Yohoho and a bottle of Rep! (subSPUF Skull and Shackles)

Game Master Rynjin

"Jrahk's crew not scared by you or your stupid tests, half-breed. Bring on the next."

In response to Tsadok, Ixrul says "Oh, I'd better write that one down. Never heard a comeback that brutal and that witty before, you know."

I'll move on once I can figure out how to handle this next test without spending the next week on it, or replace it. I forgot how unsuited to this format it was.

What is it?

Poker. And it's meant to be played hand by hand. I think I can streamline it.

Considering how mathematical higher-level poker is, don't forget to account for high INT.

Okay, we'll TRY to use it as written for a moment, because it is kind of interesting.

Tsadok waves to his men, and they clear a space on the poop deck, and set up a card table.

"The second test is a test of your luck and skill: Bastard's Fool! The stakes: 100platinum pieces. And we're playing under Port Peril rules: The winner of each hand must down a cup of Gutburn rum!"

Tsadok does not deign to explain the rules, as any pirate worth his salt has heard of the game.

It is played from cobbled together decks of cards, making it the perfect game for a poor deckhand or other sailor; They need not even possess a full deck of cards to play.

Bastard's Fool is a bluffing game similar to poker. Each round you receive a starting hand, and place your bets. You may then discard some of your cards, draw more, and bet again. Once all bets are matched, you reveal your hands and the best hand wins.

In game terms, each player rolls a d20 (secretly. Put it in a labeled spoiler.) which determines your starting hand. Then there is a round of betting, minimum of 1 PP ad maximum of your full stake (100 pp).

To represent the discard and draw, secretly roll a d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, or d20 to improve your score. This is followed by another round of betting.

You may fold at any time instead of betting.

If the total of both dice is 20 or less, that is your score. If the total is OVER 20, then the total score is merely the highest number on a single die (representing a poor draw). Highest score wins, a tie nobody wins. The pot remains on the table, and subsequent hands add to the pot.

You may make a DC 15 Bluff, Sense Motive, or ProfessionL Gambler check to increase your score by +1, and +1 more for every 5 by which you exceed the DC (this may make your score exceed 20).

You may also cheat by succeeding on a DC 20 Sleight of Hand check, but failure means Tsadok notices you cheating, and you lose that hand. Getting caught a second time means failure of the test. Success increaes your score for that hand by 4.

Every time you WIN a hand, you must drink a shot of rum. Each drink afte rthe first forces a Fortitude save (DC 10, +1 for every drink after the second). You take a -1 on skill checks for each failed save. After you have consumed a number of drinks equal to 1+Double Con Modifier, you are sickened for 1 hour for each subsequent drink.

"So, who's playin'?"

Can we all play? Because if not... I have +21 bluff.

No, only one person may play against Tsadok.

"Try not to disappoint Jrahk again."

If there's a way you can boost your Fort save or Con, do it.

Before the game begins, Ixrul will grab Ace by the shoulder and pull him slightly aside, chuckling and gesturing at Haines as if he's telling a joke.

He will say it under his voice in whatever language he knows would be most esoteric to this crowd, turning his back on Tsodak and his cronies as he does so. Celestial, Sylvan, or Infernal, I'd imagine. Trying to minimize my chances of being heard and understood.

He will then set one hand on his Metamagic Rod of Extend - and cast Extended Invisibility on the Isitoq in his pocket, with his back still turned to Tsodak, before casually letting it slip into the air.

Ixrul takes his seat and grins.

"A somewhat more intellectual pursuit. More my speed."

He then leans back in his chair, calmly, as the cards are dealt.

Jrahk, intimidate him into taking a -2 on his skill checks. Just laugh, shake your head, and say something like the nerd is going to destroy you as your muscles ripple intimidatingly.

"So YOU'RE playing? This'll be a cinch."

Also, I'm going to impose a -10 penalty to Demoralizing Tsadok. Jrahk poses literally zero threat to him.

The dealer deals the cards.

Roll the dice!

Jrahk is starting to accept that Tsadok is actually pretty tough...for a half-orc. But that won't stop Jrahk from least trying to scare him.

He laughs and folds his arms.

"You face wizard in game of wits? You must have brain made of gold as well."

ooooo i am so scareeee: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

"Better than having a brain made of s+~!, like a high and mighty 'pureblood'." he calls back.

Int is not, in fact, his dump stat. He actually has a bonus. I know, I was surprised too after how he was characterized.

Wow I hate this guy even more now.

Ixrul smiles peacefully, his entire form utterly tranquil. "Now, I haven't got all day and beating someone less intelligent then me gets old fast, so I'll bet 20 pieces."

