Urgh, my thanks, Silas. Next time we wade through deep water, perhaps you can cleanse the river first...

After finishing her ritual, Kasaaptu waits for the effect.... nothing happens. So she waits a little longer and still nothing. She puts on her sleep clothes and goes to sleep disappointed in how her magic seems to keep failing, wondering what lesson her Patron was trying to teach. She sleeps deeply and for the first time in ages does not have any dreams. Very early she awakens, feeling the eyes of an intruder watching her. She grabs her dagger to confront the invader when he steps out from behind her gear. He introduces himself with a flourish and polish that is a stark contrast with his ugly visage. " my name is Krull, our Patron has sent me to aid you in your journey and to help you stay on track. You can consider me your new pact with the patron and the old pack fulfilled. I am here to help and all my powers are at your disposal." He then let's out a boisterous laugh at hearing her thoughts on his looks. yes, we can read each others thoughts and you will now know my skill set so you can better utilize my services. If my shape displeases you I can transform into a raven, a rat or a spider. I can also be invisible, which is lots of fun and great for mischief.

Kasaaptu was overjoyed.  The ritual had worked after all.  She considered her new friend and how he would impact her friends in the group with special concern for Sir Darak, since he is a Paladin and might not appreciate a little devil hanging about. She instructs Krull that a Raven might be best for the circumstances  and that he can perch atop Hamma's back when not flying about . 

The ideas of how he can aid her start to explode in her mind and she barely notice the slight blue glow coming from her left cheek. A new pact and a new mark. An ancient symbol she cannot read is now permanently marked into her flesh. She get dressed and ready for the day and attempts to finish the bamboo barding for Hamma.

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Infernal marking

 I cant get the pic to post regular

Sir Darak Darkhall: After slaying and butchering the giant turtle, Darak enjoys a fine meal with the party before retiring to his tent for the evening. The Paladin's mind returns often to the dark presence he'd felt during the battle early that day, fear entering his mind for the first time since arriving in Chult. During his watch, he prays to Tyr for guidance and protection in confronting this new malevolence. 

Darak rises before dawn, waking Sedrik and going about their morning routine. Sharing a quick turtle breakfast with his men, the Knight checks that their equipment is secure before heading out. He says to the party, "Good morning everyone. Shall we be off? I'm eager to find out how this accursed jungle will try to kill us today."

Azaka responds to Sir Darak, "Yes, I can hardly wait."  She's back to her emotionless dry voice which is oddly comforting. The group journey's back along the other side of the tributary, making several more minor waterway crossings. Everyone takes note that Kasaaptu seems to have a new mark on her face, and also a raven on her shoulder.  The raven flies about during the days travels, often perching in overhead trees and watching the party pass before flying ahead again.  The warmth of the day is starting to climb when you reach the main river and turn south. Perhaps an hour in you spot five canoes moving up the river. They wave and the one nearest paddles over to shore.  Two Tabaxi's are in this canoe, a male and a female. The girl, thin and wearing an eye patch smiles rather kindly at the Sir Darak, seemingly directing her attention to him, "Well met travellers. My name is River, a guide in this region. We've come from down river. I can tell you the water ways have changed a lot in the past month, so careful not to lose your way on the tributaries. Also, there's a nasty nest of giant wasps somewhere on this side of the river south of here a couple hours.  Careful.  This is my brother Flask."   Flask, tall and lankey, nods with sleepy, wary eyes, but doesn't say anything. 

Sir Darak Darkhall: Waving in greeting as the canoe approaches, Darak says, "Hail! I am Sir Darak Darkhall and I thank you for the warning. We travel to the Firefinger to rid this land of the Pterafolk that terrorize her people. Any information or assistance in our quest would be appreciated."

Persuasion: 13

He continues, "Also, we saw a tabaxi in the jungle a couple days ago. He simply observed us and left. Anything we should be concerned about?"

"Oh!  Well, we would be happy to guide your party for a good price.  We know where it is.  As for tabaxi, lone hunters are common, they keep to themselves usually.  Nothing to be concerned about."  Flask nods knowingly, "Nothing to be concerned about." he echos.  

Barty speaks up, "Folks. I'm sorry to say. But, I think I've gotten homesick.  This jungle...everything is big, and adventuring isn't quite what I thought.  River, do you think I could get a ride back to Port Nyanzaru?"  River raises an eyebrow but responds, "Yes, of course, for a minimal fee even, we have room."  Barty glances slowly and apologetically around the party.  Barty walks up to Sir Darak, extending a hand, "You are brave and just, I'm sorry if I've disappointed you."  He goes to Badger, "Your insights are amazing to behold. I'll miss you."  To Kasaaptu, "You are a fearsome mysterious woman, best of luck."  To Sickle, "You are thoughtful and nice."  To Silas, "You're a bit quiet, but I can tell you care, thanks for that."  He shakes Boris' hand and Gregory's hand, and to Sedrik, "Stick in there buddy, you got this."  Finally, "Come on Indiana...."  

He clambers in, the canoe rocking back and forth as River stabilizes it with her paddle against the shore.  Then Indiana jumps in and it rocks back and forth dangerously some more.  

