Kasaaptu rushes to carefully remove the tendrils. Thin white lines across the tendrils appear to be hair, but upon closer inspection appear more like spines from a cactus. Wherever they'd wrapped around Badger, tiny white red dots cover his skin. Silas quickly starts using water to scrub the acid off. It's sticky nature makes it difficult but enough water and it's washing off, however he realizes quickly that the pollen, the tendrils prickles, and the acid were a bad combination, and that the gnome is not just unconscious, but dying. Sir Darak strides forward, placing a hand on Badger. The strong hand seems to brighten, as if a ray of sunshine were across it, and Badger's eyes blink open.
Meanwhile, Gregory and Boris have stepped forward and are helping Sickle wash the sappy acid off of his skin and clothes. Azaka speaks up, "This is nothing friends. The jungle has yet to give us a real greeting." As the group cleans, heals, and helps reassemble, she goes back to hacking her way through the bush.
It's not a half hour later when you break into some clearer jungle and Azaka sizes up a spot to spend the night. She first helps Kasaaptu hobble her dinosaur and tie him up. "He needs enough rope to scavenge a bit, and he can drink from this type of small stream. They can handle the sickness and parasites better than we can. As long as his legs are tied he won't try to break the lead rope and escape." She helps give everyone pointers about how to setup a sleeping spot in the jungle. "String of rope around the bed is supposed to keep snakes away." She shrugs. "I've never been bitten so it maybe works. There's no harm in starting a fire. The smoke will keep the bugs from swarming, and then heat and light will keep away many of the animals. Just ask me before throwing certain leaves in, or we could be in for a bad night. Now, I'm going to do just a bit of scouting and scavenging, I'll be back in 30 minutes."
The temperature is dropping to the much more pleasant warmth of evening, and you're all exhausted. You've been drinking steadily throughout the day and even with all your skins and the barrel, the group of ten plus a dog seems to be going through your water rapidly. Sir Darak's clothes and flesh is soaked from the walk and he eagerly gulps down some more water. Packs are heavy, the terrain is tough, and your legs and feet are sore. A good night's sleep will do you well.
Azaka comes back about twenty minutes later, "So, we're in luck." She has a huge smile on her face, something you haven't seen before. She looks rather ferocious, the smile is one of a predator, not a jovial maiden. She holds three dark purple fruits that are shaped like midsized tomatoes. "These are Dancing Monkey fruit. I'm tempted to let one of you try them, but they leave you with quite a hang-over. If you eat one, you will begin to dance uncontrollably. It's quite funny to watch. It only lasts a short time, and then you are left feeling hung over for an hour or so." She puts them down, "If any of you want to hold on to them, do so. They're worth a bit of money back at Port, but you can't sell them without a license." She then says, "Kasaaptu, you wanted to see the jungle, let me show you some fauna..." She proceeds to show Kasaaptu (and anyone who wishes to join) numerous plants around the camp, including some plants that when smoked relax you, a meaty looking beetle that she says can help people suffering from Mad Monkey disease...no, not dancing monkey. There are many monkey diseases apparently. She shows you a small mushroom whose spores are poisonous. "This one is too small, but if you carefully pick the bigger ones, they can be thrown and when the land they will release their spores in an area. It can be used like a weapon. But, those bigger ones are harder to find." Finally she shows you a small bush bearing a dark brown tiny berry. "A handful of these consumed, if fresh, can help your body ward off poison and disease for a while...but...they don't keep well and these ones are not ready yet."
Otherwise, camp is set, with all the creepy crawly squirmy scaly things in the jungle clearly waiting to invade the camp and crawl into your ear while you're sleeping. Ug.
What are night time and morning time routines like? Does anyone do anything else at this point? Let me know if you guys keep watch, what the schedule is like, and how you setup camp.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
(OOC: I don't recall what we bought, but I assume hammocks are the standard sleeping gear for the jungle - keeps us off the floor and safe from ground bugs and ground water. As for usual watch routine, Badger will probably prefer the final watch if no-one objects. At least he will tonight as he is too exhausted after his ordeal with the killer plant.)
