The Ballad of Bo and Gal (Part 2)

**The Ballad of Bo & Gal (Part 2)** is the second half of the prequel/mini-series documenting the adventures of Boreal Khrist and Galatea Nostru on their way to find Quincy Desmar.

## The Ballad of Bo and Gal (Part 2)

### **Synopsis**

**Pre-Show Shenanigans**

Starting with a lovely abridged version of the main ABSQ theme

This being a shorter miniseries no ads are run for these episodes so just sit back and enjoy the show!

### **Part One**

Boreal and Galatea followed after their guide from *Kheellud*, Minnie, as she led them through the snow, deeper into the woods and off any noticeable path. Nubbi alternated between sitting on Bo's shoulder and floating over the top of the snow at his side, as they travelled for over an hour. Minnie assured the two they would be out of the cold soon if they continued on just a little further and Bo noted he was happy to get out of the cold. Galatea asked if that meant the place they were going was going to be warmer and Minnie that the "Wild" could be unpredictable. Bo commented that just about any weather was better than what they were currently in.

As they continued on the weather got worse, as more snow managed to penetrate through the canopy of trees, even as the trees grew denser, and slowed their travel down. Minnie led them over a large tree that had fallen and as they clambered over the log both felt a moment of disorientation as the snow seemed to worsen momentarily just before they felt the sun on their skin and shining in their eyes. As they crested into the new space they found the same landscape around them, but it was if they had been changed to a cool autumn morning rather than the blustery snow they had been in, with the trees around them a wash of bright oranges, reds, purples and blues. Minnie sat down as she reminded them she said it was weird and Bo called it nicer than before as they all took a moment to rest and warm up. Galatea kept an eye out for anything dangerous and found nothing, as the terrain fascinated her with its unusual colors and latent magic that seemed to pulse through the land, while Bo, still suspicious after their last interaction with Minnie, kept an eye on the satyr as she snacked on a ration. Bo asked what the plan was to find the wendigo and Minnie replied she was giving them a moment to rest before they moved on. She then finished her jerky, stood up, warned them she wasn't sure how long this would take and that time was not the same here as it was in Palamoa.

As Minnie and Galatea discussed the fluctuations in time, Bo attempted to locate any evidence of the wendigo in the area, successfully found various prints of animals he recognized, along with several more he did not before he found a print that was large and felt out of place for this landscape that Bo safely assumed was the wendigo. Bo lead the trio through the Feywild as he followed the tracks, with occasional guesses as to where the creature was headed as the evidence of its travels disappeared in the thick undergrowth and layers of fallen leaves, but each time was able to pick up the trail once more. They followed the tracks through the trees until they began to open up and the trail becomes easier to follow. As they moved, the trail led to a colder place where a light layer of snow began to cover the ground and when Minnie warned that they were getting closer the group decided to continue at a slower and stealthier pace. As they headed further into the frozen section of the forest they noticed that it became darker as the world seemed to dim around them with each footstep. In the distance they soon heard an animalistic noise that seemed to come closer and drew back repeatedly as it seemed to circle them.

Galatea activated her staff, *Star Stone*, to cast *Shield of Starlight* causing her to be enveloped in a shimmering blanket of night sky that shed a dim light around her. With the sudden appearance of the light, the source of the noise was revealed as it snarled and leapt out at them. Bo activated *Temporal Points* to give Galatea a few precious seconds to see the danger coming and effectively dodged out of the way, but the creature pushed Bo to the ground leaving him *Prone.* It then lunged at Minnie, ripped her throat out in a single motion, then turned to the duo and snarled as it said

*"More food".*

The Wendigo, bestial in nature, with a stag's head and antlers, told them to better run before it leapt over Minnie's body and ran to take cover behind a piles of rocks nearby. Bo stood from prone, maneuvered himself between the Wendigo and Galatea, fires twice with his newly upgraded hand crossbow while activating *Anti-Magic Strike* to empower his second strike and potentially disrupt any concentration magic, to no effect as the wendigo was not concentrating on an effect, then cast *Shield of Faith* on Gal. Galatea cast *Guiding Bolt* from behind Bo, as Bo used his reaction to cast *Accelerate* to empower the attack, as the stars from her *Shield of Starlight* attached to the Wendigo causing it to glow like a target.

