Fantasy Dragon Heist (Completed)

[ArcticFox]

Zardoz nods with a smile as you speak, following your movements. Then he picks up a glass and pours rich red wine in it, approaching you with it.

"Please, make yourself comfortable." He purrs in an obviously seductive manner, offering the glass to you. "Which of my niblewrights interests you? I have four." He says, not needing much incentive. "Two on the Eyecatcher and other two on my other ships. They will be a part of one of the parades, so you'll have a chance to see them in action. Or did you come here for a private show?" He holds unflinching eye contact.

- Interrogate him.
- Make small talk.
- Observe him carefully.
- Optional: Drink the wine.

 

[Yokai]

Observe him carefully.​

Iselas accepted the glass of red wine, holding the drink in one tentative hand before she dipped her head down to inhale the aroma. Though, she made no attempt to taste it. Instead blue eyes carefully regarded the strange man over the rim of her glass, weighing his words. Truthfully she couldn't tell whether his uncomfortable lack of clothing, forthcoming nature, and flirtatious disposition was intended to disarm her.

"A private show?" Iselas inquired, pretending to mull this offer over. "I didn't realise that you had so many niblewrights," She admitted, opting for a silver of truth under the watchful gaze of the captain. "Are they allowed free reign to leave the ships?"

 

[ArcticFox]

"They are just for entertainment. It's my job to make Waterdeep forget about its troubles for a while." Zardoz says, pouring himself a glass and flashing you a charming smile.

Your natural affinity toward magic announces that something about the captain is wrong, but you don't know what. As you talk, you start noticing that at a certain angle his eyes look to change colours, sometimes when he turns around, his hair seems shorter, and when lights flicker in the cabin, his skin seems darker. But these strange images last for a fracture of a second and you cannot be completely certain that your eyes aren't simply fooling you.

"...The Sea Maidens Faire, of which I am a proud owner, is the most glorious carnival you will ever see. Nothing like the flimsy parades the Gondians are so proud of." Zardoz continues talking, wine sloshing in his cup.

- Ask about his ships.
- Ask to see his nimblewrights.
- Ask about magic.

 

[Yokai]

Ask to see his nimblewrights.
​

Slowly Iselas set the glass of wine back on the table, having not moved any closer towards the man since she'd entered the room. It took some considerable effort to keep the suspicion out of her expression, she hummed softly under her breath in interest.

Magic was a real nuisance to those who were untrained -- like she was -- but the fireball necklace had been both magical and expensive. And this man could clearly afford such luxuries. So, here Zardoz was; in possession of four nimblewrights, wealthy as can be, and tingling her magical senses. What was he hiding?

"Would I be able to see them?" Iselas asked, gently calling the conversation back to what she'd originally intended. "The nimblewrights?"

 

[ArcticFox]

"Oh, why, of course!" Zadorz grins, spreading his arms. Then he picks up a golden bell of the table and rings it.

Ten seconds pass and the door to the cabin open, with two nimblewrights that look nothing like Nim, entering through. They are identical, made in the shape of exceptionally curvy women and are wearing tiny garments that barely cover their metallic curves. Both of them carry golden plates and cutlery, which they set out in front of you and Zardoz.

"What do you think?" The captain winks in your direction, sipping his glass of wine.

The nimblewright detector's whirring and spinning quickens, but the two ladies in front of you don't look like something Nim could have invented. Not to mention that there's two of them. It's possible that the detector simply reacts to every nimblewright in the vicinity. Or your target is concealed on the ship.

- Ask about the attack.
- Ask the captain about himself.
- Eat and drink.

 

[Yokai]

Ask the captain about himself.
​

Neither of these nimblewrights matched the image that Iselas had in mind when she came looking for Nim's rogue friend. It was hard to imagine the sentient automaton creating a purposefully curvaceous and feminine version of himself. But, if the device picked up on every single nimblewright in the city of Waterdeep... then things just got a lot more complicated.

"They're... different from the others that I have seen," Iselas answered Zardoz's question, turning her intrigued expression onto him. His wink managed to draw another smirk. "Though, I am curious... how did you become captain of three ships and come to possess four nimblewrights?"

