Shadow in the Sky
So the journey begins for our intrepid heroes ...
The city of Riddleport is abuzz.
The discussion around town primarily concerns two topics:
The strange atmospheric phenomenon that appeared in the sky above the city several weeks ago. Appearing to be a dark cloud, "The Blot," as residents have begun to call it, moves gently in what appears to be a random pattern, sometimes against the wind. Scholars have flocked to Riddleport in recent times, eager to study the shadow in the sky, in order to determine its composition and origin.
Most of the common folk, though, are more concerned with the reopening of the Gold Goblin Gambling Hall, where a grand gambling event, "Cheat the Devil and Take His Gold," looks to be poised to bring the game hall back from a long decline. Anyone who is anyone plans to be at the event this evening, and word has it that the "infernal" theme should be quite entertaining. The party begins at dusk, and the admission fee is 1 piece of gold, standard weight.
Lyan has been stalking the city of Riddleport much like a ground squirrel stalks the jungle -- seeking something while being all too aware that he is more likely to be prey. The sights, the sounds, and above all the smells of the city assault his keen senses.
His mission is stalled. He has managed to learn no more of the Blot than what he has seen with his own eyes.
Lyan is down to his last few coins, and ultimately spends one on the entrance fee to the tournament. Not so much expecting to win, but in desperate hope the "infernal" theme will bring out some clues to his quest.
He enters exactly on time, always aware of the sun.
Amano sighs as he recalls the instruction of the Overlord: to keep at the peace at the opening at the Gold Goblin. He signals to his fellow gendarmes that he will bw going inside the Gold Goblin. Amano brushes the imaginary lint off his mail-covered shoulder as he goes. He flashes his pointy teeth at the pretty, pretty women come to spend their money and soul at the Gold Goblin.
"I'm here at the overlord's behest. Your paltry fee is waived." He tells any attendant asking for the entrance fee.
Shaeryyn has been in Riddleport for just a few days. She finds the Blot to be somewhat strange, but beyond curiously looking up at it sometimes she pays it little mind.
However, when she hears about the party she decides she simply has to go to it. So, she does. She chooses to wear a fashionable, though conservative, dress, and leaves her armor and blade in her rooms, not expecting any trouble at such a gala event.
She arrives shortly after dusk, paying her entry fee, and then entering the gambling hall.
Lyan has been stalking the city of Riddleport much like a ground squirrel stalks the jungle -- seeking something while being all too aware that he is more likely to be prey. The sights, the sounds, and above all the smells of the city assault his keen senses.
His mission is stalled. He has managed to learn no more of the Blot than what he has seen with his own eyes.
Lyan is down to his last few coins, and ultimately spends one on the entrance fee to the tournament. Not so much expecting to win, but in desperate hope the "infernal" theme will bring out some clues to his quest.
He enters exactly on time, always aware of the sun.
Re: The Blot
Lyan, you can make Streetwise, Nature, and Perception rolls. Shaeryyn, you can make a Perception roll.
Re; The Gold Goblin
The Gold Goblin stands in a much-neglected neighborhood, but crowds of participants and spectators mill about on the street or file together through the main doors to sign up for "Cheat the Devil, Take His Gold" tournament. Overseeing this gathering is a larger-than-life-size statue of a goblin, apparently cast in glittering gold, that stands atop the entry stairs with a smirking expression of satisfaction on its face, as if personally enjoying the crowds that shuffle past it into the doorway beneath the gambling hall's gilded dome.
Perception DC 12
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 are employees of the Gold Goblin, and they cheerfully register contestants for the tournament and process entry fees. Armed guards stand nearby to either side of an immense treasure chest into which each patron's entry fee is added. The guards are on hand to not only protect the money, but to prevent any overzealous admirers from trying to dare the infamous touch of a succubus.
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, bat-winged 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 bare-chested 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.
