Making it over to the weapons table Zaranae garbs one of her trowing axes and sends it tumbling towards te woman threatening Vee.
Standing next to Charsis she says, "Hey gorgeous, reach out and grab my leg, work you way up to standing back to back with me."
Standing next to Charsis she says, "Hey gorgeous, reach out and grab my leg, work you way up to standing back to back with me."
Charsis smiles despite his situation. "Boy am I glad to hear your angelic voice. Of course it would be much better if I could see your angelic face, but I'll take what I can get at this stage."
She guides his hand to her leg and he resists the urge to move it anywhere but up to her hip, which isn't so bad anyway he thinks with a wry grin. Standing back to back with her now, he gives her hip a squeeze before letting go and holding his Short Sword out in front of him, giving it a few test swings.
Suprised that the human was able to shake off the effects of the spell and that Tvaliss recieved a nasty bruise for his actions, the wizard goes on the defensive as he takes a 5 foot step way from the thug and tries once more, convinced that elven magic can affect a human.
“Eat this you devil egg you!”
Chadwilt presses his advantage and launches another attack at the wizard while pointing to ‘the lady’ (patched eyed freak) and shouts “Yummy!” to Coraline.
Coraline bee lines to the eye patched freak of a bard for a tastey chomp 23 !!
|
Seeing her spell is having no effect on the man who is attempting to halt there planned robbery, draws her own rapier out and gives a quick thrust at Chadwilt but she falls short of her intended target. Zee dances right then left and reaches the blind Charsis who is shaking his hand, a little dribble of blood can be seen, he begins to suck on his finger trying to stop the blood he can feel forming. Zee reaching the table grabs a weapon and heaves it at the lady who is distracted by some guy and his big dog. She hits her in the arm doing damage, blood splattering the floor and on her wizard friend who is trying to stand up at the moment but the man with the dog thrusts out and hits the wizard with his rapier in the rib cage. The wizard somehow manages to still gan his feet but is attacked again as he is reaching for the chest but it is a fruitless gesture as the wizard falls back to the earth, his life force gone. The lady pauses and then lets out a blood curdling scream as she sees her parter fall to the ground dead. She stops in mid scream though as an invisible cone of terror flows through her body, she begins to cry, drops to the ground starting to curl up into a little ball. Her crying stops as Chadwilt's canine friend takes a bite out of crime ending her life too. Charsis with the help of Zee gets back to his feet, gives her a thankful squeeze and gets ready for battle, waiting for any enemy to come within range of his sword, his head is cocked to the side trying to hear any close foot steps. Tvaliss narrows his eyes as he is in disbelief the thug could with stand his arcane might, he tries again but shakes his head as the same result happens, the thug just shakes off the tingle of magic in his body. The thugs seening thier leaders laying on the ground dead turn and flee in every direction possible. The one by the main entrance quickly exits leaving the doors wide open. The thug by the kitchen door disappears into the kitchen, you can hear pots, pans and dishes go clattering to the floor. The thug confronting the elf turns and begins to dash away, its harder for him though as there are so many folks on the floor blocking his path. The last thug halts his attack on Chadwilt and breaks for the main entrance.
Violant isn't terribly concerned with the fleeing thugs (and doesn't have a weapon in hand, so couldn't even take an attack of opportunity anyway), so she turns to scan her immediate surroundings for the largest unattended stack of gold tokens...
After securing her ill-gotten booty, Violant will step away from the table towards the fallen wizard, so that she's not near it when the owner becomes aware that his money is gone.
As Charsis' sight slowly returns, he sees that almost everyone is down on the floor cowering. He also sees the last of the thugs exit the building.
He turns to Zaranae and queries her, "what the hell just happened? How come I miss all the fun?" He says the last with a half serious frown.
Tvaliss narrows his eyes as he is in disbelief the thug could with stand his arcane might, he tries again but shakes his head as the same result happens, the thug just shakes off the tingle of magic in his body.
The thug confronting the elf turns and begins to dash away, its harder for him though as there are so many folks on the floor blocking his path. The last thug halts his attack on Chadwilt and breaks for the main entrance.
"Coraline my darling, 'save the rum and ale'! Chadwilt points excitedly at the thug who is politely trying his best not to waste any more of Tvaliss’ time and spells and is thus fleeing into the crowd gambling blindly, er, I mean blinded gamblers.
”HALT! And your sad lives will be spared! Flee and we hunt you down and you forfeit your lives!!
