As Rhys’ blades strike true, cutting deep into the Deinonychus, the raptor stumbles, blood matting its feathers. Seizing the moment, Taban moves in without hesitation.
With a sharp thrust, he drives his spear into the chest of the first wounded raptor, piercing its heart. The beast lets out a strangled gasp before crumpling to the ground.
Without missing a beat, he pivots to the second injured Deinonychus, his spear finding its mark once more. The tip plunges deep, and with a practiced twist, he ends its life in an instant.
Then, turning to the fourth and final raptor—the one that had bitten Thyxius—Taban aims for the killing blow. He lunges, spear tip flashing in the dim light, but at the last moment, the creature twists away, the attack missing by inches.
Taban exhales sharply, resetting his stance. “Persistent little beast,” he mutters, eyes locked onto the last standing foe.
Thyxius staggers as the Deinonychus’ powerful jaws clamp down, searing pain ripping through him as blood stains his armor. Gritting his teeth, he wrenches himself free, his golden eyes blazing with defiance. “You’ll regret that,” he growls, gripping his sword tighter. Radiant energy crackles along the blade as he raises it high. With a fierce battle cry, he swings, striking deep into the beast’s flank. Divine light erupts from the impact, engulfing the raptor in holy fire as the smite drives through flesh and bone.
After Thyxius delivers his blow, channeling the divine energy of his smite into the Deinonychus, the creature lets out a final, guttural growl before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
Azaka, seeing the raptor falter, steps in swiftly, her yklwa flashing in the dim light. With one fluid motion, she drives the blade deep into its side, finishing it off with practiced ease. The jungle falls silent once more, the only sound the distant drizzle of rain against the canopy.
Azaka looks around at the fallen raptors and then scans the surroundings, her sharp eyes catching every movement in the darkened jungle. “I believe that should be it,” she says, her voice steady. “Luckily, the rain muffled some of the noise of their screeching. I don’t think anything else is coming.”
She turns toward the campfire, her expression softening slightly. “We should continue getting ready to sleep and get some rest. Tomorrow’s another long day.”
“Very well. Would you mind helping us set up an alert system in case more predators are around? I will (ritual) cast alarm to warn us as a last resort.”
I then hand around some berries as well as create some fresh water for us to drink.
Thyxius exhales, steadying himself as the jungle returns to uneasy silence. With a grimace, he presses a gauntleted hand to his wounded side, channeling divine energy into his body. A warm, golden glow pulses from his palm as his wounds knit together, the pain ebbing away (Lay on Hands for +8 HP). “That should do,” he mutters before turning to Rhys. He takes the offered berry and water with a nod of gratitude. “Appreciate it—best to keep our strength up.”
Glancing at the fallen Deinonychus, his brow furrows in thought. “These creatures are built for survival—razor-sharp claws, strong hide. Is there anything worth salvaging?” He looks toward Azaka and the others, seeking their expertise. “No sense letting nature go to waste if we can make use of them.”
Azaka glances at Thyxius and shakes her head. "No need to keep anything from them," she says plainly, nudging one of the fallen raptors with the tip of her yklwa. "Lizardfolk would turn their hides and bones into armor or weapons, but I don't have that talent."
She crouches beside one of the creatures, inspecting its body with a practiced eye. "As for eating them… we could get enough meat for a day for each of us. Not all of it’s good, though. Most of it’s tough—chewy or thick as leather." She stands up, rolling her shoulders. "Still, better than nothing if we need it."
For the next three days, Azaka keeps the group on track, her sharp instincts and extensive knowledge of the jungle guiding them ever closer to Firefinger. With the help of Rhys, Cleggor, and Ollie, they make steady progress through the thick vegetation, navigating the challenges of the terrain with practiced ease. Azaka's focus never wavers—she keeps a sharp eye on the path ahead, ensuring they avoid any potential dangers, while also using the jungle’s natural camouflage to their advantage.