Arcana DC 10
Amano sighs as he recalls the instruction of the Overlord: to keep at the peace at the opening at the Gold Goblin. He signals to his fellow gendarmes that he will bw going inside the Gold Goblin. Amano brushes the imaginary lint off his mail-covered shoulder as he goes. He flashes his pointy teeth at the pretty, pretty women come to spend their money and soul at the Gold Goblin.
"I'm here at the overlord's behest. Your paltry fee is waived." He tells any attendant asking for the entrance fee.
Amano
Triss has heard of this strange Blot in the sky, and came to Riddleport to investigate. Along with some other scholars, she has spent the better part of the last couple of weeks trying to postulate whatever this so-called Blot is, and what magic could have caused it.
Exhausted by the endless studying, Triss has decided she could use an evening of rest. She decided not only that the gambling event could ease her mind, it would also remind her about the simpleness of human life, which humors her endlessly.
Arriving at the gambling event, she pays her 1gp fee and enters.
As you pay your entry fee, you are presented with the following "contract."
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 this gambling tournament being held at the Gold Goblin Gambling Hall of Riddleport on this Oathday of Arodus, 4708 AR.
I understand that my soul will be placed on deposit in the Hells' deepest pit of Nessus. Furthrmore, I understand that all the 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 - 5 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 of 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 I do swear.
Witnessed by: Old Scratch
Arcana DC 15
Audric is not in a good mood. His research into the blot has been useless thus far, and his sleep continues to be disturbed. He needs a break. This grand opening of a gambling den, it could at least take his mind off his troubles for a while. Besides, there's bound to be a few mages there. Perhaps they may know something about this.
Audric wanders into the Gold Goblin early, hoping to arrive before the crowds. He wearily goes to the hostess and buys a ticket.
1d20+7=18
He gladly signs the contract, for, even if it was binding, what would he have to lose? "At least they have an actual devil in this place.", he says as he passes the imp on the way to the gambling halls.
Perception;Arcana (1d20+8=24, 1d20+9=22)
Triss enters the main doors, while watching the hall around her. The great Golden Goblin immediately catches her eye, and she positions herself at a distant corner, while trying to keep unnoticed as possible.
The crowds that move past the Gold Goblin statue hear voices that emanate from the Goblin's mouth : "Good luck at the Games ! Kiss me for luck !"
Watching the crowds kissing the goblin statue makes Triss snicker to herself.
Triss sends her hand to take a binding contract from one of the succubi who offers it to her, but the moment she holds it in her hand, the contract starts to burn. Triss looks surprised, and asks for another contract. When the second one ignites as well, she asks the succubus-woman loudly : "I guess the Devil doesn't want my soul... What should I do now ?"
Amano
** spoiler omitted **
"Look, I know you guys don't want us here, but I'd like to make a simple round about the Gold Goblin. I'll not be gambling nor drinking nor ogling the pretty, pretty women you have here. After that I'll get out. Makes my boss and me look good. And I owe you one and let's say we arrive on time to help you guys out in case you have problems in the future. Quick and painless, what you say?"
Lyan has his gold coin ready, but when he reads the contract, he recoils in disgust. "You sell your soul for gold? I am not surprised, but I will not do the same."
Audric is not in a good mood. His research into the blot has been useless thus far, and his sleep continues to be disturbed. He needs a break. This grand opening of a gambling den, it could at least take his mind off his troubles for a while. Besides, there's bound to be a few mages there. Perhaps they may know something about this.
Audric wanders into the Gold Goblin early, hoping to arrive before the crowds. He wearily goes to the hostess and buys a ticket.
1d20+7=18He gladly signs the contract, for, even if it was binding, what would he have to lose? "At least they have an actual devil in this place.", he says as he passes the imp on the way to the gambling halls.
When Audric signs the contract, it is slid through a slot in the top of a large wooden box, and the succubus hands you ten wooden chips, painted dull gray and carved with the symbol of a tooth.
With a seductive smile she says, "Your ten silver teeth, sir. Welcome to Hell, and good luck!"
Triss sends her hand to take a binding contract from one of the succubi who offers it to her, but the moment she holds it in her hand, the contract starts to burn. Triss looks surprised, and asks for another contract. When the second one ignites as well, she asks the succubus-woman loudly : "I guess the Devil doesn't want my soul... What should I do now ?"
