Act Two, Chapter Twenty Four "Rescue Mission" (11-12-2021)

Resting in Geshut's safehouse for the night the group catch up with their old friend, exchange stories of Elric, Geshut informs them that Marcus was tracking down Elric but never returned.

Geshut explains that he has seen Arnon around town and that he often goes back to his warehouse during the midday siesta. The group plan to sneak to the warehouse in the dark before dawn and try to wait it out until Arnon arrives. The group manage to make themselves invisible and with the help of a foggy morning fly up the the roof of Arnon's warehouse.

They manage to find a window that leads in to Arnon's office, Lotty picks the lock and they manage to sneak in to Arnon's office to hide out.  Coming close to getting caught by one of the guards they rummage through the desk whilst they wait, finding Arnon's construction plans and ledger as well as a wand of alertness (to Kel)

When Arnon he has a "steel predator" in tow, a viscous looking metal wolf-like creature. With the rest of the group hidden out of sight Lotty manages to convince Arnon that the work he is doing is getting out of control and that his machines are destined for destruction.  After some back and forth Lotty convinces Arnon the family will forgive him and he agrees to come home but first they head to Arnon's shop to retrieve some supplies.

With Geshut, Kel, Cade & Lotty all invisible they follow Arnon through the streets to his shop, only to be met by a group of Sciarrios that are quite insistent that Arnon goes with them to  Sextus and Seppia, an inevitable fight breaks out and the Sciarrios turn the Steel Predator" against the group. After dispatching the guards the group hurry in to the shop.  Arnon gathers up the entire contents of his shop, including all the supplies and tools he stole from his Uncle Frug's shop and gives them to Lotty.

Lotty uses the teleportation scroll she's been saving for an emergency to transport everyone back to McFini's only for the spell to dissipate without any effect.

Vi reveals herself, it appears she has been hiding as their good friend Geshut all this time.  

Act Two, Chapter Twenty Three "Learning about a lost friend" (04-12-2021)

 Cade's Log

We just spent a week in Alya waiting to see a representative from the Divine Pansophical.  

Lotty learned that Arnon has Sextus and Seppia as a wealthy benefactor sponsoring the construction of the constructs.  Arnon works in downtown Palirano at a tinker shop but is escorted out of town every night to sty at Sextus and Seppia's estate.  On the way to the estate he frequently stops for a drink at the Tipsy Sway Tavern.

If I understood correctly, the only real weakness to the constructs is a control panel on the back to deactivate them.

I had asked Rhone, Ezra, and Luthor Strand about any possible resistance in Panirano or powerful people in Panirano who may not be aligned with Sextus and Seppia, but unfortunately there are none that we know of.

Eventually we were able to go visit Knight Commander Finnus.  When we asked about the Divine he showed us evidence that Elric had killed her by showing us Shadow Strike.  Evidently Elric is taking out people he feels have wronged him.  I instantly sent a message to Karis to warn her but got no response.  When I sent a message to Kolmus he told me she was dead.  Lotty also sent a message to Mira to warn her as did I to Fallah.

That damn book has clearly taken over Elric's mind to some extent and he is going after any enemies he has.  We will need to hunt him down.  The Knight Commander said if we can catch him that there may be a way to save him, but it is dangerous and he may not survive.

At the end of this conversation Nassandrial appeared to taunt us again and we spared back and forth with Lotty dispelling the image.  Nassandrial opened some portal for 4 giants to come attack us and we fought them off with the help of the Divine Pansophical.

After the fight, the Knight Commander understood our plight and loaned the group amulets to ward off scrying.

We eventually traveled to Palirano, it is a huge city, much larger then Sierrona.  There is a 20 ft tall stone wall surrounding it with what looks like automated ballista and is patrolled with piloted constructs that look rough to deal with.  This is likely what they will use to attack other cities nearby. 

After contracting Geshut through sending, he escorted us invisibly through the city.  There is a curfew in place at night so no one but guards is about.  He lead us to his saafehouse under the Wary Inn Tavern.

Act Two, Chapter Twenty One "the hunt is over" (13-11-2021)

DRAFT PAGE: Search bodies - find trinkets, necklace, string pearls & pocket watch (Lotty keeps watch) 

Send bat down tunnel see chamber, fire, lava, ash & smoke, creature in room.

Rush in, take damage from environment, fight creatures, win, Nessie bust, rush out chamber, short rest.

Find room with arcane shield of runes covering treasure pit, investigate can't find a way in. Caonnolith comes out.

Fight Cannolith & two spellcasters casting darkness and fog cloud. win

Take down shield with "key" on monster & find treasure:

• 3000 gp
• spell book: Absorb elements, alarm, chromatic orb, comprehend languages, disguise self, jump, silent image, blur, enlarge/reduce, hold person, knock, see invisibility, web, fire ball, fly, sending

harvest monster parts & get out of cave, head back to Pacapa

--end--

Act 2 - Chapter Twenty Two- That's a big spider (20-11-2021)

 Act 2 - Chapter Twenty-One - That's a big spider (Nov 20, 2021)

-The group makes their way to the Reapers Guild in Pacapa to collect the Reaper’s contract for the Yugoloth

·         A harengon is working at the front desk and inspects the Yugoloth’s tongue and lungs, performs a small biopsy, and rewards the group coin

-The group then goes over to the Hospital House to get some good grub (seafood, lobster, crab, fish, yum!)

·         Kel gets a bit drunk on light ale

·         Lotty goes over to the bar and gets shots of peach snaps

·         Kel gets too drunk and falls asleep

·         Upon waking up, Lotty finds a note from Sailing

·         “I can’t do this anymore. I am done with adventuring. I wish you guys the best.”

·         The group is now down to 3 members

 

-Order of the Arcania

·         Cade wants to join the Order of the Arcania, so he sends a sending message to Ezra asking if there is a contact in Palirano

·         Ezra tells him to look for Vyria, a local sage

·         Cade follows up with another message asking about a contact in Pacapa!

·         Ezra says to look for Ashton (don’t mention Vyria to Ashton though)

·         Cade finds Ashton, a 7-foot bugbear in wizardly robes

·         To preserve and develop lost magic/create new magic is what this order wants to do

·         Ashton mentions that Cade is different from the God-forged. Cade is almost humanoid. Other constructs follow their programming, but Cade isn’t following a program.

·         Cade offers his Flail and Googles of Nightvision to Ashton to get into the order

·         Ashton gives Cade the Arcane Eye brand and inducts him into the order as an Apprentice!

