[Nexus] The Black Dragon's Den VIII

[Artemis97]

This old warehouse by the docks and on the edge of the city slums has numerous secret passageways and tunnels leading to it. When you walk in, either from the street or below, you see a freshly cleaned interior that actually looks somewhat welcoming, however, as a seedy hive of smugglers, pirates, and home of the local wererat assassin guild; this is a rough place to have a drink.

The back half of the building has been converted into a set of rooms, used by those who need a bit of privacy, whether to have a private card game, hold a secret meeting, or just to get away from the world while enjoying a dose of some of the more exotic items the Den serves. We don't care what you do here, just don't leave a mess. Just keep in mind, the walls are a little thin back there, and can be listened through (or busted through), so be careful.

The gambling scene is lively here, with craps, three-dragon ante, and darts, among other things. There are certainly not knife-fights held in the ring in the basement. Come early for a ringside seat. Gambling is permitted. Anyone caught betting against themselves will be killed, or worse. So don't do it.

The servers are all NPC goblins. They are: Blackeye, Hooktooth, and Daggernose.
The cook is a goblin woman named Sicklewort.
The NPC bouncer is Gnarl, the orc.

The menu is as follows:

Drinks

Common Drinks
All the common drinks are available in an extremely wide range of qualities, brands, and prices. Just remember- you pay for what you get.

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Absinthe
Ale
Beer
Brandy
Coffee
Hard Cider
Kumis (Fermented milk)
Mead
Rum
Tea
Tequila
Vodka
Whiskey
Wine

Specialty Drinks
The specialty drinks are either crafted here or ordered specially from other sources. Normally they are higher class and more palatable, but that is not always the case...

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Black Shadow-
A strong concoction guaranteed to send a chill down your spine at any temperature.
Damned Soul Nectar-
Yummy. Damned souls. Perfect for demons, devils, or anyone else lacking a conscience.
Devil Brew-
It tastes good, though drinking it will gradually corrupt your soul to evil.
Drow Spiderblood Wine-
A specialty drow wine with a strong bite, and a hint of spider venom. Alcohol isn't the only thing you have to worry about when drinking it... but it does taste good.
Firewine-
This wine is created in a way that literally leaves the top simmering and flaming. Only recommended to those who have a good fire resistance. However, it is extremely warm and has a fairly sweet taste.
Frenzywater-
You want to know what it is like to see red? Frenzywater will having you raging like a barbarian.
Goblin Thudrud Beer-
A favorite of goblins... but described by others as smelling like a rotten, flaming cow.
Hearth Brew Mead
This is a sweet mead with raspberries, rhubarb and some kind of ingredient that makes you feel warm when you drink it.
Ichor Liquor-
A mixture of blood and alcohol made especially for our vampiric friends. It can be served neat, on the rocks, or specially heated to 98.6 F.
Liquid Agony-
A drink brewed and distilled from the agony of victims, and quite sweet and tasty, but very addictive.
Mindflayer Mead-
A special brew for those squid-headed fellows. Also appropriate for Zombies, or anyoen else who likes the taste of brains.
Mushroom Wine
An Underdark drink fermented from mushrooms. It has a good deal of sugar added to it and tastes sweet, but may cause hallucinations...
Orc Kragg Liquor-
Strong. Disgusting. Manly.
Poisonbite Cocktail-
This brew is mixed of several poisons and rum. It induces extreme euphoria, and will drain the drinker's strength and mental capacities for a day or so.
Rat Mead-
This foul concoction is meant more for drinking games, and less for taste. You'll need a strong stomach to keep it down.

Other

Food
Like the drinks, the food ranges in quality and price... the menu is currently under improvement.

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Bread-
Crusty, burnt, soggy, or rotten. It's not your choice. A better bakery is "under construction" in the back. Thanks to a newly built brick oven, the bread is actually quite good now, baked fresh daily.
Dragon Steak-
This tender, extremely tasty steak is excellently prepared, but its source is undisclosed...
Fish of the Day-
The catch of the day, or yesterday... be sure to specify "fresh."
Puffer fish liver-
Tetrodotoxin, anyone? Extreme poison is ahead.
Soup-
Most common soups are available, but pay for what you want, or you'll get something else. Served in a bread bowl.

Mushrooms
Our mushrooms are well acclaimed for their taste and subtle poisons. If you have enemies, make sure they you didn't get something other than what you asked for...

