Tessirda had listened to the lottery scheme, and privately smiled. It might be a good idea, but she doubted the average riddleport resident had much money to spare on it. "I just hope you don't feel too depressed if the normal vices still take precedence. Other than that, it has been quite the night. Should we meet back tomorrow?"
The next morning Larur is having breakfast in the dining room, awaiting your arrival for your first day of work at the Gold Goblin.
Sorda is again lost in thought, and it looks like the magician will need a bit of time to work out all the details.
The mage follows on to meeting Larur, "tomorrow I should have a scheme for everyone to help with."
Amunyet rises early, washes up, and heads down for a light breakfast. When she sees Larur, she greets him and asks, "Well, then. Is this where we are supposed to meet?"
Larur is sitting at the table eating breakfast when Amyunet enters. He rises and says "Welcome, Amyunet. Aye, this is indeed where we are supposed to meet. Would you have some breakfast? Our cook has left us, so I'll have to make it m'self, but we've a well-stocked larder."
"Aye, that'll be one of the first things we do. Hire another cook, 'cause I don't aim to be doin' it for long."
"Thank you Larur. Some bread or porridge would be fine; no need for you to cook anything new." Amunyet will sit down to await the others, and ask Larur, "So, I trust everything has recovered from the events of last evening?"
Zavos slumps in, bleary-eyed, with his hair in disarray and his moustache not yet waxed.
"I don't recall morning meetings having been discussed.", he grouses, "I am more of a night shift person."
"Thank you Larur. Some bread or porridge would be fine; no need for you to cook anything new."
Larur brings out some bread for Amyunet. "Here is some ham as well." he says and and sets it on the table.
"So, I trust everything has recovered from the events of last evening?"
"As well as could be expected, I reckon. Except all of our staff has left, so I figure to be spendin' the next two or three days hiring. If I remember rightly, you're going to be a spotter on the catwalks, yes?"
Zavos slumps in, bleary-eyed, with his hair in disarray and his moustache not yet waxed.
"I don't recall morning meetings having been discussed.", he grouses, "I am more of a night shift person."
"That's good, 'cause we open late and close late. What will you be havin' for breakfast? There's ham and bread here, and I can make just 'bout whatever else you want."
Kelne arrives in disgustingly early and alert fashion, having spent the night at his regular lodgings. Having picked up his usual gear, he has also taken the opportunity to take a brief tour of the Gold Goblin's exterior, checking for any obvious weaknesses.
"Bad news, Zavos," he says, cheerfully unsympathetic to his friend's plight, "Mornings are the perfect time for meetings. Very few customers to keep an eye on at this time of day, so we'll be able to meet without worrying about interruptions."
"I will want to be involved in the hiring process," he goes on in response to Larur's comment about the need to hire more staff, "After all, if Mr. Vancaskerkin's enemies are sufficiently set upon bringing him down, placing a couple of plants among the staff would be an excellent first step along the way."
Like so many elves, Tessirda enjoyed the quiet, small advantages her ancestry afforded her over humans. Not the least was to always appear well-rested and calm, no matter that "her night" had been scarcely half of what a human would consider ample rest.
"Ah, breakfast" she announced, while looking through the options available. "I begin to like working here already."
Kelne:
"Here are the new members of security staff." Larur says when Kelne and Tessirda enter. He welcomes them and invites them to have some breakfast. He explains to everyone that he needs to hire an almost entirely new staff for the Gold Goblin before it can open again, and appreciates Kelne's desire to help with the hiring.
Larur also talks with each of you about the specifics of your duties at the Gold Goblin, and asks you to sign a contract that stipulates your 10 gp per week salary and 2.5% take of the profits. The contract also says that if the Gold Goblin suffers a loss during the week, a commensurate amount will be deducted from your salary.
He then explains that in addition to those jobs, you will also serve as troubleshooters, enforcers and advisors to Saul.
Tessirda found no fault in the agreement, she just didn't think it through too long at all. So she just smiled, and nodded. "I think its a good idea. So the better we do, the more money we earn? That's a good, fair principle."
DM
If Zavos can market the equipment of the thieves for half price, and get 150% of chip value, I figure that we would get:
103 gp, 114 sp from "eyes" and "teeth"
136 gp from 5 rapiers, 4 saps, 16 daggers, lite crossbow, and Zavos' chain shirt.
total 250 gp +14 sp
Zavos will hang onto the 3 magic items for Sorda, and try to get the masterwork studded leather altered to fit himself (how much?). Each of the other 5 characters will be given a share of the coins, assuming everyone goes for it.
