"Well, then, I'll notify the butler to expect you maybe tomorrow?" Toros inquires. "Today is the 6th and the party isn't until the 8th. You'll have tomorrow to familiarize yourself or make some prep. If you can, drop in at the Silver Sable to get the job notification just for formality."
He looks to his companions , "Well, before we got caught up in this we did have some plans for the rest of the day. Shall we get going? Or did you organise some remuneration for our help that we need to collect?".
"Oh! That's right!" Toros says. He calls for Cassel who brings with him a pouch filled with coins. "Almost forgot. Here's 125 bronze for all your hard work. Also, for tomorrow, what time do you want to meet up? Morning or lunchtime? I'll take you there myself, but if you want to go by yourself, I can show you the way. You got a map? Or do you want to write down the direction?"
Eremoz takes the coin and gives everyone their share. “Unless anyone has any objection, I think meeting in the morning should work. It gives us that much more time to prepare. We wouldn’t be opposed to written directions as well. Just in case.”
"The morning works fine", Drexon says taking his coins. "You could meet us for breakfast at the Silver Sable if you like Toros", he suggests, his thoughts turning to the complexity of all the different strands they were manipulating.
The thing from the future, the missing kids, the verdant masons, his ancestry and now the birthday party of some noble child. He was sure he was forgetting something as well.
"Alrighty then," Toros nods. "I'll be there around 7 or 8. I'll take you to the complex. It's not that difficult to find. Just follow the west thoroughfare and turn left at the first major junction. It's a walled complex with an ostentatious large fence. Very distinct. You won't find anything like it in the district. The only other walled complex in Mantagard is in the Borough Bazaar District."
After a bit of lunch and more conversing with the other people around the tower, you depart to your last destination on your list. The Twenty-One Jack is the only notable place with a known hidden Mason Lodge that you can currently visit. It lies in the very middle of the Haventree District, a wide building with sparkling paint that embosses extravagance. A large banner with the symbol of the establishment -- a three-leaf clover -- hangs down from the roof, flapping with the afternoon breeze. A large goliath in a deep maroon suit looks at you intently before opening the door for you.
In the middle of the day, the Twenty-One Jack is quiet. Still, the place is bustling compared to other establishments. You can see a group of elderly people playing cards on a table. Another group of middle-aged people is playing dice around a large rounded table. On one side of the establishment is an empty bowling hall, unused by any customers. The grand stage near the middle of the room is devoid of any performers, but you can hear a soft tune coming out of the large gramophone on it. On the other side of the establishment is a large bar with an extensive collection of liquor and beverages manned by a middle-aged human dressed in a black overall. Several waitresses, waiters, and tenders roamed the place, cleaning, tidying up some tables, and doing maintenance. It doesn't look like the crowd would pick up until late in the evening.
Drexon takes no notice of the large goliath, knowing that most gamlbing dens tend to have intimidating looking bouncers to make you think twice about cheating rather than to stop you entering. You can't spend money if they don't let you in.
As they walk into Twenty-One Jack, he groans a little.
"I was hoping it would be a little more lively than this", he says surveying the scene. He wanders to within view of the elderly folk playing cards, to see what game they are playing and for what stakes.
Walking closer toward the elderly folk, you can see that there are 5 elderly folks dressed in expensive garments. In front of them, in the middle of the card table is a pile of silver coins and rolls of parchments. You can also several gemstones in the pile. Despite the lack of audience, they seem to be playing a high stake Hand of Fate.
One of the players, a white-haired half-elf looks to the player beside him as he raises the bet. "Don't worry about it too much," he says. "It's only a matter of time. It will be forgotten in no time, just like many similar incidents in the past. These rabbles are forgetful like that."
"It's not their reaction that I fear," a blond-haired human says. "My profit is taking a downturn with this incident. Trust is important. No one will trust my warehouses anymore. That folk from the Annex are already pulling out of the contract. It's only a matter of time before the other companies and merchants do the same."
"Bah, you've got money for the next five generations," a coquettish halfling says with a wink and a grin as he folds his cards. "If you want more, you're welcome to stay with me. I'll be your lordly patron, eh."
"Good day gentlemen", Drexon says walking up and making sure he interrupts the players between hands not whilst they are actually playing.
He makes a show of looking at the stakes. "I was hoping to maybe join in, but I see this game is far too rich for my blood", he says with a smile whilst shaking his head.
"Oh, piss off, you old codger," the blond-haired human says to the halfling. "Fold! As much as I want to dare continue, I have to think of my financial state, friends."
"Well, as expected, I believe this is my win, gentlemen," the only woman in the group says, showing her cards on the table.
