Gwen thinks that based on a standard journey in a jungle-like environment it would be helpful to have quite a bit of food. Something that can hold a large amount of water, so at least two waterskins per person, a backpack, a bedroll, a water-tight map case could be useful for the transportation of the map that's being given to you, mess kit to eat with, pouches to store things in (you can hold up to six on your person), rope could be useful in some cases, sacks might be useful, although they do take up hands, so it might be a slog to carry around, tents are always needed for outdoor expeditions, tinderboxes would be useful for starting fires, some form of light source could be useful to help see in the darkness (so it's not lightly obscured), although any light source could also draw attention... so you're unsure about that. If the light source is a lantern of some kind, oil would be very important. That's all that she thinks of as she's listing off things in her head, most of her experience has been in the forest, but she thinks that much of it should translate over to the a rain forest / jungle.
The masked figure continues speaking at Craben's query: "When you’re ready *COUGH* to depart, I will teleport us all to Port Nyanzaru, the only major *COUGH* settlement in Chult. I’ve been there several times before, so there’s little chance of *PAUSE* mishap. Once there, I’ll stay with a friend named *COUGH COUGH* Wakanga O’tamu. He’s one of seven merchant princes who rule *HACK* the city. You may return here when *HACK* you have bought everything that you might need. In addition, here is the *PAUSE* map." They subsequently hand you a map, and as you unfurl it, you see a partially filled in map of the Chultan peninsula.
If you wish to refer back to this, either open up this spoiler or look in the Roll20, it should be under Player Handouts.
The masked one then drops a coin pouch into each of your hands and points towards the door, gesturing to you all that it is time to prepare to leave.
Part 2: The Last Bastion of Civilization Day 30, 1547 hours
You return to the mansion of the wealthy Syndra Silvane and find that in the room that you were once in, a runic circle has been drawn on the ground. Arcane sigils mark its ends and you see clearly marked spots for four people to stand. The masked figure then slowly (seemingly with great effort) rises up from the floor, dusting their hands off as they finish the last remaining markings and then gesture for you to stand around at the circle in the designated points. "Come now, Craben *COUGH* stand there, Yosben you must stand *HACK* over there, and finally Gwen you should be right *PAUSE* there. I hope you are all settled, now do your best not to *COUGH COUGH* move, we don't want any..." the figure looks towards each and every one of you, and says the last part slowly: "accidents..." Then suddenly with a flash of light and several arcane words, the runes around you glow with magical energy. Then... you vanish.
It takes a moment for your eyes to adjust to the extraordinarily bright light that is here. As you look around you find that you have appeared in a tropical city under the blazing sun. 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.
Beyond all that, Port Nyanzaru is an explosion of color. 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.
Your great reverie is interrupted by the voice of the masked figure, who seems even more drained than usual. They continue in their dry raspy voice: "This... is *COUGH COUGH* Port Nyanzaru. A city on the edge. The last bastion of civilization in the wild jungle that is *HACK* Chult. I would try to *PAUSE* secure rooms. For a *COUGH* raucous time for you adventurer sorts the Thundering Lizard would be your best bet. Meanwhile, if you're *HACK* looking for a place to get a good nights sleep, head to Kaya's House of Repose. Though it is *PAUSE* pricy, it's quite quiet and comfortable. Both can be found in the MARKET WARD. You should be able to *COUGH* ask anyone to get directions to them." They then point across the bay towards an area marked by a bright blue building atop a very tall hill, connected to what looks like a coliseum of some kind. What you can only guess from this distance to be shops dot the sides of the hill and the flatland surrounding it until they begin to mix with the harbor on the other side of the bay. At that point the masked figure begins to speak again, but as they do you notice something behind them. A huge behemoth of a creature walks on all fours. It has green scales that seem to shimmer in the light and two green horns jut out of its head. It looks like a humongous scaly elephant, except the horns (/tusks) are above its eyes and it has a frill-like plate of scale sticking straight up on its neck. The ginormous creature carries a chultan man who holds a leaf on a stick in front of the great beast while it pulls a ginormous cart of exotic fruits and vegetables to your right (east). The man looks at you strangely, considering your incredibly foreign appearances. Eventually your mind refocuses on the speaking masked figure: "-*COUGH HACK* be staying with Wakanga O'tamu, a close personal friend and one of the merchant princes who runs the *PAUSE* city. I will most likely be staying there for the remainder of my time here, so feel free to *COUGH* seek my counsel should you require it. However, now I am much too weary and I would *HACK HACK* very much like to head over there. Do you have any more questions?"
OOC: That was long... but PLEASE try to read all of it. If you have to skim that's fine, but please if you can.
As soon as his eyes adjust Craben is immediately awestruck by all the colors and the murals. Craben is so excited to be in Chult and that he is just nodding along at what Syndra is saying but not paying attention to a word she says. As soon as she is done speaking he says "No, I'm good" and will walk to the closest mural and begins just observing and studying it.
