He offers only a fleeting glance at the human and his awkwardly out of place humor.Him and Kratos would likely get along just fine, he thought. He nodded slowly at Rashmi's response. His eyes locking with hers for a moment. He rocognized that it was her eyes that reminded him of his mother. How different she was though-from his mother. Quiet, graceful, kind. His eyes went dull for a moment as he recalled the beatings at the hands of his mother and his hand unconsciously went to the deep scar on his left cheek from his mother's nails. He breathed in deep and steadied himself. His eyes downcast now for several moments. After regaining composure he lifted his eyes warily to meet hers, pushing away thoughts of his mother." And what exactly is this Baladata, Rashmi?" He inquired, fighting back thoughts of his mother-No...He was motherless since the day he was born. He fought back thoughts of an insignificant progenitor. The last good thing she did for him was giving birth. Hell, he wasn't even sure how generous it was of her at this point.
Jean-Paul, ah yes another man of the sea, this is good. I to have called on almost every god for assistance while on the water. I agree on your take of Desna. If I should ever meet her my biggest question just might be left or right Haha. If you are looking for work, I know it might be beneath you, but you could always follow me as my squire, hoho, that was a good one you must admit. I have learned to take life in stride and have fun where I might, or heavens forbid, I end up with a personality like Rorsius. He continues to tune the fiddle while saying this.
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The Gold Goblin is a large, triangle-shaped building, dominated by a central hall that houses the casino floor and dwarfs the smaller, shorter wings that extend east and south. As you mount the stairs to the main entrance along with the other visitors, you pass a tall golden statue of a goblin, fully 8 feet in height, grinning maniacally and leaning on a dogslicer. The figure perches on a pile of glittering gold coins, jewels, and baubles.
Just inside the main doors, a pair of women, wearing fake bat wings, headbands with scarlet horns sewn on them, long felt “tails,” and gauzy red outfits that leave little to the imagination, are playing the parts of succubi as they register participants for the tournament. When you reach one, she cheerfully hands you a contract and offers a quill, already dipped in blood-red ink. The contract reads:
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 the 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 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
Malbolge: 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 I may not stake more than 1,000 pieces of silver in this tournament, and that my stake, like my soul, is mine alone, and cannot be shared with another. I further 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 taking 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.
Rorsius raised his brow at Leux's mention of his personality. Felt heart quicken. Felt teeth and fist clinch slightly. Then suddenly felt relief. Decided to remain calm. Unless provoked. He managed an insincere laugh."Perhaps Leux...You should refer back to that etiquette and smooth-talking you hold in such high Esteem. Lest you end up without a fiddle." Said the gravely voice. Something in his voice led you to believe the words were too calm to hold any truth, but a glance at his eyes showed his unwavering conviction.
NO!! Not the fiddle, Haha. Why Rorsius, is that an attempt at humor, though if not it might lead me to believe that you have a dry sense that only you could pull off. You seem to tense I was trying to get you to lighten up a little and enjoy life for whatever reason. If you have no fun in life you are just another cog in the machine, granted that I may have to much fun in your eyes, but come on learn to live a little.
"Well, he does have a point Rorsius. You are a bit intense."
Zareby looks outside for a few seconds at the people heading for the Gold Goblin. "Wait, isn't it about time for the Goblin to open its gates? I better get over there before the crowd gets too big. Until next time, I am Zareby Grenache, and may none of you have the bad luck to play against me."
With that, he stands up and walks out of the inn.
I think that's my cue to join in on the festivities. Well, lets hope fate shines on me again to meet all of you in the future. Until then, keep hope in your heart and let it guide you faithfully. He proceeds to get up and follows Zareby to the Golden Goblin. Lets hope this goes well
Rorsius looked forward for a long moment. His expression hardly changing. "I heard a joke once." He started dryly, leaning forward."Man goes to a doctor Says he's depressed. Says life seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain. Doctor says "Treatment is simple. Great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. Go and see him. That should pick you up." Man bursts into tears. Says "But, doctor...I am Pagliacci." Rorsius stood calmly and pulled his coat closer to him. He produced several copper from his coat pocket and dropped them on the table, where they rang out loudly before settling on the table and a few on the floor."Good joke. Everybody laugh. Roll on snare drum. Curtains. Fade to black." He walked out then, noting the position of the sun, he determined it was nearly time for the debauchery to start.He would go and watch this tournament with the rest of the unwashed masses. The whole thing was too gaudy-As if something deeper was hiding in plain sight. He'd get to the bottom of this.
