Chapter 3 - Session 1B: Exploring Port Nyanzaru
Session date: December 27, 2017
Day 1 - Time for Some Rest?
As the wave of heat and humidity washed over the party members, they consider their course of action, while looking over the area. As they look over the dock area, where they arrived, they notice an imposing-looking gold Dragonborn in the distance that appears to be in charge of the docks. Others that catch their eyes are cat-like humanoids that travel amongst the locals and how lightly dressed everyone is. After some discussion, the party decides to acquire lodging at Kaya's House of Repose near the Red Bazaar.
The party arrives at Kaya's without incident and notice a large board outside with announcements from working guides. They enter the house and are able to secure lodging. As they sit and enjoy a meal and some drinks they scan the common room, noting that most appear to be locals with the exception of an odd couple in one corner. Both appear to be seasoned adventurers. One is an attractive human man in studded leather that is keenly watching everything going on in the inn. The other is a strange-looking creature, almost half dinosaur, and half man, that wears a breastplate and carries a shield and longsword. The pair keeps to themselves as the party enjoys their refreshments.
While discussing their plans and their meal, a couple of the party members notice a strange flying snake peering through one of the windows of the inn. They see that it scans the room and once it spots the odd couple in the corner, it looks intently on them and then turns and leaves the window. Kalain decides this is not good and informs the two strangers about the occurrence. The human introduces himself as Artus Cimber and his companion as Dragonbait. Both seem friendly and give the characters a good impression. They follow them outside to see what this flying snake is up to.
Immediately, as the group exits the inn they are ambushed by a large group of assassins. Thugs in strategic locations around the area fire arrows at the group, while another few advances to engage, including a particularly vile looking man with carrying a fine rapier and shortsword. The lead assassin strikes a deadly blow on Artus, staggering him, while many arrows find their marks. The party is quickly questioning their participation in this battle and if they will survive. Luckily their new friends have a couple tricks up their sleeves. Artus focuses himself and produces a large cone of cold that stuns the lead assassin while killing several of the thugs. Meanwhile, Dragonbait speaks a short prayer to his deity and touches Artus, which completely heals all his wounds. The tide of the battle turns and now the party has the upper hand. Several gang up on the leader and the rest return missile and spell fire on the ambushers. Some strong blows by Dragonbait and his longsword takes the leader down and the remaining thugs are sent fleeing for their lives. The fight that seemed impossible is won by the party!
Upon conclusion of the battle, Artus tells the party that, "These assassins are agents of the Zhentarim. It is no longer safe for me to stay in the city. I wish you luck in your quest and hope that we may meet again under better circumstances. Collect any trinkets off these foes quickly, before the guard arrives." And he and Dragonbait are gone, blending in with the street crowds and ducking through alleys to escape the city.
Erzenei searches the lead assassin, while Pork casts a Detect Magic spell to find the special items hidden on the assailers. They are able to retrieve several magical items off the leader: rapier, shortsword, and studded leather armor; as well as several gems and some gold coins. They slip back inside the inn before the city watch arrives, to finish their meals and continue their discussion.
The party sets up interviews with the guides: Azaka Stormfang, Hew Hackinstone, Musharib and the tabaxi pair of River Mist and Flask of Wine. Musharib was a albino dwarf that agreed to wave his fee if the party helped him reclaim his clans ancestral forge in Hrakhamar. A volcanic eruption forced them to abandon it many years ago and a tribe of firenewts have taken it over. He was especially keen on recovering a relic known as Moradin's Gauntlet. The party liked him and strongly considered him.
Hew Hackinstone was a one-armed shield dwarf that claimed to have stood atop every mountain in Chult and boasted that he knew every gorge and crevice, every plateau and trail. "Trust a dwarf, I always say, because a dwarf will never steer you wrong." Hew lost his arm when it was bitten off by a red dragon named Tinder. He wished to return to Wyrmheart Mine, slay the dragon and re-open the mines. The party had concerns that he was a bit overly prideful.
The siblings River Mist and Flask of Wine were a pair of Tabaxi that claimed they would never lead them astray. They were critical of other guides and even the Merchant Prince Jobal. They agreed to waive their fees, for an equal share in the treasure recovered. The party didn't trust the pair.
