#and you have to endure months on end of torture practicing the very black arts you were born to fight against

[margindoodles2407]

blame @seeking-elsewhither for this one. it's echo time and i'm having thoughts (tm)

[pinkesthoney]

Howling at the Full Moon (pt 1)

Summary: Basically I’m hopped up on pre-full-moon-month energy and had to write something. You are Commodus’ date to a party wearing this dress posted by @it-vexes-me​. He drives himself crazy giving you wine to try and food to eat. 

Warnings: Dirty talk, suggestive themes but no smut yet!! 

Pairing: Commodus x F!Reader

Commodus almost couldn't bear the sight before him: you were (barely) wrapped in a gown made of fine black silk and a smooth gold ring. He had half a mind to demand you go and change until he saw how your eyes were absolutely glowing with pleasure.

He couldn't take away anything that made you this happy, even if it means he'll be snarling and glaring at any man who dares come within ten feet of you all evening–not that he wasn't usually possessive anyway.

30 minutes earlier. . .

"...Mistress, your dress has just arrived." the ancilla was very sweet, and very considerate about interrupting you while you were engulfed in painting. You glanced over, giving her a warm smile and waving her in along with the servus carrying the new package.

"Ah at last!! Ooh I am so excited for this one! Oh dear, will I have time to clean this mess off do you think?" you asked, looking down at the paint smudged all over your hands and arms.

"Certainly Miss, I'll fetch some hot water;." She reassured you, taking the dress from the servus and sending him off to go bring some boiled water. In the meantime she filled your bronze clawfoot tub partway with the water from the aqueduct. She helped you out of your paint stola and into a dressing robe. Quickly, the servi returned with the hot water and you were submerged in blissfully warm water, washing away the marks of your work.

After bathing, your ancilla helped anoint your skin with some crocus-infused olive oil. When you'd made sure your skin was glowing and soft as could be, you gleefully unwrapped your new dress, your ancilla giddily watching over your shoulder.

"Oh isn't it just magnificent?" you purred, letting it hang before you. "Do you think my Emperor will like it too? Not that it would change my opinion–but it would be a perk." you mused.

"Yes, Empress, I think he will be most...captivated." she giggled. With her help, you maneuvered into the luxurious silk.

"Ooh it's cold! thank gods it’s a warm night. mmm I can just hear the cicadas now." You felt goosebumps jump up on your skin both at the breeziness of the garment itself and the cold metal that kissed your skin from rib to hip.

You and your ancilla giggled together as she finalized your hair. You had her make it appear purposefully relaxed, framing your face gently without appearing over-styled.

Yes, you looked divine and you couldn't wait to steal the attention of every guest tonight. You had a knack for simultaneously being the center of attention without ever acknowledging it.

You dismissed your ancilla with a warm smile. You let yourself luxuriate it the power you felt. Your skin tingled with the cool metal, slick silk, and smooth as butter feeling of your oiled skin. It was divine.

This is how your emperor found you–stroking your hands gently along your exposed rib and across your collarbone. You glowed in the candle light, offset by the rich black silk and shining gold. He fell even more in love with you, just seeing you enjoy yourself so freely.

Commodus loved how innocently joyous you were. Like you'd never been hurt by the world–though he knew otherwise. You shone with some internal light, only accentuated by the candles.

"My Princess, you outshine the stars. Do you not think they will be jealous?" Commodus purred in his low timber, coming up behind you and wrapping his arms firmly around your waist, pulling you into his warm, sturdy body. He protected you in all ways, even when there was no threat present. That's why you could be so open and giddy.

"Well then, my King, kiss me for luck and I'll not fear their ire." You purr, leaning your head back, exposing your neck to him and letting Commodus swoop down and claim your lips. You let yourself melt into his hold.

"I can do you one better, my dear. See what I've brought for you here from Greece" as he said this he produced a delicate gold-link necklace with a blue eye pendant. Commodus knew you were firm in the spiritual realm and were always conscious of protecting yourself, so he'd found the most trusted mystics of his time, who had all recommended you wear a Nazar. The blue eye was found in many cultures and thought to ward off jealous thoughts and curses.

"It's perfect, thank you." You were smiling brightly as he draped the necklace around your neck. His hand lingered for a moment, not choking you, just holding you against himself. You could feel exactly how he felt about your dress and it delighted you.

"My King, I'm quite excited to make our appearance tonight." You giggled, gently prodding him to restrain himself... for now.

"I can't say I'm not dreading it in part. Those men will have eyes like wolves. But that will just give me all the more liberty to show them exactly who holds your heart."  He huffs against the nape of your neck. He's tempted to make a mark of some kind but thinks better of it. That would be a bit juvenile...maybe. He forces his mind elsewhere before he can consider it further.