Seeing that everyone is getting up on their own and preparing to go to the tournament itself, Narnel stands up slowly and gives a polite nod of his head to each of them. "It looks like we are all going the same way. We may as well make our way as a group."
Leaving even the watered down wine half finished, Narnel walks with whatever others seem to stay in a cluster towards the Gold Goblin. His brow raises slightly as he sees all the sights within, glancing from one thing to another. When one of the 'succubi' brings over the contract he seems to read through it with a great deal of seriousness, as if looking for any genuine loopholes or whether some greater power beyond the owners of the tavern could use it to their benefit somehow, gained unknowingly as it may be. Finally he signs his name with a simple flourish of the quill.
Once people start to move around, Narnel tries to stay as close as possible to the largest gathering of those he now knows, without intruding overly on any conversations they might be having and trying to evade being drawn into any as well. He is interested in the gambling itself and watches it intently, but his overly cautious nature means that by the time he feels he has seen all the angle and is ready to sit down for a hand(or a roll of the dice or whatever) the others are likely moving on to the next game. Unless the party stops at just one game for an extended amount of time, he is likely just going to watch the actual gambling.
Jean-Paul stands when Narnel makes the offer to all go together to the great gambling hall. "Why not! he states, rather than asks.
He downs the rest of his drink, savouring the strong flavour and warmth it provides, before heto adds to the tip. He throws two silvers into the mix without much thought, before following the elf out the door.
Whe they arrive at teh Gold Goblin, he looks around, mildly impressed. He had seen events like this back in Cheliax, some more grand than this. However, it was an impressive set up none the less.
Reading through the contract, he becomes somewhat suspicious. Having been raised in Cheliax, where sigingn a contract for your sould was all too real, he was reluctant to sign. Hechecked throughly, looking for any sign that his soul might truly be at risk.
Kratos was silent most of the time at the table. She feed off the feeling of conflict in the air. Oh yes, the red headed one was full of it, he sipped conflict. She liked him he would be fun to watch. And she did drinking and smiling and silent. Oh so silent. She liked this group they were interesting. This blot thing yes, a blot a big ol dark thing in the sky, eh growing up along the sodden lands odd things where not odd to her, the eye never stopped after all.
She drank her ale, watched the cutie with the scarf, humm that scarf. She does wonder just what all he can do with it. She has a wicked gin making a note to ask him later. Humm this cheat the devil thing, might be fun to watch. So when the group goes she tags along, skipping though the streets and singing a little ditty . She takes in all the sights at the golden goblin and likes the little silk wings. Humm she wonders how those wings are held on, what kind of knot it could be. With a smile she starts toward the area to watch with so many others. As she splits off she slaps Zareby on the romp with a wink "Good luck there cutie" The she skips off toward the rooms. Oh yes she can almost feel it, there will be much conflict here...She claps her hands and giggles at the thought
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Jean-paul
The main floor of the gambling hall is a cavernous place, nevertheless filled now with sound, light, and people. Dozens of gamblers – mostly human, but including a handful of dwarves, half-elves, half-orcs, and even a tiefling or two as well – crowd around tables, throwing dice or spinning flashing wheels, while more “succubi,” again dressed in red corsets and sporting horns and tails (though not wings), hoist trays full of drinks as they weave through the crowd. In the center of the room is a short podium or dais, on which you can see a gaudy golden chest, fixed to the floor with sturdy-looking silver chains. On either side of the chest stand two large men, bare-chested and wearing the loose pants and turbans of some distant Kelish sultan’s court, their hands resting lightly on the hilts of large scimitars thrust into their belts. Hanging just above their heads is a small brass cage, as for a large bird, that contains a crouching purple-skinned figure, sporting what look to be real bat wings and a lashing, barbed tail. The tiny devilish figure glowers at the gamblers entering the room, occasionally snarling something in a high-pitched voice and rattling the cage threateningly.
At a cashier's cage in the far left corner of the room, you buy your chips: dull-red "copper hearts" for your copper pieces, dull-gray "silver teeth" for your silver, and dull-yellow "golden eyes" for your gold. These, you realize, are the "teeth, eyes, and hearts of he damned" mentioned in the contract. With your chips in hand, you turn to survey the room.
