"Ha! Upstanding, he says!" Ulric chortles. "No, lads, we're the hated faction of the elites. We're the wild card. Why do you think we're here playing cards instead of with the others in the mayor's office now? We just don't care that much about the politics of the city. Well, perhaps Amarr would because it's his warehouse that was raided yesterday. Me and Reva, though, don't have the patience to deal with the other families and representatives. If I were to guess, they would be discussing the Clarent's party now instead of talking about the raided warehouse. The office is no longer corrupt, true, but it's still filled with self-interest masked with philanthropic gestures and boy we have a lot of self-interested parties here in Mantagard."
"Even we have heard tell of the grand birthday party House Clarent is throwing. I sense there is a story there with regards to you being formerly of House Clarent, Lady Reva. Far be it for me to pry of course", Drexon says with a cheeky look at the Lady in question.
He also looks across to Amarr, "And such a shame about your warehouse Amarr, I do hope you are getting to the bottom of who it was that raided it. We have been known to do a bit of investigative work ourselves, if you feel the need of our services".
"Married off, actually," Reva says to Drexon. "The current lord of the house is my brother. Surprised that there is still arranged marriage? That's because it's not common practice. My brother is just a drunkard that pawned off his sister in a gamble and lost. Still, I do with the hands that I've been given and so far everything is fine. It's a business marriage, but then again I'm always a rebel and prefer being a merchant rather than a lady of the house."
"Well, I can use a fresh pair of eyes," Amarr says to Drexon. "I can pay your group 15 copper a day if you can get to the bottom of it. The rangers and the guards are trying, but I fear they are being stopped by bureaucracy. As Ulric said, the mayoral office is no longer corrupt, but self-interest and the power struggle are still rampant. The last attack on the warehouse, some 3 or 4 months ago, is still being investigated to this day. The one before that had been deemed a cold case. I'll give you a bonus of 1 silver if you find whoever is causing this attack. I'm losing patrons and if this persists I'm going to have to declare bankruptcy."
"Oh, yes, it's the 'elite' game room," Ulric says with a whisper to Cob and the people at the table. "Been there only once and it was rather shady. The owner of the place, Julian, usually hosts a private game there. The time that I was invited to play, they were betting quite a lot of gold and some black market items. The player is also quite varied. During my time, there was an ex-mercenary, Reva's brother, and an out-of-towner. I think I remembered that mason guy also being there. Someone from that library under the city was also there with the mason guy because I remembered he was wearing a stark blue ensemble."
"Interesting", Drexon says. "So it is your brother's daughter, you niece, that is having the birthday do thrown for her then. It just so happens we might be present. I take it you will be in attendance?".
Turning back to Amarr once she answers, "Given full access to the warehouse, I'm sure we could find something out. We are a little pressed for time however, let's see how the next day or two work out".
On hearing about the group in the elite gaming room, he telepathically sends to Cob, "That private game sounds like a hot bed for hatching schemes. We know the grand mason, if that is who he means, is knee deep in the raid. I wonder if it was that Kender chap from the Annexe, he seems like one that would be happy to assist a raid on Toros' stuff. it seems we have stumbled upon a treasure trove of information here".
"Everyone that has a name will be in attendance," Reva scoffs. "My brother, despite his incredibly inherited wealth, has not the diligence or the sense to manage it. This will be a very ostentatious affair. That's why he posted an advert for extra security."
"Sure, I can take you there after this if you want to start today," Amarr says. "With the warehouse emptied this morning, you can do whatever you want there."
Arastoo, the bartender, a young man in his early 20s, comes to the table with several empty glasses and two familiar-looking bottles, a Crimson Cider and a Blood Wine from the Crimson Smash. "Just this once, alright," he says to Ulric. "The boss will be angry if he sees these bottles."
"Thank ye, lad," Ulric says, grabbing the bottles and pouring the first drink, the Blood Wine, to Reva, before anyone else. "No worries. I'll bring my own stock next time." He turns toward you and says, "So, who's playing? Play and talk, lads. Play and talk. Come on, Drex, let's start with the four of us. You seem to have some experience. Let your friends see how it works first."
Eremoz exits the bar and talks to the Goliath again. “Sounds like I have the evening free. I’d be happy to help out. I don’t think I introduced myself before. I’m Eremoz.”
"Fine by me, why don't you deal Ulric?", Drexon says, happy to get started.
Outwardly his demeanour doesn't change, but in actuality he starts to watch the other players more closely, looking for tells or anything else to give him and edge.
"Name's Harren," the goliath says to Eremoz. "The boss will be by in half an hour or an hour. Business with the mayor. We'll deal with the details when he returns."
