(This started out as a writing exercise I've done over the past few years, and I feel comfortable now in sharing a little bit with you. I know several folks like Moz and Sarai have tried things like this in the past, but in the end, perhaps it's nice to see the Inn from the eyes of a lusty Northern minor noble. If you don't see your character here, don't fret. There's plenty more where that came from. Honest.)
Excerpts from the Journal of Dekkard Morgannus Drakewing:
Thoughts on:
Kaytoo, Barbarian Roughneck
"It seems the more I try to learn of the Hamr, the further I get from understanding their leader. Syune knows I have kept respective of her in regards to her accomplishment and talents, but the woman sees any form of flattery as insult, or at worse a prelude to betrayal. Certainly she's had her share of it if the stories I've heard are to believe. But no...I have no patience for second-hand information. She offers details about her life willingly enough to me now. Kaytoo may deny it up and down, but she is the most honest person in this town, maybe in the whole empire. Her prowess and knowledge of the land makes her an unrivaled hunter as well, and I highly doubt there are any short of the Emperor who can best her in a straight-on fight. She is truly an amazing individual and one I deeply respect and admire. But don't you DARE tell her I said that."
Tiffanny, Curly Haired Scrapper
"Tiffanny was the first Ktechlahan I've the pleasure to meet. Well, meet isn't exactly the word. She just showed up outside the arena one day and after a short while, decided to accept the training I offered her. Not much I could teach her, now that I look back on things, even with the more physical arts. First time we got serious was after one of those rough and tumble sessions, which ended with the both of us spilling into the river, the current pushing against our passions as they ran wild. Perhaps it was a prelude of what was to come, considering my later adventures with her clan. Still, Tiff does hold a special place in my heart. You can never put a girl like that, blonde ringlets bouncing, soft eyes darting here and there, as if she were looking for a hole in your defense, yet always ready with a smile or a tight hug. No wonder she's been so much in favor with Miss Jessika as well."
Akipurra, Sultry Feline Bardess
"The function of a bard is to seek out a story, weaving about it a tapestry of word and song, preserving it for generations to come. The story is never just lying there. It is beneath a layer of hurt and shame, most of it self-inflicted, and it takes a tenacious yet graceful soul to bring it to the surface, for an audience to enjoy, Akipurra was the one who first saw the chink in my armor, and brought out the storied history of my family, one I had believed I had tainted with my departure from the north. Along with composing my family epic, the catwoman helped to heal many wounds both physical and mental in a time I felt the lowest and disheartened. She never did look for credit, though I was glad to be her patron for several years. Like many bards, she could never sit still, and I imagine is still making her living in a far off tavern somewhere, spreading the word about us uncultured louts in Nanthalion."
Jonie, Recklessly Cute and Amusing
"Ah, little Jonie. Our run-ins were few and far between, but still memorable. I mean, there was that one time when she stabbed me with that cursed dagger of hers, but she kept claiming she was 'possessed' or something. That happens all the time, right? Still, most of my time with her was when I took her as a merchant slave. Considering she left my care a bit more spoiled and sassy testifies that I was never cut out to be as strict a disciplinarian that I fashioned myself to me. Darn cute, though, and you could never get angry with her for so long. Just one look of that innocent face and the batting of her white tail and you forget why you were mad. Then you might notice that your coin purse is missing and she's long gone."
Kattlin, Silver-Tongued Ranger and Philosopher
"Okay, I'll admit it. I'm a sucker for girls with strange foreign accents. It adds a sort of mysticism and in straining to understand their speech, I get myself lost in some of their other features, whether it be their scent, their fashion, or just the curvature of their body. Katt smelt like the wilds of the East, wore nothing below the waist, and her posture practically begged for you to take hold of her. She was quick to temper my lusts, however, even flat out denying my advances for a time before she started to let me in, little by little, into her colorful life. We formed a deep bond, one that one would associate more with siblings rather than lovers, though I can say our romps were some of the best experiences I ever had. Maybe I had expected one day that she would disappear into the woods again as mysteriously as she had come. I am not sad, however. Before she had departed, she asked to be my wife, and I accepted. Maybe someday when I am tired of this land, I will seek her out again, take her with me to the Ktechahan, grow old together. It is the sensible thing to do, considering all the things we had shared together."
