Linni looks down at her gnome sized waterskin and frowns, considering how big the others were it would amount to no more than a mouthful. When Jibril mentioned his ability to create water she smiled with relief, her own waterskin wouldn't last long and she didn't fancy tasting putrid jungle water. "We have our own waterskins, and whatever containers we can carry."

Linni looks up to Jibril, "I don't know what was on the ship, and I bet everything around here that looks delicious will kill us. Can you create food too? If you can I'll do a special favour for you tonight!" She takes a gaze around the surrounds, noting some particularly colorful fruits and flowers, but decides against investigating further.

Looking between her Uncle and Lambrac Linni states simply, "So which way to Iscarion?"

"No, only water at this time." He looks a little perturbed that Linni had highlighted his shortcomings.  "And since I've already called for  my prayers for today, there will be no water for today.  So, we will need to march into that daunting jungle and go find some until tomorrow morning.  Krogan, get your machete out and start chopping!"

Lambrac turned wordlessly away from the meeting, first heading down into the depths of the ship to collect some of his things, and returned soon after. There were a few things he could safely leave behind, that would only burden him, but others that might just come in handy, a few tools and concoctions that, by the grace of Gond, could keep them alive. For a little while longer, anyway. Damn Chult.

He was relieved to find his flasks and survived the crash unbroken. The spell he'd whipped up that morning had only been intended for a little ease and entertainment, but it would have to do for the rest of today; fortunately it was widely applicable. He'd just have to make do with what tools he had.

Rapier, dagger and crossbow were sheathed and slung, and a broken piece of tree branch made for a decent club that he carved and planed into a more suitable shape. He had enough tools that he could well make whatever they needed on the spot.

He was feeling... he didn't know what he was feeling. Angry, for one. A very legitimate fear about what awaited them for another. The heat and humidity, of course, like his skin was melting into sweat and he was cooking in it, but he suspected he'd fare it better as a Lantanna than the others. But he was feeling different. He was feeling alive, with senses sharp and an instinct for danger and the job ahead. Working for Jala seemed to have put him in a happy pink cloud of perfume and secondhand narcotics, the pleasures of luxury and the flesh, and he could well suppose there'd been some magical charms and enchantments in addition to the perfectly natural. It was fun while it lasted, but left him regretful afterwards. The flight over had cleared his head, but Chult was like a splash of cold water. Damn it, she still owed him for the northern corridor work. Damn Calimshan.

Finally he rose and donned his wide-brimmed Lantanese sun hat, tugging it low. "Ready? Let's go." Then he ran and leaped over the side of the Scilander, landing neatly on the biggest branch below. But finding a safer way down was another matter. Hey, Chult! I'm back!


OOC: Jump 21, Climb 8, Tumble 9

Krogan smirked, amused by the colorful peacock of a cleric, but knew that protecting the melodramatic human was a very good idea.  His draconic healing aura was very powerful, but had definitely limits after all.

Getting to the bottom of the rope ladder, he walked away, making sure to be in a place to protect the others as they descended.  He began walking into the forest, backing up whomever was to be the main tracker.

"If you require lumber, Professor, do you have wood axes and wedges to fell any dry timber, should we find it?  Perhaps we should also take a couple loops of rope to guide and maneuver it, or in case of trouble.  I expect that will mean climbing high to escape the humidity," Abbas mused half to himself, one eye towards the heights of the cliff below, and ridges above, then gathered what supplies the ship captain made available, and descended the rope ladder in swift, but economical movements.

At ground level, the elven sworddancer drew both his blades, looping the leather pommel straps to rest around his wrists - a wrist movement would bring them to hand if he fell, but would also allow him to release the hilts for fine dexterity work.  Mindful of the many steps ahead, however, he allowed the weapons to swing as part of his arm to reduce their weight - a benefit of the smaller blades over the greatswords and even more martial longswords and broadswords ... and allowing him to remain ready for the trouble alluded by so many lips.

"Dry lumber we can convey back here, clean spring water, and foodstuffs.  Let us see what we can find."  Taking lead, slightly to one side to allow eyes familiar with tracking to see the untainted trail, Abbas headed off in what seemed the most promising (random) direction inwards and upwards, trying to keep the coast or rivers in sight.

Professor Hingleswip shook his head and shrugged, "All my equipment went over the side. There should be some spare rope lying about in the hold but other than that you're just going to have to use your initiative. Or is it intuition? If in doubt use both".

He watched the group descend to the jungle floor, then headed below to commence his work.


OOC: Enough rope for 3 separate coils, you can announce you're taking one in the OOC if you like, first come first serve.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:47, Mon 19 Dec 2011.

