The party winds down, guests enjoying their fill of drinks and chatting around the room. Donovan may have treated Ironfist to a night with a couple of the girls, as they are nowhere to be found. Cere is sitting at a gambling table with Sheila, losing quite a bit of coin but laughing rather good naturedly about it.
Magnolia continues to talk with Rynna, caught up in a discussion of drunken politics about drow culture, and on a nearby couch both Tak is curled up with Vele in his arms, fast asleep. He has a good sized welt on his head, but is otherwise peaceful looking.
Most of the others are out in the baths, lounging and enjoying some music. Oxious relaxes with a pipe in the corner, smoking quietly as he looks around at the Fang for one of the last times. Dahlia sits beside him, chatting quietly about plans for their trip.
Dorokor snaps you out of your people watching revere with a little yank on one of your tendrils of hair. She has a half smirk on her face, still in a decent mood. "Good job with this party of yours, dragonborn."
Atriox looks over at the orc smiling
"Why thank you but......"
He goes over and grabs her by the hips
"Who says it's over ?"
Dorokor rolls her eyes, "Ohhhh, really? Keeping your promise from earlier?" She playfully pulls away.
Atriox grunts
"Perhaps. How'd you like your surprise?"
Kora pauses, remembering. "That was... probably the nicest thing I've had in a hundred years." She folds her arms, gruff and a little shut off... but it just seems like she's embarrassed to talk about this sort of thing.
"It tasted like fruit. I haven't had that since I was a child. To be able to taste a flavor again that was not... well, you know." She grunts, sneering a little. There's almost a sad air about her. "Thanks for the experience."
Atriox nods
"Your welcome. It was well worth the price. Now what say you to a moonlight walk ?"
She turns to look at him. "Sounds pleasing. I could use some fresh air."
Kora leads the way outside, but once there pins the dragonborn against the door in a needy kiss. The crisp, fruity taste of fey blood is still strongly present. You're sure it has other unique properties but you're not sure what... other than the mood it's put Bonebreaker in.
Atriox stifles a chuckle and kisses her back deeply for a while
She grabs one of his horns with rough affection, nipping down his neck, careful not to pierce his scales...yet.
But you suddenly hear the crunch of footsteps approaching. There's a look that enters Dorokor's eye that alone could kill.
"Ey," one fellow, a very tall orc, says to a human with him as they interrupt you, "Guess we in the right sleazy place after all."
"Yeah, not many drug or whore dens in this crap city..." he scoffs. "Yet." He puts his hand roughly on Kora's shoulder.
"You blocking the door, creampuff. We got business."
Atriox caught up in his emotions decides on a dangerous game. He winks at Kora
He looks to them and suddenly acts very posh and sophisticated
"Excuse me gentlemen. My name is Prince Atriox and I own this establishment. Prey tell what buisness you have here ?"
(I forgot Persuasion 18....just to reinforce it lol)
Their attention perks up. The human lets go of Kora, probably saving him all of his fingers given the pissed look in her eyes.
"We don't gotta tell you squat, pretty boy," the orc growls with laughter. "Prince." He teasingly bows, testing you. But the human looks intrigued, instantly falling for the bait. You see him looking at your attire, a hungry, greedy look in his eyes.
Three more men move in from the shadows. All of them have a similar vibe, one half orc and two other humans. You notice they all have a small tattoo on their necks, an infinity staff and a spade symbol.
"Interesting for a Prince to own a place like this." The orc leader mumbles. "We're looking for an old member of our family. That's all."
Atriox acts aloof to there jokes hoping Kora plays along
He regains his composure and asks
"Oh really ? Perhaps I could help ? Tonight the Fang was closed for a private party I threw. I know everyone in there right now."
(Keeping up the act Persuasion 14 Deception 15)
He raises a pierced eyebrow. "A sharp mouthed punk. That's who."
Kora's mouth twitches in agitation. But she catches your signals... Grumpily she eyes the new gang members, watching for any small movements.
Atriox raises an eyebrow
"That could be a lot of people in this town honestly. But not anyone in there. Everyone is there is town leadership and high society. I get the feeling......and I mean this with all due respect.....the person your looking for doesn't fit that description. But come now. You all look like smart gentlemen. I have a lot of people who work for me perhaps your.... family member....is one of them. What's they're name ?"
(Persuasion 16 Deception 17+2)
"Svadrir," the orc sneers down his nose. "Ring any bells?"
Two of the men nonchalantly circle around on your right, and two head around to Kora's left. They're eyeing her in her finely-made dress, as if looking for any specific valuables on either of you.
Atriox thinks on it while watching the men circling him and is about to say no when he suddenly realizes......thats Draconic for ripping ....
