The assembled listen quietly and attentively to Jak's rendition, then Zora's story. A roar of approval and cheers erupts after each.

Morg walks over to the Lord
Commander, bows carefully, introduces himself again and then asks Merosska if he knows about any keelboat skippers from Womford with stolen goods from the missing delegation coming from Beliard, heading to Red Larch via Summit Hall. He also asks for any intelligence about the fresh graves to the south where Huet killed the ogre and the Ankheg.

She replied to the drunken dwarf with a level, even tone to her voice. "I'm pleased to meet you Morg. I know many ship's captains out of Womford. What specifically are you inquiring about? If you tell me that tale, perhaps I can be of assistance?"

"As for sailing from Baldur's Gate," her voice dropped lower, a little more serious, "It's my experience that as soon as anyone convinces themselves it's safe to sail the sea, they have a way of ending up on the bottom of it. Generally like."

Before going over to the Lord Commander, Morg says to Zora, "A dinnae ken the skipper's name, just that they sold books at Red Larch nicked from the missing delegation from Beliard, who we be looking for."

In response to her comments about the dangers of sailing the seas, he frowns and says, "Well, a hope ma prayers were heard, and Marthammor Duin watched over ma friend."

Thurl Merosska claps Morg on the shoulder heartily, and beckons him to an empty seat near his own. The knights around him, all clad in fine garments of velvet brocade, make room.

As he speaks, Thurl's face darkens. "I've heard the rumors of the missing Beliard delegation. As for the graves to the south of here...great evil lurks among these hills," he says. "Depraved cultists led by wretched monsters. But let us speak more of these matters after the feast."

One of the knights seated nearby leans in. "I've heard of a keelboat captain operating out of Womford. A genasi pirate by the name Shoalar Quanderil. We've heard reports he's been plundering up and down the Dessarin River." He turns towards Zora. "I hear he's been seen consorting with your Gar Shatterkeel too."
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:36, Sun 22 Oct 2017.

Her face softened at Morg's mention of prayers. "While overconfidence is the bane of any sailor, piety is their salvation. I will say a prayer to Valkur tonight for your friend."

At the new about her quarry, she smile again at the dwarf. "It seems, friend dwarf, that our tasks are aligned. It's always prudent to have allies in a hunt. If you are pursuing this Shoalar Quandwril, I would be honored to join you."

Morg looks up confused, struggling to place the name of Zora's god. "If Valkuh's a good god, then thanks - ma friend Halby Trickfoot's a cleric of Tymora, and the lass can use all the prayers she can get, what with all the troubles she likes to get into."

When Zora offers to join forces, Morg smiles and slaps the table "Aye! That's a guid plan - we find this genasi, and see if he kens where the books came from and where your shipkiller's at."

---

10:05, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 2 using 1d20 with rolls of 2.  History or religion check to see if he knows of Valkur and if sh'es good/neutral/evil.

The doors of the great hall fly open and a sentry from the pinnacle shouts, "Manticore! It's on the move!"

At this announcement the Feathergale Knights rise as one, the feast before them unfinished.

"We should take this opportunity to slay the monster," Thurl says. From his finger he removes a feather-patterned golden ring set with a garnet and holds it aloft, saying "A prize for the one who brings me the beast's head!" A great "Hurrah!" erupts from around the room.

Merosska turns and points to four of his knights nearby, calling them to assemble at the pinnacle of the Spire. "You all are welcome to join us," the Lord Commander says to each of his six guests, motioning to them in turn. "We will lend you mounts if you wish to join in the hunt."

---

If you wish to join the hunt, Thurl and his companions are heading towards the stairs.

Jak listened to the tale-telling that came after his own, from a person named Zora. He slowly nodded after she was done. He gave Zora applause and a smile. "Very nice!" She and Morg discussed sailing a bit, which Jak listened to bemusedly. He glanced at Mayon when he spoke up, but didn't comment.

Then everyone was standing up among the Knight after someone burst in and said a Manticore was on the move. Well, assuming it was A manticore and not like someone NAMED Manticore or something odd like that.

