171: So You Guys Are Gonna Be The Balloons Now?

## Summary

The lizardfolk's defeat seems assured, but the badly damaged airship won't be airborne for much longer. Will and Batthwack attempt to stop Ricardo Ulysses from escaping, but he is aided by Kee who reveals herself to be in league with him. Ricardo double-crosses her just before he makes his escape and she is sent plummeting over the side of the airship. Will takes flight and gives chase, but Kee dispels his ability to fly and they both freefall towards their doom.

## Synopsis

On top of the airship, Raphina jumps dexterously to her feet as a she slides backwards with Eba. They land on the rail surrounding one of the magical bonfires.

Will had been standing by the back wall but stumbles to his knees. Dew, the lizardfolk warriors and Captain Ool are all thrown backwards and dragged through the thorns surrounding Dew. One of the lizardfolk is killed and Captain Ool looks dangerously weak. Will slides to Batthwack and casts *Fly* on both of them.

One of the lizardfolk clambers to his feet and sets about attacking Dew. A lizardfolk stalks towards Captain Ool who doesn't move but instead casts *Bark Skin* on himself by way of protection. The lizardfolk is unable to pierce this hard layer.

Ricardo Ulysses backs slowly up the airship towards the front, saying *"You thought you might be able to catch me. Yes, you cannot put your hands upon Ricardo Ulysses. I am too slippery."* With that he reaches the door and is helped through by Kee who is waiting for him. *"You see, I'm not the only one who is not as they appear!"* says Ricardo as the two of them turn and move toward the front of the airship.

Dew assails the lizardfolk bearing down on Captain Ool, killing him with strokes of his morning stars. He then casts *Healing Spirit* causing a small pink creature (which Dew refers to as "Kirby") to materialise next to the captain.

Batthwack, now able to fly, swoops out of the hole in the side of the airship and round to the open area at the front where Ricardo and Kee are fleeing. Taking Kee completely by surprise Batthwack grapples her to the floor.

Raphina, on the roof with Eba, casts *Guardian of Faith*, causing a giant spectral marshmallow man to appear over the airship. Hot marshmallow cream pours over both dragon wyrmlings and their riders, killing one of them, before fading away again. The now rider-less wyrmling swoops towards Raphina in anger snapping its jaws at her. The other wyrmling rider manoeuvres round to the hole and screeches in draconic at the remaining lizardfolk warriors *"Chilchirah will hear of your shameful defeat and slaughter your offspring!"*

Will flies up next to Ricardo and casts *Sleep* but before the spell can take effect, he feels a force emanating from Kee and the spell fizzles out and it's clear that she has cast a counter spell.

Eba casts *Spiritual Weapon* creating talons of a bird of prey in the air next to the dragon wyrmling, and they scrape into its scaly hide. Eba follows this with *Sacred Flame* and a blinding white light erupts around the dragon, which tries to barrel roll out of the way, but still gets caught in the blast. It lets out a screech of pain.

The last remaining lizardfolk warrior now realising he's alone, makes a break for the side of the airship apparently in a bid to throw himself off. Dew swings at him but can't quite connect. The lizardfolk, in jumping, catches himself in the thorns and is killed. He's left hanging from them.

Captain Ool, buoyed by Dew's *Healing Spirit* and still covered by protective bark skin heads towards the front of the airship where Ricardo is.

Ricardo draws his rapier and amid several flourishes Batthwack is stabbed and it is apparent that the blade is poisoned. With a cry of *"Haha! Feels ze sting of my blade!"* he backflips onto one of the hippogriffs.

Dew moves towards the front of the airship bringing his Healing Spirit with him.

Weakened by the poison, Batthwack is no longer able to hold Kee, who manages to release herself and scramble onto the hippogriff with Ricardo.

Batthwack flies out to the hippogriff and casts *Thunderous Smite* whilst swinging his sword at Ricardo. Quick as a flash though, Ricardo grabs Kee and thrusts her in front of himself. Already committed, Batthwack's blade strikes true and there is a thunderclap as Kee is flung backwards off the hippogriff and begins to plummet towards the ground.

Raphina faces off against the rider-less wyrmling, taking careful aim with her crossbow. The bolt sales out, imbued with halfling rage and strikes the wyrmling directly in the chest. The dragon evaporates into a cloud of wyrmling mist. Raphina turns to Eba and casts *Healing Word*. Hearing battles below her, Raphina drops down through the hatch and makes her way forward.

Will attempts to cast *Sleep* on Ricardo again but it fails. Will, deciding that Ricardo is likely a lost cause, thinks Kee may be crucial lead in tracking him down and begins to fly down after Kee.

Captain Ool scrambles his way onto the front deck and shouts *"Don't let him take the Hippogriff!"* Ricardo turns, exclaiming *"I have said a few farewells here today but this is the last one that you will hear from me!"* He pulls out a knife and slashes the tethers holding the hippogriff to the airship. He bends over the neck of this beast, clutching on to the feathers or hair on its back, and digs his heels into its side. It lets out a squawk and shoots forward. *"Au revoir!"* he cries.

Batthwack is just able to catch Ricardo with his sword as he flees, but isn't able to stop him. As he begins to fly away, Ricardo pulls something out from his backpack, and dangling on a long chain in front of Batthwack's face as he zooms away, is the *Holy Symbol of Ravenkind*. Batthwack feels his neck and somehow Ricardo has removed the symbol from his specially crafted waterfall chain, which is still around his neck.

Dew notices that the airship is starting to descend. Captain Ool suggests the passengers would be safest in the bunk room and that Eba should tend to the remaining envelope's fire. He says he'll see to the remaining Hippogriff, who he says it's named Sheila. He says she's a good girl, who'll help them get down.

Will is taunting Kee as she falls. He flies down alongside her. Kee dispels Will's *Fly* spell and closes her eyes, apparently having accepted her fate.

Batthwack flies off in pursuit of Ricardo, casting *Thunderous Smite* again, but he can't make contact.

Raphina passes on Captain Ool's instruction to Eba with her booming *Thaumaturgy* voice. She then begins to make her way towards the front of the airship to assist with the hippogriffs.

Will fires his *Eldritch Blast* to try and knock Kee out, but she is still just about conscious as they plummet helplessly towards the earth.

## Trivia

* The episode title quotes Abby. During the battle, Will casts *Fly* on himself and Batthwack, wondering if they might be able to carry the passengers if the airship goes down. After a brief moment of confusion about how long the spell lasts, Abby says *"So you guys are gonna be the balloons now?"*

## Gallery

*Main article: The Art of Pork Fried Dice*
*"For anyone who wants to jam along with us, here are the lyrics to Abby's delightful song!"*