"One wild cider, I suppose." After all, it would be rude to resist and his brain mass could suffer one drink. A serving of fruit wouldnt hurt.
Raising his hands, linked together with a big - and clearly magical - mithral chain, Gabriel negates with his head. "Thank you, but I wouldn't be able to drink anyway."
Both his guards stay silent, ready and on duty.
Hercules had sat quiet for a bit looking upon others as they came.
They are all beneath me. Not sure they would do little more than a moment distraction against the Amazon's. I will find better suited allies else where.
A moment later he vanished shifting planes going back to his Earth.
Jonah watches the others with some amusement, but waves off the serving woman when asked for a drink order. not much point in an undead trying to get drunk. he doesn't say much yet to keep from giving away that he wasn't actually the intended recipient of the note, but he is surprised to see that the others don't know why they are here either.
Nikolsi looks at the exuberant goblin. Liar's Dice, eh? Can't say I'm familiar. Why don't you explain the rules and I'll finish this drink?
Nephre snorts as the 'Hercules' man disappears. He seemed all talk.
She ignores the talk of games, not interested in any that don't have the possibility of drawing blood. She focuses instead on the 'hostess'. Making people vanish like that wasn't your everyday magic. Did she have something to do with them all being here?
"I'd take a nice plate of answers, if you've got any," Nephre responds. "Especially if any of them are about why we're here."
Dymer sighs in disappointment at the lack of interest, but advises the fae girl "Let's say thirty six-sided dice and the pepper whiskey for me." Waiting for his drink and the dice, Dymer turns to Nikolsi and begins explaining the rules using Golarion Common, to make sure as many people can understand as possible.
Five dice are used per player with dice cups used for concealment.
Each round, each player rolls a "hand" of dice under their cup and looks at their hand while keeping it concealed from the other players. The first player begins bidding, announcing any face value and the minimum number of dice that the player believes are showing that value, under all of the cups in the game. Ones are often wild, always counting as the face of the current bid.
Turns rotate among the players in a clockwise order. Each player has two choices during their turn: to make a higher bid, or challenge the previous bid—typically with a call of "liar". Raising the bid means either increasing the quantity, or the face value, or both, according to the specific bidding rules used. There are many variants of allowed and disallowed bids; common bidding variants, given a previous bid of an arbitrary quantity and face value, include:
the player may bid a higher quantity of any particular face, or the same quantity of a higher face (allowing a player to "re-assert" a face value they believe prevalent if another player increased the face value on their bid);
the player may bid a higher quantity of the same face, or any particular quantity of a higher face (allowing a player to "reset" the quantity);
the player may bid a higher quantity of the same face or the same quantity of a higher face (the most restrictive; a reduction in either face value or quantity is never allowed).
If the current player challenges the previous bid, all dice are revealed. If the bid is valid (at least as many of the face value and any wild aces are showing as were bid), the bidder wins. Otherwise, the challenger wins. The player who loses a round loses one of their dice. The last player to still retain a die (or dice) is the winner. The loser of the last round starts the bidding on the next round. If the loser of the last round was eliminated, the next player starts the new round.
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The memories of the first time Thirteen and he had played this game were sweet. They made a fat pot that night, even if they had to flee the gambling den at the end of it. The human shaped goblin managed to slip out and come back to a seat before anyone paid him any mind.
”This game is a joy to pick up. We’ll be happy to show any interested hands how these bones are rolled. I think it’s safe to play a match without any coin first. It’s a game of cunning and bluff, so only the brightest and bravest among you will keep your seats.”
Ozzie pulled out a bag of dice and some cheap cups pushing both across the table towards his kin. ”First thing to know, is that we’ll have Dymer start. If you run out of dice, you’re out. Aces, snake eyes, unos on the dice, whatever you want to call em, are both high and wild, higher even than a six.”
The man-goblin looked to each face as a few more people sat down
”We go around, one by one raising, either the pips, the number of dice or both. You’re bald face lying that you think you know how many of your favorite dice faces are hiding under ever dirty mug. We keep doing that until someone calls your guess. Depending on if they’re right, one of you loses a dice until you’re all out.”
Switching for a moment to call for some fresh Raktavian worms, Ozzie returned his attention and asked ”So, who’s in?”
Lehkazeran hadn't planned on eating, but with an offer such as that, he could easily tell himself the meal was fair payment for his time.
With a glance at the dice enthusiasts, he turns to the server and requests a young goat. "Still kicking, if you can. I prefer to do the killing myself."
Dymer nods along as Ozzie distributes the dice and explains the rules. "One addendum, if you raise the number of dice, you get to choose the pips count. So for example, I could call two threes - which means that out of all dice in play, I am betting that there are at least two threes showing - and the next person can choose to challenge me thinking that my bet is too high, or they can raise. If they choose not to raise the number of dice, they can raise the pips instead calling two fours, fives, or sixes. If they choose to raise the dice, they can choose the pips of their bet, such as three or more twos, threes, fours, fives, sixes. So, I'll start, Ozzie will go next, and you, my friend will continue the circle."
