Brother Maynard will suggest to the 3 dwarves that they access their inner fortitude (utilize their hit die plus Constitution modifier per die) to help regenerate their health before after taking a short rest. We can stand guard during their rest. (Some of their hit die will be regained after a long rest)
”Did anyone else get hurt?” he will inquire of the rest of the group.
(OOC: please see my spoiler in post #178 for Maynard’s healing kit heals to Bongo, Pod and Fred)
”Did anyone else get hurt?” he will inquire of the rest of the group.
"I don't think so," says Rain. "The zombies seemed entirely focused on the dwarves. Odd that they were so single-minded when they have little in the way of brains at all."
She continues listening and looking around for additional threats.
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DM: Into the Feywild Marva Stormaventendrian - Level 1 Dragonborn Cleric of the Tempest - Looking for a campaign
(OOC): Awesome job with this first combat! Thanks Karmoli!, you did a great job! Cheers to the rest of you for saving the lives of Bongo, Pod, and Fred. They surely would have died without your help. Those sure were some tough zombies.
All of a sudden it’s over, and there is no one left to fight. The sound of blood pumping through your head is deafening, and you look around wildly scanning for other potential threats. You see none, but the remains of those that you have fought.
Bongo, Pod and Fred all suffered terribly under the attack which seemed be oddly focused on the jungle dwarves. Bongo looks like he lost a bad tavern brawl against someone with a big mean dog, however, he stands alert and defiant. He says loudly “ there is evil magic in the air right now, and it’s making my mind foggy, quick everyone arm yourselves with torches! They help against the zombies. Burn them so they don’t stand back up again.”
Fred says something guttural to Bongo, who obligingly withdraws a stoppered vial from his waist belt, and drinks it down in one gulp. The swelling all over his battered face and head starts to rapidly diminish, while cuts and gouges stop bleeding and crust over quickly. He takes a few moments to catch his breath, then tersely calls out “give me four point security at thirty feet from me, facing out, one person for each direction, North, South, East and West. The zombies came from the East, so give me two people at that position and call that the front line.” Bongo huffs out the orders while he tries to catch his breath.
Pod interrupts Bongo, and tells him to listen. Some crashing sounds are coming from the road towards Port Nyanzaru. You continue to hear what sounds like the whoomp of a concussion wave followed by the crash of branches breaking. A brief pause for about 20 seconds of silence followed by an extremely loud crack and boom of thunder. Another crack of thunder. Then no sound at all. You shudder with the primal fear of being caught in a lightning storm with no cover, however the morning sky is clear.
Bongo exclaims “That’s the Bossman! He uses the lightning bolt when he fights the zombie hoards. We had better get ready for a big fight!”
Fred grabs the end of his red braided beard and pulls it up to his ear like he is listening to it. “Bossman says for us to fall back to the wagon house! Make sure the wards on the farm still hold! There is evil magic in the air!”
The farm gate is a few hundred feet to the south-east of the campground cook fire, and the commotion with the thunder and lightning is a few hundred feet to the north-east along the road to Port Nyanzaru.
Bongo says “Alright everyone, we are going to try to make it to through the farm gate, we can defend from there. Pod will take the lead, everyone else follow, but keep your spacing until we get through the gate. Fred and I will bring up the rear. Got it? Let’s move!” With that, Pod grabs a torch from a pile nearby (enough torches for everyone), lights it from the cookfire then starts jogging towards the farm gate carrying a torch.
Fred speaks into the end of his beard braid then holds it back to his ear before, says something guttural to Bongo, then runs over and speaks into the ear of Stella before slapping her on the rump and repeating this series of actions with Ingrid. Both of the big horse lizards sprint past Pod and through the farm gate.
Bongo and Fred quickly distribute the torches to the guards at all ends of the security perimeter. Each of you has the chance to ask a quick question to Bongo or Fred as they hand out the torches. Their response to any question is “no time to answer that now, we have to get past the gate. I’ll answer that once we are on the other side of that gate!”
"Do we slam the zombies with the torches? Or throw them? Or burn them after killing with a regular weapon?"asks Rain as she grabs a torch and begins to run. She doesn't go at full speed, just to make sure everyone is okay and moving together.
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DM: Into the Feywild Marva Stormaventendrian - Level 1 Dragonborn Cleric of the Tempest - Looking for a campaign
Th color has not yet returned to Jiali's face but her expression changed from showed to determined. She takes the torch that Bongo hands out but her mind and eyes are drawn to the north east where the bossman is fighting, apparently with the great arcane power that Jiali hopes to be wielding too some time in the future.
She lights her torch with a snapp of her fingers using prestidigitation, then takes her position in the formation and starts running towards the farm following Pod's lead.
Each of you reaches the gate of the farm, where the gravel driveway reaches an opening in the low wooden fence that surrounds the entire farm. As you cross over onto the farm, you notice the immediate sensation of cooler air and you feel suddenly refreshed.
A short distance inside the gate, there is a large two story avocado green barn with bright yellow trim a little to the north of the entrance. The driveway leads towards the barn. Inside the thick row of trees that follows the fence line in both directions, there is a wide grassy lawn that ends at what looks like another orchard of trees shielding your view from the rest of the farm. The driveway forks away south from the barn and cuts through the orchard towards the west.
