(Do not think we have to rush through the unknown territory. Slow and quiet seems more reasonable, though, not sure how quiet we are considering the chopping.)
As the saying goes, There are three things you can watch forever: fire burning, water falling, and other people working. If not for the heavy air, insects and the necessity to move through all of this, the show would be simply magnificent! But as serene and enjoyable as it was, Mirica did remember to help the one navigating that green mess that locals no doubts call "forest". (Guidance on the Navigator)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Despite the monotony of the task and all the activity, Xemnez slowly but surely grew accustomed to most of it. The heat, on the otherhand, was.... he'd grumble much throughout the journey, but otherwise kept complaints to himself. But if ever the group encountered a river or other source of water in their journey, there's at least a lingering pause from the Leonin before duty or the wisdom of others propelled him ever forward again, and at whatever speed the others are of a mind to do so. With any luck, the ambient noises of the jungle could in theory drown out any necessary chopping on his part...
Con Save #1(DC ??): 27.
Con Save #2(DC ??): 13.
If Going at a slow pace/stealthing and a roll is necessary, see spoiler. Otherwise ignore it:
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Simaal con saves 22, 13. "I think we should move at an average speed, as much as I'd like to say to move slowly, the more time we take, the more time forces move against us. Sadly I am not well suited surviving in this terrain."
Xemnez slices his way through the jungle that teems with life. When the bush allows, Thyrius ranges ahead of the group a bit, like a ghost amidst the trees. Around noon the clouds pass overhead bringing with them a light misting that coats everything in moisture. Your sweat soaked clothes becomes drenched as you brush by leaves and branches. Everything is moist and chaffing in sensitive areas becomes an annoyance. But hero's don't stop for chaffing. You make steady, but slow progress through the thick underbrush. Bugs bite and sting despite your protection, and the oppressive heat and thick moist air is constant. Areas of thin grey mist cling to the low lying areas. Your hope to see dinosaurs in this vast, jungle clogged land goes unrequited until late afternoon. Thyrius appears from before the group, a finger held over his lips, and ushers the group forward. You climb up a short rise and see a patch of jungle on the side of a hill. Amidst the bush are a group of ten lizards standing about on two legs. They stand about eight feet tall, and have short claw capped arms and a long tail for balance. They are fulled of bunched muscles and their jaws full of sharp teeth. The look about with surprisingly intelligent eyes, but haven't noticed the approach of the group. As you observe, you hear them communicating with clicks and growls...coordinating what obviously is a hunting party. With a few final noises they creep off up the hill, spreading out. What they're hunting isn't immediately obvious through the thick bush, but you're glad it isn't you.
With your first, well, actually second dinosaur experience under your belt you continue on. The mountains in front of you rise up as you travel and now obscure any view of the volcano that stands behind them. Eventually when you catch a view of the sky, only the towering mountains can be seen, not even the smoke from the volcano beyond.
Xemnez, with muscles burning and a parched mouth is starting to consider trying to find a suitable place to camp that isn't on a slope....when Toc speaks up from mid-way through the party's line.
"What the hell are you looking at?" he says a bit too loudly. He seems to be staring off to one side, down into the bushes. He glances at Simaal who's standing nearby, "I don't know if it's following us or what, I don't know what it's problem is." He motions casually to a clearly empty spot in the jungle a few dozen paces from him.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
Thyrius is glad his scouting prowess helped the group advance swiftly and avoid a violent encounter with jungle lizards.
Curious about what Toc might be pointing at, Thyrius looks at the spot the wizard is indicating. If it would be helpful, he'd activate Ghostly Gaze, allowing him to see through the brush. He'd also consider approaching silently (stealth: 37).
Ghostly Gaze:
As an action, you gain the ability to see through solid objects to a range of 30 feet. Within that range, you have darkvision if you don’t already have it. This special sight lasts for 1 minute or until your concentration ends (as if you were concentrating on a spell). During that time, you perceive objects as ghostly, transparent images.
Once you use this invocation, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Under normal circumstances, one could assume that Toc was talking to some imaginary friend. But not for this group and their task. Mirica looked in the same direction (Perception 25 + 2), not hoping, though, to notice anything. "Who is there, Toc? Who is following us?"
Neither Thyrius, nor Mirica see anything at all out of the ordinary. Toc looks to Mirica and gestures to the empty space, “These blue monkeys that keep following us.” He glances back at the spot, then looks around , “Well it’s gone now. But it was there a second ago. They’ve been following us for the last hour. They’re easy to spot, given that they’re blue.” He shrugs and seems ready to move on.
