Well it not much, but it'll have to do. Derian had been hoping for a much more...well something better than this. While it had all the things he had been hoping to feature, the bar and the arena, it just wasn't pretty to the eye. On the bright side, my main crowds will either be too shady to care, or just wanting a good brew and some skulls to bash. With a disconcerted sigh, Derian makes his way around the fenced arena and towards the front of the warehouse, preparing to open the doors... Here goes nothing...

Derian throws the doors open, meeting the bright grey sky with a squint, guess it all can't be sunshine and roses can it? After taking in a deep breath he announces the opening to the world "Rangaurd's Place, bar and arena extroidene...extroidina...The best dang pub and knockaround bar in the Port! We're now open for business! Opening round is on the house! Now all he had to do was wait for some takers.

"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO MY BOAT!?" a loud voice roared. In the background was the uniform crackling and sizzling of wood. There was a fire.

And guess who started it? Yep, Ahazez did. The demon cackled in satisfaction while watching one of the boats in the Port burn in a blaze of glory. Pieces of it, now turned to ash, fell to the bottom of the water. There was a huge commotion now, especially the man that was running towards the catlike demon with a shortsword in his hand. It was the man who owned the boat, but Ahazez didn't care. She just kept sitting in a clearing of the crowd, standing out like a sore thumb.

When the man got close enough, he didn't even make a scratch on Aha before she knocked him over and let a huge stream of fire shoot out of her mouth at him. The flaming feline got up and walked over to the boat owner. She sported an evil grin on her face, showing her vampiric teeth.
"I don't mind if my humans are cooked. Lucky for you, huh?" Ahazez hissed slyly. She finally opened her jaws and sunk her teeth into one of the man's veins...

***

"Rangaurd's Place, bar and arena extroidene...extroidina...The best dang pub and knockaround bar in the Port! We're now open for business! Opening round is on the house!" boomed in Aha's sensitive ears about five minutes after the demon's meal. 'An arena, huh? Haha, I would burn each of my competitors to a crisp.' she thought, confident that nobody else could be superior to herself. She slowly trotted through the crowds in the direction of the voice.

With out one bit of suprise, Derian hears yelling and sees a fire off in the distance. Heh with my luck the rogue who did that will come looking for fresh pine to burn. Either that or some fresh steel to taste. Derian chuckles at his private wit. He leaves the doors open as he sneaks behind the bar and begins quickly reading from his father's and mother's spell book. Ignis viroprius With that thought, a small fire crackles in Derian's hands which begin to glow as they get hotter before he splashes his hands in a water bowl. Interesting, very interesting...well enough of that. I need to get ready for the obvious crowd. With a sigh Derian begins re-stocking the bar... just hoping for a few bonehead sailors wander in to have a couple of drinks.

"Rangaurd's Place, bar and arena extroidene...extroidina...The best dang pub and knockaround bar in the Port! We're now open for business! Opening round is on the house!"

Wow. Free drinks. I can finally try a Starbucks Frappachino. Plus I can *maybe* start a bar fight. All the cool people get into bar fights* thought Arkas as he walked down the port town's streets.
As he walked to the bar he witnessed a large red tiger heading the same way, but its gait was off ever so slightly.
"A demon" he hissed. Dang. It's headed for the pub. There goes my bar fight. I must tread carefully now.
He walked into the pub, stepping over the burnt carcass of the bouncer Note to self. Don't make the tiger demon mad

With a slight nod Derian acknowledges the elven marksman, eyeing him thoroughly. "How are you doing stranger? What can I get you, some rum? I have some fine wines; pick your poison friend. If there's another form of entertainment that you seek...of the physical variety, I can also happily provide it for a small wager." With intent eyes, Derian waits for the customer's order...

{I'm typing this post assuming Derian is in human form. :p}

Ahazez finally made her way to the new pub. She poked her head inside and looked around. The bar wasn't very populated at the moment, but sailors and regular peasents were walking in from behind her. The demon glanced at the arena. 'At least it's not as large as a full-blown battlefield. I could corner anyone with ease.' Her catlike gaze made its way to the bar area, where a man stood reading a spellbook and talking to an elf that had found their way here. His eyes were different colors, which was something Ahazez didn't normally see in regular people, and he was dressed in simple leather clothing. She was curious as to why his eyes were so different from eachother. A genetic mutation? A shapeshifter? 'Or maybe...'

