Inspired by a way to find out more about this 'den of sin', the paladin asks around if the establishment has a fighting ring, open to newcomers.
Rollo, shall I pretend to be your familiar for now? Terex suggests. It would give me an excuse to be around without expectation of me participating in the gambling part, giving me an opportunity to look around and listen while being mostly ignored.
Assuming Rollo is okay with the plan, the little dragon spends his time paying attention to the sage's surroundings, being the eyes in the back of his head, so to speak, watching for other people watching him.
Arlo learns there is no set arena in the casino, though a couple gamblers offer to shrink him down to fight their familiars, an offer he doesn't give any comment to.
Mingling, gossiping and exploring, Rollo learns quite a bit about what would motivate a hero, a ruler or even scholar to leave their everything or much trading resources here.
As the night (or as time) wears on, Rollo pieces together clues and finally get a strong hunch that Elon went into a private room reputedly run by a certain Rafif Pernium. Rumor has it that Rafif deals in "raw time manipulation" - what that is.
The suave dhampir, with the rest of the party stealthily watching his back, makes his way through the halls and corridors of the place seeking this location. The casino is decorated to resemble the more decadent phases of different civilizations across the multiverse, with the opulence and excess of even these exaggerated . The process is exhausting but the party is able to finally find Rafif's door when they realize one door seems to transport them a bit back in time, each time they attempt it. Backing towards it instead, they are greeted by an old dhampir, oddly resembling an older Rollo, who introduces himself as Rafif and says that he heard that you are seeking a particular customer of his. "My friend Elon is a valued customer yet his current credit score is quite low. Bringing friends and enemies together to engage in friendly games is a pleasure or perhaps a vice of my. Elon is bargaining for 20 units of time-reversal going back a week. He offers 3,000 souls held on a plane he controls. We have gambled but perhaps you could make a counter offer to add interest. Word has reached me your dwarven friend seeks a match. I have a snark you could battle. Or perhaps you have another game you enjoy?"
Rollo smiles at Rafif Pernium. The younger dhampir seems amused by his future doppleganger.
A truly marvelous enterprise that you have here, my self. I am wondering how exactly one begins on such a time sensitive lath of employment?
Rollo nonchalantly takes a proper drink of his dry martini. His mesmerizing blue vampiric eyes teasing his host.
I, ourself, do enjoy Time. So malleable. So infinitely almost. Space has actually been a recent enjoyment but imagine both.
The Sage smiles.
Terex cocks his head slightly to one side. Would it change the odds any if you knew Elon would have to go back in time and beat us *without* knowing what it is we did to that plane he doesn't yet know he no longer controls in order to have access to those 3000 souls? he asks Rafif.
The older dhampir enjoys the private joke with Rollo but adds "Well, I am merely croupier in a single room and far from running the entire establishment. Still, telling you how I arrived might spoil the surprise - if there it is to be had."
Upon Terex' comment, the croupier raises an eyebrow - then another eyebrow and says, "It would indeed, taking payment in retrospect could result in a paradox or the whole lot vanishing. Still, I have put 30 tokens in pray and so someone needs to win them tonight. What to do, what to do" Thinks for a second. [b]"Well, if you are willing, you could join the game tonight with some credit from the house. Defeat Elon and return the tokens advanced - you will have thwarted your enemy and earned my gratitude. The only problem is Elon is a legendary gambler, greatest in the nine world, especially at Shirashazi. Skill? you may well have the skill and you will have my aid.
Gift in interest.
::"The plane my mother came from some of the more barbaric worlds had a game called Damage. Betting for souls, this game here sounds just as bad, but who of us will play?" ::
The croupier comments; "Oh not souls, time is what we bet here. Lose enough time and you may lose your soul also but it is different thing. If we may speak of alignment, the Pillars are strictly neutral - dangerous but neutral... stops and continues: The house has advanced Elon these time tokens with souls offered as payment. I was not entirely happy with the situation but having such long history, our friend's credit is beyond repute... still, switching games may well be possible...
Well, admittedly if it came to a game, Rollo is probably our best player, Terex admits.
He narrows his eyes. So who's Elon in league with? the little dragon asks.
If there's room to pass, Blue attempts to back invisibly past Rafif (dropping in from above). He does so slowly, so as not to give himself away by the wind of his passage, amnd is careful not to touch anything, again so as not to be heard r noticed as footprints on the carpet, etc. If there's any indication that he's seen, he breaks off immediately and does his best to play it off. If he makes it in, he'll relay through Gift's telepathic bond what he sees.
