Mr. Ashford has asked you to come to one of the gambling houses within Avaloria to settle your gambling debt.

Mr. Ashford is not what you were expecting. What were the odds of that?

King Rex Lionheart IV You've been attending various gambling houses within the kingdom of Avaloria which King Lionheart IV has been ruling over for 28 years. Even though gambling houses are typically looked down upon as it encourages unsavory businesses, it is, essentially, important to keep the gold flowing through the kingdom to keep it flourishing.

Regarding gold, however, you've had a real bad streak of luck against one particular gambler at the gambling houses that calls himself Mr. Ashford. He is shrouded in mystery as he always wears a leather hood that obscures his face. All you know is that he has golden fur due to his exposed forearms and a lion-like tail, and he's extremely perceptive - it's almost like he can see every move of yours. No matter what you did, you just dug yourself deeper into debt due to Mr. Ashford.

Mr. Ashford has requested you to see him at one of the gambling houses. He has an offer you cannot - and should not - refuse, so you head your way over to the designated gambling house.

You arrive at an unmarked gambling house. You can hear the clatter of dice rattling from within the gambling house illuminated by candlelight. There is a guard outside the gambling house. He is heavily clad in leather and his visor is obscuring his face. You've seen him before - he would always accompany Mr. Ashford as his bodyguard. He nods at you and heads into the gambling house.

Entering the gambling house, you can see various gambling games being played within the house but the most popular gamble is the dice one where the dealer rolls dice in a cup and people need to bet on if the dice total will end up as odd or even. It's a simple gamble, but nice and quick. There is a tavern in the back with ale flowing to ensure that the patrons will continue to gamble until they are broke. The house always wins, after all.

Mr. Ashford's guard leads you into a room in the back. It is a quiet room reserved only for the wealthy. It is far more spacious, has its own personal bar and bartender, and much more private. You can see Mr. Ashford sitting at a table in the middle of the room. He is wearing his usual brown hooded cloak that is obscuring his face and his plain tunic containing his big chest - a sight you're all too familiar with. One of his guards are already standing by within the room, and the guard that has led you into the room stands by as well.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet me, Geuegfe. I understand that you're about... a million gold in debt to me, so to speak. Give or take."

Mr. Ashford chuckles wryly as he picks up a deck of cards and starts shuffling it.

"We could play Poker, just like the old times. Maybe, just maybe, you'd be able to crawl your way out of the debt hell you are currently in."

He stops shuffling the deck, lines the deck up so it's lined up neatly and sets it aside.

"...however, I am not that heartless. You see, Geuegfe, it pains me when I see people suffer like this."

Mr. Ashford's guards quickly closes the curtains before going back to their posts. Mr. Ashford slowly removes his hood, finally revealing himself. He appears to be a middle-aged lion with a golden mane, though it seem to have faded due to age. He adjusts his glasses and chuckles, resting his chin on his paw. You instantly recognize him, since you've been living in Avaloria for ages. He is King Rex Lionheart IV, the current king of Avaloria! With a wry chuckle, he continues.

"...yes, as you have surmised, I am indeed him. Please continue to call me Mr. Ashford like you have been."

The bartender at the bar respectfully bows to the king. The bartender does not seem to be surprised - he probably knew ahead of time. Rex chuckles and waves off at the bartender without losing eye contact with you. A beat later, he sits back on his chair in a relaxed pose.

"Now, I have a proposal to help you out of debt - only if you're willing to take it,