[IC] The Chronicles of Dosei: Sands of Blood, A Dungeons and Dragons Roleplay. (Full)

[Ryonara]

Listening to Alyssa and Vivian talk made Catarina oddly happy. They weren't saying ignorant things like Jarvis, mean things like Malkai, or stupid things like Xavio. Vivian told them about what happened to Alyssa past mistress, showing off another ruthless aspect if drow society. It made Catarina wonder how they manage to live together as a society. But before she could pop the question Vivian went went to bed it was getting late, so Catarina needed to start her watch. Vivian was kind enough to leave her familiar with Catarina for the watch, though she wondered if there wasn't an ultior motive for it.

"Thanks Vi. Goodnight, I'll see you in the morning."

Alyssa cleaned up the dinner, feeding feeding the rest of the syew to the big boar while Catarina put out the campfire. As Catarina got herself ready for her watch she saw Alyssa do some sort of magic. Perhaps Perhaps a protective circle? It would certainly be appriciated. "Thanks Alyssa. Goodnight and sweet dreams."

With everyone asleep Catarina stood watch, vigilantly ensuring that no danger went unnoticed. She stood with her sword in hand, just daring the darkness to bring monsters out and face her. Though in about two hours she'd have to ask someone else to take watch. Catarina needed sleep too.

[EWillden]

Slowly but steadily the group went to sleep one by one. One by one they crawled into their bedrolls and fell into the deep darkness of slumber. Leaving only Catarina on her own for the first two hours of her watch. For the most part the moon did light up a good amount of the desert. Turning the place from the golden yellow sand it was to a almost pure white. The only danger that was close by was the very temple they camped outside. It was most likely the only reason why they were not already being watched or attacked by the desert's common hunters. However, it did not stop one creature from spying on the group. They had already had a run in with it already but with the cover of night it felt it could watch them more closely. It wondered why the group had ventured so far out to this temple. Even it gave him the willies. The copper dragon kept it's eye on the one at watch. She looked rather differently now then she did before. The light did not catch her figure like it did before. The group was surely a odd one though as it seemed have a mix match of characters. They were missing two though... the masked being and the smelly orc. The dragon crept a little closer moving its body through the sand as it did. Almost like it was swimming. Stopping every so often when it caused a lot of sand to flow to much.

[Ryonara]

Catarina stayed vigilant, but when it got cold she didn't hesitate to wrap herself in a blanket. It wasn't much, but it helped her from freezing in the desert night. Holding her sword Domina in her hands, she occasionally took it out of its sheath to give it a few swings, making sure her sword arm was still limber. As the minutes turned into an hour, Catarina could feel her eyes droop. She was barely able to keep track of the time, but once it became unbearable to resist the lure of sleep, she'd wane up Alyssa for her turn. But before that could happen she noticed something shifting the sands. She might have thought it was a mirage or just her mind playing tricks on her, but she wanted to be sure.

Going over to her tent, Catarina took out her crossbow and loaded an bolt. She went to the edge of camp and called out somewhat quietly, to not wake up the others if it's really nothing, but still loud enough that anything that was watching could hear her. "I have a loaded crossbow and I will shoot you if you do not come out right now..." Of course Catarina didn't have anywhere to shoot at except the sand, but if she does shoot and hits nothing, then maybe she was just going crazy and needs rest. But if she shoots and huts something, then she'd get ready for a fight, shouting her war cry to wake up through camp if she had to.

[EWillden]

The great copper dragon of the desert sands emerged from the sand. It was only annoyed with itself for not being stealthy enough. He slowly emerged though so as to not be too loud as to wake the others. This was a good time for a good scare prank on these adventures but being so close to a cursed temple they might wind up trying to fry him with their magic. He moved closer to Catarina, the moon light catching his scales giving him a blue tint. Once he was close enough so that they could speak quietly he sat himself down and stared at the woman. "You do know a mere crossbow that size would actually do nothing but scratch a dragon of my age?...." He spoke. Not many knew that dragons actually knew common as well as their dragonic language. Dragons were intelligent and quite often wise. This one however,... well Copper dragons were known for their jokes and riddles. "Tell me young lady,... what is your name, answer and I will give you my own." He asked. He was interested in this group to the point that now interaction was going to happen one way or another. Best now he got to know these adventurers. This was two times he have seen them and he hoped that it would not be their last time either. Who knows maybe this one might know a good joke or riddle he hasn't heard before.

