His fine clothing is getting a workout. He is dressed as he was the night before, his clothing passable, but nothing super fancy. He will be able to pass for a casino goer without any difficulty, the real trick will be to pay the fee to gamble. He doesn't intend on leaving that much on the tables, but he is there to watch and learn.
Seeing Bern is being generous, he does the same and digs into his backpack to offer to the group for their entrance fee, "I've 29 gold pieces and some 260 silver if anyone's short?" Stuck deeper in his pack is a jeweled goblet he could probably get another 50 to 60 gold for it, but he would rather keep that if he could.
Well everything seems to be coming together and they are working as a team which is nice and bodes well for the next leg. She grins at Zindra's comment.
"I'll make sure your loan is repaid."
So she goes off to change, before returning dressed very differently than anyone has ever seen her before.
[OOC What was in the box/present from the dressmakers? ]
OOC: It was a thin silver chain with a small pear shaped faux gemstone amulet. It probably wasn't worth much at all, but it went perfectly with the dress, the blue matching the blue in the dress, the silver matching the lining.
DM (For Jaliera, Kriv, Sindar and Zhu)
Those heading for the casino, Jaliera, Kriv, Sindar and Zhu made their way towards the docks. It is a pleasant but cool autumn evening. The cloudless skies made for a perfect, almost magical night to cruise under the stars. When they reached the river boat, the Grand Dame, there's a short line of about a dozen folks, all dressed up, waiting to get on board. At the end of the cobblestone pier there is a set of steps that lead up to a wooden platform. A roped off lane keeps customers waiting in single file. Two guards make sure to direct customers wher to stand in line. On the platform the captain and two other guards are interviewing the customers, one by one, before they board. From where you are, not yet on line, you see additional security guards patroling the upper and main decks. Fancy lanterns dangle from the upper deck balcony dimly illuminating the riverboat and providing for a romantic athmosphere. You see patrons, enjoying the night air on deck, milling about, laughing. Music is playing from inside the ship.
As you look more carefully at those being interviewed by the captain, almost all are allowed on board, but one man was turned away. He had started to argue with the captain but decided not to incur the wrath of the two burly guards so he turns and leaves the pier in a huff. Listening to those in front of you, you hear things like "Why argue? ... he would just have ruined the evening... He was probably a theif... "
Others move forward. Once they reach the area under the upper balcony, they are met by a woman dressed in an elegant but foreign looking outfit. She is flanked by two more guards. When people pass the captain's scrutiny, they walk up to her, hand her gold which she puts inside a bag. She exchanges the gold for gambling chips. While the woman is not exchanging gold for chips, she stands there carefully observing people trying into board the ship.
ooc: I need to know if anyone going to the ship is carrying a weapon, magic item or wearing any armor. Is Whisper involved? Are you casting any spells before you are there. Is there anything else I should know?
(For Bern, Davroar and Zindra)
They accompany the foursome that will board the gambling ship up to the pier. There they stop and Zindra asks, "What's the plan?"
Mindful of what had been discussed, Kriv had left his weapons and armor behind, technically. The Eldritch Knight could recall his armaments with a thought, but this was not information that would need to be disclosed. Dressed in the noble finery of his birthright, the Dragonborn was right at home here, and would scan clean.
"Mostly keep an eye on things", he told Zindra. "And ... if needed ... do what we can to assist our friends. If you have any suggestions ... I'm ready to listen", he said with a shrug and a grin.
Wearing the red dress she carries for fancier occasions, she waits in line with the others. She's left her magical weapons and protective items behind.
He wears his shearling vest, light cotton trousers, tight around the calves and ankles, and a pair of sandals. A casual look that shows off his sleek blue skin, topped off with the jellewed holy symbol hanging around his neck. Cold doesn't faze him.
It's not extravagent attire but Arus will be relying on his foreign appearance to get him in.
Arus doesn't wear a weapon. He'll acquire one on board if needed but he hopes not.
"Remember, our mission is to gather information. But if they start trouble, by all means finish it." He says to the party.
In a quieter tone he says to Bern, "If anything really bad happens, I could shape change into a river otter and possibly climb up one of the large oars and get inside."
Zindra "I honestly don't know if we can even keep up with the boat. Fortunately, the flow is slow and they boat is not racing anywhere special. With all the lanterns we should be able to locate it, I doubt that we'll get anywhere near in time to help if help is needed."
She is delighted with her gift as the man had no need to bestow it at all. It was very kind of him. She puts it on. Leaving all weapons and magical items behind, she also leaves Whisper to guard both hers and Davroar's possessions left in the room.
Then she joins the others in the queue for the boat but not actually associating with them. It may be best if they are not viewed as a collected whole. Instead she focuses her attention on the boat, the boarding arrangements and the faces of the establishment.