You enjoy the sight of the gullible kissing the Goblin, some on the head, but a couple already-inebriated souls plant kisses directly on the statue's mouth.
The succubus before you gasps at the contract as it goes up in a flash, and then seems a bit frightened when the second one ignites as well. She glances at the bouncer sitting next to her, who shrugs, obviously at a loss.
Unsure what to do next, she simply follows her script: "Your ten silver teeth, ma'am. Welcome to Hell, and good luck!" She hands you ten wooden chips, painted dull gray, and carved with tooth symbols. The bouncer points toward the interior of the building.
Diplomacy 1d20+8=20"Look, I know you guys don't want us here, but I'd like to make a simple round about the Gold Goblin. I'll not be gambling nor drinking nor ogling the pretty, pretty women you have here. After that I'll get out. Makes my boss and me look good. And I owe you one and let's say we arrive on time to help you guys out in case you have problems in the future. Quick and painless, what you say?"
The succubus looks you up and down, Amano, then turns to the bouncer at her side.
"A'right," he grunts and nods toward the interior. "But no teet' fer ya."
Lyan has his gold coin ready, but when he reads the contract, he recoils in disgust. "You sell your soul for gold? I am not surprised, but I will not do the same."
Lyan
Nature: The Blot has no known analogy in nature. Birds and flying creatures appear to avoid the air space around it. The movements of the blot seems to be related to the tides - it is at its largest at high tide and smallest at low tide, although periodically changes in its size seem to occur at random as well.
Perception: The blot changes size and shape somewhat, but is generally ovoid in shape and hovers alternately over the harbor and gulf just south of Riddleport. It is dark like a shadow but does allow some light through, albeit dimly, and flying objects can faintly be seen through its obscuring haze. It casts a faint shadow on the ground beneath it depending on the angle of the sun. The blot hangs at a fairly constant altitude of a bout 2500 ft. and appears to be roughly 250 ft long by 130 ft wide. The blot seems to move in a pattern that appears erratic until studied closely. It follows an elliptical orbit traveling north over the town and south over the gulf, shifting north and south as the tides shift. It is closest to Riddleport at high tide.
The succubus rolls her eyes and sighs. "Look, pal. I don't paid enough to stand her half naked AND deal with religious fanatics. It's just part of the show, buddy. It don't mean nothin'. If you don't want to sign the stupid thing, I don't care ... just gimme a gold, take your chips, and head inside."
Also, Lyan
The Gold Goblin's main hall is a very large room, and there are more than a dozen gaming tables available for contestants to win, wager, and lose. There are more than a hundred participants in the tournament, it appears, along with 17 dealers and croupiers, six succubus-costumed servers, and six burly bouncers crammed into the room.
It looks like the tournament proper hasn't started yet, but various non-sanctioned card and dice games are underway at the moment. What do you each do?
With a seductive smile she says, "Your ten silver teeth, sir. Welcome to Hell, and good luck!"
With little more than a mumbled thanks, Audric goes into the gambling hall. He makes his way over to one of the unsactioned card games. "Mind dealing me in? So, is this being played for chips, gold, or fun?
1d20+10=26
Shaerynn happily signs the contract, finding it delightfully thematic. "Your costumes are lovely, the tails and wings are so authentic." She takes her container of chips and makes her way into the gambling hall and quickly slips into the crowd, mingling and getting a feel for the place, though not making any bets until the real action starts.
Amused by her successes, Triss plans to do something even more entertaining. She conjures a spectral hand which appears on the ceiling, next to the imp's cage. Sustaining the hand for a while, she walks to one of the tables while commanding the hand behind her to open the cage and let the imp out. Ignoring the mess behind her, she advances to a table, ready to play for a while.
Entering, Amano immediately looks for suspicious characters deserving of further attention and scrutiny.
