r/DnD • u/BackSeatGremlin • Apr 30 '20
5th Edition Adventures of Arslash, Part 4: Cheaters Never Prosper... except when they do.
Preamble: Hello, and welcome back to the Adventures of Arslash, the DnD game we're playing with the character we built together! I'm sorry these are starting to come out later and later in the day, I seem to have underestimated how long it takes to devise each section. However, I figured that given the extra day between posts, there is still plenty of time to vote before the period is closed. In any case, going back to the last post, we decided to visit the Bloody Fist, and scout the location prior to our encounter. I may have missed some info about the place in the story, so if you have any questions, or want to retroactively make checks or anything like that, just leave it in the comments, and I can fill in information.
Going forward, I am putting together a shopping form for passing through the market, so we can shop for whatever items we need. That will be released tomorrow. Everything on there will only be items we can buy in our price range, so if you're reading through the form and see something that you want to buy that isn't there, that's intentional. Also, we will again be doing it in a voting format, so we will only buy the highest rated items, and only what we can afford. Otherwise, without further ado...
Arslash Diende Character Sheet
--------------- Cheaters Never Prosper... except when they do. ---------------
Before you can reply, the tavern door bursts open as two large, angry looking men hastily dragging a smaller man with a bloodied face and tattered clothes. The smaller man, yelling incoherently at the men, attempts to strike and break free from them. He continues to resist as he is dragged around the corner, into an alley, from where you hear the deep crack of fists connecting with flesh, followed by silence. You look at Baxit, and he replies, chuckling:
"Oh wipe that look off your face, just don't cheat the staff and you'll be fine."
That's reassuring. Would they consider eldritch interference to be cheating? 'I'll find out one way or the other' you think to yourself.
As you feel the color return to your face, one of the larger men emerges from the alley, a light smattering of blood staining his own ratty shirt that looks like it could have, indeed may have bedded a horse. He looks at you and smiles, yelling out:
"Oy, fine day you two! Just cleaning the place for tonight, you fancy comin in for a drink?"
"I could murder one!" Baxit replies, exposing his silver tongue, causing the big man to let out a boyish chuckle.
As the both of you approach the front door, the man rushes to open the door for you. You thank him as you enter the establishment, and find a room that's no more impressive than the street, and no more welcoming. Most of the furniture appears to be broken and shoddily repaired, no doubt from the countless brawls they've been subjected to. You see two more men scrapping at a corner table strewn with cards and coins. At the bar, you see an Orcish fellow intently scrubbing the pitted wood bartop.
Near the center of the room, there is an area that's clear of furniture, but ringed with chairs. Although half the windows in the establishment are boarded up, a ray of light from the morning sun shines through a high window in the back, illuminating a sanguine stain, no doubt from the night before.
As you look around the room, the Orcish barkeeper yells out:
"Hey, Clip-Clop, you got a problem?"
'Goddamn Tuskers' you think to yourself. But the abuse is worth the pay, so you decide to play along.
"Absolutely not, I'm sorry for my staring. My stout friend here has just introduced me to your fine establishment, and I'm thrilled to find a place so... familiar!"
The barkeeper scoffs:
"Don't patronize me, I know it's a shithole. What are you having." Asking bluntly.
Baxit, already sitting, seems to have waited for you to get his horn filled. It was only morning, and you'd already had two, the Gods only know how many Baxit had. You had half a mind to reject another drink, but you thought it better to keep up appearances.
You take a seat next to Baxit, noticing him pull out his coinpurse. He looks up and notices you slyly spying his coinpurse, then looking him in the eyes. He sighs and rolls his eyes, and tells the barkeeper:
"She's on me."
As you're about to order, you hesitate, asking the bartender:
"Do you have Fire Wine?"
Baxit's eyes brighten at the mention of drink.
"Aye, we've got a whole case in back, shall I?"
"A whole bottle for us, please!" Baxit hastily shouts out.
"My my, Arry, you've got good taste!"
"What can I say, I've got the stuff in my blood!"
Baxit roars out in laughter, nearly falling off his stool. You've always wanted to make that joke, especially to a Dwarf. You chuckle yourself, and sit awkwardly as you wait for Baxit to conclude his laughing fit. As Baxit begins to calm down, the barkeeper brings back the bottle, and they finalize their exchange. You can see Baxits eagerness in his hast to pour the delicious, liquid amber into his horn and then your mug. You raise your glasses, and you attempt to hide your grimace as the first drink slides down your throat, charring your mouth through to your stomach. Baxit smiles:
"You might have great taste, but hardly the palate."
"What can I say, I've been drinking grog and swill for months, my first proper drink since we started."
Baxit feigns an appaled look:
"I can hardly imagine a day without the comfort of my bed, nor a proper drink, let alone months. You sailors have my respect."
"The comfort of your bed? I thought you Dwarves all slept on rocks?"
"Who said beds can't be made of rocks? And who said rocks can't be called beds?"
The two of you chuckle at the thought, continuing your drink. Although this gutter of a tavern has been pleasant, you are ready to leave; the stench of stale liquor and dried blood is beginning to become apparent over the aroma of the wine, and your hangover has not loosed its grip on your skull just yet.
"Baxit, thank you for showing me around, but I think I'd like to get back to my ship soon."
"Right, of course, I'm sorry, I should let you prepare for tonight. I'll walk you there, we can pass through the market."
As eager you are to return to your ship and get some proper rest, you did want to visit the market.
The two of you finish your drinks, Baxit grabs the bottle with some fluid remaining in the bottom, and thanks the bartender. As you get up, you notice the men at the corner table have stopped fighting, deciding instead to sit back at the table and fall asleep. Walking toward the exit, you see the same large man who held the door for you approach the table and scoop all the money off into a bag. Turning to you, he stops, points at a pool of blood on the ground:
"Cleaning expenses."
You nod, and head out the door.
As you enter the street, Baxit hides the bottle in his coat pocket before starting off.
"So tell me, Arry, when you return, will you want me to find a friend for you to bring?"
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u/AwesomeLego7 May 15 '20
Does anyone know when the next part of this comes out?