Adventures so far in the Storm Kings Thunder

We were enlisted to aid an elf named Innes to escort her to Triboar. We were ambushed on the way there by a group of savages, tribal barbarians, from either side. Jean-guy was struck but otherwise our party was unshaken; the tribals were nearly wiped out after the assault. After mending our wounds we pressed on. Soon we arrived in Triboar and met the ruling bodies that are managing the region on behalf of Innes' family, the Amboise. They asked us to investigate some odd sightings of depressed land around town. Furthermore they had been hearing weird wolf sounds during the night. Regardless we take lodging in town; most of us reside at North Shield House while Innes rests at an estate to the south of town.
 
 
 
After checking on Ines at her high end estate filled with snooty waiters and guests. Everwyvren House, as it's called, is not very hospitable to those who do not look wealthy. Probably good that I never mentioned I was once a proud samurai, wouldn't want him to be dishonest to how they would treat me. The rest of us went off to the Wizards home. OH, aside from Jean-guy who is trying to shadow a wizard. Zug, Breezy and I make it to the wizards house and not only the front door was trapped but also several points of magic and 4 gargoyles are mounted on the roof; and they are alive and protecting the home.
 
 
Reconnecting back at North Shield House we coordinated our information. We all seem to feel that the wizard is hiding something; he seems to not want to help the town and he's spreading false information (possilby). Suddenly feel an earthquake and run outside as well as screems. We rush outside and see the Wizards manor on fire and a massive boulder destroying a farmhouse. A massive force of orcs assault the town, commanded by two fire giants. I rally the citizens as best I can to retreat to the south near Wyvren house while my companions attempt to contain the threat of the hoard. Jean-Guy cries out to me to protect Ines during the chaos; I keep running to find our charge. Ines, in all her wisdom, decides that solidarity with the local militia to fight against this monstrous threat was more important than getting to safety. The militia join us as Ines tries to enchant the giant whilst I do battle with the Magmen who burn their way through the orchard. Engulfed in flame as Magmen errupt in flames as I push my sword through their molten bodies, I stand my ground preventing the swarm from reaching the houses. One of the Fire giants pulls out a massive ring from the ground and call for a retreat. As the cowards full retreat I throw down my sword and shield in anger and take my up my crossbow.
 
Duke Zolto, a fortress in Ironslag and they are trying to build a Vodinoid. Vodinoid Is a dragon killing weapon made long ago when Giants and Dragons fought. Also something called the Ordening, the heirarchy of the giants, this is usually something that's set in stone but for some reason the fire giants that attacked had made the comment that they were going to putt themselves at the top of the list.
 
 
 
The next morning after the battle we gathered in town, we were hailed as valued protectors that came to the towns rescue. A young mother brought her son to get my autograph. He's a good kid, I tried to make his day, and it's been a long time since I gave my autograph... in fact I almost wrote my former name by accident. It's been a while since I went by the name Fuchida, I used to have adoring fans who admired my ability with a blade. My duels. My victories. It was a long time ago though and I should let the past be the past. We reconnected with the town leader and after discussing things we learn that she is a member of the Harpers (Darathra). We are to go to Danavar at an inn, in a nearby town, and give him a platinum badge.
 
On the way we make a delivery at Noanrs Hold. We noticed a weird castle floating in the sky; obviously we found this odd but it was too high up for us to try and reach via Zug's magic carpet. The dwarf we delivered the 5 horse harnesses for was a little odd...Regardless we have a pleasant night in the inn and get to know the locals. Zug and I have a great night of drinking which unfortunately leads us to want to see if we can find the "Haunted Hunt Lords" in the woods. We were also drunk. After waking up our companions we stumble into the woods and lo and behold we find the Hunt Lords. They were very undead.
 
 
 
 
Is it luck, or is it mastery of the craft, I believe the latter as my sword cuts through the whites attacking us and parrying their weapons with my shield. Zug, inflamed with berzerk fury, cuts into the monsters with the support of Jean-Guy and Ines. Suddenly a frost giant entered the woods and assisted us destroying the undead. We had a chance to speak with one another, he spoke about the king of the giants is missing. He spoke of the eye of the Allfather in the north, and the oracle that may have answers, but unfortunately it's far to the north. As we discussed with the giant I realize that the Hunt Lords had signet rings; one is from the Augustwin family which have been dead for hundreds of years. The Frost giant's name is "Harshnag" who prays to Anom.
 
