The night is freezing and likely little sleep would be had if not for Corliss' generous casting of endure elements on the group. The next morning, Leiliara is ready to be off after a quick, cold breakfast of unleavened bread and trail rations. She goads the horses to greater speed this day, mostly keeping the horses at a trot with short bursts at a canter or even a gallop as the trail covers the Velashtu Hills just east of the Calphiak mountains. The vegetation around you is now low sagebrush rather than the towering conifers and blue sky can be seen among scattered clouds.
The group makes good speed until just after midday when a booming screech is heard overhead from the direction of the mountains. The horses start and a squint upward into the sun seems to indicate a pair of large flying creatures!
Madman Jim-
Dingus-
Corliss-
Leiliara-
???-
CHA Check (Handle Animal)
"Whoa! Easy there now".
If Dingus can use his Anchoring rod to help in any way he will.
Surprised at not finding himself flat on his arse, Corliss tries to identify the incoming cratures.
Kaul's horse, sensing itself to be a slightly superior creature in terms of savvy and moral fibre, keeps it together in the hope the hefty half-orc is plucked from the saddle...
If Dingus can use his Anchoring rod to help in any way he will.
Corliss' suspicion is confirmed a moment later as a pair of fierce griffons stoop from the sky to prey on the two panicked horses. Jim is slashed by a wayward talon as an eagle-like creature with a lion's hindquarters rips open his mount's throat and throws the dead horse to the ground!
Dingus grips his anchoring rod as he slides backwards as his panicked mount rears. The other griffon falls on the horse and drags it to the ground, tearing open the horse's shoulder with a hooked beak.
Corliss has heard that horseflesh is the griffon's favorite meal and a mated pair are fiercely territorial.
Figuring the griffons are otherwise preoccupied with horseflesh, Corliss begins casting a call lightning spell to deal with the threat.
CHA Check (Handle Animal)
Dingus pulls forth his anchoring rod as the beast tears into his newfound friend. Dingus is so panicked that he somehow catches the rod in his cloak, and as he falls the cloak rises up over his head obscuring his vision and causing him to underestimate how far he has fallen, and he slams unceremoniously into the ground the anchoring rod still holding his cloak high in the air.
Jim easily gets clear of the dying horse.
The swasher-acro-buckler-batic performs the sacred roly poly maneuver to clear the horse even before it hits the ground. Dingus does not do as well, but looks good as he lies on the ground.
The real slim shady sorcerer stands up and with a gesture, conjures a warding layer of faintly glowing scales around himself. He glowers at the great cat-bird that would dare try to eat Sordal.
Jim glowers. "You killed my horse, you b@st@rd!" Then he launches into a lethal attack.
Jim lunges from a crouch, sinking his sparking blade deep into the feathered shoulder of the magical beast diverting its attention from the dead horse. Kaul decides he'd prefer his own two feet to four unsteady hoofs and slides off his mount and letting his rage build before swinging Lopper at the other griffon. ; The blade bites into a leonine haunch and the creature turns with a ear-aching screech!
Leiliara spins her horse and grabs her bow sending an arrow at griffon on the injured horse hoping to save it. The arrow hits hard in the creatures side.
Jim's griffon nearly yanks the hilt from Jim's hand as the powerful creature, slightly bigger than the horse, half leaps into the air pawing and biting at the sailor. The sharp fangs sink and claws catch.
Kaul meets a similar assault.
Corliss dismounts (to the west) and calls down his first bolt of lightning, targeting the griffon that took down Jim's horse.
"For Soldal and guided by the holy power of Soralyon".
Dingus casts Forked tongue, but somehow the spell has mutated a bit and it emerges from his mouth instead of his hands as usual. He seems a bit surprised by this development.
Lightning bolt (DC17) save at the evil beast using Soldal as an appetizer.
There is a rumble from the sky and a breeze stirs across the hills as a small lightning bolt strikes the griffon attacking Jim. The griffon shrieks in surprise, but continues to fight.
A much bigger bolt emanates from Dingus, but the other griffin drops down just as the lightning strikes. It is a glancing hit, but the blast shatters a wing and topples the beast. It flips to the ground beside the wounded horse which regains its hooves to clatter away from the dead griffon.
As the lone griffin gets airborne Kaul belts his axe and reaches for one of his javelins;
Without Kaul's beefy form shielding it from attack, his mount bucks and rolls its eyes in terror. The thug steps away from the wild horse and switches to a javelin in preparation should the griffon try to flee. The horse bolts away.
The Taldan shakes the blood from his eyes, grinning at the leonine beast. 'Least that ritual fixed my head, or I'd like as not be taking an undue interest in that thing's rearmost parts. Then he stabs again.