Bongo looks relieved as soon as the last person crosses over onto the farm. He says “Ok now we good. Good Magic still super strong on the inside of the farm. We can just wait here until the Bossman comes and gives us the all clear. Then we can go and take a look. See what’s left after the Bossman blasts those zombies.”
Bongo points to Fred “Fred here is super smart jungle dwarf. He and Bossman can talk to each other by magic.” Fred grabs the middle of his braided red beard and waggles the end for everyone to see that there are some colorful gemstones woven in with his whiskers.
Fred says “The Bossman reports that the road is all clear, but he isn’t sure about the surrounding properties. He is going to meet us back here, and then we will all make a sweep of the neighborhood to see if any other zombies are wandering around.”
Pod stays alert, scanning the entire area while moving his head as little as possible. He seems to be talking to himself, but maybe it is the tree he is facing...
Bongo looks back at you “Bossman have long time job clearing zombies for Port Nyanzaru. Him real good, but zombies always keep coming year after year. Sometimes no zombies for a long time, but them they come back again. He built this farm to fight against the zombies and protect this neighborhood outside the walls of Port Nyanzaru.”
Bongo looks at all of you again “Normally us dwarves play hide and seek with the zombies real easy, then we tell the Bossman where we find them, and he turns them into ashes like that!” He holds up his hand and snaps his finger loudly.
”But now, something different! Hard to think, hard to hear...was worse out by the campsite..but I am feeling better now.” Pod and Fred both look over to Bongo, nod and mumble something of an agreement. “Now that we are on the farm.”
You end up waiting for about an hour, and can take the benefits of a short rest or do anything else. The dwarves will stand guard and vouch for your safety.
Eventually, a couple of surprisingly small figures glide around the bend of the main road, turn onto the driveway and move towards the gate. As they get closer you see a man and a child-sized rider each wearing a hat and green cloak, and flying rather slowly on a broomstick only a few feet off the ground. Once they reach you, the man slows to a stop, while the child-sized old man with a long white beard riding the other broomstick gives you a friendly wave and salute as he continues on flying low to the ground and following the way through the orchard into the middle of the farm.
The broad shouldered man dismounts off his broom but remains holding on to it. He stands up tall, stretches his arms, takes off his straw hat and sweeps low with a friendly bow. “Greetings! And Thanks for your help this morning. Fred tells me you all were excellent help in a tight spot! Good show! Again, excellent work, and thanks for your help!” He claps for several seconds while walking over and transitioning to a couple of light thumps of the back of Bongo.
He continues “I understand Bongo has been getting your training started and getting you acclimated to the jungle, and now you have proved yourself ready for action. Without further ado, allow me to introduce myself as your employer! You can call me Kimo. If you want to keep working for me, then consider yourself promoted, and your pay doubled. Get ready, because we are going to move out immediately and sweep the neighborhood of zombies and make sure none make it to animal pens on the edge of town.”
He pauses, and adjusts some straps on the harness attached to his broomstick, then speaks to the broomstick in a friendly voice “Fly to Uncle Ningle’s House and let him take care of you for a little while.” He then lets go of the broomstick and off it zooms through the air following the path through the orchard.
“Job number one is to make sure the Tiryki Anchorage stays free from the zombie attacks. Normally we take care of the the zombies long before they get anywhere near this area, but something is different, and this group of zombies waltzed right through all our jungle defenses. We will still have to figure out how that happened, but for the moment, let’s make sure nobody’s breakfast is ruined by zombies.”
Bongo says something guttural to Kimo, who responds “something put the whammy on you and your brothers eh? Ok, I guess you shouldn’t lead the search. In fact, you guys stay here during the patrol and report to Uncle Ningle what you just told me.”
Kimo turns to look at you, the new recruits and says “you are hear-by promoted to the rank of full-time intern with all the privileges that come along with it. Now if you please, I will retrace my path back towards the road, and I want you guys to fan out behind me. Tread softly, and pay attention to anything you see or hear. Are there any questions?”
Brother Maynard appreciates the sense of coolness on this side of the gate. He then speaks up, “It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Kimo. I only wish it had been in happier circumstance. My name is Maynard. I will allow the others to introduce themselves. We can talk more later, after our environs are more secure.”
Brother Maynard will then steel himself for this next task.
Rain addresses the new arrival, "Good day to you, Kimo, sir. Or I suppose I hope for a better day than we have had so far. My name is Rain on Pines, but you can call me Rain. I hope that my battleaxe will serve well in this job. I also have the ability to sense the undead who are not behind full cover and are within 60 feet, a few times a day. Let me know if you would like me to use this ability. Bongo and his friends have been good teachers and fought well just now, but something does seem to be affecting them."
(OOC: How much have we been paid so far? I know you said a certain amount a day, but I don't know how much time has passed.)
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DM: Into the Feywild Marva Stormaventendrian - Level 1 Dragonborn Cleric of the Tempest - Looking for a campaign
"Welcome, I am Otwin Soren, but you may call me Otwin. You say to follow behind you? Then I shall. I agree with Rain that not everything seemed normal when the dwarves fought, but I assure you we shall fight strongly for you!"
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Otwin Soren - Level 1 Human Monk - Surviving Port Nyanzaru
Marcel: "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Marcel. Here to help the best I can, Master Kimo. I'll take the lead, just waiting for the order to go."
