Fantasy Lost Laboratory of Kwalish (Paused)

[Yokai]

Go to Jevan.
​

Unlike the rest of the townspeople, Iselas was definitely not so respectful of Jevan's personal space. Instead, once she'd spotted him sitting there beneath the tree, a mischievous smile broke out across elfin features. It seemed like such a shame to leave him there, undisturbed and peaceful. What if somebody else had snuck up on him?

At least, that was how she reasoned it out to herself. Soon the half-elf had softened her footsteps, circling around the seated Jevan, until she found the right angle where she could pounce on him from behind.

 

[ArcticFox]

Jevan is completely unaware of your presence, right up to the point when you jump him. He flinches as your hands touch him, then in a swift movement grabs you by the arms, pulls you over his shoulder and onto the ground in front of him, finally pinning you down. You have managed to startle him, but have ended up prostrated on the ground with his forearm over your throat. Jevan looks angry. The people on the square glance briefly at you, but don't get involved.

- Struggle.
- Wait it out.
- Plead.
- Flirt.

 

[Yokai]

Flirt.​

"Well, isn't this a nice view?" Came the flirtatious remark, breathless with surprise at having been captured so easily. Iselas carefully tested his hold on her, already looking for a way to escape the situation as she grinned up at him. He looked angry but Iselas was nothing if not a troublemaker. "If this was all it took to get you above me then perhaps I should sneak up on you more often."

 

[ArcticFox]

It's impossible to see a blush on a drow's skin, but Jevan certainly looks flustered by the comment. At first, he doesn't comprehend it, but once he gets the flirtatious meaning behind the words, he lets you go as if burned. You are still on the ground, when he stands up, and walks off with big, determined steps. It's not like he's running away, but he's running away.

- Go after him.
- Let him go and explore.
- Something else.

 

[Yokai]

Let him go and explore.​

Iselas propped herself up onto her forearms and watched the drow steadily disappear with a delighted grin on her face. Oh, he was definitely running scared! As adorable as that revelation was Iselas decided to leave him alone -- she didn't want to push her luck too much. But then again, just because passerbys had seen the interaction, she couldn't help but call out after him. "See you tonight, gorgeous!" In that same flirtatious sing-song.

Snorting quietly to herself Iselas stood up and dusted herself off. Glancing around for a direction to walk toward her gaze caught on the looming silhouette of the mansion. It... was a tempting sight. Besides she still had some time to kill, and what was better than time spent snooping?

 

[ArcticFox]

The cobbled street from the main square leads you toward the mansion. Triboar is not a large town, but it is crowded in the evenings, and the street that leads toward the mansion is filled with people with all races and proffessions. There are soldiers on the streets, guardsmen standing at attention, though it doesn't seem like the immediate surroundings of the town are any more dangerous than Red Larch.

One of the people in the street tells you that the mansion belongs to Hyuth Kolstaag, a retired adventurer, rich enough to be able to afford life in Waterdeep, but always nostalgic for the dangers of the Savage Frontier. Triboar is a sort of a compromise for him. He had named the mansion the Boar's Rest and is currently residing in it, though will leave the day after tomorrow for Yartar on business. He is fond of visitors, they say, so you can come right up and knock on the doors.

- Visit the Boar's Rest.
- Don't visit it.

 

[Yokai]

Visit the Boar's Rest.
​

An adventurer that was rich enough to retire and that liked visitors? Iselas' curiosity was definitely piqued as she decided to investigate further. She'd been quick to thank the towns-person for the easy information before continuing up the street, only pausing to knock once she'd reached the doors. Surely there was no harm in paying this Hyuth fellow a visit.

 

[ArcticFox]

The gargoyles on the perch above the door seem to move as you approach, but when you focus on them, they are as immobile as stone can be. Perhaps just a trick of the light.

You are let into the mansion by an elderly butler, who gladly takes your name, then escorts you into a large study to meet his employer. Hyuth Kolstaag sits on a sofa, a book in his hands. The butler introduces you by your name and a title of an adventurer, which seems to draw Hyuth's attention, as he closes his book and turns to you.

He is not an old man, even though he's retired. Perhaps he amassed enough fortune very early in his life.

"Welcome, Iselas." He smiles at you, "Where are you off to? Further into the Savage Frontier? Or back to civilisation?"

- Answer.

 

[Yokai]

Answer.
​

Characteristically curious Iselas' gaze slowly scanned over the room that she had been brought into. Whenever someone had a well-stocked study with actual books she assumed that they were the real deal and that they meant serious business. Then again, Iselas herself was barely literate by this point.