Nuzej begins ritually casting detect magic while they walk, his brow furrowing at Toc. He pulls out the medallion of detect thoughts, pauses, and then returns it under his shirt. He looks at Mirica, and continues ritually casting.
Mirica stopped studying the empty spot and looked at Toc more intently with a professional interest. Then she smiled and in her most calm even voice suggested. "You know, guys, I think we need a short rest. I'm sure Xemnez can appreciate a break and while we are resting, Toc, would you mind if I put a couple of wards on you? To keep those pesky blue monkeys away."She did not really need Toc's agreement, but any healer can confirm that a cooperative patient is far more preferable.
Mirica looked around to find a spot with some shade and then tried to gently guide Toc there. ((Can roll Athletics if needed)) "Look, a perfect place to sit and rest for a while. Now let us see what can be done about the monkeys..."
Toc frowns at Mirica, "Look, I don't need to be handled, I'm not an infant. If you're telling me that none of you have seen any blue monkeys, and that this is some sorta weird jungle affliction, then fine, do you're thing. But I'm certain there are blue monkeys trailing us and I don't why."
He sits back looking a bit waspish while she casts her healing spells. He looks at her and says, "Feel better? I feel no different. But if there are no more blue monkeys then either you were right, I was hallicuniting blue monkeys, or...they just stopped following us. Either way I suppose it will become a non-issue. But...if I see another one, I'll make sure I point it and out and keep an eye on it, so you stop treating me like I'm crazy."
A couple of hours later the group has set camp and everyone sits around eating some sort of hearty and delicious meal produced by Xemnez, leveraging his supply of spices and seasonings. As everyone sits around, nobody mentions blue monkeys and Toc steadfastly ignores any questions about wether he's seen any since Mirica's healing was applied.
What does become obvious during the evening rest is that you've all gone through a tremendous amount of water during the day. Toc says, "I have access to several barrels of fresh water, on a demi-plane. I've already expended my spell energy for the day though so we'll have to wait until tomorrrow. I think tomorrow night we may also take a bit of a break from this jungle and rest in a magical mansion....which will have plenty of water, so keep that in mind and try to conserve tomorrow. Barring of course anything Mirica or Nuzej might be able to accomplish."
The evening is sweltering and the noises of the jungle only seem amplified, but the group makes the best of it and set a few watches to keep an eye out. Honestly its been a while since anyone slept in a good old fashioned tent and it almost feels nostalgic. If it weren't for the plethora of creepy crawlies, lizards and serpents prowling about the edge of your tents.
That said, the next day your resume your march. Thyrius continues to lead the group unerringly in the right direction while Xemnez functions like a golem...an unstoppable machine that presses the group forward. The day is quiet as you near the shadow of the mountain range and the hills have grown even more steep and dramatic as you hike up and down constantly. You don't see any large animals and Xemnez is quietly disappointed by the lack of potential mounts.
Its early afternoon the next day when you come across a trail that runs left and right across your path, along the bottom of a ravine. The trail is overgrown and choked with weeds, but the iron rails that run along it show that at one time it was obviously important enough to build some significant infrastructure. Thyrius says that, if they wish to go directly to the volcano, it would be straight past these rails and up into the mountains.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
Indeed, 45 pounds of food and 30 gallons of water had to be enough to sustain the needs of the small company for a while.
In the morning and during the day Mirica kept watching Toc's behaviour. Just in case he forgets to report another monkey appearance. But once they reached the trail, she let it go. "Interesting... Can it be that there are mines at the end of this trail? Meaning, we might not need to climb the mountain but simply get inside it and close to lava."She never actually saw a volcano but from general knowledge expected the lava to be somewhere deep inside the mountain itself. "On the other hand, who knows what lives in those mines and caves. So... Up?"
Simaal looks very disappointed as he mentions "Damn, I missed the blue monkeys. Probably in their territory so they're just checking us out. Now that we're in the mountain area, we're likely to be safe from them, but we really shouldn't rest right after encountering potential hostiles, that's like inviting them to attack us in their territory or too close. Nonetheless that's just my thought on it, I'd regale you with a tale, but it feels like my mind is drowning... This place is just.... just so wet, constantly." He absent mindedly swats at another bug. "Regarding the mountain, Id prefer to go the top side, underground we can not only travel for many unnecessary miles that may or may not lead us to either a pool, or worse, a newly forming bursting lava chamber. We can find hostiles no matter what. After we're done, unless we're in a hurry, maybe we can head to the nearby large town to recuperate a bit and stock up on supplies. Who knows, maybe we'll find a new mount as well for us all. Not that I'm certain they'd fare well outside this environment, but I guess we can ask."