You could say that the color that has left Jiali's face during the fight returns when Kimo arrives at the Gate as she turns from slightly grayish to red. Her face shows an expression of admiration and she is barely able to listen to him. After some time, she manages to regain her composure to an extend that she is able to answer to him.
"Mr Kimo, sir, I am honored by the trust you put in all of us and by being given the opportunity to work for you. I'm myself a practitioner of the arcane arts and a business woman and I hope to learn a lot while in your service for your capabilities in both of these fields are so far beyond what I could achieve. The way you set the weave in motion to manifest as powerful lightning....that’s amazing. I.... did I forget to introduce myself? I'm Jiali, Jiali Cartaga."
“Alright people, let’s be about this business quickly. We will start by returning to the road where I put down a small horde of humanoid zombies, goblins mostly. There won’t be much left since I scorched them pretty well, but anyway, you guys should see that particular stretch of road.”
While Kimo talks, he methodically checks his gear with his hand and making small adjustments to straps around his waist or shoulders. He is wearing a light and loose fitting white linen shirt with a small metal amulet in the shape of a ships wheel or compass rose. A wide leather belt with a few pouches, but no obvious weapons. His loose fitting linen pants end high abode his ankle though, in the curious local style, and he is wearing leather sandals thonged between his first and second toes. He wears a wide brimmed straw hat, and swept back behind his neck is a deep blue cape of thin, almost see-through fabric. He looks like one of the foreign merchants selling fruit in the marketplace.
He makes a slow turn as if surveying the situation, and when he turns back to face you he is holding a walking stick the same height as he, with the same shape of a circle crossed twice. He takes off his hat to reveal short cropped light brown hair mussed from the hat, and he hangs the hat on an imaginary hat rack, then takes off the cape and hangs it next to the hat in mid-air.
”Thanks for your introductions. I’m sure we will all get to know each other better as time goes on, provided we all survive this unusually unpleasant morning with regard to the zombies....Do you notice the stench in the air? It’s a little more foul than the usual zombie stink. With that in mind, I’d like to lay a protective ward over each of you. It may just save your life on a day like today.” He dismisses his hat and cape with a wave of one hand, and the invisible coatrack flys off towards the barn carrying away the bulky garments.
”One thing you all should know about me, is that I am in charge of keeping the people outside the eastern wall of Port Nyanzaru safe from the zombies that wander out of the jungle. I’ve been doing this for fifteen or sixteen years, and I think together with some others, we have made a real difference in the undead threat on this peninsula of Chult. The undead threat never stops coming back though, so eventually someone is going to have to take care of the source, or I will be stuck in this post forever!” He laughs loudly and slaps his knee like it is really funny.
”When I was young, it became obvious that I was particularly effective when it came to dealing with troublesome undead. That skill earned me the notice of the Order of the Gauntlet, who offered me a post here in the tropics and authority over Order activities in this part of the country, that is, outside the walls of Port Nyanzaru. The post is unusually considered an exile for other members of the Order, but for me it was a chance to escape an oppressive Neverwinter winter, and also all the godforsaken politics of that city.” He finishes fussing with his gear and stands up straight with his hands on his hips and looks at you all appraisingly.
“Alright, Big Man, please cover my right side flank at about thirty feet distance with Brother Maynard backing you up about thirty feet behind that.” He points first to Marcel, then to the spot. “Rain, pleased to make your acquaintance. Please take the same position on my left flank, with Brother Otwin backing you up.” Kimo sweeps his finger around indicating the area Rain and Otwin should cover.
”Jiali, please back me up in the center as I take the lead. Don't get any closer to me than about fifteen feet. Things can get real dangerous real fast for anything close to me if I have to unload, so keep that in mind if it looks like I am covered by a swarm of zombies and in need of rescue.” He looks at you with sparkling dark eyes, and holds a smoking finger up to his lips and blows it out theatrically “I am normally covered in so much magical protection that undead never have a chance, but you never know when a critical hit can lay you low, hence the importance of teammates.” He smiles at you all again like a practiced salesman, and bows low.
He stands tall again, holding his staff planted in the ground. “Now unless you object, let’s all bring it in, and put one hand on top of the other at the center of this group and I will lay a blessing upon us, such that no harm will befall us.” He holds his staff high, and the symbol of wheel on top glows momentarily with blue lightly the. “Let us go forward and fear no evil!” Kimo pumps his hand up and down in the rhythm with his count “One, two, three, HUAH!” After the third count he raises his hand high in the air and makes a guttural cry “HUAH!” He does the whole thing twice.
Those of you that join the corny pre-game cheer gain the benefits of an Aid spell cast at the 4th level.
You spend the morning scouting the neighborhood between the jungle entrance and the perimeter of the farm with the dinosaur pens. Luckily, you don’t find any zombies, but you do make your acquaintance with some stinging insects (please perform a Constitution check). Kimo calls off the search once you are within sight of the dinosaur pens, and none of them look disturbed. Kimo circles one hand above his head then waves back towards the road.
Once you gather back on the road Kimo says “My nose tells me we are all clear, and the dinosaurs in the pens aren’t disturbed so I’m pretty sure there is nothing around. I will hear some real complaints from the Merchant Princes if the dinosaurs are disturbed, so that was one of my main concerns.” He points out the stout wooden fences made from entire tree trunks, and the huge beasts beyond.
