Fantasy Lost Laboratory of Kwalish (Paused)

[Yokai]

Encourage Nowhere to do it.
​

Blonde brows shot up in genuine surprise at the sight of the Knight blocking their path. Her reigns were pulled taut as she brought Elis to a complete halt, completely befuddled. Slowly her gaze swiveled back onto Nowhere, only to find him looking vaguely amused by the entire situation. Did this happen often?

"Evil...?" Iselas repeated curiously, staring down at the Knight with a thoughtful frown. "Let us see... sexual deviant meets genocidal maniac, I wonder who is more evil?" Still, she wanted to move on as quickly as possible. And as delightful as Nowhere was she wasn't about to fight some random knight for his virtue or honour.

Iselas leaned closer to Nowhere, lowering her voice as she offered him a smile. "Don't you want to play with the big bad Knight? If he does get close to killing you I can always shoot him in the face... or in the back." The discrimination of killing Nowhere just because of his race was enough for Iselas' morals to slip... but only a little.

 

[ArcticFox]

"It's because I'm part demon." Nowhere rolls his eyes, "The horns and tail give me away every time." He sighs then very slowly dismounts. "Alright, sir knight, let's duel. My weapon of choice is my sorcery."

"Good." The knight nods, "I will fight with sword and shield. Close combat only. We turn our backs at each other, count one pace, then start." He looks up at Nagrax, "I'm trusting you to make sure no foul magic is used."

"Sure." Nagrax sighs, then urges the rest of the party to clear the way for the dueling pair.

The paladin and the tiefling take up their positions, backs turned to each other, and Nowhere gives you a confident smile before casting a spell on himself. They step forward and turn around swiftly and the duel soon turns into a silly affair. Having cast a warding spell on himself, Nowhere just skips around the knight, while any strike aimed at him swerves out of range harmlessly. Nowhere twirls on his hooves and affectionately touches the knight's armoured chin, making his blows become erratic.

"I think that's enough, Covric." Nagrax says after a while, as Nowhere giggles, running up behind the night and slipping his arms over his shoulders in an embrace.

"Y-yes..." The knight stutters, scrambling to get the tiefling off him like he was a nasty spider. "I yield, you have bested me this time, tiefling, you are free to go, just get away from me."

"Perhaps don't challenge a sorcerer next time, Covric." Nagrax shakes his head. "Let's move out."

"A sorcerer or not, it's my duty to challenge all." The knight says, yet with much less flare now, looking down at his feet.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, sir knight. I wish you better luck with others!" Nowhere smiles, patting his shoulder and then mounting the horse again, turning toward you, "Well, that was not a distraction I was hoping for."

- Ride on.
- Ride with Nowhere.
- Ride with Jevan.
- Ride with Nagrax.
- Ride with Mary.

 

[Yokai]

Ride with Nagrax.​

It was an interesting battle to watch; Iselas had never seen somebody toy with their opponent in such a playful manner before. From her vantage point it looked like Nowhere was simply dancing around the fight, teasing the Knight and leaving him flustered and unsure of his own attacks. There were several points where he could have ended the fight, killed the obtuse man and been done with it, and yet Nowhere didn't. She took back her previous statement; he did not remind her of Regongar in the slightest. Had that been her surly half-orc he'd have electrocuted the Knight in a second.

"No?" Iselas hummed in response, once Nowhere had remounted his horse. "But it was a good distraction nonetheless." She offered him a smile. "Shall we move onward?"

Once the group was back in motion and the opportunity arose, Iselas urged her horse forwards to fall into step beside Nagrax; having identified the Dragonborn as her next victim. Out of all her companions it was Nagrax that she was the most curious about. Despite being a Dragonborn he seemed the least like an actual mercenary and the most out of place.

"If you don't mind my asking," Iselas prompted, as means of an introduction as she slipped closer to him, her expression openly curious. "How did you get involved with this group?"

