Chult Hex Crawl - IC

[Pyrophilios]

The Red Horns shrugged: "Wild animals - if they weren't combat capable, their behavior would be way too stupid to survive here.
In conclusion, they are dangerous - at the very least for the cat.
I'll try to frighten them away. If they don't retreat, start firing."

As promised, The Red Horns spread his wings and screamed an in articulate curse at the creatures.

Spoiler

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Intimidation with guidance

(1d20)[16]+(1d4)[2]

[agignac]

The three creatures reacted immediately. One of the two closest to the twig construct leapt back, startled by Red's aggressive display. The other two reared up on their hind legs, snarling and hissing. It was clear that a fight was now inevitable.

[Volthawk]

"Well, so much for that."

With that said, Draelin looses an arrow at one of the animals reacting aggressively to Red's display. Maybe if they take one down fast, the others will run off.

Spoiler

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Guess I'll Steady Aim and attack with my bow.

Attack (Advantage and Elven Accuracy): Best of (1d20+8)[25]/(1d20+8)[14]/(1d20+8)[12]
Damage: (1d8+5)[6] + (3d6)[9] SA

[agignac]

Draelin's arrow flies unerringly to one of the creatures and buried itself deeply in its flank. The creature screams, its face transforming from "so-ugly-its-cute" to "horrifying-tooth-filled-monster". It leaps at Draelin, teeth wide and claws extended. It bounds upwards at a treetrunk, rebounds off of it, and launches itself towards the elf's face. As it runs at hime, Draelin feels a sudden and excruciating pain in his head - somehow this thing was attacking his mind!

The creature that Red had intimidated seemed shaken. However, with its pack mates attacking, it moves towards Red, staring the tiefling with murder in its eyes. As it got 30 feet from Red, the tiefling also feelsthe crushing pain in his mind, and tries to fight it off.

The final su-beast, which had been moving towards Nolwenn (and the invisible cat). Drool leaked from its lips as its pack-mate screamed, and it jumped up and on the wizard. It bit and clawed at her, though it wasn't clear if it was trying to kill her, or find Desdemona and tear her from Nolwenn's grasp.

Spoiler

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Psychic crush against Draelin if he fails a DC 11 WIS save. Su#1 is 10 feet away from PCs
(5d6)[15]
Psychic crush against Red if he fails a DC 11 WIS save. Su#2 is 30 feet away from PCs
(5d6)[18]
Teeth and claw on Nolwenn/Desdemona
(1d20+4)[16]
(1d20+4)[23]
Damage if the above hits
(1d4+2)[5]
(2d4+2)[8]

[Pyrophilios]

The Red Horns doubled over in pain, incapacitated with the mother of all headaches.
Without guidance from its master, the construct went berserk and began tearing into the creature closest to it.

Spoiler

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Failed save in discord

Stunned condition comes with the incapacitated condition, so the steel defender can act without needing a bonus action from Red.

(1d20+8)[16], damage (1d8+3)[4], if crit (1d8)[8]


Wis save at the end of the round (1d20+3)[14]

[The Hellbug]

She would never say it, but Nolwenn definitely starts to feel unease as one of the monkey-creatures starts to curiously approach her and Desdemona so she nods agreeably when Red announces that he's going to drive them off. She's doubly relieved that he decides to just scare them rather than killing them--who knows what they would do if they felt cornered--and she's in the middle of fumbling with Desdemona, who's picked a very inconvenient time to be clingy and anxious, to free one of her hands to add a helpful spell when the beasts spook and charge.

And yes, those razor sharp teeth do exactly what you'd expect. Nolwenn, having stuck out her forearm to shield herself and Desdemona, gasps as the creatures jaws clamp down on her arm. Luckily, her arcane armor, which had deflected its claws when it pounced, allows her to painfully slip free, but the wizard's arm is slick with blood from the jagged wounds left by those teeth, and she can't keep the image of the creature, jaws closed around her neck, out of her mind, a grim possibility if she had been but a bit less swift.