"Damn you to hell," the last person in the group, a portly human, says with a teasing grin. "But, my cards are better! Come to daddy! My precious!"
After a bit of ribbing from the winner and groaning from the loser of the round, the portly human collects his winning and looks toward the bar. "Arastoo!" he calls to the bartender. "Last round for the day's on me. Give us the good stuff from the Smash and not that swill you served every night. Your boss doesn't have to know!"
"Ah, we're done with the high pool," the lady says when the group notices Drexon. "Some of us have to go home before the wives catch them," she adds, nudging the white-haired half-elf and the halfling. "The three of us," she continues, motioning to her, the portly human, and the blond-haired human, "will be continuing for another hour if all of you want to join. When it's only the three of us, we're usually gambling change and favors -- I-Owe-Yous you might say. Buy-in is 25 bronze or 1 small favor of equal value. You know how to play?"
The goliath stares at Eremoz for some time before giving him a small grin. "1 copper a day," he says. "Enough to feed the tribe for a week and give some comfort. Looking for work? You look like you have the correct constitution. It's rather quiet now, but it gets rowdy after 6 in the evening. I could use some help. My partner is on sick leave. We'll talk to the boss if you're interested."
While Eremoz talks to the 'bounce' and Drexon talks to the 'regulars' Cob drifts around the main room trying to discretely look for the tell tale clover emblem they've been seeing around town. While he suspects anything really secret will be in the basement, this may still be the hangout that the gang from the warehouse came back to.
Perception: 20
Stealth to quietly try to eavesdrop on conversations if he doesn't find any 'masonic' symbols: 4
"Sounds good, I think I can stretch to 25 bronze", Drexon says as he waits for the seat to free up and sits down.
"Now, how about we assume I don't know the game. I am new in town and often there are intricacies it is best to get out in the open before starting", he adds as he gets comfortable.
Once happy, he will withdraw the coins from his pouch and look over at the others to see if any of them fancy joining in.
“I could probably swing that. I’d have to check with my friends. I don’t believe we have any firm plans for tonight and they’d likely be willing to have a good time here. Thought they could be of assistance as well.“
Cob, as you look around the place, you don't really notice anything resembling a clover leaf emblem. However, due to the relatively small crowd in the establishment, you see that one of the guards or bodyguards standing by around the place is standing in front of a very distinctly blank wall. Other guards are either standing behind a patron, beside a table, near a corner, or patrolling around.
"Yeah, it's rather quiet in the afternoon," the guard at the front says to Eremoz. "The crowd should be picking up in an hour or two. That's when the high rollers inside generally go home before some ass-kissers hound them."
"Well, come sit, friends!" Says the portly man. "Arastoo! Four, five more glasses!" He calls the bartender.
"Well, the rule is rather simple," the blond-haired man says. He turns to glare at the portly man. "First, we introduce ourselves." He calms himself and turns back to Drexon. "Apologies for my associate's brusque manner. My name is Amarr Aruetii. The uncouth man before you is the Lord Ulric Emika of the mercantile House Emika of Mantagard. Lastly, this is the Lady Reva Khazan, formerly of the House Clarent of Mantagard."
"Forget the titles," Lady Reva says. "We're here to play and be away from all that politics. So, Hand of Fate is a simple game. In a formal game, there will be a card dealer, but the one that cuts the deck usually deals. So, after the buy-in, each of the players gets 2 cards face down. That's your hand and you should keep it hidden until it's time to reveal it. We'll then open the first betting round. You can fold, call to match the bet, or raise the bet. After that, one of us will draw 3 cards from the deck face up. These are the community cards. A second betting round. One of us will draw 1 more card from the deck face up. A third betting round. One of us will draw a final card from the deck face up, then a final betting round. Lastly, the reveal. Whoever gets the better card wins the pot. In a formal game with a dealer, you'll get 80% of the pot with the remaining 20% for the house. As we are playing by ourselves, the winner gets the whole pot. So, who wants to play?"
"Of course, manners", Drexon says. "The names Drexon, traveller and odd job man", he says with an enigmatic smile, trying to purvey that the sorts of odd jobs he speaks of are not like shovelling hay or washing down horses.
"I am sure my companions will want to introduce themselves, but it is good to meet such upstanding members of the Mantagard elite".
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“If the information we receive saves us a journey then I think we definitely do”, Drexon replies. “And if not, it still leaves us time to travel”.
He looks at his companions with a broad smile. “Never hurts to network a little, especially in a new city”.
Cob nods.
"Let's see how the rich live then," Cob says, agreeing with Drexon that taking this job might benefit them.