The Wendigo dropped onto all fours, rushed Boreal, missed with it's claw, but bit into Boreal's shoulder with a deep cold that broke his concentration on *Shield of Faith*. Boreal resisted the wave of cold that surrounded the Wendigo before activating *Passus* causing the short sword to glow with purple magic and slashed twice into the creature's hide with ease. Galatea cast *Healing Word* on Bo, then used another charge of her staff to cast *Guiding Bolt* to burn the Wendigo further and making it glow once again. The Wendigo snarled as it slashed down on Bo with one clawed hand, then looked to Galatea and activated *Frozen Spittle* to spit a thick substance in her direction that landed at her feet, froze her to the spot and left her *Restrained.*

Bo cast *Zephyr's Strike* to move from the Wendigo without provoking opportunity attacks*,* moved to position himself between it and Gal and struck at it with one of his two shots from his hand crossbow, while activating *Anti-Magic Strike* to empower his successful shot. From behind Bo, Galatea activated *Starry Form : Chalice* causing the glowing constellation of the *Chalice* to appear across her dress, then cast *Healing Word* on Bo, while her *Starry Form : Chalice* automatically healed herself partially as well. The Wending watched as Gal cast her magic, seemed to grin, took a step back before it rushed and leapt on the other side of the pair, as Bo used his reaction to slash it while it passed over their heads, while activating *Anti-Magic Strike* to empower the slash, then activated *Frozen Spittle* to spit at Bo and left him *Restrained*. Bo casts *Zephyr's Feather* causing three wisps of purple glow to come off of him and sharpen into needle-like crystals, missed the Wendigo as he hurled one at it, then activated *Translucence* to temporarily become invisible until the start of his next turn.

Galatea, within 10 feet of the Wendigo, resisted it's *Aura of Starvation*, cast *Produce Flame* to form a sphere of fire in her palm and threw it at the wendigo, which it seemed to be immune to as the flames quickly sizzled out against it's hide to no effect. With nothing else to target, the Wendigo advanced on Galatea, slashed it with it's claw and bit into her. Boreal reappeared at the start of his turn, bit his thumb, cast *Indemnify* as he flicked the blood attached to one of the purple wisps of energy, which the Wendigo resisted, then rushed the Wendigo and slashed it twice with *Passus,* while activating *Anti-Magic Strike* to empower his first slash. Galatea, seeing the Wendigo was mangled and wounded, activated *Star Stone* to cast *Starburst* cause a bright star to crash behind it, while out of range of herself and Bo, then reached out to cast *Cure Wounds* on Bo.

The Wendigo attempts to flee as it *Disengaged* from Boreal and Galatea and ran for the trees. Bo cast *Zephyr's Strike* to increase his speed, followed after it and slashed it with *Passus* twice, while activating *Anti-Magic Strike* and *Zephyr's Strike* to empower his strike, causing the Wendigo drops to its knees. Galatea followed after, cast *Guiding Bolt,* as Bo used his reaction to cast *Accelerate* to empower her attack, sending the last of the stars from her *Shield of Stars* outward and causing the Wendigo to explode in a ray of starlight. Boreal quickly became incorporeal to avoid the splatter of gore, while Galatea was left a little worse for wear. They took a moment to catch their breaths while each made sure the other was alright, then rushed to Minnie to see if there as anything they could do and found their satyr guide face down in the snow, with a large pool of blood cooling around her. Boreal and Galatea both realized that unless there was something they could do to replace the tissue around her throat, no healing magic they had could help her now. While they sat with that thought, Bo heard something moving in the trees, gentle footsteps that started to make their presence known, and Bo immediately turned in it's direction and aimed his hand crossbow defensively.

### **Break!**

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### **Part Two**

As a figure stepped out of the trees, wearing black and grey robes, Boreal felt the air grow thicker around them, almost musty, as the figure approached them. Bo saw that the figure was hooded, with moths that fluttered out from the folds of their robes and into the woods, as they continue to approach and ignored Bo's aimed hand crossbow. Bo weakly warned them to explain who they were and what they wanted or that he would shoot, but was ignored as the figure continued to approach. Bo fired a bolt, while activating *Anti-Magic Strike* to empower it, but the figure seemed entirely unperturbed by the attack. The figured did stop, paused to reach up and almost carelessly plucked the bolt from their clavicle before they pushed back their hood to reveal they were a woman in her late thirties, with long black hair, eyes that glowed a haunting shade of purple, with one that appeared to be more clouded than the other and a piercing in the center of her bottom lip.

