The days go by without too much incident. You suffer through at least one storm, and early one morning an empty rowboat is sighted. When the ship gets close to it, it vanishes in the wet mist. The cook continues to rave about his superstitions down below.
You are well on your way to the smallest island off the northern point of Komodori. There's a dense cloud cover over the area, blocking the last of the sun for the day. As the first lantern is lit during sundown, a constant stream of fish begin to jump out of the water and onto the deck.
Sheila looks confused by this, as are the sailors. You can tell from a distance the kobolds are having a grand time with the free fresh food, pattering about on deck. Soon there is a deep rumbling sound from below the ship... something scrapes against the hull.
Atriox keeps his footing as the ship rocks from the impact under the ship. He quickly looks to the captain
"Sheila what is it ? Whats going on ?"
"We shouldn't be running up against anything... there's the Skyhorn lighthouse in the distance just there--we're almost to Lamprey Bay. Past that is our destination near--" She's cut off by another jolt of the boat.
"What the hell is happenin' to my Annabel Lee!?" She grumbles, going to look over the other side of the ship. The water churns agressively around the boat as fish continue to leap up from the water.
Oxious is out on deck, trying his best to summon protection charms for the ship and its crew. He has a fierce sweat on his face, working with Bareus to maintain the magic weave. "All I can tell," he grumbles, staring at Atriox and Sheila, "It is definitely something arcane. And something big."
The boat lurches again, harder this time. All the sailors are on deck now, weapons at the ready and working to keep the ship going straight. Dorokor steps outside, looking perturbed as she glances around at the ruckus. "It's obviously not another storm... what's going on, Atriox?"
She has a look that could kill and has been sleeping a lot more lately. The fact she's even up now seems like she woke up on the wrong side of the bed--her eyes are red again with hunger, although you just got her another dose of blood from Oxious the night before. Making enough for both of you that time, it's not a wonder why he's a little more winded today.
Atriox growls in frustration. Not a particularly anyone just at the situation. He looks at Dorokor
"I don't know Kora. Something keeps hitting the bottom of the boat."
He looks back at Sheila
"Is this what you warned me about? What sunk that other captains ship ?"
"It was a ways back that Kai had his boat attacked. I figured we were passed it or it moved on. Guess not..." Sheila pulls out her cutlass, pacing by the railing. Dorokor just glares at her with a very intense dislike.
"We may have to dock early in Lamprey... not my preferred place but--" THUMP. "Might not have much of a choice!"
She grabs the wheel and tries to keep the ship straight. Around you, the murky water sloshes and churns vigorously, a small whirlpool forming off the port side of the ship. The Annabel Lee shutters and rocks with the poor weather, her sails straining. Suddenly the ship is slammed to the side, the boards creaking under the assault of a large wave.
(Make a dexterity check/save to stay on your feet, 15 or less and you fall prone; Kora got a 19, Oxious and Bareus a 4 and 5... they fall lol)
(Noice lol nat 19)
A waterspout starts to form in the whirlpool, reaching up into the air like a serpent. It twists and writhes. Then it turns toward the deck, the top forming into the maw of a briney water elemental, eyes appearing like flaming pinpricks of energy.
It slams down on the deck like a typhoon.
Atriox grabs his glaive from his back and shouts to sheila
"We'll take care of this you keep the ship straight and keep heading torwards that bay"
Atriox then looks back to the monster and Kora who is also readying herself. He concentrates and activates his blood rite
Sheila shouts to her men as she struggles with the wheel, firing off a flare to let the other ships know her intent. Kora, axe already in hand, widens her stance to brace herself against the water rushing past her ankles.
As the monster hits the deck, both Oxious and Bareus, who had fallen over from the initial hit, are sucked into its raging force. You see them lifted from their feet, swimming and choking, struggling to get free to the fresh air. The monster is huge--giant--wrapping coils around not only your ship but the others as well. It is distracted trying to focus on destroying the whole fleet.
(It will take at least 3 turns for Sheila to steer the ship into the bay and away from the monster--the other ships should follow. The goal is to keep everyone safe and the monster distracted until then)
Atriox notices the beast is preoccupied comes up with a quick idea that may or may not work as he unsure of how to fight such creatures
Atriox breaths a torrent of ice at the beast praying to Io that this works and frees his two compatriots
(Niceee I like the prayer to Io part too xD)
The breath exiting your mouth is like a concentrated blizzard, shards of frozen ice lancing through the watery behemoth. The blast hits a few feet to the left of Oxious and Bareus, causing the beast to roar in displeasure.
The tieflings struggle and choke, but the attack works as intended. The ice breaks off from the monster, shattering against the deck in large chunks. Letting its prey go, the coils ripple around the side of the ship and off, slamming against the hull once again.
Your friends hit the ground with a large, splattering thud, sputtering and coughing the salty water from their lungs. Bareus seems to be laughing from his lightheadedness, or also due to the terror, but Oxious just looks furious and weak.
