(Poole's fine with going to see about her armor after this discussion's finished -- but if she's left already, she's gone. Which I'm good with! She relayed her two cents already.)

Flask and River remain quiet as Hana and Koris exchange their remarks. The two tabaxi then simultaneously drain their glasses of nej and begin to excuse themselves from the conversation. "Qawasha will serve you well, I'm sure," says Flask.

"If you change your mind, you can find us in Tiryki Anchorage, just east of the city," remarks River. "Farewell." 

At about that same time, the acolyte Eshek leans into Anzir and says, "I shall be at the temple of Savras should you wish to speak further about this."

Outside, the rain increases in its intensity; a few rolls of thunder can be heard in the distance.

Melanthios shrugs.

"Not really particular about what guide we hire.  Let’s find Qawasha, shall we?’

Irma nods, "Lets make a decision and be on our way. I don't think any of them is perfect, especially as we don't really know what we want."

"You'd think people want to actually get paid around here. Pick any that you like. No dinosaurs, though," Anzir says.

Koris starts to follow Eshek from a distance.

Anzir sees the half-elf leave after Eshek and catches up with him. "Are we sneaking?" he says in a whisper as his armor clanks.

“Well... I am not sure. With you here, probably not big guy.” Koris gestures sorta’ vaguely at Anzir’s large size and clanky armor (with sympathy)

"Yeah, it isn't really my strong suit," Anzir says. "Let's see what else this Eshek fella has to say."

Poole returns to Minte and is more than satisfied with the artistic touch that has been applied to her armor. "You shall be both invisible and beautiful," Minte boasts as he collects the three pieces of silver for his services. 

A nearby merchant watches the interaction between Poole and Minte for a while before calling out, "And so you'll be dressed for the jungles of Chult, friend. But how shall you travel? A canoe! Along the river in a canoe, of course!"

He then motions toward a half dozen sleek, colorful boats as he nods and smiles. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Meanwhile, Anzir and Koris walk briskly through the downpour, realizing they have no recourse for staying dry. The wide gutters of the streets of Port Nyanzaru chatter with the sound of rushing water, and the locals go about their business as usual. The weather seems to be nothing out of the ordinary for them. 

True to his word, Eshek makes directly for the Temple of Savras; the building is old but grand and one of the most impressive in the city. The tiled roof of its great dome resembles an unblinking eye, staring skyward. Upon entering the temple, Anzir and Koris find themselves in a large open room with filled with books, reading tables, and comfortable chairs. On one side of the room, a elderly priest of Savras is engaged in a mildly tense conversation with three Tethyrian humans clad in studded leather armor and armed with shortswords. The priest can be heard saying rather gruffly, "You have my answer. Farewell."

Anzir and Koris detect the three humans will neither accept the priest's answer nor depart the temple. The tone changes, however, when the three turn and see the dragonborn and half-elf are nearby. Troubling the priest no longer seems prudent; so, the three Tethyrian's abruptly turn, sour faces and all, and leave the temple. 

Casting a glance at the two unfamiliar faces that have just entered the temple, the old priest says warmly, "Savras welcomes you."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Back at the Thundering Lizard, a female half-orc who introduces herself as Undril Silvertusk has started up a conversation with Hana, Irma, and Melanthios. After a bit of small talk about the weather and curiosities of Port Nyanzaru, Undril lightheartedly explains why she's in the city. "Supposed to make a quick trip to Camp Vengeance, and what a fool I was to think I'd step off the ship, rent a horse, and ride for a few days to my destination. Ha! Not a horse within sight! Anyway, just trying to figure out how to solve this little riddle. Trudging through the jungle on foot doesn't seem my best course of action. Ha ha!"

Undril's desire for advice or help with this matter is obvious to all. 

Melanthios shrugs.

"We’ll probably end up traveling by foot.  I’d think by horse would be worse, you’d get hung up on branches and whatnot."

