"I think we drove them off," the half-orc says.  "Giant wasps..."  She lapses into silence as the canoe draws near.  A rope is attached to the  rowboat by Azaka quickly, and as she does so she looks at the two comatose rowers.  

"Your friends are dead.  You will be lighter without them."

"I...," the half-orc stutters, "I hired them to help me...we can't just leave them..."

Azaka grabs one by the collar and heaves, and the man slides out of the rowboat and into the river, floating away facedown.  The half-orc gasps.  

"None of you are in a position to argue with me," Azaka grunts, meeting each of your eyes in turn.  "We do not waste resources on already dead men," she finishes, kicking the other body into the water.  Moments later there's a great commotion in the water ten feet away as each body is pulled down and apart by what must be river crocodiles.

"Argue with me!" chirps Chiirki from Cimeri's shoulder.

"Who are you and why are you on the river with men who have never before been in Chult?" Azaka asks, before any further movement.

The half-orc looks stunned.  "They told me they were experienced guides... Apologies.  My name is Undril Silvertusk.  I have orders, messages, for the Order of the Gauntlet..." she shivers uncontrollably, "...at Camp Vengeance.  I...I...," she continues, before nearly going unconscious.  "I heard you," she addresses Bryn.  "I am in no shape to use these, but for your aid... you may have them..." She points to a sack of equipment upon which rest three healer's kits.  Undril passes out.

Cimeri pet Chiirk, calming down him and herself, she had to admit. Azaka was right, in that strange place corpses did not lay still but walked around - she saw it herself. Cimeri also had to admit a disgusting thought, that Undril Silvertusk was a god sent ticket to that Camp Vengeance, that gave so much uneasiness to Azaka. She tried to shake that though out when Undril suddenly collapsed.

"What is wrong with her? Is this a throat leeches you were telling about, Azaka?"

"Well, hmm..."  Taman says with a glance to the bodies that were quickly taken by the animals nearby.  "Let's get moving."  He finally says as he turns back to their guide.

“Undril Silvertusk.” Bryn will repeat the half-orcs name out loud to help herself remember it. Witnessing the woman’s shivers and fainting, the Druid would instinctively begin reaching for her supplies. She would make her best attempt to inspect the woman safely from her position.

"Well shit, Azaka.  I didn't expect that but I get it," she says as she rows.  Turning her head over her should she says, "In all seriousness though, if I die out here, do what ya want with my body but take my sword with you and find her a good home will ya?"

"Harsh jungle etiquette is in affect.  Check.  Are we taking the row boat as well?  I presume we can't fit everything in our canoe.  Especially with this....goblin...we should remember to question him, and or train him in short order, otherwise he's just sorta....you know...dead weight."  He glances at where the bodies vanished under the water.   "Anywhoooo, hold the boats still for a moment." He clambers into the row boat.  "Celtra, would you care to join me in the rowing?"   

Before leaving, he'll poke through the supply bags for anything of interest.  Then, he'll begin rowing with Celtra to keep up with the canoe.   

(OOC: in post 885 I filled everyone in on the questioning of the goblin and set him free to be part of our group...)

Azaka grunts, shaking her head.  “No, Purple One; this is the shivering sickness.  This is why we have bug repellent; these fools did not.”  She looks at Undril Silvertusk in her priestly robes.  “She may pull through; she may not.”

She nods at Taman as Fulcra and Bryn step into the rowboat.  “Yes, we will make haste, Robes.”

Bryn assesses Undril’s condition perfectly, and realizes there’s no need for the healing kit…yet.  Undril is stable, but still has a fight ahead of her to throw off the full effects of the sickness.  For now, Bryn has done what she can, and can only watch and monitor Undril’s condition.

Fulcra rifles through the equipment efficiently; at the very top of the sack are two bound messages, sealed with wax.

Azaka begins speaking again as the rowing recommences.  “I will treat your body with reverence, warrior, I promise,” she says loudly over the water.  “Do not curse me with your sorcerous ways…”

The heat grows throughout the day as the never-ending paddling and rowing continues…

Celtra laughs, "No sorcerous ways here, just if take my sword and pass on my tale."  She will then continue to paddle.  Day in and day out that's all she seems to be doing but in her mind she cant help but acknowledge the tone her muscles are taking.

The sweltering heat continues for a few more days, though at least there are no attacks from the jungle, be they from water or land.  Undril continues to be remain on the cusp of unconsciousness, shivering despite the heat, but Bryn monitors her health and doesn't see a decline in vital signs.

In the midst of a shower of rain on the river days later, after noon, Azaka slows the canoe and Fulcra follows suit in the rowboat.  "Camp Vengeance," she states, simply.

Through the foliage, you see a crude timber fortification—a walled compound with watchtowers and tents inside it, encircled by a ditch bristling with sharpened stakes. A large gatehouse faces the river, on the shore of which are four rowboats tied to a wooden post.

Scattered around the fort are piles of charred human corpses and flayed animal carcasses swarming with flies.

