Phillip’s perception (disadvantage due to murky water): 10 

Gotur, Eku said that unfortunately the nanny seemed to have destroyed most of the salvageable plants, and you aren't able to find any type of orchards nor items to potentially cultivate when you take a peek around for yourself. 

Phillip, you watch the lit up stone sink to the bottom, and the light gets dimmer and dimmer as the water gets murkier the deeper it gets. You don't notice anything out of the ordinary as it settles at the bottom some 30-40 ft deep. 

Either before starting the descent down to the ground from Mbala, or after reaching the bottom, Azaka and Eku would both respond to Evo's question about where the party might head next. They lay out a few options, which I won't RP but instead just list below. 

- Head to the ancient city of Orolunga, to seek out the guardian naga named Saja N’baza. The naga is thousands of years old and a font of useful information — perhaps the best source of information in Chult. She may be an invaluable resource when it comes to finding out more information about what is going on in Chult and more information about Omu and its inhabitants. However, she’s not easy to reach. She lives in a shrine atop a massive ziggurat, and neither Azaka or Eku have actually been there, they've just heard about it/her. The stairs and footing on the ziggurat apparently isn't the greatest (Azaka sighs), and it is said the entire ziggurat is encased in some type of magic. Orolunga is due west of the party's current location. 

- Alternatively, they suggest the party just starts heading south towards Omu from where they are now. They both are extremely grateful for the party helping them complete their objectives and so are basically ready to help the party now with what it is they want to do. "Look at all the good we've done so far. It will be a long journey to Omu, but imagine the good we can continue to do as we head south? Perhaps we should just continue to press on towards Omu, ridding the world of evils together." Eku says. Azaka responds and also says to the party "I have my family mask back and am indebted to you all. I am with you for the long haul as your guide as hired, but now moreso as your friend." Eku agrees with her. 

- They also unroll the map of Chult, and ask the party if there are potentially any other locations on that map that you might want to know about and/or visit and they will tell you what they know about the location(s).

Those are the 3 suggestions the guides give you.

What might be next for the party?

"Aye think it may be worth checking with the naga, we don't really have any idea of what exactly we'll be facing in Imy beyond yaun-ti. Some additional guidance might be useful?"

He looks at the map,

"It's six days out of the way though."

"That's unfortunate. I don't know if we have the time, but I could have connected to the nature here to raise up a living memorial to the people of Mbala. Perhaps in the future, once all this is resolved, we can travel back here with some seedlings."

((It would have taken an eight hour delay here, with the pterafolk nearby that's a bit dodgy, but he could have made the plants here extra productive for the next year. If we could find seeds, might be able to force it with druidcraft, but it'd be a long delay to push it through.))

"We're the closest to Orolunga we're likely to get, less than a week's travel? Probably add a ten-day to go there then heading on towards Omu... Did the folks of Mbala have any interaction with the naga? I would hazard that Saja N'baza has no love for the yuan'ti that we heard about?"

"I've no wish to callously loot the remains of this city, but if the people of Mbala had any items or artifacts that can aid us in the jungle..."

"That wrecked airship is kind of on the way..."

Evo gives a nod to Figure, they seem to be on the same page for where to go.

Phillip is interested to gather any info they can before they get to Omu, and also in finding any allies they can in the jungle. So he is very keen and happy to seek out the Naga next.

With the plant growth suggestion, I want to retcon a bit. I misunderstood the nature of the question. Gotur didn't find any harvestable plants or anything like that, but there is still vegetation and foliage that is still alive here at Mbala. If Gotur wishes to cast that spell, it will for sure work and would be a great memorial with the overgrown vibrant plants that the spell produces over the year, and Eku is very happy and totally on board with the plan. 

As for timing - if Gotur does this, yes the party will have to wait the 8 hours. The pterafolk will not bother with the party. However, I will roll an encounter check taking into consideration the location of the party which drives the appropriate encounter table. That being said, if there is an encounter, and Gotur is somehow interrupted, he would have to start over again and use another slot for the spell, and waste all of the time already passed, etc. 

