Riddleport.
Once a secret pirate haven, Riddleport has grown
over the last three centuries into a port city in
its own right.At first it served as a secure base
from which to conduct raids against Chelish merchant
vessels bound for Korvosa, but over time the city has
expanded into a true settlement, the frontier’s frontier,
the northernmost outpost on the lonely strip known as the
Lost Coast. Yet while Riddleport has grown into a proper
city, it remains true to its roots—you can get rich quick in
Riddleport if you’ve got skill and a bit of luck, though for
every Riddleport success story there are a dozen nameless
bodies buried in potters’ fields or tossed to the hungry
denizens of the sea.
Riddleport is located in a secluded, rocky harbor
situated at the easternmost reaches of the Calphiak
Mountains, where the meandering Velashu River meets
the sea. Although the site was partially chosen for ease of
defense (either from Chelish privateers or raiders from
the Lands of the Linnorm Kings), the original settlers
picked the site as much for its singular Thassilonian
monument: the mysterious and intriguing arch known
as the Cyphergate.
The city proper is tucked in between two rocky ridges,
the easternmost rising just over 300 feet in elevation
and blocking the city from a tidal swamp of hillocks and
mires that serves today as a dumping ground for refuse,
derelict ships, bodies, and undesirables. The western
ridge ascends swiftly into the Calphiak Mountains
themselves. To the north, the Velashu River threads its
way between these ridges, leading up into the Velashu
Uplands. While roads from the east and north exist, they
are not well-maintained—the most notable access to
the city is its harbor. No one who sails into Riddleport
by sea can avoid passing beneath the Cyphergate.
Many sailors have favorite private signs or rituals for good
luck they perform as their ships pass under the storied
arch, for one can never be too careful around Varisia’s
storied monuments.
Riddleport today bears an air of legitimacy that eluded
it in earlier times when it was little more than a haven
for those seeking shelter but not necessarily law. This
legitimacy arises from a growing influx of scholars and
experts, for of all Varisia’s monuments, the Cyphergate
may be the best preserved. It’s certainly one of the most
enigmatic. An entire tradition of arcane study has risen in
the Cyphergate’s shadow—the growing Order of Cyphers
has become one of Riddleport’s most powerful factions—
quite the feat in a settlement known for traditional
values of piracy and bullying. This newest faction of
Riddleport’s already complicated administration may
just be what it takes to force the growing city into a stable
government—or it may be the final load that causes it all
to come crumbling down!
It is to Riddleport that you have all come, for many different reasons.
Specifically, on this afternoon, you find yourselves in the Wharf district of the city.
This raucous district lies hard on the edge of the very docks
of the city and is where much of the city’s day-to-day action
of commerce and thievery occurs. Nearest the docks are a
series of warehouses and cheap grog shops where merchant
and pirate crews mingle in a haze of rum-soaked debauchery
and blood. Once the most commercially successful portion
of the city, its aged facade and Riddleport’s slow slide toward
legitimacy have seen much of the action move northward to
the Free-Coin District, leaving the Wharf District a tattered
shadow of its former self. Inns and shops have grimed
windows and peeling paint hinting at a prosperity that
no longer exists, which is just fine for the run-of-the-mill
pirate crew.
For whatever reason today you each find yourself drawn to the Golden Goblin gambling hall, where the grand gambling event “Cheat the Devil
and Take his Gold” looks to be poised to bring the game
hall back in business after a long decline.
Yet the gambling tournament is not the only thing going on in Riddleport, for a strange atmospheric phenomenon lately manifested
in the sky above the city. The strange blot has hung in the
air for several weeks, moving slowly in what appears to be
a random pattern in the sky. At first assumed to be a dark
cloud, it soon became evident that it often moved at odds
with the wind. The blot itself resembles nothing so much
as a shadow floating in the sky, almost as if some large but
unseen object were partially blocking the sun’s rays.
As you make your way through the wharf district you turn a corner of the street and finaly set eyes upon the Golden Goblin.
