The uplifted Bear seems to be very resistant to radiation, but is more prone to having her organs replaced, Ooh, that doesn't feel good. I didn't account for being off-balance this much.
-
Herno
Rahdokama (blinded - 2 rounds)
Flenn
Abistar
Spakno
---
Suzy - shaken (2rnds) (21)
---
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Abistar-4 likely mirrors the response of the AI chip as he mentions to Flenn, "that is a quite aggressive phrasing, my permutations on the text make me question if that qualifies as friendly competitive banter?"
The first world summon growls as it slowly moves and shifts to gain an advantage on the larger target until leaping up and play-fight with the much larger Suzy from Accounting.
Abistar-4 moves forward and focuses his mind to summon a mote of floating light over Suzy from Accounting. It flies about her head in an effort to distract and create an opening for one of Abistar-4's allies.
Abistar's ally tries to bite the massive bear without fear, but chips its teeth on Suzy's armor. Flenn shoots Suzy in the chest. Ooph! I hope that doesn't depreciate my vitals!
Spanko tries to hamper suzy, but the attack goes wide.
Suzy swings her doshko, trying to take out the summoned feline and the vesk hampering her. She pummels through the feline, but misses the blinded Rahdokama.
-
Herno
Rahdokama (blinded - 1 rounds)
Flenn
Abistar
Spakno
---
Suzy
* shaken (-2 AtSvSkAb) (1 rnds)
* damage (26)
---
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Abistar-4's eyes go a bit wide at the sudden swing and instant knockout of the extraplanar summon. He studies the blow that fails to connect with Rahdokama.
"If you are able, I highly encourage you to keep dodging Rahdokama whether or not you can see. Suzy from Accounting has a doshko and seems exceptionally proficient in it's use."
As Abistar-4 begins to call upon more allies to distract Suzy, the wisp ally continues to distract her in order to impede her accuracy.
Herno does whatever he can to keep Suzy off-balance, while spakno finally manages to get an effect of the bear. Abistar summons another ally, helping out Rahdokama, who lands a bloody good hit on the accountant!
I will tax your earnings for that!
Suzy flails the doshko around wildly again, and credits a solid hit on Rahdokama to her account.
---
Herno
Rahdokama
Flenn x2
Abistar
Spakno
---
Suzy
* hampering inhibitor (-2 AC, 50% speed, 6 rounds)
* shaken (-2 AtSvSkAb) (2 rnds)
* damage (45)
---
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Abistar-4 moves a step forward as Rahdokama takes the hit as another fey summon appears, a wolf with green fur with patches of magenta. Upon command from the mystic, the creature attempts to subdue the representative from Accounting.
Abistar-4 moves closer to the melee and takes another point blank shot at Suzy from Accounting.
Stopping to take a glance at his weapon, the mystic notes, "A number of events in this small sampling seem to be going in my favor."
Preparing to fire another shot he declares, "I think I'm feeling lucky."
The team is clearly in the 'storming' phase of teambuilding. Abistair's wisp bites the large bear, and just barely fails at grabbing her with its teeth. A barrage of laser fire finally brings Suzy to exclaim Hoho! That's quite enough. I'm turning to a liability here, I'd better surrender! My, my, where did you guys learn to fight like that. I think I'm going to have to live with Advertising lording it over me next year. Hmpf. Still, it's been a while since I had so much fun, so that's a net profit!
Yulan is elated at his win, boasting already as if he's single-handedly defeated Suzy. He does promise to speak to the board of archdirectors on the upcoming vote.
----
The shuttle departs, and transmits a holo-message from Venture Captain Arvin
Venture-Captain Arvin marches down a corridor leading out of the Lorespire Complex several steps ahead of a group. He pauses as the exit door slides open, and he blinks in the bright lights of the camera crews amassing in preparation for the upcoming gala. He turns and says, “What I’m asking you to do is frankly a bit sordid, and I wish I had a more honest mission to give you.”
Arvin produces a datapad. “AbadarCorp’s board is composed mostly of department archdirectors. You've already met one of them. It’s an exclusive club of less than a dozen individuals, and even one of their votes could sway the outcome. Your target is Archdirector of Finance Denanne Karrsi.” Arvin taps his datapad, and an image of an imposing elven woman with silver hair and a glowering expression appears. “Denanne is an avid gambler. She’s booked a suite at the Luxx solar casino. If you can defeat her at her game of choice you may be able to influence her. Check in to Luxx as patrons, challenge her to a game, and then use any leverage you can to persuade her to oppose Datch’s vote.”
