[Nexus] The Black Dragon's Den X

[Rebonack]

"Nooo... now I am eaten and dead..." the dinosaur sighs as Raven tips it over. Or rather Raven sighs for the dinosaur since it is an inanimate object and unable to say things.

For a few moments she just stares at the toys on the table.

Then sniffs.

Her eyes narrow a little.

She sniffs again as she begins looking around the tavern for the source of the smell until at last her gaze falls on the robed cultists. Well. That isn't foreboding at all.

The little girl then quietly slips away. Anyone who had been watching her may find it difficult to recall that there was a little girl playing with dinosaurs at all. Clearly that table had been empty all night.

[happyturtle]

"Why thank you, darling," Billie says, accepting the cigarette, and leaning in to allow him to light it.

[Hattish Thing]

Nearing Midnight

Vinny frowns behind his cigar when the woman turned down his offer, but he just shrugs and leans the other way, offering the same thing to Billie without looking. "How 'bout you, doll?" He asks, his hand drifting back to the bourbon to give himself another sip. Even as he drinks, the hairs on the back of his neck raise.

He ignores the feeling for now, concentrating on the smooth liquid amber sliding through his throat. It was the best way to let go of a day's worries.

The clock strikes Midnight. Everything is hushed.....the cultists quiet and then the twelve men and women rise off their chairs all at the same time. There's a chill in the room. If anyone waas paying attention outside they would notice that all the stars have faded save for a group of stars that form an unholy smile, which seems to gloat down onto the Nexus. Then, there's a huge buzz and a shield slowly creeps over the bar. The shield is made of a raging inferno of fire. The cultists grin and face the man at the bar. In unison they speak out. The Great One has returned, we are his servants, and the prophet's wish must be carried through. Now, die! Then a huge earthquake seems to strike the bar, and the ground seems to buckle and break as the bar's floors crack and splutter. Five cultists switch into a trance and keep the earthquake spell going, while another five start flinging fireballs. A final two rush toward ?Vinny and attempt to touch his chest.

[Rebonack]

A shield of fire, huh?

Swanky.

From a perch perpendicular to reality Raven watches the scene unfold. Violence and death seem to be the goals here. And these people are quite clearly the servants of something vile. Perhaps not one of her relatives, but then it's hard to be sure in the Nexus at times.

Best kill them all.

Just to be safe.

For a brief moment near the chanting cultists there's a Raven-shaped patch of nothing. And then quite abruptly that Raven-shaped patch of nothing is replaced with something.

The something in this case is a midnight black Farspawn that is half-panther and half-raven and half-viper and half-caribou. The universe seems rather uncomfortable with that many halves but seems unwilling to protest very loudly.

Swift as a serpent Raven attempts to latch onto one of the chanting cultists and dig her fangs into the person's neck, hollow teeth flowing with a venom tailored to slay that specific unfortunate victual as swiftly as possible.

SNEAK ATTACK!

Now quick! Say something witty!

"The Warden sends her well wishes."

That'll do.

[UncleWolf]

Nearing Midnight

Vinny lights Billie up. "Careful, ma'am." He whispers as he slips his hand into his suit before continuing his drink, waiting till midnight.

When Midnight does come, he's a bit surprised when the ground shakes. He gets up from the rather small stool before it decides to crumble beneath him and frowns when he sees his drink fall off the bar to shatter on the floor.

He had liked that bourbon. It hadn't done anything bad to him. It hadn't shot his dog or best friend or soiled his shoes. All it had done was give him the best time of its life and taste and asked for only a little appreciation in return. It didn't deserve the cruel end of being just another stain on the floor.

The sight of it doesn't evoke those thoughts though. Sadly, Vinny is a bit dimwitted and not that poetic except for the rare moment of crystal clarity that comes along. For Vinny, the most poetic thought he could form at the moment was Damn...I liked that bourbon.

As the earthquake continues, and the cultists start charging Vinny, they'll see his hand pull a rather oversized revolver from his suit jacket. Not just rather oversized, but "Practical Joke" size. The thing is nearly as large as a ham. Surely it'd break at least his wrist if he fired the thing, right? The massive revolver only had five rounds, but they were large, and the only thing that graced the ugly weapon was a golden etching of a name on the barrel.