Scattered around the hall, you can see tables holding craps and bounders games, boards for skiffs games, and long tables with wheels set in them for roulette. In addition, a strange game featuring what looks to be a head mounted on a roulette-type wheel stands on the far side of the hall, and in rooms just to your left, you can see what look to be games of blackjack, poker, and golem.
GM
What do the non gamblers do? are they allowed in the room or must we all gamble?
Jean-Paul looks up at the girl as she spekas to him and smiles at her. "Aye and good then. Well the rules seem fairly clear, and I'm fairly sure my parents sold my soul many years ago. So why not eh!". He grabs the quill, dips it into the ink ans signs his name in a bold and flourishing script. Sprinkling some sand on to help drie the ink he then hands the vellum over the girl and slips her a wink.
"Time to beat old goat face then."
Walking confidently into the room, amazed no one has asked him to remove his eapons, he immediately swaggers to a Bounders table. Dice and cards were the two vices the sailors had on the Siron's Song, and bounders was something he definitely wanted to get in on.
Having purchased some of the suitably themed tokens he sits at a table, orders a drink form one of the Succubi and starts to gamble like the money wasn't his.
"Lets try a few silvers to start then shall we. Time to show the house how this game is played!
"Baladata, girls school, where the unwanted girls that parents couldn't quite bring themselves to kill are brought as infants to be raised." Rashmi explains to Rorsius as the group move onwards to the Goblin "Male offspring are far more prized in Vudrani culture and some families can only afford one child, and they prefer that child to be a son"
The dancer gives a small shrug, seemingly unphased by delivering the news she was an abandoned child. It was just a fact of life to her, the only thing that caused her uncertainty and a little unhappiness was the fact her situation deprived her of a surname.
As the group arrives at the Golden Goblin she looks thoughtfully to the redheaded man "Are you here to gamble or instead to watch the flow of people and listen to their conversations?"
DM
As Jean-Paul rolls the first of his dice it comes up a 7. "Better than average chance to bound your roll dealer" he says confidently. "Double me up my good man!. The dealer rolls a 12. The young fighter smirks and picks up his dice. He asks one of the serving "Succubi" to kiss it for good luck, then rolls a .....19! "And that, my friends, is how you play Bounder"
Having won his first hand, he takes a quick look around the room, hoping to catch sight of the man running the show. He was the one to impress if he wanted to get work.
Figuring that most of his life is a gamble, Leux goes ahead and signs his name with a flurry of the quill. "maybe with the money I can finally buy that gold fiddle I've always wanted. He then proceeds to the cage and exchanges 35 gold for 5 gold eyes 500 copper hearts and 250 silver teeth. Then proceedes to the poker tables, where one can intimately figure out his oppenants.
Seeing that everyone seems to be going their separate ways once inside the tournament, Narnel follows Leux over to the poker table. He feels a bit of a kinship with the half-elf anyway, and the man's easy going nature means that there likely won't be too many pointed questions coming to him, even if he may end up having to chat a bit more due to it.
Once there, he finds a good spot to stand off to the side of the table where he can watch the game, curious. His eyes primarily focus on seeing just how the game turns out and trying to learn its intricacies, though he hasn't quite forgotten his earlier reason for wanting to come here and every so often he looks up and scans the crowd to see if he recognizes anyone who appears to be a local wizard in general or a cypher-mage in particular.
DM
Not sure on that one, knowledge local maybe? If so, its 1d20+9=11
Bah. Its horrible that I have a +9 on most knowledges and I can't roll them. Invisible castle hates me.
And he would probably spend 5 gold on tokens. 4 gold ones, 9 silver, 10 copper
Zareby exchanges 50 gold for chips, then heads directly to the Golem tables, grinning.
Rorsius listens to Rashmi's explanation intently as they made their way to the Gambling Hall. How her tale paralleled his if you looked deep enough. If He had been born in her country then he surely would have been abandoned had he had the same mother. And if you went as far as to say he was born a girl then he would have been raised at a Baladata no doubt and be just like Rashmi.
Instead he was born in Riddleport and waited until he was 10 to abandon his own mother. Then he used the streets as a school shape him into what he had become. He smiled for a half-moment at the thought.
