Shadow over Riddleport

Game Master Joana

While the halflings are working with their equipment, Saul arrives on the main floor, Bojasc in tow, heading for the cashiers' cage and the vault beyond, presumably to extract enough ready coin to pay off the lucky winners.

"Showtime." Braddon points Saul out to Snake and heads over towards him.
"Hey, boss. What am I dressed up as this week?"

Saul smirks. "We could wrap a scarf around those ears, and you'd make a great Varisian bravo. Go upstairs and see Fiora about it."

Accidentally mustering with the remainder of the mercenaries, Gristav falls in beside Braddon, raising a questioning brow...

Saul smirks. "We could wrap a scarf around those ears, and you'd make a great Varisian bravo. Go upstairs and see Fiora about it."

Braddon nods mirthlessly and makes his way upstairs.

"Saul says I'm a Bravo," he announces cautiously upon his arrival.

The henna-haired woman gives him an appraising glance and a nod. "Suppose you're more believable as a bravo than as a Hellknight," she sniffs grudgingly. "Get in line with the others."

She goes about draping scarves and handing out embroidered vests and colorful shirts.

Downstairs, the tables set out on the casino floor are becoming increasingly occupied by dealers and croupiers, shuffling decks of cards and test-rolling dice. Liry Parmenter, in her neat working outfit of a black blouse and trousers, this time without the false devil horns, arrives carrying the oversized birdcage that houses her undead business partner. She gives Tendal an involuntary glance as she enters, quickly tries to pretend she hasn't, and hurries to her corner near the guest wing to set up her Ghoulette apparatus.

"I had wondered", Gristav says to Saul, "If there was time for other errands. But there is smoke here-", he observes, his eyes flicking toward the lass with the oversized birdcage, then following her glance to Tendal. "So, fire soon? I'll put this back.", he offered, shrugging from the slung mapcase, "And then, how might I best serve? At large and alert?"

Tendal, oblivious as always, simply made his way over to the table where Liry was setting up the Ghoulette game.

"You know," he began, Liry's back still to him as she worked at getting the game arranged to her liking, "I find myself disappointed that I was unable to spend more time with you these past few days. I have only myself to blame, of course. While I was able to assist in the management of the Gold Goblin during some...difficult challenges, I find that I missed discussing events with you over a glass of wine or as we had walked the town. My apologies Liry. I do hope that you understand my absence as not a lack of friendship, but as a lack of time." Tendal said, in as warmly and logical fashion as he could.

"I had wondered", Gristav says to Saul, "If there was time for other errands. But there is smoke here-", he observes, his eyes flicking toward the lass with the oversized birdcage, then following her glance to Tendal. "So, fire soon? I'll put this back.", he offered, shrugging from the slung mapcase, "And then, how might I best serve? At large and alert?"

Saul's gaze follows Gristav's only momentarily; he seems to have little interest in Tendal's conversation with the Ghoulette girl. "Hm?" he replies distractedly. "Oh, aye, keep a weather eye out. Say," he begins to take his leave, then steps back as a thought strikes him, "Larur used to keep an eye on the cashiers' cage. The Beyar boys are back there, of course; not really worried about anyone getting past them to the vault -- but perhaps you'd take his place outside his office tonight, watch out for scuffles and pickpockets in the queues?"

"You know," he began, Liry's back still to him as she worked at getting the game arranged to her liking, "I find myself disappointed that I was unable to spend more time with you these past few days. I have only myself to blame, of course. While I was able to assist in the management of the Gold Goblin during some...difficult challenges, I find that I missed discussing events with you over a glass of wine or as we had walked the town. My apologies Liry. I do hope that you understand my absence as not a lack of friendship, but as a lack of time."

Liry's reserve melts faster than a snowball teleported from the Crown of the World to the Mwangi Expanse. "Of course, I've been busy myself... although if you'd called, I'm sure I could have made some time ... honestly, I hardly noticed so much time had passed." She changes tacks several times, covering over any contradictions with a bright smile. "I don't suppose you've given any more thought to that toll bridge. Grimas was awfully upset at first, but I think he started to think about how much easier it would be to sit and collect tolls than punt back and forth across the river. Giving some thought to his golden years."

