Mandra considers following Sickle into the jungle, but then thinks better of it. It seems everyone in this group has their own personal demons to deal with, she mustn't lose focus on the greater evil they face.
Overhearing Badger discussing the Library with Na, Mandra will approach and respectfully ask the child if she may accompany them. She will express an interest in researching their historical texts, if any, they possess on the Death Plague and Soul Monger. "If your ancestors kept any records on the events that unfolded 200 years ago, there may be some information that would be useful to us. Before finding myself here, I spent a lifetime digging through bureaucratic letters and logistical records. Perhaps I can be of service in this way."
She will continue casting Disguise Self and look for opportunities to overhear private conversations between the elders of Aarakocra people, interested to know if they are discussing anything they didn't deem worth of openly sharing.
The day seems to pass with ease for some party members, while for Azaka and Silas it's a slow, though restful period accented with quite a bit of boredom. Nephyr comes by at lunch with some fresh buns and makes small talk, answering questions. He says "I've asked around about Nangalore but since the Aarakocra are forbidden from going there, especially with the Iblis there, I wasn't able to find out much. That said, the entire region is thick with bog, for miles around the place. The best approach really is the air or the river, and so I asked around about river travel and a couple of my friends mentioned seeing two canoes on the river that have been there for some time, seemingly left behind. I spent the morning with a friend and was able to find them. It's only a few miles from here to the river where they are, and I'd be happy to take you there tomorrow."
The afternoon Azaka and Silas are put to work doing minor repairs around the city.
To Mandra, Na shrugs in a friendly manner, "Of course, you're hero's....you can come."
Mandra spends a good amount of time in research at the library as well. Asharra the elder stares into her soul with her eyes when they talk. She seems serious. You're not sure she likes you. "Unnatural, but this jungle is anything but natural. Your kind may be necessary to success." She points you to records of Omu's history. "They do not contain anything about the Death Plague or Soul Monger, but you will find them rich with other information." Indeed, Mandra loses herself in the intricacies of the city of Omu's past, the royal families, and it's downfall.
To Badger, Asharra takes him aside for his question and speaks quietly, "The future is more complex than just a picture hidden in the dark. It is a flood of a million possibilities that are yet undecided. Fate is not a thing that is decided my friend. But, much like you can spot a single yellow bird in the expansive green jungle, you can learn to pick out the future that stands out. It takes much practice to recognize the trash from the treasure. The only way is to learn. There is risk though. You can see patterns where there are none. Validate your own visions with misconstrued meaning. You MUST be analytical. Record what you predict in detail. Read back regularly to see what has come to pass, and what hasn't. And from that you will start to learn how it feels when something you read is true. Now, you've been here all day and you must depart on your quest tomorrow. Best of luck Bazshihir Dimwort."
That evening Boris is able to assemble a more pleasing dinner for everyone with some new found accents and spices as well as a small contribution. People's spirits are raised, even though a tension still exists between the group and Sickle. Ham doesn't seem angry anymore, but he does generally avoid being near Sickle.
The night passes restfully with no more unexpected occurrences, and the next morning it's clear it's time to leave the sanctuary and head down the river to Nangalore.
(if anyone wants to do anything else before leaving, let me know).
The princess comes to see the party goodbye, and leaves a kiss on Boris' cheek. Na waves happily to Badger and Mandra and says, "Good luck!" Asharra watches silently from a window above in the sanctuary. Nephyr says, "We are happy to ferry party members to the jungle below so that you don't have to waste resources." Several Aarakocra come to pick up people and soon you are all descending gently into the jungle canopy below. Nephyr points, "Head this way. You'll have to cross one tributary, but keep going to the main river. I will keep an eye out for you, and meet you there. It's about a days walk."
With that he leaps to his feet and flies off. The walk that day is rather peaceful. You spot the normal jungle denizens, but also see some brontosaurus in the morning, the huge beasts placidly walking through the forest, their heads high into the foliage. You also spot a pod of Deinonychus in the afternoon, twenty of the creatures about a meter high, dashing through the jungle.
