This story is based on my adventures playing "Ravenloft" while a teenager. It allowed me to explore my own bisexual nature in a nonjudgement scenario. I am thankful to the authors of Ravenloft and the DnD game for giving me a safe place to explore.
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I could hear the beasts in the forest and the fog herding me towards town. The beast would cross from one side of the road to the other using the fog to cover it's movements. It had killed my horse, but so far had made no attempt to do anything more than pace along side me. I had my whip at the ready. I was betting that if made any attempt to go into the mists or forests that it would attack. I stayed to the center of the road.
The mists made the journey seem forever. My body would adjust to the stress of the beast tracking me and I'd forget about it being there. Then I'd hear it again in the bushes. My heart would began to beat a bit faster. My knuckles would tighten on the handle of my whip, Wasp's Caress. I'd scan the fog looking for any sign of the creature. I'd begin to believe my mind was playing tricks on me then remember that something had killed my horse. I could see in my head the jagged rips of flesh from claws. The missing gaps where bites of flesh had been taken.
I forced myself to think of other things. My youth. I had been blessed at the temple of Shelyn, the Goddess of Beauty and Love. The temple was known for producing artists, craftsmen and musicians. The gardens were designed for romantic walks, holdings hands, lingering glances. Romantic love. The Goddess Shelyn's blessing took the form of physical beauty and grace in me.
Many years ago, my family bloodline had mixed with that of a serpentine race. While my physical body itself looked and appeared like that of any human, I had inherrited some of my ancient ancestor's more exotic features.
Along my hip and lower back was a fine layer of scales that gleamed like small pearls in the light. I had a serpent's tongue, long, thick and forked. I had a small pair of fangs and diluted poison that could be applied to my lips or used with a lover's bite. It wouldn't cause people to die, but it did cause them to go to sleep if their body wasn't able to shake the poison off. I could also catch people's attention like a snake with prey and hold them, or have them do my bidding.
At puberty, my voice dropped to a rich baritone that rumbled from my chest. As I matured, my body grew in muscles mass and my beard came in full and thick. My chest was furry with a treasure trail leading down across my tight abdomen. My cock and balls were above average size and my ass was round shaped in two perfect globes. Instead of being lumbering and clumsy like many of the other muscular men, the serpentine blood gave me grace. I was limber, flexible and I loved acrobatics and dance. It made me a very attractive and exotic creature.
I was to be trained at the temple as a bard. I would have been sent to various courts to play and perform at the various ceremonies honoring the Goddess of Beauty, Art and Romantic Love. I would have had a very comfortable life. It changed when I was slipped some oil of taget and spirited away aboard a slaver ship into the Shackles.
I was fortunate that the ship was attacked by pirates. I was careful to disguise my "exotic" nature and focused on looking human. I joined the pirate crew and worked my way back to land. The pirates having been at see for several months were excited to get some decent food, some good ale, and some wenches. The best wenches in the entire Shackles belonged to the House of Silken Veils, a temple of Calistria.
Calistria is the Goddess of Lust, Trickery and Vengeance. Being a priestess of the Goddess of Lust meant that sex was part of your trade. Instead of looking longingly at the ladies that served the Goddess of Shelyn, these gals wanted you to actually touch. I touched. I learned. I changed alleigence and became a devout follower of Calistria.
I learned from the House of Silken Veils that although they sold their bodies, the real trade was in secrets. Whispers in the dark from various lovers and paramours. Lust was but part of the reason they worshipped her. Her priests were trained in the arts of theft, stealth, sleight of hand, espionage. They were lovers and consorts of political and powerful men and women. I loved the training in all its various forms.
When I was ready, the priests gave me Wasp's Caress, a copy of the favored weapon of the Goddess herself. The hilt had a holy symbol of Calistria and a small golden wasp that could be removed and with the Goddess' blessing turn into an actual giant wasp to serve you and then return to it's form and reattach to the whip. They also took my real name away from me and gave me the name of Bear Meinhard and was cautioned to keep my real name hidden as it was the greatest secret and with it people could use it have power over me.
A smile played along my lips as I thought back to the days were I learned to make love to a woman. I spent many hours learning my trade. Eventually, I learned to please men as well as women. As a priest of Calistria, I never turned down a lover ... secrets can be shared between a maid, a bar wench, a stable boy and a noble aristocrat. You never know what juicy tidbit you'll find from whom.
