Of Jungle Deeps and Ocean Depths

[Lichtenhart]

"Just do as I say and I'll make you the best dancing sailor of the Chultan jungles," Tiana speaks to Harry's ear as they dance. "And don't worry, you're doing just fine. Believe me, I've had far worse dancing partners."
*Tiana seizes the opportunity to dance as much as she can during the feast. It is clear to everyone, that she really enjoys dancing, but the loss of Doran still never fully escapes her mind.*

"I don't know 'bout the best, but surely the happiest." *Mad Harry whispers in Tiana's ear, taking in her hair's scent and keeping her as close as he feels she'll let him, once he takes confidence with the dance. As he notice there's some sadness behind her smile, he tries to guess her thoughts.*
"Did you know him well? I wonder what was cookin' up fo' him on the other side, to want to stay there. There's always time fo' that. It'd hav' to be something really wonderful to keep me from comin' back. I like it here. Now more than ever." *He says, his eyes as black pits looking straight into hers.*

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*After the funeral and celebration of Doran's life, the party can bed down to sleep. In the morning, Jalaro finishes packing up the anklies while Erik calls a group meeting, including their new members of Rappai and Jarrijan.*

"I've spoken at length to Vi-Tach and done a lot of thinking last night. Losing Doran just threw everything into sharp relief. This tribe lost three warriors, and will be losing one more and a shaman when Rappai and Jarrijan go. However, our group will be gaining, while we leave the tribe shorthanded. I have agreed to help guard the village against threats while Jarrijan and Rappai are away. It's the least I can do to help honor Doran's memory," Erik says carefully.

 

[Erekose13]

"We will be sad to lose you Erik, you have been a great companion. But I know that these grippli will value your protection. You and Razor Sentinel take care and we will see you in a few months on our way back through these parts. Perhaps you can join up on our next grand adventure." says Undinar a little sad his friend, the first who had signed up on this crazy quest, was going to be staying behind.

 

[Zerth]

Back at the feast:

"I didn't have the opportunity to spend very much time traveling with him," Tiana answers to Harry, "but enough to say he was a brave and noble man. I mean, to dedicate one's life for the safety of others, that is very admirable any way you look at it. I think..., I think I know why he did not choose to come back. He met his end on this side the way he would have wanted it to be - protecting his charge, doing his duty no matter what it takes."

"They call you Mad Harry," she begins as Harry whispers soft words in her ear, "Smooth Harry is more like it," she murmurs and smiles mysteriously back to him saying nothing more. Her usual cheerful mood, however, does return bit by bit with every dance.

-----------------------------------------------

Later:

"I hate to leave you behind, but your decision is most honorable, Erik. You better take a good care of the grippli or else," Tiana says jokingly, punching playfully Erik's armored shoulder.

 

[Jarval]

"You're a good man, Erik." Mourn smiles warmly as he shakes Erik's hand. "Given a bit of luck, we'll be back to pick you up again before you'll have even noticed we've gone."

Looking around the clearing, Mourn's good mood has started to return in spite of the previous day's events. He pulls his broom from his haversack.

"I think I'll fly today." He says with a grin.

 

[Keia]

Rappai, Grippli Cleric/Divine Oracle (Jarrijan, Grippli Monk)

Rappai was somewhat curious by the tall one's sudden decision. She was tempted to inquire of Is-aycha if this was her doing, but decided against it as she needed to be prepared for the journey ahead. She accepted the elders decision to allow the tall one among them, though she may have thought differently, if she were not leaving.

 

[Lichtenhart]

*Mad Harry flips a coin into the air an catches it with the other hand.*
"Gimme a coin o' yours and I'll give you one o' mine, good Erik. This way we are bound to meet again. An' wish us all the luck you don't need fo' yourself, and Mad Harry'll do the same fo' you."

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*Erik and the grippli wave good-bye as the anklies are swallowed up by the jungle again. In five minutes you're all totally alone in the forest again. Jalaro sits astride Lightfoot's neck, tapping him occasionally to give him directions, and the other anklies follow suit. She seems to be lost in thought, munching on a juicy mango as she goes, the juice trickling down her scaled chin.*

*The travel today seems lazy and slow, moving through the stifling heat of the jungles, periodically puntuated by thunderstorms. For the next week you make your way through the jungle, several times having to make your own trails through the thick growth. It's hard work, and you all get fairly sweaty from having to force your way. It's near the end of the first week when Lightfoot stumbles, nearly throwing Jalaro. Groaning, she slides off and goes to check the beast to make sure he hadn't been hurt.*

*As she takes a look at the ground, you see her face turn several shades paler. In the distance, you hear a tremendous roar, like that of thunder, but carrying much of anger in it. Joining it are thick, gutteral shouts of fury and pain.*

*Jalaro is looking at what the anklie stumble in. It's a large, three-toed print in the loamy forest floor. The print is nearly twelve feet long, and nearly a foot and a half deep.*

 

[Keia]

Rappai, Grippli Cleric/Divine Oracle (Jarrijan, Grippli Monk)

"That would most likely be Killhaven . . . and he doesn't sound happy. Killhaven never is," Rappai commented. "Rappai had hoped we would avoid Killhaven, but Killhaven is near . . . though he seems occupied."

*Looking at the others, Rappai realized that they didn't understand what she was talking about . . . then she realized that she hadn't informed them of the possibility of Killhaven in their path. Eric's offer to guard the camp had flustered her, and she had forgotten.*

"Killhaven is a T-Rex, and much, much trouble," Rappai said, "We should avoid with all haste . . . Rappai is curious about the other cries though."

*With a nod of acceptance, Jarrijan bounded off to take a look, keeping to the vegetation for cover and concealment.*

*Rappai went to yell after him but realized that it might only alert the T-Rex to their presence even more.*

 

[Zerth]

*Tiana dashes to Jalaro as she notices her looking at the ground and suddenly look like she saw a ghost.*

"What is it, Jalaro? Is Lightfoot okay?" Then she also notices the huge footprint. "What, ...what is that? What kind of creature leaves tracks like that? It looks like it's a predator of some ki..."

*Her sentence is cut short as she hears the distant roaring. She looks at Jalaro first and then listens to Rappai as the grippli seer gives an explanation.*

"Killhaven?" she manages to utter, looking at Jalaro as if waiting for her to confirm, what Rappai just told.