The Icy Heart & Hasted Horses

**The Icy Heart & Hasted Horses** is the thirty sixth episode of *Another Bad Side Quest*. The party arrive in *Krak* and learn more about the things they have seen in their ongoing battle against the Order of Ruin.

## The Icy Heart & Hasted Horses

### **Synopsis**

**Pre-Show Shenanigans**

* ABSQ's main character art is done by @laniekun, the world map of Palamoa by @TheBrassBailey and ABSQ logo commissioned by @KacperGilkaArt
* Music and sound made possible by Syrinscape and Epidemic Sound!
* Haelley telling you all about CritIt!
* Tell your friends about the show! Spread the love and get together to watch and enjoy the chaos

### **Part One**

As the party made preparations for rest, Quincy approached RX who had walked to the ridge away from the rest of the group. As RX stared at the water Quincy said that the lights in the distance were probably *Krak* and RX agreed it was likely and noted how long it took to get there. Quincy cited the "dragon detour" as a reason and RX replied that he thought it would be a good experience. Quincy commented that they were alive so it wasn't so bad and RX retorted it wasn't a productive one before asking what they needed. Quincy thanked RX for taking charge the past few days, that none of the group would have pulled through if he hadn't and RX replied he was unsure how helpful he was and that the fight with the Baron didn't seem good for anyone. Quincy explained that it was everything in between the fight, that they weren't handling it well and if he hadn't dragged them to *Nij'a* they were unsure where they would have been. RX said that he told Ob that he would lead them, that he didn't know what it meant, that he never had the chance to ask Killian what that meant, that if he did they wouldn't have been looking after a dragon and Quincy noted that they weren't much of a leader themself and didn't know how to help with that.

Quincy commented that RX had been strong for them, but they didn't want to take it for granted and asked if he was ok. RX replied that he had heard that question in passing conversations many times, that it always brought a positive answer and assumed he was okay, but didn't know what it meant. He added that he spent the whole time with questions he couldn't answer while he was being pushed further from those answers due to strife with a group he didn't sign up to fight and that he didn't want to be there. Quincy noted that they didn't wish to either before adding that he obviously wished to be in *Vayilcor* at some point. RX gave his assumption that was where he needed to go to find answers, that *Krak* was a good enough place to start and if everyone else wished to go there he had no reason not to. Quincy added there was likely a lot to find in *Vayilcor*, that they would get there and when RX retorted if they lived that long gave a sigh before he added that maybe they would. Quincy asked where he wanted to be afterwards and RX explained the happiness he felt building the igloo, with nothing looming to kill him if he didn't finish it and that he got to enjoy it. He also mentioned when Jask told him people worked for a living building things that it sounded better to him than wandering for answers. Quincy said it did and when RX said they still hadn't gotten him a dog yet Quincy told him one of the days when they weren't in peril they could and for the meantime Nubbi was kind of like a dog. RX commented that everyone seemed to hate Nubbi and Quincy replied they didn't mind them currently and was just worried it was something else trying to hurt the group. RX stated he wasn't bothered, she didn't seem like an issue and Quincy replied as much as a normal fox is at least.

At this point, RX deemed the conversation over and returned back to the dome while Quincy settled in to sleep on the ridge. Sterling used the runes of the dome to call out to Quincy and after hesitating eventually came over. When it was discovered that the dome wouldn't let Quincy in, RX punched Sterling and eventually Sterling gave in, allowed Quincy access to the dome to rest and the party went about their night time rituals to rest. Gal found herself in her usual place of limbo, and having attempted to reach out to Ob, Bolton and Lysandra found one tether that had connected which glowed bright red like magma. She reached out to touch it, fell into the dream and landed at the very top of a mountain in the *Rhiqi Range,* overlooking a desert lined by a giant scar, known as the *Chasm of Spire,* where a large city once stood and now only had ruin left to show for it.

Gal found Bolton looking out onto the desert, with his hands in his pockets who noted it had been some time since someone infiltrated his dreams. Gal quickly apologized for the intrusion, said she had known some people can find it rude and that she only tried to find the people the party had lost after the fight. Gal, not recognizing the *Rhiqi Range,* asked where Bolton was now and where Bolton’s friend Ob was. Bolton said he was not entirely sure where Ob was, that after they were shunted upstairs to face Lunala and “a goat” Bolton was *Banished* and the spell stuck so there he remained. Bolton asked if Gal knew where the *City of Brass* was and Gal recognized it as the capital of the Plane of Fire. Gal seemed surprised she was able to reach him, and Bolton explained that he tended to astral project while home since his father didn't like him much. Gal asked if Ob did the same, but Bolton said something had happened to his connection to Ob, that it wasn't gone, but had been severed by something. Gal asked if there was anything they could do to help him and Bolton said there wasn't anything to be done unless they came to the city and pulled him out of the dungeon beneath it. Gal asked if Bolton knew what happened to Sterling’s mother and Bolton said he didn't, and suspecting Gal knew more about magic and explained Lysandra had been trapped in a large sapphire. Bolton explains that happened first, then he was then *Banished* and then Ob’s connection was broken. Bolton complained that the moment he arrived in the Plane of Fire, the “salamander guys” came running and he'd been stuck ever since.

Gal apologized, but Bolton waved her off, explained he was likely to die there which he took in stride and Gal assured him the party wouldn't let that happen. Bolton said Galatea needed to do the group a favor, to regain her political power back within the Skorian Empire so the party would have to back them up with some power behind their words and Gal agreed to do as much, though she worried a lot of trust would have to be gained on her part when she returned. Gal asked if she could continue to check in on him from time to time and Bolton agreed, though he was unsure how strong the connection would remain, depending on how they treated him in the dungeons. Gal said she would let the party know where he was, but noted he may not be the party’s first priority considering Lysandra was out there and Bolton assured her he was not in imminent danger yet, as his father would parade him around like a trophy of war before dealing with him. Bolton stated that they had all done really bad things, that they were going to do a lot more and to help as best as she could. Gal told him they would talk soon before she disconnected from him and slept alongside the others.

