Chult Hex Crawl - IC

[Dr.Samurai]

Ondros Loxodon Rune Knight Fighter AC: 18 HP: 64/64 PPer: 12 PInv: 10 PIns: 20 Second Wind: 1/1 | Action Surge: 1/1 Frost Rune: 1/1 | Stone Rune: 1/1 Giant's Might: 3/3 Traits: Darkvision 120ft Conditions: -- Ondros chimes in from the door, Aremag is a dragon turtle that makes its home in Chult Bay. Anyone that passes must pay tribute to them. He turns to the captain, What would the tribute be for the three of us and our guides?

[The Hellbug]

"What?" the wizard asks, further baffled. She points out across the harbor. "Isn't that the Bay of Chult right there? Why wouldn't I have heard about this on the way into port?"

[agignac]

The captain grinned at Nolwenn's confusion. "It only harasses ships on the way out of the bay, not coming in. Don't ask me why, it's a dragon turtle, not a person. It's hundreds of years old, and does whatever the hells it wants to. As for tribute, hard to guess. I've seen it happy with treasure valuing around 100gp, sometimes it's not happy until it's closer to 500gp. I'd be surprised if it demanded more than that for a ship our size."

[Pyrophilios]

"What an abhorent practice. Hopefully, it accepts a check." The Red Horns replied.
"We'll have to see about that then. In the meantime, yes, you probably should deal with your business after setting us down at our destination and fetch us later again - unless Nolwenn learns to teleport before that time."

[agignac]

The captain eyes The Red Horns, trying to determine if he's serious about the "check" comment. Shrugging a bit, she then said, "When do you want to leave? The tides will be a factor, so let me know the day, and I'll tell you the time."

[Pyrophilios]

"Tomorrow at the latest." The Red Horn replied, looking at this fellow party members "At least as far as I'm concerned. I'll also need a workspace - doesn't matter if it's below decks. I can cope with bad air."

[agignac]

The next day, you all gather on the Brazen Pegasus. Eku and Azaka greet each other cordially. Eku was happy to learn that Azaka had been hired as well, though the younger Chultan woman seemed somewhat insulted that you thought you needed two guides.

Captain Ortimay Swift and Dark introduces you to the rest of the crew. Grig Ruddell, a middle-aged human is her 1st mate. You already met Krieger, and the remaining crew are Cyril (female dragonborn), Archer (male half-elf), and the identical twin halflings, Barb and Starr. The twins take an immediate liking to the colourful Desdemona, and try to entice her to chase a fish-tail tied to the end of a string.

"As long as the weather holds, you'll sleep and stay on the deck. There are some tarps folded in the corner; you can string them up on the port side of the bow for shade if you need it. If you need a workspace, you'll have to made do out here. The hold is pretty full, and you can go down there in bad weather only."

The sky is cloudy and there is little breeze to fill Brazen Pegasus's sail, but she's such a sleek ship that she glides out into the bay with little trouble. For a few hours you sail north, out of the narrow inlet that Port Nyanzaru calls home, and soon the city is out of sight. The Bay of Chult opens up, the seas wide and smooth. To the west, the Northern Arm of the Mistcliff Mountains rise high, clouds swirling near their peaks. Across the bay, to the east, a finger of green jungle stretches even further north.

Just past midday, the sea conditions start to change, and the deck begins to rock. The sea ahead roils and churns, and waves crash over the bow of your ship, driven by saw-toothed hills rising from the heaving foam. Water streams off the rising crags like rivers crashing down a mountainside. At last, the emerging island stops growing in size, although the sea still tosses your ship like a drifting feather. Then a huge blast of steams erupts from the waves, and through the drifting, rainbow-crossed mist, you see an immense beak and a blue eye the size of a hogshead cask staring in your direction. As the water calms, you also spot a dozen or more shark fins circling the ship.

Spoiler: Aremag pic

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The maw opens, and a sound like drowning demons gargles out of it.

