Post by Jaezred Vandree on Mar 7, 2022 19:56:02 GMT
Heartlands Hold 'Em Night at the Gilded Mirror never fails to excite. And ever since Lord Jaezred Vandree gained a love for games of chance, he has been almost always a constant at the tables.
Poker, or Tymora's Gambit as some call it, is the sacred game. The tactics, the bluffing, the ever-increasing stakes, the art of maintaining a "poker face", and the luck of it all. It's exhilirating.
Four players left at the table. Vogolad, the Countess Chime, Belenus Bartoli, and Jaezred. The gold dragonborn croupier has dealt hands to each of them. Jaezred watches the others peek at theirs before even looking at his.
The cards on the table: queen of hearts, eight of diamonds, two of spades.
Chips are thrown in. The pot is made. Belenus is raising even before they see the flop; the halfling is easy to read — he's feeling lucky. Vogolad thinks he's got a good chance but since he's already spent most of this month's paycheck, he's reminding himself to play more safely. The Countess has put her fan in front of her face as usual, but Jaezred sees the downward quirk on the edge of her lips.
Jaezred, leaning back in his chair and crossing his legs, casually throws more chips in to meet Belenus's challenge. The rest follow.
The flop is revealed: eight of spades.
Fingers are tapped on the table. The Countess quietly mutters, "Check."
Now the turn: jack of diamonds.
Jaezred raises. Belenus confidently meets the call. Vogolad and the Countess fold.
Finally, the river: ace of spades.
The dark elf smiles as he throws a couple more chips in. There is just the slightest hesitation in Belenus's eyes before he matches the number. He plays with the chips in his hands for a moment, and then throws even more. A lot more. Now Belenus is sweating a little.
"Monsieur Bartoli?" the croupier prompts.
Indeed, he needs a little bit more encouragement. Imperceptible to everyone, a wave of fey magic emanates out from Jaezred, instilling a certain fear within Belenus. The mere presence of Jaezred, sitting relaxedly across the table from him, is deeply terrifying to him. His hands quiver.
With a timid sigh, the halfling pushes his card to the centre of the table.
"Monsieur Bartoli folds. Lord Vandree wins the pot!"
He didn't have to — really didn't have to — but Jaezred flips his cards face-up. A two of hearts and a five of clubs.
Belenus's fists clench and his small body shakes. Does the light play tricks or is his left eye bleeding a little? Well, no matter. Jaezred grins in satisfaction, revelling in his victory.
Poker, or Tymora's Gambit as some call it, is the sacred game. The tactics, the bluffing, the ever-increasing stakes, the art of maintaining a "poker face", and the luck of it all. It's exhilirating.
Four players left at the table. Vogolad, the Countess Chime, Belenus Bartoli, and Jaezred. The gold dragonborn croupier has dealt hands to each of them. Jaezred watches the others peek at theirs before even looking at his.
The cards on the table: queen of hearts, eight of diamonds, two of spades.
Chips are thrown in. The pot is made. Belenus is raising even before they see the flop; the halfling is easy to read — he's feeling lucky. Vogolad thinks he's got a good chance but since he's already spent most of this month's paycheck, he's reminding himself to play more safely. The Countess has put her fan in front of her face as usual, but Jaezred sees the downward quirk on the edge of her lips.
Jaezred, leaning back in his chair and crossing his legs, casually throws more chips in to meet Belenus's challenge. The rest follow.
The flop is revealed: eight of spades.
Fingers are tapped on the table. The Countess quietly mutters, "Check."
Now the turn: jack of diamonds.
Jaezred raises. Belenus confidently meets the call. Vogolad and the Countess fold.
Finally, the river: ace of spades.
The dark elf smiles as he throws a couple more chips in. There is just the slightest hesitation in Belenus's eyes before he matches the number. He plays with the chips in his hands for a moment, and then throws even more. A lot more. Now Belenus is sweating a little.
"Monsieur Bartoli?" the croupier prompts.
Indeed, he needs a little bit more encouragement. Imperceptible to everyone, a wave of fey magic emanates out from Jaezred, instilling a certain fear within Belenus. The mere presence of Jaezred, sitting relaxedly across the table from him, is deeply terrifying to him. His hands quiver.
With a timid sigh, the halfling pushes his card to the centre of the table.
"Monsieur Bartoli folds. Lord Vandree wins the pot!"
He didn't have to — really didn't have to — but Jaezred flips his cards face-up. A two of hearts and a five of clubs.
Belenus's fists clench and his small body shakes. Does the light play tricks or is his left eye bleeding a little? Well, no matter. Jaezred grins in satisfaction, revelling in his victory.