The next morning, the party packed their camp and as they began the rest of their journey to *Krak* Galatea relayed all she learned from Bolton. Sterling instantly diverted from the information about his mother to his looking forward to the *City of Brass.* The party allowed him his distractions until they arrived at *Newknot*, an area just beyond the high stone walls where horses where stabled and available to buy or rent for journeys beyond the city. Quincy asked if they should leave the carriage and horses there and find a place to center themselves in the city and Sterling replied his family usually kept the horses in their private stables. Sterling rambled they could stay there or one of the many taverns and inns in the city before he eventually apologized and admitted it was hard to be home. Bo told Sterling if he didn't want to go home they could stay in his magical tower just outside the walls, noting it was a good option in case they needed to leave quickly since the party didn't seem to have a good track record with leaving big cities and Gal agreed, citing that the last city she and Bo had followed them behind was left in a bit of disarray. Gal then asked about what happened to the tavern and as RX went on to tell the pair about Bluteber the carriage continued on in the city as the roads were wide enough to accommodate it. Alaerith asked what exactly Bo and Gal heard about them in *Cessunaler* and Bo explained that none of the townsfolk seemed keen to see more outsiders because of what the previous outsiders had done. Alaerith asked what descriptions were given and Bo and Gal recalled the description of Quincy, RX and Yashani, but not too many other details.

Sterling gave the party three options for lodging between his tower, though outside the walls was significantly colder, *Rug’s Tavern* or his father’s house. Quincy asked if Sterling wanted to go home and Sterling admitted he didn't know how to look his military father in the eye and tell him his wife was missing and in danger. Quincy and Bo suggested they stay in a tavern tonight to give Sterling time and meet Mr. Myleheart later when Sterling was ready. Sterling agrees and asked if they could first stop at an antique shop nearby, run by an old friend of his, Montie, who he learned a lot about archaeology from, that they could sell some of their wares off to him and was someone he respected.

RX asked if Sterling knew where Jask lives and Sterling pointed in the distance to a large stone castle, explained that was where all the Puhan Trade Council worked and resided, and that Jask’s main office was not there, but at the top floor of his high-end brothel known as *Desires*. RX noted that he knew what a brothel was from Kaz but had never seen one. Sterling began to ramble again about him having access as a child of a Council member and when Quincy told him to breathe and teased that it was just a brothel replied it was not *just* a brothel and that they could go afterwards after they went to Montie. Bo added that if they were looking for Council members he would like to find the woman, Alixndir Kelingd, who Sterling told him about that worked for Ostence Bronte and Sterling noted that they could find her in *Green Park*. Alaerith noted that she was one of the council members who voted against usurping Elzagerick Vintorvas and Bo suggested Sterling might want to stay away from that meeting, while Sterling noted it was complicated. Quincy offered that they had reason to head to *Green Park* as well if they intend to split and when Sterling wondered what that business was said it was an old friend of her father’s. Sterling gave his preference that they stick together while in the city, especially to not be alone in *Desires* and Quincy and Gal teased him. RX asked why Sterling was so worried as the place seemed *desirable* to go to by most people and when Quincy laughed and asked when RX learned to make puns replied he did not know what puns were, leaving them to simply enjoy the seemingly accidental joke. RX asked who their first target was and Bo wondered if going to *Desires* was easier to do earlier in the day or later at night. Sterling said no one would be in *Desires* until they opened, that there would be a line to get in for those waiting for the “fetish cabaret”, with most of the party admitting they did not know what that meant. Quincy was left baffled and unwilling to explain when the only other person who knew what it meant was Sterling who learned the meaning from a dictionary.

Sterling directed them to *Montie’s Finds*, and after turning into *Eastbank* found a shop, that looked somewhat similar to the buildings in *Nij’a,* with a sign that read *Montie & Merriweather Casket - Montie’s Finds*. The party stepped out of the carriage and Sterling asking if they had talked to RX yet about boundaries before warning RX there were overly touchy people. Quincy said they hadn't had the chance to have a proper conversation about it and Yashani simply told RX that if he didn't wished to be poked to say no, which he deemed as reasonable. Sterling and Quincy shrugged before Sterling turned, knocked on the front door as they entered the shop and saw the interior was a wild swirl of the ancient wonders and things that just look old, from tapestries, chandeliers, books, vases and the like all on display, with some behind glass cases, and in the back of the shop, behind a desk was a halfling in a coat, similar to Sterling’s, with a number of pockets and a pair of square spectacles, reading a piece of parchment. Sterling announced their arrival and when Montie greeted him warmly before asking if the group with him were employees or friends and called them compatriots. Montie introduced himself and when Quincy told Montie they met his husband in *Nij’a* asked after Merriweather and said he was planning to make a trip to *Nij’a* in the next few days.