The monster lashes against the Nightingale in the distance, smashing Gogrog off the helm and into the side of the railing. He crumples to the ground unmoving. The kobolds and orcs on the ship struggle to strike at the coils, unsure of what to do. You can see Tak scrambling against the wet planks, shouting over the noise to give orders. One of the orcs grabs the wheel while another orc hefts up the unconscious first mate.
The head of the monster slowly rises up from the waves, staring directly at you Atriox. It is a beast of an elemental, black shadowy eyes staring you down as it opens its mouth wide.
Dorokor growls, her eyes bright red and her fangs growing twice as long. She looks ferocious, more than you've ever seen her, and she doesn't seem to care at all who sees her change at this point.
Rushing with her axe, she swings it up and around, smashing the serrated edge right into the jaw of the elemental. It slices through without any resistance, throwing her off balance as her weapon flies up and back around. Using the momentum she slashes it again, smashing it into the wood of the railing.
Sheila yells several obscenities that can barely be heard over the wind and the water. The bay is coming closer, the brackish water stirring up around a break wall in the distance.
Atriox growls seeing how ineffective Koras axe is. He hopes his is more effective and charges the watery creature glaive aimed right at its eye. Atriox activates his weapons blood right and uses the the lightning from it and the imbued lightning in the glaive to shock the creature
The blackish red energy swirls up the metal and lances through the head of the monster. The lightning reflects in Kora's eyes as she leaps back, her axe still stuck in the wood.
The monster squirms and spits water, slinking away into the depths. The bay is close now as your ship is cresting the break wall. The other two follow close behind.
Looking at the other ship, you see a flicker of color along the bottom. (Roll a perception check for me)
(Raw 19)
There's a kobold clinging to the side of the ship, scrambling on a net trying to get back up on deck. The choppy water keeps swelling up as the ship hits it, dunking the creature under several feet before pulling them back up to fresh air.
How they fell out you're not sure, but there's enough going on that it's not surprising. When your vampiric eyes focus sharply in the dim light, you see it's a kobold with half a tail. You realize it is Vele.
Atriox growls to himself in frustration as he see's Vele struggling. He looks to Kora snd yells
"I have to help Vele. Defend this ship Kora but be careful!"
Then to the captain
"Keep these ships heading for land whatever you do, no matter what happens Sheila you hear me ?!"
Without waiting for an answer Atriox runs and jumps off the side of the ship. He's not aiming for the water however. He slams into the side of the other ship and extends all his claws and talons into the would to halt his progress. He uses all his strength not to fall into the water as the speed of the ships throw waves at him. He carefully trys to maneuver to Vele
(Roll an athletics or acrobatics check for me)
(😂 19 again but not raw 15+4 yeet for epicness ig )
You barely hold on, your claws digging deep into the planks of the Nightingale. You glance toward Vele again, feet from her, watching her struggle to hold on. There's something in one of her hands and it's making it hard for her to hold on to the ropes.
One big wave comes up and smashes her against the side of the ship. When you both surface again, she's barely hanging on by one hand, looking stunned and dizzy with a concussion. She's still not letting go of whatever is in her hand.
(Go ahead and roll athletics or acrobatics again, and post away ♥ )
Atriox growls and yells for her as he closes in on her
(23 athletics)
Once getting close to her he yells
"It's ok little one. I'm here. Hold on and don't let go !"
Atrioxs grabs her free arm and lifts her up to him. Under normal circumstances it wouldn't be a difficult task seeing as there's such a big size difference. He holds her against his chest
As he gets ready to climb again he tells her
"Use your legs and arm to hold onto me little one."
Atriox begins to climb as best as he can up the ship
All she can manage is a whimper as she hugs your chest tightly with her body. She clings to you the best she can as you climb--up, up, up--it takes only moments but it feels like hours against the heavy surf.
You arrive near the top and you feel the maw of the monster grab you from below. Icy barnacles dig into your tail and legs, slicing against you as it tries to hold on. You see black, glittering eyes for one last second.....
And then it is gone.
Vele looks completely disoriented as you plant your feet firmly on deck. She mumbles incoherently about a black bead and the monstrous sea serpent, and something clinks against the wood near your tail. It's a small black sphere, and it looks like a lusterless pearl.
Atriox growls against the pain he feels but focuses on Vele and what she says. When he sees the pearl he picks it up with one hand, the other holding Vele to him
He looks around for Tak
She just whimpers again before going unconscious, limp in your arms. Her shaky breathing continues however and you know she is safe.
You see Tak up above at the helm with the other orcs, helping them finally bring Gogrog back to his senses. When he turns and sees you on his ship a look of shock crosses his face... and then he sees Vele in your arms. His expression plummets and he practically leaps the entire staircase down to the main deck, tumbling and skidding across the slick water to get to you both.
