I'd be glad to, Amrik, says Yeshil in what is probably an overly casual tone to take with more mature company, but she isn't seeing it that way. Trying extra hard not to spill her drink, Yeshil happily seats herself with the group, delighted that she has so expertly and naturally assimilated into this exclusive and sophisticated tete-a-tete (or is it now tete-a-tete-a-tete?). So, what are we talking about?
-------------------
(Not sure how much conversation ensues before Ty's arrival, but after the half-elf interrupts...)
Yeshil looks up, perhaps a little annoyed at the invasion, but eager to uphold her privileged position in this new group, and says (with a slight slur in her voice): Oh hello dear. Thissis Amrik, and thissis... um, my sincerest 'pologies... what are your names?
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Jirel settled silent and statuesque as she usually does, keeping an eye on many things. Observing. Listening. Noting. Tylaerys revealed information for some in return. Laraelra knew a lot indeed. Of course Laraelra could just be a knowledgeable and smart woman. However the giantess was plenty comfortable with erring on the side of caution, considering whether Laraelra could be one of them. And she had no issue eying the woman up and down as she speaks with Tylaerys to assess this.
At some point Finn would return and Tylaerys would take her leave. She gathered that Tylaerys was probably going to take her turn checking on the Little One, and trusting that those two wouldn't get into too much trouble they couldn't get out of, Jirel remained. The giantess leans back a bit casually and gestures over her shoulder. "What was yer hostess concerned 'bout?" She asks.
At the table, the nobleman continues to try and get the commoner sitting beside him to drink more and loosen up, while Volowatches the performing bard with a critical eye. For his part, the performer begins to play his lute. It begins as a slow, smokey melody but soon picks up the pace, the strums and twangs speaking to the crowd with a steady rhythm. There is no denying the bard is skilled, though he leers at the crowd with a self-assuredness that renders his face eminently punch able.
Laraelra waves a hand at Jirel'squestion. "Don't worry. Captain Thundreth is likely just needlessly concerned about our friend Volo. He has a troublesome habit of bringing intrigue and leaving unpaid bar tabs, both of which are things the good Captain no doubt wishes to avoid." She looks over at Volowith a flat expression that could be serious, and says "But there is nothing to fear. Volo has promised to be on his best behavior tonight. Isn't that right?"
The authorglances over at her and flashes a smile and a 'thumbs up,' before returning his attentions to the performance.
At the aft lounge, as Yeshiltakes a seat, Amrik continues to watch her with an amused smirk, the glint in his eyes showing he finds her antics entertaining, if not mildly inconvenient. When she slurs out her thanks and question, he opens his mouth to respond but pauses when the Tylaerys joins them. He shifts slightly in his chair, his eyes narrowing just a fraction as he scrutinizes the newcomer, though he keeps his smile firmly in place.
"Ah, more guests. How fortunate we are to be so... popular tonight." He waves a hand languidly toward the chairs. "I am Amrik Vanthampur, always happy to meet new faces."
The elven couple shifts uncomfortably, clearly ready to leave. The woman glances nervously between Amrik and the two newcomers, then whispers urgently to her partner, "We really need to go." The man nods, giving Amrik a tight, polite smile. "I think... we should conclude our business another time," he says, the discomfort in his voice palpable. He looks at Yeshil and Tylaerys, then back at Amrik. "Thank you for your time, sir, but weâll reconsider and come back when... things are quieter."
Amrikâs smile tightens but he keeps his tone courteous. "Very well. Iâm always available should you need my assistance. Just remember, time is of the essence." He gives a small bow of his head, dismissing them. The spined devil, sensing the tension, lets out a low hissing noise. It gives Tylaerys a beady-eyed look, then turns to Amrik, raising one claw as if seeking permission to act. Amrik gives the creature a subtle shake of his head, and the spined devil lowers its claw, its wings twitching in annoyance. It once again turns on Amrik's shoulder like a monstrous parrot and returns to watching the stairs.
Amrik turns his attention back to Yeshil. "Well, my dear Yeshil, it seems your arrival has scattered my previous guests. No harm, there. Perhaps you and your friend here would like to take their seats and continue our... discussion? What brings you to the Low Lantern tonight? Is it someone's birthday?"
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PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Yeshil is a bit crestfallen that half of her new coterie has left, and without giving their names; she self-consciously brushes her hair with her hand and smooths her clothes, somehow managing to not spill her drink in the process. Unintentionally ignoring Amrik's questions, she instead inquires with a mild slur: What bus'ness were you d'scussing?
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"Ah, my dear Yeshil," he begins, choosing his words with care, "the business we were discussing is of a rather mundane nature, I assure you. Nothing that would be of interest to someone simply here to enjoy a night out with friends. Besides, I could hardly betray my departed friends' confidence by airing their deepest secrets behind their backs, could I?"
He pauses.
"You see, I am part of a family that deals in... financing, among other things. Investments, loans, matters of trade. Some might call us a banking family, and they wouldn't be wrong. We assist those in need of a bit of coin to realize their dreamsâat a reasonable rate of return, of course."
