Xemnez huffed a little at the suggestion, and with arms crossed, stared up and off at the railings for a bit. If left to his thoughts for a few moments however, he eventually sigh, shaking his head, and turn back in time to catch and respond to Simmal's question. "It has already been done, Simmal. Or at the very least, for what has been shared by now, it is certain. Why else would we even know to seek out lava?" He said, chuffs, then turned to Nuzej. "I know not how long your spell is to last, but... at the very least can we pass through the entryway of the mine, and mayhaps follow what tunnels -- for the most part at least -- seem to head towards the center? For at the very least it would be less... disorienting, or so I imagine. Or will one of you next say you also have some spell for detecting elements from a different plane?"

"I cannot detect elements from other planes. We did detect this as a phylactery. The spell lasts for eight hours." Nuzej says in various responses. He's interested in Toc's answer to the question of ensuring the box's contents. He is ready to make half the party ethereal if Toc is, and then move up the volcano's surface to the caldera to seek lava below, looking for a suitable perch high above from which to drop the box. He doesn't want to get roasted.

Toc nods to Nuzej, "Indeed, I can make the other half of the group Ethereal. My concern is this. When on the border Ethereal, you can not see very far. You have no points of reference. Less when underground. Walking in a straight line may seem simple enough, but try doing it for 10 miles with no point of reference. And we need to travel a couple of miles up, plus a couple dozen miles still past this mountain range to get to the volcano. I think trying to make such a long journey entirely in Ethereal would not be worth it. Now....if we get to the base of the volcano, and simply follow it to the top, we're probably in a much better situation. As for just...going down into the earth hoping to find lava. That sounds....wrought with danger. I can tell you for sure, if we get lost down there and the spell ends for any reason....we're all dead. No ifs ands or buts. And spells can end for all sorts of reasons, when you least expect it. Not a risk I'd take at this point." 

He taps his finger on his lips, "I'm inclined to agree with Xemnez, let's find the mine, search around there, if we come up empty handed we hike past this mountain range, and once we're at the bottom of the volcano, if we really want to avoid a strenuous hike, we can use Ethereal to ascend to the top."

He seems to think for a bit longer, then nods to Mirica, "I think as long as we keep this Phylactery with us, and away from any new sources of souls, the Lich will be unable to form while we're moving. It's a bit theoretical, but I think we've got time anyway, it's only been a couple of days." 

He glances about, "So, I'm not willing to use Ethereal to go straight into the ground. I think we're not giving the world enough credit for how truly staggeringly large a place it is....and not considering how easy it is for a spell to end or for us to get lost.  If we want to go to the volcano, I suggest we hike over this mountain range, and only use Ethereal once we're directly at the bottom of the actual volcano.  Or we go check out this mine, hopefully find a bit of lava sitting about, and our job is done. Wishful thinking perhaps.  What's our choice?"

Simaal thinks for a short time and says "to the base of the mountain then follow it up to the top. Once we're at the top, we'll hopefully be able to tell it's a lip as opposed to random peak. We stick together so we don't get lost."

He seems to think about it for a bit longer... "Thaaat said.... I could potentially fly for several hours, it will drain me and won't be that useful in combat situations, but could in theory, fly slowly enough for you to keep up, still better than walking, and all you'd need to do is keep me in sight.... I figure if I move at slower than running speed, say around 50 feet, then you can keep up and go up. If reach any vertical area then I'll go slow down."

Simaal's suggestion is somewhat lost on Thyrius: "Apart from keeping an eye out, I am not sure how beneficial it would be to have only one of us fly over the mountain range ahead. It would be best if we were all to fly."

The black cat then looks at his brother, ready to agree with whatever suggestion the golden lion makes, as long as it is a reasonable one. He is the future leader of the clan, and leadership comes naturally to the younger of the two leonins. At least that is Thyrius's opinion (which can be, admittedly, very biased.): "So, Xem, do you still think we are in for a hike in the mines? As your advisor, if I may call myself that, I have to say I like the merits of flying over the mountain range, as least the steeper parts. But I am ready to follow you anywhere, brother."

