Winedark, Chapter Twenty-Two

General Summary

Wherein the Blasters play some cards, encounter an erstwhile pen pal, and race for high stakes on the Vast

A Renewed Acquaintance

While Captain q[Pitch], Kharlo Chondricht, Irk and Water spend their energies at The Chalice searching for the elusive Nixif Sipplegonz and learning about Dizmera, that deity of daring and opportunity, Kasula Neristina devoted her time to another pursuit--namely, resisting the urge to just get shitfaced. This endeavor led her to cross paths, once again, with Zurdin Bammun, the Awan socialite that Kasula had previously revealed, well, damn near everything about the true purpose of Otuna's Favor.
The meeting, while somewhat awkward at first, quickly became collegial, as it seems that Zurdin just loves secrets and Kasula handed her a doozy. This relationship is not entirely one-sided, though, as Zurdin was able to use her connections to get Kasula in to the "high rollers" room--the very place that Pitch, as Lady Alma Fairweather-Manderbundt, was to be this evening. Nice!
So, it seems that Kasula has made herself a firm confidant. Let's hope, though, that Zurdin's love for gossip and secrets doesn't spoil all of the Vastblaster's plans.

Blasters at Cards

With both Irk and Water keeping a keen watch on the first floor of The Chalice, Pitch, in full disguise, headed upstairs to play some poker with their target--Nixif Sipplegonz. Kharlo was reluctantly granted admission as Pitch's bodyguard. Zurdin and Kasula soon followed. Once all took their seats at the table, it was time to shuffle up and deal. The plan, loosely, was to somehow get Nixif to either bet the key or reveal its whereabouts.
The Blasters soon encountered a problem--Nixif is pretty good at poker! If he wasn't raking a pot, then chances are it was another new acquaintance, a tiefling named Ever (who has apparently taken many many pots off Nixif). Play progressed amiably enough until the game was down to just six players. Play progressed until it became clear the Blasters wanted something that Nixif wasn't wagering. But, being a totally legit buisinessgnome, he agreed that the continual existence of the Isles was, in fact, "good for business." But, also as a devotee of Dizmera, he can't just give something valuable away for free. So, he proposed a way to both honor his deity and offer the Blasters a chance--a boat race.

Vetch & the VastBlaster

This boat race, of course, will have stakes. Nixif will wager the key to Hold 77C and the Blasters will put up their ship, VastBlaster, as collateral. Seems a risky, if fair, bet.
The race then commenced, and our heroes struck out to an early lead. While the crew of their rival ship, Vetch, were certainly no slouches, they just could not complete with a team seasoned by the Favor. The Blasters would have won the race handily except for one minor problem--all the storm energy they channeled up to assist in their racing endeavors seemed to have caused the Vetch to, well, fucking sink. That's no good! Can't get a key of a drowned businessgnome. So they decided that saving the crew of that doomed vessel was more important than victory. In thanks, Nixif offered up the key. Nice!
With no time to waste, suitable farewells were offered and the Blasters took themselves back to The Vast, bound for Seven Rows. The journey was easy enough, thankfully. The only complication encountered was the figure waiting for them on the docks as they took the requisite water taxi to the massive floating entity. It was Kora Caskpike, cleric of Kogos and mentor of Irk.
Upon seeing her, Irk was immediately awash in memories, with one sequence in particular standing out...

And That's Where We Left It

We'll see what lies within the Sealed Hold during our next session

Various & Sundry Details

Lots of things happened in The Chalice, some of which the Blasters may wish to revisit:

• What was the deal with cryptic questions directed at them by that strange individual?
• Ever and Ode are related. And seem to be at The Chalice for some purpose. What purpose is that?
• Pitch has got a sweet hat. And now Water has a sweet skateboard. What other sweet items might manifest for our heroes?
• What is Skirl's whole thing?

Rewards Granted

Key to Hold 77C

Character(s) interacted with

• Zurdin Bammun, Drembari socialite and Kasula confidant
• Nixif Sipplegonz, "legitimate businessgnome" and gambler
• Ever, a mysterious tiefling steeped in the art of poker
• Kora Caskpike, devotee of Kogos

Report Date

28 Nov 2021

Primary Location

The Chalice