Atriox get's a smile
"Now I don't technically know anyone by that name butttt there is this fellow named Bitey that works for me. Fellow is skinny, useful, has pointed teeth. Sound like your man ?"
The leader stiffens. "Why... yes. It does, actually. Interesting he goes by that name here." He cracks his knuckles, contemplating his options. "Where is he?"
Atriox is inwardly giving a sigh of relief. Hook line and sinker. Atriox continues to play dumb
"We'll seeing as you are family I will take you to him. He's guarding my secret stash of gold in an abandoned house I own. Come come gentlemen. My dear."
Atriox holds his hand out to Kora and begins to lead them torwards there feeding grounds
Dorokor is at first confused by your ease in handing over Bitey to them, but then realizes what you're up to as you head to the docks. Her hand tightens around yours, eager for a bit of fun--especially after being so rudely interrupted. She's not an orc to cross.
The gang follows after, chattering in quiet tones behind you. They seem at ease, and you can catch snippets of their conversation with your enhanced hearing. By the sound of it they hope to not only string up this comrade of theirs, but rob you both blind and leave you out as a feast for the crabs on the beach.
You arrive at the docks, the evening quiet. It's quite past midnight, the moon hidden behind the clouds over the sea. High tide smashes up against the port rocks, and you follow the alley trail between the buildings. A few of the men press in around Kora beside you.
Atriox squeezes her hand back. He's excited as well but also respectfully nervous. There's a fight coming and he wants to be ready.
They arrive at the house and all go in
You push your way inside, the room as musty as usual. Your eyes are immediately used to the darkness, as are Kora's. The orc doesn't take too long, but the humans are definitely at a disadvantage in the still blackness. You hear their boots shuffling around you both, and the door shuts behind you.
BOOM.
You feel a knife at your back. "Alright... Bitey," the orc sneers with a mocking tone. "Come on out boy-o. The tip of it digs into you, your clothes not protecting you like your armor would.
Atriox laughs deeply despite the dagger in his back. It's almost sinister and he finds himself not caring
"Im sorry "gentlemen" (said snarky) I'm afraid I lied. Bitey is not here although he does work for me. In fact I can guess what this is about and it was on my orders that he did so. So now that thats taken care of shall we get down to buisness and party."
Atriox mist steps behind the orc holding a knife to him and uses his full strength to kick the back of the mans knee and leg out. As the orc stumbles and looses momentary control he bends the mans own arm back to stab himself with the knife
Dorokor, acting on the signal immediately, turns around and instantly slams the man behind her clear across the room and into the wall. CRACK. You hear at least a few ribs breaking. He cries out in shock and collapses to the floor, gasping for breath.
The half orc of the Ivory Jacks rushes her. He'd already had his knife drawn on her and quickly slams into her side with the blade. She inhales sharply, grabbing his wrist and twisting his arm until it audibly snaps. He bellows and she disappears in a flash of smoke and vapor, reappearing behind him and biting into his neck with her sharp, painful tusks. Eyes glowing a sickly bright red, she rips her teeth through his neck and severs the artery as she leaps back.
Pulling the blade from her side, she licks the blood off of it as she watches the half orc struggle to hold his wound closed. "You were sorely mistaken to cross us." His eyes widen, his skin turning paler by the second.
The other two humans nearby her stumble backwards, scrambling away from the carnage. One rushes for the door ahead of the other, absolutely terrified.
Atriox uses super speed to run up behind the one fleeing and bites down on where the mans neck and sholder meets as hard as he can.
He revels in the blood flowing into his mouth for a few moments before flinging the man backwards away from the door with a small roar. Atriox eyes are bright read now
The other man stops in his tracks, watching in horror as his companion screams from the pain of being bitten, the crunching sound of his collarbone earsplitting in the dark. All he can see is the bright red eyes of the vampiric dragonborn. All he can feel is the rush of the body as it is thrown past him, hot blood splattering his face.
Stumbling back in terror he throws his hands up, magic swirling around his fingertips. The room floods with the smell of incense, a giant flame sparking between his hands. Completely unaware of the massive amount of old papers and combustible crates in the room, he shakes, trying to figure out where to shoot the fireball.
Atriox uses his speed to get in front of the poor fool. His eyes alight with red hunger and hes maw slightly agap with a menacing growl coming out
Atriox grabs the mans two arms as he holds the fireball. He may think himself safe but he's not. Atriox slowly pushes his face through his mouth slowly opening wider. One its finally on the other side of the flame he pauses for a second to let the poor man stare before he lets out a roar and bites deeply into the mans head. Enjoying the blood
The man's muffled screams echo. He struggles to control his magic against the pain of the thousands of needle like teeth, thrashing against the claws digging into his arms. The fire erupts around them, burning clothing and flesh alike. Blood sizzles and pools out, snuffing the fire as it falls.