“Let’s head back to the farm and see if we find anything else wandering in from the jungle. In the mean time, I’d like to know why each of you decided to come to Port Nyanzaru in the first place.” He speaks back over his shoulder to you as he walks on the road. “I also want to show you that stretch of the road I use when fighting a horde. I will usually try to lure as many zombies to that area as possible before making my stand. It’s a good place to fight.”
Some distance down the road, back towards the farm, you round a corner and see a short straight stretch of the dirt and gravel road covered with scorch marks and lined by white gravel on each side of the road. Kimo gestures down the length of the kill zone “If you have a wand of lightning bolts, this is the last best place to use it before town. Otherwise people complain about the noise.” He whips a translucent wand out of the back of his belt and twirls it with a flourish before making it disappear again.
You continue walking back to the farm and have plenty of time to talk or ask questions.
Marcel reluctantly joins this ritual, but finally he joins in order to receive the blessing. (he recieves the aid spell, plus 15 hp, 30 max for now)
CON SAVE: 17
Marcel: "My stay here is to find a new home for now. Came with a friend. And this job seems to entertains me for now. The company is good and the benefits too. Still missing some "local" knowledge, but that will come, sir."
Marcel keeps watch on the spot Kimo assigned him.
Perception:18
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Marcel Lowsteel - Human Barbarian - lv 1 -Surviving Port Nyanzaru
Salvador Oceandew - Human Rogue - lv 1 - DnDShadow5e: Beginning Dragon of Icespire Peak
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Constitution Save/Check: 3
"I was reassigned some months ago to the parish here in Port Nyanzaru to tend to the flock of followers of Lathander. However, when I arrived, my duties were relegated to tasks more suited to acolytes one-third my age. I endured in gratitude and faithful service until the weight of omens delivered to me in my dreams instructed me to take a personal sabbatical. I wandered the streets for a couple of days until I heard about the opportunity to join in this expedition. Although I am advanced in years, I hope to bring some measure of wisdom and a smattering of healing arts to our group."
Brother Maynard wipes the sweat off his brow and shakes his hand, sprinkling the nearby vegetation with his version of salty rain.
"There are a great many questions I have regarding our mission and I don't want to cause you to repeat yourself too often if you were going to cover these issues later, but I feel I must broach the subjects now. Please wave me off if I become an annoyance and I shall try to be more respectful than these pesky insects that seem to find such delight in my flesh."
With either perfect timing or a bit of theater, Brother Maynard slaps the side of his neck and checks the contents of his palm for remnants of an insect that has "passed on".
"Will these fine Chultan spears, shields and armors be provided for our mission? Or should we seek like equipment in town?"
"Will it be beneficial for me to haul my heavy armor to our destination? Will we be there a sufficient amount of time and/or in a different environment that would lead to a benefit of having heavier metal armor?"
"Will healing potions and/or kits be supplied? Or should we seek some in town? My talents do have limits and I do not wish to be the weak link in our chain."
Brother Maynard realizes that he has been dominating the conversation and making it difficult for others to speak. He quiets himself while mentally noting that he would still like to ask about potentially bottling up the insect repellant and infused morning drink that Bongo has been brewing each morning to be rationed during our mission.
Rain is unfamiliar with this group ritual, but she has seen sillier things done in the name of protocol. And this Kimo fellow seems to know what he is about, so she joins in. (The 4th level Aid puts her max hp up to 28.) She takes her place in the formation, sniffing the air to note the foul scent and remember it for the future. (Perception: 9) She hopes her fur will be a barrier against the stinging insects. (Constitution check: 4) When she hears the importance of the dinosaur pens, she uses her Divine Sense to try to sense any undead within 60 ft.
When an opening in conversation arises, Rain says, "I came to Port Nyanzaru because I felt unsuited to my life near Waterdeep. I hope that a place so very different from that bastion of formal, regulated civilization will be a better fit for me. I hope to use the strength of my arm to defend myself and others." With a little less confidence, she adds, "And...I seek something to place my faith in."
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DM: Into the Feywild Marva Stormaventendrian - Level 1 Dragonborn Cleric of the Tempest - Looking for a campaign
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Jiali will join Kimo and the group in the cheering ritual, her cheers however are still a bit of a display of insecurity for she has never been part of a team before. However, she feels strengthened afterwards and it makes her get a bit more confident.
When Kimo assigns her to be his back up she is delighted to get the chance to observe their employer up close out there and that he puts trust in her. Unfortunately, that doesn't stop the insects from bothering her. Con Check: 21
On the way back, Jiali is preoccupied with her thoughts and when Brother Maynard finally gives her a chance, she asks:
"Master Kimo, you are doing this for quite a while now and it seems like the Zombies you dealt with, well, they are certainly not coming back, so I was wondering, where do they come from? Their number has to be limited so how can it be that they keep coming? There can't be that many people getting lost in the wildness out there to keep fueling this....horde. "
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Otwin concurs with Rain.
"That was tough, especially on Bongo and the other dwarves. We need to stick together. I'll follow your lead, Rain."
Otwin Soren - Level 1 Human Monk - Surviving Port Nyanzaru
Brother Maynard will suggest to the 3 dwarves that they access their inner fortitude (utilize their hit die plus Constitution modifier per die) to help regenerate their health
beforeafter taking a short rest. We can stand guard during their rest. (Some of their hit die will be regained after a long rest)”Did anyone else get hurt?” he will inquire of the rest of the group.
