The
Episode 81
“Brawl in the Dragons Tail.”
|
Lord Issic: Half
Human, Half Gold Dragon Warrior Jarid Limegold: Archmage |
After their late night discussion with the Oracle of Athena in Sigil, our heroes returned to their recently acquired mansion for some much needed rest. They had little time to spare, but Sharyss and her machinations could at least wait until they were rested.
The next morning, Alexander Maximus awoke early. He sat in his newly remodeled war room, pondering what to do about Kara Sharyss, the Erinyes. He sat for awhile by himself, meditating and thinking. He waited some time before sending a guard to summon his friends.
Alexander called to the closed door and a guard, a member of the mighty Blood Owls, opened the door, “Yes, milord?”
“Please have my companions report here as soon as they can.”
The guard saluted, “Yes sir.” He closed the door behind him and hurried down the hallways of the massive mansion that once belonged to the vampire Lord Ource. The construction workers were busy renovating the old building to more accommodate its new purpose.
The guard
first stopped at the quarters that belonged to Lord Phaidon, the Panther Lord
of Lamapacher. Upon hearing the knock at
the door, Phaidon roused from his bed.
Lying next to him was the beautiful Lady
The guard answered through the closed door, “Lord Alexander would like you to join him in the war room as soon as you are able.”
“Aye. Thank you.”
The guard
plodded on down the hallway. Phaidon
turned and pounced on
“Good. Today should prove most interesting.”
A knock arrived at the door of the room occupied by the mighty Issic Sunathaeraux. Issic was already up, practicing his fighting style and preparing his mind for the day ahead. His golden scale-covered hide glistened in the light of the room as his muscles stretched and moved. Issic roared as he continued his morning practice, “What is it?”
The door answered back, “Lord Alexander would like you to join him in the war room as soon as you are able.”
Silence greeted the ears of the guard. He sighed and moved on to his last destination.
The enigmatic character known as Jarid Limegold hovered in the middle of his room. He really enjoyed the company of his new friends and it was nice to have friends and not be subjected to horrible magic experiments day in and day out. Yet, for all the suffering at the hands of his master Thuukos, he had managed to acquire arcane knowledge of his own. Jarid thought back on the previous nights encounter with the Oracle of Athena. She had told him that he would soon encounter his master again. She said that his master was insane and that Jarid would end his master’s torment. Jarid knew deep within his heart that the Oracle had spoke the truth. Jarid was not looking forward to the encounter. Jarid was startled slightly as a knock came at his door. His one red eye, yet another result of one of Thuukos’ experiments, did not glow, so Jarid knew that an undead creature was not knocking at his door. “Y…Yes?”
“Lord Alexander would like you to join him in the war room as soon as you are able.”
“Of course. I shall finish getting ready and meet him there.”
Alexander continued to meditate and pray to Athena. The guard had since returned to his station at the door. A knock sounded on the door of the war room. Alexander lifted his golden haired head and said, “Enter.”
Phaidon and
Phaidon smiled broadly, "Good morning Alexander!"
"Good morning, friend
Phaidon. And good morning to you as well Lady
"Hello, Alexander. Is anyone else coming?"
At that moment, the mighty Issic strolled into the room.
Alexander answered
Phaidon raised his hand to Issic, "Hail, mighty Issic!"
Issic nodded.
Jarid entered the room and
looked around. The room wasn't very
finely appointed yet. A large table
dominated the center. Around the table were
Alexander,
Alexander said, "Hello Jarid. Up for a mission? I don't want to tax you if you don't feel you are ready but we are going to do some recon on a fiend."
Jarid replied, "Oh good, I can be very persuasive."
Phaidon said, "Doing well, and you?"
Jarid replied, "I'm fine."
Issic nodded to Jarid.
Alexander spoke to those assembled, "Good friends, I called you here for two reasons. First I would like to hear your thoughts on how the construction of our little outpost here in sigil is going."
