Fantasy Lost Laboratory of Kwalish (Paused)

[ArcticFox]

You manage to grab the cat and pull it away from your, now mangled, forearm. The cat goes limp as you take it by the scruff, but its little clawed legs are still very much reaching for you. It growls menacingly.

Jevan sits up from his sleeping spot and gives you a confused look, being the only one awoken by your little tangle. The fire has turned to cinders and the only light source is moonlight, but both of you can see very well in the dark. And the cat too. It gives you a very malicious look, but is holding still.

- Ask Jevan to dispose of it.
- Ask Jevan to drive it off.
- Do something with the cat.

 

[Yokai]

Do something with the cat.
​

Freed from the cat's furious claws, Iselas shook her arm out with a whispered curse of pain under her breath. Tired legs kicked down the rest of her sleeping bag as she forced herself onto her feet, shooting the awakened Jevan an apologetic smile. She'd hoped to avoid waking her companions.

"Sorry for waking you," Iselas murmured softly, keeping her grip tight on the back of the cat's neck as she held it away from herself. "Go back to sleep. Everything is fine." Everything was not fine! Her arm was hurting and bleeding and she had a cat that she needed to dispose of. Carrying the cat she crossed the camp, slinking away from where her companions slept with the intention of throwing the feline into the woods -- hopefully hard enough for it to leave them alone.

 

[ArcticFox]

Jevan follows you with his eyes, but doesn't go after you. When you chuck the cat into the woods, the animal flips over in the air and lands on its feet, without being any worse for wear. It turns toward you and sprints in your direction immediately.

- Run.
- Call for help.
- Stand your ground.

 

[Yokai]

Stand your ground.
​

It seemed that this cat was weirdly determined for a fight and when it turned back around, sprinting straight back for Iselas, she stood her ground. Most of her experiences with animals ended when she discarded them, or they were more occupied by food. This one, however? This one wasn't acting like a normal cat would. Kicking or breaking the necks of small, furry animals wasn't her favourite past time but Iselas really just wanted to go back to sleep.

 

[ArcticFox]

The cat hisses as it runs past you and straight at Mary and her sleeping wolf. Both of their eyes snap open at the same time and Mary reaches out with quick reflexes to catch the cat by the scruff, holding it away from herself.

"What in the world..." She turns to you, as the wolf sniffs the animal with its big snout. "Is this your pet? Why is it so angry?" She looks at you questioningly. "Is it rabid?"

- Answer.

 

[Yokai]

Answer.
​

Of course, just as Iselas was prepared to face the creature down it bolted past her for Mary instead. Another whispered curse slipped past her lips as she hurried over to where the cat had managed to get captured again.

"Honestly? I have no idea," Iselas answered with a frown as she approached. "There I was -- just peacefully sleeping -- when this little dude attacked me and my bag." She scrunched up her nose in annoyance, holding up her injured arm as proof. "I threw it back into the woods but it just came straight back for you this time... I've never seen a cat that angry before. It's weird."

 

[ArcticFox]

The cat suddenly starts wiggling in Mary's hand, scratching the elven woman's arm. "Ow!" Mary yelps and quickly lets it go. The angry cat drops down, then runs back to the fire and toward the sleeping party members to cause more mayhem.

Jevan is the one that intercepts it, holding his sword in his hand and aiming for the cat.

- Let him kill it.
- Tell him to stop.
- Protect the cat.
- Warn the cat.

 

[Yokai]

Tell him to stop.
​

Instinctively Iselas jumped out of the cat's war path and into the shadows, watching as the small creature darted straight towards their sleeping party members. A glint of metal caught her attention and she glanced up, slightly belatedly, to see Jevan rise from his sleeping bag with his sword in hand. Anxiety bloomed in her chest and, before she could think better of it, she was calling out to stop him.

"Wait, Jevan! It's just a cat!" Iselas called out, voice breathless in her hurry. There had to be some reason for the cat's behavior. Animals were rarely malicious without reason and this one seemed particularly determined.

 

[ArcticFox]

Roused by your scream, Nagrax and Nowhere sit up quickly, just in time for Nagrax to get a face full of cat claws. The dragonborn lets out a snarl, much more vicious than the cat's and peels the creature away from is face. He is not any worse for wear, as his scales are tough and cannot be pierced by small claws, but he looks very angry.

"Whose creature is this?" He growls, standing up, "Iselas, is it yours? Why are you letting it run around?"

Before you can respond, Jevan offers a couple of grunts and hand motions in your defense, and Nagrax nods acknowledgingly.

"Very well, the cat is clearly rabid and needs to be disposed of." He says, holding the squirming ball of fur, and looking a you. "You should clean your wounds and bind them, just in case. Jevan can help."

