|
The journey from Fort Bandu to the Kaava Lands is oppressively hot, but it gets easier as the days go on and the terrain transitions from rugged foothills to open grasslands before giving way to dense jungle. Following the directions from Fort Bandu’s garrison captain, it is not difficult to find Krihirik village, which lies approximately ten miles inside the jungle’s border— and twenty feet off the ground. Narrow rope bridges connect a few dozen tree-dwellings overhead, forming a small but secure
community. Bright-skinned, bulging-eyed gripplis go about their daily business nearby. Crates and sacks of trade goods litter the jungle floor, and several gripplis busily inspect a bundle of swords, throwing down their spears and nets in favor of freshly forged steel.
A blue-and-brown-skinned grippli in practical traveling clothes bounds forward and holds out his webbed hands in welcome. “More visitors come to trade with the Krihirik? You are most welcome here, though I fear we have little to offer at this time. Or perhaps there’s some other reason you came all this way?”
|
In a stern voice, but trying not to sound hostile to the Krihirik, the mid aged Ifrit, wearing the symbolic white scarf of Sarenrae speaks out,"Do not be alarmed by my face, I bear red skin but Ifrit's are no demons. Unless, you give me reason to be hostile. You harbor no evil do you?...My friends and I are in search of a missing friend, one whose archaeological findings has led him to your tribe. Have you known of any humans venturing explorations in your area?"
|
After days of travel through some of the most uncomfortable lands imaginable, Ajaline sighs with relief with his first step into the Kaava Lands jungle. It's still hot, but it's also green. The strains of his verdant bloodline coursing through his veins feel more content and at ease when surrounded by the leaf and vine of the jungle.
Only about ten miles into the jungle the group finds Krihirik. Ajaline has never seen this many gripplis in once place before and he finds it a little disconcerting. One of the gripplis approaches the group but Ajaline steps back to let someone else take the lead in the greeting. Kuriq seems to be making a good start.
|
The inquisitor had mqade his way silently with the group as they made their way towards the Kaava lands and the Krihirik village. He would answer questions when approached but overal would remain silent for the time being. When they were approached by the Grippli and Kuriq stated he wasn't a demon he raised a brow and shot the Grippli a smile that showed jagged teeth , the clicking of claws on metal could be heard for just the briefest of seconds. Letting Kuriq take the lead for now was fine with him as it was, besides, it would allow him to meet his new companions and figure out their strength and weaknesses.
|
|
Dunia has frankly been a pill for the entire trip, her normally sour disposition worsened by a return to climates she thought she had left far behind. So. Damned. Humid. Give me a desert any day
Once they got to the Gripplis, she was happy to let someone (anyone) else talk to them, so she acknowledged them with little more than a grunt. After all, that fresh shipment of weapons looked far more intriguing...
|
|
"We've had many humans exploring these areas for all manner or finds. But that does not answer my question... What is your business here?"
The dwarves who inhabited what I now know as Ashkurhall frequently depict a great beast they simply call the “Golden Guardian,” a winged monstrosity that often appears in an antagonistic role yet occasionally accompanies symbolism more befitting a revered figure in dwarven lore. My initial hypothesis is that this guardian was a sacred destroyer and may even be responsible for Ashkurhall’s eventual abandonment. The original occupants of this site put great stock in a curious orb that the carvings suggest shoots beams of light—likely someone in the Grand Lodge better versed in dwarven art could clarify the point—and causes the guardian beast discomfort and forces it to bow to their will (or writhe in pain... cursed erosion). The carving ends with a dwarf delivering this orb to an amphibian people called Krihirik, and the lack of more recent inscriptions suggests this may have been one of the society’s final acts. I recognize the name Krihirik from my voyage south through the Mwangi Expanse. No doubt old Sylien could help me track it down, but I would rather not impose on him again. This orb seems important for anyone exploring these ruins, and I shall set off for it after completing my survey of a few more structures here.
|
|
At the mention of the artifact, he perks up. "You must come with me to see the elders..."
He sends several gripplis to lower a tall ladder from the trees to the jungle floor. Rickety rope bridges connect half a dozen grippli tree houses to one another, though to the north, many more appear overgrown and abandoned. One dwelling is larger than the others, hangs over a small pond. Inside, three gripplis with mottled gray-brown skin pass a finely crafted short sword back and forth with admiration. The grippli that ushered you in announces your presence.
Mother Bogwynne, the largest of the gripplis, slowly gets to her feet and hands the sword to the trader. “Thank you Gwellik. You have done well in our time of need, bringing both weapons and travelers from afar to lend aid to the Krihirik.”
She pauses and looks over her guests in the meetinghouse. “So, you seek a weapon to fight against the guardian of the Bandu Hills? Word of our tribe’s secret seems to have reached many ears of late. The Krihirik have such an object, but it is a treasured possession, entrusted to us long ago—one we could not surrender lightly. However...” She looks to Finyik, the hunt-master, whose old bones creak as he gets to his feet to speak. “We are fewer in number with each season, for we are hemmed in by enemies on all sides. Those who would seek our remaining weapon would do well to bring us one in return, and this is the same opportunity we gave to those who came before you. Travel to Deepblood Ridge, where two beasts of the Kaava Lands reign, and bring back one or more of their eggs. These we can nurture as our own, far from the hungry talons of the lizardfolk who fear the beasts and would eat their young. Do this while surviving the dangers of our forest home, and you shall have our gratitude and our respect.”