They were asked if they wanted to join and Jak immediately bounced to his feet. "Wait...mounts..." He sounded both suspicious and excited, as if fearing he was wrong about an assumption. "Like...we'd get t'FLY?? Hell yes! I'm in!" He hurried after the knights.

She glanced at jak, scowling at his applause. Her story wasn't meant for anyone's entertainment.

But at the knights request, she found her heart echoing his enthusiasm. "I will join you as well!" she cried with excitement and followed them. Revenge could wait. How could a priestess of a storm God resist the lure of flying on currents of air?

"Sounds like too good of an offer to pass up." Mayon agreed with a smile, getting to his feet and making sure his gloves and supplies were secure before following after. Manticore...quite an interesting name.


22:15, Today: Mayon Graycross rolled 9 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 7.  Nature check--Manticore.
If it's Arcana it would be an 11 instead. Long story short, does Mayon know anything about Manticores? :P

Morg laughs at the idea of flying until he sees Jak, Zora, and Mayon go up the stairs, and reluctantly follows them.

---

While Morg isn't too drunk, he's probably tipsy enough to have disadvantage on dex rolls.

Asano sighs, frustrated at the interruption as the knights charge from the banquet. He follows along with his companions, not entirely sanguine on the prospect of flying, but not willing to stay behind alone, either.

The Lord Commander leads the group of guests and knights to the stairway up, then calls to another group of Feathergale denizens to ready enough mounts for the group.

Two floors up, the stairs terminate at a round stone gazebo that continues upward in a needle-like minaret. Beyond this enclosure, a small lawn grows upon the top of the tower. Guttering torches set in the walls around the stairs and the top of the tower illuminate the area.

The cool night air breezes across the top of the pinnacle. Four paths paved with white stones point the directions of the compass, each path ending in a pointed stone crenellation. At the edge of one of the pinnacles is a spyglass on a tripod, pointed downward.  The moon illuminates the misty canyon below Feathergale Spire, and the impression of height and vantage point is impressive, even vertigo-inducing.

In the far distance, a single shard of darkness moves, flitting in and out of the mist. Then the shadow sinks beneath the bank of clouds, lost again from sight.

The four knights move toward a group of giant birds, gathered near the far end of the pinnacle.

---

Map updated.

Mayon (and maybe others) know that manticores are flying monsters with the body of a lion and the wings of a dragon. Nasty things.

Morg may have a slight buzz (for a dwarf), but disadv on dex saves isn't necessary ;)


This message was last edited by the GM at 02:22, Wed 25 Oct 2017.

The four knights choose their beasts and mount up.

---

You all can choose your own mounts, or you can double up as some mounts have double-saddles.

Zora had a mixture of excitement and apprehension going through her as she paced between the flying steeds. Like being aloft on a high mast for the first time, except about ten times higher, she was nervous but determined to experience it for herself. She looked for one of the more experienced knights heading for a double saddled beast and asked, "May I join you? I have no knowledge of how to handle such a creature myself, but I very much want to experience this hunt!"

OOC I am not about to try flying a winged steed for the first time solo! Picking one of the experienced knights to ride along with!

Morg looks for the stoutest remaining beast and scrambles up. He ties himself to it with his rope using a quick release knot while saying "Awrite beastie. A look after you and you look after me. A hope you like manticoh meat."

Mayon examines the creatures with wide gray eyes. A part of him is hesitant now, seeing them up close, but his curiosity gets the better of him and he approaches one of the knights with the double saddles.. "Er...I'd love to come along for this hunt, but I'm afraid I've never even ridden so much as a horse...might I join one of you? I'd hate to injure myself or one of your mounts through inexperience."

Mayon is also requesting to share with one of the knights.

The handlers lead the group toward free mounts. Skittish at first, the beasts soon warm up to the new arrivals.

Mayon and Zora are welcomed aboard two separate giant vultures behind already mounted knights, while Morg is led to his own mount, a hippogriff. Attendants busy themselves tightening straps around the saddles and their riders, and approve of Morg's knotted rope.

