"Let the guide be in charge of anything having to do with the actual journey." Izkrael says as Egan gets to the table, looking at him, and giving him a brief nod of respect.
Egan smiles at the show of respect from the gathered individuals. "It just so happens I'm available at the present time". "Perhaps I could take a look at the map, and any directions you might have to see if the territory is familiar to me". "Even if it is not, I'm sure that we can find it". "This seems to be a competent group, and I'm sure those of you I have met before are trustworthy and capable".
He looks around at some of those he isn't acquainted with. "I'm Egan Coyle, and I know the Jungle as well as anyone". Whom might I be leading and what are your capabilities"?
He then steps aside and listens as the others introduce themselves. If possible he catches the eye of the waitress and orders a large glass of milk.
"Tobias Marshalsea. *Bows slightly towards Egan* So, it's decided? Seven plans the expidition on a whole, Egan figures out how to get us there, and just who are you?", he says, turning towards the black-haired woman watching them.
Joleesa nods to Egan as he joins the group and notices Vilya skulking a few paces behind him.
"I agree," she says to Izkrael's statement. "But in saying that, we all obviously have different talents and so each of us should be in charge of our own field of expertise, lest someone make the wrong decision."
She looks around at the others and continues, "I can be an intermediary between the Merchants and Nobility as I have some connections to both, as does Tobias. I am also on good terms with a couple of the local Lizardfolk Tribes. Egan should obviously be in charge of the planning and implementation of the actual journey and the route involved. Seven Eagle seems to have some knowledge of what we may face. You boys," she points to Izkrael and Sanvoros, " know about the undead and some of the dangers of the jungle, as do I. And finally Ten can be in charge of protection and making sure our camps are secure. How does that sound?"
She looks inquiringly over Egan's shoulder, "will your girlfriend be joining us Egan?"
"Tobias Marshalsea. *Bows slightly towards Egan* So, it's decided? Seven plans the expidition on a whole, Egan figures out how to get us there, and just who are you?", he says, turning towards the black-haired woman watching them.
"I'm the one who's actually going to get you there. Milk-boy here is my competition, and while he may talk the talk, he just can't keep up with the likes of me."
She offers a hand to Tobias.
"Name's Vilya, and I will be your guide for this fine expedition."
Tobias notices that the fingers of the proffered hand have an extra joint and are tipped with bladelike fingernails.
"Before we head out into the mosquito infested jungle, we need to head to trhe Sanitorium to find more about this map, the creator is housed there, does anyone know about the Sanitarium, any of you been there?" Looking at the two jungle guides Seven Eagle replies flatly, "We can use two guides, work together, I would not be surprised if we all do not make it back" His voice trails off as he continues sorting his notes.
Seven Eagle shows the group a charcoal sketch of a fabulous beast. Its proportions and appendages awake a visceral dislike in everyone who looks at it. On the back of the sketch is a rambling map/journal with what looks to be directions to some abandoned Xoltec temple along the Blue River.
"Ummm... are we sure that this is a good idea? That thing is making me feel queasy. And the ramblings on the back don't speak of a fun adventure."
She thinks for a second. "Although a place like that there is bound to be lots of treasure, so maybe after all..." She trails off, looking at the others with a raised eyebrow (the one above her good eye).
The red-dressed barmaid sweeps in to see if anyone else wants anything. She smiles knowingly at the avid look on everyone's faces and the sheafs of parchment Seven Eagle clutches.
"Off into the jungle folks? Best of luck to you. I could never, I hate sleeping on the ground."
Ten finishes stuffing the last chunk of bread into his mouth before speaking and showering crumbs over the table top, "hey Jo Jo, I think that could be my dad," he taps the charcoal sketch with his greasy fingers while giving a big fanged grin at his own wit.
"does anyone know about the Sanitarium, any of you been there?"
"I have spent time in the sanatorium Sevy, can't say I fancy going back there, my mother did some work there looking after the inmates, she used to make me help, place freaked me out." he shudders, his neck muscles bulging as he does.
"It's has only been 9 years, so I guess the curator might remember me, I was a lot smaller then, though." he gives another grin.
"Shall we have one last round to toast our new venture and stiffen our resolve before we head to the mad house?" before any can react he is calling out to the barmaid once more.
"I could never, I hate sleeping on the ground."
Joleesa gives Ten a nudge in the ribs as the Barmaid makes this statement. She is still staring at the map, but anyone looking at her can see a tiny grin on her face.
Ten picks up the sketch and starts to study the mad ramblings on the back, it has been in his hands for only a few moments before he drops it and goes pale, he orders another stiff drink and makes the symbol of his god on his chest.
Giving JoJo a look that could kill he grimaces "That is not funny and you know it."
Giving JoJo a look that could kill he grimaces "That is not funny and you know it."