The pearl pulses in your hand slightly, radiating a strange magic. There is definitely something to it, and the sheen of it reminds you of the elemental's eyes. Tak is completely out of breath and up close, you can see he's cut across the other side of his face, his eye half closed. He must have taken a nasty hit or fall during the fray.
"She's not--is she--" He stammers, fearing to touch either of you as he stares. You can tell he's worried she's been killed.
Atriox shakes his head at Tak but doesn't waste time with much Talk. He slips the pearl into his pouch
"Where can I put her that's safe Brother? She hit her head hard and is fast out"
A wave of relief washes over him. He signals for you to follow and leads you down below deck where there's a comfortable area set up, full of soft blankets and woven mats. You spot his old cloak laying over it--really just a horse blanket--and a few other trinkets.
"H-here is fine. Tak thank you, not even see what..." he trails off, crestfallen. Clearing his throat he rubs at his eye. "Tak check on the others... and the orcs. They've been better since that fight you had."
Before he turns to go, he looks up at you with sincerity. "Thank you, brother."
Atriox lays a hand on Veles forehead and looks to Tak
"There's nothing to thank me for little one. She's a part of our family. Now go."
As he leaves Atriox puts his forehead against her little one for a bit before getting up with great effort. His wounds hurt a great deal but he makes it back up on deck
She sleeps quietly among the nest of blankets as you emerge on deck. The waves are calming around you as you approach the grimy shanty town known as Lamprey Bay. A perpetual green fog, blown in from the Swamps to the south, settles in the streets and covers everything with a slick, briney chill. It provides a great environment for the eels harvested by the fishermen, as well as.. cover for questionable shipments coming and leaving the harbor.
Sheila docks the boats with the help of Gogrog and Kai Aata, the brackish water sloshing up along the sides. The harbor itself is devoid of most ships, all docked and sitting collecting barnacles. Up the sloping road the rest of the town seems to be made of stilt homes and small shacks. It’s flanked by rather pitiful looking mage light lamp posts. They seem to give off a dingy glow, the effect rather weak against the green swampy fog.
Gogrog waves to you from the helm, a hefty lump on his head. "'Bout there, sirs," he mutters as the front of the vessel gently nudges the dock. "Might be good to get some rooms, I'm sure Miss Sheila gonna be requestin' some repairs..."
He glances at the other boat where she's looking over the damage on the Annabel Lee, fuming.
Atriox nods to orc and works his way back over to the Annabel Lee to check with everybody. Hi winces once and awhile from the deep cuts in his legs and tail
Dorokor walks away from an irate Sheila, yanking her axe free and moving to head downstairs. They both see you though and stop, looking over your injuries with quite different expressions.
Kora walks up to you and grabs your arm, dragging you off out of the way with one last glare at Sheila. Once she has you alone she looks you over. "That was stupid... You look like shit." She snorts. "But I figure you saved them?"
Atriox grumbles and winces while managing
"Feel like it to"
After a moment he nods
"I did. Just in time. And found something. We should go see Oxious. Please find him and ask him to his cabin."
She grumbles a bit. "Bite me. Heal up a bit first. He can't give any more blood right now anyway..."
The grumpy look on Kora's face doesn't change but she looks away and folds her arms.
Atriox grunts and shakes his head slightly
"Some wounds can heal with time or wait. I'll be fine. This isn't about his blood. Now go.....before I bite you in the ass woman."
She snorts. "You're already a pain in my ass..." Kora stalks off, heading downstairs to where Oxious typically is. You follow after, looking around and finding Dahlia outside. She looks surprised at your injuries as well, and immediately comes up.
"Are you alright? I can help, if you need something for your cuts... Oxious is recovering in his room." She looks crestfallen at your condition but tries to smile anyway.
Atriox puts on a smile for her. It's the least he can do after all.
"Thank you. I'm looking for him. And though there's an easy way to fix myself everybody needs there strength so please I'm fine. But thank you for your concern. Are you ok ?"
Her expression softens a little, and her tail characteristically wraps around her a bit. "Y-yeah. A bit shaken, and worried about Oxious after what happened, but I'm alright. Nothing more than a few bumps and bruises."
She leads the way to their room, indicating you can go inside when you wish. "He told me what you did up on deck. You're the hero as always, aren't you prince?" There's a little teasing smirk on her face, one you remember seeing quite often many months ago.
Atriox grunts and bows his head in respect. When it rises he says
"Is it heroic to save your family. There is no question in it. It just must be done. Or should be anyway. But thank you. Your praise of me is always meaningful."
He winks at her and then goes in
You catch her smile as you head inside, her head bowed in thought at your words. Inside the room you see Oxious resting on the bed, his back against the wall. Kora stands in a corner, arms folded as before.
The tiefling nods at you. "Uh, appreciate the not drowning... thanks." He raises his eyebrow at you. "I take it we're safely in port now?"
