House Millithor in the City of the Spider Queen

[Endur]

The Goblinoids are laughing at Django.

The betting staff announces that the odds on the drow vs. dwarf fight, if it happens, will be 3 to 1, with the drow favored. Several hobgoblins are already standing in line to bet on the drow.

The dwarves and the duergar are muttering amongst themselves in dwarven.

Django thinks for a moment and responds to Dariel's taunt. "I offered gems and gold when I tried to purchase Kassawar's freedom, and I was turned down. To wager against Kassawar's freedom, I offer my own freedom."


Lady Yyssiriryl responds to Matron Ki'Willis's question,
"Never underestimate the value of amusement. Or revenge.

"Kassawar was the chief negotiator for Blindenstone in Mantol Derith for over a century. We waged economic warfare on a daily basis. I take more pleasure from tormenting him than any other being I have ever tortured.

"As for why the dwarves want him, I can not imagine it has anything to do with value. I doubt that Kassawar knows anything worth the price they have offered. More likely it is that honor concept they are always prattling about. Blindenstone came to the aid of the Dwarves of Mithril Hall when we attacked Mithril Hall. Perhaps now Mithril Hall seeks to return the favor, to the last living son of Blindenstone. All the other residents of Blindenstone have been properly sacrificed to the Spider Queen."

 

[Thels]

"mmh..." Dariel looks around at the Matron Mother. Not sure if voice is able to carry over, he signs: Accept?

 

[Serpenteye]

Ah, so you want me to guarantee that I'll reimburse you for his, percieved, value if Dariel is defeated. I'm afraid I do not have the resources to be able to do that. I will offer to retake the gnome for you, if you have to release him. Giving him hope of freedom, a brief taste of liberty only to dash it all, that could be an interesting variation to his tortures. We are hard pressed for time, but for you I would do this favour.
Ki'Willis looks cooly down at the dwarves.
It will not come to that, off course. Dariel will humiliate that fool utterly. Prepared like he is, he cannot lose.

 

[Endur]

Lady Yyssiriryl agrees to Matron Ki'Willis's suggestion, and Matron Ki'Willis announces that the terms of the wager are accepted.

Django affirms the wager "My Mother's Sister's son will fight against the champion of the Drow for honor and the freedom of Kassawar Plickenstint!"

Several hobgoblins and Duergar have already made wagers. The odds are still at 3 to 1, in the drow's favor. More goblinoids and duergar are standing in line to make wagers.

The older shield dwarf stops restraining Tanis.

Tanis has a wild-eyed look in his face. He drops his dwarven waraxe and flees out of the arena. He quickly leaves the arena area (Quertus thinks that Tanis's one magic item is Boots of Striding and Springing).

There is much laughter from the goblinoids, from Laral's luxury box, and from the drow. Lots of grumbling among the duergar, particularly from the duergar who have already made wagers.

Django is standing on a bench desperately attempting to placate the duergar audience in dwarven (you are not sure quite what he is saying, but it is obvious he is attempting to explain or excuse). Some of the duergar are throwing vegetables at Django.

At the betting booth, the odds are now 10-1 in favor of the drow. There was some discussion about closing the betting, but since there are still Duergar willing to take the 10-1 odds, they are keeping the betting open. Hobgoblins who got the 3-1 odds are smiling, the hobgoblins who are getting the 10-1 odds are whining.

 

[Seonaid]

Narcelia, Eldest Daughter, Clr 11

Narcelia's fingers flash. Matron Mother, how much would you like me to bet? She smiles mildly at the dwarf's flight. She will (would have) step to the head of the line while it is still 3-1 odds, glaring at those now behind her, almost daring them to challenge a drow princess, and bet what the Matron asks of her.

 

[Pyrex]

Carcelon Millithor, Second Daughter, Clr 11

Django affirms the wager "My Mother's Sister's son will fight against the champion of the Drow for honor and the freedom of Kassawar Plickenstint!"
Tanis has a wild-eyed look in his face. He drops his dwarven waraxe and flees out of the arena.

(Quietly, to Quertus, but allowing the Matron to overhear)
"Quertus, keep a close eye on whomever shows up to accept Dariel's challenge,
I think the dwarves may be trying to pull one over on us.
If they're strongly enchanted or carring powerful equipment I want to know."

 

[Serpenteye]

Ki'Willis Millithor, Matron

Her fingers flash in reply to Narcelia,
At least 15000, daughter, or as much more as you wish


As soon as she has announced her acceptance of the wager she approaches the nearest bookkeeper to state her bet. (Is there an express-line for VIPs? )

30'000 gold pieces on Dariel Millithor.

 

[Xael]

If they're strongly enchanted or carring powerful equipment I want to know."

"Only the old Duergar is carrying magic items of better than trinket power at the moment. But I'll keep an eye on them."

 

[Pyrex]

"Only the old Duergar is carring magic items of better than trinket power at the moment. But I'll keep an eye on them."

(again, quietly to Quertus)
"It's not the ones standing around I'm suspicious of; it's the ringer they're about to bring in to replace Tanis..."

OOC: C'mon, I can't be the only one here who's seen Diggstown...

 

[Endur]

The Matron and Narcelia made their bets just before the odds changed from 3 to 1 to 10 to 1. They smiled as they congratulated themselves on their wisdom and foresight.

After the Matron retakes her seat in the luxury box, Krecil steps out of the shadows and bows low to Matron Ki'Willis. While bowing, out of sight of people outside the luxury box, he begins to rapidly sign to Matron Ki'Willis and the others in the box.

<drow sign language>
"One hundred Duergar approach. Several banners. Do we flee?"
</drow sign language>


Lady Yyssiriryl whispers in undercommon, "Horlbar Steelshadow, The Crown Prince of Gracklstugh." (no word for prince in drow sign language)

Tanis runs back into the arena hall, carrying two dwarven waraxes. One of the dwarven waraxes is wreathed in fire. The other drips a caustic green acid.

The tramp of many duergar can be heard behind him.

The whining hobgoblins (who paid the 10 to 1 odds) whine even more when the odds change back to 3 to 1 odds. The grumbling duergar stop throwing vegetables at Django and some more duergar line up to bet on the dwarf.