His gaze lingers on her, turns to Tylaerys... then back to Yeshil. "But that kind of discussion, well... it's quite tedious, and far too serious for a young lady on her first night in a place like this, don't you think?" He offers a disarming smile.
Amrik leans back in his chair, brushing the spined devil off of his shoulders. It perches indignantly on the back of his chair. "Now, why not tell me about yourself instead? You must have a story or two worth sharing." He leans forward slightly, his eyes twinkling.
Back at the main table, Isaac tires of trying to coax his man-servant out of his shell and turns his eyes to Finn and Volo. "What say we put some of those chips to good use and have a spot of fun at the gaming tables upstairs? We can leave these cloak-and-dagger types to their games of shadows, eh?"
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PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Deals. Dreams. Devils. A young couple... Yeshil's sharp subconscious works in the background like the lute of the leering bard, and the jarring cadence of conclusion finally coalesces and penetrates through the alcohol-induced fog like a slap in the face. Almost instantly she sobers with realisation, and the flush drains from her face.
Th-they want a child, don't they... And they were bargaining for it.
Yeshil stands abruptly, glaring at Amrik. Normally she wouldn't care about such things - what someone is willing to give for something else is their concern. But this matter hits far too close to home to leave unspoken.
You promise dreams, but you deliver only nightmares.
And without another glance at either the banker, his pet, or her own companion, the green-skinned girl turns to chase after the young couple. Perhaps it's not too late to warn them...
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Finn, slightly annoyed at having lost sight of Yeshil - even if Tylaeris did go to find her, and more than a bit put off still from the "threat" from the local thieve's guild, is about to try to progress things along by blurting out something loud and obvious... But then someone mentions chips and gaming... Finn's face goes from glum to glowing and a glint appears in his eyes. "I'm in!" he assures.
"Well, unfortunately we seem to have more important matters to attend to but we wish you good luck with your business." The young blonde half-elf says with a calm confident smile and a strong undercurrent of sarcasm, swiftly but gracefully turning to catch up with the green-skinned girl, hoping to keep her out of more trouble.
Jirel considers how sincere Laraelra was about the captain being 'needlessly worried about Volo'. To play it off, the giantess glances over to Finn then back to Laraela and grunts. "Aye, I could understand that." She nods, drumming her fingers on the back of her seat. "So what have you been focusing on lately, Laraelra?" She remembers the woman said the cult wasn't what she's been focused on, and alluded to there being other threats.
Amrik is momentarily stunned. For a split second, he looks at Yeshil, clearly taken aback by her sudden outburst. But as Yeshilturns to storm off, Amrik regains his composure with remarkable speed. He lets out a soft, incredulous chuckle, leaning back in his chair with an exaggerated sigh of amusement. "Well, that was... unexpected," he says, more to himself than anyone else. His spined devil tilts its head, looking at him for guidance, but Amrik once again waves the creature off with a dismissive flick of his fingers.
He watches Yeshil's retreating form, but the smile never fully leaves his face. With a casual wave of his hand, Amrik signals to one of the nearby staff to refill his glass, settling back down into his seat. "Ah, well... one deal lost, another found," he mutters to himself.
As Tylaerysleaves, he offers her another sly smile. "You have your hands full with that little hexchilde. Do take care of her."
The elven couple is already on the top deck, moving hastily off the ship/bar when Yeshil catches up to them, Tylaerysnot far behind.
Middle deck/Gambling lounge:
Finn, Isaac, and Voloarrive at the gaming tables. The unmistakable odor of pipe smoke and vomit hang in the air as the dim lantern light casts long shadows over the patrons hunched over various gambling tables. Laughter, groans, and the clatter of dice fill the air as people test their luck against one another, coins exchanging hands with every roll, shuffle, and deal.
1. Five-Card Poker Table
The five-card poker table is one of the busiest, a small crowd gathered around to watch the tense exchanges. The playersâmostly sailors, merchants, and a couple of shady charactersâstudy each other with narrowed eyes, trying to read bluffs or assess the strength of their hands. Silver and gold coins sit in the center of the table, the pot growing with each bet. Some faces at the table look panicked, having put too much on the line, while other eyes glint with unchecked greed.
Game Description: Each player is dealt five cards, and the goal is to make the best five-card hand using traditional poker rankings (pair, three-of-a-kind, straight, flush, etc.). Thereâs a round of betting after the cards are dealt, followed by the option to trade up to three cards for new ones, and then a final round of betting before the showdown.
2. Liar's Dice Table
At another table, the rapid clacking of dice cups can be heard. Liar's Dice is in full swing, with players trying to outwit one another. Itâs a game of deception, where guessing and bluffing are as important as the dice themselves. The stakes here arenât as high in coin, but pride and egos are clearly on the line.
Game Description: Each player rolls five dice under a cup, keeping their results secret. Then, the players take turns making claims about how many of a certain die face they believe are present in all players' dice combined (e.g., "I think there are five threes"). The next player can either raise the bid or call the previous player's bluff. If the bluff is called, all cups are revealed. If the bidder was wrong, they lose a die; if they were right, the caller loses a die. The last player with dice wins.
