This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Bad tasting plants no longer a problem Frangipani continues her patrol around the boat.....though she does get distracted by sampling the local waterlife.
Sparhawk laughs, "Well, you did get a bottle of wine out of the deal, so you must be on the presidential tour plan. All I got was taste tested by a giant walking lizard."
As you continue down the river, the surrounding jungle gets more dense and the darkness more dark. Your dark vision is barely adequate to see where you are going and you find yourselves smacking into more rocks than you avoid, but the boat seems sturdy and the mending work from the spell holds like it was a new boat. Frangipani being under the water in crocodile form can sense that the current splits up ahead.
Sensing her Wildshape was nearing its end anyway frangipani climbed back onto the boat, " The river splits ahead. The boat will be very close to the bank on both sides...."
You guide the boat to the left, keeping a keen watch on both shores, but in the darkness you can’t really make out anything and your imagination plays tricks on you, making every dangling vine, or odd branch seem to be some horrific new beast ready to devour you. Some time passes with no assaults. The gentle current and rocking of the boat gives you a sense of peace in this strange place. You round a curve in the river and up ahead you see a break in the dense trees where the moonlight streams in. You see your first signs of civilization in the form of stone terraces and other structures, some in a state of collapse. As you near you can smell the sweet scent of flowers and can see this area is a cultivated garden of epic proportions. You can the stone work open up in the center where water cascades into the river down some stone steps. On each side of the steps are large, carved elephant heads
(Does the area look currently inhabited or in ruins, lights, fires, etc.?)
Sparhawk quietly stops the boat. Saying nothing, he listens intently, with his hand to his lips so the others can also keep a watchful eye and ear on their surroundings.
" Interesting.", Frangipani said jumping into the water and sliding up onto the steps.
Perception: 19
On the steps between the elephant heads you can see the water is flowing through an aqueduct which seems to have branches on both sides. You can barely make out a large stone reptiles head from which the water flows into the aquaduct. To the left and right are terraces filled with exotic plants and trees. There are many birds roosting in the trees. The air is sweet and fresh.
Five-foot-high terraces flank the aqua duct Low archways — three on each side — are built into the terrace walls. These archways are in various stages of collapse, as are the tunnels beyond them. Beautifully carved, larger-than-life stone faces are mounted between the arches.
A wild profusion of plants grows on the upper terraces, and multicolored parrots and canaries flit and sing among them. To the north, a dilapidated brick dome rises above the tyrannosaurus-head waterspout. Smaller, bell-shaped domes surmount the highest terraces to your left and right.
( I just cut and paste this part. The birds are not flying about because your here in the dark. If you camp and explore during daylight, you get the flying birds)
"Hum, looks like it may be abandoned, unless you count the wildlife." Sparhawk looks over at Bjorn. "I think you may be the only one that can't see well in the dark. If we light a torch, it is like putting on a beacon. Not sure that's a good idea yet." Back to the crew, "Lets explore for a small while and get our bearings. Then take a rest until first light and then, see what we can see. This may prove valuable on our map to show Dietrich."
Sparhawk jumps from the boat onto land and waits for the rest. "Ok, lets head north a bit and see whats ahead." (maybe 20 feet, party spread out every 5 ft. Lir and Frangi in the water if they want.)
Before they head into the ruins, Eberk bows his head in prayer. Using Eyes of Night he will give Bjorn, Frangipani, and Lir 300 feet of dark vision. He will grant Sparhawk his Vigilant Blessing (advantage on next initiative.)
Bad tasting plants no longer a problem Frangipani continues her patrol around the boat.....though she does get distracted by sampling the local waterlife.
Perception: 10
(Thanks, he was a soggy mess).
"This place has a strange sense of humor." Bjorn shakes his head and chuckles. "It couldn't just let us have a good day. Or night, I suppose."
