As a breath of fresh air sweeps over the world, awakening it once more, that same breath seems to lead the vulture riders to the cloud tower. Upon arriving, the riders unmounted and proceeded to walk into the tower. They ignored our heroes and called for the master of the tower. This did not sit well with some of the heroes, but since there was no aggression, they did not act. Zephyros came down and greeted the vulture riders.
Unbeknownst to anyone, the vulture riders were being followed. Off in the distance, a small hafling had been following these mysterious riders. This halfing was Seraphina Huddle, from Icewind Dale. A ranger by trade, she was riding Phantomquill, a rare black griffon. This small woman had a grudge against the riders; as she knew they were the Howling Hatred, a group of cultists. A quest for revenge and recovery had led her to follow them. Having seen them go in the tower, she circled the tower, flying up. Leaving Phantomquill at the aerie at the top of the tower, she roped her way down the empty elevator hole to the second floor and spied upon the scene below.
The Howling Hatred introduced themselves as such, explaining that they were followers of Yan-C-Bin, and wanted to return him, and this world, to its rightful state, freeing the oppressed and bringing equality. To do so, they needed the assistance of a cloud giant and hence, had been searching for one. Mitsui had a bit of a talk with one of them in an unknown language. They then presented Zephyros a bag of pixie dust as thanks for hearing them out.
As the talk continued, Xeric grew more suspicious and, as he didn’t trust them, he started an attack. Seraphina couldn’t help but join in. Protected by being hidden on the second floor, she shot arrows from above, as Xeric stabbed from below. Kida and Norman had been feeling rather airsick and were unable to assist. Amaranth opened a bag, and an invisible stalker came out and started violently attacking Xeric as the other cultists surrounded him. Mitsui didn’t fight, telling everyone to “stop” and told Hark not to harm anyone. After the invisible stalker downed Xeric and began to do some damage to Seraphina, Zephyros ordered everyone to stop fighting as they were all his guests.
He had been curious as to what the Howling Hatred would do, and whether they would attack those that hadn’t harmed them. He asked Seraphina who she was and was satisfied with her explanation, remembering having heard something about her while communing with higher powers. Since the cultists only acted in self defence, he allowed them to stay. He brought the adventurers up to the second floor with him to separate the two groups and told the cultists he would come back with an answer.
Seraphina climbed back up to the aviary to check on Phantomquill and found him courting one of the females.
While casting Contact Other Plane, the giant went insane. His speech was unintelligible and he started randomly dancing around, with the heroes barely avoiding being stepped on.He eventually collapsed on his bed and fell fast asleep.
Hark was curious as to what was in the chest. Mitsui and Xeric agreed to help him find out, but alas, there was not much of interest: giant clothing and a large spellbook.
After a few hours the cultists were getting impatient and called out what was taking so long. The heroes explained how the giant seemed to have lost his mind while casting a spell and was currently resting. Seraphnia suggested poking the sleeping giant may help; Xeric took the advice and stabbed the giant’s foot to wake him up, curious about the giant’s state of mind. Once again, the giant started dancing around, nearly stepping on our heroes, before flopping down with a large THUD on his bed, once again asleep. Xeric called down to the cultists that the giant was in no state for conversation and nothing was going to change that. Xeric, Mitsui and Hark spent the night on the second floor with the giant, while Seraphina slept with the griffins.
In the morning, the giant awoke, back to normal, and went down to explain to the cultists that he had an unfortunate mishap. He would leave the groups together and return, hopefully shortly. He once again attempted to contact the higher beings and this time, managed to get some answers.
He came down and told the cultists that their goals did not align with his own. They were free to leave, he wouldn’t stop them. On his way to the second floor again, he looked back and told our heroes that they were free to do as they wished. They were letting them leave, but then Seraphina had an idea: she wanted to have a little fun and shoot one in the butt as a little prank. We’ve all heard the old adage of how an arrow to the knee could end an adventurer’s career, however today our heroes learned a new truth: “I was a cultist until I took an arrow in the butt.” Seraphina’s arrow went straight through the cultist’s butt and out through the other side, instantly killing him, which surprised her. Xeric couldn’t help himself and started to kill these arrogant fools. Together the two killed Amarath and took his bag, and after a couple of more Howling Hatred members were killed by the dangerous duo, they retreated.
