D&D 5E (IC) Fitz's Folly

[FitzTheRuke]

As the Sticks approached the lobster-folk, there was a tense moment: Harb attempted to appear meek while Kasqa meant to show that the group was strong; the two approaches overlapped awkwardly, and the largest Aldani stood stoically. With only the slightest twitch of its face-feelers to show it was even animate, Rodrigo could discern nothing of its intentions.

Then several lobster-folk burst up from the swamp around them and for a moment it appeared to be an ambush. Everyone readied for a fight they thought would come until Dellrak held up a shaking hand and said, "Nay, hold. Thaer joost showin' us that thayer prapaer'd tae defend therselves." Tarri nodded in agreement.

Qawasha issued a greeting and a plea to parlay, and the group cautiously approached the apparent leader, who still held his ground. Its tiny black marble eyes followed Chrysagon as he revealed their illness, and its bearing softened, with just the slightest motion it appeared friendlier.

Miss Imogen spoke and Qawasha translated while the creature listened. A few of the others slid back into the swamp, leaving only a small group to watch the exchange.

OOC: @Kobold Stew. Go ahead and let me know what you want to say to them. Sorry I've taken so long to get to this.

 

[Kobold Stew]

"We do not mean to intrude in your part of the jungle," Miss Imogen begins. Quawasha, behind her, makes noises that seem to combine gurgling and spitting, as well as open-throated throated vocalizations. She is grateful he is there, once again. She continues, waiting for each sentence to be rendered before continuing.

"We ask permission to pass through your territory. We pursue a great evil that has come to this place, and believe we can stop it. Its corrupting influence is bringing both death, and something worse than death."

She eyes them up, the carapace on their faces hiding much expression. The hair on the back of her arms stands on end, as if she is chilled.

"We are guests in your forest, and will behave as such. The effect of the curse is far-reaching, and we are all affected by it, though in different ways. Any knowledge you would have to help us would also be appreciated."

Had she overreached with that last request? She hoped not. Her right hand raised to her forehead, and she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Qawasha listened while the creature spoke. His words were similar to those spoken by Qawasha, but the sound was hollow and filled with even more popping sounds. It was evident that Qawasha was having a little trouble understanding all of it, in spite of it being nominally the same language.

Eventually Qawasha said, "He is called Um'Qo of the Aldani. A son of a chief, I think. He says that in their shame (cursed by Ubtao) the Aldani prefer to be left alone and wish for outsiders to stay away from the swamps where they make their homes. In a gesture of goodwill, however, he has sent a fellow to gather a gift for us. (This gift is intended, I believe, to pay for our compliance.) He says that he is sympathetic for our maladies, but is unable to take the time needed to treat our sick. However, he has told me where to find more of the root that I can make into medicines that should help."

True to his word, a Lobsterfolk rose out of the swamp and produced a bundle wrapped in a large leaf. Their leader spoke and Qawasha nodded, saying "He presents this gift to us if we choose to bid them farewell and leave them to our work. It is a magic hat that allows the wearer to breathe underwater, and a gemstone with an imprisoned water elemental, who must obey whoever sets it free. Very fine gifts indeed! (Though the word would better be translated as 'bribe'.) "

 

[Kobold Stew]

Miss Imogen appreciates Qawasha's editorializing, and recognizes that there is more of the City in him than he lets on. For now, she says nothing at all about that.

She bows here head, and looks Um'Qo in the eye.

"You are very generous to us, and we accept your gift with gratitude. We pray for your prosperity. Peace be on your forest."

She accepts the gifts, and takes three steps back before turning around to her companions.

"I suggest we find another route."

 

[gargoyleking]

Harb bows to the strange people and turns to go with the others.

 

[KahlessNestor]

Chult
Afternoon
Round 0

Dellrak sighed. Well, at least they got something out of it. “So how do we go around this swamp?” he asked. They didn’t need to upset any more natives.

[sblock=Dellrak Actions]
Save:
Move:
Free Object Interaction:
Action:
Bonus Action: Planar Warrior
Reaction: Opportunity Attack
Conditions: Shivering Sickness (disadvantage on skill checks, only regain half HP when spending HD)
Concentration:
Inspiration:
[/sblock]

[sblock=Mini Stats]
Dellrak Character Sheet
Initiative: +1
Perception: +4
Speed: 25
AC: 15
HP: 28/28 HD: 3/3d10+2

Bolts: 20
Bolts used:
Arrows: 19
Arrows used:

Detect Portal (1/R): Within 1 mile
Planar Warrior: As a bonus action, choose one creature you can see within 30 feet of you. The next time you hit that creature on this turn with a weapon attack, all damage dealt by the attack becomes force damage, and the creature takes an extra 1d8 force damage from the attack. When you reach 11th level in this class, the extra damage increases to 2d8.
Primeval Awareness (action and spell slot): For one minute per level of spell slot, detect within 1 mile (6 in favored terrain) aberrations, celestials, dragons, elementals, fey, fiends, and undead. This feature doesn’t reveal the creatures’ location or number.

Spells
1) 3/3 Protection from Evil/Good (Horizon Walker), Jump, Goodberry, Longstrider
[/sblock]

[sblock=Goals]
[/sblock]

[sblock=Party]
Rodrigo Di Castalone - male human fighter
Miss Imogen - female samurai, party member, Zhentarim
Chrysagon - male aasimar paladin, Order of the Gauntlet, Kelemvor
Harb - male human monk
Qawasha (NPC) - Chultan druid
Kupalue (Weed, NPC) - vegepygmy
Wulf Rygor (NPC) - Half-elf scoutmaster, Camp Vengeance
Tarri (NPC) - cartographer, Camp Vengeance
Kasqa (NPC) - Chultan warrior, Camp Vengeance
[/sblock]

 

[FitzTheRuke]

"Our objective is to the west." said the scoutmaster, "We will have to stay north of the swamp and yet out of the grasslands; We must return to the jungle. It will take us a few miles out of our way, but we will not anger these people. I think it can be done."

So the Sticks and their allies returned to the Chultan Jungle. They spent the rest of that day moving only a mile into the jungle, such was the density of the foliage. By night, they found a small clearing in which to make camp. Qawasha mixed a bitter tea-like draught for everyone to drink to bolster their inner defences against any lingering illness. The rain did not come that night and the flies swarmed, but the mud-pack worked its wonders and bites were few.

GM: I'm going to allow everyone to level-up. I was going to wait until the mission was over, but I'm feeling generous. Also, Dellrak and Imogen should roll Con Saves with Advantage. DC is 12, so if you make it, consider yourself to awaken feeling much refreshed.

 

[Ancalagon]

"Avoiding conflict with these people is wise - there are foes enough in this jungle... I'm glad we had translator along, I had no idea how to interpret their gestures."

Later, as Rodrigo struggled with the thick vegetation, he wondered if skirting at the edge of their territory would have been acceptable...

 

[Kobold Stew]

OOC: Miss Imogen, con save with advantage: better of [roll0] and [roll1].

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Miss Imogen felt better in the morning, but she awoke to a light layer of frost which covered her bedroll and quickly evaporated in the Chultan heat. She wondered if anyone else had seen it.