"Ahhh little brother you're too easy a mark."
Ten cheers up and smiles, "I'm going to buy a hammock!"
"Tobias Marshalsea. *Bows slightly towards Egan* So, it's decided? Seven plans the expidition on a whole, Egan figures out how to get us there, and just who are you?", he says, turning towards the black-haired woman watching them."I'm the one who's actually going to get you there. Milk-boy here is my competition, and while he may talk the talk, he just can't keep up with the likes of me."
She offers a hand to Tobias.
"Name's Vilya, and I will be your guide for this fine expedition."
Tobias notices that the fingers of the proffered hand have an extra joint and are tipped with bladelike fingernails.
"Vilya, while I agree you are the person to contact if you want to explore somewhere you shouldn't be, like tombs and illegal hunting grounds, even you must admit trekking through the Jungle is my Forte".
"For instance, if we decide to explore this 'Sanatorium' you would be the person to lead us". "Calistria knows you've escaped from that place enough times that you should know your way around it".
"Tobias Marshalsea. *Bows slightly towards Egan* So, it's decided? Seven plans the expidition on a whole, Egan figures out how to get us there, and just who are you?", he says, turning towards the black-haired woman watching them."I'm the one who's actually going to get you there. Milk-boy here is my competition, and while he may talk the talk, he just can't keep up with the likes of me."
She offers a hand to Tobias.
"Name's Vilya, and I will be your guide for this fine expedition."
Tobias notices that the fingers of the proffered hand have an extra joint and are tipped with bladelike fingernails.
"Vilya, while I agree you are the person to contact if you want to explore somewhere you shouldn't be, like tombs and illegal hunting grounds, even you must admit trekking through the Jungle is my Forte".
"For instance, if we decide to explore this 'Sanatorium' you would be the person to lead us". "Calistria knows you've escaped from that place enough times that you should know your way around it".
"Fine. I'll take the fun part, and you take the easy part. Sounds shiny in my book."
Ten cheers up and smiles, "I'm going to buy a hammock!"
"Outstanding."
"Outstanding."
"I am glad you approve!" Ten booms, "pull up a chair and have a drink, it would be rude not to." He shuffles his chair to the right to make a space for the strange lady to be seated.
"Well, it looks like we have another member to this jolly band of grave robbers."
Tobias then begins to look over the map and visibly blanches.
"D-deeper than hell? Well, at least I hope we'll be robbing a grave."
Sanvoros looks the map/journal over. "Spiders. Fantastic. I dislike them almost as much as undead."
Looking around, he says, "Perhaps we should spend some time getting properly supplied, and even research some of the strange things in this journal. Izkrael and I can check with our Order to see if anyone has ever encountered anything like these "Faceless Men"; the skeletal arm definately suggests undead. I would also strongley recommend to everyone to bring along antitoxin if we may face spiders, and a decent supply of food and water. It isn't usually too hard to live off the land in the jungle, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared." He turns to Egan and asks, "What does our guide think?"
Ten Foot shivers noticeably at the mention of spiders.
Ten Foot shivers noticeably at the mention of spiders.
"You know, some of the deeper jungle tribes will eat roasted spiders. I hear they aren't bad."
"You know, some of the deeper jungle tribes will eat roasted spiders. I hear they aren't bad."
"I will pray that they have a great feast and eat a lot more of them."
The barmaid returns with sugared coconut milk for Egan and ale for the rest. She winks at Ten as she flounces off, busy with the breakfast rush.
The group can see a few other folks giving them sidewise glances, mostly scruffy wannabes. Seven Eagle was not very discrete with his earlier declaration, and the fact that there are eight folks crowded around the table makes his earlier announcement all the more interesting.
Joleesa doesn't touch her ale and slowly slides it closer to Ten until it is sitting in front of him.
Sleight of Hand. (1d20+8=17)
"Well lets head over to the Sanitarium. It's still early so we have the whole day ahead of us to prepare for the journey."
She grins at Ten. "If you don't want to come to the Sanitarium with us I'm sure that your friend over there will keep you occupied." She nods in the direction of the Barmaid as she brings somone else their drink.
"I agree. We can check the sanitarium first, and then prepare for the journey this evening."
"That plan is good with me as well. It will give me a little more time to study the map, and compare it with some of my own."
Perception to notice JoJo sliding her ale to him. (1d20+3=17)
Ten Grins at JoJo and whispers, "light weight," at her.
"I best not stay here," he announces, before draining the last of his ale, "you could get into all sorts of trouble and I might miss it."
Ten stands up and wobbles a little bit, "Just got to drain the python first," he declares before heading off to tip the barmaid on his way for a call of nature.
