Taman seems not to have heard anything the others are saying. he has stop short, staring out into the distance, mouth open slightly in a look none of you have seen on his face before. He seems confused and a bit shocked. It takes a moment for his brain to register and take in what he has spotted. Then he glances to the others.
"Is that a ship?" He asks, pointing out into the forest.
"A... ship? In the jungle?" Knowing Taman, Cimeri did not expect the joke (and was happy to avoid the answer - for now at least - about those who followed them), so, she turned and tried to look into the forest with a touch exaggerated enthusiasm.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Bryn would listen to the chatter amongst the group to pass the time as they navigated for days. Though, she didn't like the feeling or the update that they're being watched. The druid would constantly be checking behind them and in the shadows in hopes of laying her eyes on this elusive watch.
"Bryn will follow to witch and to heart. There is much to learn."
She'd look confused at the mention of a boat then look towards the area Taman is pointing too.
"I must admit, I've not seen a heart before. I know where one is, where to stab it but I've never actually seen one, let alone a God's heart. I vote to see it," she says providing her input.
"Gods, would you all talk quieter. You'd think your yappering would wake the whole jungle." Fulcra rubs his temples gently, keeping his eyes shut. His stomach gurgles loudly. "Let's just go already....please, someone, go somewhere, anywhere..."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
Azaka steps forward next to look where Taman and Cimeri are gazing; the highland plateaus run some distance to the south, but beyond, in the jungle forests, is a brown-gray construction amongst the trees. It would certainly appear to be a shipwreck, caught in the canopy of the jungle. Seems its been there some time, the wood is aged and tattered remnants of sail flap in the breeze. She grunts. “I’ve not seen that before…but it is in a different direction than Orolunga. Same as the Heart of Ubtao. See there,” she points west across the plateau, to where it eventually ends and jungle begins again. Some 70 miles west, there is Orolunga, the ziggurat peeking through the trees. Now, look south; that shipwreck is perhaps 150 miles away. Now, look southeast, the Heart of Ubtao, it is around 100 miles east by southeast. If you are not hurried, you can see all those things. But we must first go to Orolunga.”
Azaka turns to Fulcra. “Weretigers hunt us. They found Purple One and I in the jungle outside Camp Vengeance. I know this clan of weretigers from personal experience. They are greater than us in number, not to mention simply more powerful. They hunt adventurers for sport; they wanted to take Purple One from me. I cut a deal with them: if they leave us alone until Orolunga – I will explain – after Orolunga I will fight their leader in single combat. They were appeased and did not kill us. I know what you are all thinking,” she finishes, turning mainly to Taman. “That we can run; that we can figure something out. We cannot. These are experienced hunters of people like yourselves, and there are more than one. I believe it is the entire pride.”
“I have had a long life, and Purple One, Cimeri, she has convinced me of your cause. I am happy to die for it. I will not be able to enter Orolunga with you, for I have already been. While you are inside, I will find the Longclaw pride and fight their leader. You will then leave Orolunga and be safe. Unless you are much stronger than I have yet seen, they will destroy you or enslave you if you come to my aid.”
She continues. “Orolunga holds a being of great wisdom. I take you to Saja N’baza. I believe she will know how to proceed with your quest. I do not lie to you.”
The rest of the evening passes uneventfully; the top of the plateau seems nearly devoid of life. An occasional flutter of something flying overhead can be heard, but otherwise you are left alone.
The next day you’re able to get a better look at your surroundings. From the gate and the piled human skulls, the view is of an ancient, ruined village. Signs of a protective palisade that once protected the area are visible, but the wood has all rotten down to stumps. The area is dotted with ruined huts and occasionally a ruin of a larger building. Most of the structures here appear to have been wood and thatch, and they're now just crumbling compost heaps demolished by rain, wind, and time. A few stone foundations and overgrown ramps poke up through the debris, indicating this was more than just a simple village; but this is just the view from the gate.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The view was absolutely breathtaking! Cimeri have never been in mountains before (actually, have never really been anywhere, period) and the feeling of that endless sky, the look of the threes under your feet - she could spent hours just standing on one spot looking at the jungle, so peaceful and beautiful from that distance. Unfortunately, like with almost any precious moment in life - one never has time to fully appreciate it, there is always something that has to be done that instant. Right now it was many things at once: Azaka's explanation - Cimeri said the very idea of Azaka's self-sacrifice was unacceptable to her, and she meant it. Then the witch and the whole place here, that despite the unbelievable beauty of surrounding, reeked of death. And finally - something was wrong with Fulcra. Cimeri saw many variations of him, but so far non of it was irritable or - she did not know even how to say it - whiny? Something was wrong. She stopped for a moment just to look him in the eye: "Are you all right?" (Insight: 15, Perception 7 )
Fulcra explains that he must have become overtired while climbing the plateau, or perhaps the height change caused a momentary sickness. Taman finds no malady when inspecting him, and is quite confident of his diagnosis. In any case, the next morning the pain is gone.
