that. He's been filing reports since he started his business. And you," he turns to Tural, "Are you threatening a city guard with vigilantism? This ain't the wilderness, you go bursting into homes and threatening lives and I'll throw your ass into lockup so long your cell will flood with piss. You hear me?"
The guard seems to relax after he's had his say.
"Look, you promise not to cause problems for me and I'll give you the latest incident report. But that's it."
"Threatening? Not at all, as I keep saying. I came here to prevent vigilantism in all forms. I understand you perfectly, and thank you very much for your assistance."
The guard hands you a report and grumbles.
He eventually takes it back, but the gist of it is this. Smeed has filed 37 official complaints with the guard for thieves, debtors, presumed killers, and other sorts of crimes against him. A few have been investigated and found conclusive, mostly the debtor cases. However, many of the others just seem to waste the guards time and seem more like harassment forced onto others. Though, even if that were the case the guard can't really do anything about it. They're a service, and those who know how to work the service can use it well. The latest incident seemed to be some nonsense about folks casing his place, around his home, at the back and even perhaps above on the roof. The guards checked, didn't find anything.
"Now get out of here, or I'll really toss you in chains." the guard grumbles, clearly rethinking showing you the report.
Meghan pleasantly thanks the man for his time and heads back to the city streets.
"I don't see what more we can do 'cept head back to the Goblin an' inform ol' Keypaw what went down. We can come back tomorrow to try an' talk with them two looters, but I wouldn't be surprised if Clegg Zincher has 'em sprung or silenced before then. Assumin' that meatheaded bastard set this all up, o' course...."
Back at the Goblin, you relay the news and possible theories of Larur's disappearance, and Saul looks concerned. He drums his fingers on the polished wood of his desk, and mutters to himself.
"Is there anything else you think I should know? I hope Larur turns up, but I fear the worst."
"The moneylender seemed almost as on edge as we were. I know it's a risky business, but he seemed afraid, almost as though it weren't his doing. Maybe someone is trying to brew up bad blood between you and Smeed? My money would be on Zincher, but I always suspect Zincher." It was known of Taton's predisposition of distrust towards Zincher. After all, he had good reason for it. "We can't let what happened to Larur pass without incident, we just don't know whose skulls need cracking."
"Yeah, me money's on Zincher bein' the mastermind, too," Meghan chimes in. "We can try to interrogate the two thugs we caught at Larur's flat tomorrow; if they're no longer in custody or dead, that'd be even more proof that Zincher's behind it all, in me eyes at least."
"He got a particular beef or score to settle with ya, boss?" Meghan asks Saul.
"Zincher's had it out for me since before the Goblin, when I actually had some power you could almost call us rivals."
Saul sighs, rubbing his head as the jumble of thoughts try and straighten them out.
"You've done well. Take the rest of the day off. I'll see if I can track down some leads with my contacts..."
"Aw hells, Saul--we're down a man now. Ain't no way I'm slackin' today. Let us know if ya find out somethin', though."
Meghan goes to the party's room, takes off her armor and stows most of her weapons, and then gets back to work, greeting guests and dealing some cards.
"If you insist." Tural goes upstairs to work on his side projects, crafting alchemical items.
Nodding in agreement, Ryssa decides to go flirt with Samaritha, hoping to woo the half-elf. She did ask the goddess for some luck...just in case of course.
Ryssa flirted with Samaritha, asking her half-elven coworker some questions, while dropping hints that the tiefling was looking for some private, intimate time with her.
"Being a priestess of Calistria, you learn that the Savored Sting doesn't care much about what race you are or what parts you're born with. To her, we're all the same. And that means, if you're born a hermaphrodite like me, that's pretty alright in her eyes. And I can tell you darling, that a lot of people, both men and women of numerous races, have enjoyed my company. Still, you're one of the few that has that caught my eye."
She flicked out her snake-like forked tongue a few times as she grinned at Samaritha.
After spending a little bit of time adjusting his ongoing projects (changing heat, stirring, allowing to cool, etc.), Tural finds Samaritha (once Ryssa is finished talking to her) and approaches her shyly, but with a smile nonetheless.
"Hello. I was wondering if you might be interested in some magical training? I would love to learn some transmutation spells from you, if you wouldn't mind finding someplace away from all these distractions."
Espite Saul's suggestion, Meghan goes back to work. Though, this kind of work may be relaxing for her. She seems to have a good night and even earns 5 gp in tips at the end of it. Truly, a good night.
=======================================================================
Samaritha blushes obviously from Ryssa's very forward approach to flirting.
"Um...thank you for the offer." she says, a bit uncomfortable with the direction the conversation is headed.
"I'm flattered, but really you're coming on a bit too much."
=======================================================================
Samaritha smiles and says, I'm a bit sore after the day's work, but if there's time, I think I could show you a few things at least.
Taton spends his time keeping the peace around the casino, and his off time he splits between enjoying himself in drink and the pursuit of physical betterment.