Zavos:
Are you sure you want the masterwork leather armor? As far as I can tell, there is no benefit for it being masterwork, since its armor check penalty is already 0, other than the price you could sell it for. If you do want to keep it, I don't know of any rule saying you have to alter armor if it is already in your size category, so no cost for that. Obviously, in reality you probably would, but there is no rule I can find saying you have to and how much it would cost.
"I think its a good idea. So the better we do, the more money we earn? That's a good, fair principle."
"Quite right." Larur replies. "An incentive clause, you might say."
Amunyet reviews the contract, seems to nod in agreement to herself, and signs.
Zavos:
** spoiler omitted **
So that change and the sickle add 40 gp, 5sp to the haul, bringing the total to 291.9 gp by my reckoning.
Zavos spends the next few days moving his possessions into the group's new room, looking in on the interviews of the female staff, selling the thieves' items, and settling in with the rest of you.
When you are all gathered one evening, he addresses the group. "I was able to get almost 292 gold for the items and chips that the thieves had, not counting the magic items. I was thinking that we should split the gold evenly, 7 ways, with Sorda getting the items instead of a share. Does that sound fair?"
Tessirda
Zavos has been quite friendly and flirtatious with you, but in spite of his chattering, he has also proven willing to be a good listener. You notice that his behaviour is much the same with Amunyet, and that it also differs only slightly with Kelne.
Amunyet
Zavos has been quite friendly and flirtatious with you, but in spite of his chattering, he has also proven willing to be a good listener. You notice that his behaviour is much the same with Tessirda, and that it also differs only slightly with Kelne.
Kelne
Zavos has been his usual self lately, care-free and charming. You have also noticed his expected behaviour towards Tessirda and Amunyet, which will probably lead to trouble, most likely to him, and you by extension.
He has been a little different around the other 3 members of your new partnership: less garrulous, and maybe a little nervous (!?).
Sorda
On the rare occasions when you have noticed Zavos, he seems a little sheepish. He may have even blushed slightly when speaking about giving you the magic items.
He also inquired politely about your research, and listened politely to any answers.
Zindit
The handsome Varisian seems to spend a lot of time speaking to the Priestess and Tessirda. Surprisingly, he seems almost afraid of you.
Uz
The Varisian has been stand-offish with you, in a way that you are no doubt familiar with. He has been polite, but does not act in as friendly a manner with you as he has been with Kelne, Tessirda, Sorda and Amunyet.
"I think that's a fair way to deal with it, yes." Tessirda replied. She had likewise taken a room, and made it hers. Remarkably little personal effects, though. It was more as if she was starting anew rather than just changing dwellings.
Zavos:
Zavos: ** spoiler omitted **
Tessirda
Zavos smiles, "Ah lady, I do not mean to cause offense. I have no expectations... perhaps hopes... and I have no wish to endanger a possible friendship and professional partnership. I am what the gods have made me, but an honest request to stop will be answered with an equally honest attempt to do so; and an outright rejection shall cause no permanent damage (I hope)."
"In the meantime, I find the game of flirtation to be nearly as much fun as its usual goal. If you feel the same, we may continue; if not, tell me and I shall behave as appropriately as a Varisian entertainer is able."
Zavos:
Zindit was groggy and bleary-eyed during the meeting; the previous night had been an uneasy one for her as the stress of the day poured over into her dreams. She quietly listened to her new employer's words before looking to Sorda, seeking his assurance that everything was clear and she wasn't going to be signing herself into trouble.
She never had to sign a contract before...
Over the next few days, Zindit became somewhat worried that the Varisian man that spoke so much to Amunyet and Tessirda knew something about her. This only increased her worries that the two women knew something about her. She spent a lot of time trying to convince herself that he was just reacting to her unusual appearance. She was used to that at least.
She tried to keep as much to herself as possible on the catwalks, but always tried to be polite as she could to Amunyet and downright obedient and quick to quietly agree whenever the priestess suggested something.
Eventually on the following day, Sorda remembers the lottery idea. He has spent the morning chatting with Amunyet and making dozens of calculations about the Blot. Her Osirion knowledge is a revelation.
Then the lottery.
He lays out the idea, explaining how tickets can be sold for a copper piece across the city and at the end of the week whoever has the right set of numbers wins a prize based on the amount of tickets sold. Maybe the first week will need a definite prize say of at least 10 gold.
Then he explains all the problems. How they will need to use heralds or town criers or a bard to spread the word.
That tickets should have six numbers from 1 to 49 on them. Possibly people could be employed to sell tickets in inns or on the streets, being paid in tickets.
The money earnt needs to be protected and brought back to the Gold Goblin for counting by the end of the week. Then Saul could host a Grand Ball Picking evening, preferably by someone above board and honest in the eyes of Riddleport. Then anyone with the six numbers gets the large prize and if Saul wants the lottery to do well in the future maybe people with 5 or even 4 numbers may win a smaller prize.
