OctavianaOctaviana readily tops up the glasses on the table, playing the role of consummate host, but you notice that her and Jae's chairs are drawn slightly closer together than usual for a pair who seem connected only by superficial acquaintance.
YOU[Observe the assembled group]
NPCJae's friends look exactly as you would expect — like hardened operators of the Cold Trade, arrayed in the forbidding but glitzy style common to those who like to skirt the limits of the law. One pair in particular catches your eye — a young man and woman, twins, it seems, identical yet distinct from each other. The man has a lively face and a crazed look in his eye, while the woman is cold and calm, and seems slightly drowsy.
YOU"How is your party going?"
NPC"We have been laughing and celebrating life, shereen, as true friends do. But until your arrival, we were but stars in a moonless sky, merely heralding your coming. Now we are happy."
YOU[Observe the assembled group]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How is your party going?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Join the group] "I will gladly accept your offer."
OctavianaOctaviana draws out a bottle from under the table — the glass is as thick as your finger and it is covered in wax seals. "With no exaggeration, this is the finest amasec that has ever graced this bar. Jae personally... acquired it, as she says, for a special occasion. It seems that you are the special occasion, Your Lordship/Ladyship." The crowd around the table falls silent, exchanging awkward looks. It would appear they are unaccustomed to drinking in the presence of lofty individuals such as you.
YOU"Let us drink to the lady of the hour, Jae Heydari!"
NPCThe assembled group burst into approving cheers and the bar fills with the sound of clinking glasses. The amasec tastes exorbitantly expensive, sweeping you into a kaleidoscope of flavours — tart floral bitterness, honeyed sweetness, and then other, far more refined sensations that are nameless, owing to the small number who can afford to experience them.
NPC"Bravo, Octy. This amasec will do me very well... very well indeed." Jae's self-satisfied reply elicits general laughter, and the tension at the table seems to loosen slightly.
YOU"Let us drink to the lady of the hour, Jae Heydari!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Octaviana, you and Jae are friends?"
OctavianaOctaviana offers you an arch smile. "Friends? She is my worst enemy, the vengeful spirit of retribution sent to punish me for my youthful transgressions. Mistress Heydari has a special gift for knocking me off balance and dragging me into difficulty. I would have barred her from the Amasecus long ago if it weren't for her habit of tossing money around like confetti, and of paying triple for anything she breaks."
NPC"Do you see, shereen? Do you see the petty, miserly, callous, unforgiving friends the Exalted One has sent me?"
YOU"Let us drink to the lady of the hour, Jae Heydari!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Octaviana, you and Jae are friends?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at the other people around the table] "So these are your associates?"
NPC"The precious roses in the garden of my soul and the golden little bees that bring honeyed riches to my treasure house. Yes, this is my crew of Cold Traders. The two identical ones are the Trickster Twins, my closest associates — Kor, our resident hothead, and his much wiser sister Torra."
Kor"Don't let her fool you, Your Lordship/Ladyship. She's only calling me a precious rose 'cause you're here. When it's just us, I'm lucky if I get 'that arsehole with the gun.'" Kor chuckles good-naturedly.
Torra"Because you are the arsehole with the gun. If I'd dragged you out of as many scrapes as Jae has, that's not the name I'd be using for you, I can tell you that much." Kor's sister rolls her eyes. "Pay no attention to him, Your Lordship/Ladyship. Kor has nobody to blame but himself for that nickname."
YOU"Let us drink to the lady of the hour, Jae Heydari!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Octaviana, you and Jae are friends?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at the other people around the table] "So these are your associates?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What were you talking about before I arrived?"
NPC"Business. My dear Torra, whose mind never strays from the chilly peaks of the mountains of money she's made, was telling me the latest Cold Trade news."
Torra"Exciting times are upon us. We're not the only ones being tested for weak spots — Vladaym's set on putting the Ultrequisitors out of business, and it looks like he's got Mercy's blessing to do it. The big beasts are picking off the small ones. I think things are only going to get more interesting from here on out."
Kor"That means it's time for us to step up and become major players, eh?" Kor winks at Jae. "I know a couple of chegnars from the Ultrequisitors, they're dry as you like. We could tell them to cool their heels with us. And there'll be more willing at the other altars... We could take on Falco, and even blow Vladaym out the airlock too."
NPC"Kor, my sweet, before you go chewing fyceline with chegnars, you need to clear the altar and hide the pulses. If Vladaym's playing all the lines, he won't touch me, but I don't want to shift the risk onto you. There's chatter about the Commission..." The conversation quickly turns into an impenetrable mishmash of terms from the secret argot of Cold Traders.
