There's a snake under your pillow.

Aataz Kaed 2017/11/29(Wed)23:41 No. 848802 ID: f9400c
File 151202767112.gif - (138.98KB , 656x500 , Wakeup-Call.gif )

Our story begins on a peaceful morning, in the bedroom with illustrious Archduke Aataz Azureblood.

Leader and beacon of hope for all kobolds in his kingdom, and one of the mightiest sorcerers in the world, Aataz slept contentedly, up until some horrible witch snuck into his room and threw open the balcony doors, letting in a wash of unwelcome sunlight.

"Nngnzzrr..."

"Lord Azureblood, it's time to wake up. I brought your breakfast."

"...Close th' doors n' go away... "

"No, Lord Azureblood, I'm not closing the balcony doors."

"... if'n can see the sun through th' window, s'too early..."

"Today is the anniversary celebration, Lord Azureblood, so I'm not leaving until you get up and start eating your breakfast."

"... That's not until the afternoon, Vett. Why are you torturing me."

"You have a lot to do before the celebration, my lord. Now stop being a lazy bag of lizard droppings and get out of bed."

Aataz Kaed 2017/11/29(Wed)23:41 No. 848803 ID: f9400c
File 151202770561.gif - (75.79KB , 800x600 , Its-Too-Early.gif )

Reluctantly, Aataz forced himself to sit up, glaring balefully at his seneschal. She was being particularly pushy today, and given that he was used to sleeping late in his comfortable silk bed, this behavior was entirely unwelcome to him.

The sun had just risen in the last hour, as far as he could tell from the painful glance he made out the balcony doors, and he considered figuring out who had designed his keep to have his room's balcony face directly east so every sunrise was capable of shining into his eyes.

So he could do... something... to them. Something terrible, probably. He rubbed the sides of his snout, muttering to himself as he struggled to bring his sluggish brain up to working order.

"There you go. That wasn't so hard, was it now?"

"I hate you and you're fired."

"Very amusing, my lord. Now, your breakfast is getting cold, so hurry up and eat it."

Aataz continued to glare hatefully at his seneschal as she walked across the room to the door. Nevertheless, as much as he tried to focus on killing her by glare alone, the smell of coffee slithered its way slowly from his nostrils into his brain, and his stomach grumbled. Breakfast actually sounded like a good idea...

"I don't wish to put too fine of a point on it again, but you still have many things to do in preparation for the anniversary celebration. Try not to moon around in your room for very long."

Vett bowed once and slipped out the door, closing it behind her, and Aataz was left alone in his bedroom. Breakfast was definitely first on his agenda, but after that, he had to pick out what he was going to wear today.

At some point before he got to work, he also wanted to check on Aiskagri, who was supposed to be arriving later today.

And now that he thought about it, he was also considering making some time in his agenda to take a flight around the keep, just to spite his seneschal. Also, because flying was relaxing.

He just had to decide which of his stalling tactics he was going to do first.

>>848803
How long has it been since you last stretched your wings? Why don't you go for a fly around the place? After you put some clothes on. Wouldn't want anyone to look up and see you naked, right?

Inhale breakfast, inhale coffee.
Fight the power; wear the laziest thing you have. Like, yoga pants and t-shirt lazy. It's too early for anything else. Since Aiskagri isn't going to be around until later (which by definition can't be at butt-early-in-the-morning) you should just go fly a couple laps around the keep.

>>848802
She takes too much joy in doing that to you, find a way of getting back at her with something equally annoying (maybe have a hidden alarm go off in her room in the middle of the night so she cant sleep till she finds it (Time for payback in the form of pranking)).

>>848803
Either way get up, have breakfast and get dressed then you can mysteriously not be in your room (having flown away off of your balcony) when they come back in to see if you've gone back too sleep (pack the bed with pillows to make it look like your still in bed to throw her off). They'll go looking for you but it'll buy you some more flight time before you have to work (plus it messes with them).

It's too early to plan revenge. Eat your breakfast and go flying. It sounds like Aiskagri isn't going to be around until later anyways.

Who needs clothes? They just stifle your magnificent draconic wings.
Go flying first.

Make a note that from now on if Vett wakes you she must be wearing a silly hat. Else she gets her horns painted different colors.

After a big breakfast, a nice exhilarating flight sounds like the best thing. Feel the wind across their membrane and all that and show the people your magnificence.

>>848803
Go for a bath, then flap around the ballroom and seek our your lover. It's been eight hours since you hugged her, that is TOO LONG.

New edict: anyone waking up the Duke has to be wearing less clothing than him. The sentence for violating this rule is five minutes' dungeon.

>>848847
This.

Alright so, EAT BREAKFAST FIRST. Because it might be the most important meal of the day. Then maybe see about a quick fly around the keep; couldn't take too long.

Aataz Kaed 2017/12/04(Mon)21:57 No. 849893 ID: f9400c
File 151245344310.gif - (569.79KB , 930x729 , SillyHats.gif )

>>848900
>>848847
>>848933

Archduke Aataz ignored his dresser entirely for the time being, and brought his breakfast out onto the balcony with him. Some coffee on the and a bit of acclimating to the sunlight later, he felt like he could think straight enough to plan what to do about Vett. It seemed frivolous to do anything that seriously inhibited his servant's ability to work, so he couldn't do something ridiculous like demand she be naked any time they go to see him in the bedroom. It would probably also undermine his management style to blatantly humiliate his seneschal.

The foundation of his relationship with the kobolds in the kingdom was one of light touches and comradeship. He did not impose stifling laws or restrictions on them beyond those that kept everyone working together and not killing each other wantonly. In exchange for their loyalty and following his leadership, he offered them protection and a voice into the greater affairs of the region. As a result, most of the kobolds tended to respect or like him, but did not really fear him as an authority figure. That worked just fine for Aataz.

