The morning breaks, cloudy with a slight drizzle. It's a good day.
Atriox, you wake to find the room rather the same as the night before. Only a platter of half eaten bread and cheeses, two shot glasses and three empty bottles.of firewiskey sit at the table. You vaguely remember the previous evening, but... you're still dressed and you don't see Dahlia.
However there is a card on the table. It has silvery, eloquent handwriting. In draconic it reads,
"Prince Atriox,
It was lovely talking at length with you. You are an extremely personable fellow. I am called this morning to other duties but you may speak to the madam downstairs regarding your arrangements and payment, if you are still so inclined."
(If you wish to make a roll... Give me a CON save and an INT save... I'll tell you tidbits you remember of your evening 🤣
Atriox: You shake your head and go to your wash basin. Filling it, you splash some water on your face. It feels refreshing, and despite the alcohol, you're feeling pretty good.
You rack your brain, trying to pick out details from the hazy evening. You remember her teasingly declining to lie with you, saying something akin to, "We'll see how long you last with an attitude like that in a place like this."
You also recall her sharing her mixed feelings of working there. It was easy and plentiful work, and room and board was included, but it left them very little coin in the end. She was saving up for... Something. You can't remember.
A fuzzy memory of her cleaning your neck comes to mind. You peer in the mirror at your injury, the seared flesh from Alrik and the spider bite, and peel away a bandage she'd applied. The scarring is almost completely gone.
The last thing you remember.... Before passing out, you were playing some sort of truth or dare game. She'd dared you to streak down to the buffet for a cheese plate... You can't remember doing that, but... You do happen to see a cheese plate in your room.
--
Alrik....
You wake a mess. There's an empty bottle of brandy in hand and the room is in a disarray. You notice a few scorch marks on the wall, and a large pail of rainwater, half having spilled on the floor. You're glad you paid extra last night given the damage.
You're also half dressed in your military uniform (somehow buttoned up backwards) and you're not sure where your pants went.
You have a bit of a hangover. There's a noticeable pressure behind your left eye from the headache. The only things you can remember....a lot of laughter and an enjoyable presentation of your storm magic.
(If so inclined, you can make a check to search for your pants.. Lol xD)
Alrik struggles to remove his half-buttoned uniform, and after moving a few blankets and other strewn objects, he finds his robe. Stumbling downstairs, he staggers over to the bar and pours a large mug of coffee. Shrugging and squinting due to his hangover headache, he shambles over to a nearby table and pours a little whiskey into the coffee. "Hair of the dog, they say..." he winces as he speaks, regretting making noise.
Alrik: A half-orc serving girl approaches your table and sets a plate of sausages and eggs in front of you. It's smothered in a thick gravy and a heap of peppers.
She smirks, her tusks showing ever so slightly. She's rather gorgeous and gives you a wink. "Hiya soldier. Zinnia told us about your magic show... Haha. Sounds impressive." She nudges you playfully.
"This is from the chef, she told him you might need it... Best hangover cure in town. Owlbear sausage and sugar pepper gravy. Call if ya need anythin' pumpkin."
Another girl comes up to her as she steps away, a blonde elven maiden. She seems a little distraught. Whispering something quickly to the half-orc, the two hurry off to handle something.
Alrik downs his coffee and grabs the plate. While grumbling to himself, he walks in the direction they hurried off.
The food is great and really takes the edge off your headache. The girls don't notice you following them, and you see them head off down the first floor corridor to the rooms.
Atriox dresses in his now clean clothing and takes a minute to gather himself. He then leaves his room to finds his friends and negotiate with Matron of the house.
Atriox, you're heading down the stairwell back to the main floor. You both hear a strange sound at about the same moment.
A crashing sound, followed by glass shattering and a strangled barking noise comes from behind the second door. The half orc and the elf hesitate a bit as something slams up against the door, shaking it. The first runs over to turn the handle, thankfully unlocked.
Dahlia stumbles out of the way, trying to run for the main room as a furious, terrified Tak scrambles across the stone floor. He skids as he rushes through the door. He has his midsection bandaged and is trailing gauze behind him as he runs down the hallway, trying to dodge around and slash at anyone who comes near him. He looks like he's still slightly drunk, and is yelping in a very gravely mix of undercommon and draconian, "GET AWAY! GIVE BACK! YOU STOLE IT, HALF BREED! WITCH!"
