For the past several days, the talk of the streets and taverns has all been about the so-called death curse: a wasting disease afflicting everyone who’s ever been raised from the dead. Victims grow thinner and weaker each day, slowly but steadily sliding toward the death they once denied. When they finally succumb, they can’t be raised — and neither can anyone else, regardless of whether they’ve ever received that miracle in the past. Temples and scholars of divine magic are at a loss to explain a curse that has affected the entire region, and possibly the entire world.
You have been invited to the home of Syndra Silvane, a retired adventurer and merchant. A uniformed attendant leads you up a grand staircase to the third floor, then ushers you into a wood-paneled room with a fireplace, comfortable chairs, and a heavy table bearing goblets and bottles of wine. The darkly paneled walls are hung with maps and sea charts. Racks, shelves, and cabinets hold hundreds more rolled-up maps and charts.
Syndra Silvane is seated in an overstuffed chair near the fire. Her head emerges from under a heavy blanket draped over the chair, and an embroidered hood and silver mask conceal her face. She clears her throat, and then speaks in a dry, raspy voice.
“Help yourselves to wine, and seat yourselves, friends — I hope I may call you that.”
As Rajag enters the room, he starts to eye the valuables he can see. Cautiously, he sits down, wary of his environment. His tusk curls up in a fake smile and he says, "You've got quite the collection here. I'm jealous of the life you must have lead." He takes a goblet and pours himself a substantial drink.
Odon takes a seat in one of the chairs, slouching slightly. He has chosen the chair closest to the exit - and farthest away from Syndra Silvane. He remains silent.
As with Rajag, Yi sits down, intaking all of the wealth in the tavern. He fakes a prayer as he peeks around, finding the little details of the shelves. As he mumbles his prayers, he studies intensely on Syndra Silvane for any signs of the personality that can be manipulated. After finishing the "prayer", Yi says, "Indeed, what a nice place. I hope you got everything we need. Anyways, what do you want to share, my friend."
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Why are we here just to suffer when we could be here and not suffer :)
"Well, the life of an explorer certainly isn't a boring one. I was an adventurer once, yes, but my life was ended at the hands of an arch-lich many, many years ago. Obviously, I was fortunate enough to be raised from the dead, but being killed has a strange effect on a person. I have since closed the door on the adventuring stage of my life. But I didn't bring you here to discuss my life story. As you may know, the death curse you’ve heard about has struck me. I don’t know how much longer I’ll last before I perish. Clerics have no help to offer. They’re stymied by what is happening. However, my contacts in the Harpers have recently learned that the cause of the death curse is a necromantic artifact called the Soulmonger. According to their sources, the Soulmonger is somewhere in Chult. If you aren't aware, Chult is a peninsula ringed with mountains and choked with rainforests. Enormous reptiles, savage goblins, and an army of undead prowl its jungles and ruins. Mapping the place has always been nigh impossible, and nothing is known about the region’s current geography beyond a few miles from the coast. Of course, I wouldn't set you free in an uncharted wildland with nothing. Working from dozens of sea charts, logbooks, and explorers’ journals, I assembled everything known about the current state of Chult into one map. I’ll provide it to you if you undertake my mission."
Kairon suddenly comes into view, seemingly appearing from the shadows. She glances around the room, observing her company and the wealth-laden walls. "What will we receive in return if we complete your mission?"
{Rajag - Roll a Sleight of Hand check (like this but with brackets around the "roll"s and the "skill" and "/skill"):
skill Sleight of Hand /skill : roll 1d20-1 /roll }
Syndra shifts in her seat.
"To be completely honest, we don't know very much about the Soulmonger. We know that it is in Chult, and we know that it prevents the dead from being raised. We also know that it affects the undead, but we don't how it does this or how long it takes to kill. As for rewards, I can offer each of you a rare magical artifact. If that isn't enough for you, you can rest assured knowing that the treasure within Chult itself will make you as rich as kings."