Each of her companions has drawn the attention of one of the other beasts, and though Draelin looks unharmed, Red is clearly suffering from some sort of attack--maybe they can direct those horrid shrieks of theirs to be harmful? At the moment, though, that makes Nolwenn's decision easy. She steps back from her attacker using her body to shield the cat in her arm and already beginning the gesture for a spell. "Look out!" she shouts to her companions as she scrambles into a position to trace a line between her own assailant and the one coming for Red and unleashes a bolt of lightning at the both of them with a resounding boom.

Spoiler: OOC

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Nolwenn moves back from the duder attacking her (taking an attack in the process, presumably) and casts lighting bolt, targeting it and the one going for poor Red. She'll cast Shield as a reaction later this next round if any attacks would connect with AC 17.

Lighting Bolt damage, DC 16 Dex save for half: (8d6)[6][2][5][1][3][5][6][5](33)

[Volthawk]

Shrugging off the mental assault, Draelin makes a split-second decision as he sees the one he shot charging his way - whether to stay where he is and make sure he puts another arrow into the thing, hopefully dropping it, or to just focus on getting clear. He goes for the first one, deciding to rely on his accuracy as he aims another shot.

Spoiler

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Another Steady Aim -> Attack.

Attack (Advantage and Elven Accuracy): Best of (1d20+8)[10]/(1d20+8)[17]/(1d20+8)[11]
Damage: (1d8+5)[12] + (3d6)[13] SA

[agignac]

Draelin's arrow takes the already-injured su-beast in the heart, and it drops, dead before it hits the forest floor.

Nolwenn twists away from the creature trying to eat her arm, and manages to avoid being scratched again as she fets away from it. Lining up the remaining two su-beasts, she unleashes a devastating bolt of magic lightning. The nimble creatures both leap up into the trees, avoiding the full blast of electricity. But both a badly hurt, and without a look back at their fallen companion, they race higher into the canopy, screeching in pain, and soon are gone.

Spoiler

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Construct can take an OA against the one it's fighting as it leaves. Otherwise, they've been scared off. Also, this is the picture that comes with the book. Officially they're called su-monsters, but that makes it a bit too obvious.

[The Hellbug]

"And stay gone!" Nolwenn shouts after the fleeing monkey-creatures as Desdemona, not used to Nolwenn's conjured electricity, hops out of her grasp again with an annoyed noise. The wizard quickly turns her attention to her tiefling companion, who looks to be recovering somewhat from the su-beast's mental attack. "Are you okay?" she asks, then glances over at the precisely-arrowed corpse, "guess it was the 'murderous pack hunters' then. What did they do to you?"

[Pyrophilios]

The Red Horns got back up, wiping bloody tears from his eyes:
"A very strong mental attack - took me completely by surprise. I'll need a little rest to compose myself again. It felt as if someone crammed a hedgehog into my brain.

At least I wasn't flying at the time. That would have been even more painful. But yes, no more trying to scare them away. Shoot first, disect the bodies later.
Speaking of which, I want to take a look at that corpse. Maybe there are some valuable components to be harvested."

The fleeing beast got one good smack from the construct, before it got out of reach and The Red Horns asserted control again.

Spoiler

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Rolled in Discord

Attack 15
Damage 10

[The Hellbug]

"I don't think any of us could have expected that," Nolwenn says, worry for her ally (or maybe just anxiety at the blood leaking from eyes) clear on her face. She leans down to inspect the creature's corpse and frowns. "Absolutely horrid. You look around and think the giant scaly reptiles are the nastiest beasts in the jungle, well living ones at least, and then something like this. I wonder if there's a reason all the wildlife in Chult is so mind-bogglingly dangerous."

[agignac]

The construct manages to knock one of the fleeing beasts unconscious. On the verge of death, it lies on the forest floor near the corpse of the other one.

Even after his attacker lies knocked out, it takes The Red Horns nearly half a minute to shake off the effect of the mental attack, and be able to control his mind and body again.

Investigate or medicine roll to check the corpse, please.

[Pyrophilios]

Slowly and still with a pounding headache, The Red Horns begann to study the half dead monster, finishing it of with a quick stab, before cutting it open.

Spoiler

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Investigate+guidance
(1d20+8)[22]+(1d4)[1]

[agignac]

The second su-beast dies silently at Red's hands. The artificer dissects the corpse. He discovers an odd fluid in the brain and spinal column of the creature - more viscid and dark than normal. He collects two vials of it - possibly with some further examination he could learn more about it, or make use of it.