Laria Swifclaw, Bundle of Ambition and Love
"I've heard plenty of analogies about bright burning candles lasting half as long as regular candles. When I first came across Laria, she was practically glowing. Fate was practically set against her at every step of her life, and yet she pushed back with a resolute fire that many warrior kings and philosophers only dream of. She was born a slave, and was determined not to die like one. Course, she and I disagreed on her business practices and methods, and I would eventually have to haul her perky arse out of many fires, most of which she started. I even proposed to her a few times, hoping that making an honest woman of her would cool her lust for glory. It never worked, of course, not for lack of trying. She would eventually succumb to illness shortly after one of her schemes to make me Count of Nanthalion. Although many friends advised against it, I provided for her funeral, and paid the catgirl the respect due to her. Laria was a true firebrand in the sense of the word and made many strong enemies, and yet I am not ashamed to have loved her."
Dreams, Ethereally Mysterious Kitten
"While composing these memoirs, I have noticed that I have had quite a few off-and-on relationships with a wide variety of bedfellows. One of the earliest I had was with a catgirl as pure as ivory and smooth as silk, looking like she had stepped out from the dreams of a goddess. How appropriate, since she gave her name as Dreams. I could be alone in his thoughts and then with a familiar jingling of bells and a soft breath along the back of your ear and there'd she be, leaning against my back, her claw tracing along my chest. Then, when I'd start to take her presence for granted, she would fade like early mist. With skills like that, it mystifies me how people have gotten Dreams still long enough to fasten a collar around her pretty neck, but it never stays long. She once asked me why I had never tried to enslave her, and I replied that it was redundant, considering how tight a grip she had on my heart. I'd like to think that she was satisfied with that answer…"
Mairu, Chocolatier and Lapwarmer
"Chocolates To Cherish is the local confectionary shop in town, and I've heard that it is a popular location for visitors to visit to satisfy their cravings for sweetness. What many do not know that the shop was conceived by the catgirl Mairu, who came under my collar shortly after I took the lead position of the ISA. She was cautious around me at first, having been passed from master to master before I got a hold of her, but she would eventually grow on me, gladly helping me with a little paperwork and testing out the new slaver toys and devices without so much as a peep of protest. She presented the idea of the shop to me after I left the ISA, and I put up the capital needed, and soon we were in business. I granted her freedom, and she ran the store for a while, then sold to another and returned to her ancestral home back east. Sure, Mairu would still visit my house from time to time, making sure I wasn't getting into too much trouble, because that's just how she was. The C2C as we liked to call it has changed ownerships over the years, but the spirit of the shop is the same: keep the customer satisfied and wanting more. Come to think of it, that was Mairu's philosophy for life too."
Brianna, Tigress of Lost Opportunities
"I've had eight slaves in total, not counting merchandise slaves who I've trained. I caught Brianna in the woods close to my house, more dead than alive. Once I nursed her back to health, she had told the story of how a dragon guided her to this place, claiming some greater destiny. Being the devout follower of Syune I was, I saw this as an omen, and soon she was wearing my collar. Needless to say, things did not go as well as intended. It would have been easier to squeeze blood from a stone than to get that tiger kitten to act like a proper slave. She and Mairu got along well together, though, and I could see that they would aid each other like sisters. Bri would eventually take classes at Unigo, and I released her the same time as her slave sister. I would like to think I did my best in interpreting Syune's will by taking her under my care, but still, whenever I run into her, I find her tongue just as sharp as ever."
