>>506656
>> Be aggressive

>>506673

Hey man, welcome. I'm kinda popping in and out due to nephew homework. Slow start so far.

>>506673

If we get nothing in another 10-15 mins I'll write based off your vote.

> Be aggressive
Phones suck for this kind of thin

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>>506673
>>506888

"Raise to 60."

Goatee man grins.

Black man grins.

Angry man scowls.

All of them check.

Pot is now 240gp

Each man waits intensely for the card.

Jack (fire) Ten (fire)

You try not to smile. Goatee and Angry man fold.

> Raise

> Fold

> All in.

>>506894
>> Raise

>>506894
>> Raise

Just a side note, it would help some anons if you posted a link to your new thread in the old one as some keep the threads open on auto-update.

>>506907

My bad hold on. Done.

Old thread here btw: 494290

>>506927
put the arrows before the number to make it a link

>>506940

>>494290

I'm failing already tonight.

>>506954
np, not many do that on /qst/

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>>506907
>>506900

You raise and the man locks eyes with you. His eyes are bugging out as he raises again.

You remember noticing he had a tell, but to compete with this would have to go all in. You have a royal flush.

Unless they're playing with multiple decks (which would make it possible he had the same draw as you) You should win... but gambling is never certain.

> All in. (Pot would increase to 900gp)

> Fold. (Would still have 30gp. Would be classed as all In from get-go next hand.)

>Write-In

>>506988
>> All in. (Pot would increase to 900gp)

>>506988
>> All in. (Pot would increase to 900gp)

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>>507003
>>507007

You bite your lip for a second. A moment of doubt, belief that you might be getting played. But his eyes are almost their own entity with how far they've protruded from his skull.

You doubt that can be healthy.

You do it; "All In." Noticing the studious gazes of the two folded players for the first time. Angry man's face becomes a wicked smirk as he adresses the black man;

"She's calling you out Yorell."

He grunts before equaling you. The cards are flipped and thegrunt becomes a moan of disbelief.

The goatee man leans forward. "Quite a nice opener little lady. Let's see if you have staying power."

The cards are dealt once more.

> [PRIDE] Of course I do. I'm going to clean you out

> [GRATEFUL] Thank you.

> [CURIOSITY] Introductions

>>507038
>> [PRIDE] Of course I do. I'm going to clean you out

>>507038
>> [CURIOSITY] Introductions

>>507060
>>507059

Tiebreak or fight amongst yourselves.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>507117
1: >>507059
2: >>507060

>>507130
>>507059

Guess we're going to talk shit. Will write in a moment.

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>>507130
>>507059

"Of course I've got staying power." You manage. "I'm going to clear you all out!" You declare with a sheepish grin.

You feel a hand on your shoulder, your cousin Marie's trademark red drills obscuring your sight as she places a drink in front of you, "Play nice Anna. I'm sure Dedryk needs to pay top dollar if he wants company tonight!"

The man with the ponytail laughs out loud. His gold tooth flashing in the chandelier light. "Ah but Marie. I'm hoping that if I lose, either you or your cousin will take pity on a poor broken soldier. Would you deny me such fantasies."

You have 10 (Earth) 2 (ice) and you adjust your glasses whilst the others look at their cards.

yorell folds with a grumble.

Dedryk stays in. Angry man folds.

-50gp Buy in. 930gp left.

>Check

>Raise

>Fold

(we're playing 3 hands and then timeskip)

>>507269
>>Raise

>>507269
>>Check

>>507303
>>507295

slapfight or tiebreak or roll of

>>507269

Raise

>>507269
Check, our hand is bad

>>507295
>>507394

You make the same bet as last time. Moving from 50-80gp. Dedryk matches this.

"What's the matter Dedryk? Cards stopped smiling on ya." Angry man grunts

"I'm sure he's just testing the new meat Gregory. Yorell replies.

You adjust your glasses and take a sip out of your drink. Dedryk does the same as you both await the draw,

The Next card is an Ace (Ice) Shortly followed by a 4 (fire)

> Check

> Fold

> Raise

Current pot 160gp Funds: 900gp

>>507418
>> Check

>>507418
> Check

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>>507471
>>507475

You tap the table. Signalling you're ready for the next card,

Dedryk raises. Adding an extra 50 to the pot. (210) to continue playing you'd need to toss in another 50 to make it 260.

> Do it?

> Fold?

This will be last hand before time skip.

>>507512
>> Do it?

>>507527

1 more vote and I'll write. Quiet night so far, wonder where the other 4 are.

