Chapter 2 - Getting to the bottom of it?

[Chris1234]

Bleys stands up, pushes his chair tidily under the table, shrugs off Morgunn's restraining hand and then, with a swish of his mantle, approaches towards Alecia.

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Previously mentioned wagers were:

• How many return alive
  How many return not alive
  Who gains the most scars
  How many rooms are mapped
  How many bounty ears are collected
  What time the first returns (after the 24 hours)

[Jenara]

Alecia pulls her arms around herself slightly defensively, regarding the man as he approaches. "May I help you kind sir?" What easks her words faltering.

[Chris1234]

Bleys looks into Alecia's eyes and sweeps into a flourishing bow, ""You have already, Lady Alecia, but I would be truly favoured if you would take possession of this for me, using it as you need, to return it to my hand when you exit the well."

He offers a small leather covered package (the size of a hip flask). It looks like it may be covered in moleskin, adding, "If you would permit me to explain?"

[Jenara]

"I have helped you? How might that be?" She asks in genuine confusion. "Kind sir. I..yes I believe you should."

[Chris1234]

"Lady, your elegance and beauty are bewitching," he says and then goes pale before reddening. He nods, eyes now glued on the little item.
He deftly shows that the right hand side is actually a fastening, opened by removing a short but wide bladed knife. The sharp blade* is silver inlaid and the moleskin handle is pommeled with a pearl.
The front face then flips open to reveal three glass vials each with it's own retaining strap. The contents of the three vials are coloured red, orange and green. He taps them in order, reciting, "Red, healing**. Orange, resist*** fire, an hour. Green, resist***acid, an hour."
The inside of the front face comprises a silver mirror. There is a small, flowing inscription across the bottom of the mirror.

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*+1 to hit, 1d3 piercing damage.
**4d4+4
***Resistance reduces damage received by half.

[Nocturno]

Sue will give Luranla a shared as she gets swept awsy6to the busy bar. Then mimes that more to come when he gets back. Pointing to her then him with a pull of the rope motion.

"I'll be sticking with my wager on us all returning alive."
He looks around "Jim, you seem observant. Where might I relieve myself of some of this drink? Woody... get ready... we will probably need that sharp brain of yours."

He will head to shed some water, and use a Lay on Hands to clear the intoxication.

[Chris1234]

Sue receives a wink from Luranla who moves off witha smile towards the patrons gathering around the bar.

Regnet says, "Fine," and pulls out folded parchment, a silver ink pot and pen from various pockets. He writes down 'Six to return, Regnet, Sue, 1 sun' and then offers it to Sue to read. "That correct?"

After amending the amount if required, he puts the requisite amount into Sue's empty drinking cup and then indicates for Sue to do the same. "We'll hold this behind the bar until tomorrow." SOme additional bets between the four are added to the parchment and Regnet's cup is put into similar service. No one comments about Sue's bet being the smallest. Woody notices that many of the other patrons are betting between themselves, not using parchment or cups, just word of mouth and handshakes. Sue's bet is much larger than any of these wagers.

Jim is just giving directions to Sue on where he thinks the Jakes will be when Bleys leans over and drops two strings of coins, each joined by a knotted cord, into one of the cups and says to Regnet, "Twenty Moons on the Lady to return on time and unscathed." It takes a few momene3ts for Morgunn, Regnet and Shaban to agree to cover the wager between them.

After a short while Sue returns from the Jakes, striding purposefully, no sign of a wobble in his step. Regnet greets him, "is there anything else? Or are you all ready to go down..?"

[Squirrellord]

Feeling the excitement of the moment, aided by the liquor in his system, Jim reaches to his pouch and removes 3 gold pieces. He steps up and places them on the table. "To add to Sue's bet" he says with a firm nod of his head. If accepted, he steps back from the table and questions the other members of The Transitory Band of Wayward Acquaintances "do any of you have parchment and writing supplies to make a map? I do not"

[Jenara]

"I will hold on to it carefully, and use it as required." She answers in soft words, keeping her voice at a low level while secretinh the item somewhere safe. "Thank you." She adds unsure what else to say.

"Alas, I do not have such items. Although I suspect such could be obtained." She knew her memory would recall most of what was found, yet I needed to be written.

[Chris1234]

Shaban accepts Jim's wager and Regnet collects the coinage and writes appropriately on the parchment.

Bleys looks like the cat that got the cream, bows deeply, "The pleasure is mine, Lady." He returns towards his place at the nobles' table.

[Jenara]

"Ohhh, actually I do." She announces in suprise, "It's not much but if I keep the lines narrow and the words small..."

[Nocturno]

"Ok, sounds like we are set."

[Chris1234]

Regnet looks at Sue and then gestures towards the bar, presumably indicating that as the appropriate place to hand over the entrance fee payments.

[Squirrellord]

"I am ready" Jim replies

[counterkid]

Jim, I also carry ink and paper.
Let's get moving. Anyone know the current time?