Skyreaver will accept the opffered gold and then take her leave, but not before saying "Should you need my help, I shall be around, but I must leave this city for a bit to learn of the spirits here."
I will gladly assist further, if it is required.
The party turn down Alastar's offer and return to the Lizard for the night. Alastar says to Sashah
"Yes, only one of the Merchant Princes, but it will take quite a bit to gain access to that library."
The next morning, as they are having a breakfast of local delicacies with ginger tea, they decide on who they should visit next.
The options are:
• Lord’s Alliance. Klevin Van’Sheran is in his shop in the Merchant’s Ward
• Zhentarim. Pock-Marked Po is in his hut in Old City
• Emerald Enclave. Screaming Wind is in the upper ledges of Malar’s Throat
Still no news from the Harpers yet...
”Nanbu seems to know this Screaming Wind, maybe they will have some more information n this amulet or the death curse n general. ”
The grizzled old half-elf sits looking grumpy, quietly nibbling on a biscuit.
As you reach the furthest outskirts beyond the city walls, the terrain rises again along the ridge leading to Malar’s Throat. The pouring rain begins to fall even harder, dashing all your hopes of the storm receding anytime soon. You continue along the wet, muddy path while summoning the resolve to push through the curtain of heavy raindrops.
The view of Malar’s Throat itself is as astonishing as it is unsettling. A massive ravine runs along the entire area. Along the edge of the ravine are rows of small houses made of old wood and patched stonework, all of which have seen much better days. Narrow rope bridges extend to the other side of the ravine with similar homes skirting the opposite ridge. Several buildings cling to the steep wall which roughly ramps down to the bottom of the ravine.
A cry for help nearby forces your focus to narrow to where you barely make out a figure on one of the bridges in the distance fighting two winged humanoids!
Grumbling something about libraries, Sashah picks up his pace, rushing toward the bridge.
About 300'.
Nanbu begins running toward the bridges, shouting to draw the attention of the flyers!
Go away, ugly gnasher!
Skyreaver also begins making her way towards the combat.
By the time the party moves into action, the figure that you see as a tabaxi with black-spotted yellow fur and green eyes, defeats one enemy and the other flees into the ravine below.
Once close, she looks them up and down, points to herself and says “I am Screaming Wind. You must be visitors. You here to help or to sightsee?”
Sir Adrian moves towards the battle.
Here to help.
"Do you not see sights everywhere you go?"
Screaming Wind, it is Nanbu, returned from the land of the pale. What is happening? Of course, Nanbu will help his friend!
Sir Adrian rushes forward but the battle is already over.
Screaming Wind says to Skyreaver. "Aye, but some sights are far more special than others. And you're certainly a sight to behold!"
"Nanbu! I am glad to see you. Thank you for coming to my aid. We must speak," she says.
Screaming Wind leads the party to her small home at the far end of the ravine. It is modest, with pots containing fish and water. She asks that you take a seat on the floor or stand if you wish.
"Malar’s Throat have encountered several strange threats coming from the encroaching foliage along the ridge, mainly from the jungle to the east.
All is not well with the green. The foliage in recent weeks have become overgrown with diseased brush and blighted flora. It has expanded quickly, overtaking some homes at the far end of the ravine.
In addition to the blighted trees and plants, several undead have made their way into the region. Foul things; hard to kill.
With the Citizen’s Brigade as their only defense, it’s been difficult keeping the residents here safe.
On occasion, a group of pterafolk, like the creatures I fought earlier, swoop into the area attempting to abduct some of the locals. So far, they have been successful a couple of times.
We tried to find out what was behind this and to rescue our people. A rescue party that went into the area yesterday. Unfortunately, None have returned.
I am convinced these occurrences are linked, and may even be connected to the mysterious Death Curse. Nanbu and your brave companions, I ask that you investigate the area and find the source of these threats. I can but offer a paltry 50 gold pieces for this," she concludes.
Screaming Wind knows that Nanbu requires no payment to help, but will not dishonor her by refusing such a gift, Nanbu turns to his companions, Will Nanbu's friends help?