>>507512
>Do it
We've put in too much and we still have enough money

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>>507678
>>507527

You add another 50. You're down to 850GP

The final card comes up and it's a 4(ice) you try not to let your displeasure show and simply adjust your glasses. The pontyail man lights up a cigarette. For some reason you feel an urge to ask for one despite Marie never having let you smoke in your life.

"Ready to flip Dedryk?" You ask as calmly as possible.

"Of course. Goldeneyes. You're so impatient. Maybe you should ba having more of your strawberry sunrise." He grins as he reveals "3 of a kind."[/o] 4 (ice fire air)

You grimace as you reveal 10 high.

New balance 850gp.

"The miser gives and takes little one!" He claps his hands.

"Her name is Anna." Marie snaps always a bit defensive.

Pick a strategy for investigation and cards

Cards:

> Cautious make sure you stay afloat

> Be agressive, this is a chance to make money

> Try to sink one specific player

Investigation:

> Be friendly with Dedryk

> [PRIDE] Smack talk the others

> [CURIOSITY] Ask about Grinssmon and the others' in general

>>507692
Stay afloat
We already made money, we can back off

[Pride] Insult the others
I think this is how we will get closer to Dedryk

>>507692
>> Cautious make sure you stay afloat
> [CURIOSITY] Ask about Grinssmon and the others' in general

>>507739
>>507719

We're playing cautious. just need a decision on sherlock strats.

>>507760
If this helps break the deadlock, the idea behind my decision is mostly based on the fact that we want to investigate this place and Dedryk seems suspicious to me. We should get on his good side, and let himself reveal anything he knows.

>>507792
>>507739

Going to write once I get food. Ideal world someone will decide between our interrogation tactics

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>>507792
>>507739

Over the next hour you play as cautious as possible. Only committing when you felt confident in victory. The cards weren't the kindest to you, but you did come away with a nice bit of gold (2030GP) It only took another five minutes for a girl to crawl out form under the table. She averted her eyes and wiped her mouth but you couldn't help but shake your head as the others continued on like nothing had happened.

You picked your hands wisely and the angry man Gregory ended up having to go upstairs and get some more coins once a combinaiton of you and Yorell isolating him put him out of the game.

He returned with what you estimate to be about 30,000gp. Causing him to be just behind Dedryk in coins. You've worked out his tells. He goes silent when he gets a good hand and he insults when he's bluffing.

Yorell has his bug eyes when he's bluffing. But you haven't yet worked out his tell for a good hand. So you've stuck to folding when he isn't bug eyed.

Dedryk though; he always laughs and jokes. A few times he's fell silent in shodowns with you or Yorell. But there's been no pattern in his hands when he does go quiet. He's very similar to you in that he's analysing everyone's body language - you suspect he's figured out a tell of yours. But you aren't sure.

You aksed the others about Grinnsmon in between trash talk. Dedryk continued to try and get you to come home with him between giving you great information about the local town. He seems to know a lot about the businesses and where to find the best food. Very well connected, but harbours a strange dislike of Muriel and Gretchen.

Yorel bounced of that with a joke about carpet munchers. You asked what that meant and recieved a swat from Marie. The black man told you to make sure you don't let Dedryk give you a tour, he'd just show you his bedroom and he'd end up being a dispaointing guide. You countered by implying none of the men have impressed you thus far, in cards or in wit.

The others laughed and the blonde man called you foul names under his breath. He was beginning to get drunk and had begun cursing random people between hands. He and Dedryk got a little heated once when you beat the ponytailed man in a high pot, they seemed ready to come to blows until Yorell suggested nobody wanted the guard sniffing around.

Interesting. You;

> Ask to be dealt out, you do owe Marie some dances.

> [CURIOSITY] Ask why everyone is so tense

> [PRIDE] Note that you've outplayed them to the score of, 1950gp before politely leaving.

> Find the owner, you need to have a chat.

>Write-In

>>507948
>> [PRIDE] Note that you've outplayed them to the score of, 1950gp before politely leaving, you do owe Marie some dances.

Pausing to sleep. If life lines up might continue tomorrow afternoon/night.

>>507948
>Ask why they're so tense
We're investigating here, and I'd rather they straight up admit to shit, especially since we have another witness nearby.
If they admit to stuff, find the owner and get shit dealt with.

>>507948
Seconding this >>508157

>>508157
Next time Anna plays cards or tries to bluff, take off glasses. Either it's a tell or one of them can somehow see a reflection of her cards.

>>507948
> [CURIOSITY] Ask why everyone is so tense

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>>508157
>>508217
>>508912

Writing in a moment. Welcome gents.

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>>508912
>>508157
>>507980

You flag down a girl who might as well be naked and ask for another strawberry sunrise and she takes off before you can even pay her. Even though Yorell calmed them down you and Marie both pick up on the tense atmosphere.