Still if I was looking instead of being looked at, I prefered my women with curves. I liked them to be healthy, big chests, broad birthing hips, a bit of an ass. My taste in men varied a bit more, if I was going to be riding their ass, I liked them smaller than me. I liked their assess full and a bit submissive. If I was being ridden, I wanted them muscular, hairy and strong. If they couldn't dominate me in bed, then I'd dominate them...and I cheated with a bit of serpentine fascination.
I had forgotten about the beast following lost in my own reveirre. The town began to slowly appear out of the mists, building by building. I heard a growl behind me. I turned slowly, whip at hand. Standing in the road was a wolf. The wolf stood as large as a pony, glowing red eyes and thick shaggy black fur. I continued to slowly back towards the village. The wolf made no move to attack, but watched as if making sure I didn't change my mind and leave.
The mists blanketed the village, smothering the streets and marroning the buildings, forming an archipelago of crumbling masonry in a gray, hopeless sea. At the village's lonely edge, most of the structures were abandoned, burnt-out hulkds. Charcoal was thick on the air, but that choking odor couldn't overpower the underlying, sickly sweet smell of carrion and spoilage. Claw marks raked some of the vacant homes, ominous not merely because of their presence, but because of the five fingered handlike shape they suggested.
As if satisfied I was nearly there, the wolf slowly turned and made its way back into the fog and I noticed two other shapes slink away from either side of the road. I turned and hurried toward the town. The muddy ground underfoot gave way to slick, wet cobblestones. A dilapidated wood sign read, "Welcome to the Village of Barovia."
As I neared the buildings resolved into tenements whose windows were boarded up, broken and lightless. The building that had survived the fire and attacks had the windows shuttered and planked. Peaking into a broken window, I saw the doors remained barricaded with tables, broken carts and smashed furnishings.
Nothing moved nearby, though the fog limited visibility. I closed my eyes and listened trying to hear any signs of life. Faint sounds, as of something groaning, echoed hollowly from deeper within the settlement. I moved slowly trying to follow the sounds when I heard a woman's screams. I ran towards the screams.
The streets are choked with mists, limiting vision to only a few dozen feet. Garbage littered the ground, and a carrion stench assualted my nose. Ahead of me, an overturned haycart blocked the street in front of a darkened two story building. People were attempting to break down the door of the two story building, and the screams were coming from inside.
I moved forward trying to see better and they people turned toward me. Their eyes were lifeless. They moved in slow, jerky motions and I realized that these townfolk were mindless zombies. Something had brought them back to life. From under the haycart, two gore-streaked four footed animals emerged. They looked like a cross between an oversized rat and a wolf. Their jaws were extraordinary for their size and their eyes glittered with rabid fury. Finally, clambering over the cart was a skeletally thin corpse. Its cadaverous eyes sizzled with cursed power and deadly spells danced on its fingertips. It looked at me and I would have sworn it grinned.
The rat, err wolf, creature things rushed at me. My whip crackled with holy energy as it lashed out at the creatures. It caught one across the back and the creature went down. The other kept coming and attempted to bite at my leg. I dodged the attack and brought my whip back lashing it soundly with a loud crack. Holy power once again flashed as the blessed object came into contact with the undead creature and it stopped moving. I prayed softly to the Goddess Calistria in thanks that her priests gave me such a practical holy item as a gift.
The zombies shuffled forward in their mindless attempt to grasp living flesh. They did not move nearly as quickly and gave me a chance to move a bit further away. A magical bolt of force flew from the skeletally thin creature atop the haycart and slammed into my chest knocking me back further away from the zombies. I swore softly and smiled. Calistria was the Goddess of Vengence, and this creature had just drawn mine.
I could feel the Goddess hand upon me and her blessing. I pulled the wasp from the handle of my whip and threw it into the air. It grew in size to that of a giant wasp and flew towards the haycart to engage the creature in combat. I focused on the zombies. My whip had reach and I could easily lash into the throng of them, the holy energy of the whip sizzling and crackling as it landed upon the creatures. I would move after each attack, staying ahead of them. They were slow and could move towards me, but not reach me to grasp and rend my flesh before my whip would land upon them.