Atriox sees what's going on and runs to intervene.
He gets there as fast as he can and growls deeply to get everyone's attention.
"Tak what is the meaning of this ? Explain now ?"
Tak, rather drunk, doesn't even pay you any heed. He tumbles around the corner and rushes on all fours right under your legs.
The other two server girls yelp from the sound of your voice, the half orc one piping up to explain, "We brought him in last night from the gardens! He was out like a light, Dahlia was asked to care for his wounds. He looked half dead, we thought she'd have the best luck with him--" She looks nervously at Alrik and Atriox.
Atriox looks slightly furious at Taks behavior. He decides to let Alrik handle him. He instead turns his attention to the beautiful half orc and Dahlia.
"My apologies for that my ladys Tak is.........well he's a complicated person and he's very new to the nicer side of life. I saw him clawing out viciously. Are either of you hurt??"
Dahlia rushes over to the entryway, ducking behind the podium where the keys are stored. Tak scrambles past Alrik not even noticing him, and....
The office door opens outward, and Tak runs full blast into the heavy oak wood. A loud crack can be heard upon impact. Seeing stars, he tumbles backward with a cry. Unsteady, he scrambles about trying to regain his focus, the whole room spinning.
The head matron steps out, wearing a nightcap and pulling her hair back into a bun. "What in the WORLD is going on in here, ladies?"
The elf and half orc look at him aghast. "N-no we're fine," the elf says a little skittishly. Dahlia looks over at Atriox with a very confused, apologetic expression, having heard him from where she's hiding. You can see she has some cuts on her arms and her clothes are ripped, but she's not too bad off. "I'm alright, really. He just--" Her eyes grow wide and she flinches as Tak tries to make another leap toward her.
(Go ahead and use that nat 20 @Chantry Williams XD)
Alrik catches Tak in his free hand by the back of the neck and pulls him back toward him. "Settle down, Flame-Scar... have a sausage." He brings the plate close so Tak can grab one.
"Now, calmly tell me what's going on..."
(Niiice.. uuum... make a Persuasion check for me... haha.. let me see how well he takes this)
(Rolled an 18 and I have a +3... so 21)
(Awesome... that's definitely persuasive)
Tak struggles to wriggle free. He thrashes about, gnashing his teeth and clawing, but is unable to escape nor knock the plate from your hand. His eyes are very red and watery. Finally through his shaky breathing, he hisses in undercommon, "Fall sleep tree, wake up small room! Trapped. Half breed touchy, grabby, sharp needles! Holding me down," he growls in his throat. "And my... my coin is gone!" He turns his nose away from the plate, trying to wrench free again (17). "Don't stop me, I get coin back! I hate this place, hate this city!"
Atriox seeing.......hoping that Alrik has Tak under control walks briskly over where Dahlia is hiding. As he reaches her he gently takes her arm and looks at it.
"How bad are you hurt my lady ? I hope he didn't do anything severe."
The matron watches the scene with mild surprise, frustration and amusement. She's quiet for the time being. Dahlia just looks a bit embarrassed. "It really isn't too bad and all, that's why they asked me to see to him. I have a bit more protection than the others." She chuckles slightly, then lowers her voice. "And scars don't show well on red scales... so it wasn't much of an issue."
You look at her injuries and the gashes do seem rather shallow. A similar salve to what she used on you the previous night would likely clear them up in a day or two.
"I didn't think he would be so... wild about it. I'm sorry to have upset him. Not that we don't get angry drinkers here from time to time, just..." She trails off.
Atriox holds a clawed hand up dismissing whatever she was saying. " it is not your fault at all I should have been more forefront with the Matron......and you. I sincerely apologize and beg your forgiveness.Tak has lead a hard life and is new to all this.....finery. we must find his coin for it will calm him down I'm sure of it."
He looks her over still worried and almost gets lost in her golden eyes again but he fights to look away.
"Go attend to your wounds my dear. I need to speak with the Matron and make sure this situation is handled. I will come find you as soon as I can.
He bows to her kissing her hand as he does and then heads off to find the Matron.
(XD Rofl such the flirty romancer.)
