Leaving the pool behind, the two hunters creep through the woods. The flora and fauna is fantastic to behind and there is plenty of small game for Xemnez to catch if desired. Snakes make particularly good eating and he has seen a couple large ones. Looking for anything bigger though and he doesn't have too much luck. 

Xemnez creeps along taking cover where its offered while in hunting mode. He standing next to a short stalky plant scanning the mountainous terrain when something nearby moves, prickling his senses. He looks about, then glances up at a set of bright flowers that droop out of the stalky trunk next to him.  As he glances up at the rather glorious red, yellow, and orange fronds of the plant, the orange one moves....and without any more warning a puff of pollen is sprayed down upon him.....the yellow flower sprays a wet spray across him, and then a series of vines and long leaves reach out to try and grab him! 

Con save DC 14 vs pollen or fall unconscious.

Dex save DC 14 vs acid spray from yellow flower or take 5 damage each round until dealt with.

Attack: 5 Damage: 5 if hit, you are grappled. 

Simaal, Xemnez, you can take an action after Xemnez resolves his saves.

Thyrius would not deny his brother a good hunt and would gladly join him. The black cat will follow as usual, letting Xem's expertise lead the hunting party (i.e. help action on whatever roll Xem may need to perform.)

Edit: Oh, I just noticed now that the hunt had already begun. Is it too late for Thyrius to have joined? If not, I'll be faithful to the original idea and say that Thyrius spends his turn helping Xem in whatever action he takes.

(OOC: Oh dear! If I only I took my anti-knock out gas potion.. or more genuinely, antitoxin potion for that matter!)

Con Save(DC 14): 20. 

Dex Save(DC 14): 22. 

Between Xemnez feline agility(Danger Sense) and robust constitution, the golden furred Leonin found himself merely brushing off the spray while retreating a few steps from the curious collection of hostile vegetation. "Hmn... Interesting. Probably not good for a stew, but-..." He tightens his grip on Nezmos while lowering his stance as if to spring at any moment. "Maybe a tasty enough garnish! Ready yourself(ves)! Food preparations have come to us this day it seems!"

With broad grin and a determined look, Xemnez then literally sprung into action hacking away flowers until they at least were cut free. He then turn his attention to the rest of the vines, readily springing board of the trunk of a nearby tree if need be for that bit of extra height to assault them.

Action: Reckless Strike out with Nezmos, targeting the flowers(if "defeated" by the 2nd strike, 3rd one is for the vines).
(One-Handed, Melee, Lethal)Battle Axe Strike #1 - Attack: 19 Damage: 8 magical slashing.
(One-Handed, Melee, Lethal)Battle Axe Strike #1 - Attack: 16 Damage: 13 magical slashing.
(One-Handed, Melee, Lethal)Battle Axe Strike #1 - Attack: 19 Damage: 12 magical slashing.

(OOC: I presume for the hunt that Xemnez wouldn't necessary have his shield out at the moment. So that's been deactivated for the time being.)

The battle axe is off of his back and swinging a moment later. Nezmo's makes a slight humming sound as the Leonin swings it through the air.  The first hit slices through a good portion of the large flowers stalk, the second blow finishes the damage, severing the top of the flower from its base. The woody upper section that the flowers are sticking from falls into a nearby bush with a heavy thud, carrying the flowers with it.  The flowers squirm and move in their death throes, puffing out more acidic spray and pollen, and trying latch onto something near, but the result is too far away to harm anyone, and mis-aimed either way.  Sticky acidic sap seeps from the severed end of the plant.  Xemnez quickly cleans the acid from his magical blade before it can potentially do any damage.  Simaal and Thyrius both crouch in the bushes nearby, ready, but....entirely unneeded.

After it ceases its motions, Xemnez approaches the plant carefully and examines it. With it's acidic sap and poisonous pollen, he figures it's likely not good eating. Not being a native, and knowing that finding edible plants is not always simple, Xemnez sadly decides that this ...creature.. won't serve well.  