(Someone else should drive -- I can't see where we're going)
Sparhawk laughs, "Well, you did get a bottle of wine out of the deal, so you must be on the presidential tour plan. All I got was taste tested by a giant walking lizard."
As you continue down the river, the surrounding jungle gets more dense and the darkness more dark. Your dark vision is barely adequate to see where you are going and you find yourselves smacking into more rocks than you avoid, but the boat seems sturdy and the mending work from the spell holds like it was a new boat. Frangipani being under the water in crocodile form can sense that the current splits up ahead.
Sensing her Wildshape was nearing its end anyway frangipani climbed back onto the boat, " The river splits ahead. The boat will be very close to the bank on both sides...."
“Alright crew Nice work. We got a split in the river up ahead. Frangipani, right or left?”
Frangipani shrugged, "Left?"
" Worst comes to worst we find a waterfall and have some more fun adventures."
“Left it is then. Keep sharp. The banks are close on either side here”
You guide the boat to the left, keeping a keen watch on both shores, but in the darkness you can’t really make out anything and your imagination plays tricks on you, making every dangling vine, or odd branch seem to be some horrific new beast ready to devour you. Some time passes with no assaults. The gentle current and rocking of the boat gives you a sense of peace in this strange place. You round a curve in the river and up ahead you see a break in the dense trees where the moonlight streams in. You see your first signs of civilization in the form of stone terraces and other structures, some in a state of collapse. As you near you can smell the sweet scent of flowers and can see this area is a cultivated garden of epic proportions. You can the stone work open up in the center where water cascades into the river down some stone steps. On each side of the steps are large, carved elephant heads
(Does the area look currently inhabited or in ruins, lights, fires, etc.?)
Sparhawk quietly stops the boat. Saying nothing, he listens intently, with his hand to his lips so the others can also keep a watchful eye and ear on their surroundings.
(Perception): 9
" Interesting.", Frangipani said jumping into the water and sliding up onto the steps.
Perception: 11
(Seeing or hearing nothing) "Hum, lets look around a bit on shore."
"Civilization at last! Well, sort of. This feels like private property. Shall we light a torch?"
On the steps between the elephant heads you can see the water is flowing through an aqueduct which seems to have branches on both sides. You can barely make out a large stone reptiles head from which the water flows into the aquaduct. To the left and right are terraces filled with exotic plants and trees. There are many birds roosting in the trees. The air is sweet and fresh.
Five-foot-high terraces flank the aqua duct Low archways — three on each side — are built into the terrace walls. These archways are in various stages of collapse, as are the tunnels beyond them. Beautifully carved, larger-than-life stone faces are mounted between the arches.
A wild profusion of plants grows on the upper terraces, and multicolored parrots and canaries flit and sing among them. To the north, a dilapidated brick dome rises above the tyrannosaurus-head waterspout. Smaller, bell-shaped domes surmount the highest terraces to your left and right.
( I just cut and paste this part. The birds are not flying about because your here in the dark. If you camp and explore during daylight, you get the flying birds)
"Hum, looks like it may be abandoned, unless you count the wildlife." Sparhawk looks over at Bjorn. "I think you may be the only one that can't see well in the dark. If we light a torch, it is like putting on a beacon. Not sure that's a good idea yet." Back to the crew, "Lets explore for a small while and get our bearings. Then take a rest until first light and then, see what we can see. This may prove valuable on our map to show Dietrich."
Sparhawk jumps from the boat onto land and waits for the rest. "Ok, lets head north a bit and see whats ahead." (maybe 20 feet, party spread out every 5 ft. Lir and Frangi in the water if they want.)
Before they head into the ruins, Eberk bows his head in prayer. Using Eyes of Night he will give Bjorn, Frangipani, and Lir 300 feet of dark vision. He will grant Sparhawk his Vigilant Blessing (advantage on next initiative.)
“There, that should help a bit.”
Frangipani looks at Eberk with a huge smile.
" This is great!"
She slips into the aqueduct and begins exploring northward.
Perception: 19