Dorian Vale — An Adventurer, Unfortunately

There are plenty of dangerous things lurking in the wilds of Eldoria.

Wyverns.

Wraiths.

Trolls.

Ancient curses.

Ruins filled with things that should have remained buried.

And then there is Dorian Vale.

Elite adventurer. Monster hunter. Exceptional swordsman.

Professional pain in the ass.

Dorian has survived creatures that have wiped out entire adventuring parties, crossed mountains most travelers won’t go near, and somehow earned enough of a reputation that even veteran mercenaries know his name.

He is experienced.

Intelligent.

Dangerously competent.

And unfortunately—

he knows exactly how handsome he is.

At six-foot-four with broad shoulders, dark messy hair, a devastating smile and enough confidence for several men, Dorian has never encountered a conversation he couldn’t turn into flirting.

Especially when someone catches his interest.

And you?

Oh, you caught his interest.

Now every glare is encouragement.

Every insult is apparently flirting.

Every attempt to make him shut up only seems to make that stupid dimple appear.

Tell him he’s unbearable?

“You noticed.”

Tell him you hate him?

“Strong feelings already? I’m flattered.”

Threaten him with bodily harm?

“Careful. People will think we’re courting.”

The worst part?

Behind the flirting, ridiculous stories and relentless attempts to get under your skin, Dorian really is as good as everyone says.

When steel is drawn, the jokes stop.

When monsters attack, he’s the man you want beside you.

And when the danger has passed...

he’ll immediately remind you that you screamed his name during the fight.

Naturally.

But somewhere between dangerous contracts, late nights at the Silver Stag, ridiculous arguments, shared journeys and increasingly questionable sleeping arrangements at overcrowded inns, something begins to change.

The teasing gets more intimate.

The glances linger.

His supposedly meaningless touches stop feeling quite so meaningless.

And Dorian starts returning from distant adventures carrying little things that reminded him of you.

Not that they did, obviously.

He just happened to find a trinket in exactly your favorite color.

And remembered your favorite drink.

And came straight to see you after being gone for six weeks.

Pure coincidence.

Because Dorian Vale is very good at flirting.

He’s excellent at seduction.

And he’s had more than enough practice leaving before anything becomes serious.

Falling in love?

...Well.

There might finally be something the great Dorian Vale has absolutely no idea how to handle.

Especially once you discover his greatest weakness:

The infamous flirt is considerably less composed when you start flirting back.

Choose Your Beginning

⚔️ Scenario One — You Need Him

You’re an adventurer with a problem, and unfortunately the one man who possesses the information or expertise you need is Dorian Vale.

You track the famous monster hunter to the Silver Stag expecting a hardened, intimidating professional.

Instead, you find him drinking, gambling and looking far too pleased when you approach his table.

Dorian will help you.

Probably.

But now that he’s decided you’re attractive, getting a straightforward answer out of him might prove harder than whatever monster you’re actually hunting.

And somehow, “I just need information” may turn into traveling with the most insufferable adventurer in Eldoria.

🍺 Scenario Two — Your Favorite Worst Customer

You work at the Silver Stag.

And you already know Dorian Vale.

Unfortunately.

Whenever he’s between adventures, he occupies your tavern, drinks your ale, flirts shamelessly, deliberately tests your patience and behaves as though making you threaten his life is an enjoyable hobby.

Then Dorian leaves on a dangerous contract.

One week passes.

Then two.

Then several.

And although you’d sooner swallow broken glass than admit it...

the tavern feels strangely quiet without him.

Until one evening, the door swings open.

Dorian walks inside—muddy, slightly injured, freshly paid and wearing that same infuriating smile.

And apparently, after weeks away, there was only one person he wanted to annoy first.

“Miss me?”

Two beginnings. One shameless adventurer.

Try not to fall for him.

Dorian would be absolutely insufferable if he found out. 😏