After some consideration, he levitated one of the smaller pillow from his room onto the balcony, and used a bit of his deep stores of draconic magic to remake it as a dumb little feathered hat. He would make this part of the seneschal's uniform for a while, perhaps. It was almost a little dashing, even with the oversized downy feather. Lighthearted japes were well within the boundaries of what he allowed in interactions between himself and his servants.

That problem resolved, he set to work on his pancakes. Berry syrup was one of his favorites, and it made him forgive Vett just a little bit for waking him up so early. She really did seem to know how to deal with him, after all this time working for him...

Alright, eat your food then get dressed and I suppose go check on Aiskagri.

you need to make the hat to big for him and make it red and the feather purple

>>849906
But then it won't match the rest of the uniform! That would just be a crime against fashion.

Finish eating
Get dressed
Then delay things by checking in with your daughter. She's probably attracted another young gentleman who needs turning to stone by now.

What I meant was the you make a new rule that if she must wake you up early that she must wear a silly hat so that at least seeing it will put you in a better mood.

>>849893
Food: Check
Coffee: Check
Lighthearted Revenge Cap: Check
Clothes: Nope

Cantrip your comfiest clothes to yourself, might as well be cozy when facing the day.

So she mentioned an anniversary. What exactly is today the anniversary of?

I'd also recommend making that hat a little more on the oversized side of things for added amusement, and so she might get through the day without her horns tearing a hole through it.

Looks good. So, where do we plan to go flying? Better fit that in or we will be late for... whatever it is.

Wear your FINEST SILK outfit.
If you own one.

Stretch your wings and fly.

Aataz Kaed 2017/12/08(Fri)00:34 No. 850407 ID: f9400c
File 151272203184.gif - (125.43KB , 800x800 , Flight.gif )

>Alright, eat your food then get dressed
>put some clothes on. Wouldn't want anyone to look up and see you naked, right?
>Wear your FINEST SILK outfit.

Aataz considered his wardrobe as he as he ate breakfast. He would select a formal outfit later on, for now he was going to go for more casual wear...

>Fight the power; wear the laziest thing you have.
>Cantrip your comfiest clothes to yourself, might as well be cozy when facing the day.

... and it wasn't hard to decide. He retrieved the warm winter coat Aiskagri had given him as a gift late the previous year. It was perfect for a brisk morning flight. It was even specially tailored to fit past his wings so he could fly with it.

It was also one of his favorite pieces of clothing, for sentimental reasons.

>>848808
>>848819
>>848827
>>848827
>>848933
>>850083
>Stretch your wings and fly.

Donning his coat and abandoning the breakfast tray and hat on the balcony, Archduke Aataz leapt into the air, his wings expanding in size to aid in flying, and he began a loop around his keep. Far below, he could see guests were already arriving in assorted groups as they trudged up the path to the keep gates. A few of them even stood out as familiar from up here. He recognized the copper dragon Rachityr with an unfamiliar kobold, and slightly less appealingly, the scarlet scales of Darakyx, the half dragon kobold diplomat from the newer nearby mini-kingdom of Balefire Mountain. Several of the people on the path below stopped to look up at him as he flew between the towers of the keep. He wasn't going to worry about them for now, though - there would be time enough of later to catch up with Rachityr and fend of the advances of Darakyx, along with greeting other guests.

>So she mentioned an anniversary. What exactly is today the anniversary of?

Officially, this is the first anniversary of Queen Strixtha's coronation as the new ruler of what is now called Altheona. But a great many other things also happened on the same day. The plans of the dracolich Zaerynox to ascend to divinity being foiled with her destruction at the magic of a certain handsome kobold sorcerer and his comrades. His subsequent promotion to Archduke of all kobolds in the kingdom.

And of course, the passing of King Altheonus, one of the oldest and most powerful dragons in Golarion. Aataz planned to visit his memorial along with Queen Strixtha at some point before the celebration.

>go check on Aiskagri.
>seek out your lover.

Having flown a lap around his keep, Aataz headed upwards, spiraling around the tallest tower in his keep, partly for the fun of it, and partly to show off for the benefit of those poor souls bound to the ground below. His private sanctum was at the top of the tower, which was itself only accessible by air and locked away behind a seal only he knew how to open. Inside, he could use his equipment to contact Aiskagri to check in on her.

==>

So any chance we're ever going to meet this Handsome Kobold Sorceror? He sounds pretty cool, so you could probably learn a thing or two from him.

Just kidding. Go ahead and contact your friend.

Welp once you had your fun go land. Formalities may not be fun but hey you gotta do em.

Aataz Kaed 2017/12/09(Sat)00:03 No. 850522 ID: f9400c
File 151280662141.gif - (65.19KB , 800x600 , The-Door.gif )

>>850433

The sentry fires to the sides of the tower doorway lit as Aataz landed. This tower was the most secure area in the kingdom at this current time, even more than the protections he had put around Queen Strixtha. He used his sanctum both as a private area for stury and research, and to store a number of dangerous things that did not need to be loose in the outside world.

The amount of effort he and time the Archduke had put into creating it had paid off. Anyone but him who set foot on this balcony would immediately alert him with a telepathic alarm.

Even if they reached the door though, the only way past it was to to know the right key. The door would not unlock for any physical key or object, though. It only opened in response to one specific thing.

Aataz Kaed 2017/12/09(Sat)00:04 No. 850523 ID: f9400c
File 151280663137.gif - (166.64KB , 504x682 , OpenUp.gif )

Aataz, naturally, was very familiar with the mental key required, and did not share it with anyone except one other. He honestly doubted even if anyone else figured it out, they were likely to be able to duplicate it genuinely.

It was definitely one of this more creative ideas, if a little sentimental.

He pressed a claw to the seal, and presented his key. The door unlocked and it slid apart obligingly, allowing him entry.