You follow the contours of the land as they descend to low lands around the river. You're reminded of how unpleasant it was near the river as you're forced to march through several small muddy water ways and finally cross a chest high tributary of brown slow moving water. A couple of crocodiles can be seen on the far side of the river. One of them slinks into the water but you're across without incident.
By evening you've found your way to the river. Nephyr spots you as he flies above and points down river. About another thirty minutes picking your way along the rivers edge you come to a sandy landing where sure enough two canoes sit. Based on the algae growing on their sides, they've been here for some time, though there is no sign of their original owners.
As it's night time, you setup a camp here. Nephyr lands. "I bid you all good luck my friends. It's 2 days down river to Nangalore. We hope to see you back in Kir Sabal in 5 days with Black Orchid's. Be well." He grasps Silas' hand, nodding, and then leaps into the air and flies away. The evening camp goes with minimal disturbance. Snakes, spiders, and swarms of bugs and croaks from the darkness fill the night air. A scream or two issue from the darkness at points as something dies in the darkness. The harsh jungle loud in everyone's ears. The cliff buildings of Kir Sabal had different night sounds, mostly of the wind whistling in small openings and shutters banging. The wild jungle sounds were drowned out. But in fitful sleep you're fully reminded.
The group is welcomed to river travel as they pile themselves and their gear into the shallow narrow vessels. There are two paddles each and Azaka explains how to have a lead paddler and back paddler. She shows Silas how to steer from the rear with the paddle and shows everyone how to stroke in the water. Rotate, lift, swing, cut in, twist, and pull. The first part of the journey is particularly wet as people accidentally splash the water when putting their paddle in, or spray water back into the canoe when the paddle leaves the water. Having a small stream of water in the bottom to wet everyone's gear, feet, and pants seems to be part and parcel of being in a canoe. Green water splatters across the people in the middle regularly while the grunts of the paddlers fill the air.
However, it's much quicker, and much more relaxing. You see the river banks slip by much faster than walking, and wonder at how much faster you could have gotten to this point if you'd had canoes to start.
It's the afternoon of the first day when one of the canoes shakes violently. Everyone grabs the edges as it wobbles unsteadily. Boris, Badger, Sedrik and Azaka watch from the other canoe. Azaka says, "Did you hit a sandbank?" Sickle, Ham, Mandra, and Silas shake their heads as they spot the mottled leather back of a crocodile surface briefly then vanish in the muddy water.
Then the water beside them sprays upwards as a crocodile tries to slam into their boat.
Roll perception vs. DC 20.
If you fail you're surprised and can't act against the croc's for your first round. Everyone roll init.
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls - Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against Demogorgon Silas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of Annihilation Done
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls - Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against Demogorgon Silas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of Annihilation Done
Badger took Asharra's words to heart, and pondered them throughout the evening, and then on into the next several days. The metaphor of the yellow bird in the green jungle struck him, and subconsciously he began to take more notice of the colour and movement in the surrounding foliage. From his position in the centre of the canoe he had time to observe, to contemplate, and to focus his mind on perceiving the unseen future. Then, even before the warning shout, he saw in his mind's eye the great lizard approaching the other canoe, and he was already preparing his first spell when it first struck.
Perception: 21 (using Portent roll of 20) Initiative: 15 Attack: Chromatic Orb (Level 2): 22 (using Portent roll of 15) Damage: 16 lightning damage.
Sickle finishes his experiments in the jungle and clambers back up the wall. He spends the rest of the day mostly avoiding the others, but replenishing their supplies. (Would like to make sure we are stocked on food and water, insect repellent, and repairs for any of our tents, boots, etc.).
As they head out on their journey, he grows increasingly frustrated with his predicament. The ring had called to him, didn't they know that? It offered them help. And Sickle was strong, he could control it, he had proved that in the jungle. He grew frustrated with the ring as well. Just as he had felt he was falling into a groove with the group, things had been thrown off track. He sighed as they rowed. And to make matters worse, Ham and he had ended up in the same canoe, and since Ham insisted on staying as far away from his as possible, that left the two of them paddling...often in circles, down the river.
NOW...