A final crunch resounds as his skull cracks in your maw. He goes limp, the sweet, human blood flooding down your throat. Your arms, chest and scales are burned terribly, but the steady flow of sustenance continually repairs the damage, mending it with dark vampiric magic.
Kora strides up, stepping over the bodies of the others as they watch in horror, bleeding out on the floor. Her eyes are bright red and thirsty as she spends her energy magically weaving up her wounds. She eyes you with a terrifying, impressed look.
Atriox smiles at her but is not done he picks up the orc he first fought and begins to drain him as well. Tonight at least he's giving in to his darker nature
You feel the beast stir within you, your fangs growing ever longer as it savors the syrupy flavor of the orc. It's not quite like Kora's, which you know quite well now--perhaps he has something else in his system that's flavoring it. The orc twitches silently, unable to call out or put up a fight as his blood drains from both his neck and his self-inflicted wound.
The beast in you aches with thirst. You're fed--very well fed--but it is a gluttonous, ravenous craving that feeds on the ecstasy of the hunt, of the draw. Even the screams from your victims sweeten the flavor, it seems. A shadowy force within you intertwines with that beast, strengthening it, egging it on, vying for it to rip, tear and shred your victims. It's cold and villainous.
(Make a Wisdom saving throw for me to see how in control you stay)
(11)
Etny nods, sleepily, a grin spreading across her face. "And my home is with you, wherever in this world that may lead us."
She senses your hesitation as to whether or not to get out of bed, and tackles you in another embrace full of kisses. "What plans do you have today? Any last minute things before our trip out to sea? Mr. swimmer..." She chuckles.
Your breathing deepens, savoring the fumes of the hot blood. Kora watches you still, her expression a little more calculating. Watchful. She sees your eyes creep with darkness, as an ebony shadow envelops the vibrant red.
"Atriox?"
You see her mouth move and shape the words of your name, but you can't hear her voice. You just hear the sound of blood in your ears. A quiet waterfall, pulsing and all encompassing. You hear a voice in your head, louder than anything you've ever felt.
Feed.
Almost involuntarily your teeth clamp down on the orc's neck and shoulder, biting so hard as to literally rip it open.
Raw meat. Your brain clouds with shadows. Your scales speckle with ebony shadows leaching down from your eyes.
"...Atriox?" Dorokor says again, stepping back a pace. It only takes her a second. Without hesitation, she immediately disappears in smoke, appearing behind you and wrapping her strong arms around yours, trying to pin them to the sides. "ATRIOX! Wake UP!"
(Damn it she rolled a nat 1 strength/athletics check for that.... omg xD)
Atriox no longer himself head butts her backwards and then once free slams her against a wall holding her up by the throat
(Strength 24 17+7)
His eyes swirling with red and black he growls
(Holy crap that's a good strength check... lol)
(Damn I rolled a 2 this time XD lolllll hmm.. story elements now I guess)
Dorokor is completely taken by surprise, her head reeling from the hit. Pinned against the wall she grabs his arm with both of hers, staring him down as the grip on her throat tightens.
"A-Atriox," she chokes out. Realization dawns on her. She knows now that this is what saved you before. What came out when she first tried to kill you, what took her blood when it needed it, and turned you so it could live. Strengthening the beast.
"Damn it, you're stronger than whatever the hell that is!"
(Legendary resistance, roll with advantage -- 10 then a nat 20...)
Grimacing against what she's about to do, she lets one hand go from you and grabs her own face. In an instant she rips out one of her own smaller fangs, stabbing you in the arm with it.
It's immediate and you feel the biting pain. Your eyes fade back to red, the shadows receding. She just smirks with satisfaction.
"Atriox." She says one last time, and this time you can hear her.
Atriox lets go of her slightly growling from the shock and dropping to one knee on the ground. He's breathing is quick as he regains control of himself
She lands on her feet, rubbing her neck where your claws were. Kora watches you warily. Curiously.
She chuckles.
"You are an interesting, interesting person, you know that?" A smirk crosses her face and she looks at the fang in her hand. She licks the blood clean.
"Your layers intrigue me."
Trusting you're in control now, she sneers and walks to the man she first slammed into a wall. He gasps in pain as she lifts him up, digging her teeth into his neck.
She takes a long swig, draining him utterly and completely. Dropping his corpse on the other orc, she walks up to Atriox.
She takes your chin in her hand, studying you. She smirks again. "Don't be a buzzkill. That was the most fun I've had all week. Really sets the mood in this dismal little place doesn't it?"
