Lambrac wasn't about to pour away good water like that. "I think he means 'waterfall'... Water fall, rain?" he asked, switching back to Common. He mimed rain falling from the sky, drawing his fingers down from high to low.

He didn't trust the animal man, who seemed to behave more like the larger apes of the jungle than any human native of or visitor to Chult. Animals ways and animal habits, unpredictable and wild. With his odd reactions to the women, Lambrac stepped protectively in front of the nearest—which happened to be Fareeda—and repeated "Can you take us to water?"
This message was lightly edited by the player at 10:52, Mon 16 Jan 2012.

Abbas nodded at the "Aqua", somewhat following Jibril's bathing demonstration by sipping some water, then holding the flask upside down and miming shaking an empty one, then briefly rubbing his stomach.  "We need water, aqua."

Despite having no apparent language in common, this was still easier to follow than Calimshan business inspector speak - at least here, one had a chance of being understood, or, dread say, correct.

"Either way, the sun is high, and the mysterious passage below seems a suitable place to cool down and obtain a bit better grasp of the ancient elven society representatives that were here.  Let us learn what we might from this interesting jungle man and explore below for a bit.  Who knows, there could as easily be a pristine underground water source, if this was meant as a refuge or special site."

Linni was gladly about to head back to the airship with Jibril when the wild man appeared after being aclled out of the brush. Linni watched the him with fascination, smiling when he made to touch her nose. She had never seen anything like him before, just as she suspected he had never met a gnome. She remains silent through his posturing and howling. The rest of her group had the right of it, and if he could help them find water and safe shelter for the night to come she would appreciate him all the more.

Upon Abbas's suggestion of descending the stairs Linni frowns, "If he can take us to water, I'm sure he'll know of safe shelter too."

Jibril gives the elf a stony look. "I've already told you Abbas that I am not exploring below. You can do so at your own foolish desire.  This area radiates powerful magic, and one of your kind was nearly killed by the arcane trap that was sprung on the outside of this monolith.  One can logically assume that the inside is nearly as perilous."

"The mission was to find water, so that we may survive until morning. Not to go blundering around every crypt and ruin we find.  And there's absolutely nothing to suggest that water can be found down there."

He turns back to the wild man to see if he understood his pantomime, and hoping he was going to lead him to some drinkable water.

Asha makes a disappointed face at Jibril then turns to Abbas as the two finish their dispute. "I, for one, am interested in exploring the ruins... though your companion may be right in suggesting that water be the first priority. If our colorful friend here cannot guide you to water, I will certainly try."

"Wata! Aqua! Come." The words come out slowly as the odd man points at the woodlands."Aqua! Aqua!" Zane growls and lets out a howl before moving towards the woodlands. Odd.

Nodding and smiling and not particularly caring whether any of the others decide to go into that dreaded tomb, Jibril follows the wild man back into the jungle.  He uses his finely carved quarterstaff made out of exotic purpleheart wood to swat the vines and ferns out of the way, as his throat becomes more parched.

Krogan chuckled, and began moving slowly to follow the wild man into the woods.  He was the biggest of them, so if this was some kind of trap, it might be better to have it sprung on him.   He might be the most expendable after all.   He looked back at the cleric, though.
With all due respect, Jibril, aren't we down here to explore?   It seems silly to come all this way, then shy away from anything unusual.    You're right about water, though.   Once we have a better handle on supplies, we'll have plenty of time to poke around at magical deathtraps.    After all, perhaps the gnome professor might be able to tell us something about it when we tell him about it.

He walked after the jungle man, focusing his will on his draconic magic, concentrating on the sharpened magical senses of the dragons.

Jibril turns his cool gaze to the orc, which belied his foppishness. "To explore haphazardly without a plan is plainly foolish, as we've just witnessed.  Just look at you, you're so sluggish and dehydrated from this jungle that you look like you're about to keel over at any moment.  Right now, we need to get the resources we need to survive...before we succumb to curiosity."

He points his thumb at the wild man. "Just look at him. He's probably a good example of what can happen in Chult by exploring without a plan."

