The cleric, a tall eladrin woman with bluish skin and white hair, nods solemnly. "It seems our mission is the same," she says. Silver highlights appear in her hair as her expression grows slightly more forlorn. "And our misfortunes, though yours seem to have been greater. My condolences on your loss."
She gestures toward the obelisk. "We have been investigating the temples in this city and they all seem to lead here. It is possible answers to the death curse mystery are hidden somewhere on these grounds."
"Getting straight to the point. I like that. Do you have a safe camp in this city? If not I suggest we go to our camp. We can have a talk, and if you have some spirits in your pack I would beg for a sip."
"I do not, I have been wandering the city trying to avoid the monsters. When I heard combat, I had hoped I might find allies. I agree it seems like there are answers here."
Lemon pipes up suddenly after Allister, "An' if ye have some ale or mead as well." He rubs his hands together and licks his lips. "Ah. How me lips miss the sweef taste of mead and ale."
A dark skinned woman, obviously a native to Chult, comes out of the smaller tunnel, taking a feather out of her hair. She places the colorful feather at the entrance to the tunnel before coming over to greet the fresh face. There can be no doubt in Alynoa's mind that this woman favors the bow. She has several quivers strapped to herself in various places and carries two shortbows, only one of which is strug at the moment.
She approaches Alynoa with a sincere look and a pleasant greeting, "I would have to agree with Allister, in that it is most fortunate to find a friendly face in this forgotten city. It seems as if most everything here is trying to eat or kill us. My name is Eku. I have been a guide to most of these people throughout their jungle trek. The shrines that Nenne was referring to seem to all have these cubes in them. They are not free for the taking, as the shrines have been nefariously trapped, but they seem to be the only treasures found within. There is a stone slab inside that cave," She nods to the larger opening, "that bears eight cubbies convieniently large enough for the cubes we have been collecting."
She lets that sink in for a moment before adding, "Nenne said she can feel a darkness stirring here. This leads me to believe the Soulmonger is either on the other side of that stone slab, or is somehow hidden within this obelisk." She motions to the black stone obelisk near her shot through with angry red streaks like lightning.
"There is much we know and should not speak aloud freely," Nenne says, casting a somewhat chiding look at Eku. "We are not the only ones with designs on these cubes. Agents of Ras Nsi and of Thay are here as well." She lowers her voice and looks at Alynoa. "Have you any knowledge of the arcane? There are some runes on this obelisk we were unable to identify."
She subtly indicates their location on the monument as she walks toward the body of the slain yuan-ti. She proceeds to inspect it.
Nenne notes the increasing agitation of the gargoyles and proceeds to drag the yuan-ti's corpse away from the obelisk in an effort to appease them. When she's far enough from it, she kneels and takes out her prayer book.
"We can return home or continue our exploration," she says, calmly flipping pages. "I have no opinion. Only allow me to ensure this creature won't attack us again as Ras Nsi's ghoul." She then lights some incense and begins to sing a quiet dirge. Ten minutes later, her amulet glows red and she taps the slain creature, casting Gentle Repose. When she's done, she rises.
"He had a decent weapon and some coin, should anyone be lacking," she says dispassionately. "Now friends, what is our destination?"
„How about we return to our camp, we get to know each other, give Alyona the big picture, and then we prepare for the infiltration of the yuan-ti cave?“
The bard stares down into the passage where Sthara disappeared. "Another friend gone," he mutters to himself. "This cursed place will be the death of us all." He lingers a moment longer, as if in hope that Sthara might reappear before turning to the others. It takes a moment for him to register the newcomer.
A gnome of pale complexion, with piercing blue eyes and a mop of wild brown hair approaches Alyona. He has worn travelling clothes, having lost his local garb to acid from one of the shrines and as well as a shortsword hanging through a frog attached to his belt he has a crossbow on his back next to a quiver with some silvered bolts. He gives the newcomer a respectful bow. "That was quite some entrance," he says looking towards the giant snakes felled by Alyona. "Your arrival is most welcome, though tinged with sadness as we have lost a friend today. Thank you for your aid, we would be most glad if you could join us. I...I'm sorry about your party, we have begun to realise that this city is deadly in so many different ways. Perhaps when we make camp I could hear your, and their stories?"
He looks to Allister and nods in agreement. "We should go," he says simply.