In reply to Terex, the Croupier says "I doubt our man is in league with any faction, most come to the Pillars because they have no faction which will help them and watching Elon over the centuries, he struck a relentlessly independent path. Not that he wouldn't have great debts, most who come here have great debts. But we strike a purely neutral position here - no faction dare directly interfere." He stops and looks at you, "Of course, the factions may come to gamble and perhaps to solve some mutual problems."
Minna has kept a very low profile though she has managed to put a very dapper tuxedo somewhere along the way, as well as slicking back her hair in a glamorous fashion. Armaund has been running interference for Rollo, presenting himself as a guard to keep away the riff-raff.
He now adds telepathically, ::This place is bit beyond me but one idea would be to offer this Elon safety. Having failed so far, he might fear whoever he owes a debt to. Our <Sparkle> could create a demi-plane to seal him in, since he seems wriggly. Still, probably we should play it by ear. Gift's idea of proposing a different game might be good, if we have one that can give us advantage.
Blue is able to stealthily make his way through the door as the Croupier is speaking to party. The room beyond the door is large and lined with dark, inlaid wood panels, like a cozy club. There are a number of tables where strange gambling games are happening - the play is complex, cards by themselves in strange patterns and other bizarre effects. The figure you saw earlier, Elon, is waiting impatient at one of the table where play isn't happening. Watching hidden, Blue can notice that all the aids and adjutants around the tables are actually powerful time spirits
::"So Rollo is to gamble his time, as I don't think anyone of us wants to use souls. What if we offer him all some of our own time. A kind of group bank so he doses not take this on alone."::
She offers the group and also sends to Rollo direct seeing how he does not like being part of the hive mind.
The dhampir smiles.
Time is of the essence, isn't it. I look forward to this game of chance. Anything else funky ruleswise that we should know? My familiar will be taking notes.
Terex, perhaps we are to bend these rules more to our advantage? Between your mind reading and Shimmer's dimensional eavesdropping we can.
Rollo looks over at Gift and winks.
She does not respond outwardly but sends.
::'Sore can"::
I do prefer the idea of offering sanctuary, though at the same time I feel like being willing to deal in souls demands justice, Terex comments on Armaund's suggestion. I was actually just thinking I'd ask <Shimmer> if they picked up anything funny here beyond the strangeness of the plane itself.
He directs his thoughts towards <Shimmer>. They've definitely done some strange things to make this gambling hall here. Can you figure them out?
I'm a paladin. And we are dealing with a being who has stolen souls against their will. I don't think we need a hivemind for me to voice desired action, Arlo thought with grim sarcasm.
Blue is able to stealthily make his way through the door as the Croupier is speaking to party. The room beyond the door is large and lined with dark, inlaid wood panels, like a cozy club. There are a number of tables where strange gambling games are happening - the play is complex, cards by themselves in strange patterns and other bizarre effects. The figure you saw earlier, Elon, is waiting impatient at one of the table where play isn't happening. Watching hidden, Blue can notice that all the aids and adjutants around the tables are actually powerful time spirits
Blue passes all this to the others via Gift and the hive mind.
Even more than on the surface, <Shimmer> is excited by this plane. It's somewhat alien to <Shimmer>'s recent experience but still much more similar to it's home than most planes you've been on. It warns you little here is what it seems - all the "workers" here are some form of time spirits and a significant number of gamblers are also from the outer planes. There is so much planar manipulation already happening that the gem's ability to manipulate planar stuff is limited to just creating demi-planes. Still, it has an urge to have you bet it and to stay indefinitely investigating this plane (something that wouldn't be good for you at all since some random gambler with the item would be dangerous indeed).
Minna says telepathically: "Of course I respect the marvelous Rollo but however skilled he may be, I'd worry about sending him one on one against this infamous character. I've seen such types do amazing and horrible things. I believe our host offered to send all of us and let us choose our game. I think the Organization created Marsharvilli as a tool for just such a situation.
::"Good we shall all play. I have been pulling game theory and other works on game and play analysis from my terminal in Terexaltherin's library. That should give us a good base on which to plan play. I will now spend some time looking in local players' minds to see what it is done."::
She starts scanning and feeding the intel into the group mind link.
Uh, <Shimmer>, how about we don't gamble you? I doubt a gambler here would have the kind of resources we have to investigate things, after all. Maybe you could tell me more about how this plane is more like your home? Terex suggests, trying to keep <Shimmer> from getting *too* many ideas.
Oh, right, Marsharvilli! We should have thought of that from the first. I'd say we should take the house's offer to loan us the starting stakes, too.
Rollo bows in acceptance to Gift. The dhampir opens his mind to her.
Well thought of! Yes, let us proceed. Arlo you ate our moral compass. You see something that you don't like; then you deal with it and we will back your play.