Craben peers closer towards all of the colorful murals, jostling his way through the thick sailor and merchant filled crowd. As he strides across the street he notices that the building directly in front of him seems to have different murals than the majority of the other houses on this vibrant street. The murals on the strange boxy-building are full of gears, water mills, and other strange mechanical devices, which Craben realizes are the symbols of Gond the diety of invention! However, something piques his interest for this seems to be different than the other temples of the Lord of all Smiths Craben has seen in Baldur's Gate and in his other travels (as inventors and scholars often work together). Please give me a religion check as he looks at the temple.
As he then turns his head to see the murals of the other houses he sees a multitude of different styles and shapes adorning the walls of the houses. They are richly decorated with paint, ivy, and vivid flowers. Some are painted in symmetrical, geometric patterns of straight lines and sharp angles, while others portray animals, monsters, landscapes, and heroes in a stylized manner unique to Chult. In addition, something else strikes you as a bit odd about the different buildings and houses. Each of them has a cistern or wooden barrel under its roof, and some even have strange gear-like water mills built into the cisterns.
Not able to put his finger on what's different about this particular mural of Gond he'll turn to Yosben and Gwen and ask "Hey, take a look at this. Something's different about this mural to Gond but I can't put my finger on it. And look at the houses, they all have this water mill contraption built into them. What do you think they are for?"
(Someone can aid Craben on his check if they wish, granting him advantage on his roll)
As you look closer at the temple you see that its main feature seems to be an immense fountain whose water jets shift continually to create amazing shapes. Sometimes its in the shape of a humongous beast of some kind, easily 10 times your size, or at others it's a strange snake-man-hybrid, so many different creations from. Children play around in the water jets, adorned with bright colorful garbs they dance around as the water splashes down upon their heads, screaming and babbling in some strange tongue. A couple look at you and the happiness on their faces turns to a combination of curiosity and fear, but they simply move a bit away from the lot of you, only to return back to their fun with the water.
With Gwen's help, Craben realizes that the temple is missing a forge; a common centerpiece for a temple of Gond. He quickly makes a mental note of this and approaches the natives playing in the fountain hoping to ask them about this difference.
Yosben steps toward the fountain. Inspecting it, he is surprised to see the water coming down in many shapes. "Wow, this is an amazing invention. Who built this?" He says to himself, "and the amount of water you would need to do this... it's almost as if Gond himself made this...". He realizes he was completely ignoring the children, who are probably somewhat scared that they have never seen a grown person this short before.
"Umm..." He thinks to back when he was a child, and says. "Here, let me show you something!" He stands up, and steps back, casting a silent image of himself. He and the image both preform a series of tricks in sync.
He then realizes he completely ignored Craben, but he's already gone...
Gwen is mystified by all the colors, sights, and people packed in the city. The first thing that catches her eye are the giant elephant like creatures, "Hey, Yosben! Look at the big mutant elephant!" She follows Yosben to the fountain and proceeds to run her hands through it as he does his little tricks. She let her curious side take over for a moment, but her ranger side takes over now. "Yosben! I am going to secure us some lodgings! I'm heading to The Thundering Lizard, meet me there as soon as possible" She heads off, asking any locals, merchants in particular, for directions.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"The hero sought to save the world.
"If I keep trying, I'll be able to win," the hero thought.
But the harder the hero fought, the further the world seemed to tumble away.
Drowning in doubt, the hero could not even save themselves.
Hero, if you still believe in a brighter future, hold in your heart a thorn that can pierce all doubt."
"Elephants? I want to see it!" He runs of in it's direction, returning to say, "Gwen, I don't think that's an elephant" His cheeks redden as he realizes he has been acting somewhat childish since he arrived.
The small children first seem to shy away as Craben approaches and immediately a couple of Chultan parents stand up and look at the strangely-robed-man-who's-analyzing-the-temple-with-a-giant-backpack-and-a-bunch-of-other-stuff seeming to move as if defending their children, however upon seeing Yosben's show they look a bit confused at first but then surprised. One of them even bursts out laughing seeing the tiny-little-man-with-weird-robes dance with himself. The children then gather around to see the show, sitting and clapping along. Meanwhile, Gwen notices a cart being pulled by what looks like two strange orange crocodiles, except they have are smaller and they each have a humongous frill that runs straight along their back and stands out like a ginormous spine. The creatures pull a chultan sitting in a chariot who holds up a great sign with great bright blue letters: "YOU WON'T BE HONKIN' ABOUT YOUR LOSSES PLACE YOUR BETS FOR BIG HONKER TODAY!" Meanwhile, a chultan parent who is observing the performance goes over to Craben and says: "Little person is very good performer. You know him? He from circus? Bearded spirit-touched child?" Gwen then yells towards Yosben only to have several of the small children turn and laugh at the dwarf. "Red dwarf think triceratops is elephant!" As Yosben runs off, several children boo and yell for him to come back, and as he does so they cheer for him: "Yay! Little beard man show us more tricks!"
Gwen then runs off. As she does, she takes one of the merchants aside and quickly inquires about the location of The Thundering Lizard. She responds with a statement in a Damaran accent: "Why, you simply head towards the Grand Souk - the big tented area with all the shops - and then take a left turn. Continue that way and you should end up in the Red Bazaar. That's where you will be able to find the Thundering Lizard... although I much prefer Kaya's House of Repose. Far more dignified establishment if you ask me." The snuffy merchant proceeds to give a bit of a snuff as she doesn't notice that Gwen has already run off. "Humph. Well then." Gwen then passes under a great archway that towers above her. They depict ancient Chultan heroes, fighting off great snake monsters, terrible hulking creatures, and much more!