Perception: 20
Initiative: 18
Sickle spots the reptile just before it hits them, reacting in time to throw a mote of fire its way, unsure of how many more they might be fighting.
The group, trained to the lethality of the jungle, and always on alert for signs of danger react with fierce swiftness. The roaring beast get blasted with magic, its head blasted partially apart, while another croc's flesh sizzles and crackles as more magic strikes it. The ferocity of the groups attack and their quickness to respond startle the lethargic lizards that dive beneath the water to safety as they swim away. A moment later the water is calm. The paddles slap back into the water as they continue away from the short violent scene.
The rest of the day passes uneventfully and the group camps on the side of the river. A couple snakes make entry into the camp but are soon roasting over a fire as Azaka pulls off strips of sizzling meat. The group sleeps fitfully and they continue paddling up river the next day. That day the river seems to begin to bleed out into the jungle on either side until the banks are no longer in existence, and trees just sprout out of the river everywhere. The bogs reach far back into the jungle, the waterway merging with ground in a vast watery muddy land that offers little good for anything that can't swim or fly. As the miles slip by, you quickly realize that slogging through this land to reach anything would have been next to impossible.
Azaka begins watching the eastern side of the river with intent. "There..." she says by late afternoon, spotting a stone pillar protruding from the water amidst the trees. There's a barely discernible water way through the trees that you begin quietly padding down. Under the darkness of the jungle canopy, the bog feels even more treacherous. Lizards float deceptively lazily between tree trunks while frogs, snakes and lizards cling to trees. Above, all manner of creatures use the canopy as their roadway including flying snakes, monkeys, birds, and rodents.
As you paddle quietly, Mandra speaks in a hushed voice, "Nangalore was built to honor Zalkore, an Omuan queen. It was built by a man named Thiru-taya, Zalkore's foremost general and consort. At the time it was called Ka-Nanji, the Hanging Garden of Dreams. Ka-Nanji was a palatial retreat from the intrigues and pressures of Omu and the beautiful tiered garden was praised as a worthy tribute to the queen. Unfortunately the queen's mind was poisoned by vanity and she turned to demons to bargain for eternal youth and beauty. She was fooled by the demons deal and transformed into a medusa. When this deal became known, she was exiled to Ka-Nanji, which was renamed Nan-galore, the Garden of Lost Dreams. The general stayed true to the queen despite this, all through his life, and his ashes were eventually delivered to Nan-galore for her to grieve. I read about this place in the library yesterday."
Ahead of you rising out of the water is a fantastic edifice: a hanging garden of exotic beauty. Water streams down steps between two massive elephant carvings. Beyond them, a broad, flooded avenue runs arrow-straight for more than a hundred feet before ending at a carving of a tyrannosaurus face. Water pours from the tyrannasaurus' jaws and flows the length of the concourse to drain down the steps before you. Five foot high terraces flank the boulevard. Low archways - three on each side - are built into the terrace walls. These archways are in various stages of collapse, as are the tunnels beyond them. Beautifully carved, larger than life stone faces are mounted between the arches. A wild profusion of plants grows on the upper terraces, and multi-colored parrots and canaries flit and sing among them. To the north, a dilapidated brick dome rises above the tyrranosaurus-head waterspout. Smaller, bell shaped domes surmount the highest terraces to your left and right.
You see several crocodiles in the area, but they float lazily about and don't make any moves towards the canoes. The obvious egress is to pull up next to the stairs, tie the boats off to some roots, and walk up. The water flowing is less than a foot deep. But you could also go to the left or right of the gardens and look for a dry spot to try and get out, or you could pull up anywhere along the garden's base along the front, and clamber up the roots and rock up to the garden's main area, which is about ten feet up.
The night after the croc fight, after camp is set up, Sickle will speak up, simply to offer to share some of the items he has been holding onto. “Tomorrow may well be the worst thing we have faced since coming here, and I want to make sure wveryone is equipped.” Sickle offers up the 6 magic arrows in a bone quiver, and the Ring Of Evasion to whoever the group decides.
