Erbert, wanting to experience everything, takes a glass of Tej and partakes of the fruit.  As he listens to the conversation he starts to fill the bag of holding, with 7 blocks of incense and 5 vials of salve.  "Always be prepared, I always say!" looking up with a grin.  "If you were investigating this death curse, where would you go first?  Where is this Minotaur City, do you know how to mark the approximate location on a map?  It sounds interesting to explore..."

He thinks about this, and then asks in his most polite voice, "Could you tell me more about the phoenix motif in your house?  Why?  What is the significance?  I earnestly want to learn more about your culture and religion...."  Erbert pulls out his notebook and starts to draw a picture of the most impressive phoenix that he sees.

History :  14

O'waac didn't take any of the proffered Tej. Nor has he eaten or drank anything in your presence at all.

Dryn, you can't quite put your finger on what Ixis might be for some reason, and while you can easily guess that the "snake people" they are talking about must be the Yuan-Ti, nothing else comes to mind about this minotaur city they mention. What you can remember, meanwhile, is that the phoenix was the symbol of a religious order called the Disciples of the Phoenix, whom worshipped the fire elemental primordial Kossuth. Kossuth is worshipped by both neutral and evil groups, including many Red wizards of Thay, but the Disciples were the 'good' branch of Kossuth's church, putting their focus on the purifying aspect of their deity. The order was comprised of monks in its entirety, though.

Erbert, the mention of a forgotten city now under the control of snake people brings back to your mind the Chultean myth of the "Forbidden City": Built over rich mineral veins, the city garnered wealth in abundance. Such wealth brought greed. The city's greed and hubris angered the god Ubtao, causing him to turn his back on the city and its inhabitants long before he abandoned the rest of Chult. Clerics lost their spells, and the city fell to sickness and disease. Its nobles fled in droves, and those who stayed were murdered and eaten by the Yuan-Ti, who took the opportunity to take control of the city... Or at least, that's what some of the legends say. Maps showing its location were destroyed, and its coins were melted down and reminted. Greedy explorers have long ever since searched for the Forbidden City to recover its riches, but no one has ever found it. Some historians have even begun to theorize that such an story was created by the Chulteans as a means to get colonizers lost in the jungle searching for a lost treasure that never actually existed.

"If you are looking into Chultean religions, I regret to tell you that the phoenix symbols you see here are actually from Zakhara" Kwayothé explains. "I wasn't always this wealthy. When I was a child, I lived in the streets. Life was hard until I was taken in by a Zakharan monk, who taught me about the god of elemental fire: Kossuth, the Lord of Flames. The phoenix is just one of his many symbols, and a symbol of rebirth."

"The Forbidden City...."  He murmurs it without even knowing that he said it.  Erbert is lost in thought after Kwayothé's words.  Cuervo makes a flapping noise and squawks bringing him out of his reverie, as he looks at the magnificent phoenix reliefs and paintings.   

"Do you know the name of this Paladin who broke his oath, the one that the snake people are trying to bring back to life?" Erbert asks Indar. 

Erbert takes his map of Chult that Sylvane gave him and spreads it out on the table.  "We are.... here.  Port Nyanzaru.  You mentioned Fort Beluarian.  Can you point that out on the map?  Is in near Camp Vengeance or Righteous?  I know that you have been staying here and not foraging out in the jungle, but I thought you would know where these locations would be, that would help us immensely."  Cuervo pecks Erbert until he relents and brings him some fruit, berries. 

"I would love to hunt for the Forbidden City...."

As the tej is offered around the guests, Ice greatfully accepts the drink, holding it gently between his hands. Cautiously he sniffs it before taking the smallest of sips. Testing its flavour and the feel of it in his mouth. He consisted of there was anything from back home that it reminded him of. 

The city that there host spoke of particularly caught his interest. Ice knew that the remnants of a civilisation often shared as much knowledge as the people who once lived there. For know, listening to the people around him was knowledge enough. 

Answering to Erbert's question, Indar says. "...Ras Nsi"

Edwin, you immediately recognize the name from what you read on the book back at Wakanga's villa: The story of the fall of the city of Mezro, which name you also get to hear later on when Kwayothé speaks to Erbert.

