“The Fist are the richest group in Baldur’s Gate. They can produce the coin to bribe one such as this. If they do not pay, IT IS THEIR CHOICE. If they did not prepare for this, it is on them to deal with the consequences. We’ll not stop the curse on the Professor from the bottom of the Bay.“

Lesley reaches for Salazar’s collar. Mistaking his intent, Salazar attempts to deflect the attack by pushing the Bugbear overboard, but before he’s budged him much at all, Talin & Callbrax swing from the rigging and break up the fray. 

"We SAIL, Lesley, while we can!"

Salazar, still throwing a snit, stomps his way to the tiller and waits for Callbrax or Paulo to signal The Diviner is ready to come about.

Callbrax and Paulo immediately set to work, their instincts kick in as with several well-placed knots and pulls the small boat escapes from the current caused by the behemoth. Meanwhile, the captain shouts out: "WHAT IS THIS? HE MEANS TO TRICK US... ADVENTURERS SLAY THIS BEAST!" Said beast does not take kindly to the fact that there are now three ships worth of adventurers attacking it and thus it speeds up its whirlpool, ignoring the lightning bolts, arrows, explosions, bolts, javelins, and more. Eventually, the three boats find themselves spinning around until with a sickening CRUNCH the hulls snap in half at practically the same time. The captain yells out: "YOU CANNOT DO THIS! THIS AREA IS UNDER FLAMING FIST COMMAND! YOU ARE MY INFERI-" He is immediately interrupted as the dragon turtle rises from the sea and breathes out a cloud of steam that covers the decks of all three ships (or what's left of them). Suddenly blood-curdling cries and shouts of pain erupt from the ships as adventurers collapse by the dozen... only to be consumed in an explosion fins as the sharks devour their newfound lunch.

The Diviner and its small crew escape mostly unscathed, a mass of red water in their wake. "By Yondalla... what just happened?" The words escape Callbrax's dumbfounded expression... and that is the only word that is said at least an hour. At least sixteen groups of adventurers have fallen to one. Eventually, a seagull perches on top of Salazar's head and as you are all removed from your reverie you see a port. You've finally arrived in Port Nyanzaru. As The Diviner docks, you all look around, and an astounding sight meets your eyes. 

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. Callbrax then looks at all of you, the dour expression on his face contrasting with the vibrancy of the city. "Well... we've made it. I think... I think you all should report to Syndra... She has to know what happened. As for me... I'm sorry, I need to head back to Baldur's Gate. Remalia and the other leaders must be informed of this." As he's talking your mind suddenly is distracted by something walking behind Callbrax: A huge behemoth of a creature that walks on all fours. It has green scales that seem to shimmer in the light and three green horns that 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 Callbrax. "I wish you the best of luck adventurers, it's truly been wonderful having you aboard my ship." He then looks around for a dry dock to repair his ship and (after any questions) bids you farewell.

Chultans: 

Turning from the Diviner and shouldering his pack, Salazar scans the crowds, seeking the trappings of someone in charge. 

“Paulo, I believe we should begin by locating the home or offices of Wakanga O’tamu. I believe that was the name Mistress Sylvane gave us.  Do you see anyone that’s likely to speak Common or Elvish or something we can understand?”

Lesley nods to Callabrax, “And best of luck to you.” Before walking over to the large creature, “Incredible. I’ve never seen such creatures before... What is this place...” He looks over to the natives, “What. Is. This?” And makes large, exaggerated gestures to the dinosaur.

Several people look your way in a combination of confusion and fright. As the hulking furry "creature" steps forward several people shy away, tugging their children as they look upon Lesley with wonder. This leaves Lesley standing, finger raised, poised to ask a question, but nobody to recieve it. However, as the area does clear a bit (with people giving a wide berth to the bugbear), Lesley notices 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 piques something in the back of Lesley's head (religion check please).

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.