The rest of the hunting trip is relatively uneventful. The animals here could be dangerous to lesser creatures, but Thyrius, Simaal and Xemnez navigate the deadly jungle with relative ease. They come across numerous interesting plants, which Xemnez takes time to analyze and sample. He found a tree that shed some fist sized nuts...but upon picking one up was started to find that the act of jostling it caused it to glow brightly like a torch. Once opened the nuts inside would lose this bioluminescence, and were large and tasty.  He collected several, hoping to add them to their meal. After a couple hours they return to the camp with several small to medium animals. No big game, but snake meat and one pretty large lizard that will hopefully produce some steaks. There had been a nice looking rabbit, but when it had turned in Xemnez's direction, he'd seen the creature had a horn sticking from its head, and its eyes looked particularly intelligent...staying his hand and preserving the things life. 

On their trip back they notice a large turtle...perhaps the size of two horses...sunning itself on the beach. The thing has a wicked looking beak and its eyes track the group as they pass.  But it would be a waste to kill such a creature just for two meals, especially when he likely already had enough. 

With a combination of the nuts, the lizard and snake, along with his wide variety of spices, Xemnez creates what can only be described as a culinary masterpiece. He builds a fire in a pit in the sand, wrapping the meats and spices in large leaves, and then covering them to broil and cook. Once done he unwraps them and adds a few more spices, along with the nuts which he crushes into a paste to eat along side the roasts.  The group is treated with a unique and exotic meal as the move in and out of their safe magical hut at will.  Though it seems Toc is restrained from leaving and people bring him his food. 

The rest of they day and a night pass. The jungle at night is alive with the call of creatures big and small. Occasionally a large spider will crawl past the groups hut, or large vermin such as snakes or rats move past. Tiny creatures vie for their lives in the darkness of the night with death screams of animals that have been hunted occasionally breaking the steady chirp of insects. Ants and centipedes seem to be in heavy supply though your pleasant little hut keeps most bugs away and enables a most restful night. 

(Long rest achieved.) 

The next day it seems your wizard is ready enough to try his magical trip once again. This time though, Nuzej may be able to assist...depending on his success learning the magical spells that let him see the area of the Phylacteries. 

Simaal spends time prepping his gear with a lot more care than normal in the morning, trying to balance everything out, ensuring it's tied down, and as waterproof as possible. Anything burnable is stored somewhere more in the center.

Mirica equally tried to use packing magic - literally, by placing everything loose (except the rod, the hammer and the shield) into the single bag of holding. Failing that, she would just make sure everything is tide, closed and sealed as best as physically possible. This morning the spell of water breathing was truly appreciated for the first time. She was as ready as one can be ready to the plunging into an unknown substance.

After the plant-based scare, Thyrius had enjoyed the hunt with Xem and and Simaal. Back in their home plane, hunting in a group was one of the most common bonding experiences, and the black cat was happy to introduce a new companion to their Leonins' habits. Simmal obviously did not need any instructions, but the sharing of customs was something that brought a smile to Thyrius' face. That day, he didn't even mind Simaal's convoluted tales that much.

In the morning, and food consumption is kept to only a light amount. Thyrius did not want to vomit again should they start hoping through space and time once more. How could one possibly ever get used to that?

Once everyone is ready, Toc emerges from the magical hut into the sweltering heat. He has abandoned his traditional cotton shirt and pants and seems to be wearing a light silk shirt that hangs open at the chest. His pants are thin and light. Still though, you can't help but sweat in this heat. Everyone's water is nearly used up and a lack of rain meant that the water catchers, though assembled and left out, have caught only a number of ants and several bits of tree leaves.  Packing them up, the group prepares themselves for yet another bought of magical travel. 

Toc takes a deep breath, and closes his eyes, centering himself.  "Alright, here we go." 

He begins casting his magic. 

