"Yes, I think it's important to get what we need and move on," Dryn says looking anxious to be on her way.

"My recommendation would be to visit Kwayothé for the repellent, then Ifan to get mounts, and lastly Jobal to get potentially life-saving info on how to travel the jungle..." Syndra says.

"As for what mounts you'd need for such a terrain or if you'll really need them at all... You'd have to ask Ifan for that. He's the one who's an animal expert, I'm just the magic man!" Wakanga explains with a chuckle. 

"I'll be paying for those resources, but here..." Syndra hands you all one small bag each. Each bag contains 800 gp. "Some payment for your bravery on taking on this mission. You might use it if something not necessary for survival catches your eye when visiting the other Merchant Princes, but spend it wisely."

If you all leave after this, Wakanga stops Zyanya on her tracks and hugs her. "Please be careful out there, the jungle is full of nature spirits, including weird little elemental creatures with masks. They don’t speak, and I’ve never known one to be harmful, but their magical powers should not be taken lightly..." He says. "There's also strange rumors of Frost Giants being sighted on the ruins. I know I can't convince you to stay, but please, please, return safely once all this is done..."

Travelers, where are we going now?

O'waac takes the bag of gold, putting it in one of his pouches under his cloak. "Thank you, Syndra. We will try to hurry and solve this before it is too late."

To the others, "What say you? Off to visit the merchants? Kwayothé first?" He takes up his staff and pulls the his hood back down over his face.

"Would it make some sense to split up? It would help us to get on the road faster. I'd be happy to visit Jobal to gather information on the jungle."

Erbert carefully lifts his 800 gold bag and puts it into his bag of holding.  "Thank you.  We will use this wisely, and we will search for your cure.   Thank you for your advice and we will heed your warnings.  I thank you for trusting us with this task."  He turns to O'waac and says "Yes, onward to Kwayothé, let's get the insect repellent and then a mount for all of us."  He turns to Wakanga and says "It was an honor to meet you finally in person.  Hopefully we will create a tale to be written about, and a true one, not a tall tale like that Volo fellow might create.  I look forward to seeing you after this is all done, we will have a feast and share quite a story with you."  Erbert packs up and gets ready to leave.  Cuervo takes a couple of laps around the room and follows him toward the door.

OOC: Now I'm just picturing the coconut critters from Moana... Hahaha

Dryn looks to Syndra and accepts the gold. She nods to Wakanga then looks to the party to move.

"Thank you again. Selune will bless this quest for it effects the good of the people of Chult. My lady sees the wisdom in sparing those worthy," Dryn explains with a softer expression ths her usual critical and curious one. "Zyanya will you lead the way," she asks gesturing at the woman with a smile. "I think we should stick together. Even in a city there is still danger," she warns.

As Wakanga hands him the enchanted cloak, Squawk smiles shyly and says, "Thank you."

 Squawk takes the sack of gold with almost an awed expression on his face. He had never seen all much money in his life. His expression softens as he realizes this might be the last thing he ever receives from Syndra, and his heart starts to grow heavy. He once again says, "Thank you," but a tone of sadness creeps into his voice. 

After composing himself, he asks as everyone begins to leave, "Is hunting good in the jungle, or do we need to stock up on a bunch of rations?"

The bag weighs heavily in Ice’s hands. For Syndra to be handing out this much money before they had even left the task was either very dangerous, or the potential reward was far beyond his imagining. 800 gold pieces. He had never had that much attached to his name at any one time. Ice carefully tucks the coin bag into his backpack before turning back to the conversation. 

Answering Squawk's question, Wakanga says. "There's plenty of hunting game out there, but gathering food other than meat could be rather risky, as you'd need knowledge of which plants and fruits are edible and which are not. I'm sure Jobal and his explorers could answer that question better than I can."

Erbert pipes up "Perhaps they have penned "An Explorer's Guide to Chult" or some such.  I can't wait to talk to him!  I can assist with documentation of the flora and fauna of Chult, it is very important to know what is and is not edible, poisonous."