"I don't know where Fort Beluarian might be... Not because it might be too tiny to point on the map, but because they are constantly trying to spand it." Kwayothé says. "They aren't on Camp Vengeance, tho: That's a whole different package of fools. Dim-witted missionaries trying to preach their gods' word on a wild land where other gods reign. You won't find neither of them on Camp Righteous, either. That camp got attacked by undead, and then was abandoned and left to rot. If there's any people that might still be living there, they are Batiri."

When Erbert suddenly mentions the Forbidden City, clear amusement crosses her stoic face. "...Is this what this is? Really?" She snarks. "Let me tell you something, little one, the Flaming Fist has been trying to find it ever since their greedy hands built Fort Beluarian. They have been pillaging the jungle and ransacking all known ruins, they found what was left of the great city of Mezro and desecrated it, but they still have not found anything that remotely resembles the rich city of that legend. Do not join them on their stupidity. Mark my words, gnome: The "Forbidden City" is just a folktale."

The irony of her saying this about this one legend while also blindly believing on the cryptic prophetic dreams of her wife do not seem to cross her mind.

Zyanya had been uncharacteristically quiet, at least from what she had shown since their meeting. She had taken in the words of the Savrasian priest and all the conversation they've had with Kwayothé without uttering so much as a word, slowly sipping her Tej after claiming her own vials of insect repellent and incense. After the conversation shifted for Fort Beluarian, she shifted in her seat and an expression that denotes distaste flickers across her features "Oh what I would not give to be able to drive the Flaming Fist from Chult. Foreigners coming to lay claim to what is not theirs...Lower than trash, the lot of them." She finished in Chultean that held so much venom it could probably poison the air around them, then returned to sipping her drink.

"Shall we move on friends?" Dryn asks. "Thank you for your time and hospitality," she adds nodding with a slight nod at Kwayothé.

Erbert is anxious to proceed as well, but he attempts to squeeze any other bit of helpful information from Kwayothé, Indar and Ixis.  "This tej is delightful!"  He finishes the last sip.  "I thank you for the incense and the salve, but even more so for your advice.  We must be on our way, but looking at this map one last time - - what about Mhala, do you know what lies there?  Should we head in that direction?  Or to the southeast, toward Kir Sabal?"

After hearing their reply he rolls up his map, stores it in the cartographer's map case, then into his bag of holding for safekeeping and starts to head toward the door.  "Good day to you, thank you for the Tej, and your company."

((Sorry, my internet wasn't working the other day))

Squawk shyly pockets 5 vials of the ointment just to be safe, but he too stays quiet. He hardly knew these people, so it was going to take a while for him to warm up to them. As the conversation about the Yuan-ti carries on, he scrunches up his face in concentration as he tries to recall anything he has heard about them.

History: 6

Squawk, you don't remember anything about the Yuan-Ti beyond the very basic things you have heard: That they are snake people and that they are evil.

Kwayothé nods at Zyanya's comment. "Agreed. It is too bad when can't get rid of them without having Baldur's Gate potentially declare war on us. We can't only hope that the jungle does our job for us..."

She looks at the map. She seems pleased. "That's an impressive map you have there. Did Silvane made it?" Looking at the map, she shakes her head. "I must admit, you have it difficult. My advice would be to take the route to Camp Vengeance, the clerics and paladins there are foolish but harmless, and might be helpful as healers... But of course, the route to get there is full of undead and Batiri."

"Mbala is a village, but its people have long isolated themselves from the rest of Chult. I don't know if I'd advice to go there, you know what they say, you never know with blood hunters..." Kwayothé sighs before continuing. "Rumor has it that they are being led and protected by a coualt and an ancient green hag, both of which are like the ancestral guardians of that part of the rainforest or something whimsical like that. The truth is that no one has spoken to or even seen the Mbala people in like a decade... And I suspect the Mbalans want to keep it that way."

"What I do know its about Kir Kabal, and that it is birdfolk territory" She explains. "Aarakocra, as they call themselves. Majestic creatures. They have a sanctuary for travelers and seem peaceful... But people say that when the Kings and Queens of Chult fell, it was the birdfolk who murdered and ate them. And that's why most of the old Chultan royal lines have disappeared."

For a brief moment, there's a tiny smirk on her lips as she tells this to you, like she approves that this might had happened.

If no more questions are asked and you all leave: When bidding farewell, Kwayothé says politely "It was my pleasure" 

Where do you all go now?

