As you are about to catch Maxine up on what's happened here at the digsite, you hear a loud shriek from over at the storehouse, followed by a bunch of curses and a feral snarl from what sounded like Fang. Rushing to investigate, you see him bent over the corpses of three of the expedition, having started to carve chunks of meat from their thighs and back. The wizard, eyes wide in shock, is shouting about cannibalism and disturbing the dead. Three Earrings, the tabaxi scout in whose arms these three likely died, quickly readies her scimitar, about to pounce on Fang.

"Wait!!!" Maxine caught her breath enough to yell. "Fang - eew! Whoever they were, they died ..." (she took a closer look) "... enough time ago in the middle of undead-infested area. I am pretty sure it is unhealthy even for you. And you, lady, is this your first encounter with a lizardfolk? Or your first day in the jungle? Why so sensitive? Would you rather see those corpses attacking you?"

Persuasion: 20

The Tabaxi growls: "Friends of Three Earrigns, dead for minutes. We bury, not eat, like savages." She is clearly very displeased, but has lowered her scimitar slightly.

Glasses:

"I know not what your tradition is with the dead, but perhaps burning them would be safer, that they might not be later dug up and transformed into undead," counsels the Professor, looking on at the situation.

"Burn fine, but not eat!" The tabaxi still seems hurt and angry at having her dead friends desecrated and the wizard looks horrified as well, though he hasn't spoken since calling you all over here.

Maxine always knew that there are reasonable people out there, who could appreciate pure logic without much dancing around manners and complicated ways of saying simple things. Tabaxi seemed to be one of them - good catch, team! (that, she did not say out loud)

"I have to apologize for out friend - their traditions are born out of respect too". (She did not mention hunger either - it seemed inappropriate) "But this is the way they are. As you no doubt do not want your friends to join the undead army, would you allow us to help you make a funeral pyre? I believe I saw a dead tree on the way here."

Even if there was no dead tree, searching for one would distract poor archeologists (?), give them sense of purpose and take attention off Fang.

The tabaxi looked at Maxine, and seeing her sincerity, drops her weapons in resignation. "Fine, we burn companions. Three Earrings help with wood." With that, she gets ready to help Maxine gather some firewood for a funeral pyre. Zymion approaches the Professor, recognising in him another arcanist.

"I'm sorry, most of us aren't accustomed to the jungle, and I feared the worst when I saw your... guide?... cut into the bodies. I'm afraid we're all at a loss of sorts, our contractor lies dead in that storehouse, and we didn't really have any plans for who would take charge once he would be incapable of doing so... Three Earrings is our scout, and Noska was in charge of security, they have the most experience with the jungle. I came along for any arcane mysteries that this place might yield up, but otherwise I won't be of much help I'm afraid." 

The halfling, covered in burns, had joined the conversation as well: "Damn right you are there, Zymion, mistaking me for a steak... Hell of a mistake to make." He chuckles at the word play, which takes some of the sting out of the accusation. "The name's Corrin, I'm the archeologist and dungeoneer, hired to be on the lookout for any ancient traps and any nonmagical protective measures that our ancestors might have left behind." Looking around at the other survivors, he says :"If it's alright with you all, i might be the person with the most knowledge of the jungles and this culture. Noska, with your injury, I think you should take it easy. I'll make sure to get us all back to Port Nyanzaru, what do you say?" In the mixture of emotions and the adrenaline of battle and the looming confrontation over Fang desecrating the bodies, the others are a little dumbfounded, but without anyone else obviously stepping up, they all agree.

Glasses:

“We have enough room on our ship to accommodate you, I believe,” says the Professor, asking again, “But what about your discoveries so far, Zymion?  Surely we should preserve what we can.”

"You're a few hours too late for that, it seems. We found an interesting relic yesterday, and I was about to study it, when the undead attacked. I fear they only withdrew because they could get their hands on it." A look over to the smashed barrier and the myriad of footprints around the store from the retreating undead seem to confirm his words.

Fang cleans his knife on the clothing of the deceased while looking at the Tabaxi that is denying him a meal of fresh meat. At the urging of the others in his group, leaves the store house and collects his arrows accompanied by Mushu on his shoulder.

Sensing that he’s caused some sort of issue in his attempt to honor the dead. Helps with gathering the wood for the funeral pyre. ‘I can get the meat after this funeral thing... as long as it doesn’t burn them to ash.’ Fang thinks to himself while gathering the wood. He sends Mushu out to find something to eat for himself and if he can spot something larger for the group to let him know. 

“I agree to take them with us...” She’d start, smiling at Berrus’ suggestion. Her cheeks would darken and she’d glance away shyly for a moment from his endearment as she’d accept his outstretched hand. “The sooner we get going the better though...” Shae would shift uncomfortably, smile slowly fading as she’d start to chew on her lip in worry. She’d squeeze his hand, holding a bit tighter. “I already feel like we’ve been away too long... I don’t like the group being separated...” Anxiousness was eating away at her. She didn’t like the idea of undead walking around. If they were here, would they be there too? At the shores of the boat? Her focus was to get those who want to go home, home. They can’t protect each them, apart.