"So why are we so tense boys?" You ask, but you can't help but add, "Do I need to take it easy on you?"

Dedryk is the one who answers, "It's nothing Anna. It's just that we've done things in the past that aren't exactly above board. Despite our best efforts to turn things around, the guard still toss us in the cells for minor things." His face darkens for the first time, "Not that I blame them but..."

Yorell picks up where he lef toff, "It is pretty bullshit. I stole from the crafters guild when I first came here. Needed the money to buy a house." He hastily explains. "Did my time for it. But now any time someone loses a ring I get a knock on my door from the damn Minotaur."

The angry man just growls. But Dedryk adds, "Maybe we should change the subject. Where did you learn to play cards. Because I have never seen your cousin so much as win a hand."

> The Capital

> Mum worked in a tavern

> I don't really remember

> Write-In

>>509260
I guess it all comes down to whatever we would like to use this alter ego again, or not.

If we plan to blow our cover in the face of our suspect at one point then we can tell the truth. If we'd like to keep it even after this investigation is over, then we should make a cover-story.

>>509260
> I don't really remember

>>509260
>> The Capital

>>509272
>>509260
I'll change my vote to Captial so we can get things going

>>509313
>>509311

Writan.

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>>509313
>>509311

"I spent some time in the capital..." You mutter looking at Marie. "I don't like to talk about it."

"Ferretty is a dangerous place Anna. It's no surprise you don't." Dedryk offers with a smile.

"Yeah." You mutter and he looks at you studiosly.

You excuse yourself and you pocket your winnings a cool 2030gp jingling in your coinpurse.

Marie follows after wishing the guys farewell. "Okay, despite that weird moment at the end there I think you did well Anna! Made some money and got talking to the guys!

[GRATEFUL] "Thanks. I just did what you taught me Marie."

> I did say I'd dance with you a bit

> Look for the owner

> You have a suspect and are ready to move in

> Maybe hire a girl and ask her some questions?

> Write-In

>>509325
> Maybe hire a girl and ask her some questions?
The silentest mouths are linked to the ears that hear the most

>>509325
>> Maybe hire a girl and ask her some questions?

>>509344
>>509333

Just eating some food then writing for this.

>>509344
>>509333

You go looking for a girl. Thinking that those who fit into the background might have some light to shed.

You pick

> A slightly older woman, she looks tired and bitter staring at the more popular workers. (250gp)

> The most popular girl, if you can afford her (?????)

> A younger girl. She looks nervous everytime a man looks at her. (400gp)

>>509411
> A younger girl. She looks nervous everytime a man looks at her. (400gp)
Not too crafty and someone we could coerce info from

>>509411
>> A younger girl. She looks nervous everytime a man looks at her. (400gp)
or
>> A slightly older woman, she looks tired and bitter staring at the more popular workers. (250gp)
either could be coerced, one doesnt have experience and the other might betray the establishment

>>509446
>>509428

Going to write if nobody else jumps in in 5.

> A younger girl. She looks nervous everytime a man looks at her. (400gp)

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>>509446
>>509428

"We're going to hire a girl and pump her for information." You mutter to Marie.

"I know you didn't mean that pun..." Marie snorts

Ignoring her and rolling your eyes, you look over the crowds. You don't exactly like this place especially not the girls selling themselves for food or beer money. This...honestly could have been you if not for Doc Lexington.

"What about the young one? Marie asks. "She seems so out of her depth."

"It's easy to coerce scared people. Let's do it. You say with authority as Marie mutters something about you being cold sometimes.

You approach her and she jumps out of her skin. "Can I-I-get y-y-y-ou another dirnk Madame?" she stutters.

"No. I would like an hour of your time. My cousin will watch." You assume that is how these encounters go. She probably knows about as much as you as she goes beet red. Her shock showing in a pair of rabbit ears; you hadn't seen them before. She must be exceptionally good at hiding her rabbt-ness.

"B-b-but you're a.... I've never...." She stumbled much to Maries amuesment.

"Are you refusing me?" You ask.

She shakes her head and asks for 400gp. You comply. (New balance 1630g)
Taking one of your hands in two of hers she leads you upstairs. She talks to a man who you think would pass for a minotaur if he had horns. The big fella looks a little surprised that you would hire a girl. You look at the space between your toes...

"Got a problem ugly?" Marie asks behind you. He mutters an apology and you enter the private room. Your prostitute is already peeling off her clothes when you say.

"No need."

She looks at you confused.

> Marie got this

> [CURIOSITY] "Why do you work here"

> Write-In

> Marie got this
She's the regular.