OOC: I'm sorry I don't want to talk out of school but I thought you said we each could claim 1 magic item. How does Erbert have two? Bag and map case? 

Dryn awaits the party decision but will step up to lead if one isn't made soon. 

Quote from RiderofRohan86 >>

OOC: I'm sorry I don't want to talk out of school but I thought you said we each could claim 1 magic item. How does Erbert have two? Bag and map case?

 ((Not the DM, but we were told in the OOC thread we could have one uncommon item. And to limit the total number of things we took to 2 or 3 items. Map case is common.))

"One more quick question before we leave. Do you know anything about the Guardian of the Rainforest? We had an... interesting... encounter with an acolyte on our way here who mentioned it. Could be important, could be nothing. At this point, we'll take anything we can get."

Kwayothé thinks for a moment, then shurgs. "As I said, the coualt and hag at Mbala are supposedly ancient guardians of the rainforest. Could one be the "Guardian of the Rainforest" of your prophecy, or just a coincidence? I don't know, can't say."

"A coualt? Maybe" Indar says. "But I don't believe for a second that a hag could be the guardian of anything, at least not a benevolent one..."

"Sometimes, creatures that are evil can do good" Ixis interrupts him.

Erbert smiles and says "Ok, Camp Vengeance and the on to Mbala depending on what we find.  Sounds good.  Let's go see Jobal now, I would like to have a mount, looking at the distances on this map.  Unless you can carry me, Cuervo?"  Cuervo squawks and shakes his head.   "On to Jobal!"

((Perhaps I misread the post about magical items, I would gladly turn in the map case if that's what you want me do, I thought that Erbert would make a beeline for it.))

((btw, Jobal's the one who employs guides and gives exploring advice. Ifan's the mount merchant.))

You all exit Kwayothé's villa and turn in the direction to Jobal's. As you walk, though, you notice you are being followed: A pair of Tabaxi appears to have been following you ever since you left the villa behind. When they realize they might have been spotted, they walk to you to talk.

"Greetings, travelers!" Speaks one of them: A slender female with reddish tan fur and tufted, black-tipped ears. She wears leather armor and an eye patch. "We did not meant to snoop in, but we couldn't help but notice that some of you don't seem to be from around here, and yet you walked in and out of two merchant princes' palaces like royalty. Such important people should not be walking around alone without expert guidance!"

"Expert guidance" Repeats the other tabaxi with a slight lisp as he nods. This other tabaxi is tall and lanky, and he has grey fur with a few black stripes on his arms, legs and tail, as well as the back of his head. He just stands there, staring at you with his blue eyes, while the smaller female does all the talking.

"Allow us to introduce ourselves: I'm River Mist and this is my brother Flask of Wine" She says, giving a little bow that his brother imitates awkwardly. "What brings you here, my dear travelers, and what is your business with the princes, if you do not mind to share?"

Erbert regards the Tabaxi, stays quiet and cocks his head, Cuervo looks at them curiously.  He thinks to himself “Is this a shakedown?  Sure seems like it....”

Insight :  10

"Yes, guides," Dryn replies. "Who do you have to recommend your services," she asks with a serious expression. "We would be glad of help from honest folk," she adds her hand on her hips nearer to her maul.

Insight: 17

OOC: YAY! New best friends!!

((omg those insight rolls, oh you sweet summer children...))

Erbert and Dryn, you can't spot falsehood or anything remarkably suspicious about them. They seem like honest people on the look-out for travelers to hire them.

"If you looking for guides, you are in luck!" River Mist purrs. "Search no more, because you won't find better guides than us. If you choose us, we will never lead you astray. "River and Flask are up to the task!" That's our motto!" She does a theatrical salute. "Chult is our playground. We're fast, reliable, and know what we're doing."

"We know what we're doing" Flask nods.

"Beware Jobal and his no-good flunkies! That merchant prince is as trustworthy as a sack of snakes, as are most of his "guides"." She continues. There's real poison on her voice when she mentions Jobal's name. "Five gold pieces and a 30-day advance is what Jobal's flunkies demand, but we're happy to serve as guides for only four gold pieces a day with no payment up front. Even better, we'll waive the fee entirely for equal shares of whatever treasures we help find. What do you say?"

She smiles expectantly as both she and her brother wait for the group to answer them.