OK, so last night we started at the end of the battle with the Lunar priests/esses and the swamp broo, and you looted what you could before the Cradle approached Corflu. Then you saw the massed Lunar troops at ready, and realized that much of the surviving Lunar army in Prax (maybe 20% of the former forces) had gathered here and aimed to take the Cradle by force. You had Brubegahn and many other Kyger Litori trolls, plus a sizeable force of Cold Wind Orlanthi, as fellow defenders. Many were tired, mindblasted/mad, dead, fleeing, or biding their time below decks. The Lunars called for surrender and Caernak spoke peace, but both sides ended up saying "Bah." It looked really, really bad as the Watchdog hurled boulders of SIZ 50-100 at the Cradle, and you had to go below decks and strategize.
Caernak assessed the situation and instructed the loyal riverfolk and others who would listen to focus their defense on the bottoms of the ladders from the top deck, remaining below decks so they could fight fewer foes at once. You waited for the Lunars to come, while above The One breathed fiery wrath on hapless Lunars waiting on the Watchdog's body for the Cradle to come closer. The Watchdog was distracted for a while by The One, and Cold Wind Orlanthi took off on sylphs and Fly spells to bring the battle to the Lunars in advance. Also, there seemed to be another battle in progress near the base of Corflu already, and then there was odd chanting coming from the swampy wilderness around Corflu, which seemed to lower the tide and slow down the Cradle, eventually stopping it close to Corflu.
Seven moonboats glided from Corflu to the Cradle and began dropping off massively magicked Lunar elite shock troops (Marble Phalanx hoplites) and peltasts (Silver Shield javelin-throwers). Hoplites lept down the hatches into the below decks region, avoiding the Glue placed on the ladders as a trap. They sprung into battle with you and fought hardily, but Arcus and Caernak downed them (with the help of the two Humakti and Greyreed's net on the third). They were touch, though: fireblades and Shimmer 4 spells plus Shield 2 and adept at fighting side-by-side. You were already tired. The peltasts badly wounded one Humakti who remained below decks for a while to heal, while you assessed the situation and planned your next move.
Caernak saw above that the battle was spilling out from the below-decks onto the top of the deck, and took the initiative to try to drive the Lunars back with a counterattack. Amazingly, the tide that was receding and had grounded the Cradle was not an evil Lunar spell, but was a mass magic cast by Mermen hiding int the salt waters nearby. As the tide drew back, it grew into a small tidal wave that focused on the Watchdog, and slammed into the stony being, with a powerful undertow that dragged the Watchdog out to sea, not to be seen again anytime soon. A cry went up from the Cradle defenders: rally the troops!
But it was not over. Lunar ships were forming a blockade just beyond Corlu, but were engaged by The One, who set them ablaze as they shot giant arbalest bolts at The One [Eric, we didn't play this out, but The One took a few hits and you healed It later; nothing to worry about really]. Wyvern riders were swooping toward you. Elite marines were scaling the sides of the Cradle with grapples and Glue spells, and Caernak engaged three of them with the rest of you. These were the fiercest troops you've ever fought, I think. Lunar sorcery (Combine and Amplify skills) enhanced them with Protection 7, Shimmer 7, Mobility 7, and Fanaticism 7 (attack skill brought to 200%!). RH and LH scimitar attacks for 3d6+11 damage, and with 200% skill they specialed a lot! [Side note: I had them dodging at 5%, but actually they attacked with both hands taking 2 actions, so they couldn't have dodged. It didn't matter; I never made a success]
Wham! Arcus was whacked down by two of them and was dying, so he blew his HEPs to call for healing from Yelmalio. WHoosh! His god replied with a Sunbright spell whose light healed you all of lost characteristic points, all wounds, and continued healing your wounds for the whole round. Cost 10 HEPs and 8 POW, though! (18 rolled)