That said, the next day your resume your march. Thyrius continues to lead the group unerringly in the right direction while Xemnez functions like a golem...an unstoppable machine that presses the group forward...
(OOC: Heh. It do be like that often. xD)
Apart from a raised brow ridge at the mention of "blue monkeys" the first time, and perhaps a cursory glance about for said miscreants at the time, the Leonin hadn't been bothered enough to really doubt Toc's concern. That said, he'd doubled down on making sure there were watches set that night, and make a point of trying to whip up something especially good that evening for Toc's sake to help ease the tension. Heck, he might've very well gone out hunting again, but held more respect for the cunning of the wild life after seeing the behavior of the two legged dinos a while back.
Either way, the group's journey soon continued as it was meant to with Xem being content to listen, to ponder, and to revel in the extensive exercise of the harsher climes despite certain disappointments. Though someday he would do more than entertain dreams of taming a proper mount gosh darn it!"Mn. Not likely to find large town. At least, not outside of mountain perhaps lived in by underdwellers." Xem breaks his silence for the first real time in days... not that THAT would be much of a surprise for Thyrius. He then frowns a touch, before looking to Simmal. "Wait... did I miss something? Was there a known large town nearby, or was that an assumption on your part?"Once he had his answer one way or another, Xem simply nodded and addressed Mirica. "While Simmal raises fair points, I am more a mind for us take that route all the same. Because like it or not, unless we run into streams along side that are sufficient enough to get the job down, dropping it from the top is no more likely to go well than a flying escort. At the very least, if we yet may run into intelligent locals within, they may yet be able to guide us to where we need to go 'fore we're off."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Before settling down for the night, Thyrius is interested in measuring how much progress they made. He casts the Fly spell on himself, Xem, and Simaal and invites them to fly above the canopy to see how far the volcano is.
THE NEXT DAY:
Thyrius thinks out loud in response to Mirica's suggestion: "There is no guarantee that any mines would lead us to lava. I feel like reaching the top of the volcano would be a surer bet."
He then nods along with Simaal's proposal of aiming for the top as well. Next, realizing his brother seems to prefer the underpath option, Thyrius defers to the golden lion. Leadership was his trait, not Thyrius's, and so Xem always knew best.
As for blue monkeys, the black cat saw ghosts with regularity. He saw no harm in Toc seeing some colorful primates.
When Thyrius casts fly, Nuzej also casts fly on the remainder of the party, hoping to guide them [((60ft move +60ft dash)* 100 rounds in ten mins = 7,200 feet of flying distance toward the destination, scoping out the area, and settling close to a safe-looking spot. Just hoping to cut down on time struggling through difficult terrain.
AFTER
Nuzej looks up at the mountain and says, "trying from the top seems more likely to succeed. Of course, I could always make a group of us ethereal again, and perhaps Toc could gather the rest the same way, and we could make our way up safely, and then return to this plane atop a rock near the lava, drop it in, and then teleport home."He looks at the others with a hint of a smile. He also asks Toc if they should even bother opening the box, or trust that the box contains the phylactery and will disintegrate in the lava, while the phylactery dies. "If there is additional analysis we should attempt, I would suggest we do it."
Always appreciative of the Etherial spell, Mirica personally was happy with the plan. Flying felt great as well. "We can try to move in the most straight a line possible in search of lava to save time and be home for dinner. Shall we?"
A bit earlier discussion "Well we teleported here, and as much as I'd like to believe we're the first visitors here, it just seems unlikely. The town may not even be akin to the human towns however, and for all we know the bipedal lizards are the most common of intelligent races. On the other hand, if we are not the first visitors, it all depends for how long this place has been discovered. If for a long time, I expect some measures of towns throughout the region, if only fairly recent discovered then I'd expect there would only be a few towns on the outskirts. That said no way to know the size of even this place, there are plenty of forests and land that are bereft of any civilization even within the lands of Kara -Tur. That said when I went up high I didn't spot any towns or smoke for miles."
Later discussion. "Certainly etheral has helped us this far, so it would make sense but I'm thinking if escape is possible, more should go. Also... it may be a good idea to actually use that discovery spell to ensure this is the right item, assuming it has not been done so already."
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Mirica Con saves: 27 and 17
(Do not think we have to rush through the unknown territory. Slow and quiet seems more reasonable, though, not sure how quiet we are considering the chopping.)
