Chilling Adventures in the North

Qinfaren blinks back into view and continues along with the others.

"Firbolg get a bit nervous around strangers and tend to disappear into their surroundings rather than confront what's coming," he says to Arogna. "Maybe our world wouldn't be changing so much if we were a bit more like you."

He stomps some snow off his boots as they go, watching the small clumps flick off into the higher drifts on the side of the road.

"I hope our other deliveries go more smoothly than this one."

You make your way back to Icebreaker without spotting anymore mephits. It seems that really were entering into the material plane through Griggle's experiments. Although, you have not seen any mephits since meeting Griggle for the first time. You also do not encounter any townspeople of Fireshear as you walk out onto to the area where the Icebreaker is moored.

This time though, Lennart and Kalannai are not waiting for you by the docks. With no one in sight, you safely make it to Icebreaker.

DM Note: You're now level 2

OOC: Thank you! Do we get a long rest at this point?

Arriving back on the ship, Bjorn is relieved that nothing else unexpected happens along the way.

Qinfaren looks up at the ship, feeling happy to have put an end to the mephit menace but a little saddened that they didn't get to see the meteor park or find a good tavern. They would have to budget their time more wisely next stop.

He looks around the docks to see if he notices any footprints in the snow without a body to go with them, wondering if Griggle is still around.

"Do you think the mysterious figure in the dark will show up again? Today was exhausting and I'd really like to just but my big feet up for a good sleep, but it might be wise if we set our own watch separate from the ship's watch. It was when we left port before that you saw them, right Muharg?"

Bjorn sobers at Qinfaren's words.

"Your words are sound. I only wonder what or who was thrown aboard since none have been declared missing. Perhaps there is something else at play that we do not yet know. Perhaps just as the snow leopard hides in plain sight, we too are dealing with the same."

"A separate watch is a very good idea," Shad says. "After my nap, I'm happy to take a watch. No one should touch water. Unless, impossibly, they want to."

Just as you begin to settle on the Icebreaker, just after stepping on the ship Griggle suddenly appears in front of you. Being on the ship means that he is out of sight of the people of Fireshear.

DM Note: Also don't forget Tasha's Cauldron of Everything has just released providing class options there.

“You are right Qinfaren. I’ll gladly take the first turn, this incident with the magician or whatever that Duskloch is has given me a lot to think about.”

At some point will try to pull Bjorn aside “Quite an experience we’ve had down there, huh?” Says leaning on the railing and gesturing with his head towards the town. “You seem like a good person, Bjorn. And I even if I don’t totally agree with it, understand the point of warning that worm over there about the possibility of an angry mob going after him so he’s not torn into pieces.”

“But he has done wrong, very wrong. His acts might cause a lot of families to struggle with basic needs like food and shelter, and he didn’t blink when we showed him. He might not be an evil person, just a selfish son of an or...” Stops for a second “son of a troll. But still, he should be facing the consequences of what he has done, and instead we are helping him to run away. We are almost partners in crime with him aiding him on being a fugitive.”

Takes a deep breath “So tell me, how do you manage to be so calm about it? I get Qinfaren looks at the world with very curious eyes, even naive if I may say that, and he might not be the most trustful moral compass, and Shad doesn’t seem to care too much about the whole situation. But you seem to be more down to earth.”

Looks up in the eyes at the goliath “Are you sure we’re doing the right thing here? Because yeah, Arogna loses her temper very quickly, but besides of the manners, I feel I’m more on her side on this.”

(Also ooc: level 2 yaay! big step for paladins too! Spells, smites, double the LoH pool, Fighting style...)

Bjorn would look off into the distance, into the horizon for a moment before replying, "Truth be told, I too feel the same anger. The elders of my tribe, the Akannathi, teach that we should put the good of the tribe before ourselves. Everything we do should be for the greater good of the tribe because just as the large elk herds of the plains, we are stronger as whole than an individual. Those who are selfish should be cast out and denied the protection of the tribe. Those who commit a crime against the tribe, should have to pay the repercussions." 

The goliath would pause for a moment, and his hands would grip the railings tightly as he continues, "I say all this and yet I choose to help Griggle. Why you may ask? Because the punishment was going to be greater than the crime. If it were merely his forge to be destroyed or he be forced to help with the rebuilding then I would have stood aside. Though what he did was wrong, there were no lives lost, and I do not think his life should be forfeit for that."

Bjorn sighs and shakes his head, "I know not if I made the right decision, but the elders also thought that like baby birds who fall numerous times before they take flight, everyone deserves a second chance," there is another short pause before he continues, "I have seen a life taken in haste for retribution and the stain could never be washed away. I would not want the villagers to have to live with that blood on their hands."