"Well, then, I'll notify the butler to expect you maybe tomorrow?" Toros inquires. "Today is the 6th and the party isn't until the 8th. You'll have tomorrow to familiarize yourself or make some prep. If you can, drop in at the Silver Sable to get the job notification just for formality."
"Tomorrow sounds about right", Drexon replies.
He looks to his companions , "Well, before we got caught up in this we did have some plans for the rest of the day. Shall we get going? Or did you organise some remuneration for our help that we need to collect?".
"Oh! That's right!" Toros says. He calls for Cassel who brings with him a pouch filled with coins. "Almost forgot. Here's 125 bronze for all your hard work. Also, for tomorrow, what time do you want to meet up? Morning or lunchtime? I'll take you there myself, but if you want to go by yourself, I can show you the way. You got a map? Or do you want to write down the direction?"
Eremoz takes the coin and gives everyone their share. “Unless anyone has any objection, I think meeting in the morning should work. It gives us that much more time to prepare. We wouldn’t be opposed to written directions as well. Just in case.”
"The morning works fine", Drexon says taking his coins. "You could meet us for breakfast at the Silver Sable if you like Toros", he suggests, his thoughts turning to the complexity of all the different strands they were manipulating.
The thing from the future, the missing kids, the verdant masons, his ancestry and now the birthday party of some noble child. He was sure he was forgetting something as well.
Cob pockets the coins and gets ready to head to the Twenty-One Jack to kill some time and nose around before heading back to the mason's headquarters.
"Alrighty then," Toros nods. "I'll be there around 7 or 8. I'll take you to the complex. It's not that difficult to find. Just follow the west thoroughfare and turn left at the first major junction. It's a walled complex with an ostentatious large fence. Very distinct. You won't find anything like it in the district. The only other walled complex in Mantagard is in the Borough Bazaar District."
After a bit of lunch and more conversing with the other people around the tower, you depart to your last destination on your list. The Twenty-One Jack is the only notable place with a known hidden Mason Lodge that you can currently visit. It lies in the very middle of the Haventree District, a wide building with sparkling paint that embosses extravagance. A large banner with the symbol of the establishment -- a three-leaf clover -- hangs down from the roof, flapping with the afternoon breeze. A large goliath in a deep maroon suit looks at you intently before opening the door for you.
In the middle of the day, the Twenty-One Jack is quiet. Still, the place is bustling compared to other establishments. You can see a group of elderly people playing cards on a table. Another group of middle-aged people is playing dice around a large rounded table. On one side of the establishment is an empty bowling hall, unused by any customers. The grand stage near the middle of the room is devoid of any performers, but you can hear a soft tune coming out of the large gramophone on it. On the other side of the establishment is a large bar with an extensive collection of liquor and beverages manned by a middle-aged human dressed in a black overall. Several waitresses, waiters, and tenders roamed the place, cleaning, tidying up some tables, and doing maintenance. It doesn't look like the crowd would pick up until late in the evening.
Drexon takes no notice of the large goliath, knowing that most gamlbing dens tend to have intimidating looking bouncers to make you think twice about cheating rather than to stop you entering. You can't spend money if they don't let you in.
As they walk into Twenty-One Jack, he groans a little.
"I was hoping it would be a little more lively than this", he says surveying the scene. He wanders to within view of the elderly folk playing cards, to see what game they are playing and for what stakes.
Walking closer toward the elderly folk, you can see that there are 5 elderly folks dressed in expensive garments. In front of them, in the middle of the card table is a pile of silver coins and rolls of parchments. You can also several gemstones in the pile. Despite the lack of audience, they seem to be playing a high stake Hand of Fate.
One of the players, a white-haired half-elf looks to the player beside him as he raises the bet. "Don't worry about it too much," he says. "It's only a matter of time. It will be forgotten in no time, just like many similar incidents in the past. These rabbles are forgetful like that."
"It's not their reaction that I fear," a blond-haired human says. "My profit is taking a downturn with this incident. Trust is important. No one will trust my warehouses anymore. That folk from the Annex are already pulling out of the contract. It's only a matter of time before the other companies and merchants do the same."
"Bah, you've got money for the next five generations," a coquettish halfling says with a wink and a grin as he folds his cards. "If you want more, you're welcome to stay with me. I'll be your lordly patron, eh."
"Good day gentlemen", Drexon says walking up and making sure he interrupts the players between hands not whilst they are actually playing.
He makes a show of looking at the stakes. "I was hoping to maybe join in, but I see this game is far too rich for my blood", he says with a smile whilst shaking his head.
