“I haven’t claimed my words are wise, but I can claim with fair certainty that wors aren’t.” He answered with the same courtesy from before. His opinion of Meili better. She was not speaking of pure naivety, but from a miscommunication. “It just so happens, my dear monk, that we have not learned what you claim. What the prophecy told when mentioning the lost city was, and I quote word-by-word, that ‘Within there was a monument; a black obelisk, and it concealed something deeper and darker’. In no moment it was mentioned the obelisk drags or feed on souls, unless you misunderstood Zitembe being pulled down as the obelisk pulling him down, which would also be a misinterpretation for, and once again I quote, in the vision he said ‘I saw a skeletal face and hand; the foe.  He was surprised at our arrival; surprised we had found his lair and the source of his curse.  But he is strong there; he pulled me away from Savras, pulled me down, down into the dark’. ‘He’ obviously meaning the skeletal entity.” Cyric, Vecna or Acerarak. How the Hells had he become involved with one of those three? “You want me to see the practicality of the situation? There is it: an enclave of mass murdering, slaving wizards with a fascination for dark magic and the very real potential to conjure and undead army with some of the most powerful exanimates is on the way of the quest for breaking the curse. We can sacrifice an innocent life and pray they do not find us during our journey or we can deal with them and unless you and Ran can assure the rest of us of your ability to defeat a group capable to make Taban look like a defenseless baby so completely that sparing their life is actually possible, poison is the way to deal with them.”

Velan blatantly ignored Meili comments about a crusade. She was far to good to understand that it is fully possible to objectively know evil, given one have enough time. What surprised him was that Ran, who to his eyes looked so experienced and realistic seemed to share at least some of her reservations.

“Don’t think traveling these jungles is even possible without a killing spree.” At the very least one should expect to kill a share of beasts to travel the place.  "The difference, in this case, is that are discussing doing it proactively and with certainty against humanoids which is a fair cause to cause you reluctance, but I would also like you to know that there are spells that allow for transportation between worlds. If the Thayans so much as finish something connecting to their armies, a legion of organized, undying troops will be at the foot of this city and no prince will be able to save Port Nyzaru if this happens. You may not live here, but I do and I don’t want to see this place reduced to cinders. Even less when I could have avoided it.”

Meili listened quietly and intently - the young mage (it is hard to tell the age of another species, but she recognized her own brashness in him, that she was so often reminded about back home) was right about one thing at least, but she was not sure if it was a good thing. She looked down for a few moments then back at Velan. It was truly not the place or time for such conversation, yet, the matter was extremely important and she had to say that last bit. "Yes, you are right, the vision did not tell anything about the souls. The scholars did. The souls leave the bodies and never reach the side of the gods they were meant to reach - that is known. The rest was my wishful thinking. If the enemy collects those souls - it means they can be released, returned to their rightful places, but if he simply destroys them by some magic... Those gone are truly gone by now. The more important it is to stop him. No other thing in the world is more important. We need to reach that city as fast as we can without sidetracking."

Ran summed up everything perfectly. She nodded to the warrior and went silent again. The difficulties of the road ahead and the horrors they were to meet at the end were nothing compared to the grim possibilities of souls destruction.

"My offer stands," say Grandfather Zitembe.  He has taken a moment to put on a clean robe and has made himself more presentable.  "If you wish to have me speak with Prince Jessamine, I am willing to do so.  Otherwise, I would like to speak alone with Inete.  I... I have embarrassed her with my behavior today.  Whatever my feeling toward Savras, she did not deserve for me to put her in such a position, especially when she stands on the precipice of... of such an ordeal."

“Forgive me if I find hard to believe in so scarcely mentioned scholars as the discussion becomes prolonged.” Specially when she seemed to lack any answer to his last points. Were they not so pressed by time the wizard would like to ask what the monk would do if her monastery was under attack. If she would let the threat alive and have her world burn to cinders. He was genuinely curious if her naïve ideals were truly hers or simply something she was conditioned to heed. He knew very well how little choice conditioning could leave someone. Better than he would ever like to. “That said I do agree about the urgency of our quest, though I definitely do not agree with such hyper-focus.” The difference between poison and remedy was, after all, in the dosage. Too much of anything was usually catastrophic.  “As far as I’m concerned, we have still to hear Mica’s opinion and the final call rests with who has the money.” Velan looked at Danica. She seemed receptive to the poisoning idea, but seeing as the other two showed discomfort with carrying it was possible she changed her mind in order to keep the group together. “If we go on with my suggestion I don’t mind carrying the poisoning personally, if not then I hope we have the luck of nothing worse happening and you are conscious that your omission is complicit on whatever the Red Wizards may do.” The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing, he remembered. “Decision taken we should move to meet the prince.”