[Ryonara]

Catarina held her breath when she saw the copper dragon rise out from the sand. Why, of all things, did a dragon have to show up? Why couldn't it be orcs? Gulping, Catarina lowered her crossbow but still held onto it. Though the dragon did have a point: with his size and scales the only way Catarina's crossboe would do any damage us if she makes a lucky shot and hits his eye. But easier did then done.

The dragon asked for Catarina's name asked she didn't hesitate to give it. "Catarina La'Spada. To whom do I owe the pleasure?" If she remembered right, some dragons were actually good. But Catarina only knew that white and silver dragons were the good ones and even that might be wrong. At least this wasn't a red or black dragon: those are certainly evil.

[Bishop]

It was a very very light & horrible sleep. Waking up every 30 min or so checking on the others and after confirming that they were asleep Xavio continued his "slumber". He could tell that Cat was a good girl and wouldn't betray him, well, that's what he hoped. He really started to doubt his people skills at times like this. The scorching desert heat from earlier made him speak the truth, the truth....something you should completely avoid if you want to have a good relationship with others.

So back to the light and horrible sleep.- "I have a loaded crossbow and I will shoot you if you do not come out right now..."- Cat said. That wasn't quite loud enough to wake up Xavio, her being far and whispering it loudly. But what came next nearly made him jump- "You do know a mere crossbow that size would actually do nothing but scratch a dragon of my age?...." - At first he thought Jarvis had woke up and was trying to convince Cat to kill him, ok that was too paranoid. Anyway Xavio slightly opened his eyes to see who was Cat talking to. He didn't see it clearly at first but the more he focused, the more adrenaline rushed through his body replacing tiredness and sleepiness. IT WAS A DRAGON. Now that he thought about it, wasn't it the same dragon they saw earlier? How many dragons could be roaming the same area they were questing in? Even one was a stroke of luck, be it bad or good one...

Xavio starts preparing some Lightning rays judging that there is no sure way to alert the others without alerting the dragon also. Lightning rays at the ready to cast it on the dragon if it starts showing offensive signs, the noise from the spell would surely awake the others. For now he would wait and listen to the conversation between Cat and the dragon.

[EWillden]

"My name is Corinth, and do not worry I am a copper dragon. Like most of my metallic brethren I do represent the good." He then spotted some sort of blue light as if a spell was about to be cast. It was that of a sorcerer. A obviously young sorcerer. The dragon sighed at the sight. He then looked back to Catarina. "Well Cat,... can I call you Cat. These deserts are my home and after discovering your little group, a bit jumpy a few of them, I could not help but wonder as to why. Then the next meeting puts me in view of the cursed temple." He voiced. He then lowered himself just so that she wouldn't strain her neck from looking up at him. " Do you by chance know any good riddles or by chance a funny joke?" He asked.

The Raven Bernard saw the sorcerer Xavio nearly freaking out. He could possibly wet himself at this point. Which made the bird wonder why this man is even here. The man must have understood that there are certain things in the world that are incredibly dangerous. Dragons being one of the things, this temple being another. "Go back to bed fool,... don't you know anything about dragons? This one is a Copper dragon. The only thing that can get bad in this situation is if he tells a horrible joke. Or you can blast it with a lightning bolt and kill us all in the process."

[Bishop]

Too focused on the conversation between the dragon and Cat, Xavio didn't even take notice to the raven approaching when he heard it whisper-"Go back to bed fool,... don't you know anything about dragons? This one is a Copper dragon. The only thing that can get bad in this situation is if he tells a horrible joke. Or you can blast it with a lightning bolt and kill us all in the process."

First of all Xavio was only planning to hit the dragon if he showed signs of starting an attack. He was hoping to get a shot at its eyes...
In any case the bird was right. There was a very slim chance that he might hit the dragon straight in the eye and even then their safety was not guaranteed.