The party began their descent to the forest floor, everyone using the designated rope ladder apart from Lambrac who, in an apparent attempt to show off his acrobatic abilities, decided to take a shortcut. He leapt nimbly over the gunwale and onto a thick branch some fifteen feet above the ground. He landed well and stood up, clearly happy with himself - unfortunately it seemed he had not spotted the thick green moss covering the bark and he yelped in alarm as both of his feet slipped simultaneously, stealing his balance and sending him plummeting towards the ground. Luckily for him the great boles of the tree were similarly covered in vegetation and despite a bruised ego, and somewhat dirtier fatigues, he stood up more or less unharmed.

With the mood lightened somewhat by the rogue's fall and laughter ringing in the air, they set off into the jungle, leaving the (rather unusual) sight of the Scilandar stuck fast in a tree behind them. The jungles close to the cliff edge were difficult to negotiate; with only sparse clusters of ancient malabar and canarium trees, sunlight poured through the canopy, allowing masses of smaller plants and undergrowth to take root in the soil. Along with this, huge spears and buttresses of rock appeared from the ground intermittently, thick with moss and riddled with dark crevasses and holes that likely housed all manner of vile insects and reptiles. Rather than take the risk of climbing, the group had to go round each one to get by.

Progress was slow but at least this close to the coast a cool breeze continued to rustle through the jungle, taking the edge off the oppressive heat and humidity. From all directions came a relentless torrent of noise, nature's crescendo at full volume - chittering insects, exotic birds and strange animals all adding to the racket. It felt as if the group's intrusion into this incredible landscape was barely noticed - they were utterly insignificant to the grand scheme that was in progress all around them. Nature ruled this land and would do so until Toril itself expired, no Empire or conquering general would ever claim Chult, that much was clear.

Abbas lead the group forward, each step a battle against the undergrowth. His twin blades sliced easily through the branches and leaves, yet more were always willing to appear in his path, snagging on his clothes and scratching his exposed skin. Even with his elven energy reserves, he soon began to feel the strain and one of his waterskins was already drained. He surged to the top of a sloping rise and stopped to look around glad of the rest. Waiting for the others to catch up he looked out through the a gap in the canopy. The emerald green of jungle stretched away in every direction barring the one from where they had just come. It was a truly breathtaking sight and gave the Elf a sense of how vast this land truly was. In the far distance the peak of a large mountain was visible, along with a faint smudge of black smoke rising from its top. On the plain in front of the mountain, something glimmered in the midday sun - a huge lake of some kind. Two more of the huge winged reptile creatures that had attacked the Scilandar circled the sky far to the west, their screeching calls to each other audible even from here.



Turning back to the more local surroundings, Abbas began to look around to decide which direction would be the best to travel in.

OOC: Spot, knowledge nature and survival checks please Abbas, everyone else feel free to make your own spot checks if you want to take advantage of this rare erm...vantage point. Anyone with knowledge of Chult i.e. Lambrac would know the mountain to be one of the Peaks of Flame and the lake to be lake Luo.

Jibril carefully navigated his way through the treacherous jungle, while occasionally swatting an errant vine or large insect out of the way with his purpleheart wood staff.  He was pleased that the insect repellent that he had picked up in Calimport was fairly effective, although he idly wondered if wearing a beekeeper suit would have been a better solution. Now and then, he shouted at Krogan when he thought he spotted some poisonous reptile lurking in the brush.

When they reach the overlook, he wipes beads of perspiration off of his forehead, while nursing his waterskin.  He scans the surroundings, hoping to spot something of interest.

OOC:  Jibril rolled 19 using 1d20+4. Spot skills check.
          Jibril rolled 6 using 1d20+4. Survival skills check.
          Jibril rolled 4 using 1d20+2. knowledge skill (geography).
This message was last edited by the player at 12:45, Tue 20 Dec 2011.

Linni followed close behind Jibril as they made their way through the cutting left behind by Abbas and his bushwhacking. While Lambrac's earlier theatrics set the tone for the days march Jibril continued to keep Linni in hysterics with his shrieking at anything which resembled a snake. Her weasel, Kei, kept pace with the group, occasionally darting off into the brush and coming back with a small lizard or snake which he promptly devoured. Linni couldn't see much, so busied herself by collecting colorful bugs that she found, putting them in numerous pockets throughout her robe. One particular mantis, a bright florescent green with pink stripes she sat on her shoulder for the majority of the trek, until it fell off and she forgot about it.