Spoiler: If you speak Draconic

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"Who crosses my territory! Give me your names and your tribute!"

[Pyrophilios]

The Red Horns had been working under a tarp when the interruption came. As quickly as he could, he stuffed his project back into his bag. As he went in search of the captain he cast a simple spell on himself that would speed him up a bit.

"Captain, what did it say?"

Spoiler

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Casting Longstrider on himself

[The Hellbug]

When the morning comes and it's time to depart, Nolwenn is certain that deciding to leave this early was a mistake. Yesterday, she had been entirely in agreement with Red. The party had secured supplies, a boat, and guides, and she was even about to be meeting with Wakanga again. Perfect! Sure, the dragon turtle was an unexpected hurdle, but there was coin in the coffers. But the wizard meeting had gone late into the night, with it taking hours for Nolwenn to copy the promised spells into her repertoire, and she couldn't leave port without binding Desdemona. And so it was that the wizard spent the rest of the night gathering materials, preparing the ritual, and finally casting it. By the time all was said and done, her hands were ink-stained, her eyes red, her clothes smelled like herbal smoke, and the sun was just threatening to come over the horizon. But, she had also had succeeded in her pact and had bound Desdemona to her flesh, mind, and soul so it was worth it in her mind.

That was hours ago, though. At the time of boarding, it didn't look so good. Though she was happy to see the pair of guides (well, one of them at least, she's not sure how Azaka's opinion of her has landed), she could barely manage a forced smile for them, and it was all Nolwenn could do to politely tolerate introductions to the other members of the crew. And worse yet, as much as that shaded place for resting the captain had promised sounded, there was no way the wizard was going to sleep with the threat of a dragon turtle looming.

And so it is that we find Nolwenn sitting on the deck, doing her best not to fall asleep. The one thing in her favor in this endeavor, though, is the newly found sense of her bond with Desdemona. She hadn't before considered all the implications of such, but, as the halfling twins bait the colorful cat, Nolwenn can't help but find their lure's movement strangely compelling.

And suddenly: Aeremag impressively bursts forth from the waves. "I don't, but I think the idea's clear," Nolwenn shouts in reply over the tumultuous waves, scampering to snatch up Desdemona, "Ondros! The offering!"

[agignac]

Captain Ortimay shrugs and looks towards Cyril. The dragonborn sailor leaps to the deck and snarls down a response. As she speaks, the dragon turtle circles the ship, forcing Cyril to keep moving so she could keep its giant head in sight.

Cyril then looks to the group and says, "It's asking who we are, and where the tribute is. I told it we're the Brazen Pegasus, and that the tribute was coming." She looks to Ondros, as Nolwenn had signaled him as the keeper of the purse, and gestured to the side of the ship. "Show it your offering, then toss it in. It'll let you know if it's adequate."

[Dr.Samurai]

Ondros Loxodon Rune Knight Fighter AC: 18 HP: 64/64 PPer: 12 PInv: 10 PIns: 20 Second Wind: 1/1 | Action Surge: 1/1 Frost Rune: 1/1 | Stone Rune: 1/1 Giant's Might: 3/3 Traits: Darkvision 120ft Conditions: -- Ondros steps forward with the chest of treasure in hand, his ears fanning the sea spray from the churning waters below away from his face. At the edge of the ship, he looks down at the circling shark fins, where his great size and hefty maul would do little to fend off the attackers. He whispers a prayer to Ubtao, This is but one turn in the maze. He opens the chest and proffers it to Aremag so the dragon turtle can see its contents, then lets the chest and the treasure within fall into the waters below.

[agignac]

The dragon turtle peers at Ondros's offering with a piercing blue eye. It continues to circle the boat, which has started to create a vortex that is spinning the ship within it. Clearly, this beast could sink the ship easily, should it want to.