Badger will string up his hammock (or whatever the alternative) and set out his water catcher, eat some rations, then sleep. Hopefully his lizard familiar Yertle will eat any bugs that might irritate Badger during the night. He will rise early in the morning to take the last watch, and perform his daily prognostications, then memorise his spells for the day, and make some preparations for the group for breakfast.
Portent: 12, 20 (This is for my new divination power. Since rolls are both low, and I'm supposed to declare them as substitutes for rolls prior to the original, I'll just say let's use them on the first 2 attack or saving rolls made by any enemy against any of the party that I can see.)
Badger peers into his crystal ball, and predicts misfortune today for those who would oppose them ...
Kasaaptu thanks Azaka for showing her the plants and asks for a monkey fruit. She thoroughly enjoys learning about the strange, wonderful and terrifying plants in this jungle. She thinks a watch is an absolute necessity, but will let the others decide the order. She is good with any slot. She pitches her tent in a lean to configuration some she can see what is going on around her and can exit quickly if required. She finds some long branches and creates two bipeds with a ridge pole connecting the two to pitch her lean to with. She sets about lashing too more stout poles to the legs of the bipods and folds her blanket around the poles in such a way that her body weight will hold it in place for a bed raised off the ground, like a cot. A very cozy setup with a nice view of the fire. She makes sure Hamma is secure and comfortable and feeds him a little treat of the sweet grass Tairo gave her for him.
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls - Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against Demogorgon Silas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of Annihilation Done
Barty will comb Indiana over looking for any ticks or leech like critters. Followed by practicing some commands so they have a better understanding for next encounter.
Setting up his hammock a little lower to the ground for ease of him and Indy to jump up into it later.
“Indy and I will stay up for a bit and keep watch for a while, we should set up the rain catchers just in case it rains at night.”
Kasaaptu concurs and sets up her rain catcher in such a way as to fill the barrel if it rains. The lid of the barrel slightly skewed to let the water run in, but prevent leaves and such from falling within. Before nodding off to sleep she will peruse her spell journal and write down the descriptions of the plants Azaka pointed out, along with some illustrations and some notes on those flower monsters that she gathered material from.
(Ooc: did she find any seeds on those flower monsters ")
Yeah, I look over the map and mark our location, and confirm the position with Azaka for accuracy.
(Ooc: can you post the portion of the map from the city to our present locale. I printed off a copy and like to keep track on a physical map as I go. Thanks in advance)
Sicke will take second watch if someone else would like to join him.
After helping set up camp and observing Azaka’s lesson on the plant life, Sickle will step a short ways away from the group just a bit. Not far, as the jungle is still strange and dangerous, but he stands alone for a moment, barefoot, feeling the earth beneath him and the jungle around him. The movement of the Ancients is slow and steady, with the occasional rush and swirl, like lava flowing within the fires of Mount Hotenow. He feels the power of the land seeping into him. It is not his native soil, but somehow it still strengthens the ties he has to it, and he can feel his mind expand and then focus on new ways to channel the power of the Ancients.
He will return take his rest and second watch when awoken.
Silas is willing to take last watch so he can don his armor before we set off.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls - Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against Demogorgon Silas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of Annihilation Done
The warm night air is sticky and moist. The group, suspended from the ground in their hammocks, struggle to find peace in their first night. The jungle is full of sounds, some far, some near. Movement seems a constant, either from wind, from small animals, from large animals, or from undead...or..as the party has now learned, from venomous plants that move, the rest is hard to find. The crackle of the fire feels weak against the darkness that has closed in on the camp.
Several rain catchers are laid out around the camp in case it rains, with Kasaaptu's attached to run off into her barrel. It seems like if it does rain, you'll get plenty of water.
