Artus smiles.   "No,  nothing like that.   I see your concern.  I can assure you no one would be harmed by me finding what is lost to me."

Neither of you see deceit in this man,  he speaks the truth. 

Keyleth's face softens into an expression of relief. "Alright, well... strength in numbers, I suppose. Any idea where to start? What do you know about this former city?"

Artus looks around sadly.  "I knew much, but it is of no consequence now.  The city is gone and this is all that is left.  The Flaming Fist has scraped it clean.  All that is left now is this skeleton you see."  He waves his hand at the city.

"What I know of Orolunga is very little.  Somewhere on Chult, but where or how far from here, that I do not know.  We could journey back to Port Nyanzaru and we can ask around.  Or search ourselves.  To the south of here is Kir Sabal.  It is an ancient monestary where aarakocra live.  They are generally friendly to those friendly to them.  They may also have information."

"What I know of Orolunga is very little.  Somewhere on Chult, but where or how far from here, that I do not know.  We could journey back to Port Nyanzaru and we can ask around.  Or search ourselves.  To the south of here is Kir Sabal.  It is an ancient monestary where aarakocra live.  They are generally friendly to those friendly to them.  They may also have information."

"My preference would be to make our way south to where the Aarakocra live" Dr Arbutaveyu says.

"The bird-people of fable?! Yes - I vote for visiting them!" Kirinar's worldly inexperience and lack of travels shows itself again, but at least he is excited to go!

"I always figured aarakocra were invented by storytellers..." Keyleth says, wide-eyed and eager. "I'm certainly interested in seeing this Kir Sabal!"

"You know me! I am always up for an adventure!" He pauses for moment, "But what about the monkey gorge?"

"We'll have to cross it to get to the other side of the river." Qawasha answers Timber.  "You'll get to see the bridge and the gorge."

2 1/2 days later the party finds themselves standing at the edge of the Ataaz Muhahah gorge. Steep sheer rock walls go down 100 feet to the river valley below where you see the River Olung.  A large beast that Qawasha names a Brontosaurus walks along the edge of the river.  You see no other way to cross the gorge as it extends miles in both directions.  

Ataaz Muhahah is a gaping chasm crossed by an ancient stone span called the Monkey Bridge. You see the structure got its name from the monkeys that perch on its walls and hang by their tails from its underside. The monkeys are a mix of living monkeys and ancient carvings that are part of the bridge. Most of the carvings have been damaged by time, but the skilled artistry remains apparent.

The living monkeys chatter and shriek continually, and the gorge echoes with the sound of their cries. Occasionally, the echoes from up and down the gorge overlap in a way that transforms the cacophony into haughty, gloating laughter. When that happens, the terrified monkeys fall silent for several minutes as the “laughter” dies away before resuming their chatter.

Symbolic mazes are carved prominently onto the bridge and its supports. Qawasha tells you that maze symbols and the solving of mazes are associated with the ancient worship of Ubtao.

A stone shrine stands at the midpoint of the bridge. It consists of an imposing statue of a Chultan warrior wearing a war mask, hunkered down like a panther ready to pounce. Like the monkeys elsewhere on the bridge, the carving is highly stylized. Bright gems flash in its eye sockets.

A human skeleton lies crumpled near the statue’s feet. Several of its bones are obviously broken, but it’s impossible tell whether these injuries happened while the person was alive or were caused by scavengers after death.

Part of the bridge has fallen away, leaving a 20-foot gap. The stone at either edge looks crumbly and unsafe.  You also can see that hundreds of vines hang below the bridge.

Symbolic mazes are carved prominently onto the bridge and its supports. Qawasha tells you that maze symbols and the solving of mazes are associated with the ancient worship of Ubtao.

"Ah but I would not cross onto the bridge just yet my young friends. It looks like one such traveler did so and did not quite make it" pointing to the human skeleton liying crumpled near the statue’s feet about half-way across. "Let me have a look at these carvings and see what if anything they tell me about how to cross the bridge safely," Dr Arbutaveyu warns the others. (Investigation roll - 23, Perception roll - 25, History roll - 15 & Arcana roll - 22).

"And I recommend not messing with the monkeys. Just a hunch..."

Dr A knows that maze symbols and the solving of mazes are associated with the ancient worship of Ubtao.  Qawasha also steps forward as Dr A makes his statement. 

"This certainly looks like a shrine to Ubtao.  One must give the proper obeisance to Ubtao. The required homage involves placing a fingertip at the center of a mazelike carving and tracing an unbroken path of the maze."

Keyleth, Kirinar and Dr A then recall something Volo said when they met him and bought his book. 

The great god Ubtao loved mazes. If you happen upon a maze of any kind, trace a path through it. You will earn Ubtao’s favor by doing so.

Timber grins, "That sounds reasonable!" He walks up to the maze, inspects it for any signs of danger (Investigation: 14) and if he doesn't see any, traces his finger along the maze/path.

Keyleth does the same as Timber.

Investigation: 16

So does Dr Arbutaveyu (Investigation roll: 10)

Timber looks at one of the mazes and checks it out.  He doesn't see anything that would pose a danger.  Despite the mold and lichen on the maze he boldly he places his finger in the center of the maze and traces the correct path out.

The bright gem eyes in the stone shrine suddenly blaze extra bright for a moment and then they go dim.

Keyleth and Dr A also approach mazes inscribed on the bridge and despite the lichen and mold they also are able to trace the correct path of the maze.

You each feel a warm glow as you solve the maze.

Keyleth, Timber, Dr A

 Kirinar, you are welcome to try a maze if you want

Qawasha gives a laugh that sounds joyful.  "I would say that you have pleased Ubtao by your actions.  I wonder if you hadn't that this statue of a Chultan warrior would come to life and attack us.  But you have appeased the god Ubtao and it likely safe to pass him now."

"Now we just need to find a way to cross this 20 foot gap in the bridge."  Artus adds as he strides forward and looks at the opening.  "Though I judge that its probably only a 15 foot jump from this height down to the lower portion due to the slope of the bridge.  I doubt I am strong enough to jump that far." 

"Ah but it is a pity that Ransyl has left as we could have thrown him! I understand it is a common practice in some places to throw dwarves onto bridges!" Dr Arbuataveyu muses 

Keyleth cocks an eyebrow at Dr. A. "...with their consent, one hopes?"

"I certainly don't think I can jump that far. You, Kirinar? If one of us can get to the other side and secure a rope, the rest of us can climb across."

"As I understand the story, the dwarf told the other character to quote/unquote 'toss me' so I am assuming that counts as consent!" Dr Arbutaveyu replies. He looks down at the bridge and continues "I've also heard that you need to watch out for Trolls when crossing bridges!"

Timber frowns for a moment. "I would offer to try and jump, but whilst I can be quite acrobatic, feats of strength have never been my strong suit, excuse the pun." he finishes with a grin.

(If it's an Investigation roll to try a maze, the fighter will pass... =)

"I think I can jump that...tie the rope and hold the end in case I miss - wouldn't want to fall the whole way down there!" He loops the rope around his middle, ties it tightly, then takes several steps back from the edge to gage the distance. "Alright, Ubtao...be kind to me!" he says under his breath. When the others indicate that they are ready, he will take a running start and leap for the far edge!

Athletics: 18