 

[ArcticFox]

"I was the one that formed it, believe it or not." Nagrax says, his tone implying a smile, but it is impossible to discern it on his draconic features, "I've known Nowhere for a few years, he was an entertainer and a very good thief, but he wasted his talents in a brothel. I offered him to partner up and we've been taking on odd jobs ever since." He looks over his shoulder at the tiefling, who has lingered back with Jevan, explaining something enthusiastically to the drow who only grunts in response.

"Jevan joined two months ago. He worked solo and we met on a wyvern hunt, working for rivalry parties. We clashed and got so wrapped up into who would catch the wyvern, that the creature almost killed us all." He chuckles, "In the end we were forced into a temporary alliance, that then became a more permanent one."

- Ask him something.
- Talk to someone else.

 

[Yokai]

Ask him something.​

Surprise fluttered across Iselas' features at the admission; she certainly hadn't expected Nagrax to have been the original intention behind the group. She'd just assumed that Anaxi had chosen a mercenary guild and simply picked his chosen few based on their necessary skills for the journey ahead. Still, when she reviewed their earlier interactions, it made sense.

"That's... surprisingly sweet." Iselas admitted, expression thoughtful as she tilted her head to the side to examine him. "But what made you choose this lifestyle?" She asked curiously, and then that openness faded into something slightly more sardonic. "Glory? Wealth? Honour? Adventure~?" She had to say the last word in Common, not knowing the right word for it in Draconic that wasn't something weirdly translated like 'glory quest'.

 

[ArcticFox]

"I am a paladin of Tempus, a god of war." Nagrax responded, "This is my way of honouring my deity. Just like Covric has to duel every tiefling and orc, I have to constantly use my weapon. I used to be a soldier once, but that's a story for another time." His tone is slightly bitter with the last sentence.

The party rides by the river until the road curves to the north-west and away from it. Hours have passed after your departure and you are not yet tired, but will have to stop for lunch eventually. You have about four more hours of daylight left in those early autumn days, after which Nagrax will probably call for a halt.

- Continue riding.
- Ask to stop to eat.

 

[Yokai]

Continue riding.​

The memories that Nagrax's story had evoked, one memory in particular, were enough to silence Iselas for the rest of the journey. Her horse lagged behind as she drifted towards the back of the group, mind otherwise occupied as she battled against her desire to forget. There was an uncomfortable familiarity between Nagrax's recruitment of Nowhere and her own into the Red Hands. Some things were best left forgotten.

Hours had passed now but Iselas was unwilling to call for a break, her memories having left a bad taste in her mouth. If any of the others wished to stop for lunch then she'd be content to oblige but, as it was, she preferred that they kept moving. Besides they'd be making camp soon and could eat then.

 

[ArcticFox]

You ride throughout the day and no one of the party complains or asks to take a break. Everyone seems well rested and ready for the journey ahead. This is just the first day anyway. As you lose the light and the travellers on the road get scarcer, Nagrax call for a break, though he looks at you for approval.

Shortly after, the dragonborn paladin issues duties for everyone in a commanding voice that clear shows years of experience. Jevan moves deeper into the treeline on the side of the road to collect wood. Nowhere tethers everyone's horse to a nearby toppled tree and then proceeds to gently brush the animals. The horses seem to enjoy his presence even though the animals are usually averse to tieflings. Nagrax pulls out the pots and pans and kindles the fire, then waits for the drow to return with more fuel for it, while he starts working on dinner for everyone.

Mary dismounts and her wolf wonders off toward the river, to hunt its own dinner no doubt. It is a very large animal and would require quite a lot to be fed, yet Maya doesn't seem to carry anything except scrolls and books. And her deck of cards. She approaches you and you see how short the woman really is, despite the eldarin elves genuinely being very tall. She reaches barely to your chin as she gives you a small smile, that is not very warm, and extends her deck of cards in your direction.

"Choose one, dear leader." She says, watching you intently.

