The Jungle's Claw #034
General Summary
Scout Nok's Return
Game date: 17th day of the Firefly, Year 13944
The 17th Day of the Firefly found our intrepid adventurers continuing their journey aboard the Rustleech, Captain Malista Tinmaw's formidable vessel. The ship, a marvel of engineering with its iron-reinforced hull and multiple decks, cut through the waters of the River Vo as it approached the Serpent's Mirror—a vast widening of the river where crystal waters fan outward into an immense circular basin, its surface gleaming like polished silver under the sun, connecting the myriad riverways of Nolavor through its sprawling expanse.
The Rustleech's Layout
The Rustleech consisted of three main decks: the top deck with the helm where Captain Tinmaw and Kurgan (proprietor of The Jungle's Claw tavern) could often be found, the second deck housing the mess hall, cargo holds, armory, and animal cages, and the bottom deck containing the engine room, engineers' quarters, and additional storage areas. While the party had been given free access to most areas of the ship, Captain Tinmaw's personal quarters at the stern of the top deck remained off-limits to casual exploration.
Eastern Kurnok Threat
Thronn Zamda, ever vigilant, had noticed movement along the treeline for several miles. Eastern Kurnok tribesmen had been following the ship, their predatory intentions clear to the ranger's keen eyes. Meat-Beak, Thronn's loyal Vul Canis companion, growled softly at the distant figures, sensing the danger before any human crew member could. Thronn's attempt to warn the crew about the imminent threat was met with casual indifference; they had encountered these primitives before and considered them more of a nuisance than a serious threat.
Unlike Scout Nok, the Western Kurnok ally the party had once known (whom Thronn and his companions had left for dead after he became trapped in a barbed net during their escape from the Bloodclaw orc warband in the Ironedge Mountains), these Eastern Kurnok were infamous for their appetite for "smart meat"—the flesh of sentient beings—and their unpredictable aggression. The crew explained that Eastern Kurnok were known to harass passing vessels, occasionally firing arrows or throwing spears, but rarely mounting a concerted attack.
Technological Fascination
Fouk Shadim, fascinated by the ship's technology, had spent considerable time in the engine room with Old Muckfingers and the dwarven engineer Steam-Grip. The artificer was intrigued by the diesel-powered flamethrowers stored in the armory on the second deck—cumbersome weapons that required two operators and consumed vast quantities of fuel to achieve any significant range. Using his "Right Tool for the Job" artificer ability, Fouk had been experimenting with creating a more compact, portable version that wouldn't require a secondary operator to manage the fuel supply.
The Attack Begins
As the Rustleech approached the widest part of the Serpent's Mirror, the Eastern Kurnok emerged from the tree line in greater numbers. Flaming arrows began to rain down upon the ship, though they caused little damage to the iron-reinforced hull. The crew's demeanor changed, however, when three shamans appeared at the shore's edge, approximately one thousand yards away. Their hands wove intricate patterns as arcane energy crackled betwixt their clawed fingers, blue lightning arcing from one to another as they prepared what appeared to be a powerful ritual.
Sherman, the goliath warrior who had replaced his twin brother Gherman after his death earlier in the campaign, stood at the rail with Azmuntch—the sabertoothed cat he had managed to subdue and bond with. Vorrin Shadowleaf, the elf meat puppet affixed to Sherman's right hand, twitched in anticipation of the coming conflict. The eerie symbiosis betwixt the goliath and the deceased elf's animated hand continued to unsettle even his closest companions.
An Unexpected Ally
BöötMóöntch the Aasimar Bloodhunter, his celestial heritage allowing him keen sight even at extreme distances, was the first to recognize a familiar silhouette among the shamans. To everyone's shock, one of the shamans revealed himself to be none other than Scout Nok—the Western Kurnok ally whom the party had thought dead long ago. Scout Nok, now bearing a patch over one eye, a milky white orb in the other socket, and half his lower jaw missing, unleashed a devastating bolt of blue lightning at one of the other shamans, instantly immolating his target. The remaining Kurnok forces turned on Scout Nok, who dove into the water and began swimming desperately toward the Rustleech.
Make ready the weapons! We've got a friend in the water who needs our aid!
Captain Tinmaw, recognizing Scout Nok through her spyglass, ordered the ship to alter course to intercept the swimming Kurnok. Kurgan bellowed orders to the crew to prepare the ship's weapons, while Old Muckfingers emerged from below decks with several of the crew members to man the defensive positions.
Counterattack
Without hesitation, BöötMóöntch took command of one of the ship's ballistas and loaded it with an incendiary projectile. With remarkable precision, he fired into the mass of Kurnok warriors on the shore, approximately 600 yards distant by this time. The explosive charge burst in their midst, showering them with viscous yellow-green diesel fuel that continued to burn even as it splashed into the water. The jungle edge caught fire, smoke billowing up as the flames spread rapidly through the underbrush.
Meanwhile, Sherman manned the mangonel, launching a fireball that struck the remaining shaman. Despite some initial confusion with the targeting mechanism, Sherman's attack proved devastatingly effective. The shaman collapsed in a smoldering heap as the projectile exploded with concussive force. Within moments, the shoreline had transformed into an inferno, the Kurnok forces scattering in panic or succumbing to the flames. The crew of the Rustleech erupted in cheers, impressed by the party's swift and devastating counterattack.
Quinty's Return
As Scout Nok swam toward the vessel, using his natural crocodilian physiology to cut efficiently through the water, a massive disturbance in the water behind him caught Thronn's attention. To his horror, Thronn recognized the pale scales and massive form of Quinty—a legendary white crocodile that had terrorized his childhood village. This monstrous beast, far larger than Thronn remembered from his youth, had mutated over the years into something truly terrifying. Its tail alone was three times the size of Scout Nok, and it moved through the water with frightening speed, its massive form displacing water in its relentless pursuit.