The group occasionally stops to observe the creatures around them. At one point, they spot a quetzalcoatlus soaring high above, its enormous wingspans casting a shadow over the jungle floor. From this distance, the creature’s size is hard to grasp, but Azaka’s quiet observation reveals the truth—these flying reptiles are giants, their wings creating ripples in the air as they glide effortlessly above.
Azaka doesn't linger on the wildlife too much, staying focused on her role as the guide. She moves with precision, never letting the group stray from the path, while the others keep their eyes peeled for any threats or curiosities along the way.
Taban, ever the talker, seems to have a different way of passing the time. He often regales the group with stories from his gladiatorial days, tales of past glories and blood-soaked arenas. His voice carries with it the weight of experience as he recounts thrilling victories, battles won by inches, and foes defeated in spectacular fashion. On occasion, he’ll joke about tipping the ankylosaurus, suggesting with a mischievous grin that if they’d just let him, he could bring the beast down with a few well-placed hits.
As the sun begins to dip below the jungle canopy, Azaka slows her pace and scans the surroundings before finally nodding. "This will do," she says, gesturing toward a small clearing nestled between thick trees. "Good cover, and the ground is dry enough. We camp here for the night."
Rhys will perform his nightly rituals of passing out the remaining day’s goodberries befire summoning more for the next day, creating clean water 1 cup at a time for consumption, and ritual casting Alarm around them with an audible noise (designating our party and Stompy as exceptions).
As Thyxius sets down his pack, he wonders if it’s right to enjoy this journey so much when their mission is so grave. The jungle is harsh, yet full of wonders—the towering dinosaurs, the breathtaking quetzalcoatlus, even Stompy’s steady presence. Taban’s stories, filled with grit and hard-won victories, are more than just entertainment; they’re lessons in resilience and resolve. Thyxius hopes to be that inspiring someday. He accepts the berry and water from Rhys gratefully and helps find dry enough material for a campfire.
"Thas it boy, good, good Stompy. You did a right good job today you did, you have yourself a bite to eat then lie down big boy, we'll watch over you. Thas it, you have an itchy scale? Righ there, that's where you like it, eh?" Cleggor is scratching under an itchy spot for ole Stompy, using his walking stick to get the harder to reach areas. He gives him one last pat then hops off and starts to set up his bedroll in a good area.
"Azaka, thinking we need to set up mosquito nets and such or no? Not yet? Anything that we need to be mindful of that likes to hunt at night round these parts?" Cleggor keeps arranging things then looks up for an answer. He looks briefly at Ollie and then motions towards a tall, good tree with nice branches and an unobstructed view of the campsite and surrounding area, sending Ollie up there to perch and watch. He gobbles down a goodberry and then casts it again, making 10 new berries for use tomorrow before heading to sleep. He sits up as if he forgot, calling out to the others, "Hey, uh fellers. How are we gonna set watch? Who'll take first watch? I can take a coupla hours, just lemme know when."
Petor eagerly hops off of the leathery dinosaur, massaging his thighs, stiff and sore from the day's ride. He eagerly listens to Taban, though he smiles at his eagerness to prove his prowess, depsite the fact that he is clearly the strongest fighter out of them. He chooses a spot nestles among the trees, and runs his fingers through the dirt as he sits and listens. Petor too is happy to have some nourishment and thanks Rhys.
"Thas it boy, good, good Stompy. You did a right good job today you did, you have yourself a bite to eat then lie down big boy, we'll watch over you. Thas it, you have an itchy scale? Righ there, that's where you like it, eh?" Cleggor is scratching under an itchy spot for ole Stompy, using his walking stick to get the harder to reach areas. He gives him one last pat then hops off and starts to set up his bedroll in a good area.
"Azaka, thinking we need to set up mosquito nets and such or no? Not yet? Anything that we need to be mindful of that likes to hunt at night round these parts?" Cleggor keeps arranging things then looks up for an answer. He looks briefly at Ollie and then motions towards a tall, good tree with nice branches and an unobstructed view of the campsite and surrounding area, sending Ollie up there to perch and watch. He gobbles down a goodberry and then casts it again, making 10 new berries for use tomorrow before heading to sleep. He sits up as if he forgot, calling out to the others, "Hey, uh fellers. How are we gonna set watch? Who'll take first watch? I can take a coupla hours, just lemme know when."