Mirica shrugged. "Do not see much problem following the ground 60 ft above it to keep direction. But as you wish. What about flying - all of us! - or teleporting there? How much can a dragon carry? I mean Nuzej's polymorph. Can summon help as well if needed. But of course, if you did not have enough walking still, we can hike there." She looked pointedly at the deep ravine between the group and the target.

Nuzej puts his hand up. “We should not hike more than we need to. Xemnez, you and I can allow the entire party to fly for ten minutes, which gives us around a mile and a half of movement if we go quickly. That should get us to the top of that mountain, at least, correct? Then we can decide if we wish to chance a teleport to the volcano once we see it, or if we wish to fly again. Mirica, if you recall, having an object from the place to which you wish to teleport decreases the chances of mishap from small to nonexistent. Perhaps your summons could go to the caldera, ensure there is lava, and bring back a rock from a good landing site? Then we can teleport safely. Or we can fly or walk to the base of the volcano and potentially use the ethereal to the caldera. This does not need to be cumbersome or complicated.”

Toc forestalls the conversation. "Very well, let's get ourselves out of this jungle and up into the air and see what we can see." 

Between Xemnez, Simaal, Mirica, Toc, Thyrius and Nuzej they are 6. With both Toc and Nuzej using up a 5th level spell, the entirety of the group feels their bodies become weightless. Bodies lift from the ground and weave their way up through the canopy of the jungle.  You brush past the last few leaves and lift up over the green carpeting the land. The massive mountain of rock stretches up and above everything.  Beyond it the smoke of two volcanos lazily rises into the humid and hot air. 

As you do so, you are once again struck by the size of the world beneath you. From here, almost the base of the mountain range, to the actual top of the mountain range next to you, is 10 miles away, plus at least a mile up. Though the fly spell will help, it will take several castings of the spell to make it half the way up the mountain.  The land beneath you though is wicked to traverse. As you pass out of the jungle coverage itself and into the rocky barrens of the mountain cliffs, you pass by ridge after ridge, and ravine after ravine that would have taken hours to ascend. Still, despite all that, you find yourself still over 8 miles from the peak that is still off in the distance.  You land on a rocky outcropping to consider your next move. 

Toc nods to Mirica, "We can use Ethereal. It will make the trip somewhat easier....but...it will get us closer. Though we can see the mountains from a great distance, once we're in Ethereal we'll have no way to navigate. We can use it to ascend, but more likely than not we'll have to end up leaving Ethereal to figure out where we've gotten to and how far from the volcano we are." 

Together, once again Nuzej and Toc cast their spells, each of them pulling two additional party members across the veil and into the ethereal world. Immediately the land all around you vanishes in a grey fog.  You begin floating in the direction of the peak. You quickly find that it's not worth it to follow the land exactly. When the world dips down, you instead float through open air for periods, with no reference points whatsoever, before eventually finding the edge of a cliff or slanted face of the mountains. With the slants of the mountain angling in every which direction, it plays havoc with your attempts to go in a single straight line. Regardless, you do your best and continue to plod 'that way', hoping you're still pointed towards the "top", which sometimes seems to the left, sometimes to the right.   Even in ethereal though, the pull of gravity has an effect and you find your plodding pace annoying slow. 

You've been traversing the mountain for about three hours and depart yet another ridge, continuing to head into the air hoping to find the next cliff face.....but after about ten minutes you've found nothing, you realize you must indeed have already passed the peak of the mountain.  You turn around and begin floating back the way you came, and slightly down....taking a slightly more dramatic slope back, not wanting to miss the peak and float off into the air once again with no reference point.  You find a cliff face and travel up it until you reach a ridge....and realize you're not sure where you might be.  Toc urges everyone to wait, and steps out of the ethereal into the normal world, becoming foggy and grey to the rest of you. 

The wind blows at him as he stands on the ridge looking around out into the distance. Eventually he urges everyone to join him. 

You all appear standing at the rocky peak of the mountains. The hot wind tugs are your clothes, threatening to pull you towards steep cliffs. Nearly twenty miles from this peak, across a vast dip in the land filled with jungle, you spot the peak of the volcano.  