The drinking tends to be more effective in reaching its goal.
He does not attempt to woo Samaritha, nor anyone else for that matter. Such is not the way he perceives the path of the Unquenchable Fire.
Tural, you make signifacnt leaps on your first day, taking to the tricks and techniques that Samaritha shows you.
Taton enjoys himself relaxing with a drink and improving his body. One afternoon, he finds an unopened bottle a decent second shelf mead sitting in the chair he's fond of, clearly meant as a gift. If you ask around, you find no one knows who put it there.
Sometime along the week, Saul introduces two new hires he recruited to make up for Larur's absence. As he puts it, it takes two guys to fill his spot.
A young Chelaxian male smiles at the introduction from Saul, "Glad to be part of the team. I have recently arrived in Riddleport and Saul has been kind enough to offer me a job. My previous employment was on the ship Jenivere. I have had enough of sea life for awhile. It is nice to have may feet back on solid ground."
His clothing is clean but a little worn. His gear is well organized on his person, as if he could draw any item at a moments notice. His weapons show signs of use but are well maintained.
Behind the Amboy a young dwarf can be seen. Where Amboy walks with grace and style, the dwarf moves like a hill on legs.
He wears a well made suit of chainmail and is armed with finely crafted waraxe on a sling on his back and a small and a bigger hammer on his belt. A gold and green tartan is slung across his chest
"Well met, lads and laddies. Me name is Valbar Thunderfist, but I prefer my nickname Unbeugsam, from my time in the Foecrusher Bloodboel team.
I have just arrived in this place and was looking for work. Have been working in a foreign smithy for five years and thought it was time to move on."
Drawing his waraxe , he smiles. "This is Zwergenfrieden, the best piece I ever made. But no worries, I not only know how to make them, but also how to use them!"
A blonde-haired human woman with a bit of impishness in her eyes and smile steps forward to the two new hires, hand thrust forward for a handshake. "Name's Meghan, 'Goldknickers' some call me, for obvious reasons . I'm a dealer, greeter, an' the announcer/ring girl down in the Arena. Welcome to the Golden Goblin! Pleased to meet yas!"
Unbeugsam takes her hand in a warriors handshake, feeling the strength of her wrists. "Well you seem to have not only golden breeches but also a silver tongue! Now just a full beard and I would call you beautiful"
Although it is clear it was not meant offensive, his voice has a certain ring to it, to make it a bit queer.
Meghan laughs lightly at Unbeugsam's words, taking no offence at all. She seems fairly strong for a female human of her size and frame, but far from a frontline fighter.
A man, clad in gold-trimmed red robes steps up, "Greetings. I am Tural. Pleasure to meet you." While soft-spoken, he has a confidence behind his words and an unwavering gaze as he studies the newcomer's faces.
Taton wakes from the haze of barely paying attention to Saul due to his attention being focused on the patrons and the threats they might pose. "Ah, I'm Taton. I keep people safe and keep everyone legitimate. No cheating will happen on my watch. I also drink."
Looking Taton up and down Bollwerk grins. "So you and I will be working in team. Ha, that will be fun. Especially, if you think you can best a dwarf in a drinking game. But you can try, you can!"
Amboy tires not to stare as he returns Meghan's handshake. "I am been at sea way to long."
Looking at the others he chimes in, "Can you fill us in on what been going on and how we can help?"
Remembering tha pack on his back Unbeugsam chirps in."And where our bunks are. No need to carry all my belongings with me all day long!"
Meghan falls effortlessly into "greeter" mode, showing the two new hires the different areas and functions of the Gold Goblin Gambling Hall, ending her tour at the staff's quarters. There she fills the two new guys in on some of the recent goings-on.
"Well, things ain't exactly been runnin' smoothly since Saul reopened the hall," Meghan admits reluctantly. "The first tournament was disrupted by a robbery, then we had an incident with a snake in the kitchen, an' just a few days back one o' our friends an' colleagues--a dwarf named Larur--went missin' while takin' a payment to Saul's moneylender. We fear he's been murdered."
"On the positive side, though, we've managed to get through those difficulties to the point where the Goblin's turnin' a bit o' a profit. Hasn't been an easy go, but then again, life's biggest rewards rarely come easy, eh?"
Stroking his beard Unbeugsam smiles at Goldi and shrugs.
"And you are sure that Larur didn´t run off with the cash!"
Meghan blinks in surprise. "Honestly, that thought never crossed me mind. The boss doesn't seem to consider that a possibility either. Nah--I didn't know him that long, but Larur seemed like part o' the Gold Goblin family."
Lowering her voice, she adds, "I'm leanin' toward Clegg Zincher, the crimelord, as the prime suspect. He distracted us right before the snake-in-the-kitchen incident, an' he an' ol' Keypaw...err, Saul that is...have a history of not likin' one another."
