Out of breath from the ridiculously mighty swing he had just attacked with, Apollo, panting wildly, looked to Kori with a raised eyebrow.
I...you.....you haven't.....you haven't been owned by anyone for the entire time....the entire time I've known you.
Leaning over and resting on the hilt of Kardswann's Axe, Apollo presses the curved top of the weapon firmly into the ground as he stares down at the ground composing himself.
That last swing, although powerful enough to shake the very earth around him, seemed to take a lot out of him, and with it, violently pulled most of the muscles across his back and left side.
Too eager... he said to himself, releasing somewhat of a laugh hidden within a cough.
I wonder what else this place holds within. May as well go exploring when I've got my breath back. I did not expect to be partially blinded by glowing wings. Gotta say this adventuring lark has given me far more life experiences than I'd have expected and although there's something seriously wrong with every ally here, I've gotta say, things could be worse. We're not a bad bunch. Not really.
Angmar lies there bleeding but before he makes his transition to the Hall of Kings he is brought back just in time.
The stout Dwarf looks around the room. A bit ashamed at himself but happy that at least the demon lies dead.
Good to see ye made it. That Demon that was sometin else...
Kori just nods at Short-legs, "You shoulda let Pain-lover go first. It hit him a lot real hard too. Except, he liked it."
To Apollo she just laughs her humorless sardonic laugh. The one that, until very recently, anyone would have thought was the only way she knew how to laugh. "Lizard-friend, Head-woman owned me. She bought my ownership from my last owner," she distinctly doesn't use the title 'master' that is common to most slaves, "That woman you long to bed had contract of possession for me. When she spoke this last job, did you not hear, that this was the price for my freedom? Now I belong only to me, and I will never belong to anyone again."
Her grin grows from pleased to almost wicked, "Now I fight who I want, when I want. Not for bets. I bed who I choose, not when they try to force me. I speak what I want, and there will be no whips for it. I am the master of myself."
Brek after binding Angmar's wounds sits back and relaxes.
Taking in what has being dones so far since he's being with the group assures him that what he chose was right. The excitment! The fear! everything was exhilarating!
Then he realises, this place needed to be searched and its treasures relieved.
Now a little less out of breath, Apollo listened to the Drow woman as he words came across both as a shock and a surprise.
Well. Perhaps Almah always intended to purchase you in order to free you from those who would claim ownership of you beforehand? She seems like a good person and not one who believes in slavery. he said confidently to Kori.
That's unexpected, but it could be as I said.
In any case, you no longer have anything tying you down. Will you wander the continent? Will you continue towards Almah's goal and remain alongside us? You're a free woman so enjoy every decision you make, whether good or bad!
Apollo smiles as he scrapes some of the more solid purple substances from the blade of his Axe, before sheathing it across his back once more.
Laying down, Dmitri sits, thinking to himself and touching the slowly expanding wound across his brow. He didn't really know what it was at all, but it was certainly a gift, whatever it may be.
The wounds about his chest heal slightly as the soothing energies of good gods permeates his body. Standing up, he looks at the wall, enjoying the view of the blood splatter. Xulthos's talons had pierced him all the way through, and the injuries had no way been small. Fortunately they were many, rather than just one... in a strange way.
Overhearing the conversation, Dmitri can't help but scoff. "Women should never be slaves in the first place..." he says, standing up and removing his hand from his aching brow, which reveals, to all but himself, a furiously glowing left eye, but only for a moment. It fizzles out rather hastily.
Walking forward, he sheathed the scythe on his back, and threw away tiny pieces of his ruined armor that didn't serve much function. He enjoyed the extra defense, but it didn't "Suit" him, so to speak. Passing Je'grik, he nodded without smiling, a subtle way of acknowledgement of his strength.
Finally he stands between Koritylija, Angmar and Apollo, and draws forth a long sigh. "I believe I will stay in Kelmerane for some time. I intend to relax for quite some time, unless one of you wishes me to accompany them."
From somewhere within this carvern, Brek's voice pops out from whereever he is.
"I believe maybe Kelmerane would prove interesting and staying would give me a chance to find what that is." probably interrupting but that thought does not occur to him as he sifts through possible valuables to add in as possible items for sale.
Well, I'm fine to stay here now that we seem to have cleared the place. It'll be nice to have somewhere to stay free of charge, and maybe now we won't have to move around so much for Almah's plans. That Townhouse would sure make a nice base of operations, and you my friend....you will have all the time in the world to rekindle that flame with Undrella. Apollo grins cheekily at Dmitri towards the last part of his statement, then moves over to Angmar and helps him up.
We need to get Angmar patched up, but our biggest issue will now be clearing this Town of corpses. The smell will grow all too powerful if we leave our fallen foe laying around for long.
Maybe I'll get to know Almah a little more intimately now that we're done here. mutters Apollo as he quietly speaks under his breath to himself.
Kori scoffs at Lizard-friend's questioning of the nature of her ownership, and Pain-lover's noble ideas of how some people should be treated, "The weak become the property of the strong. It has been going on for a long time, especially amongst my people. I was weak as a child, and I was taken as property by a greater rival house. I have fought my bonds for as long as I bore them, and bear the scars of punishment. I did not stop fighting. If the weak choose to remain the property of the strong, then that is their decision to make, but as long as I draw breath I swore to push those limits."
She turns to Apollo, "Believing in slavery or not, she still used it to dangle a reward before me. I have grasped that reward, and now I am free."
To no one in particular, she continues, "I will leave this place, and I will go where my legs take me. I will live free, and if I choose to return, it is because I chose to do so. If anyone chooses to go with me, that is on you, I do not need or ask for it. You go and do what you want, and I will do the same."
Dmitri claps a few times at Kori's rousing statements. "I would gladly accompany you, Koritylija, but I won't do so unless you specifically ask." he says whilst rotating his arm back into it's perceived socket. "My Goddess has afflicted me with something I do not understand-" pointing at his brow, which has managed to develop a small bit of chitin upon his eyebrow at this point. -"I won't be doing anything extravagant if I may help it." he says with a laugh.
Leaning against his respective blood stain, Dmitri scoffs. "We'll meet again, the lot of us. All of you feel it, I'm sure. We're not done yet. The gods have found it fit to give us a moment. Whether it be a day, a week, a year... I'll seek you out. he states as he pushes the hair out of his face and throws it back.
"In the short time I've known you all, I've learned nothing, save for that Kori truly hated her enslavement, and that Apollo hates Gnolls." he says with a sigh. "The Tiefling, I know nothing of. The red man, I know nothing of."
Kneeling down to the ground, he pulls out the stickle and starts to etch at the dirt, drawing out select people. "When we began our endeavors, there were more with us. Some foolish boy and a woman I can only imagine was a witch, with her mannerisms. At the time I felt alien towards you, and I still do. Our morals, our rules, are different, and I know this only because of bruises." Crossing out Angmar, the Witch, and the Druid from earlier, he smiles. "Call me sentimental but before we part, I at least want to thank you all for giving me clarity. Before we met I'd been so... cloistered, in that harem." he says, trailing off, just sort of staring away towards the door.
"Then we'll meet again somehow, somewhere and sometime. I'll set up shop in Kelmarane. It would make it easier to meet up and It'll let me make some extra income and maybe hear of news from beyond the city's walls." Brek steps forward, robes missing a few strips of cloth having being used to bandage Angmar.
"I intend to open a shop that deals with things people don't understand and identify it for them for a price. It'll be somewhere in or near the battle market so seek me out in that area if you'll pass by again." Brek leans against the wall and waits.
"I will be remaining here, to help build up my Goddess' following and clean this place of the acrid scent of those dogs." Je'grik says as he picks up the Sarenrae chest. "I might not like all the mumbo jumbo that the 'proper' preists spout, but I've nothing else to do unless I go back to my old ways."
The future is an important subject of discussion amongst our heroes as they return to the surface in the destroyed monastery in Kelmerane. Toting proof of the daemon's defeat, the wounds sustained in the battle, and the items held in the daemon's lair, the heroes trot back to the Battle Market. Heartily received by Almah and her guardsmen, the group decides to give over a few days to rest and recuperation, as before, while Almah and her employees fall into a frenzy of activity. Lots has to be done. Almah planned this all along - the clearing of the village of Kelmerane was for the express purpose of re-colonizing it, and Almah intends to get started right away.