Flying such a distance will take many spells.  And...ethereal, though fast, will require you to follow the land.  Skipping along the tops of the mountains won't work for that distance, you're too likely to get lost somewhere in the sky.  But Toc has another solution.  

"I can see the volcano. I'll take us to near the top, as well as I can see.  We should have a fly spell on so that I can take us into the air and not accidentally misjudge and land us in the rock or on the side of a cliff."  

Nuzej and him once again weave magic across the group so that everyone feels and fast.  Then Toc casts teleport.  You appear a half mile from the edge of the volcano, and about another half mile from its peak, floating in the air, well off the rocky sides of the cliff. With the fly spell, you streak through the air, getting close to the volcano and make your way up to the lip. You reach the top in under ten minutes, with less than a minute left on your magical flying.  

You are greeted with a lifeless, desolate, view, filled with caustic pungent air and the acrid scent of poisonous gasses.   The view across the top of the volcano is at least a couple of miles and skews your perspective of distance and height.  

Still though, you are rewarded with the view of the ruddy glow of lava from the deep pit before you. Gusts of hot air buffet you as you stand on the edge of the volcano. Smoke pours up from the edges of the black lake at the bottom, beneath which bubbles the red hot magma you need to destroy the Phylactery.  Dropping the box off should be relatively simple. You see no sign of dangers or creatures that can interfere.

Xemnez eyes went a little wide with Toc's explanation. But after a moment's more thought, the leonin looked almost grateful to the wizard, before the rest of the conversation dragged attention elsewhere. Though he had no immediate answer for his brother, with Nuzej's affirmation of an alternative that would be remain in the realm of the material plane and involve at least some physical exertion, the even if a touch on the unnatural side, he soon found himself slowly nodding in acceptance. 

"I know not what you intend, as I have no means of flight. But if this solution of yours is what I think perhaps it is, then... I shall consent to this, and concede to your suggest, Nuzej." He holds up a hand. "Though, we should remain alert for danger all the same. For if the similarities of this world and my home extends beyond just the common tongue, then we should be mindful of any large flying beasts that might call this mountain range home, and may not take too kindly to rivals invading their territories. Or worse, perceive as prey." 

Soon after, Xemnez finds himself a mixture of faintly surprised yet little disappointed once Toc makes clearer the sorta of 'flying' the group would be doing. Yet with little than a chuff, he'd proceed to fly along with the rest; his head almost ever at a swivel for any signs of danger along the way. A habit he keeps to even once ethereal, having been a touch scarred by his encounter with the hags more than he'd ever admitted to... so far. 

Flying was magnificent! Etherial plane with all its conveniences makes one feel like a fish in a murky pond but flying in the real material world - nothing comes even close. Mirica fully enjoyed the journey (uncharacteristically untroubled too), taking in the wind, the sky, the mountains and the green carpet beneath.

But everything good has to end eventually and when Mirica was standing by the lava pit, she was as collected and serious as ever. "Well, just to be on the safe side, someone can try to drop the box while being invisible. Couatl can do it, or can turn invisible himself and carry someone closer while that someone is invisible too." The repetition of the word "invisible" was done on purpose to carry the message for sure, Toc's (well-justified) paranoia was the general sickness of almost anyone in the group. "Would not say "no" to a check for the presence of unknown foe with some true sight, but the Couatl can do it for us. Should I summon him?"

After everything is said and done(teleportation antics included), Xemnez floats by with his arms crossed and looking a touch dejectedly back over the landscape left behind by the group. "... If that is to be the way of things, might as well take my brother along with it to do his... thing as well, once the phlacta-whatever is destroyed." He said, having evidently paid attention, but without ever looking back to the others. 

Nuzej nods at Mirica’s offer and then asks Toc quietly if he’s seen anything else odd, blue primates or otherwise. He also asks if they should open the box to see if something else besides the phylactery is inside.

Thyrius had offered to cast fly on half of the party but, between getting confused with his brother by Nuzej and having Toc steal his thunder, Thyrius decides to silently go along with the plan.

