[IC] Act 3, Scene 1a : The game is afoot! [Creation is your oyster]

[Haku1]

Everyone Else ( you know who you are if you're not the listed trio ( Danakir / Mei / Telega) ^_- )


As the capital of the Varang city states, Yane is an amazingly beautiful city. Colorful unlike much of Creation, the riot of colorful outfits giving an impression of individuality. If one didn't know of the strict caste system used by the Varangians that they adhered to harshly. Thankfully, that was just for the citizens and not for visitors.


Yane does show its status as a capital city in its architectural design. Its sleek towers that reach to the heavens a nod from the First Age, and it's quite clear that the design was in deliberate homage to that which came before. With the city built along strict geomantic and astrological principals, if one had the eyes to see it.


Still, despite the noise and such of the city, it's clear that the storm of less than a month had flooded the city and the damage done by it was still being repaired.

 

[Luck1]

Dujn lets out a heavy sigh of relief. "She's gone. So, men, how about we see what this city has to offer during this brief respite?"


Reaching into his kimono Dujn retrieves a chevron shaped piece of blue jade, about a hands length wide. Flicking it open, similar to a fan, it unfurls into a much larger chevron. Releasing it from his grasp, the wind kicks up, as Dujn has obviously just expended some essence, and the object hums softly and hovers several inches above the surface of the dock. Stepping onto the craft, Dujn is rapidly lifted several feet above the other's heads, then making several quick circles around them before finally come to a rest before them once again.


"Shall we?" :wink:

 

[Onupabadr]

To his valet"Take everyone but one of the laborers, and gather all the supplies you think the nine of us will need, try to get all the local supplies Yovan will need to do his magic. Oh and as much barterables as you can if there is anything left over. We will link up at the Immaculate temple an hour after sunset"


"Dujn, quite the show off. Where to? Preferably someplace seedy with cheap wine and women and gambling"

 

[Haku1]

The valet merely nods in response at his master before wandering off with the laborers, not bothering to ask his employer if they expected to still be in Yane at the time they were suppose to meet up. Still, it wasn't as if Emerk would leave without him, given that he was the one who did all the accounting as well as handled the money.


***


OOC - edited in an image in frist post

 

[Onupabadr]

"such a worrier", Emerk says to noone in particular.


As the realization of the urgency that Coriander and the time frame that he gave to his valet, Emerk’s eyes widen and a posture of defeat then urgency of his own wash over his body. â€Wait up!†Emerk yells as he sprints to catch up with his servants. The labor trying to keep up.


--------


OOC: Oh how I hate foreshadowing.

 

[Luck1]

"Ha! Yeah, lets hurry and get business taken care of so we have some free time." Zipping ahead to catch up, Dujn too heads off with the servants to acquire supplies.

 

[Haku1]

"Sir?" A quirked eye was directed at Emerk from the valet as his employer ran to him.

 

[Onupabadr]

â€Were going to stay nearby in case any problems arise, that I may need to take care of.†which isn’t technically a lie, at least not in Emerk’s mind. He is just not saying the problem he is weary of coming up.


†Dujn, you any good at cards?â€


As they enter the market area Emerk looking for seedy bars for Dujn and himself to enjoy.


-------


Tepet Emerk rolled the following in his 7 dice:


6, 5, 2, 7, 7, 7, 6


Using 7 as the target number, the roll resulted in 3 successes


http://feacia.com/diceRoller/index.php

 

[Luck1]

"No, I'm not good at cards. And no, I'm wont be playing with you. Risking a brawl, drinking myself into a stupor, and/or losing my money are not my idea of a good time. I was hoping to visit the business district to see a wider cross-section of the city." Flying over everyone's head, Dujn speaks downward to Emerk, "You know, you can be just as big a handful as her, just in a different way."