As the saying goes, There are three things you can watch forever: fire burning, water falling, and other people working. If not for the heavy air, insects and the necessity to move through all of this, the show would be simply magnificent! But as serene and enjoyable as it was, Mirica did remember to help the one navigating that green mess that locals no doubts call "forest". (Guidance on the Navigator)
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Despite the monotony of the task and all the activity, Xemnez slowly but surely grew accustomed to most of it. The heat, on the otherhand, was.... he'd grumble much throughout the journey, but otherwise kept complaints to himself. But if ever the group encountered a river or other source of water in their journey, there's at least a lingering pause from the Leonin before duty or the wisdom of others propelled him ever forward again, and at whatever speed the others are of a mind to do so. With any luck, the ambient noises of the jungle could in theory drown out any necessary chopping on his part...
Con Save #1(DC ??): 27.
Con Save #2(DC ??): 13.
If Going at a slow pace/stealthing and a roll is necessary, see spoiler. Otherwise ignore it:
Stealth: 14. (Ambush Superiority die included)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Nuzej CON saves: 23 26
Simaal con saves 22, 13. "I think we should move at an average speed, as much as I'd like to say to move slowly, the more time we take, the more time forces move against us. Sadly I am not well suited surviving in this terrain."
Toc Con saves: 5 16
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Thyrius' CON saves: 7 and 14
Navigator's survival check, including Whispers of the Dead and Mirica's guidance: 23
Also voting for slow pace; here's a stealth roll if relevant: 25
Xemnez slices his way through the jungle that teems with life. When the bush allows, Thyrius ranges ahead of the group a bit, like a ghost amidst the trees. Around noon the clouds pass overhead bringing with them a light misting that coats everything in moisture. Your sweat soaked clothes becomes drenched as you brush by leaves and branches. Everything is moist and chaffing in sensitive areas becomes an annoyance. But hero's don't stop for chaffing. You make steady, but slow progress through the thick underbrush. Bugs bite and sting despite your protection, and the oppressive heat and thick moist air is constant. Areas of thin grey mist cling to the low lying areas. Your hope to see dinosaurs in this vast, jungle clogged land goes unrequited until late afternoon. Thyrius appears from before the group, a finger held over his lips, and ushers the group forward. You climb up a short rise and see a patch of jungle on the side of a hill. Amidst the bush are a group of ten lizards standing about on two legs. They stand about eight feet tall, and have short claw capped arms and a long tail for balance. They are fulled of bunched muscles and their jaws full of sharp teeth. The look about with surprisingly intelligent eyes, but haven't noticed the approach of the group. As you observe, you hear them communicating with clicks and growls...coordinating what obviously is a hunting party. With a few final noises they creep off up the hill, spreading out. What they're hunting isn't immediately obvious through the thick bush, but you're glad it isn't you.
With your first, well, actually second dinosaur experience under your belt you continue on. The mountains in front of you rise up as you travel and now obscure any view of the volcano that stands behind them. Eventually when you catch a view of the sky, only the towering mountains can be seen, not even the smoke from the volcano beyond.
Xemnez, with muscles burning and a parched mouth is starting to consider trying to find a suitable place to camp that isn't on a slope....when Toc speaks up from mid-way through the party's line.
"What the hell are you looking at?" he says a bit too loudly. He seems to be staring off to one side, down into the bushes. He glances at Simaal who's standing nearby, "I don't know if it's following us or what, I don't know what it's problem is." He motions casually to a clearly empty spot in the jungle a few dozen paces from him.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Thyrius is glad his scouting prowess helped the group advance swiftly and avoid a violent encounter with jungle lizards.
Curious about what Toc might be pointing at, Thyrius looks at the spot the wizard is indicating. If it would be helpful, he'd activate Ghostly Gaze, allowing him to see through the brush. He'd also consider approaching silently (stealth: 37).
Ghostly Gaze:
As an action, you gain the ability to see through solid objects to a range of 30 feet. Within that range, you have darkvision if you don’t already have it. This special sight lasts for 1 minute or until your concentration ends (as if you were concentrating on a spell). During that time, you perceive objects as ghostly, transparent images.
