Of Jungle Deeps and Ocean Depths

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*Jalaro nods to Undinar and accepts the potion.*

"I thank you. You are quite courteous and generous, fine qualities in a leader," she says with a slight bow of her head. "Come, I'll introduce you to the anklies."

*Tiana, as you go up to the nearest ankly, it swings its head around to you. You pat its nose; the skin is rough and pebbly and it pushes into your hand, almost knocking you over.*

"Hey!" one of the handlers says, finishing tightening a strap. "Lightfoot, don't knock the lady over."

*The handler is a young Chultan boy wearing eye-watering yellow and red robes. He comes up next to you and fearlessly climbs on top of the beast.*

"This one is named Lightfoot. Do you know their kind? We call them anklies. The really big fellow over there is Rockhead and the really green one is Leafwhistle. Scratch them here," he says, pointing to a spot just behind a small hole, probably where they hear. "They like that a lot."

*Undinar, you watch Tiana's delight at the big friendly beasts, and are frankly amazed at the amount of gear they are carrying. They could probably carry the party too, if it came to that.*

 

[Erekose13]

Undinar is very intrigued by the anklies, such large beasts yet very kind and affectionate. After watching Tiana pet Lightfoot behind his ear as directed by the young boy, he turns back to Jalaro, "They are magnificent beasts, thank you. In any case I would like to ask you a little about where you are taking us. I know that our destination lies within the heart of the jungle, but beyond that we are counting on you. I had heard that some of the tribes in the jungle might be able to help us. Are we heading there first?"

 

[Zerth]

*Tiana, as you go up to the nearest ankly, it swings its head around to you. You pat its nose; the skin is rough and pebbly and it pushes into your hand, almost knocking you over.*

"Oopf! Careful now with that big head."

*Tiana evades falling down by hopping back nimbly.*

"This one is named Lightfoot. Do you know their kind? We call them anklies. The really big fellow over there is Rockhead and the really green one is Leafwhistle. Scratch them here," he says, pointing to a spot just behind a small hole, probably where they hear. "They like that a lot."

"Anklies? This is certainly the first time I've seen anything like them," Tiana says smiling.

*She scratches Lightfoot like the boy instructed.*

 

[Jarval]

*Mourn looks at the ankylorsarus with only the most cursory interest. After the time he's spend in Mezro, the beasts are no longer a novel sight, although the concept of domesticating lizards still holds some small curiosity for him.

Taking in the list of supplies Obar gives them, he smiles happily.*

"It sounds like you've thought of everything we might need. The raincapes are a particularly sound idea. We seem to have a rather significant quantity of antivenom. I take it the Chultian jungles have a proliferation of poisonous fauna?"

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

"It sounds like you've thought of everything we might need. The raincapes are a particularly sound idea. We seem to have a rather significant quantity of antivenom. I take it the Chultian jungles have a proliferation of poisonous fauna?"

"Indeed," rumbles Obar, "Fauna and flora both. Don't eat something unless you test it carefully. There are a great number of poisonous snakes, frogs, lizards, dinosaurs, and what have you, not counting the poisons that the wild dwarves, Chultan tribesmen, grippli, or taxabi use. Some people down antitoxins like water in the jungle... though those tend to be the paranoid ones. I only warn you to make you cautious, not terrified. You're all intelligent people, and will do well, I'm certain.

"Ah well then," Obar says, then raises his voice, "When do you wish to depart? And have you any further questions for me before you go?"

*Tiana, the young handler grins at you.*

"The anklies are a kind of dinosaur, the big lizards that live all through the jungle. Some look far stranger than Lightfoot here. Some are absolutely huge, the size of the temple! And some walk on two legs, are as tall as some trees, run faster than any man, and eat meat. Those tend to be rather cranky. And some are little, but vicious. Be careful for the anklies too. They can defend themselves pretty well, but they're carrying all this gear, and some of the tyrannosaurus rexes do eat them from time to time."

 

[Erekose13]

To Obar's question Undinar replies, "Thank you once again for all your help with this expedition, Obar. I think that we should leave soon, this is a magnificent city, but I am not one who likes to stay in them too long and a week has been long enough for me. Does anyone have anything else they require before we set out? I hope you are all ready for the exciting adventure we are about to set out on. If you are all prepared and don't have any more questions, then lets get a move on."

 

[flyingricepaddy]

*Tholon walks toward the dinosaurs, admiring the beasts, but careful to stay out of their way. Wandering over to Jalaro, he touches his brow in salute.*

"Well met, Jalaro. I am Tholon. I believe that you mentioned that you have not travelled much as of late. Might I ask why that is?"

 

[Jarval]

"I am ready to leave whenever is convenient for the rest of our company." Mourn says cheerfully, before turning back to continue listening to the young lad in charge of the anklies.

"Are there many of these tyrannosaurus rexes where we're heading? It could be rather inconvenient to have our pack animals end up as a snack for some other creature. Just how large are these tyrannosaurus rexes, anyway?"

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*Jalaro turns to Tholon and gives a small bob of her head.*

"I have gone on many short trips recently, hunting trips and the like, but a long expedition is something I haven't done in a while. That is all that I mean. I have gone on over a dozen long expeditions, lasting anywhere from three to six months, but those are more rare than the shorter trips, of course," she explains in response to his question.

*Mourn, the boy shakes his head at your question.*

"There aren't a lot of them, but you have to be aware of them. They're over thirty feet tall, and are very fast with lots of big teeth. But they're like most predators, they go after the young, the sick, those who are alone. Your anklies will be together, with big loads on their back, and surrounded by people. I don't think you'll be attacked," he says with confidence.

 

[Zerth]

"There aren't a lot of them, but you have to be aware of them. They're over thirty feet tall, and are very fast with lots of big teeth. But they're like most predators, they go after the young, the sick, those who are alone. Your anklies will be together, with big loads on their back, and surrounded by people. I don't think you'll be attacked," he says with confidence.

*Tiana looks amazed.*

"Ooo, I hope we don't run into some of those. But I'm sure we'll be fine if we keep our eyes open - and have a good dose of good luck, of course."

*Tiana laughs and flips her coin of good luck.*