Today's teleporting was over a relatively short distance when compared to past stomach-churning immediate trips, so Thyrius is able to maintain his poise. 

When Mirica suggests a plan for dropping the phylactery into the lava, Thyrius volunteers for the task, perhaps alongside her summoned creature. He is clear about his intentions and builds on Xem's point: "I shall make a helpful token out of this one as well, ancestors willing."

-> If a stealth check is needed, here it is: 20  

-> If granted advantage for being invisible or receiving help from the coatl, the here is a second roll: 19   

Mirica clutches her holy symbol and begins her powerful incantations. The wind seems to pickup as magic swirls around her until a divine agent swirls into existence...the alien form of the flying snake creature appears, glittering with power as it hangs in the air. It nods to Mirica as a peer. Nuzej reaches out and touches Thryius, and the black cat vanishes from site. The Couatl glittering eyes watch Thyrius despite the magic concealing him from view. Mirica and the Couatl have a brief telepathic conversation.  Toc hands the Phylactery to the invisible warrior.  

Toc turns to Nuzej, "No, the box is likely sealed and unable to be opened, but...i have no desire to investigate it regardless."

The Couatl voice seems to sparkle inside Thryius mind in a sing-song way, "Come, let us complete this most holy of deeds." 

The flying snake and invisible brother swoop away across the barren blasted landscape of the volcanoes cap.  As they approach, the wind shifts slightly and super heated air shimmers about them. Not deadly, but rather uncomfortable, Thryius and the Couatl swing around and approach the lava from upwind.  As he gets near the glowing red cracks through the lava mantle he looks down at the box. He wasn't sure if we was expecting some hesitation, or the box trying to manipulate his mind, but no such thing occurs and it's with a sense of completion that he tosses the box down.  It tumbles through the air, striking the lava with a thud, and then bursts into multi-colored flames as it sinks into the red hot molten rock and vanishes.  

As he watches it, he feels his patron surge forward into his mind once more and the world goes black. 

What seems like a few moments pass before he suddenly is once again looking out his eyes and flying over magma. The Couatl hovers nearby, watching him with interest. Thryius finds a black iron token imprinted with a skull in his hand. It feels warm to the touch.  The Couatl's sing song voice enters his mind, "Deaths mark is upon you. It saturates your soul. Guard yourself well, death can not be manipulated, without manipulating in turn." 

The odd warning spoken, the two of them return to the rest of the group.  Everyone is witness to the completion of the task and it would seem the job is done. Toc says, "I checked in with the other group while you were destroying the box.  They managed to fetch and destroy the third phylactery. I believe our enemy has been dealt a significant blow."

Everyone may LEVEL UP. 

Your characters now have a chance for some downtime. Everyone has a month to spend. You can easily enough visit a city, purchase gear, and thanks to teleportation and the like, Toc and Nuzej can get people any standard place they may want to go visit. 

You can spend the time doing any particular type of research, training, investigation or really whatever else you wish.

Let me know here and we'll do any required rolls / role playing necessary.  

"Holiness has little to do with this," Thyrius defies the Coatl's first attempt at a conversation. Once the deed is done and the creature speaks to Thyrius once more, he replies: "All Leonins serve and are served by their forefathers. I do not claim to manipulate the one who has my ear, or the spirits within these tokens. That latter power belongs to the Faceless One alone. If death is what awaits me at the end of this all, then I shall advise my brother from the beyond, as do many others of our ancestors."

If Xemnez was serious about his safari, Mirica only shrugged and returned to Myth Drannor. She was not in the mood for a hunt. The waste of time much-desreved rest, Mirica spent learning everything humanly possible about Larloch and the Warlock's Crypt. The place sounded like something requiring armies to get into and all their group had was just a few people, so, any bit of information could get useful. Mirica was so serious about it that coopted Tic to help with searching for the books. Even if he could not remember anything from them himself, he could point to the right texts.