With a grin, Ulric begins cutting the deck. He pushes 25 bronze to the middle of the table and deals two face-down cards to himself, Drexon, Reva, and Amarr.
"So, newcomers to the city, how's it treating you so far?" Ulric asks. "Not a good time to visit Mantagard with yesterday's raid. Everyone's tense."
Drexon, at first glance, you can tell nothing of these people. They seem to be experienced people and charismatic enough to cover for any distinctive tells. It will take some time before you can divine something that will give you an edge.
The guard looks at Cob for a long while before grunting and motioning you away. He doesn't say anything or even acknowledge you further. However, as you look at the wall behind the guard, you notice that there is a barely visible depression on the wall that can be pushed or clicked.
Both Reva and Amarr set their own 25 bronze to the center pile. Reva immediately throws 3 bronze to the pile after peeking at her cards quietly.
"That's the Scarlet Barony," Amarr says as he looks at his own cards and pushes 3 bronze toward the center of the table. He sips his drink and continues, "The Barony is a gang, you could say. They usually helped with thug work during the night but also helped with the taxation office in the morning for a small cut. Most of them were orphaned kids that lived on the street but had since settled somewhere. They're good kids if a little bit misguided."
"Misguided is one way of saying it," Ulric says, pushing 3 bronze to the pile. "I prefer the term uneducated. They are a menace but in a good way. They just don't know any better. They do odd jobs here and there, but they are a somewhat trusted party in the city. Their reputation was a bit tarnished by their background as thieves and beggars and orphans that used to live on the street, but it was improving in the last few years when they became a bit more organized. The Clarents doing, I think."
"Interesting, what would House Clarent have to gain from elevating former street urchins and beggars? Altruistic doesn't sound like them, from what you said of the current Lord anyway. I'll see you", he says, throwing Lady Reva a smile as he mentions her brother not sounding like the altruistic sort.
Although he is chatting, he is still trying to get some kind of read on the other players.
Ulric draws a card from the deck and leaves it face up. It is a 9. The second betting round is open.
"Raise," Reva says, adding 5 bronze to the pot. "It's my father's doing, actually. You might not know, but we had a corrupt mayor a couple of decades ago. He was deposed eventually, but his administration brought much suffering. Children were left living on the street. There was starvation across the city. If not for the Houses of Mantagard finally declaring a temporary truce to their inter-house rivalry, there wouldn't be much of Mantagard standing today."
"Call", Ammar says. You begin to notice that he is tapping his fingers on his cards nervously. His cards are not that good and he is trying to bluff.
Ulric nods and calls the bet. "Twas a dark year that," he says. "I was not yet in Mantagard at the time. I married into House Emika, you see. I was but a tyke from a wealthy merchant family at the time. When we finally came to the city, it was not good. It took some years before everything returned to normal."
"The Scarlet Barony only consisted of children, orphans, back then," Reva continues. "We fed them, clothed them, and housed them. When they grew up, they elected to help the city in any way they can without being attached to the official government. The Scarlet Barony was the solution. House Clarent sponsored a residential complex for them and in exchange, they would help the city guards maintain the peace as well as help the people of Mantagard in some aspects of their life."
Ulric draws another card and places a 6 beside the 9. The third betting round is open.
"The Verdant Mason," Reva tuts. "A relic of the past. They are more of a nuisance these days. At the very least Houses of Mantagard is still being helpful. The Mason only wastes the budget." She puts 5 bronze forward and you can tell that her eyebrow twitches as she does it. She is not happy with the new card.
"Now, now, don't be hasty, Reva," Ulric says. He raises the bet to 8 bronze. You can tell from the small grin and the expertly covered cocky posture that he believes he is winning with a very good card. "The Mason has their uses, but Reva is partly right. It has been quite some years since the Mason had made a contribution to the city. The last building that was renovated or built by them was maybe 20 or 30 years ago. Since then, they haven't been contributing to the community. Their budget had bloated and sometimes we saw their products being operated in other cities, but for an institution based in Mantagard, they don't really fit in anymore. They only took our younglings to be taught, but never really return them for our service anymore. Not without a hefty price."
Drexon, you notice a quick jerky movement from Amarr. He is about to do something but seems to abort it. "Fold," he grumbles.
"Did you hear about what they have been commissioned to do?" Reva asks. "A commission by the Primarch herself for that new bejeweled tower they are building in Timaril. Something is fishy with those people. They demanded 100 gold for a simple carving. Of course, the government of Timaril refused to pay it. Unfortunately, our current mayor is a people-pleaser. He made a deal to cover half of that from Mantagard's budget while the other half is hesitantly covered by the government of Timaril."
