TImber grins, and looks at the man. "If you call life experience and wisdom research, sure! What brings you here?"

"We are not simply treasure-hunters, but we do have our own goals," Keyleth adds, somewhat timidly, looking toward the man but awkwardly avoiding direct eye contact. "You have not told us who you are. How are we to know whether we can entrust you with the nature of our quest?"

The young fighter walked the ancient city in awe and wonder, and is also surprised to find this man, alone, in the middle of a ruined city. "Perhaps you need a group to travel with to safety? These are dangerous parts to be wandering alone. By the way, are you a treasure hunter?"

Insight: 13

"Not treasure hunters but on a quest!  That is far more noble.  As for me, my name is Artus Cimber.  I am not a treasure hunter, I am just an explorer.  I search for a lost city that is somewhere in Chult but I do not know where it lies.  Do any of you perhaps know of the lost city of Orolunga?  Or even better where it is?"

Keyleth glances over at Doc, figuring if any of them would have heard of such a place, it'd be him.

As for me, my name is Artus Cimber.  I am not a treasure hunter, I am just an explorer.  I search for a lost city that is somewhere in Chult but I do not know where it lies.  Do any of you perhaps know of the lost city of Orolunga?  Or even better where it is?" Artus says

What does Dr Arbutaveyu know or recall about either 'Artus Cimber' or the "Lost City of Orolunga' - History: 11 & Arcana: 26?

Dr A considered for a moment.  He did recall hearing in the past of the list city of Orolunga.  It was rumored that a guardian naga lived there.  Guardian nagas were immortal beings that often protected treasure, magical secrets, items, and lore that would be destructive should they ever fall into the wrong hands.  Such a creature would know much about Chult.

(OOC: Does having purchased the book from Volo give us access to critters in the MM or just those in VGtM).

Dr Arbutaveyu turns to Qawasha and asks "have you heard about the 'Lost City of Orolunga' and would you be able to guide us there?"

((Just those in VGTM))

"I have heard there is a location somewhere where a guardian naga lives and it has great knowledge.  But where it is I do not know." Qawasha answers.

"What is your story, Artus?" Keyleth asks. "How did you come to be in search of this lost city and what are you hoping you'll find there?"

As he responds, she carefully attends to the subtle movements of his facial muscles and eyes, noting any apparent attempts to withhold or misrepresent information.

Insight: 19

"I hope to find the guardian naga.  I believe that Saja N’baza, the ancient guardian naga, can help me return something I have lost.  It is a personal matter to me."

Keyleth you find no deception in his answer.

"Tell me of your quest?  What do you seek?"

"Tell me of your quest?  What do you seek?" Artus Cimber responds to Keyleth's inquiry.

At this point Dr Arbutaveyu joins in the conversation. "Our patron has asked us to travel deep into the jungles of Chult to see what, if anything, we can find out about the so-called Death Curse that is impacting all of Faerun and whether it the result of the activity of some sort of powerful entity such as a Primordial Being, Demon or Devil, or Lich or is it the result of some form of artifact that has somehow been activiated" he responds.

"Return something you have lost? What did you lose? And how can you return it if you don't have it to give back? Or do you just mean you want to get back something you have lost?"

"I'm sorry,  I misspoke. I have lost something and I hope the guardian naga can help me in locating it so that it can be returned to me. But I know of this death curse but not what causes it.   I will aid you in this quest if you will have me. "

"Don't worry, I misspeak all the time," Keyleth says with a friendly smile before her face falls into an expression of concern. "I believe that you are telling us the truth, as far as it goes, and if you're out here alone you must have some skills that could be of use to an adventuring party such as ourselves. But... you are being rather cagey, and answering our questions quite selectively. I believe we can be of help to each other, but how can we be sure that you aren't, say, a mad wizard looking to recover some artifact that will help you raise an undead army or something? I trust you understand my caution. If we are to travel together we should be not only honest but also transparent, don't you agree?"

"I do agree.   I'm not trying to be cagey as you say.   But I'll not tell all my secrets to strangers in the jungle. I am no mad wizard,  but I do have powerful enemies who search for me.  You could be in heightened danger by having me around.  But if we found the guardian naga together then perhaps it could also aid you in your search. "

Timber watches the conversation with interest. He has no reason to distrust this stranger though. When he gets a chance to speak up he says, "As well as being on a quest to solve this Death Curse, I am on a personal mission of personal development. I can understand the need to keep things to oneself, but lets hope it doesn;t put the group in too much trouble!"

Keyleth quietly considers Artus's response for a moment, before replying. "Yes, I suppose we're all entitled a few secrets. But if you won't tell us what it is you're trying to obtain, at least answer me this: if you get it back, will innocent people be exposed to potential harm as a result?"

(Insight for his response: 15)

Dr Arbutaveyu looks up at Keyleth's question interested to see how Artus is going to respond (Insight test - 8)