Ash Hollerais, Jastrcan-born human artificer and unlikely graduate of Stoacia's illustrious Academy of Magic,  has agreed to fight in tonight's fight at The Eight, Beres' premiere betting tavern. He does not know the rules, who (or what) he will fight, and what the stakes are. But he is ready to confront his destiny, at whatever cost. This is his story.

Ash sits slouched over an unoccupied chair, seemingly with a blank expression as he scans the room for whom his foes might be in the coming battles at The Eight. Although, he is truly pondering on the diviner, Madame Moulot, as perhaps she could guide him through his unsuccessful ventures in figuring out who he is and who he will have to be at the end of this journey. He believes that his "self-sacrifice" should lend the others enough time to leave Beres untouched, and yet he does not accept how they willingly stopped and ended up delaying the mission to a crawl whilst they indulged in fantasies of a broad future even a peon could divine, no matter how curious Ash was.

He feels a heavy weight on his shoulder lift ever so slightly, as if the burden of his indecision could be lifted by his grandfather, Dorelei (Do-re-LAY.) Perhaps it is time for him to truly show what he could be in the eyes of all that expects him to go down the path of least resistance, to follow his instincts and simply conform to what is the norm. No, he has gone off the beaten path already following in his grandfather's footsteps, and a small detour such as this will not persuade him back to his primal nature.

Ash rises from the chair as his 6'4" figure of hulking mass towers over the room, the metal arm on his left not even weighing down on his total weight as it grips the black-steel greatsword hung on a back-sheathe this entire time.

He is ready for what awaits.

Earlier that day........

Teddy, the red-clad rabbitfolk man, isn't aggressive as he leads you down the stairs of Madame Moulot's apartment and back onto the main street of Beres. If anything, his energy is convivial and energetic. You can tell he is pleased to have brokered this deal--his boss, Ulysy, wasn't it? will be pleased that you have agreed to take part in tonight's fight, and that makes Teddy happy, very happy indeed. His two unnamed companions, also red-clad rabbitfolk, show no such interest and are neutral, and quiet, for the short journey back to The Eight. 

Teddy yammers on:

"The Eight's been part of the Ceridwen clan for years now but Ulysy and Merose in particular had a real impact when they took over. The fights n that are one of the bigger attractions and we get all sorts of folks from all over coming to either fight or bet or both. Never seen a human like you, tell you what, with an arm like that though! Wonder who you'll fight tonight. We got lots of regulars o'course but I reckon Ulysy will have someone special in mind for you. You might even be the headliner! But we gotta see what you're like, test you out a bit I reckon. Tory is in charge of that--she's my cousin three or four times removed, can't remember, but she'll sort you out. Hey what's your name anyway and how did you get that arm?" 

He pauses at the steps of The Eight, waiting a tenth of a second for an answer before continuing. "Not much for words are ya? Ats'ok. Adds to the mystique and whatnot. Anyway, here we are. Let's see who 's about." Teddy leads you back into the main room of The Eight. There is even less action now than there was a couple of hours ago when you all decided this wasn't the place for you. Only one of the five round tables is being used for a card game of some kind, and in the room to the right, fewer people now sit at the rectangular table. 

"

Ash will attempt to sit at least a table apart from the table currently being used to host a card game. He does not utter a word and keeps his thoughts in his mind, thinking of listening into conversations from afar and perhaps figuring out who he'll have to fight before this is all sorted out. And still, he reckons that he will most likely have enough time to catch up to the party to make sure that they do not get distracted as often as they have been.

He has been subtly staring at his spear, considering to use it to bait their opponent into believing he is only lightly armed and refusing to use any other weapon before revealing his slightly concealed greatsword due to his figure covering sight on most of the sheathe and blade itself.

After mulling it over, he focuses his senses into his perception to listen to the others currently in the room to eavesdrop on their conversations.

Perception check: 7

Teddy laughs when you try to sit down at one of the tables. "Haha more of a betting man eh? Wouldn't have guessed it but if all goes well tonight maybe you can play with your earnings. Come now, though, let me show you around." 