Almah, however, has to go back to Katapesh in order to inform the Pactmasters of their victory and gather new settlers for their town. After being offered her freedom, Kori still offers her services as bodyguard on the way back to Katapesh. While she isn't particularly interested in the city itself, she is interested in seeing the sights of the surface world as a free woman, and it is known that the big city has connections to many other places. The pair, along with Garavel, leave shortly after the heroes' victory over Xulthos. They don't depart, however, without Almah offering some sort of reward to the group for their services. As a lump sum presented to the group of them, she offers the Manor house in the center of Kelmerane and 2,500gp in gold. They are free to live there or use it for whatever purpose they wish, and the money is, of course, theirs to spend.
It's a matter of weeks before Almah and Garavel return (without Kori this time, although the drow woman has promised to return at some point) with several dozen new settlers. Brek settles into starting a business in the Battle Market, and Brek, Dmitri, Je'Grik, and Apollo settle into living together in that massive manor house. Dmitri also starts a business, of sorts, in town...but not the same kind as the business that Brek starts. He begins to fund the founding of a bordello in the tavern in town. Sumptuous decorations and plush furnishings are purchased for the place and it quickly morphs (along with the construction work of a dozen hard-working laborers) into a cozy and beautiful palace of pleasure.
Soon, with the second wave of settlers (numbering another sixty or seventy people) arrives the Abbot-Protector-to-be of Kelmerane, along with a half-dozen of his acolytes. His name is Albor, and he is a powerful and wise man, and very dedicated to Sarenrae. Turning over the ancient relics from the old monastery does much to get Albor on Je'Grik's side, and Je'Grik's dedication and policy of hard work finish the job. Many of the acolytes that Albor brought are not equipped nor strong enough to clean out the monastery of the bodies and the filth. Je'Grik is neither too proper nor afraid of the filth and the smell, and his assistance is much appreciated.
Apollo makes a habit of visiting, daily, Almah's new domicile in the top of the Battle Market. His constant attentions, his sincere affection, and his rugged attractiveness do much to break through her walls of propriety, and while Garavel insists on accompanying them on their first few dates, they soon get to the point that they spend much of their spare time together, apart from anyone else.
Weeks turn into months, and months turn into a year. Kelmerane's population has swelled to over five hundred, and the buildings have all been re-build or re-purposed, along with a dozen or more new buildings. The village has been re-built with the PCs as central figures in the community.
Hearing his moment of self-revealment go unrebuddled, Dmitri somewhat smiles tenderly, grabbing his forehead and feeling the soft chitin that's formed a layer atop his brow so recently. Now that their work was done, he would do what he'd considered relaxing. They owed him something fierce for his work in getting this place back up to par on living, and he would make it a point to call them up on that, wouldn't he? It was only fair.
Turning on his heel, he leaves the group to their rummaging, making it a point to escape the dark, grizzly chamber. As he leaves, the sunlight breaks away, with the battle market looming in the far distance. A place of decadent debauchery and blood-letting. Hmm... Oh how he couldn't wait to see what kind of crowd such a monument to pleasures something like that would bring.
While they wouldn't be worshiped, the new citizens that would no doubt flock in would definitely know about them. He laughed aloud as he walked along the streets of dirt, thinking to himself. A strapping young, fit man with a rather vile streak, dripping with charisma? Oh yes, he knew exactly what kind of crowd he would attract... He bit his tongue a little, thinking about it.
Still, as he walked, he held the scythe. *Tempest* an object he didn't completely understand. It had a will of it's own. A *soul* that did good, no? He could even feel that sickening twinge of good at his core if he focused on it long enough. What's more, the mold that grew amidst his fingertips bothered him as well, but it wasn't anything he couldn't will into stopping. The Vile energy he could call forth was more than enough to remove it's traces of good graces.
The only thing that stopped Dmitri from removing himself of the weapon was the fact that scythes were holy instruments of Lilith, and her chosen weapon of choice. A curvacious, luscious weapon that drew blood as well as it severed limbs. Tempest was a beautiful scythe, no less, and touching the blade cooled his fingers fiercely now. The growth in strength made him no small amount of happy, but at the worst, the weapon would just feel bad about his actions. In time, he would desecrate the good that was inside it, but not too soon, no...
Another issue that crossed Dmitri's mind as he found his way back at the battlemarket was a fragrant lack of the fairer sex in this rat hole. The only women he'd known the touch of since he arrived had been Undrella, and the far less-welcoming Kori's fist. He threw his hair back and crossed his arms as he arrived through the market's doors, looking about to see if there was even one other woman.
Come to think of it, he'd not even met this "Haleen" woman everyone had spoken of, but judging by the fact that so many people had risked their necks to see her again, she wouldn't have been very supportive of the slowly growing plans in the back of his head. Undrella no doubt would, but frankly she was literally the only welcoming woman in the entirety of this hovel. He was craving something more... natural. Something more tender. By no means a regular woman, but someone who shared his charisma... Some pretty little thing he could corrupt. His smile was wide and white enough to be seen from most areas of the market.
Finally, after all the walking, he got to the peak of the market and looked out across the city, a soft grin crossed his lips as the desert wind blew his hair westward. Something was in the air. It was far from arriving, but *something* was in the air, and on it's way. Kelmerane hadn't seen it's last crisis, that was certain. For now, he would relax, and enjoy himself... and then, when whatever it was in the wind arrived?
He would enjoy himself...
One year later, Dmitri has changed quite a bit. We'll begin with the Aesthetics. Ever the fashionable man, he made it a point to change the color of Tempest's shaft to a steep, deep red with black lines that spiraled all the way around it until it reached the curved blade. Aside from his weapon, Dmitri's looks have also changed only slightly. His hair hadn't been cut for the entirety of the year, and reached all the way down to the small of his back. The hair wraps perfectly around his head, covering his left eye entirely
The most important change for Dmitri, however, is that of his personality. A year ago, Dmitri had not mingled with a "Normal" person until then, and had always been steeped in an unprecedented amount of sin and debauchery. That begs the question of what exactly had changed within the year? Everything his mother could have dreamed of is certainly one of the answers. He had become far more sly, and his latent intelligence had begun to show through as he found better ways to express himself that didn't involve cutting people to ribbons.
In a way he'd become more "Cultured" and carried himself in a proper gentlemanly manner. Dmitri's most important gain over the year would be "understanding" the levels of his sins. At the start of their journey they'd only been second nature, but now he was more than capable of seeing the big picture and how much one weighed against the other.
He also immediately came to the rather embarrassing conclusion that while they'd been together, that the others probably hadn't much enjoyed his company, if only because of his rather strange habits. One of the things he regretted the most was none other than his hopeless flirtation with Koritylija, who he one day hoped to reconcile with. It was an afterthought, however, as now he had far more business to tend to.
Having gained notoriety among kelmerane as the single most debunked, lecherous, not to mention most evil, of the heroes that recolonized the locale, Dmitri met no small amount of vile women and men. Dismissing it at first, he was assaulted with one of his usual dreams, the final one that caused the growth on his new eye to finally take complete form. He had made it a point to pass himself off as a Tiefling, but he knew better. A horn had managed to grow along the left side of his head, poking out of the hair that was hiding it, but only just barely. The dream told him a direct message from Lilith, as was the case, that he should shepherd these fools into a den of lechery.
Given that, he founded a Brothel, essentially, amidst a rinky dink tavern that he'd pretty much taken over Aesthetically. Silk lined the roofs, and he'd happily scantily clothed the women that would inevitably work there. Not only did the brothel make for an excellent information sink, but he essentially created a rather well-hidden worshiping area for Lilith. That said, he made it a point to make his devotion clear, and had a statue of the fallen angel erected in vainglorious detail in the center of it all.
Needless to say the people that worshiped the natural deity of Sarenrae didn't take kindly to the competition, at least, that's the way Dmitri wanted to think about it. If they outright despised her, he'd have to kill them. The way he explained Lilith to them simply made her sound somewhat extreme when it came to sacrilege, but other than that she merely sought out joyous lust and fierce combat, otherwise. A true deity of enjoyment. Nothing more.
Among the ranks of those that enjoyed Lilith was a rather breathtaking Aasimar woman by the name of Lysandra. Having lost touch with Undrella as a result of instigating the Harem, Dmitri had certainly lost a "favorite" but he found something more in Lysandra than just simple lust. Mind you, he had to dig for it, as well as corrupt her, but he certainly found it. Lysandra had been a devout of Sarenrae that completely despised Dmitri until he had suddenly put on the charms. One thing he managed to retain was his rather convincing demeanor.