Sorda goes off the idea into the realms of maths and gambling odds but he does try to explain things in layman terms.
Finally he wraps it up, "Saul will need people to talk people into playing and spread the word. He needs people to to protect the winnings from the miscreants of Riddleport and he needs others to organise tickets, a ball machine and get a suitable honest ball picker. I can help with the size of the prizes so that the Gold Goblin should come out on top."
Then Sorda returns to his Blot.
Zavos
During the discussions with Larur, Amunyet agrees to walk the floor and "mingle" when she isn't on the catwalks.
Zavos plans to spend 2 hours each night singing and dancing in the Goblin's Tankard, and 2 hours circulating the gaming floor, talking to the guests , switching back and forth every half-hour or so.
Finally he wraps it up, "Saul will need people to talk people into playing and spread the word. He needs people to to protect the winnings from the miscreants of Riddleport and he needs others to organise tickets, a ball machine and get a suitable honest ball picker. I can help with the size of the prizes so that the Gold Goblin should come out on top."
"That all sounds well and good, but first I need to get the Gold Goblin up and running again. After that we can work on preparing for the lottery." Larur tells Sorda. "I will leave that mostly up to you, although Kelne should handle the security aspects of it."
Happy New Year - posting very spotty until next week.
Over the next few days Larur, with Kelne's assistance, hire new 12 new bouncers, 16 servers, 30 dealers, 4 cooks, 4 bartenders, 2 hosts/greeters, 2 staff managers and an assistant floor manager.
By Fireday the Gold Goblin is ready to open again.
Amyunet and Sorda:
Zavos:
Tessirda:
Zindit:
Tessirda planned her routine quite meticulously. She'd take the earlier shifts, patrolling over the floors, looking both for cheaters and pickpockets, but also making conversation with the patrons. Some contact might ease their troubles, and encourage them to come back - while taking the mind of the really desperate off the gambling. A few coppers lost for the goblin, but maybe a whole life gained.
Over the days, she moved the last of her personal effects from the brothel room.
She spend the afternoons saying goodbye. Many of the other entertainers had grown to be, if not friends, still comrades. Of course, there were raised eyebrows. Not only that, also prophecies of her being back before the moon was turned. But surprisingly enough, there were more who wanted to share a last glass of wine, or a long talk about her motives and questions on what she planned to do next. Only one particular man, Henrik, threatened her.
It was over. It was done. Some of the good moments would eventually work their way into "cherished memories", while most would just fade into general memory. If you lived for as long as she planned to, you had to let go of memories and parts your live you cherished. Reinvent yourself. Strange, that so few of her people embraced Sarenrae's teachings.
DM
Most days, Amunyet will rise fairly early to bathe and dress, then proceed downstairs for a light breakfast. She will spend the majority of each morning researching the blot, working with Sorda and/or trying to gain access to the Order of Cyphers in town.
Around noon, she will head back to the Gold Goblin and then work at spotting until sundown. At that point, she will retreat to her quarters for her main prayers, paying respects to the Lady of Graves at the dying of the day (and preparing spells). She will have a later supper, dining with whichever companions are around, but going out of her way to dine with Tessirda (whom she took a friendly liking to), Zindit (who still intrigues her a great deal), or Zavos (whom she finds entertaining). After dinner, she will put on a more attractive outfit (but not overly revealing) and greet customers / work the floor for the remainder of the evening; generally acting the hostess part, something well suited to her background.
Diplomacy check for greeting customers, working the floor (1d20+6=17)
Zindit:
Amyunet:
Kelne, true to his early morning habits, opts to take the earlier shifts. Despite his natural inclinations, he'd make a pretty poor chief of security if he didn't live on site, so he accepts Saul's offer of accommodation.
Kelne typically spends the morning about his own business, before returning to take a spot of lunch and supervise the opening. At work, he is a prowling, restless figure, liable to spend most of his time on the floor but quite capable of taking a turn at the door or even walking the rafters on occasion. As head of security, he focuses chiefly on making sure everyone else is doing their job to his satisfaction rather than simply standing about glaring at people like some hired goon. Although he prefers to work the earlier shifts, he will often make appearances at other times, just to make sure everybody's on their toes.
All this sticking of his nose into other peoples' business might be somewhat off-putting, except that Kelne invariably comes down on the side of staff in any dispute. He knows perfectly well that they're doing their jobs properly, and sees their general welfare as secondary only to making sure the Gold Goblin remains a going concern. If the staff are treated properly, perhaps they won't be so quick to quit as the last lot were.