Gwen has left for around a minute or so, what are the rest of you doing in that time?
Craben will chuckle lightly at the thought of Yosben dressed as a clown.
"Yes, I know him and no he's not part of the circus. We are actually adventures from Baldur's Gate. We've never been to Chult before and our curiosity got the best of us. Thinking about it now us walking up to you all decked out in our gear must be a little intimidating. Sorry about that. Let's start over fresh. My name is Craben, my gnome friend there is Yosben, and the dwarf is Gwen. We were tasked by our employer to come to Chult learn all we can about your customs, history, people, wildlife, and general dangers before going off into the jungle to seek out a certain artifact. That's actually why I approached you. I noticed your Temple to Gond doesn't have a forge and I was curious to where it is. I mean the God of Smiths must have his forge to work. Also, I noticed these barrels under all the roofs. What are those you for? Please, any information would be a great help?"
While he was talking Craben reached into one of his packs to retrieve his ink pen, well, and his field notebook in order to write down their response for future reference.
The chultan gives a hearty laugh and claps you on the back (sending a shock wave through Craben). "You speak funny newcomer, but all are welcome in Ubato's land. I thank you for apology, kind thing to do to stranger like me. I am Atuar Yudan, brewer of tej. You must try! Kwayothe's shops in Red Bazaar have finest tasting tej in Chult!" He then pauses as you talk about Gond and thinks for a minute, only to continue: "I am worshipper of Waukeen, and her great mistress Madame Sibonseni, our mother of prosperity. So I do not know about Gond temple, but barrels are for rain!" He laughs and gestures up to the sky. "Today has been heavy rain off on. Soon will rain again and then you see. Who need metal in Chult? But everyone need water!"
Craben is eagerly writing down all this information.
"Tej? What is Tej? Would you mind taking us to the Red Bazaar to try some of this Tej? Oh, better yet we don't really know the city and would appreciate a guide to show us around. I can pay you some gold if you wouldn't mind giving us a tour of the city. Show us the Red Bazaar, any market districts, any temples, and any other interesting places in the city as well as answer any questions we might have. My one request before you decide if you want to do this is that we do need to find some lodging and we were recommended this place called The Thundering Lizard. I would like you to show us there. Like I said I could pay some gold for doing us this service. Does 8 gold sound reasonable?"
Hearing his name in a nearby conversation, Yosben says "No more for now. Maybe I'll come back later!" to the children, and walks over to where Craben is talking. "Do you know if they do use gold as currency here? Their customs are obviously different from ours..." He whispers to him.
The merchant heartily agrees eagerly shaking your hand. He then runs over to a Chultan woman and says something in a strange language that sounds common-ish but has some minor variations and intonations, but still something that can be produced easily by the human tongue. The woman eyes Craben with a bit of a strange look, seeming to try and get a read on him, but eventually, nods to Atuar. At that he then hurries over to a young Chultan girl who was watching Yosben's performance and scoops her up, tickling her and saying more words in the language. He then places a kiss on her forehead and moves back to Craben. "Indeed! This sound wonderful. I give the best tour. Jy sal nie vanaand oor verlore goud huil nie! or 'You will not be weeping over lost gold tonight!' as it is said in the common-speak. So where you like to start? See our districts? See the villas? The markets?"
At this point Gwen has made it to a town center-like spot, with a fountain in the middle and several streets leading off toward other places in the town. While she was walking she passed by a beautiful villa, perched on side of a hill, its illustrious battlements covered in bright murals. However, you cannot see too much else because you are on a lower level of Port Nyanzaru. As she continues on she sees that in front of her peaking out from the rooftops of the houses is what can only be described as a giant circus tent several hundred feet away. The "big top" is around one hundred feet in diameter, while three rectangular blocks shoot off of it at least one hundred feet in length and just as wide. Meanwhile, to her right she sees some kind of market, but it's a bit too far away to actually determine exactly what it is. Finally to her left she sees several ginormous creatures with studs plating their bodies. They look similar to a crocodile except much larger, their snouts are not as pronounced, and at the end of their tails, they have a humongous rock-like bulb that drags along the ground. The creatures are dragging an entire ship out of the water and up onto a dock of some sort, led by a Chultan who has a kind of multi-ended fisherman's pole, with each end having a vibrantly colored fruit. Several people with boxes full of tools eagerly await the ship. A couple people give her several strange stares, but only for a moment. You also notice one or two extremely tanned dwarves as you're walking along, so it seems that dwarves are simply a more uncommon appearance, rather than a nonexistent one.
Craben looks down at Yosben and gives him a simple smile before looking back up a the man to respond.
"We must first secure lodging and catch up with our dwarf friend. She was heading towards The Thundering Lizard so, that should be our first destination. After that, I would like to go to the Red Bazaar. From there I guess we'll see what captures our eyes."