The Sage rubs his hands together.
Blue, introduce us to our opponent. Eyes and ears my friend. You are the wild card.
So it's agreed, each player will be loaned ten time tokens and have one year to repay (with unnamed dire consequences otherwise). Minna explains the rules of Marsharvilli and the Croupier nods with a slight look of suspicion.
He then ushers the remaining party into the room and takes you to the table where Elon sits, saying "The house as it's right, has expanded the game and it is now Marsharvilli" He explains the rules, Elon give a nod of disinterested acknowledgement. Up close, the strange elf has an aura of supreme confidence, he's clearly a born gambler, inscrutible and intimidating. So the first round begins, each party member betting five of their ten tokens and Elon betting five also of his thirteen...
Unable to play the game, Blue keeps watch for funny business.
Gift taking in the rules and sits down, Her mind reading is up and running and she wants to know why he looks so call.
Then she moves her tokens in, shifting the Patton of her bet at the last moment.
Rollo smiles at the other players at the table as the dhampir takes his seat. He orders a nice white wine and a dish of strawberries. The only time that his mouth is not producing words is when he bites on a juicy berry, or after as he sips his wine.
Well you gentlemen have the look of desperation. Try a strawberry.
Rollo proceeds to look at Elon with every bite.
Rollo gets a bit of strawberries on his cards....
Arlo is not playing, and looks slightly upset to see GIFT's willingness to play. The dwarf stands near the others in a quiet menace, hoping to intimidate Rollo's opponents at the table.
Play proceeds seemingly smoothly, with Elon demonstrating great skill in the game despite only barely learning the rules. The Croupier declares a foul when Rollo accidentally plays a card cover with strawberry in a key hand and the advantage seems to go to Elon.
Both Gift and Minna get lucky on the penultimate hand and Armaund demonstrates considerable skill if not great luck ...
At least Rollo and maybe Armaund notices that the decor of the room, the dark wood walls, the mithral inlaid geometric designs of the tables, the spider-silk lampshades, even the Hors-d'œuvre, are characteristic of the Eluthian empire, which built fabulous underwater more than 10,000 years ago before vanishing from the near-Outlands of Sigil.
Read thoughts:...Elon's mind at first seems like steel but at various points his concentration slips and Gift can detect worry that the party might be a faction sent to capture him. He is uncertainty whether he should bargain or flee if that's the case but he first intends to test the group. His thoughts concerning the game are somehow still masked so no advantage in game... His calmness seems to be simply a result of hundred or even thousands of years of experience - he's a survivor, resourceful and usually having multiple ways out of a situation.
::”He mind is guarded but i can see part it at times. I can detect worry that we may might be a faction sent to capture him. He is uncertainty whether he should bargain or flee if that's the case but he first intends to test us as a group. His thoughts concerning the game are somehow still masked so no advantage .. His calmness seems to be simply a result of hundred or even thousands of years of experience - he's a survivor, resourceful and usually having multiple ways out of a situation.”::
Terex shows a child-like enthusiasm for playing the game, and makes many mistakes... mistakes that happen to benefit Rollo more often than Elon, of course. At the same time he keeps an eye on the room.
He also keeps in close mental contact with <Shimmer>, in case any planar tricks are being pulled here.
So at the end of the first set of Marsharvilli, with Rollo's second round play disqualified and all the other party players sending him their advantage, it seems Elon lead by 7 point but then the Croupier rechecks the tricks and the strawberry has vanished. Shaking his head, the Croupier declares the party the winner of the first set by 2 points.
Because the play is so close, the Croupier takes only two tokens from each bettor, Leaving Elon with eleven.
As the Croupier begins the next set, Elon a telepathic message to Rollo. ::I can see when I'm up again a power force. Very well. What are your demands? I am flexible. Punish me? Perhaps I deserve it. Some service for you? My prices are reasonable at the moment.
She picks up her hand, it's not good or bad but she plays the odds with the aim to give Rollo an advantage.
Terex very carefully doesn't look at Minna, instead continuing to keep an eye on the room.
He doesn't play as smoothly this time. Some of his mistakes are genuine mistakes, so he doesn't really help Rollo more than anyone else.
Rollo smiles at Elon. The dhampir showing his slightly elongated incisors. The Sage picks up another strawberry, and teases Elon with it.
Strawberry my good man? Absolutely juicy.
Rollo doesn't even acknowledge his plea other than to have Gift explain to him their demands.
He plays.