 

-The group makes their way to the Harbor of Haggling to meet up with Fallah

·         Fallah tells them that Sepsis and Sepia have made a business arrangement with our friend, the green dragon

·         She also let them know that the Head of the Divine Pansophical was killed, assassinated by Draugh Poison

·         She says Elric is wanted for questioning, but also notes that anybody can pick up Draugh poison

·         Cade tells Fallah about the Demonomicon that changed Elric, and she asks to see the book

·         Lotty hands Fallah the book

·         After examining it, Fallah says that the book is empty

·         Feeling betrayed by Elric, Lotty throws the book into the ocean

·         The group makes a pack not to lie to each other

 

-The group makes their way to Alya

·         They encounter rain and thunder during the first part of their journey

·         As the dirt road turns to mud, the carts begins to slow down and eventually gets stuck

·         As the group tries to move the horses and dislodge the cart from the mud, a giant mechanical spider appears out of thin air and attacks the group

·         The spider, as the group discovers, has immunity to non-magical damage, charm, exhaustion, paralyze, and poison and has advantage on spell saves

·         After defeating it, Lotty discovers the etching of its maker in its circuity panel board, a mark of her family name

 

-The group arrives at Alya, a military fortress decorated with religious symbols

·         A guard scans the group before coming in with divination spells such as detect good and evil, magic, and thoughts

·         He hands them sashes to mark them as visitors, and tells them that they can rest in Aurora’s Grace

Act 2 Chapter Twenty "Cannaloth hunting" (06-11-2021)

The Ashen Company leaves the high tech surrounds of Pacapa and heads to the cave network in search of the Yugo'oth to fulfil the Reapers Contract. 

• "Cannaloth" - large creature, looks like a bulette with barbed tongue (and generally nastier)
• Yugo'oths are usually mercenaries serving for either demons or devils but will serve other being for enough reward.
• Typically less chaotic and more (demonic)lawful.
• Can be spell casters

Leaving the horses & cart in a safe place outside the cave they head in to move through the cave network.

As the group moves through the narrow tunnels they are challenged with fleshy vines that extend from the walls to grab and grapple them.  They fight them off as they travel and have to battle their way through crustacean like creatures that had the ability to produce clouds of darkness and poisonous gases. 

At one point in the tunnels Cade came across a dead-end and a creature, that could have been the Cannaloth, appeared to take shape out of the stone walls to attack him. It quickly disappeared again. 

After fighting some of the creatures the Ashen Company noticed a room filled with the vines/tendrils that had been attacking them, in the centre was a corpse with an attractive looking breastplate on it.  Cade managed to push back the tendrils with radiant damage long enough for Sailing Ship to run in and grab the breast plate:

• Two attunement slots
• Chose one of the listed resistance types on attunement

Act 2 Chapter Nineteen "Journey to Pacapa" (23-10-2021)

Dearest Da,

Hope you're all keeping well, I feel like I always leave in a hurry but we're always off to do something daft and sometimes it easier to slip off than explain - you ken when you think you've got a good idea but when you say it out loud it sounds stupid? I feel like that's life now.

Anyway we've made it Pacapa, this place is amazing - they've got some real amazing toys here, the guards are all floating around on these metal disks above ground, I'm not sure if it's some kind of flying or levitation enchantment they've got or maybe it's more a focus on their control of the disks themselves. They've also got these fancy crossbows, looks like they've got a repeating shot type of enchantment on them; they've no strings or bolts but I'm willing to bet they're not all floating around with unloaded weapons! I'm dying to know more but I think there's a fine line between curious admiration and looking like we're starting trouble so I think I'll see what I can find out around town.  There's a market here four times the size of the Omimarket, there's bound to be a tinkerer or too I can chat up; do you remember that family from the Brodie clam that left the mountain a few months before us? They were heading to Pacapa, and the eldest lad always had a thing for me, I might see if I can find them - mind you, if their journey to to coast was anything like ours who know where they might have ended up and when!

It wasn't easy getting here - a bunch of nasty beasties attacked us along the way, I think Kel called them gnolls (there's nothing that boy hasn't read about, he reminds me of how Arnon was when we were bairns).  Of course we dealt with them, but I think Sailing Ship used up a fair few of his nine lives and he hasn't been the same since.  Cade went completely crackers too - whilst Kel & I were taking stock of what had just happened and Ship sat up a tree rocking, Cade transformed in to a great big bloody bear and went charging down the last of these gnoll things! He came back with one of them in his mouth like wee Jasper used to with mice, although Cade didn't look quite as proud of himself.  It was a wee bit terrifying to see Cade like that but I have to be honest and say I felt safe too, like he's got our backs if you ken what I mean.

We found a few trinkets off the gnolls (sold them off when we got to Pacapa, I'm still not sure how I feel about this taking things from dead bodies, we have a nasty looking flail their leader was carrying, I think we should probably turn that in for the gold too but Sailing Ship has been kinda of catatonic the last few days so we just want to make sure he doesn't have use for it) and burnt the bodies.  After a wee rest we headed on down the road again.

The weather just wasnae letting up for us either, as we struggled getting the cart down the road we came to this crossroads and the floor was covered in blood, and I don't just mean someone butchered a couple of chickens for supper it was a literal bloodbath all over the road, even with everything we've seen and done it sent a chill down ma spine and quake in ma belly.  There was this poor, half dead, half-orc crawling up the road, Cade managed to heal the poor fella enough for him to explain he was a caravan guard that got attacked by hideous monsters, I don't think the poor fella realised he was the only one the survived until we pointed it out and then - of course - those bastards attacked us too.

I'm not gonnea be a brecaire here and tell you I bravely grabbed the wrench and started laying in to them - oh did I shite! I wanted to run Da, I didn't think we could make it through the heard.  I managed to instil a bit of heroism in to Sailing Ship but I should have taken it maself! Sailing Ship jumped in to the fray like he was back to his normal self again, Kel was shooting powerful spells at the beasts and Cade summoned a bear to protect him and the orc (it didn't help, that poor half-orc was so petrified with fear and just couldn't pick himself up off the floor before it was too late) and what did I do... well, I thought I was being clever and that I could run the horses through the crowd of monsters and pick up the rest of the guys on the way through, Kel was on the cart, Ship was riding a horse and I went for it... straight in to Cade, I nearly knocked him clean out. I tried to keep going but the horses weren't up for it and I drove them straight in to a hedge, sending us all flying!

