Jovial Jungle Jaunt (ToA)

"I agree with Mr. Boosey. Staying here, we might just end up like the Troll once was." He looked back to where the Troll had left. "It is weird however. I thought Trolls always traveled in trios..." Funderburk just shrugged and continued on their way, hoping that their next distraction would at least be a good one. 

Not even an hour later, another patch of blue mist is discovered drifting among the trees and underbrush. It is currently rolling smoothly into a small trench ahead of the party and would be easily avoidable.

As there is no need to go near the mist Allister recommends to walk around it. „Or does anyone take a look this time? Maybe Dunkling will find anything.“

While everyone is looking at their options a canoe is spotted near the bottom of the trench to the far left of the rolling mist.

"We should leave this mist well alone, besides we've had enough problems today!", Boosey says to the group.  He spots the canoe, and walks over to it, standing on the lip of the trench and looking down at it in curiosity.  "What an odd place for a canoe, and no mistake." 9 Investigation if needed

Boosey:

"I'd sooner avoid it than not," the cleric says, "though I admit my curiosity toward it hasn't waned. The wizard said it was necrotic energy, yes? What do you think would happen if it was met with radiant energy?"

Boosey returns to the group.  "It's a bit worrying that there is a boat here, and no river nearby.  Should we be wary of flooding?  It must happen very quickly at times."  To Nenne he says, "I can't be any help with that kind of magic.  Not my area of expertise.  Might it be worth a try though?"

„If there is flooding and that brought the canoe here, there has to be a settlement nearby. Or some strange magical occurrence brought it here. Anyway, we better not waste nay more time.“

Funderburk tilt his head, looking af Boosey then to the mist. "This idea might sound particular, but possibly we may try healing magic on it as well? I suggest we spend little time here, but trying the type of spell Mr. Boosey had suggested and a easy (low level) healing spell might give a reaction of within the clouds."

Funderburk, reaching his hand to pat the top of his head where Dunkling laid, awoke the familiar. Upon awakening, it immediately jumped downwards to the ground and headed inside the mist. "While you two poor the magic, Miss Nenne and Mr. Boosey, I will be inside of the mist; in the case that nothing happens on the outside, but within."

With that Funderburk closed his eyes, leaned on this staff, and began to look through Dunkling.

Experimentation with the blue mist proves to be a fruitless endeavor and after some time the party finds themselves camped several miles from there. The long day has worn on the five companions and the rest is welcomed with open arms.

Day 52-55

These days are accompanied by varied amounts of rain as the ground slopes gently uphill from the swampy basin. On the morning of day 55, Boosey has found himself without sleep yet again, but this time his dreams were of utter discomfort and the taste of iron still persists in his mouth from the dream. In his dreams an iron bar was holding his mouth open as if some restraint like on a horse's bridle. Luckily enough for the gnome, nothing opposed the party's trek through the jungle the rest of that day.

Day 56-60

These days see far too much rain  the beginning, but it slacks off to a dry spell on day 60. Humid clouds hang low all about the jungle as the sun flirts with all of the freshly fallen rain covering everything. Tensions are up as Nenne feels like this area has got to be close to where Omu is marked on the map. The party zig zags through the jungle searching miles and miles with no reward. Doubt creeps in as to whether Valindra was being honest about the ruin's location as the party camps that night.

Day 61

The fog clouds from the previous day persist into the morning hours of day 61, but have gone by mid day. Suddenly, the jungle parts to reveal a dead city enclosed by sheer cliffs. Ruined buildings and stone boulevards rise like ghosts from the floor of the misty basin. Colorful birds glide overhead. A waterfall pours into the basin, creating a swollen river that floods much of the city before draining into a deep rift filled with molten lava. A ruined palace lies a few hundred feet from the edge of the steaming abyss. It seems Valindra was honest about at least one thing, however the jungle seemed to hold the place a secret almost as if it did not want the ruined city to be found. Dozens, maybe even hundreds, of vine-draped gargoyles perch on the clifftop, staring down at the ruined city. Each has the face of a devil, with its mouth agape in a silent scream. The scene below promises beauty and adventure, but the leering gargoyles give a silent voice to what each of the five companions are thinking: Somewhere down there an artifact is claiming the souls of the world.

"Beware the gargoyles," Nenne says, pointing to ensure her friends take note of them. "Eku was sober in her warning of those." She says a quiet prayer of thanks to Kelemvor for protecting their journey and looks at the group when she is done. "So, what shall we do now?"

„Find a suitable place for a base camp, preferably a dry spot, scout the surroundings, clear out any immidiate threats, and start looking for the curse. Or hints leading towards it.“

"Though I know we seek the source of the Curse here, I would like to explore the city some as well. The buildings are of old Chult and I would rather be stricken down by undead than miss the opportunity to see and learn more about my home. Just think of the history and treasure lying within those walls–shall we take refuge in one?"

Sthara looks out from where they stand attempting to spot one in particular that is both seemingly easy to secure and defend during an attack, but also located, such that exploration might be made easier (Perception: 17).

Sthara surveys the scene, but it's too hard to tell from this height. She does spot the large staircase to the south however. It looks to be some sort of proper entryway down into the lost city.

„The treasure part is interesting, but that part about being killed undead... speak for yourself, I won’t feed some ghoul or ghast you to satisfy anyone’s curiosity. We took a great risk traveling without Eku to save time, and only thanks to Tymora´s blessing and Nenne´s astonishing skills as a scout we were able to brave the wilderness unscathed. Now is not the time for idle sightseeing. If this is the source of the curse, these ruins will be inhabited by all sorts of evil, let’s focus on getting in and out alive. I’m going to search for a camp site now. Anybody wanna join me?“

Boosey gives a shudder at the gargoyles.  "So somewhere down in that ruin is the soulmonger.  Where do we even start looking?"  He looks to the sorcerer.  "I agree, Sthara, we should explore the city and try to find a central building suitable to use for a base. Even so, it may be wise to camp here tonight, there could be all sorts of nasty things down there."  He looks back at the gargoyles.  "Those things give me the creeps".

He walks over to Nenne and places his hand on her arm, giving her a grateful smile.  "You got us here, and in one piece my friend.  It seems that anything is possible in jungles of Chult," giving her a crooked grin.  "Honestly, I cannot tell you how grateful I am.  Thank you."  He turns to the city.  "Something tell me, though that this may turn out to be the difficult part of our journey."

Funderburk looks at the ruined city from their position, then to his friends. "I agree with Boosey about camping here until dawn. We will also be given the opportunity to discuss our plans about the... soulmounger without any..."with that he waves his hands in the air, hoping his friends would get what he means.

"I'll start by making our hut. From there we can discuss."

"This city is enormous," Nenne says, squinting at the ruined structures dotting the landscape. "There could be all manner of unhospitable creatures here, not just undead. Our wisest course of action is to set up a defensible base of operations away from those gargoyles, familiarize ourselves with the byways, and strategize how we might locate this object." 

She scans around her for any building that looks like it could provide decent protection. (Perception 15 or Investigation 9). She also grasps her holy symbol and invokes Eyes of the Grave.