Phil enters the Gold Goblin in the midst of the preparations and looks around. He spies Gristav and Snake among the hubbub on the main floor.

Upstairs, Fiora finishes dressing Braddon and steps back to examine him with a critical eye. "Keep that scarf pulled down over the tips of your ears," she advises him, "and try to look kind of swarthily dangerous and alluring." In response to his attempt, she gives a sudden girlish giggle. "Oh my," she confides cheerfully, "I could certainly go for a Varisia bad boy. Off with you now; you're done."

"Oh, aye, keep a weather eye out. Say," he begins to take his leave, then steps back as a thought strikes him, "Larur used to keep an eye on the cashiers' cage. The Beyar boys are back there, of course; not really worried about anyone getting past them to the vault -- but perhaps you'd take his place outside his office tonight, watch out for scuffles and pickpockets in the queues?"

"I'd be honored. Thank you. I don't expect I've the best such eye, but I'll do my best. If I do see some such, is your policy to confront, or to follow and make correction more quietly?"

"Keep it as quiet as possible. I expect you have some method of dealing with things short of shouting and brute force?" He twiddles his fingers in a manner suggestive of magic.

"Words with wyrds, when woven, will wonders weild", Gristav promised, almost incanting. "But there's little discretion to it. It's plain to see. I can't silently twist a mind. Not as silently as an arm. If you'd set several of us, all in sight of others, then we might with discretion converge, to any of our silently signalled summons. Or if a magic for messaging, is in Tendal's repertoire, he might let, some number of us, whisper to each other, across a noisy room."

"I think, in short, that planning and thought, will yield us more than brute force, even magical force. But yes, I have that. Some of each."

Upstairs, Fiora finishes dressing Braddon and steps back to examine him with a critical eye. "Keep that scarf pulled down over the tips of your ears," she advises him, "and try to look kind of swarthily dangerous and alluring." In response to his attempt, she gives a sudden girlish giggle. "Oh my," she confides cheerfully, "I could certainly go for a Varisia bad boy. Off with you now; you're done."

Braddon briefly smirks at the attention before his face darkens as a memory comes to him of being referred to as a fool in a tunic.

When he reaches the bottom of the steps, he looks about at the other workers in costume, scanning for familiar faces in particular. He remembers questioning the workers last week and decides to do so again. After all, it was a great way to meet new people. He smiles as he remembers some of the fairer people he met.

A flicker of a smile plays across Tendal's lips and he leans a bit on his cane. "I have been mulling it over, rolling it around, as it were, in the back part of my mind."

"Technically, the effort isn't that challenging. The hardest part of the entire process would be to secure the purchase of a warf on opposite sides of the river. Secondly, we would have to pick the most advantageous spot. Traffic that needs to cross now simply pulls up to the rivers edge and then asks to be loaded. Then they go up and down the river. There is some point along the bank where most traffic would have to pass naturally, and that point is where we need to purchase and build. The bridge itself needs to be sturdy, but we want it to be inexpensive enough that we can replace portions of it as required, break it down to allow ships to pass, and fix problems quickly. Also, we need to plan for competition. Our costs need to stay low, while ensuring our investors stay paid." Tendal happily pontificates.

"I think, if Mr. Grimas is ready to talk, then we can pick his brain for further information, and get some sort of contract drawn up. And sooner, rather than later."

"You'll have to clear it with the Overlord at some point," Liry reminds him with a touch of anxiety. "Working with him is never cheap. There's Laz Krupt whose tavern burned down, and he can't scrape the coin together to get permission to rebuild on his own property."

When he reaches the bottom of the steps, he looks about at the other workers in costume, scanning for familiar faces in particular. He remembers questioning the workers last week and decides to do so again. After all, it was a great way to meet new people. He smiles as he remembers some of the fairer people he met.

