Meili understood his argument and was fast to apologize while Ekene-Afa spoke with the same kind of generalization. Velan was not sure if the merchant prince was being ignorant of downright hypocritical. Much of her fortune came from keeping trade with foreign powers. Nationality is just one of the many ways to divide people in “they” and “us”, he thought as Danica came up with a name for the group. Helping Hands didn’t see intimidating or impressive, but it was direct and easy to remember. Perfect to ensure that the princes would recognize if they ever requested an audience. We can ask favors of two of the princes already and our company is not a day old. The realization was almost enough to put a smile on his face. Almost.

Mica’s questions sounded fair to him, but not so much to Meili. Going by her words there was someone dear to her being affected by the curse. Maybe it was the person in the monastery she spoke about before. The genasi didn’t seem to take offense in her reaction so the arcanist kept his silence up to the point the conversation returned to the curse.

“Even magic as simple as changing the color of one’s cloth is hard to preserve in an item. Imagine something as powerful as to interfere with resurrection spells.” Velan couldn’t imagine such thing being unnoticed by centuries. Maybe under some kind of mystic occultation… He theorized before turning his attention back to the elf.  “It is not impossible, but I don’t think that kind of arcana would go unnoticed by other gods, especially considering how it trespass in the laws of afterlife. I mean, not even gods and devils have an easy time meddling with that.”

As someone who honored Kelemvor he would know more than a bit about that. Not that he was a cleric or even a proper followed. When all was said and done his faith on the Lord of Dead resided on the simple fact that he was honest about not interfering with mortals. That and he followed his rules. I can only hope Savras do the same.

“On my part we can return. Just… Master Geddarm, would you be interested in lending us one volume of your recent book, the one you mentioned at the tavern, in exchange for the promise of our first-hand relate about whatever adventures we may find in the way the Lord of Divination will send us?”

Meili felt not disappointed but guilty - if it was not for their previous encounter with the warrior, he would win. They tipped the balance and gave an unfair advantage to his opponent. But it was what it was.

She did not comment on the fight but quietly, so that only Danica and maybe someone from the group could hear, asked their dark-haired leader. "Did not we come here to ask for help with the equipment and guides for the expedition?"

Nodding at Velan's conjecture she postulated, "It's the timing that gets me. Seemed to happen out of nowhere." Quite a mystery to unravel to cure this Curse. "But it seems that the Gods might be getting involved after all if our meeting tomorrow morning is any clue." 

Playing off of her companion's question she tried to help by adding, "We'd make sure to go to you first with all of the exciting stories and not just any tavern bard." Having met plenty of bards at various ports they always seemed to be ravenous for a new tale. Exclusivity had to mean something to a fellow story teller, bard or not, right?

Ears twitching as Meili murmured to the group, Danica tried to play off her buzzed embarrassment as a surprise realization and turned back to Wakanga and Ekene-Afa. "If it isn't too much trouble, we had a question. Looking for a bit of advice in choosing a guide and who better to ask than the ones most connected with the people? We were approached by a one armed dwarf by the name of Hew Hackinstone and were wondering if he is as good as he claims and thus worth the hundred and fifty dragons he's asking for up front?" She tries to get a good read on either Merchant Prince's expression as she spoke. 

Insight: 3

Volo remains pleasant of demeanor in response to Velan and Danica's suggestion about 'lending' a book, but demurs.  "That is an interesting proposal.  Sadly, it fails on a pair of fronts.  Firstly, my readers have come to expect only first-hand accounts from Volothamp Geddarm.  That I am not simply regurgitating rumor or dated research, but providing them the with results of firsthand information from the field.  As such, while your stories will not doubt captivate and spawn further avenues for study and investigation, they could hardly form the foundation for another text of mine."

"Secondly, or more pointedly, I am here to sell books, not give them away.  Prince Wakanga has most generously entertained and seen to my every need... want, even... on this trip, but there will come a time when old Volo will need to begin paying his own tabs again.  You have been excellent company, and I would like to see you - anyone, really - succeed on this investigation into the curse.  Perhaps I could give you the 'friends and family' discount... say... 40gp?"