"You can't really mean to kill the poor kitty." Nowhere looks at Nagrax wide-eyed, "Look at it, it's just terrified of something." The cat hisses angrily.

"It's sick and hostile and it will only create more disturbance." Nagrax answers.

"Well, let me pacify it and take it into the forest. There's no need to kill it." Nowhere reaches out for the cat, but the dragonborn is reluctant to hand it over. Both Jevan and Mary also seem to be in favour of disposing of it.

- Support Nowhere.
- Support Nagrax.
- Stand aside.

 

[Yokai]

Support Nowhere. ​

The reminder of her injured arm only caused Iselas' brow to furrow further, stinging pain growing sharp at the remark as if making itself known to her. It was a little embarrassing, at least when considering that she was supposed to be a mercenary leader, but Iselas didn't want to kill the cat. Killing the creature was too easy; it just felt wrong, like they were picking on something.

"It is such a waste of life just killing the poor thing, especially if Nowhere can calm it down." Iselas offered, siding with the tiefling in this matter. "It's just a little blood," She continued, glancing down at her arm. "It doesn't deserve to die for that."

Behold, Iselas! Cold-blooded mercenary with a soft spot for animals and small children!

 

[ArcticFox]

Nagrax holds your gaze for a moment as if to let you know that he doesn't approve of your decision at all, but then hands the rabid cat to Nowhere, raising his hands in surrender. Jevan sheaths his sword and Mary huffs with discontent, but you and Nowhere have won and the tiefling gives you a triumphant smile.

He pets the cat's head for a moment, casting some kind of a spell on it that makes the angry creature calm down and then eventually fall asleep. He then proceeds into the woods.

After some fifteen minutes, Nowhere returns without the cat. Dawn is slowly rising and Nagrax an Mary are stripping the camp. Jevan had stepped closer to you and reached out to take your wounded arm, examining the scratches.

- Let Jevan treat your wounds.
- Ask Nowhere about the cat.
- Help strip the camp.

 

[Yokai]

Let Jevan treat your wounds.
​

Relief flooded the half-elf's features and she even managed to return Nagrax's disapproving glare with a flirtatious wink. She wasn't sure why the Dragonborn was so against sparing the animal, perhaps he thought it was a waste of their energy and time? Iselas could only guess at the reason, but from what she'd seen so far of the man she believed that it probably came from a good place.

When Nowhere reappeared from the treeline she offered him a brief smile before returning to her attention to Jevan.

"Will I live, doctor?" Iselas asked, attempting to break the tension with her usual humour. Still, she wanted to make his job as easy as possible, making herself relax she held out her arm for his inspection.

 

[ArcticFox]

Jevan's smile is barely noticeable as he shrugs. Taking a disinfectant and some bandages out of his own pack, he binds your forearm. Your wounds are nothing but stinging scratches and you will need to wear the bandage for only that day, just in case, so they don't become infected.

Half an hour later, with the sun rising on the horizon, the party sets off on the paved road toward Red Larch. Jevan rides next to you, while Nowhere and Nagrax ride in front, with Mary further behind as the day before. Nagrax notifies you that you should reach the town by the end of the day.

- Talk to someone.
- Ride out front.
- Look around.

 

[Yokai]

Talk to someone.
​

Shamelessly Iselas gaped at the micro-expression, unabashedly pleased that she'd managed to wrangle a smile -- no matter how small -- from the usually stoic man. Jevan made swift work disinfecting and binding her injured arm and, once she'd murmured her much more genuine and quieter thanks, they were headed for the road again.

It was earlier than Iselas was used to waking as she'd grown soft in her time during Waterdeep. Having a home for the first time in her life made her more prone to enjoying the luxury of sleeping in. But she was still in relatively good spirits -- they'd reach their destination tonight and her companions were more than she'd hoped for. Even Mary, though she wouldn't be admitting to that anytime soon.

"Jevan?" Iselas ventured, the Drow having made the mistake of riding beside her. She slanted him a sly smile that promised nothing good could come from what she was about to say. "I would hate to impose but..." She began, leaning closer and fully intending to impose. "Don't you think that this is the perfect opportunity for you to teach me some more sign language?"

 

[ArcticFox]

Jevan shakes his head in refusal the moment you ask it. However, Nowhere hears your exchange and reins in his horse to that you two catch up to him.

"I can teach you, you know." He says with a smile, "Or I can translate for you."

Jevan makes a few sharp gestures and frowns.

"See, Jevan agrees." Nowhere grins while the drow is shaking his head furiously.

Before the situation could any further, you hear a growl from Mary's wolf and then a bark, followed by something plopping onto your saddle just behind you.

"Well, in all hells!" Nowhere laughs, "This is one persistent cat!"