River (presuming you tell her you already has a guide), "Well, I'm afraid I don't have much for you right now, we weren't down that far, but best of luck.  Keep those eyes on the skies."  

With that, Badger waves as they push off and paddle away up the slow moving river, it's brown water barely moving, and often moving backwards in eddies. 

You watch them for a few minutes and then the group continues your trek.  Azaka, "I suggest we give the wasp nest a wide birth.  As soon as we can hear the buzzing we'll do a wide circle around."  Sure enough, maybe an hour later, you start to hear the dull thrum of buzzing from far down the river. From a slight rise amongst the reeds you can see the tip top of a brown mud hill that's maybe 30 feet tall, though it's hard to tell from this distance.  Kasaaptu, your familiar can get a much closer look, seeing the nest as a huge round hill with numerous holes dotting it's surface.  Wasps the size of watermelons clamber around the outside of it, and buzz around the area actively. Azaka begins the process of circling around.  

It takes most of the rest of the day to get around and back to the river, the jungle trees and bush resuming after the swampy lands full of reeds.  A fine mist begins to fall.  It's nearing time to camp when Azaka raises a hand, calling a sudden halt.  She crouches, everyone becoming cautious as she sniffs at the air.  A strange growl emerges from her throat, and she looks back and whispers, "Grung. The filthy vermin. They are a frog like race that live in the jungle. They are numerous, poisonous to the touch, and nasty.  Unless you're want to get in a fight, I'd suggest we maybe scout them out and avoid them.  Want me to go scout?" 

" it might be better to send my new friend Krull. He can avoid the frog peoples sight and we cant afford to have you captured or killed by these poison frog people...that said. If we end up in an altercation with them I might need to extract some of that poison for my studies..what do you all think? Send our guide to scout or send the raven?"

She Hope's nobody pays too much attention to the extraction of the poison part.

"Shall I presume this raven is an arcane nature? I would say than the raven is more ideal choice," Silas comments, "I already cured Badager of poisoning but I can only rid one more person of poisoning today should I do not feel the need to bring out my stronger spells of war,"

" Yes , Krull is a gift and a binding from my Patron." 

Kasaaptu keeps her senses open for these frogmen. If Azaka can smell them, she is sure they probably know we are here as well.

Perception: 12

Sir Darak Darkhall: Peering forward into the jungle, Darak sniffs the air as he surveys the area. He says quielty, "The Raven seems safest and can scout the quickest and safest paths for us to take. It can also warn us if the Pterafolk return."

Kasaaptu and Sir Darak don't smell anything, sniffing the air.  Oh, aside from the rot of this swamp, the humid tang from the river, and the smell of Sir Darak's sweat as he tromps about in the jungle.  

Kasaaptu sends her Raven off.  Kasaaptu, you watch through Krull's eyes for a very short time but he's quickly beyond 100 feet and you're left to wait for his return. A few minutes later Krull returns.  Kasaaptu, in your mind he speaks to you, "I have located the frog creatures. They are camped about a half-mile ahead in the woods. They don't seem to be moving. There are twelve of them. Some are green, some are purple, one is orange.  Oh, they also have a half-orc slave with them bound in rope in his underwear.  I smelled the dark connection on him..."

She re

Says what Krull shared with her on the numbers, colors and the fact they have a fellow captured that might appreciate being rescued. 

" 1/2 miles isnt very far and it might be better to eliminate a threat so they cant ambush us later, like the Ptera-folk did. We can use another associate since Barty got weak in the knees and took his delightful dog home with him.  We may be able to catch them off guard and hit them from a safer distance. "

Persuasion: 13

In general, Persuasion will only be affective for NPC's.  You can't use Persuasion or Intimidation or the like on PC's.  

Azaka shrugs, "As long as there are no red or gold ones we should be fine. The Red ones are magicians and the gold ones are pretty fearsome warriors. Anything else you folks should be able to handle based on what I've seen.  Just....let's make good use of the ambush, and seriously, don't grab them, their skin is poisonous." 

Sedrik, Boris, and Gregory look to their liege to see if they should help prep him for battle.

Silas sighs, "I should have prayed for different spells but less I give up on healing possible poisoning, my abilities will be limited in this ambush as it was with the turtle,"

Ooc, most of his spells are melee hurt spells or keep the party Alive spells. 

Badger considers the available data, and reflects on the turtles elongated appendix

"Urgh, I believe this encounter was meant to be. Take courage, for we are destined to prevail, and be stronger for it".

Kasaaptu will say to Silas, " Staying alive during the ambush is the most important part and we appreciate every drop of healing you can provide. We can have Krull go invisible and lead off by attacking once we are in our positions.  We should try and hit from different places surrounding them to keep them disoriented and unsure which direction to worry about most, using trees or rocks for cover as we can."

( OOC: a basic map of their position and ours would be helpful and greatly appreciated  so we can take a more tactical approach. )

Sir Darak Darkhall: Nodding in agreement, Darak says, "We cannot leave this man their captive. Let us find a secure campsite nearby and assault their position under cover of darkness. They outnumber us two-to-one, but we could attempt to draw some away and ambush them."

The yellow one is a human.  The rest are all frog creatures.

Silas turns to guide, "do you know of they can see in the dark?"