Phaidon shrugged, "It seems to be going very well. I know little of carpentry and masonry, but the workers seem to be doing an excellent job."
Alexander nodded, “Is everyone up for a little espionage?”
Phaidon said, "What do you propose?"
"Well, you and
Phaidon said, "If it is
sneakiness you desire, it is
"As for Issic, Jarid, and myself, we are a little harder to miss and so I was thinking we might go and make some kind of a distraction that would make your job easier. Perhaps in the process, I could read the minds of some of the workers and gather information that way."
Alexander said, "Issic, what are your thoughts on this course of action."
The mighty half-dragon flexed his muscles, "Ready when you are."
Alexander said, “Excellent. "Here is the plan we are going to
provide a distraction so that
Jarid spoke up, “I have a few spells that may help conceal our friends while they are sneaking about.”
"Those sound as if they
would be helpful. I have a very powerful
ward that protects the mind but I only have the ability to give it to one of
you. I will let you decide who receives it." Alexander looked to
As they pondered, Alexander responded to his half-dragon friend, "Well Issic, may the gods forgive me but since my new title prevents me from going unnoticed I thought I would go play the part of the spoiled prince. Who knows perhaps we can start a bar fight in the process."
Jarid smiled, "They would be surprised at how strong I am should they decide the man in the robes can't hit hard."
Alexander continued, "Hopefully the sight of some spoiled prime prince and his military and magical advisors brawling like common thugs will gather the crowd we need to give Phaidon and India a chance to find out what the devil-witch is up to. I know it has been along time since you had Manderkarr to go drinking and brawling with and I hope we can do his reputation justice. Any thoughts?"
"Just wanted to know if you had any other plans than busting up the place?"
Alexander said, "Just play along and I am sure I can get things rolling once we arrive. Jarid, the four of us stayed at this inn when we arrived at sigil so we will be recognized."
Phaidon said, "So, the diversion will take place very near the Dragons Tail in hopes of pulling the patrons out of the Dragons Tail? Or will it take place in the Dragons Tail?"
"In the Dragons Tail, I plan to go in order food and then make a fuss about the quality...and perhaps say some less than considerate things about the lineage of the patrons."
Phaidon nodded.
"If we are ready then, Jarid
and I should cast our wards on Phaidon and
"So,
Phaidon said, "India."
and
Jarid and Alexander summoned their respective power and
placed warding magic on
Alexander stood up, "Let us be off to the Dragons Tail then."
Everyone set off into the streets of Sigil. In about half an hour, they neared the Dragons Tail.
Phaidon said, "Time for us to slip into the crowd."
Alexander said, "Athena speed."
Phaidon nodded as he,
Alexander turned to Issic and Jarid, "Ready to put on a show?"
They nodded.
Alexander began to walk towards the Dragons Tail and burst in the front door like he owned the place and yelled, "In the name of the Gods can a King not get a decent meal in....what is this city called again?" Alexander paused and clapped his hands as if to summon someone and said, "Advisor what is the name of this place again?"
Jarid replied, “Smeegle, I think.”
"Smeegle, yes it is something like that isn't it. Well what does Royalty have to do to get served a decent meal here in Smeegle?! Where is a bar wench!?!"
By this time, all of the patrons in the bar area were looking at the two who had entered the Dragons Tail. All was quiet for a moment and then everyone started conversing amongst themselves again. Alexander and Jarid could see beings of all shapes and sizes. A group of Black Abishai, fresh from a tour in the Blood War were seated at a table in the rear of the room.
One of the female half-dragons ran up to Alexander, "How may I help you, sir?"
Issic then burst into the establishment nearly taking the door off its hinges! He roared, "SOMEONE BETTER BRING ME SOME GRUB NOW!"
Jarid was enjoying this, "When we say grub, we don't mean your fat arsed tavern wenches!"
The half-dragoness that ran up backed up as Issic burst in. She ran over to the bar and talked to the Innkeeper.