She laughs roughly and kisses you. The tastes of blood mingle, and there's still a lingering hint of nymph magic.
"Also," she snorts, "You have a bad track record of finishing me off. That didn't really worry me."
Atriox grunts
"I suppose you have a point.....but don't tempt me to rectify that. I am happy your ok...... oddly your one of the few who I believe I can truly rely upon......and your good at killing things. There's that to."
He cracks a small grin
"Will your tooth grow back ?"
Dorokor grins wide, showing her tusks. "You think that's the first fang I've lost? You're funny."
She slips it into your pants pocket, pulling herself close. "Keep it. Consider it a good luck charm."
Atriox chuckles
"Will do......now I believe I promised that dress would be destroyed by the end of tonight did I not?"
Atriox lifts her up and takes her to a table where he sets her down and rips her dress into peices
He admires her for a moment
"Much.......much better."
He smiles and his eyes turn red.
(Fade to black)
****
During the night you both fed extremely well, and at some point in the very early morning made it back to Dorokor's room at the Fang... This made for a rather interesting expedition, seeing how you were both lacking in proper clothes at the time. It made for a very long evening indeed.
You wake to a dark room with silk sheets, feeling almost drugged from the night before. You wonder if this is akin to a vampire hangover. It's not necessarily bad, but leaves your head swimming.
A sharp bite on the shoulder rouses you from your drowsiness. You see Kora beside you, eyes bright crimson as she tastes the draconian blood. She looks like she's in heaven.
She flashes a sultry smile. "Well hello again."
Atriox blinks several times and stretches before acknowledging her
Then he pulls her to him in an embrace and kisses her and gently bites her lip
"Well......hi to you....too. you always beat me up it seems. It's not.....fair."
(The spaces are like because he just woke up and is sleepy talking lol)
She seems fond of the kiss and returns it in kind. "Well what do they say? All is fair in love and war... or some shit like that."
Kora chuckles, gently tugging on Atriox's horn like she enjoys doing. "You feeling ok today? Too much excitement for one evening getting to you?"
Atriox would be blushing if he could. He grunts in his usual fashion blowing some steam in her face
"Yes about that........I am sorry Kora. This thing is beginning to get out of hand. At first it was handy but now........I don't know. It feels different. Hungry and destructive "
She tilts her head and looks at you intently. Her gaze is piercing.
"I've frenzied before... More than once I hate to admit. And among the few other vampires I've come in contact with, I've seen frenzy too. Some cherish it. I didn't. I know what it's like. That is the nature of the beast. Ever hungry. And very... very destructive."
Her eyes flash and her hand slips from your horn. It moves to cradle your jaw, and she strokes your cheekbone with her thumb. "I like to be in control. Like you." She smirks. "Obviously. But last night... You almost frenzied. It was like one."
Kora's eyes narrow. "But it wasn't. It wasn't at all like what I've seen before." Her expression almost softens, just a fraction. "Something... else came over you."
Atriox rolls his eyes at her
"Thats what I'm trying to say Bonebreaker. Stuff like this......has happened before. Before I was like you. I don't know what it is."
She looks a little confused. "Before?"
Kora rests her head on her elbow considering what you've shared. "Sounds like another blood curse to me. Honestly I don't even know a lot about vampirism itself as it is, let alone other crap that's out there in the world. But," She yawns loudly. "I guess I never really cared before."
She furrows her brow, realizing how that could sound. Snorting she turns onto her back, grumbling. "Well next time I know if you go all crazy eyes, I'll just stab you back awake. Until you figure it out."
Atriox cought her little slip up and quick change
"Uh huh you do that. And I'll pretend I didn't just hear you admit you cared."
He pulls her back to him and bites her on the back of the shoulder
Dorokor grumbles through a purr, the taste of her blood rich. "You're both cursed and deaf then. I admitted no such thing." Her eyes look both grumpy and playful, daring you to push your luck with that one.
When you let go she grabs your nose ring and gently tugs it, locking eyes with you again. "Hey. You said something yesterday. At the shop."
Atriox raises a ridged eyebrow
"Oh and what did I say ?"
She lets go of the ring. There's a moment's pause as she stares at Atriox, thinking. She looks irritated or confused, it's hard to gauge the expression there.
"You said you don't see me as a monster." She blinks. "Ya know, before you promised to rip my dress off." A small smirk pulls at the corner of her mouth, but there is still a serious note in her gaze.