Again, that voice of drowning demons, and then Cyril nods. "It says the offering is acceptable." She motions Ondros to close up the chest, and toss it in. Aremag ignores the offering, letting it sink beneath the choppy sea. Then, without further conversation, it sinks beneath the waves. The vortex grows still, Brazen Pegasus stops spinning, and a few minutes later, it's as if the creature had never been there.

The crew turn the ship facing north again, and off you sail. A gentle rain begins to fall, pattering lightly on the tarp you've rigged up. It doesn't last long, and soon the ship is steaming in the late-afternoon sun.

Desdemona makes herself at home, climbing the mast a few times, exploring the ship from stem to stern, and hunting for rodents in the hold. When she comes out with a large rat, the crew stops complaining about her antics.

You sail north for most of the day, the opening of the bay coming closer, and the wide ocean with it. The Captain keeps the mountains to your west a safe distance off the port bow; though the bay is deep, there are dangerous islets and reefs all along the coast. Krieger and Archer take fishing gear and fish off the stern as you make your way through the bay.

As the sun begins to set, the crew prepares to drop anchor. The first mate steers towards a small islet, barely ten meters across, with some scrubby vegetation on it. The ship is made secure, and Barb and Starr hop into the dingy and row to the island. They soon have a cheery fire going, and the smell of roasting fish drifts over to the ship.

Anybody want to do anything during the day or evening? Will you go to the island, or stay aboard? They're just cooking there tonight, they'll come back and sleep on deck, but you're welcome to bunk down on the islet if you want to.

[Pyrophilios]

After the dragonturtle had vanished, the Red Horns mused:

"Well, that is one way to reduce inflation. I wonder why no-one has of yet taken care of the beast. Quite the annoyance."


When the ship took anchor, The Red Horns took the opportunity to take his work to solid ground, so his hammering and tinkering wouldn't disturb the other's sleep.

[The Hellbug]

Even though this is apparently a routine event for sea travelers in and out of Port Nyanzaru, Nolwenn breathes a welcome sigh of relief when the enormous creature sinks back beneath the waves. "Maybe that's because it's a turtle the size of a small island and also a dragon," she replies to Red, perhaps with a bit more of a sarcastic edge than she had intended in her tired state, "you've seen plenty of the rest of Chult. If what happened to Mbala is still happening here, there can't possibly be resources to deal with an annoyance that isn't indiscriminately murdering people." With that excitement done, though, the wizard spends the rest of the day relaxing, even if she still hasn't quite gotten sea legs enough to restfully sleep.

That evening, Nolwenn at first stays behind, explaining that she's too tired for the little voyage, but the smell of the roasting fish lures her to the islet not long after the halflings start cooking. "Mmm, very good!" she complements the roast fish, sharing a smaller portion with her familiar, "you know, I'm curious. I know we're just a stop for you all--thanks for that, by the way. What's the business in the west that you'll be taking care of while we're in the jungle?"

[Pyrophilios]

"All I'm seeing is people who aren't quite dissatisfied enough with the status quo to actually invest the effort to change things. Maybe with the exception of the people at Camp Vengeance. I might have been too harsh with my judgement of them. Their heart is in the right place, even if their leadership leaves things to be desired."
The Red Horns looked pensive as he answered Nolwenn.

He listened closely to what the seamen had to answer about the question of the further destination of the ship.

[agignac]

Barb and Starr look at each other, then Starr answers, "Well, we can't really tell you. It's a delivery, for a different client. You understand. Discretion is assured with Captain Ortimay. Just like we won't tell any folk about your business."

Her twin pipes up with, "What is your business, anyhow? Why go all the way south? If you've been in the jungle up here, you know how dangerous it is. The south is worse. Way worse, I hear. Fewer brave adventurous folk like you to kill the baddies."

She clearly eyes Draelin as she says this, batting her eyelashes a little.

[The Hellbug]

"Reasonable enough," Nolwenn answers, but in truth her curiosity is piqued. And she's sure that it won't take much convincing to have Desdemona do some snooping for her--she knew there were rats down there the second she was on the boat. What could be the harm in just a little peek, after all?