Aataz Kaed 2017/12/09(Sat)00:04 No. 850524 ID: f9400c
File 151280665725.gif - (29.92KB , 800x568 , DoubleDoors.gif )

The inside of the tower was sparse, containing only two doorways. The locks on these doors were simply gemstones that only opened when Aataz or a designated party touched them.

More importantly, though, each of the doors inside lead to a small demiplane the Archduke had created himself. The door on the left was his private sanctuary, holding many magical things and even a few dangerous artifacts under careful guard, among other things. The door on the right lead to the high-security confinement suite he had made to keep dangerous political prisoners comfortable for their long-term of indefinite stays.

He glanced at the sentry banners by the doors. Each one had special iconography on them that Aataz had designed to allow him to quickly tell the status of the locale on the other side of the door. They were both linked to an array of magical sensors in the demiplanes, and would update themselves immediately if something changed or...

As he looked at the prison banner, Aataz sighed. Tallonus was requesting a visit, again. It seemed like he did every other week or so lately. The ex-duke had been insufferable even before his ill-fated attempt to lead a rebellion against the Queen. Most likely he had another lenghty complaint or demand for some amenity.

Aataz hesitated, eyeing the red and pink door. He really didn't want to deal with Tallonus right now, but he had not made his prison to leave (most of) those people to rot in it. The ex-duke could theoretically be injured or actually need help. More likely he would just make this morning miserable, though.

The archduke would really rather leave the visit to later in the evening, and go to call Aiskagri instead. What if she was in trouble, and he would only find out if he went to check on her now? He could definitely tell himself that, yep. It might even be true, he'd had to rescue her before!

Nevertheless, he waffled indecisively, glancing between the two doors as the entryway closed behind him with a click.

>>850524
Take your responsibilities seriously. You don't want to be like Harat, do you?

Business before pleasure, just be prepared to leave impolitely if he just wants to yell at you.
Check the other status icons first, though: is the containment still secure? It just wouldn't do to head into an ambush and escape attempt.

If this is the anniversary of his failure, perhaps you should also be ready in case he tries to do more than just yell at you. Like, have a couple Touch-spells charged up just in case.

For all you know, he's been buzzing that door all night. Speak with your lover first and pop the seal on his complaints/treachery/drunken sob story second. Plus, if something goes wrong, someone else will know why.

>>850524
>Call lover or visit ex-duke?
These political prison cells don't have anything in them that the prisoners can use to hang themselves, right? Like bedsheets or something? That could be an alert that he's trying to kill himself because he'd rather die than remain a prisoner or something like that.

You should probably go stop him from doing that. He shouldn't be allowed to take the easy way out of avoiding punishment for his crimes.

And who's the other prisoner that you've got?

Business before pleasure.

Is there a reason these prisoners are kept in your own personal dungeon that only you have access to instead of...you know...AN ACTUAL PRISON? I suppose there's less chance of them escaping but this feels like an abuse of power.
Same as keeping a whole bunch of dangerous artifacts in one location with pretty much only you and your magic between them and whatever psychotic evil overlord bent on world domination/destruction is after them.

Aiskagri is unlikely to be in any real trouble. Stop trying to skip out on your jobs!

Duty calls, job first.

Remind me to stay away from that tower.
Pocket Dimensions don't react well with me

Anyway sod the prisoners
Go see your beautiful lady you can deal with grumpy prisoners later.

See your lady first.

See your girl first

See your bae first

Work first, see what Tallonus wants.

Aataz Kaed 2017/12/23(Sat)03:42 No. 853490 ID: f9400c
File 151402933051.gif - (225.04KB , 1000x1000 , Tallonus.gif )

>>850528
>>850534
>>850571
>>850621
>>850923
>>851300
>>852533

After some consideration, Aataz resignedly decided he had to put calling Aiskagri beneath his other responsibilities, as much as he would like to ditch more of them to enjoy himself. The Duke in particular... no, Tallonus was a Baron, now that Aataz thought about it. The intricacies of feudal rankings systems had never been something he had been particularly keen on memorizing. He knew as an Archduke, the people who outranked in this kingdom him could be counted on one hand, and that was good enough for him.

Baron Bikus Tallonus really was warranted special treatment of a sort, which was why Aataz had tried his best to accommodate most of his requests. As one of the parties who had personally been involved in killing the Baron's son over a year ago, the kobold felt some level of sympathy for Tallonus. Granted, his son had been planning an open rebellion against King Altheonus without consulting his own father, and taking him out had been necessary.

But they still been Tallonus's son, and Aataz sort of understood that the Baron might have been suffering from heightened emotions (and possibly inebriation) when he had hired several individuals to assassinate Queen Strixtha. Perhaps he had felt having Altheonus's daughter killed was some sort of karma for what happened to his own son. It wasn't a very effective assassination, though.

Kind of half-assed and pitiful, really, and they failed to even injure the Queen before being captured. Aataz had locked Tallonus away in the tower prison more to keep him out of sight of the Queen for a while than because he particularly deserved to be treated as a serious threat. Aataz tried to keep him as comfortable as possible during this time.

Aataz opened the door, stepping into the sunlit forest path that made up his Rehabilitation Penitentiary. The demiplane had been custom made by the kobold to be scenic and pleasant, on the assumption that providing the prisoners with comfortable surroundings would reduce the stress and discomfort of long-term imprisonment. It did not take long to reach Tallonus's 'cell', a depression in the forest floor surrounded by stone pillars that pulsed slowly as they projected what amounted to impassable walls around the living space.

The kobold stopped at the edge of the cell, putting on his most polite tone of voice as he looked down at the Baron, who was staring off into the forest.

"Baron Tallonus. You needed something?"

The baron was silent for a few moments, before looking towards the kobold, his expression and voice listless.

"Are you ever going to let me out? I think it's been at least three months by now."

The kobold sighed. It had been over three and a half months at this point, and he considered how to answer, rubbing the back of his head.