"Ah, should we go, my moon?" He asks, voice just a bit strained.

"If it pleases my Emperor" You respond, feigning over-sweetness, knowing it would make him laugh. You loved his laugh–and it also took some of the tension out of his shoulders.

Together you made your way to the large peristyle, your hand linked in the crook of his arm. You entered the garden and was taken away yet again by the way the plants danced in the warm lantern light. Tonight the garden was filled with members of the patrician and equite classes along with artists whose patrons invited them to show off their work.

You loved nights like this that showed off the side of Rome you loved. The art and those who supported it in full bloom. Like your Emperor had predicted, glances rippled through the crowd as your appearance become known.

You felt Commodus' hand on your side tighten. You were sure by the time the night was through you'd have his handprint tattooed on your skin.

You loved Commodus for many reasons, one of which is how he doesn't try to pull you away from your thoughts and into the relatively dull conversations he has to politely endure thanks to his role as Emperor. Instead he just glances at you adoringly and supplements your responses whenever absolutely necessary. If there’s a conversation he knows would interest you, he knows how to gain your attention. Meanwhile you let yourself be swept from conversation to conversation by Commodus' guiding arm as you marvel at the colors, smells, tastes, and art of the evening.

You get lost often in the feeling of the night air on your skin and Commodus' warm palm pressing into you. Every now and then, Commodus will press a glass of sweet wine to your lips for you to taste. More often, he will press a morsel of meat, cheese, or fruit to your lips. When he does, you're sure to lick and suck the pads of his fingers. This always causes him to close his eyes in bliss, but the noises he makes have become progressively more needy.

First he barely even let out a sigh but that was hours ago. By now he's practically moaning at every occasion. He's torn between not feeding you anymore, so as to save himself this torture. But he's an addict. Not just for the feel of your lips, but the delightful noises of pleasure you make, the way your eyes shine just for him. So he continues, and he thanks the gods his armored waist hides how you are making him feel–not that his moans are that cryptic.

You could feel the tension in him building as the night went on and were eager to reach the end of it too, knowing Commodus was the best lover after a long period of denial. The longer the better as something inside Commodus snapped and his primal nature was given full reign.

You could see the lanterns dimming and guests making their goodbyes. With each one Commodus grew more and more tense. As Emperor, he could do as he liked, but you'd persuaded him that it might be a nice gesture to see each guest out. He was now regretting his agreement to do so.

Commodus was a live wire and you absorbed all that energy, which manifested in you giggled brightly and running your nails up his neck into his hair. When the last guest has said their goodbye, Commodus practically carried you back to your shared bedchamber.

He growled a terse order at your guards that no one was to enter. He would never leave you unprotected. The guards would remain outside your doors. As a couple, you were far from shy and your safety was priority anyway.

Entering the chamber, he dropped you heavily on the bed. He stood at the foot of the four-poster looking down at you like a wild animal that had been denied his prey one too many times. "Now. Since you've seen fit to taunt me endlessly with that divine mouth of yours, I think it's only fit to return the favour–wouldn't you agree?"

Stay tuned for part two ;)

[thewritinghouseofinsanity]

The Life and Times of Constintain Helsigg (D&D backstory)

Early life for the man known as Constintain wasn't very remarkable. Raised in a very normal Vistani environment, living in the roving caravans with his family and clan as they traveled across Leafsveil. His parents were pretty normal for Vistani though of course they had their vices. After living this life for sixteen years he decided that this life was much too boring so he decided he would make his way on his own. 

He made his way alone for a while but eventually he would find some excitement. While he made his way across the continent he would enter a town that was being visited by a traveling carnival named “The Crimson Cavalcade”. He was absolutely captivated by everything there was to do and see in this one little event and he was particularly enraptured by the acts of the acrobats and jugglers as he was pretty dexterous and good with throwing knives which he felt was similar enough to juggling. At this point in life he had a bit of a theft problem as he had nearly no money and felt like he shouldn't have to pay for the things he wanted. This caused problems before but this particular time when he laid his eyes on a magnificent pair of pistols hung up in one of the private tents it would get him into much more than he bargained for. 

When he was sure he was alone and unseen he made his way into the tent and snatched the firearms he saw. He would then attempt to make his way out of this tent, but as he made his way out he would believe he was scott free. He would quickly be proven wrong as the handle of a cane caught his shoulder. Standing behind him holding the end of said cane was a man with black, shaggy hair clumsily hanging over a furrowed, wild face. Glinting blue eyes, set dreadfully within their sockets, and scars reaching from the top of the left cheek, running towards his upper lip and ending on his left cheek. Sitting atop his head lazily was a dark top hat and he would look down at the young Constintain. 