This grand establishment has seen better days. A wide
veranda runs along the front between two short wings of
the building. A massive, brass half-dome tops the building,
but it is now tarnished and marred by the impact of years
of weathering and bears a patina of greenish brown.
Standing before the main doors of the building is an
8-foot-tall statue cast in shining gold to resemble a largerthan-
life goblin. It balances a golden dogslicer on a pile of
gold as it smiles smugly down on all customers who pass
beneath its gaze.
The doors themselves are of a strong dark wood imported
from southern lands and are decorated with multiple panels
depicting signs of luck and good fortune (four-leaf clovers,
crossed fingers, and so on).
Upon entering you discover that just inside the main doors, two sultry beauties scantily clad and wearing faux bat wings, devil horns, and tails play the part of alluring succubi. Both appear to be employees of the Gold Goblin, and they cheerfully register you as contestants for the tournament and process your entry fee (1 gp). Armed guards stand nearby to either side of an immense treasure chest into which each patron’s entry fee is added. The guards are obviously on hand to not only protect the money, but to prevent any overzealous admirers from trying to dare the infamous touch of a succubus. They make no attempt to relieve you of any weapons that you may be carrying.
Beyond the registration table is the hall’s game floor. Dozens
of gamblers, waitresses dressed as succubi, and bouncers mill
about the room, wandering amid tables offering various games
while dealers shuffle cards, roll dice, and spin wheels. Moving
through this throng are a dozen more of the barely clad, batwinged
vixens serving drinks and batting coal-black eyelashes
flirtatiously for tips. In the center of the chamber is a short
podium atop which sits a massive gold chest affixed to the floor
by similarly gaudy chains. On either side of it stands a barechested
bouncer in the exotic garb of some foreign sultan’s
court. Each stands with muscled arms crossed over his chest
and with a naked scimitar of prodigious size tucked through
his waistband. High above them, from the hall’s cloth-draped
ceiling, hangs a brass birdcage within which crouches a small,
bat-winged, pointy-tailed devilish creature that sulks as it gazes
over the room and occasionally rattles the bars threateningly.
Silken banners hang from floor to ceiling along the
walls, and wide vertical blinds are drawn over the windows
when morning light begins to peer in from the east. The
chamber has a ceiling 20 feet above, draped in layers
of horizontally hung, gauzy beige curtains.
Light is provided by numerous chandeliers hanging
below the ceiling as well as several large copper
braziers spaced around the room with live coals to give
the chamber a more hellish light for the tournament. At
the back of the chamber between the kitchen doors is a
small dais bearing a bust of Desna, goddess of luck.
As you move though the crowded hall you bump into a buxom human woman , who can just about be described as being clothed.
"Welcome to the Gold Goblin, gorgeous, the hot spot for turning fortunes and winning wagers beneath the arch. I'm Mirri Salassa and I guess your looking for the squarest games, most honest dealers, and prettiest blamed barmaids anywhere in the port? Well, you found ’em, sugar! Ready to be rich ? Hope so, ’cause tonight’s your night. Belly up to a table and get to winnin’; we’ve got the gold to make your dreams glitter. Good drink, fine food, and warm company’s extra, but we’ve got all that too—at prices so cheap we might as well be giving it away. So find a spot, honey, order a pint, and leave it all to us, ’cause here, even a goblin could win his weight in gold! Just one thing first though sweetie; I need you to fill in this registration form for me..."
I, , do hereby sacrifice my immortal soul and the worldly sum of
10 pieces of silver to the Devil to hold in escrow against his own stake of 10,000 silver coins in the gambling tournament being held at the Gold Goblin Gambling Hall of Riddleport on this Oathday,
14th day of Arodus, 4708 ar.
I understand that my soul will be placed on deposit in the Hells’ deepest pit of Nessus. Furthermore, I understand that all winnings shall be catalogued in concordance of souls, to be represented by teeth, eyes, and hearts of the damned.