End of communication.
The travel takes several days ().
Luxx is a colossal starliner locked in to the Sun’s orbit, and is renowned as a premier solar casino.
Its twin hangar bays provide docking for communal transport shuttles alongside space for private VIP craft. This time around, there were no VIP tickets to be arranged, so the group they arrives on a shuttle alongside a throng of patrons from all corners of the galaxy.
There's a series of elevator that transport people all across the starliner. The buttons are numbered and read
* Concierge Desk
* Nova Room
* Refraction Lounge
* Grand Casino
---
Spakno and Ivel move to the concierge room, where they encounter a rather rude specimen of korasha lashunyta. Oi! she greets, with flat disinterest from the blank look on your faces, I guess you guys need an account?
She tosses a data drive to Spakno, which contains account information, reporting a balance of 50 'Luxx Buxx'.
You need Luxx Buxx to play the games. You can add funds to your account at any of the kiosks—not that you look like you can afford it. The rate is one credit to one Luxx Buck. Try starting in the Nova Room—it’s easier for first-timers. Most shuttle riders disappear when they run out of complimentary tokens.
---
Meanwhile, Abistair find himself in the Nova Room. This dimly lit room is packed with patrons hypnotized by automated gambling stations. Flickering slot machines line the walls surrounding a token kiosk. Inside the booth, a male halfling stands on a stool converting credits into the casino’s currency. Got an account? he asks, if not, get one from the concierge room. Want to convert credits?
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Abistar-4 thinks for a moment about returning immediately the the concierge to set himself up, but pauses for a moment as he considers the emotional tone eh should set before responding with optimism, "I had not created on as of yet, I will go and retify that now. Are slot machines the premium attraction here in the Nova Room or are there any you recommend I turn my credits toward? All of them seem to be entrancing to say the least!"
Following that he will thank the employee in any case and notify the party as he returns back to the concierge.
(Herno and Spakno)
What am I? the rude lashunta says, a phonebook? Do you think I go tell everyone who comes to visit here? Wouldn't have this job for long, would I?
(Abistar)
Depends on how much you want to wager. The slot machines takes small amounts of credits - people use it to warm up, or lose their last bits of coin when they've been fleeced. The grand casino floor is where the action is. You look like the lucky type to me. Just make sure you don't wager your pants. No pants, no service. the halfling says, tapping a sign that says 'no pants, no service'.
The largest public area on Luxx is its grand casino floor. Three sets of white marble stairs cascade down to a spacious marble floor. To the north, a bar lit by fuchsia and indigo neon serves drinks to glamorous clients. Besuited waiters dart through crowds of patrons milling about card tables, roulette wheels, and other game stations. Guests lounge beside a sparkling pool set ridiculously into the middle of the casino floor. At the center of the room, a host shirren seated at a grand piano plays a jazzy tune.
An audience gathers around a long, rectangular gaming table to the south as a showdown unfolds between two individuals. An elf - corresponding to the description of Denanne Karsi - smirks as she executes her final play against her opponent. The hapless shobhad groans as Denanne flips over the winning card. In her leisure time, the straight-laced Denanne becomes an egotistical competitor with a flair for the dramatic. She wears an exquisitely cut gown of canary-yellow silk, long black gloves, a wide-brimmed velvet hat, and multicolored jewels. Vibrant geometric tattoos peek from beneath her mane of silver hair, and her violet eyes seem to glow with intensity.
As spakno and his brother approach, Denanne sighs and sips wine from a crystal glass. “I told you to invest your money instead of challenging me!” She scolds her opponent. “Now you’re all out of funds. How boring.” She casts her eyes around the crowd for a moment before her gaze lands on the two Vlakas.
We play high stakes here, she says, 5000 Buxx minimum wager. It’s not about the money, though — I have plenty of that. It’s about the rush of betting everything knowing you’ll win or lose at fate’s whim. If you’re willing to risk parting with something you value deeply, I’ll waive the credits
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Herno will look confused at the Concierge's response.
"What is a 'phonebook'? Is it something native to Castrovel? You look like a Concierge, complete with sign that says so, and by definition a Concierge is employed to assist guests. I'm sorry that you believe performing an essential function of your employment is somehow beneath you. Its probably a result of of poor management and in no way caused by your own lackluster social skills."