“So what should I expect tonight? Just people having a few too many drinks that need to be escorted out or are there any particular problems that pop up that may need a bit more force?” Eremoz looks around at the nearby area for guards or suspicious characters. “I haven’t done this exact kind of work before officially. From time to time I’ve assisted patrons in leaving establishments, but it was always when people bothered us when we were trying to relax.”
Drexon listens closely to the conversation, even as he watches his competitors.
He lets out a gentle sigh, almost inaudible, as he puts his 8 bronze in to call, "I'll call, won't learn how to play if I fold now".
"I have to agree, the Masons seem a little aloof and apart, with a storied history but pretty vacant present. Was it the Grand Mason himself that was in that private high stakes game?".
"Most of them are just keeping the people from becoming too rowdy," the guard says to Eremoz. "We'll be standing at the entrance to let people in and to bar entry for underage people. There will be a time you will be called either by the bartender, the waitresses and waiters, or the boss to help. I think there will be a high-stakes game in the private room tonight, so you might be asked to be in the room or outside the room because we're a bit short-staffed with my partner gone. Other than that, there will be a few fights here and there that will need breaking."
Ulric draws a final card from the deck and places an 8 beside the 9 and 6. Reva glances at Ulric and folds.
"Well, I don't know what the Grand Mason looks like," Ulric says as he puts another 8 bronze in the pot. "The man that I met wore very formal and quite expensive clothing with the mason's emblem on it. Very charismatic. Dark hair. Middle-aged. I think his name is Horus or something."
"Ha! Upstanding, he says!" Ulric chortles. "No, lads, we're the hated faction of the elites. We're the wild card. Why do you think we're here playing cards instead of with the others in the mayor's office now? We just don't care that much about the politics of the city. Well, perhaps Amarr would because it's his warehouse that was raided yesterday. Me and Reva, though, don't have the patience to deal with the other families and representatives. If I were to guess, they would be discussing the Clarent's party now instead of talking about the raided warehouse. The office is no longer corrupt, true, but it's still filled with self-interest masked with philanthropic gestures and boy we have a lot of self-interested parties here in Mantagard."
“Well, I’ll go let my companions know and you can check with your employer.” Eremoz heads inside the building and heads over to Cob.
”Hey, the door guy said he needs some help tonight. Unless we have other plans, I think I will make a little coin. What do you think?”
"Even we have heard tell of the grand birthday party House Clarent is throwing. I sense there is a story there with regards to you being formerly of House Clarent, Lady Reva. Far be it for me to pry of course", Drexon says with a cheeky look at the Lady in question.
He also looks across to Amarr, "And such a shame about your warehouse Amarr, I do hope you are getting to the bottom of who it was that raided it. We have been known to do a bit of investigative work ourselves, if you feel the need of our services".
Cob looks over at Eremoz and nods.
"Though they might find someone with your physical gifts more appropriate than me." Cob says
He then nods at the guard standing in front of a blank wall.
"I'm sure he's in front of a concealed passage there. No other reason to be guarding a wall." Cob adds. "That may lead to the warehouse raiders."
"Married off, actually," Reva says to Drexon. "The current lord of the house is my brother. Surprised that there is still arranged marriage? That's because it's not common practice. My brother is just a drunkard that pawned off his sister in a gamble and lost. Still, I do with the hands that I've been given and so far everything is fine. It's a business marriage, but then again I'm always a rebel and prefer being a merchant rather than a lady of the house."
"Well, I can use a fresh pair of eyes," Amarr says to Drexon. "I can pay your group 15 copper a day if you can get to the bottom of it. The rangers and the guards are trying, but I fear they are being stopped by bureaucracy. As Ulric said, the mayoral office is no longer corrupt, but self-interest and the power struggle are still rampant. The last attack on the warehouse, some 3 or 4 months ago, is still being investigated to this day. The one before that had been deemed a cold case. I'll give you a bonus of 1 silver if you find whoever is causing this attack. I'm losing patrons and if this persists I'm going to have to declare bankruptcy."
"Oh, yes, it's the 'elite' game room," Ulric says with a whisper to Cob and the people at the table. "Been there only once and it was rather shady. The owner of the place, Julian, usually hosts a private game there. The time that I was invited to play, they were betting quite a lot of gold and some black market items. The player is also quite varied. During my time, there was an ex-mercenary, Reva's brother, and an out-of-towner. I think I remembered that mason guy also being there. Someone from that library under the city was also there with the mason guy because I remembered he was wearing a stark blue ensemble."
"Interesting", Drexon says. "So it is your brother's daughter, you niece, that is having the birthday do thrown for her then. It just so happens we might be present. I take it you will be in attendance?".