Three hours later the party finds themselves back in the walled compound where it feels a bit safer in this lost jungle city. The rain slacks up some on the way, but the building continues to leak in random spots. Eku gets to work building a fire beside a drying rack for clothing and gear.
Nenne gestures to the magically-preserved body of Funderburk, resting in honor in the corner of the room, and says to Alynoa, "Our own fallen friend. I cannot bring myself to bury him with the abominations outside." She folds her arms comfortable and nods toward the human woman. "Tell us your story. How did you come to be on this quest? What have you seen of Omu?"
"I haven't seen much. I was paid to come here for an old adventurer I know. Me and the other people who had been hired to stop this ran into trouble as soon as we entered. The Yuan-Ti were merciless. Out of the five of us, I was the only one who survived. I have been hiding out in the abandoned structures avoiding them since."
„That sounds like our first experience with this city. Except for that we found a camp of slaughtered Red Wizards and arrived after the massacre. Unfortunately not all of them were killed, at least four are still alive. We encountered them once near a shrine, where they took their guide back. By the way, if you see a tall, thin balding guy with a grey beard, don’t attack him, he is a friend. But the yuan-ti pose a bigger threat. We know where their lair is. We plan to pay them a visit, they have two of the cubes we need to gain access to the Soulmonger. We cannot pay you but if you want to take revenge on the yuan-ti you are more than welcome to accompany us.“
"You should also be aware of another threat that may arise," Nenne adds as a flush of restrained anger turns her cheeks vaguely fuchsia. "In order to learn the location of this city, we had to enter into an agreement with a lich, Valindra. We promised to find the Soulmonger for her in exchange for its coordinates, and she promised to retrieve it from us once we were successful. It is likely we are being watched at any moment - by Ras Nsi, by the Thayans, and by her."
Nenne's skin turns even more fuchsia. "It was not by choice, trust us," she spits. "It was the only way we could escape with our lives." Once she's calmer, she adds, "Who is your employer, if I might ask?"
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The cleric, a tall eladrin woman with bluish skin and white hair, nods solemnly. "It seems our mission is the same," she says. Silver highlights appear in her hair as her expression grows slightly more forlorn. "And our misfortunes, though yours seem to have been greater. My condolences on your loss."
She gestures toward the obelisk. "We have been investigating the temples in this city and they all seem to lead here. It is possible answers to the death curse mystery are hidden somewhere on these grounds."
"Getting straight to the point. I like that. Do you have a safe camp in this city? If not I suggest we go to our camp. We can have a talk, and if you have some spirits in your pack I would beg for a sip."
"I do not, I have been wandering the city trying to avoid the monsters. When I heard combat, I had hoped I might find allies. I agree it seems like there are answers here."
Lemon pipes up suddenly after Allister, "An' if ye have some ale or mead as well." He rubs his hands together and licks his lips. "Ah. How me lips miss the sweef taste of mead and ale."
Made you look.
A dark skinned woman, obviously a native to Chult, comes out of the smaller tunnel, taking a feather out of her hair. She places the colorful feather at the entrance to the tunnel before coming over to greet the fresh face. There can be no doubt in Alynoa's mind that this woman favors the bow. She has several quivers strapped to herself in various places and carries two shortbows, only one of which is strug at the moment.
She approaches Alynoa with a sincere look and a pleasant greeting, "I would have to agree with Allister, in that it is most fortunate to find a friendly face in this forgotten city. It seems as if most everything here is trying to eat or kill us. My name is Eku. I have been a guide to most of these people throughout their jungle trek. The shrines that Nenne was referring to seem to all have these cubes in them. They are not free for the taking, as the shrines have been nefariously trapped, but they seem to be the only treasures found within. There is a stone slab inside that cave," She nods to the larger opening, "that bears eight cubbies convieniently large enough for the cubes we have been collecting."
She lets that sink in for a moment before adding, "Nenne said she can feel a darkness stirring here. This leads me to believe the Soulmonger is either on the other side of that stone slab, or is somehow hidden within this obelisk." She motions to the black stone obelisk near her shot through with angry red streaks like lightning.
"There is much we know and should not speak aloud freely," Nenne says, casting a somewhat chiding look at Eku. "We are not the only ones with designs on these cubes. Agents of Ras Nsi and of Thay are here as well." She lowers her voice and looks at Alynoa. "Have you any knowledge of the arcane? There are some runes on this obelisk we were unable to identify."