Turning to the bird he said:"Calm your feathers, I wasn't planning to hit him without a strong sign of HIM starting an attack first. And I believe your master is awake? If not, you better hurry over to her."

So Xavio dispelled the faint electricity coming from his hands and started playing possum while at the same time keeping a close ear to the conversation.

[Ryonara]

"Uh huh..." Catarina didn't know enough about dragons to say for certain if what he was saying was true, but since he hasn't tried to kill her yet she'd take his word for it. She still held onto her sword however; it helped her calm her nerves. The dragon calls himself Corinth and asked if it was okay to call her Cat. Not exactly a name she'd let strangers call her, but she'd let it slide for her own sake. Then he wanted to know what the group was doing out here, though she felt it was pretty obvious. They're adventurers, and they're going to go through this ancient temple for their quest and loot. Fairly cut-and-dry. But Catarina explained anyways. "We're here to explore this temple and search for a magical artifact. But you said cursed? What sort of curse does this temple have?"

When Cornith lowered his head Catarina took a step back. While she doesn't have to strain her neck looking up at him anymore, it did her very little comfort being right in front of his face. His snout was only a little bit shorter than Catarina was. She was certain that if he actually wanted to swallow her whole, he'd have no trouble doing so. Then he asked Catarina for a joke. "What?" A joke? She found this whole thing very funny, but she doubts that's what he wants. Catarina did know a few jokes, but most of them were racist. Would he like that? She had no idea what sort of humor dragons have. The fact they have a sense of humor was strange to Catarina. She didn't want to disappoint him however, so she tried to think of a joke.

"Hmm... Ah, here, listen to this one: An orc, an elf, and a dwarf find themselves being granted wishes by an Efreeti.

The orc says, 'We orcs need to return to power. I wish all the orcs and half-orcs were returned to their ancient lands.' The Efreeti nods his head, and the orc vanishes.

The elf says, 'The elves need to get back to their roots. I wish all the elves and half-elves were returned to their ancestral home.' The Efreeti nods his head, and the elf vanishes.

The dwarf looks around. 'Let me get this straight," the dwarf says, "the orc wished for all the orcs to be gone, and the elf wished for all the elves to be gone?' The Efreeti nods. 'Very well, then,' said the dwarf, 'I'll have an ale.'"

[Meiyuki]

Alyssa stirred in her bed roll. Her eyes fluttered open as she heard two voices speaking, one she recognized as Catarina's, the other was low and rumbly almost like a...

"Dragon!" She quickly clamored out of her bed roll and barely managed to get decent before stumbling into the camp proper. She gazed upon the dragon's enormous bulk. She wasn't exactly an expert on dragons, but this one was either copper or bronze. Both of which were said to be relatively friendly. She was hoping for copper, they were said to be the jokers and riddlers of their kin.

"Awesome! I'm Alyssa, this is Catarina, and you're a dragon!" Alyssa did a little spin. "What do you want? A story? A joke? Maybe to offer us some of your age old wisdom?"

[EWillden]

Corinth smirked at the little joke. It was surely a good one, one becoming of dwarves. He was certain the dwarf would have said something else knowing their hatred for both races. The joke was good either way though. He then traced back to her question about the temple. He looked over at it and then back to her. "Have you ever thought certain places were best left buried underneath the sands, that temple is one of those places. You and your company can still go within it, I won't stop you. Just be careful,...." He had no clue as to what this item was she was talking about but he knew one thing and that was when adventures entered it they didn't come back out.... not whole anyways. They were then disturbed by the joining of some sort of dancer woman. She was the hooded fellow he saw with the drow. She was a interesting sort who seemed to be very interested in his presence. Even asking if he wanted to hear a joke. He already heard Catarina's joke and was not interested in hearing another. However, he was interested in giving the two a riddle.

"I have a riddle for the two of you,....." He said.

"What is it
That we love more than life,
Fear more than death,
The rich want it,
The poor have it,
The miser spends it,
And the spend-rift saves it?"

