Bandaluthia Session 48

Bandaluthia Session 48

Sinn giggled. The Animals who remained in Bandaluthia didn’t get the joke. But, there was work to be done. It seemed there was a job to be done – the Casino Royale – which was to be returned to Guild control. This was a job which would require cunning and deception. It’s a shame the brains were away in Jonger.

Dreizack embraced the deception whole-heartedly. He purchased some expensive new clothes and persuaded a member of the Guild – a thief called Julie – to accompany him. Tyler, too, embraced the opportunity to dress up, and purchased a Ball Gown. The others also dressed with style, though the fact Shaniqua looks like she is twelve limited her credibility as a serious gambler of means.

Travelling in two Y-Zibit stretched carriages, the party traveled to the venue. Decanting from their vehicles, they joined a short queue, and talked to the doorstaff. A slim, courteous man, informed them they would have to hand-in their weapons. Disconcerted as they were with this, they complied.

Once inside Dreizack lost no time in getting into his part, promptly winning 150gp on the roulette. With growing aplomb he continued, buying the finest wine. Like the most accomplished method actor, he then lost the lot with a series of large wagers.

Others were more circumspect. Negri tried his hand at poker, but his bluff was poor, as was his sense motive. Coolio saw a man with a strange tattoo, and followed him. It was clear this man was trying to avoid the guards. The man stepped outside and Tyler, too, spotted him. Under the pretence of needing to step out to get some air, she exited onto the veranda. Coolio considered the meaning of the tattoo, and it transpired this marked the man out as a member of the NemerZiel: a Guild affiliate, in some ways.

As he wandered back inside Coolio talked to the NemerZiel, and he informed him that the Animals were here to reclaim the Casino for the Guild. Not wishing to create a conflict of interest, the NemerZiel made to leave. Then all hell broke loose. Tyler tried to delay the NemerZiel, who floored her. The Casino guards stepped in but they did not slow him down a step. More tried to block his path, and battle was joined. The Animals, seeing their chance, began to attack the Casino guards.

Coolio healed Tyler, and Orc and Dreizack made for the entrance, leaping over the counter to reclaim their weapons. The NemerZiel was now killing the guards on the inside of the entrance. Orc and Dreizack were armed, and passed weapons to Shaniqua, Tyler and Coolio. Negri cast fell spells and guards closed on him, murder on their minds. He was struck and, as he neared death, he lay still, feigning death. Orc and Tyler stuck guards brutally. Dreizack used Feuersturm from a distance. But, the Animals began to take serious punishment. The NemerZiel had now killed the guards outside the Casino door. Coolio implored him to help. ‘I get all the stuff’ he snarled. Coolio agreed, and the battle was as good as won.

The Casino had been reclaimed, and the Animals were paid 40,000gp by Genera for their part in the task. They rested for a while, the rest of the Animals returned, and the quest for the third Key was contemplated. Who should go? What of the NemerZiel? Should Ratsel cast wizard lock on the safe to make sure Dreizack doesn't take the 72,000gp it contains and put it on "red" - one spin of the roulette wheel?

These questions, and many more, will be answered in the next thrilling episode of Bandaluthia.