Carsten's Mythic Adventures, Part 6

Continued from Part 5, here is the next installment of the Mythic/Risus/Star Wars adventures by Carsten from Germany:

Scene 9, Chaos 7:
Setup: Ash is sitting in one of the gambling dens playing sabbacc to make money.

Setup is altered. How? Passion Good. Interpretation: Instead of gambling a passionate performance by good looking, scarcely dressed dancers is tonight's main event.

Ash enters the casino and is surprised. He expected a lot of gambling going on, instead everybody's attention is focused on a dancing stage in the middle of the room where some beautifully looking Human and Twi'lek females perform an erotic and passionate dance. “Finally a nice surprise for a change.” he speaks to himself. But that could make the task of finding somebody to play with harder than expected.
Ash eyes the occupants, looking for somebody who might be interested in a little gambling. Man of the Streets vs. TN 10, success.

Did he have to check is blaster at the entrance (very likely)? Yes.
Are there bouncers present in the casino (sure thing)? Yes.
Starting attitude of the potential gamblers (1d6). indifferent/neutral

He feels a bit naked, having to check his blaster at the entrance but his practiced eye immediately singled out the bouncers from the crowd, so things should stay in order. In the corner of the casino he spots two persons (randomly generated: Human tech expert, Duros information broker), a human female and a male Duros, who don't seem to be to interested by the stage performance.
Maybe they might be interested in a little sabbacc game.

Does the Human Tech have any gambling skill (likely)? Yes.
Does the Duros have any gambling skill (likely)? Yes.
How high (1d3+1 per person)? Human is gambler (3), Duros is gambler (4) in addition to their main cliches which are Tech Expert who has seen it All (3) and Information Broker who is naturally good at Flying (4).
Is the Human Tech attractive and catches Ash's interest (50/50)? Yes.

“Good Evening”, Ash approaches the table. Both of them look up.
Does Ash make a good first impression on the lady? Handsome and Daring Corellian vs. Tech, failure, sorry Ash.
“Good Evening”, says the Duros, the lady just nods.
“You guys look like you don't care to much for the performance either. Let me guess...you came here for some casual gambling and were surprised to see all this stage dancing going on. Because that's what happened to me.”
“Something like that.”, the lady says in a somewhat bored voice. Apparently Ash wasn't her type.
“I haven't seen you here before”, the Duros states. “New in town?”
“As a matter of fact I am. Just landed today and finished some business. Now I am looking for some relaxation. How about a casual game of sabbacc?”
“Well why not. What about you Marisha? Are you in?”
“Why not. Let's see what you are made of. What's the bet?”
Ash felt confident but he didn't want to scare them away, so he decided to start slow.
“What about a hundred for starters?”

Do they bail out (unlikely)? No.

“Alright, a hundred it is.”
“I am in.”
A sabbacc game. A multi-action conflict using the best of set rules. Everybody puts a hundred in the pot so the pot is 300. Whoever loses a cliche die has to put up another 100. The winner gets the pot.

Round 1: Ash and the Duros are tied. Marisha has to put up another 100 and is reduced to 2 dice. The pot is now 400.
Round 2: The Duros wins the round, Ash and Marisha have to put up another 100. The pot is now 600. Marisha is reduced to 1 die and Ash is reduced to 3 dice.
Round 3: Ash wins the round, Marisha and the Duros have to put up 100. Marisha is out of the game, the Duros is reduced to 3, Ash stays at 3 and the pot is 800.
Round 4: The Duros wins, Ash has to put up another 100 and is reduced to 2, the Duros stays at 3, the pot is 900.
Round 5: The Duros wins again. Ash puts up another 100 and is reduced to 1, the Duros stays at 3, the pot is 1000.
Round 6: Ash wins! Rolled a 6 on his last die, the Duros got a 4. The Duros has to put up another 100 and is reduced to 2, Ash stays at 1, the pot is at 1100.
Round 7: Yes, Ash wins again! He rolled a 1 on his single die but the Duros rolled two ones on his two dice. They are tied but Ash rolled the fewest dice so he wins. The Duros has to put up another 100 and is reduced to 1. Ash stays at 1, the pot is 1200.
Round 8: Damn! The round is tied. Both sides rolled only 1 on a single die. No change.
Round 9: Tied again, both sides rolled a three.
Round 10: Damn! The Duros won 5 to 4. Ash has to put up another hundred.
Update funds: If I am not mistaken, Ash is reduced 500 creds. 100 starting and 4 lost rounds.
Funds updated.

The game was tense. Even though Marisha dropped out early, she watched the game intensely till the last round. Ash was surprised. The Duros really knew his stuff. He wasn't just a casual player, he was a pro. Just like Ash was. But the Duros was also surprised. He didn't take Ash for such a good player. He thought he had won early in the game but through clever bluffing and maneuvering Ash almost managed to turn the whole thing around. This could turn into an interesting evening after all.
“Nice game.” Ash said as he pushed his stack of chips over to the Duros. “I am Ren Ashfield by the way, but you can call me Ash. You must be Marisha and you are?” Ash pulls out a cold, chewed up cigar and puts it in his mouth, lighting it with a match that he ignites on the table.
“Kalliis is the name.”
“And I am Marisha all right.”
“Well, nice meeting both of you. Now that we got warmed up, how about another round. And this time, let's up the stake a bit.”