What had he become? He wasn't sure of it yet really. A former criminal turned now into a paranoid tailor? He frowned at doubting his convictions. Tailor was his current profession, not who he was. He knew that Riddleport was diseased, dying at the hands of wolfs in wolfs clothing. The masses were too ignorant or apathetic to notice. He would shine light upon all that Riddleport tried to hide. Perhaps Rashmi would be the one to help him.
Lost in his own thoughts, he was startled momentarily when the Subject of his Deliberation, Rashmi-asked him a question. "I don't think I believe in gambling." He says as a perplexing look comes across his face, as if he was trying to verify the truth of that statement in some sort of inlying journal."So the Latter. He stated suddenly, as if just coming to the conclusion."You're welcome to join me." says the gravely voice-surprisingly welcoming.
Rashmi watches the gamblers head off to exchange their money for chips for a moment before refocusing on Rorisius with a smile. "It would be an honour to keep you company" She replies easily "If you are sure you wish the company" She adds, trying to gague whether he has invited her out of a genuine desire for company or out of politeness.
Rorsius glanced around. His expression hardly changing. He watched the gamblers walk off and winced a bit at jean paul's obnoxious display of victory. His Mother was Chelish too. He blamed his initial hostility towards the man on that relationship. He noticed the caged creature and his hear skipped a beat. That was more than some gaudy decoration. Turning back to Rashmi slowly, He nodded and offered a slight smile. He cocked his head at her second statement, as if he had deciphered it's exact meaning." I did ask for it Rashmi. And you should be able to tell already I'm hardly the solicitous type." He said calmly.
Rashmi gives a slight smile and a nod as she leaves the gamblers to focus on their fun and gives all of her attention to Rorsius. Politely she clasps her hands in front of her and leaves it to her newfound companion to decide what to say or do next.
"What do you say we have a seat at bar overlooking the...show?" he asks,"Debauchery"he thought. Rorsius made his way to the bar without waiting for Rashmi's response, trusting she would follow-his eyes were transfixed on the caged beast.
Moving gracefully through the crowds, Rashmi keeps close to Rorsius, following him to the bar. Her steps light she keeps a step behind him with ease, her eyes travelling over the choice of decor and attire for the staff, her personal opinions once again kept firmly hidden, kept to herself for the time being.
As she reaches the bar she observes the redheaded man closely as he looks at the caged creature. "Would you like me to get the drinks?" She enquires quietly, feeling a little guilty for not leaving him to his thoughts.
Rorsius's eyes followed the lashing barbed tail of the purple creature in the cage. His Eyes watched closely the useless fluttering of wings and for a moment felt something that might best be described as pity for the miserable creature. Suddenly it's abyssal eyes contacted with His own. Rorsius wasn't scared or shocked. He was taken aback by how similar this hellish things eyes were to his own. He stumbled back a step before bumping into the bar. He glanced over at Rashmi for a long moment as if her words didn't make it to him."Drinks?" He asked. Then shook his head suddenly."No I insist I'll get them...what would you like?"
Rashmi smiles gently "I'm sorry for interupting your thoughts" She declares simply, taking a small step back and way from him, her eyes only briefly flicking to the caged beast with an understanding expression before looking at Rorsius again.
"Some kind of fruit juice would be nice.. if not just water, thank you" She responds warmly to is offer.
"Never apoligize Rashmi. My cerebral ramblings were in need of being cut short." Stated the gravely voice. He turned then to get the drinks, he asked for some kind of fruit juice and a water for himself and the horned bartender quickly gave him a cup he called something like Asmodeus Apple or Beelzebulb Berry or something of an equally gaudy sort and begrudgingly handed him a simple glass of water. "From The River Styx no doubt?" Rorsius inquired only to be met with a confused look. Rorsius paid for the drinks and turned to Rashmi with his best attempt at a polite smile before ushering her to a nearby table.
Rashmi needed little ushering, at the slightest gesture she obediently makes her way towards the nearby table, waiting for Rorsius to be seated before taking her own seat. Looking to his choice of drink she gives a smile. "You do not drink alcohol?" She enquires curiously, her smile apologetic, making it plainly obvious that she would take no offence if he didn't want to reply.