Realizing that these are not the type of men who read long prose Chadwilt hastily adds “Which means we will kill you if you run cretins !”
"Gotta spend less time staring in fires babe" she says with a good natured smile, as she gathers up her weapons.
"Saul, I think a round of heroes drinks is in order!"
"Damn thing is, I was only staring 'cause I thought there was something odd about it... my own fault really. I think I could get used to having you fight at my back like that though. Yeah, close is definately where I'd want you." He says this last remark with a wink and a smirk.
"Won't we be having a chase by moonlight then ? It's all the rage in Absalom!"
|
|
Zee standing next to Charsis says "Saul, I think a round of heroes drinks is in order?" She looks around as she says it though and does not see Saul anywhere on the main floor area.
The two thugs that are left in the building continue to flee even after Chadwilt's gentle reminder that their lives will be spared. Chadwilt shrugs his should and launches an attack at the fleeing thug closest to him hitting him in the back with his rapier, it slows him down for a second and then he continues to flee. Coraline obeying her master command lunges into the legs of the thug just about out the door, he turns hearing her growl and swings his sap trying to hit her on the head but fails to hit as he goes tumbling to the ground with a large dog on top of him.
Vee taking the opportunity to relieve some gold from some of the blind patrons moves around the tables and turned over chairs and easily secures about 20 chips and 12 gold laying about.
Charsis's eyes come back to life finally as does some of the patrons. He takes in the scence, two dead for sure, thugs in the streets fleeing, one thug on the steps outside leading out of the Gold Goblin with a very large dog on top of him, a beautiful Zee standing next to him, no Saul, most of the bouncers are down still rubbing their eyes and no chest of silver that he can see.
Tvaliss stands there shaking his head over and over again, how can a simple human thug avoid his arcane might, he must study this so it will not happen again.
As the patrons start to regain their sight the noise level in the place becomes loud again, only this time one of anger or rage at the insult of being blinded or just scared at what occured moments ago.
Chadwilt, shrunken chest in hand and wizard’s body under heel, takes his own warning seriously and throws a cold iron dagger at the fleeing thug,
while Coraline remains atop the prone thug with a low growl coming from her throat; going for another trip (touch) if he is foolish enough and tries to get up.
Chadwilt keeps his eyes on both downed wizard and ‘lady’, watching for any hidden allies (or would be looters) they may have among the throng.
With all the command, bravado, and manner of a drunken sea captain, Chadwilt shouts to any of the bouncers (or able bodied patrons) who seem to have recovered
“Secure the room! Don’t let anyone loot the fallen! I want to know who's to blame for spoiling the festivities, and where in the brewer’s yeast is Saul? And will somebody, ANYBODY, fetch me a tall, frothy drink?!”
Violant will check the one-eyed woman, using Heal (take 10 for a 17), if necessary, to staunch the flow of blood from her wounds. If it is too late for her, she'll move on to the wizard, carefully avoiding the loud man with the dog, who seems terribly violent, and perhaps a bit drunk...
Looking to Charsis Zee says," I don't see Saul. You should probably take charge here before Drinky over ther has these people rioting."
Looking over as Vee checking out the woman with her axe in her arm she catches her friend's eye and shrugs.
avoiding the loud man ... who seems terribly violent, and perhaps a bit drunk...
Chadwilt will allow for 'healing' but by bottomless tankard NO looting, well not yet ...
Taking Zaranae's advice, Charsis climbs up onto the nearest table and says loudly, "HEY. Everybody calm down. Everything is now under control. Those responsible are now well in hand or have fled. Saul will be back momentarily," I hope he thinks to himself, "to take charge of the situation. Until then everybody just sit down or move away from the stage and the bodies."
Diplomacy Check. (1d20+3=12)
He looks down at Zaranae. "How was that?"
"I like a man who can take charge," she whispers whith a wink.
Still pondering what the human possessed in order to be able to resist his magic, Tvaliss simply moves about the crowd, making sure the weaker-willed humans were okay as Charsis makes his short announcement.
Yes, one of the one's who helped stop the thugs. And here I thought he was a simple brute when I first saw him.
|
|
The room quiets down for a few minutes after Charsis's speech but that changes real quick as people regain their eye sight. Accusations start to be flung around, shoving and pushing follow. Most people are back on the floor trying to pick up their coins as fast as they can before someone else does. A steady stream of folks head out of the gambling hall having had enough excitement for one evening. While all of this is going on, Chadwilt is still trying to get the last robber throwing his dagger at the man, he drops him quickly before the crowd gets in his way making their way out of the Gold Goblin. Kneeling by the lady and the wizard, Vee checks to see if she can stop the bleeding to keep them alive to find some answers but they are far to gone for her help. Tvaliss begins to help folks who were taking longer than most to get back to their feet, helping find lost coins and generally trying to be nice to these humans.