Does Marisha bail out (likely after having watched the last game)? No! 91, what a surprise.

Since the Duros won I assume he stays as well.
Marisha looks at Ash. “You got another one of those cigars? I am in.”
“So am I.”
Ash hands Marisha a cigar. “Here, fresh out of my pocket, never chewed on it.” He grins.
Ash tried to size up the competition to determine how much he could risk suggesting for the stake.
Ash knew he would probably scare away Marisha if he suggested what he planned, but he needed money fast. He couldn't quite grasp the Duros. What the hell. “Sorry Marisha”, he thought by himself.
“Let's make the evening count. 6000 credits the game.”
Marisha makes a frown. “Always the same with you spacer types. One hands you a finger and you want to take it all. But I won't make it easy for you. Like I said, I am in.”
The Duros doesn't show any reaction and just starts to set up the deck.
“Alright then, let's roll.”

Another game, but this time I will simplify it somewhat. Everybody bets 6000 and I just determine the winner in a multi-action conflict using the best of set rules. All cliche dice are restored. Ash uses Man of the Streets (4), the Duros is a Gambler (4) and Marisha a Gambler (3).

Round 1: Marisha wins with a 6 because she rolled only three dice. The Duros got a 4 with four dice and Ash also a 6 but with four dice. So Ash beats the Duros but Marisha beats both of them so both loose one die. Everybody is at three dice now.
Round 2: Ash wins! The other two are reduced one die. Ash stays at 3, the other two are at two dice.
Round 3: Marisha wins with a 6 rolled with two dice. The Duros is down to one. Ash is reduced to two.
Round 4: The Duros is out. Ash and Marisha are tied with 5 since both rolled two dice.
Round 5: Yes! Ash wins the round. Marisha rolled double 1 and Ash rolled 5 and 4. Marisha is down to one.
Round 6: Damn! Marisha won with a 6 on her single die. Ash is also down to one.
Round 7: Damn! Marisha won 5 to 3. Ash is almost broke. Adjust funds -6000.

The game was intense. Even more intense than the first one. Halfway through the game a crowd of spectators formed around the sabbacc table. Obviously Marisha had been holding back the first game because this time she played like a real pro. Ash as well as Kalliis were taken by surprise.
Kalliis dropped out early and called it a night. Between Ash and Marisha it literally came down to the last round, which Marisha won.
“Damn!” Ash thought but tried not to show it. Man of the Streets vs. Gambler, failure. Poor Ash.
Marisha smiles at Ash. “Well flyboy you look pretty disappointed. I didn't say I would make it easy for you you know.” She smiles.
“Yeah well. I got to admit...I underestimated you. But that's sabbacc. If you can't afford to lose you better not play. So what about it...now that you took my money you can at least buy me a drink.” Handsome Corellian vs. Tech, success 9 vs. 7
It seems like Ash managed to turn around Marisha's initial attitude and got her interested in him because she just smiles and signals the waiter and orders two drinks.
“So Ash, what kind of business brings you around these parts?”
“Nothing special, just a standard delivery. I run cargo for a living.”
“Cargo, I see.” She eyes him thoroughly. “So you are an independent business man. Or are you working for a company.”
“Nope, I am my own boss. What about you?”
“I am a tech. I fix up the starships you flyboys damage all the time. Sometimes I get the feeling that “running cargo” is a pretty dangerous enterprise.” She gives him a probing look.
“Well, the space lanes can be dangerous sometimes. And it all depends on the kind of cargo you are running. Some items are just more “valuable” than others, which of course could attract some unwanted attention. Since you are a tech, maybe we should swap comlink frequencies. A flyboy like me can always use a good tech. Are you any good?” He flashes her his winning smuggler's grin.
“I think I am good enough for you. I'll transfer my frequency to your comlink.”
“We'll see. Why don't we start making business right now. As a matter of fact I am currently in the need for a “special” toolkit.”
“Let me guess: With “special” you mean designed and capable of overcoming security technology?”
Ash just sips at his drink and nods.
“I have what you need. 1000 credits.”
“How about a “first buy of a new customer” discount? I'll give you 600.” Fast-Talking Man of the Streets vs. Tech, success.
“You know what, I am currently not in the mood of ruining this evening with complicated negotiations. Consider it a special advertisement. Deal.”
“Great. I'll pick it up tomorrow. Now, back to this evening.....” Handsome Corellian vs. Tech, failure.
Ash tries his best to talk Marisha into spending the night with him and even though she seems interested in him she makes it clear that she is not “that kind of girl” and that she wants to keep their relationship “strictly professional”.
So Ash spends the night alone and picks up the security toolkit the next day.

End of Scene.
Chaos: decreases to 6
NPCs: unknown ambushers, Mr. Smith (Twi'lek Corporate Executive), Galvin Exports Fishing Company, Mr. Smith's superiors, the Empire, Rebel Alliance, Stormtroopers, Balvin'Gen (fat Bith Information Broker), Imperial Agents on Paltar, Rebel Agents on Paltar, Paltar Street Gangs, Marisha (Human Tech and Gambler), Kalliis (Duros Information Broker and Gambler)
Threads: chart new hyperspace route (open), try to replace the lost beacons (open), get a new ship
to get back in business (open).

Tomorrow, the final scenes...