(OOC: please see my spoiler in post #178 for Maynard’s healing kit heals to Bongo, Pod and Fred)
Mana - Verdan Bard - Dragon Heist
”I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.” - Douglas Adams
”I’ve suffered a great many catastrophes in my life. Most of them never happened.” - Mark Twain
"I don't think so," says Rain. "The zombies seemed entirely focused on the dwarves. Odd that they were so single-minded when they have little in the way of brains at all."
She continues listening and looking around for additional threats.
DM: Into the Feywild
Marva Stormaventendrian - Level 1 Dragonborn Cleric of the Tempest - Looking for a campaign
(OOC): Awesome job with this first combat! Thanks Karmoli!, you did a great job! Cheers to the rest of you for saving the lives of Bongo, Pod, and Fred. They surely would have died without your help. Those sure were some tough zombies.
All of a sudden it’s over, and there is no one left to fight. The sound of blood pumping through your head is deafening, and you look around wildly scanning for other potential threats. You see none, but the remains of those that you have fought.
Bongo, Pod and Fred all suffered terribly under the attack which seemed be oddly focused on the jungle dwarves. Bongo looks like he lost a bad tavern brawl against someone with a big mean dog, however, he stands alert and defiant. He says loudly “ there is evil magic in the air right now, and it’s making my mind foggy, quick everyone arm yourselves with torches! They help against the zombies. Burn them so they don’t stand back up again.”
Fred says something guttural to Bongo, who obligingly withdraws a stoppered vial from his waist belt, and drinks it down in one gulp. The swelling all over his battered face and head starts to rapidly diminish, while cuts and gouges stop bleeding and crust over quickly. He takes a few moments to catch his breath, then tersely calls out “give me four point security at thirty feet from me, facing out, one person for each direction, North, South, East and West. The zombies came from the East, so give me two people at that position and call that the front line.” Bongo huffs out the orders while he tries to catch his breath.
Pod interrupts Bongo, and tells him to listen. Some crashing sounds are coming from the road towards Port Nyanzaru. You continue to hear what sounds like the whoomp of a concussion wave followed by the crash of branches breaking. A brief pause for about 20 seconds of silence followed by an extremely loud crack and boom of thunder. Another crack of thunder. Then no sound at all. You shudder with the primal fear of being caught in a lightning storm with no cover, however the morning sky is clear.
Bongo exclaims “That’s the Bossman! He uses the lightning bolt when he fights the zombie hoards. We had better get ready for a big fight!”
Fred grabs the end of his red braided beard and pulls it up to his ear like he is listening to it. “Bossman says for us to fall back to the wagon house! Make sure the wards on the farm still hold! There is evil magic in the air!”
The farm gate is a few hundred feet to the south-east of the campground cook fire, and the commotion with the thunder and lightning is a few hundred feet to the north-east along the road to Port Nyanzaru.
Bongo says “Alright everyone, we are going to try to make it to through the farm gate, we can defend from there. Pod will take the lead, everyone else follow, but keep your spacing until we get through the gate. Fred and I will bring up the rear. Got it? Let’s move!” With that, Pod grabs a torch from a pile nearby (enough torches for everyone), lights it from the cookfire then starts jogging towards the farm gate carrying a torch.
Fred speaks into the end of his beard braid then holds it back to his ear before, says something guttural to Bongo, then runs over and speaks into the ear of Stella before slapping her on the rump and repeating this series of actions with Ingrid. Both of the big horse lizards sprint past Pod and through the farm gate.
Bongo and Fred quickly distribute the torches to the guards at all ends of the security perimeter. Each of you has the chance to ask a quick question to Bongo or Fred as they hand out the torches. Their response to any question is “no time to answer that now, we have to get past the gate. I’ll answer that once we are on the other side of that gate!”
“Surviving Port Nyanzaru” - Dungeon Master Tier 1
"Do we slam the zombies with the torches? Or throw them? Or burn them after killing with a regular weapon?" asks Rain as she grabs a torch and begins to run. She doesn't go at full speed, just to make sure everyone is okay and moving together.
DM: Into the Feywild
Marva Stormaventendrian - Level 1 Dragonborn Cleric of the Tempest - Looking for a campaign
Brother Maynard will also grab a torch and follow the group.
Mana - Verdan Bard - Dragon Heist
”I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.” - Douglas Adams
”I’ve suffered a great many catastrophes in my life. Most of them never happened.” - Mark Twain
Marcel grabs a torch, lights it up, and uses it on one hand, on the other his trusted battleaxe. "I'll do vanguard duty. who comes with me on east?"
Marcel Lowsteel - Human Barbarian - lv 1 -Surviving Port Nyanzaru
Th color has not yet returned to Jiali's face but her expression changed from showed to determined. She takes the torch that Bongo hands out but her mind and eyes are drawn to the north east where the bossman is fighting, apparently with the great arcane power that Jiali hopes to be wielding too some time in the future.
She lights her torch with a snapp of her fingers using prestidigitation, then takes her position in the formation and starts running towards the farm following Pod's lead.
Otwin grabs a torch and follows the others.
"What will happen now?" he wonders.
Otwin Soren - Level 1 Human Monk - Surviving Port Nyanzaru
Each of you reaches the gate of the farm, where the gravel driveway reaches an opening in the low wooden fence that surrounds the entire farm. As you cross over onto the farm, you notice the immediate sensation of cooler air and you feel suddenly refreshed.