(Simply give me the go ahead after I make this post for all of them, essentially I'm breaking down a ginormous post to allow for you to ask any questions to Atuar)
Atuar leaves the fountain, waving goodbye to his wife and daughter, and then he eagerly bounds over to the pair of you, shouting: "We go! Come, you follow!" He then moves through the scene of the harbor and approaches to the arch. He then spreads his hands wide and shows out the whole harbor as the scene is laid out before you:
He then proudly says: "This is Harbor Ward. Many ships dock here, for Chult is prosperous in trade. Especially in tej, which you find out soon. I cannot wait!" He then claps Craben on the back once more, sending yet another shock wave through him that he'd probably have to go to a chiropractor to fix. The large Chultan then carries on with his introduction. He displays the docks that you started on: "These royal docks, used only by Princes, and those who serve them of course." He then turns out to the bay itself, standing in the center of which is a ginormous statue (easily 25 ft. in diameter and twice as tall) in full regalia, resplendent in a loincloth of leopard skin and a headdress of feathers, shells, and tyrannosaurus teeth; draped in a cape of girallon fur and monkey tails; and wielding an oval shield and some kind of strange spear-like weapon. "That is Great King, Na N'buso. His eminence shines down all dealings." He then turns a bit to the left and shows off a lighthouse at the end of the harbor. A flame burns atop it, sending great smoke clouds to the sky. "This be the lighthouse of Nyanzaru. Zindar ensures it is active always, along with many duties on harbor." He then wheels around and jovially strides through the great archway. It depicts ancient Chultan heroes, fighting off great snake monsters, terrible hulking creatures, and much more! Atuar then points out a beautiful villa, perched on side of a hill. Its illustrious battlements are covered in bright murals. However, you cannot see too much else because you are on a lower level of Port Nyanzaru. He then lets out another note: "This is villa of Jessamine, the merchant prince. She deal in exotic fruits, both of jungle, and creatures." His eyes then suddenly grow dark a bit. "I warn you, foreigners. Do not cross princes, but no crossing of Jessamine the most." He then returns to his normal amicable self. "Now come. More Nyanzaru to see!" He then gleefully turns around and heads off to the Southwest.
Meanwhile, Gwen rushes on ahead, going past several more houses when she notices another humongous villa above her again, its beauty momentarily catching her eye as she simply stands there stunned by its elegance. It is quite clear that these villas are incredibly lavish. Most likely along the lines of wealth as some of the merchant lords back in Baldur's Gate. Gwen begins to notice that the streets are paved with cobblestones or flagstones, and they have deep rain gutters as much as 2 feet wide.
Yosben spends most of the time gaping at the surrounding structures, but does see Craben get clapped on the back, and is glad the man did not do it to him.
Yosben and Craben continue their tour as Atuar once more introduces the area that you are currently in: "Now we come into Merchant Ward! This where Merchant Princes and servants live. I live in Market Ward myself." He seems somewhat proud of this fact as he says it. As you pass through the center of the city square he points to the North "That the Jewel Market. Exclusive Grand Souk for only those who afford big beautiful gems." He then strides forwards and displays the area to the south.Several creatures are dragging an entire ship out of the water and up onto a dock of some sort, led by a Chultan who has a kind of multi-ended fisherman's pole, with each end having a vibrantly colored fruit. The creatures have studs plating their bodies, and they look similar to a crocodile except much larger, with their snouts not being as pronounced, and at the end of their tails, they have a humongous rock-like bulb that drags along the ground. The ship has almost entirely been brought out of the water at this point and you notice something strange. At the front end of the hull, there is a humongous missing piece. It seems as if part of the boat has had an entire chunk just ripped out of it. Several Chultans have begun to place scaly hides of the creatures and hammering them onto the ship itself, along with several pieces of dark timber. Atuar shakes his head. "Seems Aremag found more victim." He looks down and simply continues walking. Then as he continues he points up to another villa that's high above you. Its beauty catching your eyes as you all simply stand there stunned by its elegance. It is quite clear that these villas are incredibly lavish. Most likely along the lines of wealth as some of the merchant lords back in Baldur's Gate. Atuar notes that this is "Villa of Wakanga O'tamu. He Merchant Prince of magic. You not want to get on his bad side else he curse you with foul spell!" You recall that the masked figure said that they would be staying with a friend named Wakanga O'tamu.
Gwen continues moving through the streets, and finds herself looking into the Grand Souk. As she peers in she sees so many shops, each one selling different wares. Timber, spices, humongous skulls of different creatures, animal claws, pelts, carved ivory, colored feathers, tropical fruit and much much more. She also sees several weapons and armor. Although as she's peering in, while she sees several shops with hide armor, leather, studded leather, scale mail, etc... she sees no shops with the more heavy kinds of armor, like full and half-plate. Her gaze is suddenly interrupted by a tabaxi grasping a lute who says in a silky smooth voice: "Care for a song madam? Only'll cost you a pretty penny..." he then plays a quick chord on his lute as if to demonstrate.