After putting on and admiring her new slippers, then accepting Syndra's very generous gift, she embraced her father tightly for a long moment, whispering gently to him "I will return to you always, papa. Surely as the sunrises in the morning." She withdrew with a dazzling smile before turning in a whirl of skirts to the rest of their merry band "So? What are we waiting for? We've got people to talk to, beasts to slay, jungle to explore. In a few words: adventure awaits!"

As you exit the villa after doing your shopping and saying your goodbyes, Syndra waves you farewell. "Good luck, my travelers. May we see each other again..."

As you walk into the street and take the route to Kwayothé's villa, you pass-by all kinds of individuals: Among the Chulteans, you see people of all races and heritages. A blonde half-elf speaking with her pseudodragon familiar, a pair of tabaxi hunters selling what looks like Batiri and grung handiwork to tourists, a gladiator showing off his impressive scars to his buddies...

As you are reaching the villa, a man approaches you: By his clothing, you can guess that he must be an Acolyte from one of the churches at the Port. He is wearing an amulet depicting what looks like a Beholder's eye.

He walks to and grasps Edwin's arm. He whispers to you with a raspy voice. “Speak to the wise guardian of the rainforest. She can direct you to that which you seek...”

Then, before you can even ask him anything, the man falls to the ground, unconscious.

Erbert bends down to try to stabilize the man, to see if there is anything he can do to help.  Also he has a look at the amulet that he is wearing, trying to discern if it is magical and what it does...

Medicine :  20

Arcana check on amulet :  24

Edwin stops dead in his footsteps as the acolyte grasps onto his arm. A surge of adrenaline courses through his body as the man speaks cryptically to him. He is barely able to parse what the man said before he falls unconscious before him. Finding no time to collect himself, he calls out to his new companions.

"Uhh... Help! I need some help over here! Not quite sure what happened. He just grabbed my arm relaying some message and then passed out."

Edwin kneels down, examining the man trying to discern what happened to him.
Medicine: 5

Erbert, you can't detect any wondrous enchantment on the amulet, other than it is a religious amulet.

The man does not appear to be injured or ill, just fainted. He is a seemingly healthy human man with dark skin and silver hair. He slowly returns to consciousness and stares back at you, confused.

"...I'm sorry, who are you? What happened?" He asks as he tries to stand up. He sounds and acts like he just woke up from a dream. "I was searching for... something..."

Edwin blinks in confusion at the man. "I'm... Edwin. You walked up and grabbed me by the arm saying something about the guardian of the rainforest. Then you fell to the ground." He pauses for a moment gauging the man's reaction to this information. "What is your name? Are you alright?"

Dryn looks curiously at the man her expression bordering on suspicious as she eyes the wearer's amulet.

Religion: 11

Insight: 18

Perception if anyone is watching the party: 19 (advantage from shield)

Dryn, you sense no dishonesty on the man, he really seems to be as confused as you all are. There's also no one watching.

You recognize the amulet as being from the church of Savras, a deity of fortune tellers and diviners, whom symbol is a monstruous eye. 

"My name is Eshek..." The man explains. "I was... I don't remember. I remember waking up this morning and working at the Temple, but I can't remember anything else from today. All that I remember is that I had to find..."

He stops and stares at the group. "...This is going to sound weird, but I think that I had to find you. I don't know why, and I don't remember what that 'guardian of the forest' or whatever I must have said was supposed to mean. If I had to guess, I'd say that it must have been a vision."

Dryn looks at the man curiously. "Do you have these vision often," she asks.

Guardian of the rainforest; has she heard of it?

History: 9

Erbert awaits to hear about the vision further and the Guardian of the Rainforest.  He searches through the filing cabinet of his brain as well to remember as he works :  

History :  22 

As he recalls, he says "I read about this method in a book once.  Let's elevate your legs until you feel better."  He focuses on the man and helping the dizziness and sensation pass...