Flo

It gives a loud bark when Vinny pulls the trigger the first time, aimed dead center at the chest of the leading cultist. It's a testament to either the man's strength or his stupidity as the recoil sends his hand back, too much for him to readjust his aim to stop the second cultist.

[happyturtle]

Billie doesn't have the danger sense that Vinnie does, so she doesn't know what he's warning her about until it happens.

Then there are bastards shooting fireballs.

Billie dodges a fireball that's headed in her direction, and then, with superhuman speed (though not like The Flash or anything - just a little bit faster than the fastest Olympic sprinter) Billie runs to the nearest mages and goes to hit him or her hard with an uppercut punch with superhuman strength (a bit harder than the world's best boxer). "Knock that **** off, you **** ****!"

[Hattish Thing]

A shield of fire, huh?

Swanky.

From a perch perpendicular to reality Raven watches the scene unfold. Violence and death seem to be the goals here. And these people are quite clearly the servants of something vile. Perhaps not one of her relatives, but then it's hard to be sure in the Nexus at times.

Best kill them all.

Just to be safe.

For a brief moment near the chanting cultists there's a Raven-shaped patch of nothing. And then quite abruptly that Raven-shaped patch of nothing is replaced with something.

The something in this case is a midnight black Farspawn that is half-panther and half-raven and half-viper and half-caribou. The universe seems rather uncomfortable with that many halves but seems unwilling to protest very loudly.

Swift as a serpent Raven attempts to latch onto one of the chanting cultists and dig her fangs into the person's neck, hollow teeth flowing with a venom tailored to slay that specific unfortunate victual as swiftly as possible.

SNEAK ATTACK!

Now quick! Say something witty!

"The Warden sends her well wishes."

That'll do.

The cultists groans and falls to the floor. however, just as he hits the ground, a blinding light fills the room. The cultists body explodes and fiery chunks of dead cultists fly about. Poor Raven will get the brunt of the explosion and will probably find herself on fire and smothered in blood. Then, a huge crack is heard and the floorboards begine to crtack under her, exposing a hole into the ground. This whole then erupts with fire, sending volcanic bursts of magma into the inn. Whew...these guys have spells!

Nearing Midnight

Vinny lights Billie up. "Careful, ma'am." He whispers as he slips his hand into his suit before continuing his drink, waiting till midnight.

When Midnight does come, he's a bit surprised when the ground shakes. He gets up from the rather small stool before it decides to crumble beneath him and frowns when he sees his drink fall off the bar to shatter on the floor.

He had liked that bourbon. It hadn't done anything bad to him. It hadn't shot his dog or best friend or soiled his shoes. All it had done was give him the best time of its life and taste and asked for only a little appreciation in return. It didn't deserve the cruel end of being just another stain on the floor.

The sight of it doesn't evoke those thoughts though. Sadly, Vinny is a bit dimwitted and not that poetic except for the rare moment of crystal clarity that comes along. For Vinny, the most poetic thought he could form at the moment was Damn...I liked that bourbon.

As the earthquake continues, and the cultists start charging Vinny, they'll see his hand pull a rather oversized revolver from his suit jacket. Not just rather oversized, but "Practical Joke" size. The thing is nearly as large as a ham. Surely it'd break at least his wrist if he fired the thing, right? The massive revolver only had five rounds, but they were large, and the only thing that graced the ugly weapon was a golden etching of a name on the barrel.

Flo

It gives a loud bark when Vinny pulls the trigger the first time, aimed dead center at the chest of the leading cultist. It's a testament to either the man's strength or his stupidity as the recoil sends his hand back, too much for him to readjust his aim to stop the second cultist.

The cultists is hit hard and flies back as he's shot, however just as the bullet kills him,. he explodes too. Apparently these guys explode when killed...nice...So, now the walls will be on fire from the explosions and fireballs being launched. Another cultist sees hhis fiend shot and a purple light flies towards him.

Billie doesn't have the danger sense that Vinnie does, so she doesn't know what he's warning her about until it happens.

Then there are bastards shooting fireballs.

