Dr. Si's Curse of the Crimson Throne - Beta Group

[Oni]

Lynn looked at the gambler, a bemused smile playing across her lips.

Well, I can see why he would be such a popular employer. The benefits must be good. Probably has a lot of connections.

My friend, Lina, she's the one who told me about this place. Lynn leaned in conspiratorially, Anyway, she told me she saw the Chelaxian Ambassador down here.

She leaned back and smiled, I suppose everyone needs their vices. You can probably buy some really good ones with enough money.

 

[Dr Simon]

"Aye, well, you've got a choice of three here. Four, if you count sleeping as a vice. Me, I'm not into the stuff they sell in the Dragon's Breath, and I can't afford what they offer in the House of Clouds, so here I am.

"I don't think I'd know the Chelaxian ambassador from a reefclaw, if he did come here. Hm. A man with his money could probably afford the likes of Madam Halvara herself. Of course, they say that she's old Spider King's lover, but whether that's true or not, I couldn't say."

 

[Dr Simon]

Bump for Oni

 

[Dr Simon]

OOC: Ambrus, Neurotic, if you're still with us, I'm going to NPC Lynn for a bit through this "Spider King" section, whilst recruiting some new players.

IC:

Lynn stands up and straightens her skirts.

"Keep the chips," she says to the gambling man, and walks over to Edmond and Dj'hân (hidden in Edmond's backpack). "I think we need to go straight to the top with this one," she says.

Shortly, the three of you are stood at the rear decks of the Eel's End. Two enforcers stand guard in front of the elaborate doors to the aftcastle, but Lynn manages to persuade them that your group (to the guards, that is Lynn and Edmond) are expected, and you are waved through.

Inside, the aftcastle has been turned into a throne room of sorts. The walls are thick with spider webs in which scuttle dozens of spiders, the largest the size of a fist. At the aft of the cabin, a wooden stage supports a large leather chair which continues the spidery theme, some real, some carved into the wood of the chair.

Also furnishing the room are two long tables with stools, a door showing stairs down belowdecks, and a large iron bird cage hanging from the ceiling. A tiny, tired-looking purple pseudodragon is curled up in the cage. Six men of dubious-looking character are sat at the tables, eating a sumptuous meal. Lounging on the spider throne is a lean, tall man with very short blond hair and a handsome but cruel face. His black leather armour is accented with chains in the style of a web, anda metal spider baldric slung across his chest. Some of the spiders crawl across him and he doesn't seem to notice.

"You are welcome, Lord and Lady," says the Spider King warmly. "You must excuse me, I'm currently in the middle of conducting interviews for new enforcers," he gestures to the men eating at the tables with one black-gloved hand. You notice blades set across the knuckles of the glove. The applicants stop eating and turn to watch the Spider King in action, expectantly.

Lynn steps forwards and gives a slight bow.

"Master Barvasi, we have come seeking the benefit of your great knowledge," she says. "We were wondering if you had any acquaintance with the Chelaxian Ambassador, and if so, if there was any, ah, documentary evidence that you would be willing to trade?" She jingles the purse of bribe money given to you by Cressida Kroft.

The Spider King glances at the purse and smiles (a surprisingly warm smile).

"Perhaps," he says. "I'm wondering what offer you would have to make for such information?"

[SBLOCK=OOC]
You have 1000 gp to bribe Devargo with. I'll leave it up to you if you want to use it, and if so, how much. Lynn can conduct the negotiations (although the others can use Diplomacy to Aid Another if you wish), but the decision ought to be a player one, I think.
[/sblock]

[SBLOCK=Dj'hân]
Peeking through a gap in Edmond's rucksack, Dj'hân sees the pseudodragon shift in its cage and look attentively at the newcomers. He hears a voice in his head as it glances in his direction: "Help me, brother!"
[/sblock]

 

[Neurotic]

OOC: haha, if you let it drop Edmond would go and confront big man too. It is his style, but would be little less circumspect "We need to talk." line.

Edmond as is his custom, scans the room for threats, but stays behind Lynn respectful two steps, still playing bodyguard role and trusting little fey with his back.

He leans on his weapon holding both hands on it.

OOC: player decision: I think we should offer one service instead of gold...more because he probably won't be moved by mere 1000 since it's his reputation on the line. This way we a) get a favor from semi-legal high-up and b) keep the money.

