Ormizd, not wanting to close, looks around frantically for something to throw. He grabs up a mug of spilled beer and throws it at the bearded mage.
Throw to hit:
Damage:
Subduing flurry of blows against the remaining thug:
Strike one:
Strike two:
"STAND DOWN, FILTH!"
Ormizd's impromptu missile is also deflected by the mystic shield that has defended the wizard from several previous attacks, but the man's magic is not enough to save him from getting covered in beer. "By the Dark Face!" curses the wizard, but he has little time to spare for anger at the bard.
Mario's sudden rapier thrust - its speed belying the owner's seeming intoxication - appears to catch the thug off-guard, and he does not step out of the way in time. Unfortunately, the leather coat the man wears snags the tip of Mario's blade, blunting the force of the attack.
Both of the thugs swing their saps at their targets once more. Neither connects, however.
Tsadok attempts to reply in kind. He launches a one-two series of blows that creates an opening for his second punch, his fist landing solidly against the thug's jaw. The man seems to start giving serious consideration to Tsadok's repeated injunctions to withdraw.
"You keep your twisted magics away from me," Antianel snarls at the enemy mage. Forgoing clever tricks, he lashes out with his sword with lethal intent.
The wizard's magical protections force the elf's blade aside, and he responds with a swift counterstroke from the sparking wand.
being out of missile spells Lyre resorts to hurling a glob of acid at the shielded wizard
Acid splash (ranged touch)
Confirm (if possible)
Damage
Crit damage
Lyre's tiny spray of acid manages to hit the goateed man right in his eye (an unkind observer might think about the idea of the man matching his rapier-wielding companion), resulting in a shout of pain.
Tippy moves near the half-orc monk and praying to Desna lays a glowing palm on the monks waist and the monk feels a refreshing energy flow through him.
The power of the Butterfly Goddess washes away Tsadok's wounds, leaving him entirely unharmed.
Ormizd grabs a handfull of random chips and throws the handfull at the bearded mage.
(Critical threat; roll to confirm: )
Damage for anything that gets through is probably 1.
The power of the Butterfly Goddess washes away Tsadok's wounds, leaving him entirely unharmed.
Shocked at the healing. Tsadok yells "thanks!" as he refocuses and strikes at his opponent again.
Strike One
Strike two
Ormizd pelts the wizard with poker chips, and one manages to cut into the skin over the man's eye, leaving a trickle of blood.
Mario's flourishing blow was perhaps more showy than it should have been - the thug manages to get his own sap in the way, knocking the strike to the side, before attempting a counterthrust of his own:
Tsadok's foe also makes another attempt to catch the half-orc with his sap, but it seems clear to Tsadok that the man, whose shirt is still smoking slightly from Lyre's magic missile, is beginning to have second thoughts about the whole experience.
Though Tsadok is rocked back by the sap strike once more, he nevertheless repeats the one-two combination that was so effective before, with even better results: as Tsadok's fist strikes the thug's jaw, the man's eyes roll up into his head and he crumples to the casino's richly carpeted floor.
Seeing another of the wizard's allies fall, Antianel shouts, "Your plans collapse around you, mage! Your own end comes as well!" even as he swings once again.
Antaniel's blow is enough: the goateed wizard falls as well. "Screw this!" shouts Mario's opponent, now the only thief still fighting, and starts looking for a way out.
Lyre decides to finish the fight by dealing with Mario's opponent
Acid splas
Being careful of the one remaining thug, Tippy moves about among the bodies checking for signs of life.
|
Mario raises his sword and shouts "Victory is mine!"; he doesn't pursue the last crook. Then he plants his sword on the ground and leans against it as he takes a drink.
As the sword flexes, he looks around at the others.
"Oh, I mean, Victory is ours! Join me in a little drinky poo?" He gives a besotted grin as he swirls his drinking hand about.
Ormizd jumps out from behind the table, a double handfull of poker chips ready to throw and looking around wildly for an enemy to throw at.
Lyre's attempt to splash acid in the eye of Mario's foe goes awry when Mario himself steps right into her line of attack, forcing her to aim abruptly upward and sending the blob of acid into the gauzy draperies that cover the casino's ceiling.