The tiger demon got up and walked in the pub. She had an urge to figure out what the bartender was (by now Aha had come to the conclusion that he wasn't fully human), and needed to get closer. Ahazez sat down at the counter with only her head showing and her burning forepaws sitting on the top of its polished surface {The counter, not her head}. The demon said nothing for several moments.

'He smells like a half-demon. He sure looks more like his Atani parent, though.' Aha thought. She didn't think very well of half-demons. All the half-demons she encountered before tried desperately to be Good, always wanting to disregard their demon blood in them. Ahazez just didn't understand. Even if you had 1% of demon blood in you, why not harness it to its full extent instead of keeping it in the dark? Why would someone want to hide all of that potential power?

"I'd like to enter into an arena match." Ahazez said in her rumbling voice. Her tail flicked back and forth. "And be careful. Alcohol is flammable." she said with a sadistic smirk.

"No thank you, I'm not thirsty" Arkas replied to the barman. He noted his eyes were different colors.
Ahazez padded up to the bar.
"I'd like to enter into an arena match. And be careful. Alcohol is flammable."
Rather sarcastic arn't we.
"I would, however, like to know what a tiger demon is doing here after eating some poor guy. You could hear the screams a mile away."
In addition to the crackling of the boat fire.

"I'd like to enter into an arena match." The cat crackled, twiching her tail back and forth, "And be careful. Alcohol is flammable."

Derian's left eye winked its emerald color at the demon. "That it is lady demon, but fire can be faught with water and other certain elements, both man made and natural. While it is true that fire the most destructive element, save the shadows, it is one of the easiest to quench. Be careful not overestimate yourself, for the haughty fall the farthest." With that Derian turns to the elf handing him a light liquor. "Dear elf, whether or not you're thirtsy is beyond the point. My bar serves drinks, so have one." Derian emphasises the gift with a wink. "Nothing you can do out side of throwing it at me will make me take it back, so make good use of it and take a swill."

After greeting a pair of sailors just sitting themselves, Derian turns to Ahazez and looks at her with a dangerous twinkle in his eyes. "So lady demon you wish to show your prowess of combat within my humble arena. Let me be your first challange, albet a poor one I assure you. My mortal hands can only handle swordplay, magic is still beyond me..." Derian chuckles silently as gathers his swords from underneath the bar and moves towards the arena motioning the cat to follow him. Good thing I was able to arm the arena with some extra arms and armor left over from the old ownership. Lets see what miss kitty can do when we play by my rules. "By the way lady, any arms/armor you wish can be found in the corner. I'm not sure what good it will do you, but feel free to make use of them...

Snori watched with interest at the first two fighters one of which was the owner of the establishment. It wouldn’t be too good for the tavern owner if he loses. A weak owner will be torn apart by most of the customers for a bar like this, Snori thought.

As much as he normally hated unnecessary fights the demon shifted deep with in his brain. He detested it almost as much as it hated him but that’s what you get for playing with fire... maybe he would have a few rounds it would be good to try out some of his spells or his new spear. He took a long draft from a glass containing a black and thick liquid that looked as though it could burn through as sword.

Snori took steps towards the ring and looked up at the owner, wondering if he would need any help if things didn’t go his way... or even if he could be bothered to do so.

Six months later... Derian quietly made his way through the mopey port, hiding in his human form. It had been such a while ago, he had to close the pub down due to a lack of funds. Now he had some, and the liquor should still be good.

Unlatching the lock, Derian makes his way in, leaving a new lock on the door that a few people could open, old friends included. If they wanted to come, great. The place needed some new work before it would be open to the public again.

Snori looked around the port, it held a few memories but for the most part it was forgoten by him and many others by the looks of things. He had heared that derain planned to reopen rangaurds place, Snori couldnt help but return. To see old friends to check if derain needed any help with the shop. It cirtenly looked to be in disrepair.

He walked up to the door and knocked, it was ajar.... no need to wait for old friends he thought. He pushed the door open and walked into the gloom of ages. He closed the door behind him and called out.

"Derain? I heared you were here, any time for an old friend?"