YOU"Let us drink to the lady of the hour, Jae Heydari!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Octaviana, you and Jae are friends?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at the other people around the table] "So these are your associates?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What were you talking about before I arrived?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Even foes are bowing down before Jae Heydari! That is something worth celebrating!"
NPC"And what better way to celebrate than with a game? With stakes, naturally. Today is my ammaricar and that's what I want." Jae draws a stack of carved plasteel tiles from her pocket. They are decorated with symbols and fine mag-lines. Holding the tiles in one hand and raising her glass with another, Jae asks, "What do you think, shereen, does the Rogue Trader have anything he/she's willing to wager?"
YOU"I have changed my mind. Let's play a couple of rounds — not for profit, just for fun."
NPC"Watch out for His Lordship/Her Ladyship, lads. He/She was awfully quick to agree just now — I have a sneaking suspicion about how the Rogue Trader acquired all his/her countless riches. But I'll warn you now — playing for money is considered wrong on Efreet, because gaming is tempting fate. So instead, we're going to play for wishes." A pile of tiles is placed in front of you and the other players.
YOU"Let us drink to the lady of the hour, Jae Heydari!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Octaviana, you and Jae are friends?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at the other people around the table] "So these are your associates?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What were you talking about before I arrived?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Even foes are bowing down before Jae Heydari! That is something worth celebrating!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have changed my mind. Let's play a couple of rounds — not for profit, just for fun."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your hand]
YOU[Look at your new hand]
YOU"Jae, you wouldn't be cheating by any chance?"
NPC"How could you even suggest such a thing, shereen? Has Jae Heydari really fallen so low that someone could think me capable of deceit?" Jae brings her hand to her chest in a tragic gesture, to the approving guffaws of her associates.
YOU"Let us drink to the lady of the hour, Jae Heydari!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Octaviana, you and Jae are friends?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at the other people around the table] "So these are your associates?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What were you talking about before I arrived?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Even foes are bowing down before Jae Heydari! That is something worth celebrating!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have changed my mind. Let's play a couple of rounds — not for profit, just for fun."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your hand]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your new hand]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Jae, you wouldn't be cheating by any chance?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your tiles]
YOU"That is enough betting for me. My luck is very fickle today."
NPC"Unlike amasec. You can always trust amasec — it always lies." Smiling sweetly, Jae presses your goblet into your hand. Her skin seems to glow from within, and the sparks of laughter in her eyes dance like flames.
YOU"By the Throne, you are so beautiful, Jae..."
NPCLeaning in, she whispers in your ear, "I know, shereen."
NPCFog swaddles your mind in appealing ideas of other ways you could amuse yourself at this party. Surrendering to the maelstrom of chaotic thoughts, you let the all-pervading merriment determine your fate.
end of branch
YOU"To amasec's deceit!"
NPC"May the deceived not live to regret it!"
NPCFog swaddles your mind in appealing ideas of other ways you could amuse yourself at this party. Surrendering to the maelstrom of chaotic thoughts, you let the all-pervading merriment determine your fate.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"All right. It is definitely time I left this party."
NPC"How fleeting are moments of happiness, shereen. Go, but know that you are always welcome at Jae Heydari's table."
end of branch
YOU"I should take my leave."
NPC"How fleeting are moments of happiness, shereen. Go, but know that you are always welcome at Jae Heydari's table."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your tiles]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That is enough betting for me. My luck is very fickle today."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I should take my leave."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your hand]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your new hand]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Jae, you wouldn't be cheating by any chance?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your tiles]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That is enough betting for me. My luck is very fickle today."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I should take my leave."continues where this line first appears above
NPCThe man who has just approached the table is hideous by anyone's standards — a repulsive face, greasy hair, and bulging veins at his temples. His attempt at an amiable smile is so transparently false and off-putting that your fingers itch to reach for your weapon. With a surprised look askance at you, he says, "Mistress Heydari, allow me to wish you a happy ammaricar. Master Mercy could not let such an occasion go unmarked — he sends his warm wishes, and a gift."
NPC"Oh, Falco, I am much obliged, and touched by your presence! May the fire in your hearth burn forever bright and hot like the stars of the Gremnor System! Tell Mercy that this show of his precious attention toward my humble self brought dew to my eyes and a song to my heart!"