He would bring him back inside the tent and make him hand over the guns he had stolen. After this he would introduce himself as the Whipmaster Crowe Lockwood and the owner of this traveling circus. He would then give him a choice, he could either report Constintain to the guard of the town and have him arrested for theft or he would pay off the transgression by joining his circus. This would confuse Constintain, but he didn’t turn down this offer as he definitely didn't want to be arrested and he also already wanted to join this cavalcade of misfits. This would be the beginning of 10 years of hell for the Vistani. 

Almost immediately he would begin training as an acrobat and juggler as he had wanted, but he would also be taught many more things. He would be tutored on the finer arts of thievery and eventually as more was revealed to him about his new “family” he would be taught the art of inflicting pain and killing. This was no mere traveling circus as it had seemed to outsiders, no this was secretly a traveling temple of Loviatar The Maiden of Pain. They traveled around the continent setting up these shows as if they were a normal circus but they were always just a front for secret meetings for the faithful of Loviatar. In an off limits tent high ranking members of the church would be able to revel in the pain of the lower ranking members as they are made to perform acts similar to the normal circus but using equipment made to be extremely tortuous to use. The acrobats would swing from jagged and rusty bars, the juggles would have to use jagged blades, dancers would be made to dance on paths of broken glass, ect, ect. 

Those who failed to perform satisfactorily would be presented to Whipmaster Lockwood for direct punishment that would last for days. When Constintain wasn’t performing for the civilian audience, being made to perform for the church members, or practicing for hours on end  he would be sent out into town or into the crowds gathered at the circus to steal valuables and pick pockets for much more profit than the circus made on it’s own. During this thievery he would develop a fascination with artifacts of historical or cultural significance and would often steal things of that type for himself as long as they were small and easy to hide. He wasn't allowed to have his own possessions as a part of the circus so he would have to constantly hide his collection of nick nacks. 

After ten years of this he would become more and more rebellious against this system which would net him more and more punishments from the Whipmaster. The day of his twenty sixth birthday someone would finally inform the Whipmaster of Constintain’s personal collection and in turn the Whipmaster would go to have these items taken and added to the circus’s funds. When he would attempt this Constintain would decide this was the final straw and when Lockwood came he would strike out at him in an attempt to save his items and partly to free himself from this congregation. He would be swiftly defeated in this attempt and as this was a major infringement against the church and the Whipmaster he would be slated for punishment. This time though it would be the longest and most gruesome punishment he had faced yet. He would be subjected to constant torture for weeks on end. Eventually after one month of pure hell his punishment was decided to be over as the Whipmaster finally decided he would bleed him dry. Of course it was a slow process as the Whipmaster drained him of every drop of blood before throwing out his lifeless corpse into some muddy roadside ditch as they traveled to their next destination. 

His death was the first time he had a true escape from the years of tortue he had to endure. His soul would be left waiting in limbo for what seemed like forever and he didn't really mind this. As this happened to his soul his body would be stumbled upon by pilgrims traveling to a temple of the Raven Queen. When they found the corpse they took it with them as they believed nobody should be left without a proper burial and funerary rites. It took many days for them to reach their destination, but through divine magic they kept his body preserved and kept his soul from fully departing before he could be given the proper rites to usher his soul to where it belonged. When finally brought to the temple his body would begin to be prepared for burial and the rites would be given. Though this act of ceremony the Raven Queen’s attention would be brought to the soul of Constintain who was just enjoying the peace of death. This would peak her interest as there were very few who would be so relaxed and content in death as he was. 

Possibly just on a whim she made the choice that one so peaceful in death deserved a second chance to live a good and peaceful life, and one such as this could be perfect to bring this peace to others who must pass. With that she would send his soul back to his mortal shell and at the same time would give an end to the pain his body felt as he returned, whispering to him “Take this child, a second chance for life. May the peace you felt in death lead you to seek others that require it in life”. With that he was reborn and brought into the fold of the Raven Queen. For a while he would be confused and wouldn't know what to do with this new lease on life. For a few months he would attempt to be part of the traditional clergy of the Queen as a priest, or a cleric but this proved to be far too restrictive for his free spirit. One night he would be visited by his Queen in his dreams and she would give him an offer, he could make a pact with her and pledge his soul eternal to her service. In her service he would need to search out people in need and places where untimely or unwarranted deaths would taint the afterlives of those lost. In those places he would bring an end to the problems plaguing the souls and introduce them to the way of the Queen in ways that were less overt and forceful as priests or clerics. By helping those people and leaving small hints that this aid was given by the power of the Queen he would be able to bring more people to her flock and through the powers she would give him he would be able to right the wrongs that affected the souls of the dead. He could take up this mantle or he could choose to be free in his choices in life and continue to live as free as he liked, but that life was not assured to give the fulfillment or salvation he seeked. 