As you look closer at the building 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. Meanwhile, their parents chat about who knows what while their children play among the water, which must be incredibly refreshing on this blisteringly hot day (you couldn't even imagine walking somewhere in this heat).

“Huh. A temple to Gond here? What a strange place.” Lesley steps forward into the building and looks around for someone who might he might be able to speak to.

Lesley passes by the fountain with the children and their parents and heads into the temple. Fountains cover the interior of this box-like building and a single shrine stands front and center in the temple. Emblazoned with the image of a water mill, it seems rather celebrated and yet isolated... for nobody else is really inside this building.

“... I think I’m lost.” Lesley exits the building and walks over to the nearest person, “O’tamu? Wa Kan Ga O Ta Mu?” And points to his map questioningly.

“Hssst. Paulo? What’s that parchment he’s pointing at? Where did he get a map of the city?” Then quieter, “You do still have our real... hmm. We should’ve settled on a code word. Well, the Scroll of Wayfinding that was given by the Employer?”

Eye contact clams his worries. “Scroll of Wha-? Your instincts are right, but you’re terrible at this. We’ll settle on codes tonight, okay?” Paulo cranes his neck looking for a source of help. “I didn’t think the situation would be more dire than a tropical storm on the open seas, but now that we’re going it alone?” Paulo exhales. “Just keep acting casual and look for a Harbormaster, Tavern, Street Market, even a Guard Station... anything where we can find someone who will be sure to speak Common, Draconic would do.”

Salazar looks to Talin. “Noble elf-friend, I apologize for thinking you stood out conspicuously in Baldur’s Gate. I have just gained a new appreciation for our situation all over again. It seems few here speak our Common trade tongue.

If you would, see if anyone speaks Elvish and keep an eye open for any signs or murals that indicate a Harbormaster’s Office or someone that can give directions? Thanks, old boy.”

Looking to the crowd, Salazar begins any snippets of languages he’s picked up in Taverns, trying the only two phrases he knows in Halfling. “Kaweh Laranlors? No? Filliten?”

((Out of character: these phrases are "I'd Speak to your manager? No? A prostitute?"))

As the giant scaled beast passes, Talin stares at it in clear awe and reaches as though to touch it. And though his hand hovers achingly close, he does not.

As the beast passes and even its impressive bulk disappears into the riot of colour and people, Talin snaps out of his revery. He raises a fist to his chest and solemnly responds to Callbex’s farewell,

{{Honoured Seamaster. It was a privilege to sail on your craft. May Deep Sashelas guide your craft and Aerdrie Faenya send fair winds. Your courage honours your ancestors.}}

Pulling his large pack higher onto his back, the young elf gazes at the wonders about him in open joy. He nods his head absently at Salazar’s words.

At the mention of elves, he regains his focus and scans the area for the highest available building. {{When hunting a high perch is always good.}}

Spotting a suitable place, Talin nimbly climbs up a stack of sticky barrels, leaping at abc catching an awning to swing up onto a squat building painted a bright yellow. From his perch he scans the area for any signs of elf work.

Perhaps the most seasoned traveler among his friends, Paulo is the least astonished by the sights before him, or at least, that’s what his demeanor would imply. But Paulo is ecstatic. New people! New places and things. A quick glance around the Port tells him it was build by humans, but not much else. He takes a look around for a harbor master while turning over some code words in his head. Sally thought “scroll of wayfinding” was subtle, Paulo thought to himself. Best to just refer to it as what it was. A chart. A diagram. He surveys his friends as much as his surroundings. Salazar seemed a little green around the gills, overwhelmed by the enormity of the Port or perhaps what had happened in the bay. Lesley seemed a boy on his first raid, excitable and wide-eyes. Talin... where was Talin? It took Paulo a moment to realize he needed to look up. When he did, he immediately spotted the slender man on a precarious pile of barrels. What a mystery that man still is. Turning from his reverie, Paulo calls to Salazar. “I quite like ‘diagram.’ People won’t know what that is, most likely. If you insist upon something less mundane, the draconic word for ‘map’ is ‘jefesab.’ Perhaps we can call it a ‘Jeff.’”

