We begin this week’s session on deck of the Black Rose (the
disguised Bonded Mind) preparing to make IL-Kataniz’s cargo delivery to The
Luna Knights and Crown shortly after midday. Along the way our characters are
accompanied by Evagara, Peren and Dentach however there are a few ships that
have to be off loaded before us so it is a bit later before we unload; when the
cargo is ready to cross the bridge to the main island Jabari uses a wand of
heroism for everyone. Waiting for us across the bridge is Lermang, the man
in ogre form, as well as three casino guards Dentach arranged for. At the
entrance to Selmunett Peren breaks off from our main group.
Along the thoroughfare we see a lot of buildings each themed
and tailored to each of the four casinos. Circular paper lights hang between
hanging cages; some occupied some emptied, each of similar design.
Upon entering we are immediately aware of the din of a
casino: callers, music, and conversation both of the mundane kind as well as
outbursts of excitement. We are met by a hostess armed with cigars and a
friendly smile who informs us of the entertainment for the night as are invited
in. We see a variety of races most of the adventuring type. We decide to split
up and look for Addelmy.
Eventually Carlo, Lex, Marco and Evagara find Addelmy
working a roulette table. Jabari, Lermang, and Lete encounter a gnome equipped
with a stogie who attempts to recruit us for a fight ‘downstairs’. Smelling a
trap we decline the offer but overhear the gnome telling someone to keep an eye
on us. We chance upon the ‘Last Chance Saloon’ but are warned against entering
the area by one of the guards as it is literally one’s last chance. Jabari
takes the opportunity to ask the guard what the house’s favorite game is: torture challenges, vice or power or the fights. The conversation eventually wanes until Lete offers a small bribe which informs us that the most valuable fights are at house
Mortuus- so don’t take them. None of the other casinos offer a ‘last chance’.
As we leave our characters see a pair of boots belonging to an unknown and
unseen eavesdropper.
Meanwhile, Lex sits at Addelmy’s roulette table when Evagara
and Marco locate the ‘Alchemist’ table. At the alchemist she find games of
chance where the winner receives a potion or alchemist item. Evagara inquiries
about wagering a potion of fly and learns those games are reserved for the
evening. She returns to Marco’s side and decides to watch the dealer for
characteristics to exploit later. After a time, they see how the dealer is able
to drop and add vials in a three card Monty stylized game of chance. They do however witness someone winning.
At the roulette table Lex cashes in the 100 gp voucher with
Addelmy who offers to teach him the game. (6 game demos earns a free rank in Profession:
Gambling) About an hour goes by before there is a pause in the game and Addelmy
is able to speak freely. She asks Lex about the sincerity of his offer to help.
Her son is being held by her brother and treacherous husband and fears the
child will be payment to the Boffa family to pay down their debts and to be
entered into slavery. Her brother is a gambling addict and is at the Lagoon;
her husband is lying low and is probably at the apartment. She suspects her six
year old son is in a ship around NE island. Her son is valued because of his
sorcerous powers. Lex offers to take them back to Malta after this utter
betrayal. Lex promises to see what we can do and asks about ways to address
Esterhat’s situation. Meanwhile Lex ‘wins’ a complementary room at Roulette
house, (as a way to stay in contact) and refers Lex to Reyen at a nearby poker
table. Carlo and Lex tips her before they leave- Lex tips twice to further the
‘business as usual’ with the comely lady at the roulette table ruse.
Our characters meet back up and learn of the horrible
situation Addelmy is in, each of us appalled in our own way. After this we
decide to play demos for the rest of the night. We start with poker…
Reyen is a catfolk and poker training takes about an hour.
During this time Lex drops his name and alludes to how we were referred from
the roulette table. As subtle as possible we explain Esterhat’s situation and
we are told there may be another way to get her free. Reyen explains tonight
during the acrobat show… accidents are known to happen. This conversation is
disguised in game phrases between hands. Furthermore if more than one were to
escape then victory is almost guaranteed.
After the game demos our characters decide to eat before the
acrobatic performances, which begin shortly after nine this evening. We arrange
room service at the Roulette Room. After this we decide to look around and
attempt to find Esterhat’s cage and formulate a plan for Lex to attempt to fly
invisibly freeing as many, including Esterhat, as he could. We decide to scout it
out using the chain bridges.
Along the way Carlo and Lex encounter a woman tiefling
carrying small dolls of different knighthoods across the world that move and eerily
talk on their own while surveying the chain bridges. Lex inquires about the
dolls learning they are a popular item that performs various tasks to mainly
torment cage dwellers and add to the sinister island fun.
On the bridge Lex learns of tolls to other casinos as well
as noting it as a discrete location to meet. Lex sees several groups, acrobats,
wearing performance masks as part of their Alibaba outfits- from animals to
undisguised changelings. In the air several bat like humanoids flying casually about
including a flying ape-man as well as a flying Minotaur. Lex’s supernatural
like perception picks up on that each of these creatures have the scent
ability. Each of them pays the toll to house Mortuus and head across the
bridge.
On the ground Jabari and Lete survey the area when Jabari
spots a small creature flying and following Lex above. This information is
relayed and as flying doll, like a cavalier on a flying steed, is revealed
following the group on the chain bridge.
About three quarters across we see a group of four cloaked
individuals paying the toll of the bridge Lex is on. Getting closer Lex sees
the decrepit hands of the passersby. The acrobatics begins with fireworks and ceremony
as the group on the bridge notice the smell of death coming from the cloaked
group causing Lex to become sickened just as he approaches the first group of
cages. Here they see a tall humanoid with bat like wings (Therrod) negotiating
with another individuals, all the cages here are full save for Esterhat.
Following an insightful clue Lex eventually finds Esterhat.
 |
| Esterhat |
On the ground two comely women approach Jabari and Lete and are
invited to an ‘exciting time’, combat breaks out however and Jabari and Lete
are able to avoid the women and their hallow flirtations.
Our characters meet back up at the Roulette room to discuss options;
Lete lags behind in case anyone is following us. Lex support the existing plan
including distractions and air support if Lex’s antics are detects as well as a
summoned air elemental from Evagara should the need arise.
Les frees the fist Halfling, skips ‘Kinky Joe’, and moves to
Esterhat’s cage throws her come entertainers clothes before hastily moving on
to the fourth cage where ‘Kinky John’ sits enjoying himself too much. The Kinky
bros. were later discovered to be guards. The fifth cage is opened freeing a
worked over man as is the sixth cage containing a Halfling named Er'it who asks
for aid as his fingers are broken. Lex gives Esterhat a potion of invisibility
and mentions the name Metas in hushed tones and says room 213 Roulette Room. Lex
goes back for the Halfling and flys the little guy to Lete and Jabari on the
ground.
We pick up back next Thursday back in the Roulette Room.
No comments:
Post a Comment