Jovial Jungle Jaunt (ToA)

„Could you see any uniforms? Did the bodies have visible armor or weapons? Maybe those were the ones casting the spells. We should get the others, clear the dogs out and search the bodies. It might help us find out what killed them and what we might be facing.“

Boosey gives Allister a significant look.  "You realise whatever killed them might still be inside there, dogs or no dogs."  He looks back to the gate.  "I never noticed armour or weapons, though there was plenty of burnt red material there.  I didn't even get a chance to count the bodies, though there may well be even more deeper in the compound.  We should watch and wait a while before going inside."

„Those dogs look like scavengers, they only show up if there’s no immediate danger. If we wait any longer we have only bones and leftovers to investigate. I think we to hurry.“

Funderburk, noticing that Boosey and Allister stopped moving, cast his mind out in a direction towards them. Speaking to Allister he said, "What is wrong? Why has the move up stop? Need assistance?" 

Once his message was cast, he looked back to his two friends. "I sent a message to Allister and Boosey asking about the hold up." He looked back at the pair further ahead. "I wonder what is happening..."

„Dogs are scavenging some bodies, it’s quite a mess. Boosey wants to leave and come back later, I say we go in and salvage what we can.“

„Ok, change of plan.“ Allister looks around for a good position to shoot his crossbow. He finds a small tree stump, gets behind it and opens fire on the dogs. His first bolt hits one of the dogs in the neck. After a short yelp it falls to the ground, its blood quickly flowing out of the wound.

The yelping dog sends the other five dogs into a frenzy. Three of them quickly locate the fighter and come on growling and barking. The other two continue with their meal after a short intermission. The three dogs surround the fighter snapping and snarling, looking for opportune strikes.

Seeing the dogs coming at him at incredible speed Allister drops the crossbow and unsheathes his weapons. He stabs the dog, that is trying to bite at his throat, in the torso. He blade gets stuck, so he can’t pull it free for another attack, but uses a slash with his cutlass to slice the dog’s neck, that wanted to bite his calf, deeply in the neck. In the blink of an eye two dogs lie dead on the ground.

Seeing the attacking animals, the cleric edges closer to the scout party and fires off a crossbow bolt at the final dog standing. Attack: 17 Damage: 3

The bolt drops the dog to the ground with a yelp leaving the fighter clear of any immediate threats. A man can be heard shouting from inside the compound. He is yelling out for help, having heard the commotion.

With all three dogs dead on the ground Allister turns towards to the group waving at them to come closer and starts running towards to remaining dogs. 

The gnome grunts in frustration as Allister takes his first shot at one of the dogs, and quickly finds some cover himself, where he can see into the compound.  He looks over at the fighter and calls, confused at the voice in the compound "Does he want our help, or are we the problem?"

Boosey's shot comes at the moment the warrior's blade falls on the last mut. The two of them take it down together. With the dogs dispatched, they scan the area for the voice calling for help; the man sounds deseparate. The fighter's eye is drawn to a glaive has been thrust into remains of a burned-out pyre. Charred snake skulls and blackened inhuman vertebrae are lashed to the spear. Boosey takes note of a wall nearby, a symbol has been daubed in ash: a snake curled in a spiral, gripping a circle in its jaws. In a pile of rubble under the symbol is a waving arm accompanied by the calls for help.

Allister starts clearing the pile of rubble until he can pull the man out. Once he ist free Allister is vigilant again, scanning the man for weapon or any signs of aggressive behavior.

"Let's move," the cleric calls to the group behind her as she dashes to catch up to Allister and Boosey. After ensuring the two are uninjured, she follows their gaze to the waving arm in the rubble. Her eyes narrow and her amulet flares with a faint red light. (Eyes of the Grave)

Boosey helps Allister to clear the rubble away from the buried arm.  As Nenne approaches he spots her amulet start glowing, and he steps back from the rubble, readying his crossbow until the man is free and Allister is checking him over.  He glances at Nenne and back to the man.  "I think you better help us understand what's been going on here!.

When the man is free enough to be able to move, he crawls out of the rubble slowly. He has bruises and gashes from the caved in wall. Nenne's magical sight does not identify the man, nor any other source in the courtyard as undead. Still on his knees, the man says, "By the gods, I was sure I was going to die in there! Orvex Ocrammas at your service. Scribe and poet, I beg of thee, find a place for me beside you and your companions until a time when I find better -" He looks around at the city, then back up to the sun. "Water! You must have water. I would sell both my shoes and lick the arse of a calishite camel rider for but a taste of any water you can spare!"

Boosey pulls out his canteen and gives it to Orvex.  "Here," he says.  "Let's get you on your feet."  He offers his hand to help the man up and as they clasp hands he casts cure wounds (for 10 healing).  "Well Orvex, you've still not told us what happened here?"

Seeing the man being tended to Allister takes a closer look at the remains of the bodies. He tries to identify the wounds that lead to their deaths. He also looks to Funderburk and says „Can you look for magic? I don’t want this ash sign or any of remains of the pyre to have some surprises in store.“

The man drinks deeply from the canteen before accepting help to get up on his feet. He throws his head back and thrusts both hands into the air shouting, "Huzzah! You won't win this day, jungle!" He turns back to Boosey, continuing to shout, but realizes his level of noise and gradually dials it back down, "Did you see that!? The dogs were there and you all came in. Swoosh!" He makes a swooping motion with his hands as he talks, "Oghma, thank you for these blessed heroes!" He attempts to jump and thrust a fist into the air, but the motion is too much for him. His spirits are on high, but his body is very weak.

Orvex sobers a bit and looks around at the grisly scene around him before answering Boosey, "These were my fellows. Now they're gone. Simple as that. We were camped here in this complex because of the defense it could afford, but we weren't prepared for the snakes. Yuan-ti and snakes alike came in here shouting for us to leave or die. Naturally, my commander did the smart thing" he rolls his eyes, "and said we weren't going to leave. The fight erupted and before we knew it, some of our own men were fighting on their side. Several well placed fireballs ended the scuffle before it even began. I thought I was cursed to die in the rubble a slow and painful dehydrating death, but here you are. Wow, I would rather slap a lion's ass before dying that way." He goes around shaking as many hands as will allow, introducing himself to all of you, even though every introduction can be heard by anyone.