Serpent's Skull: City of Seven Spears [IC]

[lostsole31]

This time, the group explores a vast track of jungle. They do find what appears to be the southwestern edge of Saventh-Yhi (at least in this relative area), being close to be standoffish with the ancient city for now. Then, they go as far as Book feels they will ever need to go, and then move over a little east to explore the way back. During their travels, they were being watched by 4 of what Amivor calls "kechs" (the winged simians) in the later hours during their return, but there was no attempt by the kechs to engage.

Back at camp, after the report is made, Amivor says, "No more jungle exploration. It is good to get limits, but that shouldn't be our focus ... Saventh-Yhi is, so tomorrow figure out where you want to pick your search back up and get back to the grind."

Rousing discussion, but not training.

---

Starday, 11 Pharast 4711 AR (First Quarter)

Task for today?

[BuckGodot]

Book suggests they head to the unexplored region they passed on the way south.

[lostsole31]

As the group begins their exploration again on the western reaches of Saventh-Yhi, in the middle of the day they hear something ... big, and slow, and plodding ... coming their way. But they don't see anything yet.

[BuckGodot]

Book turns and says ”Take cover!” in a loud whisper and then moves to conceal himself.

[lostsole31]

Xhanfaerd, what do you do?

[silphael]

Not really stealthy, Xhanfaerd moves to cover nonetheless, hoping to get a glimpse at the entity before anything happens.

[lostsole31]

As the party takes various cover ... several seconds later a massive behemoth some 40' long. Some tall, powerful saurian quadruped with a long neck slowly trundles by, a kech in its mouth and blood spattered about it without any accompanying wounds.

There is some chatter on the collective as to what it might be, but Xhanfaerd thinks that the great lizard might just be a legendary mokele-mbembe, a river cryptid that is barely seen.

Do you let it pass?

[BuckGodot]

Spoiler: Book>>>Collective

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"Is this one of those big threats we were meant to eliminate? Could this be used as an offering to the simians?" Book asks.

[lostsole31]

Spoiler: Sersheelda >>> Collective

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"I not know animals in Overburn. But this great guardian. You no kill or Sersheelda fight with it 'gainst you. Nature guardian."

Spoiler: Aron >>> Collective

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"I agree," comes Aron's touch. "Sersheelda is a druid, and I am an oracle of nature. We defended ourselves against the dire crocodile, as is the rule of red-in-tooth-and-claw. Attacking the great mokele-mbembe as a trophy for lesser creatures is a shame I could not face."

Spoiler: Gelik >>> Collective

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"Lesser beings?!" tele-gasps Gelik. "The kech are a fascinating, tool-using hunter tribe that seem to offer more and have greater potential than an iguana with an overactive thyroid. If we can slay such a mighty beast, we would command great respect among the savages around here."

[BuckGodot]

Spoiler: Book>>>Collective

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"I meant no disrespect. I don't know enough about the local fauna, I guess. Let's let it pass."

[silphael]

Spoiler: Collective

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"As long as it doesn't threaten us, we should let it live. We are not here to deforest and it is an intricate part of the jungle."

[lostsole31]

Gelik telepathically harrumphs, complaining that the head of the mokele-mbembe would be an amazing trophy.

The great beast passes and heads towards the water, out of sight and sound.

Once that happens, the party comes out of their hiding places. Aron is in awe, but Sersheelda practically has tears streaming out of her eyes, as if she witnessed one of the Wonders of the World.

[BuckGodot]

Book will quickly cross to the creature's path and document its footprints. Measuring the distance between each to gauge its stride and calculate height, etc.

When he is done, he turns back to the others and asks, "Is everyone ready to carry on?"

[silphael]

Looking at the tracks as well, Xhanfaerd nods.

"With that, maybe we can estimate its territory ? But I'm ready to carry on otherwise."

[lostsole31]

The NPCs agree, and exploration continues, leading them to one-hundred-foot-high ziggurat capped by a hundred-foot-tall spire of stone. The sides of the ziggurat’s tiers are carved with images of mounds of treasure and merchants trading wares.

[BuckGodot]

Book wants to document as much as he can about the ziggurat and the images. He suggests that someone stay with him and the others can make a circuit around the thing looking for entrances or other interesting spots.

[lostsole31]

Is there an intention to climb the ziggurat today, or to simply do recordings of the lower tier?

[BuckGodot]

Just the lower tier and perimeter.

[lostsole31]

While the group does their due diligence, they can't help feeling a little .... creeped out. But attempts to look around to figure why doesn't yield anything.

Back to camp at end of day?

[BuckGodot]

Book endorses a return to camp at days end.

[lostsole31]

Do you discuss anything at camp, or just wait for the new day?

[BuckGodot]

Book is always ready and excited to discuss any archaeological finds they make and will take up conversation with anyone willing to do so. He is also keen to make a plan to try to find an entry point.

[lostsole31]

"What are your plans tomorrow regarding the ziggurat and the eerie feeling you have there?" asks Amivor of the group.

[BuckGodot]

"Even though I've got a bad feeling about this... I think we should return and look for a way inside. Be prepared to climb if necessary." Book replies.