We weren't going anywhere so we had to fight these things to get away. Sailing ship was knocking them out of the park, Cade was flying high in owl form keeping himself alive at safe distance and Kel summoned this huge ball of lightening out of the sky - it was impressive Da! I've seen lightening bolts thrown like I can throw fire but this was something else - it did a fair amount of damage to them and slowed them down long enough for us to finish them off, even Cade was able to transform back and get in the fight. This time he healed us all up rather than go chasing down any more nasties in bear form!

We eventually got to Pacapa the next day and here we are. It a big ol' place, no walls outside or anything like that but it's very secure, like I said the guard have some awesome looking toys at their disposal. 

Oh - I almost forgot to say! We camped out in a cave for a bit of shelter one night and whilst I was taking watch I was just sitting at the mouth of the cave with Nessie and Boobrie strumming a few lullabies that dragon notched the creep level up to maximum!  You remember when I told you that Nassandrial could appear human? Well so he did. Not only that but he wasn't even actually there just an illusion. I cannae ken what it's game is to be honest - he was watching us sleep, taunting us saying he's going to come and destroy us just when we've had a "big win" like it wants to knock the wind out of our sails - I can't tell if it's following us, physically, magically or what.  Whatever's going on I think I preferred it when it was just a nasty great dragon trying to kill us rather than a creepy stalker. Do you remember when that young lassie from the Tulloch's family that got a crush on little Argill and used to hang around the old shop back home all day until Uncle Garrick got the Mountain Guard to force her to stay at least 200ft away from the shop!! I kind of feel like we need the Mountain Guard to hep us out! 

So, here in Pacapa we managed to meet up with our "secret" friend [Fallah] who's helped us out a few times and she told us there's been some upsets in the secret organisation [Brokers of Secrets], apparently The Blackhand [Marcus] is no longer with the organisation, she didn't was to say as much but I think he might be dead!  I didn't know him well but a friend of Geshut is a friend of mind and I'm worried to hear it.  We gave her some gold to help look in to any rumours she might have about this Nassandrial and if she knew where Elric might have disappeared to.  She helped us out with some intel on the caves north of town as well, we now know it's a couple of hours north on foot and there's lots of caves in the structure with all sorts of beasties and environmental hazards.

We've just done a little bit of shopping and I managed to get maself a lovely new winter coat (it's surprisingly cold up here) and some supplies and we've settled in to an Inn for the evening. I think we're going to stop here for a few days before we move on, take on some supplies and rest up a little.  I think Sailing Ship needs a few days of R&R, Kel keeps writing or reading in his books every time we stand still for a minute so I expect he'll be pleased to be in one place for a wee while. I might see what Cade is up to and maybe see if I can pick up an odd job or two whilst we're in town, I havenae spent any time just crafting and tinkering for a while so I might see if I can pick up some off jobs.

I told the laddie I gave this letter to you'd give him 1gp if this letter arrives safely, make sure he doesn't try to fleece you for any more! There should be a small package too, I found a few really interestingly shaped rocks along the journey and I thought Aileen might like them for her collection.

Take care, give a big smacker to everyone for me.

Love, Lotty xxx

Act 2 Chapter Eighteen "Ship's Nine Lives" (16-10-2021)

 Cade met with Luthor Strand, the Warden Master of the Wardens of Balance, in the Broken Dreams Tavern.  Luthor is a Cambion, half-fiend, with red skin and yellow eyes.  He initially wore a cloak that hid his face but showed red glowing eyes.  The conversed at why Cade would want to pledge himself to another organization but eventually Luthor said there may be a place for cade however Cade would need to prove himself worthy and then undertake the ritual of balance.

To prove himself worthy, Cade would need to "see an injustice and correct it, see an abuse of power and remove it."  The ritual of Balance requires drinking a concoction that will destroy the consumers soul if their soul is not balanced.

Cade asks Luthor about the Ulvari Cartel and Luther thought they initially help stabilized the region after the dominion feel when they were a group of smaller cartels, however now that they are larger and power has solidified under Sextus and Seppia, they have too much power and mentions they are both fiends.  Slavery is up, Civil War is Up, Drug addiction is up, and their profits are up.  Luthor thinks the coast would do better without such a heavy hand.  

Cade mentions he may be going to Palirano soon to help a friend's family member.  Luthor does not have any safe houses there but advises planning early how we will leave the city.  Says the city is run by an Iron Fist.

Luthor mentions that the Cartel has a new tinkerer there that is building war machines in preparation for war to possibly take out the Divine Pansophical and the Remmington Syndicate.

Luthor also brings up "The Source" where Cade was made in the south west of the Lands of Desolation and notes that Cade's original programing would have had him return there after the Dominion fell.

The group gathered again and head to see Frug, Lotty's dad.  They discuss constructs and Lotty does not think Arnon is a good enough tinkerer to make one but Frug does, especially since Arnon stole his Tip Top Tinkers Tools.

Fruge lets the group take some Iron Bands of Binding but says if we bring back his tools then we are square, otherwise we owe him 5,000gp.  Lotty says his tools are worth far more then 5,000gp to her.

The group decides to get 4 horses and a cart to hit the road to Pacapa on the way to Palirano.

On the way there, Gnolls attack along the road with a female with a vicious flail as their leader.  Sailing Ship fearlessly went after their leader and attacked with ferocity but did not fell her.  However in return she kept trying to kill Sailing Ship and knocked him unconscious a number of times but the group was able to keep him alive.  In a fit of rage at the end Cade vaporized her body with an Inflict Wounds spell.

Sailing Ships injuries looked far more then just physical as he needed some space from the group after that fight.

Act 2 Chapter Seventeen "Catching up" (09-10-2021)

Not having seen their friend, Elric, for a few days the rest of the Ashen Company gather in the Last Stand Inn.

Talking to the bartender, Vaughn,  he mentions that Sierrona has been facing some challenges over the past few weeks, people have been defecting to the Ulvari Cartel and there was even an attack on the Last Stand Inn, albeit unsuccessful.  Vaughn mentioned that Elric came by a few days back wanting to see Remmi but given Remmi's ill state Vaughn didn't allow it.

Cade, Kel, Lotty & Sailing Ship head on down to see Rhone & Mira. Cade & Lotty introduce Kel & Sailing to their old friend Rhone and the half-elf mage, Mira. Whilst Kel tried to take workout tips from Rhone he likely pulls a muscle he didn't realise he had and Mira conjures a area the group can talk in privacy.  To be certain Cade, with their permission, casts Moonbeam on Rhone & Mira to ensure they are not Vi in disguise before healing them back up. The Ashen Company learn:

• Remmi is still comatose 

• The City of Sierrona is struggling without his charismatic leadership and people are reverting back to their old, less savoury, ways.