By participating in the gambling tournament and beginning in the first
pit of Avernus, my winnings shall earn my way deeper through the Hells on the following schedule:
Dis—1 gold eye
Erebus—3 gold eyes and a Badge of Dis
Phlegethon—5 gold eyes and a Badge of Erebus
Stygia—10 gold eyes and a Badge of Phlegethon
Malebolge—25 gold eyes and a Badge of Stygia
Cocytus—50 gold eyes and a Badge of Malbolge
Caina—75 gold eyes and a Badge of Cocytus
Nessus—100 gold eyes and a Badge of Caina
I understand that if I should lose my stake in the tournament I shall receive the Devil’s Mark and my soul shall be cast upon the rocks on the shore of the River Styx.
I understand that if I elect to cash in my winnings before reaching the pit of Nessus I shall forfeit my soul and 50% of the cash value of my winnings for said early departure.
If I am the first player to reach Nessus, then I am granted the redemption of my soul and the right to Cheat the Devil and Take his Gold in addition to collecting my winnings. In such a circumstance,
all other players shall receive the Devil’s Mark and forfeit their souls.
This is I do swear.
Witnessed by: Old Scratch
Fortunata elbows Naeem gently in the ribs.
"It's all for show, chap. All for show. It's not a legally binding contract in any way."
She leans in close to his ear, whispering softly: "In fact, you can put whatever name you want on there."
Fortunata takes her own, and signs it 'Fortune', and hands it back.
Fortunata elbows Naeem gently in the ribs.
"It's all for show, chap. All for show. It's not a legally binding contract in any way."
She leans in close to his ear, whispering softly: "In fact, you can put whatever name you want on there."
Fortunata takes her own, and signs it 'Fortune', and hands it back.
I heard what Fortunata said but such flippancy is worrying to me . Is she right about it being for show ?
To the waittress :
"What is the game played , miss ? Can I observe for the moment and play later . For the moment , two mugs of beer for me and my friend should suffice . Thanks . "
The woman smiles sweetly at you, "The contract is just a formality my dears."
"Well, honey, we have several games of chance going on. Perhaps you'd be intersted in playing 'Bounder' or maybe 'Ghoulette'. Or maybe you just like to watch. Whatever, everything will be explained by my Lord and Master when he arrives after dark. Until then enjoy. The first drink is on the house."
Aude:
Naeem studied the contract intently, looking up every so often as he read the details. His eyes then flit around the room as he looked for symbols and paraphenalia, then back to the contract.
"Is this usual?" he asks as he once again reads the document.
"Seems a little over the top, but this is Riddleport after all," Angus mutters looking a little disturbed.
(OOC: I had made an earlier reply but it seems to have been deleted something I should know about?)
(OOC: Found the message seems you've got two threads for the same game! Reposting the message below)
Taking a long moment to read it before leaning back Angus breaths an air of shocked disbelief.
~Its almost good enough to pass for the real thing, however this is Riddleport...~ he mentally mutters to himself.
Angus will let the others he accompanied here to the Gold Goblin sign first before signing himself since even a fool needs company.
Ok Jeaghal , just put a cross here please .
Ghoulette like in Ghoul?
"Jeagal know how to write me name!" the half orc replies taking the form and producing some marks on it (even over the other written text) nobody would be able to identify, thereby 'spelling' his name as "JE-ah-G-al. There, Jeagal know how to write!"
After that episode Jeagal follows Aude closely, shielding her as he thinks it would be needed, his battleaxe shouldered. His build and behaviour should let the two easier pass through the crowd.
Naeem still seems to be perturbed by the form and waits to see how everyone else reacts to it. His eyes scan the room, obviously a little disturbed by the obvious outsiders present.
"Unlikely there would be any true denizens of the lower planes, well except for tieflings of course, they do however make an admirable job of making you believe they're for real though," Angus peers around.
"The owner should do well, but thats depending on his true motivation for this establishment," Angus adds nodding as he signs his magi name("Hopeless").