3. Craps-Style Dice Game
The third table is surrounded by players rolling dice and shouting excitedly. This game resembles craps, but with some local twists and slang unique to Baldurâs Gate. The table is littered with small piles of coins, the stakes ranging from a few copper to hefty gold bets. The croupier watches with a practiced eye, calling out the results with enthusiasm.
Game Description: Players place bets on the outcome of two six-sided dice. The first roll is called the "come-out roll." If the player rolls a 7 or 11, they win. If they roll a 2, 3, or 12, they lose. Any other result becomes the "point," and the player must roll that number again before rolling a 7 to win. If they roll a 7 first, they lose.
4. Card Shark (A Bluffing Game)
In the corner, a quieter but equally intense game is underway, known as Card Shark. The players glance around at one another, eyes darting between the cards on the table and their opponentsâ faces. Thereâs little talk, just a steady stream of coin being pushed into the middle as bets escalate.
Game Description: Each player is dealt two cards face down, with a third card dealt face up in the middle that all players share. The goal is to bluff your opponents into folding by claiming your hand is the best. Players can fold, match the current bet, or raise. Once all bets are in, the middle card is flipped face down again, and players must decide whether to reveal their two cards or maintain their bluff. The highest two-card hand, when combined with the middle card, wins. But if no one calls the final bet, the last bluffer standing takes the pot.
Isaac Best grabs a handful of the clay tokens and elbows his way into a spot beside the craps table, while Volotakes a spectator's position beside the poker table, watching others do the gambling, for now.
Back at the table:
Jirel, Laraelra and Isaac's horse-groomer have been left alone. The young man now seems even more uncomfortable, sitting alone with these two intimidating women.
Jireldoesn't get the impression that Laraelra was 100% truthful about the captain's concerns, but she does get the sense that Laraelra herself is completely at ease and is not worried about any danger tonight.
When Jirel asks a pressing question about what really does concern her, she sighs.
"Ah, the Realms... there are always threats, of course," she begins with a soft smile. "Waterdeep is no stranger to intrigue. Politics, ambition, and the delicate balance of power between factionsâthat's the daily life of the city. And yes, there are always... whispers. Whispers of alliances formed in the shadows, old rivalries rekindled, new dangers rising."
Her voice takes on a slightly wry tone, her hands making a vague gesture, as if to brush away the constant swirl of political maneuvering in Waterdeep. "But none of that is unusual, I assure you. Itâs the cost of living in a place so large and so powerful. And the Blackstaff... well, letâs just say the office has eyes in many corners. We remain... vigilant. Its just our nature."
Then, her expression grows a bit more serious as she adds, "What does concern me more, though, are the activities of the Red Wizards of Thay. We've heard rumors, disturbing ones, of their movements beyond their borders. They seem to be reaching their hands into places they donât belong, stirring up things best left undisturbed. Itâs... troubling, yes, but not unprecedented. They've done this before. Some of their machinations have been seen publicly, while others have been dealt with more quietly. What remains to be seen is whether this is a prelude to something larger, or just a bit of spycraft and diversion to keep the Sword Coast off balance."
She pauses, as if to gauge the weight of her words before continuing. "But rest assured, the Realms have faced worse, and we endure. We always do." With that, she smiles once more, reassuringly.
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PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Finn's eyes practically light up when he sees the poker table. In truth they just subtly, unconsciously, change to a brighter shade of green. Seeing Isaac grab a handful of clay tokens Finn does the same, but quickly decides to press his luck early and often and changes his grab to take twice as many tokens as he had originally intended. He flashes a smile, gives a bit of an 'Aw Shucks' shrug and then heads to the table.
Finn eyes up the table taking in everything from whether there is an empty seat or if he'll have to wait to where he exchanges the clay tokens for actual coin which seems to be what is in play on the table. Most importantly, he begins assessing the players and their game - studying them for habits and strength of play, evaluating who the real players are and who the donators are, who is playing tight and solid and who is splashing around and playing anything and everything. Then there is the non-poker details such as who is drinking their fill and who is sipping, and comparing that detail to how they are acting - When the lucky drunk is raking in pot after pot but never needing to order a new drink that there is a whole lot of information... And of course he tries to pick out who the suckers at the table are. If you can't tell who the sucker at the table is it's because it's you. Finn is seldom the sucker at any poker table but only a sucker is blind to the possibility.
When he's converted clay chips to coin for the table, and once a seat is available, Finn sits down to play.
Yeshil runs up to the couple and practically shoves the woman in the back as she begins yelling at them both. Her voice gradually rises in pitch and the words blurt out faster and faster, punctuated with gasps for breath as she becomes more agitated:
What's the matter with you? Are you crazy? You'll get what you ask for, sure, but it won't be quite what you wanted, and then you'll realise you can't pay the price, and it will ruin you, and you'll wish you'd never done it, and then you'll resent your... the thing that you wished for, and spend the rest of your life making them miserable, and hating yourself for hating them, and...
At this, Yeshil finally reaches a point where she can't speak for sobbing. With tears streaming down her cheeks and snot bubbling from her nostrils, she shouts the final words:
YOU'RE JUST SELFISH!!
