A Return to the Jungle Report

General Summary

Needing to scratch the itch of adventure, most of the party decide to head back into the jungles of Chult rather than wait 3 weeks in Port Nyanzaru for the ship containing the remaining portion of their pay from Jax's job.   After conferring with Eku, Morgrim informed her that it was his intention to help rid the jungle of the foul witch doctor that had inhabited the ruins of Mbala. Eku shared with him that if that was his true intention, that she knew the way to the ruins, that it was a very dangerous undertaking, and that if the group had steeled their nerve to face an evil that had plagued Chult for so long, she would finance the journey and provide her guide services for free. Eku revealed the secret to the party that she was much older than she appeared, and that she had memories of Mbala when it was a thriving town, and has long since wished to avenge the poor townsfolk that had been brought to ruin by Nanny Pu'pu. The party had a serious discussion of the risks, and Eldred and Osa both decided to stay behind in Port Nyanzaru for their own reasons. Those choosing to travel to Mbala also managed to find a half-orc priestess of Torm named Undril Silvertusk, who was in desperate need of escort into the jungle to Camp Vengeance to meet up with her fellow members of the Order of the Gauntlet. She seemed in over her head dealing with the hazards of Chult, and since it was in route to the plateau of Mbala, the party took on her job to make some addition coin, and to help someone in need.   After collecting supplies needed for the return into the jungle, six heavily laden canoes departed Southwest down the river Soshenstar, the first few days passing by quietly. The peace was not to last, as Rhogar trailing in the last canoe noted with great alarm that an enormous sarcosuchus dinosaur had been shadowing the canoes and was rapidly closing the distance with the last canoe. The alarm was called out to Eku, who screamed for the party to land the canoes on the western banks as quickly as possible. The timing was close, but the canoes laden with vital supplies safely made it to the river back just in time for the scaled behemoth to erupt of of the water. Eku saw the beast had decided to make a meal out of Lord Rhogar, and cast some type of protection magic just in time to prevent Rhogar from being bitten in half. The party rallied around the scaly monstrosity, and with their combined effort quickly defeated it. Eku expertly skinned and butchered the massive sarcosuchus, and cooked some of it on the spot after making camp early. The meal was delicious, and help all forget the near death experience by Lord Rhogar.   Continuing down the river, the party was making good time, the had a brief encounter with the magical blue mists that causes "Mad Monkey Fever", and despite their efforts to cover up prior to the foul blue mist drifting into their camp, it still managed to infect Undril. When the proceeded their journey, the madness caused he to imaging all of her companions were standing there beckoning her to land on the Easter bank of the river to join them. The party swift action and Conner's ability to remove disease rapidly cured Undril from her delusional state, and after a brief delay they continued their journey.   As our heroes cam close to getting to Camp Vengeance, they passed by the ruins of what was once known as Camp Righteous. The camp lay in ruins, with structures still burning and smoke rising from the remains of the camp. The camps most remarkable feature was a giant stone statue of a man sitting against the natural slope of the jungles landscape. Part of the statues detail was a perched crocodile atop the mans back. As the party's canoes passed by, and dark opening into the depths of the statue could be seen in between the feet and legs of the 80 foot high statue. After a brief discussion, and taking into consideration of Undril's need to meet up with her fellow members of the Order of the Gauntlet, the party decided to perhaps investigate the ruins of the camp on their return journey.   After nine days of dangerous travel down the river Soshenstar, the party finally arrived at Camp Vengeance. The state of the camp was terrible, and it's defenders had been pushed well into the point of exhaustion. Undril headed into the command tent to report to Commander Niles Breakbone, and the group waiting outside the tent heard a heated debate begin between the two. The rest of the party was invited inside, and Niles informed the party that it was has desire to have them turn their canoes around and evacuate seven of his men that required medical attention that would only be available back in Port Nyanzaru. The commanders tone was that while he would like to treat this as a request, he was willing to commandeer the party into forced service if that was needed. After much discussion and convincing, a better solution was offered. Conner using the blessings