Atriox nods in a knowing way
"Ahhhhhh.....yes I remember. I meant what I said. Do you enjoy fighting and even killing? Absolutely, but your also a orc cheiftes and a vampire. It's in your blood. So I can't hold that against you. How I know your not a monster is because I've seen bow you lead and care for your clan. Even when angry at them you care for your people. Plus you chose to stop the necromancers. That took courage. I've even seen regret breifly cross your face once in special moments like this. None of that Kora is something a monster is capable of eh ?"
He puts a finger gently under her chin and looks into her eyes
Kora holds his gaze quietly. Somehow it seems hard for her to come to terms with hearing those things.
After a long moment she turns away slightly, scoffing a little. Her eyes flicker. "For such a hardass you get really sentimental sometimes."
It's rather obvious she's trying to build up her walls again, but there's a definite chink in it. It bothers her.
Atriox chuckles deep in his throat
"Even mountains must eventually give way. I am no different. At times I'm forced to sentimental. And I choose to do it with you woman. All out of hard ass juice."
He finally sits up and stretches
She cocks an eyebrow at him, snorting. "I see..."
Leaning back to admire the dragonborn, Dorokor glances to her belongings in the corner. She may or may not have stolen that fang back from him and stashed it away... She had an idea or two for it. Including some intense teasing later.
"So," the orc croons, "You sure we have a plan in place for eating aboard that ship of yours?"
"I mean..." Kora sits up with a chuckle, and in a surprising show of affection begins to rub Atriox's shoulders and neck, nipping softly every so often as she goes.
"We'll have a whole ocean to feed on, but fish don't have that much blood..." She smirks. "Unless you like them raw?"
She whispers closer to his ear. "Anddd... you can't only feed off of me, I hope you know... Though I enjoy it." She smiles. "Vampire blood just isn't the same."
Atriox enjoys the rub which his evident by the low vibration coming from his chest and throat
"I have a few.......persons let's say in mind to provide our food. Though it won't be much I'm afraid. Just enough to keep us alive."
He grabs one of her hands affectionately while she rubs his shoulders
"Are you ready to leave? Are your men ?"
Dorokor seems pleased that Atriox enjoys the touch, and can't help but smirk when he touches her hand.
"I've subsisted on little before... I'll make do. Just make sure you get enough." She raises her eyebrow. "And I'll be checking on my men today. I sent them word about a week ago to make ready. They're aware of the situation... We're a hardy people."
She pauses. "I'm interested in seeing this Arkoshia of yours. This Skyhold. You talk about it quite highly. Is there an important reason why you need to stop in Komodori first? Why not go home directly if you're so eager?"
Atriox chuckles and squizes her hand again
" I'm truthfully not very keen in going to the Komodori. But this a multi agenda trip. Firstly there's a treasure horde that was promised to me there. Our gold is down about half after the boats and the gold given to the town to grow. Second Alrik wants to go home. (Atriox makes a face) third just off the Komodori on a island I have heard about red dragonborn warriors that would be very useful under my banner."
After he finishes he quickly turns around and tackles her back onto the bed playfully
"And I'm well aware how hardy you and your people are Cheiftes. Well aware."
She lets out a gruff laugh at being pinned down again and grins through her tusks. "I could say the same about your kind, dragonborn. Quite the durable fellow you are."
With a coy smile Kora leans forward and gives Atriox a long, passionate kiss. When she speaks again she rolls her eyes playfully, which is a funny look for her. "If that's where you want to go, then my men and I will follow. Despite all the shit going on there, it sounds like a net positive... and perhaps I can tie up some loose ends too while we're at it."
Atriox nods
"Ahhhh yes. The Komodori is your homeland. But I sense your not excited to go back."
"It's been a very long time since I've been there. But..." She chuckles bitterly. "No. Not really."
She stares at your hair as she runs her hands through the tendril locks. "Always been war and contention there....that never changes. Orcs don't change much, period." A faint smile comes and goes.
"But now it's all devolved into raiders and profiteers. Feeding off the blood of the corrupted desert lords and the greedy humans and their mages. And ya know, cursed bloodsuckers like us." Her eyes dart to yours teasingly.
"It's a bloodbath. Not that I haven't had my own hand in that for many, many years." She lets her hand drop. "But there it's grown to feel... desperate. Pointless. It's hell, really."
Kora laughs a little. "My own devoted tribe hunting necromancers, undead, and princely little dragonborns are apparently more interesting nowadays."
Atriox mimics her all sassy like before getting serious again
"Perhaps we can fix that someday. Get more of your people to our side. Save the Komodori from it's self. But I sense it's not time for that yet."
Dorokor scratches Atriox under the chin, purring out an answer. "Cocky and forward thinking. I like it." She smirks and shrugs. "Perhaps someday... some lifetime. We'll see."
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