Thoughts of old times flooded over Derian, this had been the place he had gone to in his first time in the land of arda. The smells of poured liquor and old fights filled his nostrils, fogging his mind while reminiscing...until a famaliar voice called out. "Derain? I heared you were here, any time for an old friend?"

Grinning wide, Derian spun around to see a pleasently plump dwarf make his way in. " Of course, I always have time for old friends. Hear, I have a few salvagable drinks, tell me what you want and I'll pour it!"

Snori walked towards the bar and pulled out a stool, he inspecting the legs before climing onto its moth eaten seat. His legs dangled uncermoniusly from its top. "Just hand me a bottle i'll drink almost anything these days." He smilled as he let his pack fall to the floor. Then he took of his infernal axe that resided on his back, it had become his pride and joy in the last few months.

"So why did you open up the old place?
He asked as he held out a hand for the bottle and glass.

Grinning Derian reached under the bar and handed over a bottle to Snori, "That's some good ol elven brandy, tell me what you think. That was a shipment I never got to. Grabbing his own bottle, Derian popped the top off and chugged a drink...

"Well, people need a place to hang out with friends, and I thought it was a good idea...oh nice axe, alot nicer than my pair. Here take a look..." reaching across the counter, Derian picks up his black embroidered axes and hands one to Snori.

Snori uncorked his bottle and took a drink, he coughed slightly as he finshed. "i think the air got to mine it has a bit of a kick.... He took the axe with his free hand and felt the weight. "It is a good axe and its not the weapon that can kill its the weilder. He drank more of the brandy and coughed again. It was good being back with a old friend.

He handed the axe back and losend his masterwork dwarven belt, times of rest had caused him to lose some of his shape. He was slowly becoming an old dwarf and he didnt like it.

Derian took back the axe and laid it under the counter, while taking another swig himself. "A little out of shape Snori?" Fortuantly, my fighting form doesn't need excersise...look at this baby.

With a few grunts and moans, Derian transformed into his tauren form, not thinking of the falling bottles, crashing on the floor. "Sometimes I need to think more...well what do you think? I'm bigger than last time... Derian flexes showing off his large ten foot frame.

"wow you certenly are growing arnt you.... but size isnt every thing a good strong dwarf would hack you apart from the knees down!" He laughed and took another drink.

He moved his hand over the floor in the middle of the room and cast the stone gollem spell, a circle on the floor began to glow a bright green abd before long a ten foot stone gollem stood in the center. It was roughly the same size and dimention of derain in the tauren form. "theres always somthing just as big as you are."

"So there is, but how many golems can there be? ex Replicano!"

With a laugh and a hackle, soon three clones of Derian stood around the golem, all of them ten feet themselves with axes drawn to pummel the golem.

"Beat that..." Derian cracks as he winks at Snori and he changes back to his human form.

"My gollem can not be harmed by phisical attacks and your replicas can only engage in phisical attacks....I dont need to. HE smilled braudly and waved his had towards his golem and it disapered. "I may be getting older but at least im making use of some dwarven wisdom that only comes with age."

Derian coughed loudly as Snori bragged. "Actually they have this...Lich Touch! Suddenly all three clones reach out and touch Snori forcing him to stop moving because of shock. "You were saying...? Oh wait you weren't...abit shocked?"

"Oww... thats not the way to treat your geusts." He moved on his stool finding a more comfortable possition [colro=green]"Theres no need to show off you know[/color] He grinned and took another swig."Picking on an aged dwarf like that he smilled and placed a hand on derain and cast gholish touch.

Derian laughed, chugging the bottle, and suddenly began choking on his drink as Snori made contact with his arm...the effect lasted a few seconds as Derian began sputtering up the brandy. "Ok, point taken, but what else you learned in your old age?"

"well not to pick fights with ten foot tauren and i have picked up some pretty good celestial spells. All your axes wont penitrate a magnetic feild you know. He drank yet more brandy. "So what about you? what have you been up to in the past few months?

"Actually, I've been studying under Death, and I have immensly expanded my dark spells...I can have 7 spirits summoned...something I know you can do, but my physical self is greatly stronger. Also I am learning the skills of mental domination to destroy your will to fight...something that can be sadistic if I say so myself."