Tippello finds that the woman with the eyepatch, the wizard with the goatee, and one of the thugs (Tsadok's foe) are unconscious, with the wizard in particular losing a fair amount of blood from Antianel's sword cut; the other two appear stable. A fourth attacker, however, was all but cut in half but the elf's curve blade, and has moved on to his judgement at Pharasma's Spire. All of the guards that the thugs attacked are unconscious, but none appear to have suffered wounds more grievous than a hefty lump on their skulls.
Mario allows the last attempted thief to flee, already preparing to celebrate their victory. He smiles benignly as the man rushes past the patrons now beginning to stir and recover their eyesight.
Suddenly a dwarf, dressed in fine blue silks and wearing a boutineer, starts pushing through the crowd. "Saul!" he shouts, looking around. "Saul, damn your eyes, where are you! Someone just tried to rob your casino, you fool!" He locks eyes with each of the group in turn, mouthing in Common: "Thank you - don't go anywhere!" He nods as he does this, then turns to scanning the crowd. "Saul! Get out here, you rusted dulledge!"
From the southwest corner of the game floor, where the cashier cages are located, Saul Vancaskerin appears, trailed by two more guards. He looks around in confusion, then turns toward the well-dressed dwarf as the dwarf finally reaches him in the crowd. They begin to speak quickly and quietly, the dwarf's expression and gestures thunderous, Saul's wide-eyed and shocked. As they talk, the dwarf points firmly at each member of the party, and Saul looks up to meet your eyes as well.
All around, the casino's patrons are getting to their feet, a rising hubbub of conversation surrounding you. Several approach the unconscious thieves and spit or swear at them, but more are surrounding Saul, and it quickly becomes clear what the tone of the crowd is: they want their money back, and the calming of fear seems to have left a potentially riotous anger in its wake. Before it can get out of hand, however, Saul leaps back up onto his dais and addresses the crowd.
"Gentles! Gentles! I understand your concerns, good folk, and I want you to know that even the Devil has compassion in his heart! It seems my security wasn't quite up to the challenge of the lure of all this lovely silver, so here's the Devil's deal I'll make you all tonight: cash in your chips now, and I'll give you an extra silver coin for every gold eye and an extra copper coin for every silver tooth. You can't ask for more fair than that! Please, form your lines at the cashier cages, and we'll make sure you're all seen to!"
Even as this speech continues, however, the well-dressed dwarf appears at the elbow of each party member in turn. "If you have a moment, my friend," he murmurs, "Mr. Vancaskerin would like to speak with you in private once matters are settled here. Have no worry for your winnings; everything will be handled."
Tippello will bandage the wounds of the goatee'd wizard, then move on to using whatever is at hand to tie up the ruffians.
To Dwarf: I'd be happy to talk to Mr. Vancaskerkin as soon as I'm done tending to these fools (kicks random thug in ribs to emphasize his point).
DM:
Tsadok speaks in hushed tones to what appears to be a female patron of the establishment. After finishing speaking with her, he turns to the rest of the 'party,' so to speak.
"Well met, I think is the proper greeting. Which one of you healed me, I would very much like to express my thanks, as I was usually the one with the bandages where I come from."
Seeing Tipello bandaging the other cretins up, "Would you like a hand with that, I'm not the best, but I can at least help with that." He says as he reaches for a bandage, or makes one out of a bit of torn cloak or shirt of what ever thug needs this. He also starts tearing cloaks to use for binding them behind their backs.
Looking at the dwarf, Tsadok says "I'd be happy to talk employment, once these wrong-doers are taken care of properly." as he turns back to helping Tipello, both bandaging and tying them up.
Lyre brightens up immensely when she hears her winnings will be safe "Sure thing" She says in her now back to normal cheery demeanour
Antianel looks somwhat taken aback by the dwarf's words, but tightens his jaw and nods gravely.
Turning toward Tsadok and Tippello, he observes their efforts with a bemused expression. "You are generous souls to heal your foes," he says slowly, "but I cannot help wondering if it is wasted effort on such as these." He looks over at the body of the man he killed, and carefully pulls the short sword from the dead man's hip. "This, on the other hand, deserves more respect than a corpse can offer."
Antianel looks somwhat taken aback by the dwarf's words, but tightens his jaw and nods gravely.
Turning toward Tsadok and Tippello, he observes their efforts with a bemused expression. "You are generous souls to heal your foes," he says slowly, "but I cannot help wondering if it is wasted effort on such as these." He looks over at the body of the man he killed, and carefully pulls the short sword from the dead man's hip. "This, on the other hand, deserves more respect than a corpse can offer."