Dahlia nods and hurries off to wash up. The other servers hover about uncertainly, then make their way back to the kitchens. More people are beginning to mill about. The head matron looks at Atriox expectantly, her arms folded. "Let's step into my office, sir."
Tak tries again to wriggle free from Alrik's grasp, (17) gritting his teeth and ripping off the gauze around his midsection. You can see his gash from the previous evening has been cleaned, sterilized and expertly stitched up.
Tak grabs at your hand, trying to wrench your fingers open with his claws, but his grip slips on the hardened scales. He stares up at you with anger, then... devolves into tears.
Alrik looks at Tak and sighs. "If your coin means that much to you, we will find it. Where was the last place you remember having it?"
He miserably covers his face, mumbling in draconic. "Fell asleep with the blasted thing... Woke up without it. Didn't have my gear, my clothes... no place to store it..." You note that he is still undressed, unsure of where his armor or weapon are.
"It may be with your clothes. Should we go check?"
He grumbles, seemingly more reasonable now. "...Fine, we can." He realizes you're talking to him in draconic again but doesn't say anything about it.
Alrik: You both head to the room Tak was in just a little while prior. It's a complete mess. The curtains are shredded and the bedspread, tattered. You do see a few splashes of blood on the sheets, along with discarded medical supplies.
In the corner you spot a bag with all of the kobold's gear, along with his javelin. However in searching it the coin is nowhere to be found.
Alrik looks at Tak and shrugs. "We'll find it, I'm sure. Perhaps we can ask around and see if anyone has seen it."
Tak looks miserable, but nods. He quickly slips into his gear and skitters outside, looking around for people. You can tell he's antsy, and probably not the best communicator for things like this... He also searches around on the ground, his nose to the grass like a bloodhound. (8 search... Nada)
(Alrik and Tak) The orc from the previous night is lounging near the pool, a couple servers chatting with him. Tak sniffs behind the fellow (investigate 2) and one of the girls look at him. (Persuasion 5... Ugh.) He just growls a bit, eyeing her suspiciously, then wanders around the edge of the pools.
Alrik kneels down next to Tak, looking him in the eye. He rests his hand on the kobold's shoulder. "Why is that coin so important to you, my little friend? By no means am I telling you to forget about it, I just want to understand." He asks, again in draconic, without realizing it.
Tak stares at Alrik for a long moment, his eyes searching the storm mages. He glances at the servers walking by, then at the ground. He knows it's not just an order to tell Alrik... He talks quietly.
"I.. I got it from some men who came to our home. They came to look at the bones." He fidgets, his eyes coldly gleaming. "I helped kill them... kept the nest safe."
"I found the coin. It was so shiny! And it had a special carving on it... I'd never seen one like it before. I kept it. Didn't show the others. And I..." He trails off, tears starting to trickle down.
"..I-I gave it to my nestmate. To earn her favor. I liked her a lot, Alrik..."
Alrik nods slowly. "What happened to her? You had the coin when we found you..."
He claws at his eyes, trying to stop crying, but it doesn't help. "She was so pretty! So sweet. Always shared, said nice things. T-then..." He sobs. "Things changed with the leaders. The blues came. I didn't like it. We were fine before! They wanted to ally with us, promised coin, promised dragons. Vile promises. But we were the ones who..."
He sinks down to the floor. "W-we followed orders! We killed, we raided. But we were closer to town. To the fort. Soldiers found us easily... Too easily. Didn't stand a chance."
"She..." he chokes, "I tried to get to her! But... She was in the nesting tunnels... all of them burned out, smoked out. She didn't leave our clutch. She wouldn't..." he grasps his claws like he misses holding the coin terribly, his only memory of her.
"I-I'm the last one... Wretched. Couldn't save even her..."
Alrik looks up, meeting Tak's gaze. His stormy eyes are full of tears. "I know how you feel. You see, we both lost people we care for..." Alrik reaches into his shirt and pulls out a leather cord, a silver ring with a sapphire in it. "I had this made for her... and she was taken from me before I could give it to her."
Alrik wipes the tears from his eyes and his expression changes to one of determination. "We'll find your coin, Brother..."
Tak wipes his eyes, gazing at the ring. He looks up at Alrik's face again and tries to stifle his blubbering. He gives a little nod in understanding.
***
Atriox follows the madam into her office.