Lesley interjects, “Very good pronunciation, Mr. Paulo!” Before returning to his questioning.

"A gaff? a Geoff? Is that a hard G as in Graph or soft? I'm, I'm afraid I've never been any good at Draconic loanwords, even in Elvish. Bebother it.  Here." Salazar hands Paulo the scroll case he bought in Baldur's Gate. "Put your jeer-aff-slab in there so it doesn't get creased. There's several sheets of blank paper in there also, should we need it."

Salazar is truly terrible at this.

The small children first seem to shy away as Lesley approaches and immediately a couple of Chultan parents stand up and look at the furry man moving to defend their children, however upon seeing his strange gestures and weird words they look a bit confused at first but then surprised. One of them even bursts out laughing seeing bugbear try to pronounce words in the Chultan language. The children then leap onto him and play with his fur. "Hond! Hond!" they shout, stroking him and petting him. Meanwhile, Talin 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!" However, what he does not expect is a rush of water that smashes down upon him from a water mill, completely drenching him as it flows down and out to humongous gutters on each side of the road. Meanwhile, a chultan parent who is observing the performance goes over to Salazar and Paulo and says: "Furry man is funny. You know him? He from circus? Bear man with bad eyesight?"

“Oh ho ho, how delightful!” Lesley humors the children, until a few start pulling his ears and eyebrows, “Ok, let’s not do that, children.” Using his long arms, Lesley pulls the children off. Instead, to entertain them, he casts Minor Illusion to create animal statues that explode into flower petals and creates rings for Merk to fly through.

Speaking slowly, Paulo mimics the man’s cadence and pronounces clearly, “Furry man nice. Not from Circus. Smart. Does magic.” Touching a hand to his chest and gesturing to Salazar and the rest of his companions, he introduces himself. “Paulo. Salazar. Lesley. Talin. We seek food. Drink. You show?” This last was accompanied by the toss of a copper coin through the air. 

The children ooh and ah with the magical ilusions performed by Lesley. Even some of the adults are incredibly intrigued by this showing of magic.

The chultan catches the coin expertly and then gives a hearty laugh with a clap on the back (sending a shock wave through Paulo). "You speak funny newcomer, but all are welcome in Ubato's land. I thank you for money, 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! That also where you can find food and rest, great place Red Bazaar."

Having sufficiently entertained both children and parents, Lesley glances over to Paulo and makes his way over, “Oh good, Paulo! You found one!” Lesley shakes the man’s hand vigorously, “He-Lo. Do. You. Know. Where. WA KAN GA O TA MU. Is?” Lesley once again points around, “Also. What. Does. ‘Hond.’ Mean?” Lesley adds some air quotes around “Hond.”

The man gives a big hearty laugh again. "Yes, I am 'one.'" He also gives the same air quotes as Lesley does. "Hello you too! You looking for prince O'Tamu? He good man, up there." Atuar then points to a humongous villa. it is perched on a mountain and is equivalent to what you might see of a noble's house in Baldur's Gate. Even from what little you can see it is rather obvious that Wakanga O'Tamu is a very rich man. Atuar then continues speaking "Hond... short creature, four legs, furry, like bones... I hear you foreigners have them as pet!" However as he finishes he turns to Paulo. "Your friend ok? He speak even weird than you. He..." he then makes a circular motion around his head. "How you say... loopy?"

Lesley follows the man’s gaze to the villa, “Oh my...” and is distracted by trying to figure out a creature that eats bones, “A creature that eats bones, yet is a pet... Maybe a worg? Could be. Gnoll? Likely not... Hond... Hond... Hound... Oh! A dog! Yes. Hond is surely dog. They think I’m a dog? Huh...” He does not seem to hear the loopy comment.