[Location] The Tradewinds

THE TRADEWINDS GAMING HOUSE


Leviticus Bombastus Smoothe is one of the richest entrepreneurs in the city, if not the known world.

Tradewinds is reputed to be the home house of LB's enterprises. It is found in the Merchant's Quarter of Remia, close to the Eastern Gates of the city. Although many of the city's rich and elite make their way into Tradewinds, all factions of society are welcome, so long as they bring coin. While the main gaming house lies close to the outside of town, many gaming parlors lie within the walls. Using a system of runners and magic devices, Smoothe is able to keep the gaming parlors current on the different races and other wagering events. The gaming parlors also allow Smoothe greater access to the numbers racket in the city, and especially for those who are unable to enter such areas such as the Colosseum.
There are only a few house rules to Tradewinds.

1) No weapons, martial or arcane; this is a house of gambling, not a slaughter house.
2) A gambler can drink on the house as long as he or she is gambling.
3) If a foreman asks a patron to leave, he or she should leave quickly and be thankful for the opportunity to leave peaceably.
4) Any bet is potentially subject to inspection for cheating (this may include the use of the detect magic spell). All dealers and foremen are taught the skills Sense Motive and Spot to assist detecting possible cheating.
5) A foreman or the Master Captain must approve any bet over 1,000, with the exception of bets that occur within the Dragon Room.

Publically, there are three levels to this enormous structure. In addition, there are racing tracks outside for dog races and horse races. Many of the city's wealthiest are envious of the magnitude and grandeur of the estate.
The ground level contains three separate sections: the house games, such as roulette, knuckle bones, quackboard (a game like roulette but played with dice and a checker board), twenty-one Blackjack, Poker, and a numbers game similar to Bingo; rooms for private games such as card games, like poker; and finally, a tavern with some rooms for rent and a public bath.
The second level houses the private rooms and baths for rich gamblers. There are also rooms where the rich may gamble with their peers without associating with the riff-raff. There is also an extremly private area that is available for rent for special occasions and high-rollers who love to gamble on unusual circumstances.
The lower levels (an extensive set of basements and sub-basements) house some of the noiser games such as cockfights, dog fights, and sports such as wrestling, boxing and gladiatorial fights that take place away from the Colosseum.
Outside and behind the Tradewinds are tracks for racing. There is an oval for racing dogs, a straight track for horse sprints, and a steeplechase track for the complete riders. The house has its stable of animals and riders, but outsiders can compete as long as they pay an entrance fee and register with the tracks' foreman.

LEVEL ONE

The Main Entrance
This large (50'x50') room has elegant mahogany wood paneling. There are chandeliers hanging from the ceiling that give the room a warm glow. At the end of the entrance is a richly embossed counter. The Master Captain, is usually here unless there is s pecial problem or request in another part of Tradewinds. There are a number of hosts and hostesses who guide guests to their desired locations. Near the door, a set of five guards welcomes the guests and collect any and all weapons for safe keeping.

The Treasure Chest
This is the tavern and bar for the Gaming House.

The First Floor Kitchen
This kitchen provides food for the Treasure Chest as well as for the rest of this level of the Gaming House. The cooks are very good at their profession. The Head Cook is called Durpho the Gastronome.

Open Gaming Room
This large room contains many tables where the commoners can enjoy a game of chance. The games vary according to different odds and payouts. Roulette, Craps, Quackboard, Poker, Twenty-one blackjack, Lottery.
The Gaming House uses runners to keep the various betting parlors in the city to contact with the current numbers and upcoming races. Gamblers may make bets on the races at the Gaming House or at the parlors.
Dealers: Each table has a dealer. The dealer deals the cards, rolls the dice or calls the numbers in the various games.
Foremen: Each foreman is responsible for 3-4 tables. They move around the tables looking for cheating and thievery. They will call for security if they notice any such behavior.
There are also open games such as tables (aka backgammon), knuckle bones, primero, and taroccho. A foreman is usually present in the open games to look for cheating. In addition, there is a dealer who claims a 10% cut of each pot. In the open games no buy in (paying a fee to sit at the table) is necessary.

Strong Room
This is where the Open Gaming Room brings its winnings. The door is very sturdy and locked at all times. Within the room is a huge safe where the winnings are kept. The safe has a complicated magical lock. There are always four guards and a foreman on duty in the Strong Room.

Public Bath
This bath is open to the public with a fee of 5 sp. In addition, there are massage tables with professional masseurs and masseuses available at a fee of 1 gp for thirty minutes.

Boarding Rooms
There are six private rooms that are rent for 5 sp a night. There are also 4 common rooms where a boarder can rent a cot for 2 sp.

Private Tables
There are 7 rooms where those who do not wish to gamble in the Open Room can do so. These rooms offer games such as primero, taroccho, poker, tables, and quackboard. These tables have a buy-in of 10 gp (the gambler must pay 10 gp to sit at the table). Each separate table requires a buy-in.

Strong Room 2
There is a second strong room where the Private Rooms bring their winnings. The door is very sturdy and locked at all times. Within the room is a huge safe where the winnings are kept. The safe has a complicated magical lock. There is always four armed guards and a foreman on duty in the Strong Room.

LEVEL TWO

Second Floor Landing
The stairs from the first level exit into a plush landing where the most rich and powerful can gamble as well as lodge. There are usually 3-5 hosts and hostesses who will greet the guests and guide them to their desired location. In addition, there are normally 2-3 guards who help keep the undesirable away from the wanted guests.

Front Balcony and Cafe
This area offers the guests a nice view of the well-kept front grounds of the gambling house. Servants bring the guests food and drink. If a guest is gambling at the Gaming House, he or she receives complimentary food and drinks. Otherwise, there is a separate menu.