Saphina agrees to help and checks her equipment to be ready for heading into the jungle.
Sashah grumbles in what sounds like affirmative with "..library.." scattered a couple times in the grumbling.
Smashing! Let us investigate and get to the bottom of things!
Saphina pats the wizard gently on the hand. ”Don’t worry, we will find what we seek eventually. For now though we need to focus on the task at hand. I’ve never been into a jungle before! Have you Sashah? Did you see that flying lizard thing. What was it called, a Tero Folk, that seems like a really weird name. It looks like one of thos dinosaurs you where telling me about on the ship. ” her curiosity knows no bounds and continues on for quite a while befor quieting down.
Screaming Wind leads you past a couple of now abandoned shacks overrun by dark vines and thorny brush. The area beyond is a sprawling collection of massive trees and foliage beneath a thick canopy, shutting out what’s left of the daylight. The rain, however, still seeps through with ease.
"I cannot follow you into the jungle. I must stay to defend the inhabitants of Malar's Throat from any threats. May you find our locals and bring you back safe," Screaming Wind says, nodding to Nanbu.
There are a few paths through the jungle, and the weather is hot and humid. There's the constant sound of raindrops.
If our people are alive, Nanbu and his friends will bring them home, the warlock says with a bow.
Turning to the others Nanbu smiles, Let us destroy some undead, and rescue the people...
:)
As they begin their journey toward the jungle Sashah puts a gentle hand on Saphina's head with a smile. "Thank you for enthusiasm young one. I seemed have forgotten joy of new experience and knowledge. " Continuing the smile he pulls out a book from his pack containing the scattered information he could retrieve before his trip to Chult, sharing the information with whoever wanted to know.
Skyreaver starts finding her way through the jungle. Adrian, in his metal armour, is sweating profusely and still uncomfortable despite the adjustments to his armour.
Skyreaver finds a crude pathway through the jungle. However, after a few minutes after the party makes their way through the brush, they are accosted a small swarm of diseased insects. They buzz and swarm, settling upon any bit of exposed flesh then can find.
Make a DC 13 Dex Saving throw.
Saphina quickly applies a dose of salve from a small gourde she purchased from a local vendor. She thanks Mystra or one of Sashahs books mentioning how bad the insects where here in Chult.
But she was too late to fend of this current swarm and soon begins feeling slightly woosey. ”Boy those little guys packed a punch. I’ll remember to start using that salve every day, it’s just so... Icky?”
Sir Adrian continues along. The insects, although annoying, do not seem to otherwise effect him with their bites.
The blessings of Torm, through me, will enable me to remove the disease from the insects from three of you, if desired. However, it will limit my ability to give emergency healing during battle.
Nanbu stops, swaying as he shakes his head as if to clear it, Nanbu has been away for too long. He has forgotten the salve...
The goliath shrugs off the insects. They can't penetrate her thick skin.
The insects find Saphina, Nanbu and Sashah rather tasty ...
There is also the incense that could help, but that is more short-term...
The party continues into the jungle.
They fail to notice that they are moving past some large patches of poisonous weeds that are mixed into the normal brush.
On a failed save, the creature suffers 3 points of poison damage and are poisoned for 10 minutes. Poisoned creatures suffer mild
hallucinations and any saving throws are made with disadvantage.
Nanbu and Skyreaver are able to sidestep the vines. They sting Adrian but he shrugs off the poison. Only Rakdon is unable to sidestep the vines. Poison seeps into his blood.
The party proceeds ahead. You come across a makeshift path made from grey, muddy dirt and dead foliage. It cuts through a cluster of trees covered in thorny brambles. A fin-headed humanoid lies dead on the side of the path. You see two figures tangled in the brambles. On the left is a tabaxi, who is motionless. Next to him, an elven woman reaches out toward you and moans out, “Help me…”
Nanbu helps anyone that needs it.
Upon seeing the elven woman, Nanbu looks to Rakdon, Will wizard-friend be alright?
If he gets an affirmative, Nanbu, wary of the vines, attempts to move forward and help pull the elven woman free, blasting with eldritch blast if need be.