The green-skinned girl then turns away from the couple and retreats to the end of the deck where she curls up against the gunwales in a blubbering snotty ball.
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
The elvish couple, too upset already and too confused by this unexpected onslaught of emotion from Yeshil, just pull up their hoods and flee from the Low Lantern, running down the gangplank, the woman in tears as they disappear into the Baldur's Gate night.
The top deck is populated by a few couples enjoying the night air, and a few down-on-their-luck gamblers contemplating how to recoup their losses. After a moment where all eyes are on the sobbing Yeshil, the other patrons retreat back to their own concerns.
Finn:
Please make the following rolls...
Perception check
Deception check
5 separate d100 rolls
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PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Finn, after half an hour of playing, you've amassed a smile pile of gold and silver coins in front of you. Matters come to a head with a large pot, contested between you, an old sailor-type and a dwarven merchant. After bets are made and cards traded, you find yourself holding a hand of A-A-K-7-3.
The sailor seems drunk and has been playing recklessly, but the dwarven merchant has appeared to be a shrewd player. He has an excellent poker face, but you also are confident he doesn't have a read on you either. The sailor and the dwarf continue to bet into the pot.
It is your turn to act.
If you fold now, you can walk away with winnings of 15gp.
If you call the bets made, it will cost you 5gp. You may win the pot and walk away with 40gp total, or lose and walk away with 10gp.
You can raise, potentially stealing the pot. If they call your raise you could lose and walk away with 5gp, or win it all and walk away with 50gp.
Isaac, already back from the craps table with a small sack of gold, is hollering for your to raise. Volo, standing beside him... is also suggesting you raise, while making snobbish put-downs to the sailor that are probably a little to erudite for the sailor to realize he's being mocked. Both Isaac and Volo seem to have somehow put back several more drinks in the short while you've been sitting here.
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PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
The thing about playing with someone else's money is that it is hard to take it seriously. Zeds should fold and bank the win. He knows this. It's free money and it's best to have a little something in your pocket than have nothing at all. Throw in the fact with two other players in the pot at least one of them has to have something. One pair isn't too bad heads up but in a three way showdown it's more likely than not a loser... Isaac and Volo encouraging the raise is also reason not to. Neither seems like a poker player to Zeds.
But found money is found money... And lost money is no loss at all when it's someone else's.
"You're as tough to read and the rocks you cut," Zeds says to the dwarf as he pretends to study him and assess what he may have. "You have a hand, I have no doubt of that. Two strong ones. Like the two pair I'm guessing you have in your cards there. Strong. Reliable. But... Today not quite good enough. But I need the coin so I invite you to donate more..." Zeds gives him a little shrug then turns to the sailor.
"You, my salty friend, should save the last of your coin," Zeds says to the sailor with a charming but sad smile. "The seas are dangerous and unforgiving. You need to keep a few coins on you to pay for your funeral god's forbid the seas ever get the best of you. You may sail a boat but you're certainly not holding one. Save your coin and be careful out there..."
And with his best attempt to deceive the others into folding, Zeds pushes all of his coin out and goes all in...
((Deception just in case his last attempt can help influence things? 8 ))
((And, of course, Sleight of Hand just in case it's possible Zeds palmed an Ace or a King earlier in the game and can swap it for his 7 now... 15 ))
((And I am sure this will blow up and cause a scene... lol))
[??? For Finn⊠Would Finn consider palming a card and using it to cheat at poker to be the same or similar to âstealingâ, like picking pockets or burglarizing someone?]
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PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
((Oops, yes Zeds should be Finn here. Mixed up character name with a different game. Would edit but that would likely change rolls...))
{{Hmmm, the mindset of a gambler. I would say no? Finn would see it as a high level tactic and he would assume all the other really good players were trying to do the same. Stealing a chip from another players pile would be theft, palming a card or using shuffling tricks or the like is just gamesmanship. It all still comes to who has the better hand (if the cards get shown) so it's not the same as taking money out of their pocket...}}
Jirel would listen to what Laraela would share with her, nodding along to the stuff she did understand. She had recognized the Red Wizards of They, as itâs not the first time the name has come up during her time with the group. Sheâd look thoughtful. Vigilant honeyed eyes glance to where the boys went, then to the performer, and back to Laraela. The giantess would bring herself to her feet, step over to the woman and reach a hand out. âBusiness may not be what you came here for. Anâ should I continue to take up yer time with it, the least I can do is to offer some pleasure.â She dips her head to Laraela. âI ainât no dancer,â She admits. âBut fer the sake of tryinâ to be good company Iâm willinâ to try.â She gives what she can as a small smile, canine tooth peeking out then she chuckles lowly. âOr to the relief of savinâ me embarrassment, we can stretch our legs with a walk while we talk?â She offers.
The group was split, getting up and moving around may allow Jirel to keep better eye out for her companions while also inviting Laraela along for some one on one discussion. Should she have had information that Laraela wasnât aware of, sheâd share that. But also, sheâd want to take a moment to share what happened with the guardian tree, what it warned them of, and privately show her the bark image to ask if she recognized any of them.
