@Kairus: The tortles have plenty of bolts to sell, as the crossbow seems to be the weapon of choice in Ahoyhoy aside from spears. The shafts are sturdy and the tips are made of sharpened stone. They are a bit more brittle than the metal-tipped bolts you brought in your pack, but they are just as effective. You may buy as many bolts as you like. One of the vendors in the market has a special offer for you. They call it a wallop. It is a heavy bolt that may cause the enemy to drop to the ground in addition to causing damage. They made it themselves and are willing to part ways with it for two full gold pieces. Rations are of the fresher kind. If you buy too many fish, shellfish, vegetables, or fruit, they are bound to go bad on you before you can eat them all. Nonetheless, you are welcome to buy as many portions as you see fit.

@Yulmiath: You are in luck! One of the vendors at the market has been able to salvage a climber's kit from one of the wrecks and has been holding on to it for some time. Some of the pitons are a bit rusted, and the leather strap that keeps all the tools together is coming apart, but the kit should still work. Not only that but the kit also includes a potion vial. The vendor explains it should be used for especially arduous climbs. That said, the kit is a bit pricey at 10gp. Alternatively, you notice the vendor has been intensely eyeing the mirror hanging from your belt. They will also sell you up to three lengths of rope for 1gp each. They have no such thing as a grappling hook here, or additional pitons, but perhaps the smithy can make them for you with enough time and resources. (Please roll a CHA-based check of your choice if you want to barter in some way.)

@Hun: After conferring with your partners, it apparently falls to you to make the final selection. Mudgraw is more than happy to let a younger tortle have a go, and is glad to hear his turn may yet come. Kwilgok takes a mental note of asking for another chance whenever the Snack Pack is ready to explore the temple. Eeyal agrees right away to join the group: "You got it, Hun/hun." You are not sure if she used your name of the shortened version of the word 'honey'.

(OOC: Please let me know what hex you are aiming for next.)

Happy to engage in a little haggling, he weighs that the risk of not having the kit, shoddy held together as it is, might permanently harm his chances of hitting a payday large enough to make a bid for the mainland on.  Given that he would perhaps like to stay on good terms with the tortles of Ahoyhoy, he decides that keeping things friendly might be best.  Clocking the interest of the vendor, Yulmiath takes the piece of metal hanging from his belt and holds it in his hands, carefully cradling it. He speaks as if weighing up the trade in his own mind, attempting to sell himself on the idea as well...

"Seems to me that we both have something the other is interested in.  The climbers kit is a bit worse for wear... And I could part with this... For the right price..."

Changing his voice now, as if his mind is made up he speaks more surely and more confidently.

"Okay.  I propose a trade.  My mirror plus an amount of gold for the climbers kit and one of those ropes.  Say 4 gold plus this here shiny?"

Persuasion - 5

(OOC - Here goes nothing!)

Picking up on Karius' comments, Yulmiath chimes in to bolster the provenance of the steel mirror.

"Mmmm, the story behind this piece is extraordinary.  Action, suspense, romance, more action, a twist you didn't see coming and heartbreak.  A real romp and an heirloom that I had hoped to pass onto my own children one day, so real sentimental value as well."

(OOC2 - Ok, so nothing didn't work out.  Here's the persuasion check again for the advantage from Karius' help - 3 and the bardic inspiration 5.)

Help to Yulmiath from Kairus! Plus Bardic inspiration! (1d6)

"Do you know where we had to go to get this mirror?!" To be honest, Kairus did not remember where they got that particular mirror, but it did not matter. "We had to battle a sea monster for it! It's not just a good mirror, it's a relic and a war trophy too. Trust me, you would not get such a thing anywhere else!"

For Kairus haggling was just fun. Not that he was rich and could pay any price (no, never), but the value of money was still an artificial concept to him and pricing was more of a game. If he felt like the seller was bored and wanted to bargain, he could entertain the bored trader, but otherwise, simply paid what was asked. Like with a wallop, for example. He simply nodded, paid and took some.

((How many wallops for 2 gp?))

Hun opens and close his mouth out of uncertainty following Eeyal's response, before shrugging it off altogether. "Good. If there's anything you need to prepare before we head out, I'd suggest you do the same, young Eeyal." Hun says with Mr. Thicc nodding in further encouragement. "So Mudgraw. While I still have you at least, do /you/ know anything about Yuan-Ti? Or Nagas as well, I guess." He turned to inquire while waiting for the others to return from their shopping trail.