On his own hippogriff nearby, Thurl calls out to the group. "How should we split? I think a least a few groups would be best, to try to corner the beast. And of course to encourage some friendly competition!"

---

Thurl will agree to whatever groups you want to make - if you all want to stay together, he and his knights not sharing a mount with Zora or Mayon will form at least one more group.

The giant vultures have double saddles, and the hippogriffs carry single riders.

Riders:

Thurl (hippogriff)
Knight 1 & Zora (giant vulture)
Knight 2 & Mayon (giant vulture)
Morg (hippogriff)
Knight 3 ??
Knight 4 ??
Jak ??
Asano ??
Tessa??

Jak hesitated. Part of him wanted to play it safe and ride double with one of the knight. What did he know about controlling a mount, let alone a FLYING one? But...on the other hand...another part of him wanted to try. When would he get that kind of chance again?? He frowned for a moment and then a smile slid on to his face. He shrugged at himself and headed towards a mount by himself, one with a single saddle.

Which turned out to be a hippogriff. He slowed as he approached it and tried to contain his dueling fear and excitement. He gave the creature a bow of respect before he walked closer. "hello, you. you're a pretty one, aren't you? yes, you are. majestic, an' wond'rful. i'm Jak. ver pleased t'meet you." He spoke to it quietly, in a friendly tone, and tried to reach out to give it a pet to see if it would let him. He looked for a name as well. "What's this one's name?"

The question of groups came up. He looked wide-eyed and shrugged. "I think those who've been doin' this a while should handle that. I'm happy t'group up with more experienced riders."

"Birds versus hippogryphs?" she suggested sweetly, more exhilarated by the flight than any hunt. She spoke a quiet prayer of thanks to her God for guiding her here and lifting her aloft on his currents of wind.

Asano looks about for Savra, hoping to see her mounting one of the massive vultures. Given his own lack of experience, he felt it would be best to ride with an experienced knight.
"Savra," he smiles, pushing aside the questions he'd mich rather discuss. "Mind carrying me into the fray? Aside from myself, you are the only person I would trust to fly one of these beasts."

Morg nods at Zora and says "Aye, their speeds are probably different."

He tries to coax the hippogriff to take flight, and says to Thurl "A'd be chuffed to fly with you and Jak."

Another group of three knights appears and enthusiastically chooses mounts and accepts reins from the waiting attendants. Merosska joins the new arrivals. Three groups form on the pinnacle of the Spire; two of hippogriffs and one of giant vultures.

"All mounts, up!" the Lord Commander shouts, his own mount flapping vigorously and lifting off as a howl of wind passes through the valley below. "And good hunting!"

---

As you take off, if you're on a hippogriff alone roll an animal handling check.

If you're on a giant vulture being guided by a Feathergale Knight, roll a dex save to see how you react to taking off suddenly.

Here is how the groups have shaken out at the start - if you want to switch groups or stay behind, speak up now.

Tessa, we haven't heard from you, so if we don't I'll assume you're on your own hippogriff with Group 2.

Group 1 - giant vultures, double mounts
Knight 1 & Zora
Knight 2 & Mayon
Knight 3 & Asano

Group 2 - Party hippogriffs
Morg
Jak
Tessa??
Knight 4

Group 3 - Feathergale knight hippogriffs
Thurl
Knight 5
Knight 6
Knight 7

Jak must have made a good impression with his bow and talking to the hippogriff as if it were just another person. It was actually a she, he found out quickly, named 'Sharpwind'. He smiled at her and mounted up, trying to get a feel for the way she moved while on the ground, shifting in his saddle a bit to find the right spot to sit.

He leaned over the saddle and spoke to her quietly, "now, I'm new t'this so help me out here please. I want us both t'look good, have fun, an' come back in one piece. you watch out for me, an' I'll do the same for you, okay?"

When the command was given, he urged her to take flight.


OOC: Holy crap! Jak can RIDE!
21:17, Today: Secret Roll: Jakrynn Redgate rolled 18 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 14.  Animal Handling - Riding the Griff!

Also, hope you are okay with the liberties I took. If not, I'll be happy to edit. =)