If you are to glance behind you, you would see your feline enemy from last night, reaching out with a paw to touch the hilt of your scabbarded shortsword.

- Push it off.
- Ask someone for help.
- See what happens.

 

[Yokai]

See what happens.​

Disappointment at Jevan's refusal was almost immediately replaced with delight at Nowhere's offer to teach her. A wide grin had begun to overtake her features, one that promised future teasing and smugness, when she startled at the added weight in her saddle. Slowly she turned to glance over her shoulder, only to find nothing there. Then, when she lowered her gaze further down to the saddle, she saw it.

"My mortal enemy has returned to finish the deed," Iselas whispered, though she made no attempt to remove the creature from her saddle. Instead she eyed it curiously, watching to see what it wanted. Seriously, had she rolled in cat nip during the night?

 

[ArcticFox]

The cat fiddles with your shortsword, pulling it out with her paws, then her teeth, until it finally falls out of the scabbard and onto the ground. The cat jumps down to follow it and in turn startles your horse which neighs unhappily. The three of you are forced to rein in, while Mary approaches from behind.

"What is it doing?" Nowhere raises an eyebrow, looking down.

The cat takes the hilt of the sword in its teeth, looking up at you for a moment, tail flickering. Then it lets go of the sword and rolls on its back on the ground next to the blade. It is much calmer than the night before, and it looks like it's trying to communicate rather than attack. Seeing that you don't comprehend, the cat rolls over the blade, rubbing its neck against it.

"Uh, I think it wants us to kill it." Mary says, sounding as confused as everyone else.

"We can kill the little kitty!" Nowhere argues immediately.

"I don't want it to keep following." Mary frowns, patting the neck of her wolf that growls in agreement.

- Kill the cat.
- Let the cat follow you.
- Drive the cat off.

 

[Yokai]

Let the cat follow you.
​

Iselas gently smoothed a hand down Elis' neck, offering the horse some comforting whispers in an attempt to calm it. Glancing down at the cat in confusion she blinked at it dubiously, gaze flickering between her companions as if checking that they were seeing this too.

"Is that why you attacked us last time?" Iselas asked the cat, nose scrunched up in confusion. "You were trying to provoke us into killing you?" Great, now they had a suicidal cat tailing them! With a pout Iselas dismounted from the horse and moved to pick up her fallen sword, when she straightened up she gave the cat a long considering look. Weighing the option of actually killing it or not.

"I am sorry but I will not kill you." Iselas told it, feeling more than a little silly for speaking to a cat. "You... are welcome to come along if you'd like? I'm sure there are more honourable ways for you to die." Then she made to remount her horse.

 

[ArcticFox]

If disappointment had a face it would be the stray cat's at the moment when you crushed its hopes. Its snarled, then hissed, then finally meowed in surrender.

"Why did you all stop?" Nagrax suddenly called from the front. "Get a move on already."

"Maybe it's cursed." Nowhere mused, spurring his horse onward. Jevan only shrugs and move on after him.

You are left to pick up your sword and ride alone, in front of Mary, and with a possible rabid cat sitting in the saddle behind you. It doesn't attack you again, instead looking like its sulking, not at all glad with how things ended up, but at least calm.

The road ahead is straight and the trees slowly disappear, as you are passing through plains. Soon enough, you can see a town on the horizon. In a couple of hours, you will reach Red Larch.

- Stop to eat on the road.
- Eat in the town.

 

[Yokai]

Eat in town.
​

Cursed? Iselas chanced another glimpse over her shoulder, looking down at the brooding stray that was now perched behind her in the saddle. She wondered if there was any plausibility behind that theory and, if so, how she could help the poor thing. Either way, it was probably best for them to focus on the journey ahead and to not dwell on how one went about curse breaking.

As the day progressed Iselas again found herself unwilling to call for a lunch break, instead she wanted to keep moving. They were almost within reach of Red Larch and Iselas was impatient to see the new town -- well, new to her.

 

[ArcticFox]

You reach Red Larch with sunset and with everyone very tired and hungry. Nowhere has complained more than once that being saddle-sore in not his favourite type of soreness. Mary says at one point that her feet hurt despite being on top of a wolf's back for the entire day.

Red Larch is nothing special, a caravan stop in the middle of the Long Road, with a couple of inns and stables for the mounts. It is a civilised town with friendly people and reasonable prices that sits on the intersection of three paths. The Long Road leads north toward Triboar and Yartar - rivaling towns now converted into fortresses and barracks for the armies that guard the edge of the civilised world. The road to the east, The Cairn Road, leads to abandoned farmlands and over the Stone Bridge, toward the High Forest, and the western one leads to the town of Kheldell.

Only two paths are of interest to you, the northern and the eastern one. Or you can turn back south-east and cross the river, to follow the east side of the High Forest.