Montie turned to Sterling, asked what he brought back from the tundra and Sterling in response pulled out the dragon scales, the green luminescent stones from the ruins and the wendigo teeth. Montie agreed to buy what Sterling had brought, but also wondered why Sterling had brought so many people with him, as Sterling had not done so in the past, and wondered what was going on. Sterling told the party that Montie was a renowned archaeologist, that he taught Sterling much of what he knew and when Montie asked if it was was serious was told that likely. Montie left to fetch whiskey and RX wondering if he had any machine oil and was told to look in the back found a well refined oil to his liking. When RX returned, Montie and Sterling went back and forth a bit about Montie’s drinking habits before Sterling asked Quincy to show Montie the tapestry the same way they had showed Galatea. Quincy looked around the shop, and knowing if anyone were to know about what this tapestry might be it would be Montie cast *Minor Illusion* to show Montie the tapestry from Elzagerick’s collection. Quincy asked if he knew anything and Montie asked if the runes were accurate. Quincy noted it was as accurate as they could remember and Sterling explained they were the only one to see it who was still alive. Montie said the prophecy of the Ruin Moon was old, that it dated back before the Age of the Varimathias before he remembered something and hurried away to a bookshelf in the back. Quincy quickly asked Sterling how much he trusted Montie but only managed to get out was that Montie would obviously look out for himself and his shop before Montie returned with a scroll case. Montie opened the case, pulled out a scroll that was barely held together and said he found it in the *Chasm of Spire* when he was much younger and didn’t know what it all meant. Montie unfurled the scroll and revealed what might have once been a tapestry, now worn heavily with age, that showed a landscape, and the group noticed something was off when they saw four moons in the sky where now there were only three. Sterling assumed that was why they called it the prophecy of the Ruin Moon since a moon was ruined, but Montie pointed out that the illusion Quincy had shown of the tapestry talked of repeating the process and ruining another.

Sterling said they believed they found a group that intended to repeat that destruction and Montie noted he wasn't sure how that would work. Sterling explained it took a God, which the group had, a few books, which they had most of and Quincy added it also took something else and cast *Minor Illusion* to recreate the *Archinatum Textor*. Montie, recognizing the device, asked where they found it and the party walked around the answer that they didn't technically know where it was anymore, though Sterling believed it to be in the possession of the people they didn't want to have it. Montie informed them the *Archinatum* *Textor* existed in more places then one and when Sterling called it a quantum entanglement Montie referred to it as a gate system and were all connected. Bo asked if that meant someone could travel between them and Montie said you could if you located another one and made the necessary connection. Alaerith asked if that led to different planes or worlds and Montie said it could go wherever they were able to replicate the device. Sterling asked if there was a size limit to what could be transported and Montie said that it unknown. Sterling pondered if a moon could be transported to the planet’s surface, but Yashani noted that the moon didn't seem like a place they could reach to set up a device.

Montie warned that the devices had a tendency to blow up if left on for too long, since they would contain too much power to be held in, and said it was more likely this group would just turn one on, leave it on one of the moons to destroy it and cause the pieces to fall onto the world below. Bo asked why people had access to a power like that, calling it irresponsible, and Montie replied the Age of the Varimathias was irresponsible, which was what eventually led to their destruction and the current way of the world where magic and the like were limited. Bo wondered at the fact that Baron had this item and Quincy noted that the Baron said he had tested it. Sterling noted the horror of the item on a physics level, let alone in a magical sense, but Montie noted they had discussed this before, that their planet was one of the closest to the Astral Sea which caused things to become weird there sometimes. Sterling agreed and went on to say the destruction would mean detrimental things physically, let alone how it would affect the metaphysical and Montie replied it would likely be an extinction level event.

Sterling noted that was why he is so shaken up before quickly adding that his mother was missing and trapped in a sapphire by the Goddess of destruction. Sterling admitted to the flabbergasted Montie that it has been a rough few days as Yashani activated *Ob’s Charm* to ask Sterling how much danger he wanted to put Montie in, that he might be a little bit more selective with what information he shared, with Bo adding they should not tell him everything. Sterling assured them that he didn't usually leave the shop and was only interested in information, but Bo noted that if Lunala discovered anyone knew of her dealings they would be in danger. As the others talked telepathically Quincy attempted to distract Montie from the silent strangeness by asking about the whiskey and followed him as he stood in front of a bookshelf and looked for something, while Bo cast *Detect Magic* and saw a number of items began to glow around the shop to the point he almost found it overwhelming. Sterling admitted he knew Yashani was right, but noted that Montie taught him a lot, that he didn't know what was happening, didn't know what to do, that they were ignorant to what was happening and that if he didn't figure it out his mother would wind up dead. Yashani told him that she was sure Montie could not help him untrap his mother and when Sterling lashed out in response, out loud, Montie reprimanded him for swearing. Bo, in an attempt to move on, asked if his establishment was a shop or a museum and Montie told him it was a bit of both, though there were things he was not willing to let go of.

Montie returned to the group with another scroll case, placed it on the table and told them it might help, that it was an old map of the continent when it was ran by the Varimathias, noting some locations were now gone, and that he found it in the *Chasm of Spire*, which in their time was a variable city, that some of the locations might hold more answers and that he was getting too old to continue on. Sterling asked RX to make a copy, but Montie waved them off and told them to keep it. Quincy asked if he was sure, as it was an artifact of history and they were kind of stupid at times, but Montie assured them that in his time in *Krak* no one had cared enough to ask about the Varimathias and there was a reason the world was the way it was because everyone wanted to forget. Yashani called it a very generous offer, admitting they knew some people who may also be interested in having such a thing and was not an offer they could pass up. Montie added that if it could help get Sterling’s mother back he was happy to give it, as she had always been good to him. Sterling thanked Montie before warning him that he might be in danger and would like to come back later and help make him a contingency plan though he would need diamond dust. Montie waved him off that he could protect himself but Sterling warned they were not people he could fight and that he had to have a way to hide. Montie smacked his desk with an open palm in response and Sterling barely manages to dodge an orb he knew would have encapsulated him. Montie said he had learned things in his time within the ruins, that he had implemented many things into his shop for his protection and assuring Sterling he would be fine.