Krogan grinned.
Oh, I'll be fine.   And I doubt this place cares about our plans, but I'll agree that there's no rush.   

"It seems our friend has intuited our request. Perhaps we should follow?" Asha points to the departing wild man with an inquisitive look upon her face before turning to check on Yaotl. His wounds healed, and still evidently enjoying the remains of the skeletons, she gave a broad smile.

Linni was glad that their destination was other than descending the stairs down the monolith for the moment. At least with this new jungle native around things might settle down for the night, she only hoped the water he was taking them to was drinkable.

Shrugging her shoulders Linni followed Jibril and Krogan after the native. "Wherever we're going, it's likely better than here."

"Still not an elf." Lambrac muttered. "One-eighth, maybe."

As he had no real interest in exploring the elven dungeon, he shrugged, drew his sword for more hacking at vegetation, and followed after the wild man. At least someone knew what they were doing. "This whole expedition is an example of exploring Chult without a plan." he added.

Fareeda seemed surprised as Zane started sniffing her. This was a man who had either long ago thrown off the chains of civilisation or had never worn them at all. He was like a wild animal, all bronze muscles and fierce eyes. She couldn't help but bite her lip, her eyes drifting over his mostly naked form. So refreshing after years spent with the oily and overweight  Pashas of Calimport. Her earlier doubts about the adventure were gone, sure there was danger here but with it came such excitement - and so many handsome men to protect her!

As the group seemed ready to divide on whether or not to further investigate the mysterious stairwell, Fareeda stepped close to Abbas and laid a gentle hand on his arm. "It would not be wise to go down there alone, tombs like these are common amongst men with too much self-import - I doubt these guardians will be the last."

"I quite agree Fareeda," assured Abbas politely.  "It seems a better plan to me, but if the group is inclined to return to the jungle first, my interest and reasons can wait."  He escorted the fetching entertainer towards the departing path indicated by the party's strange new ... ally?  Pet?

"My knowledge on tending injuries is limited," the elven warrior admitted freely to the group as he moved to guard them in departing the clearing, "But is it not wiser to clean the wounds from dirtied, old steel and bind their openness against the jungle ills?"

Fareeda step falters as she hears Abbas' point.  "My own ability to heal is spent for now, but I think you are right that we must tend to the wounded before proceeding.  And as much as I hate agreeing with that preening peacock," she directs a withering glance at Jibril, "he's right in that finding water is the first task.  Though I am unsure whether it is practicality he speaks from a... oh, how shall I say this?  A wish to avoid any hint of danger?"

She was a little ratted by the just-ended fight, and found that questioning Jibril's motives suited her better for now than facing her own trepidation.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:26, Wed 18 Jan 2012.

"My dear," Jibril replies after overhearing Fareeda behind him and not bothering to turn around, as he blazes the trail with the wild man.

"You didn't see me running away from battle, nor frozen in place like a helpless babe in the woods.  I simply wish to be voted the most sensible of this ragtag bunch of adventurers. Imagine that.  However, one doesn't rise in the Magistrati by good taste alone."

"I didn't see you doing anything, in fact, apart from babbling ineffectively at the skeletons..." Lambrac interjected, faintly defensive about being the one 'frozen in place' and seeking any opportunity to deflate the puffed-up priest.

"We should be on the look-out. One of those skeletons retreated into the jungle. It may return."

Krogan grunted in agreement with Lambrac.
Agreed.   I'm hoping our playmate comes back soon.   I would hate for him to miss out on more of his "warm welcome".     Let's not fight amongst each other, though, everyone.  There'll be plenty of time to kill each other once we're safely back on the ship.

The big orc spoke not with recriminations, but with friendly amusement, as if he were enjoying the "give and take" of the party chatter.   He kept his eyes open, though, and his weapon ready.

"A Hold Person spell is remarkably effective against the weak-minded," Jibril remarks to Lambrac as he swats a mosquito out of the way. "If you'd like, I can practice with you later to teach you how to resist it," he adds with a cheshire grin.