"Now lets see about that free drink," Angus sighs looking asround for the bar.
Elinea looks curiously aorund at all the people gathered here. And the noise.... so unlike home!
She is giggling inside as she notice that the huge half-orc in front of her just signed into the competition.
Eager to blend into the crowd she signs the contract without much hesitation. Just by the looks of things, she is sure she will never eat or drink anything from a place like this.
She scans the room for available seats....
The Gold Goblin’s main hall is a very large room, and there are more than a dozen different gaming tables available for contestants to wager, win, and lose. For much of the afternoon, as the registration process continues, the gathering crowd spends time playing cards and other non-sanction games, drinking, or otherwise carousing.
By the time dusk approaches and the tournament gears up to begin, there are more than a hundred participants in attendance, along with 17 dealers and croupiers, six succubus-costumed servers, and six burly bouncers crammed into the room.
As the windows begin darkening with twilight, several gamehall employees enter, carrying torches shaped like pitchforks skewering burning heads made of straw and cloth to light several large braziers,
giving the hall a more infernal hue. A hush falls over the gathered crowd as a short man climbs to the central podium, accompanied by two gorgeous “succubi,” and stands before the gold, chain-shrouded chest there with a demoness on either side. He wears a formal suit, and his thinning black hair is slicked back. His left arm ends in a stump just above the wrist, and affixed to it is a bronze cap from which protrudes an oddly shaped key. He bows before the crowd and clears his throat before speaking...
A chance to bilk people out of money using nothing but my charms and gile? - "Hell yes."
Sunny wears a pristinely white noble dress, tying her long blonde and platinum hair back with expensive silk ribbons studded with precious stones and gems.
She bears the mark of the celestial, and her body oozes sex appeal.
"Now here is a place one can make a coin or two." A young woman says to her self. as she checks her noble dress for any flaws, seeing none she takes a registration form and signs in bold, unmistakable strokes smiling to herself.
Signed: SUNNY HIGHWAY
"Maybe it is my upbringing, but to give away one's name this way seems wrong." His eyes narrow looking at a passing tiefling.
"Quite right too, I prefer my birth name to be known by those I'd call friend, my moniker is how I prefer to be known publically to avoid such scrutiny," Hopeless/Angus replies.
(OOC: Will use this name after this point since it is what Angus wrote and its is his cyphermage name since Neophyte was already claimed and the Order of Cyphers does have a strange sense of humour. Naeem knows Angus's birth name which means he should be the only person who refers to him as such unless the others hear him. PS: I've yet to figure out the alias system some of the others have used so may as well make use of my existing id.)
Naeem ponders a little longer and then writes "Brother" on the form and hands it in, then looks to see which way the others have gone.
Angus waits patiently noting where the others have gone whilst Naeem decides on what name to list.
As Naeem looks up Angus nods to him and heads after the others wondering what other surprises this place held in store for them.
Naeem smiles at Angus. "Thank you kindly for waiting."
Angus waits patiently noting where the others have gone whilst Naeem decides on what name to list.
As Naeem looks up Angus nods to him and heads after the others wondering what other surprises this place held in store for them.
"It was the least I could do," Angus smiles back.
Sighing he took in the sights and then frowned."So what free drink are you going to have?" he asked Naeem whilst pondering the same problem himself.
"So how's Riddleport been these days?" Angus asks Naeem.
"Have you heard about this cleric of Desna whose gone missing somewhere in the mountains?" Angus queries as he continues to move towards Sunny and Jeagal making note to turn to look at Naeem when talking but keeping a careful eye out after all even an establishment as new and glossy as this has the usual dangers.
(OOC: Are there any rules I need to know about multi-classing? Because I was wondering about making Angus a Wizard/monk but the only detail I've read seems to indicate you would have to multiclass in a favoured class and I just wanted to confirm if that was true, PS: Found the alias bit! Many thanks for that!)
|
Naeem walks with Angus across the floor. "I had not given much thought to a drink. I shall observe and see if any look interesting enough to try. Why come to a place like this if not to experience?"