Before the ranger could speak Zitembe made himself heard, not only showing his disposition to following with the poisoning but to simply accompany them in the meeting with Jessamine. That much should be uncontroversial, he believed.

“Thank you, Grandfather.” He said to the elder before turning to the others. “His presence will help us independently if we trade in poison.”

((Scholars were mentioned before by Meili (ingame) and in recruitment post OOC as common knowledge. Velan is familiar with both. Just saying.))

Eyebrows shooting up as she suddenly was looking at her twin, a faint impressed smile began spreading across Danica's face as she nodded in agreement. "Aye, with that I doubt it'd matter how loud you really were." She couldn't help but touch her face in a thoughtful gesture and marvel at how it or rather Velan didn't match her own movements. Nodding again as he mentioned a druidic ability, she responded, "Been a while since I've seen it in action but I'm picking up what you're laying down. Might take me a bit to figure it out."

Hearing about the untimely death of the woman that orchestrated Ran's impromptu fire drill drew a mildly concerned frown from the sailor. "A claw you said? Hard to guess if it was an animal that was used as a weapon themselves for a robbery or just a weapon made from one..." Especially given all the unusual dinosaurs that she had seen since arriving. ((Nature: 9 ))

Danica was quiet as she purely witnessed the at first near hostile back and forth between Meili and Velan turn into debate and then a more or less cordial end. It seemed like the pair of young adventurers were on near opposite sides of the same shade of a spectrum. Close...but not aligned. Clearing her throat as she glanced at Ran and Mica, the elf nodded to Zitembe at his request. "Of course. We'll give you a moment alone." Before ushering out the rest of the group with nods and gentle touches if required. A hand lingered on the monk's upper arm as she murmured, "I don't think any of us is relishing having to kill to achieve our goals, curse or no curse. But we can't shy away from what must be done. There are only five of us and likely dozens of them from the sounds of it. And that's only the red wizards, never mind the snakes and undead and whatever else lies between here and our goal trying to kill us. If we want to stand any sort of chance in saving anyone, we owe it to the people we're here for to do our best in surviving. Underhanded or overhanded." She gave a small squeeze before letting go. 

With that said, Danica would go to find Inete to tell her that her Grandfather wished to speak with her. "We're going to speak with someone else with Zitembe acting as an intermediary. After you say your goodbyes and pack whatever you think you'll need, you can either come with us while we finish the rest of our errands or wait for us at the Thundering Lizard. Our guide, Hew Hackinstone might be there as well or he might still be out himself." 

Mica narrows his eyes in thought as Velan describes the wounds in the murder, he still doesn’t know much about the creatures in this place, especially the strange dinosaurs. “It seems unlikely it was an animal attack, especially with the missing gold and spellbook.  Still, there are many creatures whose claws or teeth can be made into a weapon.”  Nature to determine a likely animal: 16.

He stands silently as Velan and Meili debate the finer points of the curse and how to deal with the wizards, much of the conversation is over his head.  He shrugs as they look at him for input “Poison can be useful if these wizards pose a threat, and I can help with stealth if it comes to that.  But we should use caution and only use it as needed.  I have no doubt we will face our share of dangers on this trip, we should be prepared.”  

He stands ready to move on as soon as the priest and the party is ready.

Quote from BlueBayou >>

((Scholars were mentioned before by Meili (ingame) and in recruitment post OOC as common knowledge. Velan is familiar with both. Just saying.))

 
OOC: Thanks for pointing it out, Blue. Fixed it.

Ran gets up from where he was sitting as the others start to leave.

”She probably cast the wrong spell on the wrong person. Not everyone is as good humoured as me, eh.” Ran says. 

Mica and Danica, Velan's description conjures all manner of images to your minds, from the long sickle claws of some dinosaurs you have seen, to nightmarish humanoids with extending fingernails, but you outside of your vivid imaginations you can't think of anything concrete that fits his description of the murder weapon.

After speaking with Danica and promising to meet you all at the Thundering Lizard, Inete moves on to see Grandfather Zitembe, who in turn promises to join you outside Prince Jessamine's villa at the appointed time.