• Wealthy residents are leaving Sierrona

• The vault was broken in to a few days ago

• Vi may have connections with the Ulvari cartel

• The heads of the Ulvari cartel are Sextus & Seppia, they are based in Palirino

• Mira scries on Lotty's cousin Arnon (Arnon was last seen leaving for Palirino. Arnon stole from the McFini family, clearing out the shop to pay his debts to the Morrow Cartel and running off with the Voodist Cartel who have now become part of the Ulvari Cartel.) - she seems him wearing fine clothing, well adorned and apparently living a decent life. He was walking along the blocks (slave trading blocks) with a man & woman who appear to be upper class, maybe eleven, surrounded by the Ulvari cartel's black & red garbed sicarios.

The group discuss the possibility of trying to rescue/kidnap Arnon to see if he may be able to tell them some information about the Ulvari Cartel.

Cade reports that he managed to scry on the dragon Nassandrial with a group of druids to produce a more powerful spell. He saw Nassandrial in his humanoid form; eleven with green eyes dressed in green robes. He was walking in a city that appeared to be along the Ulvari coast, Cade ruled out a few places but couldn't be sure of the exact whereabouts.

The group head to the Sieronna branch of the reapers guild and after some delightful conversation with the gnome on reception pick up two additional contracts:

• North of Pacapa(?) there is a cave network with a fiend called a yugo'oth(?) - retrieval of it's tongue & lungs will fulfil the contract with a 5,00gp reward.
• Gargantuan Roc that has been hunting large game up and down the Ulvari coast hunting large game - retrieval of both it's eyes will fulfil the contact with a 10,000gp reward.

As the rest of the Ashen Company set about heir business for the evening Cade heads to the Broken Dreams bar, pays 21g to the barkeep and says it's for Luther's next drink.  After waiting a few hours Cade sends a message to Ezra to let him know Luther appeared to be a no-show.  Being one who is content in his own company Cade decides to stay until the barkeep throws him out, just as the lights are turned out and the doors are locked a mysterious hooded figure approaches Cade.

Act Two Chapter nineteen "It’s not easy being green" (29-09-2021)

The Ashen Company finish eating their Hero’s Feast in preparation for their fight against the dragon Nassandrial. 

Elric leads the group, stealthily moving up to the tunnel where Nassandrial appeared in human form. He sees that the tunnel ascends upwards with trickles of green liquid on the tunnel floor. He tells the group that he’ll proceed first about 30 feet ahead of the party. To help Elric remain hidden, Kel’zad casts Invisibility on him and uses Message to communicate messages between him and the group. 

The group proceeds upward until they get a break in the fog and see bright sunlight. As they exit the tunnel, they find themselves in a huge amphitheater. In the middle of the amphitheater is Nassandrial, making eye contact with Elric (who is still invisible). Cade summons his wild companion owl in preparation. Seeing that Nass is aware of their presence, Sailing Ship announces the Ashen Company’s arrival, and the battle begins.

Combat:

-Nassandrial begins by dispelling Kel’s Hero’s Feast buff, rendering him vulnerable to poison. 

-Elric shoots a bolt at Nass, but it just goes right through. With his knowledge of Arcana, Elric deduces that the dragon the group sees is just an illusion.

-Nassandrial dispels Cade’s Hero’s Feast buff, after which Cade summons a hawk to help scout for Nass.

-Using his knowledge of Arcana, Kel realizes that Nass is using Greater Invisibility. As soon as he discovers this, Nass hits Kel with his poisonous breath and Kel goes unconscious. 

-However, by using this attack, Nass indicates to the group his current position. Elric takes advantage of this and shoots a bolt in the direction of where the breath came from. He gets the impression that the bolt hits something. Sailing then charges at the invisible Nass but misses with his attacks. Always prepared, Cade dispels Nass’s invisibility, giving the group visual on the dragon.

-Lotty approaches the unconscious Kel and heals him up while at the same time Elric stops Nass from healing with his abilities.

-Sailing dexterously attacks Nass, hitting him with each attack and causing much damage.

-Cade begins to wild shape himself and the group, but Nass counterspells him, but Kel counterspells Nass and Cade succeeds. Cade, Sailing, Kel, and Kraz all transform into coral snakes, giving them a temporary health boost. During his next turn, Cade transforms everyone again to giant eagles, allowing the group to claw and bite Nass.

-At some point, Kel is knocked down to the ground and nears death. With the help of Lotty, Kel avoids death twice but remains unconscious. Nass also knocks down Cade who becomes unconscious.

-Seeing the party mere seconds away from annihilation, Elric casts his Finger of Death spell scroll on Nass, wounding her greatly. Nassandrial, knowing they are is close to her demise, casts teleportation to escape the conflict. The green haze that fills the island’s skies and green ooze that crawl on the island’s floor slowly vanish. The Ashen Company prevails.

Dragon hoard:

• 500 platinum
• 10,00 gold
• 15,00 silver
• 25,000 copper
• - 15% to Craz & crew = 3,559gp 4sp (split 4 ways(ish))
• 3 ruby
• 3 emerald
• 3 sapphire
• 1,000gp worth of amber exhaultium
• Manual of Aeonion arcane defenders (Lotty)
• +1 Ring of Protection (Cade)
• +1 Studded leather armour of poison resistance (Elric)
• Bracers of Archery (+2 damage ranged weapons) (Sailing Ship)
• Bracers of Defence (+2 AC) (Kel)
• 5lb dragon scales

 

Act Two, Chapter Eighteen "is this the end?" (18-09-2021)

My dearest Da,

If you're getting this letter then it is has been delivered by one of my friends and you already know what has happened to me, I promise you I went down swinging.

I should explain, we're still chasing this damned dragon and we've landed on a island of horrible beasties and these undead like creatures that just seem to be everywhere as well as some kind of poison fog that is knocking us all for six constantly. We took a wee rest in a cave we found, Cade managed to put up his hut of flowers which kept us safe from the fog for a while, I sent Boobrie out to scout about and see if we could work out if there was a top to the mountain we were hiding in or if we could catch a glimpse of the dragon but she didn't get very far before the fog took her back to the fey world again (I still feel awful every time I do that, I ken Grannie used to say her rat never felt a thing but I swear that bird gives me a look sometimes). 