Braddon notes that some of the servers and cooks have returned from the grand opening. He doesn't spy Anya or Lexy beneath any of the embroidered scarves, however; like the musicians and dancers, most of the "Varisians" seem to be authentic Varisians, hired from Lubbertown presumably. He does see Phillip entering the Gold Goblin by the front doors, Tendal chatting with the Ghoulette girl over near the shrine to Desna, and Gristav talking to Saul and Bojasc in front of the cashiers' cage.

"If you'd set several of us, all in sight of others, then we might with discretion converge, to any of our silently signalled summons. Or if a magic for messaging, is in Tendal's repertoire, he might let, some number of us, whisper to each other, across a noisy room."

"I think, in short, that planning and thought, will yield us more than brute force, even magical force. But yes, I have that. Some of each."

"Aye," Saul waves his hand distractedly, "you lads put your plans together. That's what I'm paying you for, after all."

Tendal mulls over that for a moment. "This might be one instance where we can convince the Overlord that better trade all around will increase the amount coming into all of his coffers. Or we can convince him to take a percentage once all the investors are paid...preferred stock versus regular stock. Something like that. So he understands that we aren't out to cheat him, nor reduce his cut, but try and convince him that his overall cut will be greater in the long run." Tendal shrugs.

"A discussion for another time perhaps. Can I get you something to keep your whistle wet? A watered wine perhaps?" Tendal asks, changing the subject and pointing his cane at the bar.

"Words with wyrds, when woven, will wonders weild", Gristav promised, almost incanting. "But there's little discretion to it. It's plain to see. I can't silently twist a mind. Not as silently as an arm. If you'd set several of us, all in sight of others, then we might with discretion converge, to any of our silently signalled summons. Or if a magic for messaging, is in Tendal's repertoire, he might let, some number of us, whisper to each other, across a noisy room."

"I think, in short, that planning and thought, will yield us more than brute force, even magical force. But yes, I have that. Some of each."

"I could help with that. Help keep an eye out that is."

"Excellent!" Saul responds as Snake approaches and volunteers. "I'll leave you lads to it then, shall I?" He separates from the two and crosses the floor back toward the stairs, with Bojasc in tow.

"A discussion for another time perhaps. Can I get you something to keep your whistle wet? A watered wine perhaps?" Tendal asks, changing the subject and pointing his cane at the bar.

"Oh, I shouldn't," Liry responds with a giggle. "Not when I'm working. Although I'm not actually working yet, am I? Maybe just a small glass."

Braddon frowns and heads over to Phillip.

"That was quick. Any luck?"

Phil gives Braddon a curt nod of affirmation before noting Saul's departure from Gristav and Snake. Moving with short-legged swiftness across the floor he interjects before anyone else can get to them, seeking Braddon to trail along by jerk of head.

Once in a small conspiratory knot Phillip adds "You were set up... near as I can measure at least. The slip's you burnt and near killed might be good with a blade by half... but they've naught to do with Larur. Remind me again why and how and who you were set upon them?... as the the man who needs conversing with in the darkened cellar."

"I had wondered. Suspected, even, the stranger claiming a pickpocket had run through a certain door... But when Braddon began to kick at the door, and Snake stepped up... I found the window. So, taking as true - and I do - that they're no part of any loss of Larur, someone seeded our surety in their lodging, and then sent that provocateur to point us at their door. We've an enemy in common. Who was in their space, and could have left the packet? And then sent a string-haired man with a crossbow, to point like a setter-hound, at their door?"

"I'd accept the risk of welcoming them to join us, in finding out."

Braddon shakes his head at Gristav.
"I wouldn't. Little stabby wants to blame me for letting his guard down. I don't feel like being hamstrung and having my throat cut at the first opportunity. But I don't hold a grudge, so I'll kill him quickly and then we track down this guy that tricked you."
Braddon thinks for a second.
"Pretty clever set up for this guy to know you and know where you'd be. Who'd you blab to about what we were doing? Maybe we should take them downstairs first."