Atriox nods before finding a chair and practically falling into it. He looks about the same as old Oxious
"Hopefully. That or were dead."
The tiefling snorts. "I doubt I'm that lucky." He waves his hand in jest, "But at least I don't look like death like you. Damn."
Kora groans and rolls her eyes, not amused.
Atriox gives the old goat a rude hand gesture
"No matter what I'll still look better than you Oxy. Here Vele found this I think it has to with the elemental."
Atriox throws him the pearl like magical object
"What the hell--" His eyes widen and he scrambles to catch it (14 dex save raw). It fumbles in his hands for a moment, almost dropping to the floor, but at the last second he cups it. Oxious holds it up to the light, then glares at you.
"You're a freaking idiot, don't toss these around!!"
He grumbles to himself, holding it back out to you. "You said she found this with the elemental or something...?" There's a mix of annoyance and confusion on his face as he thinks about the circumstances.
Kora shifts back and forth on her feet, seemingly bored or hungry. She glances at the door deciding it is a better option. "While you two women bicker, I'm going to get some fresh air..."
Atriox watches her go with a look of annoyance and bewilderment while also Catching the item Oxious threw
He looks over at oxious and points backwards with his thumb torwards the direction Kora went
" i don't know what is up with her lately because damn she's feisty. And apparently really sleepy."
Oxious pauses for a moment. "Well that," he gestures at the object, purposefully ignoring your statement as he swings his legs off the bed. "Is called a bead of force."
He carefully stands, rubbing his head in pain. "A sharp impact will cause it to explode. So, don't throw it in the boat."
Moving to his desk he roughly sits down in the chair, rummaging through his books piled atop it. "I assume the likely way THAT could get inside an elemental is if someone summoned it with magic... Enhancements can be made to spells and creatures using powerful objects. Like what I do at the Fang... Or like that object."
He picks up an old notebook, riddled with water spots and age. He flips through it. "Speaking of which, you still need to find me those items... Double or triple in fact. Lots of new franchise operations to set up."
****
(This is a story beat... Kind of an aside. No one is aware of this happening but I feel like putting it down. :) )
Dorokor heads up the stairs, each step feeling more and more heavy. Her head swims. The kitchens here smell foul, except for the half dragonborn lingering nearby... She can't help but salivate, mixed blood being such a unique treat.
Shaking her head to clear it she reaches the deck, almost without meaning to. She was heading for her room but... Somehow ended up out here.
Looking around in the cool, salty night air, Kora inhales deeply. Her eyes turn a darker, more sinister crimson. The air is thick with scent. She's never felt a craving so strong. Not since...
A sound catches her attention. A small tinking noise of metal. A lockpick, a crowbar. Someone breaking and entering. Her lips twitch in a cold smile.
'Hunting criminals like he likes to do,' she thinks to herself. The idea of a feast after two months at sea is a heady feeling indeed. In an instant she disappears from the deck into the shadows.
****
Atriox growls lowly
"Apologies I've been a little busy saving your life."
He looks at the pearl looking object in his hand for a moment before putting it away again.
"Ill keep this safe then till it reveals a usefulness in a future situation."
He snorts. "Oh ho... you sure Dorokor is the fiesty one?"
Oxious turns in his chair, crossing one leg over another. He regards you with a long, strange look.
After a few moments he comments, somewhat in an undertone and with a moderate degree of seriousness. "Forgive me for reminding you of the obvious, but you know that woman is the one who tortured both of us... right? Or did you get a more princely, five star experience?"
Atriox coughs suddenly a little as he was caught off guard by the question
"Well.........maybe a little......but I'll remind you she all but killed me before that you goat sooooo. Even. Plus I recall saving you that day to."
Atriox snorts a little in recollection
"Are you still holding a grudge ? She was only doing her job and trying to take care of her people. Savage as they may be. And then with no real guarantee of survival helped us defeat those necromancers. She's still here in fact."
"Please my good man, don't feel you have to be so coy. I'm in the business of pleasure. And the intricacies of what comes with that." He rolls his eyes at you.
"You have hardly even looked at my flowers in the Fang since the battle... I am well aware." Oxious carefully hands you the book and you immediately think of Dahlia.
"Which means you've been ... Let's see. Holding congress... Birthday suit roughhousing... Making some music... Bloodbank trading... Whatever "coy" way you want to put it."
"So now," he sighs, leaning back in the chair. "I'm struggling to wrap my head around a rather serious situation. One that you have so... Interestingly brought upon yourself and the rest of us."
He taps his fingers on his knee. You look through the book in your hands, shocked to find dozens of sketches. They illustrate... Quite unique things. Flowers, gardens... Your mind clicks. Oxious just gives you a look.
Diagrams for eggs, what almost look to be recipes and charts, graphs and figures sketched of strange humanoids, devils and demons, beasts and monsters, of all different heights and sizes.