Gwen thinks that based on a standard journey in a jungle-like environment it would be helpful to have quite a bit of food. Something that can hold a large amount of water, so at least two waterskins per person, a backpack, a bedroll, a water-tight map case could be useful for the transportation of the map that's being given to you, mess kit to eat with, pouches to store things in (you can hold up to six on your person), rope could be useful in some cases, sacks might be useful, although they do take up hands, so it might be a slog to carry around, tents are always needed for outdoor expeditions, tinderboxes would be useful for starting fires, some form of light source could be useful to help see in the darkness (so it's not lightly obscured), although any light source could also draw attention... so you're unsure about that. If the light source is a lantern of some kind, oil would be very important. That's all that she thinks of as she's listing off things in her head, most of her experience has been in the forest, but she thinks that much of it should translate over to the a rain forest / jungle.
The masked figure continues speaking at Craben's query: "When you’re ready *COUGH* to depart, I will teleport us all to Port Nyanzaru, the only major *COUGH* settlement in Chult. I’ve been there several times before, so there’s little chance of *PAUSE* mishap. Once there, I’ll stay with a friend named *COUGH COUGH* Wakanga O’tamu. He’s one of seven merchant princes who rule *HACK* the city. You may return here when *HACK* you have bought everything that you might need. In addition, here is the *PAUSE* map." They subsequently hand you a map, and as you unfurl it, you see a partially filled in map of the Chultan peninsula.
If you wish to refer back to this, either open up this spoiler or look in the Roll20, it should be under Player Handouts.
The masked one then drops a coin pouch into each of your hands and points towards the door, gesturing to you all that it is time to prepare to leave.
DM of Tomb of Annihilation (and more) Group 2 and Group 3
Part 2: The Last Bastion of Civilization
Day 30, 1547 hours
You return to the mansion of the wealthy Syndra Silvane and find that in the room that you were once in, a runic circle has been drawn on the ground. Arcane sigils mark its ends and you see clearly marked spots for four people to stand. The masked figure then slowly (seemingly with great effort) rises up from the floor, dusting their hands off as they finish the last remaining markings and then gesture for you to stand around at the circle in the designated points. "Come now, Craben *COUGH* stand there, Yosben you must stand *HACK* over there, and finally Gwen you should be right *PAUSE* there. I hope you are all settled, now do your best not to *COUGH COUGH* move, we don't want any..." the figure looks towards each and every one of you, and says the last part slowly: "accidents..." Then suddenly with a flash of light and several arcane words, the runes around you glow with magical energy. Then... you vanish.
It takes a moment for your eyes to adjust to the extraordinarily bright light that is here. As you look around you find that you have appeared in a tropical city under the blazing sun. 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.
Beyond all that, Port Nyanzaru is an explosion of color. 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.
Your great reverie is interrupted by the voice of the masked figure, who seems even more drained than usual. They continue in their dry raspy voice: "This... is *COUGH COUGH* Port Nyanzaru. A city on the edge. The last bastion of civilization in the wild jungle that is *HACK* Chult. I would try to *PAUSE * secure rooms. For a *COUGH* raucous time for you adventurer sorts the Thundering Lizard would be your best bet. Meanwhile, if you're *HACK* looking for a place to get a good nights sleep, head to Kaya's House of Repose. Though it is *PAUSE* pricy, it's quite quiet and comfortable. Both can be found in the MARKET WARD. You should be able to *COUGH* ask anyone to get directions to them." They then point across the bay towards an area marked by a bright blue building atop a very tall hill, connected to what looks like a coliseum of some kind. What you can only guess from this distance to be shops dot the sides of the hill and the flatland surrounding it until they begin to mix with the harbor on the other side of the bay. At that point the masked figure begins to speak again, but as they do you notice something behind them. A huge behemoth of a creature walks on all fours. It has green scales that seem to shimmer in the light and two green horns jut out of its head. It looks like a humongous scaly elephant, except the horns (/tusks) are above its eyes and it has a frill-like plate of scale sticking straight up on its neck. The ginormous creature carries a chultan man who holds a leaf on a stick in front of the great beast while it pulls a ginormous cart of exotic fruits and vegetables to your right (east). The man looks at you strangely, considering your incredibly foreign appearances. Eventually your mind refocuses on the speaking masked figure: "-*COUGH HACK* be staying with Wakanga O'tamu, a close personal friend and one of the merchant princes who runs the *PAUSE* city. I will most likely be staying there for the remainder of my time here, so feel free to *COUGH* seek my counsel should you require it. However, now I am much too weary and I would *HACK HACK* very much like to head over there. Do you have any more questions?"
OOC: That was long... but PLEASE try to read all of it. If you have to skim that's fine, but please if you can.
Chultans:![]()
DM of Tomb of Annihilation (and more) Group 2 and Group 3
As soon as his eyes adjust Craben is immediately awestruck by all the colors and the murals. Craben is so excited to be in Chult and that he is just nodding along at what Syndra is saying but not paying attention to a word she says. As soon as she is done speaking he says "No, I'm good" and will walk to the closest mural and begins just observing and studying it.
Craben peers closer towards all of the colorful murals, jostling his way through the thick sailor and merchant filled crowd. As he strides across the street he notices that the building directly in front of him seems to have different murals than the majority of the other houses on this vibrant street. The murals on the strange boxy-building are full of gears, water mills, and other strange mechanical devices, which Craben realizes are the symbols of Gond the diety of invention! However, something piques his interest for this seems to be different than the other temples of the Lord of all Smiths Craben has seen in Baldur's Gate and in his other travels (as inventors and scholars often work together). Please give me a religion check as he looks at the temple.