Finyik sits down, and Diblop, by far the oldest and grayest of the three, speaks. “The great scaled ones are mighty creatures, the king and queen of the Kaava Lands’ many beasts. But the lizardfolk—may curses haunt their breed to the ends of the jungle— chased them off, leaving the nest vulnerable. Now is the time to strike! Those who can defy the lizardfolk and aid us now will be most fit to wield the weapon the dwarves gave us so long ago and end the vile guardian’s threat once and for all.”
Knowledge (Geography)
Knowledge (Local)
|
|
In response to Kuriq's questions Ajaline replies, "I think we can trust them. They seem to be telling us the truth. I don't see that we have anything to lose here and besides, I hate lizardfolk. They are so nasty and disgusting. Such inferior beasts." He pauses to gather himself a bit. "They make me sick!"
|
|
As Barl and Ajaline hurry to catch up with the party, the dwarf chatters on and on about the jaunt into history they just experienced. He suspects the elf is growing weary of the reminiscing but he cannot contain himself. When they meet the group, he forgets all about his previous mission as he gets caught up on their situation. Dwarven history!
Barl is greatly dismayed to see the hills eventually give way to the jungle. He is absolutely out of his element here and he knows it. However the grippli's connection to his people's history makes him feel somehow connected to them. Even moreso when the elder curses the lizardfolk.
He tells the group in confidence what he knows about the deadly lizardfolk of Deepblood Ravine and their impending destruction of the village.
Responding to the elder, Barl says, "I know somewhat of your situation here and I absolutely share your hatred of the cursed lizards. I would aid you in fighting them even with no promise of reward. To do so in trade seems very reasonable indeed."
Dunia waits while her companions speak, slowly considering her words before speaking in a syrupy accent, "I' would'n be righ t'leff em heah witou' proteshin. I don' feah no Lizarfolk. I don' feah no workin' wit eggs. An i' soun' like dem Gripplis won' be stay he' no moah if'n we don' do dis. She breaks out in a sickly grin, "An' effen if you don' wanna hep 'em t' b kine, we all gwine ta see an ol' ol' orb if'n we do.
|
|
Bogwynne responds to Kuriq somberly. “If you prove yourselves worthy, we will tell you of its story and how to use the weapon against it.”
She seems not to take any pleasure in withholding this information. With the situation her tribe is in, this is apparently the only bargaining chip she has left and she does not intend to squander it.
When you are all ready to head out, give me survival checks (or wisdom check if untrained).
|
|
Farith leads the way through the hot jungle, with Ajaline and Kuriq making sure the rest of the party doesn't forget his instructions.
The Kaava Lands teem with wildlife, from squawking birds and stinging insects to humongous trees that create a dense canopy above. Vines, roots, and large-leaved plants cover much of the ground. The gripplis’ directions lead northwest through the dark, virtually trackless terrain. The myriad sounds of the jungle grow louder, and the undergrowth grows thicker, as the Krihirik village vanishes into the distance.
Farith is able to spot several tracks left by another set of humanoids who have been hiking in the same direction... The group contains at least six medium humanoids and a curious set of smaller tracks left by a barefoot humanoid missing two toes on the right foot.
About four miles from the Krihirik village, the terrain suddenly drops off into a deep ravine. The far side of the ravine is sixty feet away, and its craggy faces descend one hundred feet to the ravine floor below. The gap in the jungle allows a glimpse of the sky above, but the trees grow to the very edge of the ravine, and their dense canopy still blocks out much of the light. Several of the trees have massive, haggy-barked trunks sporting countless twisting limbs. The trees’ strong roots grow deep into the earth and some even dangle over the side of the ravine.
The descent is roughly 100 ft to the bottom of the ravine.
|
|
You are all able to descend the rope with ease, however the tree branches that line the ravine wall leave a pungent smelling oil on your clothes.
Most of you have made a good percentage of the descent before Dunia notices the scent on her clothes.
It can probably be washed off with soap, but it may take a while of scrubbing, and given the Aspis Consortium agents that are also tracking down Sharrowsmith's finds, any delay may make give them more of an advantage.
Fallen trees, rocky streams, hanging vines, and other obstacles litter the ravine floor, making travel through this area just as difficult despite the sparser foliage. After several hundred feet, the terrain gives way to a natural trail running through the middle of the ravine. In most places the trail is a mere five feet wide, though it widens to fifteen or even twenty feet in some areas. The ravine walls and the distant canopy still block out most of the natural light along the path. Where the path narrows again, a humanoid corpse—one hand stuck in its vest as though desperately trying to reach for something—lies sprawled in the dirt next to a thick, thorny plant. Countless biting ants swarm over the corpse, making its features difficult to discern.
|
|
"What is that awful smell?" In a comical manner, Kuriq pinches his nose when saying these words. As the journey continues, Kuriq is more and more cautious with the chatter of potential hostiles, Aspis nonetheless! They shall be judged for their crimes. Upon reaching the ant infestation, he stops. "Looks like we're not the only ones travelling down this path."
|
|
Ajaline descends the rope slowly and carefully. When he reaches the bottom his sniffs in disgust. "Where is that smell coming from? I smelled it coming down but now it just seems worse." He realizes that is is standing close to Dunia and the smell is coming from her. He makes a face in her direction. "It's you! Please make sure to stand downwind of me." He huffs at her and walks away.
|
|
It is difficult to tell much about the corpse without getting close, but it looks as though it has adventuring gear and weapons. The ants appear to be incredibly angry and as soon as anyone approaches, dozens of scouts split off of the main swarm and head towards you. It doesn't appear as though there is any way around short of climbing along the walls slowly and carefully, which is time you may or may not be able to afford. So far you are certainly making good time, and you can't imagine the Aspis agents are that far ahead of you, but if this was one of them and they are willing to leave men behind to die, who knows what other risks and shortcuts they may take?