Tavern Drake (Taberna Draculus)

*“The once cheery atmosphere of the Tavern common room died. The minstrel stopped playing his flute and recounting his stories. A group of men at one end of the common room had started shouting threats and curses to a now enraged, similar group on the other side. From what I could piece together, someone had bedded the wife of a man from the other group.*

*Things were getting heated; chairs had been picked up and brandished as weapons. I got excited at the thought of these two groups redecorating the walls with blood and broken teeth. However, a strange sensation filled the room; the Inn Keeper simply smiled and winked at me. It was an odd sensation like I’d forgot why I was excited.*

*I looked over to the two groups; they looked just as perplexed. Putting down their improvised weapons and returning to their drinks. As they did, the minstrel carried on playing the flute. I turned back to the innkeeper as I did a small, plump Drake now sat on the bar, it’s head in a pint mug, guzzling Ale. The Drake paused and stared at me, then he spoke, asking me to mind my own business.” -* Bartholomew Horingglow, Bestiarum Vocabulum, Aether, Vol XI.

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**Place of Origin**

No one is sure on the origin of Tavern Drakes. Many link their roots to that of the Draconem.

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**Rarity**

Uncommon, like their Draconem ancestors, the Tavern Drake is a rare sight. Tavern Drakes are a social creature and decided to engage with other races. Apart from the few that choose to live among us, it’s hard to know exactly how many are in the wild. If any.

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**General Overview**

Tavern Drakes squat in busy Taverns and Inns. A bane or saviour to innkeepers and tavern owners, Tavern Drakes, enjoy pushing patrons’ emotions, driving crowds to ecstatic cheers or bloody bar fights.

Tavern Drakes make their homes in cities and towns, thought older Drakes settle in roadside inns. In the former, they are often troublemakers or pranksters, but in the later, they usually befriend the proprietor and help manage flared tempers and weepy drinkers in return for living space and a generous tab.

Tavern Drakes gossip endlessly. Perched in hiding places throughout busy taverns, they overhear many stories and often trade-in information, making them excellent sources for news about town. A more devious Drake may resort to blackmail, usually to secure a comfortable spot in their chosen tavern. Some are quite beloved and treated like family heirlooms.

**Race Alignment**

Chaotic Neutral - values their liberty but doesn’t strive to protect others' freedom. Avoids authority, resents restrictions, and challenges traditions.

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**Natural Race Abilities/Affinities**

*~ Spellcasting*

The Tavern Drake has access to an array of magic that affects emotions.

~ *Friends*

Makes the target more agreeable and is more susceptible to being charmed.

~ *Calm Emotions*

Suppresses strong emotions in a group of people.

~ *Hideous Laughter*

Forces an individual to perceive everything as hilariously funny. The individual falls into fits of laughter for 2 turns.

~ *Confusion*

This spell assaults and twists the mind, spawning delusions and provoking uncontrolled actions for 2 turns.

~ *Invisibility*

Becomes invisible for up to 5 turns, anything the caster is wearing is invisible if it remains on the caster’s person. Invisibility is broken if the caster attacks.

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**Appearances**

Tavern Drakes are one to two feet long on average and weigh about 18 pounds with a plump belly. Their scales are deep amber with cream or white highlights, and they possess glittering light-coloured eyes.  Despite its name, Tavern Drakes, do not share the lack of wings that Drakes have. Tavern Drakes vary in age the oldest ever recorded was just past 300 years.

**History**
No one is sure when Tavern Drakes first appeared or when they decided to live among us. The eldest ever recorded was just over 300 years old at the time. At that establishment, the now elderly owner claimed the Tavern Drake had lived with his family as long as he could remember. All we know is that the Tavern Drake mean no harm. They take joy in being in our company, whether to help or hinder.

**Created by MrBiscuits**

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