Sabina, an Inn Institution
"I'm sure anyone who has been through the Inn knows about Bina. She's hard to miss, considering she's the one all bound up and scampering about like a nervous duckling. I've never once seen her use her hands, which she says is her punishment for being an above average thief. They're always tied up behind her, and yet she is always busy fetching the inn dwellers something in her mouth. Some people do take pity upon her and try to treat her with gallantry and kindness, which she finds amusing considering her purpose at the inn is to serve and to entice. I've never once heard Bina complain or feel sorry for her lot, so why should anyone else? Besides, she warms your lap just as well as any of the other slaves and is much smarter than you'd think. If she didn't wear that collar, one would suspect she would even make a bid to own the place considering how much she makes on tips alone."
Trician Stronghorn, Fashionable Minotauress
"Lots of people in Nanthalion joke that I have indiscriminate tastes in women, and that I try to bed females no matter what their race. There's a bit of truth in that, as I have romanced quite my share during my stay. One of my more unusual relationships is with the red-horned minotaur named Trician. We met during my ISA days, when she started out doing bodyguard work for my successor Andara. What started as lustful curiosity would later blossom into a satisfyingly complex relationship. Sure, there's the size difference, but that only means there's more of her to cuddle or lean against. We've had our share of adventures over the years, and not only is Trician reliable, but she's forever vigilant, throwing herself into any task given to her, be it a horde of goblins or modeling a new dress design. I did mention she's a model on the side, right? That's Tric for you, breaking the mold and going beyond expectations."
Miyuka, Cutest Songstress In Nanthalion
"I would meet the strange creature who called herself Miyuka shortly after my meetings with Tiffanny, and she would end up being my primary contact with the Ktechlahan tribe for some time. Actually, the full name she gave me was Eleanor Miyuka Althena Kitara Alanis Mezzoit, but she let me use her second name to save me time. Course, the whole reason of meeting me in the first place was that Tiff had told her I was a 'good kisser', and she didn't leave disappointed. Eventually we'd graduate beyond the kissing level, but never too far, considering the relationship she had with Braids, the moriel enchantress whom she would be bound to. Her fiery passion is a marked contrast to Braids' cool demeaner. I dare say the two are a perfect fit in what contrasts them. I couldn't ignore Yuka even if I tried, though. Such passion and spirit within a girl I have rarely seen before or since I came into this land. Having a soft, trilling voice and a cute little tail that never stops wagging also helps."
Braids Valentine, Clansmate By Circumstance
"It's hard for me to put into words the exact feelings I have for my clan sister-in-law for two reasons. First, our paths have crisscrossed so many times I had felt that we were fated at least to have some sort of relationship. Second, I fear what physical harm Miyuka would do to me if she ever caught me being too fresh with her. The two girls are practically joined at the hip now, such a cute pair they make. Course, what Yuka doesn't know is that Braids and I had met before she ever came to town, when she was still coming to terms with what to do with her life. Our passions have simmered and boiled on an occasional basis, and Braids has always sought me out to test her seductress magic. As if she needed magic to win me over. A nice smile and batting of those eyelashes are magic enough."
Amelinda, Model Slave and Subservient
"I heard Amelinda long before I met her. Not heard of or heard about. I heard her from the upstairs rooms in the inn as some burly brute was having his way with her. Poor girl had a knack for attracting the wrong type of attention. If it wasn't from people from her home kingdom wanting to drag her off to certain death, it was the nearest horny punk who wanted their prey to be weak and fearful. I took it upon myself to at least teach her the proper ways of sexcraft to please those she wanted in her bed and to turn off those she did not. Still could never figure out how to stop that loud grunting and moaning, though. Maybe it's some sort of reflex or something. Doesn't matter much now. She's the property of the chirot Eucep now, who is quite adept in keeping the lecherous types away."