She subtly indicates their location on the monument as she walks toward the body of the slain yuan-ti. She proceeds to inspect it.
The gargoyles shift in their perches again. More vines snap loose and small rocks tumble away as they free themselves a bit more.
"If you don´t plan on releasing the gargoyles you better take a few steps back."
Nenne notes the increasing agitation of the gargoyles and proceeds to drag the yuan-ti's corpse away from the obelisk in an effort to appease them. When she's far enough from it, she kneels and takes out her prayer book.
"We can return home or continue our exploration," she says, calmly flipping pages. "I have no opinion. Only allow me to ensure this creature won't attack us again as Ras Nsi's ghoul." She then lights some incense and begins to sing a quiet dirge. Ten minutes later, her amulet glows red and she taps the slain creature, casting Gentle Repose. When she's done, she rises.
"He had a decent weapon and some coin, should anyone be lacking," she says dispassionately. "Now friends, what is our destination?"
„How about we return to our camp, we get to know each other, give Alyona the big picture, and then we prepare for the infiltration of the yuan-ti cave?“
"I'm afraid I won't be much help with the arcane. I would love to be caught up on the big picture and then if we have next move, I am all ears."
The bard stares down into the passage where Sthara disappeared. "Another friend gone," he mutters to himself. "This cursed place will be the death of us all." He lingers a moment longer, as if in hope that Sthara might reappear before turning to the others. It takes a moment for him to register the newcomer.
A gnome of pale complexion, with piercing blue eyes and a mop of wild brown hair approaches Alyona. He has worn travelling clothes, having lost his local garb to acid from one of the shrines and as well as a shortsword hanging through a frog attached to his belt he has a crossbow on his back next to a quiver with some silvered bolts. He gives the newcomer a respectful bow. "That was quite some entrance," he says looking towards the giant snakes felled by Alyona. "Your arrival is most welcome, though tinged with sadness as we have lost a friend today. Thank you for your aid, we would be most glad if you could join us. I...I'm sorry about your party, we have begun to realise that this city is deadly in so many different ways. Perhaps when we make camp I could hear your, and their stories?"
He looks to Allister and nods in agreement. "We should go," he says simply.
Three hours later the party finds themselves back in the walled compound where it feels a bit safer in this lost jungle city. The rain slacks up some on the way, but the building continues to leak in random spots. Eku gets to work building a fire beside a drying rack for clothing and gear.
Nenne gestures to the magically-preserved body of Funderburk, resting in honor in the corner of the room, and says to Alynoa, "Our own fallen friend. I cannot bring myself to bury him with the abominations outside." She folds her arms comfortable and nods toward the human woman. "Tell us your story. How did you come to be on this quest? What have you seen of Omu?"
"I haven't seen much. I was paid to come here for an old adventurer I know. Me and the other people who had been hired to stop this ran into trouble as soon as we entered. The Yuan-Ti were merciless. Out of the five of us, I was the only one who survived. I have been hiding out in the abandoned structures avoiding them since."
„That sounds like our first experience with this city. Except for that we found a camp of slaughtered Red Wizards and arrived after the massacre. Unfortunately not all of them were killed, at least four are still alive. We encountered them once near a shrine, where they took their guide back. By the way, if you see a tall, thin balding guy with a grey beard, don’t attack him, he is a friend. But the yuan-ti pose a bigger threat. We know where their lair is. We plan to pay them a visit, they have two of the cubes we need to gain access to the Soulmonger. We cannot pay you but if you want to take revenge on the yuan-ti you are more than welcome to accompany us.“
"You should also be aware of another threat that may arise," Nenne adds as a flush of restrained anger turns her cheeks vaguely fuchsia. "In order to learn the location of this city, we had to enter into an agreement with a lich, Valindra. We promised to find the Soulmonger for her in exchange for its coordinates, and she promised to retrieve it from us once we were successful. It is likely we are being watched at any moment - by Ras Nsi, by the Thayans, and by her."
Eku gives Nenne a look caught somewhere between disappointment and understanding. She shakes her head and goes back to stoking the fire.
"You made a deal with a LICH? We might actually get along better than I had thought, although I am here to destroy the Soulmonger for my employer."
Nenne's skin turns even more fuchsia. "It was not by choice, trust us," she spits. "It was the only way we could escape with our lives." Once she's calmer, she adds, "Who is your employer, if I might ask?"