Fulcra smiles brightly in the morning as they face the ruins of the ancient village, "Wow. This place seems great. I feel great. Is it just me or is today wonderful? Let's go check this place out! I'm sure that witch is still around somewhere, this seems just the sort of place a witch would hang out in. Then we can head to Orlungo...or whatever, Azaka can defeat the leader of the ...um..weretiger?... pack, yikes and become the new weretiger princess of Chult, and we can go check out a weird boat in the trees....I mean. I'm excited, are you guys excited?"
He strolls confidently forward into the ruins ahead of the party.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
You wander the ruins for some time, an hour perhaps; the only structures of note are a cistern in the ‘village’ center, and a large, lone hut far away, the only intact structure on the plateau.
It’s about a thousand yards southwest of the gate, at the edge of a boulder field. The hut is made from thatch and animal hides stretched over the rib cage of an immense reptile. Animal skulls, wind chimes, and totems of feathers and shells rattle in the breeze, and smoke drifts from hut.
Celtra grew silent over the Azaka's plan. She did not like it, not at all. That said, she could not help but respect it. She did not know much about the jungle but she knew of pride and honor. What Azanka was doing was one of the most honorable things a person could do.
Finding a bit of time away from the others Celtra will approach Azanka. Pulling out her sheathed shortsword she will say, "I'm not here to convince you not to go through with your plan. It is an honorable thing you do and there should be no shame in it. I ask but two things but feel free to decline. The first, I offer up my shortsword should you wish to use it. If it is not your specialty that is fibr but the offer remains. The second is to take a token or such from you. An item to pass down to those that come after and tell of your bravery and sacrifice, I would even offer to deliver something back to your people should you wish it and we survive this all. Please do not fight me on this, it is the way."
"Seems like a less than appealing place." Taman says as he looks over the skulls and bones. he frowns as he tries to figure out what sort of witch this might be they are hear to speak with...
Bryn would hover over Taman's shoulders to check out the skulls and bones before moving on to the totems of feathers. She'd pick them up to inspect them closer.
Most certainly a hag of some kind. Give me a Religion check as well pls.
[Is anyone proficient in Religion? If so, give me a check pls]
As you enter the hut, you're struck by the scent of thick incense clouds; waving the smoke aside, you take in the interior. The immediate sight is that of an aarakockra, or bird man, of brilliant blue plumage that runs to yellow and finally red at the tips, kneeling before a body laid out in the center of the hut. The aarakockra's back and broad wings are facing you; the figure on the ground appears gnomish in stature, perhaps female. The body is posed as if dead, hands folded over the chest, long silver hair arranged under the head.
"More visitors," creaks a voice from a shrivelled body kneeling at the feet of the gnomish corpse; the body rises to its feet and shuffles slowly around the hut, hunched over in an animal-like posture. You realize it's a human woman: impossibly old, crippled by arthritis, blinded by cataracts. Her dark face and bald pate are outlined with streaks of yellow clay suggesting the shape of a skull-or perhaps it's her shriveled flesh creating that illusion.
"What an auspicious day, people coming to see Nanny Pu'pu!" cackles the crone with glee.
Fulcra examines the scene, "Did you say...Nanny Poo Poo? You must have had a tough time in school growing up with a name like that. Regardless, indeed, an auspicious day Nanny Poo Poo, I agree. In fact, when I woke up, I told my friends, auspicious day this will be! Well, not in so many words, but they took my meaning. Nanny...what is wrong with this Gnome? It looks...like it's having a terrible week." Fulcra turns to the Aarakocra, "Oh, hey, I didn't see you there. Hi. My name's Fulcra. Obviously I saw you there, that's a joke. You're a giant bird man, how could I NOT see you there. Right? Pleasure to meet you. What brings you to the big N.P.P here? This your friend having the terrible week?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
At least Fulcra was truly back - some constant in this ever-changing world. The bird person on the floor was the second aarakockra Cimeri saw close in her life. Not that she begun to understand Chord, but those wings and the colours were indeed beautiful and in a striking contrast with the sad picture - a small dead body on the floor. Cimeri did not understand a thing about magic but it looked like they came in time to witness the miracle of resurrection. If the whole thing was true, of course.
Cimeri did not interrupt the talk, and just a bit awkwardly greeted Nanny and apologized for intrusion to everyone present.
Taman seems not to have heard anything the others are saying. he has stop short, staring out into the distance, mouth open slightly in a look none of you have seen on his face before. He seems confused and a bit shocked. It takes a moment for his brain to register and take in what he has spotted. Then he glances to the others.