- Pull a card.
- Refuse to do it.
- Ask what is it.

 

[Yokai]

Pull a card.
​

There was an obvious dynamic between the three males of their ragtag group, one that Iselas was almost affronted at herself for not having noticed earlier. As they made camp for the night she carefully unloaded Elis and assisted in setting everything up until she was ultimately dismissed. Leaving her to linger on the periphery and to glance over the map that she still possessed.

When Mary approached her Iselas looked slightly taken aback, clearly having thought that the other woman would keep her distance. Still, there was a flicker of intrigue and momentary delight at the disturbance. One that steadily grew into childish excitement at the sight of the cards.

"Oh!" Iselas rolled the scroll closed and turned her full attention onto the elf. "Are you doing a card trick?" And that was definitely a childish gleam in her eyes; magic tricks were fun! "Or, are you going to tell my fortune?" She asked, instantly reaching for a card, choosing the one closest to her companions' palm and causing their skin to brush.

 

[ArcticFox]

"Have you never seen a deck of many things?" Mary asks, sounding surprised. There are twenty-ish cards in her hand, pearly white and made out of ivory. Much different than playing cards. When you pull one out and turn it to take a look, you see an image displayed on it.

"A Vizier." Mary says, still smiling, "Congratulations. You've uncovered great knowledge that you obviously don't know how to use. A shame, I was hoping you will draw Flames, or at least a Fool. But it seems like you were lucky tonight, half-blood."

The card disappears in yours hand in the next moment and you feel like you have just gotten an answer to a riddle, but you still don't know what the riddle is. Nagraxi hears your exchange and steps over in a hurry.

"Never draw from a deck of many things." He warns you, "There are more bad cards in there than good ones."

"It is only a matter of luck and fate, really. Would you like to try, mercenary?" Mary gives him an icy smile.

"Never." Nagrax scowls.

- Ask about the deck of many things.
- Ask about Mary.
- Get angry.
- Something else.

 

[Yokai]

Ask about the deck of many things.​

Iselas blinked down at her empty hand, a little concerned by the shift in mood and the desire of bad intent. Absent-mindedly her fingers curled into her palm as she dropped her hand out of sight. Blue eyes flickered over to Nagrax who seemed concerned by the superstition. Perhaps there was reason there but, for now, Iselas wasn't offended or worried.

"My saviour! Thank you for protecting my luck~" Iselas grinned at Nagrax, voice honey-sweet as she clearly didn't take the situation seriously. "But, genuinely, I've really never seen one before." Her gaze drifted back to Mary, only slightly dissuaded by her frosty expression. Too bad, she had questions and if the Elf wanted to ignore them then that was fine. "Can I hold them and you pull a card? Or does it not work like that? How many cards are there and what do they mean?"

 

[ArcticFox]

Mary gives out a surprised and amused "Hah!" Then shakes her head, "I'd rather cut off both of my hands, than give you my deck." She shuffles the deck, the ivory cards making a soft tapping sound, "There are twenty two cards in my deck, but I will not tell you what they are. If you want ot find out, you can pull again." She offers the deck.

"No." Nagrax interrupts, stepping between you and Mary and pushing her deck out of your reach, "Anaxi should have told me that you are a warlock, I would have asked for more money."

"A warlock!" Mary laughs, "Not just a warlock. I am an eldarin mage, a descendant of the Fey spirits and Baba Yaga herself! Don't group me with your common magic users." Offended, she huffs, and turns around, to stalk away from you, just in time to meet her wolf on the ridge of the forest.

"With all seriousness, be careful around that one." Nagrax warns you, before returning to the food preparation.

Jevan also returns at that moment, carrying large branches with him and setting to chopping them into smaller parts.

- Help Nagrax.
- Help Jevan.
- Help Nowhere.
- Go after Mary.

 

[Yokai]

Help Jevan.​

Well, that was a bizarre encounter. One that left Iselas squinting in the direction that Nagrax had stalked off to, clearly intending to return to his task. He was definitely surprising and definitely not what she had expected. She'd expected a cold mercenary, not a protective leader. Again, it was uncomfortably familiar.

