A couple of days of travel brought you back to the stretch of jungle where the army of undead was busy trying to push the jungle into the river.

They were still working busily away far to the west of you, but there were two new additions to the scene that weren't here when you were through before.

The first was a dinosaur, a triceratops in fact, that was standing quietly at the edge of the jungle.  If it hadn't been a terribly large reptile, you would have sworn that it was watching the activity with a critical eye.

The second, off to the east of you, was a sight that would make most doubt their senses.  A four towered keep, of a style more common in the north and almost unheard of here in the jungle rode on the backs of what appeared to be the walking skeletons of a few dozen tortoises.

Rand picks his way through the jungle until his gaze happens upon the tricertops.  When it does he quickly drops to his knees before he begins to pray he stutters, Ubtao watches..
After he finishes his prayer he rises and points to his friends, Ynvaar mostly.  Ubtao watches his children.  There is an unbalance in Chult and Ubtao means to fix it.

 What the ...?, Look at the size of that ummm...animal, whats he watching?, the tower or the undead?. Not our business at this moment, let us go on since it appears the undead workforce has moved away from the path.
 Scanning the path ahead for surprise's, he moves forward with a steady travel pace.

 Whatcha think the undead tower thing is?.

"Keep an eye on Ynvarr incase he decides he wants to cook that thing for supper"

Rand solemn state is temporarily halted by Pug's accurate observation of Ynvaar.  Nudging the Tempurian in the ribs Rand gives him a smile and then continues on the path.  I am puzzled by the sight of those creatures carrying that tower.  I do not recall ever hearing of that before.

Ynvaar returned his friends' grin and fell into pace as the others moved off again, one last lingering look over his shoulder at the enormous triceratops as it scrutinised the events unfolding nearby.

Could this be Ubtaos' avatar?

Shrugging his shoulders slightly to himself, the cleric eyed the huge tower like structure.

"I too have not seen the like. Such a mobile fortification would enjoy significant tactical advantages, but who would reside in such a place?

_{Our path will bring us back this way again methinks...}" he finished, mumbling almost to himself.

As afternoon started to drift into evening, and you stopped to camp and rest, a small white dove fluttered in from the northeast.  It settled on top of your gear, near the bag of netting that held Kincaide’s transformed shape.  The small viper that had been your employer suddenly appeared agitated and started trying to wriggle itself free from the netting.

Gazeing at the dove, grom wondered what it was doing, Hmmm, wonder if it thinks the snake is something to eat?, snake is a little big to eat i would think.
 I dont remember seeing doves flying around the jungle here but then iam not from here anyway, does seem strange, snake doesnt seem happy to see it either.

 Turning to the others in camp, Pug, can i see the blow dart tube, i would have a look at the runes on it.

Ornithology not being one of the clerics' strong suits either, Ynvaar eyed the dove as Grom spoke and whipped out his dagger.

Dove, Vulture, whatever... looks tasty to me!

[Private to DM Jim: OOC> Ynvaar rolled 11 using 1d20+4. Dagger hit roll Vs delicious dove ;-)   ]

I do not recall ever seeing anything like that either.  It cannot hope to eat the snake.  Rand seems just as puzzled as everyone, only Ynvaar would look at it and see a meal.

The dove just sat quietly as Ynvaar's dagger lashed out, not even attempting to avoid the blade, but it passed harmlessly through its body.

The small white dove fluttered briefly and stared at the small snake. A moment later, the viper began to expand, its scales stretching as it regained human form, ripping out from the bag of netting that Ynvaar had used to confine it.  From the tip of its tail, it split into what rapidly became a pair of legs and the transformation progressed up its body from there, ending at Kincaide’s head.  For a moment, even after the rest of the transformation appeared to have finished, a thin, forked tongue fluttered from between his lips, and his eyes were the golden slits of a snake before slowly resolving into the green that were Kincaide’s normal color.

He grabbed up the handful of insect netting that had so recently been his home, letting it fall over his arms and fold in bunches in front of him.  It wasn’t a complete covering, but it did at least allow him to retain some semblance of modesty.

As he became fully himself again, the dove fluttered from the pile of gear, landed on his shoulder, touched his ear with its beak and then vanished.  Those of you with sharp eyes would almost swear that it slipped into his head rather than simply disappearing.  Kincaide’s eyes flickered closed for a moment, then he groaned and nodded before looking back to you. ”Only a day out of Mezro?  Too late..."