What the nine hells is going on in my place??? Coming out of the from the direction of the cashiers cage, the owner, Saul makes his way over to where Charsis and Zee are standing and says, Again I say, what the nine hells is going on here? I want answers now guard! As he is talking his head and eyes are trying to take everything in trying to figure it out for himself. His eyes stop on the two dead bodies and then where the chest should have been, Where's all of the silver? Where's the chest? I want answers now! He does not wait to hear what Charsis is about to say and walks over to the two dead bodies laying in the middle of his gambling hall. He shouts, WELL! He glances back to where Charsis is standing having expected him to follow him over to the dead bodies......
As Saul is yelling more folks are leaving which he begins to notice as he is waiting for his answer. Also more folks are begining to surround Saul demanding the coins be returned or saying what kind of place are you running here. Among the folks leaving is some of the help, Bouncers, Wenches, Kitchen Staff and Barkeeps most whispering or some loudly, I don't get paid enough for this kind of problems
"An attempted robbery, and a failed one at that.", Zee says boldly. "these fools and their friends tried to get away with it all. Good thing you had some useful people in the place."
Chadwilt says to the room "Might I suggest you begin by questioning that fellow under fair Coraline.”
He does this as he continues to go through the fallen wizard. Chadwilt is looking for any clues, or choice goodies, quite anything of value information or monetarily wise actually.
After doing so Chadwilt will do much of the same with ‘the lady’ (who is more ladylike now).
Charsis' eyebrows betray his thoughts on how Saul addressed him, but he lets it slide and jumps down off the table to follow Zaranae over to Saul.
"It appears that this lot put some kind of flash into one of the fires. I noticed something strange but it was too late and all I got for my time was an eye full of blinding white light."
"These fine people," he indicates first Zaranae and then the others he spotted after he regained his sight, "stopped the thieves from the worst of their work. I don't know where the chest is though. A couple of them escaped when they saw their leaders," he points to the woman and the wizard, "fall. Perhaps they took it."
He moves closer to Zaranae, standing slightly closer to Saul than her but indicating by his proximity and earlier gesture that she was instrumental in stopping the thieves.
Not wanting to miss a chance to be recognized (and possibly hired), Violant looks up from checking the wizard's condition and states, "This one is also done for. Good work, people."
She turns and mutters an invocation to Calistria, and the corpses wounds begin to seal up behind her tracing fingers.
She also mutters a second invocation, and any items bearing enchantments begin glistening wetly and buzzing softly to her senses, although she makes no effort to stop Chadwilt from ransacking the body.
She'll make note of anything magical that Chadwilt has secured, and then move on to the one-eyed woman, sealing the body's wounds while checking to see if she has anything magical upon her person.
|
|
Saul is looking around for answers and the first to speak up is Zee, telling him of an attempted robbery that failed as she points to all who helped thwart the crime. He looks at her in shock and amazement, you can't be serious, who would try a stunt like that when the place is packed, or was he says as he begins to relize a lot of people, his customers, are gone or almost about to be. Chadwilt tells him of the captured man under the canine, Saul notes this but you can see in his eyes he is now thinking about damage control. He puts a smile on his face, and quietly under his breath,[be so good as to bring in the man and put him in the kitchen for now while I see if I can fix things here.[/b] He moves off as Charsis begins to speak about what had happened but it falls on deaf ears. People! People! Everything is under control now, go back to your games and the first round is on the house! Most of the patrons are shaking their heads and either leaving or demanding their coins back. He tries even harder to get control of the situation but is not having much luck in the matter. He has an even bigger problem as a lot of the staff are walking out the door too. Chadwilt bend down quickly before he heads out the door to his pup, checking the wizard he spots a wand, a sickle, some kind of forearm protection, a spell book and a pouch with house chips in it. He then moves over to the lady and looks her over finding that she has on leather armour of fine quality, a light crossbow, bolts and a belt pouch with house chips in it. Vee bends down as Chadwilt gets up and heads for the door. She uses her divine strength to tidy up the place a little by closing up the wounds to stop the blood from going everywhere. She continues her divine casting to see if there are any auras of arcane around the two bodies.....Tvaliss watches as Vee performs here magic in front of him and how easily it flows through her......