Sickle is crouched amongst the jungle, a short ways from the group, his bare feet scrunching in the soil. He feels the earth rooted underneath him, filled with life and potential. He smells suddenly a sweet smell on a cool wind that seems to blow past. A small motion catches his eye. About twenty feet from him, perched under a fungas, he notices a tiny person. The creature looks to have two arms, two legs, wearing either a skin tight black suit, or entirely black skin, with a full head of frizzy hair. It's face is hidden behind a white mask, vertically stretched, stylized with thin black curls and simple line art. The creature seems to be watching Sickle with fascination. A loud voice from back in camp barks out a laugh. Sickle blinks and turns his head for just a moment, but when he looks back the creature is gone. Curious and thoughtful, he heads back to camp to get some rest before his watch. Azaka is already asleep so he can't ask his question tonight.
Barty's dreams are strange. He's standing in some sort of hallway. It's wide, and tall, and made of stone. The perspective is strange though, since the guttering torches on the walls are upside down and the flames are going downwards. He spots Indiana trotting along the ceiling above him, looking at him quizzically as he trots to directly above Barty. Barty speaks, "Hey buddy, can you toss me a treat, I'm hungry." Barty knows Indiana is just trying to keep all the food for himself though, there's no way he's going to give him any more treats. The dog, "Please boss, just a few more treats? It's been a while." Barty clutches the treats close, knowing the dog doesn't deserve more treats.
In her dreams, Kasaaptu lays on the ground. Slugs and spiders progress across her body slowly, but she doesn't mind. She watches them, but...realizes she's watching from outside her body. The body below her isn't hers actually. It's Sir Darak, and his eyes are empty holes, his flesh rotting. Oh. He's quite dead she realizes, looking around the destroyed camp. A drop of something hits her cheek. She wipes it away, but another hits her. She looks up and sees her other companions skinned and hanging, blood dripping on her.
She wakes up, as splotches of rain drop on her, having run off the trees above. Soon the rain becomes steady on the leaves of the jungle, rivulets finding their way down the foliage. A couple people are woken by drips and get up to reposition their hammock. The rain lets up after maybe twenty minutes and people shrug themselves back to sleep.
Badger dreams are filled with a dark jungle. Plants seem to close in on him as he rushes from nook to nook seeking some sort of safety. Each time though spiders and scorpions crawl out to greet him and he flees onwards. Eventually he comes into a good sized clearing. There, spiked against a large tree is a half-orc. His body pinned there by a massive broken horn. Some animal must have charged him, skewering him here, and breaking their horn off in the process. The half-orc struggles suddenly, reaching down towards Badger, and he realizes it's Sickle. Sickle reaches out to him, "Help me, it's eating my soul..." slowly the tree that he's pinned to begins to absorb the half-orc's body. His voice gurgles a last yell as it's pulled into the tree, until only his outstretched twitching hand is left. It stops twitching, but he's close enough that it can reach out and poke him. It pokes him again. He hears muffled, "Wake up..." He wakes up. It's time for last watch.
After a time the group begins to break camp, pouring the collected rain water into skins and the like, and breaking fast with rations.
Does anyone do anything else before the journey continues for the day?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
Sir Darak Darkhall: Helping Sedrik pack their tent while Gregory and Boris manage the other, Darak says, "You all did well your first day. Remember to check your boots, apply repellent and fill your waterskins every morning. Boris, I don't like how you broke from the group during the battle yesterday. Stay with Sedrik and Gregory before falling back to cover together."
Having slept in the light padded armor he'd purchased, the Knight quickly changes before having Sedrik assist him with his Chainmail. He drinks any excess water left in their two rain catchers before sharing a half ration with his men.
Badger dreams ... spiders and scorpions ... spiked against a large tree is a half-orc ... "Help me, it's eating my soul..." ... only his outstretched twitching hand is left ...
Does anyone do anything else before the journey continues for the day?
Badger asks around if anyone has any anti-depressants...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Kasaaptu spends some extra time with hamma, ensuring the packs are secured in a way he can move comfortably and gives him another bite of sweet grass. She was pleased with how her spells worked the previous day, and it boosted her confidence and renewed her enthusiasm for the adventure to come. The jungle, with all its dangers, is a beautiful place and she soaks it in. She puts on her dose of repellant and eats her breakfast and oils her weapons. They will need attention everyday in this wet environment. She scatters the sticks she used for her lean-to slash bedframe so as to leave little trace she was here and checks on a badger to see how he is feeling today after the poison and acid sap of yesterday.