When the last zombie fell, I turned towards the creature. It had some semblence of intelligence still. As the numbers of creatures fell under my assault, and the wasp kept hounding it. The creature slid down the cart in the opposite direction and fled. The wasp itself circled around the area as if guarding the place. I paused to look at the fallen corpses. They still wore the clothing they had worn in life. One of them wore an executioner's hood.
It seemed rather out of place. I reached out to touch it and examine it further. As my hand made contact, I saw the last moments of the executioner's life. He picked up a large axe, looked at the man before him and swung the axe expertly down chopping the head from the body in one swift stroke. Then the body began to jerk and move. Death throws, but the body got up and moved to strangle him. The executioner swung his axe, but the body kept coming. It seized his throat and he began to strangle. I could feel the headless corpse's hands about my own throat and I struggled to breathe as the executioner stopped breathing. I fell to my knees and the movement caused my hand to move away from the hood. I stayed there gasping, catching my breath.
When I had recovered, I made my way to the door. I knocked. "Hello, in there! Are you okay?"
There was no sound. I knocked again. "Hello! Is everything okay in there?" I hollered again. I heard furniture moving and then the door opened an inch and pale green eye and a whisp of blonde hair peeked out before opening the door slightly.
"Are they gone?" The voice was soft, breathy.
"For the moment. Are you all okay?" I asked. "I was under the impression the town was beset by wolves not zombies."
"The zombies are new." She blushed softly and I instinctively followed up by giving her my practiced smile.
"I see. Are you alone?"
"My mother is here with me. We were all supposed to go to the center of town, but night fell before we were ready to leave and we were stranded here. We hid upstairs from the werewolves last night, and were going to try to go today, but when we opened the doors...the dead were there."
"Gather your things and your mother, and I'll glady take you to the center of town." I had no idea where the center of town was, but figured they would know how to get there and I'd try to keep them alive while we went. Besides, she said other townsfolk were already gathered there. Maybe someone would know something.
"Thank you very much!" She sighed with relieaf. She closed the door and I could hear her calling for her mother. In a few moments, the door opened and she stepped out. Her dress was rather elegant for a small village and her mother was equally well dressed. A small garnet necklace hung about her neck and her shoes were not appropriate to wet cobblestones.
"Normally, we'd have a carriage." She started, but then blushed and lifted the hem of her gown and both of them stepped lively down the road. I followed with my eyes alert and listening for the sounds of the living and the dead alike. She ran a constant stream of chatter. Her name was Gertruda and her mother was called Mary. Her father had been a minor nobleman before he passed away. They were excited to rejoin the rest of the town and were so glad that someone had come for them. She asked my name, and I told her.
The center of the town was barricaded. It took some persuasion to have the villagers open the barricade and let us in, but Mary and Gertruda were one of their own and the two women eventually persuaded the townsfolk to let them in. A human woman with shining half-plate mail and an emblazoned holy symbol upon it called orders out and the barricade was resealed. I would have liked to know more about the paladin, but Gertruda kept tugging me towards what appeared to be an inn.
A mutter of voices, a clatter of dishware and the squeal of a poorly played wind instrument issued from the rambling building. A sign hung precariously askew that read "Blood on the Vine Tavern." As we got closer, it looked as if the sign had originally read "Blood OF the Vine Tavern" but someone had scratched an "N" over the "F".
As the two ladies entered the establishment, they both visably relaxed. I surveyed my surroundings. The structure had once been finely appointed, but it seemed to have suffered over the years. There was several families in the inn and another twenty that I couldn't place with a family in various guestrooms, spare closets, the cellar and even hallways.
There were a couple of people that drew my attention. The barkeep, a minor lord that was seated in a corner drinking wine, and three Vistani. The courier that had delivered my letter was a Vistani, and I wondered if he came from here. Before I could move to question or find out more about them, I felt a hand upon my arm. Looking down, I saw Gertruda.
She blushed softly and asked if she could have a moment of my time and perhaps aid. I nodded softly and she lead me towards a secluded corner. "I have another problem. My father was a minor nobility and we have a bit of land, but our resources are land. My mother and I have almost no money. Would you be able to help us out once more and maybe be persuaded to buy us a dinner or lodging? I would be very grateful."