At noon the Gold Goblin is ready to open again. Saul has all the employees who are there to work the early shift gather around while he makes an announcement.
"Welcome, new employees of the Gold Goblin! This is the first day of our grand re-opening. You have all been carefully chosen by my assistant Larur to work here, so please work hard to reinforce my trust in him and make this a successful day!"
The doors open and the day begins as customers begin to file in to play games and drink at the Goblin's Tankard. Amyunet is on the catwalks watching for cheaters and other trouble, while Kelne is prowling the main floor and Tessirda is standing at attention, and impressive sight with her huge blade.
Some of the people who come in are those who fled the tournament and were not present when Saul made his announcement that those remaining would get 110% on their chips. Word must have got around about that deal, because they grumble to Larur, or any other employee who is handy, about it. Larur tells them that they are not eligible for the deal, but are free to play their chips as normal or cash them in at face value. Most acquiesce quietly, but a couple of hours into the day four half-drunken louts show up, and are not happy when Larur tells them this.
"I don't think so pump-sucker!" one growls and shoves Larur, who falls backward on his behind as the other three louts gather around him threateningly. "We wants 'r money and we wants it now!"
Tessirda swooped in as the disturbance began to spiral out of control The men were probably just looking for an excuse to either start trouble, but nevertheless - if she didn't treat them as customers, she'd only stoke the flames.
"Something the matter, Gentlemen?" she asked, as she stepped to the side of the dwarf. She was nothing if not confident, maybe someone their own side would already let some of the air out of them.
Kelne does looming quite well when he puts his mind to it, appearing on Larur's other flank with commendable speed. Alas, he's not a particularly diplomatic type. A couple of quick glances confirm that there are a couple of bouncers in position to step in if the situation deteriorates.
"Threatening the staff," he says flatly, "Is not acceptable behaviour."
DM: [spoiler]Yeah, Zindit will probably try to take alternating shifts with Amunyet, but she won't try to get away from her if she's stuck alongside her; she'll just nervously try to keep a good face forward.
She'll keep her den outside the GG too. It's kind of a security blanket for her.[/ooc]
Zindit spent most of her shifts working late on the catwalks after Amunyet's shift, and largely tried to keep to herself when she wasn't tagging along behind Sorda. After work, she tended to go home, watching over her shoulder sometimes to see if anyone was following her.
Whenever Amunyet cornered her for a time, she did her best to put a good face forward, trying to act as normal as she could around the priestess. Though she still seemed somewhat suspicious of her, she began to become less visibly nervous, at least compared to how she fared when they first met.
She kept a wary eye out for Tessirda though, and seemed more and more like she wanted to ask a question of her, but couldn't quite work up the courage.
Amunyet stands on the catwalk above the disturbance, readying a bless spell for her compatriots, should it become necessary.
Sorda rises from a side table and his papers. He readies a spell to cast on Kelne, something to make him more impressive, enlarge person.
DM
DM
Sorry about the delay, I was out of town for a couple of days.
Zavos sister (Magla) does work at the house of silken veils, and one of his brothers (Kaz) is in town.
Zavos moves into the Gold Goblin, but only stays in the designated room when there is nothing else available to him.
He starts his first shift in the Goblin's Tankard on opening night.
Perform (1d20+7=14)
It is going to take a while for him to really warm up.
The louts ignore Kelne, and the one who pushed Larur turns to face Tessirda.
"Mind yer own business, wench." He says insolently.
Sorda begins casting on Kelne when he is ignored.
"You're not making a very good case here." Tessirda replied, chuckling. She had thought to maybe not be vindicative, and offer them to use their chips at the value they demanded. It would work well enough for the coffers, might even safe them money.
Maybe it would still work. "I might have an offer for you, IF you calm down right now."
The lout does calm down, slightly. At least he doesn't draw his sword.
"A'ight then, let's hear it."
Sorda:
Tessirda:
Sorda:
All four louts continue to pay attention to Tessirda, not even looking at Kelne.
Tessirda nodded, satisfied with the result. "Alright. Here's how I see it. You got a good deal of chips there, right? We'll put down another tooth for each eye, and the same for silvers and coppers. If you play these chips, you can win way more than what you demand now." She was quite proud of the plan.
When Larur hears this he gets up quickly off the floor.
"No, no! Saul said they aint supposed to get that deal! Face value only for those that left early!"
One of the other louts gets up in Larur's face "We's talkin' to the lady shorty, shut yer rathole!"
"That's all we was askin' for." says the first one to Tessirda, smiling and turning up his palms.
Sorda finishes casting and Kelne grows...
"I suggest you listen to our Security Chief!"