 
We travel to Everlund, and on our way there we see travelers coming towards us. Unfortunately the travelers are led by a disgusting hill giant, flanked by ogres, with a host of bugbears at their rear. Zug charges towards the hill giant and struggles against its fatty mass but Harshnag quickly joins in the fray. I disarm one of the ogres and engage them viciously so that Ines may lambaste them with arcane magics; Jean-Guy does the same on the opposite flank. It was a hard fought battle but we managed to slay the giant and two of the ogres while the rest of their pack fled.
 
 
 
 
We get to Everlund while Zug and Harshnag stay to the south outside to the city walls. I speak with a local newspaper boy to glean information about the area; there's a parade of the elders in a couple days and the citizens are upset about Everlund leaving the "lords alliance". Not sure what this is but Timmy brought us to Danavar House Inn and the barkeep gave us champaign that teleported us to Moonbeam tower (the tower in town that is in the shape of a cock) and we met Krowen Valharrow the leader of the Harpers guild here. We spoke with Krowen and gave him pretty much all the information we have.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kythora Shen, a member of the council of elders, was patroning at the local Old Gryphon Legion here in Everllund. The big parade and ceremony is to appoint a new commoner as an elder. The new Elder is now Betrice Deska from the common class. Also, funny enough, Ines' fling in town is named Matheius and also the son of one of the elders. Suddenly, an assasin takes a shot from a nearby rooftop. Jean-Guy and I run to apprehend the assassin, bursting through the crowed and running with reckless abandon. Ines goes to assist the victim who is the high sorcerer of Everlund. Ines was able to save her. I caught up with the assassin, even after taking a bolt of poison to the leg. With a quick cut I disarmed the criminal of their crossbow. I commanded her to yield and she did. She knelt to the ground but I didn't notice the dagger up her sleeve but she didn't use this weapon on me. Driving the weapon into her throat she attempted to kill herself but her own fortitude betrayed her and Jean-Guy removed her of her weapon. Binder her and gagging we hoist her up and bring her to the guards.
 
 
Horax, one of the elders, and his son Matheius demands her immediate execution however we attempt to hold them off. The assassin doesn't tell us much but she does say that if I can guarantee her safety she will talk. As best I could I agreed, and she mentions Bolore was the one that hired her. Ines goes off to assist the wounded councilor and we bring the assassin to the barracks with the remaining councilors. Horax and his son are acting so guilty; oh my gawd.
 
 
man with the squid necklace, note from bolore contracting the killer.
 
 
As the interrogation goes on it was clear to me that Horax was the villain all along. He attempted to frame Bolore, steal power of the council for himself and hired the Zentarum to assassinate Veroux the elf and frame his councilor. Horax tried to have us arrested and in turn we commanded the guards and captured Horax and his son. We let the council figure themselves out but they gave us a care package as we left which is nice of them. We head to the Harpers penis tower and teleport to Mirabar and along with us, Phoenix, the assassin, joins us on our journey... this can only end well.
 
 
We get to Mirabar just fine and realize the gift we received from the Council of Everlund is a gift of 4 magic tattoo needles of a raven claw, a chalice, a mask and a lantern. As I was the last to choose I was given the Chalice as my tattoo. It took up my whole chest, an amazing chalice against a roaring inferno. Magic tattoos. I haven't seen something like this since I last saw the monks of the Dragon clan. The Togashi monks were renown for their magical tattoos. It's a nice reminder of my former life.
 
 
We head south briefly down to Xanthars Keep in search for a wanted fugitive. Our group stays at the "Falling Orc" inn. Largg, apparently the help at the inn, seems to be our target. He is a sorry looking dwarf and it took me no time at all to see through his poor disguise. Letting the ladies get a head start on the target I sit with Jean-Guy and order our food, Largg tries to give Zug the slip while Innes uses fearie fire to track the target and Pheonix takes him down with 1 bolt from her crossbow. All the while I ordered Orc Bacon, a bottle of local wine, and a bag of ice for our dear friend Largg.
 
 
 
 
It's been an unfortunate but also sublime journey and adventure since Xanthars Keep... We made it to the eye of the Allfather but alas our friend Harshnag fell in battle against an ancient blue dragon. Leaving him behind really affected me; you never leave a soldier behind, but... retreat was the only way to survive against a destructive evil. Before we left we were able to commune with the Eye of the Allfather and it thundered answers to our questions.
 