Other than that, Mirica was busy with re-stocking the most difficult-to-obtain offerings for the prayers (the jewelled dishes, holy relics and so on). Holy water was not forgotten either. Once Toc returned to the base, she seriously asked if it was possible to create a pocket dimension filled with holy water. Maybe not so much as to flood the Crypt but at least soak it in holiness. And just to be thorough, anything undead-related was also prepared - judging by the later escapades, the group was about to face all the undead nightmares imaginable.

In short, Mirica was preparing for the final battle with Larloch himself.

"Warlock’s Crypt
On the western edge of the Troll Hills lies an area of bizarre terrain: shattered rubble is strewn across the landscape, between and among mounds of upturned earth and deep furrows of the sort one commonly sees in the wake of trebuchet blows that miss their mark. Farther in from the perimeter of this blasted land lies a scattered mess of buildings, some relatively intact, others half-collapsed and leaning on their neighbors.
In the center, rising above it all, is a handful of twisted towers looking for all the world like talons clawing at the sky. These towers can be seen from a good distance, seemingly unharmed by the cataclysm that produced the damage around them. Indeed, because of their pristine condition, some folk conjecture that these towers must have been built after that event.
The truth of the place now called Warlock’s Crypt is something different altogether. All of the structures visible here, from the now-shattered outbuildings to the central towers, comprised a city that floated atop a disc of stone during the time of ancient Netheril. When the ancient and wicked magics of the Netherese failed, this city plummeted from the sky; the chunks and slabs of stone scattered about the site are not natural terrain, but are the shards of that disc.
My Only Visit
I have been to the Warlock’s Crypt but once, in the days of my youth before I knew better. I was hired by Daerismun Aerath, one of the Avowed — the esteemed scholar-monks of Candlekeep — to guide him there. He was writing a treatise on the place and desired firsthand experience of the locale. Fresh as I was from Evereska, I’d never heard the warnings of the wise regarding this site. I am either extraordinarily beloved of Solonor, or stupidly lucky, to have made it back out alive. Tragically, Daerismun was not so fortunate.
As we approached, this ruined cityscape seemed uninhabited. Its expanse is fairly limited, and consists almost entirely of a mess of destroyed buildings and massive boulders.
The central towers were apparently preserved by some aspect of their magical construction — which isn’t to say that they were entirely unaffected by the crash. Upon closer inspection, one of the central towers has a great crack running along its western edge, and several of the others display a degree of damage.
As we came even closer to the towers, they appeared to be anything but abandoned. In their windows flickered occasional eldritch lights, and on their sides we could see indistinct shapes scampering across the surface. These buildings were crafted to appear as though clad in black mail, made of overlapping plates and slightly discordant, off-center architecture creating the impression of joints that might bend at any moment.
The towers, joined in a rough circle by walls of smooth black stone, form a perimeter around the heart of the Crypt — which can be seen only from a terrifyingly close vantage. Obscured and protected by the towers are several strange plots of land: some barren, others overrun with twisted, thorny flora not found in nature. Rail-less bridges connect these towers at various points, and all of them spiral around the heart: that which is reputedly the demesne of the lich-king Larloch himself, who has also been called the Shadow King.
Threats and Defenses
I warn you: do not come to this place. And if you must, do not tarry, for its defenders are brutal and bloodthirsty, as inimical to life as any plague or poison, and they take delight in the suffering of those who come into their reach.
This place is rife with undead, of all varieties. In addition to the Shadow King, the Crypt houses several other liches, undead sorcerous vassals to Larloch. He calls upon their power when he has need, but otherwise leaves them alone to conduct the experiments and plots he demands of them. Though he once bound their influence tightly, reports suggest he has begun giving them a greater lead on their leashes, for magical horrors that could well be the result of their experiments have been seen unleashed in the Troll Hills and Troll Forest around the ruins.
Such monstrosities are also common prowling the ruins of the Crypt itself. During my brief sojourn into this place, I identified several creatures that likely began their lives as griffons, owlbears, trolls, and even a beholder, but they had become twisted and nearly unrecognizable. What it is these liches do to these creatures is a question for minds far more wise than mine — I know only that the first such abomination I fought nearly killed me, and I barely escaped from the others we sighted.
The Crypt has defenses other than monsters, as well. My companion Daerismun asserted that it was protected with layers of “spell webs,” constructions of magical energy waiting to unleash spells against those who stumbled into them. I had the terrible opportunity to see one of them in action, when the Avowed scholar unknowingly breached one of those so-called webs and set off a ball of fire, which ignited with himself at its center.
As one might imagine, this blast drew the attention of all manner of twisted predators and hungry undead, which came forth to investigate. I don’t know how these creatures kept from being caught in these traps, or if they had simply dwelt here long enough to know how to avoid them. Before I could give the matter any thought, I was forced to flee, and I don’t intend to ever return."