A short distance inside the gate, there is a large two story avocado green barn with bright yellow trim a little to the north of the entrance. The driveway leads towards the barn. Inside the thick row of trees that follows the fence line in both directions, there is a wide grassy lawn that ends at what looks like another orchard of trees shielding your view from the rest of the farm. The driveway forks away south from the barn and cuts through the orchard towards the west.
Bongo looks relieved as soon as the last person crosses over onto the farm. He says “Ok now we good. Good Magic still super strong on the inside of the farm. We can just wait here until the Bossman comes and gives us the all clear. Then we can go and take a look. See what’s left after the Bossman blasts those zombies.”
Bongo points to Fred “Fred here is super smart jungle dwarf. He and Bossman can talk to each other by magic.” Fred grabs the middle of his braided red beard and waggles the end for everyone to see that there are some colorful gemstones woven in with his whiskers.
Fred says “The Bossman reports that the road is all clear, but he isn’t sure about the surrounding properties. He is going to meet us back here, and then we will all make a sweep of the neighborhood to see if any other zombies are wandering around.”
Pod stays alert, scanning the entire area while moving his head as little as possible. He seems to be talking to himself, but maybe it is the tree he is facing...
Bongo looks back at you “Bossman have long time job clearing zombies for Port Nyanzaru. Him real good, but zombies always keep coming year after year. Sometimes no zombies for a long time, but them they come back again. He built this farm to fight against the zombies and protect this neighborhood outside the walls of Port Nyanzaru.”
Bongo looks at all of you again “Normally us dwarves play hide and seek with the zombies real easy, then we tell the Bossman where we find them, and he turns them into ashes like that!” He holds up his hand and snaps his finger loudly.
”But now, something different! Hard to think, hard to hear...was worse out by the campsite..but I am feeling better now.” Pod and Fred both look over to Bongo, nod and mumble something of an agreement. “Now that we are on the farm.”
You end up waiting for about an hour, and can take the benefits of a short rest or do anything else. The dwarves will stand guard and vouch for your safety.
Eventually, a couple of surprisingly small figures glide around the bend of the main road, turn onto the driveway and move towards the gate. As they get closer you see a man and a child-sized rider each wearing a hat and green cloak, and flying rather slowly on a broomstick only a few feet off the ground. Once they reach you, the man slows to a stop, while the child-sized old man with a long white beard riding the other broomstick gives you a friendly wave and salute as he continues on flying low to the ground and following the way through the orchard into the middle of the farm.
The broad shouldered man dismounts off his broom but remains holding on to it. He stands up tall, stretches his arms, takes off his straw hat and sweeps low with a friendly bow. “Greetings! And Thanks for your help this morning. Fred tells me you all were excellent help in a tight spot! Good show! Again, excellent work, and thanks for your help!” He claps for several seconds while walking over and transitioning to a couple of light thumps of the back of Bongo.
He continues “I understand Bongo has been getting your training started and getting you acclimated to the jungle, and now you have proved yourself ready for action. Without further ado, allow me to introduce myself as your employer! You can call me Kimo. If you want to keep working for me, then consider yourself promoted, and your pay doubled. Get ready, because we are going to move out immediately and sweep the neighborhood of zombies and make sure none make it to animal pens on the edge of town.”
He pauses, and adjusts some straps on the harness attached to his broomstick, then speaks to the broomstick in a friendly voice “Fly to Uncle Ningle’s House and let him take care of you for a little while.” He then lets go of the broomstick and off it zooms through the air following the path through the orchard.
“Job number one is to make sure the Tiryki Anchorage stays free from the zombie attacks. Normally we take care of the the zombies long before they get anywhere near this area, but something is different, and this group of zombies waltzed right through all our jungle defenses. We will still have to figure out how that happened, but for the moment, let’s make sure nobody’s breakfast is ruined by zombies.”
Bongo says something guttural to Kimo, who responds “something put the whammy on you and your brothers eh? Ok, I guess you shouldn’t lead the search. In fact, you guys stay here during the patrol and report to Uncle Ningle what you just told me.”
Kimo turns to look at you, the new recruits and says “you are hear-by promoted to the rank of full-time intern with all the privileges that come along with it. Now if you please, I will retrace my path back towards the road, and I want you guys to fan out behind me. Tread softly, and pay attention to anything you see or hear. Are there any questions?”
“Surviving Port Nyanzaru” - Dungeon Master Tier 1
Brother Maynard appreciates the sense of coolness on this side of the gate. He then speaks up, “It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Kimo. I only wish it had been in happier circumstance. My name is Maynard. I will allow the others to introduce themselves. We can talk more later, after our environs are more secure.”
Brother Maynard will then steel himself for this next task.
Mana - Verdan Bard - Dragon Heist
”I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.” - Douglas Adams
”I’ve suffered a great many catastrophes in my life. Most of them never happened.” - Mark Twain
Rain addresses the new arrival, "Good day to you, Kimo, sir. Or I suppose I hope for a better day than we have had so far. My name is Rain on Pines, but you can call me Rain. I hope that my battleaxe will serve well in this job. I also have the ability to sense the undead who are not behind full cover and are within 60 feet, a few times a day. Let me know if you would like me to use this ability. Bongo and his friends have been good teachers and fought well just now, but something does seem to be affecting them."