Atriox: She motions for you to take a seat and sits down as well. Taking out a thin smoking pipe, she takes a drag from it. As she exhales, she says with a chuckle, "You made quite a scene last night with the serving girls... And brought quite an interesting guest here with you."
Atriox chuckles a little bit and says "indeed madame I offer you my sincerest apologies and beg your forgiveness. My freind Tak.....he is new to all of this you see. Hasn't had a good life at all and has trouble discerning from freind or foe but we are attempting to work on that. I'm hoping our week here helps before we set out. In fact I have some business proposals to run by you my lady if you wouldn't mind?"
She gives Atriox a long look, a smile playing at her lips. "Unfortunately, intentional harm to our employees is cause for a ban from the premises... Not for you, as of yet." She inclines her head, as if to signify she wants to see the best behavior in her establishment, "But for your friend... This, Tak, he will not be allowed to stay here."
She leans back in her chair. "I am listening though. What is this business proposal of yours?"
Atriox looks saddened. "I completely understand your position madam. I do truly. But I beg of you let Tak stay. He is not evil just troubled and adjusting mixed with alchohol that does not bode well for anyone we all have had moments where we have hit rock bottom. Tak is at his rock bottom and I am trying to help him out of that darkness. As someone who has surely seen her fair share of Darkness herself I ask you to understand. I also have a way that Tak may redeem himself. It is part of my business proposal you see. (Persuasion 17 +2)
He takes a breath and then continues
"We will be staying here for the next week you see. We are waiting till our equipment is done so that we can help Stonebreak outpost with there kobold issues. Tak is VITAL to the success of that mission. While we wait for the week to be done we will need stuff to do. Part of what I'll be doing is spending time with Dahlia. I will gladly pay to exclusively have her all week. But I also would like to work for your house. Me and Tak. We could provide security I could work some of the gambling tables if you wish. Anything you'd like done. You would not need to pay us all I ask is for our rooms for the week and the basic accommodations that come with it. I'm hoping this will show Tak that not everyone is evil here and feach him some respect and responsibility. I think we both could greatly benefit from such a deal madam. What do you think ?" ( Persuasion 16+2)
She takes another drag, contemplating your request. You can see the gears turning in her head, and for some time she is quiet. "I can see your earnest desires, Dragonborn. It is an interesting thing you propose.... We do have need of security from time to time. Often in the evenings, which is why we didn't have anyone stationed here this morning." Her eyes narrow both dangerously and playfully. "Our guests are often placated and happy morning-goers."
She sets her pipe down and leans forward, lacing her fingers together. "Truth be told, the rules here are not my own, but the master of the establishment. Violence and injury are strict grounds for removal. We are open to many... tastes, but we do have lines that cannot be crossed. Also," She gives a wan smile, "It would not be a fair trade for us. Your accommodations last night, aside from what extra alcohol Mr. Alrik purchased, are 10 gold per day. Working a shift here at the Fang--security detail s only paid 1 gold piece per day."
"However..." She trails off a moment, considering. "If you wish to work here for a week, I can provide you lodging with the resident workers. We would have to see how well you do in an evening for one day though... Is that still a direction you wish to pursue?"
Atriox thinks about it. He does allow some ice to keep into his voice when he gives her his answer.
"We will keep our rooms that we have now here's 60 gold along with another 20 for Dahlia. As for the matter of Tak I think his position is more than understandable and I will not let him be discarded and disrespected thus. We all have hard nights. The woman he injured has said that she holds no grudge against it. That and my word that it wont happen again should be enough ! Should your master have an issue with tell him to seek me out. But caution him if he does he does so at the peril of insulting a Dragonborn Prince! (Charisma 19+2)
Atriox leaves the madam heading to find Dahlia, tossing a bag of gold on her desk.
The matron smirks as you leave. "As long as you can guarantee the safety of the others... The price of failure will be on your head otherwise. I'll trust you for now, if you keep the fellow in your room at night." She is being stern but polite.
You poke around looking for where Dahlia went. You saw her head downstairs, and deside to slip after her. You see the quarters for the servers and cooks, small but cleanly. Some are tidying up and getting ready, finding it strange a patron is in their area.
