Fantasy Dragon Heist (Completed)

[Yokai]

Go home.
​

The loud noise of Meloon's stomach grumble signalled the end of their search for that day. Iselas giggled and gently patted the large man's arm, understanding that he was probably wanting some dinner and to rest for the night. Besides, she was pretty tired and wouldn't mind a rest herself. It'd been a long day, full of bizarre twists and turns that she hadn't expected. Tomorrow she'd need to visit Renaer and then, most likely, spend some more time searching through the wards.

"Alright you two," iselas beamed, cheerful as ever. "Let's go home!"

 

[ArcticFox]

You had a hearty meal at your tavern, before going to sleep. Regongar had not returned yet, and Amiri looked worried, even though she did not want to admit it.

It is morning now and another day of hard labour is ahead of you. You could continue combing through the Wards immediately or do something else beforehand. Regongar is still not in the tavern.

- Contiunue the search.
- Visit Renaer.
- Look for Regongar.
- Something else.

 

[Yokai]

Look for Regongar.​

Anxiety tickled at the back of Iselas' mind when she awoke that morning to find that Regongar still hadn't returned. She'd intended to spend that morning visiting Renaer but the idea of her companion being in possible trouble, unable to get back home, was enough for her to postpone the visit once again. After having a quick breakfast she was pretty determined and dead-set on finding out what happened to her friend. Perhaps she should ask a certain -- very intimidating and very scary -- orc woman?

 

[ArcticFox]

Amiri tags along when you explain your intentions and you walk to the Yawning Portal, Yagra's usual place of being.

"Aren't you forbidden to enter?" Amiri reminds you. Due to the incident with Meloon, the City Watch has banished you from the tavern for a year. If someone reports you, it would be a crime.

- Go in anyway.
- Look around the tavern.
- Send Amiri in.

 

[Yokai]

Look around the tavern.
​

"Ah, I'd completely forgotten about that!" Iselas admitted, blowing out an annoyed sigh as she weighed the implications of going inside. It wasn't like Meloon lived there anymore and it wasn't like she had tried to steal anything per se. But she didn't want to anger the owners or give them the impression that she didn't respect them. "Hold on. Let me see if she's outside here somewhere --" Unlikely. "-- or if there's another way in." The half-elf offered instead, not really wanting to have another run in with the City Watch, especially when they were still illegally looking into the explosion.

 

[ArcticFox]

You don't find Yagra anywhere near the inn, so it must mean that she is either drinking inside, or is off on a job. However, you do notice someone else skulking around the Yawning Portal.

A robed figure, about your size, slender build. When you approach, the figure turns toward you and you see that it's a half-elf woman, with a mark of the flying snake on her neck. Another Zentharim. She looks like she's on edge, her demeanour anxious and her gaze shifty.

- Pretend to be a Zenth to get info.
- Ask what she's doing.
- Ignore her.
- Watch her.

 

[Yokai]

Watch her.
​

Curiosity and suspicion instantly flared in the back of Iselas' mind as she dropped back from her approach. Hopefully the other half-elf hadn't noticed her initial gaze, she looked anxious enough to assume the worst if she caught Iselas staring. Still, that didn't stop her from hanging back and seeing what the woman was up to. Maybe she was waiting for Yagra? Or, even better, maybe she was waiting for Regongar?

 

[ArcticFox]

You and Amiri pretend you are just talking a walk and observe the half-elf out of the corner of your eyes.

She circles the establishment once, then once more, then stops in front of the entrance, looks at the sign in front of it and walks toward it. She stops abruptly, hesitating. You can see her arm shaking as bites her lip and turns away from the tavern, stomping off.

- Ask her something before she leaves.
- Let her go and enter the Yawning Portal.
- Go home.

 

[Yokai]

Ask her something before she leaves.
​

Increasing her pace slightly Iselas moved to intercept the visibly anxious woman before she could leave. Quickly she pasted on a concerned smile as she blocked the other's line of sight. Hopefully this was all just a coincidence and the other woman's nervous demeanour wasn't linked to Regongar's disappearance.

"Excuse me, ma'am?" Iselas prompted, loosening her shoulders and showing her hands in the universal 'I-mean-no-harm' sign. "Is everything alright?" She asked gently, more likely digging for information on her distressed state.

 

[ArcticFox]

Amiri lingers back as you move to talk to the woman. The half-elf regards you with confusion at first, then with caution.

"Yes, why wouldn't it be?" She says quickly. "Except that everyone seems to be off on a job, but me. How do they expect me to pay for my rent?" She hisses, then shakes her head. "Sorry, I have to go." Before you can stop her, she moves away from you.

"Iselas!" You hear someone calling you and when you turn around you notice Renaer standing on the steps of the Yawning Portal. He shakes Amiri's hand and waves at you with a smile.

- Greet him.
- Pursue the woman.
- Something else.