She was somewhat appaled at the sight of his left eye, but it only reinforced her devotion in her new favored deity of Lilith. Dmitri had found out rather quickly that she was a Sorcerer with a taste for enchantment when she'd attempted to charm him. He'd even called her out on it, actually, claiming it rather hypocritical. After quite a long expanse of time, Dmitri eventually corrupted Lysandra's very soul, a testament to his newfound clarity.
Enjoying Lysandra's company so much, and stirring up more than enough trouble amongst the tavern's comers and goers, Dmitri admittedly fell in what can only be explained as evil love with his now-corrupt, evil vixen of an enchantress, going so far as to have been recently married to her in proper procession and all. He even has the ring on to prove it, as does she.
Lysandra's talents have done wonders at keeping various people that dislike Lilith's presence in Kelmerane, and the occasional charm person has subdued many a potential problem. Her talents compliment Dmitri's rather well, though of the 2, Dmitri is far crueler; a trait she happens to revel in.
The harem that Dmitri runs not only sells itself to others, but revels amongst itself as well, and constantly draws in new, poor members. It's become rather popular for those with low morals and empty purses.
With all that's happened however, Dmitri finds himself still waiting atop the Tavern against the wind, anticipation rising and scythe gently tucked away in his own quarters.
A few issues, of course, crop up during the year of peace for our adventurers.
Je'Grik and Dmitri in particular quickly grow tired of Nom eating everything and wrecking Dmitri's very nice pillows and furniture in the Manor House, and so after a long and serious discussion Apollo decides to move out. His first consultation on where to move is, of course, Almah, and the woman presents him with a singular opportunity and a great idea. A watchtower, three stories, was recently built on the outskirts of town to protect against gnoll attacks. Almah offers Apollo two floors of the place to himself and Nom, as long as he allows the town's guardsmen to use the place as needed. The ranger quickly accepts and moves his spartan belongings to the newly-built tower. For the next several months, when he's not busy going on cute dates with Almah, visiting his friends, wrestling folks in the Battle Market, and visiting with his new friends, he watches the horizon for the barks of incoming gnoll invaders.
Dmitri has a far different flavor of problem. Early on in the re-colonization of Kelmerane, there was an issue...Undrella. Such an obviously monstrous creature would not typically be welcome in a human community, but she had...grown to like it there. She didn't want to leave. As her closest connection to the community, Dmitri proved to be her spokesperson when it came to Almah.
She certainly wasn't easy to convince, but after a long talk with Almah, sequestered in a private meeting room in the Battle Market, Dmitri managed it. Almah would allow Undrella to stay in the community, provided she avoided harming people and kept mostly to herself. She cautioned Dmitri to keep an eye on the harpy, just in case she would try anything fishy. Or...bird-y.
Kori's promise to return was a spin Almah had put on what the woman really had said, but it was a lot nicer of a way to word it. As the town settles and grow, achieving a certain level of community, it seems as if the promise would not be kept after all. No one had recieved any news of her, and it's almost as if she had vanished completely.
It had almost been a year, when sign of her return had actually been heralded by two of the city's watch returning from patrol. They had been accosted by a woman they tried to stop and question as she was headed for the town. One had a broken nose and black eye, while the other three broken ribs, the bruising was delighfully familiar to Dmitri. They claimed the woman told them 'they were lucky she was just warning them', and that she was on her way. It wasn't long after they reported that she strolled casually into the Battle Market.
She looked different, but not physically. She was still lean and muscled, her hair and gear were mostly unchanged. It was her bearing. She was not looking around, feral, eyes searching for the next target or challenge. She instead looked comfortable in her own skin, and almost even looked... dare to say, happy.
She took the place in, nodded in begrudging acceptance, and announced herself. "Hey all you soft milk-sops! I said I would only return when I decided I had nothing better to do with my life than waste it sitting around with the worthless lot of you. Well, I have nothing better to do. So, make up a room for me, I might just be staying, and what's a woman have to do to get a brawl around here? I haven't had a good fight in weeks."
1 Year Later
Brek was busy and had being for the last few months. Everyday was some manner of item that needed to be identified or some sort. Be it magical of mundane, Brek lent his considerable talents to it and found himself pretty good at it.
It started as a tent and while looking shady, news of his talent and ability spread. More importantly, being one of the more benign heroes made him the go guy for most of the town's folk needs. He still wasn't above helping to deciper ancient magical scrolls, study magical tomes and untrapping certain items but most importantly he could be counted on to keep those secret.
Now one of the more secured looking buildings with room for 6 boarders, Brek felt he's come a pretty long way from when he went haring off after Haleen. The few but consistant letters he's managed to send and received from his mentor, he's kept secured in a chest. His robes now just as flamboyant, Red with Purple hems, Yellow hat and bright green shoes indicate a better choice of clothing though not by much.
Despite the manor, Brek preferred his own far more modest home where he could attend to the far more interesting needs of his clients who could of course come in the middle of the night for the more clandestine business they sought. While the truth was that Nom loved his clothes a little too much and while he was wearing it too. Granted that Apollo and Nom soon moved out, the tasks of running his business was a little too interesting to be missed. Not to say it earned him a tidy sum.
Other than that, he felt that this allowed him to hone his skills both magical and mundane.
Coming down into the lower floor of the tavern, Dmitri simply breathed in the clean air of the open front doors. As he walked towards the entrance to his own quarters, he passed no small amount of men enjoying the "accoutrements" of the place. Doors swiftly closed as the sounds of giggling pervaded the door, and going even farther, a man actually carried one of the rather new girls, a tiefling, into another room entirely before the sound of her landing on a bed came through. He smiled wide, enjoying the sounds of passion in the air.
It wasn't anything remarkably compared to the gathering that he'd been raised in as far as intensity was concerned, but he had garnered even more number than his mother's own procession. Mind you, thinking back he was almost certain that they'd charmed everyone in the place, or worse, dominated them. Mind you, Lysandra, had charmed one or two people herself... He smiled at the thought of her gaining magical prowess.
With just that thought, his beloved turned the corner and her eyes, a deep red, made contact with him. His demeanor immediately perked high. "Beloved! How goes the day?" he asks as he up and gives her a kiss.
The woman had platinum blonde hair in a pixie haircut. Remarkably short in comparison to Dmitri's. She wore deep red and black robes, the colors of the faith, and her godly heritage had done wonders for her body. Godly heritage aside, Dmitri had felt the touch of the Abyss in her core, a fact she hadn't been very aware of. She took to the Abyssal blood like a baby to a teet, and he went on about how she'd been blessed with the blood.
Given any other circumstance, she would probably have hated it, but it was through meeting him that she'd come to terms with it when he'd noticed.
Tilting an entire hip to the side after she walked with a sachet towards him, she smiled. "Busy! Men've been coming in all day. I like to think we don't have enough girls to keep the poor sods company, but we do do excellent work, don't we love?" she said with a wry smile. Dmitri laughed a little and retorted with, "Indeed we do. Why the sudden inrush of people? Has another group arrived? I didn't think there'd be much more after the last wave." he asks, presenting his arm and walking with her towards the main area.
"The word seems to be that people are just taking more interest in this place, rather than more people showing up. However, I do have a nice little gem of information for you, love. Some little bit of news trickled in through the patrol." she said, adjusting his right gauntlet a bit. "I'm listening, he replied with a tone of curiosity." She looked at him and said "Seems a certain dark skinned elf has come back. She's already injured 2 of the patrol." she pointed out the men in the main area that had just arrived, a broken nose and held ribs.
He laughed aloud. "That's certainly her territorial markings. As strong as ever, from the looks of it." he says, grabbing his shoulder. Suddenly, and without much warning, although he'd pretty much seen it coming, she grabbed him by the front of his armor, pulling him down to eye level with a seductive, yet stern gaze.
One of Lysandra's only personality flaws, according to other people, is that she was rather controlling. A better word would have been "Territorial." Lysandra understood that Dmitri was a remarkably attractive, lecherous, man. At the same time she understood that of all the men in the world, he wouldn't ever go against her will. Lysandra reveled in control, and it was one of her more interesting kicks. She'd even earned the pet name "Mistress"
That said, as much as Dmitri enjoyed this in her, the woman looked him dead in the eye and carefully said. "You may go and see her, as I understand you are both comrades. Enjoy yourself with your friend, but do not so much as flirt with her, understand?" she said, letting go of him. The sudden bit of controlling gave Dmitri the idea of throwing her into the nearest room and "Reserving" it, which was apparent, but Lysandra definitely wouldn't have budged, and likely would have charmed him. It wouldn't have been the first time.