[DM assumes a skip ahead to tea-time with Jessamine.  If anyone planned to take other action for the next couple of hours instead, let me know.]

The five of you gather outside the villa of Merchant Prince Jessamine.  It is a walled and gated compound, next door to the Villa of Merchant Prince Jobal and abutted to the outer wall of the city, near Ubtao's Gate and the Grand Souk.  Soon Grandfather Zitembe arrives as well, dressed in finer garb than you have seen him wearing before.  Presenting your letter from K'lahu, you are all permitted entry.

You find yourself standing under the mid day sun in a lush garden, with open-air patios, beautifully-sculpted statues, and manicured hedges. The walls and pillars are painted with colorful serpents, and decorative stone fountains and fonts shared a similar serpentine motif.  The humidity has continued to rise and the occasional breeze from earlier this morning is gone, though; though the sky is still clear, it feels like rain is coming. 

From what you can see of the neighboring courtyard's, Merchant Prince Jessamine's gardens are opulent but the villa itself is tiny by comparison.  What it lacks in size, it makes up for in style.  The columns along the covered front walkway are coiled snakes, carved from marble, and the walls are tiled mosaics of plants, flowers, and jungle scenes.  The double doors are plated in gold, with handles of carved ivory.  Grandfather Zitembe takes the lead in pushing open the doors and announcing your presence. The interior of the villa is surprisingly dark... all of the windows coverings are drawn closed.  The floor is recessed, and you have to take three steps down to an oblong hall, filled with chairs, tables and items on display.  The air is cool here, much cooler and outside, and it is heavy with powerful fragrances; jasmine, oleander, plumeria.  This area is lit only by a few candles hanging from the ceiling.  Further ahead are more steps, leading down to another hall built around a stone pool.  Something within the pool is glowing with a green light and that provides the only illumination here, with the ripples on the surface of the water causing green to dance across the walls.  

"Come, Grandfather.  I did not realize my guests would have such an honored escort as thee."  Reclining on a padded sofa near the pool is a woman in head-to-toe silk robes of black and gold.  She wears white gloves, and a ceramic mask of white conceals her face.  "How curious.  You have arrived here only yesterday, yet you have already bested a champion of the arena, taken the fight of the season down off of the betting lists, met with - by my count - at least three of the Merchant Princes, and now bring the high priest of Savras to my door as a friend."

She sits up slowly and gracefully, offering her gloved hand to Grandfather Zitembe, who takes it and bows courteously.  "And I have heard as well, that you are outfitting yourselves to join the ranks of those brave souls, those combing the jungle for the source of this mysterious 'death curse.'  With such gravity and demand that your schedule holds, I must ask of you, why have you sought an audience with me?  What can Prince Jessamine do for such heroes, that you cannot do for yourselves?"

Ran gives a small bow in greeting to Jessamine and is about to open his mouth to explain why they’re there but quickly realizes he has no idea what they can expect from this merchant prince. He was going to have to start paying more attention to all of the political dealings here. He normally just got a job, was laser focused while on it then had fun when he was finished. This was too many balls in the air at once for him.

He looks over to the others to answer.

To Meili's knowledge, they came here to ask that merchant Prince to supply the group with a stable poison in amount, that would allow killing several dozens of people. But maybe she got Velan's idea concerning the visit wrong - she was too distracted with the grim idea of soul's obliteration. But if there was another reason to come, she was not aware of it and as usual, stood silently at the back of the group.

While waiting for Zitembe to join them as they loitered outside the next Merchant Prince they were calling on, Danica passed the time by casting Druidcraft to check if it was truly going to rain as much as it felt like it was. It was hard for her to tell what was incoming weather and what was just the jungle's natural humidity.

Listening to Jessamine tell it, their group was rather impressive. The sailor shrugs effortlessly with an easy going smile and admits, "All circumstantial I'm afraid. We can only take so much credit. Give us time though and we'll impress you yet. We'll earn that 'hero' title eventually through our own deeds. Given the right support and opportunity."  Clearing her throat she began laying her shoddy case.

"We're trying to learn from the mistakes of the undoubtedly many that have come before us to do the same thing. Preparation is key and all that. And we happen to know for a fact that there is a large group standing between us and the cure. As 'heroic' as we may seem," She gestured open palms to her party, "There is only five of us. Perhaps seven if you count non-combatants. One of those non-combatants....is a priestess of Savras." Her gaze lingered with sympathy on Zitembe, pausing in her speech before resuming. "She was gifted with a vision of 'the Red Wizards of Thay amassing in the heart of Chult'. I'm not entirely sure on the number count of a 'mass' but it definitely sounds like more than what our group can handle in a scrap. And we understand that you're the person to see." She left the statement open for interpretation purposefully. 