 

[Yokai]

Greet him.
​

"W-Wait! By everyone do you mean --" Iselas rushed to ask, only for her question to die on her lips. Renaer's sudden appearance flustered her and the half-elf stumbled over her words, struggling to regain her original sentence before the woman disappeared. "-- Regongar or Yagra..." She finished with a sigh, shoulders slumped forwards as she pouted at the other's retreating back.

"I think I frightened her off," Iselas grumbled as she approached her two companions, mustering up a small but sincere smile for Renaer. "Hey Ren, what're you doing here?" She asked, falling into step beside him as her smile turned a little sly. "Are you stirring up trouble again?"

 

[ArcticFox]

"I can't imagine how you could frighten anyone off." Renaer says with a smile. "And I'm just getting breakfast with Volo. We've been spending too much time at your place, needed a change of atmosphere."

"Is Regongar in there? Or Yagra?" Amiri asks.

"No, I haven't seen either of them." He shakes his head, then looks at you in surprise. "Something wrong?"

- Tell him about Regongar.
- Tell him about the fireball incident.
- Ask him something.

 

[Yokai]

Tell him about Regongar.
​

Iselas' smile brightened considerably following Renaer's words, brushing her shoulder against his as she clearly enjoyed being flattered. Though it was a little hard to hold onto that delight when his answer to Amiri's question was so... concerning, to say the least.

"Regongar went on a mission yesterday and didn't come home," Iselas revealed, brow furrowed as she recalled what the woman had said to her only moments ago. "That woman... she mentioned that it seemed like everyone was out on a job. Where'd they all go?"

 

[ArcticFox]

"I... don't know." Renaer says honestly, though he sounds apologetic. "Your friend is a member of the Zentharim, right? They are a shifty bunch, cannot be up to anything good." Then, he added. "Uh, no offence."

"I'll be in the Yawning Portal." Amiri says to you. "In case someone shows up." You haven't seen her this concerned before. She gives you a small wave and walks inside.

"Are you maybe free now?" Renaer turns to you, looking a little bashful. "It's been a while since I walked through Waterdeep without being tied up." He smiles. "Though, if you are into it, I won't refuse..."

- Walk with him.
- Keep looking for the nimblewright.
- Keep looking for Regongar.

 

[Yokai]

Walk with him.
​

"Ah, I will see you soon," Iselas nodded to Amiri, seeing the same concern and anxiety reflected in her own face. It was unusual for an entire organization to simply disappear, especially such a large one as Zentharim. Surely, Regongar would have told them something or left them some sort of clue as to where he had gone?

Silently Iselas watched her companion's back as she ducked into the tavern before turning her attention to Renaer.

"Does that make me your bodyguard?" Iselas teased, a little more subdued than usual as she reached out to take his hand. "Well, we better stay close for safety then." Her hand was a little cold but her grip was extremely gentle, betraying her aloof and casual facade. "Lead the way, Ren!"

 

[ArcticFox]

"I hope that we are at least friends." Renaer smiles at you as you take his hand and moves to intertwine your fingers. His hand is warm against yours. As you walk he occasionally glances in your direction, but doesn't say anything else, instead waiting for you to pick a topic.

- Talk about the recent events.
- Talk about yourself.
- Talk about Renaer.
- Flirt with him.
- Something else.

 

[Yokai]

Flirt with him.
​

A flicker of surprise passed across the half-elf's features as she processed what Renaer had just said; before it was quickly shelved away behind a bright smile. The warmth of his fingers between hers was strangely endearing, the kind of tender treatment that she was unused to. Iselas squeezed his hand gently and then glanced away, gaze trailing over the passing buildings. It took a moment to recollect her thoughts and to decide what she wanted to say.

"...Just friends?" Iselas asked softly, voice a little quieter than normal and a lot more vulnerable. It occurred to her then that his next words might actually hurt; that rejection from him would actually hurt. Which was why she hurried to soften the blow, playing it off with further teasing. "After all, I have rescued you from danger. That basically qualifies me for the position of a close friend."

 

[ArcticFox]

Renaer's smile is soft, but a little sad. He hesitates for a moment, before speaking.

"Iselas... my life is complicated at the moment. My father's shadow has stretched over every part of it." He squeezes your hand tighter. "I care about you. More than I would care for a friend, even a close one, but I cannot promise you anything now. There's no stability in my life, I don't know if I have a future. The next mercenary gang might decide to kill me off after they find out I am of no use." His tone is a bit desperate. "I don't want to drag you into this whole... mess."

- Let it go.
- Reassure him.
- Kiss him.
- Something else.

 

[Yokai]

Kiss him.​

Happiness and affection bloomed, warm and bright and unfamiliar, in her chest; the rest of Renaer's warnings practically falling on deaf ears. Twinkling blue eyes were turned onto the young noble now, a bright and sincere grin spreading across her face. Because he'd admitted to having feelings for her; feelings that went beyond friendship.

"Renaer," Iselas began, feigning the same serious tone that he'd used as she attempted to smother her grin. She'd stopped walking now. "My entire life has been a mess and none of it has ever been easy or pretty. I'm possessive, prone to stealing things, reckless, ruthless, and a little bit lawless," She admitted, voice growing softer and softer; the entire time she'd been speaking she'd been drawing closer and closer, closing the space between them.