Barty takes some time to scout around the surrounding area, making sure not to go too far away. Just taking mental notes on how to move more efficiently through the jungle. Shaken by the dreams he makes sure to give Indy plenty of food and water. “You totally deserve it.” He packs his gear and gets ready to go.
After spending some time pray to Torm and preparing his spells, Silas turns to the guide ,"How far is this Firefinger?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls - Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against Demogorgon Silas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of Annihilation Done
In responses to Badger's wry inquiry about anti-depressants, Azaka responds, "Well, seriously, those dancing monkey fruit are pretty hilarious. If someone is willing to put up with a headache for an hour, that would certainly cheer you up."
While breaking camp and people are packing up their gear Sickle approaches Azaka and asks about what he say. Her brow furrows with thought and she says, "The jungle is full of nature spirits - weird little elemental creatures with masks. They don't speak, and I've never know one to be harmful, but their magical powers should not be taken lightly. It's a bit unusual for one to show itself, but, not unheard of. They are called Chwinga."
As everyone is packed up and read to depart, Silas asks, "How much longer to Firefinger?" Azaka shrugs, "We made good ground the first day, but it will be slower from here on in. If things go well, perhaps 8 days? If not....then longer."
She leads the party away from your campsite and into the gloom of the sweltering jungle. Already the effort of breaking camp has layered folks with sweat, but everyone is healthy and well hydrated and coated with bug repellant. As the group files away into the Jungle, Sickle, you happen to look off to one side of the path and notice, again, the small creature crouched on a branch. Hanging from a tiny offshoot next to him, is what appears to be a small leaf, tied with a thin strip of grass or the like, forming a necklace that is much too large for his tiny body, but might fit a normal human well. The creature raises it's black tiny arm and points at you, and then leaps off of the branch and vanishes in the undergrowth.
The group continues through the warm jungle. The bugs are annoying but don't land and bite, the heat presses, but is tolerable, and the walk is tough, with a lot of up and down, and a good amount of slogging through waterways, but you're making progress. Before noon, Kasaaptu, you notice off to one side, perhaps 200 feet away, up on a rock, a Tabaxi, wearing jungle clothing and equipped with gear. He seems to be perched upon the rock and watching as you pass. It appears to be a male, and he makes no attempt to get your attention or make eye contact, instead just watching you warily as you make your way past his position. You start to raise your hand, but he notices you noticing him and ducks down, and you lose site of him. He doesn't seem to emerge and approach, but has just slipped away into the jungle.
Around noon a light mist begins to fall, and soon you're all drenched by the constant drizzle. With water stocks high Azaka says there's no point using water catches at the moment. You all stop for a light lunch. The mist has stopped. As you're sitting about chatting idly, and chomping on rations, while the dinosaur stomps about scavenging for food, you hear chittering noises that are getting closer. Soon enough, at the tops of the trees you see maybe a dozen monkeys, swooping and swinging along through the jungle. Their odd moment is explained a moment later as you see they have wings on their backs. The lively little creatures swoop and hoop. They're small furry, and seem unafraid as they approach the group eating lunch. Azaka seems unpreturbed by them, but pulls her ration packet closer to herself, and keeps a hand out as if guarding the food. Sure enough, the creatures come right up and into the group, and start swooping through the party. The mischievious creatures begin grabbing for a bit of food. One grabs at sir Darak's gauntlet that is to one side where he's placed it while he eats. Gregory slaps his hand down on it and the monkey hops away.
(Feel free to "go back" to events that I pass by and tell me if you react / do something at those points, that's no problem, if it's what you want to do.)