---------------------------

Bernard looked to the man once more and then over at his sleeping master. He then looked back to him and snorted. "Oh yes she is totally awake,... by the way I don't need to go to her or anything. Again that is a copper dragon. They are not evil, further more the only violence that will be caused between this interaction will be the one that attacks it." The raven said. He shook his head at the man. This guy sure was full of it. He then noticed Alyssa jumping up from her sleep and seeing the dragon. She seemed full of bliss and enjoyment at the sight of the huge creature. He took flight to join the two girls, fearing if he stayed by Xavio he might lose some brain cells. How the man became a mage he didn't know. He heard the dragon's riddle and he quickly knew the answer, he wondered if the two girls did though.

[Meiyuki]

Alyssa jumps up and down excitedly "Nothing!"

Her face was flush with child-like wonder. "Are you a copper dragon? They're my favorite!"

She dashed back to her tent and began rummaging around her belongings, she returned with a small battered book. "I have a book of riddles here if you want to play?"

She flopped down in front of the dragon, far too close to be an entirely sane move, and began paging through the book. She cast a light spell after a moment, when she realized it was still night, and that was probably why she was having difficulty reading it.

"What has a face, but no eyes. Hands but no fingers. And is always running but doesn't have legs?" She looked back up grinning.

[EWillden]

Corinth smiled at the girl, "I am Corinth, and you are?" He asked. "And the answer to your riddle is Clock." He answered. The riddle wasn't all that hard. Well not for him anyways. He closely examined her as well and was piecing the puzzle together. She was some sort of assassin like character. However, she was way to giddy and free spirited to be a assassin. A thief by chance. He couldn't really judge her fully.

-------

Bernard flew over and landed on the shoulder of Alyssa. "Not every day you see a dragon is it, Miss Alyssa." He sighed and shrugged. "Me and Vivian didn't really see much of them. We have had to dodge and hide from Basilisks but that was it. Not many of them live deep underground"

[Ryonara]

"Alyssa! You're awake?!" Catarina semi-shouted in a hushed tone. Of course Alyssa didn't bother to keep her voice down, so Catarina wouldn't be surprised if everyone else in the camp was awake now. Sighing, Catarina was going to try to get Alyssa to go back to sleep when she practically rushed at the dragon after she awakes ked his riddle. At this point Catarina just sigjed. She removed the bill from her crossbow, putting it away awakes ked her tent before walking back to Alyssa and Corinth.

"Alyssa, I know you're excited to see a dragon and all, but you need your rest for tomorrow. We can't have you exhausted during the dungeon crawl." Of course Catarina needed sleep too, and if she didn't have tomorrow worry about a dragon in their camp she'd may have just woken up Alyssa to watch the camp in her stead.

Catarina still couldn't shake the bad feeling about Corinth, even if he says he's about good dragon. Dragons are magical creatures, and it wouldn't surprise Catarina if the dragon is using some sort of spell to obscure his scale colors. Maybe he's actually a red dragon but with some brownish tint so he looks like a copper dragon. Would red dragons even live in a desert? Catarina didn't know, but she didn't want to leave Alyssa out here alone. So she sat down next to the girl, ready to protect the girl of she does anything else crazy.

[Meiyuki]

Alyssa looked to Catarina frowning. "I've been on plenty of dungeon crawls, but I've yet to meet a dragon until today."

She looked back to Corinth excitedly. I'm Alyssa! It's a pleasure to meet you." She offered a small bow from her seat.

"I have so many questions! Why is draconic used for most magical syntax? What is the relationship between dragons and sorcerers? Why do dragons sometimes take humaniod mates? What do you favor for your hoard?"

[Lucius Cypher]

Malkai's eyes opened as there was a commotion above ground. Worried that it may be a fight Malkai got out of his fox hole and looked around. He didn't smell blood, but maybe he just got here early. Leaving his barrow he headed to the main camp where the others were. Before he did that he turned back to human form and made the appropriate illysions. Once prepped he walked into the camp, inadvertently triggering Alyssa's alarm. Ignoring the effects he spotted what all the commotion was about.

It appears that the dragon from before wanted to pay a visit. He seemed harmless enough, and Malkai knew well enough about dragons that the copper ones were not evil. He could still be troublesome however. "Alyssa you're like a puppy tasting it's first meat." Of course his teammates were making enough trouble for themselves.