It was 12 noon day 14 before the nanny fight happened. I think given that plus the stitch monsters and subsequent burning along with investigations and walks around Mbala that it is now 2:00PM, DAY 14. 

Eku responds to Gotur "I cannot be certain if the people of Mbala ever sought out the naga, although with an immense knowledge source this close, I can only assume they did. I suppose only their souls know the true answer." and she bows her head in respect. 

There will be no treasure to be found anywhere else here at Mbala. Eku would not be down for that, anyway.

Azaka and Eku are onside with checking the airship if/when you reach it. 

So - will Gotur take the 8 hours to cast this spell, and is the party onside with that?

Azaka and Eku are ok with it (Eku especially loves the idea), but they suggest that afterwards we just camp up here on Mbala since it will be late, and then in the morning head down and begin the trek to Orolunga. 

?

Gotur is a bit surprised at Evo checking out his figure, he's not accustomed to being ogled.

He lays it out to the group that he can cause the plants of Mbala to grow more vibrant and lush, erasing some of Poopoo's influence.

((If you cast this spell over 8 hours, you enrich the land. All plants in a half-mile radius centered on a point within range become enriched for 1 year. The plants yield twice the normal amount of food when harvested.))

Phillip would wholeheartedly support Gotur if he chooses to cast the spell.

Early on in the casting, he would take a short rest himself, to recover from the fight ((OOC: and roll hit dice)). As he often does, he would create his little watery sanctuary and meditate inside for an hour, resting and rehydrating.

He doesn’t mind if the party then sleep here or somewhere else.

((OOC: hit dice rolls if we rest…))

"We'll have to keep an eye out for some sort of magical weapon for you Azaka! Good job taking that one down though, if those three ganged up on one of us, we'd have been hurting."

((Auto corrected from Gotur to Figure? That's a stretch phone...))

Evo is fine to wait, especially to honor the dead.

Alton nods in agreement to everything that was put forward by the others. Head to Orolunga to meet with the naga now, and possibly stop at the crashed/abandoned airship on the way.

He collects all of his weapons and gear before taking a seat nearby Gotur and the group, watching peacefully as the new sprouts and roots begin to take hold over Mbala. 

With the party's agreement, Gotur walk the through Mbala, bending over every now and then and placing something on the ground, before finding a good spot to sit, the plants shifting to provide a comfortable seat. He closes his eyes and begins chanting in a druidic tongue, his hands moving gently in motions that bring to mind plants germinating, reaching and stretching for the sun...

The plants nearest him react first, growing healthier and more vibrant, some growing towards him and beginning to twine around him. When it reaches a point the party might be concerned, he opens his calm eyes to reassure you that everything is well. He continues, chanting and casting as the circle of lush growth spreads around him. It is not wild and out of control jungle, but a natural garden tended with a gentle hand that leaves natural feeling walkways between the mounds of vegetation that cover the ruins of Mbala. Places where any statues or other artwork of the fallen city exist, the vegetation grows around it in a way that it is integrated into the whole, but still celebrated. 

Nanny's hut and the burnt remains are churned under the soil by questing roots, erasing all trace of her evil influence.

((Pausing here pending encounter roll.))

Gotur, Azaka responds "A magical weapon. Yes. This is something I should indeed look to acquire as we travel onward." she kind of has a concerned look on her face as she takes a glance at her weapons. She'd had them for quite some time, and has never had the need to 'upgrade' to magical based weapons. She sighs, and nods again at Gotur in approval of her getting some magical weapons sooner than later. 

Gotur, you cast your magic and Eku smiles as the magic takes hold as you've beautifully described. The 8 hours passes without any trouble. "Thank you for this, Gotur. I know the people of Mbala would be grateful and now they can rest in a much nicer place thanks to you."

It is in the evening when the spell ends (10:00 PM, Day 14), and so the party makes camp atop Mbala and around the newly created plants.

It is a peaceful sleep under the stars of Chult atop the great rock. 

The party wakes up on the start of DAY 15 - 8:00AM. It will take only half the time to descend Mbala, so you all reach the ground around 9:30AM, DAY 15. 