With little more than a mumbled thanks, Audric goes into the gambling hall. He makes his way over to one of the unsactioned card games. "Mind dealing me in? So, is this being played for chips, gold, or fun?
1d20+10=26
Audric:
No known magical traditions explain the existence of the hovering shadow known as the Blot, and it does not bear the trappings of any known spell or ritual.
The wizard Argentus Blakely (a noted Cyphermage scholar) postulated that the Blot is some sort of convergence for focusing arcane energies. He has yet to prove his hypothesis but is running several experiments to test its validity.
"Playin' for silver 'til the real thing starts." The dealer notes the slight points to Audric's ears, but says nothing. "Grab a seat."
The table is a standard poker table, with an ante of one piece of silver. Your first few hands go in your favor, and you end up winning back your silver pieces, with an additional silver and 4 pieces of copper on top of that.
Shaeryyn:
There is a general aura of good-natured anticipation and surprise at the overall condition of the Gold Goblin. It seems the new owner, a Saul Vancaskerkin, has managed to rejuvenate the old, derelict building and make quite a show of it.
Amused by her successes, Triss plans to do something even more entertaining. She conjures a spectral hand which appears on the ceiling, next to the imp's cage. Sustaining the hand for a while, she walks to one of the tables while commanding the hand behind her to open the cage and let the imp out. Ignoring the mess behind her, she advances to a table, ready to play for a while.
Triss: Although you're sure the cage door opened (it would be difficult, at best, for the Mage Hand to knock the cage down entirely), the imp does not leave the cage. Rather, it makes a surprised face, curses in a language you don't understand, and pulls the door shut once more, looking around to see if anyone else noticed.
No known magical traditions explain the existence of the hovering shadow known as the Blot, and it does not bear the trappings of any known spell or ritual.
The wizard Argentus Blakely (a noted Cyphermage scholar) postulated that the Blot is some sort of convergence for focusing arcane energies. He has yet to prove his hypothesis but is running several experiments to test its validity.
History: A local cyphermage and stargazer named Argentus Blakely first noticed the Blot before it was visible to the naked eye. He called it an "atmospheric shadow" and it was subsequently named for him as it became more visible.
Blakely's been out of town recently, on a long journey to Magnimar and thence to Korvosa to research the Blot in libraries there. In his absence the Order of Cyphers has been leading the charge on additional localized investigations of the Blot.
Perception: The Blot changes shape and size somewhat, but is generally ovoid in shape and hovers alternately over the harbor and gulf just south of Riddleport. It is dark like a shadow but does allow some light through, albeit dimly, and flying objects can faintly be seen through its obscuring haze. It casts a faint shadow on the ground beneath it depending on the angle of the sun.
Make a Bluff roll to play cards, you may ante as much as you like, until the real event starts.
Entering, Amano immediately looks for suspicious characters deserving of further attention and scrutiny.
Nothing seems out of the ordinary, yet, but there are many people crammed into this room, and many of them are less-than-savory types. There's plenty of time for hilarity to ensue.
Lyan stares at the woman, then passes over his gold coin and collects his 'teeth.' He circulates the room, unable to afford to gamble more than he already has.
Dots:
Annoyed at her failure with releasing the imp, Triss sits down and starts playing poker at one of the tables. She plays cautiously, but wins again and again. She takes care not to win too much though, and loses few hands on purpose just to win the bigger hands. After winning enough, she moves to another table and repeats the process.
Amano also looks at the hot, hot women out on display.
Annoyed at her failure with releasing the imp, Triss sits down and starts playing poker at one of the tables. She plays cautiously, but wins again and again. She takes care not to win too much though, and loses few hands on purpose just to win the bigger hands. After winning enough, she moves to another table and repeats the process.
Triss manages to get away with her trickery for a little while and manages to make a bit of money at various tables. Starting with a gold ante, she manages to profit 5 pieces of silver over a half hour or so.
As the windows begin to darken with twilight, several game hall 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. This is Saul Vancaskerkin, the owner of the Gold Goblin and host of the tournament. 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 soul but 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, Saul 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 (in some incomprehensible tongue) vile epithets at all assembled. His theatrics are received with guffaws and even a smattering of applause. As the crowd dies down, Vancaskerkin 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."