Kasaaptu rushes to carefully remove the tendrils. Thin white lines across the tendrils appear to be hair, but upon closer inspection appear more like spines from a cactus. Wherever they'd wrapped around Badger, tiny white red dots cover his skin. Silas quickly starts using water to scrub the acid off. It's sticky nature makes it difficult but enough water and it's washing off, however he realizes quickly that the pollen, the tendrils prickles, and the acid were a bad combination, and that the gnome is not just unconscious, but dying. Sir Darak strides forward, placing a hand on Badger. The strong hand seems to brighten, as if a ray of sunshine were across it, and Badger's eyes blink open.
Meanwhile, Gregory and Boris have stepped forward and are helping Sickle wash the sappy acid off of his skin and clothes. Azaka speaks up, "This is nothing friends. The jungle has yet to give us a real greeting." As the group cleans, heals, and helps reassemble, she goes back to hacking her way through the bush.
It's not a half hour later when you break into some clearer jungle and Azaka sizes up a spot to spend the night. She first helps Kasaaptu hobble her dinosaur and tie him up. "He needs enough rope to scavenge a bit, and he can drink from this type of small stream. They can handle the sickness and parasites better than we can. As long as his legs are tied he won't try to break the lead rope and escape." She helps give everyone pointers about how to setup a sleeping spot in the jungle. "String of rope around the bed is supposed to keep snakes away." She shrugs. "I've never been bitten so it maybe works. There's no harm in starting a fire. The smoke will keep the bugs from swarming, and then heat and light will keep away many of the animals. Just ask me before throwing certain leaves in, or we could be in for a bad night. Now, I'm going to do just a bit of scouting and scavenging, I'll be back in 30 minutes."
The temperature is dropping to the much more pleasant warmth of evening, and you're all exhausted. You've been drinking steadily throughout the day and even with all your skins and the barrel, the group of ten plus a dog seems to be going through your water rapidly. Sir Darak's clothes and flesh is soaked from the walk and he eagerly gulps down some more water. Packs are heavy, the terrain is tough, and your legs and feet are sore. A good night's sleep will do you well.
Azaka comes back about twenty minutes later, "So, we're in luck." She has a huge smile on her face, something you haven't seen before. She looks rather ferocious, the smile is one of a predator, not a jovial maiden. She holds three dark purple fruits that are shaped like midsized tomatoes. "These are Dancing Monkey fruit. I'm tempted to let one of you try them, but they leave you with quite a hang-over. If you eat one, you will begin to dance uncontrollably. It's quite funny to watch. It only lasts a short time, and then you are left feeling hung over for an hour or so." She puts them down, "If any of you want to hold on to them, do so. They're worth a bit of money back at Port, but you can't sell them without a license." She then says, "Kasaaptu, you wanted to see the jungle, let me show you some fauna..." She proceeds to show Kasaaptu (and anyone who wishes to join) numerous plants around the camp, including some plants that when smoked relax you, a meaty looking beetle that she says can help people suffering from Mad Monkey disease...no, not dancing monkey. There are many monkey diseases apparently. She shows you a small mushroom whose spores are poisonous. "This one is too small, but if you carefully pick the bigger ones, they can be thrown and when the land they will release their spores in an area. It can be used like a weapon. But, those bigger ones are harder to find." Finally she shows you a small bush bearing a dark brown tiny berry. "A handful of these consumed, if fresh, can help your body ward off poison and disease for a while...but...they don't keep well and these ones are not ready yet."
Otherwise, camp is set, with all the creepy crawly squirmy scaly things in the jungle clearly waiting to invade the camp and crawl into your ear while you're sleeping. Ug.
What are night time and morning time routines like? Does anyone do anything else at this point? Let me know if you guys keep watch, what the schedule is like, and how you setup camp.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
(OOC: I don't recall what we bought, but I assume hammocks are the standard sleeping gear for the jungle - keeps us off the floor and safe from ground bugs and ground water. As for usual watch routine, Badger will probably prefer the final watch if no-one objects. At least he will tonight as he is too exhausted after his ordeal with the killer plant.)
Badger will string up his hammock (or whatever the alternative) and set out his water catcher, eat some rations, then sleep. Hopefully his lizard familiar Yertle will eat any bugs that might irritate Badger during the night. He will rise early in the morning to take the last watch, and perform his daily prognostications, then memorise his spells for the day, and make some preparations for the group for breakfast.