 

[Haku1]

Onupabadr / Emerk


The finely honed senses of Emerk soon led the dragonblooded to a discrete bar, one hidden in the shadows of an alley. The only sign that it was what it was happened to be a small sign over the door, as well as the faint sound of merriment, of people getting drunk and cheering on dancers to music. Or cheering on something to any rate.


***


Luck / Dujn


To the eyes of Dujn, it's clear that the city is orderly. That it thrived on order and hierarchy in a manner that the Immaculate Order spoke of. Only it was an order and hierarchy that was not based upon that which was laid down by the Immaculate Dragons.


Still, it meant that he just needed time and patience to work out what was what, and he would be able to do the business that he desired. In the event that Coriander failed to secure transportation.

 

[Onupabadr]

“Raze, If you need me or go off somewhere else I’ll be over here, do send for me,†tilting his head towards the bar towards. “Dujn you coming?†Emerk without missing a step changes his path.

 

[Haku1]

Onupabadr / Emerk (and any others who followed him)


Entering the bar, and it was a bar that Emerk was quite accustomed to in the threshold, revealed the familiar scent of tobacco and assorted intoxicants. The smoke was accompanied by lively music that was raucous, lively and held a beat that was easily danced to, as well as the sounds of cheering.


The sign on the wall just inside the bar, that could be seen once one entered, declared that the den of iniquity was known as the "Golden Bitch's Den" in presumably flame tongue as well as river speak and High Realm and a few other languages unknown to Emerk.


The dim interior was lit by a multitude of oil lamps as well as a central glass pillar that glowed with sunlight reflected in by a cunning array of mirrors from the outside.


The music was definitely lively and easy to dance, as the various young ladies of nubile ages danced here and there on tables demonstrated, their artfully skimpy outfits giving a hint that additional and more discrete services likely could be paid for.


Not that there weren't rather buxom bar wenches dressed in flattering white outfits with yellow highlights, wandering around, delivering drinks and food, collecting payments and the occasional pinch and pat on their bottoms. There were a number of them, but they were less in number than the dancers.


The clientele of the 'Golden Bitch' were a mixed lot, clearly lower class, but there were a few well dressed foreigners or perhaps well off travelers slumming, were for the most part enjoying themselves with drink, food, the music, dancers as well as games of chance.


***


OOC - if you wish, you could make a (int+lore) roll or just ask around when you're ordering stuff or playing games of chance if you're curious about the name of the place.


For those curious the languages on the sign are Flame tongue, Sea tongue, High and Low Realm, and River speak.

 

[Luck1]

"Sometimes the path of least resistance leads to places we'd rather not go. Nonetheless, it's the course I have chosen." Pulling his windblade out from under himself, he falls, but lands on his feet, gracefully, as expected of one chosen of air. Compressing it into its smaller form, Dujn puts it away, back in his kimono.


Walking through the entrance behind Emerk, Dujn already looks ready to leave.

 

[Onupabadr]

"As loud as you are one would have thought you to be at home here,"with a glance at Dujn.


Emerk glances about the crowds playing games of change looking for those playing cards. Emerk glances face to face reading the tells looking for those that might be the easiest to read or cheat. His eyes settle one table full of wealthier clientele, passing it for a table of more rowdy folks that seemed to be setting themselves up to take a foreigner's money for themselves and him as a sap.


"Good Gentlemen, or well not so gentlemanly care for some sport of cards?" with all the arrogance of a man about to win a fortune from a bunch of locals.


---------


to find the right table to play cards


Perception 3 Larceny 4 Stunt 1


Tepet Emerk rolled the following in his 8 dice:


1, 7, 1, 8, 2, 2, 7, 5


Using 7 as the target number, the roll resulted in 3 successes.


http://feacia.com/diceRoller/index.php

 

[Haku1]

Finding a table to gamble at wasn't difficult.


Finding a table where one could attempt to fleece the locals. Also not too hard.


But finding a table where one could win, and win big despite not having any allies... that too some work and a very keen eye as well as trusting in one's instincts.