”And... I now feel the Queen’s magic...”

“Maxine?” Shae would have to blink, making sure she wasn’t just seeing things. She’d look back to Berrus, then back to Maxine. She’d give his hand one last squeeze. “Maxine!” She’d take off, practically tripping over herself when she would realize that it was Maxine, and she wasn’t without a scratch. Shae would throw her arms around her in a quick hug before pulling back to fuss over her wounds, recently healed and not. She’d lift her arms to look her over, take her face in her hands, move her hair out of her face before enveloping her in another hug, this time with magic. I shouldn’t have left. 

Cure Wounds: 20 

Finally letting her go, Shae’s face would still show concern, but most importantly a small smile of relief. She’d sniffle a little bit, glancing up to fight back the ‘dust’ in her eyes.

Then the scream.

Shae’s smile would grow from Maxine’s ability to never skip a beat. She would only stand off to the side in awe at Maxine’s ability to navigate the situation and deescalate it with the help of the Professor. There wasn’t really much for her to add to the conversations, but she remained, watched and listened for a little bit. Of course the mention of an artifact caught her attention. The archaeologist was in good hands with the Professor. She’d nibble at her lip as a thought would pass through her mind. Should the Professor not mention it (And if I remember correctly? Disregard if not), Shae would nudge in for a moment suggesting he use the mirror. They didn’t need to have the item on them right?

Watching Fang take his leave, Shae would gently pad behind. Seeing him send Mushu off, with a tilt of her head Shae would decide to head out too. If they were staying longer, she’d need to keep busy. She’d want to help find Fang a satisfying meal. Stumbling upon any herbs, rations, or other stores that they may be low on would be a bonus.

Glasses:

At Shae’s suggestion, he says, “Of course, the mirror!  Zymion, can you clearly visualize the item that was taken?  This mirror can give us its history.”

 Maxine was really, truly happy to see everyone in one piece and silently blessed the battle fatigue that no doubt played the main role in everyone's cooperation. She hugged Shae with a relieve: "God, I am glad to see you are safe! Those undead on the beach were nasty, looks like yours" were not much better. All alive there too, though. Still repairing but if we are about to go somewhere - better to do it now. Consider this my official statement: since now on water is safe, land - is not safe! Let's return to the water."

"Agreed miss Maxine. I dinna tink anywhere be safe an now we got these new folk" Berrus gestures to the new peoples.

"Be there anythin ere salvagable? Provisions n such?"

(Ooc. No 99.5 of the game is still on here)

Glasses:

After dealing with the archaeological find and magic mirror, the Professor offers to use his Floating Disk to transport any salvageable provisions.

Fang continues gathering wood for the pyre, while also keeping his eyes open for any wild animals to make into lunch. 

Berrus assists with setting up the pyre then looks around for Shae

Zymion looks at the Professor, then at Corrin, their group's new self-appointed leader: "If it's alright with you, we can have a look at that mirror once we're safely under way. I'm sure I'm not alone when saying that nothing much beyond giving our dead a proper burial is keeping us here." Corrin meanwhile turns to Berrus: "As for provisions, it doesn't look like we're needing them now, and as recompense for saving us just then, and allowing us all to travel on your ship, we're happy to share. I don't know how much was destroyed by the undead just then, but what is salvageable I think we should take along, and what isn't we can burn together with the bodies."

Shae and Fang, you find some nearby roots and berries, but as you return, you see that Berrus is standing next to large crates filled with canned beef, canned beans, and rice aplenty, as well as other smoked meats, sausages, and hard cheese. In total there are eight crates of food mostly rice and other things that keep for a long while. Two of the crates containing mostly rice have been smashed, with much of the rice being spilt into the mud, though about half of each crate can be saved. The food was meant to keep the expedition here going for two months, and will last you combined at least for a month.

Furthermore there is plenty of digging equipment, such as shovels, pickaxes, lamps, rope, climbing gear, and several flasks of oil. Cartography tools to measure the land and map the dig site are also present, together with four two person tents- one having been destroyed in the fighting, seven bed rolls- three having been torn to shreds, Ten mess kits and tinderboxes.  To all of your delight, you find twelve sets of travelers clothes here, since every member of the expedetion brought three outfits to cycle between, and the dead don't need theirs anymore. Looking at your own threads, these might make for a pleasant change. Lastly, there's a crate of insect repellent, three intact rain catchers, and a full, covered rainwater barrel. Two more are available, but both have been knocked over in the fight and are empty now, with one actually having been smashed too.

Looking at the survivors of the expedition, they are happy for you to take what you can, and quickly gather up the broken and useless items to make a large pyre. You all help to drag the corpses on their and arrange them somewhat properly and respectfully.

What do you take with you, and what do you want to do next?

We take everything and return to the boat! :)

Well, Maxine does (take everything not particularly hard nailed down). She felt like she is ready to cry at the sight of all those riches! With all due respect to the un-life around, she would not leave the normal perfectly eatable food behind, so, everything salvageable will be salvaged (she would do it alone if she has too and until physically stopped).

Berrus agrees "EVERYTHING. Salvageable goes to the boat.  An use som o tha oil fer a proper pyre"