Sterling noted there was more to discuss but they would need to discuss over *Ob's Charm* first. Montie quickly offered *250 gold* for everything Sterling offered, refusing to budge when Sterling tries to haggle, and when the price was agreed upon left to get the money from his vault. Sterling used the moment to activate *Ob's Charm* and inform the party he had been trying to get Tollanessa help with the demon book, with no luck in getting answers, and wondered if having Montie around for when they opened would be a good idea as he was an adept arcane practitioner and historically knowledgeable person he knew. Yashani asked if she misremembered a conversation with Ob that included a warning the book contained the essence of greed and Sterling agreed, noting that he did find it ironic, but was willing to take that risk at his own expense. As Montie returned with a sack of gold, Sterling wrapped the conversation up by saying it was a discussion for later, grabbed the gold and told Montie they would try to keep in touch, but if they disappeared he was to assume nothing.

Yashani asked if Montie believed the tapestry of the four moons was authentic and Montie said it definitely was. She asked if he thought another existed and he gave his belief there might be another in the *Chasm of Spire* or another of the locations on the Varimathias map. Yashani asked how much for it and Montie, citing his belief Yashani wouldn't ask unless they really needed it, rolled up the fabric, put it back in the scroll case, held it out to Yashani and said if they brought back Lysandra they could call it even. Yashani called it an uneven deal but agreed and took the scroll case.

Sterling commented on Montie’s prices and Gal asked him not to insult the person she intended to buy things from first before she asked Montie if he had heard of stones that allowed a user of one stone to teleport to the other. Montie looked around his shop for a moment, returned a moment later with two large black stones and told Gal he had seen similar sets used before, though they only worked one time before they would break, told her they were *250 gold* and happily paid it. Bo attempted to suss out anything interesting with his cast of *Detect Magic,* particularly from Chronomancy, but found nothing matching that school of magic and became a little overwhelmed with everything there was to look at. RX asked if Montie had anything from *Vayilcor* and Montie wandered off again and returned with a large glass sphere, with a number of gears and clockwork inside that appeared to move, and noted he had no idea what it was when RX asked. Sterling activated his *Awakened Spellbook* to ritual cast *Identify* in an instant on the item and noted there was nothing magical about it and RX determined it was a puzzle, started to manipulate the gears inside, found they moved in different ways depending on how he does it and informed the group.

Bo asked if Montie had anything in the realm of Transmutation magic and shape changing and turned down a snake-like totem Montie offered as not what he was looking for. Montie said he had a ring that could turn someone into a rooster, quoted it at *100 gold* when Sterling asked of it's cost but decided to turn down the “cock ring”. Quincy asked about bookmarks, hoping to move the conversation along, mentioned the bone bookmark Asimov had sold them in *Nij’a* and as they had never been to *Krak* hoped to get one there as well. Montie mentioned Merriweather told him a while ago to get a hobby, went to his desk, pulled out a flower pressed between two pieces of glass that have been melted together at the edges and Quincy happily bought, handing over *two gold* though they are only quoted for *one gold*. Sterling, noting that he hadn't seen him since before Tollanessa, asked for any scrolls or anything written by wizards that he might buy, since he struggled to read anything written by other arcane practitioners. Alaerith questioned if Montie already knew about Tollanessa and when Montie noted he was aware of her Alaerith quickly took a drink from the whiskey provided. Montie pulled out two spell scrolls, a scroll of *Haste* for *150 gold* and a scroll of *Earthquake* the other for *600 gold*, the lesser of the two being a Scroll of *Haste* and the other a Scroll of *Earthquake*. Sterling noted he already knew the lesser of the two, but said he would be back for the more expensive one as Tollanessa would be angry if he paid so much for a spell he was not equipped to handle yet and asked him to hold on to it.

Sterling asked if he had anything else and Montie said he didn't and that the reason he planned to visit Merriweather was to restock the shop, so they should stop in to see him again in the coming weeks when he returned. Montie teasingly told them to be good and not go jump into dark holes and when Sterling said that was exactly what they intended to do and to get get out of his head when Montie explained he was joking. As the party went to leave, Quincy attempted to slip an additional *five silver* on Montie’s desk, but was caught by and told their money wasn’t wanted before Montie laughed and said he was kidding. RX commented they had very little money to be tipping so often and when Quincy retorted that they had been living on a ship for 10 years with very little reason to ever spend it sighed and wondered why Twynn didn’t leave him pocket money in his crate. Quincy patted his shoulder as Sterling commented his trust fund was in his mother’s name and Quincy reassured him they were going to get him very drunk tonight. RX asked Montie if he wanted the glass sphere with gears back and Montie said it was worthless to him as he was never able to solve it, but asked RX to come back if he ever figured it out.

The party gathered into the carriage as the two suns begin to set overhead and Sterling told them the best time to get into Jask’s office at *Desires* was when there were people there to recognize him as a Myleheart and let him in. Yashani asked if it was an an invitation-only place, which Sterling noted it was, and Quincy asked if a pretty face worked as an invitation because if it was they had it covered with this group, which Bo and RX happily thanked for the compliment. Quincy asked if that was something they absolutely must do tonight and Sterling quickly backpedalled when given the option. Alaerith, voice a little slurred after downing the whiskey fast, said there was something to discuss, that when most people heard a name they didn't recognize they would ask about it, pointed out Bo used the named "Lunala" like he knew it and wondered why. Bo replied that was something they probably should have mentioned, noting he and Gal were a little caught up in the chaos of the Baron, and that it wasn’t their fire run in with her. Sterling took to the driver’s seat of the carriage and led the party to *Rug’s Tavern* while Gal explained that to find the group, she and Bo had to travel through the Feywild. Alaerith interrupted to ask if they saw a "glowing turtle" and Bo said that would be something they'd remember but didn't recall. Gal explained they fought a monstrous creature, a wendigo, and then Lunala found them and was how they returned to the Material Plane. Bo added that Lunala also seemed to have repurposed the corpse of the guide that brought them to the Feywild*,* the satyr Bolton had mentioned, as a part of them getting to leave unharmed. Alaerith asked for a description and Bo and Gal recalled the black hooded woman, the moths, her tattoo and clouded purple eyes. Alaerith held out his left marked palm, revealing the Ruin Moon, and asked if the tattoo was like. Gal noted it was as Bo cautiously reached for his weapons, but Quincy called him off, said there was a good reason and asked Yashani to explain as she was better at it.