>>509547
>> [CURIOSITY] "Why do you work here"
Marie wants to go on with the investigation, but Purps can't control her curiosity

>>509574

Who's Purps. There is only Marie, Anna and Momo here.

>>509547
>> [CURIOSITY] "Why do you work here"

>>509578
Oh sorry, I mean ah.. Purple would look good on that bunny! Yes, carry on.

>>509580
>>509578

4 mins to writing.

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>>509580
>>509574

"So why do you work here?" You ask.

"Ummm.... is this a test?" She replied scratching her arm in what looks to be a nervous tic.

"No." You deadpan while Marie helps herself to what looks like a cabinet of booze.

"I... just need money and boysalways seem to like me so..." She stammers. "Can we just get this over with?" She... well demands is a strong word but you think that's the closest she gets to raising her voice.

> We'll pay you an extra 100gp to just cuddle and answer our questions.

> What if we got you a job somewhere else (suggest where)

> [CURIOSITY]Why is money so tight?

> Write-In

>>509625
> We'll pay you an extra 100gp to just cuddle and answer our questions.

twenty for cuddling, the rest if she says something worthwhile

> [CURIOSITY]Why is money so tight?
We already have Marie for cuddling purposes

>>509673
>>509663

Need a tiebreaker.

>>509714
I'll switch to curiosity for the sake of progression

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>>509673
>>509723

"Why do you need the money?" You ask, lounging on a surprisingly springy bed.

"Madame.... please I" She sees that you won't relent. "I came out here to live with my boyfriend. We met through in Harlindon and in a whirlwind romance we..." She grits her teeth. "I fell in love. I moved all this way only to be ignored for his wife. Called a crazy whore after money." She looks on the verge of weeping but is furious at same time. "And now I am a moneygrubbing whore. So there, you've heard my sob story. Now hurry up and fuck me so I can get back to my miserable life."[/i[

Well shit. You expected drugs or a family but that was unexpected. You share a glance with Marie.

> What if we had someone who could arrange for you to go home

> [PRIDE] Tell us what we need and I'll beat the shit out of that guy and reveal him

> Help us and we'll take this place down for taking advantage of girls like you.

> Write-In

>>509772
> What if we had someone who could arrange for you to go home

I doubt that cute police bird would be okay with us beating on citizens. Even scumbag ones.

Oi, any lurkers out there say "Á"

>>509909
seconding

>>509772
>> Help us and we'll take this place down for taking advantage of girls like you.

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>>510129
>>509909

"You know. What if we knew someonw who could get you home?" You say.

The girl's eyes lighten with hope, but it's tempered by suspcion. "T-t-this isn't a trap? You're not going to get Mr Mawill to come beat me?" You shake your head.

She begins to tear up and Marie moves in for a hug. "What's your name darling?"

"I-I-I'm Momo." She sniffs.

"Well Momo. Tell us everything you know about what happened here in the past two night and I'll write a letter. Just deliver it to the desk Sgt in the Prison tomorrow morning okay?"

"Th-th-thank you madame..."

"Shhhh I'm Marie and this is Anna. Now tell me what you know about an old man who played cards here. Long beard, smoked alot. Had very thick glasses?" She offerred.

"Uhm. He won a lot of money at the cards. But he was very mean to the others..." Shes thinking very hard, snuggles against Marie's breasts... she doesn't even seem to realize her awkward position. "Yeah and I was asked to give him a complimentary drink."

"Didn't you get one of those?" Asked Marie.

"Yeah." You respond.

"No drowsiness or anything?"

"Not that I've noticed."

She bites her lip. "Interesting. Continue Momo"

"He played cards for a long time. It was my first night so I was feeling really scared. So when Theresa went to smoke I went with her since I didn't feel safe away from her." She picks at the shoulder of her negligee... "He walked by an alley after he left. Two men dragged him into the alley.... I didn't see their faces, but I saw the light hit something metal, like one of them was wearing armour."

You and Marie both digest this informaiton and Momo begins to look terrified. "that's enough right! I told you everything I know!" She cries.

Marie shushes and cradles her. "More than enough. I'll write that letter now." She produces a pen and paper from the place that held the booze and begun writing a note to Honamurei...

You.

> Cuddled the girl until time was up. No need to be suspicious.

> Had a suspect and were going to confront them.

> [CURIOSITY] Ask who Marie thinks did it.

> Write-In

>>510213
>> Cuddled the girl until time was up. No need to be suspicious.
>> [CURIOSITY] Ask who Marie thinks did it.

>>510221
no reason to stop my >this train now
seconding

Writing once I've walked my dog.