 
We asked how to restore the Ordening, about the Vodenoid, Why does Duke Zultoa need the Vodenoid and why King Hecheton destroyed the Ordening. We also met a ghost of a giant named Aragon. He wants us to get revenge against King Bligothakas, a cloud giant in the floating castle at Parnast.
 
After leaving the Eye of the Allfather we headed to Chief Guh's warband to steal her conch. On the way there I was intercepted by a missive to inform me that I have been dishonourably discharged after failing to show up to a duel. Ha, who would have thought that I would deliberately miss a duel. The man I was to fight was a fool. He's young, a great future in front of him, and all the opportunities if he would only open his eyes wide to what this world can offer. Unfortunately he decided to confront me in front of my superiors, in front of the nobility, and I could not let this challenge go unchecked with one of my subornments. Although talented, I doubt they would survive; I honestly did not have the heart to fight him. My station was then forfeit and we continued on to our destination to confront Chief Guh.
 
That was a fight! We almost died! I haven't fought so many giants before in my entire life! A thrill but oh what a terrible fate it would have been if we fell victim to chief Guh's sweatty, fatty rolls. On Zugs magic carpet we ascend out of their outpost and escape to a nearby town with our prize: the magic conch. After some deliberation we have bestowed Innes with the responsibility to carry this artifact of high ranking Giant nobility. Personally she got my vote just to see her try and heft this massive conch all on her own; almost makes all her snootiness worth the pain, haha.
 
Jeez, she's really working that conch, all she had to do is blow so I'm not sure what she's doing with her hands? Suddenly we get teleported to an underwater palace. Beautiful music floats about the space, crystal pools and exotic sites, soon, we are greeted by the owners of this place. Giants of all types congregate here as they hold council and judge our company for being "small folk". After some quick diplomacy we convince them to NOT kill us outright and request a meeting with the person in charge, Princess Ceressa.
 
Wyrmscull thrown, a floating chair of pure obsidian and adorned with massive blue dragon sculls. This thrown is being occupied by none other than Princess Ceressa.
 
Princess Ceressa is being protected and apparently needs our help. King Hecketon has disappeared. We have discovered through our own insight that Emerith, one of the Princesses sisters, she has a horn at the center of her forehead, may have been at the center of a plot to abduct King Heketon. We are now off on yet another quest, this time by the princess, to find out who murdered her mother and what has happened to her father and the only clue we have is an odd looking coin. Our search begins in Yartar and we are trying to get an invitation to a casino ship on the river.
 
Jerry Shucklebun at the Wyvren's Clothier, a tailor noted to us by Rivets. He originally told us he could not help us with fine clothes for tonights event. However, I had a plan, "Well it's just as well that you can't help us, Rivets did say you were only the FOURTH best tailor in town". I knew that would get his goat, he was so quick to dress us I barely had time to say "careful with the in seam." As the clothes are being worked on we head back to get a pint from Rivet at his bar and manage to sweet talk him into giving us the grotto suite and a special party to be set up to attract the nobles.
 
We. Look. Fine.
 
I've never looked so lavish in my entire life! Even when I was young and a noble we were instructed to dress modestly. These clothes, I can't do its description justice. Gem incrusted, gold lined, with the best fabrics that have ever crossed my skin. It's very overwhelming but I can't get caught up in this; we have a job to do and a princess needing our help. We arrive at the casino but Zug stays behind, she seemed very insistent in keeping her axe with her. Boarding the ship we begin to get aquainted with the staff and the guests and hopefully someone here may have information on the missing giant king and what happened to the giant queen. This boat looks very interesting, there's a lot of people here, and the staff here also seem to be well represented.
 
Lord Khaspere Dryland is the owner of this pleasure cruise, and apparently I picked the wrong profession as he pays his rowers 5 gold a night! What a way to start your career; I know few seasoned sailors that make that much in a day. As I walk back up to the main deck I catch the eyes of Zug, floating on her carpet, fully armed, trying to be sneaky. I burry my laughter deep within my chest and smile. Not to draw attention I go back inside and let Zug do whatever she thinks she is doing.
 
You know what? putting on a disguise and pretending to be someone I'm not is starting to be fun; I fooled the pit boss here into thinking I didn't know how to play cards. I'm a soldier, my deck for 3 dragon ante is practically a part of my body! But I need to correct myself, maybe I'm not pretending to be someone I'm not but more like a free Helm. I'm no longer the Captain in the Neverwinter army, I'm a free person again, but this time is different. This time I feel like I have more purpose than ever before. My duty is on my own terms again and I feel like this time I can make the most of it.