Siren's Call Inn
The wealthy guests can rent rooms here. there are private single rooms that rent for 8 gp per night. This price includes one hour of bathing and massage. There are also two rooms that can accommodate up to 4 guests for 2 gp per night. There are two baths where guests can bathe or receive a massage. The bath costs 1 gp and the massage costs 2 gp. both the bath and the massage include fragrant oils. There are two lounge areas where the guests can relax near a warm fire. There are usually 2-3 guards who protect and run errands for the guests.

Kitchen
This kitchen provides food for the cafes as well for the rest of this level of the Gaming House. The cooks are exceptional at their profession.

Dragon Poker
This room has been extensively modified to resemble an opulent sultan's harem. At the center sits a gold, gem-encrusted table and matching seats with plush velvet cushions. Silk curtains hang from the walls, and silk cushions cover the floor. Bejeweled urns, vases and other ornamentation litter the room. A beautiful crystal chandelier hangs from the frescoed ceiling, providing a comfortable amount of illumination.
At any given time, at least five dragonkin or dragons in humanoid form are playing poker. The game has continued for several years, and was moved here from the Eastern Empire at the behest of Smoothe. Any dragon is welcome to play provided she can ante up. The dragons come from all over the world and represent different philosophies and outlooks. Accordingly, this room is a de facto neutral ground for them, allowing them to play poker and catch up on all the gossip in relative peace. Smoothe has human, elf, and half-elf servants waiting hand and foot to the dragons, usually dressed in wispy, translucent clothing that reveals their best features for all to see.

The Chamber
This is the most private area of the Gaming House. It is also the room where the most powerful and influential citizens of Remia, and even across the world, meet to discuss the future of the city as well as wager a little. the games in this room go from the basic games described in the gaming area to some truly bizarre and sometimes disturbing games. Some of the wagers include: the number of murders that will occur in a week and when wars will begin or end. It is not above some of those allowed into this room to try to influence the outcome of bets.

Rear Balcony and Cafe
This area gives the guests an excellent view of the racetracks. The guests can eat and drink while they watch the races. A foreman takes bets for these guests so they don't have to enter the common crowds. There are usually 2-4 guards present on the balcony. Servants bring the guests food and drink. If a guest is gambling at the Gaming House, he or she receives complimentary food and drinks. Otherwise, there is a separate menu.

Private Gaming Rooms
There are 9 rooms where those who do not wish to gamble on the ground level can do so. These rooms offer games such as poker, primero, taroccho, tables, and quackboard. These tables have a buy-in of 20 gp (the gambler must pay 20 gp to sit at the table). Each separate table requires a buy-in.

Strong Room Three
There is a second strong room where the Second Level Private Rooms bring their winnings. The door is very sturdy and locked at all times. Within the room is a huge safe where the winnings are kept. The safe has a complicatred magical lock. There is always five armed guards and a foreman on duty in the Strong Room.

BASEMENT LEVEL
On this level the violent sport games are played.

Entry
Guests to the gladiatorial are greeted by a host or hostess and lead to the area that interests them. The hosts are dressed in studded leather and seem more martial than the other hosts and hostesses in the Gaming House.

The Fights
This large subterranean room is divided into four main areas. In addition, there are many tables and chairs away from the pits for guests to relax and enjoy a drink from the bar or sample some food. The food is brought down from the kitchen on the first floor when ordered.

a) Gladiatorial Fights
In the western section of the underground complex there is a large, 120 ft by 60 ft. pit surrounded by bleachers. The gladiators enter the 10ft. deep pit from the side. The fights are normally to knockout or submission; however, at times fights to the death have been arranged. This normally occurs when Hatchet Highbinder has purchased condemned prisoners and offers life and freedom to the victor. These matches are advertised and very well attended. there are also boxing and wrestling matches, but the blood sports bring in the gamblers. Bets take place before the match begins.
One may participate in the fights as well. They must sign up for the fights at least one week prior to the match and may not use any magic outside weapons or armor. For each different kind of match, appropriate weapons and armor are provided.
There are usually 4-8 guards present at the fights and a foreman who acts as a referee.

b) Bar and Betting Counter
This is where guests can buy drinks or place bets on the various fights. Each hour, the strongbox is removed and sent upstairs to be placed in th strong room. There are always 5 guards and 3 foremen present.

c) Dog Fights
This area on the northeast portion of the cavern hosts the dog fights. Betting takes place just as with the gladiatorial events, but the fights are to the death. There are usually 3 guards and 2 foremen supervising the savage fights.

d) Cockfights
This area houses three cockfighting pits. Betting takes place just as with the gladiatorial events, but the fights are to the death. There are usually 3 guards and 2 foremen supervising the cockfights.

Gladiator Prep Room
This area houses the weapons and armor that are used in the fights. The game master can select different kinds of weapons and armor as he sees fit. Also this is where the gladiators wait for their fights and are taken to be healed, if needed.

Kennel
This room houses the dogs and cocks that are used in the fights. Each day, the dogs are taken up near the tracks for exercise. The door to the stairs is always locked and strong.
The kennels house the fighting dogs. There is only one dog in all but one of the cages. In the last cage, there are four large fighting dogs and a shadow mastiff.

Tracks and Grounds
There are racetracks for both dogs and horses. The dog track is an oval, while the horse tracks are straight courses. At times, foot races are held for humanoids. There are also long distance races for both horses and people. Bets can be made for all of the races. the game master can set the odds or roll a d10 to determine the random odds. Bet makers are at each of the venues and are guarded by 2-3 guards. There are also 3-4 foremen roaming the tracks to assist anyone having difficulties.