>>510213
> Cuddled the girl until time was up. No need to be suspicious.
I really don't want this to go to weird places, but this is the most logical choice.

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>>510346
>>510252
>>510221

You all bundled into the bed together, making sure that if anyone decided to listen at the door the squeaking of springs would be audible. She asks a few questions about you and Marie. The both of you answer in short hushed sentences.

"This friend of yours will really help me? No strings attached?" She asked on the verge of tears as the hour was on the verge of completion.

"Yes." You found yourself answering. "She's honest and kind. She would never turn away someone who needed her."

Marie's eyes watered. "She'll get you back to Harlindon. Don't worry." She comforted.

The girl gave you both one last squeeze before extricating herself from between you. She had a suitable amount of what Marie would call "bed head" and was flushed and teary. If she was as new as she claimed... well the owner would think their act genuine.

"Honest and kind huh?" Marie said as she nudged you.

"You have been nothing but helpful to everyone I have seen. Expecting nothing in return." You reply not understanding her tone. "Plus you evidently have a maternal side if your treatment of Momo is any indication."

"By the fire if I didn't know better I'd say you were trying to seduce me you little charmer." Marie repliied as she got up.

Sandbagging her patronising, "Who do you think did it?"

"Well Dedryk is a caravan guard. So wearing armour wouldn't be too weird for him. Gregory has a mechanical arm, though that's usually covered up..." She shrugged. "Personally I think Gregory would give him a kicking and leave it. Dedryk might rob him if he were desperate or tempted too much, but as far as I know Lexington was known as a wizard. Dunno who would be so ballsy."

It was a lot of money you mused as you stepped out of the private room. Overlooking the dancers and the bar. You see your gamblers are gone. The owner is behind the bar emptying the cashbox and the dancefloor is starting to thin out a little. There's not much time to close.

> You know who did it let's get them (who)

> Dance with Marie

> Talk to the owner

> Write-In

>>510409
>> Dance with Marie

>>510510

Going to call for this soon, Any lurkers might wanna jump in now because might be last post for this thread Tonight.

>>510409
>> Dance with Marie

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>>510510
>>510702

"We don't have much time left...." Marie muttered.

"Well we better get that dance in eh?" You say, tugging her to the dancefloor.

She allows herself to be lead down the stairs a grin on her face. Almost immediatly your cousin begins gyrating and twisting and a sexual dance you've never been able to compare.

You dance how you did before... but without your ribbons it's not as impressive. Even worse it's not exactly the music for it. With a laugh Marie beins teaching you the dance of seduction and soon the two of you are rubbing on each other like cats in heat... much to the approval of the crowd around you.

[DANCING UPGRADED]

The two of you are among the last to leave. The crowd trickling out in the early hours of the morning with much drunken revelry.

"Have a nice evening ladies." The owner says. A greasy man with a dyed mohawk. Your skin crawls just looking at him.

The two of you are smiling as you walk out.

But a pair of strong arms grab you and pull you into the shadows of a nearby alley.

> Marie brought her gun

> You're glad that you insisted on stashing your buzzsaw on your person.

> Play the helppless damsels

> You yell that you fucking knew (Insert here) was behind this!

>>510748
>Play the helppless damsels

>>510748
> Play the helpless damsels
until we identify them, or can deal with them in a quiet corner

>>510748
>buzzsaw
I think it is time to break character and turn this encounter around

>Play the helpless damsels
Protect your head from impact

5 minutes until final write up.

>>510748
>play the helpless damsel

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>>510868
>>510864
>>510853

You scream and kick for a few seconds. Before your mouth is covered by a cold hand... You bite it instinctively and end up just hurting your jaw and teeth.

You see through the shadowy alley that Marie is kind of just going along with it. But she winks at you. It helps calm you down but you do struggle, to play up your helpless terror.

You're tossed into a wall, a dead end that robs the air form your lungs. Marie is dumped next to you.

Your glasses spill to the floor of the alley, landing in a puddle. The rain starts up again as one of the four men says two words;

"Coinpurse, Now." He growls.

You've found your mark. Apparently he wants his money back. Apparently Yorell is the mastermind... but Gregory and these two bouncers are his goons.

You're sure you can make one of them talk.

EPISODE 3 END

Twatter: @StarbornQ
Char Sheets: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1csg7vC-Yz10aAqk9ZwdCNv24obLGTtM5p6bKkPq1Pgc/edit#heading=h.74gk3dg6mvjp

So what did you guys think of Undercover Arc? Going to jump straight into combat on the next thread.

>>510942
It was pretty cool. Best part was seeing a fire emblem character

Next Thread: Buzzsaw through the pubic symphysis. Make' em unable to walk (or do much) from the pain.