Arogna, who has been scouting the dockside hopefully for any sign of a tavern or clandestine rum shop, walks with some disappointment up the gangway as Muharg and Bjorn are talking. When she spots Griggle on board, she glares at him and starts to advance towards him, empty-handed. In a low growl, she says "Did you not [orcish word for mating, here used adverbially as an intensifier] hear me? Was your head too far up your own rear? Or are you just [the same word in the role of an adjective] stupid? I swore to Gruumsh I'd throw you overboard if I saw you on this ship. Seeing as we haven't left port yet, I'll give you a choice. I can throw you into the sea, or back on the quayside. Which do you want?" 

At the moment Silvermane comes from almost out of nowhere, despite his size. He is quickly followed by Lennart, who tries to keep up pace.

"Just what is going on here?" he demands. "Did my ears deceive me or did someone threaten to throw someone off of my ship. The last I remembered I was the captain of the Icebreaker, and I decide who is to be chucked off of this ship. Or does my memory fail me as well. I don't recall someone challenging me to a fight for the Icebreaker?"

The half orc then stands there looking between the each of you waiting for a response.

"I ain't challenging," responds Arogna in a more respectful tone. "But you got a problem. This piece of scum's sneaked on board." (She indicates Griggle.) "He's the one responsible for half the town being burned, and he don't even care. He's on the run from justice now. Wants to get away on your ship. I tried to tell him to piss off earlier. Seems he can't take a hint at all." She folds her arms and faces Silvermane with her head high. "Your ship. Your call. If you let him stay, don't blame me when he blows a hole in it with one of his bloody experiments. Not that I'll be on it anyway, if he stays. If you don't let him stay, I'll chuck him off for you. I got a vow to keep."  

Hearing all the ruckus, Muharg nods at Bjorn and wolks over to where Arogna, the captain, Lennart and Griggle are.

He adjusts his belt and addresses the captain "Captain, sir." Nods. Then points at the duergar with his head "This person here is indeed responsible of a huge destruction in town. Whereas I disagree on throwing him overboard, he should not walk away just like that from this. I respectfully demand you take some action in this regard." Shrugs "Maybe hand him over to the authorities in the next port? Otherwise we would just be helping a fugitive to flee."

"He did not sneak on board. I believe Qinfaren offered him passage on this ship," Bjorn would speak up, as he walks up and stands between Arogna and Griggle, "While I do not condone what the damage he cause in the town, I do not believe we should just leave him here. No lives were lost and thus none shall be taken."

Qinfaren listens to all the discussion.

”I did say there was a ship and that Griggle could ask the captain for passage. I did not want a death on my hands and as was already mentioned, the stain of murder on the hands of the people of this town. If he just has to help fix the town that seems fair but I have heard stories of mobs and I don’t think they are known for being fair and reasonable”

Silvermane nods as he listens to the explanations provided, "I see, I see. So this duergar, here has caused some destruction in Fireshear has he?"

He turns his attention down to the shorter man, before turning to Arogna.

"Well, I take it that you, in particular, are not too happy about the idea of him escaping from justice? But would it be justice for an angry mob to tear him limb from limb? That doesn't sound like justice to me. If that is justice to you, then I think your orcish half get the better of you.

If it makes you feel any better there's only one more destination that the Icebreaker will be making on her northern voyage, Aurilssbarg. After that, the Icebreaker will be returning to Fireshear to begin the southern voyage. Despite her name, the Icebreaker will not be entering into the Sea of Moving Ice. That will give the people of Fireshear a few days to calm down. If this duergar is still on board, then we can hand him over to the people of Fireshear then."

He then turns his attention back to Griggle.

"Of course if he doesn't want to return to Fireshear then he only has two choices. Jump into the sea in which he will surely persih in its icey waters; or remain in Aurilssbarg, where he will be stranded on The Ice Peak for some time."

Shad stretches and yawns, watching and listening to the conversation the others are having. He is a fan of a pride or herd of tabaxi or other beings who can work together, that's all. Whether or not the magic dwarf stays aboard really does seem to be between that dwarf and the captain. Doesn't have much to do with their little group of employees. But the whole thing has made for an interesting story. 

He will stay up on deck, though he thinks of his hammock, his back against the mast, far from the rails. He pulls his coats and hoods tighter around him.

Qinfaren leaves Griggle and Captain Silvermane to sort out the terms of his passage. He notices Shad pulling his coat and hood tighter and walks over to the tabaxi.

"I think it's only going to get colder," Qinfaren begins. "Don't think I like that very much. Nice green valleys and flowers popping up on rolling hills is more to my liking but this is all very interesting, and I do like the shapes of these snowflakes. But you seem to dislike the cold and the water more than any. How did you end up in a port town in the north, when I think you would be much happier somewhere warmer and drier? I traveler told me a story once about meeting some tabaxi. I've wanted to meet someone like you ever since. But in the story he told, there was a farewell he said some tabaxi use. Something like may you always find warm sands. I liked the sound of that. But that makes me really wonder how you got here."