As you ride through the town, you notice a number of establishments, including shops, stables, taverns and inns. Nagrax recommends that you ought to find an inn for the night and have late lunch there. Nowhere insists on going to the Swinging Sword inn, claiming that they have the best crumblecake. Jevan and the cat offer no comment, while Mary immediately splits from the group to look for an alchemy shop.

- Choose your destination.

 

[Yokai]

Choose your destination.
​

Entering into a completely new town had always been exciting to Iselas, especially one like this where they were seemingly accustomed to the comings and goings of travelers. Glancing over their more civilised surroundings Iselas came to the quick conclusion that it was in their best interest to find a place to sleep for the night. And somewhere to eat because she was starving!

"Alright, Nowhere!" Iselas smiled at the tiefling, raising an eyebrow in question. "We'll go to the Swinging Sword Inn. Hopefully they have some rooms available... and some crumblecake for you." Her smile broadened into a grin, though her gaze didn't stay still for very long as she was curiously sizing up the stores around them.

 

[ArcticFox]

You can see a couple of store signs hanging above doors as you pass through the town and toward the Swinging Sword. They read as follows: Mhandyvver's Poultry, Oneshield Quarries, Thelorn's Safe Journeys. Mary's wolf is sitting in wait in front of the last of the shops.

Glad that you have heeded his advice, Nowhere leads you toward the inn he suggested. Nagrax seems pleased with the decision as well. The Swinging Sword is a three-story building of stone and timber, with a steep slate roof, many chimneys, and a covered porch that runs parallel to the Long Road. It has a round turret that looks like it belongs on a large castle.

The moment you tether the horses and enter the building, you realise why it is Nowhere's favourite inn, and it is not because of the crumblecake. A wide range of professional escorts, recognisable by their keen gazes, sultry smiles, and skimpy clothes, walks in between the filled tables. Nowhere gives you a lopsided grin, before striding toward the bar like he owns the place. The inn seems filled to bursting and there are no empty tables, however, Nowhere looks to be trying to persuade the barkeep to clear one off for you.

"Crumblecake, my ass." Nagrax growls, but sounds rather amused.

One of the working girls, a half-elf, steps over to him, placing slender fingers over his muscular arms with an inviting look. The dragonborn looks at her confused for a moment, then quickly shakes his head.

"Oh, do you not like elves?" She cooes, "No problem at all, darling, can help you find someone else. A half-orc perhaps? A human?"

"No, I like elves. I mean... just leave, I don't want your services, thank you..." Nagrax stumbles and you hear Jevan chuckle behind him.

In the same moment your rabid cat squeezes through the door and darts across the floor in pursuit of a mouse.

- Help Nagrax.
- Go after the cat.
- Help Nowhere.
- Look around with Jevan.

 

[Yokai]

Help Nagrax.
​

"I've been tricked." Iselas mumbled quietly, though she looked much too pleased and far too amused with her decision. An amusement that almost tripled as she watched Nagrax stumble over himself as the escort offered her services. Barely managing to smother her laughter Iselas decided that it was far too painful to watch and instead stepped in to help the Dragonborn. Well... 'helping him' was a bit of a stretch.

"Actually, he likes elves a lot," Iselas interjected, her voice a low and seductive purr as she draped herself over Nagrax's free arm like she belonged there. The grin that she gave the other half-elf, however, was decidedly friendly and amused. "Don't you, gorgeous?" The endearing nickname is clearly aimed at Nagrax as she looked up at him and winked. When she looked back at the other woman it was with a more regretful expression. "Sorry but he is taken... our friend at the bar, however, is a very handsome tiefling."

 

[ArcticFox]

"Oh, is that so." The escort smiles, backing away, "I did not realise, I'm sorry. If you are looking for a plus one, find me." She says as she slowly steps away, giving both of you a seductive look-over, before finding a different customer.

Nagrax has not said anything since you hooked your arm through his, but you felt him tense like he was getting ready for combat. When the escort moves away, he quickly disentangles his arm from yours and steps toward the closest table. If the dragonborn could blush, he would be at that moment. Focusing his attention on the table, occupied by two drunken men, he slams his fist against it with a rumbled warning.

"I think you've had enough drinking, gentlemen, time to clear off." He says, teeth glinting menacingly, and the drunkards are quick to heed the warning. If he tried to move the focus away from his clumsy fumbling, he succeeded.

"Oh, looks like we have found a table!" Nowhere shouts from the bar, then grabs a handful of wooden mugs and brings them over, spilling some of the ale as he juggles them to the table.

You arrange yourself at the table and Nowhere notifies you that he already ordered dinner for everyone and that it is of course gonna be crumblecake.

- Ask for something else.
- Wait and drink.
- Wait, don't drink.