Billie dodges a fireball that's headed in her direction, and then, with superhuman speed (though not like The Flash or anything - just a little bit faster than the fastest Olympic sprinter) Billie runs to the nearest mages and goes to hit him or her hard with an uppercut punch with superhuman strength (a bit harder than the world's best boxer). "Knock that **** off, you **** ****!"

This female cultists is hit hard. There's an odd snap and she starts bleeding. No! We are the chosen ones! We are strong! Miraculously, the wound starts to suck back and she stops bleeding. Apparently the best way to kill these guys is to shoot them or something and run from the explosion. The remaining cultists either fling fireballs or continue cracking the ground. one cultists begins to laugh manically and unleashes a huge tornado. This tornado begins to fly about, picking up benches and tables and flinging them about. This guy is not too bright and he accidentally sends a table flying at himself. This table smashes his head and breaks his skull, he promptly explodes. The tornado continues to fly about though. Anyway, the femal cultists then launches a fireball at the woman that just punched her.

There are now 5 untouched cultists keeping up the earthquake, and 4 attacking the patrons.

[Earl of Purple]

There's a large book resting on one of the tables. It's bound in black leather, and there's no sign of a title or author on the cover. Maybe there's one on the front page of the book?

[happyturtle]

Suddenly the entire cultist scene, along with Raven, Vinnie, and Jeanne, is retroactively transplanted to Not The Black Dragon Den. BAMF!

[Murkus]

Gelley enters the scene with an excitable swing in her hips. Despite her intentions of spying on the denizens in this wretched hide of scum and villainy, her attire is rather... loud. A low-cut, silken orange shirt, with elaborate crochet around the edges. It glows with a firey quality, and seems to radiate an intense heat. Her eyes match it, for the evening - they're of a similar color. A studded belt holds up her faded, torn jeans.

Gelley looks around a little, for the most suspicious person or persons she can find. Not there are any PC's here now, but oh well.

[Earl of Purple]

Gelley may notice the book. It's a large book, and bound in black leather, with no ornamentation of any kind upon it. Not even a title or author's name. It's not magically noticeable; that's too crass and common. Instead, it has placed itself somewhere that makes it very hard to miss without resorting to magic. The fact it teleported there a while ago is completely irrelevant with regards to 'magical noticeability',

[Murkus]

Gelley leeeans toward the book, raising her eyebrows in thought. She looks left. She looks right. Then, out've sheer curiousity, she cracks it open. Perhaps checking for a title or a table of contents.

[Earl of Purple]

Result: 18.

The book has a title! It's called Four Times A Murderer: Autobiography of an Unidentified Serial Killer. Reading the title comes with a slight, subtle magical compulsion; it's subtle enough that it might pass through any mental defences, and even if it doesn't it won't necessarily be noticed. The compulsion is to read the book.

[Murkus]

Okay, that sounds morbid and terrible. Gelley isn't sure what to think. Is it a parody? A joke book? Or something genuine? She's never been terribly curious about such dark subjects, but perhaps she can make an exception. Just once.

It feels almost like a compulsion.

She reads the first few pages, trying to look bored and uncaring.

[Earl of Purple]

The first few pages may quickly turn into the whole book. In any case, it's genuine, or seems real enough, as the compulsion gets wormier.

[Murkus]

Gelley reads, then. And, unless interrupted by another PC, she may read long into the night. She likely becomes increasingly repulsed and frightened, but still finds herself unable to put it down. Like a good horror novel that, at the back of your mind, you think might be real. And by all appearances, this one is.

Glasses begin to pile up next to her as she reads. Halfway through, depending on the book's length, Gelley might not be able to read at all. Too much whiskey will do that to you.

What are the effects of reading it, halfway or otherwise?

[Earl of Purple]

Despite its thickness, it should only take about fifteen minutes to read- magic is odd like that.

When she closes the cover, Gelley may discover that she has (Result: 1) knowledge of how to efficiently kill somebody with a knife. That is, quickly, quietly and with a minimum of effort. Shortly after the cover is closed, the book will crumble into dust.

[Murkus]

Oh, never mind then. Gelley finishes it, shaking her head at the disorienting magical effects, and then looks around for a clock. Fifteen minutes? Hrm? How could she have possibly...

