The week starts pretty quiet. With the new girls, work at the Golden Goblin becomes easier.
Word on the street about Saul's new partners, and how they keep a safe place spreads quickly, making the business bloom.
Calinder's new inventory system is a success and no pot or casck is deliever without it being duly noted.
Arlo the cook recovered fine from the snake bites and his new spicy recipe, broiled fire snake is a big hit with the patrons.
With Nalia to help him on the security detail, Urza does an even better job than last week.
As for Lecian, his following of the current local trends make him believe that an all-girls night could be a great move. Instead of succubi dressed barmaids, they will hire some fine lookig young men.
It's up to Cal to hire some help (roll diplomacy).
Ushari is very glad they are hiring for a ladies night out. After hearing about the outfits the barmaids were wearing, she was blushing about it for a while. "Do you need my help Calinder? I might be able to put in a good word for your employees.
EDIT: Figures, my last roll on this board was a 1, lol!
Ushari, you're help is always gratefully accepted, and besides it can't hurt to have such a captivating young lady mesmerising the future employees while I finalise the details, Cal says with mischief in his eye.
Calinder, I swear you enjoy seeing me blush! She noticed the look in your eyes and you see her cheeks grow flushed again.
She thinks Is he just teasing me or is it something more? He seems so nice, but I just don't know for sure.
While Cal and Ushari are around town, hiring the best help (and they do a GREAT job, believe me). Lecian's Blot investigations also leads him to the market. It seems that there IS some pattern to the way the strange purple cloud moves.. he just needs a map of the region and some astronomical implements.
Nalia is back at the Goblin, thoroughly examining it (will post maps later), but when she asks Vancaskerkin to see underfloor, he seems a little ashamed... but he tells her about the cellar bar and the underground fighting pit where they sometimes stage dogs or boar fights..
In fact, tonight is fight night, and Nalia's help would be welcome with the little shadier crowd that comes to see the bloodsport.
In that moment the ground starts vibrating, everyone's ears start buzzing with a strange sound and you notice a weird pull on all metallic objects.
(Cal, Lecian, Ushari, roll for perception)
Calinder continues his banter with Ushari, Your cheeks get such a lovely pink cast about them, ... when suddenly... what in Sarenraes name was that, he says as he grasps the necklace with his mothers ring as it rises out from beneath his shirt due to the magnetic pull.
Perception:
|
Nalia reassures Saul that she doesn't care about fighting and the like. "Hardly that bad, is it? Now, what sort of restrictions do you want on this crowd? How should I act towards them? Heavy handed or a light.."
At that point, the ringing hits her, and everything metal on her body, including several piercings, her sword and the metal buckle in her belt start rising.
"Iomadae's Breath, what is this?"
Ushari, after noticing the strange effects, pales visibly and clutches Calinder's arm, asking "What's happening here?"
Perception:
A small street urchin bumps into Lecian as he's standing in front of the mapmaker stand.
The strange phenomena ends abrubtly less than a minute after it began, leaving Riddleport eerily silent.
Only Calinder manages to notice the Blot during the conmotion, it was glowing with a purple light and it moved from one end of the sky to another.
Then to business. "Saul, I'd like to see if we can't beef up security some. Get some eyes on the outside that could warn us of any potential issues before it comes inside. It shouldn't cost much, a gold or two at most. I ask you because you have the most knowledge of the area."
Security detail 1d20+9
Dating Liry 1d20+5
What did Saul say to my suggestion.
I'll show Nails what few security upgrades I've made and will be very receptive to her ideas. After a time, I'll let her take over and just follow her lead. I'll spend more time on the walkway looking for cheaters and trouble.
For my time with Liry, I'll have her show me around town some. treat her well and buy her gifts. Nothing extravagant, but when we go out, she will return with more than she left with.
Researching the Blot:
Knowledge Arcana
Knowledge Nature
Perception:
"What in the name of the planes was that all about?"