As he then turns his head to see the murals of the other houses he sees a multitude of different styles and shapes adorning the walls of the houses. They are richly decorated with paint, ivy, and vivid flowers. Some are painted in symmetrical, geometric patterns of straight lines and sharp angles, while others portray animals, monsters, landscapes, and heroes in a stylized manner unique to Chult. In addition, something else strikes you as a bit odd about the different buildings and houses. Each of them has a cistern or wooden barrel under its roof, and some even have strange gear-like water mills built into the cisterns.
DM of Tomb of Annihilation (and more) Group 2 and Group 3
Not able to put his finger on what's different about this particular mural of Gond he'll turn to Yosben and Gwen and ask "Hey, take a look at this. Something's different about this mural to Gond but I can't put my finger on it. And look at the houses, they all have this water mill contraption built into them. What do you think they are for?"
(Someone can aid Craben on his check if they wish, granting him advantage on his roll)
As you look closer at the temple you see that its main feature seems to be an immense fountain whose water jets shift continually to create amazing shapes. Sometimes its in the shape of a humongous beast of some kind, easily 10 times your size, or at others it's a strange snake-man-hybrid, so many different creations from. Children play around in the water jets, adorned with bright colorful garbs they dance around as the water splashes down upon their heads, screaming and babbling in some strange tongue. A couple look at you and the happiness on their faces turns to a combination of curiosity and fear, but they simply move a bit away from the lot of you, only to return back to their fun with the water.
DM of Tomb of Annihilation (and more) Group 2 and Group 3
With Gwen's help, Craben realizes that the temple is missing a forge; a common centerpiece for a temple of Gond. He quickly makes a mental note of this and approaches the natives playing in the fountain hoping to ask them about this difference.
Yosben steps toward the fountain. Inspecting it, he is surprised to see the water coming down in many shapes. "Wow, this is an amazing invention. Who built this?" He says to himself, "and the amount of water you would need to do this... it's almost as if Gond himself made this...". He realizes he was completely ignoring the children, who are probably somewhat scared that they have never seen a grown person this short before.
"Umm..." He thinks to back when he was a child, and says. "Here, let me show you something!" He stands up, and steps back, casting a silent image of himself. He and the image both preform a series of tricks in sync.
He then realizes he completely ignored Craben, but he's already gone...
Gwen is mystified by all the colors, sights, and people packed in the city. The first thing that catches her eye are the giant elephant like creatures, "Hey, Yosben! Look at the big mutant elephant!" She follows Yosben to the fountain and proceeds to run her hands through it as he does his little tricks. She let her curious side take over for a moment, but her ranger side takes over now. "Yosben! I am going to secure us some lodgings! I'm heading to The Thundering Lizard, meet me there as soon as possible" She heads off, asking any locals, merchants in particular, for directions.
"The hero sought to save the world.
"If I keep trying, I'll be able to win," the hero thought.
But the harder the hero fought, the further the world seemed to tumble away.
Drowning in doubt, the hero could not even save themselves.
Hero, if you still believe in a brighter future, hold in your heart a thorn that can pierce all doubt."
~ Guild Wars 2
"Elephants? I want to see it!" He runs of in it's direction, returning to say, "Gwen, I don't think that's an elephant" His cheeks redden as he realizes he has been acting somewhat childish since he arrived.
Day 30, 1551 hours
The small children first seem to shy away as Craben approaches and immediately a couple of Chultan parents stand up and look at the strangely-robed-man-who's-analyzing-the-temple-with-a-giant-backpack-and-a-bunch-of-other-stuff seeming to move as if defending their children, however upon seeing Yosben's show they look a bit confused at first but then surprised. One of them even bursts out laughing seeing the tiny-little-man-with-weird-robes dance with himself. The children then gather around to see the show, sitting and clapping along. Meanwhile, Gwen notices a cart being pulled by what looks like two strange orange crocodiles, except they have are smaller and they each have a humongous frill that runs straight along their back and stands out like a ginormous spine. The creatures pull a chultan sitting in a chariot who holds up a great sign with great bright blue letters: "YOU WON'T BE HONKIN' ABOUT YOUR LOSSES PLACE YOUR BETS FOR BIG HONKER TODAY!" Meanwhile, a chultan parent who is observing the performance goes over to Craben and says: "Little person is very good performer. You know him? He from circus? Bearded spirit-touched child?" Gwen then yells towards Yosben only to have several of the small children turn and laugh at the dwarf. "Red dwarf think triceratops is elephant!" As Yosben runs off, several children boo and yell for him to come back, and as he does so they cheer for him: "Yay! Little beard man show us more tricks!"
Gwen then runs off. As she does, she takes one of the merchants aside and quickly inquires about the location of The Thundering Lizard. She responds with a statement in a Damaran accent: "Why, you simply head towards the Grand Souk - the big tented area with all the shops - and then take a left turn. Continue that way and you should end up in the Red Bazaar. That's where you will be able to find the Thundering Lizard... although I much prefer Kaya's House of Repose. Far more dignified establishment if you ask me." The snuffy merchant proceeds to give a bit of a snuff as she doesn't notice that Gwen has already run off. "Humph. Well then." Gwen then passes under a great archway that towers above her. They depict ancient Chultan heroes, fighting off great snake monsters, terrible hulking creatures, and much more!