"Although you did what you had to in self defense, it isn't up to me to decide who deserves the effort or not. I must help those I can... perhaps even these souls can turn over a new leaf, becoming something better than they are. If I can, I will help with that. If not, and we meet again, I assure you that my wrath will not be so merciful."
The elf looks skeptical, but does not argue. "Mayhap they will," he murmurs instead.
"Well met, I think is the proper greeting. Which one of you healed me, I would very much like to express my thanks, as I was usually the one with the bandages where I come from."
That was me, although no thanks are necesary. I like helping out good people when I can.
Seeing Tipello bandaging the other cretins up, "Would you like a hand with that, I'm not the best, but I can at least help with that." He says as he reaches for a bandage, or makes one out of a bit of torn cloak or shirt of what ever thug needs this. He also starts tearing cloaks to use for binding them behind their backs.
Sure, I could use the help. These fellows are heavy and much bigger than me.
Turning toward Tsadok and Tippello, he observes their efforts with a bemused expression. "You are generous souls to heal your foes," he says slowly, "but I cannot help wondering if it is wasted effort on such as these." He looks over at the body of the man he killed, and carefully pulls the short sword from the dead man's hip. "This, on the other hand, deserves more respect than a corpse can offer."
I generally prefer to let the proper authorities handle ruffians when I'm in a civilized place. Although I assure you that when I travel in the wilderness, then I make their choices for them if I have to.
You wanted to see me good sir?
Once the lines of irate patrons seem to have formed and taken care of themselves, Saul moves away from them, focused intently on the group of unexpected heroes who have just prevented his casino from being robbed. Despite the fact that his business must be taking a beating from the 10% extra he is losing off of every customer right now, he seems oddly cheerful as he approaches.
"Good friends," he says, gesturing grandly, "I am pleased to you waited for me." The oversized key attached to the stump of his left arm glitters oddly in the light from the casino's braziers. "I wanted a chance to offer you my thanks in person, and to perhaps offer something more as well. Will you be so kind as to join me upstairs, for a bottle or two and perchance some business, as well?"
"Sure thing" Lyre pipes up sounding even more cheery if that was possible
"Sounds agreeable to me. Lead the way."
"Sure, I'm game, although your games seem a bit risky given this evening's events." Tsadok observes as he follows along. "I would certainly entertain any propositions though."
DM:
ALL (this is not related to the game):
Antianel is the slowest to respond to the request, but he finally says, "Yes, of course. Please lead the way."
Saul leads your group through a pair of swinging doors near the casino's bar, into a large kitchen, with several people working to clean up after the evening's work. A short flight of stairs then leads you up into what must be the "business space" of the casino, with several small rooms for offices and what looks to be residential quarters for some of the staff. Saul leads you past a few of these to a large lounge area, paneled in faded pine with a pair of slightly-worn couches in front of a fireplace and a low table; gesturing for you to take a seat, he steps out again, only to return a moment later with a bottle of wine. (Though the label is Elven, none of you recognize the vintner. It's not bad, but has some unusual flavors that you haven't encountered before.) Taking some glasses from a cabinet along the wall, he pours for you all before leaning against the mantel with a glass in his one remaining hand.
"First, I'd like to propose a toast to all of you," he begins, lifting his wine. "The heroes of the Gold Goblin! You have done me a great service tonight, and I'll not soon forget it." He drinks, then continues. "I'll not deny that this was a difficult night for me, and for this casino, but I think in the end we will all soon look back on it as a blessing in disguise.
"Perhaps we might begin with introductions? I am, as you no doubt have surmised, Saul Vancaskerin, and have the honor of being the owner of the Gold Goblin casino. To whom do I owe my thanks, good folk?"
|
|
Mario grins and gives a flourishing bow, with just a little wobble.
"I am, of course, Mario Nedraid; man-about-town, gadfly, general connoisseur of all things liquid and refreshing..." He takes a sip of the wine and carefully tries to identify it.
"Hm. Intriguing. I cannot place the wine though; who is it by?"
Humming to himself under his breath (the sound seems akin to what a butterfly might sound like if it could sing) and swirling the wine around in his glass, Tippy seems lost in his own thoughts for a moment.
