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Drugs & Gambling
 The Zuberi are different then the other cultures of Comraich in how they
consider gambling. They certainly wouldn’t think of it as a games of chance,
more games of skill. While other lands will play cards or dice, these do not
hold much interest to the Zuberi. It is not that they will not play these games
on occasion, but the general consensus is that throwing painted bits of wood or
turning over cards requires no skill, only luck and chance. While there may be
some skill involved in trying to get the right numbers to show, or to get the
right cards to turn up. While other cultures may see trying to coax the cards or
dice to come up in the gambler's favor as cheating, to a Zuberi, it is merely
playing the game wisely and that that is where the skill of such games lies.
The Zuberi would never think of gambling on a game of pure chance. For them, to
gamble is to make a choice, based on observation, skill etc, and then to back up
one’s choice with money; we would say ‘putting your money where your mouth is'.
Thus a gambler who wins is not seen as lucky, but as wise, observant or clever.
They, as a rule, feel that gambling without skill involved is pointless. ‘Either
it is totally random or the gambler is trying to guess what Acrab will do – both
are folly’ ”
The streets of Arjat can be menacing enough if caught at the right time, in the
wrong place.
It is in dark alleys and cramped gambling dens that some of the more deadly
events occur.
A merchant's life is one of predictability, the gambler however embraces the
random nature and deadly intentions that are "Tawalla Gurub" (to turn away
sunset - cheat death).
There is no greater thrill than being on death's door, and no greater chill than
the cobras venom as it courses through your veins. Those who lose, do so at
great costs, occasionally even in death. For what is life if no chances are
taken? Those who win have not only lived to see another sunrise, but in doing so
have made their wealth that much more valuable. Most are not bitten, for it
takes a degree of stupidity to anger the cobra and an even higher degree to get
bit, excluding one's drunkenness.
The general commotion around the table is enough to keep the cobra's attention
and as one rolls the dice they have to be concerned with the sound of the
clacking attracting all of the snakes ire. Not only are they the ones who must
open their bid, but they are also the one to take the first chance at victory,
i.e. no snake bite. As the dice are passed around the table, taken by the
clockwise person, another bet is placed in order to match the last bet made and
to strengthen the desire to continue with the game. It is not only your
responsibility, but a wise move to place your roll near the coil of the serpent,
so as to make it that much more difficult for your neighbor to wish to stay in
the game and grab the dice for his roll. A card, chosen from 10 cards from 3-12,
is then dealt out after all players have bet, or increased the bet, and thrown
dice.
This is what is known as the "Kiss of the Cobra"....if at any moment the number
on your card is rolled, by anyone other than yourself, during the game your lips
must meet the head of the serpent in a kiss. If you roll your own number you may
give your card to any other player. Next round another card is dealt to all
ensuring they all have two cards, unless the game has ended with fate smiling on
a man early in the night. Any time there is a roll of 2, otherwise known as
"shake-eyes" you must not only take a card but kiss of the asp. A victory is won
through being the last one bitten or having no cards, with a first round always
being played.
It is of course also well known, in the right circles, that many others tend to
visit these gambling dens for other reasons. With the crowd being the way they
are there is much to learn from a gathering of gamblers through gathering of
information. Most are here because life as a guard inside the walls is not
exciting enough or as a noble they want to be seen as able to handle the
harshness that is the game of "Tawalla Gurub". All these and more make these
dens some of the best sources of information, up to and including information
leading to drugs within the culture and other less tasteful aspects of Arjat.
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