Oxious sighs, sinking down in his chair like he's gone unconscious with exasperation. "You really don't get it, do you?"
"Your... playmate has been thirsting for blood like a banshee. I've bloodlet a little too much lately trying to keep up with her and damn it shows."
"That book is something my grandfather wrote... data that he, erm--" he nonchalantly waves his hand, "accumulated... per se. It's about more obscure and archaic creatures--my kind included--and their germination, reproduction and growth. To dumb it down for you," his head lulls to the side, an eyebrow raised.
"You got Dorokor pregnant."
Atriox drops the book almost instantly
"Wha..what you mean pregnant ?! That's not possible......is it ?"
Atriox get's up and starts pacing the room, his tail going crazy. Finally he stops and points at Oxious
"This is not even remotely funny so you best not be joking around with me."
"Ughhhhh... As much as I love to relentlessly tease you, I'm not joking."
His head lulls back over the chair again. "I've been having suspicions for weeks. Ever since you first started pointing things out. I prayed to Asmodeus it wasn't possible, but..." He puts on a false sing songy voice. 'Miracles do happen' as they say."
He turns his head to the side, counting off different symptoms on his fingers as if reciting from a book.
"Symptoms of spawning/conception include but are not limited to... excessive blood hunger, irritability, difficulties using powers effectively, sleeplessness, restlessness, tiredness, weight gain, increased likelihood of frenzy, multiple fangs... Yada yada... Page 192, Archfiends and blood curses, section B, vampires..."
He shrugs, giving you a funny look. "Unless she's sleeping around, it's aaaaaall yours."
Oxious' expression changes as he registers Atriox's shock. His voice relaxes a little. "You... Really weren't expecting this, huh?"
He reaches over to pick up the book from the floor and carefully closes it on the desk. "I didn't think... Well..."
He scratches his chin, scruff starting to build up. "Honestly the chances of that happening are slim to none for blood cursed... You gonna be ok?"
Atriox looks at him rather seriously
"That remains to be seen. So many things could happen I mean.........what would this child even look like ? What will it be ?"
"Definitely a vampire... A carrier of the blood curse given from both parents." He nods to the book, not trying to be rude at all, just honest.
"Which means a very... Voracious child, if you understand my meaning. As to looks... I'm not sure." He shrugs.
"It's very rare indeed for crossbreeding to effectively result in offspring. Might look like her face on your body for all I know. Or some scaly orc..."
****
(Another aside...)
Dorokor slips through the shadows, her abilities draining her but further feeding her hunger.
Eyes glowing completely red, she hangs over the edge of a roof, watching the scene play out below. Two figures, one entering a window, the other, a back door. They smell sweet... Carnally pleasant.
Within an instant she's atop the one in back, crushing his spine with a loud crack.
He can't even scream.
Her tusks and fangs find both arteries in his neck in an instant. Ecstasy floods her vision. She watches the burglar's face writhe in silent anguish as she withdraws every precious drop.
Something tips the scales. Something snaps. Her sneer grows wider. She drinks faster. His bones begin to snap in her vice-like hands. There is movement in the house.
Time for another drink.
****
Atriox groans and leans his head back looking at the ceiling
"Oh she's going to kill me when she finds out. I might as well just walk into the ocean."
"Well technically you're like... Half dead already. At least to some people..." Oxious pulls out a fine pipe and taps down some dried tobacco. "So it wouldn't be a terribly far way to go in either case."
He gestures with the pipe, offering it to you for a smoke.
Atriox looks at the pipe
"Ehhh why not I suppose. I suppose in a way I should be happy ? Not everyday someone finds out they're going to be a father now is it."
Atriox takes the pipe and sucks on it for a bit
"That's the spirit I suppose..." Oxious pulls out another pipe for himself. "Personally I wouldn't know. I hate kids." He snorts and takes a long puff on the end.
"Interesting heir for the throne of Skyhold..." he chuckles. "But then again you may want to keep the whole vampire thing quiet."
Atriox sits up straight then
"Oh no.....no no no"
Atriox takes another puff to steel his nerves
"Curses that can't be allowed. Any children of mine will have the world at they're finger tips but......a half breed.....of any kind on that throne.....you don't understand Oxious. Not only would it be extremely looked down on but it would probably kill the child. That throne.......well you'll see once we make it to Skyhold."
Oxious remains quiet, taking another long drag. He slowly lets the smoke go, his eyes thoughtful. "Understood, Atriox."
He leans back in his chair, leg crossed, his fingers drumming against his cloven hoof. "I assume the throne is... A place only a pure dragonborn can rule from?"
Atriox nods a bit off in his own head
"That or a dragon presumably. I suppose a half breed could......but not a vampire and the half breed would have to be........extraordinary. blessed by Io himself I would presume. It has to do with throne itself but as I said you'll see. Youll see much I think that will blow your mind."