Yashani told them the mark was involuntary, that they had been marked by one of Lunala’s followers. She added them that she, as well as Alaerith, RX and Quincy were marked, along with three others no longer with them, as they had a bad habit of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Bo said he realized they had not known each other for long, but considering they had fought together and everything that happened with Nubbi, would appreciate honesty. The carriage came to a stop outside *Rug’s Tavern,* and as they stepped out of the carriage all but Alaerith, heard an incredible amount of noise from the inside, along with sound of music and people enjoying a show. Sterling told everyone that since there was a party going on in the tavern they should immediately get rooms to discuss personal matters in private. Bo noted crowds didn't like him much, offered that he could go look for Kelingd now and RX, noting crowds didn't like robots much either offered to go with him, along with Sterling who said they would not get in anywhere without his help. Quincy said it might be best if they didn't split up and Sterling agreed, offered to find Kelingd in the morning and not attempt to bother her as it was getting later in the day. Quincy said tonight they could rest, that tomorrow they could attend to Bo’s business and later in the day try to find out more about Jask at his brothel.

### **Break!**

* The ABSQ Wiki! You made it here already, good job!
* If you have any questions about ABSQ's story, how we do things, character questions or just want to ask us something strange, we are taking questions so send them to anotherbsquest@gmail.com or on Twitter with the hashtag *#anotherbsquestion*
* Find us on Twitch, Instagram, Twitter and now TikTok!
* If you can't watch us live, recordings of the sessions will be posted on Youtube a few days after the livestream! You can also listen to us on many streaming services including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Alexa as we are also on Amazon Music
* The Legacy podcast of ABSQ is now available on all streaming platforms where you can find ABSQ
* We have merchandise! T-shirts, stickers, phones cases and more in all sorts of fun styles including the original logo and fun things like *#BrightAss* and *Take Me to Space Sweden.* Find it all on Design By Humans
* We no longer have Patreon, but we do have Ko-Fi if you want to donate to help us as we make content
* We will no longer be putting content behind a paywall because that is no fun. Instead everything will be uploaded to the Youtube, including previous content such as a discussion of the Dark Arc, as well as why Quincy became a Mage Hand Press Gunslinger
	+ If you are looking for a way to directly support us, subscribe to our Twitch

### **Part Two**

The party entered *Rug’s Tavern* and were hit with a wall of sound as they opened the front doors and saw the tavern was busy as two performers on stage appeared to be competing. Quincy slipped into the chaos with ease, asked someone to grab a booth while they grabbed drinks and convinced Bo to stick around for a drink, as it was the best way to get to know people rather than him leaving for a rented room. Sterling did his best to make Bo feel more at ease and cast *Minor Illusion* to make his skin appear opaque though more similar to his own same pale skin tone. As Quincy turned to leave for the bar, they, along with Bo, Gal and RX noticed while the two bards go back and forth, there were a few accompanying musicians including Flamecannon who was on the drums. RX announced there was someone familiar and when Alaerith asked where Quincy pointed out the very ecstatically playing Flamecannon. Flamecannon waved happily to the group when he saw them and while Alaerith drunkenly waved back Quincy lamented he was still not subtle and explained he was a friend of her fathers and the owner of a popular bar in *Krapjess*. Sterling recognized it as the sleazy port city in the Skorian Empire, offending Quincy who found it a great place as they were the ones to make all the boats in the Empire.

On the stage the tide began to turn in the competition as the human bard seemed to be winning and as the competing half-orc lute strings snapped, he yelled in frustration and didn't hesitate to slam his now defunct lute into the face of the human. A few people from the audience jumped in to either join the fight or end it while Flamecannon scooted out from behind the stage and approached the party. Flamecannon greeted them warmly and said he had been waiting two days for them and when Quincy noted he was supposed to be on his way to a different city right now told them Admiral Moxius sent him with a “present” for them. Flamecannon promptly told the party to follow him and stopped Quincy from trying to rent rooms as they would not need one. Sterling asked what Flamecannon meant and was told it was a “big boat”, specifically a galleon. A flurry of conversations about the boat occored until Tabernacle was mentioned, causing Yashani and Alaerith to visibility deflate, and Yashani suggested they go see the ship. The party opted to leave the horses and carriage tied up in front of *Rug’s Tavern* and followed Flamecannon to the *Port Harbor*. Bo and Sterling wondered how the party obtained a ship and Yashani asked if they are familiar with the Admiral of the Skorian Empire's navy before Flamecannon interrupted and said the party had gained a favor and someone asked for a ship. Alaerith asked, to clarify, if the boat was supposed to be on loan and Quincy noted her regret that they left the room when they were making this decision now, while RX noted it was mostly Tabernacle’s decision.