"Hmm... Queen Strixtha can have a long memory, and we've already talked about how much you annoyed her several times, Tallonus. Maybe I can bring you another book to read?"

The baron shook his head, looking frustrated.

"Can't you ask her?"

Aataz Kaed 2017/12/23(Sat)03:42 No. 853491 ID: f9400c
File 151402935188.gif - (222.56KB , 804x676 , Screaming.gif )

"I don't think is... Actually, you know, this might actually be the ideal time to do that."

The baron seemed to gain a little life at that news.

"Really? Why, what is going on?"

"Today is the anniversary of her coronation. She will probably be in a good mood."

"Oh. Already? That's.. good news, then."

"Tell you what, I'll-"

"Kobold."

The demanding voice drifted through the woods, loud and angry. The kobold broke off midsentence, hesitating. A small part of him sort of hoped if he stayed quiet, they would leave him be. He really did not want to deal with them today. The voice just returned a moment later though, louder and more demanding.

"Kobold! I know you are there, attend me at once!"

Aataz put a claw to his face, grinding his teeth, and considered just leaving. In the end though, he decided to just get this meeting over with, and glanced at Tallonus, giving him an apologetic smile as he walked deeper down the forest path.

"Sorry, I have to deal with this. I'll ask her, though."

Aataz Kaed 2017/12/23(Sat)03:43 No. 853492 ID: f9400c
File 151402938577.gif - (38.02KB , 1040x873 , Mad-Dragon.gif )

>>850693

The real reason he had created the Rehabilitation Penitentiary was deeper down the forest path than the Baron. It currently held three prisoners besides Tallonus, and each one of them was too dangerous to keep in a regular prison. He passed the assassin on his way to his destination, and their cold eyes tracked him as he passed, but they did not greet him or get up from their bed.

When he reached the Mountain Habitat, he stopped at the edge of the waterfall pond and stared across it to the imprisoned dragon. The binding spell Aataz had put over them had reduced the dragon's size and confined them within a glass sphere from which they could not escape without outside assistance. The kobold's tone was curt and flat as he greeted the prisoner.

"Alrhimus."

"Kobold, I demand to be released immediately. I have tolerated this nonsense for nearly an entire year, and I will not any more."

Aataz blinked once at the dragon. Alrhimus had been cold and calculating almost every other time they had met, but he finally seemed to be cracking under the strain of his minimus containment. He provided the dragon with a succinct reply.

"No."

The dragon began to spray little flecks of lightning from his jaws as he shouted, somewhat like spittle. The lightning flickered along the edges of the glass sphere.

"I will not be treated in this fashion any further! Release me at once, kobold!"

Aataz sighed, shrugging his shoulders. He had given Alrhimus very clear terms at the start of his imprisonment that he was only getting out if he submitted to a geas to assure his loyalty. Technically, Aataz was capable of forcing such an enchantment on the dragon, he firmly felt that the dragon would have to show a snippet of humility, even faked, before he deserved to be released.

"Are you ready to submit to the authority of myself and Queen Strixtha?"

"I will submit to the authority of no kobold!"

Aataz shrugged, unsurprised, and turned to go.

"STOP!"

Aataz began walking away.

The dragon made an effort to contain his anger, a touch of frustrated desperation behind his tone now.

"I heard you earlier! The young Queen is celebrating her anniversary! I would speak with her, not a kobold, to negotiate terms of my release!"

Aataz stopped, turning back to consider the dragon. Alrhimus the Usurper had allied with the ancient dracolich and assisted in deposing his own adoptive father, Altheonus, up until he had been slain by Aataz and his compatriots. He had also had a lot of the kobolds in the territory executed during that period of unrest.

But the archduke hadn't gone to the trouble of having him raised from the dead and imprisoned in a crystal sphere just for his own amusement. Aside from eliminating the possibility that some unknown ally of the dragon bring him back, Aataz had genuinely wanted to see if he could change the dragon to something more useful to the kingdom. Perhaps even Redeem them. But that was a long, difficult process, especially with a dragon as stubbornly proud as this one.

This could be the first step on that path, if he was willing to negotiate with the queen herself. Or it could be a complete waste of time.

Aataz could take the crystal sphere with him and allow Alrhimus to speak to Queen Strixtha. There would be little the dragon could do to directly harm the Queen from within it. And he could always be put back on the pedestal he wasted everyone's time by bellowing demands at her or something.

But there was also a possibility that this was part of some ploy. This was a very notable date, and the dragon thought himself very clever. He could have planned ahead somehow for this eventuality. He might also cause the queen harm indirectly by giving her information that led her or the kingdom into trouble.

>>853492
Tell him he can speak with the Queen tomorrow.

I feel there is little Alrhimus could do from the sphere if he and the queen met in private.

However, if part of your criteria is reducing his stubborn pride it does no good for him to be disrespecting your position just because you are a kobold.

He can speak to the queen, if he can bring himself to at least apologize to you. A legitimate apology. Without that, there is no deal.

>>853492
Tell him that if he rejects your authority solely because you're a kobold, then he is unfit for society and will remain in solitary confinement.

Tell him that, unlike the baron, he has a very clear condition for getting let out. He can wait until after the festivities to waste the queen's time by having her repeat the same condition, especially since he seems so intent on disrespecting your authority on the matter. Offer him the geas once more and walk away on anything other than a yes.

Tell him he may see the queen tomorrow, then bring him an autographed picture of the Queen "for her number one fan."

>>853492
Tell him he MIGHT be able to speak to the queen tomorrow. Meanwhile, go back and give Tallonus a pat to soothe him.

Then go see Aiskagri before the coronation.

Remind him that the Queen has left his imprisonment at the discretion of her loyal Archduke, and you see no reason to bother her about such a recalcitrant felon. I think that should be enough of a hint, you want a little more than a few seconds of nondemanding tone to consider negotiating.