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Amanita-
A hallucinogenic mushroom that is fairly toxic. May cause nausea, sensory distortions, mood changes, and loss of equilibrium. Retrograde amnesia frequently results following recovery. Serious poisonings cause delirium, seizures, or comas.
Chanterelle-
An edible but unremarkable mushroom. Available pickled or dried.
Lorchel-
Also known as false morels (due to similarity in appearance), eating these raw results in extreme liver failure or death. Properly prepared, however, they are quite delicious. Available both raw and parboiled (properly prepared).
Morchella-
Also known as morels, these very prized and tasty mushrooms are available raw.
Omphalotus-
This mushroom looks the same as the Chanterelle. It is extremely appealing in smell and appearance, but has a mild toxicity that will lead to vomiting and cramps.
Oyster-
Unlike other mushrooms, this one has no confusing look alikes, and is prized for that quality alone. Served raw or stuffed.
Porcini-
Also known as Boletus ("superior"), the porcini is highly regarded and is served raw or sautéed with butter.
Portabello-
While edible, this is either described as plain or only slightly sweet. Available raw or stuffed.
Psilocybin-
This mushroom is famed for its hallucinogenic effects, while lacking dangerous toxins. Available raw and dried.
Shiitake-
These mushrooms are normally added to ordered soups. Available dried or raw.

Drink Additives
Buy them for your drink, or for someone else's drink... everything goes here.

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Doze Pill-
A combination of magical energies and herbs guaranteed to put the drinker to sleep in a few minutes.
Hanger's Drop-
Ask for this in someone's drink to put them six feet under. Commonly means poison, though other methods can be bought depending on the target.
Happy Juice-
As seen in Malleo's shop. Turns the hair pink, and makes the drinker extremely happy.
Wonder Trip-
A mixture of magic and poison that causes extreme hallucinations and delirium which are not directly harmful or toxic.

Other Additives are available, you just have to ask.

Other Drugs
If it doesn't get you drunk, and it isn't a mushroom... we still sell it.

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Arhtorvin
A gray powder made by different magic plants, Arthorvin is extremely calming. It is ingested, and numbs emotions and reactions.
Baccaran
A paste made of numerous, undisclosed substances, this is a mild hallucinogen that becomes more powerful as it is used in repetition and increased dosage.
Dreammist
This drug is formed into a tea, and then the vapors are inhaled. It causes incredibly beautiful and wonderful hallucinations that make the world seem dull in comparison. Overdose is extremely debilitating, as is directly drinking the substance.
Devilweed
A tobacco-like substance that is moderately addictive and makes the smoker skittish and more easily confused. Users enjoy it because it glazes over the memories of whatever happens during its effective.
Luhix
A powder made from plants grown in the abyss. It is sprinkled on self inflicted wounds- initially it causes intense pain, then numbs the body entirely. It is one of the most addictive substances known amongst the planes, but overdosing even a little may cause terrible, painful death.
Mertoran Leaf
This leaf is dried and treated. It is not very addictive, but it is cheap, popular, and boosts confidence. Ingested, not smoked.
Redflower Leaves
These leaves are only moderately addictive, but are known to give a boost to hand-eye coordination, making them popular among those who often engage in knife tossing or dart throwing. They are consumed raw and chewed.
Sannish
This blue liquid is made out of unknown ingredients and causes euphoria. It has a tendency to stain flesh and anything else it touches. Overdosing causes intense numbness.

This is by no means the limit of what we can get our hands on, just ask and we'll see what we can do.

Games
As a new addition to the Black Dragon's Den, there is a back room where all kinds of gaming take place. Goblins generally oversee the games and make sure things are fair... but everyone here can be bribed. Best to keep an eye on things yourself.

Card Games
-Coming Soon-

Dice Games
We provide all of the dice used here... unless you slip them out of our sleeve. "Better" dice can be bought with a quiet word and a few coin, though we don't provide protection from those who find out that you've used them.

Coin Pass

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This is a simple dice game played with a pair of six sided dice, and is generally best with four or more players.
Each player puts out two coins (generally one type of coin is chosen, copper, silver, gold, or platinum) and then, in turn, each player rolls the dice.
If a player rolls a one, they take one of their coins and place it in the pot.
If a player rolls a six, they take one of their coins and pass it to the person on the left. This continues until only one player has coins, at which time they take the pot.
If a player has no coins left, they have one round to wait for someone to pass them a coin (by roll of a six), after which they can buy their way back in. You can only buy your way back into a game once.