Cleothina, One-Eyed Enigma
"Most of what is said about the dark assassin Cleothina is mostly rumor and gross exaggeration. I remember a time when that moriel was just another hired sword fresh from the Underdark, slightly confused and bewildered that all the males were not prostrating themselves before her. In fact, one of them had tricked her into a collar by the time I ran into her. Once she served her time, the two of us debated the theory of slave training, and were always getting into spirited arguments on how much free will a servant could be allowed before they get spoiled. Some of these had to be settled at the arena grounds, and others in bed. One night, after a rousing argument of the latter variety, she told me we just couldn't fight anymore. I never fully understood why she told me that, and to be honest, I've never had a chance to properly talk to her again since she lost her eye and devoted most of her time in the service of the necromancer Sha-Ka. We've exchanged glances every now and then, but never long enough. Maybe someday we can have another scrap for old time's sake, just to see if there's still a little bit of the spunk left in her."
India, Guardian of the Baths
"Did you know, fair reader, that there was a time when no one in Nanthalion had heard of a Drak Sen? Sure, as a believer of Syune, I had heard legends of a race so favored by the dragon goddess that they were literally created in the dreams of the dragon. I am no expert when it comes to draconian mythology, but I should say that when I met Miss India, golden scales and all, I could swear I was looking at Syune Herself. India must have saw something in me as well, for a short time later the two of us were in the baths, curled in each others' arms like long-lost lovers. The location of our first dalliance must have had a great impression on the drak, for it wasn't too long that she ended up applying for a job as a masseuse, and within a few years she ended up running the whole facility. She makes most of the soaps with her secret herbal recipe, and has expanded the bath to provide a wide variety of helpful services. It's even served host to some of the town's more memorable galas. Okay, maybe I'm overexaggerating my role in how India made her successful investment, but I'm not one who takes coincidences for granted. You always need to work with something that brings you pleasant memories, and our first night together in the still waters was no exception."
Angel Draconus, the Heart of DragonRose
"Angel was the focus of much of my early days within Nanthalion. An inadvertent drinking contest led to the loss of her virginity and the loss of my heart. The elf could never keep still, having to right innumerable wrongs and landing into more scraps than most barbarian males, but still had a way to keep an incurable optimism about her. She was the one who kept me and Victoria sane through some of our hardest trials, and it would be remiss for me to deny her impact on me regaining an enjoyment for life I had thought lost with my time in the army. A redeemer in more ways than one. I wish I could only find more words to describe the impression she made on me."
Victoria Celas, the Rose Maiden
"Lady Victoria slipped into my life quite unexpectedly, a moody, blonde tomboy knight trying to eke out a living with her sword. Being enthralled by the elf Angel Draconus as I was, it would be inevitable for our paths to cross and our lives to entwine. The self-described rose with thorns would not let too many close to her, but no matter how much it hurt me, I would vow never to abandon her in times of need. Perhaps it was irony that the guardian angel of DragonRose would develop a pair of wings of her own as time went by. Irritated the hell out of the torians in the process, but Vic was never one to shy away from the occasional gamble. She's the one who set up the casino after all, our own regular Lady Luck."
Kyrspeth Anwar, My Hedonistic Instructor
"If you want to talk about one of the oddest relationships I had with a woman in Nanthalion (and consider I had quite a few), then maybe I should talk about the cleric Kyrspeth. Girl used to serve at the pleasure of an entire Underdark house, and as such developed a strange and intriguing libido. She would always chide me about being too soft or too romantic. No, if I ever wanted something from her, I had to be rough, like the old days. Maybe this helped me get over the stigma I felt in leaving my army days behind. There is a benefit to being forceful sometimes, after all. Though Kyr would consistently call me on my wimpy passion, she was patient with me, helping give some pointers for training some of the slaves when I was appointed head of the ISA. I had suggested she succeed me to that post, but with her being tied closely to the healers and all, it was deemed a bad fit. Speaking of tied, that elf was one of the first free people I'd ever seen begged to be tied to the slavepoles. She was all about sharing herself for better or worse."
