I think I'll come along for the ride.
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From her place just inside the inn, Nariana watched the proceedings with the dragon. She couldn't engage in the open - her skillset was unfortunately unsuited to such undertakings. She didn't want to let the poison be her only contribution to the battle, but her options were greatly limited by her preparation time.
Roping the dragon was an appealing plan. Ropes made of her silk were far stronger than standard hemp and would, with planning, hold under a dragon's thrashing. However, she didn't have any time to prepare enough fiber to be effective, so she scrapped the idea.
Climbing the inn and jumping to the beast's back seemed appealing. She had no doubts that her innate climbing talents would allow her to cling to the beast without being bucked. However, the problem lay in her attack: while she would be beyond the reach of tooth and nail, she would only be able to get at scale. She did carry a rondel dagger which could pierce the scales, but she doubted that it would do more damage than a thorn would to a person.
That left the belly. It would put her at risk of the teeth and claws, but she could at least attempt to spill its entrails. She wasn't fond of being targetable, but she'd yet to see any fire from the dragon, which meant she could probably rely on her dexterity to carry her through the battle. Plus, a bit more poison probably wouldn't hurt.
So thinking, Nariana left the inn, a haze of magic mixed with her stealth skills making her no more than a blur as she approached the drake. As it staggered toward the treeline, Nariana danced beneath, dragging her long, venomous daggers along its softer belly while keeping clear of its legs.
Roping the dragon was an appealing plan. Ropes made of her silk were far stronger than standard hemp and would, with planning, hold under a dragon's thrashing. However, she didn't have any time to prepare enough fiber to be effective, so she scrapped the idea.
Climbing the inn and jumping to the beast's back seemed appealing. She had no doubts that her innate climbing talents would allow her to cling to the beast without being bucked. However, the problem lay in her attack: while she would be beyond the reach of tooth and nail, she would only be able to get at scale. She did carry a rondel dagger which could pierce the scales, but she doubted that it would do more damage than a thorn would to a person.
That left the belly. It would put her at risk of the teeth and claws, but she could at least attempt to spill its entrails. She wasn't fond of being targetable, but she'd yet to see any fire from the dragon, which meant she could probably rely on her dexterity to carry her through the battle. Plus, a bit more poison probably wouldn't hurt.
So thinking, Nariana left the inn, a haze of magic mixed with her stealth skills making her no more than a blur as she approached the drake. As it staggered toward the treeline, Nariana danced beneath, dragging her long, venomous daggers along its softer belly while keeping clear of its legs.
@ImportantNobody
I won't be posting until we see the result of Geoffrey's appeal to the dragon. It affects three characters (Nariana, Kodor, and Geoffrey) and, due to the pyre, is something that would be immediately noticeable to the dragon.
You mentioned not being able to post as quickly as we were the other night. If I may, I'd like to give a bit of advice on how to speed things up for you. Simplicity is beautiful - don't try to pack responses to ten posts into a single megapost. Since the action has arrived, shorter posts will move the plot faster. On top of that, it'll make your job easier. You're writing for a one-on-six fight (and later possibly a one-on-ten), so if you wait for everything before posting your posts will become mountains of work. Shorter posts will be faster and easier to write, and allow a lot more interaction for characters like mine, which predominantly find openings to exploit.
I won't be posting until we see the result of Geoffrey's appeal to the dragon. It affects three characters (Nariana, Kodor, and Geoffrey) and, due to the pyre, is something that would be immediately noticeable to the dragon.
You mentioned not being able to post as quickly as we were the other night. If I may, I'd like to give a bit of advice on how to speed things up for you. Simplicity is beautiful - don't try to pack responses to ten posts into a single megapost. Since the action has arrived, shorter posts will move the plot faster. On top of that, it'll make your job easier. You're writing for a one-on-six fight (and later possibly a one-on-ten), so if you wait for everything before posting your posts will become mountains of work. Shorter posts will be faster and easier to write, and allow a lot more interaction for characters like mine, which predominantly find openings to exploit.
Perhaps it would be beneficial to everyone to understand where exactly your character is observing from, especially considering that only two posts earlier "every sinew in his frame [was] intent on finding the nearest town or city" instead of sticking around. Observation is certainly not finding the nearest town or city.
A wry smile graced Nariana's lips as she watched Damariq scuttle away. I almost feel sorry for him, yet I still hope he runs into the dragon alone. What an odd sensation.
Once he'd left, she delicately reached down to take the fallen coin pouch. She slipped it into the folds of her dress next to her own. Satisfied, she turned her attention to more pressing matters - namely, the oncoming threat of a dragon. Those in her line of work aren't too practiced in open combat, so she needed some sort of plan. Her eyes swept across the room, searching for anything she could use to get an upper hand...
The meat! Perhaps they could offer the soldier's corpse and a pile of meat to the dragon as a sign of peace. Of course, Nariana wouldn't stop there - she had plenty of sleep poison stored up, after all. She'd never had a chance to try it on a beast of such size, and the opportunity was too good to pass up.