Once you use this invocation, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
Under normal circumstances, one could assume that Toc was talking to some imaginary friend. But not for this group and their task. Mirica looked in the same direction (Perception 25 + 2), not hoping, though, to notice anything. "Who is there, Toc? Who is following us?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Neither Thyrius, nor Mirica see anything at all out of the ordinary. Toc looks to Mirica and gestures to the empty space, “These blue monkeys that keep following us.” He glances back at the spot, then looks around , “Well it’s gone now. But it was there a second ago. They’ve been following us for the last hour. They’re easy to spot, given that they’re blue.” He shrugs and seems ready to move on.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Nuzej begins ritually casting detect magic while they walk, his brow furrowing at Toc. He pulls out the medallion of detect thoughts, pauses, and then returns it under his shirt. He looks at Mirica, and continues ritually casting.
Mirica stopped studying the empty spot and looked at Toc more intently with a professional interest. Then she smiled and in her most calm even voice suggested. "You know, guys, I think we need a short rest. I'm sure Xemnez can appreciate a break and while we are resting, Toc, would you mind if I put a couple of wards on you? To keep those pesky blue monkeys away." She did not really need Toc's agreement, but any healer can confirm that a cooperative patient is far more preferable.
Mirica looked around to find a spot with some shade and then tried to gently guide Toc there. ((Can roll Athletics if needed)) "Look, a perfect place to sit and rest for a while. Now let us see what can be done about the monkeys..."
She began with the simple tried-and-true formula Lesser Restoration
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Toc frowns at Mirica, "Look, I don't need to be handled, I'm not an infant. If you're telling me that none of you have seen any blue monkeys, and that this is some sorta weird jungle affliction, then fine, do you're thing. But I'm certain there are blue monkeys trailing us and I don't why."
He sits back looking a bit waspish while she casts her healing spells. He looks at her and says, "Feel better? I feel no different. But if there are no more blue monkeys then either you were right, I was hallicuniting blue monkeys, or...they just stopped following us. Either way I suppose it will become a non-issue. But...if I see another one, I'll make sure I point it and out and keep an eye on it, so you stop treating me like I'm crazy."
A couple of hours later the group has set camp and everyone sits around eating some sort of hearty and delicious meal produced by Xemnez, leveraging his supply of spices and seasonings. As everyone sits around, nobody mentions blue monkeys and Toc steadfastly ignores any questions about wether he's seen any since Mirica's healing was applied.
What does become obvious during the evening rest is that you've all gone through a tremendous amount of water during the day. Toc says, "I have access to several barrels of fresh water, on a demi-plane. I've already expended my spell energy for the day though so we'll have to wait until tomorrrow. I think tomorrow night we may also take a bit of a break from this jungle and rest in a magical mansion....which will have plenty of water, so keep that in mind and try to conserve tomorrow. Barring of course anything Mirica or Nuzej might be able to accomplish."
The evening is sweltering and the noises of the jungle only seem amplified, but the group makes the best of it and set a few watches to keep an eye out. Honestly its been a while since anyone slept in a good old fashioned tent and it almost feels nostalgic. If it weren't for the plethora of creepy crawlies, lizards and serpents prowling about the edge of your tents.
That said, the next day your resume your march. Thyrius continues to lead the group unerringly in the right direction while Xemnez functions like a golem...an unstoppable machine that presses the group forward. The day is quiet as you near the shadow of the mountain range and the hills have grown even more steep and dramatic as you hike up and down constantly. You don't see any large animals and Xemnez is quietly disappointed by the lack of potential mounts.
Its early afternoon the next day when you come across a trail that runs left and right across your path, along the bottom of a ravine. The trail is overgrown and choked with weeds, but the iron rails that run along it show that at one time it was obviously important enough to build some significant infrastructure. Thyrius says that, if they wish to go directly to the volcano, it would be straight past these rails and up into the mountains.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Indeed, 45 pounds of food and 30 gallons of water had to be enough to sustain the needs of the small company for a while.
In the morning and during the day Mirica kept watching Toc's behaviour. Just in case he forgets to report another monkey appearance. But once they reached the trail, she let it go. "Interesting... Can it be that there are mines at the end of this trail? Meaning, we might not need to climb the mountain but simply get inside it and close to lava." She never actually saw a volcano but from general knowledge expected the lava to be somewhere deep inside the mountain itself. "On the other hand, who knows what lives in those mines and caves. So... Up?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Simaal looks very disappointed as he mentions "Damn, I missed the blue monkeys. Probably in their territory so they're just checking us out. Now that we're in the mountain area, we're likely to be safe from them, but we really shouldn't rest right after encountering potential hostiles, that's like inviting them to attack us in their territory or too close. Nonetheless that's just my thought on it, I'd regale you with a tale, but it feels like my mind is drowning... This place is just.... just so wet, constantly." He absent mindedly swats at another bug. "Regarding the mountain, Id prefer to go the top side, underground we can not only travel for many unnecessary miles that may or may not lead us to either a pool, or worse, a newly forming bursting lava chamber. We can find hostiles no matter what. After we're done, unless we're in a hurry, maybe we can head to the nearby large town to recuperate a bit and stock up on supplies. Who knows, maybe we'll find a new mount as well for us all. Not that I'm certain they'd fare well outside this environment, but I guess we can ask."