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just an unstable unicorn.
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I'd be glad to, Amrik, says Yeshil in what is probably an overly casual tone to take with more mature company, but she isn't seeing it that way. Trying extra hard not to spill her drink, Yeshil happily seats herself with the group, delighted that she has so expertly and naturally assimilated into this exclusive and sophisticated tete-a-tete (or is it now tete-a-tete-a-tete?). So, what are we talking about?
-------------------
(Not sure how much conversation ensues before Ty's arrival, but after the half-elf interrupts...)
Yeshil looks up, perhaps a little annoyed at the invasion, but eager to uphold her privileged position in this new group, and says (with a slight slur in her voice): Oh hello dear. Thissis Amrik, and thissis... um, my sincerest 'pologies... what are your names?
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Jirel settled silent and statuesque as she usually does, keeping an eye on many things. Observing. Listening. Noting. Tylaerys revealed information for some in return. Laraelra knew a lot indeed. Of course Laraelra could just be a knowledgeable and smart woman. However the giantess was plenty comfortable with erring on the side of caution, considering whether Laraelra could be one of them. And she had no issue eying the woman up and down as she speaks with Tylaerys to assess this.
At some point Finn would return and Tylaerys would take her leave. She gathered that Tylaerys was probably going to take her turn checking on the Little One, and trusting that those two wouldn't get into too much trouble they couldn't get out of, Jirel remained. The giantess leans back a bit casually and gestures over her shoulder. "What was yer hostess concerned 'bout?" She asks.
just an unstable unicorn.
At the table, the nobleman continues to try and get the commoner sitting beside him to drink more and loosen up, while Volo watches the performing bard with a critical eye. For his part, the performer begins to play his lute. It begins as a slow, smokey melody but soon picks up the pace, the strums and twangs speaking to the crowd with a steady rhythm. There is no denying the bard is skilled, though he leers at the crowd with a self-assuredness that renders his face eminently punch able.
Laraelra waves a hand at Jirel's question. "Don't worry. Captain Thundreth is likely just needlessly concerned about our friend Volo. He has a troublesome habit of bringing intrigue and leaving unpaid bar tabs, both of which are things the good Captain no doubt wishes to avoid." She looks over at Volo with a flat expression that could be serious, and says "But there is nothing to fear. Volo has promised to be on his best behavior tonight. Isn't that right?"
The author glances over at her and flashes a smile and a 'thumbs up,' before returning his attentions to the performance.
At the aft lounge, as Yeshil takes a seat, Amrik continues to watch her with an amused smirk, the glint in his eyes showing he finds her antics entertaining, if not mildly inconvenient. When she slurs out her thanks and question, he opens his mouth to respond but pauses when the Tylaerys joins them. He shifts slightly in his chair, his eyes narrowing just a fraction as he scrutinizes the newcomer, though he keeps his smile firmly in place.
"Ah, more guests. How fortunate we are to be so... popular tonight." He waves a hand languidly toward the chairs. "I am Amrik Vanthampur, always happy to meet new faces."
The elven couple shifts uncomfortably, clearly ready to leave. The woman glances nervously between Amrik and the two newcomers, then whispers urgently to her partner, "We really need to go." The man nods, giving Amrik a tight, polite smile. "I think... we should conclude our business another time," he says, the discomfort in his voice palpable. He looks at Yeshil and Tylaerys, then back at Amrik. "Thank you for your time, sir, but weâll reconsider and come back when... things are quieter."
Amrikâs smile tightens but he keeps his tone courteous. "Very well. Iâm always available should you need my assistance. Just remember, time is of the essence." He gives a small bow of his head, dismissing them. The spined devil, sensing the tension, lets out a low hissing noise. It gives Tylaerys a beady-eyed look, then turns to Amrik, raising one claw as if seeking permission to act. Amrik gives the creature a subtle shake of his head, and the spined devil lowers its claw, its wings twitching in annoyance. It once again turns on Amrik's shoulder like a monstrous parrot and returns to watching the stairs.
Amrik turns his attention back to Yeshil. "Well, my dear Yeshil, it seems your arrival has scattered my previous guests. No harm, there. Perhaps you and your friend here would like to take their seats and continue our... discussion? What brings you to the Low Lantern tonight? Is it someone's birthday?"
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Yeshil is a bit crestfallen that half of her new coterie has left, and without giving their names; she self-consciously brushes her hair with her hand and smooths her clothes, somehow managing to not spill her drink in the process. Unintentionally ignoring Amrik's questions, she instead inquires with a mild slur: What bus'ness were you d'scussing?
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"Ah, my dear Yeshil," he begins, choosing his words with care, "the business we were discussing is of a rather mundane nature, I assure you. Nothing that would be of interest to someone simply here to enjoy a night out with friends. Besides, I could hardly betray my departed friends' confidence by airing their deepest secrets behind their backs, could I?"
He pauses.
"You see, I am part of a family that deals in... financing, among other things. Investments, loans, matters of trade. Some might call us a banking family, and they wouldn't be wrong. We assist those in need of a bit of coin to realize their dreamsâat a reasonable rate of return, of course."