Still, it wasn't impossible as Emerk found himself seated before an array of individuals that were 'faceless' and yet 'familiar' to the dragonblooded. Gamblers across creation tend to bear a certain look, and the look on these men and 'young' lady (not too young to be barred from the bar, but still quite nubile) indicated that they intended to scalp Emerk for all that he was worth.


Surrounded by intoxicating smoke, raucous music that women in skimpy dresses danced to, Emerk was clearly in his element as one of the waitress came up to him to see if there was anything he wanted.

 

[Luck1]

"I know I have the capacity to be hot-headed. But, it's not something I cultivate, or am even comfortable with, anymore. And, I'm afraid I usually find alcohol disorienting, rather than enjoyable. So, pubs are low on my list of frequented establishments."


Taking a spot, standing, at the far end of the bar, Dujn leaves Emerk to his own devices at the gaming tables.


Trying out his newly acquired flame-tongue, "Tea, please. And a bowl of olives...extra toothpicks." is the order Dujn makes to the barkeep.


***


Per+Awareness just to try and take in his surroundings.


Dujn rolled the following in his 5 dice:


5, 4, 1, 9, 7


Using 7 as the target number, the roll resulted in 2 successes.

 

[Haku1]

"Very good, sir," The rather slight bartender nodded at Dujn, handing him a bowl with the fresh olives drizzled with some olive oil arranged artfully within it with the toothpicks to the side, before handling other orders while the tea was being prepared. After all, good tea took some time. That and he likely didn't have tea prepared, as the clientele of the Golden Bitch didn't seem the sort to ask for tea.


The bar seemed to be a den of iniquity, and likely fit some sort of stereotype of how the Varangians saw foreigners. As everyone outside of the bartender and the occasional customer (with an identical black tattoo) were foreigners, or gave the appearance of that.


***


OOC -


Luck, I would like an Intelligence + Lore or Bureaucracy roll with All Seeing Eye backing in successes. Stunts would get you more love.

 

[Luck1]

A very slight grin crosses Dujn's lips as he says in a whisper to himself, "Cute." Seeing such familiarity in a simple bowl of olives actually lifted his spirits for the first time since Emerk insisted on coming to this bar.


"Every cloud has a silver lining, they say." Stabbing olives with toothpicks and consuming them one by one, Dujn enjoys the earthy flavors this region has to offer. After each olive, the used toothpick is placed onto the bar top, and a fresh pick used for the next. After a good portion of the bowl has been emptied, certain individuals might be able to make out the used toothpicks depicting a single word: Reporting.


***


Intelligence + Bureaucracy = 2 success + ASE backing of 2


Using Cipher Missive to encode the acknowledgment: 4 successes

 

[Onupabadr]

â€I’ll take a pint of your heavy ale and a few shotsâ€Emerk says to the Waitress.


â€What’s the name of the game?†setting out a small amount of money about half of what he has on him. Glancing a solid look at each person’s face, as though to see if he could glean any reads off from the start. Making solid but nervous bets at the start of the game, loosing slightly more than he won.


Emerk drank most of the ale to quench his thirst and took all the shots with the ale to chase and spill, only spitting the shots back into the ale. Ordering another ale


Looking sad at his dwindled pile of money Emerk takes out the last of his money with a sigh, and mumbling something to himself. With slurred movements.


-----------------------------------


How much does my hearthstone help here?


3 Perception + 4 Larceny + 1 stunt to read the other players


Tepet Emerk rolled the following in his 8 dice:


6, 8, 2, 10, 6, 5, 8, 5


Using 7 as the target number, the roll resulted in 4 successes.


http://feacia.com/diceRoller/index.php

 

[Haku1]

Dujn


"Hmmm, you look like you could do with a pick-me-upper," The bartender nodded at Dujn, before waving one of the waitresses over. "Perhaps, the company of Bunny here will help with that. We have private backrooms, very nice ones. Bunny will take good care of you in one of them, yes?"