She claps the book shut, deeply disturbed by the contents. She doesn't suddenly feel like an expert knife-fighter, but I'm sure it will come in handy.

As she reaches for her drink, the book rapidly crumbles to dust. Oh gods. She must be going mad. Her hand sifts through the dust hesitantly, shaking a little bit.

[Artemis97]

Looking drawn and weary, Raril pushes open the door to the bar and walks inside.

[Rebonack]

Recall how Sadei said that she intended to pounce on her father when he arrived?

She hasn't changed her mind about that.

As soon as Raril appears the chimera wiggles her hind-end a bit before leaping off the wall directly at the drow!

Rawr!

"Yay! Father's back!"

Tackle hug attack!

"I met a new sister!"

[Artemis97]

The drow lets out a surprised yelp when he's tackled. "Sadei!" He laughs, seeing who it was. Raril hugs his daughter whilst his brain catches up with what his ears just heard. "Wait... what did you say??

[Rebonack]

After a fair bit of hugging Sadei will hop down the floor and begin bouncing about excitedly!

"A new sister! But one with a different mother. Her mother was half dragon!"

Bouncy bouncy bounce!

"And we talked about things! And I told her about you! And she was really happy to find out that she had a family!"

Yay!

Family!

Family is great.

[Artemis97]

"Half-dragon?" Raril echoes. The thought made him go pale. Unstable, Raril reaches for the back of a chair for support and carefully lowers himself into it. "That's... That's not possible. It can't be..." He said, half muttering in disbelief.

[Rebonack]

Sadei frowns at this reply.

Father seems...

Not upset, no. Surprised? Maybe worried?

The little half-drow girl heads over to Raril's side and puts a hand on his arm. Her face is mirroring the worry of her father's now.

"Daddy... what's wrong? I thought you would be happy?" she says, her tone quite confused. "Aren't you happy to know that you have another daughter?"

A short pause as the girl chews on her lip a little.

"Did... did I do something wrong?"

[Artemis97]

"No! No, of course not." Raril assures his daughter quickly. "This is just... how can I explain?" He wonders, trying to pick the little girl up and put her in his lap. "You know I'm really old, right?" He starts off, a self depreciating smile on his lips.

[Rebonack]

Sadei smiles when assured that this is not, in fact, her fault in some fashion. And she's quite happy to hop up on her father's lap. While they've been growing quite quickly they certainly aren't above sitting with their parents!

The little girl nods with a small smile.

"A lot older than me. But not older than Mother."

Timeline growing in both directions and all. By now Zee's just as ancient as any of the other Old Ones.

Silly Zee and her silly relationship with time.

Anywho!

Sadei waits for her father to continue the story.

[Artemis97]

Raril chuckles, recalling just how old his wife really was. He was an infant in comparison. "Right. Well, when I was younger, before I met your mother, before I even came to the Nexus, I knew another woman. I loved her, still do in a way." He admitted, sadly. "I was ready to marry her, but... that's when my family decided to invade the surface. It was war. We were separated in the fighting. I searched for her. For years I followed every rumor. Then my brother told me she had died in the fighting. I don't know why I believed him, but, what other explanation could there be? Gods... I had no idea she was pregnant..."

[Rebonack]

"Aaww..." Sadei's countenance falls a little at that story. "That's sad..."

But then...

If Raril had found her would he have ever come to the Nexus?

Would he have ever met mother?

Those are all quests that are best not to think about.

Better to think about more pleasant things!

Like her new sister!

"I think she wants to meet you, daddy. She's really nice! She talked to me and played with me and everything."

[Artemis97]

"That's wonderful, Sadei." Raril smiles, glad to know that, somehow, his daughter had grown up to be a nice person.

[Rebonack]

Alright then. That means there's just one thing left to do. "She was starting to get sleepy, so she went to one of the rooms here in the Den," Sadei explains, looking off toward the rooms in question. "I'm not sure if she's still asleep or not..."

If she is then Sadei and her father can speak of things!

If not then a reunion is coming up in the near future!

Either prospect seems like a great idea to the little girl.

"Oh! Did I tell you about the adventure I had?"

Sadei sounds very excited about the adventure. It had been her first one ever and it was really neat!