ADVENTURE 5-3: ESCAPE FROM THE TITAN’S JUNGLE
After sailing through the gateway out of the Hao Jin Tapestry, it takes you a moment to notice that your ship is no longer sailing horizontally. You’re falling! You have no time to get your bearings. You are overwhelmed by the blur of greens and browns rushing past you as your ship plunges into the canopy of a vast jungle. The thundering sound of trees ripping apart, the squawk of a flock panicked birds, and the screams of your terrified crew blend into a cacophony of terror. Finally, with a deafening thud, the Feathered Devil smashes into the ground.
The scant rays of light that pierce through the dense ceiling of greenery above do little to brighten the murky green gloom. Branches, vines, splintered wood, and ripped canvas all litter the deck. You and your companions stagger to your feet and assess the damage. You spot Rekkish, your tengu surgeon, helping a dazed and bloodied deckhand to her feet.
Akinaru, the elf you rescued from the Patchwork Prison, casually brushes himself off and flicks a few splinters of wood from his sleeve. Though his clothes have torn in places and his hair is a bit disheveled, his face shows not a scratch from the ship’s plummet through the trees. His eyes take in the jungle hungrily, and he seems to decide something.
“Yes, this must be it. I know this place. We have found ourselves in the Valashmai Jungle,” his expression darkens. “We must be careful. This jungle is as ancient as it is dangerous, and it does not take kindly to visitors.”
As you investigate and secure the perimeter of the crash site, Akinaru continues to explain what he knows of the jungle. It is home to countless varieties of bloodthirsty creatures of all sizes.
The very plants themselves seem to pick off unwelcome visitors with ease. An ancient race of giant lizard creatures dwelled here long ago, ruling with a cruel hand over slave legions forced to construct their towering cities.
“Oh, the cities are all in ruins now,” he says. “The jungle has swallowed them up. It’s a pity that such industrious leaders as the Valashmaians were chased off by slave revolts. This place was once a seat of such incredible power.” He trails off, but then seems to snap out of his daydream. “Ah well, we are much more likely to have a run-in with those horrible heart-eating beetles than the Valashmaians.”
The Feathered Devil is in shambles. Your crew is battered and bruised. As much as you’d love to take time to recuperate, the less time you spend in this sprawling mess of trees, the more likely you are to survive.