A sigh comes from behind Syndra's mask as Rajag knocks over his goblet, tipping over a bottle of liquor and causing a cascade of wine to spill onto the fine rug beneath the cocktail table.
"Look... If you need money this desperately, I can offer each of you fifty gold pieces to get you on your way. Just try not to ruin any more carpets. I've had that one for a century and I wasn't planning on replacing it any time soon."
Syndra snaps her fingers, and the attendant who led you here begins cleaning up the mess.
Rajag chuckles awkwardly and after a beat replies, " Heh, I has just checking out your beautiful goblet set." His normally green face turns red from embarrassment.
Syndra nods“When you’re ready to depart, I will teleport us all to Port Nyanzaru, the only major settlement in Chult. I'll provide you with the money and the map when we arrive. I’ve been there several times before, so there’s little chance of mishap. Once there, I’ll stay with a friend named Wakanga O’tamu. He’s one of seven merchant princes who rule the city.”
"Well, if you're prepared to leave I don't think I do. Follow me"
Syndra extricates herself from her mass of blankets and hobbles towards a simple hardwood door on the left side of her room. The door creaks as she pulls it open. Inside, you see a large, circle of intricately carved symbols on the floor of the room. The circle gives off a faint glow as Syndra steps into the center. She chants something in an unfamiliar language, and suddenly you find yourselves in a completely different location.
You appear in a tropical city under the blazing sun. The familiar sounds of a harbor — creaking ropes, slapping waves, heavy barrels rolling across cobblestones — mingle with voices shouting and cursing in an unfamiliar language filled with clicks, inhalations, and singsongy words that make it sound almost musical. The aroma of unfamiliar spices and tropical fruit mixes with the wharfside smells of fish, tar, and canvas.
Beyond all that, Port Nyanzaru is an explosion of color. Buildings are painted in bright shades of blue, green, orange, and salmon pink, or their walls are adorned with murals portraying giant reptiles and mythical heroes. Every building sports baskets and clay urns of colorful flowers or is draped in leafy, flowering vines. Minstrels in bright clothing adorned with feathers and shells perform on street corners. Multicolored pennants and sun awnings flutter atop the city walls. A crowd of children dressed in feathered hats and capes races past you, squealing in delighted terror as a street performer costumed as a big-toothed lizard stomps and roars behind them. The whole city seems to be bustling, sweating, laughing, swearing, and singing.
Syndra addresses you before turning and heading towards the city.
"You're on your own now. If you need a place to sleep, I recommend you secure rooms for yourselves at the Thundering Lizard or Kaya's House of Repose. Aside from that, the Grand Souk is a good place to stock up on supplies. You'll need them to survive in the jungle. Good luck."
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As Rajag enters the room, he starts to eye the valuables he can see. Cautiously, he sits down, wary of his environment. His tusk curls up in a fake smile and he says, "You've got quite the collection here. I'm jealous of the life you must have lead." He takes a goblet and pours himself a substantial drink.
Odon takes a seat in one of the chairs, slouching slightly. He has chosen the chair closest to the exit - and farthest away from Syndra Silvane. He remains silent.
As with Rajag, Yi sits down, intaking all of the wealth in the tavern. He fakes a prayer as he peeks around, finding the little details of the shelves. As he mumbles his prayers, he studies intensely on Syndra Silvane for any signs of the personality that can be manipulated. After finishing the "prayer", Yi says, "Indeed, what a nice place. I hope you got everything we need. Anyways, what do you want to share, my friend."
Why are we here just to suffer when we could be here and not suffer :)
Keacan sits down in one of the chairs, looking at Syndra Silvane and around the room.
Under the mask, Syndra seems to chuckle.