"If it's alright, I'll take last watch before the rest of you wake, I like to get up before the sun shines her overbearing rays upon me and get the chance to plan."
Thyxius chuckles as he watches Cleggor tend to Stompy. As the dwarf brings up the watch rotation, Thyxius nods, adjusting his armor as he settles in. “I’ll take whatever watch is needed,” he offers, his golden eyes flicking to the surrounding darkness. “Though I’ll admit, I’m not the keenest at spotting trouble before it finds us. Best if someone sharper takes the first shift—I’ll take over when needed.”
"Thas it boy, good, good Stompy. You did a right good job today you did, you have yourself a bite to eat then lie down big boy, we'll watch over you. Thas it, you have an itchy scale? Righ there, that's where you like it, eh?" Cleggor is scratching under an itchy spot for ole Stompy, using his walking stick to get the harder to reach areas. He gives him one last pat then hops off and starts to set up his bedroll in a good area.
"Azaka, thinking we need to set up mosquito nets and such or no? Not yet? Anything that we need to be mindful of that likes to hunt at night round these parts?" Cleggor keeps arranging things then looks up for an answer. He looks briefly at Ollie and then motions towards a tall, good tree with nice branches and an unobstructed view of the campsite and surrounding area, sending Ollie up there to perch and watch. He gobbles down a goodberry and then casts it again, making 10 new berries for use tomorrow before heading to sleep. He sits up as if he forgot, calling out to the others, "Hey, uh fellers. How are we gonna set watch? Who'll take first watch? I can take a coupla hours, just lemme know when."
Azaka adjusts the straps on her pack and glances toward the trees before answering in her usual, no-nonsense tone.
"Mosquito nets? Not yet. We’ll need them deeper in, where the air’s thicker and the bugs get worse. Here, just keep your skin covered best you can."
She kneels, pressing her fingers into the damp earth before looking up.
"As for hunters… plenty. Jaguars, giant spiders, and if we're unlucky, maybe a wandering pack of velociraptors. But the real trouble comes from what doesn’t make noise." She pauses, then adds with a knowing look, "Snakes don’t announce themselves. Neither do the dead, if they’re roaming."
She stands, dusting her hands off. "Stay sharp, keep the fire low. If anything’s watching, I’d rather they don’t see us before we see them."
As the others settle in for the night, following Azaka, Rhys, and Cleggor’s recommendations, Rhys takes his position for the first watch. The jungle hums with its usual nocturnal chorus—distant chirps, rustling leaves, and the occasional croak of a hidden creature. His sharp eyes scan the darkness beyond the glow of the low-burning fire, searching for any sign of movement.
But there is no predator lurking. No heavy footfalls of a wandering beast. No sign of another traveler.
Instead, something else catches his attention.
A strange, blue mist drifts in from the jungle, creeping toward the camp like a ghostly tide. It moves unnaturally, its wisps curling and stretching over the damp ground, covering a big area ((you could take a turn to determine either the speed that its moving towards the group, if it seems to be targeting your position or simply drifting through the area, also to measure the area covered by it)) There is no sound accompanying it, no scent—just the eerie sight of it rolling through the foliage and into their resting place.
Rhys’s instincts tell him something is off. He focuses, searching for any hint of magic, but his Detect Magic spell remains silent. There’s no enchantment, no illusion, no necromantic presence lingering within the mist.
Rhys furrows his brow as the mist creeps closer, its unnatural movement unsettling. Trusting his elemental prowess, he focuses, summoning a burst of energy to disrupt the approaching cloud. A small gust of wind whips through the camp, dispersing a five-foot portion of the mist—but it’s barely a dent in the larger mass.
Unwilling to sit idle, he nocks an arrow and looses it into the mist. The projectile vanishes into the swirling blue haze without effect, as if swallowed by the air itself. No impact, no reaction—just silence.