Licking his lips, he nodded, before leaving with that giant smile across his lips. She smiled as well, and mouthed the word "Later" before leaving, intentionally swaying more than usual. Dmitri just about walked into one of the girls, a half-elf that happened to be half-dressed. Gathering himself, he headed for the one place he knew Koritylija would probably seek out first.
Finding her in the course of a few minutes, after asking about, Dmitri found her. Fortunately her complexion, combined with his typical good standing with the local townsmen, made her rather easy to find. He smiled as he snuck up on her somewhat, placing a hand on her shoulder, bracing for impact and saying; "It's been quite some time, Koritylija."
Kori doesn't start at the touch, in fact she is rather slow to act, speaking first "Do not think I didn't hear you approach. You make the noise of a thrice-lame mule braying about its suffering. Even if that weren't the case, only one person would dare touch me so familiarly, and even worse butcher my full name with their fat human tongue." She reaches up with one hand to the hand on her shoulder, almost as if patting it affectionately, before violently grabbing it and turning so as to twist the wrist and arm of its bearer. She does so only enough to apply pressure, but not pain, turning around to stand and face him.
"Now, I have you in a position to hurt you, just by a slight jerk of my arm. But why else would you, of all people, try to sneak up on me and lay a hand on me if that's not what you expected? Forget that, wanted? Even after all this time, do you still pine to receive punishment from me?" All the while she holds his hand in the controlling grip.
She looks him in the eyes, hers tight-lidded in her all too familiar look of anger. Before doing something that even Dmitri may not have expected, she gives him a big bear hug, the kind wrestlers use to crack ribs. But not what could be thought of as an affectionate one to anybody but Dmitri. She ensures that she holds him tight enough that he feels the press of her spiked armor, pushing just into the small areas of exposed flesh, knowing that he of all people would appreciate what the move actually means coming from her.
She releases him soon enough, "That's all you get. Like when we first met. Do not go looking to benefit from my anger, Pai... Dmitri." She makes an effort to correct herself, calling him by name for the first time, ever.
The spikes sank in rather nicely, though he hadn't expected it so soon. Kori had certainly changed. She seemed warmer, to say the least. She'd done multiple things that were all new to him, a sign that she'd certainly taken well to her freedom from slavery. A fact that made him smile.
With the spikes sinking into the fleshier, more exposed areas of his full plate, Dmitri actually made it a point to hug her back just as tightly to really drive the spikes in. Lysandra would understand that much, at least.
Finally letting go, he backed off a bit and wiped away a small tidbit of blood that trickled across his arm. Smiling wide, Dmitri didn't waste much time with a retort, however, and spoke out during the hug. "I like to think I do that name of yours justice." he says, not seeming very winded by the bear hug.
He laughs as he teeters back from the deathgrip. "I also didn't happen to be sneaking." he said as he rubbed the tiny trickle of blood between his finger tips. "It's rather difficult to sneak around in this new armor of mine." he said, showing off the new Tar black and deep red full plate.
Sighing long, he smiled before continuing. "Koritylija, it is so good to see you again. You've missed much, you certainly have." he said, showing off the deep black wedding band about his finger. Surely she'd at least learned of what that meant over the year, no?
"I'm afraid I've wised up a little. Don't get me wrong, I'm still the old venerate of sadomasochism, but, I'm a little more tied down. Now I have 2 women in my life. My dearest Lysandra, and Lilith herself..." he said with a wry smile.
"I must formally apologize Kori. I approached you in a rather foolish way when we first met, but I've wised up to the point where I can at least understand my past foolishness, in regards to my advances on you. Mind you, I was rather cloistered when we first met..." he said, bowing apologetically.
Raising back up, he pointed from one of the balconies of the market toward his tavern, a circular building that he'd made his own. "I own that place over there, and I've made it a point to lavish it over the years. There is a room open for you should you wish it, but you should be warned that it is a den of debauchery. It's kelmerane's second place of worship now, if I do say so myself." he said as he slouched across the balcony. "And it's most certainly not the favorite..." he said with a laugh.
With a happy tone, he continued with one final sentence before finishing. "My beloved wife's name is Lyssandra."
Kori looks at him like he's gone mad, "I didn't really get half of what you said, but stop apologizing, it makes you look weak. If I haven't told you I was mad at you, there ain't no reason to blame yourself."
She looks at the ring he presented, confusiom on her face "Why would you go and tie yourself to the same person like that? I mean, it must suck to have to treat them like an equal. If I find a man who is worthy enough to be allowed to enjoy my body, then I will have my fun. If they are good enough, there may be more times for fun with them, but no one is worth treating like my equal. Besides, they all act like idiots when they try to share their emotions with me, and it makes me want to be rid of them."
She shakes her head at his offer, "I cannot stay in a place like that. I have no wish to be around people whose only purpose is to please others, slaves to themselves. They are soft, and I'll have nothing to do with them. I will find a room of my own, and stay there."
The Battle Market falls into a hushed entrance at Kori's rude and loud entrance. The drow woman hadn't been seen for nearly a year now, though stories of her strength, moxy, and prowess had spread widely among Kelmerane's female population. As luck would have it, the ornery ex-slave had gathered for herself quite the fan base among women that would use her as an example for their own behavior.
Not only among women, though, she was popular amongst the men, not only for her exotic beauty but for her skill and prowess in battle, and they respected and lusted against her. She knew this, of course. Men were the same everywhere, and it was just recently that she knew what "everywhere" really meant. Jumping atop the stage, looking for a duelist, the volunteers are silenced by Dmitri's entrance and subsequent hug-fest. I mean, not that anyone was feeling any significant envy for Dmitri, given the blood pooling on the inside of his armor (he'd need to wash later, Lysandra would be cross with him).
Above, both Almah and Brek look on amusingly. The Battle Market had become quite a place since our heroes had been there last.
With the Demon now defeated and Angmar rescued, it was interesting for Apollo to discover that such a strong willed Drow had been a victim of slavery for the entire time he had known her.
Aside from that, there wasn't much speech to be had between the new and old party members before they ascended from the crypt and once more into the Chapel.
At this point Nom was around 5ft tall, still a baby and only mildly intimidating. He mostly did what he wanted, but at the very least understood when Apollo called him over.
Heading to the Battle Market, Apollo went alone and out of his way to explain to Almah and Garavel what he and the others had witnessed, and that as far as he could tell, Kelmerane had been entirely cleared out. This pleased both Almah and Garavel, with the party confirming the all clear shortly after.
Regardless though, Apollo still surveyed the area, making his way around the outer walls of Kelmerane, peering into any ruins or buildings he may not have yet searched, but assuredly enough, there was no signs of life outside of that which he'd already been aware of.
Surveying the area had become a bit of a routine for Apollo. His skills at recon and tracking proved their worth as time went on, and now that there was little to be done to help better civilization, the man mostly went about his own business.
His thoughts and feelings were very mixed about things though. On one hand he still had unfinished business with the Gnoll's, yet on the other he wanted to further express his feelings of interest and affection to Almah. Of which he would follow up on first would remain to be the main question at hand.
After letting one of the half-dead dogs flee from the Battle Market previously, Apollo was half expecting more of them to show up for revenge, with Ghartok possibly showing his cruel and smug face alongside them. Yet, this didn't happen however. Time and time went on and for each day that passed, Apollo expected at least something, but as the year went on, all trails leading to the Gnoll King seemed to run dry. No matter how hard Apollo looked, his results always remained the same. There were no Gnoll's remaining in and around the local area, and there was no sign of any ever trying to claim Kelmerane as their own.
This gave way for other events to become more of a priority for the man, and although he was by no means accepting of the fact he could not yet avenge the deaths of those he grew up with, he wouldn't forget their kind nature for taking him in as one of their own, from the very first moment they found him floating in a basket downstream, wrapped up in a blanket. His own personal vendetta would have to remain on hold. Not from choice, but necessity, for the only thing he could do was move on, with the hope at least remaining that he would indeed some day be given the chance to come face to face with the Gnoll Chieftain he most despised.
