The Temple of Rudd.

“What type of goddess is Rudd?” Vivian asks, clearly interested in any feminine aspect of spirituality.

You answer with: “Eaubonne, Rae and Ragnar, roll an Intelligence check.”

Eaubonne and Ragnar both make it so you tell the party that Rudd is the Oeridian demi-goddess of Chance, Gambling, Good Luck, Competition and Skill. Her temples also double as gambling halls and wayfarer inns.

“My kind of religion.” David chimes in. “Is she hot?”

“More importantly,” Saul asks, “does anyone have the Gambler secondary skill?”

“No, tailor/weaver.” Everyone begins to answer. “Fishing here”, “me too.” David's answer of “no skill of measurable worth” as he reads from his character sheet brings a resounding chuckle of full agreement.

“We could use some more coin to get of the city quickly”, Saul continues, “and a cult of thieves might be willing to help us against the guards.” The fallen ranger ponders for a few more minutes and then snaps his fingers, “Don't clerics have the Augury spell?” He asks Rae.

Sandra looks over Rae's character sheet and nods her head, though she adds she currently doesn't have it memorized.

“So if we give the cleric a night to rest, and change her spells, we might be able to rig the system.” The party leader smiles.

“I'm note sure that would be appropriate.” Sandra gets into character, which you find rather sexy. “I'm a priestess of Cuthbert, using my divination abilities from the Saint in a gambling hall would hardly be appropriate.”

“Here, here. Well said, my lady!” Brian, playing the paladin Sir Alwell, strongly agrees.

“Yeah, role-playing.” You give Sandra a quick thumbs-up of approval.

“It's okay to uncross your legs once in a while, ladies.” Ragnar comments to the cleric and paladin.

Sir Michael Dupré, played by Saul, takes a more logic approach to the party's two lawful good members. “First, we all agreed that stealing the relic from the Mad Overlord was clearly a necessary and good act. Second, showing the appropriate respect to a chaotic good religious community is a lawful act of charity.”

“Okay.” As usual, Brian agrees with Saul's plan. “That makes sense.”

“I guess.” Sandra is a bit more hesitant, but eventually agrees.

You describe to everyone their entrance into the large, but worn, stone building dedicated to the goddess Rudd, and how an attractive (15 Charisma) priestess approaches and greets the party. She explains the basic rules of the gambling hall and the cost of the various rooms in the inn. To add a little enticement, however, you have her state that all visitors are welcome to give a special oblation onto the demi-goddess: A round of poker. If the party member wins, then everyone can stay in the inn's most luxurious room free of charge. If he or she loses, then everyone will sleep in the stables behind the temple, will scrub the gambling hall's floor, chairs, tables and toilets in the morning, and give the temple a 200 a gold piece donation.”

“That's outrageous. That's twenty times how much a room should cost.” Vivian complains.

“And that would be basically all our gold.” Brian adds.

“Would we also receive the favor of Rudd and a boon from the goddess?” Asks the ever pondering Saul.

“Only if you win.” The priestess of Rudd grins.

“I that case sweet-cheeks.” David puts on his cheesy “lady-killer” voice. “I'll up the wager. Instead of playing for gold, let's play strip poker. Unless, I'm too much man for you?”

All the men, including yourself, groan, Vivian throws an Oreo at Ragnar, while Sandra just gives a brief amused giggle.

“So, what's the party's real answer?” You ask everyone.

“Oh, I'm serious.” David immediately states. “I'm going to roll Charisma.” and without waiting for your approval he rolls his d20.

There is a loud mixture of moans and laughter, with David shouting “Fuck yeah!” as the dice reads “20” when it stops rolling, a natural crit.