His eyebrow raises a little. "Oh? I feel as giddy as a school boy." The tiefling chuckles teasingly, but you can see the interest on his face.
Atriox chuckles a little bit
"You will be I think once where there. I have much planned. But tell me my freind about how'd you like to live ? I don't know if Skyhold will be your permanent home but I hope you'll be there for a long time. There of course will be plenty of room in the castle or perhaps your own manor. One thatd dwarf your old one in Dragonshore."
There's a twitch of emotion on his face before he hides it again. He takes another puff off his pipe.
"How I'd like to live..." He muses on that question for a while. "We'll see once we are there I suppose. I've only been a few places in my life, and--"
He pauses mid sentence as if catching himself. "And... Considering how cryptic you're being about all the magic in this place who knows."
He snorts, teasing, but he still looks thoughtful and is avoiding your eyes for once. The question definitely caught him off guard.
Atriox sees him holding back but decides this isn't the time to push soon enough they'll be at there new home and have plenty of time to talk
He gets up and looks at Oxious handing him back his pipe
"Thanks Oxious. I appreciate your help in this matter. Well I suppose......I better go find Kora now. Wish me luck."
He looks up at you as he takes the pipe. "Of course. Good luck with that suicide mission." With a smirk he waves at you and you exit the room.
You make your way upstairs but checking your room, you find it empty. The lamp is out and her things are as she left them.
Atriox grunts curiously and keeps looking for her
You head up on deck, smelling the brine and the fishy eels from the docks. It assaults your nose with a rather pungent kick. There's no sign of Kora on deck either... You look around in the other areas of the ship but don't see her anywhere.
When you're down in the hold, a pair of eyes gleams at you from the dark, followed by a toothy smirk. "Hey boss."
Atriox looks a bit closser then sighs
"Bitey is that you ? Goodness I had wandered where you'd been hiding lately. You doing ok ?"
Your eyes adjust to the darkness quickly. You see he's lounging in a hammock, tucked away in the corner of the boat away from all the others.
He nods. "Doing fine. Never been better." He pushes against the wall and rocks himself lazily.
Atriox snorts at his laid back demeanor
"Say......you haven't seen Dorokor have you ? Though I suppose in her current mood you might have not lived to tell me if you had"
He groans loudly. "No I have not, thank gods. Third time's the charm and I'd rather keep my neck intact, thanks." Bitey rolls over in his hammock.
Atriox rolls his eyes at the man
"You two are supposed to be getting along better. But I would avoid her for the moment under the special circumstances.
Atriox turns his back on the man and heads out the way he came to look for Kora more. Over his shoulder he calls
"How about you go be useful and get the lay of the lamd wherever we are. Find out anything useful huh ?"
"I get along best on my own... But fine." He grumbles, hopping out of his hammock and grabbing his gear. He seems to take his time, likely waiting for your exit first.
You make your way back on deck and out onto the docks. There's still some night activity, the shacks by the docks full of drinking, gambling and other pleasures. Further up the road the houses get steadily nicer, with closed shops and open eateries. You don't see Kora down this way at all.
(Perception check again please)
(Nat 14)
You listen carefully to the noises around you, and smell for any thing out of the ordinary.
You hear the clattering or something breaking in a tavern nearby. You also hear the sound of an alarm bell several blocks away.
Atriox grunts in extreme annoyance, blowing steam out his nose. He looks out over the town and the noises he hears. In his state and condition he wouldn't be quick or helpful in any situation. He just prays Kora doesn't doom them all or kill undeservedly .....as doubtful as the idea sound's in his own head
He turns with a heavy sigh and limps his way back to his room. By the time he's climbed down there the previous day is weighing heavily on him. He looks around his room and the bed just seems so far away
He just falls to his knees and then on the floor face first and sleeps
****
You sleep for what feels like an eternity... Your dreams are fragmented with visions of thrones, mountains, the sea and the monster you faced. Vele still as stone, Tak crying. A small vampire child crawling toward you across the floor in the room, bloodthirsty eyes and a law of sharp teeth.
You jolt awake, a crack of thunder sounding overhead. Your eyes focus and you find yourself still on the floor, in the middle of the night, and your door is ajar. A figure stands in it, the same blood red eyes from your dream.
Atriox rolls his eyes out of instinct. Though the dream is disturbing he's not afraid of what he sees now as there's only one person he knows whos eyes glow like that
He gets up slowly and mutters
"How long you been standing there like creeper ?"
The figure hovers in the doorway, swaying. Your eyes adjust to the lightning. It's definitely Dorokor.
But...
Her eyes are entirely blood red, black cracks in her skin around them. She looks unhinged, her teeth bright crimson and oversaturated with feeding.
She lurches forward as she sees you stand up, making to grab you... her mouth open and tusks flashing in the heat of what you can only assume to be a frenzy.