Mandra stares at the campfire, thinking back to what the old crone said to her in the library. She supposes she shouldn't have been surprised that someone so wise had seen through her disguise, but Mandra wonders if she was referring to her zombie body or something else with her ominous words. She had felt too embarrassed at the time to press further, at the she retreated to the stacks and ponder over it, and again now as she watched the dancing shadows on the jungle flora.
When Sickle offers up the equipment, she politely refuses, "Thank you, but I have no bow nor talent for one, and I suspect the ring will do better in the hands of someone who gets into the thick of things. I should hope that I don't find myself needing it."
---At the Gardens---
Remembering her own words, Mandra keeps an eye out for any particularly lifelike statues decorating the grounds. While they approach in the canoes, she will begin to mutter to herself some arcane incantations for some minutes until her eyes faintly glow with the enhanced sight of Detect Magic.
Turning to Sickle and Azaka, "Well then, who's going to play botanist for us? Do these orchids like full sun or partial shade?" She'll begin to paddle her canoe towards the stairs unless anyone should tell her otherwise.
As Mandra speaks, Sickle wonders at the connection between the Chultan princess and the Black Orchid, and whether they were being tricked into something nerfarious. As they pulled the canoes toward the gardens, he placed his stafff across his lap, casting Locate Animals or Plants as a ritual, seeking the orchid. When Boris asks his question, Sickle points. “What we seek lies that way.”
Badger is impressed with Mandra's summary of her research, particularly with her retention and recall of the information. He doubts that the gardens are truly as wondrous as they sound, until the next day when they approach. Badger's mouth hangs open at the magnificence of the place, even in its current state of decay and ruin. Eying the crocodiles warily, he steps out of the moored canoe and wades up the flooded avenue, clutching his glass orb with one hand and his short staff with the other.
The canoe's bump up against the rock. Boris steps out into the water running down the stairs. The water rushes around his feet. He ties off the canoes to some small roots creeping down from the ledge above. The group clambers out of the canoes carefully, the running water on the stairs making it slightly awkward.
The gardens are multi-leveled and thick with plants that present a riot of colors to your eyes.
Sickle whispers to the group, "I can detect the orchid. There are multiple. Just less than two hundred feet or so to the north, some to the slight east and some to the slight west."
Just up the steps you find yourself in a wide walkway running with water. Five feet up a ledge on both sides are the front gardens. Six archways of running water that run under the gardens branch off to the left and right. You could duck and walk down the tunnels if you wanted. Each ends in a stairway that leads up into the garden. Though two on the left are completely collapsed and leave just a rubble strewn walkway. Sickle points all the way to the back, against the walls that are ten feet high. Two sets of stairs lead through archways to either side of the tyrannosaurus mouth into another set of gardens that go up a level. The stairs on the left have crumbled away. Sickle says, "Back there, behind through those archways maybe, but maybe another 80 feet beyond there."
Boris notes movement in the gardens. Some on the left side. A bit on the right. But it's too thick with vegetation to make anything out clearly from here.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Hey everyone, I am not sure if it is the vegatation is moving or the garden has other creatures in it."
Boris moves 20 ft from the stairs they entered this area from and slowly lifts himself up the left ledge to peer over. He ends in a couched position and tries to slowly raise his head over any bushes that block his sight.
Boris notices two 'people' standing just on the other side of the collapsed tunnel near him. They stand in the bushes, difficult to see, and unmoving. They don't seem to have noticed him. He's not getting a very good look at them but one of them definitely has a plant growing out of the side of it's head.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
Boris turns around with a shocked look on his face while shaking his head at Azaka. He then moves to the edge of the ledge, and quietly waves the group over. If anyone comes over he explains what he saw to them and Azaka.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Mandra considers following Sickle into the jungle, but then thinks better of it. It seems everyone in this group has their own personal demons to deal with, she mustn't lose focus on the greater evil they face.
Overhearing Badger discussing the Library with Na, Mandra will approach and respectfully ask the child if she may accompany them. She will express an interest in researching their historical texts, if any, they possess on the Death Plague and Soul Monger. "If your ancestors kept any records on the events that unfolded 200 years ago, there may be some information that would be useful to us. Before finding myself here, I spent a lifetime digging through bureaucratic letters and logistical records. Perhaps I can be of service in this way."