While Danica is speaking, Prince Jessamine rises from her seat and moves to a nearby table.  With the rippling green light from the pool and the fluid nature of her movement, she almost seems to float or glide across the room, like a ghost.  On the table sits a decanter of wine, along with various other bottles, canisters, papers and writing implements.

"The Red Wizards of Thay..." she says slowly when Danica is finished.  She pronounces each syllable deliberately, like it is a new phrase she has never spoken and she is testing it out.  "They have been notably active.  Were you aware they have taken the abandoned docks at Port Castigliar?"  She turns her head toward Grandfather Zitembe, who shakes his head in response.  "Interesting."  She pours a large glass of wine from the decanter.  "In addition to their numbers which came into the land via Port Nyanzaru, they have also been bringing in shipments of equipment through the ruins of Port Castigliar.  From there... it is a mystery where they are heading."

She turns again with the glass of wine in her hand.  "But all of this activity post-dates the onset of the curse.  They don't appear to be doing anything more than the rest of Toril... reacting to this evil, rather than causing it.  Tell me, Grandfather Zitembe... have your visions convinced you these Red Wizards are behind the death curse?"

Grandfather Zitembe steps forward.  "My Prince, as you are aware, the guides do not always provide answers that are crystal clear, and in this case they have not plainly spoken that the Thayans are guilty in this, no."  He pauses to clear his throat.  "However, Savras saw fit to grant me visions of the source of the curse.  It is in a hidden city deep within the jungles.  That vision was meant for these five who stand here with me."

"At the same time, other members of the faith received their own visions; visions of the Red Wizards, massing in the jungles with ill intent.  Furthermore, these same visions show the Red Wizards coming into conflict with both the Temple of Savras, and these five adventurers... with death as a result."  He pauses again and starts to lean heavily on his staff.  "I cannot say with certainty that these Red Wizards are behind the death curse, no.  But... I can say that they are connected to it in some way.  And I can also say that Savras has identified these five as ones who might be able to do something about it... and that the Red Wizards stand in their way.  Beyond that much, I cannot say."

Prince Jessamine does not immediately respond, but turns back to the table and begins writing something... several somethings... on different pieces of vellum.  "I see..." She says at last, quietly, almost as though speaking to herself.  "So tragic... so many lives...".  

He heard as Mica and Danica voiced their thoughts about the dead enchantress. They confirmed most of his thoughts and made him considered using Disguise Self to show them the wound, but at that point his memory could no longer hold all of its details. Ran’s word lifted his spirits a little. Maybe it was just that. Maybe her death had no connection to them. Either way, the ranger spoke in favor of the poisoning plan and the druid kept her support for the idea. Inete may have a chance, after all, he said with the voice of his mind as they left the temple.

On the Thundering Lizard he stayed lost in thought, rehearsing every word Zitembe had conveyed to them. Trying desperately to picture them, to find a clue in what the elder saw. Cyric, Vecna or Acerarak, he repeated almost like a mantra. Which one of them? Cyric should be imprisoned, but there was no way to be sure. Velan was not surprised by the priest’s fine cloth or the opulence of the villas. He found Jessamine’s mansion a little small, but just until he noticed the size of the gardens. As expected of the one who reigns over the trade of herbs. Inside Velan kept his silence, merely taking a slight bow when their host spoke and leaving the first impressions to Danica. By his account she was far more sociable, if not charismatic, than him.

“Forgive me the intrusion.” He said to the masked woman, speaking for the first time. “… but that is precisely the problem, Prince Jessamine. According to the Grandfather, Savras himself is not being able to see what the Red Wizards are doing. What the god shared with us was that they stand on the way of our quest to stop the Death Curse.” In the most literal sense, standing in a location on the road to the lost city. But explicitly saying as much could be less persuasive to the prince. “Quest that has become less of our choice since the Grandfather gave us a prophecy from the All-Seeing, saying that we should take this endeavor.” Zitembe’s words on the temple echoed in his mind. You cannot escape this fate, even if you wish. “Unconventional claims from our part that the good High Priest so kindly agreed to vouch for in your presence.” 