"I try not to." He says calmly."In moderation." He explains, sipping from his water."I have seen first hand the changes it brings to people in excess. The sloths it makes of people in both body and mind." He was referring to his former employer at first, But when he locked eyes with her he couldn't help but once again think of his mother, and her drunken rage. He bit down hard on his lip to keep it from shaking, and had it not been toughened over years of him doing this, his fanged teeth would have cut it. He looked to her drink and raised a brow at succubi-adorned goblet." How's your...Mephistopheles Melon?" He asks dryly, secretly having a good time making up demon oriented juices.
Rashmi gives a warmer smile, a small glimmer of approval in her eyes at her companion's response. Slowly she sips at her juice, thoughtfully savouring it's flavour before giving another smile at Rorsius' name for the drink. "Nowhere near as sinful as our hosts, and the vessel its in.." She eyes the succubi on the goblet dubiously "..would lead most to believe. It's good juice, it doesn't need the gilding"
He watches her closely, having trained himself for years to read people. Something about her gave him a bit of trouble in doing so, as if she had been trained to defeat such inquiries into her body language. He nodded at her response."Well I think they did indeed scoop this water from The River Styx." He said surely as if he believed it true, eying something floating within the cup. He pushed it aside and looked up again."What's someone like you doing in place like this Rashmi?" He asked, unapoligetic for his forwardness.
"Learning" Rashmi replies simply with a little bright grin "Those who follow the teachings of the Vigrahin Patitraka and similar texts believe that the first quarter or so of our lives is the life of a student. Usually a student will take on a guru to help guide them through this stage of their life. Unfortunately as an unwanted daughter of Vudran I had no offers of in depth mentorship. So I chose to travel, to use the world, experiencing it, as my guru before potentially entering my next life stage.. although that in itself will be difficult as well due to my upbringing."
He listens closely. Sincerely Intrigued."You picked one hell of a classroom." He said dryly glancing back out at the chaos of the floor. He felt a frown so he dis his best to erase it before he sent the wrong signal. "And what is it that you're learning, Rashmi?"
"The first Ashrama, life stage, is devoted to the study of gaining new knowledge, learning to live a life of right action, practicing self-discipline, celibacy, meditation.." She trails off with a smile before sipping from her sup once more "Although I must admit it is hard without a devoted guru, were I at home, and if I had had parents I would be approaching my second life stage by now"
He followed her words gladly, content that Rashmi had no inhibitions on discussing her outlook. He wasn't extremely open in discussing himself. He glanced unconsciously back and forth between her and the caged creature, still thrashing defiantly. Thinking it might be rude, he turned his shoulder as if to obstruct his view of the creature and gave all his focus to Rashmi."Then it is your trials that have shaped you into what you are today. Do not regret the path you have chosen." He says bluntly.
Having won his first hand, Jean-Paul tries his luck again. Taking up the wooden dice, he rolls it across the red velvet table. The dice spins and bounces before coming to rest on 1d20=15 .
"Hmmmm, not such an auspicious number for me. I was 15 when my parents put me into the army." he seems to deliberate for a moment before saying "But you know, it was also the year I met Elsie Curlow, and she showed me a thing or two I can tell you! Double me up!
Taking the second dice, he rolls again, hoping for a very low number. It comes up a 1d20=2 . The agile fighter looks up into the eyes of croupier in front of him and grins "Good luck there lad, I've got me a nice spread of numbers I can tell you!
He waits for the croupier to roll his 3d6, but his eyes scanned the room as well, again looking for the man runnig the place. If he won this hand he would try to ask one of the waitresses for help in locating him. While it was fun to gamble this frivollesly, eventually he'd need work to replace his funds.
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Jean-Paul
Leux sits down with his chips and stares at the other faces at the table. He places 20 silver tokens down and looks at his cards. 1d20+2=20
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Zareby
after a few minutes of playing yet again the money is pushed towards you.
Leux
Optimistic?
"No, just feeling lucky."
"See, I was.", he says as he rakes in his chips. He then puts down another five gold.
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Zareby
Leux
Well my dear lady your dice haven't met me yet. I am sure your luck will change with me around. Haha, now lets see what I roll. winks as he puts 5 silver tokens down.1d20=5 Wohoo looks like I am off to a good start. Lets double that baby. Lets see what is in store for number 2
1d20=12Ouch, but I still have a chance
Kratos makes her way though the hall oh so many things to see. Then she spots the thing in the cage, and with a wicked smile makes her was to it. Getting as close as she can she whistles and says "Hi there, in the cage. You the pet here?" she says with such sweetness in her voice
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Leux