"Alley Ambush" Al

Mulling over the words of the corrupted frog-god Quartle and the translation of the scrap of tapestry, the party decide to return to Carrick Mor and the Roof over Head to speak with Brother Milo and decide their next course of action. However Denton, Kodachi and Grub are still wanted and try to sneak in through the sewers. In order to avoid the monstrous Gulgurtha, they are forced up to the city streets early and face a different threat: “Back Alley Ambush” Al and his goons, Reggie and Carl. Al didn’t take kindly to Denton interrupting his pickpocketing back at the inauguration, and now Denton has a significant bounty on his head and Al is here to collect.

Though Al and his gang are capable fighters, they’re in over their heads as Kodachi and Grub out-skulk the skulks and get the jump: and it isn’t long before reinforcements in Connor, Bundly and Irving show up. Carl and Reggie beat feet (only to be chased down by Grub and Kodachi and robbed blind), while Al pleads for mercy.

Though some of the party are ready to put Al out of their collective misery, a deal is eventually struck. Al is set free in exchange for a favour in the future from the well-connected and informed criminal. He leaves for his base of operations at the Golden Lowlife, leaving behind his valuable-looking dagger: a thin stiletto blade with a glossy black hilt and gold inlay, which supposedly belonged to an influential crime boss in the city named Cyril.

After consulting with Milo, they decide to pursue the inscription on the tapestry: “Loth traveled north from the Hewn Mountain to the crown of the world to consult the giant Griminhild, where he learned the originsof the Forlorn and their power” They decide to travel north to the city of Caldbeck, where the northerners may know more about the giants.

Before they go, Connor checks in with his family home and spots a guard in the window. Not wanting to risk it, he leaves before investigating further, wondering exactly what has transpired in his absence. Irving returns to his family estate to stock up on winter clothing and equipment and is nearly cut off by his father for his rampant misuse of family resources, but earns another chance by showing the parts he harvested during his recent encounter with the Catoblepas and promising further discoveries and riches. Bundly reaches out to his colleague Old Dock Danny for passage via boat to Cardun, where the party can make the rest of the journey to Caldbeck via road. Though Danny is happy to help his partner Bundly, he’s concerned about the company he keeps. Bundly offers Danny half his inventory as insurance against the criminals causing him trouble.

The party gathers their things and sets sail - to adventure!