Undril nods her head in response to Melanthios. "On foot, yes. That seems the only way to travel the jungle. Do you know anyone who's headed upriver, toward Camp Vengeance? I'd much rather travel with others, if at all possible."

"Maybe, maybe not," Poole says. "Tell me your name so I can remember it." She heads back to the tavern quickly.

(Has Poole returned for any of the conversation?)

"Hi, priest," Anzir says to the old man as he looks around for Eshek. "Looks like we came at an opportune time. Have you seen Eshek?"

Quote from rkmobius >>

"Maybe, maybe not," Poole says. "Tell me your name so I can remember it." She heads back to the tavern quickly.

(Has Poole returned for any of the conversation?)

 "Jivana," he replies as Poole steps away and hurries through the downpour and back to the Thundering Lizard. 

When Poole enters the inn, she sees Melanthios, Irma, and Hana sitting with a female half-orc. Approaching the table, she hears the summary of the half-orc's plight: trying to come up with a way to reach Camp Vengeance. 

Quote from MindDetective >>

"Hi, priest," Anzir says to the old man as he looks around for Eshek. "Looks like we came at an opportune time. Have you seen Eshek?"

The old man nods politely and motions toward the stairs. "I believe he went upstairs. Most likely to prepare the evening meal. May I help you? I am Grandfather Zitembe, head priest of this temple."

Anzir nods respectfully. "Anzir Hardscale," he says curtly, "and this is Koris. Eshek had a vision about us."

Quote from MindDetective >>

Anzir nods respectfully. "Anzir Hardscale," he says curtly, "and this is Koris. Eshek had a vision about us."

 “Or so he said.” Koris has his eyebrows scrunched up, skeptically.

Anzir looks at Koris and turns back to Grandfather Zitembe. "So he said," the dragonborn says. "If you vouch for him, grandfather, then won't doubt you."

Anzir lifts the amulet from inside his chainmail, raising it by the thick chain. It depicts a coin at an angle, making it look like an eye. A woman's face is etched in perspective on the coin. The depression of Tymora's symbol sits off-center, slightly above the middle of the amulet giving it a cyclopean appearance. The elaborate filigree designs along the border are that keep the amulet from being utterly plain.

"Our gods may not be close but I understand and respect the institution of the temple. It is Tymora that called me here," Anzir says. This is the first that Koris has heard such a thing.

"Sorry, not from around here. What's at Camp Vengeance? What are you seeking friend?" Hana asks slurring a little.

Quote from MindDetective >>

Anzir looks at Koris and turns back to Grandfather Zitembe. "So he said," the dragonborn says. "If you vouch for him, grandfather, then won't doubt you."

Anzir lifts the amulet from inside his chainmail, raising it by the thick chain. It depicts a coin at an angle, making it look like an eye. A woman's face is etched in perspective on the coin. The depression of Tymora's symbol sits off-center, slightly above the middle of the amulet giving it a cyclopean appearance. The elaborate filigree designs along the border are that keep the amulet from being utterly plain.

"Our gods may not be close but I understand and respect the institution of the temple. It is Tymora that called me here," Anzir says. This is the first that Koris has heard such a thing.

 Grandfather Zitembe nods silently and rubs his beard thoughtfully as he studies the faces of Anzir and Koris. "Eshek had a vision, yes. He told me of it. Too humble he is to believe such a thing could happen to him. A good acolyte. He will serve Savras well, I believe."

The old priest motions toward some chairs, indicating he is inviting the paladin and the wizard to be seated. "Tymora," he continues, "and Savras might have many things in common. It is hard to say, no? The luck of the one and the knowledge of the other could make for an interesting...and powerful...marriage of sorts. You wonder if Eshek's vision has any merit to it, correct? To that question, my answer is yes, friends."

Zitembe sits and looks earnestly at Anzir and Koris. "'Speak to the wise guardian of Orolunga, east of Mbala'. That is what Eshek has declared. What will you do?"