Portent: 12, 20 (This is for my new divination power. Since rolls are both low, and I'm supposed to declare them as substitutes for rolls prior to the original, I'll just say let's use them on the first 2 attack or saving rolls made by any enemy against any of the party that I can see.)
Badger peers into his crystal ball, and predicts misfortune today for those who would oppose them ...
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Kasaaptu thanks Azaka for showing her the plants and asks for a monkey fruit. She thoroughly enjoys learning about the strange, wonderful and terrifying plants in this jungle. She thinks a watch is an absolute necessity, but will let the others decide the order. She is good with any slot. She pitches her tent in a lean to configuration some she can see what is going on around her and can exit quickly if required. She finds some long branches and creates two bipeds with a ridge pole connecting the two to pitch her lean to with. She sets about lashing too more stout poles to the legs of the bipods and folds her blanket around the poles in such a way that her body weight will hold it in place for a bed raised off the ground, like a cot. A very cozy setup with a nice view of the fire. She makes sure Hamma is secure and comfortable and feeds him a little treat of the sweet grass Tairo gave her for him.
Silas will touch where the acid ate at, casting cure Wounds on himself,
"Anyone need some healing just in case we're attacked during the night?"
If no one says anything, Silas will turn in for the night in his tent and bedroll after taking his armor off.
Cure Wounds: 9
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls- Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against DemogorgonSilas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of AnnihilationDoneBarty will comb Indiana over looking for any ticks or leech like critters. Followed by practicing some commands so they have a better understanding for next encounter.
Setting up his hammock a little lower to the ground for ease of him and Indy to jump up into it later.
“Indy and I will stay up for a bit and keep watch for a while, we should set up the rain catchers just in case it rains at night.”
Kasaaptu concurs and sets up her rain catcher in such a way as to fill the barrel if it rains. The lid of the barrel slightly skewed to let the water run in, but prevent leaves and such from falling within. Before nodding off to sleep she will peruse her spell journal and write down the descriptions of the plants Azaka pointed out, along with some illustrations and some notes on those flower monsters that she gathered material from.
(Ooc: did she find any seeds on those flower monsters ")
You also take a moment to review the map and where you are, and where you're headed.
(I tried to post a screen shot of the map here, but it went away, hopefully this one sticks)
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Yeah, I look over the map and mark our location, and confirm the position with Azaka for accuracy.
(Ooc: can you post the portion of the map from the city to our present locale. I printed off a copy and like to keep track on a physical map as I go. Thanks in advance)
Sicke will take second watch if someone else would like to join him.
After helping set up camp and observing Azaka’s lesson on the plant life, Sickle will step a short ways away from the group just a bit. Not far, as the jungle is still strange and dangerous, but he stands alone for a moment, barefoot, feeling the earth beneath him and the jungle around him. The movement of the Ancients is slow and steady, with the occasional rush and swirl, like lava flowing within the fires of Mount Hotenow. He feels the power of the land seeping into him. It is not his native soil, but somehow it still strengthens the ties he has to it, and he can feel his mind expand and then focus on new ways to channel the power of the Ancients.
He will return take his rest and second watch when awoken.
Kasaaptu with join Sickle for 2nd watch.
Silas is willing to take last watch so he can don his armor before we set off.
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls- Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against DemogorgonSilas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of AnnihilationDoneThe warm night air is sticky and moist. The group, suspended from the ground in their hammocks, struggle to find peace in their first night. The jungle is full of sounds, some far, some near. Movement seems a constant, either from wind, from small animals, from large animals, or from undead...or..as the party has now learned, from venomous plants that move, the rest is hard to find. The crackle of the fire feels weak against the darkness that has closed in on the camp.
Several rain catchers are laid out around the camp in case it rains, with Kasaaptu's attached to run off into her barrel. It seems like if it does rain, you'll get plenty of water.