Before any of you can respond to the offer, Prince Wakanga O'Tamu steps forward.  "Master Volo, it had always been my intention to secure a copy of your latest masterpiece for my own collection.  And if the All-Seeing One, Savras, has seen fit to support these fellows on their adventure, than who is Prince Wakanga to do otherwise?  I will loan you my copy, travelers.  To be returned when your travels are complete and the crisis put to rest."  Volo shrugs and agrees to make sure a copy of his book is waiting for you at the Thundering Lizard tomorrow morning.

Danica, the Princes both seem strangely put off by your question, though you're not immediately sure what it was that offended them so.  It is Ekene-Afa who answers.  "Prince Jobal controls the guides.  I seem to recall some story about a one-armed dwarf returning from the deep jungle... one of those cautionary tales about survival when things go poorly out in the bush.  But I do not recall the details."

"As far as price, you will have little luck finding a deal.  With so many adventures seeking to venture into the jungles, and so many of them - and their guides - not returning, Jobal has set strict pricing controls on his remaining guides.  Demand is up, supply is down, and costs are rising.  And he is commanding significant up front deposits.  The only real choice from his position, of course.  If there is chance the buyer will not return... it is best to collect the payment immediately."

Nodding with understanding at Volo's reasoning, Danica couldn't help but wince at the discount. Ten gold was quite a lot to waive away, but forty was still too rich for her considering the price of a guide not to mention supplies for the group. Looking at Wakanga as he immediately interposed before they could truly react to the offer, the elf was gratefully surprised, "That's truly very generous of you Prince O'Tamu. We'll do our best in making sure your copy returns to you with as minimal wear and tear as possible." Hoping the man knew that taking a book through a jungle was bound to be somewhat perilous for the tome. 

Seeing the expression of both of the Merchant Princes at her question to their hopeful guide to be, the sailor freezes a moment and before she can back track, gets an answer. "My apologies if I overstepped. And it sounds like a fair practice considering the circumstances. Thank you for answering even though it isn't within your purviews." All of this tip-toeing and dancing around these political figures was starting to make her stressed. "It sounds like Mr. Hackinstone is the man for the job. Enjoy the rest of your evening." She said in general to the two Chultans and Volo before turning to the rest of the group, "Ready to head out? Back to the Thundering Lizard or...?" Leaving it open ended. 

Meili was actually excited about perspectives to see that famous book and energetically nodded to the suggestion of return. They all had a good meal, a good show, learned something, and got some help (even if half of it meant "you still have to pay big"). Tomorrow was a big day.

Ran raises an eyebrow at all the enthusiasm about the book. They sound like my sister, he thinks to himself. If one of those lizards is charging you, unless the book explodes, it’s not going to be much help. But he keeps his thoughts to himself.

”It’s been a long day already and it’s going to be longer tomorrow. I’m good to head to the inn for a drink or three before turning in.”

[DM assumes, based on prior posts, that all five party members plan to retire to the Thundering Lizard.]

The walk back from the coliseum to the Thundering Lizard is without incident, though it provides the new arrivals with their first glimpse of night in the city.  The streets are crowded at first, as the spectators slowly make their way home after the evening reverie.  A few vendors hawk grilled lizard skewers or fried corn cakes, but almost all of the shops have closed.  

The temperature is still very warm and the humidity remains high, though the setting of the sun has taken the edge off.  It is now 'sticky and uncomfortable' rather than 'borderline intolerable.'  Along the road, torches hang to illuminate the path, and here and there are large cauldrons with bricks of strange material, burning.  They don't give off much light, but the smoke is sickly sweet and it leaves a sheen on your clothes and skin as you pass through it.  Velan would already know the purpose, and the rest of you discover it quickly - insects.  As the sun sets, swarms of tiny (and some not so tiny) biting insects drift into the city.  The smoke from these cauldrons keeps them off the road, and once you are sufficiently coated in the smoke residue, they cease to bother you even when you are away from the cauldron.  Even so, the evening street noise is frequently punctuated by the "SLAP!" sound of someone disposing of a pesky parasite.