I managed to fashion some climbing kits out of the rope, pitons and caltrops we had on us (you would have been proud of me Da, I didnae have a clue how to make a climbing kit but I didn't want the others to ken that so I did ma best and they held out just fine) and up we went. Ship looked after his captain and tied himself to Kraz, Cade was amazing and transformed in to a spider to take young Kel on his back and Elric looked after me, of course, and we tied ourselves together and started to climb up. We didnae get very far before these weird floating eyeballs started appearing, I couldnae make out if they were friend or foe to be honest (is it bad that I started to miss Dol in that moment? I thought he'd have been able to detect their thoughts, and then a I felt bad for missing him just because of his skills, and then I felt bad for missing him at all after what he did, then I felt bad for thinking ill of him when he did help us at first and then... well it all felt bad). Anyways; Ship started throwing rocks around and I think he & Elric were trying to make a plan but to be honestly I wasnae sure, I think Ship's eggs are all double-yoaked at times, or maybe he was just rat-arsed? Anyway, Elric untied the rope from us, downed a flying potion and started shooting at them - I have to be honest I thought he was going to let me drop for a moment, I ken he's got ma back but there's times when there's a look in his yaks that just isn't right (especially now they're all black and spidery, I mean the laddie isn't my type but he was quite braw before he read that book) - I've lost ma place again... oh aye, the floating eyeballs. So, we starting climbing up this wall blowing up these floating balls of nasty, each one exploding out some horrible clouds of ouch each time they died and we made it up to a ledge to catch our breath, I'm thankful Elric was flying, Cade was spidering and ship can climb like, well a cat, they helped the rest of us up. Elric took a moment to fly up and see if he could anything and oh boy did he!

So, we're all taking a wee moment to work out what's happened and above us Elric is getting swatted at by that godsdarned dragon! We hot foot it back down the cliff face like daftys with this great beast taking pot shots at us as we try to get down (did I mention Cade turned in to a giant bird at some point too, or maybe he summoned a bird? Anyway he carried Kel down, I didn't see Ship scramble down but I think he was helping the Captain down whilst Elric carried me), that breath thing it does really did hurt, a few of us got clipped by it and I thought I was gonnae die right there and then, I've never felt pain like it in my life!

I was a little out of it in the pain to be honest and I'm not exactly sure what happened after that but someone spotted a cave behind a waterfall, and thought it'd be a good place to hide out. The water at the base of the waterfall was filled with those zombie things, they looked like they were stuck in the swampy waters that collected there. We managed to fly over them and in to the cave where Cade set up his flower hut again and we could get a moment free from this cludgie air we're all breathing.

Whilst we were working out what our next gallus move was going to be Elric spotted a change in the rocks in the cave and found a wee magical door, Cade dispelled it and it opened to a corridor leading upwards. Well, nae danger are we going up there in our condition so we decide to keep an eye on it and try to get some rest and rejuvenate ourselves whilst we're hiding because we're safe from the dragon right? Are we shite! Of course we're not, everyone's taking a bit of a nap whilst Kel and I keep watch and that bawbag appears from the "secret" door and bloody well dispells the hut - of course the bastard can change it's shape to be human, of course it can dispell Cade's hut and of course it can turn invisible and listen in to us. Honestly Da, it's a sair ficht for half a loaf! 

Anyway, the thing buggars off back to it's lair and says it will leave us alone for an hour and a half, I dunnae if it did or not but we took the chance to take a break. I'll tell ye for nowt that having that day out with Aunt Ella last week done me the world of good, I feel like I'd had a good night's sleep after a wee nap just thinking about it - you should go with her next time, I think you'd enjoy it!

I guess I should wrap up, I think poor Ship is throwing up in the corner of the cave somewhere and I'd better check on him, and everyone for that matter - they're all so very scared; I should go look after them. 

I've never felt so far away from The Mountain as I do right now but I'm comforted knowing that by the time you read this I'll be right at home - looking after Ma, swapping battle stories with Grandpappy and happily waiting (a very long time) to see you again, I love you all.

Act Two, Chapter Seventeen "Wizards and zombies and dragons, oh my!" (11-09-2021)

Massinissa, cousin,

The adventures I continue to have with this disparate group. After spending a few weeks in Sierrona, we returned to our favorite witch to collect the package we were to bring to Ezra the Wizard. Taking the package, then leaving it again because the cat forgot something, we returned and collected our quarry. Smashing the orb Ezra gave to us, we returned once again to the island he inhabits to see him fishing on the shore with Kraz. 

This is the second time I’ve felt like a servant boy for a haughty boss of some sort who  has asked us to bring him a delicacy of some sort, but Ezra had a perfect bourbon in that little box – at least he shared. After some idle chit chat, Ezra gave us a lot of information to gnaw on. 

The shard, otherwise known as a Shard of Divinity, is what Vie was referring to in those letters we found so many months ago. It appears that this shard can imbue almost god like powers (mental note) to a person. They are pieces of the Gods, though many are dormant and require touching the divine – one of the only places here in this realm is Baelon’s Folly, where pieces of the God still lie in a pool of blood (have I mentioned I lost my sword? - two birds with one stone?).

 More importantly, Vie isn’t working for herself, but for one of the 12 Magister’s of the surviving houses of the Aeonian Dominion of the Divine Cataclysm. This one’s name is Alastair [Azher], who’s last name I have forgotten, and he once was a powerful spell caster, but is now lich and in hiding.

In one of the few touching stories I’d heard in life, Ezra was apparently a slave to Alastair, who collected slaves to use as living spell foci. Ezra’s mother, also a slave, was raped by Alastair, and thereby became Ezra’s father.  Ezra did end up delivering a strong blow on Alastair during the revolts that followed, but his mother was killed. Ezra showed the tattoos that were used by Alastair to keep control over his slaves. It turns out though, that both the Mishibis and the Tullis were also members of ancient houses (another mental note).

Ezra gave us a few hints on how to find Vie like luring her out with another dormant Shard of Divinity or tracking her down, but she’s slippery. True sight and the spell Moon beam can illuminate shapeshifters as well. He stressed though that Vie must be taken alive. 

On a positive note, Cade was able to persuade Ezra to teach him a spell to communicate, so that’s a plus.

We then made our way to the ship, and took to the seas to slay a dragon. 

We made it to the Dragon Isle in good time. We were also able to convince Kraz to assist us in the fight for 5 percent of the booty. His crew would haul our spoils back for another 10 percent. 

