Alijurn watches as his three companions sit around staring at each other sometimes whispering and just looking at each other with a weird pause. He rolls his eyes watches the show. 

As you turn your gaze back to the fight, the kobolds are flipping the giant! WHAT!? They managed to hook his leg with some rope and send him off balance by pulling his beard down! HOW’D THEY EVEN DO THAT!? They got a full flip out of him! The crowd is going nuts. The giant lands on his back with a massive crash and groans. Meanwhile, the kobolds, beaten and battered, get up on the edge of the coliseum and... elbow drop onto the giant! Though they’re small, the giant is taken aback by the impact. Out of nowhere, a spectral figure appears as the giant is pinned by the kobolds and begins counting, “1... 2...-“ but just before the entity gets to three, the giant’s clarity returns to him, and it vanishes. With a roar, he throws one of the kobolds off into the wall and slams the other into the ground. The crowd roars along with him. It seems that this match is far from over!

Wick casts invisibility! He scratches Jean-Luc behind the ears and weaves his way through the crowd to the top box.

As he does so, he snatches a handful of popcorn here, a flagon of beer there and snickers as they fade into invisibility in his grip. So imbibed and besnacked, the gnome easily evades detection and finds himself within easy earshot of the Lady and her companions in short (very short, because gnome!) order.

He keeps a sharp eye and ear on these folks and picks up anything and everything he can.

Rolled in discord!

Stealth: 27 (crit+guidance)

Perception: 24 (crit)

As you weave your way through the crowds, you make your way past the many and varied crowds, the vendors, and even the guards of the suite. You are, undoubtedly, at the top of your game right now. As you sneak closer to Lady Bixsnow, you make out her details. She is a half-elf of fair, bluish white skin and silver hair. She stands about 6 feet tall and her hair comes down to the small of her back in a very fine braid. She’s dressed quite modestly in long, red robes with fine golden trim. She wears a veil over her face, but you can see that she has a piercing set of blue eyes that seem to chill you in their beauty. She stands politely next to the figure that you saw earlier. The man, you now see, looks incomparable to anything that you’ve seen before. His skin is not just dark, but pitch black. As he moves, his image seems to drag like a living shadow. His eyes are piercing and red, and the streaks of white that you glimpsed before are bone. His body seems mostly stable but if he makes any sudden moves, it takes a moment for the rest of him to catch up. As he watches the show, he laughs and smiles, all the while making some small talk with Bixsnow.

The man smiles, “Yes, yes, Bixsnow, but enough about me. I want to know about you. How are things in the Basilica District? I trust enough guilty... ah what’s the word you religious types use... sinners! That’s the one. So, enough guility sinners find their way to you, or do you need additional funding for more statues?” Bixsnow shakes her head, “No, my lord, you have been more than generous in your donations. The High Shrine has proven very popular since your assistance.” To that, the man laughs, “Of course it has! You little ones love that kind of thing, and with the High Shrine, everyone can feel pleasant about themselves. Everyone’s happy now. Though, I’m going to be clear, it feels a bit silly to spend so much money on something like that, rather than something like this, which not nearly as many people enjoy. But like I said, I’m just happy you people are happy.”

The man pauses a beat and gestures to the invisible Wick, “What about you, new person, what do you think about all this? Fun? Yes? No? Impromptu poll, answer quick.”

A portly tradesman behind Wick turns surprisedly, “Me, my lord? Oh well I-“ The man cuts him off, “No, not you, Jacques, I’ve heard enough about you. The small creature in front of you. The one that’s hiding, trying to avoid me noticing his presence, which was pretty close, I will say. I want to know what he thinks.”

Ashe covers her mouth as if bemused by the happenings on the field of glory, but in fact, sends a message to Ali and Dee. Stay sharp. I've read up on this demiplane before. The lord and maker of this plane is someone known as Kirkgrim. If you feel as though you are being watched, we all very well may be.

Wick drops his spell instantly. He cuts his most formal bow, and makes as though to cover a smug smile (while, in reality, attempting to cover a rictus of fear. Performance: 21). 

"My lords and ladies," Wick says in as meek a voice as he can manage. His feet shift and he twists his lute in his hands. "Forgive my intrusion. I am but a simple creature, and I have always wondered what life must be like for nobility as distinguished as yourselves. I presumed that my meager skills would allow me to experience the lives you lead, if only for the briefest of moments..." Wick drops to his knees. "I see now that this was a pipe dream. Please, allow me to serve you this evening so that I might make amends for my slight." 

The gnome cradles his lute and quickly trips the strings in a strong, pleasing opening chord. "I have somewhat more skill in my hands than I do in my magic. My lords? My lady? Might I presume to play for you?"