Even if he should show some additional semblance of humility, I wouldn't remove the orb from this demiplane. If some unknown ally is still out to free him then they're just waiting for you to remove him from this inaccessible dungeon. Any way you could prepare a space here for the Queen to meet him instead?

Wait what assassin? Is it one of the assassins hired by baron mopey, didn't you just say they were shit? Also why bother keeping someone who's basically just a trained murderer for hire, why not just have him executed? You planning on using him?

Anyway don't bring dragon, ask the queen if she is willing to speak with him. In the mean time to keep him entertained fill his snow globe with glitter.

Aataz Kaed 2017/12/29(Fri)19:56 No. 854609 ID: f9400c
File 151460615050.gif - (104.69KB , 1040x873 , Good-Talk.gif )

>>853499
>>853497
>>853503
>>853522
>>853572

Aataz sighed, shaking his head and turning back to the dragon slowly.

"Alrhimus, I was pretty explicit about the only terms you had for leaving your binding."

The dragon seethed visibly, clawing at the floor of the crystal sphere.

"I would speak with the queen, not you. She surely has more sense than an arrogant kobold behaving far above its station."

Aataz rolled his eyes, biting back a retort, and spread his arms slightly.

"Alright. Go ask to talk to her, then. I'm sure you know where the throne room is. It's barely ten minutes flight once you leave the tower."

Alrhimus paused for a long moment, then hunched down, baring his teeth and growling deep in his chest.

"... Don't make jest of me, kobold."

Aataz snorted, folding his arms.

"Listen, we both know you aren't getting out of here without my permission. It doesn't matter how much you bellow at me, Queen Strixtha won't even know you asked to see her unless I choose to tell her."

The archduke pointed a claw at the glaring dragon, narrowing his eyes.

"So I'll make you a deal. You give me a sincere apology for what you've done to me and the kingdom, and I'll take you to see her."

The dragon continued to glare balefully at the kobold for a long few moments, before rumbling in a sneering sort of tone.

"... I'm sorry... you think you deserve an apology, kobold."

Aataz gave the dragon a flat stare, and after a moment, Alrhimus began to chuckle quietly.

"... If that's the best you can do, that you c-"

"My lord, are you quite finished stalling?"

Aataz jerked slightly, muttering to himself. His seneschal had evidently caught onto his stalling tactics, and was hailing him through the keep communication system. He glanced at the dragon, holding up a hand as they started to speak again.

"I have to take this call. Shut up or I'll just leave."

The put a claw to the side of his head, opening up the telepathic communication line, and the dragon fumed, obviously not keen on being told to wait.

"Vett, what is it?"

"You have guests arriving, and they are awaiting you."

"Tell them I'm out right now."

"Certainly, my lord. After that flight you took around the keep to show off to all of them, I am certain they will believe that excuse with ease."

"... Okay, point. Fine. I'll be down in a few minutes. Get them hole derves or something."

"*sigh* Hors d'oeuvres, my lord. And I will see what I can do."

Aataz dropped the telepathic link, looking up at Alrhimus, but it wasn't really paying attention to him anymore.

"Right, I'll probably mention your request to Queen Strixtha. I have to go though."

"I don-"

Aataz activated the silence field around the platform, cutting off whatever the dragon had to say. Alrhimus continued to shriek impotently in evident outrage at being dismissed, but the kobold was already leaving.


>>853629

On the way out, he passed the assassin's cell. The prison dimension was always well-lit, but they had activated the darkness setting for the cell, either to sleep, or so they would not be disturbed by the archduke. Aataz could only see a vague shape on the bed, and for all he knew, they were watching him back.

The assassin had made an attempt on Queen Strixtha's life four times. During the first two, Aataz had killed him personally in the queen's defense. After each death, the strange lizardfolk had shown back up around month later, back alive and toting a magic item that protected him against the previous way Aataz had killed him - first a lightning warding ring, then an amulet that blocked force attacks. During the third attempt, Aataz had blasted him out a window whereupon the assassin escaped into the shadows, before finally capturing him during the fourth attempt. At that point, he had figured out that they needed to be confined rather than killed again.

And the archduke still barely knew anything about them. They had powerful forces backing them; not even his best spells could uncover more than vague information, and enchantments to compel him to talk failed. Either the assassin was divinely favored by some god of secrets and death, or there was some kind of cult of murder wizards that wanted the queen dead. As far as Aataz could tell, the only way he was going to learn about the lizardfolk's motives and backers was if they willingly told him what he wanted. As such, the assassin was under high security detainment until he chose to divulge information.

So far, he had not.

----

The assassin was not his priority right now, though, and he would keep. Aataz no longer had time to call Aiskagri, not with his seneschal hounding him and guests waiting for him to appear. As much as he wanted to see her now, she would show up later on.

It was time to decide what to wear.

He had two roles he could appear for the celebration as - archduke, or hero.

Aataz still had his old gear from his adventuring days, and while it was comfortable and practical, and contained a number of potent magical items, it also clearly was the sort of thing a travelling adventurer would wear. Most of it did not even match his keep's color scheme. It would be a reminder to everyone of what he had done to save the kingdom (and world), but he suspected that it would also make the guests who occupied a higher part of society feel like he did not take his position and responsibilities seriously.

Alternatively, he could wear fancier and less practical garb. Fine silks and quality adornments in blue and silver, the colors of his heraldry. It was what he wore to important, official functions. This would probably earn him points to show off to the other visiting nobility, which would be beneficial to future dealings, but it contained very little in the way of practical gear. He might be the most powerful kobold sorcerer in the world, but he was not immune to arrows, and neither was silk. Aataz didn't think someone would try to assassinate him today, and going into it displaying that he was worried about it would also weaken his position as a confident ruler.

Could any adventuring items fit under the fancy wear? A bulletproof arrowproof vest or something?