Elon seems to relax when offered the strawberry, smiling and leaning back. "You wouldn't believe how much I appreciate any small kindness. In my long life, I have done foolish and perhaps wrong things. The Wall has been my obsession for centuries. I sought and lost it's key years ago..." As the play continues, he casually pours out tid-bits of lore, seeming to connect the dots on various Interdimensional mysteries, with an air of sadness, the implication that all this is coming to an end - but also several stories where all did seem lost. The Croupier himself seems somewhat startled by Elon's casual comments.
Once the hands are finalized, now with no mishaps, beats the mastermind handily despite him dreaming remarkable strategies. Elon loses five tokens but seem no more bothered than before.
A new round begins and the elf tosses in his six remaining tokens, though the game his minimum bet of three.
But are you still obsessed? Terex suddenly interjects, restricting his speech to only his friends and Elon. How many more lives would you sacrifice to get what you want? If we show mercy, will you act differently, or would another plane suffer for your obsession?
The little dragon's anger shows in his play, which is sloppy and ill-planned.
Rollo continues to play without much attention to anything other than his conversation with Elon. The dhampir easily tosses in 6 markets also. He smiles.
I would also like to add that you will need to retire. I have a special plan for you that also includes fresh strawberries.
[i]Gift if you would be so kind as to call Ari for transport.
Gift eyes glow for a second and the trans-plane message is sent.
A message comes back to GIFT, softly and difficulty - "Capturing Elon is important but this does not allow planar transportation as a rule. You will need to get physically to where you began and seek a staircase up. I can send more advice when you are ready, this is Bethia "
The game continues, Minna and Armaund again pull-off some decent play, saving the day and the party once crushes Elon's position but he somehow find a loophole that returns three of his six time tokens back to him. But this point, he seems friendly, sad and apologetic, at one point present a garland of strawberries to Rollo.
Armaund says telepathically "Terex, can we offer Elon imprisonment in a small demi-plane while we make our way back to Sigil?"
She passes on the message to the others.
I'm sure <Shimmer> could make a little demi-plane to carry him in. The question is if we could keep him from escaping as soon as he thought it prudent.
He directs his thoughts to the being in question. <Shimmer>, how much control do you have over the demi-planes you create? Can you prevent planar travel to or from them?
The little dragon telepathically turns back to the party. The question is, when we get him to Sigil what do we do with him? We're not exactly law enforcement.
Proudly wearing his newly acquired garland of strawberries, Rollo beams as they continue to play.
We can provide secure transport. Whenever we are finished here.
Around the room, Blue notices a variety of other, similar dramas playing out, the area pluses with power and tension below polite comments.
Shimmer can craft a secure demi-plane prison, as austere or pleasant as you wish (but not more than 100'x100' size). You all would know that The Organization has planes it uses to debrief people or to hold them indefinitely.
Elon sends telepathically:I will go with you whenever you wish. I am wagering facing your friends would be better than some other creditors I have. Sometimes it's the devil you don't know that's the choice. The only kink is the house will only let me go if my debt is paid off. This would require ten time tokens, you have won ten but I will also give up my remain three token. Or you can win them in the final round. If guess right about who you work for, I can offer some information you will find quite interest. If I am wrong, so be it.
The play continues but slowly, Armaund and Minna are waiting.
Arlo turns his attention away from the tables to scope out a clear exit from this gambling hall.
Blue sends to the others I'm not noticing any immediate threats, but ours isn't the only high stakes game going on. Be ready, just in case one of the others boils over.
Arlo looks up at the floating air genasi.
"Good lad."
Terex keeps an eye out as he 'speaks'. Given the kind of creditors you likely have with the trade you've been engaged in, I actually believe you, the little dragon says to Elon.
He switches over to speaking to the party. <Shimmer> can definitely make a place for him, but this bit about paying off his debt might be a problem. We might have the tokens, but they're from the house. We'll have to see if they let us use them. So... should we go for it?
Terex keeps playing, but he's obviously not really paying attention to what he's doing.
As things proceed, Armaund takes a moment to have a whispered conversation with the Croupier...
Meanwhile, a couple figures take a break from a neighboring table and wander over - they're human shaped, chitinous and elegant. Two shiny black beetle humanoids, dressed in black tuxedos with white ties. Observing the play from a respectful distance, one of them says "The famous, defeated by a group of unknowns, remarkable, it happens to all of us sooner or later I suppose" while the other bows and then the two continue on.
... finishing the conversation, Armaund sends telepathically::Paying most of what we won from Elon should be sufficient to depart with Elon, leaving us with a three token payoff - they can be quite I believe. I suggest you ask <Shimmer> to open a quite elegant door for Elon to step through. It's appropriate to this place and would disguise the event somewhat.
... play continues ...