This trip between the cracks of the universe feels like the magic is trying to tear you all apart. You're thrust into a tunnel of rainbow lights, but it's not peaceful, its as if you keep trying to be jettisoned from the tunnel that shakes and vibrates with crazy energies...but somehow you feel Toc's will is forcing you all to stay moving within the light...and the light is forcing back. You feel the flesh being peeled from skin...limps feel like they're being crushed....and through it all Toc just keeps pushing....groans, grunts, and gasps of pain ripple through the whirlwind of color that sounds like a hurricane filled with crackling and explosions.

It's with relief that the whirling vortex of color and sound spits you out. Six heroic travelers are spit back into the world, flying downwards and crashing into the loamy jungle floor...trailing smoke and with sparks of magical energy still dancing along your bodies.  Everyone squirms about on the ground in pain, trying to figure out which part of them is hurt the most....as eyes dilate and look about the bright jungle fauna. Lances of sunlight pierce the jungle canopy above...catching on the smoke rising from the group. Birds have been silenced, and a large herbivore leaps away into the underbrush. 

Nearby a large opening can be seen in the ground.  Light shines through it from above and what must be a large cave extends down below it.  

(Everyone takes 44 force damage.)

Xemnez happens to have landed closest to the cave, and gets up on his knees, then feet, and warily takes a few steps towards what could have been a bad fall.  Through the opening he peers down over 80 feet to where a large cave opens up beneath the ground....filled with water.  Toc looks around, getting shakily to his feet, and joins Xemnez.  "This is it.  This is the place. It's down there."  Relief is plain on his face as his chin dips and he takes several heavy breaths.

Simaal after the hunt "Thank you both for letting me come along on your hunt. There was much to learn." He seemed to be genuinely interested in how the brothers moved, acted and reacted throughout the hunt. Any mentions of traditions, and he tried to follow along and respect them. While he was surprised by the flower as others, he was ready to move but apparently was not necessary. He did ask if he felt ok. While fairly silent and hard to spot, it was obvious he was new to this environment, obviously not aware of all the dangerous fauna.

Wearing a fairly thing shirt and pants, along with head covering, Simaal seems simply dressed.

Simaal brushes himself off and says "We're on solid ground so I'm extremely thankful for that." while also looking at the fleeing steak and bacon while squinting and slamming into its mind forcefully 146 save 19 con (full or none), if takes damage and large or smaller then prone. Mentally "Toc, Do you know what happened, this was a lot more painful. I'm guessing due to various protections this place has for this kind of travel, but I'd prefer to hear words of an expert."

Assuming animal was down, he goes into his backpack and pulls out two loops of rope, "Unless of course we have mass featherfall or the like. Say, anyone detect any magic around here?"

14 Cons ave vs DC 19

Perhaps it was Simaal's way of reacting to the dangerous teleportation, but his first reaction is glance up at the fleeing animal and glaring at it with all of his malice.  The animal's head explodes and the dead body thumps to the ground leaking it's bodily fluids from the stump of a neck.  It would seem the group may be eating steak this evening. Though having a nice cold glass of water to go with it would be nice. Well, actually, there is a lake down there....so...maybe you're all set.

Mentally Toc responds, "Teleportation is innately dangerous, but more-so when the location is not well known to me. The magic that let me see this place only allowed for a brief view....and so it was a lot more of a risky trip. The brief view is distinctly because the spell manages a loophole through protective magics. So...in a way, yes...it is because of the protections the Lich may have placed on his Phylacteries location."

Nuzej tries to learn Locate Phylactery first, then Analyze Phylactery. Roll (not sure which modifer?): 2

Mirica did not participate in the academic discussion of the teleportation theory. She managed "good!" when Toc declared the arrival to be the true one (after she finally couth her breath) and then sat down near the lake to recover from the fall. It looked like Toc's "every-morning spell" was saving the day once more.

(Should we take a short rest to recover?)

When most of the shock of the rough landing was gone, she arranged the barrels ((or whatever we used with the rain catchers to collect water)) and summoned the water and some simple food. Create Food and Water It was plain, but it was clean - the most important thing in this cursed place. "I would not trust food and water here. Better be safe."

The perspective to dive again was unpleasant but seemed unavoidable. Or was it? "Sooo... Is it at the bottom of the lake? Can you locate it there?"