Reaching the rise Linni weaved through the legs of the others to get a look at the view. "Oooh, wow." She looks over the surroundings, curious as to what was down there.

---

OOC: 12:15, Today: Linni rolled 11 using 1d20+3. spot.

Abbas took a grateful pause and prayed thanks that he 1)had been trained to NOT use heavy armour and be effective, and 2) to have some water on him.... although even the lesser amount he consumed would matter little next to how fast he was goin- a breeze?  Oh by Corellan a breeze!

The elven warrior drank in the water and hint of brief cool air as he looked about the small outcrop.  He was most definitely not trained in these areas, but no one else had stepped forward, and his thin shoulders bore the load.

OOC:
21:40, Today: Abbas rolled 21 using 1d20+4. spot.
21:39, Today: Abbas rolled 19 using 1d20+2. survival.
21:39, Today: Abbas rolled 17 using 1d20+3. know local.
21:39, Today: Abbas rolled 6 using 1d20+3. know geog.
21:39, Today: Abbas rolled 9 using 1d20+3. know nature.

Lambrac stood and swept himself cleaned of moss and dirt with a vaguely cat-like "I meant to do that" air. In his haste, he'd forgotten about the rope ladder on the other side... "I'm fine, my pride broke my fall!" he called up to the others with a mad grin. He checked his gear, but fortunately found nothing broken.

Well, there was one benefit to his pratfall, at least: he was on the ground first and looking around for dangers before anyone could be picked off coming down the ladder. It was safe, fortunately, he stood gazing around and up at the incongruous sight of the airship stuck in a tree. He waited until the others were down, then gestured up it. "Do you see those claw marks down the side of the hull? Whatever made them must have been impressive. It makes you wonder what happened to the Professor's last crew." he suggested.

Then he fell into place near the head of the group, joining Abbas in using his sword to hack through the foliage and offering what scraps of local knowledge and wilderness lore he could apply. But he was still rather shaken up by the crash and out of his depths; this was a another part of Chult from where he'd been, and everything a little different. It would take a while for him to get his bearings. His prior experience had him holding up well, but even so, it was hard going, always thirsty and soaked with sweat.

He followed Abbas to the top of the rise and stood gazing out at the view. He had to admit that Chult, for all its dangers, could also be beautiful. He tried to match the landscape to the last map of Chult he'd seen, and pointed to the smoking mountain. "One of the Peaks of Flame. And that must be Lake Luo..."


OOC: Spot 7, Knowledge (Nature) 13, Survival 8, Knowledge (Geography) 6

Fareeda had made her way down the ladder, gasping at seeing Lambrac jump and then fall; she placed a hand over her mouth and held her breath until she saw that he was unhurt with only a slightly deflated sense of pride. The realization caused her to exhale and smile down at Lambrac, "That was quite daring, even if you did give me quite a fright."

As they walked, Fareeda selected her spot behind Abbas and beside Lambrac and Krogan, knowing it was likely the safest part of the party, but besides this feeling of safety, the sight of the insects and reptiles caused her to test her courage at their inhuman ways.  Still, after spotting several of them, though the sight never stopped to unsettle her, she began to accept their presence without question, which allowed her to take a look around better.  It was so much information to take in at once, as such a sight she had never seen before in her life, a life that had been spent in someone else's paying company, and as the climbed to the vantage point, her breath was stolen away from her chest.

"Such savage beauty of the ever wild hath ne'er been tamed, for truth that to do so would spirit away its cunning purpose and wondrous song to be heard undimmed before the breaking of the world.  Here lay another world untouched and scarcely troubled by the passage of time with boundless secrets that would take many lives to reveal.  Oh to be blinded by a lover's embrace," she spoke in awe of the sight, even the flying raptors that had plagued them earlier seemed to natural to hate, and only added to the wild beauty to her.  Earlier when the ship crashed, she found herself wondering why anyone would become an adventurer, but standing there and in that moment, Fareeda understood perfectly.  She listened to Lambrac's commentary as she spied the mountain and lake, committing their names to memory.

OOC:  Yep, the dice roller hates me!
00:06, Today: Fareeda rolled 12 using 1d20. Survival.
00:06, Today: Fareeda rolled 5 using 1d20. Listen.
00:06, Today: Fareeda rolled 3 using 1d20. Spot.
00:05, Today: Fareeda rolled 9 using 1d20+6. Bardic Knowledge: Chult.