As soon as we set foot on the island, it was clear this would be difficult for it was a enveloped in a thick poisonous haze. It reminded me of the poison pits we used to throw war prisoners to run through in the Underdark, scared and half crazed with fear, running this way and that, only to be eaten by the poison trolls that inhabit the pits. The fun we had. 

Within moments of setting foot on the shore, we were besieged by a zombie-ish horde that enveloped us, forcing the group to retreat further into the island. After some quick thinking (mostly on my part) and quick hands, we were able to avoid a pit, a basilisk, and a premature run in with the dragon. We found our way to the cave I’m writing you in now, protected for the moment from the poison and trying to devise our next plan. 

I’ve found myself in several harrowing spots since attaching myself to this group, but this may be the one where you actually get my estate. 

Si Vales Valeo

Elric

Act Two, Chapter sixteen "insert chicken pun" (21-08-2021)

As Ezra splits in to three people the group steady themselves for his sparing match, not quite knowing what to expect from the ensuing fight. They do their best to put up a good fight but it seems for a while that only Cade's summoned badger seems to be able to damage Ezra, whilst our heroes do manage to get a few hits in it isn't before Ezra send Kel and Sailing ship to the ethereal plane, turns Elric and the badger in to chickens and sends Orchid to the land of nod for a while that Ezra calls an end to the match. Seeming quite impressed at the fight they gave and realising he may have forgotten to pull one or two punches he is happy to answer some of the groups questions.

Ezra explains that Vi used to be a student of his, and is very powerful.  He hasn't seen or heard from Vi in some time but warned to be wary of her power, Cade showed Ezra the letter found in Vi's study.

Elric asked if Ezra may have heard about the book on Tulli island given how powerful and sought after it is.  Ezra thinks it is most likely to be the Black Grimoire. He also looks at Elric's crossbow, Shaddow strike, and muses that it was likely made by champions of the Lunar Sisters; Iya & Oya.

The group also benefits from Ezra's advice on fighting dragons and suggests it is likely that there will be other hostile creatures on the island so the group should manage their resources carefully. He also suggests the group may wish to consider the spell 'earth bound'.

Lastly Ezra looks at Cade's staff of healing that was previously damaged and said that it would need 2,500-3,000 gp worth of amber exhaltium to repair.

To gain further trust Ezra tasks the group with returning to Sierrona to pick up an item from Raz'iel, the group mustn't look at the item but just return it straight to Ezra and he provides them with magical means to teleport to Sierrona and back.

Back on the boat the group pay Craz for another two weeks retention and discuss their future. Sailing Ship still has some questions as to where his allegiance lies, focused on how the group betrayed Dolosius and turned on him. As much as the others try to explain that Dol had lied to them for a very long time and it was they who were betrayed by him it is hard for Ship to come to terms with. It reminds him of a time in his past where his own loyalties were tested; a previous crew he had sailed with perished when he chose not to warn them of an impending disaster and even though they may not have been kind to him he feels the weight of his inaction. Ship isn't ready to share this story with the group at this stage and he knows it's going to take time to reflect on his feelings.

Before heading back to Ezra to be transported to Sierrrona, Elric asks Craz about the locked room in the lower decks, after Craz's expected "fuck off" Elric notices there's a couple of guards posted outside the room.

The group row back to Ezra who is casually fishing off the beach, he explains that at the bottom of the ocean are the remains of Aeonean ruins and whilst there's many wonders and treasures to be found there are also untold dangers.

The group hear Ezra shout "you might want to...." as they haphazardly land in Sierrona (Cade face first in the dirt) teleported under Ezra's power. Lotty rushes to her father's shop dragging the group along to inroduce the new comers and Frug shuts up shop and offers to cook a meal for the group. They head of to see Raz'iel to find out about the item they need to take to Ezra and supplies they may need.

Elric enquires with Frug and Raz'iel about Maga and find out she has been out of town the last few weeks. Neither know much about her beyond she is a little off and Raz'iel mentions that Maga arrived in town before she did ten years ago and whilst she doesn't her very well she has noticed that Maga tends to avoid Raz'iel which is something of a red flag in itself.

As the group find their land-legs back in Sierrona for a couple of weeks Sailing Ship notices the absence of slavery in the town, where there were once a market place used to trade slaves like cattle there is an ornate garden and seeing the vast difference from the last time he was here he does gain a small amount of appreciate for his new found allies.

Act Two, Chapter Fifteen (14-08-2021)

• Start in Bordai
• Sailing Ship digs up a hidden cache with a spell scroll
• Find a wrecked ship with one survivor
• Rescue Orchid - 7' tall half elf, crimson red hair, fighter
• Orchid thinks she was taken by the Breakers who killed her mother but doesn't remember how she got on the ship that wrecked
• Attacked on The Booty Taker by air elementals cracking the mast
• Group repair the mast working together
• Work together to take one of Sailing Ship's weapons and turn it in to a hooked blade
• Sail to Ezra's island and find him casually fishing on the beach, a young half elf
• Ezra asks the group for a sparring match to test their mettle

Act Two, chapter Fourteen “things are gonna do things” (07-07-21)

Captain Craz mentions to the group that they have picked up a new passenger in Portas who introduces himself as Kel, a lean human male with a very keen love of books. He is looking to travel and venture out in to the world having lived a more sheltered life with his family in Sierrona and now looking for adventure.

As The Booty Taker continues on it's journey the air becomes still and foggy, Craz explains that they are sailing through the site of a great naval battle in the Divine Cataclysm and at the bottom of the sea is likely hundreds of fallen infantrymen and well as sunken ships. As the air grows colder and darker ghostly spectres start to appear, accompanied by banshees the group have to fight for their survival once more. The group dispatches with these phantoms and discover their new arrival, Kel, seems to have some quite powerful magic up his sleeve.

Elric takes some time to himself and whilst in his cabin he feels drawn to the mirror in his room; taking a look at himself he notices writing on his skin, disrobing he finds the contents on the Demononicon seems to be tattooed (at least to his eyes) across his body. He hears a voice say "I wouldn't abandon you" thinking he's lost the real copy of the book with the rest of his belongings in Portas Elric is relieved to see the text again and asks the voice if he has earnt his name. The voice reveals he is the Azreal the breaker of wills and Elric will be his champion.

After a little more smoother sailing they arrive in Bordai and row to shore.  The island is a former defence post, now turned in to a trading post with it's residents consisting mostly of refugees and their descendants from the Divine Cataclysm.

As the ships crew take on new supplies the group manage to get stocked up with some basic supplies.