Finally in one room you spot the gleam of red scales. Doubling back, Dahlia sits at a chair in front of a mirror, grinding up fresh salve in a mortar. Spotting you she's a bit startled. "Hello Atriox. You alright?"
Atriox smiles at her "oh fine lol just a.......disagreement with your Matron is all. Nothing to worry over." He goes over and sits by her. Looking into those golden eyes that he finds so captivating he says "you are mine for the week beautiful Dahlia."
Trying to avoid being awkward he looks a way "how are your wounds ?"
She smirks. "I'm alright." She holds up her arm, showing some of the salve she's already applied. It glistens in the lamplight. "I have claws too but his are much larger."
He smirks right back. "Yours are much more pretty and all the more dangerous for nobody will suspect them of doing much."
He looks at her again " I have an idea of what to do first. Is there a nice clothing store here in Dragonshore?"
She seems appreciative of the kindness, and blushes a little. Then she raises an eyebrow. "Probably Willows' Thread. Why do you ask?"
Atriox laughs "wheres the fun in that ? It's a surprise. Take me there will you my lady ?"
She rolls her eyes playfully. "Yes sir. Whatever you like."
Dahlia meets you outside in a slightly dressed down outfit, not wanting to be entirely obvious in her work uniform. (Granted, anyone who frequents the establishment knows her easily... and even those who don't. She is not the most adaptable at blending in but she does not care to try to.)
Nonetheless, she escorts you to Willows' Thread, a little shop in one of the smaller districts of town. It's decorated with colorful banners outside and has several fashionable uniforms on display in the window.
"Here you are, handsome." She laughs. "Does this fit your needs?"
Atriox grins ear to ear "handsome is it ? Maybe we're finally getting somewhere. And the question is will this fit your needs ? I would like to buy you a dress,any dress you want in payment for Tak ruining your other and hurting you. If there isn't one that you like then we will have one made."
She shakes her head with a laugh. "You really are something else." She glances at the window, then causally peers inside. "To be honest Atriox, I don't want anything fancy. A simple thing like that would do." She points to one, a fairly common outfit, only at most 2 silver.
"But I won't refute your offer, sir, you are in charge of me for a week after all. And... I know you'd like to probably see me in something fancier, am I mistaken?" She shrugs, trying to both play to her job and be honest.
Atriox grunts "I bounce back and forth between wanting to kiss you and....well kiss you angrily." He chuckles at himself
"What I want to see if you enjoying yourself. Truly. So if that the one you want then let's get it. It's up to you not me. I'm not here to boss you around.......to much."
Dahlia folds her arms. "I told you last night, I wondered how long you could last with your little chivalrous rules..." She chuckles, her golden eyes glinting playfully. "Not sure if you remembered after all that whiskey."
"As for the dress... As you wish, my prince." She smiles and pushes the door open. "Willow! It's Dahlia."
A stumpy old lady with spectacles far to big for her face pops up over the counter, her loom click clacking to a stop. "Sweet flower! How are you?" She hops off her stool and comes around to the front. The girl bends down to hug her and kiss her on either cheek.
"Another day out on the town, hmmm?" Willow eyes up Atriox with a wrinkly smile. The women exchange platitudes and she helps make the transaction for the dress.
Atriox asks "how do you two know each other so well ?
Willow gets a wide, toothless smile. "Sonny, she was the brightest little star that ever came off the sea. Helped me with quite a few errands back when." The old lady fondly recalls the memories. "And worked here til that old frog Oxious snatched her up." She adds with a playful quip, clicking her tongue in mock anger.
Dahlia leans toward Atriox, whispering in his ear, "Miss Willow used to be a call girl herself when she was younger..."
"I heard that young lady! These ears are as sharp as a whip still. And darn tootin' I was... Best in the business." She grumbles goodnaturedly.
Grabbing Dahlia's hand, she drags the girl away and has her return shortly with the new outfit. She looks comfortable and grateful.
"Thank you sir, for your kindness." She seems to say it honestly enough, being genuinely polite.
Atriox is smiles seemingly happy. "Think nothing of it your happy that makes me happy. Plus I got to meet this wonderful and beautiful young woman. Thank you Willow for helping out Dahlia and sharing some stories with me. I'll have to stop by again some time.