"Well, the life of an explorer certainly isn't a boring one. I was an adventurer once, yes, but my life was ended at the hands of an arch-lich many, many years ago. Obviously, I was fortunate enough to be raised from the dead, but being killed has a strange effect on a person. I have since closed the door on the adventuring stage of my life. But I didn't bring you here to discuss my life story. As you may know, the death curse you’ve heard about has struck me. I don’t know how much longer I’ll last before I perish. Clerics have no help to offer. They’re stymied by what is happening. However, my contacts in the Harpers have recently learned that the cause of the death curse is a necromantic artifact called the Soulmonger. According to their sources, the Soulmonger is somewhere in Chult. If you aren't aware, Chult is a peninsula ringed with mountains and choked with rainforests. Enormous reptiles, savage goblins, and an army of undead prowl its jungles and ruins. Mapping the place has always been nigh impossible, and nothing is known about the region’s current geography beyond a few miles from the coast. Of course, I wouldn't set you free in an uncharted wildland with nothing. Working from dozens of sea charts, logbooks, and explorers’ journals, I assembled everything known about the current state of Chult into one map. I’ll provide it to you if you undertake my mission."
Unfazed, Rajag finishes his drink and attempts to sneakily pocket the goblet for himself.
Odon sits up. "Tell us more about the Soulmonger."
Kairon suddenly comes into view, seemingly appearing from the shadows. She glances around the room, observing her company and the wealth-laden walls. "What will we receive in return if we complete your mission?"
{Rajag - Roll a Sleight of Hand check (like this but with brackets around the "roll"s and the "skill" and "/skill"):
skill Sleight of Hand /skill : roll 1d20-1 /roll }
Syndra shifts in her seat.
"To be completely honest, we don't know very much about the Soulmonger. We know that it is in Chult, and we know that it prevents the dead from being raised. We also know that it affects the undead, but we don't how it does this or how long it takes to kill. As for rewards, I can offer each of you a rare magical artifact. If that isn't enough for you, you can rest assured knowing that the treasure within Chult itself will make you as rich as kings."
[skill]Sleight of Hand[skill]0
A sigh comes from behind Syndra's mask as Rajag knocks over his goblet, tipping over a bottle of liquor and causing a cascade of wine to spill onto the fine rug beneath the cocktail table.
"Look... If you need money this desperately, I can offer each of you fifty gold pieces to get you on your way. Just try not to ruin any more carpets. I've had that one for a century and I wasn't planning on replacing it any time soon."
Syndra snaps her fingers, and the attendant who led you here begins cleaning up the mess.
Odon mutters beneath his breath, "Fool, don't try that with the person who's hiring you," then adds so that all of them may hear, "We'd be honored."
Rajag chuckles awkwardly and after a beat replies, " Heh, I has just checking out your beautiful goblet set." His normally green face turns red from embarrassment.
Syndra nods “When you’re ready to depart, I will teleport us all to Port Nyanzaru, the only major settlement in Chult. I'll provide you with the money and the map when we arrive. I’ve been there several times before, so there’s little chance of mishap. Once there, I’ll stay with a friend named Wakanga O’tamu. He’s one of seven merchant princes who rule the city.”
"When shall we depart?"
"Let's check around town to buy supplies"
"I'd like to be on my way as soon as possible."
"Let's go to the shop and buy some supplies. But first, do you have anything else for us to know?"
Why are we here just to suffer when we could be here and not suffer :)
"Well, if you're prepared to leave I don't think I do. Follow me"
Syndra extricates herself from her mass of blankets and hobbles towards a simple hardwood door on the left side of her room. The door creaks as she pulls it open. Inside, you see a large, circle of intricately carved symbols on the floor of the room. The circle gives off a faint glow as Syndra steps into the center. She chants something in an unfamiliar language, and suddenly you find yourselves in a completely different location.
Syndra addresses you before turning and heading towards the city.
"You're on your own now. If you need a place to sleep, I recommend you secure rooms for yourselves at the Thundering Lizard or Kaya's House of Repose. Aside from that, the Grand Souk is a good place to stock up on supplies. You'll need them to survive in the jungle. Good luck."