His gaze lingers on her, turns to Tylaerys... then back to Yeshil. "But that kind of discussion, well... it's quite tedious, and far too serious for a young lady on her first night in a place like this, don't you think?" He offers a disarming smile.
Amrik leans back in his chair, brushing the spined devil off of his shoulders. It perches indignantly on the back of his chair. "Now, why not tell me about yourself instead? You must have a story or two worth sharing." He leans forward slightly, his eyes twinkling.
Back at the main table, Isaac tires of trying to coax his man-servant out of his shell and turns his eyes to Finn and Volo. "What say we put some of those chips to good use and have a spot of fun at the gaming tables upstairs? We can leave these cloak-and-dagger types to their games of shadows, eh?"
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Deals. Dreams. Devils. A young couple... Yeshil's sharp subconscious works in the background like the lute of the leering bard, and the jarring cadence of conclusion finally coalesces and penetrates through the alcohol-induced fog like a slap in the face. Almost instantly she sobers with realisation, and the flush drains from her face.
Th-they want a child, don't they... And they were bargaining for it.
Yeshil stands abruptly, glaring at Amrik. Normally she wouldn't care about such things - what someone is willing to give for something else is their concern. But this matter hits far too close to home to leave unspoken.
You promise dreams, but you deliver only nightmares.
And without another glance at either the banker, his pet, or her own companion, the green-skinned girl turns to chase after the young couple. Perhaps it's not too late to warn them...
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Finn, slightly annoyed at having lost sight of Yeshil - even if Tylaeris did go to find her, and more than a bit put off still from the "threat" from the local thieve's guild, is about to try to progress things along by blurting out something loud and obvious... But then someone mentions chips and gaming... Finn's face goes from glum to glowing and a glint appears in his eyes. "I'm in!" he assures.
"Well, unfortunately we seem to have more important matters to attend to but we wish you good luck with your business." The young blonde half-elf says with a calm confident smile and a strong undercurrent of sarcasm, swiftly but gracefully turning to catch up with the green-skinned girl, hoping to keep her out of more trouble.
Jirel considers how sincere Laraelra was about the captain being 'needlessly worried about Volo'. To play it off, the giantess glances over to Finn then back to Laraela and grunts. "Aye, I could understand that." She nods, drumming her fingers on the back of her seat. "So what have you been focusing on lately, Laraelra?" She remembers the woman said the cult wasn't what she's been focused on, and alluded to there being other threats.
Insight: 13
just an unstable unicorn.
At the aft lounge:
Amrik is momentarily stunned. For a split second, he looks at Yeshil, clearly taken aback by her sudden outburst. But as Yeshil turns to storm off, Amrik regains his composure with remarkable speed. He lets out a soft, incredulous chuckle, leaning back in his chair with an exaggerated sigh of amusement. "Well, that was... unexpected," he says, more to himself than anyone else. His spined devil tilts its head, looking at him for guidance, but Amrik once again waves the creature off with a dismissive flick of his fingers.
He watches Yeshil's retreating form, but the smile never fully leaves his face. With a casual wave of his hand, Amrik signals to one of the nearby staff to refill his glass, settling back down into his seat. "Ah, well... one deal lost, another found," he mutters to himself.
As Tylaerys leaves, he offers her another sly smile. "You have your hands full with that little hexchilde. Do take care of her."
The elven couple is already on the top deck, moving hastily off the ship/bar when Yeshil catches up to them, Tylaerys not far behind.
Middle deck/Gambling lounge:
Finn, Isaac, and Volo arrive at the gaming tables. The unmistakable odor of pipe smoke and vomit hang in the air as the dim lantern light casts long shadows over the patrons hunched over various gambling tables. Laughter, groans, and the clatter of dice fill the air as people test their luck against one another, coins exchanging hands with every roll, shuffle, and deal.
1. Five-Card Poker Table
The five-card poker table is one of the busiest, a small crowd gathered around to watch the tense exchanges. The playersâmostly sailors, merchants, and a couple of shady charactersâstudy each other with narrowed eyes, trying to read bluffs or assess the strength of their hands. Silver and gold coins sit in the center of the table, the pot growing with each bet. Some faces at the table look panicked, having put too much on the line, while other eyes glint with unchecked greed.
Game Description:
Each player is dealt five cards, and the goal is to make the best five-card hand using traditional poker rankings (pair, three-of-a-kind, straight, flush, etc.). Thereâs a round of betting after the cards are dealt, followed by the option to trade up to three cards for new ones, and then a final round of betting before the showdown.
2. Liar's Dice Table
At another table, the rapid clacking of dice cups can be heard. Liar's Dice is in full swing, with players trying to outwit one another. Itâs a game of deception, where guessing and bluffing are as important as the dice themselves. The stakes here arenât as high in coin, but pride and egos are clearly on the line.