Turning back to Amarr once she answers, "Given full access to the warehouse, I'm sure we could find something out. We are a little pressed for time however, let's see how the next day or two work out".
On hearing about the group in the elite gaming room, he telepathically sends to Cob, "That private game sounds like a hot bed for hatching schemes. We know the grand mason, if that is who he means, is knee deep in the raid. I wonder if it was that Kender chap from the Annexe, he seems like one that would be happy to assist a raid on Toros' stuff. it seems we have stumbled upon a treasure trove of information here".
"Everyone that has a name will be in attendance," Reva scoffs. "My brother, despite his incredibly inherited wealth, has not the diligence or the sense to manage it. This will be a very ostentatious affair. That's why he posted an advert for extra security."
"Sure, I can take you there after this if you want to start today," Amarr says. "With the warehouse emptied this morning, you can do whatever you want there."
Arastoo, the bartender, a young man in his early 20s, comes to the table with several empty glasses and two familiar-looking bottles, a Crimson Cider and a Blood Wine from the Crimson Smash. "Just this once, alright," he says to Ulric. "The boss will be angry if he sees these bottles."
"Thank ye, lad," Ulric says, grabbing the bottles and pouring the first drink, the Blood Wine, to Reva, before anyone else. "No worries. I'll bring my own stock next time." He turns toward you and says, "So, who's playing? Play and talk, lads. Play and talk. Come on, Drex, let's start with the four of us. You seem to have some experience. Let your friends see how it works first."
Eremoz exits the bar and talks to the Goliath again. “Sounds like I have the evening free. I’d be happy to help out. I don’t think I introduced myself before. I’m Eremoz.”
"Fine by me, why don't you deal Ulric?", Drexon says, happy to get started.
Outwardly his demeanour doesn't change, but in actuality he starts to watch the other players more closely, looking for tells or anything else to give him and edge.
Insight: 4+5 =9 (Passive: 15)
"Name's Harren," the goliath says to Eremoz. "The boss will be by in half an hour or an hour. Business with the mayor. We'll deal with the details when he returns."
With a grin, Ulric begins cutting the deck. He pushes 25 bronze to the middle of the table and deals two face-down cards to himself, Drexon, Reva, and Amarr.
"So, newcomers to the city, how's it treating you so far?" Ulric asks. "Not a good time to visit Mantagard with yesterday's raid. Everyone's tense."
Drexon, at first glance, you can tell nothing of these people. They seem to be experienced people and charismatic enough to cover for any distinctive tells. It will take some time before you can divine something that will give you an edge.
Cob makes his way around the main room, slowly finding his path to the concealed door.
"I hear the real action is in there," Cob says to the guard, indicating the wall with a nod. "What's the buy in?"
He doesn't expect to be let in, but is using what time he can get in front of it to look for how it might open.
Investigation: 22
"It's treating us just fine, all the furore just adds to the charm", Drexon replies as he pushes his own coin into the centre of the table.
He looks to his opponents, "We did see some people in red coats with gold pins acting a bit suspicious. Any idea what that is about?".
As he idly chats, he discreetly tips the corners of his cards to see what they are, and then waits for a reply and the others to make their stakes.
The guard looks at Cob for a long while before grunting and motioning you away. He doesn't say anything or even acknowledge you further. However, as you look at the wall behind the guard, you notice that there is a barely visible depression on the wall that can be pushed or clicked.
Both Reva and Amarr set their own 25 bronze to the center pile. Reva immediately throws 3 bronze to the pile after peeking at her cards quietly.
"That's the Scarlet Barony," Amarr says as he looks at his own cards and pushes 3 bronze toward the center of the table. He sips his drink and continues, "The Barony is a gang, you could say. They usually helped with thug work during the night but also helped with the taxation office in the morning for a small cut. Most of them were orphaned kids that lived on the street but had since settled somewhere. They're good kids if a little bit misguided."
"Misguided is one way of saying it," Ulric says, pushing 3 bronze to the pile. "I prefer the term uneducated. They are a menace but in a good way. They just don't know any better. They do odd jobs here and there, but they are a somewhat trusted party in the city. Their reputation was a bit tarnished by their background as thieves and beggars and orphans that used to live on the street, but it was improving in the last few years when they became a bit more organized. The Clarents doing, I think."
Drexon also pushes 3 bronze forward.
"Interesting, what would House Clarent have to gain from elevating former street urchins and beggars? Altruistic doesn't sound like them, from what you said of the current Lord anyway. I'll see you", he says, throwing Lady Reva a smile as he mentions her brother not sounding like the altruistic sort.
