Botia: A D&D Story - The Cyros Saga

A red dragonborn had locked himself in his traveller’s cabin. He was poring over the works of Pelorian scholars from Arulin. The dragonborn had never been to the great high-elven city, but its status as the home of the church of Pelor placed it at the top of his bucket list. I can’t wait. I wish we didn’t have to stop in Platinum City, even if it is only for a day. The scholars had compiled a manuscript detailing real world applications of Pelorian thought, updated to suit the current state of affairs in the world. The dragonborn was studying the manuscripts in order to enhance his effectiveness as a Pelorian missionary. His latest quest had taken place in Morraine. He had some success persuading the halflings there to consider joining the Church of Pelor, but it was time for him to move on and pursue his ascension. This meant taking the next ship out of the port of Morraine with a slew of other passengers, all strangers, to Platinum City; a beaten down husk of a once-grandiose metropolis.

Alas, the dragonborn’s had been fruitless since he left Morraine. All the other travellers he had spoken to so far were too steeped in the tenets of their own deities; Melora, Kord, Moradin, you name it. To make matters worse, all the Platinum City locals, like the crewmates and sailors, not to know who Pelor even was. The dragonborn had his work cut out for him.

He sighed as he pressed on with his studies. The dragonborn was struggling to comprehend the scholars’ argument that the brilliance of Pelor’s light entailed the obligation to darken one’s skin under the rays under the midday sun every day. That, and floral print shorts. I mean… I’m on board with the shorts. But these scholars clearly didn’t consider dragonborn followers; scales aren’t exactly conducive to tanning. Maybe I’ll write my own works one day. Works that are more inclusive for us disenfranchised dragonborn followers. Another project for another day. He closed the tome and left the cabin. Time for some good, old-fashioned missionary work.

A couple of sailors noticed the dragonborn, rolled their eyes, and quickly shifted their attention back to their work. One might say that the dragonborn hadn’t cultivated many friendships on this voyage. Regardless, he approached a nearby group of sailors who had not seemed to notice him yet. Be kind, but firm.

“Hail, good sailors! My name is Donar, missionary of Pelor. Are you enjoying this blessed sunny day?” The dragonborn smiled and bowed slightly.”

“Yeah, I guess. Wonna’ know wot’ll make it brighter?” A human sailor asked.

“Oh, I already know,” Donar straightened his back, smiled, and reached for the Book of Pelor he kept in his satchel at all times. “A sermon! From the Book of Pe-”

Donar’s words were drowned out by a colossal flatulence, which the human sailor had dispached.

“There! Much better!” The sailor and his companions burst into laughter. Perhaps it’s time to move on to a different quarry, Donar thought. Pelor give me strength. Just one more day before I’m on my way to Arulin.

Donar proceeded to the upper deck of the ship. Sun beams tainted with motes of dust shone through gaps in the floorboards above. As Donar climbed the narrow staircase, he began to hear some commotion. Curiosity grew inside him, so he quickened his pace. Just as he poked his head through the hatch at the top of the stairs, he saw a halfling flying through the air, being chased by a mass of sailors. The sailors’ roars and cheers intensified as they approached the halfling. This peculiar scene inspired Donar. If I rescue him, he’ll be grateful. Maybe he’ll be receptive to Pelor’s teachings.

Donar sprinted towards the commotion. He braced himself as he collided with two dwarven sailors; the impact sent the sailors careening across the deck. Donar drew his sword and postured up in front of Fluffy Tealeaf.

“Enough of this,” Donar roared. He allowed his larynx to release some smoke for dramatic effect. “As a missionary of Pelor, I condemn your actions against this helpless halfling.”

Fluffy was dazed, so he shook his head to clear the stars from his eyes. When he looked up and surveyed the scene, he processed what the dragonborn in front of him had just said.

“Who’re you calling helpless?” Fluffy began to stand up. “I can take these guys any day of the week.”

The sailors broke out into a symphony of guttural laughter.

“That’s the funniest thing he’s said all week,” one of the sailors said.