The party continued the trip to Triboar. Seraphina asked the group what their purpose was there. Xeric told her about the letter and read it to her. It read as follows:
Dear Alaestra,
I am sorry to have to write to you with such saddening news. Not long ago our small village of Nightstone was attacked by cloud giants. They came from a floating castle, throwing giant boulders into the town. These boulders were destroying homes and crushing people. We had no choice but to evacuate the town.
We had hoped to find safety and shelter in the small cave north of town while the giants raided the town and stole the Nightstone. Upon our arrival in the cave however we found out goblins and ogres had made residence here. They overpowered us and took us prisoner. Some of us didn’t make it out…I’m sorry to say but some of us suffered gruesome deaths. Your ex husband, Darthag was one of them.
He was fed to their giant rats. I know you two were still close so thought you would need to know. I am truly sorry for your loss.
Sincerely, Morak
After a few more days, the party arrived at their destination: Triboar. Seraphina went up to see Phantomquil. The black griffon had grown rather fond of Scylla and wanted to remain behind. Seraphina decided to part ways with her travelling companion and rejoined the party as they descended the cloud steps, all but Norman Riverwoods, who decided to stay with the friendly cloud giant to learn more about the world. Before leaving, Xeric asked the cloud giant to spread word of the group and the shady man with green eyes.
In Triboar, the party decided to do some shopping. Xeric went and found Alaestra immediately, and Seraphina followed. Xeric asked if he could speak with Alaestra, privately, and she took him to the second floor. Seraphina stayed behind and began perusing the goods.
Once on the second floor, Xeric noticed a hidden door and insisted on finding out what was behind it. When he wouldn’t be deterred, Alaestra told him it’s where they kept their savings. Xeric then gave Alaestra the letter and told her Morak mentioned she would offer them payment. Upon reading the letter, Alaestra broke down in tears. She asked to be left alone. Xeric didn’t want to leave until he received payment but agreed to give her two minutes and went back to the first floor. Narth heard the crying and checked up on Aleastra. He soon came back down and asked everyone to leave, as they were closing early for the day. Xeric refused, wanting to make sure he received his payment. Seraphina convinced him to keep watch from outside. She then left him to go look at the horses. After a bit of time Alaetra came out with puffy cheeks and red eyes. She gave Xeric twenty gold and 10% off any purchases he made at her store.
Xeric then started asking if there was anyone in town who could identify magical items. After seeing the shady man, they all recommended he visit Hyuth Kolstaag, a retired wizard adventurer in the northwest end of town. On his way there, Xeric was attacked by a gargoyle, who then proceeded to roost on the stone mansion. Xeric knocked on the door, and a human male appeared. When asked about the gargoyle, Hyuth explained how he had been attacked by assassins recently, so he got them as additional protection. He laughed about how the assassins left, running due to his mighty power. When Xeric asked about the magic bag, Xyuth looked shocked that Xeric didn’t know what it was. He scoffed at him and told him it was a Bag of Holding. Xeric then asked about the creature inside. Hyuth didn’t know, and when Xeric opened the bag, ready to fight, nothing happened. Before leaving, Xeric once again asked someone to spread the rumour of the group with the green eyed man.
Mitsui was shopping for the best quality weapons she could find. She bought some weapons from Harriet Uldinath that included the Uldinath family glyph, as well as some equipment for Hark.
Seraphina, on the other hand, was amazed by these wondrous, large, four legged beasts known as Horses. A few people suggested to her that she might try going to Merivold Pony Park, she might find something a little closer to her size.
The first pony Seraphina looked at was a brown pony named Peach. Seraphina cast Speak with Animals and talked with Peach, asking her if she would be interested in adventure? Unsure of what that was, Seraphina began to explain. Peach, more interested in food, asked about the food on this adventure and if it was good. Seraphina explained that sometimes it is, sometimes it’s not; that’s part of the risk and the fun. This seemed unpleasant to Peach, so Seraphina asked the ponies as a group if any of them were interested in adventure? A black pony named Nail stepped up and showed interest. Seraphina happily bought him.
A mysterious dark fog came over the world, and while time did not stop, it slowed greatly. None of the creatures in the world seemed to even notice as Seraphina did some additional shopping.
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