By the dead gods! That's Quinti! The white terror that haunted my village! He's grown even larger than the nightmares of my youth!
Thronn called out a warning, his voice cracking with a mixture of fear and anger as he recognized his childhood nemesis. The white crocodile had been responsible for carrying off entire families from Thronn's village, its appetite for destruction leaving a lasting mark on the ranger's psyche. Now it had returned, seemingly intent on denying Scout Nok his chance at reunion with the party.
Aerial Rescue Attempt
BöötMóöntch, witnessing Scout Nok's desperate flight and the injured but still dangerous Quinty in pursuit, activated his Aasimar powers. Spectral wings erupted from his back as he launched himself from the ship's railing, soaring over the water toward the beleaguered Kurnok. The transformation, a result of his celestial heritage, gave him a flying speed equal to his normal movement, allowing him to cover significant distance despite the limitations of the one-minute duration.
Meanwhile, Meat-Beak, Thronn's loyal Vul Canis companion, seeing his master's distress and driven by an instinctive desire to help, also launched into action. Flapping his vulture-like wings with powerful strokes, Meat-Beak flew out over the water toward Scout Nok, intent on assisting in the rescue. The vulture-dog hybrid strained to reach the struggling Kurnok, pushing the limits of his 60-foot flying speed, even attempting to dash for additional distance.
Perilous Waters
With his enhanced strength, BöötMóöntch strained to reach Scout Nok's considerable weight—the crocodilian humanoid being much heavier than a typical humanoid of his size. Meat-Beak circled overhead, ready to assist, while Fouk attempted to provide telekinetic assistance from the ship. Despite their collective efforts, by the end of the session, they had not yet managed to pull Scout Nok from the water.
The wounded white crocodile, still burning from Fouk's attack, dove beneath the surface, leaving a trail of smoking bubbles. Whether mortally wounded or merely retreating to nurse its burns remained uncertain, but the immediate danger remained as Scout Nok continued to swim desperately toward the ship. The diesel fuel continued to burn even underwater, creating an eerie effect of bubbling, smoking patches on the river's surface where Quinty had submerged.
In the turbid waters, Scout Nok drove his limbs against the current with desperate intensity, his crocodilian physiology granting him a natural prowess amidst the flow despite his grievous wounds. His famed tricorn hat—an object of much speculation among riverfolk—miraculously maintained its perch upon his scaled crown through all his tribulations. Upon his weathered jacket lapel gleamed a curious emblem resembling the star-and-stripe banner of a realm not found upon any cartographer's map of Nolavor—a peculiar affectation that had sparked many a fireside tale among those who had glimpsed this enigmatic Kurnok in taverns along the River Vo. Such oddities of attire notwithstanding, Scout Nok fought against the mighty current and the looming doom of Quinty's presence lurking in the murky depths belowAzmuntch, Sherman's sabertoothed cat companion, paced nervously at the ship's rail, growling at the smoking water where Quinty had disappeared. The beast's primal instincts sensed that the danger was not over as the session concluded with Scout Nok still in the water, BöötMóöntch and Meat-Beak hovering above him, and the uncertain fate of Quinty lurking beneath the surface.
Rewards Granted
Session Summary
Chronicles of the Rustleech Expedition
Temporal Passage
| Measure | Duration |
|---|---|
| Days since Vaersliss Encounter | 2-3 cycles of the sun |
Glory Earned
| Deed | Experience Value |
|---|---|
| Eastern Kurnok warriors vanquished | 250 XP |
| Eastern Kurnok shamans defeated | 400 XP |
| Quinty driven back to watery depths | 800 XP |
| Scout Nok's rescue attempt | 300 XP |
| Martial cunning with ship weaponry | 250 XP |
| Tale-weaving and saga advancement | 300 XP |
| Total Bounty | 2,300 XP |
| Per hero (company of 4) | 575 XP |
Hoards and Relics
Resources Consumed in Battle
| Expenditure | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Diesel charges for ship's ballista | Several |
| Mangonel projectiles | Multiple |
| "Crock Rocket" experimental charge | One |
| Eastern Kurnok-directed arrows | Various |
| Artificer components for Fouk's workings | Sundry (unspecified quantities) |
Sage Counsel for Future Chronicles
Bestiary Notations
Quinty has grown beyond measure. What once brought terror to a village now threatens to swallow ships whole. His ancient malice must be reflected in power that matches his legend.
| Beast | Current Challenge | Required Challenge |
|---|---|---|
| Quinty, White Terror | CR 5 | CR 15 |
Companion Bonds
| Hero | Companion | Bond Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sherman | Azmuntch (sabertoothed cat) | Needs definition |
| Sherman | Vorrin Shadowleaf (elf hand) | Mechanics unclear |
| Thronn Zamda | Meat-Beak (Vul Canis) | Established |
| BöötMóöntch | Aasimar wings | Weight capacity? |
Arcane Mechanics Requiring Codification
| Mechanism | Current Status | Required Clarification |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel Flamethrowers | Undefined | Range, damage, persistent burning effects |
| Ship Combat Rules | Improvised | Weapon ranges, line of sight, movement |
| Aasimar Flight | Limited details | Weight capacity for rescues |
| Vorrin Shadowleaf | Conceptual only | Powers, limitations, sentience level |
| "Right Tool for the Job" | Variable applications | Standardization for consistency |
Fouk Shadim
Rogue 5
Artificer 4
9
20
15
15
8
8
Thronn Zamda
Gherman
Barbarian 4
19
14
17
9
13
7
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