Kytara Sung, Unigo's Resident Sexpot
"Most of the story I heard about Kytara's...ah...condition is secondhand, but from what I can piece together, she was on the wrong end of a magician's dual and got horribly cursed as a result. Okay, I'm using curse in the loose sense. She was made irresistible to man and woman alike, coupled with desires and lusts that would drive lesser beings insane. To her chagrin, her plight caught the ear of Unigo, and it wasn't long before a few of the adepts took her to the magic school for observation. It must have went well, for Kytara served as the head of Unigo for a while after Old Man Rincewind's retirement. Controlling the school on a day to day basis can be taxing, but she didn't seem to mind. As her magical abilities reawakened, she seemed to come to terms with her affliction, even testing her wiles on me in a few occasions. One person's implied handicap became Unigo's boon. I'm sure the sudden influx of new students had something to do with the new headmistress and her hands-on approach to arcane arts."
Ielenia Moonwhisper, From Collar To Ermine Cape
"There are plenty of rags to riches stories in our town. Runaway slaves come in all the time and better themselves until one day they reach high position in one of the local guilds or open up a popular shop or even attain high rank in the Imperial Guard. The last example did happen, and I am testament to it. See, the golden-haired elf known as Ielenia finished her servitude in the Underdark (like Miss Kyrspeth) and headed into The Lonely Inn just in time to be gang-raped by a bunch of my old colleagues with a grudge to settle. Once that whole unpleasantness died down, I sought her out, maybe due to a sense of obligation. During that first interview, she showed herself to be a shrewd negotiator, though she did have an unfair advantage of sitting in my lap at the time. She was my secretary when I was in the ISA, and when that job phased out, Lenny ended up with the Imperials. Our paths may have gone a bit farther apart in the past years, what with her concentrating on the security of the realm and I doing nothing much in particular, but I've got my memories, and she has her pride. Those are not aspects of the psyche easily taken."
Alta Nova, My Guardian Angel
"Torians are supposed to be fragile things, gliding through the stratosphere on a wing and a prayer. They are for quick attacks, not entrenched warfare. If you can smack them around once, they won't bother you again. That's what I was taught before I headed into the south. Leave it to a certain torian named Alta Nova to prove me wrong. After one or two drunken tangles, we ended up associating with each other on a few important quests, getting to know each other each step of the journey. There is something magical about her, the way her voice chimes and echoes when excited or pleased, the way those wings shimmer like red metal behind her, not to mention the fact that I have never seen her wear anything other than plate armor. You'd think angels would want something lighter, but Alta is certainly far from ordinary. She does seem a bit bloodthirsty at times, and she's had a few run-ins with Victoria (she didn't like her wings, of course), but she has shown me mercy enough to let me call her friend and lover. I use definition of lover in a looser sense as the torian's idea of lovemaking involves a few heated nights of passion every month, and I end up feeling sore for days afterwards. Who'd think a girl from a race considered fragile could possess such strength?"
Kerian, Impulsive Dark Magician
"There is an old adage among the Saraphan people that says the best way to destroy an enemy is to make him your friend. I dislike having to fight, especially if it is an unnecessary fight founded upon misunderstanding. I do not know how I first provoked the dark mage Kerian, but whatever the cause was, it led to a share of scraps that damaged lots of Inn property and landed me in plenty of hot water with Mistress Ehlanna. I had to swallow my pride in asking my opponent for a truce, though I knew I had the upper hand. The two of us had a summit, sharing two bottles of the best Elven Red I could find. We found quite a bit of common ground between us, and though Kerian did have this annoying habit of toying about with necromancy, we ceased hostilities and went to becoming lovers. My first diplomatic victory in Nanthalion, and certainly not the last."
Lyann, Explorer of the Senses
"The forest elf from the ill-fated village of Elinmyr came into the inn with a bow on her shoulder, a far-off glint in her eye, and a satchel full of some of the best elven wines I had ever had the pleasure to taste. She had told me her home made its fortune off of the intoxicating liquid, and helped cultivate an appreciation for wine in general. It was not a drink to make people forget about troubled times, but an elixir to make them remember the good times and the good people they meet. Every meeting I've had with Lyann always seemed to recharge me, and though she has gone through such hardships that would sour a lesser creature, she only seems to have gotten more graceful and more delicious with age."