I looked at her and my eyes slowly roamed over her body and I grinned. "Of course. Join me for dinner as my guest." I moved to the barkeep and ordered dinner for the three of us and with a few extra coins secured the innkeeps personal quarters for our lodging. The innkeep agreeing to sleep in the common room.
The food was filling if not great. It was some type of game meat and vegetables. No bread. The beer though was cold and quenched my parched throat. Neither of the ladies drank "beer" but I encouraged them and Gertruda eventually drank a tankard. Mary did not, but sipped water. A second tankard brought a blush to Gertruda's cheeks. By the time she was at the bottom of the second tankard, she was giggling and her mother was kicking her beneath the table.
I excused myself and suggested that Gertruda should probably lie down and rest. Sleep off some of her alcohol. Her mother agreed. The innkeep started to lead us to his rooms when Mary caught someone playing cards. Calistria was the Goddess of Lust and lust didn't apply to just sex. I didn't need a magic spell to tell that Mary wanted to play cards and she wanted to play for money. She liked to gamble. No wonder the ladies had very little money. I was guessing that Mary was not a very good gambler.
I grinned and handed Mary a small pouch of coins and encouraged to indulge her vice. "Our secret." I winked at her. Mary blushed but her hand greedily clutched the small purse and she left quickly to join the card game. This left me alone with a very beautiful young lady who had consumed way to much alcohol.
I led Gertruda to the innkeeps quarters and closed the door behind us. I moved to open the window and let in some fresh air. I turned and looked at Gertruda. She blushed softly and I pulled her to me. I kissed her hungrily. She pushed against me at first, but I could sense her desire and the alcohol helped weaken her will and she soon gave in and kissed me back.
I sucked at her lower lip and caught it with my teeth and let it go with a soft moan. She opened her mouth and when she did, I thrust my tongue inside. I let my tongue explore her mouth, sliding my forked tongue over hers. My tongue was slick and sensitive and I could feel her tongue raspy against mine.
I let my hands slide around her, pulling her close to me, and ground my erect shaft into her lower body. She gasped and attempted to push away but I let her eyes catch mine. I let my desire fill my eyes and her resistance melted away. I used my eyes, my body and my magic to fascinate her and entrance her. When I lifted her and carried her to the bed, she didn't attempt to pull away at all but nestled her head against my chest. I climbed into bed with her and kissed down her neck and lowered her dress to free her breasts.
Her breasts were small and perky. A handful or mouth full. I flicked my tongue gently across them and they hardened. I sucked greedily and kneaded the other with my left hand. With my right hand, I slowly worked her skirts up about her waist. I moved over her pinning her softly with my weight. I didn't know how much time I would have with her before someone came to check on us. I lowered my pants to my knees and kissed her lips once more as I slid between her legs. She was wet with desire and I used my right hand to guide my massive cock to her opening. I stared into her eyes and held her with my own as I slid gently into her. I felt resistance and I grinned knowing that I was her first. I bent down and kissed her lips as I withdrew slightly and then drove deep into her, taking her virginity and pressing deep past her hymen. She bucked beneath me, and moaned softly as I sheathed my swollen member deep into her body.
I didn't wait for her to adjust to me but began to fuck with a need to release my seed. I pulled out and slammed deep into her, pausing to grind a moment trying to get as deep as possible before withdrawing and doing it again. I loved the feel of her velvety warmth on my cock as I fucked her. She was tight and warm. Her juices coating my member allowing me to easily glide in and out as my hips pistoned steadily pumping her full of my cock.
My balls were churning. My cock was throbbing. Taking this girls virginity while her mother was in the next room playing cards gave me a huge ego boost. The power trip and fuck itself was nearly enough for my balls to explode, but I wanted my seed deep inside her when I came. I groaned and drove myself deep, hilting myself in her as my cock throbbed and ropes of seed began to flow into her.
I bit by lower lip to keep from making a sound while I climaxed inside her. I waited but a moment and then pulled myself out of her once virginal tunnel of love. I opened her mouth by pulling on her chin with my thumb and forefinger and shoved my softening cock inside, letting her clean me up.
I pulled away and leaned down once more, sucking her tongue into my mouth. I used my own tongue to push hers up and let it graze my small fangs. I let the poison flow along her tongue and then back into her mouth. I pulled away.