He opens his arms wide and smiles proudly.  "This here is the main room. That thing over there--" he points to an oval structure toward the center of the room, "that's the Rat Race course. Built it ourselves. One of our biggest draws but it's small time compared to the Fights." 

You have a chance to look around the room and with your perception roll, cannot hear specific conversation but can get the gist of the layout. Each of the 5 tables is a separate betting table, one of which is in use.  There is a bar at the far end of the room, and a winding staircase going up in the back to its right. Two balconies flank either side of the main room--you look up but don't see anyone there. 

Following your gaze, Teddy beams. "Oh yeah, kind of genius isn't it? We let our high rollers go up there and watch sometimes. Also that's where security is--you know, to catch cheaters and such. You'd be surprised how often people think they can steal a coin or replace a card with something better. 'Course big consequences for those actions, so it doesn't happen often. Still though. Shame what some people think they can get away with." 

Teddy looks genuinely sad for a minute and then brightens back up. "Over there"--he points to the right hand side of the room-"over there are the tourny rooms. Nothing much to show there--and besides there is a tourny going on so don;t want to disturb n that. Over there--" he points to the left "is where the ring is. Come on let me show you."

OOC Teddy is going to continue the tour. Let me know if you are asking any questions or trying to perceive anything specific for the duration of this.

Ash quickly stood up after hearing that the tables were not apart of the fighting ring, allowing Teddy to go on his tangent of a tour, albeit with a neutral yet slightly distasteful look at the Rat Race course— perhaps he does not enjoy seeing a win by such gambling to be completely up to chance.

As soon as Teddy mentions the ring, what he mentioned earlier surfaced back into his mind "Ulsy and Merose in particular had a real impact when took over," prompting him to ask in an indiscernible tone, "How did The Eight operate before Ulsy and Merose took over?" Shortly after Teddy's reply, given enough time Ash would say, "Why is this place called The Eight?" 

He focuses his perception on his sight this time if his opponents are there to gauge their strength, weapon of choice, and how proficient they seem to be at wielding said weapons. 

perception check: 12

"Ah well now you're asking for a long tale!" Teddy laughs, leading you into the room to the left. It's another room of deep wood everywhere--bare floor, walls, ceiling. A wooden stair case against the right hand corner, leading up to the balcony you presume.  Two long tables, empty and clean--polished, even, the grain gleaming in the dim light of the windowless room. And straight ahead, next to the stairs, two sliding doors. Teddy opens them as he talks. 

"Beres used to be a small town, no real industry to speak of, supporting miners and farmers and such? In fact we Ceridwen like all the clans came from farms near the coast. The Macheebo Clan came here first, but they didn't really see the opportunities that we saw. Had no vision did they? They had big ties to the mines and wanted to keep things to tunnels and goblin associates. Not us! We saw the opportunity to really make a presence here. Not hiding like moles in the middle of nowhere." 

He opens the sliding doors easily and allows you to step in. The room is small and windowless,  and is almost completely filled by a square enclosure in its center. It's wooden at its base, the same kind of deep wood everywhere else, and is otherwise enclosed by thin bars that rise 10 feel into the air, falling square with the ceiling. 

"Isn't it beautiful?" Teddy says. "Ceridwen clan design. Steel infused with mithandril that is--strong stuff, right from the mines. Once you're in you can't get out. Just like the family!" he says, laughing earnestly at his own joke. "Now personally, it reminds me of a jail cell. Not that I know anything about that."

"We have enough seating for exactly 48 people we usually fill it up! Three fights a night, four nights a week. Minimum bet 5 gold per fight. Do the math--that's a lot of gold even on a quiet night. 'Course it takes a bit of upkeep n that--overhead they call it. But worth it. We have quite the reputation now. Fighters coming from all over, patrons too. Wasn't always like this though. Merose had the idea years ago when we first took it over. Used to be a restaurant but she had big vision. It's why she's in charge. Ulysy too o'course. But Merose...she is a real visionary."

You look around, searching for clues as to who or what you might be fighting, but the room is empty.