Lotty tried her best to raise morale with a bonfire on the beach and a gift of herbs and spices for Sailing Ship but it doesn't seem to have the desired effect.

Elric has better luck and manages to dig up a metal box on the beach, inside is a glowing purple gem that is identified as an exhaltium catalyst with the potential to amplify a spell to great effect, albeit using the gem will destroy it and take a considerable toll on the spell caster. 

Act Two, Chapter Thirteen "sunken treasure" (31/07/2021)

As Cade, Elric, Sailing Ship and Lotty are lead back to "The Booty Taker" feeling mixtures of shame, anger, grief and upset they are surrounded by Kharis, Kolemos and a number of guards; something Craz doesn't seem to be completely comfortable with.

Sailing Ship quickly heads below deck as soon as he is able, with Elric following in short order.  As Cade & Lotty express their shame and regret to Kharis and Kolemos once more there seems to be something of an understanding, particularly from Kolemos who had experienced Dolosis' most serve form of manipulation. Kharis hands Cade an amber necklace and explains that once the Booty Taker is a safe distance from Portas she will speak a command word and the amber will shatter to reveal Cade’s & Lotty's possessions. The escort party leave with an much amicability as can be expected; asking our heroes to go on to do better and leave each place  in the world better than they find it. Kharis is true to her word and after heading out to sea the necklace breaks and their belongings scatter on to the deck, as Cade & Lotty reequip their gear they notice that Elric's bow, Shadow Strike, and Sailing's gourd have also been returned to the group with notes attached to say "do good". The group's bag of holding is missing but in it’s place is a closed box.

Lotty & Cade spend some time reflecting on the events of the last few days, the feelings of loss and betrayal from a good friend, of being torn over the right thing to do and having some serious trust issues. With trust issues at the forefront of their mind they return Shadow Strike to Elric and have him check the box hasn’t been rigged to explode, unsurprisingly it was not trapped. Leaving Elric to brood after he tossed the note aside Lotty & Cade discover the box is an anti-magic crate; Kharis had used it to protect the bag of holding whilst it was in the amber necklace to avoid any extra dimensional planer mishaps. Conversation turns to Elric and the effects of the book he's been reading, with Dol's recent duplicity stuck in their minds Lotty & Cade can't help but wonder if Elric might also betray them; especially under the influence of the Demononicon. They discuss if they should attempt to destroy the book and if they did, should they discuss it with Elric first. The decide to place the Demononicon in the anti-magic crate and put it inside the bag of holding to try and keep it safe for now.

They find Sailing Ship storming around the lower deck of the ship, obviously angry and disappointed with the group. Cade explains to Sailing the reason the group acted like they did, the perfidy Dol showed and how much it hurt them. The three friends were at odds, Sailing Ship feeling like he made a commitment to Dol, regardless of the moral implications, but the group did not follow through on the commitment and instead turned their back on Dol, he explains that he is concerned the group are not loyal friends and questions if they would they turn on him eventually.  Lotty & Sailing continue to talk it out and come to an understanding that everyone in the group was doing what they thought was the right thing in the heat of the moment even if their motives weren't aligned at the time.

There is a day or two of solemn sailing as the group lick their wounds and take comfort in their work. Cade spends some time writing out a spell scroll whilst Lotty & Sailing Ship help out with repairs and maintenance around the ship for a while. On the second day Cade joins in the help around the ship with Sailing whilst Lotty sets about setting up a makeshift workshop in a lower deck; she takes her old armour and Singe's armour along with some scraps of old leather armour and does her best to stretch and reshape some studded leather armour to fit Elric & Sailing Ship. She's proud of her work but the recipients don't seem quite so impressed with the awkward and tight fitting garments. Elric keeps himself tucked away in his cabin for the most part - the group isn’t sure if it is Elric being his usual broody self or if the toll of taking a killing blow against Dol or losing the fight is getting to him.

As the journey to Bordai continues, in what must have been a one in a hundred chance, Sailing Ship spots a ship wreck nearby. As they decide to investigate Sailing makes a shrewd deal with Craz for 40% of anything found in exchange for the loan of a spear (the group all note to exclude Sailing Ship from future negotiations). Lotty, Cade & Sailing Ship head down whilst Elric stays on board to look out and cover a retreat if needed. Cade summons a shark and wild shapes in to one himself, Lotty casts alter self to allow herself to breath underwater and Sailing fashions a rope harness and takes a very deep breath to grab a hold of the shark harness.

They swim over and find a ship wreck; a small merchant vessel that looks like it's fallen foul of ballista fire. As the group investigates Lotty & Sailing stay on the afloat part of the ship and find a set of keys in the captain's quarters with reference to a vault at the front of the boat, Cade and his shark have found the vault underwater but before they can meet up and plan further, the rear of the ship that Sailing & Lotty were standing suddenly creaks and descends under water and the trio find themselves surrounded by underwater beasties.

After fighting off Merrow and Deep Scion they find the key fits the vault and inside they discover a chest. Deciding it safer to get Elric to take a look than open it underwater they haul the chest back up to the surface and eventually manage to get the chest back on board along with a few harpoons and the spoils of their defeated foes (including a merrow carcass Sailing insists he can cook). After giving Craz his 40% the group share out the remaining gold and silver and Lotty pockets a wand Cade found in the chest.

Act Two, Chapter Thirteen "Betrayal" (2021-07-24)

Cade's Log 2021-07-24

I was betrayed.  I have never been so furious before.  People died because of my negligence.

Dolosius told us that his father used to rule Portas and when he died he and his siblings, a sister Khalis and brother Kolemos, were supposed to rule.  However, his sister mind controlled Kolemos and ousted Dolosius.

Something felt off at the start, and I asked around several taverns in Portas about how they felt about their rulers.  I was told was that the general temperament under the current rulers is pretty pleased. The economy is booming, citizens enjoy freedom and safety and overall seem happy. During your research you do learn that crime is less profitable under the new ruler as she banishes anyone suspecting of preying on the common folk. Additionally, you learn that any magic used to manipulate the mind is met with violence if necessary but usually banishment.  

I also learned that the previous ruler was an egomaniac tyrant obsessed with their own power. They used people to increase their power and only those that were loyal or useful to the leader had a good life.  But I had believed this to be Dolosius' father as when I asked people about Khalis & Kolemos' brother, they seemed to not connected it to the previous tyrant ruler.

We had many conversations with Dolosius and he kept his story straight and I never doubted the person I considered a trusted friend. 

