You are welcomed aboard the “ Kingfisher”, a converted military ship with a long hull. You can see where ballista torrents were formerly mounted, there are now lifting cranes. Along with massive nets and other tackle. The crew are well trained an efficient and the anchor is quickly drawn up as you head towards kitcher’s inlet.
"Ah my dear Baron. Are you ready for an adventure?" Sparhawk smiles at him. "The garden is interesting. There's a plant there that makes you go into a trance. It then...makes you basically undead. Of course, the assassin vines are great fun as well. Then...theres whatever might be in that locked room. Gonna be a fun adventure for us."
Just as yesterday, just the very presence of the paladin seems to inspire confidence (Aura of protection). He also wears an identical amulet, but the eyes are not green.
Sparhawk looks over the crew, making sure each is ready to go. He spends a bit of extra time observing Lir. Something about the man is quite unsettled, even for him.
“ Ready? Yes, I am always ready for adventure, and Chult does never disappoint. I have some not so fond memories of those plants of which you speak. They can really ruin a guys day”
Sparhawk examines the boat. "Ah, the Kingfisher. This will surely meet our needs, Baron. As a military man, I see the scaring on the wood of ballista turrets may have been here... (he points to the cranes). Let's get the dock hands to fetch us a few ballistas, if they can find them, and mount them....here and here...(strategic position not in the way of the cranes). Then...I think we are ready.
(Sparhawk will see if some of the dock sailors can quickly acquire several ballistas, and long bolts as added defense against some of the...larger creatures they have encountered. If, not...mounted heavy crossbows).
Sparhawk examines the boat. "Ah, the Kingfisher. This will surely meet our needs, Baron. As a military man, I see the scaring on the wood of ballista turrets may have been here... (he points to the cranes). Let's get the dock hands to fetch us a few ballistas, if they can find them, and mount them....here and here...(strategic position not in the way of the cranes). Then...I think we are ready.
(Sparhawk will see if some of the dock sailors can quickly acquire several ballistas, and long bolts as added defense against some of the...larger creatures they have encountered. If, not...mounted heavy crossbows).
“ no, we took the ballistas off in order for the ship to be able to handle the cargo, no need to worry. We have…let’s say less visible defensive measures. Just enjoy the sail, it will be just a few hours to the inlet.”
the weather is absolute perfect and the sails stay filled with the favorable winds as you make way. After a few hours, as the Baron predicted, you round the point and head in to a position off the inlet where the kingfisher will be anchored. It should take a day to make it up the river, but with the nicer row boats with their longer hulls, you maybe be able to cut the time in half.
“ well, your the only people I have heard of that actually have seen it and lived to tell about. At least whose story is to be believed. The queen is a well known historical person who made an evil pact to preserve her beauty. Other than that, i don’t know much more. There are almost 200 poems and songs written about her tragedy.”
"Well Cleric of the Moonmaiden, if you are correct and those things we fought were....undead....then she is also probably undead....and...going by that logic, killing her will dispel the magic of the area." He looks at Bjorn and Frangipani,
"It did surprise me how well preserved those jars were, and the underground chambers, especially since apparently, no one has found this place in quite some time."
"Also, if we can acquire some wax, say from candles....I wonder if we can make nose plugs to protect us from the fragrant scent of those yellow musk creepers." He looks at the sleepy Zaal, and the Baron.
"In case you are wondering, these nasty things will release something into the air which will leave you stunned. The plant then eats you from the inside out and you slowly turn into, what I can tell a mindless zombie. Its main task, to spread its seed to living creatures, their new host."
Zaal cracks an eye open at the paladin, clearly having been listening in spite of appearing to be asleep. "Perhaps masks would be more effective, as such seeds I assume can enter through the mouth as well. If it is pollen, cloth should be good enough to keep it out. It would protect both our noses and mouths, while also allowing us to breathe." He pauses, straightening his posture for a moment as if debating on checking something in his gear. "...Unless that is something you've tried before and found inefficient."
"It's a pretty common trick, when you've made a magical pact, to spread around a rumor that it cursed you. Keeps the other would-be warlocks from becoming competition, y'see? Eternal beauty ain't special if every commoner has it." Bjorn is looking out over the water. "Wouldn't surprise me one bit if she's absolutely fine." The boat passes under some heavy shade, drenching him momentarily in shadow. "Just like me."
The KingFisher comes to rest as the crew lays out the anchor and line they crank the row boat down into the water and makes it ready for you to depart. It just about noon.
"Alright crew," Sparhawk addresses his friends, "Let's make ready." Sparhawk will make sure they have all their rations, and previously mentioned items to help safeguard their expedition.
"Baron....So my understanding is we are looking for the location of a storm giants skull. If we are able to get into the main chamber of this queen, what should we be looking for exactly?"
He will also spend some time in prayer and meditation, contemplating the disturbing dreams and visions he has been having. He does not know what the gods have in store for him, but he feels this mission will better prepare him for his fight at Luskan.