I took a deep breath, lowered my shields and let my magic flow out away from me to engulf her. My magic was not the flashy magics of wizards casting balls of fire, lightning bolts but a subtler magic although just as deadly. I pushed my magic into Gertruda's mind. I modified her memory. I changed small bits of the nights events. I couldn't change everything, I wasn't that powerful yet. But I led her to believe that she had way too much to drink and passed out where she had powerful, realistic dreams of having sex with me.
I planted the thought deep within her that she wanted to have sex with me often, that she lusted after me. That the sight or thought of me would make her flush with desire and that my touch alone could drive her to orgasm. I would have planted more thoughts in her poisoned, addled brain but the poison took over and she fell asleep.
Between the poison and the alcohol, she would have one hell of a hangover in the morning. I adjusted her clothing, tucking her into bed. I moved to the washbasin, washed. I then pulled my britches up and adjusted my clothing and sauntered back into the main common room as if nothing had transpired. Mary was doing well with the cards and had nearly doubled her money. She nodded to me and grinned pointing to her winnings. I nodded back and gave her a smile of encouragement.
I ordered me an ale and took a long drink, sighing contently. Barovia just became a much more welcoming place. I was feeling pleased with myself when the noble I had noted drinking wine approached me.
"I know everyone within a days ride of this town. You're not from here. What brings you to this accursed place?"
I looked him up and down taking in his attire and demeanor. His clothing while that of a noble of some estate, was old and worn. He had a wine stain upon his vest. Still, if he knew everyone within a days ride, he might know information that could prove to be useful.
"I received a letter from the Burgomeister Indirovich asking for aid."
"That's impossible. I am Ismark the Lesser. My father is---was---Kolyan Indirovich, the burgomeisterof Barovia. But the burgomeister is dead! His body lies these ten days and more in the mansion. My sister remains with him barricaded there against the zombies."
"I don't understand." I pulled the letter from my pocket and gave it to him.
He looked the letter over, and then said in a soft voice. "This is not my father's writing."
I looked at him and grinned softly. "You wouldn't want to tell me what's going on here, would you?" I pushed him with my magic. I pushed the idea that perhaps I could help if he would just confide in me deep into his brain. I then let the magic slowly work it's way out.
He paused and blinked at me. I offered him a seat beside me and signaled the barkeep to bring him another glass of wine. I loved the effect of my magic and alcohol working together. He took a drink of the wine, set it down and leaned in and began to whisper as if not wanting to be overheard.
"A few months ago, he who rules the castle—that devil Strahd—tried to pay us a visit. I don't know why. However, my father bravely stood up to him, using the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind. The Holy Symbol is a powerful amulet that hurt Strahd. But one morning, we woke up to find our father dead from poison. After that, the power of the amulet wouldn't work for me or my sister, Ireena. Then the werewolf attacks began.
The priest's son Doru tried to protect the village. He was looking for tracks along the Old Svalich Road when he was set upon by brigands. They slew him. Danovich, the old priest, used to ward the church and village. His vigil lapsed when his son was slain. No one knows what became of Danovich, but after he stopped warding the village, the zombies began to walk.
Anyone slain or bit by the zombies becomes a zombie. They didn't get my father though. He was already dead, thank the gods. A group of undead hunters went to investigate the church a few days ago, but we haven't heard from them since. The last of them is in the yard leading the defenses against the zombies. If they aren't stopped soon, we will all be dead with a couple more days.
Either way, I'm going to sit here and drink. Go speak with Madam Eva if you want to help---she's west of town. Or talk to my sister, Ireena. Perhaps, she'll give you the amulet—much good it will do you. But Ireena won't leave the mansion. She's sitting vigil by our father's body to make certain he doesn't become a "zombie". But mark my words, it was the master of the casstle, or one his servants that killed Kolyan Indirovich!."
He picked up his wine and went back to his corner of the inn. What the hell was I getting myself into here? I only agreed to find a woman's husband at the start. Now, I'm helping a town defend itself against a plauge of zombies, a mass of werewolf attacks, and some lord of a castle that poisons his townsfolk. I reached up and grabbed my own holy symbol and rubbed it for comfort.
I decided to go to bed and get my rest while I could. I needed to pray to my Goddess to keep her blessings and to renew my magics. "Well, Calistria, we have our work cut out for us here, don't we?"