After accepting he could no longer pursue his own personal, violent goals, Apollo calmed down somewhat. He regularly visited Almah, hesitant at first, but grew more in confidence as time went on. Many dates were had and Almah learned a lot of Apollo's history. He wasn't proud of killing and a murderer wasn't something he wanted to become, but he did however feel justified in his actions, believing if he didn't remove the Gnoll's from around here that instead, they'd remove him and continue their slaughter of innocent men, women and children.
He also knew and understood Almah's dislike for the race and admitted he enjoyed killing them, but only for what they had done to the very people he grew up with. You see, Ghartok wiped out Apollo's entire settlement while the man was working in Katapesh one day, so when he returned to the onslaught mid-way through it all, he was shocked and completely devastated, filled with nothing but rage an anger. His people were his pride and joy, so seeing them slaughtered felt to him as though his whole world and race was destroyed. To wipe out as many Gnoll's possible and put an end to Ghartok's miserable life, although bordering on Genocide once again meant that there could be balance....in Apollo's mind at least, and he could not rest until he'd succeeded in that in the name of his people and in the name of himself as a Randasian.
Much of the bitterness in his heart subsided over time as there was very little to keep it there, but if the time ever came, he would be ready for it. With many dates and the eventual begrudging approval from Garavel, Almah and Apollo became more of an item. Their conversations moved from personal loss, misfortune and bitter resentment to a much lighter tone. They'd often go for walks, flirtatiously commenting on their interest in one another, appreciating their time spent together, and more often than not, when they weren't eating dinner together or intimately familiarising themselves with one another, they'd talk of ways to improve Kelmerane and play with ideas on how to make it seem more of an appealing place to take up residence within.
Apollo himself became more of a busy man also. He tried to live alongside Brek and Je'Grik, but when that didn't exactly work out, he much preferred the idea of living in his own space. A space that he and Nom could share without too much trouble, and a place that he and Almah could share in private.
After talks with Almah, it was decided that a new building would be erected and following the acquisition of services from a passing Architect, men were hired to begin building Kelmerane's first main Watchtower, just west of the Battle Market.
The tower itself would have four floors. The first was to be used as the Garrison, with the second serving as the Barracks for all hired guards. The third floor however served more of a front door for Apollo. Featuring a large set of double doors, roughly 15foot high around the back of the building, a stone walkway sloped down to the small river below, providing ease of access for Nom as he grew, a place to wash and water as nourishment for the two of them. Inside, Apollo also had access to the tower itself, but he kept that door heavily bolted so as not to have the town guard intrude on him. This was where Apollo's kitchen and dining area was and was mostly where Nom slept, but his main living space and bed chamber was on the floor above, accessed by a small stoned spiral staircase. He had a cupboard for clothes, a decently comfortable King Sized bed and kept his weapons mounted on his walls. Anything he needed he either had or could get to with little effort. He was relatively happy.
Apollo preferred to buy his meat than kill, but when strapped for cash, he often went out hunting for his night time meals. Porridge oats were a favourite thing of his to have in the morning, but he didn't say no to Egg and Bacon either. The perks of this were of course only available to him when Kelmerane became more heavily populated. Farmers moved in close by and were able to provide crops and meat for the town, while aspiring barmen opened several taverns in and around the area.
When the Tavern re-opened in the Battle Market, Apollo would occasionally have a few drinks there, offering friendly conversation for anyone who approached him, but mostly keeping himself to himself, just enjoying the chance to relax while activities flourished around him. That and being the place of Almah's residence gave him more reason to want to be here.
On one such drunken day however, not being much of a drinker, Apollo couldn't hold his alcohol, and so with his build and good, though rugged looks, the lively crowd of the Battle Market pulled the man from his seat, roping him into participating in a Wrestling Match with one of the wrestling champions who was also drunk and very friendly, but more able to fight in his drunken state than Apollo. Meanwhile however, Almah was upstairs sorting town affairs out when she was distracted by the crowd chanting "A-pol-lo, A-pol-lo!". Peering over the balcony, she was just in time to catch the end of the "game", as both Apollo and "Wild Wanderer" threw each other through the barriers and both ended up unconscious as the crowd cried "Oooooooow!", seemingly feeling the pain themselves.
Running down slightly concerned for the man she'd been seeing for the past six months, Almah pushed through the crowd to find out what had just happened. Thankfully though, neither of the two fighter's were harmed and just passed out from drunken dehydration, miraculously at the same time. There were no winners, just a couple of silly men who got a little carried away. Regardless, Almah called for aid and helped Apollo back upstairs, laughing a little before placing him in her bed for a good bit of rest.
Morning broke and Apollo didn't remember much, but he was in good company, and with Nom being familiar enough with Almah not to be aggressive in any form now, she made sure he was well fed and looked after in the morning before Apollo's wake.
A little embarrassed, Apollo did explain the situation to Almah as best he could, but she just laughed, telling him to watch out for himself as the crowd can get a little carried away at times.
As the year went on, more things happened and Apollo continued to survey Kelmerane with Nom by his side. Occasionally the old creature or bandit here and there would try to infiltrate the town, but when he wasn't taking care of it, the town guard were. Still, it's not exactly normal for a man to be wandering around with a 7ft tall dinosaur behind him, so most of the time that was enough to scare off many unwanted visitors.
There wasn't much trouble really, for the most part in Kelmerane.
Apollo spent most of the year training Nom to be a little better behaved around other people, and focused a lot of his efforts on actually training him for combat, just in case the need arose.
The egg that Apollo kept eventually hatched also, and although Apollo was the first person the vulture like bird saw, there wasn't really the bond between them that Apollo and Nom shared. The bird needed training and mostly did its own thing, hunting for its own food as soon as it could fly and fend for itself. It did however always return to Apollo though, or at least Apollo's home, where it decided to turn the top of the Watchtower into its nest, much to the displeasure of the town Guard. Once they knew it was Apollo's, they at least knew not to scare it off, but politely asked the man to keep it under control, of which he did to the best ability which.....still needed some work.
Not a religious man, Apollo didn't see much of Je'Grik over the year, and with both Angmar and Kori gone, that only left Dmitri and Brek.
Brek mostly stood by his stall, offering magical item identification services, so Apollo didn't really have much to talk about with him. He'd say hello in passing, but never really got around to having a full on conversation with the "Ifriti" man. Dmitri though, he learned more of...mostly through the passing conversation of those who took interest in the pain loving mans pleasure house.
At the discovery of Dmitri's marriage, the man was surprised if nothing else. Dmitri? Getting married... he thought to himself. Curious, he did in fact attend Dmitri's wedding (stepping in from the back), whether he expected it to last or not, because after all, whether he agreed with Dmitri's ways or not, no matter what disagreements they may have had over the years, Dmitri was a friend, and so Apollo wanted to pay his respects.
Apollo has also changed considerably. Not quite as loud and more controlled, the man spent the past year or so understanding the benefits of teamwork and is now far more in control of his anger than he ever was.
Leaving Nom and his unnamed bird pet thing behind, like most other days, he made his way over to the Battle Market and headed to the bar through one of the side entrances for a quiet drink, perched up on a tall stall without his weapons or armour as he sat there, dressed in regular clothing enjoying a cold beverage before meeting up with Almah for lunch within the next hour.
Five minutes later, completely oblivious to her presence, Kori stepped in.
Kori looks at him like he's gone mad, "I didn't really get half of what you said, but stop apologizing, it makes you look weak. If I haven't told you I was mad at you, there ain't no reason to blame yourself."
She looks at the ring he presented, confusiom on her face "Why would you go and tie yourself to the same person like that? I mean, it must suck to have to treat them like an equal. If I find a man who is worthy enough to be allowed to enjoy my body, then I will have my fun. If they are good enough, there may be more times for fun with them, but no one is worth treating like my equal. Besides, they all act like idiots when they try to share their emotions with me, and it makes me want to be rid of them."
She shakes her head at his offer, "I cannot stay in a place like that. I have no wish to be around people whose only purpose is to please others, slaves to themselves. They are soft, and I'll have nothing to do with them. I will find a room of my own, and stay there."
Putting away the ring putting his clawed gauntlet back on to his hand, Dmitri smiled rather wide as his wounds began to heal. The question was a good one. To Dmitri, Lust and pain were two things that he couldn't help but revel in. Even in his newly acquired clarity, the man still gave the ladies that occasional disrobing glance, much to Lyssandra's dismay, but even she did the same, though with the opposite gender... most of the time.