Although he is chatting, he is still trying to get some kind of read on the other players.
Insight: 6+5=11 (Passive: 15)
Ulric draws a card from the deck and leaves it face up. It is a 9. The second betting round is open.
"Raise," Reva says, adding 5 bronze to the pot. "It's my father's doing, actually. You might not know, but we had a corrupt mayor a couple of decades ago. He was deposed eventually, but his administration brought much suffering. Children were left living on the street. There was starvation across the city. If not for the Houses of Mantagard finally declaring a temporary truce to their inter-house rivalry, there wouldn't be much of Mantagard standing today."
"Call", Ammar says. You begin to notice that he is tapping his fingers on his cards nervously. His cards are not that good and he is trying to bluff.
Ulric nods and calls the bet. "Twas a dark year that," he says. "I was not yet in Mantagard at the time. I married into House Emika, you see. I was but a tyke from a wealthy merchant family at the time. When we finally came to the city, it was not good. It took some years before everything returned to normal."
"The Scarlet Barony only consisted of children, orphans, back then," Reva continues. "We fed them, clothed them, and housed them. When they grew up, they elected to help the city in any way they can without being attached to the official government. The Scarlet Barony was the solution. House Clarent sponsored a residential complex for them and in exchange, they would help the city guards maintain the peace as well as help the people of Mantagard in some aspects of their life."
"I stand corrected", Drexon says, "It seems House Clarent is altruistic, or at least they were".
He looks at the card in the centre, placing 5 bronze into the centre.
"Let's see what the next card is, I call too".
"So what about the masons then, we went to their museum earlier. Any insight on that front?".
He again watches his adversaries closely.
Insight: 18+5=23
Ulric draws another card and places a 6 beside the 9. The third betting round is open.
"The Verdant Mason," Reva tuts. "A relic of the past. They are more of a nuisance these days. At the very least Houses of Mantagard is still being helpful. The Mason only wastes the budget." She puts 5 bronze forward and you can tell that her eyebrow twitches as she does it. She is not happy with the new card.
"Now, now, don't be hasty, Reva," Ulric says. He raises the bet to 8 bronze. You can tell from the small grin and the expertly covered cocky posture that he believes he is winning with a very good card. "The Mason has their uses, but Reva is partly right. It has been quite some years since the Mason had made a contribution to the city. The last building that was renovated or built by them was maybe 20 or 30 years ago. Since then, they haven't been contributing to the community. Their budget had bloated and sometimes we saw their products being operated in other cities, but for an institution based in Mantagard, they don't really fit in anymore. They only took our younglings to be taught, but never really return them for our service anymore. Not without a hefty price."
Drexon, you notice a quick jerky movement from Amarr. He is about to do something but seems to abort it. "Fold," he grumbles.
"Did you hear about what they have been commissioned to do?" Reva asks. "A commission by the Primarch herself for that new bejeweled tower they are building in Timaril. Something is fishy with those people. They demanded 100 gold for a simple carving. Of course, the government of Timaril refused to pay it. Unfortunately, our current mayor is a people-pleaser. He made a deal to cover half of that from Mantagard's budget while the other half is hesitantly covered by the government of Timaril."
“So what should I expect tonight? Just people having a few too many drinks that need to be escorted out or are there any particular problems that pop up that may need a bit more force?” Eremoz looks around at the nearby area for guards or suspicious characters. “I haven’t done this exact kind of work before officially. From time to time I’ve assisted patrons in leaving establishments, but it was always when people bothered us when we were trying to relax.”
Drexon listens closely to the conversation, even as he watches his competitors.
He lets out a gentle sigh, almost inaudible, as he puts his 8 bronze in to call, "I'll call, won't learn how to play if I fold now".
"I have to agree, the Masons seem a little aloof and apart, with a storied history but pretty vacant present. Was it the Grand Mason himself that was in that private high stakes game?".
"Most of them are just keeping the people from becoming too rowdy," the guard says to Eremoz. "We'll be standing at the entrance to let people in and to bar entry for underage people. There will be a time you will be called either by the bartender, the waitresses and waiters, or the boss to help. I think there will be a high-stakes game in the private room tonight, so you might be asked to be in the room or outside the room because we're a bit short-staffed with my partner gone. Other than that, there will be a few fights here and there that will need breaking."
Ulric draws a final card from the deck and places an 8 beside the 9 and 6. Reva glances at Ulric and folds.
"Well, I don't know what the Grand Mason looks like," Ulric says as he puts another 8 bronze in the pot. "The man that I met wore very formal and quite expensive clothing with the mason's emblem on it. Very charismatic. Dark hair. Middle-aged. I think his name is Horus or something."