(OOC: How much have we been paid so far? I know you said a certain amount a day, but I don't know how much time has passed.)
DM: Into the Feywild
Marva Stormaventendrian - Level 1 Dragonborn Cleric of the Tempest - Looking for a campaign
"Welcome, I am Otwin Soren, but you may call me Otwin. You say to follow behind you? Then I shall. I agree with Rain that not everything seemed normal when the dwarves fought, but I assure you we shall fight strongly for you!"
Otwin Soren - Level 1 Human Monk - Surviving Port Nyanzaru
Marcel: "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Marcel. Here to help the best I can, Master Kimo. I'll take the lead, just waiting for the order to go."
Marcel Lowsteel - Human Barbarian - lv 1 -Surviving Port Nyanzaru
You could say that the color that has left Jiali's face during the fight returns when Kimo arrives at the Gate as she turns from slightly grayish to red. Her face shows an expression of admiration and she is barely able to listen to him. After some time, she manages to regain her composure to an extend that she is able to answer to him.
"Mr Kimo, sir, I am honored by the trust you put in all of us and by being given the opportunity to work for you. I'm myself a practitioner of the arcane arts and a business woman and I hope to learn a lot while in your service for your capabilities in both of these fields are so far beyond what I could achieve. The way you set the weave in motion to manifest as powerful lightning....that’s amazing. I.... did I forget to introduce myself? I'm Jiali, Jiali Cartaga."
“Alright people, let’s be about this business quickly. We will start by returning to the road where I put down a small horde of humanoid zombies, goblins mostly. There won’t be much left since I scorched them pretty well, but anyway, you guys should see that particular stretch of road.”
While Kimo talks, he methodically checks his gear with his hand and making small adjustments to straps around his waist or shoulders. He is wearing a light and loose fitting white linen shirt with a small metal amulet in the shape of a ships wheel or compass rose. A wide leather belt with a few pouches, but no obvious weapons. His loose fitting linen pants end high abode his ankle though, in the curious local style, and he is wearing leather sandals thonged between his first and second toes. He wears a wide brimmed straw hat, and swept back behind his neck is a deep blue cape of thin, almost see-through fabric. He looks like one of the foreign merchants selling fruit in the marketplace.
He makes a slow turn as if surveying the situation, and when he turns back to face you he is holding a walking stick the same height as he, with the same shape of a circle crossed twice. He takes off his hat to reveal short cropped light brown hair mussed from the hat, and he hangs the hat on an imaginary hat rack, then takes off the cape and hangs it next to the hat in mid-air.
”Thanks for your introductions. I’m sure we will all get to know each other better as time goes on, provided we all survive this unusually unpleasant morning with regard to the zombies....Do you notice the stench in the air? It’s a little more foul than the usual zombie stink. With that in mind, I’d like to lay a protective ward over each of you. It may just save your life on a day like today.” He dismisses his hat and cape with a wave of one hand, and the invisible coatrack flys off towards the barn carrying away the bulky garments.
”One thing you all should know about me, is that I am in charge of keeping the people outside the eastern wall of Port Nyanzaru safe from the zombies that wander out of the jungle. I’ve been doing this for fifteen or sixteen years, and I think together with some others, we have made a real difference in the undead threat on this peninsula of Chult. The undead threat never stops coming back though, so eventually someone is going to have to take care of the source, or I will be stuck in this post forever!” He laughs loudly and slaps his knee like it is really funny.
”When I was young, it became obvious that I was particularly effective when it came to dealing with troublesome undead. That skill earned me the notice of the Order of the Gauntlet, who offered me a post here in the tropics and authority over Order activities in this part of the country, that is, outside the walls of Port Nyanzaru. The post is unusually considered an exile for other members of the Order, but for me it was a chance to escape an oppressive Neverwinter winter, and also all the godforsaken politics of that city.” He finishes fussing with his gear and stands up straight with his hands on his hips and looks at you all appraisingly.
“Alright, Big Man, please cover my right side flank at about thirty feet distance with Brother Maynard backing you up about thirty feet behind that.” He points first to Marcel, then to the spot. “Rain, pleased to make your acquaintance. Please take the same position on my left flank, with Brother Otwin backing you up.” Kimo sweeps his finger around indicating the area Rain and Otwin should cover.
”Jiali, please back me up in the center as I take the lead. Don't get any closer to me than about fifteen feet. Things can get real dangerous real fast for anything close to me if I have to unload, so keep that in mind if it looks like I am covered by a swarm of zombies and in need of rescue.” He looks at you with sparkling dark eyes, and holds a smoking finger up to his lips and blows it out theatrically “I am normally covered in so much magical protection that undead never have a chance, but you never know when a critical hit can lay you low, hence the importance of teammates.” He smiles at you all again like a practiced salesman, and bows low.
He stands tall again, holding his staff planted in the ground. “Now unless you object, let’s all bring it in, and put one hand on top of the other at the center of this group and I will lay a blessing upon us, such that no harm will befall us.” He holds his staff high, and the symbol of wheel on top glows momentarily with blue lightly the. “Let us go forward and fear no evil!” Kimo pumps his hand up and down in the rhythm with his count “One, two, three, HUAH!” After the third count he raises his hand high in the air and makes a guttural cry “HUAH!” He does the whole thing twice.
Those of you that join the corny pre-game cheer gain the benefits of an Aid spell cast at the 4th level.