Realizing the need for more experienced insight, Rhys swiftly moves to wake Azaka. She blinks awake, but the moment she sees the mist, her expression darkens. She exhales sharply.
“This is bad…” she mutters, pushing herself upright. “Not as bad as you may think, but bad.”
Her eyes dart to Rhys. “Can you create a bigger gust of wind? That might break the mist just enough for some of us.” She glances back at the others, still asleep, before adding, “If not, brace yourself. Anything that might help you resist nature’s diseases—use it.”
Without wasting another second, Azaka grips Cleggor’s shoulder firmly, shaking him awake as she keeps her voice low and urgent.
“We’ve got trouble. See if you can think of something.” She glances back at the mist, her expression tense, then adds in a hushed tone, “But keep it quiet… we don’t want to draw a bigger problem to us.”
((I rolled initiative, everyone that's sleeping would not be able to take action, the mist moves at the top of the round))
As Rhys’ blades strike true, cutting deep into the Deinonychus, the raptor stumbles, blood matting its feathers. Seizing the moment, Taban moves in without hesitation.
With a sharp thrust, he drives his spear into the chest of the first wounded raptor, piercing its heart. The beast lets out a strangled gasp before crumpling to the ground.
Without missing a beat, he pivots to the second injured Deinonychus, his spear finding its mark once more. The tip plunges deep, and with a practiced twist, he ends its life in an instant.
Then, turning to the fourth and final raptor—the one that had bitten Thyxius—Taban aims for the killing blow. He lunges, spear tip flashing in the dim light, but at the last moment, the creature twists away, the attack missing by inches.
Taban exhales sharply, resetting his stance. “Persistent little beast,” he mutters, eyes locked onto the last standing foe.
Thyxius is next
Thyxius staggers as the Deinonychus’ powerful jaws clamp down, searing pain ripping through him as blood stains his armor. Gritting his teeth, he wrenches himself free, his golden eyes blazing with defiance. “You’ll regret that,” he growls, gripping his sword tighter. Radiant energy crackles along the blade as he raises it high. With a fierce battle cry, he swings, striking deep into the beast’s flank. Divine light erupts from the impact, engulfing the raptor in holy fire as the smite drives through flesh and bone.
Action: longsword to hit 21, damage 4
Bonus Action: divine smite for 11 radiant damage
After Thyxius delivers his blow, channeling the divine energy of his smite into the Deinonychus, the creature lets out a final, guttural growl before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
Azaka, seeing the raptor falter, steps in swiftly, her yklwa flashing in the dim light. With one fluid motion, she drives the blade deep into its side, finishing it off with practiced ease. The jungle falls silent once more, the only sound the distant drizzle of rain against the canopy.
Azaka looks around at the fallen raptors and then scans the surroundings, her sharp eyes catching every movement in the darkened jungle. “I believe that should be it,” she says, her voice steady. “Luckily, the rain muffled some of the noise of their screeching. I don’t think anything else is coming.”
She turns toward the campfire, her expression softening slightly. “We should continue getting ready to sleep and get some rest. Tomorrow’s another long day.”
“Very well. Would you mind helping us set up an alert system in case more predators are around? I will (ritual) cast alarm to warn us as a last resort.”
I then hand around some berries as well as create some fresh water for us to drink.
Thyxius exhales, steadying himself as the jungle returns to uneasy silence. With a grimace, he presses a gauntleted hand to his wounded side, channeling divine energy into his body. A warm, golden glow pulses from his palm as his wounds knit together, the pain ebbing away (Lay on Hands for +8 HP). “That should do,” he mutters before turning to Rhys. He takes the offered berry and water with a nod of gratitude. “Appreciate it—best to keep our strength up.”
Glancing at the fallen Deinonychus, his brow furrows in thought. “These creatures are built for survival—razor-sharp claws, strong hide. Is there anything worth salvaging?” He looks toward Azaka and the others, seeking their expertise. “No sense letting nature go to waste if we can make use of them.”