Sickle is crouched amongst the jungle, a short ways from the group, his bare feet scrunching in the soil. He feels the earth rooted underneath him, filled with life and potential. He smells suddenly a sweet smell on a cool wind that seems to blow past. A small motion catches his eye. About twenty feet from him, perched under a fungas, he notices a tiny person. The creature looks to have two arms, two legs, wearing either a skin tight black suit, or entirely black skin, with a full head of frizzy hair. It's face is hidden behind a white mask, vertically stretched, stylized with thin black curls and simple line art. The creature seems to be watching Sickle with fascination. A loud voice from back in camp barks out a laugh. Sickle blinks and turns his head for just a moment, but when he looks back the creature is gone. Curious and thoughtful, he heads back to camp to get some rest before his watch. Azaka is already asleep so he can't ask his question tonight.
Barty's dreams are strange. He's standing in some sort of hallway. It's wide, and tall, and made of stone. The perspective is strange though, since the guttering torches on the walls are upside down and the flames are going downwards. He spots Indiana trotting along the ceiling above him, looking at him quizzically as he trots to directly above Barty. Barty speaks, "Hey buddy, can you toss me a treat, I'm hungry." Barty knows Indiana is just trying to keep all the food for himself though, there's no way he's going to give him any more treats. The dog, "Please boss, just a few more treats? It's been a while." Barty clutches the treats close, knowing the dog doesn't deserve more treats.
In her dreams, Kasaaptu lays on the ground. Slugs and spiders progress across her body slowly, but she doesn't mind. She watches them, but...realizes she's watching from outside her body. The body below her isn't hers actually. It's Sir Darak, and his eyes are empty holes, his flesh rotting. Oh. He's quite dead she realizes, looking around the destroyed camp. A drop of something hits her cheek. She wipes it away, but another hits her. She looks up and sees her other companions skinned and hanging, blood dripping on her.
She wakes up, as splotches of rain drop on her, having run off the trees above. Soon the rain becomes steady on the leaves of the jungle, rivulets finding their way down the foliage. A couple people are woken by drips and get up to reposition their hammock. The rain lets up after maybe twenty minutes and people shrug themselves back to sleep.
Badger dreams are filled with a dark jungle. Plants seem to close in on him as he rushes from nook to nook seeking some sort of safety. Each time though spiders and scorpions crawl out to greet him and he flees onwards. Eventually he comes into a good sized clearing. There, spiked against a large tree is a half-orc. His body pinned there by a massive broken horn. Some animal must have charged him, skewering him here, and breaking their horn off in the process. The half-orc struggles suddenly, reaching down towards Badger, and he realizes it's Sickle. Sickle reaches out to him, "Help me, it's eating my soul..." slowly the tree that he's pinned to begins to absorb the half-orc's body. His voice gurgles a last yell as it's pulled into the tree, until only his outstretched twitching hand is left. It stops twitching, but he's close enough that it can reach out and poke him. It pokes him again. He hears muffled, "Wake up..." He wakes up. It's time for last watch.
After a time the group begins to break camp, pouring the collected rain water into skins and the like, and breaking fast with rations.
Does anyone do anything else before the journey continues for the day?
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Sir Darak Darkhall: Helping Sedrik pack their tent while Gregory and Boris manage the other, Darak says, "You all did well your first day. Remember to check your boots, apply repellent and fill your waterskins every morning. Boris, I don't like how you broke from the group during the battle yesterday. Stay with Sedrik and Gregory before falling back to cover together."
Having slept in the light padded armor he'd purchased, the Knight quickly changes before having Sedrik assist him with his Chainmail. He drinks any excess water left in their two rain catchers before sharing a half ration with his men.
"Not all those who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkien
Badger asks around if anyone has any anti-depressants...
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Kasaaptu spends some extra time with hamma, ensuring the packs are secured in a way he can move comfortably and gives him another bite of sweet grass. She was pleased with how her spells worked the previous day, and it boosted her confidence and renewed her enthusiasm for the adventure to come. The jungle, with all its dangers, is a beautiful place and she soaks it in. She puts on her dose of repellant and eats her breakfast and oils her weapons. They will need attention everyday in this wet environment. She scatters the sticks she used for her lean-to slash bedframe so as to leave little trace she was here and checks on a badger to see how he is feeling today after the poison and acid sap of yesterday.