She will continue casting Disguise Self and look for opportunities to overhear private conversations between the elders of Aarakocra people, interested to know if they are discussing anything they didn't deem worth of openly sharing.
The day seems to pass with ease for some party members, while for Azaka and Silas it's a slow, though restful period accented with quite a bit of boredom. Nephyr comes by at lunch with some fresh buns and makes small talk, answering questions. He says "I've asked around about Nangalore but since the Aarakocra are forbidden from going there, especially with the Iblis there, I wasn't able to find out much. That said, the entire region is thick with bog, for miles around the place. The best approach really is the air or the river, and so I asked around about river travel and a couple of my friends mentioned seeing two canoes on the river that have been there for some time, seemingly left behind. I spent the morning with a friend and was able to find them. It's only a few miles from here to the river where they are, and I'd be happy to take you there tomorrow."
The afternoon Azaka and Silas are put to work doing minor repairs around the city.
To Mandra, Na shrugs in a friendly manner, "Of course, you're hero's....you can come."
Mandra spends a good amount of time in research at the library as well. Asharra the elder stares into her soul with her eyes when they talk. She seems serious. You're not sure she likes you. "Unnatural, but this jungle is anything but natural. Your kind may be necessary to success." She points you to records of Omu's history. "They do not contain anything about the Death Plague or Soul Monger, but you will find them rich with other information." Indeed, Mandra loses herself in the intricacies of the city of Omu's past, the royal families, and it's downfall.
To Badger, Asharra takes him aside for his question and speaks quietly, "The future is more complex than just a picture hidden in the dark. It is a flood of a million possibilities that are yet undecided. Fate is not a thing that is decided my friend. But, much like you can spot a single yellow bird in the expansive green jungle, you can learn to pick out the future that stands out. It takes much practice to recognize the trash from the treasure. The only way is to learn. There is risk though. You can see patterns where there are none. Validate your own visions with misconstrued meaning. You MUST be analytical. Record what you predict in detail. Read back regularly to see what has come to pass, and what hasn't. And from that you will start to learn how it feels when something you read is true. Now, you've been here all day and you must depart on your quest tomorrow. Best of luck Bazshihir Dimwort."
That evening Boris is able to assemble a more pleasing dinner for everyone with some new found accents and spices as well as a small contribution. People's spirits are raised, even though a tension still exists between the group and Sickle. Ham doesn't seem angry anymore, but he does generally avoid being near Sickle.
The night passes restfully with no more unexpected occurrences, and the next morning it's clear it's time to leave the sanctuary and head down the river to Nangalore.
(if anyone wants to do anything else before leaving, let me know).
The princess comes to see the party goodbye, and leaves a kiss on Boris' cheek. Na waves happily to Badger and Mandra and says, "Good luck!" Asharra watches silently from a window above in the sanctuary. Nephyr says, "We are happy to ferry party members to the jungle below so that you don't have to waste resources." Several Aarakocra come to pick up people and soon you are all descending gently into the jungle canopy below. Nephyr points, "Head this way. You'll have to cross one tributary, but keep going to the main river. I will keep an eye out for you, and meet you there. It's about a days walk."
With that he leaps to his feet and flies off. The walk that day is rather peaceful. You spot the normal jungle denizens, but also see some brontosaurus in the morning, the huge beasts placidly walking through the forest, their heads high into the foliage. You also spot a pod of Deinonychus in the afternoon, twenty of the creatures about a meter high, dashing through the jungle.
You follow the contours of the land as they descend to low lands around the river. You're reminded of how unpleasant it was near the river as you're forced to march through several small muddy water ways and finally cross a chest high tributary of brown slow moving water. A couple of crocodiles can be seen on the far side of the river. One of them slinks into the water but you're across without incident.
By evening you've found your way to the river. Nephyr spots you as he flies above and points down river. About another thirty minutes picking your way along the rivers edge you come to a sandy landing where sure enough two canoes sit. Based on the algae growing on their sides, they've been here for some time, though there is no sign of their original owners.