I know you are probably disappointed about Aiskagri but you'll see her soon.

I don't know which outfit you would prefer but the official one seems the better choice. I could only see the adventurer outfit working out better if it helped you feel more comfortable. That being said, you sound more than capable enough to have to rely on something like that to carry yourself.

>>854609
Dress in a very fine kilt and cloak and not much else but accessories.
Gotta dress rich but without looking like a TOTAL human and looking vulnerable would show off your supreme confidence! (Maybe include a protective amulet or two though. Confidence doesn't mean stupid.)

>>854609
Isn't the Queen also a kobold? Doesn't Alrhimus know that?

>Alrhimus: "Blah blah blah mocking racial insult blah blah blah."
I think you're allowed to punish him for that by shrinking the orb even more around him. But don't shrink him. The point is to make the orb smaller while keeping him the same size, so that he's even more cramped in there.

>Leaving
Make sure you mention Tallonus' request to the Queen. And make absolutely sure his request takes priority over the Dragon's request!

>How to arrive to party, archduke or hero?
Is there a way you could do a little bit of both?

Wear the adventuring gear and enter the ceremony as a hero of the people! Does your old gear account for wings, though?

>>854609
Archduke. It's what you are now.

>>854609
Go as Archduke.

>>854620
>>854617
This: Go as archduke but keep as much adventuring gear handy as possible. Prioritize gear that's easily concealed.

>Disapeard in shadows
>Dark cell
This is going to go well,

Anyway fuck guests go see your lady friend.
Also regardless of the fact she is your trusted schantsel she getting kind of snarky

>Disapeard in shadows
>Dark cell
This is going to go well,

Anyway fuck guests go see your lady friend.
Also regardless of the fact she is your trusted schantsel she getting kind of snarky. She may need a reminder that she does still work for you and you do still deserve some respect.

Dress like an adventurer, go see your bae.

You don't have any armor that can fit comfortably under the fancy wear? C'mon, we all know heros need to show up to fancy parties for political intrigue every now and again.

>>854684
By this I should say: Go completely and utterly as an adventurer. Having adventuring gear under fancy robes is just going to hurt your reputation for being a paranoid wimp. Go in complete adventuring gear because it's who you actually are. No proper and successful eccentric is going to actually show up in fancy clothing; they'll show up in dumpy turtlenecks and loose breeches because they're too important and successful for anyone to give them shit for it.

Aataz Kaed 2018/01/02(Tue)00:17 No. 855407 ID: f9400c
File 151488101828.gif - (133.80KB , 750x1077 , Heroic-Outfit.gif )

>>854617
>>854623
>>854684
>>854706

Aataz considered the matter for a short while, and decided to attend the celebration in his full sorcerer regalia from adventuring days of old. He had not truly set aside his archduke mask for nearly the entire last year, and he wanted to return to his roots. He might have the position of archduke now, but his blood sang with draconic magic, not aristocracy.

It took him a little bit to gather all his old gear from his sanctum, and he even managed to suppress his urges to sneak over to his scrying equipment to check on Aiskagri, like a responsible archduke... probably. He even took his old Staff of Travel out of storage. He had never had much talent at teleportation magic, but the staff had helped to compensate for that lack back when he was travelling with a party.

As he stepped out from the high tower and onto the balcony between the green ward-flames, Aataz took a little to enjoy the feeling that his old magical gear gave him. As powerful a sorcerer as he might be, most of this made him even stronger. Or rather, it allowed him to tap deeper reserves of the power he already had, he supposed. They also enhanced the force of his personality, which would probably be useful when he met a lot of guests today. There were also a few protective items too, because he had not liked being hit with swords back when he was an adventurer any more than he did today.

Just to try it again, Aataz pulled his Staff from his back, raising it up, and closed his eyes. He swung it forward, cutting a hole through space and propelling himself instantaneously through space to a new destination.

Well, the staff still worked, he decided as he looked around at his bedroom's balcony. It was definitely important to test these things once and a while, and certainly was not frivolously wasting charges on his staff to play around. He slid the staff away behind his back again and headed into his bedroom.

Now that he thought about it, though... having his old Staff of Travel again opened up new choices for where he could go, without having to waste time walking around.

Two options presented themselves at the moment. He could either Go Greet the Guests like Vett was clearly hassling him to do.

Or he could take a detour first to Visit the Hatchery to see how his progeny were doing. They would probably be waking up by now...

Hmm, on one hand going to see the kid usually results in said kid being absent for the rest of the story, but on the other hand, wouldn't you want to see them one more time in that case?
Visit the Hatchery.

>>855407
Visit the Hatchery! Time to go check on your adorable murderbeast young.

Check your babs out.

We can probably drop by the hatchery for a short visit if we can just teleport back to where we need to go. We aren't really adventuring, so it isn't like we need to conserve the charges so carefully.

go to hatchery to observe nestlings sweetly screaming to be fed

It's always good to show the young ones where their parents came from. Help remind them that they come from common, if amazingly skilled, stock. Little in this world sucks more than being the father of a pompous noble everyone hates.

Aataz Kaed 2018/01/12(Fri)00:12 No. 858000 ID: f9400c
File 151574474942.gif - (60.29KB , 1000x695 , Guards.gif )

>>855417
>>855434
>>855440
>>855445
>>855476

The route from Aataz's bedroom to the lower levels where the hatchery was spanned several staircases and a number of long hallways, and normally took about ten minutes to walk. He skipped all that by teleporting straight through five floors to the hallway outside the hatchery. The guards at the hatchery door jumped slightly as he stepped out of the air, putting his staff back on his back and walking forward.

The smallest guard, a yellow-scaled kobold who was perched on the shoulder of his compatriot, slid down the massive creature's arm, waving to the archduke.

"Hey, boss! Nice outfit. I didn't know you could teleport, though."