Krogan smiled at Fareeda's beautiful words, though they were mostly gibberish to him.  They seemed to speak of Chult's wildness, but being used to such uncivilized surroundings (which he'd left as soon as he was able), the beauty of Chult was largely lost on him to such extremes.   He could appreciate the simplicity of the wilderness, but it had no mystique for him, though he wasn't about to belittle the bard for it.   Calimport, after all, had been a dream-like scene of elegant beauty to him, and most people there cursed the place as a "wretched hive of scum and villany".

Lambrac's more practical observations made more sense to the pragmatic and practical orc.  He liked poetry, but his tastes were very simple indeed.

He trooped forward, focusing his draconic magic on his senses, and allowed his friends to share in his magic.

OOC: Everyone within 30' gets +1 to listen, spot, and initiative.

06:59, Today: Krogan rolled 14 using 1d20+1. listen.
06:59, Today: Krogan rolled 6 using 1d20+1. spot.
06:58, Today: Krogan rolled 12 using 1d20. search.
06:58, Today: Krogan rolled 16 using 1d20. survival.

Earlier...

Lambrac bowed. "My apologies. But I'm good at daring." he answered Fareeda. He resisted the urge to move over and hold the rope ladder steady for her, as it would, quite inevitably, require him to look up her skirt.

*

He looked to Fareeda and listened to her fine words. Though he was a practical man and had little appreciation of poetry, she told it well. It was the smooth voice, of course. There was more gentleness there than from Jala. "Aye, but she's a hard one to love." he agreed.

He pointed out the features of the landscape, back to work. "If I remember the map right, Lake Luo is roughly in line with the port of Ishau on Refuge Bay. Hingleswip said we were a hundred leagues away from there, so that lake is even further south. We'll have to look for water much closer." He wondered if they'd be better off constructing a condenser on the ship. He'd have to check the available materials when they returned.

"'For when would you, my liege, or you, or you,
In leaden contemplation have found out
Such fiery numbers as the prompting eyes
Of beauty's tutors have enrich'd you with?'

"Indeed." Abbas replied gently to Fareeda's eloquent observation.  Abbas' gaze lingered lightly, briefly on Fareeda framed against the Chultan backdrop - cultured beauty cupped in the valley palm of rampant verdancy.  For one that had seemed so rattled by the harrows of the ship danger - and rightly so - it spoke volumes of her character that she rebounded and remained eyes open to the world.

"Sights such as these are why I travel to learn of the world and improve myself.  I have read from many books in my young hundred years, but a hundred hundred memories have shaped me all the more."  The elven explorer took another drink of water and shared about some of the meats and cheeses he bore with him - a treat for all and lightened load seemed a double benefit.  The brief rest with its glorious view had seemed to have done wonders to restore the party, and a good thing, thought Abbas, for the party ventured further and further from the safety of the airship, and eyes and steel keen and unwearied would be invaluable.

Jibril makes some retching sounds behind Abbas and Fareeda.  "Should we find a little jungle hut for both of you?"

The group stopped for a rest break, taking time to indulge in the limited food and water from their own supplies whilst enjoying the beautiful view of the Chult landscape. From their position on the rise it seemed there were three possible routes onward into the jungle: north along the coast in the direction of the Peaks and lakes, following the high ground, south away from the bigger landmarks following the coast down to lower ground or west away from the ocean and deeper into the jungle.

The sun was at its zenith now and even the ocean breeze wasn't taking much edge out of the relentless heat that sapped energy reserves and waterskin levels. Krogan seemed to be struggling most out of the group, his origins in the mountains of central Faerun making him completely alien to this sauna-like climate. His tiring heavy lifting duties earlier on the ship and the fact he was the only member of the group wearing any kind of metal armour was not helping matters either. Sweat poured from his dull green skin and fatigue was etched on his features.

OOC: Results of personal skill checks to follow in private:

Krogan tried his best to hide his fatigue, though he could feel the weight of the humid air pressing on him like a landslide of rock from a mountainside.
OOC:21:44, Today: Krogan rolled 7 using 1d20. Bluff.
But he wasn't very convincing, though, as he kept forgetting not to scowl in annoyance as the sweat poured out of his body.

This was NOT like the wilderness of his home, with the dank air and constant buzzing insects.   It was like the worst parts of a deep, fetid cave, and a hot summer's day.   He worked hard to keep track of where they were, not at all looking forward to the idea of getting lost in this green wasteland.

Lambrac frowned as he surveyed the landscape, not liking what he didn't see. He didn't know this part of Chult, and had only had brief experience on a far different end. He shrugged, defeated. "Sorry, this is like no part of Chult that I know. I haven't a clue." he sighed, wiping the sweat off his melting forehead. His clothes were soaked through.