Honestly it's a fair question. The idea of Kori finding a man that could tame her, however, was far beyond his believability. To be fair, it would likely take an Incubus, no doubt. One thing he didn't believe was that he was equal to Lyssandra, at least, not in that sense. "Well a year had passed, and though I admit that my unholy allegiance is somewhat a part to play, well... How do I explain?" he said, taking a notice of Apollo.
Looking down and leaning away from the banister, he started his story. "When Lyssandra first arrived in Kelmerane, she did so with the church of Sarenrae. Mind you, I have no conflict with them, but "Good" deities tend to dislike the evil types. Frankly, my harem had just been established at the time and I enjoyed it thoroughly, but then, they sent this envoy. This voluptuous, beautiful woman, my current wife." he laughed a bit and then quickly licked the front of his teeth.
"She's an Aasimar, can you believe that? I'm married to one of the most blasphemous mixtures of good and evil blood imaginable. She had latent traces of Abyssal blood in her family line, and that of the good plane as well. It wasn't her blood that called to me, however. it was her... hmm... how I can I put it. She was so innocent." he said while he stretched along the railing, bringing his head between his arms as he bent back.
Standing straight once more, he continued. "Her visits became more frequent, and Kori, let me tell you, I could smell the slowly growing "thoughts" on her. I could picture it. They'd brought in this precious little godling, that faith of Sarenrae, and turned her into this impeccable little minx that didn't even fancy the opposite gender. In my religion, that's blasphemy." he said, actually seeming rather upset with the very thought of not allowing someone to enjoy themselves.
"Though she served the faith, she actually came into my dwelling with the intents to charm me, and not in the good way. She assaulted my mind with a spell, which lead me to learn that she was a sorcerer. Assaulting someone else's mind for personal interests is actually quite the grave sin. Needless to say, I was smitten. The lingering effects of the spell had traces of abyssal strands in them, however, and very few people know such a plane better than I. I don't know what her family did prior to giving birth to her, but the women in that tree likely knew how to have a good time... and they made it a point to not spend it all here on this godforsaken plane." He sounded rather proud of her when she attempted to charm him.
"After a few days of long talks and... long talks, we eventually totally corrupted her views of the church. Atleast, that's what they said we did. Frankly all she needed was a good week of romping and some careful points of hypocrisy in our favor and she renounced Sarenrae and began her study of Lilith. Hands on study, but study all the same." he said with a deep throated laugh through closed lips.
"Originally she'd been just another woman at the harem, but I found myself getting remarkably jealous whenever other men would take her. That being said, the men that frequented the place at that time were the slimy deep pocketed scoundrels that had original enjoyed the old battle market, and as such I was both owner and personal guard. Despite my grievous reputation, however, the men still made some of the girls very uncomfortable. Lyssandra would charm those that got too out of hand, but one day one of the heavier fools that the girls couldn't handle themselves got a bit out of control." All the while he told this, he had looked out towards his homestead, thinking back, but he turned to face Koritylija.
"Needless to say he got out of hand, and I cleaved his head clean off with my scythe. She laid there, covered in blood, as was I, her body completely exposed to reveal tattoos and everything else for that matter. Something just... clicked, at that point. Her eyes betrayed her abyssal roots, turning a deep red, a color they haven't ever reverted from, and she became savage in the best way." he had somewhat of a victorious smile.
"We then proceeded to make love on the slowly deepening crimson bed, covered in the blood of a man who overstepped his boundaries. No man has requested her services since, and I tended to her slowly growing needs personally. We got married 7 months after the incident, after I realized that she was charming people to keep me to herself."
"On another note, she runs the Harem in my stead, and has become quite the information broker. Dirty men tend to talk, don't they? You've traveled for an entire year, so I imagine you've come to understand the fickle workings of the average fool. But I digress." he said with a bit of a shrug.
He pretty much knew that Kori wouldn't stay in the area, and that was probably for the better. "One thing I will say about my dwelling though, Kori. My wife is far from soft, and neither are her girls. Some of them are even as tough as you, if I'm being perfectly honest. One girl in particular, a Tiefling, has even claimed that she intends to crush Je'grik's pelvis, but I haven't seen him to deliver that information, what with him being so entwined amongst the ranks of Sarenrae's faithful..." he said as he looked to see what was taking Apollo so long to come over.
Kori was back. Brek noticed and then winced at Dimitri's and Kori's rather enthusiastic greeting. Sometimes he wondered if not for Haleen and if he fallen in with these two, would he have gone to clerical magic simply to ensure that those two wouldn't kill each other?
He had managed to get his fiery hands on something he was now worried would turn Dimitri into a death wish seeker. The wand finely crafted from woods soaked in a fiend's blood to grant it powers of healing if but with an evil taint. Oh yes, Dimitri would love it. Best to keep it away for now.
Dimitri getting married was a surprise but who he had married even more. Frankly he was of the opinion that the two would have killed each other on first sight but somehow, just somehow they got together and got married oh he had so made a killing on that bet. Something no one else had expected, his wedding gift had being simple. Using the winnings he spread word out upon learning of their pending marriage making sure that the finest chefs and craftsman weer on hand to ply their craft on the blushing couple.....of course most of the craftsman came out blushing whether in fear, Brek wasn't too keen to find out.
Apollo on the other hand after moving out had found fit to find himself a watch tower. Guessing that the man would need help, Brek once more sent out word and got builders to do what Apollo wanted, pointing out rightly that Apollo being one of the heroes and Nom on guard would keep Kelmarane safe.
His modest shop actually earned him quite a bit and he managed to get his hands on other protective items, beliving them to be needed. He was pretty sure that he'll be out adventuring again and maybe he would need to hire someone to look after the shop while he was off exploring the unknown with his companions.
Je'drik on the other hand, Brek was sure he knew of the least ever since the church started rebuilding and that he knew of several church worshippers who despite spoke out against Dimitri's tavern still frequented it. A fact that amused Brek to no end.
Dimitri's story however gave him insight into the man.
Seeing Apollo and then Kori, he realised with a start that now all they were missing was Je'drik. His heart begin to beat a little faster at the prospect of once more another adventure.
Kori just stares at Dmitri all the time that he is talking, going so far as to start walking towards the bar, and getting herself a drink. When he finishes the tale, she does what is in her nature, and just oversimplifies the whole thing. "So you found a woman almost as twisted as you, f*$%ed her to your way of thinking, and decided to keep her all yourself. And she's okay with it." She shrugs, "Well, if that's what you decided to do, let no one make you do otherwise. Like I say, it's all about doing what you want."
She turns to her drink, takes a gulp, then turns back to him pointing with one finger while holding her mug. "You better make sure your woman knows I don't want you. You may say she's tough as me, but I think you mean in spirit. If she tries to do anything against me.... I can only restrain myself so much, and I don't want to have to hurt your woman."
Dmitri laughs aloud at the last sentence. "Hah! She's more than aware. She's more concerned that I still have feelings for you, which you'll be happy to know I don't." He said as he patted his metal hands together.
"As for her ever doing anything to you, well, Koritylija, you happen to be a Drow. Being enchanted is somewhat difficult for you, isn't it? My godmother always disliked elves, but her powers of domination were still good enough to... well... My childhood never ceases to amaze me." he said with a quick giggle.
That's about the time he did something interesting. He grabbed his scythe from his back. "I heard your boast earlier, of challenge. I've news for you Kori. Being married actually chained me less. For one long year, I've known only 1 moment of carnage, and frankly, with all of us meeting again I'm afraid that our battles are about to begin once more." he said with a smile.
"One thing that I came to terms with over the year is what I truly am. On my surface I'm merely this lecherous man, but... there is a darkness to me that only my enemies know. I've wondered for a long time what the lot of you would think if they were ever exposed to that. I want to beg you a favor." he said, with a straight face, bringing up something that he'd obviously thought about.
"I want to touch your heart with this darkness and know that after that, you could still see me in the light you do now. Would you do me the honors? I would hold none of my power back." he says as he touched the eye beneath his hair. Something none of them had yet to see. "I feel as though both of us have went remarkably unchallenged for a long time... What say you?" he asked, pointing the scythe at her as he turned and presented the full length of it towards her.
Kori eyes him suspiciously, "You want to fight me? Why? I will hurt you, which you like, and you will hurt me, which before you didn't like. Is this just for fun? You say you wouldn't hold back, but this is not to the death? You want to use full weapons?"