Quincy asked why the Admiral sent Flamecannon and he said the Admiral knew he already intended to leave the city and sent him to sail the ship to *Krak*. Quincy wondered how the Admiral knew they would come to *Krak,* but Flamecannon was unsure. RX wondered if they had the crew for such a ship and Flamecannon said he would go back and retrieve one of their crew from the tavern when he was done fighting on stage. Quincy asked if he was the one walloped or doing the walloping and Flamecannon said the one walloped and noted Bumbleskutz was a “piece of shit”. Yashani wondered if that was enough of a crew and Flamecannon offered his own help, clarifying he planned to leave *Krapjess* anyway and had nothing to do between there and his destination. Flamecannon quickly yelled out for a "Charles" and the human bard's hand waved briefly before it fell back into the rubble. As they moved on the human bard, with his mop of hair, a dark maroon leather jacket, several piercings in one ear arrived at the dock, looking beat to shit caught up to them and eventually introduced himself as Charles Edward Leviathan II, or Mephisto the Magnificent.

As the docks came into view Flamecannon led them to one ship in particular, unnamed and without a figurehead or proper flag, beautifully crafted with red cedar that the Skorian Empire was well known for using in their builds, along with Gyaza Burnt Oak from the *Frozen Marshes* and measured about 140 feet long and 30 feet at its widest point. Sterling asked if there were armaments and was told there was a single cannon, explaining the ship travelled to *Krak* with a protective escort that had since left and turned back just before the *Maltrop Strip*, which didn't faze Sterling who noted it was all he needed. Flamecannon also mentioned Luntz, a name Quincy recognized as one of Flamecannon’s old friends, who didn't get off the ship and warned the party to not be alarmed at the number of pseudodragonsragons on board.

Sterling and Bo rushed forward to explore, using any magical means available to them to get to the rooms below deck and pick their favourite one, while Gal, RX, and Flamecannon followed at a more measured pace. Quincy made it halfway up the gangplank before noticing Alaerith and Yashani remained on the dock and hesitated and RX told her while he may be a leader of sorts he was not equipped to handle whatever was happening and entrusted her with them. Quincy headed back down the gangplank and looked between Alaerith and Yashani before admitting that they found themselves thinking of something witty to say, turned to find open air where they thought Killian should be, or sailing storied Tabernacle might appreciate. Yashani looked up at the boat, said Killian would have liked the color, that it was similar to Bluteber in size and color before quietly adding she wished they were here to see it as they would have been the happiest of them. Quincy recalled that Tabernacle called his ship home, and while *The Misty Moon* would always be their home, they wanted to make this ship a home for all of them.

Alaerith sank to the ground at those words and when Quincy asked if there were different ghosts keeping him from boarding the ship Alaerith, after a moment's hesitation, gave a slow nod. Yashani said she didn't believe their ghosts would be any heavier on or off the boat and held out a hand to help Alaerith up if he chose to, but remained seated and silent. Quincy told Alaerith they were not aware what kept him on the shore, but one day, if he ever felt like telling them he could, but for now would go onto the ship and think of as many happy things about their ghosts as they can. Yashani sat beside Alaerith as Quincy walked away, and everyone on the dock and the deck of the ship noted a number of pseudodragonsragons littered across the ship sleeping or wandering around the rigging. Charles came up behind Alaerith and Yashani to assure them they would get used to the presence of the pseudodragonsragons and that they were wicked smart and under the control of Luntz. When Charles walked on board, Yashani commented to Alaerith that RX might be excited to have them as it was similar to having a lot of pets on board and Alaerith replied she wasn't wrong.

On the ship, Quincy searched for and found a room that mirrored the one they have on *The* *Misty Moon*, under the stairs leading to the top deck. Sterling and Bo duked it out and chose rooms as well, while RX paused with a dilemma of a room in his mind for several long minutes before he made his way to the captain’s quarters and found it empty. After choosing a room, Bo went further below deck to inspect the brig and found a decently old gnome, surrounded by several more pseudodragonsragons, while he sat and read a book. The man asked if they were the ones they had been waiting on and Bo said yes, though more accurately was associates with the people they were waiting on, which satisfied the gnome enough who went back to his book. Sterling, who followed him as he was a source of light, confusedly asked Bo about the gnome and Bo replied he had no idea. Bo proceeded to the brig, found the key to the cell in the lock, shooed Nubbi inside, locked the door behind her and left with the key while Nubbi curled up to lay down. Bo returned to the room he had chosen to sleep early, while Sterling peeled off to find the cannon he was told about. After finding it he actiavted *Manifest Mind* to summon Tollanessa, asked for her help in building a cannon and Tollanessa exclaimed he would need a *lot* of solid metal. Sterling replied his believed with the proper amount of study they could make it happen and continued to pester, noting the two hadn't worked on anything similar in a while, and Tollanessa eventually gave in.

Once they locked down their room, Quincy went to find Flamecannon and found him drinking against the balustrade, overlooking the dock and watching Yashani and Alaerith. Flamecannon disappointedly commented they had a home right in front of them and didn't seem to want it, but Quincy reminded him not everyone found ships as home. Quincy pulled Flamecannon away from his staring, led him to the map gallery and closed the door before telling him that they cannot simply take him to *Zhai* if he intended to sail with them. Flamecannon asked why not and Quincy pointed out they didn't know Quincy was a pirate and couldn't take them to a pirate city. Flamecannon suggested they didn't have to say they knew anyone there before noting they should have assumed they were a pirate and Quincy said that were sure, but no one had said it directly. Flamecannon told Quincy they needed to come to terms with who they were and Quincy said they were not ashamed, but revealing that meant explaining what they did as one and that was a secret that could get people hurt if revealed. Flamecannon mentioned that Kylan went to *Vayilcor* and that if they intended to go and see the friends they sent there with him, things would be revealed no matter what since the only place Kylan could put up several women was through “The Web” and if they wanted to see them they would have to see their proper boss. Quincy wondered why that was necessary, noting the Sisters operated out of a front and, for all the party had to know, the front was real, though they suspected Tabernacle was on to them. Flamecannon said he noticed a few faces were no longer around and assumed they didn’t meet good ends.