Serpent's Eyes

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This game is played with a pair of six sided dice, and a game board in the shape of the world serpent.

Before the game begins, the number of rounds to play are determined, though the game may end ahead of time, or when one player runs out of coins/chips. Generally people play with a large number of rounds (double digits).
A round is completed once every player has rolled the dice once.
The dice start with the player closest to the seven on the board.
When a player rolls the dice, he does one of three things.
If he rolls any number 3-11, he places a coin on the corresponding number on the board, or, if the number is already filled with coins, they take the coins off of that number.
If he rolls a 2, he places a coin on every number on the board.
If he rolls a 12, he takes all coins from the board.

Warship

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This game is played with five dice for each player. The person who rolls first is normally determined randomly.
The goal of the game is to create the best 'ship', where a 'ship' is a straight formed either forwards (1,2,3) or backwards (3,2,1). To create a straight, you roll the dice, and choose anywhere from 0-3 numbers from them. Your first chosen die is your starting number (IE, a number on either end of a straight), the second die chosen has to be the middle number of your straight, and the third die chosen is the last of your straight.
You have three rolls of the dice to form a straight. Whenever you choose one of these die, you remove it from the dice you roll to get the next number.
The game progresses like this:
1) Each player places an amount of money agreed on when the game starts.
2) Each player rolls the dice once, chooses any dice from their roll that they want, then either adds in the money first agreed on again, or passes from the game, but leaves any money they first bet in the pot (Note that everyone can see what die you have chosen, if you have chosen a die already).
3) Repeat the second step once more, then every player rolls the dice once more, and the person with the ship with the highest straight wins. If someone creates a ship one the first or second roll, they still bet, but do not have to roll until the last round (which is only done in case of ties).

If no one has a straight, the winner is based on the person with the highest number set aside (with only players with dice set aside competing). If there is a tie in highest numbers, they go to the second die set aside (with only players with two dice competing). If there is a tie between set aside die, they proceed with the same process into the dice they last rolled (excluding those set aside)

If two people have the same straight, they compare the numbers rolled on their last turn (not including the ones placed into their "ship"). The person with the highest numbers wins.

The winner takes all money in the pot. Generally, more than one game is played at once.

Other Games
These may be more or less 'games' as such... but are just as entertaining.

Darts

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Bet on how well someone will throw, whether they can do it with their eyes closed... with their left hand... or if they can dodge a knife- it's all good. There are a few different dart boards, so any number of rings and scoring areas can be played with.

Knife Fights

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We hold knife fights here every once in a while, down in the basement. To surrender or death. Place your bets, folks.
-No current list of PC fighters. Contact management to arrage something 'formal.'

Previous Threads

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The Black Dragon's Den
The Black Dragon's Den II
The Black Dragon's Den III
The Black Dragon's Den IV
The Black Dragon's Den V
The Black Dragon's Den VI
The Black Dragon's Den VII

[Lord Magtok]

"Of course, Lu- Sirtch." Arel says. She ponders what he said briefly. "You are trying to make up for your sins? That's wonderful." She gives him a warm smile.

"It's a bit of a long road ahead. I don't think I need to remind you just how much I needs to be atoned for, of course. May I ask why you find yourself in your current circumsplerghle."

In a rare display of emotion, Sirtch snarls a little at his drink when some of his cocktail comes dribbling out between his teeth. Aargh, stupid lack of lips! Stupid hellfire of hell burning his lips and cheeks and entire face way! Why in the godforsaken world does everything have to be so damned hard?! Humans get to have proper faces! When humans want to atone, all they ever have to do is say they're sorry! What makes them so special? Sirtch was supposed to be the special one, Sirtch was supposed to be the very best, brightest, and most beautiful! Sirtch was the most holy of all, once; second only to the All-Knowing! This isn't just, not even close!

"...Excuse me, Ms. Arel."

With an exasperated sigh, Sirtch presses a hand against the side of his mouth, where his left cheek would've been, so that no more cocktail splutters to the floor. God, this redemption project is so hard...

[Gullara]

Arel tentatively puts out a hand to place on Sirtch's arm. Her expressoin is full of sympathy for him. While there are those among the angels that would might still condemn him, she isn't one of them. Who was she to judge when she had been cast down herself? If not quite so far.