"Looks like the night's over old man. Tough luck that! But I do appreciate tat drink though. Dropping thugs is thirsty work.", Zee gives Saul an only partially sheepish grin as she walks to the bar, catching Charsis's eye, the mouths,
"What else is there to do?"
‘First round you say ? Come now good Saul; how about a tall drink for every party crasher I laid low ? A parched throat and empty ale stein is nearly a crime worse than theft !’
But as he says this Chadwilt motions to Coraline towards him and makes eye contact with the thug. Pointing to the thug on the floor with his rapier, then shifting the tip of the blade to point to the body of the wizard and then back again at the thug, he then indicates the kitchen door as thier destination with an easy nod of his head.
’Let’s not make this a bitter beer for you; come on then, pick your friend over there off the floor and please, no sudden movements that may excite Coraline’.
Quietly to the proprietor he says, ‘Saul, if you could instruct any of your remaining staff to bring those other two fallen thieves to the kitchen it would be much appreciated; if you instruct them to bring me a filled flagon it would be even more greatly appreciated.’
Watching the aftermath of what has just occurred, the elf keeps the same polite expression and he ponders Chatwilt's leading ability but also how rude the half-breed seems to be in taking control instead of allowing the human to run his business as appropriate for humans. It must be his human blood, poor thing. Tvaliss thinks to himself as he approaches Saul and says, "Good sir, I apologize for my distant cousin's bloody brashness. We are in your place of business and as such, I will be willing to help clean up this mess to the best of my ability. Simply ask what you need and I will see how I can assist." With that said, Tvaliss takes a step back, refusing the crossbow offered to him, and simply waits for Saul to decide his next course of action.
If Violant has spied any items that glow to her magical detection, and Chadwilt hasn't already snagged them, she'll make sure to lift them off of the wizard's body before it is flung out with the trash.
She helps the thug to cart the body out, wishing to make a careful study of the wizard's face and clothing, as she is pretty sure that he should have a spellbook somewhere, and wherever he left it, he's not coming back for it. (She'll also snag any spell component pouch he may be carrying or any personal jewelry that Chadwilt may have missed. She'll draw the line at checking his teeth for gold fillings...)
Once the thug, Chadwilt and herself (and the corpse) are nearer the back door, and less obviously surrounded by inquisitive ears, Violant will draw her dagger from behind her hair and address the thug in a quiet tone, "What was this fools name and where did he recruit you? Tell me or I'll slice your manhood off and feed it to you. The happier I am with your story, the less likely that the dog," she gestures to Coraline, "makes kibble of your bits." she says, smiling sweetly and leaning close, as if she was about to confide a scandalous secret.
Chadwilt looks at thier captive du jour ’ If you prefer to be left alone with both this lovely lass and fair Coraline I will be happy to oblige, but the dear lady seems to have a sting that would shame my good hounds bite. I would hate for you … or parts of you to be no longer here upon my return; although I would be happy to leave you here to their tender care and search for a wine cellar…’
Rapier still drawn on the thug but with the feigned worried look for the safety of the thug should I depart.
Tvaliss lends his hand to any clean up that is necessary as the bodies, both live and dead, of the captured are taken into the kitchen. What a peculiar night indeed, the elf mutters under his breath as he applies generous castings of prestidigitation to the bloody areas in an attempt to stop the area from staining. Staying out in the main floor, he lets the petite human and the half breed deal with what he saw as human concerns.
*crossing my fingers for color spray*
Zaranae grabs herself a drink and slides one over to Charsis."Think we should see what's going on in the kitchen?"
|
|
Its early in the morning, people are tired from all of the evenings events, gambling, drinking, eatting and now robbery. Not much patience is left, the patrons are all leaving, most with the coins they started with in the begining. Saul stands by the cashiers cage handing out coins to the line of people who are upset and angry. He is trying to keep a smile on his face even when his business dreams are crashing down around him. Almost all of the staff has left grabbing what they are owned, with a few choice words, and then exiting out the door. After all is said and done only four decide to stand by Saul, Larur Feldin the floor manager, Hans and Beyar two guards and Bojask his personal body guard. The two guards stand by the door watching people leave and giving back weapons , Bojask stands on the right shoulder of Saul making sure the unhappy patrons don't get out of hand in their anger. Larur is helping with the distribution of coins, although he carries no smile on his face.