 

[ArcticFox]

"With a lot of money and a lot of charm." Zardoz grins. It looks like he won't say anything further.

There's a knock on the cabin doors and he gestures at one of the nimblwrights to open. The mechanical woman obeys, and lets inside a female human with curious green eyes and perky demeanour. Something about her is familiar to her, though you can't quite place it. She enters with a smile.

"Hey captain, I have something..." She stops suddenly as her eyes land on you. "Oh, Iselas." She stares dumbfounded.

"You know each other?" Zardoz asks, but his tone is not curious, it's strangely strained, almost hissed, and his smile has turned icy.

"Oh, no, no." The woman quickly shakes her head. "Sorry for the intrusion, sir, I'll come back later." She stumbles, then rushes out of the room. Zardoz dismisses the nimblewrights as well, and looks at you carefully.

- You know who the woman was.
- You don't know her.
- You are not sure.

 

[Yokai]

You are not sure.​

Something about the sudden shift in Zardoz's temperament and the ice in his smile caused Iselas to pause. The familiarity of the woman was evident but she was unable to place her exactly. What she could place was the clear retreat in the woman's posture and the sudden danger that Zardoz appeared to possess. Iselas would have to tread carefully.

"Something about her seemed familiar," Iselas admitted, because that much was already clear. "But I can't think of a name -- though I meet a lot of people, I'm sure that isn't uncommon." It was uncommon; Iselas wasn't in the habit of giving her name out like candy.

 

[ArcticFox]

"I understand what you mean." Zardoz raises his glass at you, his demeanour back to normal, or so it looks like.

The mood in the room has darkened without a doubt, and there's no going back. You still don't know what to make of it all, you only know that something is not right about the whole scenery in front of you. Everyone you've met on the two vessels has been an attractive human. You have never before seen so many attractive people at the same spot, and not to mention of the same race, considering how diverse Waterdeep is. And Zardoz has kept the appearance of being open to talk about everything, yet he hasn't given you any concrete information yet.

- Keep talking to him.
- Eat and drink.
- Observe him (roll d20 for perception check).
- Leave.

 

[Yokai]

Observe him (rolled 20).
​

It was becoming rapidly clearer to Isleas that she was dealing with an illusion -- one that was far above her non-existent magical abilities. Originally it hadn't bothered her too much, the flamboyant nature that Zardoz displayed could place such an illusion as superficial or cosmetic. But that clearly wasn't the case. There was something much more dangerous about Zardoz and his pretty little crew.

Quietly the half-elf watched him, a little more closely now, as she proceeded to finally take a seat at the table. Unfortunately, Iselas wasn't going to leave until she had a more concrete lead on her case. It'd been far too much trouble to get to this point, she couldn't leave now.

 

[ArcticFox]

The more you stare at Zardoz, the clearer it becomes that there is much more to him than he lets on. If he notices your staring, he doesn't show, but slowly he comes closer to you, sitting in a chair next to you and leaning over the table, wine glass still in one hand as he gives you a smirk.

"Please, feel welcome here, eat, drink." He gestures at the table. "I take hospitality very seriously and cannot let a guest go hungry."

Now that he's so close, you can see his illusion flicker more. The shape of his face ever so slightly changing when he moves his head, his facial hair disappearing, his clothes reappearing. You know that he's using some kind of high grade illusion, even if you don't know how to dispel it. Zardoz Zord is a completely different person underneath all that distracting appearance.

- Confront him about it.
- Let it go.

 

[Yokai]

Confront him about it.
​

"That's very considerate of you," Iselas hummed neutrally in response, resting her elbow on the table, chin pillowed in her upturned palm. She does not make an attempt to eat or drink anything; it's hard to trust someone that she just met, hard to trust someone whose face remains a mystery. "Though if I may ask," She ventured, softening her voice into something more demure. "Why go to such lengths in hiding your identity? And not just yours either."

 

[ArcticFox]

Zardoz gives you a look that's both surprised and entertained. He puts the glass on the table and gives you three slow and deliberate claps.