After entering the Grand Casino.
Herno sends a text message to the rest of his group.
<Target located. Grand Casino. It appears she would like to play a game with one of us. Minimum buy in is 5000 Luxx Buxx.>
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Meeting the party Abistar-5 shares his thoughts, "If I were to offer my funds I could pay my share of an entry fee with the credits I have, but not much more than than that. The slots is calmer area and depending on ones luck might help in producing those funds."
Hearing of Denanne's offer of alternate forms of credit
"I will suggest some degree of apprehension how you approach this, it was highly emphasized to me the dangers of wagering items of great value, such as pants and likely other similar items of clothing."
"I have rarely been as successful in short term ventures, but I may benefit our task by seeking a patron, flush in currency, who would be willing to pay for the bit of artistic works I may produce." He waves his hands as though absently conducting something as he continues, "Some that may be open to such spending may lie within the Refraction Lounge. The Nova Room certainly didn't reveal many who would be able to bankroll our bet."
For the moment Abistar-4 stays closer to the party as they make their decision. He asks about some employees about the Refraction Lounge as well as attempts to learn gossip about other guests staying within the Casino.
Flenn does a little hacking of the Casino account and !presto! he adds three zero to his account. 50'000 Luxx Buxx. Let's hope nobody catches wind of this.
Denanne responds amusedly to Herno Your brother should know that gambling is about what is at stake. Anything that is of value to him. His brother, perhaps? I'm not a slaver, though, and material items are more my thing anyway. Anything of value in that equipment of yours?
The refraction lounge is where people go to cool off. Poor Juta is there, he took a bad hit just now.. Denanni says, with a bemused lack of empathy.
So, you're up for a game?
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Casual jokes about slavery. This 'lady' also lacks social skills. So far this entire experienc leaves something to be desired. Unfortunate that we need her. I hope the individual we are trying to elevate above Datch proves to be a better person.
Herno observes the surroundings stoicly.
"What's the game?" He asks.
Baksu, of course Denanne shows a hand of cards. Baksu is a somewhat antiquated cardgame, played over three rounds. The dealer gets seven cards, the player receives six. Each plays to get their best three-card hand.
---
Round 1:
Dealer: Denanne
Herno
Spakno
Abistar
Flenn
Rahdokama
---
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Abistar-4 looks to Flenn for permission to draw from the the acquired bucks before taking a seat at the table taking a long moment to focus on Denanne and run his processes to better understand her own desires.
"I find the nature of the emotional dynamics of these games of significant interest. Controlling ones emotions to limit the information you reveal to leverage an advantage. This would be interesting to play."
Unfortunately Abistar-4 seems to be at an initial lose on how to particularly control or read the cues from others during this round of the game.
---
Round 1 recap:
Dealer: Denanne
Herno - not playing
Spakno - playing and winning
Abistar - playing and losing
Flenn - playing and losing
Rahdokama - not playing
---
Abistar makes a poor miscalculation of the odds, and rahdokama simply doesn't have the cards. Spakno fares a lot better, though, and manages to spot a dilation of Denanna's pupils, signifying a slight bit of stress.
When the cards drop, Spakno comes up as the winner of the first round of the game, Not bad, Denanna says, let's see if that was beginner's luck. Who of you want to deal this round?
Herno and rahdokama have been faithfully observing, but did not uncover any shenanigans. So far, so fair.
---
Round 2:
Dealer: ?? (somebody step up and grab the cards, or let Denanna deal)
Herno
Spakno
Abistar
Flenn
Rahdokama
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Abistar-4 shows some temptation to take the role of dealer if only to remove one factor of cheating from the play. His ability to cheat is more than somewhat limited though and would be working toward an honest play.
"This seems to be a new experience, I'll deal if there is no complaint."
Abistar-4 struggles a bit jumping from reading the others to gauging the strength of his own hand. He redoubles his efforts as he attempts to correct for his weakness in the prior round by reanalyzing his own hand when it comes to his play.
--
Round 2 recap:
Dealer: Herno
Herno - Losing
Spakno - Losing
Abistar - Winning
Flenn - Winning
Rahdokama - not playing, observing well
----
Abistar and Flenn play a fine game, while Rahdokama diligently watches out for any cheating. Luck is just not on the side of the players, it seems, as Denanna manages to rake in the profits.
--
Round 3:
Dealer: ??
Herno
Spakno
Abistar
Flenn
Rahdokama
----