"Ahh, my friends, we tried, but the spells of the serpents were too much for me.  I must return to Mezro and craft a sending to my master.  Perhaps there will be something else that you can help me with in the future.”

“If the inn where I found you was to your liking, I’ll pay your bills there for a few days, while I decide if I have other work to offer you.  You’ll have a place to stay at no cost to yourselves, and I’ll be spared the trouble of seeking you, should I need you.”

OOC: You did see something much like it when Kincaide sent a small white bird flying east as you were leaving Mezro.

Hemmel actually smiles as their guide returns to human form.  "Once less victim that the jungle can claim is a victory in itself."

Welcome back, good to see you are well again.  Rand claps Kincaid on his shoulder trying not to glance lower than Kincaid's head.

 Watching the transformation back he was reminded of some of the druids he had meet, who could change to other forms, somehow i dont think this is the same magic.
 Well now, seeing as ye be joining us are ye up to the march back to the city?, in truth i dont think i would want to be carrying ye out on a streacher.

Kincaide nodded shakily, "I think I can travel.  Let me find my spare robe, and we can finish our journey."

For just a moment, Ynvaar looked aghast as his dagger passed straight through the 'dove' as if it were no more than campfire smoke on the wind -though wether from surprise at such a strange and inexplicable occourance or from good old fashioned dissappointment at being denied a tasty meal was anybodies guess...

"What the!?!?..."

The priest stood transfixed as their one time employer reappeared before their very eyes, any attempt to hide his obvious surprise a futile effort. Regaining his composure somewhat, the Tempuran sheepishly slipped the enchanted dagger back in his belt sheath and mumbled absently "Er... Well again." Albeit with little enthusiasm.

[Private to DM Jim: Ynvaar rolled 21 using 1d20+6. Spellcraft (ID the bird/spell "thingy").  ]

PM

[Private to Ynvaar: I really don't know.  I was thinking it was something like a higher level version of Whispering Wind, but I just picked it up from FoxPaws' storyline with Kincaide.  With a Spellcraft check that high though, you'd probably be willing to bet that the bird wasn't the cause of Kincaide's transformation.]

"No problem"

Pug rummages in his pack and finds the items to pass onto Grom.

 Looking at the blow gun tube, i examine the runes on the side of it as we head back to the city,

Grom could easily recognize the runes as Dethek, the traditional runes used for dwarven writing.  The workmanship on the blowgun was also most likely dwarven, as few members of any other race can match dwarven metalwork.  The inscription seemed to be some sort of prayer for blessing in the hunt to someone referred to as the Disentangler.

Grom finished his study of the blowgun as you traveled, at about the same time that the walls of Mezro came into sight.

Home again.  Shall we meet at the same inn as before? asks Rand as he crosses under the archway of the city's from gate.  I have to meet with the priests at the temple so I can alert them about what we saw on our way back.

Shielding his eyes from the sun as he looked across the square, Ynvaar shook himself from his reverie and turned to answer Rand  "Aye brother, the same... unless you want me to come with you and speak with the priests?"

 Looking up as the city walls open up thru the jungle curtain, he blinks his eyes at the blow-gun and hands it back to Pug.
 These are dwarven runes for certain, giving homage to something called the disentangler, who or what is that?.
 He is half thinking of the dart gun as he pass's into the strange city with its by now stink of unwashed bodys (not their own anyway), of sewage running nearby, of the tanner just outside.
 Then the smell of fresh food and ale hits his scent, at that he smiles and agrees.
 That inn was fine, he has several fleas who need to find a new home, when i take a bath iam thinking.

Thank you, but no, this I must do alone. Rand pats the Tempurian on the back, since reaching his shoulder is like getting something off a high shelf.  Rand takes his leave and travels to the temple of Ubtao where he reports his findings to the priests.

[Private to DM Jim: Rand then leaves the temple and makes contact with Ytepka leadership to discuss with them what he has seen and what he has been up to.]

Ynvaar gave his friend a grentle smile and nodded slightly before watching Rand walk away, he had already known the answer before he spoke.

"And I must pay my respects to the Foehamnmer at the shrine over yonder. You are each most wecome to join me if you wish. Failing that I shall meet you all in the taproom presently." he remarked to the others and set off toward the sword shrine to make an offering for the soul of Kors Artis and give thanks for their victory.