Vancaskerkin grins evilly and the caged imp cuts loose with another (presumably) 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 Saul's 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. Saul beams as he cries out, "The Devil's Mark, everyone!" which is greeted by a flurry of shouts, catcalls, and hoots. "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.
Amano also looks at the hot, hot women out on display.
There are many very attractive women on display at the Gold Goblin. Several are waitresses, dressed as succubi and showing a great deal of skin. Most of the others are hanging on the arms of men who seem to be either quite wealthy, influential, or both.
Only a handful of women are here on their own, it seems.
Audric's luck falters early in the competition, but his unmoving expression hopefully can get him through.
Shae is one of the many cheering, clapping people. She likes the idea of this contest and though she doesn't expect to do well, she eagerly participates, cheering on others players no matter her own fortunes and simply having a good time.
Audric's luck falters early in the competition, but his unmoving expression hopefully can get him through.
Audric:
It looks like it's shaping up to be a rewarding night for Audric.
Shae is one of the many cheering, clapping people. She likes the idea of this contest and though she doesn't expect to do well, she eagerly participates, cheering on others players no matter her own fortunes and simply having a good time.
Shaeryyn:
Perhaps things will turn around for Shaeryyn, as the night progresses.
Triss listens to Saul's speech, while eyeing the imp. Obviously the imp isn't really imprisoned, but she doesn't see why this should be important, so she stops paying attention to it.
Starting to play, she relies on her natural skill and luck to play most of the hands. On the rest of them, she uses her magical cantrips to augment herself. She doesn't overdo it though, so overall she looks like a very good player, but not the best one in the tournament. As she's actually in control of the game, Triss feels it was right to take a break from her studies and come here to relax.
10 Bluff Rolls (1d20=20, 1d20=7, 1d20=14, 1d20=15, 1d20=2, 1d20=16, 1d20=12, 1d20=3, 1d20=1, 1d20=1)
Lyan gambles, as he supposes is intended, and seems to look at an early end to the evening.
Triss listens to Saul's speech, while eyeing the imp. Obviously the imp isn't really imprisoned, but she doesn't see why this should be important, so she stops paying attention to it.
Starting to play, she relies on her natural skill and luck to play most of the hands. On the rest of them, she uses her magical cantrips to augment herself. She doesn't overdo it though, so overall she looks like a very good player, but not the best one in the tournament. As she's actually in control of the game, Triss feels it was right to take a break from her studies and come here to relax.
10 Bluff Rolls (1d20=20, 1d20=7, 1d20=14, 1d20=15, 1d20=2, 1d20=16, 1d20=12, 1d20=3, 1d20=1, 1d20=1)
Triss:
Sadly, neither seems to be helping much tonight, and after an hour-or-so of some wins and losses, you are down to 6 silver teeth. Maybe things will look up, though.
Lyan gambles, as he supposes is intended, and seems to look at an early end to the evening.
Lyan:
As you all enjoy your evening of gambling, drinking, and lovely scenery, you begin to relax, taking in the convivial air of the gambling hall. Some of the attendees seem to be doing quite well, slapping each other on shoulders and shouting at lucky breaks. Others are not so lucky, and many have received the Devil's Mark and have been shown to the door.
The night is still young and the festivities in full swing when you each notice something a bit unusual:
A halfling woman, dressed in elegant, but functional, leathers, drops a handful of chips on the floor near the restroom doors. This is hardly unusual, given the amount of alcohol consumed this evening, but, instead of picking up her chips, she and a handful of Riddleport "regulars" (thug/bandit/pirate blends) standing near her squeeze their eyes shut and hold them, as if waiting for something frightening to happen.
Lyan:
Init: 1d20+2=13
Triss looks around, trying to notice anything unusual or anyone who is paying too much attention to her.
Triss looks around, trying to notice anything unusual or anyone who is paying too much attention to her.
Triss:
DM