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sixthweyoun · 2 years ago

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[semi-plotted starter for @constable and eventually also for Julian once the intro's out of the way]

Almost there. Just need to reach the Founder's office, and he'll— he'll help me, just like he helped that defective Weyoun. Just need to find him, tell him I'm looking for work, he'll— no, shut up, you deserted, you should have died with Rondac III, but you dishonored your purpose with that escape—

Vanath tightened her hood. Being recognizable as a Vorta so soon after the end of the war couldn't possibly be a good thing. Even with how hungry she was, and how disoriented she was, she had enough presence of mind to know that.

She flagged down a passing civilian. Tall, reddish hair, probably a man. Human or possibly Bajoran, she couldn't tell from this distance. "Excuse me, sir, I'm in need of— I've only just arrived, would you be so kind as to—"

He approached, and she saw the nose ridges as he came into view. So my second guess was right, she thought, noting the lack of an earring. If he'd been wearing one, the gentle chimes of moving metal would have alerted her. "You're in need of directions?" he asked.

She lowered her head. Not out of respect, as she would with a Founder, but because it would be dangerous for her to let anyone see her eyes. "Yes," she said quietly. "I'm trying to find the... the constable's office." The title was unfamiliar to her. It felt wrong in her mouth, in her very bones. "I'm looking for work, and I, well, I heard he could help me find it."

That wasn't a lie. She had heard that he could help. She'd heard that the Founder had risked his own life to save the life of a Vorta who had been declared defective, slated for termination, and chose to escape rather than face his punishment. Such a blatant violation of the order of things— it inspired her, and scared her, at the same time.

The Bajoran nodded. "Oh, Odo's office? Sure, just keep going straight on this floor, past the temple, it'll be right next to that Klingon restaurant. Don't know how he stands the noise," he said. "My daughter was one of his deputies during the war, can you—"

The good news was that the office was much closer than she thought. The bad news was that this stranger was getting a little too friendly. She had negative interest in his family troubles, especially not at the moment. "I'd love to help with whatever that is, but things are a bit urgent right now. Maybe we'll see each other around, if I stay." She gave an obligatory smile that probably looked out of place on her very much not diplomatically specialized face, then darted off, ducking and weaving through the crowds before finding herself at the Founder's door.

Upon being allowed entry, she removed her hood and bowed in full ceremonial fashion. She didn't want to only go halfway, she wanted to make a good impression. "Founder, I present mys—" she began, then paused, "wait, why's it not translating right?" She shook her head, then decided to carry on as if it were and hope that the spirit of her intent came through. "Founder, I present myself to your custody and offer my service. If it is your will, let me follow you above others, and follow you I shall, from the first to the last."

#constable #tell me that i haven't failed / odo #vanath #this is so long i'm so very sorry #also i had to include that cameo from anaru's dad lol #side note once i inevitably get my multimuse set up anaru will be on it and so will vanath probably

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dnd4adults · 4 months ago

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Tales from the Great Library

Session Zero: Quid fit in balneis...

Beyond the Great Library's public gate lies the wide-open Court of Air, with the nearest structure being one of the oldest in the city. Practical as everything else here, it's simply known as the Bath & Steam House, and those who enter are greeted by the nymph-like form of Lavis.

The Androsian Empire recognized her as goddess of hygiene, who bestows the blessings of health and long life -- so, the logical mistress-protector of baths both public and private. The wisdom of that imperial practice, at least, is well-maintained in the Great Library, where Lavis' ancient image oversees the baths, and is usually mistaken for an aspect of Lady Lore. She, too, encourages regular hygiene as a matter of reason, not ritualized worship.

It is difficult indeed, maintaining the practice without its tradition, so the Bath & Steam House serves today as a place for social gathering, just as it did under empire. Everyone associated with the Great Library, from wisest masters to humblest penitents, are rendered equals here, when they're naked before the goddess. By day there's an herbalist or two on-hand, providing curatives, salves, and remedies, barbers to aid with grooming and minor surgery, a musician plucking a lyre, and those skilled in massage to ease hunched shoulders and bowed necks.

A large, communal sink occupies the back of the house with a pedestal holding the statue of Lavis in its middle. Six smaller sinks lie in orderly columns before this wide pool. The three on the right are steaming hot sinks, with changing rooms filling the wall beyond. The three to left are cold sinks. Arched doorways to the steam rooms are also left, beyond the cold sinks. Heavy canvass "doors" cover these openings, containing heat and vapor.