"I let my pride get the better of me. I thought of myself as above all others. Especially mortals. I couldn't comprehend His love for them, these flawed beings. I went so far as to say that they are evil things that don't deserve to see God's light." She pauses, looking downward. "My punishment is just. I feel I must have been wrong. Even in my short time here I have been shown nothing but kindness."

[Reinholdt]

By the time the curtain rises, I imagine Ilpholin and Kelral both on the bed, with its inward curve now that the baseboards have broken under the sheer onslaught they put it Though. She will, of course, had to have pushed herself to keep up with Kel in the end, but it was so worth it. Kel doesn't seem to mind at all, and Ilphy is probably on top of him. Once it's all over and they'yre both likely covered in bruises and places that are going to be sore tomorrow, Kel just lifts his head to kiss her again before falling asleep, muttering "wow" before completely passing out.

Dang. DANG IT. Ilpholin curses under her breath in both anger and pleasure.
That was the best curtaining she ever had. And she hated the guy. Hated him so much...
But damn...

Ilpholin tries lifting herself, to get dressed and exit before she has to wake up in the morning, but her body tells her that collapsing on Kel and passing out is the only reasonable action to take, so she does that instead.

Dang.

[Halae]

Kel will probably wake up before Ilpholin does, being used to sleeping on a strict schedule. Because of this; the length of time his body has before it wakes itself up is shorter than he would have slept if his body was more worried about healing all those bruises.

As he wakes up to find her still on top of him, he also notices how sore he is, and how stiff. It's terrible, really. Like drinking; the best sex leaves you hurting for a while afterwards, and with that in mind, he expected to be hurting for a week.

Ilpholin may be woken up by him rubbing her body with his lower arms, the upper ones being too big for the fine touching he wants here. Still, even they are muscular, as he trains with four swords, not just two. He is, however, too sore to move her or get up. It feels like he broke his ass when she threw him into the dresser.

[Reinholdt]

[Back Room]

Ilpholin mumbles in her sleep and shifts a bit. But she does not wake up. Largely because she's in that half-asleep state where you can choose to wake up or not. And she chooses to not cause everything still hurts. Even that. Yeesh. So she keeps her eyes closed, even if he does choose to move her aside. Unless he goes and starts talking to her or something and ask if she's awake. That'll get her awake.

[Halae]

[Trashed Back Room]

Kelral won't for a while, just laying there with Ilpholin on top of him, and considering what this means. She was an absolute goddess with sex, but there was no way this was going to happen again if he wanted maintain the image that he hated her. Instead, he'd be lusting after her most of the time, he supposes.

What was worth more, the pleasure or the image? Meh, he'd already shattered the image, most likely. There's no way the drow in the Den didn't hear what was going on there. Guess he had to be nice to her.

"You awake, Ilpholin?"

[Reinholdt]

[Trashed Back Room]

"No..." Ilpholin lies pointlessly, before going to roll tentatively off Kel and onto the bed proper, moaning as she moves. Definitely awake now.

[Halae]

[Trashed Back Room]

"Then wake up," He says, shaking her by the shoulder a bit, "We have to talk."

[Reinholdt]

[Trashed Back Room]

Ilpholin goes to slap the hand away and sit up with another groan.
"This is probably the last thing we should talk about. Forgetting this ever happened would probably be best." She goes to stand slowly and search for her clothes. Or rather, what's left of them.

[Halae]

[Trashed Back Room]

"So, you're saying you don't want it to happen again?" Kel gives her a look, and a knowing smile.

He clothes are in tatters. regardless of what she was wearing, Kel has big claws, and very strong arms, and wasn't exactly in the mood to carefully take off what she was wearing. Kel's shirt is intact though, and large enough to come down to Ilpholin's knees should she put it on.

[Reinholdt]

[Trashed Back Room]

"I... No! You... I mean... maybe but..."Ilpholin chooses to growl. Grrrr.

She goes to grab her spy belt and Kel's shirt, regardless of whether he gives permission, and start pulling it over her.

[Halae]

[Trashed Back Room]

"Let me make up your mind for you," He stands and moves over to her, wrapping all for of his arms around her to bring her into a wonderfully passionate kiss.

[Reinholdt]

[Trashed Back Room]

Ilpholin is kissed passionately. Mmmm... Her hands start wandering again for several moments, definitely moving back towards curtain territory, before she stops suddenly and tries to push him away.
"No. We can't... do this..." She says, breathing heavily between the words, and turning to rush for the door if she managed to get him off her.

Course I highly doubt she'll be able to keep her hands off of him in any future encounter.