"You think the bellringers were an overstep, then?", Gristav asks acridly. "Whoever HAS him, already knows we're missing him. You further theorize I've tipped my hand and brought in a third chair? Who somehow had the packet to plant ahead of us? Who knew we were going to the alchemist I only learned of from Saul, this morning?"

Gristav lets the question answer itself, then suggests to Phillip, "Perhaps, ask who had access to the space? Sometime before any throatcutting? And we may yet have use for his eyes and memory, if we're brave enough to let him keep them. I'd suggest that understanding our motivations might ameliorate, but my own increasing understanding proves differently. Even I evidence a deepening distaste."

Braddon frowns, a little lost.
"So... you think it may be Saul? I guess it stands to reason. He probably has most to profit but I'm not sure how. Seems pretty stupid to betray Larur in the first week. I would've waited until the casino was a sure thing first before stabbing my partner but then I've never been good at organising things. Maybe something changed so Saul decided he had to act. Maybe he was set up too. Would fancypants know? He's been pretty close to Saul this past week."

"He's already once convinced me of the error of my suspicion. In honest sincerity, I think. But I'm growing used to being wrong. Sometimes, I'm wrong more than once, about the same thing. I suppose that, could be... reassuring?"

"Oh, I shouldn't," Liry responds with a giggle. "Not when I'm working. Although I'm not actually working yet, am I? Maybe just a small glass."

A quick flicker of a smile plays over Tendal, and he returns to the bar.

"Mr. Covey, a glass of well watered wine if you please for Liry." he says peremptorily. "Also, if anyone else orders anything for her, please ensure its more color than spirit, if you would. She has a good head, and I would like her too keep it functional."

Tendal's gaze flickered across the room, looking for his fellows, his eyes also drifting upwards to check the catwalks.

"I'll have it right up," Covey responds to Tendal, setting about preparing the drink for Liry.

From below, the catwalks above the dropped ceiling are invisible as they are intended to be; while an observer above can see through the fabric into the well-lit lower half of the building, anyone below will have no idea that his actions are visible to a hidden observer.

Tendal spies the rest of the Gold Goblin's permanent employees in a small knot near the cashiers' cage, speaking together with sober demeanor.

Braddon frowns, a little lost.

"So... you think it may be Saul? I guess it stands to reason. He probably has most to profit but I'm not sure how. Seems pretty stupid to betray Larur in the first week. I would've waited until the casino was a sure thing first before stabbing my partner but then I've never been good at organising things. Maybe something changed so Saul decided he had to act. Maybe he was set up too. Would fancypants know? He's been pretty close to Saul this past week."

"I'd give the suit a try. He pretty much lives at this place so I'd bet he knows something." He shrugs, not really having a better idea.

Gristav looks to catch Tendal's eye, and waves him over.

"We...", he takes in the others with a sweeping glance, "Seem to have had our very first, ever, agreement. That you ought be a part of the conversation. You may find, you won't thank us, for that."

"I asked for more Dwarrow to speak with, in town, in the search for Larur. Saul suggested an alchemist, near Rat Street. Returning from there, a man, either a victim or a provocateur, asked our help in pursuit of a hobbit, who, he said, had taken his purse and gone through a certain door. Despite some doubt, we went around the door through a window, and engaged the h- well, a hobbit, a second hobbit, and a simian beast. In the reverse of that order. The beast is dead, one of the hobbits is below, the last, apparently, in some contact with Phillip. Whose expert opinion is that they know and knew nothing of Larur. And yet, we found among their goods... his papers."

"Isn't that curious?"

"Isn't that curious?"

Tendal frowns for a moment, reviewing what they had discussed previously.

"So there are three immediate possibilities. The first, that you were set up, and that either a message went ahead of you to allow an ambush to be established, or that there were pre-arranged assassins in wait for you. The second, that you were the actual target because of your proximity to the Gold Goblin and your support of the endeavors there. Thirdly, and what I am currently thinking is the most correct, is simple providence. You looked like wealthy marks, slumming their way through Rat Street, which, while I do not have first hand experience with, I have been assured by multiple sources, is far far less than reputable and can be outright dangerous even in the day."

