The Countess Mulara is taken aback at Rasa's fluency in the giant language, but she holds her composure quite well. <And that is best done from the ground, I should think, flying one,> she responds. <Take care you do not lose your footing on the cloud-steps.>

Meiara looks at the positioning of Mount Sur relative to where they are. "Well that's convenient. How about we go there and find Harshnag since we're in the area?"

Quote from Sarcasticfury >>

Meiara looks at the positioning of Mount Sur relative to where they are. "Well that's convenient. How about we go there and find Harshnag since we're in the area?"

 "Be wary," says Count Nimbolo as he leaves you, "That mountain is a place of danger. It has long been connected to the realm of faeries. Not everything is as it seems there."

Steinnros the stone giant castellan brings you to the front door. As you leave the castle, a great stair appears out of thin air, spiraling down towards the city of Waterdeep.

The staircase is made of the same firm cloudstuff that the rest of the "ground" is made from; cold, moist, buoyant, and semisolid. 

The Griffon Cavalry stands ready to receive you at ground level, along with a rather large throng of astonished onlookers.

"My thoughts exactly, Aster darling." Nirzeg commented on as they made their departure, not seemingly at all bothered by the Countess snootiness. If anything, he walked with far more pep in his step, and Zeek eventually catching up and riding his shoulders.

As the group with Cavalry in tow grow increasingly to the ground, Nirzeg saddles up by the apparent head of the cavalry and asks, "So... How much appreciative you think the Lady Silverhand will be for our little investigation up top?" He says, as he rubs his fingers together in the universal hand motion for 'payment, money, etc'.

As they walk down the cloud stairs (nearer to the ground, for safety purposes) Derrikoth curses in Draconic, "Those [REDACTED], I'll bet they've never seen a real dragon before. Not an ounce of proper respect. At least they had some semi-useful information, but still, if I ever get the chance, I'd like to teach these giants how to treat a dragon."

As they near the ground, he composes himself, waving a hand commandingly over the crowd as he declaims, "Fear not, fine citizens! We have successfully negotiated with the cloud giants, and they mean no harm to the city of Waterdeep. I, Lord Derrikoth Toknal, and my allies, ensure your safety!"

Genevieve takes into account what they just have learned from the cloud giants, pleased with how the conversation did not end in a conflict. As Derrikoth has his little outburst as they descend the stairs, the construct is middling in her own thoughts, though, aloud. "Just mapping and exploring in such a big castle... That's quite amazing, I wonder if--" Then she sees the crowd, her whole demeanor changing, eyes sparkling in delight. She waves excitedly to them with one hand, the other throwing out her business cards.

"This is so exciting! Just look at them all!" She says to the group, then her voice booms. "My name is Genevieve and I will play at any tavern, in any bar, or theater for the right price! Just meet me at the base of the stairs and we'll talk!"

Astra waves with Genevieve and gives her friend a big hug. "Do you see the way they're looking at us?" She says excitedly. "We're like heroes to them now, this is your chance to get famous and perform here!" 

The throng of citizens follows you, and you begin to hear repeated words of your deeds, in particular about how you convinced a horde of giants not to demolish Waterdeep with stones from the sky. There seems to be varying conjecture about it, with some saying that you threatened them, and others saying that you cast some powerful geas over the whole castle. Still others are saying that you used the giants’ own magic against them, and trapped one of them in a little bottle.

The details are obviously a little hazy.

 The crowd grows and eventually follows you to the Yawning Portal, a fitting place to rest and recuperate. It is there that some of you have the opportunity to say some goodbyes.

At the Yawning Portal, Astra said her goodbyes to the group. "Well, Genevieve is going start her career as a singer here and I'm going to stay along and support her. Good luck dealing with the giant problem!" She hugs Rasa before giving a handshake to Nirzeg and Derrikoth and heads off to go talk to the fans with Genevieve. 

Moments later, a young woman with white hair approaches. She's wearing a white shirt with a chest harness over it, black pants, and a pair of gloves that cover her pinky and ring finger. "Hello. I couldn't help but overhear that young woman talk about the giant problem you're dealing with. I myself have little bit of familiarity with giants and would like to volunteer my services to your adventuring party." Her eyes catch Derrikoth's as she speaks. "But first, I must introduce myself. I am Lydia and over there is Swiper, my oldest and closest friend." She gestures to a table where a Kenku sits. "Come over here and say hi, Swiper!" 

Genevieve neither confirmed nor denied the rumours going about how they saved Waterdeep, certainly more interested in taven and theater owners about performing in their establishments. She made numerous bookings, aiming to keep herself quite busy as to bask in the fame as long as she possibly could. Autographs were given out (the construct having practiced many times for just this moment) and when finally arriving at the Yawning Portal, she bids her goodbyes to the group, hugs all around (even Nirzeg). "It was such a pleasure working with all of you, but I can't let this chance pass by me. When the giant problem is thoroughly dealt with, please come to one of my shows. No charge. It'll be so refreshing to see you all again!"

Just before she fully leaves, however, as a promise, she pawns off the items Nirzeg had requested, giving him all the money as it wouldn't be an issue in the upcoming future (rolled on Discord). With a final goodbye, she takes Astra's hand and gets ready to lives her life in fame.