As it's night time, you setup a camp here. Nephyr lands. "I bid you all good luck my friends. It's 2 days down river to Nangalore. We hope to see you back in Kir Sabal in 5 days with Black Orchid's. Be well." He grasps Silas' hand, nodding, and then leaps into the air and flies away. The evening camp goes with minimal disturbance. Snakes, spiders, and swarms of bugs and croaks from the darkness fill the night air. A scream or two issue from the darkness at points as something dies in the darkness. The harsh jungle loud in everyone's ears. The cliff buildings of Kir Sabal had different night sounds, mostly of the wind whistling in small openings and shutters banging. The wild jungle sounds were drowned out. But in fitful sleep you're fully reminded.
The group is welcomed to river travel as they pile themselves and their gear into the shallow narrow vessels. There are two paddles each and Azaka explains how to have a lead paddler and back paddler. She shows Silas how to steer from the rear with the paddle and shows everyone how to stroke in the water. Rotate, lift, swing, cut in, twist, and pull. The first part of the journey is particularly wet as people accidentally splash the water when putting their paddle in, or spray water back into the canoe when the paddle leaves the water. Having a small stream of water in the bottom to wet everyone's gear, feet, and pants seems to be part and parcel of being in a canoe. Green water splatters across the people in the middle regularly while the grunts of the paddlers fill the air.
However, it's much quicker, and much more relaxing. You see the river banks slip by much faster than walking, and wonder at how much faster you could have gotten to this point if you'd had canoes to start.
It's the afternoon of the first day when one of the canoes shakes violently. Everyone grabs the edges as it wobbles unsteadily. Boris, Badger, Sedrik and Azaka watch from the other canoe. Azaka says, "Did you hit a sandbank?" Sickle, Ham, Mandra, and Silas shake their heads as they spot the mottled leather back of a crocodile surface briefly then vanish in the muddy water.
Then the water beside them sprays upwards as a crocodile tries to slam into their boat.
Roll perception vs. DC 20.
If you fail you're surprised and can't act against the croc's for your first round. Everyone roll init.
Crocodile init: 2
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Silas Initiative: 8
Perception: 26
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls- Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against DemogorgonSilas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of AnnihilationDone"By Torm's might, that's a beast!" Silas shouts before he points his holy symbol at the crocodle and cast Guiding Bolt.
Attack: 13 Damage: 16
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls- Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against DemogorgonSilas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of AnnihilationDoneBadger took Asharra's words to heart, and pondered them throughout the evening, and then on into the next several days. The metaphor of the yellow bird in the green jungle struck him, and subconsciously he began to take more notice of the colour and movement in the surrounding foliage. From his position in the centre of the canoe he had time to observe, to contemplate, and to focus his mind on perceiving the unseen future. Then, even before the warning shout, he saw in his mind's eye the great lizard approaching the other canoe, and he was already preparing his first spell when it first struck.
Perception: 21 (using Portent roll of 20)
Initiative: 15
Attack: Chromatic Orb (Level 2): 22 (using Portent roll of 15) Damage: 16 lightning damage.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Initiative: 3
Perception: 14
Perception: 23 Initiative: 17
Initiative: 23
Perception: 19
EARLIER...
Sickle finishes his experiments in the jungle and clambers back up the wall. He spends the rest of the day mostly avoiding the others, but replenishing their supplies. (Would like to make sure we are stocked on food and water, insect repellent, and repairs for any of our tents, boots, etc.).
As they head out on their journey, he grows increasingly frustrated with his predicament. The ring had called to him, didn't they know that? It offered them help. And Sickle was strong, he could control it, he had proved that in the jungle. He grew frustrated with the ring as well. Just as he had felt he was falling into a groove with the group, things had been thrown off track. He sighed as they rowed. And to make matters worse, Ham and he had ended up in the same canoe, and since Ham insisted on staying as far away from his as possible, that left the two of them paddling...often in circles, down the river.
NOW...
Perception: 20
Initiative: 18
Sickle spots the reptile just before it hits them, reacting in time to throw a mote of fire its way, unsure of how many more they might be fighting.