"Bravo." His lips curve into a smile.

His whole appearance starts changing then, as he dispels his own illusory spell. His skin darkens, his hair disappears, his clothes materialise and his ears grow into a point. Finally, you are faced with a man that looks nothing like the captain you met before. The only thing that remains unchanged is his feathered hat.

"Should I introduce myself again?" He smiles, slightly inclining his head. "Jarlaxle Baenre, at your service." His eye settles on you then, and his gaze is cold. "Why hide, you ask? Well, no one usually suspects humans of anything. Especially if they are beautiful. Have you ever seen a drow entertainer?" He smirks, eye still focused on you. He is waiting for your next move.

- Ask about the attack.
- Ask about his plans.
- Flirt.
- Leave.

 

[Yokai]

Flirt.​

Surprise fluttered across Iselas' features, replacing her demurring as she was genuinely taken aback by how quickly the man had revealed himself. There was no denial; no attempt to conceal his fanciful illusions. She wasn't even sure what she'd been expecting, but it certainly hadn't been for him to dispel his illusion entirely.

"Jarlaxle Baenre?" Iselas repeated, lips tilted up slightly at the corners; clearly the flamboyance hadn't changed, especially if that feathered hat had anything to say about it. "I'd argue that you're quite pretty in this form too," She winked. "But I imagine it is easier being a beautiful human than a beautiful drow. Which is such a shame. Ah! Speaking of which... was that Zaira earlier?"

 

[ArcticFox]

Jarlaxle's gaze softens and grows less suspicious as the mood grows flirtatious. He takes his glass of wine and continues drinking, watching you over the rim. With the glass empties, he licks his lips and leans on his left arm, closer to you.

"All elves are beautiful. I'm glad you share the sentiment." He smirks, but when you mention Zaira you can see his one eye roll. "Cousin Zaira. She's new. I was expecting her to do something foolish for a while, but I don't mind you seeing my true appearance." His hand reaches over and he places it on the back of your chair, leaning even closer. "Something tells me we are not going to be enemies."

- Answer.

 

[Yokai]

Answer.
​

Honestly speaking, Iselas found most of the races to be attractive -- she certainly wasn't one to discriminate when it came to a pretty face. Beautiful people often tended to fall under the same category of gold, treasure, and things that shone. Still, she didn't lean away when Jarlaxle continued to close the distance between them instead she grinned like he'd said something amusing.

"Oh, you don't mind?" Iselas prodded playfully, never one to be easily embarrassed or flustered. Though the hand near her back did make her a little antsy; old habits died hard. "And I'm glad to hear it! You don't strike me as the type of person I would want to be enemies with." Which was true; Iselas had enough of those as it was. Still, she tilted her head marginally to the side to better assess his features. "Though I do have one more question for you. If you'll entertain me?" Iselas smirked at the unintentional pun. "There was an explosion near my home recently, the attacker is presumed to be a nimblewright. Now if your other two look the same as those two --" She makes a 'curvaceous' gesture in the air with her hands. "-- then I'm already in the wrong place."

 

[ArcticFox]

"My nimblewrights are all the same. Completely harmless and completely captivating." His smile stretches as he inches closer and closer to you, until finally whispering in your ear. "They might not be who you are looking for, but the place you are in seems quite right to me. You are not thinking of leaving, are you?"

- Continue flirting.
- Discourage him.
- Leave.

 

[Yokai]

Continue flirting.
​

Iselas had suspected as much and rather unfortunately his admittance didn't help her quest in the least. Because that also meant that there was still a confused, rogue nimblewright wandering around the streets of Waterdeep. The physical presence of a certain drow captain pushed those thoughts aside for the moment. A subtle shiver passed down her spine at their proximity, grin growing rapidly more impish as her full attention was finally turned onto Jarlaxle.

"That sounds an awful lot like a proposition, Captain." Iselas returned, turning her face towards his as she reached up to gently tug at his hat. "A tempting one, I might add." And then, with feigned thought; "..But, I'll have to leave eventually."