Caernak disabled his opponent's abdomen but the three marines fought on and Arcus remained double-teamed. Then Wakboth rolled an 01, hypercritical, for Caernak's foe on the ground, and HEPs went a-flyin. Even so, Caernak was dying and called to Zola Fel for help, but Zola Fel's attention was far away (00; fumbled). In a last-ditch effort, Greyreed the new River Voice urged the river to help you against your enemies, and the river responded. It surged up the side of the Cradle and washed you and some other river cultists in need down into the storage room below safely. You lay in a daze, enthralled by Serenity of the River and washed clean of your wounds and severed limbs. Later some Mru came to you and called Caernak to come on deck. The battle was won, they said, and friends were aboard the Cradle seeking for Caernak Riverborn of the River Voices. The Lunar ships were burnt or sinking from the assaults of The One, mermen and their sea monsters, and a fleet of Wolf Pirate ships that had come howling out of a fog bank. The Lunar troops were all dead, captured as slaves by the Pirates, taken prisoner by more merciful folk, or fleeing into the swamps pursued by angry throngs of newtlings, Mru, Croakers (reclusive frog-men), and other river beings. Not only was the Cradle free, but Corflu and all of Prax seemed to be free as well, all in one swoop!
Up on deck you saw that the wyvern riders were not Lunar scum, but dragon-masked Orlanthi heroes that had saved the day (with your help and that of the trolls, mermen, and river beings, of course, plus the Wolf Pirates). Their leader spoke to the crowd as other riders on giant dragonflies landed with you, and you saw Tison leaving a scaly sheath that held him on The One's back; The One was resting on the Cradle deck. The leader, a tattooed, blonde-braided Orlanthi warrior with an imposing presence that left you mesmerized and in awe, said:
"By the authority of myself Garrath Sharpsword, Cradle-Speaker and Lord of the Ormsblade [his blue-blazing sword that lept with dragon flame to sear enemies from afar or near], Scourge of Rufelza [the Red Moon] and the Red Emperor, Bearer of the Red Gold Knife and Liege of the Legion of Flame, Wind Lord and Storm Voice of Orlanth Adventurous and Thunderous, Heir to the Throne of Sartar [startled cheers and whoops], I proclaim this Cradle under my protection and that of my ally Harrek the Berserk [gasps], Master of the Wolf Pirates and Plunderer of Every Coast in the World. Furthermore, I bequeath all defenders of the Cradle safe passage from here to land, air, river, or sea. No mortals save my band may stay aboard now; you all must leave as I take stewardship of this Cradle. Finally, I proclaim my friendship to Reverend Sa'arachmbro the newtling, kind-hearted and brave High Priest of Zola Fel, and mastermind of this defense scheme. [gasps, oohs, ahhs, cheers, rejoicing] Corflu and freedom are yours, my longtime friend."
And from the alighted dragonfly rider host a pitiful figure came limping toward Garrath, who bowed deeply to Sa'ar as people gasped at the wounds on Sa'ar. He was blind in one eye, burned with torture implements, missing most of his tail, and with many broken bones. But he stood tall and spoke with strong, defiant words:
"We have lifted from ourselves a heavy burden by helping our ancient ally, the Elder Giants who sent these Cradles then and from now on under our watchful protection along the River of Cradles, by compact with our god Zola Fel. We now live on a river free of the ruthless hand of the Emperor and his cruel mother, and soon because of it a purer and healthier river. Sorrow may have been the daily drink here, but joy and laughter will be our nectar in reward for remaining steadfast and honoring our bonds. Orlanthi [cheers], dark folk [roars], people of the sea [sweet music from the ocean beyond], dragonkind [silence], Mru, newtling, and other river beings [unrestrained rejoicing! much palm-kissing!]: now we may begin to lead more peaceful lives. I welcome you all to Corflu, the end of the River of Cradles, where now a beacon of freedom will shine on our coast because of what we have wrought today. Our city will be rebuilt and renewed, and to and from the many waters that flow here will flow free trade, and information. I thank my many brave and honorable allies here for bringing this moment, this dream of mine and yours, to fruition. In particular, I recognize my closest friends among our host. Caernak Riverborn, Commander of the River Voices, word came to me just moments ago of your recent successes, and your presence here now affirms this. Step forward with your squad, my friend, and receive honors."