Nuzej does his best to learn the spells. As they hurtle through space-time, Nuzej reaches over to place a supportive hand on Toc's shoulder, and then he lands hard on the ground, splinched. 

"A brief time to bind our wounds would be welcome. Ouch! And thank you Toc, for managing, Toc. I will get the next one."

"Let's not make a habit of teleporting on a daily basis..." Thyrius says, hugging his stomach.

The animal who had its head exploded by Simaal goes initially unnoticed by Thyrius, who cannot focus on anything else at first but his pain. The black cat then assumes the animal casualty was a result of the teleportation spell: "Toc, can that happen to us? Can it really be that bad?"

Mirica's liquid boon is more than welcomed. If abundant, Thyrius will use some of the water to rinse his face and fur. Still hugging his stomach, he adds: "I could use a proper rest if the group doesn't mind wasting another hour or so."

(Nuzej - Oops. You don't have to roll to learn a spell unless you're learning it off of a spellscroll, which you are not!  Silly DM.  So it's just time.  Toc has the spell copying inks and so on necessary.) 

"Well since we're resting, if anyone is better at properly gut an animal, please go ahead, I might butcher it the wrong way." If no one else does so, Simaal goes over, grabs some sticks and uses rope to prop up the animal then carefully starts carefully cut in shallow cuts to get an idea of thickness of meat and not pierce internal organs. Survival check 11.

Toc nods to Nuzej. As the others settle in for a brief rest, he walks over to the opening to the underground lake. He crouches there and picks a rock up off of the ground.  He proceeds to pull out a piece of parchment, write on it, and then wraps the stone in the parchment before shoving it into his bag. Then he looks down into the water curiously.  "I presume the phylactery is down there, but Nuzej, would you like to do the honors and be our hound dog for this thing?"

The wide sink hole reaches down into the earth and then, beneath your feet, the ground opens up into a large cave. Beneath the water sparkles in the sunlight that manages to eek its way down. After an hour sitting here the light has moved and now also glances down upon something green. It looks like a lone tree is crouched on an island directly below the sink hole. What else the cave and lake hold are as yet unknown. How you plan on descending is likely your next problem to tackle. 

If Nuzej is able to, he takes a fragment of bone from Toc to power the spell, and casts the Locate Phylactery spell.  As he completes the incantation he feels a gentle but constant pull. The pull leads him down, but at a steady angle towards the south east. 

As Leonin of few words, Xemnez initially gave but a solid nod in response to Simaal's thanks. But upon sensing his interest in certain aspects of the few words spoken during and even after the hunt, well, Xemnez couldn't help proudly taking on a more teacherly role. While there would be some traditions hinted at that the golden furred lion man held his tongue on going into details, reminding if not making clear the more isolated nature of his people's society, the rest pertaining to the less sacred trial hunts and the like was fair game. Though as an almost subconscious action, he'd sometimes glance to his brother as if to reaffirm nothing too sacred had yet slipped out.

Later, if only for the sake of future snacks, Xemnez made sure some of the hunt from the evening prior would be wrapped up for the next days journey. A foresight he'd later be most appreciative of the next day... after giving his body a moment to shake off the errant teleportation. "Hm? Ah~ I see yesterday's hunt has already begun awakening certain reflexes, Simaal." Xemnez said with a chuckle, finally noting the man's action. "But certainly. In fact, it would be another good opportunity to reinforce some of the things taught yesterday. But that aside-..." He looks to Mirica, or more pointedly to the food produce and grimaces.

"... Tri-er-typically my people are not want to waste a perfectly good kill. But I will not force you to eat any of it, and will be mindful to inspect it closely as well, if it makes you feel any better." He assured her, and with the hope that would be enough would spend at least part of the rest seeing to preparing the animal alongside Simaal. If he had the spare, he'd even pass along an extra hunting knife for his fellow to practice with.

Body Inspection: 19. 

Survival: 27. (if considered being helped by Simaal: 24. 
(Probably not necessary, if able treated as "passive skill" for this particular action, but just in case it matters)