Action: Cast Produce Flame
Attack: 13 Damage: 8 Fire
The group, trained to the lethality of the jungle, and always on alert for signs of danger react with fierce swiftness. The roaring beast get blasted with magic, its head blasted partially apart, while another croc's flesh sizzles and crackles as more magic strikes it. The ferocity of the groups attack and their quickness to respond startle the lethargic lizards that dive beneath the water to safety as they swim away. A moment later the water is calm. The paddles slap back into the water as they continue away from the short violent scene.
The rest of the day passes uneventfully and the group camps on the side of the river. A couple snakes make entry into the camp but are soon roasting over a fire as Azaka pulls off strips of sizzling meat. The group sleeps fitfully and they continue paddling up river the next day. That day the river seems to begin to bleed out into the jungle on either side until the banks are no longer in existence, and trees just sprout out of the river everywhere. The bogs reach far back into the jungle, the waterway merging with ground in a vast watery muddy land that offers little good for anything that can't swim or fly. As the miles slip by, you quickly realize that slogging through this land to reach anything would have been next to impossible.
Azaka begins watching the eastern side of the river with intent. "There..." she says by late afternoon, spotting a stone pillar protruding from the water amidst the trees. There's a barely discernible water way through the trees that you begin quietly padding down. Under the darkness of the jungle canopy, the bog feels even more treacherous. Lizards float deceptively lazily between tree trunks while frogs, snakes and lizards cling to trees. Above, all manner of creatures use the canopy as their roadway including flying snakes, monkeys, birds, and rodents.
As you paddle quietly, Mandra speaks in a hushed voice, "Nangalore was built to honor Zalkore, an Omuan queen. It was built by a man named Thiru-taya, Zalkore's foremost general and consort. At the time it was called Ka-Nanji, the Hanging Garden of Dreams. Ka-Nanji was a palatial retreat from the intrigues and pressures of Omu and the beautiful tiered garden was praised as a worthy tribute to the queen. Unfortunately the queen's mind was poisoned by vanity and she turned to demons to bargain for eternal youth and beauty. She was fooled by the demons deal and transformed into a medusa. When this deal became known, she was exiled to Ka-Nanji, which was renamed Nan-galore, the Garden of Lost Dreams. The general stayed true to the queen despite this, all through his life, and his ashes were eventually delivered to Nan-galore for her to grieve. I read about this place in the library yesterday."
Ahead of you rising out of the water is a fantastic edifice: a hanging garden of exotic beauty. Water streams down steps between two massive elephant carvings. Beyond them, a broad, flooded avenue runs arrow-straight for more than a hundred feet before ending at a carving of a tyrannosaurus face. Water pours from the tyrannasaurus' jaws and flows the length of the concourse to drain down the steps before you. Five foot high terraces flank the boulevard. Low archways - three on each side - are built into the terrace walls. These archways are in various stages of collapse, as are the tunnels beyond them. Beautifully carved, larger than life stone faces are mounted between the arches. A wild profusion of plants grows on the upper terraces, and multi-colored parrots and canaries flit and sing among them. To the north, a dilapidated brick dome rises above the tyrranosaurus-head waterspout. Smaller, bell shaped domes surmount the highest terraces to your left and right.
You see several crocodiles in the area, but they float lazily about and don't make any moves towards the canoes. The obvious egress is to pull up next to the stairs, tie the boats off to some roots, and walk up. The water flowing is less than a foot deep. But you could also go to the left or right of the gardens and look for a dry spot to try and get out, or you could pull up anywhere along the garden's base along the front, and clamber up the roots and rock up to the garden's main area, which is about ten feet up.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
The night after the croc fight, after camp is set up, Sickle will speak up, simply to offer to share some of the items he has been holding onto. “Tomorrow may well be the worst thing we have faced since coming here, and I want to make sure wveryone is equipped.” Sickle offers up the 6 magic arrows in a bone quiver, and the Ring Of Evasion to whoever the group decides.
---The first night---
Mandra stares at the campfire, thinking back to what the old crone said to her in the library. She supposes she shouldn't have been surprised that someone so wise had seen through her disguise, but Mandra wonders if she was referring to her zombie body or something else with her ominous words. She had felt too embarrassed at the time to press further, at the she retreated to the stacks and ponder over it, and again now as she watched the dancing shadows on the jungle flora.