Powerfull indeed... i have been falling behind on my studies and reading.... I wish to become a member of liras chosen just as you are a member of deaths army. However i dought i will fight in the war, mearly to defend the temples of lira. I am thinking about which school of magic i should now turn to... i am unsure of my next path in life as it were."

Grasping a new bottle, Derian put the finished one in a barrel. Looking at Snori, He pops the top and holds it up. "Here's a toast to whatever comes our way. My schooling under Death has taken me to studing under Pestilance actually. I have a dagger somewhere...give me a minute...while I look, do you have any nice trinkets your self?"

"I have come into possetion of my masterwork belt, its an original from the times of the great dwarven ancestors." He looked down on his belt with pride, it sybolised generations of dwarfs, generations of battles and wars for his people. Despite being masterwork and very inticate it was infact armour and was scared with the mark of ages.

Derian listened intently as he searched for his dagger, "That's cool man, my crude chainmail I actually got off some old soldier or something...hah here it is!" Derian picks up a small dagger and shows it off. "It can kill someone within two hours if the wound is not treated...its poisonous..."

"nice... the poison is magicly infused is it not... ive seen them before, they are fairly powerfull depite there size but i did't expect you to go in for anything smaller that about a foot long for weapons." he laughed loudly and finished off the last of the brandy. He set the empty bottle aside and reached for another, he had a dwarvish constitution but it was begining to turn him slightly.

"True enough old friend...but there are wizards that will craft this magical infused dagger, coupled with my axes, into a new weapon...a shadow axe is what I will call it. Not original but still, ya know? Lovingly, Derian caresses his axes...waiting for his master to grant him new ones.

"Yes i myself wish more improvments upon my axe, i intend to get a rune lord to forge entirly new runes to be fused to axe, they should increes its power dramaticly... though im unsure as to what to have it infused with.... posible the power of stone, ten tones of crushing power at the blade of an axe sounds powerfull enough to me but i will have to find a powerfull rune lord for that

"That could be a nasty weapon set, maybe I could infuse my chainmale with some darkness or something to enhance it. I can sense the war brewing, and I think my path will come across both good and evil creatures...so...here's again to the future" With a laugh Derian downs half the bottle.

Just becaue one defines themslevs as good or as evil does not mean that you will have to fight one who as defined themselfs acordingly. He drank also the the toast. "To the future and to my eventual and honerable death or so i hope."

"I'll toast that as well, even though my commitments will make my job description even scarier in death. On that note, I will petition to master that your death be quick and painless. I don't like the thought of a friend suffering."

"who knows maybe it will be you who deals the blow. He laughed and drank to the toast. he had no fear of death but he wished to be imortolized as a statue, as an ansestor. "With death as your master you have little to fear from it" he joked

"I know dwarves want their memories and feats enshrined, this I promise you now...I will make sure you are honored for what you deserve. A solid friend, thus iron will serve as your backbone, a couragous heart, thus steel will be your chest, a head of wisdom, thus a skull of silver will be fashioned because wisdom is beautiful among all things but not appreciated, legs of strength, hence your hips and legs and feet will be soild marble, and lastly hands of warmth and care, you will have gold arms and hands illustrating the warmth you shown to us all.

"......... i think you may have drunk a little much there my friend.... but i love the flattery." He smilled and took another gulp then set the bottle aside. "Mind you, you shall out live me but your legasy will probably last many life times..... Derain warlord for death and minion of the armageddon. Children will be told to be good lest the devil minator eat you whole. Snori chuckled even though what he spoke was probably the truth.

"Hey that's unfair, I am also human you know....well at least for now, but Dwarfs never forget if I'm not mistaken, so people will always remember you, especially that unquenchable hunger." Derian laughs as he leans across the counter and pokes Snori with an axe handle in the gut.

"Hey im just out of shape, anyway if your lucky you may make it into one of the books of grudges." It was tradition for a dwarf mine or settlement to keep a book of all the wrongs that it has enjured, kings felled in battle, massacars, slaughters, ambushes and those that have killed numerable numbers of the dwarf kind. If some one is evil and wishes for it to be knows how powerfull he is a mention in the book of grudges is a good indication.

"Well, you actually think that I could make it into one? I mean I'd have to do alot more ya know..." Derian's eyes lost focus as he began envisioning a bright and powerful future.