Velan considered asking about the dead woman, but in the end he decided it better to keep the focus of the conversation on the Red Wizards. Jessamine didn’t see particularly fond of them. Maybe she would find their elimination enough payment for her support.

“Given the likelihood of Thayan numerical advantage we conjectured the possibility of poisoning their supplies.”

The Prince continues to write while Velan speaks.  "You seek poison?" She asks with feigned surprise.  "Not a crate of mangoes, with which to buy their friendship?  Or a gift of sweet perfumes, to kill them with kindness, instead?"  She sighs.  "Very well."  She gathers up her writings along with a small leather-bound journal and hands it to Grandfather Zitembe.  She turns her masked face toward Danica.  "The rest will be delivered to your hotel by nightfall.  I can only hope you will make the rest of your preparations swiftly and begin your journey.  The hour grows late."

Grandfather Zitembe flips through some of the papers.  He pauses on the last one... his eyes grow wide... and the blood drains from his face.  "Is something wrong, Grandfather?"  He hastilyshakes his head no, and gathers the papers back up.  "I see that your sight has been returned," she says as you depart.  "How wonderful for you.  You may tell me of this miracle when next we have time to sit and chew the fat.  For now... go.  Be on your way, and with haste."

***

Once outside, Grandfather Zitembe lets out a breath, and leans against one of the marble serpent columns.  "Oh Savras... what am I doing?  What have I done?"

He collects the papers from his robes and hands them to you, explaining what Prince Jessamine has given you.  One of the items is a journal, detailing different poisonous plants and animals in the jungle, and how to harvest and refine their oils, venom, or essences into usable poisons.  It includes detailed hand drawings and step-by-step instructions.  Most of the papers are licenses and other documents granting your group authority to buy, sell, possess, and export poisonous materials.

The last document, he holds in a shaking hand.  "Are you all familiar with the system of justice here in Port Nyanzaru?  You may have noticed there are no prisons.  Small matters are handled with fines or seizure of assets.  More complicated or severe crimes may see the perpetrator sentenced to the Executioner's Run, to fight for their life."  He wipes some beads of sweat from his wrinkled forehead.  "But of all the merchant princes, Jessamine alone retains the power to Sanction - to order the death of a criminal.  It is seldom used, and often only for those guilty of murder, or embezzlement on a grand scale.  Spies and agitators, sometimes as well."

He hands the last paper to you.  It is an order, listing all of you, individually and collectively, the right of Sanction against any Red Wizard of Thay found operating on Chultan soil, for crimes against Nature, against Chult and against the people of Port Nyanzaru.  "She has given you a license to kill the Red Wizards."

"This... if this became public knowledge, a Merchant Prince authorizing such a blanket order... it is an act of war."  He relinquishes it to you.  "I have done what I promised.  I must go... I need to consider what I may have just started.  Oh, Savras...".

Ran smiles as Velan boldly brings up the idea of poison. He wasn't sure what the official stance was on poison in Chult. But he knows as well as any that not all poisons are the same. They didn't always need to kill to be effective. He'd spent more time tinkering with antitoxins than actual poisons, but he'd managed to make a few people sick over the years.

He's still building a mental map in his head and he's not sure where Port Castigliar is and how far it is from the Shoshenstar.

"We've heard of other wizards going up the Shoshenstar," Ran starts. "If you were bringing in supplies through Castigliar, could you get close to where the Shoshenstar would bring you?"

[Posts crossed, but Ran got his question in...]

"It is unlikely.  There is a great deal of jungle between Port Castigliar and the headwaters of the Soshenstar.  The River Olung is near to Port Castigliar, but it follows a different path and they do not headwater in the same place.  If one was already traveling upriver on the Soshenstar, it would make sense to take your gear that way as well."

"Unless... you did not want eyes in Port Nyanzaru to see what you were bringing into the country.  But it is speculation, only.  Perhaps you can ask one of these Thayans should you meet them?" 

Ran looks at the 'license to kill" paper and frowns slightly.

"I'd think that outside of Nyanzaru this wouldn't carry much weight," Ran says to the others. "I'd wager there's a whole lot going on out there that's unsanctioned and no none is going to miss a few Red Wizards. So why give us this?"

He takes a step or two away from the villa and glares up at the sky, already feeling the sweat forming on his brow and back.

"I'd keep that stuffed way deep down somewhere no one can see it." Ran adds. "Now, back to our single-handed guide?"