Velan:

 You can hear the din of the Thundering Lizard from quite a distance.  While much of Port Nyanzaru seems to be settling in for the night, the festivities at the tavern seem to be in full swing.  

As you approach the entrance, you hear a musical performance begin inside.  Hand drums and a lute set a slow, sultry rhythm, and a voice like honey croons lyrics of lost love and regret.  Stepping inside, you might be mildly surprised to see the music comes from an all-tabaxi trio... the lyricists voice betraying no hint of the stereotypical heavy accent the tabaxi are known for.  Much of the crowd has gathered in the back to watch the performance.

The front area near the bar still has a decent crowd, and these seem to be the livelier of the bunch.  Some sailors, possibly from some of the very ships four of you arrived on, are drinking, playing cards and rolling dice, while a small group of the dwarves from this morning are back and drinking at the bar, though slightly less rambunctious than they had behaved earlier.

[Anyone who hasn't already paid for lodging will need to do so.  A spot in one of the dorms is 1gp.  This provides you with a bunk in a common room upstairs, where strangers may be sleeping in the adjoining bunks.  You do get a lockbox with a key for your belongings while you sleep.  A single room is 1gp, 1sp.  It is basically just a closet with a bed, but you do get a door to separate you from everyone else.

You are free to socialize, or retire for the evening.]

Ran pays for a ‘private room’. He doesn’t need someone running off with his shield or swords in the night.

Weighing what few coins are left in his pouch, he’s going to have to leave for the interior tomorrow whether the group is ready or not. He can’t stay in inns unless he gets ahold of more coin.

He watches the tabaxi trio as they make their way into the main room.

But as much as the bar looks inviting, Ran heads to his room to get out of his armor and see if he can get some sleep. He’s looking forward to a night where his bed isn’t swaying back and forth and the walls and floors aren’t continuously creaking. Ship’s life isn’t for him.

He says good night to the others and barring any events in the night will be down early.

Mica was impressed with the fight, but said very little.  He knew first hand how strong Taban’s blows could be, and Taban was very likely pulling his punches in the fight with the group, but Shago more than held his own.  Apparently the peacock could fight as well as strut.  

Mica was silent as the group walked back to the inn, lost in his own thoughts with Meili’s words echoing in his head.  The truth was that he did not have anyone dear to him, his friends and family cast him out as his Dao bloodline revealed itself, and he held no special concern for his own soul either.

He spends the extra silver at the inn for a private room.  He dislikes crowded spaces and prefers his solitude when he can get it.  There was very little of that aboard ship, and he was beginning to get his fill of the crowded city streets as well.  He looked at the bar, briefly considering asking the dwarves how their expedition preparations were going, but thought better of it.  Between the heat of the day and the fight with Taban he needed the rest, and tomorrow was a busy day.  They had to meet with a divine messenger and another merchant prince before they could continue on to the jungle.  

(deducted 1gp, 1sp for the room)

It was a tough call - 1 silver might look like very little, but there are only ten of them in a gold coin. It's not like Meili was spoiled by having personal apartments before, and no one but the captain had private quarters on the ship, not to mention she had nothing of worth with her to be scared of thieves, but... It was a long day and more overwhelming than anything at least half of her travelling time. And tomorrow morning she needed to be as fresh as one can get. In the end, she decided to take the private room.

She was not afraid to oversleep - waking at dawn was an old habit, but she would try to get the room near Danica. Just in case the group will need to departure urgently.

The four newcomers retire to their rooms at the Thundering Lizard early, eager to rest their bruised bodies and get an early start on the morrow.  The noise of music, laughter, and shouting from the tavern below makes settling in for the night's sleep fitful (unless you're used to that sort of noise while you sleep) but soon they find themselves asleep.

Velan, meanwhile, said his farewell and parted ways for the night, returning to his semi-permanent lodgings at the Golden Macaw in Tiryki Anchorage.