YOU[Whisper to Octaviana] "Isn't Falco the one who stole Jae's cargo?"
Octaviana"The very same. The greasy piece of grox shit," Octaviana says, wearing the sweetest, most amiable smile one could imagine. "But the stars of the Gremnor System all died around a hundred thousand years ago, and the systems around them are a true breeding ground of death."
YOU[Whisper to Octaviana] "Isn't Falco the one who stole Jae's cargo?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is it customary in the Kasballica to attend the parties of people you have tried to ruin?"
Octaviana"After you got involved in their turf war, they all decided that a peaceful resolution would be for the best. This here is a symbolic confirmation of the ceasefire."
YOU[Whisper to Octaviana] "Isn't Falco the one who stole Jae's cargo?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is it customary in the Kasballica to attend the parties of people you have tried to ruin?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who is this Mercy?"
Octaviana"Some big mysterious figure in the Mission. The Kasballica's put him here to keep a handle on things and to make sure the interests of the senior partners aren't forgotten. If anyone does become a bit forgetful, Mercy comes along, somebody dies, everyone else panics and empties their pockets."
Octaviana"Falco and Mercy aren't officially connected — Falco's just another prosperous Mission agent like Jae and... other people. But Falco's happy to do Mercy's dirty work for him, and that's why he gets preferential treatment."
YOU[Whisper to Octaviana] "Isn't Falco the one who stole Jae's cargo?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is it customary in the Kasballica to attend the parties of people you have tried to ruin?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who is this Mercy?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where is your present for Jae, Falco?"
FalcoThe smuggler stares at you unblinkingly with his pale eyes, saying nothing. Then, he rearranges his mouth into a smile remarkable in its hideousness. "Of course, Your Lordship/Ladyship. And this gift is from me personally, Mistress Heydari."
NPCAs Falco turns away from the table, you see a snarl of feral hatred twist his already repulsive features.
YOU"Let us drink to the lady of the hour, Jae Heydari!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Octaviana, you and Jae are friends?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at the other people around the table] "So these are your associates?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What were you talking about before I arrived?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Even foes are bowing down before Jae Heydari! That is something worth celebrating!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have changed my mind. Let's play a couple of rounds — not for profit, just for fun."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your hand]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your new hand]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Jae, you wouldn't be cheating by any chance?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your tiles]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That is enough betting for me. My luck is very fickle today."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I should take my leave."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Get out, you scoundrel. You are not welcome at this table."
FalcoFalco's head jerks back, as if an invisible noose is tightening around his throat, and he replies with false good humour, "I wouldn't dare intrude on my betters' leisure time."
NPCAs Falco turns away from the table, you see a snarl of feral hatred twist his already repulsive features.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Say nothing]
NPC"Sacrificing time you could have spent on business to come here for me is a priceless gift, Falco. I will not test your generosity any further."
NPCAs Falco turns away from the table, you see a snarl of feral hatred twist his already repulsive features.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where is your present for Jae, Falco?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Get out, you scoundrel. You are not welcome at this table."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Say nothing]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who is this Mercy?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where is your present for Jae, Falco?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Get out, you scoundrel. You are not welcome at this table."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Say nothing]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is it customary in the Kasballica to attend the parties of people you have tried to ruin?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who is this Mercy?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where is your present for Jae, Falco?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Get out, you scoundrel. You are not welcome at this table."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Say nothing]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Even foes are bowing down before Jae Heydari! That is something worth celebrating!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have changed my mind. Let's play a couple of rounds — not for profit, just for fun."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your hand]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your new hand]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Jae, you wouldn't be cheating by any chance?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your tiles]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That is enough betting for me. My luck is very fickle today."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I should take my leave."continues where this line first appears above
NPCThe man who has just approached the table is hideous by anyone's standards — a repulsive face, greasy hair, and bulging veins at his temples. His attempt at an amiable smile is so transparently false and off-putting that your fingers itch to reach for your weapon. With a surprised look askance at you, he says, "Mistress Heydari, allow me to wish you a happy ammaricar. Master Mercy could not let such an occasion go unmarked — he sends his warm wishes, and a gift."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What were you talking about before I arrived?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Even foes are bowing down before Jae Heydari! That is something worth celebrating!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have changed my mind. Let's play a couple of rounds — not for profit, just for fun."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your hand]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your new hand]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Jae, you wouldn't be cheating by any chance?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your tiles]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That is enough betting for me. My luck is very fickle today."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I should take my leave."continues where this line first appears above