Alexander continued his tirade, "I need a decent meal, thus far this establishment has been the only one in this city of Smeegle who has served food and wine worthy my bothering to pass it trough my entrails. Which I suppose is the best I am going to find in this back water of a city." He clapped again to summon Jarid, "What was it called again advisor?"
Jarid replied, "Smeegle."
"Smeegle, yes. Such an unattractive name I guess it fits. Smeegle is an unattractive city."
"Oh, maybe I was wrong. I think it's really Smellgill."
Issic looked around and walked over to where the Black Abishai were seated. He growled at the biggest one, "You are sitting at my table."
The innkeeper, the half-dragoness that talked with the group when they first arrived in Sigil, said, "Aye. We have the best in town. I shall have some food and wine brought to you at once."
Alexander spoke as if in a stupor, "Look my other advisor has finally joined us ...." He clapped his hands again "What is your name again advisor?"
Alexander hollered at the Innkeeper, "You better bring a lot, my advisor as hungry.”
The innkeeper nodded, "We have enough for you all. Please have a seat."
The black abishai that Issic was accosting ignored the mighty half-dragon and continued drinking what appeared to be some sort of acidic blood.
Alexander continued his banter with the innkeeper, almost screaming as loud as he could, "I will once you have pointed me to seat worthy of placing my royal arse upon!"
Jarid continued his own tirade, "Hey, sire, here's a joke, what's the difference between a good woman and a good fiend?"
The innkeepers sniped back to Alexander, "They are all worthy of your arse, sit anywhere."
"I do not know advisor, what is the difference?"
"Somewhere, a good fiend has been spotted."
Alexander bellowed to the innkeeper, "I will be the judge of what is worthy of my arse." He sat down near where Issic was standing, "Well, this will have to do I suppose. Although not worthy at all."
Alexander turned and spoke to a person near him, "You, go find me a seat worth of my royal arse and I will give you five-hundred gold pieces! But, be quick about it, I am afraid of getting a splinter in the mean time and the royal arse must remain splinter free!"
Alexander then laughed as if Jarid’s joke was the funniest thing he had ever heard.
Jarid was really getting into it, "We also require more than comfort for even more important parts of our bodies. Bring us your women, if you even have that sex in Smeegle."
The person Alexander spoke to stood up, "Here, have my seat. I am sure it is more than adequate, cutter."
Alexander ignored the man and spoke to Jarid, "Get what you wish advisor, but I grow bored and wish to be entertained.” Alexander walked over to the table where Issic was towering above the large black abishai. He almost knocked the other man down as he pushed him aside. He bellowed to the creature, "I want to see you dance."
Alexander saw
Jarid spoke in the biggest, most obnoxious voice he could muster, “Women, I require your mouths for more than talk!"
The black winged creature had finally been coerced to speech. It hissed at Alexander without looking at him, "I do not dance. I suggest you sit down before you die."
Alexander continued, undaunted, "Of course you dance! Everyone dance! Even in this horrible city of ... of," Alexander clapped his hands again, "What is the name of this horribly backwards city advisor?"
Jarid was busy working his own fun and also began accosting the black abishai, "Speaking of die females of your species, like all species, are only good at both kinds of dying.” He turned to Alexander, "Smellgill."
Alexander continued, "Yes,
creature even you horribly backwards people in this horribly backwards city of
The abishai was growing more and more furious, "There are no females of my species, fool." He growled at Alexander without turning his draconic looking head, "I suggest you sit down and shut up."
Issic leaned over and whispered into the abishai’s ear, "I would not say such things if I were you." Issic prepared for the creature to react.
Alexander continued to berate the creature, "I am a king and I will do whatever I please you horribly backward creature. And because I am a king you will do as I command and I command you to DANCE!!!!"
Jarid continued, "Surely you are female, your mouth is open and your wings are spread!"
The abishai snapped. It slammed its large clawed hand down on the table and stood up. It towered over Alexander and Jarid and was even larger than Issic. His five companions also stood up.
