“Well, there’s always this...” says Harshnag, pulling out a stoperred glass vial half the size of Rip. “I only have the one, but it’s a potion of shrinking. Brewed by a cloud giant friend of mine. It will make me small-folk sized for a single day, while still retaining my strength. If it will allow us to teleport from here to Mirabar, I will use it.”

"Retaining your strength... we have to hit some bars. We could make a fortune with you arm wrestling folks." Marav guffaws.

He stops, looks at Rip, "Sorry Rip, I haven't forgotten why we are out here, just trying not to dwell on it. We'll get your family back no matter the cost."

Marav calls down Steele and checks him over, feeding him scraps of food. He walks a few feet away.

"That, my fine Harshnag, is an amazing potion you have there. Don't drink it yet though. The portal is in Everlund, which is a day's worth of riding from here. Can you get close enough to Everlund without causing too much of a stir? If so, I think we have a fast way of getting you to Mirabar - and, as Marav suggested, win a few bar bets. Just try not to break any arms," proposes Ink.

Ink then off handedly comments, "We sure could have used your help getting up the tower to that massive adamantine ring the fire giants were after."

"Side note, don't know if this helps but 'I' can turn you invisible for an hour. should make approaching Everlund without causing a panic an easier task"

Harshnag nods, seemingly impressed by your acumen. “I would like to avoid causing a stir, and invisibility would do that fairly well. Very well, lead on to greater adventure!” 

"Greater adventure indeed. More importantly - a true answer to the location of Rip's family. The horses and ponies have rested throughout the day. Perhaps we should ride through the night to Everlund. We'd make it there a few hours after day break. Harshnag can get close with Rip's help, then that potion should do the rest. We'll be in Mirabar by midday where we can quickly stock up for the trek and then head to the Temple. Harshnag should grow back to normal after our first night on the road," suggests Ink in his typical wordy fashion.

// Montage? Lol //

Crownsguard gives a thumbs up, “Your resourcefulness continues to be exemplary. Excellent work, everyone.”

// This all sounds wonderful! //

In the still, cold, late autumn night, travel is brisk. The only sound is the horse hooves on the cobblestone and dirt road, except for once, a far-off roar of some great creature. Harshnag pauses momentarily at this sound, but a wind picks up from the east, and the sound does not repeat.

The sun is rising over the mountains by the time that Everlund’s spires and high rooftops come into view. 

// At this point, Harshnag will allow spells to be cast on him. Please describe how you get him into town unseen and towards the tower! //

"Should some o' us ride ahead and get some o' those yellow potions?"

Harshnag goes to drink the potion before you get much closer. “Maybe you have some magic that can hide or disguise me? I’ll probably still look like a frost giant, just smaller.”

"I think we'll be fine once Rip casts his spell to make you invisible," Ink says. Then, with a chuckle, "Just have that potion handy - I don't want you drinking some other potion by mistake."

"Drinking the potion shouldn't cancel out Rip's spell, but if it does, I'll let you borrow my extra cloak. That'll cover your armor and axe. If anyone asks why your face is frosty - I'm sure they won't - you can tell them you're an air genasi. Once we're in the tower, we should have no issues. And I really do expect we'll be fine in Mirabar. People are typically not racist, but they are sizist, unfortunately."

As they are walking Ink comments about how he's quite the fan of giants, studying whatever lore Silverymoon had in its library. He'll practice his giant-ish with Harshnag if he is amicable and purports that the loss of the giants' original home, before the Dragon wars, was a great loss indeed given the wealth of knowledge and history, both natural and runic. 

"I bought a bunch of spare clothes for when we rescue those people, I'm sure one will fit"

"That's right," Ink says supporting Rip, "We have clothes you can use. Harshnag, how about you shrink down to our size - you said it'll last a full day - I'll help Rip dress you up some and Flint could offer some guidance. Then justkkeep your hood down and stay close to Crownsguard- by just his nature, he'll likely draw more stares than you."

// IDK if Rip is proficient at disguises, but at the very least he'd get 1/2 proficieny from Jack of all trades (rounded up), Ink helps to give advantage, he's a halfling so in the case he rolls a one he can reroll that, and Flint's guidance adds 1d4.... //

Crownsguard nods, “Correct. I am considered strange and exotic in this era. It is apparently rude to stare. However, I do not mind it as I have many detailed-oriented traits that require a careful eye. In short, it makes me feel special.”

// Rip can go ahead with an Intelligence check, with advantage of you’re ready to move ahead! //

15 18

2 4 for guidance 

Ink looks over the dressed up Harshnag (// how tall is he in his shrunken form? //), "Well, Rip, I must say that you did a fairly exceptional job here. Along with your artistry and writing, perhaps you should consider fashion."

Then looking at the others, "Well, shall we return the horses and get up to the tower and on to Mirabar?" 

Several seconds after Harshnag drinks the elixir, nothing happens. Then, in almost comical fashion, his head is the first thing to shrink, followed by his arms, then torso, then legs. His equipment resizes to fit, thankfully, although he appears unsteady on his feet for the moment. "This is...most unsettling. How do you live like this, so close to the ground all the time?" He asks as you prepare his disguise. Measuring now just under 6 feet, the erstwhile giant is bemused by the situation and doesn't speak much at all as you escort him through town and into Moongleam Tower. 

There, inside the tower, you are stopped by a Harper woman you've only so far met in passing, simply called "Moonlord" by the tower's other inhabitants. A tall and imposing figure in knightly armor, she asks you who it is you've got with you, looking at Harshnag inquisitively. Harshnag doesn't speak immediately. 

Ink chuckles, then says, "Moonlord, you may not believe it  but this is Harshnag of the Force Grey." Ink is full on beaming a smile.

"He's helping us find Master Rip's family and we're helping him figure out how to get the giants back in line. We needed to get out to wilds by Mirabar and this is the fastest method. Krowen gave us permission to use the network."

Ink produces his pin and the map given to him by Krowen and any other paperwork he'd given him with respect to the teleportation circle network.