 

[ArcticFox]

"But not yet." Jarlaxle says and then cuts off your potential protests with a kiss. His lips are soft and he smells of wine and expensive perfume. His hand on your chair is stopping you from wiggling free as he places his other hand on your thigh. He moves his head back a little after a moment, but stays close enough for your noses to touch.

"Human or drow, I'm a man of simple desires." He flashes a smile, teeth bright against his dark skin. "And as I said, I like my guests thoroughly entertained."

- Go along with it.
- Leave.

 

[Yokai]

Go along with it.​

The kiss initially caught Iselas off guard as she'd half expected him to continue playing this little game for a while longer. Though she could appreciate his straight forward manner for what it was. Briefly she considered her options; she could stay and enjoy herself, or leave now and continue her search. She already knew which option sounded more tempting and... well, it wasn't like she was going to be seeing this man again anytime soon.

"You make a convincing argument," Iselas relented, ever so slightly breathless as her words brushed across his lips. She hadn't bothered to draw away, if anything she'd sidled closer. "Then I suppose I'm yours for now. After all, how can I turn down such a pretty offer?"

 

[ArcticFox]

Jarlaxle kisses you again and you can feel him smirk against the kiss. Without any warning he picks you up from the chair, and as you wrap your legs around him, he moves away from the table, to the other end of the cabin and to the bed.

After a n hour of tumbling and rolling and clothes flying about, you are left naked in that huge bed, between silk sheets, and next to a drow who somehow still has his hat on. He props himself up on an elbow and turns to you with a mischievous expression.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Iselas, but I'd prefer it if you refrain from visiting my fleet any time soon. I value my hospitality and would not like to tarnish it." He is smiling, but his words are serious.

- Agree.
- Refuse.
- Say something noncommittal.

 

[Yokai]

Agree.
​

Curious, half-lidded eyes flickered over to the drow poised languidly beside her, his casual grace giving her the vague impression of a large cat. Iselas felt remarkably disheveled in comparison and for once she was actually flushed. She huffed an amused breath at the severity behind his words but only nodded in simple acquiescence.

"The pleasure was all mine," Iselas grinned, stretching out in a feline manner before she finally propped herself up onto her elbows. "And don't worry, I doubt we will run into each other again... though I really do need to get back to my mystery solving." She hummed this thoughtfully then appeared to shrug it off, punctuating the statement by leaning over to steal another kiss and to tweak his captain's hat.

"Now where did my clothes go?"

 

[ArcticFox]

Jarlaxle stops you with a hand and brings you closer to deepen the kiss, but lets you move away a moment later in search of your clothes.

"They are somewhere about, though I cannot promise that they are all in one piece." He grins.

You find your clothes soon enough, but your tunic does have a visible rip in it. You are able to hide it underneath your cloak in order to continue your daily obligations. It's still daytime so you will have enough time to cover at least another Ward, providing they are no further distractions.

- Find your companions and continue the search.
- Find your companions and go home.
- Plan to visit Renaer.

 

[Yokai]

Find your companions and continue the search.
​

Iselas definitely didn't grumble or pout when she discovered the rip in her tunic; she was far too mature for that. Thankfully it was a flaw that was easily concealed, tucked away beneath the material of her cloak.

Now that she was dressed and ready once more, Iselas decided she'd continue onwards with the search. Meloon had mentioned that they'd wait for her in a tavern, she just had to find them and prod them into continuing their search for the missing nimblewright. And, at some point, she'd really need to organise a meeting with Renaer. Perhaps the pretty nobleman had some leads that could help them along. Currently they needed all the help they could get. And she kind of just wanted to see him.

 

[ArcticFox]

In the remainder of the day you manage to search through two more Wards. Your progress is quick, mainly because the detector doesn't react at all in those two quarters.

When night falls Meloon says that it's high time you stopped the search and went back. His stomach grumbles suddenly and he looks away with an embarrassed expression. Amiri snorts out a laugh that makes him even more embarrassed.

You have five more Wards remaining which could day two to three days to search thoroughly.

- Go home.
- Continue searching.
- Something else.