For the next three days, Azaka keeps the group on track, her sharp instincts and extensive knowledge of the jungle guiding them ever closer to Firefinger. With the help of Rhys, Cleggor, and Ollie, they make steady progress through the thick vegetation, navigating the challenges of the terrain with practiced ease. Azaka's focus never wavers—she keeps a sharp eye on the path ahead, ensuring they avoid any potential dangers, while also using the jungle’s natural camouflage to their advantage.
The group occasionally stops to observe the creatures around them. At one point, they spot a quetzalcoatlus soaring high above, its enormous wingspans casting a shadow over the jungle floor. From this distance, the creature’s size is hard to grasp, but Azaka’s quiet observation reveals the truth—these flying reptiles are giants, their wings creating ripples in the air as they glide effortlessly above.
Azaka doesn't linger on the wildlife too much, staying focused on her role as the guide. She moves with precision, never letting the group stray from the path, while the others keep their eyes peeled for any threats or curiosities along the way.
Taban, ever the talker, seems to have a different way of passing the time. He often regales the group with stories from his gladiatorial days, tales of past glories and blood-soaked arenas. His voice carries with it the weight of experience as he recounts thrilling victories, battles won by inches, and foes defeated in spectacular fashion. On occasion, he’ll joke about tipping the ankylosaurus, suggesting with a mischievous grin that if they’d just let him, he could bring the beast down with a few well-placed hits.
As the sun begins to dip below the jungle canopy, Azaka slows her pace and scans the surroundings before finally nodding. "This will do," she says, gesturing toward a small clearing nestled between thick trees. "Good cover, and the ground is dry enough. We camp here for the night."
How are you preparing for camp?
Rhys will perform his nightly rituals of passing out the remaining day’s goodberries befire summoning more for the next day, creating clean water 1 cup at a time for consumption, and ritual casting Alarm around them with an audible noise (designating our party and Stompy as exceptions).
As Thyxius sets down his pack, he wonders if it’s right to enjoy this journey so much when their mission is so grave. The jungle is harsh, yet full of wonders—the towering dinosaurs, the breathtaking quetzalcoatlus, even Stompy’s steady presence. Taban’s stories, filled with grit and hard-won victories, are more than just entertainment; they’re lessons in resilience and resolve. Thyxius hopes to be that inspiring someday. He accepts the berry and water from Rhys gratefully and helps find dry enough material for a campfire.
"Thas it boy, good, good Stompy. You did a right good job today you did, you have yourself a bite to eat then lie down big boy, we'll watch over you. Thas it, you have an itchy scale? Righ there, that's where you like it, eh?" Cleggor is scratching under an itchy spot for ole Stompy, using his walking stick to get the harder to reach areas. He gives him one last pat then hops off and starts to set up his bedroll in a good area.
"Azaka, thinking we need to set up mosquito nets and such or no? Not yet? Anything that we need to be mindful of that likes to hunt at night round these parts?" Cleggor keeps arranging things then looks up for an answer. He looks briefly at Ollie and then motions towards a tall, good tree with nice branches and an unobstructed view of the campsite and surrounding area, sending Ollie up there to perch and watch. He gobbles down a goodberry and then casts it again, making 10 new berries for use tomorrow before heading to sleep. He sits up as if he forgot, calling out to the others, "Hey, uh fellers. How are we gonna set watch? Who'll take first watch? I can take a coupla hours, just lemme know when."
Petor eagerly hops off of the leathery dinosaur, massaging his thighs, stiff and sore from the day's ride. He eagerly listens to Taban, though he smiles at his eagerness to prove his prowess, depsite the fact that he is clearly the strongest fighter out of them. He chooses a spot nestles among the trees, and runs his fingers through the dirt as he sits and listens. Petor too is happy to have some nourishment and thanks Rhys.
"If it's alright, I'll take last watch before the rest of you wake, I like to get up before the sun shines her overbearing rays upon me and get the chance to plan."