Looking for a distraction Iselas turned her attention onto the newly returned Jevan and perked up slightly. There was someone she hadn't annoyed yet!

"May I help?" Iselas asked, venturing closer to the Drow as she gestured to the wood that he was cutting. Her smile turned a little teasing. "Or would you prefer to brood and chop your wood in silence?" She asked, not unkindly.

 

[ArcticFox]

When you approach Jevan, he watches you carefully, taking a pause in his chopping. At your comment he just shrugs, bringing the axe down again. A branch snaps in half. He moves to the next one, then looks at you again and hands you the axe, indicating at the branch on the ground. The axe feels heavy in your hands.

- Chop the wood.
- Ask him something.
- Let him do it.

 

[Yokai]

Chop the wood.
​

Complete silence met Iselas' teasing questions as her attempt to start a conversation with her most elusive companion fell short. Pouting slightly she mentally retraced her remarks, trying to discern whether she'd offended the man at any point. However, when Jevan finally looked up from chopping wood and held out the axe to her, she began to wonder whether he could speak at all.

"You can't speak?" Iselas asked bluntly, eyebrows raised in surprise. Carefully she took the offered axe, testing the weight in her hand. It was heavy and when she hefted it up onto her shoulder she grimaced slightly. "How do you normally communicate with people? Gestures? Writing?"

 

[ArcticFox]

Jevan makes a series of gestures that you do not understand, then just nods. When he realises that you have no idea what's he trying to communicate, he lets out a sigh, holds up a finger, then walks over to his pack to take out a piece of paper and a charcoal pen. Soon he moves to you and hands you the paper.

Sing language & writing. Don't use it much.

As you read it he gives you another shrug and motions to the wood, then slaps his palms quickly as if you tell you that you should get on with it.

- Chop the wood.
- Ask about the sign language.
- Ask about Jevan.

 

[Yokai]

Ask about the sign language.
​

The rapid series of gestures only caused Iselas' expression to turn completely blank, indicating that she had no idea what had just happened. When Jevan returned with the paper the expression cleared into vibrant, excited understanding. Her grip on the axe tightened with determination.

"Would you teach me?" Iselas asked, a little hesitant as she readjusted the axe on her shoulder. Then she brought the axe down, cutting through the branch that had been laid out for her. "How about you teach me a word for every piece of wood that I chop?" She bargained instead.

 

[ArcticFox]

Jevan frowns, not looking very pleased with that bargain. He takes a moment, then shrugs again and very slightly nods. You would have missed it if you weren't staring expectantly.

As you chop the wood for fire, Jevan teaches you the basic words which are mostly combat concerned: enemy, danger, weapon, magic, ambush. He also makes sure to let you know in writing that you don't need to use sign language as he hears perfectly well and if he needs to tell you something important, he'll go through Nagrax.

You have enough firewood after twenty minutes of work and Jevan brings them over to feed the fire. The pot is set above it and Nagrax is cooking something that smells rather delicious. Nowhere comes to the fire, drawn by the smell and plops on the ground next to you, throwing an arm over your shoulders in affection.

- Move away.
- Let him do it.
- Talk to someone.
- Wait for dinner in silence.

 

[Yokai]

Let him do it; talk to someone.​

Despite the obvious reluctance shown by Jevan -- and really, he hadn't even tried to hide his disappointment! -- Iselas decided to count their growth of communication as a victory on her part. She'd befriend that barbarian, whether he wanted her friendship or not.

Once the firewood had been chopped and food was cooking, Iselas sprawled herself out on the grass with ease. Her arms ached slightly from the work she'd done but it wasn't painful, it was more like a gentle reminder. When Nowhere joined her on the ground she offered him an amused smile and allowed his arm to settle itself across her shoulders. Physical contact was an easy comfort that she didn't often experience and she enjoyed the more tactful, less sexual nature of the touch.