Lambrac shook his head and returned easily "Well, thank you very much, but there's really no need. I escaped that spell in a mere dozen heartbeats, by tricking my body into an autonomic response that circumvented the paralysis. A difficult task, but not impossible... So, next time, how about you go first and we'll compare notes? Maybe we'll even see if anything comes of gibbering at skeletons." Meanwhile, he kept close scrutiny of the surrounding jungle for the return of the rogue skeleton.

"A good technique I would like to talk more with you about, Lambrac," Abbas replied calmly, his somewhat distant demeanour not being sucked into the negative banter between Jibril, Lambrac, and Fareeda.  "But regarding open wounds, I will assist if wished.  I am by no means exceptionally skilled on tending injuries, but I have picked up a little simply in travels." A questioning look at Jibril, then a more welcoming inquisitive look at Fareeda, and Abbas checked visually with the wounded members of the party.

While waiting for a response, Abbas also chose a pleasing truncheon-sized broken limb and wrapped a string of leather around the base to offer some manner of grip, with a loop to hang from his backsack.

"Either way, let us tend wounds and continue before our guide to water disappears.

"Asha - you and your companion demonstrated your abilities in battle, but did you wish to travel with us for a period of time - perhaps we can share tales at the least."

After some (somewhat heated) debate, the next course of action was decided - the group would follow this strange jungle man to what they hoped would be a source of water. How much trust could be placed on the shoulders of a man who had all the mannerisms and cognitive abilities of a gorilla was yet to be seen but with waterskins getting lighter and lips getting dryer, there seemed to be few alternatives.

And so slowly, wearily, they filed out of the clearing, leaving behind the eerily inviting stairs in the centre of the sunken stone monolith. As the last of the group faded into the trees a great and terrible roar of anguish rose from those stairs, echoing across the clearing like thunder...

Stepping from the clearing perimeter back into the jungle was like stepping into a bustling iron forge. So great was the difference in temperature that each of the party seemed to recoil as they stepped into the trees, eyes blinking rapidly. The sudden eruption of noise from all around was also a shock - the jungle's commotion of life suddenly making itself known again. It was as if the tiny area of dead land housing the monolith behind them was a separate entity from the jungle and shivers raced up spines as they considered what foul magics must be causing such a distinction.

Zane lead the group west, deeper into the jungle but keeping to the higher ground. Evidently at home in this terrain, he often raced ahead, clambering through the undergrowth and over the many jagged rock outcrops with ease. Only when the rest of the group stopped, seemingly lost, would he reappear, beckoning them with wild gestures and guttural snarls.

After what must have been half a bell's travel, the sound of rushing water became noticeable from up ahead. Within minutes the jungle opened up, revealing a huge rockface that rose up some forty feet to where the sound of water seemed to become a roaring torrent. Zane stood before the jagged wall, a feral grin on his face. Almost casually, he lifted a hand and pointed up.

The silver rock was thick with green moss and a variety of other clinging plants, vines and tree roots that sprouted from crevasses in the uneven surface. Some of these crevasses were wider than a man and their dimensions faded into shadow.

Fareeda shudders as she hears the scream from behind them, her step faltering for a second before she plunges on.  No, the tomb... or whatever it was... would have to wait.  Water was the first priority.

She stays near the rear of the pack moving through the jungle, picking her path through where the bigger and stronger folks have forced a way through.  Even still, the heat, humidity, and general grime had her longing for a nice bath and clean clothes.

The noise of the water was a welcome sound to her ears, almost like music.  She concentrates on the sound, trying to capture its essence so that she can turn it into mandolin notes later.  When the rock wall rises up before them, she lets out a soft laugh.  "Well, all the water one can drink, if he but has the wings of a bird.  Which of you strapping young men will climb the wall to look closer?  I shall serenade you with a special song for the task, if you like."

I could climb it, if you all wished.   I'm not the most skilled climber, but I'll take my time and be careful.   
Krogan smiled, feeling better just being in the vicinity of the watery cascade.  In his mind, he made the connection between this and the action of dumping water over one's head.   He hadn't before, though he hadn't cared what the water had looked like, as long as they could drink it.

He nodded to the others.
I can even rope myself to a tree, in case I fall.