(OOC: Thinking/Hun would suggest we head off to -- if I'm reading it right -- hex D-10/11 next and continue eastwardly towards the closest geonid cave on the map(G-12).

AT THE AHOYHOY MARKET

Yulmiath and Kairus wander into the market with the intention to buy some climbing gear, food, and ammo, but end up finding a couple of interesting additional offers. Guessing the might want to save as much coin as they can, Kairus begins playing his stringed instrument softly, filling the air with some inspirational ambient music. He also notices that Yulmiath has already started haggling with one of the stall merchants, so the triton approaches to verbally aid the dragonborn.

The merchant interacting with Yulmiath does not hesitate. They are more than happy to accept the proposed deal, collecting the mirror and 4gp from the dragonborn and handing over the climber's kit and a length of rope. The bonus potion vial is also included.

Kairus then peruses other stalls and completes some more mundane transactions for bolts and rations, including the intriguing piece named wallop.

(OOC: Please be sure to deduct the appropriate amount of gold from your inventories.)

BACK AT THE LIVING AREA

While Rhogal and Krodhen continue to engage the various tortles in conversation, Hun continues to finalize the plan on behalf of the group. After confirming that the Snack Pack will be hiring Eeyal for this next expedition, she leaves to finish her own preparations. "I'll be back in a jiffy!"

Still engaged in conversation, Mudgraw taps his chin with a claw before responding. He speaks in his usual slow pace: "I was ambushed once by an evil band of yuan-ti warriors and practitioners of the dark arts, but Ubtao tells me you are referring to this island's history instead. Well, Yuan-ti used to live in this island many years ago, but no more. I do not know the reason for their exodus. Most of their ruins have become dust by now, but the Shrine of Fangs is an exception. It was built into a mountain, which has helped it last. The tortles here tend to steer away from that shrine. Some yuan-ti from foreign lands still travel to visit this shrine here in the Snout of Omgar. That's the extent of my knowledge, I believe." He continues to tap his chin.

(OOC: The trip to hex {G-12} will take an estimated full day plus another 6 hours or so, including time to rest. This does not account for complications such as encounters and natural obstacles such as volcanoes. Also, note that there are two caves in that hex. Does everyone agree with this plan? Does anyone want to make any final preparations before departing?)

Yulmiath watches Karius complete his shopping as he packs the climbers kit and potion vial within his backpack and straps another length of hempen rope to it.  For someone who places their faith in entirely the wrong god, the Triton isn't a bad sort to have along on something like this.

"You done? Best head back to the group before they leave without us."

Assuming Karius agrees, Yul will head back to where they left the group.

(OOC - Happy with the plan, let's head back out into the jungle.)

((All the money deducted))

They never discussed it properly, but Kairus never pledged himself to any god. The trinket he happened to pick up at the bottom of the sea, was just that - a trinket. He liked it, though.

"Aha, done here," the young sailor was studying his new arrow. "Looks cool, right? Wonder if it works. Guess we will see soon. Let's go." He did not have much to pack, was in full agreement to visit volcanic caverns and was generally ready to go.

OOC: Another hectic work week - sorry for the lack of contribution - Krodhen will grab some additional rations to top up his inventory if he can.

As the group returns and makes the statement that they are leaving, Krodhen finally pays attention "Wha...wait...I need to grab some rations...give me a few minutes..." and with that he rushes off to look for supplies for a few more days trail rations - just in case.

"Ah, well, that's just great, init? And know our luck, we're liable to run into them two at some point on the island as well." Hun commented follow Mudgraw's story, before then grumbling and studying the map once more. "Okay, okay, okay. What 'bout the geonids then, Mudgraw? So far what we've figured as that their walking boulders with a knack for thieve'n, but not too much more. Do you know if they speak the common tongue, or I dunno, might negotiate with visitors even a little? Or, even better yet, do you know anything 'bout them at all?"

DM's Screen:

Krodhen joins Yulmiath and Kairus at the market area. While the dragonborn and triton wrap their shopping session, the half-orc is sure to replenish his stock of travel food.

Meanwhile, Hun continues to poke Mudgraw's brain. The wrinkled tortle shares what he can: "To my knowledge, they do not speak. Beware of rocks on your path. It can be hard to tell the bolderlings apart from boulders."

A few minutes pass while the group reunites and straps their belongings to their persons. Eeyal seems ready to go as well. After learning of Hun's planned path, she has a warning for the group: "We'll have to cross the river again, and we'll pass by the Shrine of Fangs once more. I doubt there will be any dolphins around this time."

