Ariane went to find a chronic gambler.

Ariane went to the Cat’s Cradle, where she expected to find Khala. The little half-elven rogue had become addicted to the thrill of gambling and even the thrill of cheating at the game and not getting caught. This would not only be a prank, but also a lesson for her friend. Ariane stopped at the entrance of the tavern. She couldn’t risk being spotted by Khala, lest she ruin her plans. Ariane ducked into an alley at the side and started to chant a spell under her breath. Her appearance started to shimmer and soon a completely different person was hiding in the alley. The most plain girl Ariane could think of: simple merchants dress, tiny breasts and hair in a bun. It was only an illusion, but as long as nobody touched her, none would be the wiser.

Hoping that nobody would pay attention to her in her new disguise, Ariane went inside the tavern and had a look around. A smattering of people was milling around the tables and bar and, further in the back, she spotted a table with several people playing cards.

Sure enough, a redheaded girl was playing cards with a group of her “victims”. Ariane ordered a mug of ale and sat down near enough to watch the game but not too near to be obvious about it.

She watched as the game went back and forth and, as always, Khala played with “strip-rules” after someone ran out of money. At one point, Khala nearly stood bare in the tavern before fighting back to **** all the other gamblers out of their clothes.

Ariane was disappointed, it looked like Khala wasn’t cheating at all.

Khala was just wrapping up, having won quite a pile of silver. That’s when a huge half-orc woman approached the table and challenged Khala. The rogue’s gambling addiction made her accept, naturally.

The half-orc was a lot better than her muscled frame might have implied, but Khala was no slouch, fighting back and putting the new-comer in nothing but her loincloth. The half-orcess was getting furious and accused Khala of cheating.

Ariane hadn’t seen any evidence of it, but that was just the idea she needed to make her prank. She chanted a hidden spell under her breath and illusionary playing cards appeared in Khala’s sleeve.

The half-orc rushed to Khala and grabbed her wrist, the fake cards falling to the ground. Khala protested her innocence but the huge woman was having none of it. Slinging Khala over her shoulder like a doll, she went to the innkeeper and then called to the room, ‘Dare take money and I will remove head from shoulders.’ She then carried Khala up the stairs to the rooms.

Ariane got up from her seat and followed them with a bit of distance. She would wait outside the room and watch over her friend in case it got out of hand.