"Is that a ship?" He asks, pointing out into the forest.
"A... ship? In the jungle?" Knowing Taman, Cimeri did not expect the joke (and was happy to avoid the answer - for now at least - about those who followed them), so, she turned and tried to look into the forest with a touch exaggerated enthusiasm.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Bryn would listen to the chatter amongst the group to pass the time as they navigated for days. Though, she didn't like the feeling or the update that they're being watched. The druid would constantly be checking behind them and in the shadows in hopes of laying her eyes on this elusive watch.
"Bryn will follow to witch and to heart. There is much to learn."
She'd look confused at the mention of a boat then look towards the area Taman is pointing too.
Perception: 18
just an unstable unicorn.
"I must admit, I've not seen a heart before. I know where one is, where to stab it but I've never actually seen one, let alone a God's heart. I vote to see it," she says providing her input.
"Gods, would you all talk quieter. You'd think your yappering would wake the whole jungle." Fulcra rubs his temples gently, keeping his eyes shut. His stomach gurgles loudly. "Let's just go already....please, someone, go somewhere, anywhere..."
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Azaka steps forward next to look where Taman and Cimeri are gazing; the highland plateaus run some distance to the south, but beyond, in the jungle forests, is a brown-gray construction amongst the trees. It would certainly appear to be a shipwreck, caught in the canopy of the jungle. Seems its been there some time, the wood is aged and tattered remnants of sail flap in the breeze. She grunts. “I’ve not seen that before…but it is in a different direction than Orolunga. Same as the Heart of Ubtao. See there,” she points west across the plateau, to where it eventually ends and jungle begins again. Some 70 miles west, there is Orolunga, the ziggurat peeking through the trees. Now, look south; that shipwreck is perhaps 150 miles away. Now, look southeast, the Heart of Ubtao, it is around 100 miles east by southeast. If you are not hurried, you can see all those things. But we must first go to Orolunga.”
Azaka turns to Fulcra. “Weretigers hunt us. They found Purple One and I in the jungle outside Camp Vengeance. I know this clan of weretigers from personal experience. They are greater than us in number, not to mention simply more powerful. They hunt adventurers for sport; they wanted to take Purple One from me. I cut a deal with them: if they leave us alone until Orolunga – I will explain – after Orolunga I will fight their leader in single combat. They were appeased and did not kill us. I know what you are all thinking,” she finishes, turning mainly to Taman. “That we can run; that we can figure something out. We cannot. These are experienced hunters of people like yourselves, and there are more than one. I believe it is the entire pride.”
“I have had a long life, and Purple One, Cimeri, she has convinced me of your cause. I am happy to die for it. I will not be able to enter Orolunga with you, for I have already been. While you are inside, I will find the Longclaw pride and fight their leader. You will then leave Orolunga and be safe. Unless you are much stronger than I have yet seen, they will destroy you or enslave you if you come to my aid.”
She continues. “Orolunga holds a being of great wisdom. I take you to Saja N’baza. I believe she will know how to proceed with your quest. I do not lie to you.”
The rest of the evening passes uneventfully; the top of the plateau seems nearly devoid of life. An occasional flutter of something flying overhead can be heard, but otherwise you are left alone.
The next day you’re able to get a better look at your surroundings. From the gate and the piled human skulls, the view is of an ancient, ruined village. Signs of a protective palisade that once protected the area are visible, but the wood has all rotten down to stumps. The area is dotted with ruined huts and occasionally a ruin of a larger building. Most of the structures here appear to have been wood and thatch, and they're now just crumbling compost heaps demolished by rain, wind, and time. A few stone foundations and overgrown ramps poke up through the debris, indicating this was more than just a simple village; but this is just the view from the gate.
What do you do?
The view was absolutely breathtaking! Cimeri have never been in mountains before (actually, have never really been anywhere, period) and the feeling of that endless sky, the look of the threes under your feet - she could spent hours just standing on one spot looking at the jungle, so peaceful and beautiful from that distance. Unfortunately, like with almost any precious moment in life - one never has time to fully appreciate it, there is always something that has to be done that instant. Right now it was many things at once: Azaka's explanation - Cimeri said the very idea of Azaka's self-sacrifice was unacceptable to her, and she meant it. Then the witch and the whole place here, that despite the unbelievable beauty of surrounding, reeked of death. And finally - something was wrong with Fulcra. Cimeri saw many variations of him, but so far non of it was irritable or - she did not know even how to say it - whiny? Something was wrong. She stopped for a moment just to look him in the eye: "Are you all right?" (Insight: 15, Perception 7 )
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Frowning, Taman moves over as well and checks out Fulcra.