Thyxius chuckles as he watches Cleggor tend to Stompy. As the dwarf brings up the watch rotation, Thyxius nods, adjusting his armor as he settles in. “I’ll take whatever watch is needed,” he offers, his golden eyes flicking to the surrounding darkness. “Though I’ll admit, I’m not the keenest at spotting trouble before it finds us. Best if someone sharper takes the first shift—I’ll take over when needed.”
“I can take the first watch. I should be able to detect if something is amiss in the wilds. Plus, I can help Stompy get more comfortable.”
Out of responsibility and partly boredom during the watch, I will randomly ritual cast detect magic to see if anything lights up in the woods.
Azaka adjusts the straps on her pack and glances toward the trees before answering in her usual, no-nonsense tone.
"Mosquito nets? Not yet. We’ll need them deeper in, where the air’s thicker and the bugs get worse. Here, just keep your skin covered best you can."
She kneels, pressing her fingers into the damp earth before looking up.
"As for hunters… plenty. Jaguars, giant spiders, and if we're unlucky, maybe a wandering pack of velociraptors. But the real trouble comes from what doesn’t make noise." She pauses, then adds with a knowing look, "Snakes don’t announce themselves. Neither do the dead, if they’re roaming."
She stands, dusting her hands off. "Stay sharp, keep the fire low. If anything’s watching, I’d rather they don’t see us before we see them."
As the others settle in for the night, following Azaka, Rhys, and Cleggor’s recommendations, Rhys takes his position for the first watch. The jungle hums with its usual nocturnal chorus—distant chirps, rustling leaves, and the occasional croak of a hidden creature. His sharp eyes scan the darkness beyond the glow of the low-burning fire, searching for any sign of movement.
But there is no predator lurking. No heavy footfalls of a wandering beast. No sign of another traveler.
Instead, something else catches his attention.
A strange, blue mist drifts in from the jungle, creeping toward the camp like a ghostly tide. It moves unnaturally, its wisps curling and stretching over the damp ground, covering a big area ((you could take a turn to determine either the speed that its moving towards the group, if it seems to be targeting your position or simply drifting through the area, also to measure the area covered by it)) There is no sound accompanying it, no scent—just the eerie sight of it rolling through the foliage and into their resting place.
Rhys’s instincts tell him something is off. He focuses, searching for any hint of magic, but his Detect Magic spell remains silent. There’s no enchantment, no illusion, no necromantic presence lingering within the mist.
And yet, it keeps drifting closer.
Rhys decides to do 3 things in sequence:
1. He will use elementalism to create a breeze to see if that will redirect the mist.
2. if that fails, he will shoot an arrow into it
3. If that does nothing he will wake Azaka to see if she has any information.
Rhys furrows his brow as the mist creeps closer, its unnatural movement unsettling. Trusting his elemental prowess, he focuses, summoning a burst of energy to disrupt the approaching cloud. A small gust of wind whips through the camp, dispersing a five-foot portion of the mist—but it’s barely a dent in the larger mass.
Unwilling to sit idle, he nocks an arrow and looses it into the mist. The projectile vanishes into the swirling blue haze without effect, as if swallowed by the air itself. No impact, no reaction—just silence.
Realizing the need for more experienced insight, Rhys swiftly moves to wake Azaka. She blinks awake, but the moment she sees the mist, her expression darkens. She exhales sharply.
“This is bad…” she mutters, pushing herself upright. “Not as bad as you may think, but bad.”
Her eyes dart to Rhys. “Can you create a bigger gust of wind? That might break the mist just enough for some of us.” She glances back at the others, still asleep, before adding, “If not, brace yourself. Anything that might help you resist nature’s diseases—use it.”
Without wasting another second, Azaka grips Cleggor’s shoulder firmly, shaking him awake as she keeps her voice low and urgent.
“We’ve got trouble. See if you can think of something.” She glances back at the mist, her expression tense, then adds in a hushed tone, “But keep it quiet… we don’t want to draw a bigger problem to us.”
((I rolled initiative, everyone that's sleeping would not be able to take action, the mist moves at the top of the round))
“That was as strong a wind as I could muster, should we wake the others? Perhaps they will have something more powerful to controls the elements.”