"Hmm, what (seems mildly startled), oh yes. My name is Tippello Tabinero, you good folks may call me Tippy if you like, most of my friends do. I am a follower of Desna, a cleric in fact. It's my passion to travel, meet new people, and test my luck and skill with whatever life decides to put on my path."
"Pleased to meet you Mr. Vancaskerkin."
"I am Antianel Jastieth," Antianel replies carefully, watching Saul as though expecting him to recognize the name.
Mario grins and gives a flourishing bow, with just a little wobble.
"I am, of course, Mario Nedraid; man-about-town, gadfly, general connoisseur of all things liquid and refreshing..." He takes a sip of the wine and carefully tries to identify it.
"Hm. Intriguing. I cannot place the wine though; who is it by?"
Saul smiles. "A man must keep some secrets, my friend, and what better one than that of his best wine?"
** spoiler omitted **
Humming to himself under his breath (the sound seems akin to what a butterfly might sound like if it could sing) and swirling the wine around in his glass, Tippy seems lost in his own thoughts for a moment.
"Hmm, what (seems mildly startled), oh yes. My name is Tippello Tabinero, you good folks may call me Tippy if you like, most of my friends do. I am a follower of Desna, a cleric in fact. It's my passion to travel, meet new people, and test my luck and skill with whatever life decides to put on my path."
"Pleased to meet you Mr. Vancaskerkin."
Saul looks askance at the Tippy's humming, and he frowns for a moment, but then forces a smile. "I's especially pleased that you're among this group," he tells the cleric, "as I had a small shrine to Desna placed in the casino downstairs when I rebuilt the Goblin, and I hope you'll find it an enticement to what I have to offer."
"I am Antianel Jastieth," Antianel replies carefully, watching Saul as though expecting him to recognize the name.
Saul shows no sign that the name means anything to him whatsoever. "A pleasure, my good man. Your skill with your blade is impressive; I hope you'll find my proposition equally as keen."
"I'm Lyre Freenswallow Pleased to meetcha."
Nodding to himself in satisfaction, Tippy sips at the wine and looks around at his companions.
"I'm pleased you've given Desna a place in your business, she does have a fondness for games of luck and chance."
"I'm Lyre Freenswallow Pleased to meetcha."
Saul nods around to everyone, a satisfied air about him. "A pleasure to meet you all," he says, tossing back his drink. "Now, I think, to business.
“Let me begin at the beginning. Some years ago, I was the leader of an important organization in Riddleport. Not one of the official ‘crimelords,’ as they’re called, but a man of influence, nonetheless. Trouble was, it wasn’t really a good position to be in, all things considered. I didn’t earn the sort of money I might have hoped for, nor did I find the kind of respect I really wanted. That life cost me my health, my sons, my wife, and eventually, my left hand.” He waves the stump and its odd, key-shaped prosthetic. “In the years since my wife’s death, I have scraped along, trying to find some way to earn a retirement that can support me. I’m not interested in a return to the life I lead in my youth – I just want something I can build a future on, to salvage something of my remaining years.”
He looks down at the floor for a moment, then heaves a great sigh. “Unfortunately,” he says, “while I want to leave that life behind, it probably hasn’t left me. I cannot say for certain, but I strongly suspect the attack tonight was an attempt at retribution, not simple larceny; I recognized the group's leader and his doxy as Angvar Thistlecrit and Thuvalia Barabbio, leaders of a small-time work-for-hire gang whose sights would normally be set far too high for something like what they tried to pull tonight. I have enemies, and they will strike at me again, I suspect. And that, my friends, brings me to you.”
“Here is my proposal. If my business here is going to succeed, it seems clear that I will need friends I can trust, friends with the skills necessary to protect my investment. But I know that those friends will need a reason to help me – they need to share my investment. I think you could be those people, and in order to make that happen, I am willing to share what I’ve built here. If you’re willing to come on board, I will make your junior partners in the Gold Goblin. In addition to a base wage, you’ll earn a share of the profits. Once we’re making some, anyway. You’ll have ‘covers’ as croupiers, bouncers, however you might best fit in, and of course, if you can do those jobs well, you’ll be improving the profitability of the casino – but your real purpose will be security. It’s my hope you’d serve more as a deterrent than anything else, of course, and your performance here tonight should help that.”
“What do you say?”
"Yes please" Lyre responds almost before Saul has finished speaking. She had never ran a gambling hall or anything else for that matter before now and wasn't going to pass the opportunity up