(OOC: Heh. It do be like that often. xD)
Apart from a raised brow ridge at the mention of "blue monkeys" the first time, and perhaps a cursory glance about for said miscreants at the time, the Leonin hadn't been bothered enough to really doubt Toc's concern. That said, he'd doubled down on making sure there were watches set that night, and make a point of trying to whip up something especially good that evening for Toc's sake to help ease the tension. Heck, he might've very well gone out hunting again, but held more respect for the cunning of the wild life after seeing the behavior of the two legged dinos a while back.
Either way, the group's journey soon continued as it was meant to with Xem being content to listen, to ponder, and to revel in the extensive exercise of the harsher climes despite certain disappointments.
Though someday he would do more than entertain dreams of taming a proper mount gosh darn it!"Mn. Not likely to find large town. At least, not outside of mountain perhaps lived in by underdwellers." Xem breaks his silence for the first real time in days... not that THAT would be much of a surprise for Thyrius. He then frowns a touch, before looking to Simmal. "Wait... did I miss something? Was there a known large town nearby, or was that an assumption on your part?" Once he had his answer one way or another, Xem simply nodded and addressed Mirica. "While Simmal raises fair points, I am more a mind for us take that route all the same. Because like it or not, unless we run into streams along side that are sufficient enough to get the job down, dropping it from the top is no more likely to go well than a flying escort. At the very least, if we yet may run into intelligent locals within, they may yet be able to guide us to where we need to go 'fore we're off."When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
BEFORE THE LONG REST:
Before settling down for the night, Thyrius is interested in measuring how much progress they made. He casts the Fly spell on himself, Xem, and Simaal and invites them to fly above the canopy to see how far the volcano is.
THE NEXT DAY:
Thyrius thinks out loud in response to Mirica's suggestion: "There is no guarantee that any mines would lead us to lava. I feel like reaching the top of the volcano would be a surer bet."
He then nods along with Simaal's proposal of aiming for the top as well. Next, realizing his brother seems to prefer the underpath option, Thyrius defers to the golden lion. Leadership was his trait, not Thyrius's, and so Xem always knew best.
As for blue monkeys, the black cat saw ghosts with regularity. He saw no harm in Toc seeing some colorful primates.
BEFORE LONG REST
When Thyrius casts fly, Nuzej also casts fly on the remainder of the party, hoping to guide them [((60ft move +60ft dash)* 100 rounds in ten mins = 7,200 feet of flying distance toward the destination, scoping out the area, and settling close to a safe-looking spot. Just hoping to cut down on time struggling through difficult terrain.
AFTER
Nuzej looks up at the mountain and says, "trying from the top seems more likely to succeed. Of course, I could always make a group of us ethereal again, and perhaps Toc could gather the rest the same way, and we could make our way up safely, and then return to this plane atop a rock near the lava, drop it in, and then teleport home." He looks at the others with a hint of a smile. He also asks Toc if they should even bother opening the box, or trust that the box contains the phylactery and will disintegrate in the lava, while the phylactery dies. "If there is additional analysis we should attempt, I would suggest we do it."
Always appreciative of the Etherial spell, Mirica personally was happy with the plan. Flying felt great as well. "We can try to move in the most straight a line possible in search of lava to save time and be home for dinner. Shall we?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
A bit earlier discussion "Well we teleported here, and as much as I'd like to believe we're the first visitors here, it just seems unlikely. The town may not even be akin to the human towns however, and for all we know the bipedal lizards are the most common of intelligent races. On the other hand, if we are not the first visitors, it all depends for how long this place has been discovered. If for a long time, I expect some measures of towns throughout the region, if only fairly recent discovered then I'd expect there would only be a few towns on the outskirts. That said no way to know the size of even this place, there are plenty of forests and land that are bereft of any civilization even within the lands of Kara -Tur. That said when I went up high I didn't spot any towns or smoke for miles."
Later discussion. "Certainly etheral has helped us this far, so it would make sense but I'm thinking if escape is possible, more should go. Also... it may be a good idea to actually use that discovery spell to ensure this is the right item, assuming it has not been done so already."