"Oh, you don't know where we're going?" the wizard goes on, a little surprised after the run-in with Wakanga that either Zhanthi or the captain. "We're going to find Omu," she says simply.

[Pyrophilios]

"But keep it to yourself. That information is need to know..."
The Red Horns nodded at Nolwenn, muttering so that the others couldn't hear: "Careful, you never know about spies. Also if they aren't parting with information, why should we?"

[agignac]

The twins look at each other and roll their eyes. "Ah, of course. Omu. Well, that will be fun for you."

The night passes quietly, with the gentle rocking of the ship lulling you to a restful sleep. Red works on the island, making good progress on his project. Azaka also sleeps on the island, not seeming to mind the noises of Red's alchemy.

The next few days pass without fuss. The weather holds clear and windy, and you seem to be making good time. The crew fishes during the day, and even pull up a few crabs in a pot during the second evening. You make anchor each night, either near a small island, or just a shallow reef. Desdemona kills a few more rats, and then claims there are no more on board. Below decks she sees various crates and barrels and sacks, none labelled.

You go around the north point of the Kobold Mountains and then start heading south, along the west coast of Chult. The mountains are tall, steep, and a few are capped with snow. They seem to rise out of the ocean and straight up to the sky. Captain Ortimay keeps land in sight, but is careful not to get too close. You can imagine that rocky, wild coast has claimed more than a ship or two.

On the third day, Archer, who is up in the crow's nest, calls down, "Land ahead! Or, something ahead!" You see what appears to be a pillar of stone, very smooth and straight, rising straight up out of the water. As you get closer, it becomes clear that this isn't a natural pillar, but a constructed tower. Complete with glass windows, a wooden walkway around the top, and a tiled roof.

"Well, that's new to me," Captain Ortimay says. "We've been sailing this route a decade or more, and have never seen this before."

the tower

[Dr.Samurai]

Ondros Loxodon Rune Knight Fighter AC: 18 HP: 64/64 PPer: 12 PInv: 10 PIns: 20 Second Wind: 1/1 | Action Surge: 1/1 Frost Rune: 1/1 | Stone Rune: 1/1 Giant's Might: 3/3 Traits: Darkvision 120ft Conditions: -- What a strange sight, Ondros says, joining the captain, Have you heard stories of towers appearing in the waters?

[agignac]

The gnome shakes her head, looking mystified. "I've heard no shortage of strange tales out on the water, but never anything like this."

[Pyrophilios]

"If you don't mind, I'll fly over and take a look through the windows."

The Red Horns announced, stuffing the steel defender in the bag of holding.

[Dr.Samurai]

Ondros Loxodon Rune Knight Fighter AC: 18 HP: 64/64 PPer: 12 PInv: 10 PIns: 20 Second Wind: 1/1 | Action Surge: 1/1 Frost Rune: 1/1 | Stone Rune: 1/1 Giant's Might: 3/3 Traits: Darkvision 120ft Conditions: -- Don't you think it better to give the structure a wide berth and continue on our way?

[The Hellbug]

"And let the mysterious tower in the middle of the sea just keep standing there, still unexplained? Aren't you curious at all?"

Nolwenn, of course, is. Since she can't make out anything about the captain's secret cargo, her imagination has since filled in that it must be something very impressive, valuable, and interesting or at least for a very important and interesting client, which is a bit frustrating. And Desdemona has run out of rats, which combined with the confinement on the boat has led to her being more needy than usual. For the wizard, then, this tower will be a good chance for a break from the monotony.

"No, I'm with Red. We should investigate," she says. Still making sure all of her things are in order, she turns to the tiefling. "We'll be right behind you."

[agignac]

Red flies over, being careful not to get too close. The wooden balcony is in rough shape, with a few planks weathered and snapped. It still looks like it would bear weight, if the walker were careful. A wooden door leading from the balcony to the top floor is closed, and does not have a keyhole.