Gwen has left for around a minute or so, what are the rest of you doing in that time?
DM of Tomb of Annihilation (and more) Group 2 and Group 3
Craben will chuckle lightly at the thought of Yosben dressed as a clown.
"Yes, I know him and no he's not part of the circus. We are actually adventures from Baldur's Gate. We've never been to Chult before and our curiosity got the best of us. Thinking about it now us walking up to you all decked out in our gear must be a little intimidating. Sorry about that. Let's start over fresh. My name is Craben, my gnome friend there is Yosben, and the dwarf is Gwen. We were tasked by our employer to come to Chult learn all we can about your customs, history, people, wildlife, and general dangers before going off into the jungle to seek out a certain artifact. That's actually why I approached you. I noticed your Temple to Gond doesn't have a forge and I was curious to where it is. I mean the God of Smiths must have his forge to work. Also, I noticed these barrels under all the roofs. What are those you for? Please, any information would be a great help?"
While he was talking Craben reached into one of his packs to retrieve his ink pen, well, and his field notebook in order to write down their response for future reference.
The chultan gives a hearty laugh and claps you on the back (sending a shock wave through Craben). "You speak funny newcomer, but all are welcome in Ubato's land. I thank you for apology, kind thing to do to stranger like me. I am Atuar Yudan, brewer of tej. You must try! Kwayothe's shops in Red Bazaar have finest tasting tej in Chult!" He then pauses as you talk about Gond and thinks for a minute, only to continue: "I am worshipper of Waukeen, and her great mistress Madame Sibonseni, our mother of prosperity. So I do not know about Gond temple, but barrels are for rain!" He laughs and gestures up to the sky. "Today has been heavy rain off on. Soon will rain again and then you see. Who need metal in Chult? But everyone need water!"
DM of Tomb of Annihilation (and more) Group 2 and Group 3
Craben is eagerly writing down all this information.
"Tej? What is Tej? Would you mind taking us to the Red Bazaar to try some of this Tej? Oh, better yet we don't really know the city and would appreciate a guide to show us around. I can pay you some gold if you wouldn't mind giving us a tour of the city. Show us the Red Bazaar, any market districts, any temples, and any other interesting places in the city as well as answer any questions we might have. My one request before you decide if you want to do this is that we do need to find some lodging and we were recommended this place called The Thundering Lizard. I would like you to show us there. Like I said I could pay some gold for doing us this service. Does 8 gold sound reasonable?"
Hearing his name in a nearby conversation, Yosben says "No more for now. Maybe I'll come back later!" to the children, and walks over to where Craben is talking. "Do you know if they do use gold as currency here? Their customs are obviously different from ours..." He whispers to him.
Day 30, 1553 hours
The merchant heartily agrees eagerly shaking your hand. He then runs over to a Chultan woman and says something in a strange language that sounds common-ish but has some minor variations and intonations, but still something that can be produced easily by the human tongue. The woman eyes Craben with a bit of a strange look, seeming to try and get a read on him, but eventually, nods to Atuar. At that he then hurries over to a young Chultan girl who was watching Yosben's performance and scoops her up, tickling her and saying more words in the language. He then places a kiss on her forehead and moves back to Craben. "Indeed! This sound wonderful. I give the best tour. Jy sal nie vanaand oor verlore goud huil nie! or 'You will not be weeping over lost gold tonight!' as it is said in the common-speak. So where you like to start? See our districts? See the villas? The markets?"
At this point Gwen has made it to a town center-like spot, with a fountain in the middle and several streets leading off toward other places in the town. While she was walking she passed by a beautiful villa, perched on side of a hill, its illustrious battlements covered in bright murals. However, you cannot see too much else because you are on a lower level of Port Nyanzaru. As she continues on she sees that in front of her peaking out from the rooftops of the houses is what can only be described as a giant circus tent several hundred feet away. The "big top" is around one hundred feet in diameter, while three rectangular blocks shoot off of it at least one hundred feet in length and just as wide. Meanwhile, to her right she sees some kind of market, but it's a bit too far away to actually determine exactly what it is. Finally to her left she sees several ginormous creatures with studs plating their bodies. They look similar to a crocodile except much larger, their snouts are not as pronounced, and at the end of their tails, they have a humongous rock-like bulb that drags along the ground. The creatures are dragging an entire ship out of the water and up onto a dock of some sort, led by a Chultan who has a kind of multi-ended fisherman's pole, with each end having a vibrantly colored fruit. Several people with boxes full of tools eagerly await the ship. A couple people give her several strange stares, but only for a moment. You also notice one or two extremely tanned dwarves as you're walking along, so it seems that dwarves are simply a more uncommon appearance, rather than a nonexistent one.
DM of Tomb of Annihilation (and more) Group 2 and Group 3
Craben looks down at Yosben and gives him a simple smile before looking back up a the man to respond.
"We must first secure lodging and catch up with our dwarf friend. She was heading towards The Thundering Lizard so, that should be our first destination. After that, I would like to go to the Red Bazaar. From there I guess we'll see what captures our eyes."