Immediately she set to work, grabbing any meat she could - reasoning with the innkeeper that it wouldn't be much good if the dragon destroyed the inn anyway - and piling it outside near the commoner's vam-pyre. She made sure to slather the meat with just enough sleep poison to be effective without affecting the scent or appearance of the meat.
Her task finished, she turned to the peasant offering the burning soldier to the empty skies. "A favor, sir beast tamer. Offer this platter of fine meats to the dragon as well. It certainly can't hurt things." Nariana gave a genuine smile and bowed before slinking back into the inn.
Once he'd left, she delicately reached down to take the fallen coin pouch. She slipped it into the folds of her dress next to her own. Satisfied, she turned her attention to more pressing matters - namely, the oncoming threat of a dragon. Those in her line of work aren't too practiced in open combat, so she needed some sort of plan. Her eyes swept across the room, searching for anything she could use to get an upper hand...
The meat! Perhaps they could offer the soldier's corpse and a pile of meat to the dragon as a sign of peace. Of course, Nariana wouldn't stop there - she had plenty of sleep poison stored up, after all. She'd never had a chance to try it on a beast of such size, and the opportunity was too good to pass up.
Immediately she set to work, grabbing any meat she could - reasoning with the innkeeper that it wouldn't be much good if the dragon destroyed the inn anyway - and piling it outside near the commoner's vam-pyre. She made sure to slather the meat with just enough sleep poison to be effective without affecting the scent or appearance of the meat.
Her task finished, she turned to the peasant offering the burning soldier to the empty skies. "A favor, sir beast tamer. Offer this platter of fine meats to the dragon as well. It certainly can't hurt things." Nariana gave a genuine smile and bowed before slinking back into the inn.
Nariana is ready for dragon slaying.
What a grave mistake that was. Turning one's back on another without so much as a word is never a good idea, especially in a place where a man had been crowned mercilessly mere moments ago. Nariana let him go; he was sure to get himself killed by pissing off another patron.
Instead, she found herself far more interested in what the pork peasant was promulgating. That soldier, a vampire? Nariana guessed it made a bit of sense. That empire was so full of bloodsuckers that it was only logical that a soldier would be one as well. Nariana wanted to help the commoner end the vampire, but with all the word of fire and burning, she decided against it. She assured herself that the villager could handle things himself.
Suddenly, foodstuffs furiously flew across the room, followed by a witch with word of a wounded dragon. I guess it's time to face the fire, Nariana thought. I can always slip into the forest if things get too hot. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed the man she'd addressed earlier skittering for his bag, obviously in a hurry to leave. Disrespectful and cowardly to a fault, I see. Perhaps he should be educated.
As Darmariq stormed toward the door he took a solid hit in the side as Nariana seemingly attempted to walk through him. Two hands immediately grabbed his shoulders to steady him, while behind him the muted jingle of a coin pouch hitting the ground rang out behind him. "My, my, I hadn't seen you there! I'm afraid cowards like you are beneath my notice. Now scurry away so you don't get in my way again."
Instead, she found herself far more interested in what the pork peasant was promulgating. That soldier, a vampire? Nariana guessed it made a bit of sense. That empire was so full of bloodsuckers that it was only logical that a soldier would be one as well. Nariana wanted to help the commoner end the vampire, but with all the word of fire and burning, she decided against it. She assured herself that the villager could handle things himself.
Suddenly, foodstuffs furiously flew across the room, followed by a witch with word of a wounded dragon. I guess it's time to face the fire, Nariana thought. I can always slip into the forest if things get too hot. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed the man she'd addressed earlier skittering for his bag, obviously in a hurry to leave. Disrespectful and cowardly to a fault, I see. Perhaps he should be educated.
As Darmariq stormed toward the door he took a solid hit in the side as Nariana seemingly attempted to walk through him. Two hands immediately grabbed his shoulders to steady him, while behind him the muted jingle of a coin pouch hitting the ground rang out behind him. "My, my, I hadn't seen you there! I'm afraid cowards like you are beneath my notice. Now scurry away so you don't get in my way again."
Nariana watched over the scene from a terrace on the second floor. In the room behind her, her former employer - the leader of a caravan that was overflowing with booze meant for the upcoming giants vs dwarfs drinking competition - negotiated for the sale of the transported goods. She was still a bit skeptical as to why the competition was being held in a forest instead of in the mountains, but hey, she was only here to protect the caravan, and her job was technically done. As such, she'd been looking down at the adventurers in search of a new employer or a party worthy of her presence.
As she idly wondered just how many mugs that silly elf had downed, a monster burst into the building. The gear it carried was weathered and bore markings that would surely get the wearer killed in any civilized land, let alone an inn full of wandering warriors. No drops worth the effort, Nariana decided, though maybe worth a bit of experience. Before she moved, though, she saw a large table rise into the air moments before crashing down upon the monster's head, likely killing him in a single attack.
Impressed, Nariana leaned back in her seat, noting the barbarian who had turned the massive table into a devastating weapon. There was a man she'd like to work with. A strong man, quick to act, and most importantly, doesn't ask intrusive questions. Simplicity is beautiful, after all, she mused. Certainly much better than that man who's been staring at that scroll all day.