Ehlanna, Love Goddess
"Any story of the town of Nanthalion cannot be completed without a mention of our most colorful resident and owner of The Lonely Inn itself. You can say what you will about the philandering, hoarding, or panty stealing, but this town would not have grown up to its current state without the consent and forethought of Mistress Ehlanna. Apart from our beloved inn, she has helped establish The Naked Bird, our local clothiers, as well as set the blueprints for both our general store and weapons forge among other things. She is as wise as she is insatiable, but it seems more of her lusts are generally directed towards the catgirl population. Rarely ever seen her working her wiles on men. Guess there's a story behind that. And before you ask, no, I never had the pleasure of any intimacy with the elf, not for lack of trying. I gave up eventually once I realized that I was just not on her same level. How can a mortal seek to compete against one who is close to divinity itself?"
Catirena, A Not-So-Ordinary Existence
"I've had quite a few run-ins with the raven-haired mage called Catirena over the first few years I came to the inn, all of them leaving me quite tired and satisfied. She and her elven lover Alissia were often guests in my booth, and welcome company they were. Both of them were sultry and mischievous, and if I was not careful they'd be carrying me off to their room to practice some of their newer "dances" for me. Ali would later leave for more lucrative jobs in the south, but Cat keeps close to Nanthalion, jumping from one job to another. Never stopping, always spreading love wherever she goes. I can see nothing wrong with such an endeavor."
Jessika, Queen Of My Domain
"My previous dealings with Miyuka and Tiffanny should have prepared me in meeting with their Ktechlahan chieftain, but I will admit I was still taken off guard with Lady Jessika the first time I met her. Freckled cheeks, hair like fire, tiny bat wings that wiggled on her back whenever excited, the girl was just bristling with an energy I had never felt or seen in any female since. She would fill a void in my life left when Victoria disappeared, and although not the most beautiful girl I have encountered, Jess is certainly the most engaging. Our courtship would be interrupted by distance and rumors of her death, but it was only a matter of time before the two of us bonded appropriately. Sure, I still wander from time to time, but knowing that my nomad queen will always be waiting for me back at home ensures my trips will never be long ones."
Marren, the Lifegiver
"One never associates the Wolven with the healing arts mostly because they are more adept at bashing and biting things, sort of like furry ogres. I resent those sorts of comparisons because I spent most of my early life living nearby a tribe that had emigrated to St. Eva and got to appreciate their tenderness and loyalty. I can see plenty of those feelings through Lady Marren, a shaman I met first at a noble banquet, serving guests wearing nothing but a smile. Her selflessness is unique among her breed, but her pride is not diminished in the slightest. Perhaps she thinks too little for herself, and I would have to spend days helping her recoup. In such a short time, Marren has had to face hardships that would have humbled a less sturdy soul, but with the companionship of her hunting falcon, she only gets stronger with each passing day and every trial. Truly this is a girl I can trust to watch my back as I can watch hers."
Callie Volopa, The Lady's Finest
"Many of the older folk will remember that the Vulpines were quite rare in the North until the formation of the town of Nanthalion, but by the time we established ourselves, they came in droves. Artisans, philosophers, dancers, cartographers, it was like a general renaissance followed when the foxes emigrated. Callie is a good example of the sort of artistic breed that helped this land flourish. She and the male Matwyn were instrumental to establishing a homebase for newer kinsmen integrate into the empire, and to establish a chapel of The Lady, who is the prime deity of the Vulpine people. As for the vixen herself, she is quite hedonistic, but is never one to forget favors. I keep on telling her that if she grows any more tails, she wouldn't be able to sit down properly. I've truly been blessed to know her, though."