"The papers do bother me, as they seem to bother you gentlemen. Papers do not magic themselves into the possession of ruffians. They were either on the personage of a previous mark, the scoundrels you dispatched were working with another person, or they dissembled well enough that Mr. Hargreaves was not able to parse them out."

"In any regard, I don't feel that there is enough information to act upon nor to change our current path forward. I hope that we discern more of this pattern when we make our trip out of town, because as of this moment, I cannot say that we have the information required to make sense of this mystery."

"One thought that just occurred to me, this victim-provocateur, were you able to track them down after the scuffle?"

Braddon glares at Gristav.
"I wanted to track him down but Gristav won't let me kill the halfling. And then he said Saul told him."
Braddon seems to think his statement holds some form of explanation.

"You... doubt me?", Gristav assembles aloud, assenting, "I suppose there is a scenario, where I had known of the alchemist. I know the town well enough, I've been here before. Where I waited until Saul directed me there. And arranged for the string-haired fellow with the crossbow to accost us all. Then, in my genius, I refused him, because of course nothing would motivate you and Snake more, than my refusal, to assist him. Then, the door defeating you, I went for the window, cleverly retching to let you catch up..."

"And then... I found the packet. I don't know if any of you saw me find the packet. I could have carried it there, 'discovered' it... could be."

"But, as you said, I didn't welcome you killing the prisoner. Shouldn't I want him dead, if I had wanted him dead? Want him silenced, at least? No, it was the absence of the 'victim', who should have been there, to collect his purse, that weighed against wanton waste. I don't burn books I haven't read, either."

"Let me remind you, it's been me, bringing outside minds and noses and means to our tasks. Would a schemer bring that resolute gnome to rattle about with his hound? Or a wandering witchman? Would a man tending tomatoes add as sharp a stone as Phillip, to the basket?"

"You all regard me as inept; a fool. I will stipulate such. But if you're going to doubt me... If we doubt each other's hearts, can we ever trust anything else, about each other?"

"Beside, if I were a bad man, I would hope to be better at it."

Diffidently Phillip makes one point on the captive halfling "If you feel you need end him then by all means quickly... but it seems his only crime is drawing your blood in the fray. I'd consider his burns and desire to swiftly leave Riddleport payment enough of that debt." stating a preference for the halfling to be let loose to flee the town with his brother, but not a deep enough preference that he'd stand before a hot blooded Braddon to stop him.

Shrugging at the other speculation Phil sighs "Only one choice needs be made now... is it worth pursuing before opening?" pursing his lips and considering the time remaining before people might start milling into the Goblin...

Is there time enough in the day for a follow-up trip out the halfling's redoubt and monkey hole? - as in there and back without cutting into the casino night start?

You might miss the actual doors opening at the casino, plus you'd be in danger of being in Rotgut after sunset, which has been represented to you as a foolhardy risk. If you hurried and didn't run into any trouble, you'd probably miss something less than an hour of the Goblin's business hours.

Braddon looks to Phillip and back to Gristav.
"I don't doubt you. I just didn't want to get knifed by Stabby. If Phillip reckons he's gonna flee, then I'm okay with that."
Braddon turns back towards Phillip.
"But if you're wrong and he kills me, I'm not gonna trust you any more," Braddon scowls.
"And I still think we should track this crossbow guy down now. Shouldn't take long, and I'm already dressed for tonight so I won't be needed until opening time."

Phillip offers half a wry smile and a nod to Braddon's conditions, following with another point "It's worth a stab I suppose... but I'd hesitate before rushing out from the nest and leaving us bare here... I'd suggest swift, small and nimble. A couple of us at speed and less conspicuous the better" a half glance to Gristav and Serpe to imply that they'd be easy to pick out of a crowd.