Zaranae sees that the bar staff are all gone so she hops across the bar and pours herself a drink and then one for Charsis who has followed her over to the bar. Violant spots a small aura coming from one of Chadwilt's pockets and or pouches, she is not sure if it is something he took off the wizard or something he already owned. He hands her a sickle for some reason and then hands the crossbow to one of the guards after Tvaliss declines the weapon. She does note the wizrds spell book is gone but there is a small bag of items used in casting spells left on the body of the wizard. With the thug in tow at sword point, Chadwilt marches the thug carrying the wizards body with the help now of Violant into the kitchen with Coraline a step behind. Chadwilt can see that Saul is busy with customers but still does not understand why the man can't at least have a drink sent over to him for his efforts. Tvaliss can also see Saul is busy but makes his way over to the cashiers cage and asks how he can be of service to the owner, Saul replies; Help with the clean up however you can assist, check who is left of my staff and the other ones who have helped stop this crime make sure they know I'd like to speak with them after I finish up business here. And tell that fellow guard who is with the lass who I think is still under my employ to wait outside and intercept the gendarmes, they should be along any minute now I would suspect! With that he turns back to the angry customers leaving Tvaliss to do as he is bidden.
Inside the kitchen Violant takes matter instantly into her own hands and threatens the alive thug while Chadwilt figures no one else is here to carry the other bodies into the empty kitchen. Foods still cooking on the stove, the back door stands wide open to the city and he spots a lone bottle of wine used for cooking which he goes for but finds only a drop or two left in the bottle. The thug stutters as the knife is pushed into his throat words having trouble leaving his mouth. Chadwilt steps back over to the little lady and adds his own two cents to yhe questioning. The kitchen door pops open and Tvaliss with one of the bodies in tow drags in into the kithen and drops it next to the wizards body........
Violant follows
Intimidate roll 6 (3+3). Combined with the +2 for Chadwilt Aiding Other, Violant realizes that she's about as threatening as a cup of warm milk. She's tempted to cut his throat out of embarassment...
Chadwilt, eyes still on the thug but greedily reaching for the bottle of wine, visibly brightens for a few moments as he savors the sweet, sweet aroma from the bottle, only to be cheated of glory when but two red violet drops spill forth.
‘No surprises here' he says in pain as he walks to close the door to the outside and then circles back to join Vee and the thug once again. Visibly containing no small rage at his bitter misfortune, almost wishing the thug would try something, and thinking, Maybe these people were just robbing the place out of spite because they could not get one drink!
Tvaliss goes about cleaning up as requested. The things he had to do for this host. As he helped to drag the remaining thugs into the kitchen, he noticed the half breeds desperate search for a drink and gatherd a wine glass from off the counter. Pouring a glass from his own personal stock before corking and placing the bottle back on his person. The regal elf then hands the glass to Chatwilt so that the wine would keep the seemingly pompus and shouting half elf's mouth occupied. Then he will say, "Our host wishes to meet with us once the city guard has come and gone." Then the robed elf will leave the kitchen and continue about his list of duties, doing only the light work while relegating the heavy, more sweat-inducing work to the remainign Gold Goblin staff.
Chadwilt examines the glass in front of him and his expression brightens quite visibly as what seems to be the weight of the world entire is lifted from his shoulders.
Chadwilt takes the smallest of sips, then another, then downs the whole glass of red violet nectar and is a half elf renewed !
|
|
The interrogation of the thug continues in the kitchen as Tvaliss finishes up bringng in the bodies of the other robbers. He takes a moment to hand Chadwilt a drink from his own personal stash not expecting the man to appreciate the quality of the brew. He leaves the kitchen and finishes up the cleaning of the main room with finally help from Saul, Bojask and Larur, after which they join Zee for a drink at the bar, Saul wanting to drown his sorrows of the night away. In his present state of mind he totally forgets about the thug who is still alive on his kitchen floor or the soon to arrive gendarmes.
In the kitchen the smells of cooked food still flow about as they go unattended slowly heading for a dark and bitter end. Violant's attempts of interrogation seem lost on the scared thug, the knife at his throat and the dribble of blood coming from it are all he can think of at the moment plus the big dog that tackled him keeps eyeing him with its head tilted like dinner will be soon and he's the main course. Chadwilt rejoins Violant and watches the silent man shake in his boots.
Charsis(if he is still playing) finally sees the arrival of the gendarmes who ask what the heck is going on here.