Willow giggles like an old grandma. "Aren't you just the cutest thing... Wish the men were as suave and handsome as you when I was a workin' girl." She blows you a kiss. "Come by any time darlin'." Dahlia rolls her eyes from the silliness and heads outside.
It's starting to sprinkle slightly, the clouds stirring overhead. Your escort looks at you. "Any other stops you would like to make? How familiar are you with the city?"
Atriox thinks about it "hardly at all truthfully. I know the temple, the smithy, and your fine establishment. Why do you have something in mind ?
"Mmmm..." She seems contemplative. "There's the farmer's market down by the west docks. Also the Scribes Den bookstore, and Wilsters Oddities. He gets in unique items from time to time. He's up by the Dragon's Lair, the... Main inn in town." She smirks. "Though I know you haven't bedded there yet."
Atriox grins no I'm afraid I haven't had the pleasure of bedding there. They don't have this certain young smart and beautiful woman that I know there. Would you be opposed to going to wilsters oddities?"
She can't seem to stop smiling around you, unable to get a bead on your honest comments. She's so used to getting them from men at work, so it's an odd thing for her to see someone so... genuine.
"Not at all. I'll show you the way, it's not far."
You arrive about ten minutes later. This shop is filled with strange contraptions and bizzare shiny objects. There is an acidic smell in the air. A row of flasks arranged in the 7 colors of the rainbow can be seen on one of the shelves behind the counter. In the corner of the room near the counter, a large crystal ball leviates in mid air above a sliver tri-pod shaped stand; A motif of ivry encircles the top of the stand and strange animals of all kinds decorate the stands 3 legs.
An elven man wearing a long dark blue cloak stands behind the counter of this small shop, concentrating intently as he pours a flask of purple translucent liquid into a flask containing clear liquid. You watch as they both combine, and the liquid solidifies and shrinks into an object resembling a small black pebble and falls to the bottom of the flask. The shop owner places both flasks onto the counter slowly. With a fustrated look on his face he looks down at the floor.
"Blast it! It happened again..."
The shop keep looks up at you, as if only just noticing your presence. "Yes!? What do you want? Can't you see I'm a busy!"
Dahlia just waves to him nonchalantly. "Browsing, Wilster, that's all." He grumbles and fetches some more ingredients.
She puts her hand on your arm. "He gets in certain sour moods when he's on to something new... Don't mind him. It's a wonder he's still in business, but he's the best in the area for magic items..."
She strums on a silvery chime hanging near the window, decorated with songbirds. You see nearby a lantern, floating in midair, and an exquisitely made bedroll of soft hide. It glimmers in the light.
Atriox looks at the bedroll. "I wonder what is out of the ordinary here. Why does it glimmer I wonder?"
Dahlia glances over at the bedroll you're looking at. She walks toward it, bending down to touch the pale fur. "It's sure soft. Probably stoat. He always gets people bringing in mildly magical items... Let's see..."
She recites from the tag tucked in the side, "'A rest fit for a king, sure to grant extra vitality. 360 gold.' Huh, imagine that."
(This is called a Restful Bedroll. You gain 1d8 temporary hit points that last until you take another rest (short or extended). Essentially an extra shield of health on top of your normal hp.)
Atriox looks at it intriguingly but then forces himself to continue on.
"As tempting and useful as that might be I have better things to save and spend my money on......such as you." He gives her a wink before continuing to look around.
They wonder around for a time and look at all the things in this interesting shop before heading out.
The rain has let up a little by the time you make it back outside. The wet, salty sea air blowing in from the harbor is refreshing.
As you walk down the road, you see a group of men exit the Dragon's Lair Inn. A few people stand outside chatting and having a smoke, including the fellow you saw on the road the night before. They glance at the men nervously.
One of the fellows who just exited, a rather brutish looking Aarakocra, sneers drunkenly as he sees Dahlia. From a distance, you see him nudge his friend on the right, a rather hen-pecked looking human. They both exchange some words and chuckle under their breath. The others snicker along, a strange little gang made up of another human, an orc and a minotaur.
The feathered fellow, rather hawkish looking and built like a tree, cat calls with a whistle. The others laugh again. The lackey on his right gaffaws. "Hey Daaaahlia! Fancy a group date, princess?" They cackle louder.
Dahlia looks frustrated and grumbles under her breath to you, walking faster. "Ugh, that's just Zeed and his little sideshow... Don't mind him, Atriox, he's always trying to make trouble..."