Quincy hurriedly moved on to say he could come with them in a straight shot to *Vayilcor* and that he could get himself to *Zhai* from there and Flamecannon agreed that was doable. Flamecannon said he always assumed he would be traveling by land that the Admiral asking that favor was nice before commenting he already had to make a repair to the ship and admitted he fired his gun below deck and made a hole while drinking with Charles. Quincy sighed and said they would need to whip the crew into shape, as they were given a whole galleon, and noted Tabernacle always had a way of getting the last laugh. Flamecannon asked what their plans are and Quincy explained the party had business with a few Trade Council members. Quincy asked if Flamecannon had gone to see Zofia yet and if he wouldn’t mind seeing if she needed anything in the morning and they could hopefully regroup for lunch. The pair split off for their rooms as Quincy warned Flamecannon not to make anymore holes.

Meanwhile, Galatea quietly wandered to the shore, returned to the ship with a smooth stone and headed for her room. Sterling eventually left the cannon, decided to try to practice his work on something smaller and returned to his room as well and spotted the chest at the end of the bed as part of the simple furnishing to each room. Deciding he would like a bookshelf, Sterling took a deep breath, focused on the chest, how he wanted it to change and cast *Fabricate* causing it to form three quarters of the way into a bookshelf, as he ran out of material from the chest, but found it serviceable and accepted the results for now. Sterling sat down on his bed exhausted from the effort, cast *Sending* to relay the same message he attempted to send to Lysandra and to Ob, with no replies once again. He cast *Sending* to give the same message to Jask and received a simple and confused reply that he was home. Sterling quickly cast *Sending* again in confusion, asked for Jask to explain as Jask disappeared just before the fight with Baron Vintorvas, but Jask replied he was home in *Krak* and had been for several days. Sterling cast *Sending* to tell Jask he would see him tomorrow and to not share what Sterling had said as it was confidential information.

Quincy knocked on Sterling’s door, and after being let inside, said they came to ask if Sterling wanted to help on more bullets but noted he looked rather pale. Sterling pointed out the bookshelf first before revealing Jask was alive and appeared to have no memory of what happened a few days ago and Quincy replied they were unsure if that was better or worse than misplacing a council member. Sterling assumed Jask would have mentioned his mother if he knew anything and when Quincy wondered if the Jask they met was the real one said they couldn't recall Jask acting out of the ordinary when they met outside *Nij’a*. Quincy suggested they call the party together to talk about this and Sterling stepped out into the hallway below deck and cast *Minor Illusion* to make the loud call of trumpets to wake everyone. Bo angrily came out of his room, which Gal agreed was abrasive, and Bo reminded Sterling they had *Ob's Charms* for a reason before Sterling told the pair that Jask was alive. As Quincy went to find Alaerith and Yashani, Charles stepped out of his room and threatened to shoot whoever made the noise and if he repeated it again and RX stepped below to warn that such a thing might kill Sterling with his small frame. Quincy activated *Ob's Charm* to call Alaerith and Yashani, said they needed to have a meeting and could meet on the ship or the dock if they prefer. Alaerith and Yashani made their way up, though it was slow going as Alaerith took very tentative steps forward, while Quincy moved the group to the main deck to meet Alaerith and Yashani halfway.

Sterling relayed his conversation with Jask to the group and Yashani commented she hadn't assumed Jask was dead. Sterling commented that he beat them back to *Krak* and Yashani commented that was likely as he didn’t chase any dragons. Sterling explained that was without him taking his own cart and Bo noted it also didn't explain his insistence that he had not left *Krak* in several days. Sterling’s suggested Illusion magic was used, but considering how he was liberal with his use of *Detect Magic* was unlikely and suggested muddling memories was possible, though not commonly used. Quincy asked if they thought it was still a good idea to go see him and Yashani said not if they had no idea what they would talk about, but might also be a good chance to see if his memory had been altered as his household would have noticed if he was claiming a clear falsehood. Sterling noted that taking out two Trade Council members would be politically disrupting and the Order of Ruin may not want that kind of possible attention. Quincy pointed out Lysandra and Jask were the only ones to vote to remove Vintorvas from power and Sterling agreed, but said they wouldn't know until they went to him to get answers. Yashani wondered what they planned to ask him or if they planned to simply ask if he remembered plotting to kill the Baron and . Sterling said that might be exactly what they do as the man he had known his whole life, and hopefully the same man who helped them, was currently in an office seven feet above one of the most debaucherous places in the city. Quincy recapped they should sleep tonight, then head to Kelingd for Bo in the morning and have the day to kill before they tried to go see Jask later in the evening and Sterling added they should get raw material and make money for the ship.

Gal piped up to say that she would need to leave soon and return to her uncle in the Skorian Empire, which was why she bought the *Gate Stones* and that she intended to gift one of them if the group ever needed her in the future so she could come help. Gal asked if they could drop her off in the city of *Gopjessez*, the largest port city in the Skorian Empire, and from there she could get to her uncle who lived nearby. Sterling said it would be an easy jaunt up north a little ways, but Quincy thought otherwise, noting the trade routes to get there would require Gal to remain with them all the way to *Vayilcor* until they could go around to come from the north and suggested securing her travel by land. Sterling offered his carriage as a means of travel and though Gal tried to decline assured her he wouldn't need it as he would suffice with travel by galleon.