He looked over to where Krogan was trying his hardest not to stagger under the heat, and regarded him a little sympathy. "Try losing the metal armour and loosen your clothes. It heats up and traps warm air beneath it." He waved a hand at his own undone shirt collar and loose leather vest. "It wouldn't hurt to go commando, either." he added with a wry smile.


OOC: Looking for water or likely sources:
Survival - forage for water: 6. NM.
Knowledge (Nature) 17
This message was last edited by the player at 13:31, Thu 22 Dec 2011.

Abbas' brows tilted ever-so-slightly as the jab scored, but he completely ignored Jibril beyond a slight hooding of gaze.  The scenery was impressive and breath-taking; Fareeda no less, but there was an uncertainty about her impressions.

Rising from his scouting crouch, Abbas took in a final, thoughtful look, then turned back and gracefully walked over to drop a light hand on Krogan's shoulder and to offer further group discussion.

"Heading inland, away from travel markers of the rivers/ocean, generates too great ease of losing direction and wasting days by wandering aimlessly - I would remove that path."A soft headshake emphasized the gently-phrased acknowledgement that the group was not prepared to delve deep into unpathed and teeming jungle.

"Northward, we will have a bit easier travel path - there are some open areas there which would be encouraging for hunting game, and we can examine the tree stands on the way there for creating a travois to carry back any successes.  The drier area is also more positive for dry timber to fuel the airship.  Travelling north also provides some opportunity to adjust to the heat and humidity here - certainly something I would find helpful."  Left silent was Abbas' concern about Krogan collapsing from the heat if they went any other path, but it was as likely a concern for the others as well.

"We can then return back and check out the southward path - downhill should help with handling the thicker jungle.  I saw more water-friendly growth there, and the bamboo would provide a strong but very light material to help repair the ship."

A practiced snap separated a thicker leaf from its branch, and Abbas carefully folded it and ran it gently along the edges of his swords to clean the blades.  Infection was more a risk from blood, but who knew what the foreign saps and plant material would do to protect itself from herbivores.

"Did anyone have other information to share?"

In reply to Lambrac (msg #171):

Krogan nodded, grateful at the advice, though annoyed at needing it.
I'd rather not compromise my protections, but thank you.  I'll try to loosen my clothing a bit.   I've worked hard to be "civilized" after leaving the orc caves, and I don't want to throw that away now, though. 

Krogan was proud of his clothing and his human-like habits, and would prefer not to throw them away now, unless everyone else did.

Not for the first time Linni was grateful for her stature. The shade provided to her by her companions, as well as the relative coolness of the jungle floor, kept her in fairly upbeat spirits while they journeyed and discussed their further options. She looked to Krogan with sympathy, not being able to imagine having to haul metal clothing around. She considered altering her own clothing, while the red cotton robe was not exactly stifling, she could appreciate a breeze blowing over skin.

Pulling a small blue bug out of one of her pockets she let is run over her hand as she spoke in reply to Abbas, "I think North first then, if it will keep us fed. Once we have the necessities sorted out we can think about starting to repair the ship." The blue bug spread its shell to reveal wings and fluttered away from Linni, who only pulled another bug from another pocket. "I was able to keep my own rations, they might see us all through one day. Past that I don't know."

Lambrac was in agreement through much of what Abbas had to say, but added "I'm thinking it might also be worthwhile heading down to the beach, at the base of the cliffs, and seeing what of our supplies wash ashore. There's no guarantee of water, but we may find other useful things... Perhaps a task for another day." he sighed, realising that they were in this for the long haul. "We may have been better off languishing on the ship until Jibril got his spell working. We're wasting our energy and supplies on this search. But it's too late now. I'm for heading north."

He nodded to Krogan, understanding, and patted him on the shoulder. "Chult is not a land for civilisation, my friend. It's the last to arrive and the first to go." he said, with an ominous undertone. "Try removing the metal plates, and just going with the underlay. It'll do wonders."


OOC: Most armours described in the PHB, and in reality, have a lesser, light armour underneath.

Krogan scowled, but at Chult, not Lambrac.
You might be right.  Perhaps it's time to go with lighter armor, wearing just the padding below, for now.

When they next stopped for a break, the orc decided he would do just that.  It galled him to strip down in front of the other people, as it made him feel more like a monster, as many people considered orcs.

Thaniel nodded at Abbas' words, "Indeed. The deeper jungle might be easier to navigate but who knows what manner of beasts lurk in those trees", he breathed deep of the humid air, "These trees are ancient, but so wild - nature here is a thing untamed. Almost bestial. The forests of my ancestors had their share of dangers but here...

We would be wise to be on our guard at all times."