"Bodyguard, this creature will not dance for me. This distresses me greatly."
The creature roared in Alexander's face, "You will die this day, fool!"
Alexander continued as if the creature meant nothing to him, "Good you have stood up, and that is the first step to dancing."
The minstrel in the corner continued to play his music. Alexander belittled the abishai, "Perhaps, but I insist you dance first!"
The creature attempted to grab Alexander. Issic reached out and grabbed the clawed hands of the abishai with his own. With a might shove, Issic sent the creature stumbling backwards. The table crumbled under the creature’s weight. The force at which it was shoved caused it to tumble into the other five.
Seemingly instantly, everyone was embroiled in the battle. A tankard of ale flew across the room and crashed near the innkeeper and the waitress who ducked behind the bar.
Jarid grabbed up a nearby tankard and smashed it over the head of the large abishai.
Alexander sighed, "If you will not dance for me, I will make you dance." Alexander summoned the power of Athena to him and lashed out with his mind. The large abishai was picked up and forcefully slammed into the other five. They all fell down in a heap.
Other patrons were trading punches with one another.
Alexander yawned, "Alas, I am not a very good dancer"
Phaidon and
Issic grabbed a table and hurled it at the abishai. The table bounced off the leader and rolled across the others as it went skidding against the wall.
The abishai quickly picked themselves up off the floor. The leader took a swipe at Issic and another one reached for Alexander. They were absolutely furious with rage from getting knocked down.
Alexander did not let up, "I see you are not a very good dancer either! Perhaps we shouldn't have bothered."
Jarid grabbed up another tankard of ale and chucked it at one of the rear abishai. The tankard shattered across the creature’s prickly skull.
Alexander took stock of the type of patrons in the Dragons Tail. Lots of humans. A couple of Bauriurs. One Bauriur just kicked someone through a wall into the street. Some Tieflings.
Alexander focused the power of his mind once again against the lead abishai. Once again, he went flying, but this time, Alexander flung him into the crowd of people. The abishai skidded to a stop behind one of the bauriurs, who stumbled to the ground after losing his footing.
Jarid continued, "Abishai? Aren't they some kind of apes?"
Alexander said, "Well, they certainly aren't dancers."
Issic balled up his mighty fist and slugged the nearest abishai. The abishai reeled from the blow, but did not fall down.
The abishai counter attacked. A couple leaped at Issic, two attacked Alexander and the other leaped towards Jarid. Their attacks proved futile against Issic and Alexander, however, the abishai that attacked Jarid clawed him across the face and stabbed him with his dagger-like tail. Jarid reeled backward and the battle just turned real. Several of the patrons were now lying about unconscious from being knocked out.
Jarid took another step back. He motioned with his hands, spoke a few arcane words and a lightning bolt ripped from his hands into the abishai that had attacked him. The abishai’s body was rocked with electricity and it fell to one knee.
Alexander realized that he needed to stop this right away. The charade had gone too far. Alexander mustered his strength and spoke. Alexander spoke a single word that was holy to Athena. The word itself was intensely loud and resounded throughout the bar area of the Dragons Tail. Alexander knew it should momentarily stun the abishai so they could be more easily dealt with. However, Alexander underestimated the power of his foes. The abishai clutched the sides of their heads. They screamed out in agonizing pain and collapsed, dead, to the floor. All of the tieflings in the tavern also collapsed dead. The innkeeper stood up from behind the bar as everything went silent. She looked at Alexander, looked back at the floor, looked back at Alexander, screamed at the top of her lungs and passed out.
Alexander,
Jarid, and Issic looked about in the resulting chaos. The fighting had stopped. Alexander looked down the hallway where
Alexander pointed her out to his friends, "She is deaf. Let’s go after her and push our advantage."
Jarid began summoning help from beyond and Issic flew down the hallway after Sharyss.
The chase was on.
02/27/05