DnD Tales: The Adventures of Rynalla the Artificer

The History of a Traumatized Black Dragonkin; First Treasure, First Blood (3/5)

"Blackpool!" Rynalla could hear Grimbreaker bellow loudly from behind her. "You have failed to bring me Runekille Nightwing within the time I have given!"

To her, his voice seemed to almost shake the very air around her. Rynalla felt compelled to stop walking and turned around to watch her father for a few minutes.

"I've been more than gracious to allot a whole month for you to find that Black Dragonborn and bring her to me, and you have still failed!"

The massive ancient Black Dragon spread his wings wide; his wingspan large enough to block out any light from the noonday sun. It was then that Rynalla understood why people had referred to her father as "The Acid Shadow" or "The Sun-Blocker" among many other names.

"So now, you will all perish at the claws of my hatchling- Nula- and myself! If I don't get you, my hatchling will!"

With that, the spikes along his back started to glow green from the tail up and when the green glow reached the horns on his head, he opened his mouth and unleashed a massive laser beam of acid upon the buildings around him. Rynalla watched in awe as the infrastructure of the buildings- both stone and wood- melted immediately upon contact with her father's line of acid. I want to become that powerful. The young Dragonkin decided as she turned back around and began to case any still-standing buildings as she calmly walked down the main road. I want people to fear me just as they fear my father. But first, I need a Prey.

As Rynalla walked, she tested the doors of every building that she passed and if they were locked, she moved on; figuring that the building- and whoever was holed up inside- would either be crushed to death as the building collapsed or melted by a shower of acid from her father. If the doors were unlocked, she'd open the door and take a peek inside. Obviously, nothing living had immediately caught her eye; so she had resorted to looting the first few places that she had been able to enter; resulting in seventeen gold pieces, a basic iron dagger, six pieces of nicely-crafted jewelry, and a nice, wide-brimmed dark leather hat that she had liked enough to don immediately. Thankfully, the hat had appeared to have been tailored for a Lizardfolk or a Dragonborn; as there were strategically placed holes in the hat to comfortably accomodate a pair of horns.

With every building that Rynalla had checked thus far appearing to be devoid of life, the Black Dragonkin had begun to grow bored from the lack of excitement. She could hear the panicked, dying screams of townfolk and the angry screeching of her father behind her as she turned off of the empty main road and into a small, dark alley; where she happened upon the trembling form of a male Dwarf. As the two made eye contact, the Dwarf's eyes widened in recognition. Rynalla recognised him as Thurkham's cousin- Eridin Goldbender.

"R-Rynalla." He stammered weakly as he slowly stood to his feet and slowly made his way over to Rynalla with his hands held out in greeting. "Thurkham's daughter. P-please-"

He had been injured; she could smell blood and the bloody cloth that was wrapped around the Dwarf's left arm hinted at the nature of his injury. The injured Dwarf seemed to think he was in the company of a friend; as relief showed on his face as he reached Rynalla. The Black Dragonkin gave the Dwarf a dismissive snort and took several steps back just as he had reached out for her.

"You and others of your kind ridiculed and shunned my adoptive father for taking in a 'disgusting lizard'." Rynalla hummed thoughtfully as she fussed with her recently aquired hat.

At that, Eridin flinched as if he had been struck across the face.

"T-the history between dragons and Dwarves-" He stammered before Rynalla cut him off with a snarl.