Jim Another pretty kitty comes unexpectedly to Jim's mind as he stabs. The blade pops with a flash of lightning and the last griffon convulses and dies. Seeing the situation under control, Leiliara rides after Kaul's loose horse to bring her back while the crew treat their wounds. Soldal limps nearby, head hanging low as she inspects the great bloody gash from the griffon's attack.
Leiliara returns with the escaped horse shortly and ponders the current situation. "We're down two horses unless someone can heal Soldal. I would not risk riding her in that condition."
"Can do, ma'am," Corliss replies with a bit of a bow before channeling positive energy to heal horses and allies alike. Then he gives Jim a bit more healing to bring him closer to full strength.
Leiliara nods approvingly as the party and the critically wounded horse look much alleviated after Corliss sends waves of healing energy over the group. "Much better. Sordal can carry you now Dingus, and Jim, too. You'll have to double up with the loss of Gilderal."
She dismounts to inspect the dead griffons and bows to cut free some feathers from the great wings. "It is a shame that these fierce creatures decided to hunt our mounts. They ought to stick with mountain goats, but I suppose well-fed horses are a meatier option. Shall we continue?"
Jim nods appreciatively to Corliss as he wipes his blade clean and resheathes it. "Thanks, mate. What were those things? I've not seen their like before."
"I am surprised that you have heard of them, Corliss," Leiliara says. "I did not think that they could be found in the south. They are most common around the Storval Plateau to the east of here. I have been told that they were created by an ancient god who is no longer. At that time, the beasts were noble and willingly served as mounts to Elven knights that rode them into battle against evil, but after Lamashtu murdered the God, the griffons became predatory and bestial under Her rule. At least, those are the legend."
Dingus gives Corliss a gigantic hug for healing Sordal. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!. You have fixed my friend. You'll have to teach me how to do that someday".
Dingus then, slyly using his anchoring rod for assistance mounts up and pats the saddle behind him for Jim to sit. " Be careful mounting up and don't wrinkle my cloak".
Jim grins. "I'll do my best, mate."
The crew carry on following the trail southward back toward Riddleport. The second night of camping is worst than the first with a fierce wind whipping down from the mountains and making sleep difficult, even with magic protection from the cold, for both the horses and the crew. Only Leiliara seems rested in the morning having only needed a few hours of meditation.
Things progress slowly the next day and sunset falls before you reach your destination. Fortunately, the moon is full and bright to guide your way, but by the time you reach the road's end, the gates of Riddleport have been closed for the night leaving latecomers among the tents, shanties, and covetous glances of the hardscrabble refuse of Lubbertown.
"Feck. Shall we backtrack a bit and camp out again? One more night won't do us in, hey?"
Leiliara agrees, noting that the locals look hungry enough to try for some horse steaks and one lost mount is more than enough. The group heads back up the rode a half hour and though disappointed that they'll not rest aboard the ship tonight, at least the they don't have to ride any further. Leiliara takes watch while the exhausted sailors sleep.
At daybreak the group stirs and see that Leiliara has prepared the horses for her ride back to Crying Leaf. "I believe you can find your way back to town and I have my duties back at Celwynvian so let us bid our farewells here. I wish you good luck in the north with drawing White Estrid to our cause. We will be in contact after we meet with the Mordant Spire."
Kaul rouses and after a cursory nod to horse and guide...
Fare ye well. Feckin' longears.
... then looks to his mates with a glint in his beady eyes;
"Hur. They say Riddleport is rough... but it ain't Freeport rough. What say we get some grub, suss out the lay o' the land, then gift some new scars to the locals? Hur-hur-hur.."
Lopper bobs in vigorous agreement.
Dingus bids Sordal a tearful farewell before joining the others in setting up a camp.
"Farewell brave steed. Was my path an easy one I would purchase you and make you mine, but alas I often travel to places not well suited for four legged hoofed friends. Take pride in your scars and use them to build character".
Corliss isn't quite as effusive in his praise for his mount as the crew takes their leave. "Thanks fer not throwin' me an' breakin' me neck," he says quietly, giving the beast a quick pat on the head before giving Leiliara a half bow and thanking her for all her assistance. Still, it's obvious the priest of Besmara wants to get back to the sea as soon as possible.
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"Looks like your wardrobe survived unwrinkled, Dingus." He grins at Kaul. "Fine plan, mate. And the folks hereabouts had better have left the 'Fortune be, or else."
The crew takes their leave with good-byes to their surviving mounts; some good-byes more tender than others. It does not take long to walk back to the city gate. In the bright light of morning, Lubbertown is better revealed and Kaul's assessment of the petty criminals and hoods within is rather low. The residents would serve as little more than raw recruits in most criminal organizations. The rough street again follows the river past the upside fortifications down through the city until the shimmering horizon of the sea reappears and the sea smells hit their noses. Walking down to the docks, they see their home safely berthed ahead.