He holds out his left palm calmly and puts his right hand behind his back, and others begin doing the same as Caernak comes to Sa'ar, confers with him briefly about the fate of the Lunar captives [join Zola Fel to gain clemency?], and then speaks. Chris can send that speech out?
The speech was strained with Caernak's weariness from battle, but went over well enough. Some Orlanthi, trolls, and river beings came forward with interest about the river cult, and you all gained much respect.
Garrath held up a great golden coin that glowed brilliantly, and said with much emotion: "Pinchinning says he is sorry for the death and sorrow which was made here. He states that you who have lost so many companions may not feel that the exchange of so many lives for one baby is fair or equitable, even if Corflu is free, and he wishes to make amends to honor your bond. He says that he is but a humble thing with only limited powers, but he would like to give a token of appreciation."
"Pinchinning would like to invite each who has defended the cradle and survived the vile Lunar onslaught to take an armload of gold for his or her sacrifice. It lies all about: take as much as you can. [The coin glows even brighter, and reveals that piles of gold are all about the deck now! Or were they always there?] But touch nothing but the gold! Any other thing taken from the Cradle without permission will bring a curse worse than death upon you." Garrath turned to his men and said "Throw away your masks!" and they tossed them into the river, revealing some to be faces long absent from Pavis.
The trolls got magic lead instead, and you each could grab your STR x 150 in gold wheels (20 guilders @); a fortune!!! The One got to gorge itself on a pile of gold, plus Blorn the statue brought it a crystal orb with a miraculous image of the river valley in it, that seemed very significant, perhaps an important image of the river in the past, present, or future? The One clasped it in its jaws, and Tison told the people there that The One would go into solitude for a year now and must not be disturbed. So The One flew off.
Garrath explained that Corflu would now be a peaceful port, the only one in the world that the Wolf Pirates would not raid. [It is a poor port; that might be a reason... the first time they came to it they left without taking anything!] He also explained how he was on the last Cradle in 1621, and passed downriver defending it, and rode it to the sea, where he met Harrek the Berserk. Garrath was bold enough to argue with Harrek over leaving the Cradle alone. Harrek struck him down, but was impressed that Argrath [as he is often called now] was only cut into a few pieces rather than all seven, and even more surprised when he lived. As Garrath/Argrath recovered from his wounds, they became best friends! And Harrek ever since has foresworn harming the Cradles, and has a soft spot in his heart for this river and Corlfu, it seems. Or pity? Anyway, now Garrath will guide the Cradle out to sea with the Wolf Pirates.
Sa'ar presented each of you with a gift of a trained dragonfly mount, and then Garrath came to you in greeting and offered to trade 2 flies for 1 intelligent wyvern mount. He thought the flies were kinda neat and he likes his force to be diverse. Greyreed generously gave Tison his dragonfly so Tison could get a wyvern, and a Humakti did the same for Caernak (they got gifts in return from the River Voices). So now you have 2 trained wyverns and 2 dragonflies!
Sa'ar and Garrath continued thanking others on board the Cradle, then people left for Corlfu to being celebration that night. Twilight had fallen and magics blazed about the battleground. Spirits of the dead could be seen lofting away to their afterlifes in the purple glow of dusk. Peace followed strife. And you got some hard-earned rest.
At the celebrations at Corflu, you meet lots of old pals and allies. Frel the Wolf Pirate and his Icewind ship are spotted. Barran is heard of; he's off sailing the seas again. And so on. You have a triumphant voyage upriver after ~5 days in Corflu, and the party is reunited. More later.