"What're you making, Nagrax?" Iselas inquired curiously, eyeing up the pot with a interested gleam in her eyes. Whatever he was making it smelled good and, while Iselas could eat almost anything, it was always nice to eat a decent meal.

 

[ArcticFox]

"Meat and potato stew." Nagrax responds, stirring the contents of the pot.

"Smells wonderful." Nowhere says, inhaling deeply, "I just hope it isn't dog meat again." He frowns.

"It's mystery meat." Nagrax shrugs, "And that was a hell hound." He corrects, giving Nowhere a firm look.

Soon enough dinner is served and it tastes great, whatever kind of meat Nagrax had tossed in there. Mary is the only one that refuses to eat, claiming that she is not hungry. When you finish the meal and get your bedding out, Nagrax says that there's no need to have anyone as a lookout on that night. The road is safe until Red Larch.

Jevan and Nagrax sleep by the fire, on the opposite sides, while Mary curls up with her wolf away from everyone.

"Well, we can share a sleeping bag, no need to use two." Nowhere says with a smile, turning to you, when others get ready to sleep.

- Do it.
- Don't do it.

 

[Yokai]

Don't do it.
​

Stomach filled with warm food and limbs aching from the journey, Iselas found that she was looking forward to a good night's sleep. Nowhere's suggestion earned him an endeared laugh though there was an air of consideration behind her smile. There was no doubt that the tiefling was gorgeous but Iselas knew that that was just asking for trouble.

"A tempting offer but I think I'll sleep in my own," Iselas replied, gently bumping their shoulders together as she moved past him to unravel her sleeping bag. Close enough to the fire to feel the heat on her skin but not so close as to boil herself alive. "I've never been terribly good at sharing." She admitted, keeping her belongings close to her person. Undoubtedly she'd sleep with them wrapped up in her arms.

 

[ArcticFox]

"Aww, a restless sleeper, are you?" Nowhere calls after you when you spread out your sleeping bag, "There's a cure for that, you know. Just don't sleep at all." He winks, but still turns around to spread his sleeping bag very close to Nagrax. In fact, in the next couple of moments you can hear the dragonborn complain about it in a menacing whisper, until finally there is a yelp from the tiefling, and Nowhere is forced to move a bit farther.

You are awoken in the middle of the night by a sound and a sight of a domestic cat, scratching at your backpack with such ferocity that it has almost managed to tear right through the touch leather. When it sees your eyes open, it jumps back with a very angry hiss.

- Drive it away.
- Catch it.
- Kill it.
- Talk to it.

 

[Yokai]

Talk to it.
​

Disoriented from the rude awakening Iselas possessively clutched her backpack closer to her chest, glaring blearily out at the foreign feline. It took a brief moment for the visage to register and when it finally did Iselas tensed sharply, keen eyes focusing in the dark. What kind of animal targeted people's backpacks like that?

"What do you want?" Iselas asked, not expecting an answer as she pushed herself into a seated position. She tried to gentle her tone into something sweet as she spoke to the animal, soothing but cautious. "Why were you scratching at my pack?" Why couldn't it have bothered someone else?

 

[ArcticFox]

The moment you sit up, the cat pounces on you, its claws stretched out toward your face. Even sleepy, you are quickly enough to shield it with your arm, but the cat latches onto your forearm, relentlessly scratching and biting. It hurts. A lot.

- Shake it off.
- Kill it.
- Call for help.

 

[Yokai]

Shake it off.
​

An immediate hiss of pain escaped the blonde's lips as she raised her arm to shake the creature off. Using her other hand she reached for the cat's neck, attempting to grab it by the scruff and to induce that rag-doll effect. Her shortsword wasn't far from her sleeping bag but her immediate concern was to get the creature off her -- and, if she being honest, she felt a little bad for it. Though it's relentless attack was swiftly draining that concern.