He returns a while later and checks everyone has finished their drinks, draining the last of them if they leave any. "A bit of courage," he replies with a shrug to anyone who looks displeased with his actions.
"I'll just be a minute, I have to take care of some business."
Joleesa heads inside and then sneaks out a minute later after she thinks the others aren't watching her. She makes her way over to the Barmaid and whispers in her ear. The Barmaid giggles and glances over at the table where the others are busy plotting the days activities. Joleesa claps her on the shoulder and then sneaks back inside, emerging with a stretch to draw attention to her presence. She walks back over to the table and says, "so are we off to the Sanitarium now. Lets get going so we can catch the inmates before the lunchtime feeding frenzy."
Joleesa:
The group finishes up their morning ales and straighten their gear. The sun is now well up over the horizon and the hum of the ever-present giant bugs makes a constant background note to the day's activities.
The Market District (where the Opal Explorer's Guild is located) is awash with activity as merchants, ship captains, plantation factors and ordinary citizens all go on with the business of the day.
As the group prepares to leave, a young boy approaches the group with a bundle of fresh sugarcanes on his back.
"Sugarcane, two for a copper," The lad announces.
Joleesa flips the boy a silver and takes a bunch of sugarcane, handing half to Ten and offering the rest to the others before starting on one herself.
Dungeon Monkey:
The young boy grins, his white teeth a startling contrast to his tanned skin.
"Thanks lady!" He bows, nimble as a courtier, and dashes to the next table.
The sugarcane juice is sweet and refreshing, the perfect end to a meal.
Joleesa:
She makes her way over to the Barmaid and whispers in her ear. The Barmaid giggles and glances over at the table where the others are busy plotting the days activities. Joleesa claps her on the shoulder and then sneaks back inside.
Handing half to Ten and offering the rest to the others before starting on one herself.
"Thanks Jo Jo," Ten, grins at her, his eyes have a slightly unfocussed look that is testimony to the large amount of alcohol he has consumed to start the day. He munches loudly on the Sugar Cane as he takes in the early morning heat, swatting away a few buzzing flies with his free hand.
DM:
Izkrael takes the sugarcane from Joleesa with a grateful nod of his head. As he cuts it into slivers with his kukri, he watches the interplay between the others, quietly observing them.
Vilya makes a face at the prospect of actually eating the sugarcane. She decides to give her share to whoever wants it.
Sanvoros also takes his sugarcane and cuts it as Izkrael does. He keeps a close eye on Vilya, whom he found to be a bit brusk and arrogant for his taste, and on Seven Eagle, whom he's hoping isn't leading them on a suicide trek ...
"I'll take that." Tobias says as he takes Vilva's proffered sugarcane. "Well, the insane wait for no man. Anyone else ready to go?"
"I'll take that." Tobias says as he takes Vilva's proffered sugarcane. "Well, the insane wait for no man. Anyone else ready to go?"
"Sometimes the insane wait for me."
"I'll take that." Tobias says as he takes Vilva's proffered sugarcane. "Well, the insane wait for no man. Anyone else ready to go?"
"Ten Foot Ready!" he booms.
"I'm ready. Everyone coming?" says Izkrael. He looks around at the others, also taking a look around to see if anyone is paying them undue attention or is following.
The party preapares to head out. Ten starts to feel the effects of the many ales and Sugar Sacks he has put away.
Ten:
Izkreal:
Joleesa spend the trip doding between making sure Ten stays on his feet and talking with Egan about what we'll need for the journey, especially if everyone has or needs Jungle mounts (she can organize that through her Lizardfolk contacts).
"Sometimes the insane wait for me."
"Well, they're insane, you expect them to be predictable?"
"Hey, Joleesa. Be sure to pick me up a mount, alright."
Izkrael will keep an eye out for them as we make our way to the sanitorium. He doesn't mention the three to the others, but he does tell Sanvoros to be alert.
Having fought alongside Izkrael enough to know to take his warnings seriously, Sanvoros will scan the area as they walk to the Sanitarium.
Iz/San:
The party emerges into the hot humid morning straight into the tumult of the Market District. The temperature is over 35 degrees centigrade, and the humidity is close to the triple digit mark. Ten can feel his liquid breakfast popping out as runnels of sweat on his brow.
A plantation man rides by on a magnificent red-striped Leaper, his broad-brimmed hat bedecked in a riot of dinosaur feathers. Two Sliss’pok hunters walk by, carrying a fat duckbill chick between them trussed on a bent pole. The infant dinosaur measures close to two meters long. A spice merchant calls out from his shop door.
“Vanilla, spiceberries, and cocoa powder! Lowest prices, finest quality in all the Market District! Pepper, tea and coffee beans! Fresh from the Kaffia roasting mills! Guaranteed Blue Mountain beans...”