Velan:

 [You can all hit the long rest button on your character sheets.  Congratulations on surviving your first 'in game' day!  You're so close to level 2, I can practically taste it!  Not quite yet, though.]

Overnight...

Danica:

Danica wasn't quite herself that evening, or perhaps she was too much herself and that was the problem. Head always up in the stars her father would say, never mind the clouds. Enjoying the low buzz that the exotic drink she had been treated to earlier and not knowing what to say to the group she was inexpertly leading, the elf tried to look for Hew when they arrived back at the Thundering Lizard. But either due to him having already turned in or not having returned himself yet, or perhaps her own tired and drink addled eyes were skewing her perception, she didn't see him about. While she was busy looking for him, she missed most of her companions turning in for the night. Giving a long tired sigh, the sailor approached whoever was currently available, Esther or Emeka, "If y'happen to see Hew Hackinstone, the one handed dwarf who was in here earlier, would you be able to pass a message along for me?" Assuming that they were she would say, "You can give him my name and tell him I'm staying here and want to hire him if he's still available. Appreciate it." After getting herself whatever complimentary food came with her room that she had already paid for, Danica would head into her room.

 Exiting her room into the main area of the Thundering Lizard, the dawn's light slanting through as she got the attention of whoever was working at this hour to request a morning drink of coffee. It was entirely too warm considering the time of day but it needed to be started regardless. She looks around before inquiring if anyone had asked for her. 

Meili, faithful to her training and traditions, left her room at dawn, enjoying the relative coolness of the morning. Her breakfast was the most simple the inn could provide with water, juce or milk as a beverage. "We probably have to be going. Father Zitembe said "mid morning" but we have to walk there still and..." She did not finish but was obviously one of those people who prefer to come earlier and wait rather than be late.

After turning in early, Ran sleeps most of the night with barely a hint of movement. As he awakens in the morning, he thinks he hears someone call his name, someone that sounds like his sister, but he soon realizes it's just noise from the street.

While there's a hint of coolness left in the air, he grabs his two longswords and goes to the courtyard and runs through several practiced movements. Thrusts and parries accompanied by feints and spins. He tries incorporating some of the moves he watched Taban and Shago use in the arena last night. He repeats, and repeats, and repeats again. 

He quickly heads back up and grabs his equipment. Not knowing what the day may bring, he dons his armor again as well before heading to find the others, taking advantage of cool water and some food when he finds Meili and Danica already dining.

"I was right knackered last night. Barely moved a muscle," Ran starts, then asks "So, leaning towards Hew as a guide? If he's as good as he thinks he is great. If not, well, one armed, he shouldn't cause us too much trouble."

As the party begins to filter down from upstairs and nab some coffee and morning refreshments, the owners are busy cleaning the bar and serving the handful of other early risers who have also come downstairs.  A stork or some other sort of long legged bird has wandered in from outside and is moving through the tables, occasionally stretching its long neck and beak out to snag a bit of food spilled by revelers the night before.

Ran is alone in the courtyard, but for a winged reptile about the size of a crow, with a long thin tail ending a shield-shaped flat panel of scales.  It flaps down to land on one of the tables and watches his exercises with beady black eyes, before opening its jaw wide and bellowing out a deep 'Eee-Yawp!" that would have been more believable coming from a donkey than some little flying lizard.  It flaps off again and sails over the wall of the courtyard, its flight reminiscent of the frenetic fluttering of a bat.

When Danica arrives in the main bar room, Esther Isrit hands her a package bound in brown paper.  Inside is a pristine new copy of Volo's Guide to Monsters.  It was delivered in the pre-dawn hours, to her attention.

[Congratulations.  This book contains all the information within the actual 'Volo's Guide to Monsters,' sans things like specific stats or HP information that wouldn't be known or understood in game.  You will know more general information from the monster stats, such as how "dangerous" they are (Challenge Rating), any strengths or weaknesses (resistances or vulnerabilities), and any special attacks or abilities the monsters are known for.  The book will take 3 days for a PC to read and fully memorize (assuming the book is being read during the hours before sleep or during short rests).  So for the entire party to read, it would take 15 days.  Otherwise, if just one or two PCs read the book, they will need to communicate information in game for the others to be aware, such as shouting, "Careful, that thing spits acid!" or "It's vulnerable to fire!"]