The Aarakocra calls out after her, "Awwwwww, off so soon? We adventurers like to plunder dungeons...." The others cackle. "Let us have some more of that treasure of yours, baby. You dragons are always so fiesty."
Atriox Grunts blowing a little steam for show. " well at least he got the princess part right." Atriox gives her another wink
"Let's try and get past these.......men without much of a fuss. They won't like it if I have to show them what a real dragon looks like." He chuckles.
Zeed snarls a bit, tipsy and not fancying being ignored. "Oh I see, you're as dumb as you are pretty, huh? With an attitude like that you'll need to start paying men to sleep with you, ya freak whore."
One of the others tries to chuck the contents of his drink in your direction. Although it misses, it splashes across the ground and makes her jump to the side to avoid it. The minotaur snorts loudly, and the men begin crying from laughing so hard.
Atriox turns and stops stomping his clawed foot down. He growls like a dragon and swishes his tail back and forth.
To Dahlia "how well do you want these.......animals cooked my lady ?" (Intimidation 19)
The humans take a step back, and even the orc looks unnerved. But Zeed appears unfazed. "Well well, what do we have here, boys? Another slut magnet passing through town?" He takes a step forward, nonchalantly resting his hand on a shortsword hilt.
"Can't get a date without paying for one, huh, charmer?" He winks and clicks his tongue tauntingly. He begins circling you. "You're in our territory now, buddy. Don't you know? Dragonshore is famed for the fall of haughty little dragon beasts."
Dahlia glances between you and Zeed, uncertain what could happen. She backs up a bit.
Atriox looks to Dahlia, "get clear he tells her I wouldn't want you to get hurt. I'll try and make this quick."
Atriox then gives the scum infront of him his full attention.
Atriox speaks in a low and menacing voice "Its a shame that you chose this fight. I have not payed for her to lay with me you'd discussting wrech nor will I ever. As to dragons..... they may be gone from this place for now but what once was can be again!"
"But I'm afraid you might not be around to see it. You've offended Dahlia and you offended me....... a actual prince !
Atriox begins to circle as well after a bit they stop one across from the other
Atriox cocks his head sideways a bit with a mischievous cocky grin "it's such a shame..........that you wont be able to ever use those beautiful wings again!!!!
Atriox opens his maw wide breathing a burst of flame meant to cripple and hurt the creatures left side and wing.
(Ok rolling... 15 dex save against your attack, which beats the dc, but I still have to take half damage cause fire... Rofl. So much fire.)
Zeed shrieks and leaps back, flapping his wings to escape the onslaught of fire. The ends of his feathers smoulder and burn, causing him to stumble back to the ground, unable to fly.
As he lands he draws his short sword. "How DARE you?! Your kind are all the same, you ugly brute!"
From your right, you see the minotaur attempting to charge right at you, his head down.
(You can react to this, his turn is done >3)
Atriox smirks
He positions himself so that he can side step the minotaur and grabs his horns. (Athletics 17+4)
As he does he uses the bulls own momentum to jerk his head down and slam it on the ground
The minotaur crashes into the cobblestones with a terrific crunch, his body tumbling in an arc around you. Inadvertently, he crashes him into the orc that was trying to sneak up on you with a dagger. The thug is crushed under the body of the beast, the air knocked clean out of him.
You hear a yelp behind you as Dahlia is grabbed by one of the humans, a grimy looking fellow with a tattoo across his face. "Gotcha, pretty lady." He cackles and licks her cheek, holding a hunting knife to her throat.
Zeed sneers, rushing at you with his short sword. (14 against ac)
The metal blade rebounds off of your armor, merely leaving a dent. He takes a leap back to try to disengage from you.
A hissing inhale of breath comes from the human holding Dahlia. She wrenches away from him, leaving a small pen blade stabbed in his side. He stumbles back. The orc and the minotaur scramble to get up, all fleeing.
Atriox moves to intercept his fleeing foe. He raises his hands to distract his foe. He then uses his tail to grab his opponents leg to pull it out from under him
(Nice... I like. Roll for acrobatics with advantage.)
(14)
Zeed doesn't see it coming. Distracted by the Dragonborn bearing down on him, he tries to swing his sword--but his feet are knocked out from under him.