The manner that he spoke indicated that it might be a solicitation of 'extra' services that was to be provided. And given the attractiveness of the red head, it wasn't impossible that he meant just that. If one didn't read between the lines or knew of the message passed between the bartender and Dujn.

 

[Haku1]

Emerk


It's... quite clear to Emerk that the gamblers were setting him up for the 'kill' as it were, as they cheated... and they were cheating quite well, but then it was a subtle technique that they were using that required that the mark be outnumbered.


Still, there were in theory ways to reverse his fortunes...


***


OOC - I'll be needing a Dexterity + Larceny (cheating, you cheater specialties apply) at difficulty 4

 

[Onupabadr]

From the subtle shifts in posture and the tells that the others are giving each other, Emerk realizes this is the moment to make his move, win or lose it will happen here. Emerk looks at the cards with a glint of fear, faked of course, the excitement of the game was more important than the win. But still it was go time. Waving hand violently “ A round of drinks for this table.†at the same time a flick of the wrist a few cards saved and perfect “cut†the cards go back out. The drinks arrive just before the the cards are revealed.


---------


Tepet Emerk rolled the following in his 12 dice:


Dex 5 Larceny 4+1speciality+ 2 stunt dice +1 willpower


4, 2, 10, 5, 5, 4, 4, 3, 3, 6, 10, 6


Using 7 as the target number, the roll resulted in 4 successes.+ 1 willpower for 5 success

 

[Luck1]

Hmmm, it looks like Emerk's losing. Well, no reason for the both of us to have a bad day then.


"Sure. All the women I've been meeting lately have been some real cold fish, and all the men are idiots. So, some professional attention might do me some good."


Allowing himself to be led into the backroom by the beautiful woman, Dujn knew he was drawing jealous looks from some of the patrons. Pride wasn't a feeling had experienced in a while, and it made him uneasy.

 

[Haku1]

Emerk


It's clear to the water aspect that this was the denuement of what had been happening at the table. Specially given that it was "all for the pot" as the last of Emerk's money went into the pot along with a fair portion of what the others at the table had.


If his skills were any less... well, he would be quite penniless until he could get access to his stipend.


Despite what was set against him, the water aspect's skills were good enough that he was able to set up the cards in his hand... to become the one hand that absolutely couldn't lose. Not with was being shown by the other players.


Their hands consisted of "four of a kind (of fours)", a "straight flush of clubs (ace to five)", and a "flush of diamonds (a girl's best friend in her hands)"...


All impressive in their own right until they met a royal flush, such as what was in Emerk's hand as he revealed it.


***


OOC - by the way... I'm going to need manipulation/dexterity + stealth/larceny on your side to hide your cheating. You do get a +2 die from your previous post unless you wow me and go for broke with a 3 die stunt.


Ze Gamblers trying to spot the cheating!


4d10.hits(7)=3


6d10.hits(7)=3


5d10.hits(7)=2

 

[Haku1]

Dujn


The wolf-whistles as the waitress led Dujn to one of the backrooms died off as the waitress closed the door to the small room behind them.


Given the furnishings, it's clear that the bar also doubled as a quite an establishment of ill-repute. And one that it deserved. Especially given the way the waitress was stripping off her clothes.


Which didn't match the cool and calm look on her face, nor what she was saying. "Bunny" was definitely an All-seeing-Eye field operative, who might or might not be a dragonblooded (of non-existent breeding).


Her words were slightly muffled as she twisted and turned about. "Despite your presence being coincidence, at least one hopes it's coincidence. It's good to see someone from the isle who isn't compromised by the satrap or those she consorts with."


"I do hope you don't mind me talking business while giving appearance to what those outside believe we're doing," the red head looked over Dujn once more. "Or do you wish to discuss business after... pleasure?"


***


OOC


Up to you what happens... briefing or... be all james bond about it.