(Simply give me the go ahead after I make this post for all of them, essentially I'm breaking down a ginormous post to allow for you to ask any questions to Atuar)
Atuar leaves the fountain, waving goodbye to his wife and daughter, and then he eagerly bounds over to the pair of you, shouting: "We go! Come, you follow!" He then moves through the scene of the harbor and approaches to the arch. He then spreads his hands wide and shows out the whole harbor as the scene is laid out before you:
He then proudly says: "This is Harbor Ward. Many ships dock here, for Chult is prosperous in trade. Especially in tej, which you find out soon. I cannot wait!" He then claps Craben on the back once more, sending yet another shock wave through him that he'd probably have to go to a chiropractor to fix. The large Chultan then carries on with his introduction. He displays the docks that you started on: "These royal docks, used only by Princes, and those who serve them of course." He then turns out to the bay itself, standing in the center of which is a ginormous statue (easily 25 ft. in diameter and twice as tall) in full regalia, resplendent in a loincloth of leopard skin and a headdress of feathers, shells, and tyrannosaurus teeth; draped in a cape of girallon fur and monkey tails; and wielding an oval shield and some kind of strange spear-like weapon. "That is Great King, Na N'buso. His eminence shines down all dealings." He then turns a bit to the left and shows off a lighthouse at the end of the harbor. A flame burns atop it, sending great smoke clouds to the sky. "This be the lighthouse of Nyanzaru. Zindar ensures it is active always, along with many duties on harbor." He then wheels around and jovially strides through the great archway. It depicts ancient Chultan heroes, fighting off great snake monsters, terrible hulking creatures, and much more! Atuar then points out a beautiful villa, perched on side of a hill. Its illustrious battlements are covered in bright murals. However, you cannot see too much else because you are on a lower level of Port Nyanzaru. He then lets out another note: "This is villa of Jessamine, the merchant prince. She deal in exotic fruits, both of jungle, and creatures." His eyes then suddenly grow dark a bit. "I warn you, foreigners. Do not cross princes, but no crossing of Jessamine the most." He then returns to his normal amicable self. "Now come. More Nyanzaru to see!" He then gleefully turns around and heads off to the Southwest.
Meanwhile, Gwen rushes on ahead, going past several more houses when she notices another humongous villa above her again, its beauty momentarily catching her eye as she simply stands there stunned by its elegance. It is quite clear that these villas are incredibly lavish. Most likely along the lines of wealth as some of the merchant lords back in Baldur's Gate. Gwen begins to notice that the streets are paved with cobblestones or flagstones, and they have deep rain gutters as much as 2 feet wide.
All I need is the go-ahead to post again.
DM of Tomb of Annihilation (and more) Group 2 and Group 3
Yosben spends most of the time gaping at the surrounding structures, but does see Craben get clapped on the back, and is glad the man did not do it to him.
Yosben and Craben continue their tour as Atuar once more introduces the area that you are currently in: "Now we come into Merchant Ward! This where Merchant Princes and servants live. I live in Market Ward myself." He seems somewhat proud of this fact as he says it. As you pass through the center of the city square he points to the North "That the Jewel Market. Exclusive Grand Souk for only those who afford big beautiful gems." He then strides forwards and displays the area to the south.Several creatures are dragging an entire ship out of the water and up onto a dock of some sort, led by a Chultan who has a kind of multi-ended fisherman's pole, with each end having a vibrantly colored fruit. The creatures have studs plating their bodies, and they look similar to a crocodile except much larger, with their snouts not being as pronounced, and at the end of their tails, they have a humongous rock-like bulb that drags along the ground. The ship has almost entirely been brought out of the water at this point and you notice something strange. At the front end of the hull, there is a humongous missing piece. It seems as if part of the boat has had an entire chunk just ripped out of it. Several Chultans have begun to place scaly hides of the creatures and hammering them onto the ship itself, along with several pieces of dark timber. Atuar shakes his head. "Seems Aremag found more victim." He looks down and simply continues walking. Then as he continues he points up to another villa that's high above you. Its beauty catching your eyes as you all simply stand there stunned by its elegance. It is quite clear that these villas are incredibly lavish. Most likely along the lines of wealth as some of the merchant lords back in Baldur's Gate. Atuar notes that this is "Villa of Wakanga O'tamu. He Merchant Prince of magic. You not want to get on his bad side else he curse you with foul spell!" You recall that the masked figure said that they would be staying with a friend named Wakanga O'tamu.
Gwen continues moving through the streets, and finds herself looking into the Grand Souk. As she peers in she sees so many shops, each one selling different wares. Timber, spices, humongous skulls of different creatures, animal claws, pelts, carved ivory, colored feathers, tropical fruit and much much more. She also sees several weapons and armor. Although as she's peering in, while she sees several shops with hide armor, leather, studded leather, scale mail, etc... she sees no shops with the more heavy kinds of armor, like full and half-plate. Her gaze is suddenly interrupted by a tabaxi grasping a lute who says in a silky smooth voice: "Care for a song madam? Only'll cost you a pretty penny..." he then plays a quick chord on his lute as if to demonstrate.
DM of Tomb of Annihilation (and more) Group 2 and Group 3