Medicine: 20
Fulcra explains that he must have become overtired while climbing the plateau, or perhaps the height change caused a momentary sickness. Taman finds no malady when inspecting him, and is quite confident of his diagnosis. In any case, the next morning the pain is gone.
Fulcra smiles brightly in the morning as they face the ruins of the ancient village, "Wow. This place seems great. I feel great. Is it just me or is today wonderful? Let's go check this place out! I'm sure that witch is still around somewhere, this seems just the sort of place a witch would hang out in. Then we can head to Orlungo...or whatever, Azaka can defeat the leader of the ...um..weretiger?... pack, yikes and become the new weretiger princess of Chult, and we can go check out a weird boat in the trees....I mean. I'm excited, are you guys excited?"
He strolls confidently forward into the ruins ahead of the party.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
[HAPPY 1000th post!]
You wander the ruins for some time, an hour perhaps; the only structures of note are a cistern in the ‘village’ center, and a large, lone hut far away, the only intact structure on the plateau.
It’s about a thousand yards southwest of the gate, at the edge of a boulder field. The hut is made from thatch and animal hides stretched over the rib cage of an immense reptile. Animal skulls, wind chimes, and totems of feathers and shells rattle in the breeze, and smoke drifts from hut.
Celtra grew silent over the Azaka's plan. She did not like it, not at all. That said, she could not help but respect it. She did not know much about the jungle but she knew of pride and honor. What Azanka was doing was one of the most honorable things a person could do.
Finding a bit of time away from the others Celtra will approach Azanka. Pulling out her sheathed shortsword she will say, "I'm not here to convince you not to go through with your plan. It is an honorable thing you do and there should be no shame in it. I ask but two things but feel free to decline. The first, I offer up my shortsword should you wish to use it. If it is not your specialty that is fibr but the offer remains. The second is to take a token or such from you. An item to pass down to those that come after and tell of your bravery and sacrifice, I would even offer to deliver something back to your people should you wish it and we survive this all. Please do not fight me on this, it is the way."
At the hut...
"Seems like a less than appealing place." Taman says as he looks over the skulls and bones. he frowns as he tries to figure out what sort of witch this might be they are hear to speak with...
Arcana: 26
Bryn would hover over Taman's shoulders to check out the skulls and bones before moving on to the totems of feathers. She'd pick them up to inspect them closer.
just an unstable unicorn.
Fulcra wanders past Taman and Byrn into the lone hut, whistling.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
@Taman:
Most certainly a hag of some kind. Give me a Religion check as well pls.
[Is anyone proficient in Religion? If so, give me a check pls]
As you enter the hut, you're struck by the scent of thick incense clouds; waving the smoke aside, you take in the interior. The immediate sight is that of an aarakockra, or bird man, of brilliant blue plumage that runs to yellow and finally red at the tips, kneeling before a body laid out in the center of the hut. The aarakockra's back and broad wings are facing you; the figure on the ground appears gnomish in stature, perhaps female. The body is posed as if dead, hands folded over the chest, long silver hair arranged under the head.
"More visitors," creaks a voice from a shrivelled body kneeling at the feet of the gnomish corpse; the body rises to its feet and shuffles slowly around the hut, hunched over in an animal-like posture. You realize it's a human woman: impossibly old, crippled by arthritis, blinded by cataracts. Her dark face and bald pate are outlined with streaks of yellow clay suggesting the shape of a skull-or perhaps it's her shriveled flesh creating that illusion.
"What an auspicious day, people coming to see Nanny Pu'pu!" cackles the crone with glee.
Taman religion: 22
Fulcra examines the scene, "Did you say...Nanny Poo Poo? You must have had a tough time in school growing up with a name like that. Regardless, indeed, an auspicious day Nanny Poo Poo, I agree. In fact, when I woke up, I told my friends, auspicious day this will be! Well, not in so many words, but they took my meaning. Nanny...what is wrong with this Gnome? It looks...like it's having a terrible week." Fulcra turns to the Aarakocra, "Oh, hey, I didn't see you there. Hi. My name's Fulcra. Obviously I saw you there, that's a joke. You're a giant bird man, how could I NOT see you there. Right? Pleasure to meet you. What brings you to the big N.P.P here? This your friend having the terrible week?"
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
At least Fulcra was truly back - some constant in this ever-changing world. The bird person on the floor was the second aarakockra Cimeri saw close in her life. Not that she begun to understand Chord, but those wings and the colours were indeed beautiful and in a striking contrast with the sad picture - a small dead body on the floor. Cimeri did not understand a thing about magic but it looked like they came in time to witness the miracle of resurrection. If the whole thing was true, of course.
Cimeri did not interrupt the talk, and just a bit awkwardly greeted Nanny and apologized for intrusion to everyone present.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
You recognize several stylized symbols of Myrkul