Azaka Stormfang was a Chultun woman that was born in the jungle that claimed to have traveled far and wide across the jungles. She agreed to waive her fees if the party would aid her in a personal quest to recover a family heirloom stolen by the pterafolk of Firefinger. It is a wooden mask. If you agree, I can guide you to places that no one else has found. She also said she knows where the oracle of Orolunga is and she can take them there to aid in the partys' quest. The party quickly agreed to hire Azaka as their guide.
The party decided to leave first thing in the morning after gathering needed supplies, some recommended by Azaka, such as insect repellents and water collection devices, as well as adventuring gear they could find.
The party arrives at Kaya's without incident and notice a large board outside with announcements from working guides. They enter the house and are able to secure lodging. As they sit and enjoy a meal and some drinks they scan the common room, noting that most appear to be locals with the exception of an odd couple in one corner. Both appear to be seasoned adventurers. One is an attractive human man in studded leather that is keenly watching everything going on in the inn. The other is a strange-looking creature, almost half dinosaur, and half man, that wears a breastplate and carries a shield and longsword. The pair keeps to themselves as the party enjoys their refreshments.
While discussing their plans and their meal, a couple of the party members notice a strange flying snake peering through one of the windows of the inn. They see that it scans the room and once it spots the odd couple in the corner, it looks intently on them and then turns and leaves the window. Kalain decides this is not good and informs the two strangers about the occurrence. The human introduces himself as Artus Cimber and his companion as Dragonbait. Both seem friendly and give the characters a good impression. They follow them outside to see what this flying snake is up to.
Immediately, as the group exits the inn they are ambushed by a large group of assassins. Thugs in strategic locations around the area fire arrows at the group, while another few advances to engage, including a particularly vile looking man with carrying a fine rapier and shortsword. The lead assassin strikes a deadly blow on Artus, staggering him, while many arrows find their marks. The party is quickly questioning their participation in this battle and if they will survive. Luckily their new friends have a couple tricks up their sleeves. Artus focuses himself and produces a large cone of cold that stuns the lead assassin while killing several of the thugs. Meanwhile, Dragonbait speaks a short prayer to his deity and touches Artus, which completely heals all his wounds. The tide of the battle turns and now the party has the upper hand. Several gang up on the leader and the rest return missile and spell fire on the ambushers. Some strong blows by Dragonbait and his longsword takes the leader down and the remaining thugs are sent fleeing for their lives. The fight that seemed impossible is won by the party!
Upon conclusion of the battle, Artus tells the party that, "These assassins are agents of the Zhentarim. It is no longer safe for me to stay in the city. I wish you luck in your quest and hope that we may meet again under better circumstances. Collect any trinkets off these foes quickly, before the guard arrives." And he and Dragonbait are gone, blending in with the street crowds and ducking through alleys to escape the city.
Erzenei searches the lead assassin, while Pork casts a Detect Magic spell to find the special items hidden on the assailers. They are able to retrieve several magical items off the leader: rapier, shortsword, and studded leather armor; as well as several gems and some gold coins. They slip back inside the inn before the city watch arrives, to finish their meals and continue their discussion.
Day 2 - To Find a Guide
After awaking from a good night's sleep in Kaya's House of Repose, the party takes on the task of finding a guide to lead them through the imposing jungles of Chult. Outside of the inn is a message board with guide advertisements, that they peruse and decide to interview several of them. While looking over the board the party is approached by an Illuskan man in official-looking attire. "You all are not around here I take it and by the looks of you, you appear to be explorers or adventurers, am I correct?" Seeing no reason to lie to him, Kalain says that he is correct. The man continues, "Let me introduce myself, I am Lerek Dashlynd and I represent the Lords' Alliance in Port Nyanzaru. If you are going to explore Chult, I would offer you a bounty, in the form of a fine sailing ship, for a map detailing the locations of the ruins of Nangalore and Orolunga." The party quickly discusses the offer and accepts it. "Excellent, you can find me by inquiring with the harbormaster upon your return. Well met and safe travels!"The party sets up interviews with the guides: Azaka Stormfang, Hew Hackinstone, Musharib and the tabaxi pair of River Mist and Flask of Wine. Musharib was a albino dwarf that agreed to wave his fee if the party helped him reclaim his clans ancestral forge in Hrakhamar. A volcanic eruption forced them to abandon it many years ago and a tribe of firenewts have taken it over. He was especially keen on recovering a relic known as Moradin's Gauntlet. The party liked him and strongly considered him.