The power behind her attack is overwhelming. This is nothing like a late night romp you've grown accustomed to with her; you're almost positive she's actually trying to kill you.
You slam back into the ground, your head reeling. Her fangs and tusks stab into your shoulder, making you even more light headed. She tries to bite down harder bit her regrowing fang, along with the pricks od brand new fangs growing beside her original ones, only catch on your scales.
(21 against ac 15 dmg, then two nat ones in a row 🤣)
Though Atrioxs first instinct is to fight back he resists it. He cares for Kora and they're unborn progeny. She's only like this because of him. He got her pregnant in the first place and now she's out if control
He lays theres looking at the ceiling and grunting from the pain as she tears into his shoulder. Soon he can't even feel the pain anymore. As things begin to get dark his last thought is
(Perhaps his passing will wake her up and save her and they're child)
Blood pools out on the floor underneath you, her body literally unable to drink any more. As her fangs dig in deeper it just runs in rivulets, staining your scales. She presses on your arms in an attempt to break them, but no more sustenance comes. Her vision swims, desperate, hungry, ravenous no longer...
The beast's craving sated, her grip loosens though her breathing is still ragged and tormented. She lets go of her prey, licking her lips and trying to make sense of what's going on. Where she is. What time it is. She has no true recollection, just blurs of movement and noise.
The redness leaves her eyes and she stares down.
Everything clicks.
She clasps a hand to her mouth as if she's going to wretch; the sight of what she's done horrifying her beyond reason. She begins raving and cursing in orcish, struggling to completely control her body and limbs again. Once able to she grabs Atriox and shakes him, angrily yells at him in her native tongue.
Frantic, she jumps off of his still body and backs against the wall. Her mind races for what she can do. Fumbling, she strips off the armor from her forearm and rakes her fangs against it, slicing it open terribly. Blood literally pours out like a river. Opening the draognborn's maw, she shoves her arm against it and pushes it against his tongue, hoping he swallows as much of it as possible.
Everything looks dark, swimming with shadows of black and gray. You taste something metallic, but it feels... far away. Almost unnecessary, you think. You don't need anything, do you?
Kora startles in terror, a black shadow creeping up along your scales. It wraps around her arm, holding it fast to your mouth, drawing out the blood mercilessly. She tries to pull away but can't... she's stuck, awash in confusion, horror and distress.
Your eyes open and she jumps. They're pure black, but this fades after a moment... revealing very red eyes. The shadows let her go and she leaps back, clutching her arm. She just watches you in shock, wondering if you're back again.
Your movement, your breathing steadily returns. But so does the feeling in your body, and you ache horridly. Your skin feels like it is on fire, your mouth and shoulder burn, and your arms feel extremely tender. But then you spot her, out of her frenzy and full of fear and anger. And you see her do something you've never thought you'd see.
Kora sobs.
Atriox feels all the pain but trys to ignore it for her. He holds a weak arm out to her while barely getting her name out of his lips
"Kora....."
His arm thuds back down to the floor as darkness takes him once again.
******
Time passes slowly. You dream of incoherent voices. Noise. Even tastes that you've forgotten from your time as a mortal; they all taunt at the edge of your memory. A dark shadow always watches you from the corner of your mind. Still. Waiting. It is passive and quiet, but never stops watching you, coiled like a sleeping serpent.
Multiple times you feel your head swim, like you're waking; but then it doesn't happen and you sink back into the dark. It's not until the fifth time that you feel your eyelids flutter, the damp, salty air stinging them. You're even more sore than you remember, not sure at all how long you've been out for.
You blink slowly and find that Kora is wrapped around you, as if trying to keep you warm. She snores softly between her tusks. You're piled with blankets and dressed in clean bandages, and the room smells fragrant from something you're not familiar with.
A sizzling click sounds from the door and it suddenly pops open. Oxious strides in, and all the noise immediately wakes Kora. She hisses from the bed out of surprise, her nails accidentally digging against you. She seems rather jumpy, aside from the fact that she is under-dressed and guarding you. Once she recognizes Oxious she snarls a little.
"What are you doing barging in here? I locked that door."
Oxious shuts the door behind him and rolls his eyes. "It's called a knock spell to avoid the attention of the others. And please, dear, relax. I care not about any of....that," he gestures vaguely at her state of attire and she glares, folding her arms over her chest.
The tiefling sets up some things beside the bed, various potion bottles and supplies. He glances at Atriox in surprise. "Oh, you're finally awake. Good gracious, I thought you might actually be dead by now, it's been what... five days?"
Dorokor glares and looks away, teleporting away to the other half of the room to don her gear. Oxious grunts, "And can you please stop doing that? You can at least TRY not to waste my blood so quickly."
He slaps a wet, sticky salve on your forehead as he talks, the cooling sensation pleasant. Your body still hurts like hell, but you can tell you've been mending.