She made a fair point. "A fight between us wouldn't be a sin." he says with a bit of a laugh. "We would use full weapons, but it isn't to the death. I would never kill you. I just wish to see your reaction... We could also consider this a chance to test each other. Who knows? One of us may have gotten rusty." he says with another chuckle before pausing for a moment, looking down.
"Fun... No, hurting you won't be fun. Even I'm conflicted on that one, but it is necessary for me to make sure you understand what I am, and what powers I call on. I am not a good person, Koritylija. I believe you'll understand if you see my ruthless side first hand, and I want you to see that, to see if you can, with a clear mind, journey with me again." Dmitri has never seemed this serious before with Kori.
With that, he whispers something to himself as he walks over to the market. Kori recognizes it as an act of healing, but it was "off" to say the least...
Saying that, he begins to walk towards the arena, much to the audiences amusement.
Kori thinks about it, not long mind you, as thinking hasn't exactly been what she's known for. "I accept. For a promise. This time, this one time, will be the only time we ever look at each other as enemy. After this we never draw our weapon on the other, even for sport. We are killers, I know this, it's what we do well. We don't hold back. This will be the biggest challenge. Do you swear to it?"
As Kori enters the ring, she proclaims the rules for the future. Rules that make Dmitri no tiny amount of happy. Drawing his blade, he thinks about it for only a moment. "I swear." He said with a hint of melancholy.
Standing amongst the arena, the crowd somewhat fell silent. For the first few days of his time in the last year, he would grace the battlemarket and take part in the debauchery of combat, and at that time he'd made a name for himself by defeating people larger than himself with what the spectators had believed to be "unnerving magic" but that was far from wrong.
In the coming fight he would call upon Tempest, as well as the dark power that Lilith had blessed him with. Only one ability would he not use, and that was reliant on his eye.
The crowd went into an uproar once they'd realized that Dmitri and Koritylija were about to spar infront of them. This was not going to be a minor spectacle. Could it be over quickly? Maybe. He generously hoped it wouldn't, however...
Through the roar of the crowd, they both drew their weapons of choice, and Dmitri said under his breath something that couldn't be heard over the roar of the audience.
Breathing out, a chill covered the arena, and those that were foolish enough to get close to the arena felt a rather pungent twinge of fear.
It hadn't reached her yet, but the effect would likely sink into Kori's core the instant she closed the distance. He wondered how it would feel... After breathing deep and whispering a soft prayer of forgiveness to Lilith, his eyes narrowed on Kori, and had they not just said the rules, Kori would have thought that they were the eyes of someone who intended to kill.
"Ladies first."
"Oh by all that is holy, unholy and generally confused!!" Brek groans as their intent becomes apparent for all to see.
"Where's Je'Drik when you need him. Those two will need patching up and I'm not the one for this...." He grumbles as he heads down for despite himself, he wants to see the two powerhouses of his team test each other.
The lizard is, in fact, dealing with the previous fighters of the battle arena, two foolish mages who had thought to put on a show and only ended up escalating into a full-fledged duel. He left the bite marks he'd made knocking them out though, to remind them that he wasn't as hurt by their petty spells as some of the other residents.
"Get over it, idiotss. Be glad your jaws are not shattered or cut off." He hisses loudly at them as the protest his... less-than-gently treatment of their injuries.
Tension builds in the Battle Market as Dmitri's pronouncement of a challenge is made, and as Kori accepts. The pair ascend the stage, all eyes on them, and begin to circle each other while continuing to banter.
The crowd doesn't quite have an opinion of either combatant - really, what's going to turn their favor are impressive or showy feats of combat ability. For now, though, they just wait in anticipation. All in Kelmerane have heard of the prowess of those that freed the town from its gnoll oppressors - as a group and even as individuals, they are easily among the most, if not the most, powerful people in the still-small town, excluding perhaps Albor, the Abbot-Protector of Sarenrae.
A white-robed Gorumite approaches Dmitri, offering positive energy healing to soothe the pain in his body from the armor spikes that adorn Kori's body. If Dmitri accepts, the man will expend one or two cure light wounds spells, easily healing Dmitri of the damage he'd sustained. "Also got some more for after, if either of you get grievously injured. Can't save you from death, though, so don't come crying to me about any severed heads. Good luck, and may Our Lord in Iron bless both of you.", the big and gruff man grumbles.
Dmitri scoffs at the idea of being healed by a stranger, let alone a cleric of gorum. "There will be no death here, today, faithful of Gorum. My wounds are completely minor, and I shall see you after the combat is done and said." he retorts, eyeing up Kori, who had taken a much more stark look on him.
He sincerely believed she would enjoy this, but a small flicker of doubt pervaded him, but it didn't stop the small bit of dark energy that was welling up in his chest.
"Can you feel it Koritylija?" he asked as he began to circle around along with her, spinning his scythe about in both his hands. "That sensation of cold sweat? The uneasiness. My very existence causes this. There is more to me than you know, and it is an abyss that I shall let you gaze upon. Hold nothing back!" he says as he begins to violently spin his scythe about.
"Show me what your mystery god has done for you!" he says, his voice slowly layering with that of another, deeper, and higher voice. It's soft, but a small twinge, a red glow beneath his hair where his eye should be begins to shine through. He was getting pumped.
"Show me the strength that broke your chains!" he says as he stops the scythe from spinning and presents the blade to her once again.
Dmitri - 63/71 (lose at 35 or lower) - Indifferent
Kori - 55/55 (lose at 27 or lower) - Indifferent
A steady, pulsing cheer begins to build in the Battle Market as the pair of combatants ramp up to begin the battle. "Fight...fight...fight...fight...fight...fight...fight...fight...fight...
Kori is nonplussed by Dmitri's displays, "You talk too much. This is a fight now, talk is useless." She isn't sure what he is expecting to happen, but as he emphasizes and displays his big bulky weapon, she actually doesn't draw one. Instead she stretches her limbs, flexes her arm and leg muscles, clenches and unclenches her fists.
She seems to be working herself up into her fit, reveling in the violence that overtakes her. As she does so, she says one more thing, "One mistake, you brought too big a weapon, to too close of a fight." And that's when the thrill of the fight takes her over.
She grins an eager, rage-filled, smile and grabs hold of the pretty man with a wicked new façade. She grabs each of his wrists, and twists him around with them so she can hold them against him while she stands behind him.
(25 init) - Kori - 65/65 (lose at 32 or lower) - Helpful
(20 init) - Dmitri - 63/71 (lose at 35 or lower) - Indifferent
The start of the battle is explosive as Kori growls with rage and, with a warning to Dmitri, charges in and wraps the debauched antipaladin in her arms, restricting his movement and holding him with her rock-solid muscles. The crowd roars in approval, and many in the crowd clap and hoot to cheer Kori on. It's almost like her slavery days again, but for the fact that this time, she is free. Dmitri still has yet to act, however, so nothing is guaranteed quite yet.
Off in his own world, Apollo sat there quietly at the bar, daydreaming as he swirled his glass of Tomato juice around and around again.
The commotion around him seemed relatively normal, though something seemed a little off. In and amongst the crowd, the man couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he could hear something. It was faint over the sound of the merchants, tradesmen and all those visiting the Battle Market for pleasure and business alike, but Apollo could swear blind he heard a voice he could recognise.
If I didn't know any better, I'd swear that was Dmitri. he thought to himself.
However, looking to the direction of the voice, all he could hear and see were lively people cheering as something, possibly multiple people/creatures passed through the middle of the crowd.
Shaking his head, Apollo wondered; Was that our headstrong companion, Kori? Can't be. I haven't seen her in a year. I must be going mad.
The man laughed to himself as he turned back around to face the bartender, memories still present of the bloodbath caused by he and those he once travelled alongside.
Cleaning some glasses with a cloth, the bartender approached Apollo and spoke to him with common accent, in an overly chummy manner.
Here, did you not once reclaim this place and make it habitable with a group of adventurers some time ago?
Raising an eyebrow, Apollo responded.
Something like that. I was more focused back then. I had some personal business I never got the chance to resolve. Still, I can't entirely complain. I've got a place of my own and have a fair woman in my life.
Another if you don't mind? said Apollo as he raised his empty glass.
Anyway, why'd you ask? he questioned, in response to the bartenders curiosity.