Hew Hackinstone was a one-armed shield dwarf that claimed to have stood atop every mountain in Chult and boasted that he knew every gorge and crevice, every plateau and trail. "Trust a dwarf, I always say, because a dwarf will never steer you wrong." Hew lost his arm when it was bitten off by a red dragon named Tinder. He wished to return to Wyrmheart Mine, slay the dragon and re-open the mines. The party had concerns that he was a bit overly prideful.
The siblings River Mist and Flask of Wine were a pair of Tabaxi that claimed they would never lead them astray. They were critical of other guides and even the Merchant Prince Jobal. They agreed to waive their fees, for an equal share in the treasure recovered. The party didn't trust the pair.
Azaka Stormfang was a Chultun woman that was born in the jungle that claimed to have traveled far and wide across the jungles. She agreed to waive her fees if the party would aid her in a personal quest to recover a family heirloom stolen by the pterafolk of Firefinger. It is a wooden mask. If you agree, I can guide you to places that no one else has found. She also said she knows where the oracle of Orolunga is and she can take them there to aid in the partys' quest. The party quickly agreed to hire Azaka as their guide.
The party decided to leave first thing in the morning after gathering needed supplies, some recommended by Azaka, such as insect repellents and water collection devices, as well as adventuring gear they could find.
Stocking Up
After deciding on a guide, several party members headed into the city to get the supplies they needed for their long expedition into the jungles of Chult. Kalain and Erzenei decided to discover what sort of magical items were available for purchase in Port Nyanzaru. Their trek led them first to the villa of the merchant prince Ekene-Afa who deals in weapons, shields, traveling gear, rain catchers, saddles, wagons, and canoes. They found a modest selection of magical items available (ammunition +1 at 50gp each, a +1 wooden shield for 450 gp, and +1 daggers or +1 yklwa's for 500 gp each), which didn't meet their needs. The did purchase some insect repellent and rain catchers. Next, they decided to try the merchant prince Wakanga O'tamu, who deals in magic and lore. Wakanga was a pleasant man to deal with and though he was cautious about stepping into the domain of Ekene-Afa, he did agree to magically enhance Kalain's rapier for a fair price. They would have to return the next day to pick up the finished rapier. Wakanga had a large stock of potions (common at 80gp each, uncommon at 300gp each) and scrolls (1st level at 100gp each, 2nd level at 550gp each) available for purchase.
While discussing the other items, Wakanga seemed to take a liking to the pair as he offered up a tattered, water-damaged explorer's journal that was brought out of the jungle 15 years ago. It describes a wizard's exploration of the jungles but lacking details to pinpoint any locations. It also mentions the wizard's traveling companion, a shield guardian named Vorn. It included a picture of Vorn's control amulet. Wakanga offered the pair a Wizard's spellbook, containing 15 spells, for the recovery of the shield guardian.
While Kalain and Z were off, the rest of the party were busy purchasing additional rain catchers, insect repellents and searching for some pack animals. They settled on a pair of giant lizards from the merchant prince Ifan Talro'a for 100 gp each. Meanwhile, Fosgrim purchased a hadrosaurus for his personal use.
While discussing the other items, Wakanga seemed to take a liking to the pair as he offered up a tattered, water-damaged explorer's journal that was brought out of the jungle 15 years ago. It describes a wizard's exploration of the jungles but lacking details to pinpoint any locations. It also mentions the wizard's traveling companion, a shield guardian named Vorn. It included a picture of Vorn's control amulet. Wakanga offered the pair a Wizard's spellbook, containing 15 spells, for the recovery of the shield guardian.
While Kalain and Z were off, the rest of the party were busy purchasing additional rain catchers, insect repellents and searching for some pack animals. They settled on a pair of giant lizards from the merchant prince Ifan Talro'a for 100 gp each. Meanwhile, Fosgrim purchased a hadrosaurus for his personal use.
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