7. Return to the Halls

Thrudmarr settles at a table with whatever food and ale they will serve him after ordering some. Between bites, he looks up at Kronos.

"Inn man! Where Dalton friends go? They still mad at Thrud?"

Just to clarify, the rate of time progression is completely in your hands. Don't feel that you have to play everything turn-by-turn. If you want to fast forward to the next bit of action (e.g. "We stay the night at the Broken Head and resume our exploration of the Halls the following morning"), that's absolutely fine. But the onus is on you to move the action forward - there's no script that we're following here. I'm as keen to get back to the dungeoneering as you are!

Zach sees Jacky standing over—well, near was a better adjective given Jacky's diminutive height—one of the gambling tables. Making his way to the halfling, Zach politely taps him on the shoulder and says "Jedediah, I've been thinking. I didn't like having to give up a sizeable amount of our haul to lazy, good-for-nothing bullies. There must be another way."

Grim smiles a kind clerically-minded smile, and approaches one of the gang,ing tables with his friends.
Well now, I’m not much of a card player. But meh faith doesn’t prevent it as such. As long as I stay off the liquor, as a good dwarf is s’pose r to do. One vice at a time, I ‘spose!

The Broken Head
The three statue brokers, Crisarius Three-Legs, Fenitor Stone-Hands and Godric the Wise, seem only too keen to bring some fresh players into their game. They shuffle around the table to make space for Jacky and Grim. Crisarius gives Jacky a quick nod of acknowledgement, whilst Godric deals the cards.

"So, are you lot heading back into the Halls tomorrow?" inquires Fenitor. "Remember, if you want the best price for any statues you find, make sure you come to me first. You’ll be wanting a professional appraisal from the Wisdom Factor, rather than wasting time with these two charlatans."

"Just shut up and play, Stone-Hands," snaps Godric. Crisarius gives Fenitor a dirty look before picking up and studying his cards.

---
6:50 pm, Totsday 25th Lucrios (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 2: 13/13, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 2: 7/7, 60’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 2: 14/14, 60’
---
Eric, Labourer, 90’
Hector, Linkboy, 90’
---
Billie, Mule: 120’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

"Our first delve didn't unearth any statues, alas," Jacky says, picking up the hand dealt to him and squinting at the cards. "With any luck we'll have some in our posession during the next haul. Tomorrow the plan is indeed for us to head back in, master Fenitor."

"We've ran across some rather nasty types near the top of the ziggurat. Have you heard of this fellow called Plumtarch? A halfling like me, only he runs a racket shaking down honest delvers for a cut of treasure." Jacky shakes his head.

The Broken Head
"They’re still around. Headed back to the Halls yesterday. Going by the name of 'Debellaton’s Darlings' now. The creepy-looking one with the hunched back, Yvette, seems to be their leader."

You will know that Debellaton is one of "The Ten", the current Archontean pantheon of major deities (as opposed to "The Twelve", which are the older, largely forgotten gods). Deballaton is the god of death, might, order through might, and sacrifice.

---

Meanwhile, Jacky chats with Fenitor the broker as they play cards …

"Plumtarch? You mean ‘Plumthorn’? Sure, I’ve heard of him. Small-time crook. He only bullies the … err … well, … let’s just say ‘less experienced’ parties such as yourselves. If you don’t fancy standing up to him, your only choices are to pay up or find another route into the Halls. The place is so big that the pyramid surely can’t be the only entrance."

---
7:00 pm, Totsday 25th Lucrios (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 2: 13/13, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 2: 7/7, 60’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 2: 14/14, 60’
---
Eric, Labourer, 90’
Hector, Linkboy, 90’
---
Billie, Mule: 120’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

"Da-bell-ton? Dumb name. If hurt Thrud's friends again, Thrud chop again!"

"Likely not," Jacky agrees. The halfling will play on so long as the Factors are keen, then retire to the bunkroom.

The Broken Head
Jacky and Grim - to see how successful, or otherwise, you are when playing cards with the statue brokers, please can you each roll:

(An ability score of your choice: Intelligence, Charisma or Dexterity) minus (3d6).

The result is the number of gold pieces you win (if positive) or lose (if negative).

If you pick Intelligence, you’re relying on your powers of reasoning and deduction. If you select Charisma, you’re using your skills of bluff and subtle persuasion. If you go with Dexterity, there’s some sort of sleight of hand going on (which some might call cheating!).

If you pick Dexterity and end up with a negative result, you're caught red-handed and will lose some respect and goodwill with the brokers.

---
7:00 pm, Totsday 25th Lucrios (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 2: 13/13, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 2: 7/7, 60’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 2: 14/14, 60’
---
Eric, Labourer, 90’
Hector, Linkboy, 90’
---
Billie, Mule: 120’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

Grim plays his game with stubby dwarven hands. Not normally given to games of chance - but our priestly fellow is able to play shrewdly indeed, by way of skill!

Jacky plays the last hand. By the end of the evening, he thinks he's got the hang of this game.

The Broken Head
Much to the (relatively) good-natured disgruntlement of the brokers, Jacky walks away from the card table 3 gold to the good, with Grim 5 gold up!

Is there anything else anyone would like to do this evening before retiring for the night?

---
7:00 pm, Totsday 25th Lucrios (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 2: 13/13, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 2: 7/7, 60’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 2: 14/14, 60’
---
Eric, Labourer, 90’
Hector, Linkboy, 90’
---
Billie, Mule: 120’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

Ellagel collected her affairs in preparation for a night of rest.

Zach watches the clever halfling and the luck dwarf at the card table, enjoying his spectating while realizing that he would simply lose all his money were he to join. As the game ends, he joins the rest of the party in heading back to the bunkroom for a good night's sleep.

Thrud watches the short ones at their game, grinning appreciatively when they collect their winnings. He retires to the bunkroom before too long and collapses onto a bed, snoring heavily all night.

The Broken Head
Your night in the bunkroom passes uneventfully, apart from one strangeness … Jacky’s fancy boots, the burgundy ones with the blue detailing … when he comes to take them off for the night, they just won’t budge. It’s as if they’re glued to his feet. Not that it stops Jacky sleeping - the boots are so comfortable that he barely notices that he’s wearing them.

After a restful night, you rise, eat breakfast and ready yourselves to depart the inn.

---
8:00 am, Mitrasday 26th Lucrios (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 2: 13/13, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 2: 7/7, 60’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 2: 14/14, 60’
---
Eric, Labourer, 90’
Hector, Linkboy, 90’
---
Billie, Mule: 120’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

Thrudmarr's already waiting by the door for the others in the morning, eager to get back to adventure. "We find new door today? No more see bad halflings!"