Private thread. Placeholder.

Gotur and Alton, a week has passed since you returned from the Thundertree ruins, and it is today that you both are supposed to meet the owner of the graveyard (he shall be named Fred) so he can tell you about another issue of dire importance. 

You have heard around the town during the week that Lord Dagult Neverember has already sent out a large offensive consisting of a mix of Neverwinter city guard and militia towards the ruins to deal with the hag's coven. almost 50 men! that'll teach those cursed witches! one townsfolk said. 

This was to return peace to the graveyard... or so everyone thought. 

 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 far away region of Chult, and they are becoming extremely worried because there is word of this disease potentially arriving on southwestern Faerun's shores sooner than later. 

 Gotur and Alton, you arrive at the graveyard almost at the same time. It's been a week since you've seen each other, but you both have heard the news above. Fred sees you both and takes you into his private quarters in the gravehouse. (I am not adding this graveyard owner as a NPC in case you were wondering as he's not really in the game). "Ah. Gotur. Alton. I am so pleased to see you both again. Please, follow me."

He would've also explained the death curse to you. Once inside his quarters, you also see a dwarf standing by the window (Rod, you can go ahead and describe what they see!), as well as the woman listed as Syndra Silvane on our NPC tab. 

Evo, you had stopped in at the gravehouse to visit the owner who is your friend and colleague a few moments before Gotur and Alton arrive as per your background we discussed in the 1:1. Fred would've said to you "Ah! Evo, it is great to see you, and your timing is impeccable. I have a matter of urgent importance for you at once. Please, follow me."

Fred addresses you all "I am not going to waste any time. Please, meet my lifelong friend and colleague, Madam Syndra Silvane, archmage of Chult." 

Fred bows. The lady stands from a chair. "Thank you, Fred. Please, you can call me Syn. From what Fred has told me, you are all well established adventurers. Well, we are going to need all the help we can muster. The entire world may depend on it."

She continues... (paraphrased of course due to PbP!)

"I am here on Fred's word that all of you are seasoned adventurers. *sigh* I was an adventurer years ago. Much like you folk, I imagine.  I even died once and was raised from the dead. It was quite a long time ago... alas, I have since closed the door on that stage of my life... Or so I had thought. You see, I decided to travel to far away lands, away from the site of my death to start over after my resurrection. I decided upon Chult. A vast and gorgeous landscape filled with awe inspiring jungles and wildlife... a true paradise."

"However... the death curse you’ve by now heard about has struck me given I am resurrected. I don’t know how much longer I’ll last before I start to show symptoms. Clerics have no help to offer. They’re stymied by what is happening. My contacts have 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."

"Chult is, well... huge. A peninsula ringed with mountains and choked with rainforests. 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. I assembled everything known about the current state of Chult into one map. I’ll provide it to you if you undertake my mission."

(her map that she provides is the map on the 'Map of Chult' tab. It is different than the one I had on there. Less uncovered. She doesn't know the entire region...)

"When you’re ready to depart, I will teleport us all to Port Nyanzaru, the only major settlement in Chult, where I currently reside. Once there, we will meet up with a scout who I have lined up for you to join you on this quest as you will need one in the jungles. You will like him. I promise." 

She gets a half smile out. 

"As far as a reward... well, once this curse hits Faerun's shores, and it will, you won't be thinking about rewards and the like, trust me. Imagine a world with no more resurrections. And the folk, like me, who have already been saved... you can forget about them. However, I am familiar with the ways of this world. You need not worry about a reward. You will find enough treasure in Chult to make you all as rich as kings. It's another one of the reasons why I decided to move there." she semi-laughs. 

"We will be teleporting using my magic to Port Nyanzaru. I know the city so it won't fail. The scout I have is waiting for us near the docks where we will be arriving."

 Ok, the characters (minus PPP) can discuss the matter at hand if they'd like and also ask Syn anything you see fit. Apologies in advance if I missed anything or if something doesn't make sense... I could've very well forgotten to type a thought so just let me know. 

Once everyone is ready, she will create a 8ft high magic gate/archway which as you walk through will teleport the party to the destination described. 

I will catch up with this tomorrow. Thank you for your patience!