Night of the Vernal Equinox (Day 1):

Following a sound drubbing in combat practice that early afternoon, Sir Andros made the mistake of riding out, as well, down to the harbor whilst the very man who laid him low sought a captain sailing east. Returning late to lodging, the pair proceeded to dine together then on to the baths, washing away the dust and stench of Alkehandir, and to sooth sore-battered muscles. Andros skipped the bracing plunge into a cold sink, however, opting rather for a cushioned table and oiled rub-down-with-happy-ending from Squire Dorrik.

The fellow who delivered his earlier drubbing, Khazpar Batal, feels badly about Andros' bruised flesh and pride, yet the man was overly persistent, even in practice. He proved good as his word, even so, accompanying Khazpar to the harbor afterward, delaying the evening meal and rest, while searching for a captain willing to carry Khazpar's letters homeward. The baths are not unlike those he knew in his homeland, in fact, so Khazpar still "reclines" in a hot sink, turbaned head braced on the rim, contemplating the statue of Lavis – and the naked ogre directly beneath it.

Preceding both men (and squire) in the baths tonight, the ogre wears a large pair of spectacles pinching his bulbous nose, a shining band of gold upon his head, and holds a book seeming tiny in enormous hands. A celebrity within the Great Library’s community -- Hyram Hoole gave him the nickname "Little One" -- the ogre soaks in the communal sink, reading whilst leaning against Lavis' pedestal.

The place is quiet at this time of night, the only sounds the steady trickle of water flowing into and out of the sinks, Sir Andros’ grunts of distress and relief, and the turning of regular pages in Little One's book . . .

. . . all broken to smithereens when Hyram Hoole and Brother Teddy cast the house door wide and stagger in, rip-roarin’ drunk!

In fact, Teddy received his formal ordination that afternoon -- new-made Brother of Lady Lore, at least, so Hyram insisted they spend the evening celebrating. Between the two of them they've consumed the entire bottle of eastern wine Khazpar offered Teddy in congratulations for his achievement. The half-elf and halfling have already been tossed out of the House of Rest, for raising commotion, and while they proved popular, indeed, singing bawdy halfling songs at The Hearth, the tavern was so roasting hot so the fully loaded pair decided a bath would help cool them down.

They aren't simply drunk, however, but sweating profusely. Already half-undressed as they burst in, Hyrams already down to his trousers while Teddy's peeling off his robe, for that was not mere wine Khazpar offered but anabith anaru, which in the Common Tongue is rendered "firewine." Made from the fruit of a desert plant and infused with dragon's blood, despite the name firewine is intended to be consumed sparingly; sipped by the dram, not tossed down in greedy mouthfuls. So, the half-elf and halfling are dripping from to an accidental overdose of dragon blood. If the toxin isn't purged quickly they'll burn to death from the inside out!

Fortunately, both Khazpar and Little One are well aware of firewine's danger, and the swiftest means of averting it: Complete submersion in cold water. The fiery effect of metabolizing dragon blood is diffused completely in cold water, ironically saving victims from immolation through near-drowning. Those suffering overdose exhibit an instinctive and violent fear of all things damp and cold, however, refusing to touch let alone submerge themselves in water that isn't steaming. Doing that only accelerates their agonizing end, however, leading to explosive combustion in 2d4 rounds!

Resolution

With the revelation that Hyram and Teddy drained an entire bottle of firewine, roll Initiative for all PCs and two NPCs

Dorrik will secures the house door and guard it.

Little One will calls advice, only resolving danger if PCs fail.

Khazpar cannot act on his knowledge of firewine’s effects until his turn in the Initiative order.

Andros, prone on a massage couch, must spend half his movement getting to his feet before acting. He is also well-oiled, so effectively covered by grease.

Teddy and Hyran are Heavily Intoxicated -- +5 on Cha checks but Disadvantage on Int and Wis checks, plus a -3 penalty on attacks and saving throws.

All PCs and NPCs are effectively naked and weaponless, so base AC and Unarmed Strikes, only.