As if on cue, the man stood, hiding his scroll away before attempting to be taken seriously. The aggressive move would've been a strong one, had he not been seriously outclassed by the barbarian's attack only moments before. After his failure of an intimidation attempt, he asked a question that anyone would've known the answer to were they paying any attention - obviously the man was too busy stroking his staff to that scroll instead of remaining aware of his surroundings.
Now Nariana was too amused to sit idly by. In a single smooth motion she leapt from her seat, swung over the banister, and dropped silently to the floor below. She spared a moment to adjust her hat before approaching the idiotic man. "My, my, were you perhaps too entranced by the wiles of a girl far too young for you to give your surroundings any thought? Nobody asked any questions, as no answers were needed. Those of his kind would say anything to spare their lives. You stand in an inn in the center of a forest full of dangerous beasts and adventurers, any of whom would be quite likely to have caused that wound. Seriously, think before you speak."
As she idly wondered just how many mugs that silly elf had downed, a monster burst into the building. The gear it carried was weathered and bore markings that would surely get the wearer killed in any civilized land, let alone an inn full of wandering warriors. No drops worth the effort, Nariana decided, though maybe worth a bit of experience. Before she moved, though, she saw a large table rise into the air moments before crashing down upon the monster's head, likely killing him in a single attack.
Impressed, Nariana leaned back in her seat, noting the barbarian who had turned the massive table into a devastating weapon. There was a man she'd like to work with. A strong man, quick to act, and most importantly, doesn't ask intrusive questions. Simplicity is beautiful, after all, she mused. Certainly much better than that man who's been staring at that scroll all day.
As if on cue, the man stood, hiding his scroll away before attempting to be taken seriously. The aggressive move would've been a strong one, had he not been seriously outclassed by the barbarian's attack only moments before. After his failure of an intimidation attempt, he asked a question that anyone would've known the answer to were they paying any attention - obviously the man was too busy stroking his staff to that scroll instead of remaining aware of his surroundings.
Now Nariana was too amused to sit idly by. In a single smooth motion she leapt from her seat, swung over the banister, and dropped silently to the floor below. She spared a moment to adjust her hat before approaching the idiotic man. "My, my, were you perhaps too entranced by the wiles of a girl far too young for you to give your surroundings any thought? Nobody asked any questions, as no answers were needed. Those of his kind would say anything to spare their lives. You stand in an inn in the center of a forest full of dangerous beasts and adventurers, any of whom would be quite likely to have caused that wound. Seriously, think before you speak."
Name - Nariana Vol
Age - 38
Gender - Female
Race - Aranea (Essentially a large, intelligent spider that can shapechange into humanoid form. d20srd.org/srd/monsters/aranea.htm )
Personality - Exudes an air of confidence and experience. She seems mature and down-to-earth, masking her manipulative nature.
Appearance - For spider form, see the description under Race.
Abilities
Equipment
Backstory - In the eastern lands lies a forest that borders the bustling trade city Merry Kah, built near the borders of three countries but controlled by none. Deep in Unnamed Forest, renowned for the delicious Beartletts that live within, lie hidden elven villages. It was in one of these villages that Nariana was born and raised. Originally taken in as a pet, when Nariana's growth didn't stop at tarantula-size, the owners realized they'd made a grave mistake. Instead of squishing her or throwing her out, though, the kind elves raised her as one of their own.
After she'd reached maturity, she parted with the elves on good terms, setting out in search of her own kind. She first headed to Merry Kah to find work and information, then moved where the wind took her. She never stopped looking for more aranea, but to date has yet to find any.
Age - 38
Gender - Female
Race - Aranea (Essentially a large, intelligent spider that can shapechange into humanoid form. d20srd.org/srd/monsters/aranea.htm )
Personality - Exudes an air of confidence and experience. She seems mature and down-to-earth, masking her manipulative nature.
Appearance - For spider form, see the description under Race.
Abilities
- Shapechange - Humanoid, Spider, and Hybrid forms
- Webbing - Sticky, Steel, Silken
- Spellcasting - illusory and enchanting spells
- Weapon Proficiency - Thrown, Daggers
- Stealth - Silent movement, Blending, Thievery
- Poison Immunity
- Darkvision
Equipment
- Poisoned Daggers
- Poisoned Darts
- Poisons - Sleeping, Venomous
- Enchanted Clothing - Shapechanges with Nariana
- Thief's Kit
Backstory - In the eastern lands lies a forest that borders the bustling trade city Merry Kah, built near the borders of three countries but controlled by none. Deep in Unnamed Forest, renowned for the delicious Beartletts that live within, lie hidden elven villages. It was in one of these villages that Nariana was born and raised. Originally taken in as a pet, when Nariana's growth didn't stop at tarantula-size, the owners realized they'd made a grave mistake. Instead of squishing her or throwing her out, though, the kind elves raised her as one of their own.
After she'd reached maturity, she parted with the elves on good terms, setting out in search of her own kind. She first headed to Merry Kah to find work and information, then moved where the wind took her. She never stopped looking for more aranea, but to date has yet to find any.
Looks like a good time. Here, have another character.
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