The man visibly rolls his eyes at the display, “You, tiny gnome, shush.” He puts a finger up to his lips, then lowers it again, “I believe I’m waiting on an answer. Let’s try it again. Stand on up, compose yourself, and... go.” He swishes a hand to signal for your queue.

Seeing that he is dealing with a genuine threat (and games will likely get him killed) Wick drops the charade instantly. 

He hops to his feet, cocks his head at this god-like individual, and turns to regard the arena. "I like it well enough, my lord," he begins. "I appreciate the athleticism of the combatants, but that's all window dressing. What I see primarily is missed opportunity. You have an amazing crush of bodies in this space, yet the only exchange of coin I see is for moderately overpriced finger foods and beer. Why not offer tickets for an end-of-night lottery? You could even sell wristbands for access to premium products at concession booths..." Wick trails off, then he turns to the man and his retinue.

"Shall I continue, my lord?"

The man taps his finger against his chin, “Interesting idea... That being said, have you considered the overall effect that would have on the moral of the crowd? The lottery could work, but premiums could irritate certain people. Then again, if we were to use their funds to set up better matches, it could have a positive impact.” He rubs his temples, “Bah... something to think about.” He gestures a hand, a shadow extends out from his own, and latches the shadow of a chair. The chair slides across the room, catches you in it, and sits you next to him, “Take a seat, new guy, let’s talk some more. You seem like an interesting enough guy, now that you ditched the boot licking. What brought you here?”

 Stumbleduck's been gone awhile Dahme'dre projects her thoughts to Alijurn and Ashe. Stay on your guard. She sends Mondra'goran to watch from a distance.

 ... It looks like he's... Making friends... 

Isn't it just like a bard to submit to tomfoolery? Hopefully, it is truly friends he is making and not future enemies... Ashe doesn't seem too convinced as she shakes her head side to side. 

Quote from JcAndD >>

The man taps his finger against his chin, “Interesting idea... That being said, have you considered the overall effect that would have on the moral of the crowd? The lottery could work, but premiums could irritate certain people. Then again, if we were to use their funds to set up better matches, it could have a positive impact.” He rubs his temples, “Bah... something to think about.” He gestures a hand, a shadow extends out from his own, and latches the shadow of a chair. The chair slides across the room, catches you in it, and sits you next to him, “Take a seat, new guy, let’s talk some more. You seem like an interesting enough guy, now that you ditched the boot licking. What brought you here?”

 Wick smiles genuinely for the first time since finding himself in this place. "Would you believe an ex-girlfriend and a yeth hound?" He finds himself liking this terrifying gentleman in spite of his yowling, terrified lizard brain. Given Wick's uncle's occupation as unyielding and (most likely evil) ruler of the deep earth, he's pretty used to sitting at the arm of someone who could kill him in an instant.

He describes (in broad strokes) his travels this past week. He leaves out his companions' races and names, the name of the Scylla, and Thuluku. He's fairly certain that this gentleman would appreciate his caution, though. His stories focus primarily on fighting (lords and ladies love that crap). The manticores, the Yeth hounds, the frequent comic relief of a certain bi-patched rock gnome and his undrinkable turpentine... This is Wick's element, and he makes no effort to leave or indicate the location of his party.

So, Wick isn’t going anywhere, what is the rest of the team doing in this time? For reference purposes, Wick is on the other side of the coliseum from you guys. You can only barely see him from where you are, but thanks to Mon, you can see in finer detail.

 "Ok, Alijurn. ... Alijurn are you paying attention, law man?" Dahme'dre whispers. "How does one go about tracking down a major criminal organization in a big city?" 

Dahme'dre checks briefly around them (Perception: (4)16) to ensure they aren't being directly observed before she wipes away her face revealing another. She's taken on the appearance of her old nurse Lini.

 "I suppose we should start by finding the port" she says in a creaky aged voice, as she stands.

Alijurn turns his head slowly, looking Dahme'dre straight in the eye. "I don't think Iv'e expressed it clearly yet, but I never worked as a detective. I was a troop leader. I designated tasks and partook in razzias. AFTER the DETECTIVES had tracked down the organisation. Then again. Having a mole would be nice, and owners of establishments like this might know of them. Since criminals like to have a hand in pastime like this, especially if these games are in fact rigged." 

"My dear Alijurn, we do apologize," Ashe smiles, "you are simply the more... capable of us with regards to even interacting with criminals. Your insight is so appreciated. I would hazard a guess that the gnome is schmoozing up the owner of this coliseum. I wonder... if they have anything like a tavern in this very arena. If we are to make friends with unsavory types, then it's always wise to start with the drunk ones, no? Drunk men always spill the beans."

Alijurn shifts in his seat. "Good thinking. If there is a tavern at the coliseum that is a good place to start." 

If that is what you three would like to do, then you may certainly do so! Someone roll me Investigation as you start searching.