Barty takes some time to scout around the surrounding area, making sure not to go too far away. Just taking mental notes on how to move more efficiently through the jungle. Shaken by the dreams he makes sure to give Indy plenty of food and water. “You totally deserve it.” He packs his gear and gets ready to go.
After spending some time pray to Torm and preparing his spells, Silas turns to the guide ,"How far is this Firefinger?"
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls- Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against DemogorgonSilas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of AnnihilationDoneSickle will spend time meditating and preparing his spells, then ask Azaka about the person he thought he saw last night.
(OOC: Thanks for bearing with me while i learn to use the internet....)
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
In responses to Badger's wry inquiry about anti-depressants, Azaka responds, "Well, seriously, those dancing monkey fruit are pretty hilarious. If someone is willing to put up with a headache for an hour, that would certainly cheer you up."
While breaking camp and people are packing up their gear Sickle approaches Azaka and asks about what he say. Her brow furrows with thought and she says, "The jungle is full of nature spirits - weird little elemental creatures with masks. They don't speak, and I've never know one to be harmful, but their magical powers should not be taken lightly. It's a bit unusual for one to show itself, but, not unheard of. They are called Chwinga."
As everyone is packed up and read to depart, Silas asks, "How much longer to Firefinger?" Azaka shrugs, "We made good ground the first day, but it will be slower from here on in. If things go well, perhaps 8 days? If not....then longer."
She leads the party away from your campsite and into the gloom of the sweltering jungle. Already the effort of breaking camp has layered folks with sweat, but everyone is healthy and well hydrated and coated with bug repellant. As the group files away into the Jungle, Sickle, you happen to look off to one side of the path and notice, again, the small creature crouched on a branch. Hanging from a tiny offshoot next to him, is what appears to be a small leaf, tied with a thin strip of grass or the like, forming a necklace that is much too large for his tiny body, but might fit a normal human well. The creature raises it's black tiny arm and points at you, and then leaps off of the branch and vanishes in the undergrowth.
The group continues through the warm jungle. The bugs are annoying but don't land and bite, the heat presses, but is tolerable, and the walk is tough, with a lot of up and down, and a good amount of slogging through waterways, but you're making progress. Before noon, Kasaaptu, you notice off to one side, perhaps 200 feet away, up on a rock, a Tabaxi, wearing jungle clothing and equipped with gear. He seems to be perched upon the rock and watching as you pass. It appears to be a male, and he makes no attempt to get your attention or make eye contact, instead just watching you warily as you make your way past his position. You start to raise your hand, but he notices you noticing him and ducks down, and you lose site of him. He doesn't seem to emerge and approach, but has just slipped away into the jungle.
Around noon a light mist begins to fall, and soon you're all drenched by the constant drizzle. With water stocks high Azaka says there's no point using water catches at the moment. You all stop for a light lunch. The mist has stopped. As you're sitting about chatting idly, and chomping on rations, while the dinosaur stomps about scavenging for food, you hear chittering noises that are getting closer. Soon enough, at the tops of the trees you see maybe a dozen monkeys, swooping and swinging along through the jungle. Their odd moment is explained a moment later as you see they have wings on their backs. The lively little creatures swoop and hoop. They're small furry, and seem unafraid as they approach the group eating lunch. Azaka seems unpreturbed by them, but pulls her ration packet closer to herself, and keeps a hand out as if guarding the food. Sure enough, the creatures come right up and into the group, and start swooping through the party. The mischievious creatures begin grabbing for a bit of food. One grabs at sir Darak's gauntlet that is to one side where he's placed it while he eats. Gregory slaps his hand down on it and the monkey hops away.
(Feel free to "go back" to events that I pass by and tell me if you react / do something at those points, that's no problem, if it's what you want to do.)
Everyone make a Dex saving throw.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.