Aataz smoothed down his robes, giving the kobold his best mysterious smile. He wasn't sure there was much point in explaining the specifics of his staff to a guard.

"There are plenty of things you didn't know I could do, Nyktok."

The kobold snorted, glancing up at his massive companion, whose expression did not change.

"Listen to him. Sounds like he thinks he's a big as a dragon now."

Aataz had only heard Thek speak about half a dozen times, ever. As one of the remnants of an unsavory program to create a better draconic minion, he was bred for obedience and strength, rather than intelligence. As long as he had someone around to give him directions though, he made a fairly decent guard.

"Well... that could be arranged, you know. It is within my power to become a dragon."

"Hah! Not in this hallway, it's not. Even if you didn't squash yourself, you wouldn't be able to move!"

Aataz grumbled, folding his arms. His staff was giving him a lot of sass today. Okay, maybe they always gave him a lot of sass, but he noticed it more today since it was an important event.

"Fine, fine. Anyway, I need to get into the hatchery, so- hang on, who are you? You're not the normal guard!"

The unfamiliar draconid guard had apparently been trying not to attract any of Aataz's attention to himself, and now that he had it, looked like he would really rather be just about anywhere else.

"Uh... w-well... I'm uh. I'm new. I just got, er, assigned this morning. Sir." They scuffed a foot on the floor anxiously.

Aataz blinked, turning back to Nyktok.

"What happened to Mezz? I liked him."

The yellow kobold rubbed the back of his head, clearing his throat. The new guard looked even more uncomfortable, and rubbed at one of his arms, looking to the side.

"Uh, boss. He got reassigned. He's been trying to get out of this post for at least a couple months now. Thought it was boring work."

"... Oh. Okay. He never mentioned that."

"I'm pretty sure he complained about it every time you came down here, boss."

"... Ah, right. I just... thought that was part of his grouchy charm. Aren't guards supposed to be surly and complain about their job? That's like, quintessential guard behavior."

Nyktok peered at Aataz speculatively, narrowing his eyes.

"You know, for someone who's apparently so powerful and clever. You can be a pretty dense about some things, boss."

Aataz paused for a moment, but couldn't think of an adequate rebuttal for that, so he just turned back to the nervous newbie, giving him his best welcoming smile.

"Right! New blood, new recruits. What's your name?"

The guard, far from being reassured by this, began to shift nervously from one foot to the other, like someone readying themselves to flee.

"O-oh. Uhm. It's... I'm Fraunx."

"Well, Fraunx. This is a very important job you've gotten yourself. My daughter is in here, and you have to make sure no one dangerous gets to her or the others inside." Aataz grinned, giving the draconid a wink. "Or else I'll have to turn you into a newt."

Fraunx actually cringed, scooting back a step, folding his arms behind his back, and his face seemed to age several decades.

"P-please don't turn me into a newt. Sir. Sorry, I won't screw it up. P-please.."

Aataz boggled at the sincere terror on the guard's face. Was this for real? Nyktok sighed in exasperation somewhere to the left, confirming that he had, in fact, said the wrong thing.

"That was.. that was a joke, Fraunx. I'm not going to turn you into a newt. Or anything else. I mean, unless you-" He broke off in frustration as a the yellow kobold groaned audibly, then backtracked a few steps. Enemies fearing him was probably normal, but he didn't know how to deal with one of his own allies that clearly was terrified of him.

There was an awkward silence for a few long moments, before Aataz tried again, taking a different tack.

"As... the newest hatchery guard, I have a special, important mission for you, Fraunx." He pulled the staff from his back, holding it out to the draconid. Since nothing could teleport in or out of the hatchery, it wasn't like it would be much use inside anyway. "I need you to keep guard of this magical relic while I am inside the hatchery. One of the hatchlings could damage it, after all. Do you think you can do that?"

Fraunx nervously took the staff of travel, holding it like it was likely to explode. Aataz gave him an encouraging smile.

"There, see? You're already doing a great job. Just keep it as safe as you would your own weapon, and.. er.." Aataz frowned, looking the guard over more closely. Now that he was paying attention, he actually noticed something wrong. "Fraunx, uhm. Where is your weapon, now that I mention it?"

The draconid shifted uncomfortably, looking to the side.

"Oh. Uh... I was in a hurry this morning. Since it was my first day. And I, uhm. Forgot to bring it. And then, uhm, I couldn't leave my post to go get it. Sorry..."

Aataz had a few choice things to say about that, but he was trying to be encouraging and not scare the newbie, so he just forced an understanding smile.

"Yes... of course. That's.. reasonable. I'll see about having something sent to you, then. What do you use?"

"A longsword. Archduke. Sir."

"Sure, right. Longsword. Got it."

Aataz nodded distractedly, already heading for the hatchery door. He wanted not not be looking at Fraunx for the moment, before he was overcome with his desire to chew him out for forgetting what was literally the most important tool for a guard.

>>858000
His first day? Why would the transfer happen on such an important day? A hole in your security right when you've got the most need for security?

You'd better make sure this is legit. And then dock the pay of whoever's responsible.

Aataz Kaed 2018/01/12(Fri)00:44 No. 858010 ID: f9400c
File 151574665851.gif - (71.80KB , 1000x786 , Hatchery.gif )

Aataz stepped into the hatchery and closed the doors behind him, putting the guards out of his mind for the moment. He took stock of the hatchery, noting that one of the eggs had hatched since he last visited. Probably in the last couple days, from the look of it.

Whoever it had been, they had already been retrieved, though. This hatchery was for all residents of the keep, and was mostly populated by the eggs of the staff. There were occasionally visitors from farther out clans that asked to use this hatchery for keeping their eggs safe. Usually, they took the hatchling soon after, though.

