Lucky Bit Gambling Hall

Nestled in the northeast corner of Tomblador-controlled Balic is the Lucky Bit Gambling Hall, a popular location for gamblers looking for a variety of games on which to risk their wages. The colorfully painted sign beckons the passer's by to come enjoy an evening's entertainment, and lights burn in the windows all night, as this place never truly closes.

The three story Lucky Bit is built close to the northern wall, and the top floor provides an excellent view of the Estuary of the Forked Tongue and, on the rare clear day, the lands beyond it. To the east of the building is Denthenes Drop, a silt gully that runs from the Estuary through a small stone gate and branches into the city. The gully is titled as it is because it's namesake, after an incredible winning streak at the Lucky Bit, blindly walked into the gully, falling to his death.

Inside the ornate wooden doors is a lush entry hall. Two guards ensure that visitors leave their weapons with the building staff. A beautiful red carpet leads through the wood paneled halls into the central gambling area. The first floor is devoted mainly to Chip Falls, a type of game where the player drop a ceramic or a bit into the top of the vertically aligned game. The glass-covered board is set with a number of small bone pins that cause the coin to bounce and spin as it descends. The player hopes the coin will land on small strips of bone to prevent the coin from dropping into the slot that leads directly to the safe below, where losing coins end up. The payout is dependant on the difficulty of the pin arrangement, so the easiest Chip Falls game will pay out three coins for a successful play, while the most difficult will pay out twenty.

Also on the first floor is the tavern, which sports a thirty foot curving wooden bar. The bartenders are experts in their profession, and can make most drinks imaginable. Merchants from across the Tablelands bring recipes to expand the range of drinks served. The tavern area of the gambling hall is actually part of the neighboring building, which the owner of the Lucky Bit purchased to make additional room for his business.

A curved wooden staircase leads to the table games on the second floor. Mahogany colored tables with leather and cloth surfaces dominate the room. Glass and stone wall sconces, along with tall stone candelabras, create a pleasant atmosphere for the gamblers. The walls are a combinations of wood panels and deep red cloth, as well as the occasional window.

A dozen different card games are played in this area. A Balican deck consists of fifty cards (five suits, seven numbered cards of each suit, with three face cards.) The five suits are silvers, irons, swords, towers, and slaves. The most powerful card in the deck in the king of silvers, a representation of Andropinis. The most popular games are King's Eye (closest to twenty wins, automatic win to whoever draws Andropinis), Slave trader (slaves are the highest card, players must follow suit, and Andropinis trumps all), and Greedy Merchant (player dealt seven cards, tries to get highest total of all five suits.)

The third floor, accessible by another wooden staircase, is watched by a liveried guard who prevents access to that area unless an invited guest. The top floor is a private gaming area for the wealthy citizens of or visitors to Balic. The same games that are available on the second floor are also available here, though the atmosphere is more intimate and the noise level considerably lower. A wait staff sees to the guests needs and limits on bets are high.

The Lucky Bit is owned by Scenelo (LN hm Rog5/Exp9), a former thief turned gambler turned entrepreneur. Scenelo can be seen walking all floors of his establishment, mixing with his patrons. His third floor office is lavishly decorated. His pride is his literal lucky bit. The legend goes that as he was leaving the gambling hall after another prosperous night, he stopped at one of the Chip Falls games. He decided that if his bit was a winner, he would buy the struggling place. He won, and the rest was history, as the gambling hall became a huge success after his acquisition.