The first part of the trip is carried out over a road leading south. Eeyal explains that this is the road leading to the Typhoon Palace. Since that is not the group's destination today, the tortle guide soon cuts into the jungle and the Snack Pack follows. The jungle trek is as humid and unpleasant as ever, your pace suffering with the temperature. Much of the vegetation acts as some sort of obstacle, as if the jungle itself was trying to hamper your progress. This is nothing new to the group, however. Just because some of these jungle treks have been uneventful doesn't mean they are pleasant. The ever-present sheen of sweat adorns all party members' skins.

Every now and then, through the jungle folliage, you catch a glimpse of the sky or the mountains that begin to rise around this region of the island. You can also hear the river now, which makes you realize that crossing it will soon be a necessity once again. Just as Eeyal predicted, upon reaching the slow-flowing, wide river, you fail to spot any friendly dolphins.

(OOC: What is the plan for crossing the river this time around?)

Crouching by the edge of the river, Yulmiath tries to appraise how a crossing might best be undertaken.  The sheen of sweat on his scales calls out for the cooling touch of the river water but being patient before crossing might be a more prudent option.  Still the dragonborn cannot resist dipping a hand in and testing its temperature.

Wondering whether there is some other aquatic predator in the water which might be discouraging the dolphins they were lucky to meet earlier, Yulmiath scans his eyes across the top of the water looking for any logs floating in the water that are trying to look particularly inconspicuous.  As if suddenly remembering about tracks, he finally casts his eyes about the bank he's standing on, looking for any tracks heading into the river or signs of a struggle.

Survival - 15

(OOC - Assuming the river is similar in appearance to the one we crossed the other day, so pretty muddy and murky.  Is it a similar width, so a considerable swim?)

"We are in no hurry now, if no one wants to swim," (obviously, Kairus did want it), "we can walk to that shallow crossing, Eeyal mentioned before. What do you say?"

(Yes, Rhogal would like to negotiate for canoes.)

Back at Ahoyhoy

"Aye, I'll be sure ta bring 'em back in the same condition you lend me ," He says with a nod. "What will it take ta use 'em fer our travels?"

BACK IN AHOYHOY

Tortle fisherman: "Well, should you never return or otherwise lose the canoes, we'd have to collect materials and spend the time building new ones. We'd likely task you with helping too. Perhaps you could ease our minds with a 1gp rental fee per canoe? Each one should fit 4 people."

"I'd rather sit inside my bag of holding over swimming, thank you very much." Hun replied plainly up to Kairus. "Fortunately thanks to Rhogal here, most of us shouldn't have to worry about it. So, you could swim if you want, Young Blue. And uh... I guess Krogal can just walk across again. So, uh... ah hah! Mr. Thicc will handle the rowing." He affirms, and a touch breathy at that, seeing as he opted to walk up to that point while Mr. Thicc helped carried the canoe up until the current point.

And should there be no protest, he'd climb aboard once the canoe is set in place(ordering Mr. Thicc as need be to set things up).

"Sounds more th'n fair. Seein' as some o' my companions have other ways of movin' in or on water, I'll rent one." Rhogal agrees and hands over 1gp.

The party is at the riverbank. Krodhen was the most recent member to take a turn carrying the canoe alongside Mr. Thicc, so the duo puts the vessel down on the ground in preparation for the crossing.

Yulmiath examines the surrounding. At first, it looks like the dragonborn doubts that this is the same river they crossed yesterday. Soon, however, he changes his focus to the bank, clearly searching for animal or humanoid tracks. He finds no clear indication that a significant struggle took place nearby, although it looks like a few birds were worm-digging in a spot a yard or so in that direction.

The canoe Rhogal rented only fits four individuals, two of which need to be rowing. As Hun suspects, Krodhen is likely to simply walk across again, but this still leaves 6 individuals to find their way to the other side, and two of them are on the heavier side --Mr. Thicc(?) and Eeyal. Kairus doesn't seem to mind the swim, but that is still not enough to solve the limitations of the boat.

Satisfied that nothing is lurking in the water just waiting for a group of unwary adventurers to break its fast upon, Yul turns back to the group and spies the obvious issue.  The canoe is way too small to take the entire group in one trip.

"I'm happy to swim across the river if that makes the maths easier with the canoe.  You all sure you can handle the paddling?"

(OOC Assuming the rest of the group are happy with the canoe and start paddling their way across, Yulmiath will wade into the river, flipping the hood of his cloak up and will follow the boat a little way behind. Athletics - 18.)