The group plots their next move on the rickety wooden staircase under Bavlorna's stilted cottage. 

(Did everyone except Ben and Pud get their Short Rest?)

( Matilda did 2 HD )

(Titaani did too)

Titaani seems excited at first by her wand, only for her smile to fade as she realises it isn't the magical solution she thought it was, and she still hasn't recovered what she lost.

"Aww. This wand is cool, but, I'm still as unfocused as ever," She sighs, putting the wand away sadly before listening to the others speak about the balloon. "Hmmm. We might not have to bribe them. We could trick them, like Ben said. You know, like we did with Skabatha's minions before, where I made myself look like someone else. Who do you guys think I should pretend to be, though?"

"Who was the witchy one that was talking to Bav before? They might work...", Matilda ventured.

Ben:

“Deception is not my forte,” says Ben, “But Morning Star and I could make a distraction from the direction of the stepping stones, perhaps allowing you to sneak on board the balloon.”

”I could then send Morning Star home for a bit and Misty Step into the balloon basket,” he adds.

"The witchy one? Hmm, maybe," Titaani replies, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. At Ben's mention of his horse, her ears prick up in confusion. "Wait, who is morning star?"

The beginning of a plan starts to come together.

Ben suggests fighting or tricking your way onboard the balloon. Matilda suggests bribing the guards with some of the things you have collected. Titaani suggests deceiving them with a disguise – perhaps as Charm, the darkling elder you crossed paths with earlier. And Ben suggests distracting the guards from the north with his horse before teleporting aboard.

"They can't see me," adds Morgort. "Or it will become a battle. Can you disguise or hide me? I'm the only one who can pilot that thing."

"I been learning an invisibility spell. I think I can make you invisible for a bit." Pud says with a shrug.

"Wait up...Morgot. Have you ever seen or heard of a sorta stormcloud balloon looking thing? We saw something like that around here. If you can fly that thing then that might be easier to take."

"Yeah, I seen it!" replies Morgort with disapproval. "That ain't a proper balloon. That's a stormcloud with a basket. Dark magic stuff. You want me to pilot that? Are you mad?"

" Might make a good distraction at least......cut it loose and let it drift through the village?  If you don't think you can fly it....."

" Mostly I just want to kick the butts of those two crusties that own it."

Morgort stiffens and wags her finger at Matilda. "Young lady, Justice and Moral Clarity still must guide us. Despite being arrested for treason, my honor remains intact. Honor is what makes a knight. We do not 'kick butts' out of spite. Yes, we must steal, and if we have to, fight, only because our moral compass requires us to. We are here to stop Bavlorna and her sisters, stop King Gullop XIX's corrupt court, return Zybilna to power, and right all the wrongs that have been made. I can fly any balloon that floats. That cloud thing is an abomination to balloons, but I could fly it just fine if I had to, I bet. But that doesn't mean I should."

Ben:

”Is there a chance that we could reason with them, Margort?  If we let them know Bavlorna is slain, perhaps they will turn away from corruption and let us proceed, though perhaps not actively aid in our quest,” asks Ben.

Continuing, he adds, “I suppose my question is about the court itself—is it corrupt because of Bavlorna, or would it be corrupt regardless?  They seemed kind enough to us when we last visited,” He is clearly wanting to avoid attacking the creatures who were helpful to them before if possible.

Matilda sulked grumpily.

"I still say we attack the court and rid the realm of their corrupt leaders. We can put Margort here in charge, or someone else fair and just. We beat the three Hags, no reason to think we couldn't beat the few nobles and footmen that defend that place." Once more, a dark expression has crossed over Horatio's face as he speaks, though his tone is calm. 

"I agree with Morgort and Ben. Lets not kill anyone we don't have to," Titaani offers. "I think we could still trick them, somehow. Maybe I can make myself look like a guard and you guys are my prisoners? Then I can tell everyone guarding the balloon I need it to take you guys to some kind of...swamp jail, I guess."

"I refuse to reason with the Soggy Court, or to bow to King Gullop XIX. Besides, they'd have me arrested or executed on the spot if they saw me," replies Morgort to Ben. "You do what you want, but I, for one, refuse to work with them."  

Morgort nods in unapologetic agreement with Horatio, but then stops to consider Titaani's words. "Well, them Holding Cells is where they put me the first time, but they already seen I escaped from it once. And that weird traveling merchant would be a weird choice for Bavlorna's guard - maybe you should be just a regular bullywug knight like me, if'n you're doing a disguise."

"Sounds good!" Titaani uses disguise self to transform herself into a bullywug guard similar to Morgort, but with purple spots scattered across her slimy skin. "Here, how is this?"

Pud lets out a hearty chuckle.

"Hahah! Whoa! That's cool! What shall we call you?"

"Thankyou! You shall call me....Sir Polliwog Tadpole the third!" Titaani announces excitedly. "Beloved and respected by the soggy court as a honourable knight of the realm!"

Pud bows deeply and spreads his artificer smock in an awkward off balanced curtsy.

"It's an honor to meet you, Sir Polliwog Tadpole the third."