I decided to go. I had 2 days for a buffer. The first I will spend casing out the casino. The second I will join in the activities. The third, I will join the event.

  I had to confirm the address of the casino, and it turns out that they, and similar establishments, and it was a relatively popular establishment, if new.

  While I didn't know the reason for this promotional event exactly, it was highly likely to be a promotional stunt. This can mean many things. Scouting it out was of an increased priority.

  If I had the money and contacts, I could set up properly in a month. I could get a body a week after. Then, I would start making person arms.

  As I entered the casino, I first looked to the crowd. There were all kinds of races playing, including golems like the body I am puppeting. This was good, I could blend in.

  The casino was run by light skinned elves, race name unknown. They had a bar, tables for card games, but no slots. Strange from my point of view, yes, but in retrospect it makes sense.

  I wandered the floor area, and observed some games. Some were like poker, some like uno. Some dice tables were set up, and a few other games besides. To not look too suspicious, I went to a low buy in poker table to get a feel for the game.

  I joined a table with 5 other people and a dealer. A dwarf, 2 elves, a gnome, and a human. I sat next to the dwarf and gnome.

  When the round was over, I bought in. I made idle conversation with the dwarf as we played.

  "Evening. Names Keri, you?" I state. I purposefully remove any inflection I typically inserted into my speech. It was infiltration time.

  "Jorik." He states without looking at me.

  "Nice meeting ya, just came in from a ways away. Got a job at the university. Not what I thought I would be doing if I'm honest, haha!" I say.

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  "Oh? The university? You a professor or something?" He asks, glancing at me.

  "Na, I don't have the qualifications for that, unfortunately. Assistant professor though? Waaay more manageable. The pay is decent for the work too, but eh. I need more. Thought to go relax down here, maybe win a bit, you know?"

  "Yeh, I do. Not worth spending thousands an' thousands for nothin'. I ain't addicted, but spending low for enjoyment? A light thrill? Yeh, I got some cash to burn, an' I sometimes win more then I lose too! HA!" He barks out a laugh. I chuckle with him.

  "I get that. Heh. Hey, you want a drink?" I ask.

  "HA! You'll never have a true hearted dwarf refuse!" He laughed.

  He told me his preference and I ordered. This was going well. Integration and obfuscation was proceeding swimmingly.

  We chatted for a few rounds, talking about this and that. It was largely a good time, enjoyable even.

  "So, I don't think I asked where you worked. I've some guesses but genuinely, I've no clue." I say.

  "Oh? Guess, why not eh? More fun that way." He said.

  "Hmmm. Brewer?"

  "No."

  "Smith?"

  "Nope."

  "Uhm, artisan, miner... scribe?"

  "Nope, na, close."

  "AH, I GOT IT! Architect! HA!" I shout.

  "Hhahaha! No, lad. No. Fine, I'll tell ya. I'm a designer." He said.

  "For clothes?" I ask. An odd profession for a dwarf. I wouldn't judge. He was decent company.

  "What? No! I design weapons! The hell did you get clothing?" He asks.

  "Eh, met one a bit ago. Had it on my mind. So, you design weapons? Are you alone, or do you have a company?" I ask.

  "You don't know? We are a bit of a big- AH, that's right! You said your from out of town! Ya wouldn't know." He said under his breath.

  "Ahem. Anyhow, my two brothers and I started a company about 5 years back. And... well, we don't make weapons for the city or republic. We do individual sales really. That along with knives, armor, and the like. Common things that can be mass produced. We want to supply the city, and in a few years, we may well get to that point. We just bought a third foundries, was in the news too!" He says proudly.

  There was... an opportunity here. "Oh? That's fantastic! 5 years and 3 foundries, that's genuinely impressive!" I wasn't lying either. In a set up, older market, getting going could be agonizing.

  "Hey, I got an offer later. You mind if I pitch it to you? When your done here, that is." I say.

  He drops his smile and stares at me. He looks at me for a minute. "What kind of offer." He asks, tone going cold.

  "One that I think will surprise you. If you have doubts, I will be here tomorrow. Anyhow, I will leave you. I will be outside for an hour or two. Good night, Jorik. Think on it." I say. I leave the building.