Google sheet link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BN23DQDrAKvzNLFcDh7dpnv_CiDfSJ_TloAK9-2VpfY/edit#gid=102193570

Evo is a squat, slightly rounded dwarf with jolly eyes. He has receding red hair and a long braided beard. He listens intently, looking at the pair he will be traveling with, apparently, and giving a smile.

Once Syn stops he clears his throat and says,

"Aye agree with ye on how serious this all sounds Syn, and meh only question is, why meh? Aye don't know these other lads, but aye'm just a wandering cleric. Aye'm nothing special, nor am aye any sorta adventurer - but Lady knows aye've had a few adventures!"

((I know you said we'd know little about Chult, I'm just making to this roll to see if Gotur is even aware of a whole other continent. History: 21))

"Chult, huh? Met a merchant who was selling timber he'd imported from Chult, it was fine looking stuff, beautiful grain and color, but the price he wanted for it... I had to pass. Couldn't spend a month's earnings on a few lengths of wood, no matter how fine."

Gotur is a very large half orc of slightly above average height, and substantially above average width. His remaining hair is pulled back, and he sports a bristly beard on his chin, with a bare upper lip. He carries an intricately carved quarterstaff, that the more one looks at it, the more hidden animals one can spot amongst the vegetation, but as you focus on the new animals, the others seem to vanish as you loose track of where they were.

 "I know sight-seeing isn't the order of the day, but I never thought I'd get a chance to travel so far! I'm game, if the others are?", he says, looking at Alton.

Before they leave, Gotur will ask Fred for a piece of paper and a pen and dash off a quick note, asking the gravekeeper to see it delivered to one Venovar Graphanis.

Venovar,

Hope you and your mom are doing well. You've probably heard about this Death Curse thing. Sounds pretty bad, huh? Well, Alton and I got asked to look into it, so we're headed to Chult of all places! I'm hoping it all goes well, and we're able to get it sorted, but though you and your mom might appreciate knowing that you've friends trying to fix it before it becomes a problem for you.

Your friend 

Gotur 

Alton pads silently after Gotur, his hood up. He joins Fred in the room and listens intently, absentmindedly twirling a dagger in his hands as he absorbs the information Syn is presenting. At seeing Gotur write out the letter, Alton stands up on his tippytoes to get a peek at the letter, then removing his hood. Alton is a small, lithe, average height halfling with shaggy blonde hair and bright blue eyes. He dresses mainly in black, but one looking closely can see an array of weapons tucked in the folds and pockets of his clothes.

He gives a nod of approval at seeing it written to Venovar, and with Gotur’s approval will grab the writing utensil for himself and scrawl out an And Alton in messy handwriting at the end of the letter. “So... Chult,” he says moving back to regular standing position. “Can’t say I’ve ever heard of it, but tropical sounds nice. Haven’t had a vacation in forever. I’m ready to go whenever everyone else is... is there anything else we might need to know?” Alton asks with a smirk. 

"Oh, yes, by all means Alton.", Gotur hands over the pen.

"It's warm there? Like warmer than summer here warm?"

Evo looks decidedly less jovial.

Evo, Syn looks at you. "To be honest my new friend, I have no idea why you. All I can go by is my trust in Fred. And hope to hell he's right." she then looks at Fred, and says "well... Fred?"

And Fred responds "Evo. I have known you a long time. You are far too modest about your holy abilities. Always have been. Guess that's why so many folk like you."

"But more than your magical abilities... Listen. The last time we spoke, you had mentioned you had been thinking about a greater purpose or task, you know, something that could perhaps serve a greater purpose. Well, I took that to heart, and it's funny how this world works because not a day after our conversation, Syn contacted me from Chult and told me the news. Told me she needed help. I thought of you immediately."

Fred would look at Gotur and Alton "And you two... are the saviors of the graveyard and from what I've heard saviors for other folk in this city as well, and I couldn't think of a better trio to refer to Syn. This is how this has come about, my friends."

((That is so awesome Spider about Ven's mom! I also though of her... yep she will be screwed if this hits the shores.))

"Aye. I will ensure Venovar gets this."

LMFAO @ "And Alton" !!!