When Sickle offers up the equipment, she politely refuses, "Thank you, but I have no bow nor talent for one, and I suspect the ring will do better in the hands of someone who gets into the thick of things. I should hope that I don't find myself needing it."
---At the Gardens---
Remembering her own words, Mandra keeps an eye out for any particularly lifelike statues decorating the grounds. While they approach in the canoes, she will begin to mutter to herself some arcane incantations for some minutes until her eyes faintly glow with the enhanced sight of Detect Magic.
Turning to Sickle and Azaka, "Well then, who's going to play botanist for us? Do these orchids like full sun or partial shade?" She'll begin to paddle her canoe towards the stairs unless anyone should tell her otherwise.
Boris notices the approach of the river passage, as the canoe slowed down. He slides off his boots and rolls up his pants, as he says:
"The garden might be the safest spot to camp. Azaka, would you be able to cover me as I climb up?"
With that he steps into the foot of water and goes to tie up the boat. He waits for confirmation before climbing the terrace.
Athletes: 21
Perception: 20
As Mandra speaks, Sickle wonders at the connection between the Chultan princess and the Black Orchid, and whether they were being tricked into something nerfarious. As they pulled the canoes toward the gardens, he placed his stafff across his lap, casting Locate Animals or Plants as a ritual, seeking the orchid. When Boris asks his question, Sickle points. “What we seek lies that way.”
Badger is impressed with Mandra's summary of her research, particularly with her retention and recall of the information. He doubts that the gardens are truly as wondrous as they sound, until the next day when they approach. Badger's mouth hangs open at the magnificence of the place, even in its current state of decay and ruin. Eying the crocodiles warily, he steps out of the moored canoe and wades up the flooded avenue, clutching his glass orb with one hand and his short staff with the other.
New Portent rolls: 4, 13
Swapped out Feather Fall for Alter Self
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
The canoe's bump up against the rock. Boris steps out into the water running down the stairs. The water rushes around his feet. He ties off the canoes to some small roots creeping down from the ledge above. The group clambers out of the canoes carefully, the running water on the stairs making it slightly awkward.
The gardens are multi-leveled and thick with plants that present a riot of colors to your eyes.
Sickle whispers to the group, "I can detect the orchid. There are multiple. Just less than two hundred feet or so to the north, some to the slight east and some to the slight west."
Just up the steps you find yourself in a wide walkway running with water. Five feet up a ledge on both sides are the front gardens. Six archways of running water that run under the gardens branch off to the left and right. You could duck and walk down the tunnels if you wanted. Each ends in a stairway that leads up into the garden. Though two on the left are completely collapsed and leave just a rubble strewn walkway. Sickle points all the way to the back, against the walls that are ten feet high. Two sets of stairs lead through archways to either side of the tyrannosaurus mouth into another set of gardens that go up a level. The stairs on the left have crumbled away. Sickle says, "Back there, behind through those archways maybe, but maybe another 80 feet beyond there."
Boris notes movement in the gardens. Some on the left side. A bit on the right. But it's too thick with vegetation to make anything out clearly from here.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
"Hey everyone, I am not sure if it is the vegatation is moving or the garden has other creatures in it."
Boris moves 20 ft from the stairs they entered this area from and slowly lifts himself up the left ledge to peer over. He ends in a couched position and tries to slowly raise his head over any bushes that block his sight.
Stealth: 11
Boris notices two 'people' standing just on the other side of the collapsed tunnel near him. They stand in the bushes, difficult to see, and unmoving. They don't seem to have noticed him. He's not getting a very good look at them but one of them definitely has a plant growing out of the side of it's head.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Azaka nods her head in agreement and follows slightly behind Boris climbing the wall as well and draws her bow.
Stealth: 21
Boris turns around with a shocked look on his face while shaking his head at Azaka. He then moves to the edge of the ledge, and quietly waves the group over. If anyone comes over he explains what he saw to them and Azaka.