You spend the morning scouting the neighborhood between the jungle entrance and the perimeter of the farm with the dinosaur pens. Luckily, you don’t find any zombies, but you do make your acquaintance with some stinging insects (please perform a Constitution check). Kimo calls off the search once you are within sight of the dinosaur pens, and none of them look disturbed. Kimo circles one hand above his head then waves back towards the road.
Once you gather back on the road Kimo says “My nose tells me we are all clear, and the dinosaurs in the pens aren’t disturbed so I’m pretty sure there is nothing around. I will hear some real complaints from the Merchant Princes if the dinosaurs are disturbed, so that was one of my main concerns.” He points out the stout wooden fences made from entire tree trunks, and the huge beasts beyond.
“Let’s head back to the farm and see if we find anything else wandering in from the jungle. In the mean time, I’d like to know why each of you decided to come to Port Nyanzaru in the first place.” He speaks back over his shoulder to you as he walks on the road. “I also want to show you that stretch of the road I use when fighting a horde. I will usually try to lure as many zombies to that area as possible before making my stand. It’s a good place to fight.”
Some distance down the road, back towards the farm, you round a corner and see a short straight stretch of the dirt and gravel road covered with scorch marks and lined by white gravel on each side of the road. Kimo gestures down the length of the kill zone “If you have a wand of lightning bolts, this is the last best place to use it before town. Otherwise people complain about the noise.” He whips a translucent wand out of the back of his belt and twirls it with a flourish before making it disappear again.
You continue walking back to the farm and have plenty of time to talk or ask questions.
“Surviving Port Nyanzaru” - Dungeon Master Tier 1
Marcel Lowsteel - Human Barbarian - lv 1 -Surviving Port Nyanzaru
Constitution Save/Check: 3
"I was reassigned some months ago to the parish here in Port Nyanzaru to tend to the flock of followers of Lathander. However, when I arrived, my duties were relegated to tasks more suited to acolytes one-third my age. I endured in gratitude and faithful service until the weight of omens delivered to me in my dreams instructed me to take a personal sabbatical. I wandered the streets for a couple of days until I heard about the opportunity to join in this expedition. Although I am advanced in years, I hope to bring some measure of wisdom and a smattering of healing arts to our group."
Brother Maynard wipes the sweat off his brow and shakes his hand, sprinkling the nearby vegetation with his version of salty rain.
"There are a great many questions I have regarding our mission and I don't want to cause you to repeat yourself too often if you were going to cover these issues later, but I feel I must broach the subjects now. Please wave me off if I become an annoyance and I shall try to be more respectful than these pesky insects that seem to find such delight in my flesh."
With either perfect timing or a bit of theater, Brother Maynard slaps the side of his neck and checks the contents of his palm for remnants of an insect that has "passed on".
"Will these fine Chultan spears, shields and armors be provided for our mission? Or should we seek like equipment in town?"
"Will it be beneficial for me to haul my heavy armor to our destination? Will we be there a sufficient amount of time and/or in a different environment that would lead to a benefit of having heavier metal armor?"
"Will healing potions and/or kits be supplied? Or should we seek some in town? My talents do have limits and I do not wish to be the weak link in our chain."
Brother Maynard realizes that he has been dominating the conversation and making it difficult for others to speak. He quiets himself while mentally noting that he would still like to ask about potentially bottling up the insect repellant and infused morning drink that Bongo has been brewing each morning to be rationed during our mission.
Mana - Verdan Bard - Dragon Heist
”I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.” - Douglas Adams
”I’ve suffered a great many catastrophes in my life. Most of them never happened.” - Mark Twain
Rain is unfamiliar with this group ritual, but she has seen sillier things done in the name of protocol. And this Kimo fellow seems to know what he is about, so she joins in. (The 4th level Aid puts her max hp up to 28.) She takes her place in the formation, sniffing the air to note the foul scent and remember it for the future. (Perception: 9) She hopes her fur will be a barrier against the stinging insects. (Constitution check: 4) When she hears the importance of the dinosaur pens, she uses her Divine Sense to try to sense any undead within 60 ft.
When an opening in conversation arises, Rain says, "I came to Port Nyanzaru because I felt unsuited to my life near Waterdeep. I hope that a place so very different from that bastion of formal, regulated civilization will be a better fit for me. I hope to use the strength of my arm to defend myself and others." With a little less confidence, she adds, "And...I seek something to place my faith in."
DM: Into the Feywild
Marva Stormaventendrian - Level 1 Dragonborn Cleric of the Tempest - Looking for a campaign
Jiali will join Kimo and the group in the cheering ritual, her cheers however are still a bit of a display of insecurity for she has never been part of a team before. However, she feels strengthened afterwards and it makes her get a bit more confident.
When Kimo assigns her to be his back up she is delighted to get the chance to observe their employer up close out there and that he puts trust in her. Unfortunately, that doesn't stop the insects from bothering her. Con Check: 21
On the way back, Jiali is preoccupied with her thoughts and when Brother Maynard finally gives her a chance, she asks:
"Master Kimo, you are doing this for quite a while now and it seems like the Zombies you dealt with, well, they are certainly not coming back, so I was wondering, where do they come from? Their number has to be limited so how can it be that they keep coming? There can't be that many people getting lost in the wildness out there to keep fueling this....horde. "