He walked up to the two girls and the dragon, getting a good feel of its sheer magical aura thanks to Malkai's druidic abilities. Dragons have a funny relationship with the natural world: more than mere beasts, but not so foreign that they belong to a different plane. He could feel an aura of chaotic energy from the dragon, like a storm that rips apart stones and weathers away mountains. But also a force of benevolence from the dragon, like a healing spring. It's intentions are good at least. "I am Malkai. Is there a reason you've decided to pay a visit to us at the dead of night, when most of us are asleep?"

[EWillden]

Corinth looked to yet another newcomer. The one who had disappeared. He had asked him what his intentions where. "My intentions were just to watch and by chance learn of the reasoning for entering the temple. I do believe the lady is right though. If you are to challenge the dangers within it you will need to be well rested. I apologize for this distraction I will take my leave. Just remember one thing. That place is evil. Be prepared for anything." Corinth spoke. He then turned to take leave. He did so by extending his wings and flying off. There will be a time to commune with these people but not right now.

--------------

Vivian began to stir in her sleep. At least she was trying to anyways but there was so much talking. She kept her eyes closed hoping to fall back to sleep. All she needed was a few hours of sleep at least until her shift started for the watch.

----------

The dwarf had slept through it all though due to all the ale he drank earlier. It made sleep come so much easier for him.

[Ryonara]

"Well, yeah, that's true, but..." Looking at Alyssa's frowning face, Catarina wondered if she was being a wet blanket. In fact, she started to wonder why she wasn't more excited. This was the first time Catarina saw a dragon in person that wasn't an art piece or a statue. And yet she's treating Cornith as if he was some unwanted guest. While Catarina's justification might have been for the interest of the party, there's no denying that she has also been a rather crappy host. Catarina's worries were compounded when Malkai arrived and voices his thoughts very similar to her own. "Oh gods... I am being a wet blanket!" It's not that she wanted Cornith to leave. Just that perhaps maybe he could see them in the morning? The dragon was about to leave when Catarina stood up and tried to speak over the flaping of his wings.

"Cornith! Come see us in the morning! I'd enjoy speaking to you over breakfast!" Covering her face from the sand that would kick up from Cornith's wings, the great copper dragon left as fast as he came. Letting out a tired breath Catarina turned back to the others, her tired expression much more apparent now. "Well... That was eventful. I'm... Going to bed now. Who will be taking the next watch?"

[Meiyuki]

Alyssa watched Corinth take flight, then turned to Catarina crestfallen. "I guess I'm up next..."

[Darkvision] she invoked a spell in draconic. She returned to her tent to retrieve her crossbow. Alyssa doubted she'd need it, after all anything that had been lurking about would have likely turned tail at the sight of Corinth's immense bulk.

"In or out Malkai, I'm putting up the Alarm spell again." She warned as she began retracing the circle around the camp. Once completed she settled in with a blanket near the ruins of the campfire from supper.

"And to think I missed the opportunity to keep a dragon company during my watch..." She muttered disappointed as she began her lonely vigil.

[EWillden]

Bernard was to be the only one remaining. He wasn't tired not in the least. He just pushed himself forward and helped keep watch. He did not have her darkvision but his other senses were just as strong. He looked to her for awhile and then felt a sigh going on. "Well there will be other times to speak with that dragon. He does roam a very large area so a good portion of this desert is most likely his. I wonder where his nest his though,... not many places here that look anything like a lair. Perhap's it's under the sand, I mean he does seem to traverse it almost like it was water. Which would make it very clever." He added. The more he spoke the more curious he even got. He then looked to the other members of the group slowly going back to their beds. He wondered about a few people. Catarina seemed a bit,.... too serious. The masked fellow was just a whole lot bundle of joy. The male sorcerer was a bit trigger happy. The dwarf,... well he was a dwarf plain and simple. He looked back to Alyssa. "Too be honest,... I don't expect us all to make it out of that place alive the way he was going on about it. He said it was cursed and evil. I can already think of a few who are probably going to die down there."