Scratching his beard Unbeugsam ponders the words for a moment."And why did you not go and ask for his side of the story? I mean is he an ally, or someone trying to whet his beard?"
"Well, cuz he's a crimelord and we're a bunch o' nobodies," Meghan confesses a bit glumly. "I got a few other enemies already; don't wanna add Zincher to that list if I can avoid it."
Several things occur over the next week. For one thing you all fall back into the regular pace of the Gold Goblin.
Saul also appoints Maghan as Floor manager, expressing his trust in her to keep order. He also makes you all full partners, which increases your weekly pay from a base of 10 gp to a base of 25 gp. You have his word that if you work with him for the remainder of the year, he has decided to retire, and sell his portion of ownership of the Gold Goblin to the remaining employees.
=====================================================================
At the week's end, Saul gathers you all for a quick meeting.
"I had ordered some exotic liquor for the tournament, but storms and such had kept the ship from finding its way here in time. Today, it has finally made it. But cargo doesn't stay secured for long at the docks of Riddleport. I need you all to go to the Foamrunner and secure it before word leaks to the local crime lords. I wouldn't put it past them to secure it for their own interests. Maybe the Overlord if he's interested enough."
Tural raises an eyebrow at Unbegusam's latest question, "Ah.... we did. He slammed the door in our face. Literally. You're welcome to try on your own, though."
...
Over the week, he spends extra time working- what else was there to do?- and wanders the streets, trying to convince passersby that the Gold Goblin is the place to spend their hard-earned coin. He's not very successful, though.
...
"Of course. We'll head out right away. Just let me grab my kit."
Amboy quickly settles into a routine of watching the gambling floor late night. He has become used to watches like this while at see. I preferred the late shifts because the Captain was usually asleep and left him alone.
"There was a lot less to watch for at sea. I think some of these guys are cheating but I can't figure out how. I'll have to check with Saul to see what I am missing."
"I will grab my gear too. Maybe I will see come friends down on the docks and they will know something useful."
Unbeugsam will work the door and grabbing a stout cudgel as argument enhancer and working in his free time improving the ironworks in the golden goblin, making better hinges, bolts and repairing here and there.
AS he hears that they are supposed to grab liquor his eyes start to shine and he hustles towards towards his bunks."Don´t leave without me! I will be right back!"
Found the thread. As said, Unbeugsam will craft items to make the golden goblin flashier.
Taton chooses, while out and about carousing, to spread word that he is making money at the golden goblin. He neglects to mention it is not in the gambling department, but rather as part of the house. He hopes that people will infer that they can win money gambling. Over drinks, he hopes to increase the clientele and moreover the share of suckers.
Meghan is pleasantly surprised when Saul names her the new Floor Manager. Although she has some misgivings after what happened to Larur, she tries her best to pick up the slack that dwarf's absence leaves. Unfortunately, she's not quite up to the task...at least not yet.
When Saul tells the group to fetch the alcohol from the docks, Meg silently vows to do better at that task.
The party arrives at the dock, just in time to see a hefty sack of coins leave a heavily armored man and drop into the hands of the captain of the Foamrunner. The armor has elements of Korvosan detail, but doesn't seem to be anything an actual guard of Riddleport would wear.
"If the heroes of the Goblin could buzz off like good little lackeys, me and my boys will be taking this cargo for a very enterprising individual."
He smiles wickedly, and has his weapons drawn, should you immediately go into a brawl.
You can spot three men milling about, each looks like they're ready for a fight, but they haven't moved yet.
Tural fidgets with the coin in his pocket, but upon spotting the three others in the background, decides against it, instead hoping nonmagical words might win the day, "Look, my friend. This doesn't need to end badly. I would advise you to leave the cargo alone and simply let us do our job. Please don't make this any harder on yourselves than it has to."
Unbeugsam looks at the smiley face and smiles back.
"He I hope you brought you brown pants!"
Amboy looks over the situation and comes to a quick decision.
He completely ignores the ruffians and walking up to the captain of the Foamrunner, "PIRATE! Is that what you are? Selling your clients goods to anyone so you can double your profits. When word of this gets out you will never have another contract anywhere in the Steaming Sea. I will be surprised that at next reputable port you enter, they don't have a noose waiting for you at the end of the dock."
Meghan draws her rapier and addresses the three thieves who didn't speak. "The last three thugs your enterprisin' boss sent against the 'heroes o' the Goblin' didn't fare very well. We spared their lives, but that was before we knew our old floor manager had been murdered. That shipment o' booze ain't yours, so walk away while you're still able. Your boss seems to think you blokes are expendable, so why do you think we'd think any different?"
The unusually grim bard points out a path for the three minions to take if they'd like to accept her offer of amnesty.
Taton sees everyone talking. Talking had a time and a place to be certain, but it wasn't this time or place to his eyes. The enemy was preparing, and he too planned to be prepared. Let the others talk, this was about to devolve into violence, and Taton reveled in it.