 Swiper liked crowds. Easy to swipe things from people, coin or junk, they were all treasures to Swiper. With the attention garnered by the weird castle in the sky, he waddles behind Lydia and did what he did best (Stealth and Sleight of Hand rolled in Discord, both 24's). He would pocket whatever he found in his cloak with a smile in his beady black eyes. 

Swiper also liked bars. He enjoyed watching people, drunk people in particular, and laugh at how stupid they would get. It was a fun little pass time while Lydia did whatever she had to do. The kenku sat happily in a stool and watched from behind his hooded cloak until the cleric shouts his name and gets him to introduce himself to some odd strangers. He cocks his head to the side, but plops down from the stool and makes his way over. He extends banaged talons to each of the men before him (taking a good long look at Nirzeg before moving onto the others) and says in a womanly voice: "'Tis very nice to meet yew! Who might chew be?" 

As soon as the guard looked as if Nirz was joking, the Gith's expression immediately hardens as he again repeats the question before the party split ways. Whether or not he receives a favorable answer, he wouldn't press to the point of jail time, but certainly mark the guard's face in mind....

Nevertheless, still high off the potential of earning a reward from the Lady Silverhand herself, if not some underling, Nirzeg is flabbergasted at the announcements. As such he can only stare dumbfounded throughout much well wishes and goodbye, but absent-minded accepted any handshakes and hugs(non-reciprocated). Only as the clink of coin hits his hand does the Githyanki come out of his fog. But by then, it is too late for words, so, he settles for a troubled look and polite wave goodbye to the pairs retreating backsides.

"... Oh great. A sqwaker. Just what may day needed." He states as he eyes the raven man in turn, and settled further into his seat. "And by closest friend, I assume you mean package, don't you? Well, seeing the bit of straits we're in-..." He glances past the duo to the door. "Rep-... Beggar's can't be choosers." Nirzeg takes a shot of his drink, before with a satisfied 'Ah!' sets it aside. "And fortunately for you, we've got a good test on the morrow. Provided of course that's not too soon for you." He said casually, but with some hints of condensation. "The name's Nirzeg, by the way. That one there is Big D. And our fellow bird friend is.... Well, I call him Sir Abs-a-lot. But, I'm sure they have proper names to give you two."

"I believe his kind are referred to as Kenku, my green friend. Perhaps he is fine with being referred to as a squawker, perhaps he is not and he will stop you in the ass. Who knows? But, if you are inquiring about my friend and I being a package deal, then I suppose you may refer to us as that."  

"I get that a lot, is okay," Swiper assures Lydia, shooting a quick glare at Nirzeg before turning his attention on the other two. "No stabbin' be necessary yet, not on this lot, yeah. We's makin' friends!" His sentences are a mixture of voices ranging from male to female, old to young, all phrases of things he's heard on the streets and on his journeys. "But, yes, we have the packages. Take 'em or leave 'em."

Derrikoth bids the pair farewell, though he makes it clear that he doesn't think highly of their choice.

Derrikoth is oblivious, as usual, and raises an eyebrow appraisingly at the pair, "I am Lord Derrikoth Toknal, who you may have noticed recently helped save this city. If you think you could be of service to my party, then you must think quite highly of yourselves. What can you two do?"

"I know who you are, my lord. I come from the lands that you ruled. Your people are waiting on you to return, so that they may honor their most valiant protector." She waits a moment before letting him know about her skills, trying to see if it'll sink in or if he's really that oblivious and will get puffed up by all of this praise. "Kord has chosen to bless me with a small portion of his power. While I could demonstrate now, I do not feel that it would go over well in this city."

Derrikoth freezes comically, mouth halfway open. After a moment, he sputters out, "W-w-well, I suppose if you're really a loyal subject of mine, then there's no problem with us hearing you and your bird friend out."

Nirzeg had just grinned at the threat, and seeing Swiper roll with the punches, he narrowed his eyes for a moment prior to giving a respectful nod to the Kenku. "I like this one. Creepy as all the other ****ers of his kind. But I like'm. Clever too, as far as one can be." He tips a fresh mug in further acknowledgement; and if there wasn't a mug in Swiper's hand already, he call over a waiter or bartender for an extra ale to pass along to the birdman.

At the mention of Kord, he quirks a brow, but held his tongue and simply let things play out.

There's a gleeful shine in his eyes when he's given a mug of ale, the kenku downing the drink as if he hadn't quenched his thirst in ages (flavor con roll of 6). The ale doesn't settle well and he chooses not to have another if offered, but he gives Nirzeg an appreciative nod. "I'm only good at two things," Swiper admits lowly to Derrikoth and the others. "Borrowin' and stabbin'." His eyes hone in on the dragonborn after Lydia says her statement. "Why don't you head on home, boy? Family is waitin' for ya!"

Lydia smiles as Swiper makes his comment at Derrikoth, but gives the little Kenku a pat on his head when he says that he's only good at two things. "My friend sells himself short. He's very skilled at not being seen when he doesn't want to, he's got a good pair of eyes and ears, and his people's talent for mimicry has come in handy. I find that we make a nice pair, I call down Kord's power on the bad guys and then he stabs them when they aren't looking."