Disappointed by the lack of roughhouses and rogues o' repute, Kaul's mood turns sour as he lumbers through Riddleport.
Kaul's nicked nostrils flare and his mood improves as he walks through the gates and senses a higher quality of criminality within the city's walls. The government of Freeport is far more focused on a facade of legitimacy and trade. In comparison, Riddleport has nothing more going than vice and crime. The hub of piracy on the west coast of Avistan has more criminal enterprises than one Lord could oversee and it would likely take far too much effort to control it all. From what he's seen Kaul gets the impression that Lord Cromarchy is a light touch and lets each crew focus on their specialty so long as he gets his take. That leaves much opportunity among the lesser (and weaker) crime lords; still resourced though and likely behind some of the upper tier establishes like casinos, brothels, or the arena.
It wouldn't take much effort to suss out who's who in a small city like this.
As the crew approaches, they see a familiar form standing on the dock near the ship having a morning smoke. Estabo grins as he recognizes the newcomers. "Ah, zhey have returned! Evrybody be happy to zee you back. I let ze Captain and Rafe know zen cook up a nice breakfast, yes?" The cook drops and toes out his cigarette before leading the way up the gangway. It's quiet aboard the ship. Onzu, on watch, gives a salute as the officers board and gives a quick trill of the bell to notify those sleeping aboard.
In a few moments, Rafe and Belinna appear at the hatch, smiling and offering welcomes.
Jim salutes crisply, albeit with a most unmilitary grin. "Howdy, Cap'n. We've had a bit of a time, but we've some treasure for the crew and a new destination. Have things been peaceful here?"
"A bit of time," Belinna repeats. "Another couple of days I'd have started getting concerned, Jim."
Started?" Rafe asks.
Belinna appears to blush slightly and changes the subject. "Yes, uh, peaceful enough, I suppose. The crew will appreciate some more treasure. They've about spent all their pay in town though several haven't been steadfast about showing up for their assigned duties: Ed, Drake, and Lola apparently can't be bothered to take a break from their carousing."
"Figure Kaul will get them squared away. The bad news is that we didn't find an easy answer to the Stone. We did a favor for some elves, though, and they told us a few things about Red Aesha and her history. Seems she used to be a Spire Defender. Normally they guard things like the Stone and try to keep them from being used by anyone, but it sounds like she threw that mission overboard. The elves we talked to said they'd try to get the rest of the Spire elves to help, while we went north (sorry about that) to the Land of the Linnorm Kings. Aesha has a base on a place called Chakikoth Island, and has been building a fleet. That's got White Estrid, a queen up there, concerned. So while the elves talk to the Mordant Spire, we're supposed to get Estrid to mobilize her fleet to fight Aesha." He shakes his head. "Feck. We're just ordinary sailors--maybe a bit better at fighting and magic than most. How did it get to be fleets, queens, elves, and ancient history? I need a fecking drink."
Belinna's large eyes grow a bit wider. "Well, that escalated quickly. I suppose we are at the Pirate Queen's Service, right, Corliss? I never though for a moment that that might mean sailing to war with Ulfen raiders and Spire elves! This is so exciting!"
Dingus as usual finds it difficult to focus on more than one thing at a time...but one word has wormed its way to the forefront of his thoughts.
"Did you say breakfast? Let me go change".
He scurries to his cabin to wear something he hasn't been recycling for a bit, before returning to the deck.
"Aye--the Pirate Queen ever watches over us and gifts your crew with one of her favored servants," Corliss replies to the captain with a sweeping bow.
If anyone doubts Corliss' claim, they tactfully decline to challenge it. Belinna quickly fills Jim and Kaul in on the current state of the ship and finances. Rafe excuses himself to help Estabo and soon tantalizing smells beckon from the galley. Shortly after, Rafe calls the group to breakfast where hot sausage rolls, gravy, and small beer is waiting to warm and nourish the recently returned travelers.
After the meal, Kaul reckons he ought to take care of his slacking sailors and is told that they've been favoring the Gold Goblin, a combination gambling hall and brothel. Kaul heads over and finds the place still relatively busy at midday. It's dim inside, but Kaul has no trouble spotting Lola sitting rather glumly in a booth by herself. He wends his way through patrons, and the staff which appear alternately semi-dressed in red corsets and a horned headband on their head or black vests with wings stitched on the back in gold thread and a whip coiled by their side.
Lola looks up unhappily as Kaul stalks up. " You back now, Bosun?" she asks nervously.