"I don't want stability, I want you." And then, Iselas leaned in and sealed that declaration with a kiss.

 

[ArcticFox]

He had tried to say something, but the kiss cut him off. He's reluctant at first, as if unsure how wise what you are doing is, but then you can feel his body relax and his hand move to your hip as the kiss is prolonged. When you part, Renaer is frowning.

"You are making this very difficult." He says in a tone one might use to address a child, but soon his lips stretch into a happy smile. "I know that you are capable, but you will have to be very careful from now on. Association with me has proved to be unhealthy most of the times." He sighs, gently moving a strand of your hair behind your ear. "I'm not a knight in shining armour exactly, I'm more of a... maiden in distress." He chuckles.

- Talk with him more.
- Continue your search.

 

[Yokai]

Talk with him more.
​

Iselas shrugged one, non-committal shoulder as she reached up to catch his hand, pressing a kiss against his wrist before she released him. She'd never had a serious relationship before; she'd never even been in love and she certainly couldn't promise him that this was love. All she knew was that Renaer made her happy and that he made her feel better than she actually was, as if she deserved something good for once.

"I'm not much of a knight in shining armour either," Iselas offered lightly, a smile still playing on her lips. "I'm more of a mysterious rogue type, really." She laughed slightly, though it wasn't quite genuine; a flicker of her past still haunting her. "But hey! A mysterious, charismatic rogue type who definitely has a thing for damsels in distress." A wink followed her words and then she was leaning in again for another kiss, this time much more brief.

"I have to go," She admitted against his lips, and when she pulled back it was clear that she was pouting. "There was an explosion outside the tavern yesterday and there were casualties. Apparently, the attacker looked like an automaton. So, I have this -- thing," Iselas pulled out her nimblewright tracking device with a vague scowl. "Now to help me find a rogue nimblewright." She gave Renaer a look that hopefully conveyed just how displeased she was with this situation.

 

[ArcticFox]

"A nimblewright was responsible?" Renaer's eyes widen slightly. He looks down the street in both directions, then takes your hand and pulls you into a side alley that provides more privacy.

"When my father disappeared, he left his spies to hound me. Protection, he would have called it, no doubt." He shakes his head. "One of them, a gnome named Dalakhar, had been watching me for months. Then, about two tendays ago he was suddenly nowhere to be seen. My father didn't trust many people, but he trusted that gnome." He gives you an intense look. "After I heard about the explosion, I asked around the City Guard a little and learnt that Dalakhar was one of the victims. I contacted his friends immediately." He looks around again, making sure no one is close by, then leans close to you and lowers his voice. "Apparently, he was on a special mission to retrieve the Stone of Golorr and was afraid that the Zhentarim and the Xanathar Guild were close to catching him. When he heard about my kidnapping, he wanted more information about the adventurers who had rescued me. About you. I think Dalakhar was planning to pay you to deliver the Stone of Golorr to my father in Neverwinter."

A bombshell is dropped. The City Watch had been right, the gnome was on his way to see you when he was killed.

- Tell him everything you found out.
- Ask him something.
- Leave.

 

[Yokai]

Ask him something.
​

"Ah, I'm sorry to hear that, Ren. But... I think you're right," Iselas admitted softly, arms crossed over her chest as she considered the depth of the information she'd just been given. "I found a pouch of jewels on that gnome -- on, uh, Dalakhar and it was reported that there was a survivor who took something from his body before escaping. Among the dead Regongar recognised a few Zentharim members," She breathed out a low sigh, blue eyes flickering over to the mouth of the alley in a show of mild paranoia. "We checked the Temple of Gond, only to discover that Nim had created another nimblewright who'd escaped, hence the need for the device. Do you think... do you think the nimblewright is the one with the stone?"

 

[ArcticFox]

"You think the nimblewright is responsible for the fireball? If so, I don't think it could have tossed the fireball while in pursuit. Hence, it couldn't have been the survivor that you say walked away from the scene of crime." Renaer says, then sighs. "This is more complicated than I thought it to be." Then, his lights flickered with an idea. "I'll get in touch with Harpers. If anyone knows anything about this, it will be them." He says, then presses his palm against your cheek gently. "Give me a day and I'll come visit you with the news."

- Agree and wait for Renaer.
- Continue looking for the nimblewright.
- Continue looking for Regongar.

 

[Yokai]

Continue looking for nimblewright.
​

For a moment Iselas leaned into his hand, a small smile roused to her lips once more before she leaned away. Renaer's contribution would definitely help in solving the case; they needed all the help that they could get after all. Though she couldn't help but worry that they'd uncovered something that would only drag him down.

"I'll see you in a day," Iselas confirmed softly, chewing on her bottom lip as she took a slow step backward. "I'll keep looking in the mean time. Just... remember to be careful." She reminded him, and there was genuine concern behind the playfulness.