As they make their way following the others he looks up as if at the sky past the ceiling. "I assume that you have seen the blot. That was what attracted me to this place."
Naeem walks with Angus across the floor. "I had not given much thought to a drink. I shall observe and see if any look interesting enough to try. Why come to a place like this if not to experience?"
As they make their way following the others he looks up as if at the sky past the ceiling. "I assume that you have seen the blot. That was what attracted me to this place."
"I was more intrigued with the Cyphergate myself, but that thing scares me far more than I care to admit," Angus replies calmly.
"Every time I look at it I feel like I want to run far as possible away from it and the really odd part is that, that far away bit involves getting as deep underground as I can," Angus matter of factly explains his tone calm and measured as he looked around at the available drink.
"Strangely it reminds me of something my mentor told me about an old Vudrani child story involving the arrival of the Starstone or so my mentor believed, you really don't know how much I hope I'm wrong about that part," Angus mutters quietly his voice hushed as he then shudders.
"So ale, beer, wine, do you see any other drink choices?" Angus asks Naeem seemingly brightening up as if trying to forget what he had been thinking about.
(OOC: I don't know if the above is actually relevant, It's just a reason why Angus is seriously troubled by what he's felt ever since coming into sight of the Blot and arriving at Riddleport and his current stay in the city)
Naeem allows the conversation to veer away noting the change in tone from his companion, but mentally notes to return to the subject at some point in the near future.
"Some people over there seem to be drinking some sort of red liquid that does not appear to be wine."
Angus pauses noting where Naeem's looking.
After a moment he replies," I have no idea what that is," he admits.Looking around he tries to spy Jeagal believing he would have focused on something more palateable.
Looking around he tries to spy Jeagal believing he would have focused on something more palateable.
Angus does not need to try to spy, for Jeagal can be made out easy enough. Holding in his hand the remains of a glass that he obviously held a little to strong, probably to not let it fall. One of the waitresses quickly brings a new drink for the halforc, this time a wooden tankard.
Jeagal laughs at his 'mistake', then turns to Aude to keep shielding her.
Looking around he tries to spy Jeagal believing he would have focused on something more palateable.Angus does not need to try to spy, for Jeagal can be made out easy enough. Holding in his hand the remains of a glass that he obviously held a little to strong, probably to not let it fall. One of the waitresses quickly brings a new drink for the halforc, this time a wooden tankard.
Jeagal laughs at his 'mistake', then turns to Aude to keep shielding her.
"Ah there they are," Angus nudges Naeem.
"Looks like their glassware's a little on the fragile side though," he adds as they approach the pair."So do you either of you recommend anything they're for drinking purposes?" he asks the pair.
"So do you either of you recommend anything they're for drinking purposes?" he asks the pair.
Noticing the dwarf and human in the last moment, Jeagal positions himself between the two man and Aude, looking them up and down. Not seeing any weapons at hand, the half-orc lets his battleaxe rest on his shoulder, from where it was lifted just as much to be in a ready place to strike.
"I not know you. But beer good. It not is in breakable cup." he replies, after checking them out a second time.
"So do you either of you recommend anything they're for drinking purposes?" he asks the pair.Noticing the dwarf and human in the last moment, Jeagal positions himself between the two man and Aude, looking them up and down. Not seeing any weapons at hand, the half-orc lets his battleaxe rest on his shoulder, from where it was lifted just as much to be in a ready place to strike.
"I not know you. But beer good. It not is in breakable cup." he replies, after checking them out a second time.
"Good enough recommendation for me, Naeem?" Angus nods glancing at the monk.
Good evening.
The blackberry cocktail is quite good and non alcolohic .
Here to play ?
Good evening.
The blackberry cocktail is quite good and non alcolohic .
Here to play ?
"Thank you, I have to say games of chance don't interest me half as much as the gossip about this place and what its proprietor has planned for this evening," Angus replies.