NPCThe man who has just approached the table is hideous by anyone's standards — a repulsive face, greasy hair, and bulging veins at his temples. His attempt at an amiable smile is so transparently false and off-putting that your fingers itch to reach for your weapon. With a surprised look askance at you, he says, "Mistress Heydari, allow me to wish you a happy ammaricar. Master Mercy could not let such an occasion go unmarked — he sends his warm wishes, and a gift."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at the other people around the table] "So these are your associates?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What were you talking about before I arrived?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Even foes are bowing down before Jae Heydari! That is something worth celebrating!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have changed my mind. Let's play a couple of rounds — not for profit, just for fun."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your hand]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your new hand]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Jae, you wouldn't be cheating by any chance?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your tiles]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That is enough betting for me. My luck is very fickle today."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I should take my leave."continues where this line first appears above
NPCThe man who has just approached the table is hideous by anyone's standards — a repulsive face, greasy hair, and bulging veins at his temples. His attempt at an amiable smile is so transparently false and off-putting that your fingers itch to reach for your weapon. With a surprised look askance at you, he says, "Mistress Heydari, allow me to wish you a happy ammaricar. Master Mercy could not let such an occasion go unmarked — he sends his warm wishes, and a gift."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Octaviana, you and Jae are friends?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at the other people around the table] "So these are your associates?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What were you talking about before I arrived?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Even foes are bowing down before Jae Heydari! That is something worth celebrating!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have changed my mind. Let's play a couple of rounds — not for profit, just for fun."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your hand]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your new hand]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Jae, you wouldn't be cheating by any chance?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your tiles]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That is enough betting for me. My luck is very fickle today."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I should take my leave."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Duty calls."
NPC"How fleeting are moments of happiness, shereen. Go, but know that you are always welcome at Jae Heydari's table."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Join the group] "I will gladly accept your offer."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Duty calls."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 2 of 14
OctavianaOctaviana smiles cordially and readily tops up the glasses on the table, playing the role of consummate host.
YOU[Observe the assembled group]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How is your party going?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Join the group] "I will gladly accept your offer."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Duty calls."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 14
NPCYou recognise the tiles in Jae's hand — it is a set for tan-to-lo, a game popular among gamblers. Each player is dealt several tiles, which can be arranged into a pattern of a specific value by carefully matching up the mag-lines. Whoever has the highest value wins. Voidsmen love playing tan-to-lo, which is usually won by luck or skill.
YOU"I do not know the rules."
NPC"It's easy. Every player is dealt a few tiles. The tiles are connected by mag-lines, and there are lots of possible combinations. You arrange the tiles in a design that has a particular value, and whoever has the highest value wins." Talking a mile a minute about the rules and tile combinations, Jae deftly shuffles the stack of tiles.
YOU"I do not know the rules."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Raise your goblet in salute] "I shall play."
NPC"Watch out for His Lordship/Her Ladyship, lads. He/She was awfully quick to agree just now — I have a sneaking suspicion about how the Rogue Trader acquired all his/her countless riches. But I'll warn you now — playing for money is considered wrong on Efreet, because gaming is tempting fate. So instead, we're going to play for wishes." A pile of tiles is placed in front of you and the other players.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I should take my leave."
NPC"How fleeting are moments of happiness, shereen. Go, but know that you are always welcome at Jae Heydari's table."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Raise your goblet in salute] "I shall play."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I should take my leave."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 4 of 14
NPCYou have never encountered this kind of game before. But you are nearly certain you can cheat at it.
YOU"I do not know the rules."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Raise your goblet in salute] "I shall play."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I should take my leave."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 5 of 14
NPCYou have been dealt a poor hand. You cannot make a high-value arrangement from the tiles.
NPCGlancing at her tiles and grinning, Jae declares resolutely, "I'm going to show my hand. The Exalted One loves me today."
YOU"And if one doesn't show one's hand, what then?"
NPC"Then you have a chance to bow out of the game without losing. But you can only do that before someone announces they're going to show their hand."
YOU"And if one doesn't show one's hand, what then?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am going to show my hand as well."
NPCChuckling, Jae tosses her tiles onto the table. Her hand is significantly better than yours or anyone else's.
NPC"And for my wish — I want everyone to drink to my good fortune. It has already granted me a gift fit for a queen — I'm talking about you, shereen. May fortune continue to smile upon me!" Everyone at the table eagerly raises their glasses. You join in before you even are aware you have done so. A new stack of tiles is already waiting for you on the table... You realise that moments have skipped past without your knowing. It seems the amasec is somewhat stronger than you thought.