Larur, the floor manager tired of the quiet of the group at the bar turns to Tvaliss and Zee and thanks them for their help tonight, if it wasn't for them and the others a great fortune would have been lost and the doors to the Gold Goblin closed forever. Saul just moans at this and starts to mutter to himself.
|
|
Since everyone is tired and not talking from the events of the day Larur heads off to bed. He gives a playful punch to Saul's arm saying things will be better after some rest. He heads off to his room. The punch wakes up from the punch and says goodnight to Larur then turns to Zee and Tvaliss and asks them to follow him into the kitchen to see whats going on in there.
In the kitchen, Vee and Chadwilt try again to get some info from the thug but to no avail, when he seems about to crack the city guardsmen enter and haul him off. They say they will be back later in the day to get everyone's statement so they should all just stay here. Saul enters the kitchen with the rest of the group and nod to the city guard's and says he has pleaty of room now for everyone to stay here.
After the city guards leave, Saul again thanks each of you in turn and asks if you will join him upstairs for a drink and some conversation, he has an offer for each of you if you will give him some of your time.
He looks at each of you waiting for an answer!!!!
Chagrined by her complete failure to play 'bad cop' with the thug, Violant is all-too happy to hand him off to the gendarmes, although she's not above trying to snatch his coinpurse before he goes...
She attempts to look interested, but not pathetically so, to whatever proposal Saul has in mind. She definitely could use work, and has no interest in the usual sort of 'work' that pretty girls are offered in this sordid town.
"Make it interesting, make it something worth doing, and make it worth it. Meet these three and you've got a deal."
'I'm sorry, what was the rest of what you said after you made the offer of having some drinks ... '
Tvaliss simply heads upstairs to hear Saul's offer, not having anything better to do. But really, what could a human offer him that would be better than simply continuing his study of the Blot.
|
|
The group follows Saul and Bojask up the stairs and into a small room with a roaring fire and a few plush but well worn suede couches each with their own low end tables. In the center sits a larger table about knee high when someone is sitting on one of the couches. Over in the corner is a cozy little bar full of exotic beverages, all high end in quality. You can tell this room is used for business where Saul would meet with persons of importance. He bids you all to take a seat as he moves over to the bar and starts pouring drinks. Bojask stands guard by the door keeping an eye on everyone with practiced eye. Saul distrubutes the drinks to everyone and leaves a bottle of elven wine in the center of everyone before taking a seat of his own. He begins to speak, I want to thank you again for your help, this gambling is the last chance I have for living a productive and peaceful life. It is my chance to go ligit for once in my life, to do things right. See in my former life I was a gang leader in the old days of Riddleport but my life of crime was far from lucrative and in fact cost me my health, my fortune, my family and my left hand as you can see here. With my wife dead and my sons exiled, and much of my fortune gone, I have taken what meager funds I could scrape together and was eventually able to purchase the Gold Goblin, a once famous gambling hall that had fallen on hard times. I am to old to continue with a life a crime and I have hopes of turning this hall into modestly profitable business. He pauses here with a sigh and continues, I must confess I do not consider myself as part of Riddleport's crime scene but I still have enemies among the cities criminals who would still love to see him ruined. Dispite my attempt here to "go ligit" I still live under the ever present shadow of retribution. He stops his speech and takes a long pull of his glass of wine. He smiles at each of you and goes on with his story. Those to who tried to rob me and my gambling hall I recognize, the wizard is a man by the name of Angvar. He and his one eyed trollop I have seen before around the casino a few times in the recent past and I know for a fact that they have been contracted in the past by some of this cities crimelords, mainly for protection rackets and strong arm jobs. I have thought of throwing myself at Clegg Zincher or one of the other crimelords for protection but I am loathe to re-enter that world. This is why I have asked you to join me for a drink and ask again for your help. I am impressed with your abilities and believe you are just the folks who can turn around my fortune. So here is the offer, I am offering you a job as specialists and junior partners in the Gold Goblin. You would work dirctly for me and assist in the day-to-day running of the establishment, serving as dealers, bouncers, croupiers or greeters as what best fits your abilites. Your roles of course would be a cover for your actual services as bodyguards, messengers and consultants. Each of you will be paid a regular salary of 10 gp per week plus a cut in the gambling hall's weekly profits! So what say each of you, will you help an old man out to run a ligit business in a town of crime?
He waits while each of you think it over and ask any questions you might have before accepting the position. He takes another long pull from his wine and leans forward for the bottle of wine to refill his now empty glass.............
"Sounds good to me, besides... I get the feeling there's some major excitement on the horizon, so count me in."