Well said the bartender. Are they not two of the people you once travelled with on stage?
Peering behind him, Lizard-friend glanced over his shoulder only to notice a man and woman familiar to him, both with white hair on stage, just as what appeared to be a vicious fight breaking out.
Dmitri......KORI!? What the hell happened to Dmitri's views of never harming a woman, and since when did Kori get back?!
Slowly standing and releasing a big sigh, Apollo stood up, taking the refilled glass from the bartender's hand.
Well, guess I'd better see what they're playing at before Dmitri gets himself killed. He's been on the receiving end of that Elven woman's right hook before, and it wasn't pretty.
Here! spoke Apollo as he flicked a silver coin towards the bartender. Keep the change.
Walking over to the arena to get a closer look, several members of the crowd looked up at Apollo as he pushed his way gently past them.
Hey! one boy said as he tugged on Apollo's sleeve.
You! another member of the public said.
It's Apollo! five girls to the side excitedly announced!
Before long a few handfuls of the crowd began to harass Apollo, getting in his way as he made haste towards the arena.
Apollo's here to even the odds!, Oh Shi'! It's the Gnoll Killer!, The man's here without his dinosaur - What's going on!? - These were just some of the questions and statements the crowd wished to express, but the majority were more interested in the proceeding fight at hand.
Several of the people stepped into Apollo's way, wanting to shake his hand, greet him and praise him for all that he'd done a year ago today, but it was he and the people he originally ventured with who made the difference and strangely enough, he wanted no credit.
Apologising as he pushed past all those around him, ignoring their presence and only saying sorry to be polite and keep up his reputation, Apollo was concerned about the outcome of Kori and Dmitri's duel.
YOU GUYS! He shouted, as he leant over the railings to make himself noticed by Kori and Dmitri.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! he asked, concerned for both of their lives, still holding the glass of crimson coloured tomato juice in his hand.
As she grabs his hands, Dmitri looks down at his scythe, which is now held in one hand as he doesn't struggle very much against the grapple. He listens to her mention the fact that he'd brought too big a weapon, but he had other weapons, for certain. "You said talk was trivial, and yet you taunt me for using a weapon I've known my entire life? Well..." he said as his eye leaked dark energy.
Through the gap, a red, terrifying glow appeared through the gap in his hair that revealed his left eye for only a moment. A hidden, strange thing that seemed scaled, with strange markings about his brow.
Pushing her down, he roars with the layered voice as his hands draw first blood. "Do not fear me Koritylija, lest you fall! Persevere! Do not falter! Find your resolve and see me for what I truly am!" he said as he attempted to force her down. He wasn't doing it to break the grapple, rather, he needed a hand to perform some sort of incantation.
As the fires of his energy seeps deep into her flesh, he looks her square in the face with his slowly darkening eyes and proclaims "Feel it!" as he surges her with doubt and fear.
Kori takes the wicked touch in stride, and in fact she seems invigorated that he has to resort to it. She accepts that it may be his only recourse, and might not last him the whole fight. "I don't fear you. You are still the whelp I almost knocked off his camel with one punch." She allows his push to press him against her, but she did not topple. It would take more than that to tip her over. Instead she wriggles against him in her hold, allowing the familiar sting of her armor to nip at his flesh. "I know you enjoy this, having my body finally pressed up against you, and inflicting pain. What would your wife think?"
25 init) - Kori - 58/65 (lose at 32 or lower) - Friendly (DC 18)
(20 init) - Dmitri - 53/71 (lose at 35 or lower) - Friendly (DC 18)
Struggling inside Kori's strong grip, Dmitri summons the power of negative energy. The crackling blackness coats his hand, and he reaches forward and presses into Kori with it. The drow woman resists the fear effect of the touch, but the negative energy still drains her. First blood! The crowd cheers Dmitri on, seeing that it's going to be a more fair fight than it may have initially seemed.
Despite the harm of the negative energy, she squeezes more tightly into him and more blood begins to run in rivulets down his armor. Dmitri gasps in pain at the spikes, but continues on. Kori tries to emphasize the power and impressiveness of her maneuver to the crowd, but it seems that a woman clutching onto a man and squeezing him to death isn't the most exciting thing in the world.
Dmitri had never been so torn in his life, going so far as to bite his inner jaw with both respect, and absolute fury. There was one thing that Dmitri did still pine over, and it was his only shortcoming as a faithful to Lilith. Dmitri had been the only man in the entire clergy in his young age, and as a result, was met with high renown. Koritylija was the only woman that had ever escaped his clutches, and while he no longer yearned for her, he did still wish to gain her respect as a man.
Grabbing her arm again, he clenches it with a renewed fervor, gritting his teeth. The blows to his pride were strong, and as such, he couldn't withstand it. Gripping with every bit of his might, nearly bit his jaw in two as the spikes pierced him once again. He thought back to the healing that they'd been offered earlier, but his pride wouldn't allow him to even think about it.
One constant thought appeared to him, however, after Koritylija questioned his motifs. "I am no whelp, Koritylija." he said with sudden serenity. He looked at her before his eyes intensified.
Tossing his hair back, a screech of light pierced from his left eye, a chitinous thing that branched off into a long horn that seemed well hidden beneath his hair. It was almost a half circlet, and it brimmed with dark energy, and a pure feeling of wrongness
"And you know this."
With that, he forced her away with a sudden inrush of strength that would even take Koritylija for surprise, before leaping back and holding his scythe down to his hip, beckoning her forward. "I am a chosen faithful. The blood of daemons runs through my veins. I no longer pine for your touch, and I no longer yearn for it whatsoever."
Presenting his still glowing dark hand, the entire left side of his body surged with unholy fervor, and through surprisingly pursed lips, he stated it simply. "You've been gone a year. Surely you've learned to do more to your enemies than hug them?" he said with a delightful wicked smile.
The eye wriggled in place, bloodshot and yellow, with black tears and veins crackling about it like a storm, converging on the outlying horn from his brow, piercing daggers through her.
His smile faded after he said those words, however, and he looked swiftly to apollo for just a moment and proclaimed the following. People! Hear me! If you do not wish to die, then I suggest you flee! I am seething with unholy energy and I intend to release it! MOVE! As he spoke, the crackling of black bolts of energy originated from his eye, surging into his hands and trailed back along his head.
(25 init) - Kori - 58/65 (lose at 32 or lower) - Friendly (DC 18)
(20 init) - Dmitri - 53/71 (lose at 35 or lower) - Indifferent (DC 13)
Grinning and proclaiming his unholy power, Dmitri suddenly grows calm...and then, with a feat of strength that surprises all, including Kori, he forces her arms away from him and pushes her away. His next warning to the crowd, however, seems to change their opinion of him somewhat, and although they back away from the stage, their looks are cautious and fearful and the hoots of triumph are gone.
She just grins, the look somewhat discomforting considering she never did so before. It seems obvious, though, what it was that taught her to smile, as she steps forward and again tries to bind up his limbs and keep him wrapped up. "What better way to defeat my enemy than the embrace of death?" He is better prepared, so that she barely manages to get a hold on him, but it's just enough.
As he attempts to release the roaring crackle of Negative energy, he is stopped short by the grapple once more, much to his ongoing dismay. However, it doesn't stop at just that. This time, instead of attempting to break it once more, Dmitri merely opens a wide palm once again, sinking his fingers as deep as he can into Kori's flesh in her back shoulder, energy fiercely escaping his left eye all the while.
The hand sinks deep, but not as deep as originally hoped, forcing deep fear into the very fiber of her being. It doesn't stop there, however, and he follows it with something new and unprecedented. As Kori looks down, she sees a necklace, something that Dmitri had gained and cherished midway through the year. It was a wedding gift. Lilith's Unholy Symbol, but a new one, and it happened to be glowing with an eery black aura.
(25 init) - Kori - 53/65 (lose at 32 or lower) - Indifferent (DC 13)
(20 init) - Dmitri - 53/71 (lose at 35 or lower) - Indifferent (DC 13)
Kori manages to wrap Dmitri in her powerful grasp once again, although he very nearly avoids it this time. The crowd, however, seems to be getting bored by her repeated tactics and stop cheering her name. Now, they just hold themselves in anticipatory silence, waiting for somebody to do something remarkable.
In response to her grapple, Dmitri merely does what he's done before and plunges his hand into her flesh, his gauntleted palm flashing with unholy, crackling negative energy.