He would take the deal offered by the Raven Queen and would become her warlock. He would take up the task she gave him and would begin to travel across the continent as he had done before. This time he looked to find people in need and souls in trouble. As he went on these adventures he would come across others that decided they would join him in this mission for reasons all their own. Some did it for coin, some for the thrill, and some for the feeling of accomplishment, but they all came together regardless. In the end the party came to be composed of five members. 

Constintain the Vistani Rogue/Warlock

Ysabel the Tabaxi Way of the Open Hand Monk 

Arimorn the Shifter Circle of Stars Druid 

Jennoa the Half-Elf Life Cleric

Yora the Vedalken Clockwork Sorcerer

          This party traveled together for the better part of ten years before they came upon their final adventure. After the ascension and then fall of Orcus there were very many powerful undead left around the world and Constintain's group were soke of the ones that worked to clean up that mess. Many ancient and powerful liches had come under the service of Orcus, and after his defeat were left to their own devices in a weakened land. Constintain and his party were sent in pursuit of one of these undead magi.

        This lich had made it's way down the coat leaving a trail of destruction as it went raising all that fell in its wake as thralls. It made it's way to a former pirate stronghold made of countless stolen ships at the cove hidden under an ocean cliff. The top of which housed an ancient fort which the pirates formally held but now served as the throne of the lich.

        By the time the party had caught their way though army of undead created by the evil wretch they were already wounded and exhausted. They had been forced to fight through the cove of undead pirates and up the passages into the cliffside citadel where they would finally confront their quarry on the crumbling battlements. 

          The fight would be a hard fought one but quickly became a war of attrition as the lich began by focusing fully on the cleric Jennoa as it knew she would keep the party in the fight. It would bombard her already wounded form with spells before uttering a single word and causing her to fall dead on the spot. With her dead the next target was the druid Arimorn and they would be stunned in place and be left to slowly suffocate in a cloud of poison gas before they could change their form.

         With two of the five dispatched so quickly the remaining party were pushed back close to the edge of the cliff with a wave of thunder from the lich. The sorcerer Yorra would attempt to fling one of his most powerful spells at the abomination but it easily countered his spell and responded in turn with a thin green beam that pierced the Vedalken between the eyes before refusing his body to dust. 

         Now only two were left Ysabel the monk and Constintain. They had been backed up to the very edge of the cliff by the lich as it seeked to toy with its prey for a while longer. Seeing their situation was unwinnable Ysabel would make Constintain's decision for him. She would look to him and say "I'm sorry friend, but you're destined for bigger things. Let's meet again once this is all over". After her farewell was given she would sweep Constintain's legs from under him and push him off the cliff down into the cove below. The last he saw of her was her running towards the undead wizard with a cry of battle. 

          The next thing he remembered was an impact, the sound of splintering wood, pain, and then darkness. He remembered this darkness engulfing his mind for what seemed like an eternity before he finally awoke. When he did he was in the crew quarters of a ship. He had been nursed to health by the crew of a trade vessel and when asked the captain told him they found him adrift at sea, the only one aboard an old rotting ship that seemed to have once been used by pirates. They told him that they would be docking at Holtwick and he could go aland there and look for more aid there.

        When he arrived he would come onto town and begin a downward spiral of theft and drink. Stealing and taking jobs tomb raiding to get money that he would throw away for booze. He would live this way for years before his skill at finding ancient relics would be noticed by a local archeologist's guild. They would hire him to find relics for them instead of private collectors or undesirables. This was the push he needed to get started back in a positive direction. He would do this work and would eventually begin to steal the artifacts he got for the collectors and criminals before to give to the people that would use them for the right things.

         This is what he would be doing for the rest of his years in Holtwick, putting his former life of adventure as far away in his mind as he could. Though since the day he failed to defeat that lich, and abandoned his pact with the Raven Queen she would stop speaking with him and would even stop listening to his prayers. So there he would be for years until the day he decided to steal a relic from some powerful in Holtwick and would hitch a ride with a group of adventurers seeking to kill a god. 

[margindoodles2407]

@whyoneartheven

blame @seeking-elsewhither for this one. it's echo time and i'm having thoughts (tm)