 

[Ambrus]

[sblock=Dr Simon]Although certainly curious about the goings on, the colorful characters and the room's odd arachnid motif, Dj'hân finds his attention being inexorably drawn to the poor caged dragon. Perhaps it's the urchin's wide starring eyes that unintentionally reveals his presence in the holy warrior's backpack. The tiny guttersnipe recoils into the backpack's dark interior when the reptile's foreign thoughts cross his mind. A few tense moments pass before his curiosity gets the better of Dj'hân. Peering intently out from beneath the flap of Edmond's backpack, the tiny halfling attempts the bizarre mental exercise of trying to think loud enough for the dragon to hear him. I'm not your brother, but I'd like to help you. What can I do?[/sblock]
OOC: This guy seems like a low-life and not the kind of guy whose service Dj'hân would care to enter if he can avoid it. Why not offer him some of the cash? It's not ours after all. I don't think a thousand gold is anything to sneeze at; it's an average working man's salary for more than 27 years. Just start small and work your way up until he bites.

 

[Dr Simon]

"I think I might have something here," says Lynn, with a glance at Edmond. She begins to count gold coins out from her purse.

"I'm not sure yet," says Devargo. "Keep going."

Eventually, Lynn has emptied the whole 1000 gp, and the King of Spiders laughs.

"Well, it's a good price, and I *may* remember something of use to you now," he says. "But to seal the deal, I think I know how you can amuse me." He leans forwards on his throne, with a leer on his face. Lynn takes a step backwards and the men at the dining tables laugh.

"Not that, girl," says Devargo, turning his leer into a wide grin. "Round here we like to play a little game called Knivesies. Your guard with the polearm there, he'd be ideal for a little match. And we can make it an entrance exam for my organisation for one of these lucky gentlemen." He gestures to the dining men, who suddenly fall silent. "Yes... you," he points to one of them, "against you." He points to Edmond. "And I'll give you what you're asking for."

He sits back in his throne whilst the other men begin re-arranging the furniture. They clear one of the long tables and move it forwards, sticking a dagger into the middle of it. One of the men approaches with a leather cord, another with two belt purses.

"The rules are simple," says Devargo. "The two of you are tied together by the right hand. You stand on the table. We put coins on the table. You try to grab as many as you can into your pouch. Your opponent tries to knock you off the table, or put you down with the knife. You do the same to him. If you die, you lose. If you are knocked unconscious, you lose. If you fall off the table, you lose. If you both manage to last until all coins are gone, winner is the one with the most coins. Game, gentlemen?"

[SBLOCK=Dj'hân]
"Free me," replies the tiny dragon mentally. "Devargo has the key."
[/sblock]

 

[Neurotic]

Edmond looks at the man impassively and gives his polearm to Lynn. He carefuly lowers the backpack taking care to turn it so that Dj'ahn cannot be readily seen, but still let him peek out if he wants.

"Any other limitations?"

Edmond climbs on the table and offers his arm.

OOC: is there a way to hide casting? I'm just curious, probably not spells, but ghost sound as spell-like ability could work

OOC2: tactics:
re-roll any init under 10 with harrow point.
I'll pick one later once you describe the guy:
- chill touch with improved trip;
- touch of fatigue with improved trip
- color spray (best because of WILL save)

- combat casting + full combat expertize should negate any advantage poor guy might have especialy if Edmond gets initiative

 

[Ambrus]

Dj'hân keeps a nervous eye on his porter and friend as he climbs up onto the table fearlessly. He had trouble understanding the purpose of the battle and even in recalling what the three of them are doing in Eel's End. His attention split, the concealed guttersnipe looks between the holy warrior, his opponent, the beautiful half-elven woman, the enthroned scoundrel and the caged dragon.[sblock=Dr Simon]Dj'hân thinks to himself: How can I get the key and use it without getting caught myself? I'm no pickpocket – I'm... I'm too small ta reach a grownup's purse. Aint there some other way to open the cage?[/sblock]

 

[Dr Simon]

Edmond and one of the hopefuls step up onto the table. The man is cast from the typical mold of the types found around Eel's End - perhaps not a highly trained combatant, but numerous scars and a broken nose attest to a life of street fighting. He gives Edmond a gap-toothed smile as their right hands are lashed together by another of Dervargo's "interviewees".

"Ready ta lose, lad?" he asks.

Lynn looks on with a neutral expression on her face. Edmond and Dj'hân have known her long enough to know that these actually means she is highly disapproving of events.

[SBLOCK=Dj'hân]
No obvous solution presents itself to Dj'hân, but the tiny dragon seems to pick up on his thoughts.

Could you break the cage? Or maybe Devargo will sell me?

The cage is un-noticed in the excitement over the game of Knivesies, although any attempt to tamper might not go completely overlooked - the cabin is quite crowded.
[/SBLOCK]

[SBLOCK=OOC]
Initiatives:

Edmond 21
Opponent 16

No need for a re-roll, so you can save your Harrow Point for later.
[/SBLOCK]