Neither of the two remaining eggs Aiskagri had produced had hatched yet, though. Aataz could see a couple of the other hatchlings that were currently living in the hatchery were taking a nap on the Educational Pillows (it was important that kobolds learned their Important Colors young, he felt).

What he couldn't see, though, was his own hatchling. Aataz looked around the hatchery, confused. Was she sleeping under one of the pillows?

She's above you, about to give you the Elbow of Justice. Catch her as she drops down on you.

Aataz Kaed 2018/01/12(Fri)01:29 No. 858013 ID: f9400c
File 151574932817.gif - (361.99KB , 1000x721 , Vicious.gif )

Aataz was just about getting ready to perhaps start panicking when a soft rustle above him and to the right caught his attention. He glanced that way just in time to see a streak of silver rocketing towards him.

"Raawr!"

"Auugh!"

Something small and winged hit him on the shoulders, and began chomping on one of his horns for a moment, before skittering up to perch on his head, snickering triumphantly.

"You're dead! I got you! You're too easy to sneak up on!"

Aataz sighed, looking up at the silver and blue scaled hatchling peeking down over his circlet.

"Good morning, Aisaara. I see you woke up early and decided to get into mischie-"

"Now! Attack!"

Aataz was beset with another duet of squeaky roars as the two other kobolds he swore had been sleeping unconvincingly several seconds ago leaped up at him.

"Ack!"

Both of the hatchlings grabbed onto his sleeves as Aisaara giggled on his head, and he scowled up at her, straightening.

"And you're already leading the others on full scale ambushes, too?"

"Hee hee! You're triple dead now! If we'd been real dragons, you'd be lunch!"

The kobolds on his sleeves began scrabbling at him to get his attention, yapping up at him.

"Up, up!"

"Yeah! Ups!"

Aataz looked down at them, raising a brow as if he didn't know what they wanted.

"Who are you little runts? I've never seen you before in my life. Get off me!"

"Nuh uh! You've been here like, twenty twelve times!"

"Yeah, don't fake it! Now ups!"

"Or else!"

Aataz rolled his eyes, then swung his arms upwards, letting the two hatchlings dangle from his arms with a chorus of delighted 'wheee!s'.

"You know, I don't have a whole lot of upper body strength. With how much weight you're gaining, I won't be able to do this for very much longer. Maybe you should eat less."

"No way! We don't eat too much!

"Yeah! They never even feed us!"

"We're staaarving in here!"

"Wasting away!"

It was such a boldfaced lie that Aataz snorted and rolled his eyes again. He knew very well that there was a very strict feeding schedule for the hatchery, and that no one ever went hungry. Not that it stopped them from hedging for extra snacks at every opportunity. He looked up at Aisaara as she piously chimed in with her friends.

"We haven't even had breakfast today."

"Uh huh. And I suppose I need to get you snacks before you starve, yeah?"

"Cookies!"

"We need cookies to survive!"

Aataz thinned his jaws into a hard line, looking celingward in exasperation.

"You don't need cookies right no-"

"COOKIES! COOKIES!"
"COOKIES!!"
"COOKIESSS!"

All three of them began to chant about cookies, and Aataz groaned. He'd turned a rock into a plate of cookies to cheer up Aisaara one time, and now she had apparently spread that story to every hatchling she met. He tried to divert the subject.

"Aisaara, you know Aiskagri is visiting today, and if she finds out I let you all gorge on cookies, I'm going to get one of those disappointed looks again, maybe even a lectur-"

"We won't tell!"
"Not a squeak!
"Our secret!"

Aataz started hedged the matter further, but Aisaara played dirty, sniffling and giving him a tearful, sad look.

"Don't you love me? You wouldn't even risk cookies for me?"

The other two kobolds also began affecting sad, hurt eyes, sniffling in chorus with his treacherous daughter. The archduke groaned, his will faltering slightly under the the trifecta of sad hatchling eyes. It almost certainly wasn't the most vital decision of the day, but he had to decide whether to Capitulate or Put His Foot Down about this.

Her behavior is unbecoming of a silver dragon. Lies and manipulation? No cookies!

...actually, did she lie? When is breakfast for them?

Man, I called it. Get your daughter some cookies for managing to organize an ambush.

I don't imagine a treat would be so bad. Assuming it's been a while since the last time. You wouldn't want to spoil her.

>>858000
Holy fuck, you're tiny! Even that yellow guy is taller than you!

>>858013
Are those things spinning around your head tangible? Nothing bad will happen if one of the hatchlings tries to play with them, right?

>"You know, I don't have a whole lot of upper body strength. With how much weight you're gaining, I won't be able to do this for very much longer. Maybe you should eat less."
You know what would also help? You not being so dang tiny!

>Begging for cookies
Tell them to tell the truth: Did they already eat breakfast? Because only good hatchlings that eat all of their breakfast are allowed to have cookies. And they better not lie, because you can tell if they're lying and hatchlings that lie aren't allowed to have cookies!

.....now for a trickier decision: What kind of cookies should you give them? You've gotta make sure it's nothing that any of the hatchlings are allergic to, otherwise you'll get them sick! Or they could just complain that one of them got something different than the others and start fighting over the different kind of cookie!

>>858013
ah well, a successful ambush should yield some loot I suppose

Put your foot down - a little discipline will help them prepare for life later on, with things more important than cookies!

>>858028
>Are those things spinning around your head tangible? Nothing bad will happen if one of the hatchlings tries to play with them, right?
Ioun stones are very tangible and not entirely impossible to break. Also, fairly expensive.

>>858013
Capitulate.

Ehh, let them have a single cookie each. It's not gorging if it's just one. Put your foot down if they try to push you any further.

copulate I MEAN CAPITULATE! Don't copulate that's what got you into this mess in the first place. But only one cookie each and you daughter gets a raisin cookie as punishment for being manipulative.

Cookies it is!
They did after all successfully ambush you! Just only 1 each rather then a whole plate