While Lecian wonders what was that, he notices that his pouch is missing. Someone stole gp and sp from him.
Urza, the charming enforcer of the Goblin's security shows Nalia around. Liry is not too happy about the new arrival. She eyes with mistrust t
he dark skinned warrior talking to Urza.
Later when they go around the markets she acts a little cold towards him.
Did you see that Ushari, the blot was glowing with a purple light and it moved from one end of the sky to the other. I think we'd best get back and I'm sure Lecian and Urza will want to hear about this.
Ushari never really paid much attention to the Blot before, she just tried to ignore it as best she could. It really made her uncomfortable for some reason. She forced herself to look up at it, and a sliver of fear entered her body. She clutched at Calinders arm, and says "Yeah, we should get back there, I hope they are ok.
|
|
Nails calmly chalks up the odd magnetic pull to the general oddities occurring in Riddleport. Besides, she's hardly getting paid to worry about any 'Blots' or anything. She gets quickly back down to business with Saul, clarifying how heavy handed she should treat the 'regulars' for the dog fighting*. She's also quite oblivious to the evil glances from Liry.
Taking hold of Usharis hand Calinder quickly leads her back through the panic on the streets to the Gold Goblin. There, I feel a bit more comfortable now we're back. On walking in to the building he calls out to the others. Saul, Nalia, have either of you seen the others, you're never going to believe what we saw happen in the sky. He then goes on to explain the events he witnessed up to now and repeats it for Lecian and Urza when they arrive if not already here.
Nalia:
Felding, the bald dwarf administrator and Saul's right hand picks that up. Huh, when on the game floor I don't think heavy armor is necessary but you can wear it if you like.
Folks who come down here for the fights, they want the rush of danger. Seeing you armor clad may give them that.
Anyways, always try to use nonlethal force.
"Some punk stole my money!" Lecian cries, storming into the Goblin, before hearing Calinder's report. "Of course! I didn't even think to look for any change in the Blot!" He goes back outside to check for himself.
Ushari asks"Has this happened before with the Blot? I'm sorry, but I never paid attention to it before."
|
|
Nails nods towards Felding in thanks for his advice, deciding to go get some lighter leather armour to wear while on guard, and just stick to her fists. She then turns to Calinder and the rest of the group as they arrive.
"So.. you think this Blot thing is serious? Has it done anything before this?"
Answering Nalia he says, not that i've ever noticed before, but with the earth shaking and metal rising up as if pulled by some arcane force, this doesn't bode well for poor old Riddleport. The strangest thing to me though was how the blot moved in the sky. I think we're in for more trouble, at the very least I think there's going to be widespread panic, a look of concern crossing his face.
Ushari thinks for a moment, then asks Are there any mages researching this, since this is obviously magically induced. Maybe we can find one of them and talk to them. They should know more, right?
Felding (the dwarf administrator of the GG) says:
I haven't heard of any thing like this on riddleport, no. Those weird Cyphermages over the Arch, I bet they are also researching the blot.
People still gotta gamble tough, so let's get everything ready for tonight.
Ushari, I guess you are singing tonight, yes?
Unfortunately, it seems the days events have rattled her badly, and she misss a couple of high notes when singing, plus she has trouble holding the melodic beats in time. Hopefully the crowd is more drunk than normal.
calinder still intends to finish checking out the GG for other presences of Fiendish influence. Especially in the area below.
Ushari offers to help him with his search.
Calinder gratefully accepts the assistance, happy to spend some alone time with the captivating Ushari.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/pab3925/Second%20Darkness/Sublevel1.jp g
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/pab3925/Second%20Darkness/Sublevel2.jp g
31 - Wine cellar (locked, Saul and Larus have keys)
32 - Borjask, the beast-wrangler (human male) rooms
33 - This rough chamber has a short bar and a number of
battered tables and chairs squeezed into it. The walls
and foors are crudely painted a rusty red. This is the Gold Goblin’s
“underground” bar that services the Octahedron.