The line moves rather quickly to gain access to the river boat. Many of the people on line in front were repeat customers and the conversation between them and the captain was short and they gained easy access. There were a few newer patrons, and those were asked more questions and questions that pried into their income and status. Even if people came with others, they were interviewed individually, one by one, by the captain. All of the would-be patrons knew to introduce themselves not only by name, by by social station, occupation and reputation.
One man stated that he was a merchant from Daggerford and was grilled about what wares he dealt in and the current market price of such wares. He proudly discussed the price he hoped for but the better price that he got for his wares. Satisfied, the captain allowed him to pass. Like the others that passed scrutiny, he walked up to the woman with the bag, handed her gold, and she handed him chips. The gold went into the bag. Another man claimed to be a lord from Waterdeep and was asked about the health of another lord of Waterdeep. When he replied that the person was well he was turned away. Apparently there was no such "Lord" in Waterdeep. The question had been a trick question. Most everyone else made it through before the four heroes were up. "You're next," said one of the guards to Kriv. He removed the rope barrier that separated those who waited on line from the steps up to the platform and let the dragonborn walk up to begin the interview process.
"Welcome to the Grand Dame and the Golden Goose Casino. Who might I have the privilege of inviting into our establishment this evening?" the captain asked, smiling but gazing directly into Kriv's eyes.
OOC: Just to expedite matters, it'll require some sort of Charisma roll to get on board. If you get a bonus for deception, roll that, even if you're being truthful. It will be compared to the captain's insight roll. No other charisma based skill applies. We'll deal with what happens after the roll. So all four of you can make your rolls and post the result. I'll follow up from there.
Zindra
She sighs at Bern's suggestion. "We promised to be here, so I'll stay. Maybe they don't need help now, but we don't know what will happen when they return. I wouldn't want to lose sight of the boat on the water. It's not the only vessel out there."
"I hight Kriv Norixius, scion of Norixius Keep near Waterdeep."
Kriv Charisma AJ rolled 1d20 and got 13
(Deception being the one charisma skill he doesn't have, given his preference for cold, hard truth, and disgust for empty promises, empty platitudes and empty threats.)
Captain Storn "Well sir, I am your captain tonight. The name is Nelvin Storn. may Tymora smile upon you tonight," he says as he cheerfully waves Kriv on board.
Captain Storn Insight Kriv Neptune rolled 1d20 and got 12
After Kriv passes inspection, Zhu is next in line. The guard waits for Kriv to move forward before unhooking the rope barrier and waves her on.
"Good evening m'lady. Welcome to the Grand Dame and the Golden Goose Casino. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Captain Nelvin Storn. And who do I have the pleasure greeting tonight?"
Meanwhile, Kriv makes his way on to the ship and one of the guards motions him over to the woman exchanging gold for chips. "Tonight's minimum is 100 gold pieces."
The woman changes her facial expression to that which Kriv now recognizes as a human smile. She seems different than many of the humans he knows, both in term of her garb but also her visage. She is standing behind a table upon which is a tray of chips. There are several different colors of chips (black, blue, red, green, white) but each of them has a golden goose embossed on them. She points a finger to a felt mat that is also on the table, seeming to indicate that Kriv should put whatever gold pieces he wants to use to buy chips there.
[Neptune, can we invoke our backgrounds where appropriate? Like Kriv's a noble and Arus is a Far Traveller.
Far Traveller's entry, for example, says:
Quote
Your accent, mannerisms, figures of speech, and perhaps even your appearance all mark you as foreign. Curious glances are directed your way wherever you go, which can be a nuisance, but you also gain the friendly interest of scholars and others intrigued by far-off lands, to say nothing of everyday folk who are eager to hear stories of your homeland. You can parley this attention into access to people and places you might not otherwise have, for you and your travelling companions. Noble lords, scholars, and merchant princes, to name a few, might be interested in hearing about your distant homeland and people.
(My emphasis.) I'm not sure how these backgrounds manifest mechanically in 5e. Advantage?]
OOC: When it comes into play, I'll let you know For now, I'll take that first roll.
Also, my apologies. The roll is "Persuasion" not "Deception". If Kriv had failed, I would have added the correct modifiers to see if that helped but there was no need
She is a little nervous in this setting but smiles when it is her turn.
"My name is Jaliera Hassan, a mine owner in Phandelin."
All true of course but she has nothing else to offer than might provide status. Except maybe her mentor's name but that seems to work in both directions.
Neither Arus or Zhu stated nothing more than their name. This seemed to be an insufficient answer so he asked, "Can you please tell me a little more about you?" he asked both, one at a time. From what they have heard from others, stating occupation, noble lineage, and from where they hailed was the minimum he expected.
Kriv, who passed inspection first, sees the woman exchanging gold look up towards the inspection area as the captain asked the follow-up question.
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For now, I'll take that 