I don't roll the d4/d6/d8/d10/d20 yet, right?

Maybe if I spam Enfeeblement Rays at him, he'll be too weak to hold his cards up...

I will warn you immediately. Any cheating that is caught directly affecting him with a spell will result in a swift and savage beatdown. Indirect cheating, however, is encouraged (just don't get caught).

"I'll...hm. I'll match that."

Ixrul redraws only a few cards. 1d4

Ixrul half-shuts his eyes as he performs rapid mental calculations, taking his Isitoq's view into account.

"I'll bet... five more platinum."

"I'll call that."

The two of you show your hands.

Ixrul total: 24
Tsadok total: 24

Tie game!

Scores:

Ixrul: 100
Tsadok: 100

Round 2:

Everyone, be watching Tsadok. Keep an eye out for cheating.

"Let's pick it up where we left off. Twenty-five platinum."

"Too rich for my blood. I fold." he says, grinning to show he knows what you're up to.

Scores:

Ixrul: 101
Tsadok: 99

There's a 1 PP ante every round, so he still loses something.

Round 3:

Ixrul takes a drink. "Vastly inferior to elven wine, but acceptable."

"If that's too much for you... Twenty, perhaps?"

"Nah. Too much to lose. Why are you in such a rush, pointy ears? Take the time to savor the game."

Tsadok folds again.

He's going to fold for any large bet (over like 5 pp) from this point forward.

Ixrul takes another shot. -1 on skill checks.

Scores:

Ixrul: 102
Tsadok: 98

"Each drink after the first forces a Fortitude save (DC 10, +1 for every drink after the second)."

DC 10: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

"I was hoping to show you some mercy and end your suffering quickly, but I suppose not."

"Five."

"You fold like wet paper. Show some courage!"

Demoralize, it's probably not gonna work but there's no reason not to try: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

Jrhak watches Tsadok closely.
Take 10 perception, 20.

I told you something wrong. The area is empty except for Ixrul, Tsadok, and the dealer (and Ixrul's Isitoq).

Oh that's not good at all.

:(

DOnt we have a spyglass of eagle eyes or something?

"Call."

Ixrul changes out some of his hand. 1d8

"Very well."

"I raise you 5.

"You seem confident."

Ixrul slides five more platinum pieces into the pot.

Ixrul: 25
Tsadok: 26

Tsadok wins, and downs a shot.

Scores:

Ixrul: 92
Tsadok: 108

"Well played."

"Five again."

"I thought so."

"Call."

As he redraws some of his cards, Ixrul raises an eyebrow. "Not so wordy any more, eh?"

"I raise you five platinum."

"I concentrate when I'm playing. One of my few hobbies I have fun with."

"And I'll take that stake."

Results:

Ixrul: 26
Tsadok: 25

Ixrul wins!

Scores:

Ixrul: 103
Tsadok: 97

Take a shot, make a Fort.

Ixrul raises an eyebrow. "Whaddaya say? Do you feel up to six platinum?"

EDIT: Fort DC 11: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

"Nah, you can have it."

Scores:

Ixrul: 104
Tsadok: 96

"Then back down to five, I suppose."

Remember, drink and Fort.

"Sure."

"I'll raise you 5."

Jrahk paces the deck of his own ship while waiting for this to play out. The telltale CLUNK of his leg sounds even surlier than usual. Lucy is there too so that he has someone to rant at.

"What does game of cards and luck prove for being pirate? First test make more sense, but any crew member could do it."

"Tsadok very strong, strong like Jrahk. But chooses to make dumb tests, then cheats and laughs like bratty child. Why not captain his own ship like Jrahk? Why not test his strength?"

"He say most Free Captains get sponsors." Jrahk spits at that word, growling. "SPONSORS! What kind of pirate need sponsors?! We make our own wealth, not handed to us by fat, rich nobles!"

The "sponsors" wold be other Free Captains.

"It has come to Jrahk's attention, sponsors are other Captains. Jrahk still not like that. Having sponsor lets you not take tests. Fills ranks with well-connected weaklings. Which maybe happen anyway with tests like these."

"Should make all Free Captains take tests, and tests should be less stupid."

"Hmm. I fold."

Do I have to bet and draw first every time?

Lucy, busy filing her nails with the end of her falchion, gives her best attempt at looking like she's listening to Jrahk.

"Uh huh. Hmm. I know. Yeah."

"Anything that requires luck is b+!*#&!& in my opinion"

"Hmm. I fold."

Do I have to bet and draw first every time?

No, but it's a bit easier for me. Plus it gives you more control over the starting bet.

Scores:

Ixrul: 97
Tsadok: 102

Tsadok takes a drink, and draws.

"I bet 1."