When her gaze finally stopped on the figure known as Hyuth Kolstaag, however, she did a complete double-take. She had expected an old man, wizened in face and rounded in body from years of enjoying his spoils. Not some -- and she did a slow head-to-toe stare here -- deceptively handsome silver fox.

"Thank you for the warm welcome. I'm surprised that you have such an open door policy," Iselas greeted, smile saccharine. "We are currently headed to Yartar." Iselas confirmed after a moment, remembering to answer his question, though she did not elaborate. She wasn't sure how much she should give away.

 

[ArcticFox]

"My adventuring days might be over, but I still like hearing stories of others." Hyuth says with a smile. "Yartar is near, half a day's ride, but you must know this already. There's a Hiring Festival planned for the day after tomorrow and I'm going to go there as well, to see if I can acquire any more staff. Dareth is very good at his work, but I'm afraid he's not getting younger."

He motions to the butler, who brings forward refreshments, consisting of ale and tasty savoury rolls. Hyuth gestures for you to partake of the food and drink, and take a chair opposite of him, while he watches you with interest.

- Ask about the curse.
- Ask about the Festival.
- Ask about his adventures.
- Something else.

 

[Yokai]

Ask about the curse.​

"Hmm? The gnome mentioned a festival too," Iselas hummed thoughtfully; hoping that that was a good sign at least. After a moment she moved closer to sit in the offered seat, taking some of the food and beverages offered with a polite murmur of thanks. However, this man seemed pretty knowledgeable and Iselas was eager for some more guidance on the matter of Whiskers' curse.

"He also mentioned that we'd be able to find a wizard there," She began, hands curled around her cup of ale. "You see... I have a cursed cat."

 

[ArcticFox]

"A cursed cat?" Hyuth asks with interest. "That is not something one hears every day." He sits on the edge of his seet, watching you curiously, "What kind of a curse is it? Why don't you bring your cat to me, and I'll see if I can help." He says, "I may not look like it, but I am a wizard."

- Bring Whiskers now.
- Bring the cat tomorrow.
- Don't do it.

 

[Yokai]

Bring Whiskers now.
​

"You are?" Iselas prompted eagerly, her earlier doubts pushed aside in favour of possibly solving the mystery of Whiskers' curse. "That would be amazing if you could. Whiskers is normally pretty moody and a little suicidal but I'm sure he'll behave himself for you!" She assured Hyuth with the most charming smile that she could muster.

"Let me go and get him now." Because really, there was no time like the present and she wanted to see whether Whiskers could be happy or freed.

 

[ArcticFox]

Half an hour later, you are able to fetch Whiskers, though he goes along kicking and screaming. Your forearms are scratched and bitten when you finally bring the cat into Hyuth's mansion. To your surprise, Whiskers settles the moment you walk into the wizard's home, and you are able to let it down.

"Let's see, what do we have here..." Hyuth muses, crouching down to the previously hissing cat, that is now quieter than a mouse. He reaches out to scratch behind its ear and Whiskers lets out a pleased purring sound, "Oh, you are a good kitten. Though, not a kitten at all..." He says.

A moment later, Hyuth stands up, walks over into his study, motioning for you to follow. You wait as he browses through his library, until finally he picks out a book with navy blue cover, and flips through the pages. He hums in thought for a couple more moments, before finally addressing you again.

"It's as I thought. Whoever cast a spell on the poor thing must have had a terrible grudge. The curse is severe, you see." Hyuth gives you a serious look, "I'm afraid the only cure for it is death." He explains, "Your cat is not a cat at all. It is a humanoid, just like you or me, a poor soul that had been turned into an animal by a powerful and malicious spell. I've seen it before, though only once. Your cat must be killed, but it cannot be a mercy killing by someone who knows about its curse. It has to be done by an unassuming party. And it cannot be a wild animal, it has to be a sentient being." That would explain Whiskers's tries to enrage you. "Other solution is to find the person who cast the curse, as they are the only ones that can remove it. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you where to begin your search."

- Ask something.
- Decide what to do with the cat.
- Leave and decide later.

 

[Yokai]

Ask something.
​

Guilt followed the realisation that, had Iselas been a little more ruthless or a little less inclined to acts of supposed mercy, then she could have broken Whiskers' curse. She really should have just let Jevan put an end to the cat's misery, but instead she'd made things more complicated for them all.

"Sorry Whiskers," Iselas sighed, staring down at the cat with an irate frown. "No wonder you're such an ass to deal with, huh? Unless that's just you, in which case you should probably work on that." She snorted and turned her attention onto Hyuth.

"Know anyone in town who would kill an annoying cat in a fit of rage?" Iselas asked instead.