Party to continue travel to Orolunga to seek out the guardian naga to gain information about Omu and what might lie there and to learn more about what is really going on in Chult with the death curse and soul monger. I have added a 'Locations of Interest' tab to our google sheet and updated the Chult map with progress.

Direction: west, towards Orolunga

Speed: normal unless someone says otherwise. Eku and Azaka are not in a rush after Mbala. Just looking to have a nice travel day with no hostile encounters, if possible. They would suggest to travel fast for the rest of the days should everything go as planned. 

Navigator: Phillip. We are in the jungle, no chance of getting lost due to his features. 

Encounter rolls: 18  /  55 | 5  /  65 | 17  /  31

Ok, stay tuned for the morning encounter!

As his spell concludes, Gotur collapses into sleep, the vines and tendrils retracting where they had enshrouded him, forming a nest-like bed.

When he wakes, he wanders the garden-city, wondering if the goodberries he planted prior to the spell took hold. He doesn't expect them to bear the original magical properties, but he was curious if fruit-bearing plants arose from the berries.

He's somewhat quiet, having spent 8 hours chanting the previous afternoon and evening.

Gotur, when you take the stroll in the morning, you do see the goodberry trees have sprouted up from the berries you planted! The magic must've taken hold and caused the plant to grow from the berry. Your insights are correct about these particular trees not bearing the actual magical properties of the magical berries that were planted, but these trees will eventually bear a very similar looking berry which will be enjoyed by the wildlife here as well as whoever might decide to settle here, tomorrow or a year from now.

Eku is in her flying couatl form, and Azaka is in her hybrid form. The party walks with Phillip leading the way. You make it maybe 2 hours west of Mbala, taking us to a bit before lunch, say 11:30AM - DAY 15. 

Phillip hears it first, then the others. 

The sounds of what seems to be huge creatures enter the soundscape, faint at first, and then louder as they seem to stomp through the wilderness. No one currently sees anything other than the jungle surroundings at this point. 

The noise seems to be heading in a south direction, and it seemed to originate behind the party and now seems to be fading south. So, since the party is travelling west, if the party continues their travels, they would skip over these sounds altogether and nothing will happen. 

Otherwise, if one or all of the party members want to go follow these sounds, you can head a bit south (which won't take you off the day's travel course), and will need to roll a stealth check if you're trying to approach the source of the noise without being spotted. There is no perception check required as you'll see whatever is making the noise once you get close. I just need the stealth checks if you want to try to be unseen on the approach.

You would have a few moments to make a decision as the noise is slowly fading just as fast as it came. 

Azaka looks to the party, but mostly to Evo and says "I can scout it should we want to investigate." she has a serious look on her face, ready to bolt to the noise.

Eku slithers around in the air and says "Perhaps we should not seek out potential trouble. I suggest we ignore this and continue. We are going to hear a lot of sounds in the jungle, Azaka. You know that by now." and she kind of gives a look of disappointment to the weretiger. 

So, the guides are split.

What do you want to do?

I will implement a map should one or all of the party want to indeed check out the noises.

"Something that large, I'd rather know what it is than leave it unknown at our backs..."

Phillip sniffs and licks the air, and listens hard ((would he recognise the sounds?)).

”Dinosaurs?! Hmm?…”, he asks. “But they sound BIG!! Uh huh!”.

”Mr G’Tur?!… Wouldn’t you just love to see them? Mmm? Yup?!… Oh I would! Yep yep yep!!”, He is beaming like a silly child, and his eyes are bulging even more than usual!!

”We could sneak! They’d never see us! We’ll be back before you know it!! Uh huh!… oh! Can’t we? Can’t we? Can’t we?!!….”. He looks around at everyone.

And if no one objects, he leads the way with Azaka and Gotur, and anyone else keen!

Stealth check: 9 

"Azaka, aye'm gonna have to side with Eku here. We're here for a reason, can't let ourselves get distracted. On the way back, when the world is safe? Well then we check it all out!"

He looks to Phillip and Gotur to see if they do decide to check anyway.

Phillip pouts, but only a little, then looks to Gotur…