"Oh, piss off, you old codger," the blond-haired human says to the halfling. "Fold! As much as I want to dare continue, I have to think of my financial state, friends."
"Well, as expected, I believe this is my win, gentlemen," the only woman in the group says, showing her cards on the table.
"Damn you to hell," the last person in the group, a portly human, says with a teasing grin. "But, my cards are better! Come to daddy! My precious!"
After a bit of ribbing from the winner and groaning from the loser of the round, the portly human collects his winning and looks toward the bar. "Arastoo!" he calls to the bartender. "Last round for the day's on me. Give us the good stuff from the Smash and not that swill you served every night. Your boss doesn't have to know!"
"Ah, we're done with the high pool," the lady says when the group notices Drexon. "Some of us have to go home before the wives catch them," she adds, nudging the white-haired half-elf and the halfling. "The three of us," she continues, motioning to her, the portly human, and the blond-haired human, "will be continuing for another hour if all of you want to join. When it's only the three of us, we're usually gambling change and favors -- I-Owe-Yous you might say. Buy-in is 25 bronze or 1 small favor of equal value. You know how to play?"
Eremoz stops at the door to speak with the goliath. “Nice suit. Must pay you well so you can spend a small fortune at the tailor.”
The goliath stares at Eremoz for some time before giving him a small grin. "1 copper a day," he says. "Enough to feed the tribe for a week and give some comfort. Looking for work? You look like you have the correct constitution. It's rather quiet now, but it gets rowdy after 6 in the evening. I could use some help. My partner is on sick leave. We'll talk to the boss if you're interested."
While Eremoz talks to the 'bounce' and Drexon talks to the 'regulars' Cob drifts around the main room trying to discretely look for the tell tale clover emblem they've been seeing around town. While he suspects anything really secret will be in the basement, this may still be the hangout that the gang from the warehouse came back to.
Perception: 20
Stealth to quietly try to eavesdrop on conversations if he doesn't find any 'masonic' symbols: 4
"Sounds good, I think I can stretch to 25 bronze", Drexon says as he waits for the seat to free up and sits down.
"Now, how about we assume I don't know the game. I am new in town and often there are intricacies it is best to get out in the open before starting", he adds as he gets comfortable.
Once happy, he will withdraw the coins from his pouch and look over at the others to see if any of them fancy joining in.
“I could probably swing that. I’d have to check with my friends. I don’t believe we have any firm plans for tonight and they’d likely be willing to have a good time here. Thought they could be of assistance as well.“
Cob, as you look around the place, you don't really notice anything resembling a clover leaf emblem. However, due to the relatively small crowd in the establishment, you see that one of the guards or bodyguards standing by around the place is standing in front of a very distinctly blank wall. Other guards are either standing behind a patron, beside a table, near a corner, or patrolling around.
"Yeah, it's rather quiet in the afternoon," the guard at the front says to Eremoz. "The crowd should be picking up in an hour or two. That's when the high rollers inside generally go home before some ass-kissers hound them."
"Well, come sit, friends!" Says the portly man. "Arastoo! Four, five more glasses!" He calls the bartender.
"Well, the rule is rather simple," the blond-haired man says. He turns to glare at the portly man. "First, we introduce ourselves." He calms himself and turns back to Drexon. "Apologies for my associate's brusque manner. My name is Amarr Aruetii. The uncouth man before you is the Lord Ulric Emika of the mercantile House Emika of Mantagard. Lastly, this is the Lady Reva Khazan, formerly of the House Clarent of Mantagard."
"Forget the titles," Lady Reva says. "We're here to play and be away from all that politics. So, Hand of Fate is a simple game. In a formal game, there will be a card dealer, but the one that cuts the deck usually deals. So, after the buy-in, each of the players gets 2 cards face down. That's your hand and you should keep it hidden until it's time to reveal it. We'll then open the first betting round. You can fold, call to match the bet, or raise the bet. After that, one of us will draw 3 cards from the deck face up. These are the community cards. A second betting round. One of us will draw 1 more card from the deck face up. A third betting round. One of us will draw a final card from the deck face up, then a final betting round. Lastly, the reveal. Whoever gets the better card wins the pot. In a formal game with a dealer, you'll get 80% of the pot with the remaining 20% for the house. As we are playing by ourselves, the winner gets the whole pot. So, who wants to play?"
"Of course, manners", Drexon says. "The names Drexon, traveller and odd job man", he says with an enigmatic smile, trying to purvey that the sorts of odd jobs he speaks of are not like shovelling hay or washing down horses.
"I am sure my companions will want to introduce themselves, but it is good to meet such upstanding members of the Mantagard elite".