[OOC: Either my workplace is messing with images or postimage.org is having an issue.  I hope to have a map up later]

OOC: The map worked. At least it's here now.

Cimeri was spending days in meditation, breaking for a quite unusual for her activity - teaching 2 creatures to speak common: Chiirk (just words - names of the crew, simple relevant phrases like "Chiirk is hungry" and so on, and the goblin. With the latter one it was more of exchange - she hoped to pick up some of the goblin language. For no particular purpouse but more out of boredom. 

In this jungle Camp Vengeance looked almost like city - a piece of civilization in the chaos of (very) aggressive chaos of nature. Azaka's discomfort with the place was contagious, but it would be so nice to sleep without both eyes opened for a change...

Rain-catcher or any cloak could be transformed into the stretcher on the go, so, there should not have been much problem to transport Undril to the gates. The rest Cimeri would leave to Taman, Celtra and Fulcra, suspecting more colourful part of the group (beginning with her) might be a touch less welcomed.

Fulcra rows up to the shore near the other boats.  He hops out, grunting as he drags the boat further onto shore, then ties it off with the others.  He grabs the two bound messages and shoves them into an inside pocket. He looks up at the towers for signs of soldiers as he walks up to the main gate.  "Hello?  May you grant us temporary respite from the harshness of these jungles?  As well, we have come across an emissary of yours carrying some messages you may take interest in!  She'll probably pull through, she seems the tough type!  Hello?" 

"Stay close."  Taman tells the goblin as they get to the shore.  "You are with me.  Keep your hands to yourself, and don't even try to do anything foolish."  Taman gives the goblin very stern instructions as they move to get out of the boat.  In a slightly gentler voice he continues.  "I would guess these people won't like you as they have little cause to see you as more than another goblin.  Now though you are my scout and companion, so let's not give them a reason to do something unkindly to you, ok?"

Crossbows are leveled at Fulcra from atop the wall; two guards stand atop the gatehouse, whilst a third levels a crossbow from the top of the gatehouse.  You understand Azaka's hesitation; the massive stakes for giant lizards that rim a trench around the fort full of muddy water covered by clouds of insects is not welcoming.  Unwholesome vapors seem to float back and forth through your nostrils and you wonder what kind of latrine they've set up here.

"Emmisary?  And boats? Lucky stars," the guard says to his comrade, "go get an officer, on the double."  The other guard disappears from view for a few minutes, and returns later with another figure, a female warrior by the looks of it.  She scans the river, your party, your two boats, and then the jungle to either side.

"Open the gates!" she hollers, and continues.  "Be quick about it, you there, inside fast, these gates won't stay open long!"

Cimeri nodded good bye to Azaka and followed the others, most likely helping Bryn to carry the still unconscious half-orc into the Camp.

Taman also follows the group inside.  He keeps the goblin close by his side.  (What was the guy's name again?)

Bryn would load herself with the possessions she felt were too important to be left behind at all times. These included the med kits and the alchemy jug. Once strapped with her equipment and the boat tied off, the Druid would scoop Undril up and carry her.

Bryn would hold herself tall, strong and silent with the half-orc in her arms. While the others did the talking, the halfgiant would scan their surroundings to familiarize herself.

Celtra stops her gawking at the makeshift fortress long enough to grab what gear she can.  Sh'e has her pack with nearly all of her belongings and make sure to bring in as many rain catchers as she can.  They may have their magic jug but she figures any additional fresh water may go far with the camp.  

Fulcra picks up his pack as well, seeing the others, and goes over to clasp Azaka's hand.  "We will not be long.  My plan is to leave at first light after getting a proper rest. You are our scout and we won't leave you alone. If you want anything from within, rations, or what not, tell me and I'll get it for you. Otherwise, there are plenty of other supplies in that row boat for you to poke through. We will need to talk about our next heading when we emerge.  We don't know where we go next.  Think on it."  

He turns and hustles into the camp.  As he catches up to the others just inside, he slaps the goblin named Kurgaz on the shoulder.  "Kurgaz, keep a low profile in this place buddy.  That's a height joke. It was intentional. If you don't get it, don't worry, it probably just went over your head.  That's another height joke. You're welcome." 

Fulcra turns to look for the warrior who admitted them, "Thank you for the warm welcome to your lovely and well fortified camp!  My name is Fulcra, and these are my traveling companions. We seek shelter for the night and possibly to purchase some additional supplies if any are available. We also seek information of the surrounding areas.  In exchange, we bring you Undril here, an emissary of yours we found along the river.  We saved her life.  Your thanks, cheap supplies, and free information, plus maybe a lovely meal, maybe some light conversation, is thanks enough. But wait, there's more.  We also have two scrolls that I believe are meant for you."  With a flourish he reveals the two scrolls.  "We didn't even read them, though I have to say, i've been staring at them for hours on end hoping I learn how to open them without breaking the wax. Anyway. Here you go."  He holds out the two scrolls. 

(The jug is in Taman's pack.)

Taman has his pack and will help carry everything else as well.  He will also have the goblin help carry whatever is left.