YOU"Let us drink to the lady of the hour, Jae Heydari!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Octaviana, you and Jae are friends?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at the other people around the table] "So these are your associates?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What were you talking about before I arrived?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Even foes are bowing down before Jae Heydari! That is something worth celebrating!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have changed my mind. Let's play a couple of rounds — not for profit, just for fun."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your hand]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your new hand]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Jae, you wouldn't be cheating by any chance?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your tiles]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That is enough betting for me. My luck is very fickle today."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I should take my leave."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Drop your tiles on the table] "No luck."
NPCChuckling, Jae tosses her tiles onto the table. Her hand is significantly better than yours or anyone else's.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am going to show my hand as well."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Drop your tiles on the table] "No luck."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 6 of 14
NPCYou try not to stare at your tiles too gormlessly, but you cannot work out if you have a decent hand or a terrible one.
NPCGlancing at her tiles and grinning, Jae declares resolutely, "I'm going to show my hand. The Exalted One loves me today."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 7 of 14
NPCNow this one is definitely a good hand, one of the best you can get!
NPCWhen you look up, you see that everyone else apart from Jae has already tossed their tiles onto the table in disappointment. "It's just us two left, shereen. I'm going to show my hand."
YOU[Lay out your tiles] "Read them and weep."
NPCThe sight of your hand sets everyone at the table into a flurry of excitement. But then the chatter turns into a roar of triumph — Jae's hand is the most valuable in the game.
NPC"I win again. What should I wish of you, shereen?"
YOU"Riches, obviously."
NPC"Money is fickle, shereen. It's in its nature. Money is created to be passed from one set of hands to another. I would rather be friends with you. My wish is that we will always be good friends, Your Lordship/Ladyship."
NPCTiles are dispersed around the table, forming piles in front of each player. You suddenly feel your body grow heavy — the treacherous amasec is slowly robbing you of your clarity of thought and dexterity.
YOU"Let us drink to the lady of the hour, Jae Heydari!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Octaviana, you and Jae are friends?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at the other people around the table] "So these are your associates?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What were you talking about before I arrived?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Even foes are bowing down before Jae Heydari! That is something worth celebrating!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have changed my mind. Let's play a couple of rounds — not for profit, just for fun."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your hand]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your new hand]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Jae, you wouldn't be cheating by any chance?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your tiles]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That is enough betting for me. My luck is very fickle today."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I should take my leave."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Request a kiss. When the opportunity presents itself."
NPCAn intrigued smile appears on Jae's face. "I love playing for high stakes, shereen. An excellent suggestion. This is a debt I will definitely call in."
NPCTiles are dispersed around the table, forming piles in front of each player. You suddenly feel your body grow heavy — the treacherous amasec is slowly robbing you of your clarity of thought and dexterity.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Given your profession, I would extract a promise of my assistance should you ever find yourself in trouble in the future."
NPC"You promise to save me? What an exciting adventure that could turn out to be! It's almost worth getting into trouble for! I accept your stake!"
NPCTiles are dispersed around the table, forming piles in front of each player. You suddenly feel your body grow heavy — the treacherous amasec is slowly robbing you of your clarity of thought and dexterity.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You should not get carried away. Some wishes are so difficult to fulfil that it is simpler to dispose of the asker."
NPC"On my world, shereen, we tell stories about a wicked azhi trapped in a promethium canister. He promises to grant wishes in exchange for his freedom, but for some reason his magic always leads the wisher not to happiness, but to their doom. Bearing in mind the wisdom of Efreet, I suppose I will forgive your debt of a wish."
NPCTiles are dispersed around the table, forming piles in front of each player. You suddenly feel your body grow heavy — the treacherous amasec is slowly robbing you of your clarity of thought and dexterity.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Show your hand]
NPCThe sight of your hand sets everyone at the table into a flurry of excitement. But then the chatter turns into a roar of triumph — Jae's hand is the most valuable in the game.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Throw your tiles onto the table] "I have nothing."
NPCThe sight of your hand sets everyone at the table into a flurry of excitement. But then the chatter turns into a roar of triumph — Jae's hand is the most valuable in the game.continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 8 of 14
NPCThe pictures on the tiles are spinning slightly, arranging themselves into good patterns, and then offensive phrases.
