Of Jungle Deeps and Ocean Depths

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

"We have some Spellweavers, elf-child. And our magic is not like yours, and they would be eager to exchange lore. Come all, and rest, we shall discuss. Bring forth your offerings, and we will tell you of our struggles with The Beast," Vi-Tach says, waving for you to relax.

"It appeared seven months ago, and we knew of it when there were no more creatures in our sacred spring. Always our spring had brought forth an abundance of fish, creatures whose movements we would use to divine the future as they undulated in the pool before going along their journey in the stream. But seven months ago no more fish came to replace those that left, and then our stream itself shrank to a small puddle of its former self. We know it starts underground, but those warriors that went to investigate have not returned and we will not try again without help," Vi-Tach explains.

*As you sit and listen, several grippli come down bearing small cups of what seem to be fruit juice for you to drink.*

 

[Zerth]

*Tiana raises her head in curiosity as she sips the fruit juice.*

"So nobody has actually seen this 'Beast'?" She asks.

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

"I am afraid not. We would use our divination magic to gather a picture of our enemy, but as it has destroyed the means... it has blinded us. We have lost three warriors to it, and they would have done anything to come back or at least warn us if it were possible. And we will send no one else's children to die," Vi-Tach says, sorrow in her voice.

 

[Jarval]

"Would any of your people be prepared to guide us to this creature's lair?" Mourn asks. "We wouldn't ask them to fight, but we are unfamiliar with the terrain of these parts."

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

"Of course we would guide, and we will aid you as we can in healing salves and magic. It is our lives we fear losing. You are clearly more capable warriors than we are," Vi-Tach says with a wave of her hand.

 

[Zerth]

"So much for preparations, if we don't know anything about the threat," Tiana says. "Who needs it anyway, if you already got the moves and some luck," she adds with a grin followed by a flip of her coin. "We should be leaving soon, then?" she asks looking at Vi-Tach.

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

"If you desire, night-hair, we can lead you there forthwith," Vi-Tach says, and three other grippli, less brightly-colored, and bearing a combination of bone and steel knives, leap down in front of you.

*Jalaro leans over to Undinar.*

"I will stay here with the anklies, I'm insurance against your word," she murmurs, and they lays back casually on Lightfoot's back.

*If you follow the three grippli warriors, they lead you on a twisting trail through the jungle, eventually arriving at a small mud puddle you realize was probably once their sacred spring. They lead you around it until you come to a small hole in the ground, just barely big enough for a human to squeeze through. Down there it is dark, and you catch a faint whiff of the scent of death.*

 

[Erekose13]

While confering with Jalaro, Undinar replies, "Thank you Jalaro, I really appreciate your vigilance. We will be back soon, I am confident in my friends here."

"Thank you Vi-Tach, we are ready." Undinar says to the chieftain after having spoken to all of the others.

Following the grippli warriors to the spring, he can tell immediately why they are worried. The spring is the life blood of a community, as everybody needs water. Undinar continues on to the hole, taking a deep breath of the fresh air before leading the way. "I wont ask any of you to lead, if I wouldnt be willing to do so myself. Take a deep breath while you can, it doesnt smell to good down there."

 

[Zerth]

*Tiana takes a sunrod from her belt pouch and lits it before entering the dark hole.*

"I'm right behind you, Undinar, Tiana says as she wiggles inside with the light source.

 

[Jarval]

"I'm ready to go, I suppose." Mourn says, a little doubtfully now he's presented with the reality of the spring. He draws his sword, before following after Undinar and Tiana.