Another thing that should have been a larger red flag was Dolosius' friend Flynn.  He acted ever so much like the villan I have read about in other novels.  But I trusted Dolosius and thought he was just being naïve about Flynn.

Well, rather then assassinate the rulers, we were able to convince Dolosius, during a party on Liberation Day, to debate with Khalis & Kolemos using a speech and that we would support him if he won the crowd to exile his siblings.  Well when it came time to make this speech, Dolosius floundered and I realized he had lied to us all along.  He was the one who used mind controlling magic on Kolemos and he was the previous egomaniac tyrant.

At the end of his speech, he called for Flynn to act and Flynn had his men attack the crowd.  A battle ensured and for the first time, our group did not fight as a team.

Our newest member, Ship, attacked Khalis and Kolemos as did Dolosius and Elric.  Lotty seemed frozen, not knowing what to do.  I chose to heal the innocent crowd and go after Flynn with an elephant I summoned.

I was able to stomp Flynn to death after crashing through a building with the elephant to get him.

The battle went back and forth.  Both sides had taken a lot of damage and I had to bring Ship back to consciousness a couple of times.  But without us fighting on the same sides, we were all bound to lose.

Eventually, Elric put the traitor Dolosius down moments before I was going to and that ended the fight.  Khalis promised to not kill us if we surrendered and we did.

We all have been exiled from Portas.  Elric and Ship had their equipment confiscated because they attacked Khalis and Kolemos.  The traitor Dolosius was healed just to be publicly executed.

Although I was lied to by a person I felt was a trusted ally, it was my negligence in not looking harder before we acted that caused many innocent people to die.  The blood is on my hands.

Act Two, Chapter Eleven "One Cool Cat" (03/07/2021)

As the group stand on the deck of "The Booty Eater” they all feel the sense of danger looming just outside the visible range of the fog; Dolosius can sense the thoughts of enemies over water and Elric can hear something akin to wings flapping in the distance. Feeling a fight brewing Capt. Craz sends Dolosius to fetch a crewmember who’s probably sleeping below deck as he may be handy in a fight.

 

When Dol wakes the sleeping fighter he grabs his precious gourd and once in hand “Sailing Ship” is only too happy to join in a fight to protect his captain and so rushing to the deck we see a tabaxi dressed in a rusty breastplate, a red bandana holding back dreadlocks poking out from his red tricorn. 

Before introductions can be made to this “new” member of Craz’s crew the group hear screams from the outskirts of the boat as crewmembers are picked off one by one; someone seems to disappear from the stern of  ship, Carr lets of a scream in the crows nest before silence returns.  The silence is quickly disturbed by a siren like call, a magical melody floating through the fog charming the crew onboard.  As Dolosius and Elric start walking towards the sound of the song the rest of the crew realise they have been surrounded by attacking harpies.

 

Our brave heroes manage to fight off the charms of these winged beasts and win over their enemies but not before Dolosius almost gets lured in to the ocean.  The group can’t help but notice Sailing Ship is a handy fighter, jumping around the rafters with ease, deftly using his blade to protect his captain and the crew.  Eventually the harpies are defeated and the ship sits in relative safety once more and the crew tend to their wounds, Craz has lost another crewmember and Lotty’s new friend Carr took a hit, Lotty manages to heal him up before she joins the group to make introductions to Sailing Ship and discuss plans for when the group arrive in Portas.

 

Dolosius explains to Sailing Ship that his estranged brother and sister are the current rulers of Portas, their father was the ruler and when he passed left the three siblings in charge. Shortly after Dolosius’ sister, Khalis, used mind control magic on their brother, Kolemos, to manipulate him and force her own ideas on to him.  Despite being exiled from Portas Dol still has some friends there that may be able to him over throw the current system.

Sailing Ship explains to the group that he has been working with Craz for a while and whilst he seems to the rest of the group to be somewhat permanently intoxicated he’d be a good fighter to have on side, Sailing Ship describes himself of being ‘born of the sea’ and hints that he may have a coup of his own to persue, he gives his notice to Craz that he’ll be leaving crew when they reach port and the group discuss their plans, at length, with no decisions made, for when they arrive at Portas.

 

The group agree to retain the ships services for another week and give Craz some extra gold to bribe the officials at port to ensure a smooth landing.  Craz has been to Portas before and all he knows is that it was once ruled by a nefarious ruler until he was overthrown and has been in peace ever since.  As far as Craz knows Portas is a thriving city with good trade and economy and suggests the group tries to speak to some of the older generation in Portas to find out more about the history.

 

Before arriving at port Cade spends some time looking out in to the ocean to try and discover new wildlife species that he may never have seen in his landlocked years.  Spotting something new, Cade got a little too close to the edge and unfortunately lost his footing just enough to take a tumble off the side.  Thankfully Cade had spotted a pod of dolphins swimming alongside the ship a few days earlier and quickly using his abilities managed to transform in to one of the beautiful finned creatures and do his best to keep up with the ship. Sailing Ship, unfamiliar with Cade’s druidic abilities grabs a rope and jump overboard to save Cade.

As the overboard rescue mission turns in to the clusterfuck expected from our heroes the rope Ship was holding snaps away from the boat; trying to grapple Cade’s dolphin form Ship manages to hold on in the most inappropriate place and loses him grip, drifting further away for the steady moving boat.  As Lotty drops the anchor to try and slow the ship, Dol and Elric look for more ropes and ways to help their friends back on the boat Cadephin turns around to try and rescue Ship now. As Cadephin tries to swim under Ship to help speed his return to the ship he also suffer from misplaced assistance and instead nosebutts Ship in the throat knocking him unconscious… under water.

 

Cade summons a giant eagle who missed an airlift on Ship but does manage to lift Cade from the water and return him to the ship in his normal, wooden form. In the mean time Lotty puts her faith in her friends to rescue her and jumps overboard, casting alter self as she falls she sprouts gills and webbing between her fingers and swims as fast as her little legs will kick to Ship and manages to push him back to the surface.  With Dol & Elric’s help the group manage to pull Lotty & Ship back on board and continue to Portas, Cade’s fear of the water firmly cemented he retreats to his cabin for the evening. Ship shares a tot of his rum with Lotty to celebrate surviving the day but it seems the little gnome can’t hold this liquor like she normally does and after taking a second sip from the Gourd as a “straightener” she passes out right there, snoring on the deck of the ship.

 

The following day the group arrive in Portas, bribes paid, shipped docked the group arrive in Dol’s home town.