ROUND 01 Teddy: Stumbles to the nearest hot sink, still undressing (Dex 17) and does so without falling in; stands naked on the brink, ready to drop in. Little One: Annoyed by the ruckus, but keeps reading. Dorrik: Hurries to and closes the house door, shutting out a draft. Hyram: Finally naked aside from the wine bottle, tries to push Teddy in (Hit 16 succeeds; Strength -2 v Teddy 2 fails) but his hands slip off Teddy's sweaty butt cheek. (Dex 16) Hyram manages to keep his feet under him, but still staggers aside under his own momentum, to the edge of a cold sink. Andros: Watches the pair making fools of themselves. Khazpar: "Anabith anaru? Not the entire bottle!" Pushes up and out of the hot sink (Athletics 9) but slips getting traction, costing all movement getting out. "Quickly, Sir Andros! Subdue them!" ROUND 02 Teddy: (Perception 6) takes no notice of the shouting and plunges in -- 5 rounds to immolation! Little One: "You better get him outta there! He'll immolate if you don't!" Hyram: (Perception 3) steps back from the brink to look about. "Oh! Hullo there, Little One! Didn’t see you, at first. What're you readin' t'night?" Andros: Half-movement, rising from couch, then 15' toward Hyram. "You there! Cease this knavery!" Khazpar: Jumps back into hot sink, grappling Teddy to haul him out. (Attack 7 misses.) "It is made with dragons blood! They have overdosed!" Round 03 Teddy: Decides he dropped in the wrong sink and pushes up, directly into Khazpar's arms. "Well, hello. Is it lesson time again, I hope?"" Little One: "Cold sink! You gotta douse them in a cold sink!" Hyram: (Perception 5) "That’s what I’m doin’! This is a cold sink!" Andros: Runs up to grapple Hyram and (Attack 12) misses. Khazpar: Grapples (Advantage, willing target) and hoists Teddy (Attack 18, Str 14 no resistance) using all movement to carry him out of the hot sink. Teddy Reaction: Kisses Khazpar! ROUND 04 Teddy: Still kissing, not gonna stop. Little One: "Oh, you'll never catch Hyram like that!" Hyram: Darts between Andros’ legs and slaps him on the ass (Attack 17) leaving a small red handprint. Andros: Spins about to tackle Hyram bodily (Attack 20 Natural) directly into the cold sink! Khazpar: Kisses back while crossing to and dropping into the same cold sink. ROUND 05 Teddy: Struggles (Str 10) but can't resist Khazpar's hold (Str 13). Little One: "Hold tight, fellas! They're gonna fight!" Hyram: (Dex 22) wriggles free of Andy's hold (Str 12) and pops up, sputtering. Little One Reaction: "See?" Andros: Grabs Hyram's ankle (Attack 17) and hauls him back down. Khazpar: Holds Teddy down as the cold sink grows suddenly hot.

ROUND 06 WHOOSH! Metabolizing dragons blood is successfully neutralized, but a steam mephit manifests over the now-hot cold sink. It flies off at once, attacking the biggest threat around: Little One! Teddy: (Str 14) breaks free of Khazpar (Str 13) and pushes up, sputtering. Dorrik: Gapes and points at the mephit. Little One: Ray of frost hits the mephit. Hyram: Knees Andros in the crotch (Attack 19) and claws up, choking and thrashing. Andros: Holds himself and groans underwater. Khazpar: Grabs Andros (not resisting) and hauls him up, for air. ROUND 07 Steam Mephit: Attacks Little One again, missing. Teddy: Casts shield of faith, protecting Little One. Dorrik: Takes two steps, points and gapes again. Little One: Casts ray of frost and hits again. Hyram: "Burnt dumplings! Why’s it foggy in here?” Andros: (Con 13) casts magic missile but the mephit remains! Khazpar: Shouts to Dorrik, "Open! Let heat out!" ROUND 08 Steam Mephit: Turns from the frost-flinging ogre, for the miss-casting wizard! Teddy: Invokes word of radiance but the mephit is untouched. Dorrik: Opens the house door and begins "fanning" with it. Little One: Cast a final ray of frost, dissipating the mephit. As it dissipates, four men are doused with hot rain, taking 1 hp damage, each. Hyram: Yelps, panics, and nearly dives headlong into a hot cold sink (Dex 18) but realizes at the last instant and holds, on toes. Andros: Continues groaning and holding the family jewels. Khazpar: Lay on hands all around (Teddy returns a healing word.)

Fortunately, none of this commotion raised attention from the Court of Air, so the incident passes unnoticed -- with the exception of Little One. Hyram and Teddy are now dehydrated but fully sober, and otherwise none the worse for wear. Little One, however, is very cross with these antics, stomping naked to the door and muttering:

"Quod fit in domo balneum ad domum balneum!"

After he makes his way out, Teddy translates for the others' benefit:

“What happens at the bath house stays at the bath house.”

#Homoromantic Heroes #Dungeons and Dragons #DnD #D&D #Tales from the Great Library #Session Zero #quod fit in domo balneum #What happens in the bath house #bath house #Bath & Steam House #Teddy #Hyram #Andros #Dorrik #Khazpar #steam mephic #firewine #anabith anaru

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