NPCWhen you look up, you see that everyone else apart from Jae has already tossed their tiles onto the table in disappointment. "It's just us two left, shereen. I'm going to show my hand."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 9 of 14
NPCYour hand is not especially good or bad. It is the kind of hand played only by someone desperate who has nothing left to bet.
NPC"Before anyone says they're showing their hand — I'm announcing a condition, seeing as it's my ammaricar today: the only stake I'll play for is a dance."
YOU[Try to cheat]
YOU[Show your hand] "I'll play."
NPCGlancing at your hand, Jae discards her own tiles face down. "Mine are worse. Looks like you've won, shereen. I'll be delighted to grant you a wish."
NPCThe light plays on Jae's dark skin and glints off the silver augmetic on her throat. Moving with the grace of a sand snake, she holds your gaze and smiles mischievously. Her dark curls fall across her face, and you see the saucy glint in her eyes through her alluring curtain of hair.
NPC"This dance is called the Dance of the Captive Ravaneyan Girl. When the governor of Efreet Selimkan the Bright crushed the Ravaneyan rebellion, the daughter of the rebel leader was brought to him — the beautiful Nayanna. She danced for him, telling him of the struggle of her proud people, and then snatched a weapon from a guard's hands and aimed it at Selimkan. But the spark of love that had kindled between them that day stopped the fyceline from igniting in the cartridge, and both Nayanna and Selimkan lived through that day, and then many more days, which they spent together."
YOU"Let us drink to the lady of the hour, Jae Heydari!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Octaviana, you and Jae are friends?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at the other people around the table] "So these are your associates?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What were you talking about before I arrived?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Even foes are bowing down before Jae Heydari! That is something worth celebrating!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have changed my mind. Let's play a couple of rounds — not for profit, just for fun."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your hand]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your new hand]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Jae, you wouldn't be cheating by any chance?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your tiles]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That is enough betting for me. My luck is very fickle today."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I should take my leave."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am out."
NPCEveryone discards their tiles after you. With a disappointed shrug, Jae says, "You're all so cautious. Do none of you know how to dance?"
YOU"Let us drink to the lady of the hour, Jae Heydari!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Octaviana, you and Jae are friends?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at the other people around the table] "So these are your associates?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What were you talking about before I arrived?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Even foes are bowing down before Jae Heydari! That is something worth celebrating!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have changed my mind. Let's play a couple of rounds — not for profit, just for fun."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your hand]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your new hand]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Jae, you wouldn't be cheating by any chance?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at your tiles]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That is enough betting for me. My luck is very fickle today."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I should take my leave."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 10 of 14
NPCYour mind is becoming more and more clouded by the amasec. You are no longer even attempting to make sense of the complicated mag-lines. You have tiles — that is enough for you.
NPC"Before anyone says they're showing their hand — I'm announcing a condition, seeing as it's my ammaricar today: the only stake I'll play for is a dance."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 11 of 14
NPCYou try to carefully move an unclaimed tile toward you on the table, but you do it so clumsily that you immediately find yourself in the sights of several outraged smugglers. You pretend that you were simply reaching for your goblet, but you do not kid yourself that anyone is taken in by your act.
YOU[Try to cheat]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Show your hand] "I'll play."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am out."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 12 of 14
NPCYou reach for your goblet and "accidentally" catch a spare tile with your elbow, sweeping it into your free hand. Now you have an excellent set of tiles, but you would swear that Jae saw your little move. She saw it and said nothing.
YOU[Try to cheat]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Show your hand] "I'll play."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am out."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 13 of 14
NPCYou easily spot Jae in the group crowded around the table — the extravagant luxury of her attire and her gleaming augment set her apart from the rest. Seeing you, she exclaims, "May the gravitational wells on your worlds never lack for grip, just as my heart never lacks for joy at the sight of Rogue Trader von Valancius."
OctavianaWith an approving chuckle, Octaviana mutters, "I can't believe it. You actually roped the Rogue Trader into coming to your party. If the Rogue Trader raises a toast to your health, I'll start to believe you really are a princess, and not just a smuggler with the gift of the gab. Please take a seat, Your Lordship/Ladyship."
YOU[Observe the assembled group]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How is your party going?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Join the group] "I will gladly accept your offer."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Duty calls."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 14 of 14
NPC"Changed your mind, then, shereen? I dare to hope you've worked up a mighty thirst as well — just say the word and a goblet of the finest wine will appear in your hand."
YOU[Observe the assembled group]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How is your party going?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Join the group] "I will gladly accept your offer."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Duty calls."continues where this line first appears above