Syn responds to Evo "Yes. It is a tropical island... 95 degrees during the day from the readings I've taken.  You need not dress heavy. Would be a bad idea especially in the jungles."

"Aye...yer right Fred. Maybe the Lady put the thought in meh head and meh in the right place. Dunno bout the great magic though! Aye will do what ah can Fred, Syn."

To the temperature comment he looks like he might cry as he glances down at his heavy metal armor,

"And it's sunny? Oy, do aye burn."

He straightens his spin none the less and, with a deep breath walks through pausing only to say to Fred,

"Best tell Mandy what happened. She'll be cross, but aye'll be half a world away!"

Evo, Syn now sees your thick heavy chainmail armor and says "I will be frank. In the jungles, you will roast like a stuck pig in that, my good man." she looks at Fred with a disapproving glance as she says "So. Does anyone have any final preparations to make before we leave? The teleportation itself is instantaneous, although you might feel strange for a moment or two once we arrive. After all, we are travelling close to 3000 miles in a heartbeat." she smiles in kind of a powerful way. "I would like to leave now, if possible. I know it is short notice, but the world could depend on this. I trust you have made arrangements for any families and said your goodbyes? I don't want to sugar coat this. I cannot promise your return."

Fred looks at her wide eyed. He knew the importance of this, but perhaps not quite to the magnitude of its reality. 

Fred says to Evo "Yes. I can tell her if you'd like, friend." he places a hand on your shoulder as he says this. (who is Mandy? spouse?)

((His immediate supervisor in the church of Selune. If she knows where Evo went she can tell Evo's family.))

Evo starts preemptively sweating at Syn's words.

"Great...great. Without it I'm just the pig though."

He jokes lamely as he steels himself mentally for the heat.

"Tried to stay out the forges but the Lady sends me back in."

"Ah.... I have a mule here in town, I don't think Zhoggab will like the jungle much... Fred, would you have use for a mule here at the graveyard while I'm gone? I can leave you some coin to see to his upkeep... and well, if our mission fails, he's yours to keep."

"I can make you armor of bark, that'd likely be cooler, but it only lasts an hour, or until someone smacks me hard enough to lose focus. Perhaps picking up something else before we go?"

Evo, Syn kind of chuckles "well... in that case then, you best be drinking lots of water. And I mean lots.

Evo, Fred says "My friend. You have my word. I shall send word via magic to the church in Waterdeep and give the news to Mandy. Your family will be proud, along with the church."

Gotur, Fred responds "Gotur, yes, that is not a problem and you need not worry about the upkeep. I have a few hands around the grounds who will be delighted to have an animal companion walk the grounds. Zhoggab, you say? He's docile, yes? If so, then I will arrange for some hands to bring him here. He will be in good care, I assure you."

"Uh, Go-tour was it? Bark sounds grand but we'll see if aye can manage. If not, aye'll take ye up on it!"

He wipes sweat from his forehead.

"Lots of water. Got it."

While the rest of the group converses, Alton is deep in thought. Once there is a monetary pause in the conversation and there is silence, he will raise his head and speak. “Um may we perhaps wait. There are... some people I need to talk to. It won’t take much more than an hour, tops, but I need to at least let them know I’m leaving... and that I might not be coming back.” He says quietly and solemnly. 

Alton, Syn sighs. But then again, it was her suggestion... "Alright. Yes. Please go and say your farewells. You speak the truth... Alton, is it? You might not be coming back. Fred has also told me about you. Your quick feet shall serve you well in the jungles. Anyhow, yes. Go and return within the hour and we shall enter the gate."

((any other RP or questions or prep that any of you want to do before we teleport to Chult? ctleath13, we will continue to RP the hour Alton has now in our 1:1 and will just assume that the hour passed in this thread. We will just finish it in the 1:1 to not hold up the teleport.))

((No more questions from Evo.))

If we're taking an hour, Gotur will go fetch Zhoggab, fill the manager of the place he's been staying and stabling his mule of his plans, and bring him back to the graveyard, turning his mule over to Fred.

All his gear gathered, he stands ready to depart.

Evo chats with Fred and Syn.

Alton returns about an hour later, breathless but with a smile on his face. “Well, are we ready? I’m good to go.” He says.