I must say I find the place a bit distateful so far .
Judged souls are not something I would make fun of as they seem to do here . Well we'll see how the night will go on .
Oh , excuse me , I'm Aude Cooper and my friend is Jeagal .
I must say I find the place a bit distateful so far .
Judged souls are not something I would make fun of as they seem to do here . Well we'll see how the night will go on .
Oh , excuse me , I'm Aude Cooper and my friend is Jeagal .
"As long as you don't spread it too far round, my name is Angus and I'll let my friend here introduce himself," Angus bows carefully.
(OOC: Okay so I'll let the others sort out who's who and by that I mean Angus's Cyphermage name)
Likewise.
Angus , what you have just told me about looking at the people here has given me an idea.
Giving the general quality of the people here , the winner had better had friends with him when he'll depart with his money else he might have some problem keeping it once outside. To be frank , given my knowledge of games , I doubt I'll be the winner but if me and Jeagal can win a part of the money just protecting someone , why not ? Four people would be better than two for this purpose , could I count you and Naeem with us ?
"Just one thing first, though, sweetie; I need you to fill in this registration form for me..."
"You want my signature?" Marten asks, his booming voice carrying clearly across the general hubbub. "But of course, young lady! I hadn't expected to be recognised quite so soon." With a flourish, he dashes off an illegible scrawl on the proffered piece of paper. "You have the place decked out most splendidly," he continues, in a quieter voice, "as befits the opening night of a fine establishment such as this! I would be honoured to perform here, if that is your wish. I'm sure Old Nick and I can come to some sort of arrangement." He beams at the woman, then surveys the room for drinking companions.
Likewise.
Angus , what you have just told me about looking at the people here has given me an idea.
Giving the general quality of the people here , the winner had better had friends with him when he'll depart with his money else he might have some problem keeping it once outside. To be frank , given my knowledge of games , I doubt I'll be the winner but if me and Jeagal can win a part of the money just protecting someone , why not ? Four people would be better than two for this purpose , could I count you and Naeem with us ?
"I'd say yes as it would make this evening that much more interesting, what about you Naeem?" Angus asks.
To Angus the part of the request that interests him is that perhaps he could persuade them to help look for that missing priest of Desna but one step at a time he chides to himself.
"Just one thing first, though, sweetie; I need you to fill in this registration form for me...""You want my signature?" Marten asks, his booming voice carrying clearly across the general hubbub. "But of course, young lady! I hadn't expected to be recognised quite so soon." With a flourish, he dashes off an illegible scrawl on the proffered piece of paper. "You have the place decked out most splendidly," he continues, in a quieter voice, "as befits the opening night of a fine establishment such as this! I would be honoured to perform here, if that is your wish. I'm sure Old Nick and I can come to some sort of arrangement." He beams at the woman, then surveys the room for drinking companions.
Angus glances over and almost grins.
"Finally a bard, now the party can really start!" he beams.Turns to Aude Cooper and whispers.
"I've been wondering how long before one of Riddleport's minstrels was going to appear, they really do like to make an entrance!"
Fortunata still circles the room, like a bird of prey, waiting for something to die. She holds a tumbler in her hand, but does not sip from it.
Fortunata still circles the room, like a bird of prey, waiting for something to die. She holds a tumbler in her hand, but does not sip from it.
Elinea feeling a bit out of place here, slowly apporaches this intriguing female half-elf: "Dont care for the drink either or just trying to stay focused for the game?"
Obviously knowing how to move about silently, Fortunata didn't hear the elf approach her. Startled by her words, she turns to Elinea, and likewise doesn't really hear her speak, either.
"Focused...yes...". In truth, Fortunata could not stop looking at the elf's ears. She hadn't seen another elf since her father left as a child, and a lot of memories were flooding back to her right now.
Reflexively, she lifted her hand to touch her own ears, stubby, twisted, and ugly, by comparison.
"You're an elf. A full elf. But from where? And why are you here?"
She blushes a little.