Game Description:
Each player rolls five dice under a cup, keeping their results secret. Then, the players take turns making claims about how many of a certain die face they believe are present in all players' dice combined (e.g., "I think there are five threes"). The next player can either raise the bid or call the previous player's bluff. If the bluff is called, all cups are revealed. If the bidder was wrong, they lose a die; if they were right, the caller loses a die. The last player with dice wins.
3. Craps-Style Dice Game
The third table is surrounded by players rolling dice and shouting excitedly. This game resembles craps, but with some local twists and slang unique to Baldurâs Gate. The table is littered with small piles of coins, the stakes ranging from a few copper to hefty gold bets. The croupier watches with a practiced eye, calling out the results with enthusiasm.
Game Description:
Players place bets on the outcome of two six-sided dice. The first roll is called the "come-out roll." If the player rolls a 7 or 11, they win. If they roll a 2, 3, or 12, they lose. Any other result becomes the "point," and the player must roll that number again before rolling a 7 to win. If they roll a 7 first, they lose.
4. Card Shark (A Bluffing Game)
In the corner, a quieter but equally intense game is underway, known as Card Shark. The players glance around at one another, eyes darting between the cards on the table and their opponentsâ faces. Thereâs little talk, just a steady stream of coin being pushed into the middle as bets escalate.
Game Description:
Each player is dealt two cards face down, with a third card dealt face up in the middle that all players share. The goal is to bluff your opponents into folding by claiming your hand is the best. Players can fold, match the current bet, or raise. Once all bets are in, the middle card is flipped face down again, and players must decide whether to reveal their two cards or maintain their bluff. The highest two-card hand, when combined with the middle card, wins. But if no one calls the final bet, the last bluffer standing takes the pot.
Isaac Best grabs a handful of the clay tokens and elbows his way into a spot beside the craps table, while Volo takes a spectator's position beside the poker table, watching others do the gambling, for now.
Back at the table:
Jirel, Laraelra and Isaac's horse-groomer have been left alone. The young man now seems even more uncomfortable, sitting alone with these two intimidating women.
Jirel doesn't get the impression that Laraelra was 100% truthful about the captain's concerns, but she does get the sense that Laraelra herself is completely at ease and is not worried about any danger tonight.
When Jirel asks a pressing question about what really does concern her, she sighs.
"Ah, the Realms... there are always threats, of course," she begins with a soft smile. "Waterdeep is no stranger to intrigue. Politics, ambition, and the delicate balance of power between factionsâthat's the daily life of the city. And yes, there are always... whispers. Whispers of alliances formed in the shadows, old rivalries rekindled, new dangers rising."
Her voice takes on a slightly wry tone, her hands making a vague gesture, as if to brush away the constant swirl of political maneuvering in Waterdeep. "But none of that is unusual, I assure you. Itâs the cost of living in a place so large and so powerful. And the Blackstaff... well, letâs just say the office has eyes in many corners. We remain... vigilant. Its just our nature."
Then, her expression grows a bit more serious as she adds, "What does concern me more, though, are the activities of the Red Wizards of Thay. We've heard rumors, disturbing ones, of their movements beyond their borders. They seem to be reaching their hands into places they donât belong, stirring up things best left undisturbed. Itâs... troubling, yes, but not unprecedented. They've done this before. Some of their machinations have been seen publicly, while others have been dealt with more quietly. What remains to be seen is whether this is a prelude to something larger, or just a bit of spycraft and diversion to keep the Sword Coast off balance."
She pauses, as if to gauge the weight of her words before continuing. "But rest assured, the Realms have faced worse, and we endure. We always do." With that, she smiles once more, reassuringly.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Finn's eyes practically light up when he sees the poker table. In truth they just subtly, unconsciously, change to a brighter shade of green. Seeing Isaac grab a handful of clay tokens Finn does the same, but quickly decides to press his luck early and often and changes his grab to take twice as many tokens as he had originally intended. He flashes a smile, gives a bit of an 'Aw Shucks' shrug and then heads to the table.
Finn eyes up the table taking in everything from whether there is an empty seat or if he'll have to wait to where he exchanges the clay tokens for actual coin which seems to be what is in play on the table. Most importantly, he begins assessing the players and their game - studying them for habits and strength of play, evaluating who the real players are and who the donators are, who is playing tight and solid and who is splashing around and playing anything and everything. Then there is the non-poker details such as who is drinking their fill and who is sipping, and comparing that detail to how they are acting - When the lucky drunk is raking in pot after pot but never needing to order a new drink that there is a whole lot of information... And of course he tries to pick out who the suckers at the table are. If you can't tell who the sucker at the table is it's because it's you. Finn is seldom the sucker at any poker table but only a sucker is blind to the possibility.
When he's converted clay chips to coin for the table, and once a seat is available, Finn sits down to play.
Yeshil runs up to the couple and practically shoves the woman in the back as she begins yelling at them both. Her voice gradually rises in pitch and the words blurt out faster and faster, punctuated with gasps for breath as she becomes more agitated:
What's the matter with you? Are you crazy? You'll get what you ask for, sure, but it won't be quite what you wanted, and then you'll realise you can't pay the price, and it will ruin you, and you'll wish you'd never done it, and then you'll resent your... the thing that you wished for, and spend the rest of your life making them miserable, and hating yourself for hating them, and...