39 - From heret the patrons can watch the fights.
On the second level you can find some filthy cages containing fighting dogs and a wild boar. The Star shaped arena has an open roof for the spectators on sublevel 1 to see the blood sport. The floor is covered in sand to soak up gore.
Ushari stays very close to Calinder, as they explore the bottom levels of the GG. She asks him nervously, "Do you think there are demons still down here"?
After the search is completed, she goes back up to the bar and fixes herself a glass of wine. She then takes a seat and stares into her glass, before sipping her wine.
"Some things are better left unseen."
Realizing after a few seconds Urza was talking to her, Ushari stammers out "Oh sorry Urza, I guess I'm not used to seeing this stuff up close. I was always...protected from...things like this. It will take me time, I guess". She gives him a weak smile, which oddly enough makes her feel much better.
Ushari and Calinder hiring performers: +2
Nalia and Urza at security detail: +2
Lecian's theme nights ideas: +1
Ushari's singing: -1
Golden Goblin's profitability rating: +1
Saul's weekly Proffession roll: vs DC 22
Things are running smooth as silk on the Golden Goblin. Almost every weeknight you have a full house and on the weekends there is a queue of people waiting to throw their money away at the casino.
Lady's night is a success, even tough Ushari doesn't give one her best performances that day.
Saul is happier than ever, and this week he gives your 10gp and a hefty bag with 150 silver pieces as a bonus to each one of you, congratulating you on your work.
That night, Larus, the dwarf manager cooks a special meal of roast boar on bourbon (dwarven recipe) and opens a cask of the best ale they have available for a little in-house celebration. He raises his mug and toast to the new GG associates, who are making even the Crimelords notice them.
And it's true, nothing has been heard of Zincher or his cronies, or any other of the handfull of gangs that plague the Port. People are talking about this new crew, and you find that they recognize you on sight on the streets.
At the banquet Cal draws everyones attention, A toast, A toast. To Saul Vancaskerkin, for investing where others feared to tread. To fine friends, stout of heart, (gesturing Nalia then to Lecian) wise counsel, boundless courage, (to Urza and finally gesturing Ushari) and unabashed grace and charm. May the blessed lady of light forever watch over and guide us. He then drinks his one and only glass of wine in celebration of all they have achieved, enjoying to the full good company and fine food.
Ushari tries to forget about the images of blood and gore she saw earlier, and notices the ale is helping with this, so she has a goodly helping of the bnoar, and a little too much of the ale.
Urza will enjoy himself at the dinner. He will flirt terribly with Liry.
Since Saul hasn't responded to me about getting an additional level of security, I will go to Ushari and Nails to see if they can help me hire some spotters. Street kids probably, who can warn us if there's any shady characters paying to much attention to the Golden Goblin. I'll pay as much as 1GP/week for the group plus a 5GP bonus for a valid warning.
Lecian indulges during this meal, boar and all, but especially the ale.
Nalia:
Larus, an accomplished drinker (maybe he even has a little problem) is very happy to take you on that challenge.
The dwarf laughs heartily at your proposed duel.
Ha, you little girl, all clad in iron. You think you can best Larus at drinking. My STOMACH is ironclad.
He proceeds to order 7 huge pitchers of ale for each one of you.
DC 10:
DC 11:
DC 12:
DC 13:
DC 14:
DC 15:
DC 16:
Urza, your idea could work. Roll a diplomacy for hiring the street kids. Anyone who cares can roll to assist.
|
|
Nalia just laughs along with Larus, and offers him a toast with each pitcher of ale.
DC 10:
DC 11:
DC 12:
DC 13:
DC 14:
DC 15:
DC 16:
"Seeee.. told you I'm better at it!"
At another point during the week, she'd happily help try and hire some street kids to be lookouts, or irregulars.
Diplomacy Check:
Ushari (once she recovers from her hangover) gladly helps Nails with the recruiting process