Gal handed Quincy one of the *Gate Stones*, told them that she thought it was only a one way ticket for one person and it would work best if Sterling told Gal through his magic that she was needed and she could then teleport to them. Gal suggested she could check on anyone willing to allow her to check in on their dreams now and again and Quincy offered, seeing as how Gal had already seen them for a year now and it couldn't get much worse. At the mentioned of dreams, Alaerith took a step back to hide, but Gal stopped him and said she had a gift for him. She held up the smooth stone she found on the beach, noted that Alaerith didn't talk much and that she knew how much Alaerith enjoyed speaking with the animals, horses and had imbued the stone with the ability to cast *Speak With Animals* once a day, which left Alaerith stunned to silence and Yashani noted she was sure that internally he was very grateful. Gal told the group she hoped to give them each gifts, but hoped if they ever made it to *Rillasehje* there would always be a place for them there. Gal explained she needs to get back and hopefully get Galvan’s help to put her into a place of leadership so she could be of more help to them in the future. Sterling said he wouldn't miss her as he was jealous of anyone who met this group and walked away alive and Gal hugged him. The hug was quickly joined by RX and Bo, with Sterling squashed in the middle of it all, as the rest of the party watched on. As they broke away, Gal added that if RX made it to *Rillasehje* there were architects she could introduce him to and RX noted he currently had one to be reintroduced to. Quincy called the whole thing gross and soft, that they were tired and the group broke for bed. Galatea used her dream tether to reach out to Galvan and subconsciously told him of her impending arrival.

The next morning the party retrieved the carriage and horses and helped Galatea prepare for her departure. Alaerith looked to his newly gifted stone, activated it to cast *Speak With Animals,* tentatively asked the horses, Ludwig and Ashton, if they could understand him and they both marvelled at the “blue fella” being able to talk to them. Alaerith pet them as they apologized for hurting him in the dragon’s territory, that the area made them aggressive and Alaerith gave them a hug. Sterling leaned into Gal to ask if she could give them time to buy her new horses as he felt bad separating them from Alaerith, but both realized there wasn't much time for that. Alaerith told the horses he understood the feeling and gone through it before and the horses said would see him again when they come see the “nice white haired lady” again. Alaerith asked them to promise to be good for her and listen to her and they agreed before he gave one last hug.

Alaerith approached Galatea and shyly smiled that it worked and Gal promised to take care of them back at her estate. Sterling came to Galatea, leaned down to tell her in Quori that he didn't believe he would have been able to get through the last few days without her and Galatea replied in Quori that he helped take one of her nightmares off the face of the world and was happy to help him do the same. Galatea looked to Bo next and shared a quiet moment of eye contact before Bo admitted he always knew they wouldn’t be traveling together forever, though he didn't think he would be saying good-bye here or now. He added that Nubbi was on the brig on the ship and would say good-bye to her for Gal. Gal said that may be for the best, that she wondered if she was too hard on Nubbi and was just angry at herself, but Bo assured her Nubbi had some time before he forgave her so he understood. Bo said he looked forward to seeing Gal again, that he intended to steal the *Gate Stone* from Quincy as he didn't believe they would know the right time to call on Gal again. Gal said if anyone could it would be him and Bo concentrated to remain corporeal and gave Gal a hug.

Gal turned to Yashani next, apologized for listening to a fox over her, that she had forgotten how often she spoke with fey creatures and that they thought very differently from people. Yashani said she held no grudge against Gal, as she was not the only one, but did hope her return home was everything she dreamed of. Gal marvelled at that thought, and noted as someone who did not have literal dreams of her own she had never been able to dream of it, let alone hope it could come true. Gal told Yashani it was obvious how wise and poised she was, that she admired that, that she sensed her strength when she protected Quincy from Gal's attempt to look in on their dreams and Yashani admitted the compliment was unusual, but appreciated it all the same before she dipped into a slight bow, which Gal returned in kind.

Gal ran to Quincy, hugged her like the first time they met, which Quincy returned this time, and told Quincy she was glad she found them. Quincy called Gal a delightful surprise and Gal said Quincy was one of the first to call her that other than Bo. Gal said she knew a little about Quincy, but they still surprised her in good ways and Quincy said they had something for that and pulled out a letter for Gal to read before getting home. Quincy explained they didn’t realize Gal would leave so soon, that they thought they would have more time to explain their situation, reminded Gal of the first conversation they had, that they didn't exist, but thought they might need to take Gal as some sort of sign that that needed to change. Gal reminded them if they needed anything Sterling could reach them with “a thought”, which Sterling commented took a lot of mental energy, but Gal and Quincy agreed Sterling sold himself short and called Galatea a guiding star. Galatea moved to RX, placed a hand on his shoulder, reminded him not to forget to take care of himself while taking care of others and RX agreed to try, though he didn't entirely understand, and thanked Gal for all her help .

Gal hopped into her carriage and Quincy asked her to wait a moment, as they rarely had the chance to say a proper good-bye and recited

*"May the tide rise to greet you,*

*May the wind always be at your back,*

*And may we meet at the next shore,*

*In this life or in death."*

Sterling broke the moment to tell Gal to leave before he ripped the memory of her from his mind, smacked one of the horses on the ass to cast *Haste* and sent the carriage careening forward. Gal shouted she barely knew how to drive the carriage as it was dragged along cockeyed, while one horse dragged behind. The party watched as Gal disappeared and headed off to regain her right as the heir to the Nostru fortune.

1. ↑ Seen by Quincy in the Baron's collection room in "Black Chains & A Broken Man"
2. ↑ The cast laughs at the name as this was likely the same Half-Orc named Bumbleskutz that hired The Mistakes for their misadventures in "The Mistakes (Part 1)"
3. ↑ As mentioned in their discussions in "Captain Flame Cannon"
4. ↑ Including Aarcanii, the women of The Wandered Eye and Jelly Bean.