There are two stories of windows beneath the balcony. The highest windows show a luxurious bedroom, with an enormous bed, mahogany furniture, and art on the walls. The bedroom occupies the entire floor.

The next floor down seems to be split into two rooms. The main room is a library/sitting room, with hundreds of books, comfortable chairs, and a fireplace. There is a small area partitioned off with a door, and no window showing what's behind it.

There doesn't seem to be a staircase; instead, a single shiny pole connects the rooms through a hole in each floor.

Any further windows are underwater.

[Pyrophilios]

The Red Horns returned to the ship to report:
"It looks like a mage's tower - books and cosy living quarters. I'm not sure if we should intrude, but perhaps this is the result of an experiment gone wrong and the owner needs help."

[Dr.Samurai]

Ondros Loxodon Rune Knight Fighter AC: 18 HP: 64/64 PPer: 12 PInv: 10 PIns: 20 Second Wind: 1/1 | Action Surge: 1/1 Frost Rune: 1/1 | Stone Rune: 1/1 Giant's Might: 3/3 Traits: Darkvision 120ft Conditions: -- Nolwenn is incredulous at Ondros' suggestion, And let the mysterious tower in the middle of the sea just keep standing there, still unexplained? Aren't you curious at all? No, I'm with Red. We should investigate, she says. Still making sure all of her things are in order, she turns to the tiefling. We'll be right behind you. Ondros sighs, We can be curious, and discuss all manner of reason for the tower being here, while we continue on our way and it sits in our tailwinds. The Red Horns returns after a moment and says It looks like a mage's tower - books and cosy living quarters. I'm not sure if we should intrude, but perhaps this is the result of an experiment gone wrong and the owner needs help. Well, if someone needs help, Ondros says, then fortune has placed us here. How do we get in?

[The Hellbug]

"In the past we've had Red carry us. I'm sure it looked silly, but the results spoke for themselves," Nolwenn answers, "clearly that's not going to be an answer with you here now, Ondros." She looks down over the side of the boat into the water below. "I suppose I'll have to check if there's another entrance."

It's not more than a moment before a spell is cast and her robe is off, joining her hat and sandals in a neat pile. Now sporting gills and webbed digits, the wizard climbs up on the gunwale. "Alright, throw a rope or something over the side in case I need to make a quick escape," she instructs, "wish me luck." And with that said, she leaps over the side and into the waves below to investigate the tower's lower levels.

[agignac]

The water was cold! The jungle waters had been warm and murky. This far away from land, the deep ocean water felt only a few degrees warmer than freezing.

Moving easily through the water, Nolwenn dove down. The first window she came to looked in on what appeared to be a laboratory. She recognized much of the equipment, though it looked disguised. A large cage stood against one wall, big enough for a few people, but appeared empty.

Nolwenn swam down, her muscles getting stiff in the cold. It was also getting dark. The next window shows an elaborate kitchen, and it might just be the flickering shadows in the ocean, but Nolwenn thinks she sees movement in the kitchen.

Beneath her it's too dark to see the bottom. At least one more window beckons her, but the cold is too risky. The wizard heads back to the surface.

[The Hellbug]

Despite her ability to breathe underwater, Nolwenn gurgles then gasps once she reaches the surface. "Ugh, it's c-cold down there!" she announces, shivering as she climbs back up into the boat, "and dark, too. Couldn't see the bottom" The hot Chultan sun is quick to warm her, though and, robe still thrown over her shoulders like a blanket, the wizard reports what she saw.

"I could see down to two more levels, a lab and a kitchen. It looked like there was someone inside, but I couldn't go further, not safely. It's almost cold as ice down there, dangerous for my concentration. And without my spell..." She lets her words sit for her allies to consider but leaves the 'I could easily die' to be assumed. "Too risky. We're going to need to enter up at the top. Hopefully whoever's in there will come if we knock."