bestowed upon him as a faithful servant of Moradin, soon had saved the lives of all seven of the men suffering various maladies, and had in fact gone above and beyond in treating the wounds of others who were in less critical shape. In two days time the camp was in far better shape than the party had found it in, and Eku and the others used the time to help educate the members of the Order of the Fist on bettering their camp to survive the dangers of Chult. In the end, Commander Niles apologized for his behavior, and gifted the party with a bit of coin for their assistance. He also provided "Writs of Salvage" from the Order of the Flaming Fists to everyone but Eku. A grateful and slightly wiser Commander Niles wished success to the groups efforts to remove the evil from the ruins of Mbala. Conner took the time to give a personal farewell to Undril Silvertusk, and promised to try and stay it touch with her. She was positively delighted, and after a warm embrace, commented that while having a Paladin of Moradin in the ranks of the Order of the Gauntlet, she was positive that he would be welcome to join if he chose to do so.   Setting off on the morning of the 11th day since leaving the safety of Port Nyanzaru, the group consolidated the remaining supplies into five canoes, and finally headed out to their real mission, to reach Mbala! Two more days of travel gets them to the Northern edge of the Aldani Basin, a wretched part of the jungle that is more of a swamp than the firm ground and trees the party had seen so far. Only the protection of the insect repellent worn by the group keeps the enormous black clouds of biting insects from tormenting our travelers. To pass the time Eku speaks to the party about the race of "Lobster Men" that the basin is named after and of the legend of them being cursed by Obtao for their ancestors greed. Turning the canoes West, Eku takes them as far as she can before beaching them on solid ground and expertly hiding them. She informs everyone to gather their supplies, and that the final leg of the journey will be done on foot.   Laden with six days worth of supplies, and the hopes of their hidden canoes remaining hidden, the party continues West on foot. The ground becomes rocky and devoid of the lush growth everyone had become accustomed to. Eku states it will take two days to get to the base of the plateau. Their first day on foot goes by uneventfully, and on the morning of their 15th day out, they can finally see their destination! Rising up ahead is a sheer cliff wall that appears to be 200 feet high before leveling off to what should be the ruins of Mbala. Eku's voice is tinges with excitement as she shares with the party that she has waited a long time to have companions trustworthy enough to face the evil "Witch Doctor" that had destroyed so many lives. She goes on to state that the party will be at the base of the plateau by the end of the day's march.   The party on full alert getting so close to the goal they had risked their lives for, spots a strange flying creature soaring several hundred feet up in the air. As soon as it is pointed out, Eku signals for everyone to try and take cover and hide in the relatively flat terrain. She explains that the creature is a Giant Pterodactyl, and that it is an eater of flesh. Alas, the party's cover did not prevent it from seeing a potential mean, and it soon was apparent that battle with the beast was unavoidable. It changed it's course and began it's dive from several hundred feet up, picking up an alarming rate of speed. Our heroes stood up defiantly, readying their weapons to let fly as soon as the beast came into striking range. Arryn grew alarmed as it became very apparent that the beast had selected his diminutive form as it's target, but the party's aim was true and the barrage of arrows and Lord Rhogar's axe throw had the beast near death's door before it could execute it's intended snatch and grab of the party's Warlock. Arryn dove to the side at the last minute, and perhaps because of the blow received to it's head by Rhogar's axe, it severely miscalculated it's attack and crashed full speed into the ground. The impact broke the creatures neck and it lay there dead. Rather than waste the carcass of the enormous beast, the party once again generously donated the parts of the creature to Eku so that she could use the funds to help those living outside the safety of Port Nyanzaru's walls. Fresh food was added to the groups supplies and as promised, the party reached the base of the plateau that evening. The morning came, Chult had offered our heroes some challenges, but here they stood, still alive and well after being out for sixteen days! The narrow path up the plateau beckons, and our intrepid group rises to it's call!

Rewards Granted

625XP   200gp from Camp Vengeance.   360gp from Undril Silvertusk for safe escort to Camp Vengeance.   Writs of salvage for Chult from the Order of the Flaming Fist for everyone.