At this, Yeshil finally reaches a point where she can't speak for sobbing. With tears streaming down her cheeks and snot bubbling from her nostrils, she shouts the final words:
YOU'RE JUST SELFISH!!
The green-skinned girl then turns away from the couple and retreats to the end of the deck where she curls up against the gunwales in a blubbering snotty ball.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
The elvish couple, too upset already and too confused by this unexpected onslaught of emotion from Yeshil, just pull up their hoods and flee from the Low Lantern, running down the gangplank, the woman in tears as they disappear into the Baldur's Gate night.
The top deck is populated by a few couples enjoying the night air, and a few down-on-their-luck gamblers contemplating how to recoup their losses. After a moment where all eyes are on the sobbing Yeshil, the other patrons retreat back to their own concerns.
Finn:
Please make the following rolls...
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Finn, after half an hour of playing, you've amassed a smile pile of gold and silver coins in front of you. Matters come to a head with a large pot, contested between you, an old sailor-type and a dwarven merchant. After bets are made and cards traded, you find yourself holding a hand of A-A-K-7-3.
The sailor seems drunk and has been playing recklessly, but the dwarven merchant has appeared to be a shrewd player. He has an excellent poker face, but you also are confident he doesn't have a read on you either. The sailor and the dwarf continue to bet into the pot.
It is your turn to act.
Isaac, already back from the craps table with a small sack of gold, is hollering for your to raise. Volo, standing beside him... is also suggesting you raise, while making snobbish put-downs to the sailor that are probably a little to erudite for the sailor to realize he's being mocked. Both Isaac and Volo seem to have somehow put back several more drinks in the short while you've been sitting here.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
The thing about playing with someone else's money is that it is hard to take it seriously. Zeds should fold and bank the win. He knows this. It's free money and it's best to have a little something in your pocket than have nothing at all. Throw in the fact with two other players in the pot at least one of them has to have something. One pair isn't too bad heads up but in a three way showdown it's more likely than not a loser... Isaac and Volo encouraging the raise is also reason not to. Neither seems like a poker player to Zeds.
But found money is found money... And lost money is no loss at all when it's someone else's.
"You're as tough to read and the rocks you cut," Zeds says to the dwarf as he pretends to study him and assess what he may have. "You have a hand, I have no doubt of that. Two strong ones. Like the two pair I'm guessing you have in your cards there. Strong. Reliable. But... Today not quite good enough. But I need the coin so I invite you to donate more..." Zeds gives him a little shrug then turns to the sailor.
"You, my salty friend, should save the last of your coin," Zeds says to the sailor with a charming but sad smile. "The seas are dangerous and unforgiving. You need to keep a few coins on you to pay for your funeral god's forbid the seas ever get the best of you. You may sail a boat but you're certainly not holding one. Save your coin and be careful out there..."
And with his best attempt to deceive the others into folding, Zeds pushes all of his coin out and goes all in...
((Deception just in case his last attempt can help influence things? 8 ))
((And, of course, Sleight of Hand just in case it's possible Zeds palmed an Ace or a King earlier in the game and can swap it for his 7 now... 15 ))
((And I am sure this will blow up and cause a scene... lol))
(that's the thing with shapeshifters... After a while they forget who they actually are...)
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
[??? For Finn⊠Would Finn consider palming a card and using it to cheat at poker to be the same or similar to âstealingâ, like picking pockets or burglarizing someone?]
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
((Oops, yes Zeds should be Finn here. Mixed up character name with a different game. Would edit but that would likely change rolls...))
{{Hmmm, the mindset of a gambler. I would say no? Finn would see it as a high level tactic and he would assume all the other really good players were trying to do the same. Stealing a chip from another players pile would be theft, palming a card or using shuffling tricks or the like is just gamesmanship. It all still comes to who has the better hand (if the cards get shown) so it's not the same as taking money out of their pocket...}}
Jirel would listen to what Laraela would share with her, nodding along to the stuff she did understand. She had recognized the Red Wizards of They, as itâs not the first time the name has come up during her time with the group. Sheâd look thoughtful. Vigilant honeyed eyes glance to where the boys went, then to the performer, and back to Laraela. The giantess would bring herself to her feet, step over to the woman and reach a hand out. âBusiness may not be what you came here for. Anâ should I continue to take up yer time with it, the least I can do is to offer some pleasure.â She dips her head to Laraela. âI ainât no dancer,â She admits. âBut fer the sake of tryinâ to be good company Iâm willinâ to try.â She gives what she can as a small smile, canine tooth peeking out then she chuckles lowly. âOr to the relief of savinâ me embarrassment, we can stretch our legs with a walk while we talk?â She offers.
The group was split, getting up and moving around may allow Jirel to keep better eye out for her companions while also inviting Laraela along for some one on one discussion. Should she have had information that Laraela wasnât aware of, sheâd share that. But also, sheâd want to take a moment to share what happened with the guardian tree, what it warned them of, and privately show her the bark image to ask if she recognized any of them.
just an unstable unicorn.