Captain Redrock tamed the crowd. “Orite’ then. This little lad claims he can take us on. Let’s make it interesting. Oi! Tiny.” He beckoned at Fluffy. “How much gold ya’ got on ye’?”

Fluffy looked up at Donar. Donar looked down at Fluffy and shook his head. Fluffy ignored him. “My pockets have been weighing me down this whole journey.” Fluffy smirked as he tapped his weighty coinpurse. “My tall friend over here also seems pretty well-to-do, might I add.” Fluffy winked at Donar, and Donar responded with an emphatic facepalm. “Question is, what can you offer?”

Captain Redrock thought for a moment. “Sailor’s Rest. The best and only tavern in Platinum City. You two beat us five, I’ll buy you a pint each.” He stepped forward. “Let’s have a good old brawl. No weapons. First team on the ground loses.”

Donar cleared his throat. “Pelorian doctrine states that gambling is not accep-“

“We’re in. Big dragon guy, put your sword away. Let’s show these chumps that we’re more than just big piles of money.” Fluffy removed his sword and sheath and placed them on the floor behind the,. He stepped forward and postured up next to Donar.

“You’re the one who told them we have money in the first place.” Donar sheathed his sword and tried to nudge his coinpurse out of plain sight. “I’m not endorsing this debauchery. I only engage with those who act in direct opposition to Pelor’s teachings.”

“Well, these guys are trying to gamble with us. Isn’t that against your god’s doctrine. We should teach ‘em a lesson. And,” Fluffy’s voice became a whisper, “I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.”

Donar opened his mouth to speak. Then he stopped and considered Fluffy’s words. He’s not wrong. I could always admonish them for gambling. Who says I have to accept their reward if we win?

“Alright little man. I’m in. Let’s punish these blasphemers.” Donar turned to face the sailors, but he stopped and turned towards Fluffy once more. “By the way, my name’s Donar. Have you ever read the good word of Pel-” Donar was interrupted by a hairy fist connecting with his jaw.

To Fluffy, it seemed like the punch was no more than a gentle caress on Donar’s jaw. Fluffy smirked, but his smile abruptly transformed into a wide-eyed expression of awe when Donar lifted the sailor up by his shoulders and hurled him at the mast. The sailor, well, sailed through the air like a shot putt before he crumpled into a heap upon impact with the mast. Note to self, stay on the dragon’s good side, thought Fluffy.

“Ahem,” Fluffy stepped forward. “My turn.” Fluffy pointed his index finger into the air and flicked his wrist. A small fireball flew out into the sky above before it vanished into a puff of smoke. Everyone looked up, scratching their heads and furrowing their brows when nothing else happened. Donar looked at Fluffy, who winked at him. “Wild magic,” Fluffy said. “Let’s see what happens.”

Before long, red sparks appeared and started to dance around one of the dwarven sailors. They started to encircle him faster and faster, until the sailor was no longer visible. When the sparks died down, all that remained in the sailor’s place was a quaint flowerpot with a blossoming daffodil protruding from the fresh soil. The remaining sailors took turns ogling at the flowerpot that was once their companion and Fluffy’s smug demeanor.

“Yer… yer a sorcerer?” One of the sailors asked.

Fluffy blew away some smoke that was still emanating from his fingertip. “Yessir. A wild one. It’s always exciting, wild magic, isn’t it? You never know what you’re gonna get.”

“Will he be like that forever?” The sailor was pointing at the flowerpot, his voice trembled a little; Fluffy couldn’t tell if the uncertainty was out of confusion or fear. Probably confusion.

“Ah, he’ll be fine by tomorrow. Shall we continue?”

The two remaining sailors looked at their captain, their fists clenching and unclenching, adrenaline running through their veins. The dwarven captain made eye contact with Donar. Donar gave him a slight bow, which he hoped indicated an apology on Fluffy’s behalf.

“Alright, alright. You two fight well. Meet us at Sailor’s Rest when we land.” The sailors behind their captain bowed their heads and walked away. One of them picked up the flowerpot and whispered to it as he walked towards the lower deck.

“Now,” said Captain Redrock, “how about that handshake?”