Despite the many interesting sights and sounds, the group has a mission. They head for the Skull Bridge. The bridge spans the wide expanse of the Opal River, connecting the Market District to the neighborhood of Longreach. Predating Opal, the bridge was part of the ancient Xoltec city of Chichen Mixtlan that once stood on Opal’s site.
The party crosses over the large bridge, blending in with the swarms of sailors, merchants and workers all hustling to and fro. The stylized skulls carven in the ancient vine-draped bridge stare vacantly over the green waters of the Opal. A Snakehead chases a school of sturgeon under the wide arches of the bridge, its flexible neck breaching to whip out and snag a fish with a screech and a splash. It dives under, its long snaky tail and flippers disappearing into the river.
Longreach is quiet, the streets occupied mostly with women doing the household chores or vendors crying their wares. Children screech and mock-fight with bamboo swords up and down the muddy thoroughfares. A vendor pushing a cart lined with small bamboo cages filled with brightly-plumed flying jungle lizards calls out his wares:
“Flying Jewels, a Galleon each! Easy to train, easy to feed! Will-o-wisp flyers, five Galleons! Never be bothered by flying insects again! Tails bright enough to read a scroll by! Five Galleons …”
The group continues southeast into the Driftwood District. There is no set line for the changeover, but slowly the buildings get older, shabbier and more vine-covered. The crowds begin to include more toughs and bravos, with the occasional knot of foreign sailors walking about gawking at the many prostitutes leaning out from the upper windows. The streets' gutters fill with trash and various noxious fluids, as well as a drunkard or two.
Taverns line the streets, many filled to bursting despite the early hour. Joleesa sees an acquaintance of hers entering the Spotted Frog Tavern, one of the rowdier wineshops. The acquaintance, Frederico Narbonesse, is a scion of an old Opaline planter family. His family has fallen on hard times in recent years, exacerbated by Frederico’s penchant for whores, gambling and strong drink. He doesn’t spot Joleesa as he ducks into the darkened doorway.
Close by the Old City walls, the Broken House rears its towers to the sky. A massive pile of Vellasian Gothic architecture, the manse squats on an unkempt lot, the swamp oaks and witch palms surrounding it shaggy with hanging streamers of ghost moss. A crumbling stone wall encircles the large rundown house, topped with rusty iron fencing. A few shambling forms dressed in simple linen tunics wander the grounds overseen by women dressed in blue robes embroidered with the image of Quetzalcouatl.
A gate of rusty iron is shut across the entrance, guarded by a large frowning Zapatec man dressed in a dented iron breastplate and leather greaves. The breastplate has a flaking enameled symbol of the Order of the Feathered Serpent placed in its center. He sucks on a leather flask and looks out the slotted bars. A well-used greatsword hangs on his wide back, the copper pommel a stylized dinosaur head. The man stoppers the flask and looks out at the eight party members.
“You folks need sumthin’?”
Dungeon Monkey:
A vendor pushing a cart lined with small bamboo cages filled with brightly-plumed flying jungle lizards calls out his wares:“Flying Jewels, a Galleon each! Easy to train, easy to feed! Will-o-wisp flyers, five Galleons! Never be bothered by flying insects again! Tails bright enough to read a scroll by! Five Galleons …”
Joleesa stops for a minute as the man moves past the group. She waves the others on and quickly makes a purchase.
When she returns to the group, a small flying lizard with a glowing tail is perched on her shoulder.
A gate of rusty iron is shut across the entrance, guarded by a large frowning Zapatec man dressed in a dented iron breastplate and leather greaves. The breastplate has a flaking enameled symbol of the Order of the Feathered Serpent placed in its center. He sucks on a leather flask and looks out the slotted bars. A well-used greatsword hangs on his wide back, the copper pommel a stylized dinosaur head. The man stoppers the flask and looks out at the eight party members.“You folks need sumthin’?”
"Good sir, we seek entrance to your establishment to speak with one of your charges. We believe he has information that could help us put to rest a vicious abomination that is terrorizing some of the more remote plantations."
She gestures to Seven Eagle. "My friend here will provide you with the man's name."
Joleesa:
Ten Foot watches with amusement as JoJo purchases her new pet, "It clashes with your outfit," he grunts.
At the gates Ten Foot retrieves his ornate bejewelled tankard from his belt and whispering a quick prayer to his lord fills it with clear cool water, he drinks from it deeply, another shrt prayer and the tankard is full again, "any one?" he inquires offering the tankard out, "it is only water," he mutters, "unless you fancy something stronger?"
Turning to the gate guard he asks, "beer?" and offers him the mug which now has a foaming head on it.
Ten Foot watches with amusement as JoJo purchases her new pet, "It clashes with your outfit," he grunts.
"Maybe I should buy a green shirt next time I have some spare coin."