Atriox looks around the room as Oxious and Kora spar wiht words. He hurts, he's confused, and it's been five days ?
"Im not dead ? I thought......."
Atriox looks around the room as Oxious and Kora spar wiht words. He hurts, he's confused, and it's been five days ?
"Im not dead ? I thought......."
Atriox remembers Koras assault on him then and he looks at her with a sad and confused face before looking down as he trys to move his different aching joints
"I remember. How am I still here ? I should be dead by now after that night."
"Probably. Eat this." Oxious shoves something in your mouth as he checks your back and shoulder with a handful of strange instruments.
You choke for a moment but recognize the meaty taste as fish. Struggling to get it down, you watch Kora just shrug on her fur and metal armor. She's avoiding eye contact and appears angry, but not at you.
"You're damn lucky," Oxious continues. "Unfortunate trait of yours I suppose. She mentioned something... Grabbed her. I presume that is what helped you stay alive."
He leans around the side, rotating your arm. It hurts like hell but no longer feels broken--if it ever was. The tiefling gives you a strange look. "You didn't tell me you had another curse, Atriox... What is it? I can't fully help without knowing."
Atriox growls slightly from the pain as the old goat works on him. He knows exactly what Oxious is talking about
"And I can't tell you what I do not know ! I don't what it is, what it wants, or when it happened to me. I've been this way as long as I can remember."
He hesitates, then nods. "Alright... Not meaning to upset you."
He straightens up and puts a few of his things away, handing you another large piece of fish. "Perhaps we'll discuss that another time, if you wouldn't mind... I think it may be of more importance."
The tiefling sets some strange smelling dish out, the scent in the room overpowering compared to before. Dorokor coughs, gagging a little.
Atriox snorts in surprise and repulsion
"What is that.....?"
"If I told you, you probably wouldn't want to use it."
He makes his way to the door. "But it helps calm the frenzying urge."
Kora grunts and turns away. Oxious just shrugs. He gives you a look, and you realize he hasn't said anything to her about what the two of you men talked about.
Atriox coughs
"Ummm......thank you Oxious. Once again you've proveb how good of a freind you are. As I promised, once we reach Skyhold all of it will be rewarded two times over. And I will be glad for your assistance with my......problem. But until then will you excuse us ?"
He nods emphatically. "More than happy to, I can't stand the smell of that either." With a sassy smirk Oxious shakes his head and leaves, locking and closing the door behind him.
Dorokor stares at the door after he goes. "I had no choice but to go speak with him about... things. I knew you trusted him." She grumbles. The captain is almost finished with the repairs, but this tiefling has been... helpful in deterring her questions. And that of the sailors."
Atriox listens to everything she says and just nods. He could have a long sensual talk that goes through everything she just did and lead into why she sid it but after everything Atriox just can't find the energy
He takes a breath and just lets it out
"Your pregnant Kora."
Dorokor freezes. Her eyes slowly turn to look at Atriox. There's a mix of shock, awe and horror etched there.
"W-what?" She blinks. "No. That's impossible."
Atriox looks her in the eye while raising a ridged eyebrow
" I wasnt aware you were a expert in breeding my dear cheiftes........I was rather surprised myself. Oxious told me about his suspicions after you left. Even showed me a book and listed symptoms.....which you have. I was looking for you but I couldn't find you. I'm guessing I know why."
She sinks against the wall, her mind racing. "I've been around for hundreds of years. I've never had..." She hesitates. "I've never gotten pregnant,. I didn't think blood cursed could. Crossed my mind in my youth but..."
Kora looks at the odd smelling bowl left behind by Oxious. Her nose scrunches up. "I don't like this. I'm not as in control of myself. Frenzying like that--" she spits, disgusted at herself.
Atriox shakes his head
"I knew I shouldn't have let you leave without me let alone leave the ship...."
She growls and without thinking snaps at him. "I can go where I damn where please!"
It sounds like the Dorokor you first met, but she flinches from saying it. She grumbles, changing her tone. "Those people were sheep... I did not intend to leave the ship or let myself go. But I'm glad I did out there. Otherwise I might have actually--"
Her eyes land on your shoulder. Somehow, even with her blood in you and the meat Oxious brought you, the wound continues to sting. You're almost certain it will leave a scar.
"...I need some fresh air." Dorokor fumbles with her bracers, roughly forcing them over her fists.
"And I'm just going over to the ship with my clan--our clan-- whatever the hell it is." She glares at the floor as she tightens the second one. "I won't go hunting again."
Taking a swipe of the smelly liquid with her hand, she brushes it under her nose and takes a deep breath. It looks like she wants to vomit, but she holds it together and goes to unlock the door.
Atriox grunts and just simply says
"Be careful."
He doesn't look at hervor anything. He just stares at the floor absent mindly twiddling his thumbs together lost in thought
No comments:
Post a Comment