The woman asked Bo, addressing him as *"ghosted one"*, what they were doing in this area and Bo explained they were hoping to find a quicker way to travel. The woman called it coincidental that came to travel, ended up in her testing ground and recommended they leave and Bo replied they would like to, gestured to Minnie's corpse, and noted their guide had passed from what he assumed was one of her experiments. The woman thought on it before they offered to let them leave if they left her Minnie's body. Galatea asked what she intended to do with it but the woman replied that it wasn't her business. When Galatea insisted that she was their friend, the woman asked if they would then like to stay and die. Bo noted he did not like whatever it seemed she was doing and would like to not leave her the body and she replied says they could stay and be stuck here. As she turned to leave Galatea asked how she could guarantee the two would be stuck there and she replied there are ways and offered one last chance to leave the body.

As Bo started to reach for Minnie's body, he activated *Push Through Time* to cast *Time Hop* in an attempt to vanish from her sight, but immediately was stopped after six seconds as the woman cast *Power Word Stun* leaving him *Stunned*. The woman asked if Boreal spoke for Galatea and Galatea replied that she spoke for herself. She asked if Galatea would leave her the body and when Galatea asked if she intended to make another creature said she intended to bring it back to its "full potential". Galatea looked to Bo, activated *Mind Link* to ask telepathically what he thought and Bo replied that they could always come back to check on her. Galatea agreed to give the woman the body and the woman released her spell on Bo. Bo shook off the spell and told the woman they intended to come back and check on their companion. He also asked in the spirit of goodwill if she would give them her name, and with a decent persuasion roll revealed herself to be Lunala.

Galatea said they would leave her alone and Lunala thanked them before she waved her hand and opened a portal into what they recognize as the PTC tundra and recommended they leave. Galatea insisted they came with a plan and would not go back the way they came, but Lunala told them this portal would get them where they needed to go. Galatea asked her how she knew where they were going and Lunala told her she knew many things, calling Galatea a *"dream walker"*. When Galatea asked how she knew she was Lunala said it was her job to know who they were and who their friends were too. She told them to go one last time as she went to Minnie's body, picked it up, walked a little away, then turned to leave and waved goodbye to them. As she waved, they both caught sight of a white moon tattooed into her left palm, but neither could recognize the symbol. With nothing left to do, the two stepped through the offered portal and into the freezing tundra beyond.

Bo looked around as they took in their surroundings and noted that Lunala was nice enough that they weren't too far from civilization, though wasn't sure if it was the city they were hoping for. They moved through the snow about an hour before the first signs of a life came into view. They approached a walled city, with a castle at the far edge of the town that looked as though it might swallow the town below it and both recognized this as the gold mining town of *Cessunaler*. Galatea asked if Bo wanted to rest here and move on in the morning and Bo agreed it was a good idea. They continued to the direction of the city from the north side, the nice part of town owned and operated by the Puhan trading Company, but immediately got the sense something had happened recently that cause the citizens some stress. They made their way through, found *The Golden Chains*, a bar and tavern, that they entered and found to be a warm and welcoming interior and appearing rather empty. They noticed several people who came through with wood debris and broken things, but decided to put their focus on an older dwarf who stood behind a bar and approached him.

The dwarf greeted them, introduced himself as Boris and apologized for the mess. Boreal introduced himself in kind, asked if now was a bad time as it seemed they walked in on something and Boris explained while not a lot happened in *Cessunaler* about two days ago there was a disturbance, when a large animal knocked up against the side of the building, damaged his building and broke a few things upstairs. Boris waved off Bo's offer of help, noted a group of strange people appeared the same day the incident happened and made Boris wary of new people from out of town, but reassured them he was still willing to host them. Galatea asked what the strange people looked like and Boris described two Humans, with one being an older man and a regular chap, a Half Orc and a Gileshan Genasi and a man made out of metal which seemed to still upset him. As Bo and Gal both noticed Boris has bags under his eyes, likely from the chaos of the last couple days, Bo put his arm around Gal, turned her away from Boris, pointed out the mentioned Half Orc and Genasi and that it seemed weird that it happened especially close to *Nij'a*.

Galatea turned back around and rented the two of them a room for one gold and in turn recieved the key to their room and a genuine request not to wreck it from Boris. Bo reassured Boris that the only animal they had was Nubbi, who hovered by Bo's shoulder, and she didn't seem capable of such damages, Boris asked if they wanted any drinks and Galatea requested honey mead, which Boris said he could provide, as he seemed to finally take proper look at Bo, who was currently focusing very hard to remain corporeal and save Boris some of his sanity. Bo requested whatever was strongest, after Boris seemed to not notice or ignored Bo's odd state of existence, grabbed them each a drink before he excused himself to check on the work happening upstairs. Once Boris left, Bo and Gal went over the distance between *Nij'a* and *Cessunaler* and Bo pointed that the road between the two was three days, but a direct path through the tundra was only a day and a half. Galatea noted that she was up for adventure and didn't leave home for things to be boring and Bo agreed.