Dymer gathers the dice into his cup, covered by his hand and gives them a good rattle before slamming the hidden dice onto the table. Using both hands to prevent anybody else seeing the dice as he raises the cup to see his own dice, Dymer takes a quick glance before calling out...
"Three fives."
Gabriel is not really interested in playing or drinking. Not that he doesn't like it, but more that he's too focused on what is he here for to be able to pay attention to anything else.
He is, however, surprised by the sudden disappearance of the guards and the shackles. "Wow, thanks." Someone who can do that must be powerful, or maybe it's because they are all in her Realm. Who knows. But Gabriel, even if he could escape, is now more curious than ever.
The man with the cane grins at the face woman, though is also keeping an eye on the newly freed prisoner "I'll have a glass of what ever j strongest" his voice was a bit raspy. Looking around at them she figured it was likely they'd all received invitations as well. I have to say, your all an odd assembly of folks from all over-what brings you here?" je does eye the game of dice, thpugh waits for an invitation before playing
"Invitation and subsequent curiosity. I take it you were also invited?"
Now able to freely move, roam and speak, Gabriel feels more inclined to social interactions, specifically those that might shed some light to the questions everyone seem to have.
"I was offered a status improvement in exchange for... Well, I still don't know in exchange of what. I'm supposed to discover it in a bit."
"Our particular services are needed. I wonder to what services they refer."
The countess sips lightly on her glass of wine.
"I do enjoy games, but prefer ones that are less reliant upon chance, thank you for the invite anyway.
As for our particular services, hmm much remains to be seen."
The countess concentrates once again and adds Lehkazeran to her collective.
"Now, you can communicate with the Dr. and I like this. It will be best to ensure that we have allies, should something violent occur. Though it seems less likely without the loud brash one."
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Dymer scoffs at the apparently-highborn woman and eyes over her minions, "Not all games involving dice are games of chance, sweet cheeks. You can learn a lot about a person from a game of Liar's Dice. But, suit yourself."
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An off handed remark trails the leaving woman "You need a bit of kefi so you can relax. This game is like fighting in quick sand. You're never certain exactly how much the ground will give way. Fear is death. You need to watch both your opponent's feet and sword. If you're conniving, you can walk away while he gets pulled under. Don't discount it."
Looking around, there were several watchers, but only one had the heart to sit. It was time to prime the pump. Loudly, "All are welcome, but take your seat quickly, for the next match. We can hold as many seats as you can find."
The first game was mostly a show. The moves were slow and casual. Split between just the three of them , the game seemed simple. Everyone lost a few dice to start. Their third wheel happened on an unlucky streak and overplayed. The final few rounds between Dymer and Ozzie were close, but over quickly. The third seat opened, as someone called for drinks.
The small bowl of worms arrived, looking positively scrumptious at least to the human shaped goblin. The wriggling suckers resembled earthworms, but with a sucker and rows of minuscule teeth. They were coated with a light oil and seasoning. Although most ranged between orange and brown, Ozzie apparently spotted a blood red male and expertly fished it into his mouth
Vala in disguise merely shrugged "I might just be a regular with a bad leg exo comes here from time to time to drown his sorrows. Or maybe I'm the fastest woman alive in disguise tryin fp figure out dinvaya's going on. I will say, I'm not used to this place being so crowded. What sort of services?"
Karnak looks around at the scene of slaughter around him and shakes the blood from his claws. Putting down this rebellion is not going as well as he had hoped; this batch of peasant fools has been dispatched, but his ranks of minions hare depleted. He's long since run out of the truly loyal, left with only those weak minds he can seize control of from day to day.
"At this rate, I'll depopulate the capital before these idiotic fools get the message and return to my thrall... if they don't get lucky first." Not a pleasant thought.
Suddenly, he notices something; an envelope, laying on top of one of the bodies, inexplicably clean and looking entirely out of place.
"Someone dares summon me, Karnak, like a common mercenary? Well, Hyraeytan is always an interesting city... and perhaps a temporary retreat from my kingdom would not be the worst decision at the moment. Very well. I shall accept this this thoughtful invitation."
He uses the token and steps through the gateway. A short time later, he steps into the tavern with his newest thralls, a pair of guardsmen who were unfortunate enough to try and offer help to a lost-looking stranger in town. He is a tall, lean man, with a set of gems embedded in his forehead, and eyes that miss little while holding a constant disdainful expression. He wears black and green robes that are richly made, but stained with blood and dust. Those with magical or psionic vision can see emerald chains stretching from his cranium and wrapping around the necks of the two guards.
The assembled set of rogues and miscreants is... both unusual, and impressive, even by his standards. Not that he lets it show.
"Innkeeper, I shall require a room with a bath, and then a hot meal. These gentlemen shall hold my table until I return."
A surprisingly short time later, he returns, the grime of battle removed from his body and clothing, and finds that even more people have arrived. He settles down at a table near the dice game and observes with feigned interest, while actually watching the currents of power in the room.
The tiny man wrinkles his nose as more newcomers arrive. He reaches into his breast pocket, removes a handkerchief, and holds it over his mouth and nose.