Mirica slid the text away from her across the table and sighed heavily.  She glanced up at the elf wizards magical duplicate who busied himself thumbing through a text before placing it into the "not relevant" pile on his left. The "relevant" pile to his right was diminutive. He glanced up at her, briefly making eye contact, before picking up another text and starting to flip through the pages. Mirica's gaze was drawn to the library that was her current home, housed just off of the Myth Drannor Mythallar chamber. A table against the wall had three jewelled bowls resting on it, recently imported from the finest craftsmen in Waterdeep. Meanwhile three dozen satchels of powdered silver rested on the side, waiting for Mirica to turn into holy water....a time consuming and annoying task. Even with Toc's daily city hopping they'd only managed to fill a single barrel with holy water. It turns out it took about 170 spells worth, or 4200 gold worth of silver to make enough holy water to fill a barrel. But beyond that, it was just the time and availability. An hour per bowl full took a lot of time. An entire dimensional room of water felt impossible, but a couple barrels and a few shelves full of flasks seemed doable.  It would need to be enough. 

With a sigh, she turned to the next book as Tic slid her another with a reference to Orbedal....the Netherese city also known as Sanctuary that long ago plummeted to the ground and became Warlock's Crypt. 

With the Liches they knew dealt with, and for the moment at least, time enough to seeming prepare for future conflicts ahead, Xemnez ultimately put aside any thought of exploring the realm(not that he would/could justify it... for now) in favor of settling several important matters. Knowing his own limitations however, he'd seek the advice and at times even the aid of the more magic inclined fellows to help in his endeavors, as well as that of his brother.

Yet with regards to his brother... (@Lerus can see in the PM Shortly).. 

Ultimately, Xem intended to be quite a buys Leonin over the next month...

Plans:

-Speak with the group's spellcasters about either their capability to cast powerful divination magic, or of knowledge on individuals/items that might allow Xemnez to seek out Ajani's current status(or at least make the attempt).
-Briefly stop in Waterdeep(after speaking again with those familiar with major settlements) to try and purchase magical items. Specifically:
+1 OR (if available)+2 shield, ring of animal influence, Cape of the Mountebank, javelin of lightning, and/or efficient quiver. 
-See which is possible with Toc(or Tic)'s advisement about having the magic power of the lightning sword or that of the defender sword transferred into Nezmos(battle axe). Even at possibly diminished returns.
-And IF there's still time, attempt or hire researchers who can look into both potentially powerful mounts, as well as methods of magically transporting, potentially awakening, and further equipping them for the battles ahead

(OOC: More might be added or taken away as things unfold.)

Xemnez and Thyrius had truthfully seen very little of this world's actual civilizations. Appearing in an icy ruined city, and teleporting through jungle from one ruin or ancient place to another, they'd had no exposure to how the people on this world actually lived.  Until now. 

With Simaal's desire to experience at least some portion of the jungles of Chults actual peoples, Toc had taken the group first to the regions capital...Port Nyanzaru. The city is crouched on the side of a mountain that tumbles into a massive bay. Spires of jungle covered rock jab out of the land as it stretches down to the sea, upon which stand large sections of city, connected by massive bridges. On the land below these spires, a sprawling city hunches at a sharp angle towards the ocean. From above it's a multi-colored miasma of chaos. From street level it becomes a noisy, life filled swarm of chaos.  Wide deep gutters along all of the streets bend always down towards the ocean...testament to the amount of rainfall this place must get. Colorful banners and tents sprawl between old stone buildings. 

