[Location] The Bloody Crown - Gambling Den

[Wildcard]

THE BLOODY CROWN

Amidst the denizen of wooden shacks, shanties and buildings of the Elder Pines lies a fated den of fortune. Far west of the promenade crossroads and overlooking the deep burrow of a crooked stream stands a large gutted warehouse. Double sliding doors open onto a vast hall lined with coarse tables and darkly stained allotted benches. Beneath the flickering light of torch and shadows huddles fugitives, local celebrities and claim prospectors all joined by the promise of wealth and the feeling of smooth handed cards carried by a streak hot enough to taste the fruits of their abandon. Lost through the thick shroud of tobacco smoke stands a heavy rectangular bar built into the eastern wall. Three levels of spirit hug the pine while two heavy tapped kegs rarely close at all. Smart, sassy, worn and beautiful women raise trays of drinks above the maw of glitter and packed emptiness. Beyond the hewn pillars is a line of round card tables seating grim figures along it's western walls. A tall oiled and shrewd gambler strokes his mustache with each passing play, while just adjacent to his artistry an exuberant crowd of dice players trade bones along the naked planks of the pine flooring. The Bloody Crown bursts at it's seams with vagabonds and smugglers, hungry sellswords and cutthroats; as even the drinking men seated at the tables nearest turn to watch the coin drenched ground below. Seductive and haughty courtesans naked from the top down or bottom up linger over the strongest run of luck hoping to absorb more then gold into her arms, while their corsets, skirts and undergarments lie bare and unstrung; all shred of decency lost to the madness of the night. Wrist bound knife fights ignite as if they were part of the scenery, while other souls engage in taunting rounds of split the kipper. The howl of brawls, snake matches and cat scratches carry easily over the loss of cheated conmen not swift enough to swim with the sharks and women caught in the throws of paid passion. Like an anchor to a ship tossed to the storm, a weathered brute of a man polishes the bartop with the muted glow of feral wisdom. Laughing amidst the losses all around, crowds of soldier and mercenaries trade quips, women, song and sorrowed tips of steel all with the flip of a card or coin. Members of the Slain mingle with their imperial counterparts as a wild eyed half-elf with dark skin and midnight locks helps himself to the jackpot of a high stakes card bluff. Someone has bashed the poor minstrel's mandolin into a table and now the fool stands above the mass of mired shoulders, belting out song and sinew alone. The Bloody Crown opens for business as soon as the sun goes down, and doesn't close until your pockets are empty.

Alcohol and Spirits: Bourbon 4 gc Scotch 5 gc Whiskey 4 gc Rum 5 gc Gin 4 gc Frigid River Mash 3 gc Draught Beer 3 gc

Games of Chance: Cards: Blackjack, Poker, Baccarart, Craps, Faro, Piquet, Oicho-Kabu, Liar's Poker Gambling: Dice, Three-card Monte (the shell game), Roulette, and Liar's Dice Diversions: Knife Games, Snake Fights and Courtesans

NPCs:

Cardinal (Owner)

Secrets : Name: Carmichael or Cardinal Race & Gender: Human Age: 52 Physical Description, History & behavior: Cardinal's scowling face betrays a brutal appearance and a hooked silver handlebar mustache combined with matching gray hair combed back. The muscular figure sports dark pants, suspenders and nothing more then a longsleeved winter undershirt atop a strong but sagging frame. His right ring finger is severed at the knuckle, and the man's right eye lays cleft, it's eye permantly bloodied and red beneath covered tissue. Skills: Distilling Spirits Lvl 2 Axe Lvl 3 Larceny Lvl 3 Economics Lvl 1 Gun-Wielding Lvl 1 Items or Property Of Note: The Bloody Crown, a rare dwarven steel double headed axe, a ring that vibrates on the string round his kneck when the person speaking towards him tells a lie. A Strange Black Musket. Can this NPC be used by players in self-moderation or training situations?: No

Facts: Secrets : Distrinct: The Elder Pines Type of Location: Tavern Notability of Location: Local Knowledge Training/Employment Opportunities: Yes Croupier (Card Dealer) – 35 gc/cycle Waitress 25 gc/cycle Courtesan Bodyguard Larceny Distillation Can This Location Be Self Moderated?: No Credits: Wildcard, Maddyn