Good gravy! You'd think they'd at least wash the blood and viscera off their clothes before coming inside...
Noctia lay relaxing in her little tree "home", it was more like a watched prison, she was half-asleep on the sofa, when Robin came in with mail.
"It's another death threat from the priests of Pharasma, isn't it?" she asks
Robin then handed her the letter, she took it out, and reads it. After a few seconds of thought she says her goodbyes to Robin and uses the coin.
A short time later she also arrives at the tavern, taking care to hide the worst of her features. she then scans the room with her deathwatch eyes, and sees a surprising amount of undead in the tavern, she then goes over to the two goblins, and inspects the table they are at.
Lehkazeran mentally acknowledges the Countess's collective, greeting her and the Doctor formally as suits there stations.
"Very Wise...A group like this is unpredictable, especially with so few of them from Hyraeatan. I would be surprised if they understood the rules followed here. The brash one you mention, he seemed particularly dangerous. If he hadn't left, I might be draining him as we speak..."
"I will say, Countess, that I am surprised you didn't take the opportunity to best these visitors at their dice game..."
Mentally replying to Lehkazeran.
"It nearly pains me to sit out a game, but I am trying to assess the others here without revealing much about myself. There are still too many unknowns. We do not know with whom we will be working and how loyal our companions might be."
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Ozzie resigned his dice. There was more interesting things afoot, and he needed to pay attention.
"Ostentatious much?" Somehow the stranger had managed to show a lot of gold and still look somewhat plain, or at least his garb did.
Several of the patrons showed calculated flashes of wealth and weapons. It was a common way to warn off unwanted attention and advertise skill or status. This stranger clearly cared for neither. It spoke of entitlement and self assurance, like a royal on their wedding day entering a thieves den.
Scrivener turns to regard the newcomer.
Noctia studies the angel-like figure, and merely nods to acknowledge the fact that he is her employer
Dymer turns his stool to have a better view of their supposed host, taking in the apparent physical form with a grain of salt.
While surreptitiously gathering information about the newcomer, Dymer stands on the stool to gain his attention, and with a very elaborate bow, greets their host in return "I can only truly speak for myself, but I believe we all thank you for inviting us here today. My name is Dymer, but if you've sent the invitations, you obviously know who we are. You, however, have some of us at a disadvantage. Do we get to know who we are working for?"
Jonah crosses his arms, hiding a smile as half of the room suddenly starts casting detection spells on the newcomer.
Amateurs. someone is going to get stabbed casting spells that openly. what would happen if he didn't immediately realize they were only trying to check out his magical items?
For his part, Jonah keeps quite, still not knowing how much he was supposed to know about this invitation meant for another man with his face.
Nephre narrows her eyes. This... wasn't the sort of fellow she'd imagined summoning a group like this. For once she actually held her tongue, but only because her question had already been asked.
You see a male human with slicked sandy blond hair and a clean-shaven face. His eyes are a deep blue, with small flecks of silver near the iris. His skin is fair and pale, with high cheek bones and a strong jaw, but criss-crossed with numerous scars. He is dressed in simple jerkin, trousers, and boots. He wears a dagger at his hip.
"Rattlebones." The woodsman nods to the angel. "What's yer name?'
Lehkazeran watched the angelic figure with cautious eyes. Holding his tongue, he waited impatiently for responses to the many questions asked of their host, continuing to pick at the bones of the goat he'd eaten somewhere in the middle of the second game of dice.
Nikolsi draws his attention away from the game, leaning back with his drink. This, then, was the being who knew more about Nikolsi than he ought to. Keeping quiet and waiting to see how things developed, as were several other members, Nikolsi kept his patience. He had no idea who this person was, and could not even guess as to the meaning of his position... But he was dressed for war, and had assembled a group of dangerous and not very law abiding beings, so something fun was definitely in the offing.
The Countess inclines her head slightly towards their host.
"Dr, and Dragon, do either of you know of this individual? You have both been in the city longer than I."
Dymer blinks his eyes and tries not to let on exactly how much of an effect the creature's aura had on Detect Magic but otherwise waits patiently both for an answer to the question and for the blindness to pass.
Our host is a member of the Foreseen Parity. They are known as protectors of the timelines and guides of the winds of fate. Basically, interplanar custodians.
Dr. Craven adjusts his spectacles as he look on the revealed host. Now that adds up. Who would be the most interested in knowing everything about this lot? A celestial. Huh, neat, he thinks to himself. After the others have said their initial reactions, the 'doctor' smiles a wry smile and gives a loud, slow clap. "So," he starts bemused, "What's the carrot? And what's the stick? That's it right? You've brought the 'scum and villainy' to your, bigger on the inside, haberdashery. What now?"
A short moment after asking this question the unendingly scarred face of the 'doctor' contorts into a half mocking, half surprised face, "You cheeky...celestial. You need our help, don't you?"
Scrivener follows, saying nothing. Getting to the room, he scans the titles of the books as he makes his way circuitously to a seat.