This tropical city under the blazing sun simmers in the hot steamy air of Chult. The familiar sounds of a harbor — creaking ropes, slapping waves, heavy barrels rolling across cobblestones — mingle with voices shouting and cursing in an unfamiliar language filled with clicks, inhalations, and singsongy words that make it sound almost musical. The aroma of unfamiliar spices and tropical fruit mixes with the wharfside smells of fish, tar, and canvas.

Buildings are painted in bright shades of blue, green, orange, and salmon pink, or their walls are adorned with murals portraying giant reptiles and mythical heroes. Every building sports baskets and clay urns of colorful flowers or is draped in leafy, flowering vines. Minstrels in bright clothing adorned with feathers and shells perform on street corners. Multicolored pennants and sun awnings flutter atop the city walls. A crowd of children dressed in feathered hats and capes races past you, squealing in delighted terror as a street performer costumed as a big-toothed lizard stomps and roars behind them. The whole city seems to be bustling, sweating, laughing, swearing, and singing.

Massive walls wind up and down the hillsides to hide the city away from the encroaching jungle. 

With a desire to shop, you found your way to the Grand Souk. Traders from up and down the Sword Coast come to this market to buy timber, spices, medicines concocted from jungle plants, dinosaur skulls and claws, iron, tiger pelts, carved ivory, Batiri and grung handiwork, colored feathers, tropical fruit, monkeys, plesiosaur meat, and all the other riches of Chult. Business begins before the sun comes up, and dealing doesn’t stop until well after darkness edges across the city. It’s a noisy, jostling, aroma-rich circus. Guards are numerous, but less numerous than the urchins and pickpockets. Street performers and tabaxi minstrels add to the cacophony. Colorful awnings protect the market from sun and rain but also trap the heat and smells. It's here that the group gets to witness the first tame dinosaur's they've seen.  Most of them are large plant eating creatures that serve as good jungle pack animals. However in another section are a different variety, with sharp teeth and powerful legs that apparently act as mounts in a regular 'race' that makes its way through the city streets.  These mounts include the passive looking triceratops, an ankylosaurus, a deinonychus, and even a couple of young tyrannosaurus rex's.  Xemnez looks on with envy at the powerful creatures...their saddles nearby....but is distracted by Toc who waves them on, with the vague promise of something better. 

Eventually he brings the group up a massive wide stairway to a posh looking part of the city high on one of the rocky rises, and to a walled off private estate. Guards in flowing silks and light armor stand at attention. Beyond the walls you find a sprawling mansion with lots of open air courts, glittering fountains and plush greenery amidst the smooth marble structure. The small group is led before a man sprawled out in pillows along a wide sitting hall.

The group is welcomed to sit.  Toc bows to the man, "Wakanga O'tamu, I am honored to have received your response, and your welcome to visit."  

Wakanga nods his head, "Indeed, a calling from the elven princess of the north, and my good long time friend Ilsevele was payment enough for any assistance I can offer you."  As he says this with his words, but his tone and face say, 'I am a merchant'.  

The reason for the visit seems unclear until after drinks and small honey cakes are consumed and a servant comes forth with a silver plate, it's diminutive contents covered in a purple silk cloth.  Wakanga pulls the silk cloth off with aplomb and reveals a small carved toy of a Tyrannosaurus.  He hands it gently to Toc who examines it carefully in his hands and then passes it to Xemnez. 

To Xemnez, Toc says, "I considered your desire for a mount, but there is a certain impracticality of huge animals escorting us everywhere we go. I knew legends of figures of magical power and...a bit of messaging found this." 

Wakanga brightens up, "This has been in my private collection for a few years now. I have come to realize that my dreams of thrashing through the jungle on the back of a lizard are not meant to be. I am meant for sitting upon these comfortable pillows, not some raging beast. Though I am saying goodbye to my youthful dreams, I am hopefully lending a hand to a great and important quest, or so your Coronal tells me."