The two, curious as to what happened in town two days ago, took their drinks outside the tavern and went to see if they could overhear anything amongst the citizens. Over time they picked that some people, likely the same people that damaged the tavern, came into town and stole from the Baron's private collection and since then, the Baron, even more paranoid than usual, called his son Tristan, back into town to help him. Bo pointed out they should be more careful how they asked questions about the party who had come through a few days ago, knowing it would be bad if someone found out they were in any way connected to them. Galatea didn't pay him any mind as she was already worked up over hearing the name "Tristan" and hurriedly told Bo they couldn't stay if he was already in town. Bo hurried back into the tavern and saw Boris as he came back down the stairs. Bo requested Boris not tell anyone he saw them in town, offering to pay Boris 15 gold for his silence and Boris offered to just keep the deposit on the room if they left right now. Bo happily agreed before he went back to Galatea, put his cloak over her head to help hide her face, quickly left the city by the south gate and back out into the snow.

Galatea explained that Tristan was her ex-fiancé and Bo assumed it was not on good terms based on how they left the city. Galatea explained that it was likely if Tristan found her, he would take her back to her brother, who exiled her from their home on pain of death. Bo pointed out he was a little worried about making themselves a part of the group they were looking for, if they were being hunted by Gal's ex-fiance's father, hurriedly adding that he wasn't saying they shouldn't find them at all, just that it could be dangerous. Galatea insisted her uncle told her Quincy could help her, that she needed to get home and that she knew her people weren't happy with Garrith running things there. She added that she could face Tristan, but she didn't want to face him alone and especially not on his father's land. Bo agreed, pointed them in the direction of *Nij'a* and lead them through the tundra rather than taking the road from *Cessunaler* to there. They travelled through the snow for hours and Bo attempted to find a place for them to make camp for the night, but found nothing but rolling hills.

Galatea looked around for animals, spotted a few winter weasels, cast *Speak with Animals*, got their attention and as they approached Gal reached into her bag, pulled out some rations and offered it if they could help them find a place to sleep tonight. The weasels asked if she cared about company there was a cave that was already occupied, and when Gal asked if it was a bear noted it was a "big cat-man". Bo and Gal agreed they could try to talk to the man when they arrived and having accepted the offered rations the weasels began to guide the pair through the snow. Eventually they spotted something in the distance, a hole cut into the snow and ice, with a gentle flicker of fire light from the inside and the weasels told them this was the place before they scampered off. Galatea suggested they see if they could ask permission to stay and as they poked their heads in felt a wave of rejuvenation wash over them as a form of heat warmed them through.

Inside they saw a white and grey Leonin, wearing crimson robes and they both realized this was the man Mabel told them about, Poackel. Galatea called for his attention and when he turned to look at them immediately asked why he could see through Boreal. Bo replied it would be hard to explain, introduced himself and Gal and Poackel introducing himself in kind. When the pair explained that Mabel had told them about him, Poackel seemed to fondly recall *The Stump & Roots* and hurriedly offered for them come inside the cave. Poackel asked what they were doing travelling out so far and Galatea explained they were looking for friends and this was the shortest way to them. Poackel asked how they found him and when Galatea explained the weasels' assistance said he had known a few people who could do that. Gal explained that she learned from the Feywalker tribe, which seemed to be a name Poackel recognized. Poackel turned back to Bo, gestured to his flickering form as he still did not know what to make of him and Bo simply shrugged, said he was used to it and that he was simply along for the ride with Gal.