The sword clatters away as he falls flat on his face. Scrambling backward with a black eye, he looks up at the looming Atriox. He has sobered up fast.
(18 persuasion) "Hey man, sorry, I'm sorry! It was just a bit of fun, yeah? I didn't mean nothin' by it!" He holds up his feathery arms in a placating sort of way.
Atriox is unimpressed by his plea. He grabs the wretch by the his wing arms and lifts him up so that he is looking right into his eyes.
"Your damn right your sorry. Learn some respect for women and other beings in general. I better not ever hear that you were rude to Dahlia ever EVER again you hear me ?!? And if if ever see you again you better look at the ground because if I catch any attitude from you I'll finish what I started and snap these wings right off your back !"
Atriox then throws the wretch onto the ground and looks up to the sky and roars as load as he can. So as to leave a lasting impression on his enemies not to try again. (Intimidation 20)
@ Atriox: Zeed squawks in complete terror, scrambling away from you as quickly as he possibly can. Unable to even reply, he stumbles to grab his sword, trips, drops it again, and leaves without it--running as fast as a bird can without flying. He doesn't dare turn back.
Atriox then feels a warm kiss on his scaly cheek. Dahlia steps back, looking up at the Dragonborn with a grateful smile. "You really are something else. I... can't thank you enough. That was very kind." You can sense a note of concern in her voice. "You really didn't have to put yourself in danger like that for me..."
Atriox appears to be blushing and trying to hide it. He puts his hand to where her kiss was planted and smiles for a moment
Then in all seriousness he looks at her and says "of course I did. They where very rude to you and me alike. Normally I'd just try and ignore it harder but I couldn't just let them dishonor you like that Dahlia. Plus they insulted our kind. I couldn't let that stand either."
He looks down at the ground almost ashamed "I'm glad your not hurt........I was so worried when that filthy man took you...i...."
He breaks off
She puts her hand on Atriox's arm and starts to lead him down the road again, despite all the heads that turned from the ruckus. She seems to not mind the staring at all.
"Zeed and--freaking Nathaniel--they used to be regulars at the Fang." She waves her hand as if dismissing them.
"They were always like that. They're not allowed in anymore though... I've since started carrying small knives with me. Not the first time I've had to use them." She smiles, her golden eyes flashing. The draconian part of her definitely adds a mysterious danger to her personality.
Atriox laughs "ahhh a woman with a little fire in her blood." He makes a point of thoroughly looking at her and then he says " perfection itself" he gives her a good smile
"Ahhhh before I forget......" he goes back and picks up the fallen sword.
She laughs, a real genuine laugh again. "Fiery as they come." Dahlia watches him retrieve the weapon with a raised eyebrow. "You really want that thing?"
Atriox rejoins her going arm in arm again. He gives her a smile. "And why not at most I can sell it and put the money torwards my ambitions or at the very least it would just be a trophy." He chuckles
Dahlia shakes her head, but playfully. After a minute she glances over. "Again, thank you... That was very kind of you, sir, for the things you did and said."
Atriox squeezes her hand affectionately. "Dont get all proper on me now, not after I was just getting you to open up." He gives her a wink
"Hey, I can be proper and open up." She pouts teasingly. "I might put on a show for most men who come in but I still have manners."
She gives him another sidelong glance as they walk down another street. "Okay... I've been playing along, and I thought you might give in by now with the games. But," Dahlia pauses, trying to pick polite words, "why are you paying for merely my company? You really just wanted to... spend time with someone?"
Atriox cant help but let loose a loud laugh. He replies by saying "indeed I am paying for just your company. But your not just someone, you heard the man back there your a princess." He chuckles
"Alright no more beating around the Bush. You want to know if I'm going to ask or make you lay with me yes ? The answer is truly no. Although I would be lying if I said I didn't want to perhaps lay with you........ just not that way. Only when you ask me,only when you want it Dahlia. I am fully aware that day may never come and that's fine. We shall still have an excellent week."
Dahlia pats his arm. "I know, I know. You made that clear last night. I'm just... Surprised. It's not a bad thing. Just... Unexpected." She swishes her tail while she thinks. "It's been nice getting out for a while, too. Not having to worry about things today."
**To Be Continued**
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