You are welcomed aboard the “ Kingfisher”, a converted military ship with a long hull. You can see where ballista torrents were formerly mounted, there are now lifting cranes. Along with massive nets and other tackle. The crew are well trained an efficient and the anchor is quickly drawn up as you head towards kitcher’s inlet.
“ Ready? Yes, I am always ready for adventure, and Chult does never disappoint. I have some not so fond memories of those plants of which you speak. They can really ruin a guys day”
Sparhawk examines the boat. "Ah, the Kingfisher. This will surely meet our needs, Baron. As a military man, I see the scaring on the wood of ballista turrets may have been here... (he points to the cranes). Let's get the dock hands to fetch us a few ballistas, if they can find them, and mount them....here and here...(strategic position not in the way of the cranes). Then...I think we are ready.
(Sparhawk will see if some of the dock sailors can quickly acquire several ballistas, and long bolts as added defense against some of the...larger creatures they have encountered. If, not...mounted heavy crossbows).
“ no, we took the ballistas off in order for the ship to be able to handle the cargo, no need to worry. We have…let’s say less visible defensive measures. Just enjoy the sail, it will be just a few hours to the inlet.”
the weather is absolute perfect and the sails stay filled with the favorable winds as you make way. After a few hours, as the Baron predicted, you round the point and head in to a position off the inlet where the kingfisher will be anchored. It should take a day to make it up the river, but with the nicer row boats with their longer hulls, you maybe be able to cut the time in half.
While they are traveling: "So Baron, anything about the garden or the famous women we think entombed there that you might know?"
“ well, your the only people I have heard of that actually have seen it and lived to tell about. At least whose story is to be believed. The queen is a well known historical person who made an evil pact to preserve her beauty. Other than that, i don’t know much more. There are almost 200 poems and songs written about her tragedy.”
“I wonder if her pact has anything to do with the… interesting plant-life we encountered.”
[Lir will attempt to recall some detail from the vision that he confused for a religious experience.]
8
"Well Cleric of the Moonmaiden, if you are correct and those things we fought were....undead....then she is also probably undead....and...going by that logic, killing her will dispel the magic of the area." He looks at Bjorn and Frangipani,
"It did surprise me how well preserved those jars were, and the underground chambers, especially since apparently, no one has found this place in quite some time."
"Also, if we can acquire some wax, say from candles....I wonder if we can make nose plugs to protect us from the fragrant scent of those yellow musk creepers."
He looks at the sleepy Zaal, and the Baron.
"In case you are wondering, these nasty things will release something into the air which will leave you stunned. The plant then eats you from the inside out and you slowly turn into, what I can tell a mindless zombie. Its main task, to spread its seed to living creatures, their new host."
Zaal cracks an eye open at the paladin, clearly having been listening in spite of appearing to be asleep. "Perhaps masks would be more effective, as such seeds I assume can enter through the mouth as well. If it is pollen, cloth should be good enough to keep it out. It would protect both our noses and mouths, while also allowing us to breathe." He pauses, straightening his posture for a moment as if debating on checking something in his gear. "...Unless that is something you've tried before and found inefficient."
"It's a pretty common trick, when you've made a magical pact, to spread around a rumor that it cursed you. Keeps the other would-be warlocks from becoming competition, y'see? Eternal beauty ain't special if every commoner has it." Bjorn is looking out over the water. "Wouldn't surprise me one bit if she's absolutely fine." The boat passes under some heavy shade, drenching him momentarily in shadow. "Just like me."
Sparhawk looks at Bjorn for a moment, “I don’t know my friend, I’d say some might find you quite pleasing, although certainly none on this ship”
”Zaal, that’s a good idea as well, something to reduce or neutralize it’s scent”
(ooc: using combined medicine or knowledge of nature, hopefully a solution that gives advantage on saves against the musk hopefully)
Frangipani amuses herself by clambering over the ships underside as it travels, she's fairly unworried by whats up ahead.
Zaal shrugs, leaning back again and resuming his half-sleep.
The only thing Lir is able remember is the snakes. Lots of snakes
( you will have to try it out to see)
The KingFisher comes to rest as the crew lays out the anchor and line they crank the row boat down into the water and makes it ready for you to depart. It just about noon.
"Alright crew," Sparhawk addresses his friends, "Let's make ready."
Sparhawk will make sure they have all their rations, and previously mentioned items to help safeguard their expedition.
"Baron....So my understanding is we are looking for the location of a storm giants skull. If we are able to get into the main chamber of this queen, what should we be looking for exactly?"
He will also spend some time in prayer and meditation, contemplating the disturbing dreams and visions he has been having. He does not know what the gods have in store for him, but he feels this mission will better prepare him for his fight at Luskan.
Frangipani is somewhat eager to get in there, though she feels bad for the queen who just wanted to be left alone in her death garden....
Eberk digs through his pack, pulling out a shirt. He begins cutting it into sections to use as face coverings. “Hopefully this will be sufficient.”
" Lir? We swim in first?"