Galatea officially asked if it was alright if they stayed in the cave and Poackel allowed them, citing that not a lot happened around here and he appreciated the company. Gal asked what he was doing out here by himself and Poackel explained he was looking for a few things, noting he hadn't quite lost them specifically, but was just trying to retrieve them. Gal told him she could help him find it if he were willing to describe it to her, though quickly backtracked when he seemed perturbed by the question. Poackel said he could explain, but they might not fully understand completely. He started with the fact that he was originally from "here", clarifying Palamoa and not this particular cave, that he had recently gotten back from *Gilesha* and studied in Palamoa for some time to train with people in the mountains. He also admitted he did some things he shouldn't of, took some things he probably shouldn't have and was looking to find them again. Bo asked if he was part of the group that stole from the Baron of *Cessunaler,* but Poackel asked if he looks stupid before noting he wouldn't cross the man if he could. He added that he looked like someone who would cut your throat out and Galatea replied that the Baron would do that. Poackel continued that before he left from *Krak* to *Gilesha*, he travelled through the tundra, lost some things along the way and hoped to find them again to return them back to the monastery he took them from. Bo asks if that was sacrilegious, but Poackel retorted that if was hard to be called sacrilegious if *they* weren't even doing right by their God.

Galatea explained if Poackel could describe the things to her and waited until she was rested she could possibly help guide him to his items. Poackel said he thought he knew where one of them was, as he could smell it, but the other looked similar to a mask, that he pulled off of his belt, which was pure white, with only holes for the eyes, but intricately carved with symbols from various cultures. Poackel said the one he was looking for is similar but the markings would be different. As they sat and talk, Bo and Gal noted that they felt restored with time as their wounds from their encounter with the wendigo were almost entirely healed. Bo asked about *Krak* and Poackel answered as best as he could remember, explaining he had been away from Palamoa three to nearly four decades, but seeing Bo was content to listen anyway told them when he came back to Palamoa he came in through the *Rartu Badlands*, noting it was not the smartest move since he didn't like running so much anymore with his age. He noted that the last time he was there it was still industrialized and the new company was coming around, noting it was the PTC, and Bo surprised pointed out his comment on being new.

With the questions of *Krak* and Poackel's travels, Poackel revealed he was about 160 years old. He went on to explain that the rejuvenation and healing they felt since resting here was a special power kept him from deteriorating and was something he gained since reading a particular book. He pondered on the idea if he is was undying sometimes, but swiftly noted he hasn't been decapitated yet so that might be entirely a fallacy due to lack of experience. Bo asked if this was a book someone could check out of a library, but Poackel told them it wasn't, that he left this book with a friend of his in *The Underdark* since he had read the whole thing and no longer needed it. Poackel added that he carried it around for a bit in case the book was what was keeping him alive, but when he found out that it wasn't, realized he didn't need it and noted it was heavy and bound in chains so it wasn't exactly fun to carry.

Bo asked Poackel if the name *Ostence Bronte* rang any bells and Poackel suggested he check out *Krak* to look up something like that. Meanwhile Galatea tried to recall books in history that had chains like were described and recalls two, the *Tome of Tollanessa* which was lost in the Age of the Varimathus and the *Book of Blood,* which Gal knew had never been read as it had no discernible text. Galatea asked where she might lay out her bedroll as she was very tired and was told anywhere worked.

As the three settled down for bed Galatea goes to rest, called on her *Dream Tethers* and found the familiar three stars in the night sky she knew as Quincy, Garrith and Tristan. She first reached out to Tristan's star, fell into his dream and saw a familiar dream of Tristan as he conspired with her brother, Garrith, and the connection confirmed that Tristan was in *Cessunaler* at the same time that she was. Galatea quietly left that dream, shifted into Garrith's dreams to find he was already deep in a nightmare, the one she inflicted on him the night before as it still persisted till now. Galatea smiled at that, left him to his misery and finally looked to Quincy's star, now accustomed to the variation with Quincy's tether with the smaller red star that hovered around like a protector, which she knew was Quincy's Half-Orc travelling companion. As Galatea reached out to fall into Quincy's dream, the red star moves in the way of Galatea's reach and Galatea was broken from her sleep altogether as her connection with Quincy was denied.

Galatea sat up as something akin to electricity sparked through Gal's body and heard Poackel's call the situation interesting. Galatea turned to find him awake, explained she tried to check in on a friend and Poackel commented her friend was tied to one of his own. Galatea wondered if he could tell his friend she meant no harm and Poackel shook his head. He explained what she came across was a projected protection and that when someone travelled with a disciple of Sanguis, their mental state was protected by their life force. Gal explained she had gotten through before, that it did seem they liked to protect their friends and reiterated she means no harm. Poackel asked her to wait for just a moment, adjusted how he sat, began to meditate, brought his hands together and pulled them apart revealing a sphere of red, almost liquid light. He then closed his hands and told her they were still half a day's travel from where they were now. Galatea asked if they were ok and Poackel noted they were sleeping. As Galatea said they could all use that Poackel told her she had revealed to him that someone else of his kind had left the monastery, something he didn't think had happened since he left other than him and that it perturbed him. When Galatea asked why Poackel explained these monks weren't supposed to leave or allowed to leave. Galatea quickly asked if she got someone in trouble and Poackel waved it off and said he couldn't be mad at them for doing exactly what he did.