Esther also advises that the guide Hew Hackinstone was informed of your interest, and he has been waiting at a table for your group to rise.  Sure enough, Hew Hackinstone is here, sitting alone.  He is dressed in hide armor, one side tacked up due to the missing arm.  A rapier hangs from his belt and an old pith helmet sits on the table.  It has a foil emblem of a pickaxe on the front and a long black feather tucked into one of the leather straps.  He is taking notes on a long sheet of paper, but he sits up straight when he sees your faces and waits for you to approach.

Taking the package with interest, Danica unwraps it just enough to see the title and chuckles. Would certainly be a good read when everyone else was sleeping. She also felt like Velan would appreciate it, he seemed like the bookish sort. And Meili had expressed interest it from the get go. Maybe Mica would enjoy hearing about the interesting creatures they might run into. Ran though would likely only appreciate the tactical advantage. Definitely useful. She said as much to Ran and Meili as she drank her coffee. 

Looking up at where Esther nodded to, sure enough there was there mysterious one armed guide. Putting Volo's book safely tucked away into her pack for now, while it was open the elf also extracted into a separate small purse one hundred and fifty gold pieces (or whatever platinum pieces she had). Leading the way over to his table, she set down the purse in front of him. "Looking forward to working with you for the next month at least Mr. Hackinstone." Meeting his eyes with a measured look before giving a tentative smile and offering her hand to shake. "Not sure if you remember from last night in between all my shouting but my name's Danica Amastacia. These are some of my crew." She gestures to the two humans, "Ran and Meili. The other two seem to be sleeping in. Mica and Velan. We uh... are going by the name the Helping Hands." 

Heading the man off before he could get started she explained, "We have a meeting with a Priest of Savras soon and still need to get whatever supplies or transport you think will be most needed for the journey before we can depart." 

Mica was up with the sun, as usual.   He takes a quick walk outside the inn while the bazaar is still waking, enjoying the coolness of the morning, and looking longingly at the jungle in the distance.  There was still some work to do before they would get there.  Returning back to the common room of the Thundering Lizard he joins the others already in breakfast.  “Good morning!  It was good to get a night’s rest where I didn’t have to worry about rolling out of the bunk”

He barely spares a glance at the book Danica received.  Volo told interesting stories, and he learned from them, but reading interested him little.  You can get more from your own hard earned experiences, or by listening and watching those that had gone before.  The dwarf would be a likely be a good source of that knowledge in the days to come as well. 

He nods to the dwarf  “Hew Hackinstone, intrepid explorer, appears you will be joining us.  Welcome to the crew.  I am Mica. So where should we be heading in these jungles?”

Nodding at Meili’s suggestion he adds “I like an early start as well, and there are some items I may need to get before departing for the wilds.” 

Hew Hackinstone had been opening his mouth to deliver what was sure to have been a final sales pitch, or perhaps a warm-hearted thanks for selecting him over the competition.  Whatever he had been planning to say, he was cut short by Danica's warning about time constraints and Mica's question. 

"Right, then," he says, in his not quite Chultan, not quite Dwarven accent.  "You are men and women of purpose.  I respect that.  I shall be direct."  He nods and pulls out a short list, handing it to your party.  "I was putting some ideas together.    The jungle is vast but we may have some clues as to where your target is, by considering where it is not.  But for now, go... take care of your business with the faithful.  I have thoughts on where to begin our search, but my musings can wait until we can sit and talk at length."  He flags down Esther and orders himself some black tea to go.  "I will see that Prince Jobal receives his pound of flesh and that all my affairs are in order.  I'll return here shortly and will await you."  Before you leave, and while he waits for his tea, he offers a final thought, "You will not regret your decision.  Together, we will accomplish the impossible, and set the world to right."