The year 641, shortly before EL's first trip to the Dread Dimensions.

The party are Equestrian journalists and their escorts (mercenaries or explorers) following rumours from a traveler that a unicorn wizard is brutalizing the indigenous population far upriver, and the press wonders if this is true and to what end.

A month ago, you landed in Port Hoofcourt after a long sea voyage from Equestria.

Angel Gaze, a journalist, a pegasus mare

Muddy Boots, an earth pony mare

Grappler, a pegasus mare

Pop Gunner, an older unicorn stallion

Cuddleford, a unicorn mare

Buzz Ard, a colonial farmboy, an earth pony stallion

Eldritch Lore, under the alias "Elixir Lotus" and Colonel Curse, a unicorn mage and mercenary commander, were working to excavate an ancient Elephant civilization. Nearing the completion of their work, Curse realized that Eldritch was a dangerous partner who was probably likely to kill him to ensure a monopoly on Elephantine soul magic, and tried to kill her, failing (and being injured in the process) but managing to drive her off. The joint operation is reliant on the brutal exploitation of Warthog slave labor, including mind-control alchemy. (Naturally, no sooner had EL mastered zebra alchemy than she set about using it for evil.)

EL made the difficult journey downriver toward Port Hoofcourt alone, having been deprived of her money and stuff by the circumstances of her escape. She was saved from death (when magically exhausted) by some zebra traders. There, she wrote a letter to the Canterlot Colonial Benevolent Society exposing Colonel Curse's wicked doings. (Saying nothing obviously about her own part in the enterprise.)

The CCBS sent Angel Gaze, who recruited some help in Port Hoofcourt, rented a boat, and headed upriver with EL...

EL will split with the party when they get to the Headwaters of Seven-Tusks, take her research notes and some artifacts, and steal the party's boat (destroying any others) to ensure she is gone from Port Hoofcourt before they get back.