Poackel thought on what it would be like if the Skorian Empire knew they still existed, that the monks would likely be killed since the Empire didn't want the power they had to exist anymore. Galatea assured Poackel that they wouldn't tell anyone, that they had their own secrets and Poackel noted they they probably couldn't hurt the person who left. Poackel added that he shouldn't be surprised about all of this, that things happened for a reason and strings were being pulled by things no one couldn't see or know, that were more prevalent in *Gilesha*. He told Gal if she intended to get help from that disciple that she should show them something and he pulled out a blank white mask, which was etched on one side. Gal took the mask and Poackel recommended to get some more rest as their was only a few hours left to sunrise. As they both bedded down Galatea headed to sleep and chose to not attempt to reach her *Dream Tethers* again.

Bo and Gal woke as the sunlight began to shine down the tunnel and in the cave with them, noticed they felt even more rejuvenated and also sustained not needing to eat or drink at the time. They heard a cracking sound and as they turned in it's direction saw Poackel stretching out his back and claimed it wasn't what it used to be. Galatea offered some healing and Poackel waved her off, said that he may not die, but age was still catching up with him or he'd just been especially stupid over the years, As they got ready to leave, Gal noticed Poackel wrapped his hands with cloth that sparkled with obsidian and ruby, called them pretty and Poackel told her he had them made in *The Underdark* years ago by a dark elf named Masq. Gal said he would have to tell her where as she would love to have something made, but Poackel warned her that it was a place where the sun didn't touch and she wouldn't see the sky. Poackel moved on to the offer to help find his items and when Galatea asked for the general vicinity where he lost them said it shouldn't be too far from where they where. Poackel pulled on a cloak that looked like it might have been made by Lottie Langshorn, along with his white mask, then walked out into the snow, while they followed.

Poackel led them through the tundra until he stopped at a particular point and noted that the place smelled familiar, Galatea cast *Locate Object,* focused on a mask like Poackel's and discovered it was 300 feet west of them and 500 feet down. They followed Galatea's sense of direction until they felt it was just below them and when Bo tried to ask Nubbi to dig into the snow Poackel stopped him and said the fox might need some help. Poackel cracked his knuckles, smacked his fists together, causing his hands to turn into stone, then leant down and began to punch and dig into the snow, ice and eventual dirt with ease and surprising speed. Poackel got about 12 feet down before he hit something solid and the duo heard the sound of something falling and landing against something hard, Bo and Gal looked over the edge, found that he had fallen deeper into the ground and appeared to have found a tunnel another 50 feet down.

Poackel thanked them for their help but noted this may be as far as they should go as he might be down there for some time. Bo asked if he wanted them to send someone after him, but Poackel pointed out he hadn't eaten in nearly 30 years and that he would be fine. Gal noted their worry was that he wouldn't be able to get out, but Poackel just told them to stand back and a moment later propelled himself out of the hole, on the snow between them and reminded them that book he read taught him some interesting things. Poackel thanked them again, that he was sure he never would have found the mask without their assistance, though wasn't sure how long he might have to spend down to find it, but it was step one and step two was to find the book again. Galatea said she wasn't sure where she would be when he decided to do that, but was sure he could use that "trick" from last night to find the other monk who might be willing to help. Poackel said he would first talk to Chuluu in *The Underdark* to see if he had it and then might look for the two of them, which Bo and Gal agreed did not sound bad.

Poackel turned to return to the hole, but not before Bo stuck his hand out for a shake and the three of them said their good-byes. Poackel pointed them in the right direction and leapt back into the hole to look for the lost mask. Gal expressed concern, but Bo commented that if the end of the book was immortality, he was sure Poackel has learned enough to survive on his own. Bo, Gal and Nubbi turned around in the direction Poackel pointed out to them and departed as the headed into the tundra.

1. ↑ Fun fact - this is a slightly altered description of the ABSQ logo! Darrin had bought the logo and decided that *had to be* the main villian of the campaign
2. ↑ This was Killian's summoned *Find Steed*, a large boar named Bluteber, who alerted the party that Killian was in trouble by bashing against the side of the tavern and inn in "Black Chains & A Broken Man"