"Forgive me. I know why you're here, of course. This gambling event has brought everyone out tonight. I'm Fortune."
The Gold Goblin’s main hall is a very large room, and there are more than a dozen different gaming tables available for contestants to wager, win, and lose. For much of the afternoon, as the registration process continues, the gathering crowd spends time playing cards and other non-sanction games, drinking, or otherwise carousing.
By the time dusk approaches and the tournament gears up to begin, there are more than a hundred participants in attendance, along with 17 dealers and croupiers, six succubus-costumed servers, and six burly bouncers crammed into the room.
As the windows begin darkening with twilight, several gamehall employees enter, carrying torches shaped like pitchforks skewering burning heads made of straw and cloth to light several large braziers,
giving the hall a more infernal hue. A hush falls over the gathered crowd as a short man climbs to the central podium, accompanied by two gorgeous “succubi,” and stands before the gold, chain-shrouded chest there with a demoness on either side. He wears a formal suit, and his thinning black hair is slicked back. His left arm ends in a stump just above the wrist, and affixed to it is a bronze cap from which protrudes an oddly shaped key. He bows before the crowd and clears his throat before speaking...
“Welcome, one and all, to the Gold Goblin Gambling Hall and
your chance to cheat the Devil and win back not only your soulbut all of his gold as well.”
He says this last as he pats the large chest before which he stands.
“I hope you found your reception by the Devil’s lovely temptresses
suitably entertaining.”
This is met by a general murmur of laughter and a few catcalls.
“Let’s take this moment to thank Old Scratch himself for attending this event. Not only did he loan us these lovely, dark angels, but he also emptied the deepest vaults of Hell itself to provide the gold for this tournament.”
With this, he directs the crowd’s attention up to the imp in the birdcage. At the sudden attention, Old Scratch flies into a flurry of rage, banging the cage bars, spitting, howling, and screaming vile epithets in Infernal at all assembled. His theatrics are received with guffaws and even a smattering of applause. As the crowd dies down,
he continues.
“Of course, he plans on replacing what he loses in gold with the souls of those of you who don’t win. The tournament rules are quite simple—as you play, you’ll earn more chips. And with those chips, you’ll be able to bribe your way out of the current Hell you’re trapped in, working your way down deeper until you get to Old Scratch’s treasury. Currently, all of you are Old Scratch’s prisoners in the first of the Hells, Avernus. If you want to work your way down to the ninth circle, you need to win games. Each time you win, you’ll be awarded a golden
eye. If you come in second, you’ll get a silver tooth.
And third place wins a copper heart. These bits of flesh and bone are what the devils use in Hell for currency, and they’re what you’ll need to pay in order to bribe your way into the next layer of hell. The first player to win a game after reaching Nessus not only keeps his winnings for that game, but also earns back his soul and
the ten thousand silver coins that the Devil put up for this tournament. You can, of course, decide to cash out your winnings
at any time you want, but if you do, or if you run out of money entirely… well, that means Old Scratch gets you.”
The man grins evilly and the caged imp cuts loose with another
profane tirade. “And that earns you the Devil’s Mark and an escort out of the game hall until the tournament is over.
What, you ask, exactly is this Devil’s Mark? Well, it’s something too utterly horrible to even contemplate. The forfeiture of your very soul, it is. But I suppose I can show you what it is— gods know I more than deserve the Devil’s Mark. In fact, better make it two, girls!”
With that, the two succubi accompanying him lean over and each firmly plants a kiss on his cheek with her ruby-red lips. When they pull away,
their lip rouge has left clearly visible prints in the same shocking
red on his cheeks. He beams as he cries out, “The Devil’s
Mark, everyone!” which is greeted by a flurry of shouts, catcalls,
and hoots. “I'm Saul Vancaskerkin, your host. Now, let’s cheat the Devil and take his gold!” which prompts one more rabid flurry from the imprisoned fiend above, and with that, the tournament begins.
'Can we say Tacky ?