[Halae]

[Trashed Back Room]

Kel lets her go, a smile on his face. He doesn't care about the shirt; that was totally worth it for what just happened, and he still has his pants. which he happens to be pulling on. Ilpholin will have ample time to leave.

[Reinholdt]

Ilpholin stomps out, daring anyone, ANYONE to say anything about her appearance using her eyes and going to get her whip back. Which should be there if someone does not want to get tracked down and horribly and severely tortured to an excruciating death according to Ilpholin's definition of excruciating over the course of the next week.

She then heads for the exit.

[Halae]

Several drow soldiers are still in the bar, and they have in fact, made sure that nobody touched their commander's weapons. Since Ilpholin's whip was there too, she's greeted with the nice little side benefit of the whip not being stolen either.

As she storms out, they all watch her incredulously, knowing that Kelral purportedly hated her in the past. The fact that she was wearing his shirt now... as well as the face that he comes out with a massive grin on his face, suggests he enjoyed himself in there. Rumors will fly!

Kel, for now, goes to take a seat over at the bar, and says, "Barkeep, I need something to celebrate."


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A young man walks into the bar later on that day, once the drow have cleared out. He looks completely average in build, but his hair is interesting. It's entirely blue, and if one were to look at his roots they could tell it wasn't a dye job, but his natural hair color, interestingly enough. His eyes are an inhuman Emerald color as well, but the rest of his body suggests that he is simply a human. odd. He wears a leather duster on his skinny body, a white shirt underneath, and a pair of baggy cargo pants over a pair of motorcycle boots.

He sits down at the bar and says to the barkeep, "Hey, could I get a bottle of rum here?"

[Gullara]

Hooktooth glances at the man briefly before wordlessly grabbing a bottle and putting it down in front of him. Odd, it's unlabeled and opaque, but it must be rum.

[Halae]

The man doesn't really care about the service; he's just here for the drinks after all. The bottle is... weird though. He opens the top to make sure of what it is before getting himself a glass.

[Gullara]

He opens the bottle and... Out comes a tiny little pixie. Oh dear, not her again. Tinseltwig immediately flies at the man and tries to kiss him on the lips. Kiss. "My hero!" Kiss. "Thank you." Kiss. "So much." Kiss kiss kiss.

[Halae]

As Tinseltwig comes out of the bottle, the young man is too surprised to do anything for a moment as she kisses him. He'll attempt to grab her and pull her away from his mouth, though lightly enough that it doesn't hurt her. Why was there a fairy in the bottle he'd been given? He thought that only happened in video games.

"Uh, hello? Who are you?"

[Gullara]

"Tinseltwig." She says simply, almost swooning right there. He's so big and strong, but gentle. Dreamy siiiiiigh.

[Halae]

The young man, who should really be asked his name at some point, looks curiously at her, and uses a single hand to hold her up, as she is about 6 inches tall. He won't mind if she sits in his palm or something, "Why were you in that bottle? Who put you in there?"

[Gullara]

Tinseltwig very suddenly looks to be near tears as she sits on his hand. "I can't believe he would do that to me." She rubs her eyes and is suddenly beaming at him. "But you'll never leave me. Our love is forever."

[Halae]

"But, uh, you don't even know who I am." he says, wondering why the little fairy is trying to love him so much.

[Gullara]

Trying to love him? She does love him, with all her heart! "Of course I know who you are. You're my beloved hero!" Tinseltwig launches herself from his hand and flits around his head. She pauses, hovering just in front of his face. "What's your name?"

[Halae]

"My name's Admer, Tin. How long have you been in that bottle?" There's the instinctive worry that the little pixie will run into Admer's head is he doesn't move it, so as she's flying around his head he moves out of the way, so she doesn't run into him.

[Gullara]

"I don't know. It doesn't matter now that you freed me." The pixie flits up and plops down on his head. She toys with his hair. "I never thought blue hair could look so good on anyone. You're so handsome, Addy-poo."

[Halae]

His brow furrows and an eye twitches when he's called "Addy-poo"

"Please, call me Admer, or Ad." He isn't terribly bothered by Tinseltwig sitting down in his hair. She's not exactly heavy, after all.

[Gullara]

Tinseltwig will not be denied her cutesy pet names for long!

"Okay, Ad." Tinseltwig pauses thoughtfully in her fiddling. "We're going to need rings if we're going to be married. Do you know a good jewelry store?" She flies in front of his face again, waiting expectantly.