Desdemona scrambled out of Nolwenn's arms. Her ribbon showed that she was moving slowly towards the dead beast. She seemed to sniff it, then the ribbon turned and changed direction. A few seconds later and a stream of urine appeared from thin air, splashing on the corpse's face.

The cat then returned to Nolwenn and rubbed against her again. When the wizard leaned over to pat her, she felt a rough tongue licking her arms, cleaning off the blood from her scratches.

[agignac]

The rest of the voyage passes uneventfully. A few undead creep up in the night, but never in numbers, and you're able to dispatch them easily.

The river widens as you paddle down it, many tributaries joining in. You start seeing more boat traffic - people fishing, other adventurers on their way south, people trading on the river.

On the ninth day after leaving Fort Vengeance, the River Soshenstar empties out into a wide, muddy delta in the Bay of Chult. You paddle around the high cliffs of the city - past the horrific odour of the refuse pit just outside the city walls, under the elevated causeway that leads to the rocky islet that's home to the Temple of Sune, and soon you're looking at the lighthouse and fort that mark the entrance to the harbour.

Do you want to enter the city here and dock at the warehouse district, or keep going around the east side to Tiryki anchorage (that's where you left from, as it's closest to River Tiryiki).

Port map

[Pyrophilios]

"I'd suggest, we stop at the warehouse district. I long for a dry and quiet room. Plus, I'd prefer to get out of this canoe sooner than later."

The Red Horns said, turning to his companions. "On the way there, we can deliver our post."

[Volthawk]

It was nice to be back in civilisation. Draelin was fine with the jungle - he worked quite well in there, and it was necessary for his dream - but, well...he didn't leave the forest home of his youth to spend his entire life in a different, hotter and more miserable forest. So yes, it was nice to see the port again. He nods when Red makes his suggestion. "Sounds good to me. Sooner we're back on dry land the better."

[agignac]

You paddle past the lighthouse and fort, and into the heavy marine traffic that is constant in the Port. Staying clear of the sailing ships and even larger vessels, you bring your canoe finally to a dock in the warehouse district. The dock-master charges you 1 gp per day that it docked there, or you can sell it for 50 gp.

After over a month in the jungle, the business of Port Nyanzaru is overwhelming. People hurrying about, speaking a variety of languages. Dinosaurs pulling carts, vendors hawking their wares, children running around, heedless of danger.

As you walk through the business, you begin to notice that you're receiving many stares. More than you did last time you were here. And that was when you were walking around with a porcelain-faced war-forged.

[Pyrophilios]

The Red Horns wasn't particularly keen on paying so much for a days worth of parking, but since they intended to have one day of relaxation and down time, he spent the coin.

"We can come back tomorrow and drag it on land and store it somewhere cheaper."

[The Hellbug]

Returning to port, there is nothing more on Nolwenn's mind than finding a nice, soft, as-far-as-you-can-get-from-sleeping-on-the-ground bed. And somewhere to wash up. And a place to purchase clothes she hasn't been wearing for the last near-month in the jungle. And so, even only half-listening, she's quick to agree with Red's plan. "Mhmm, absolutely," she agrees, "the place we were at last time we were here was very pleasant. And not far from here...I think."

Despite only having been in the city once and a month ago, she only makes one or two wrong turns, quickly corrected, on the way to Kaya's House of Repose. Such is the wizard's mood that, if her route had been quicker and more direct, she might not have even noticed the stares. As it is, though, she's feeling a little uncomfortable before she even reaches the inn. "Do people not come back out of the jungle often? I mean, plenty go in, right?" she whispers to her companions.

[Pyrophilios]

"Well, if I had to hazard a guess, it is because of your ceremonial headdress and the other garb you collected from the village.
Catches the eye, you know."

The Red Horns replied, having been used to stares for a long time.

[The Hellbug]

"Hmm, I had imagined that they weren't super close with the village, what with us not hearing about lack of word from there beforehand," Nolwenn replies, but the tiefling's answer does get her thinking. It shouldn't be thoughts about disrespect for the dead, unless news came downriver since the party set out into the jungle a month ago. Possible, but even still, the hags are dealt with and the magic of the chief's belongings were helpful in doing so. There is though, of course, the fact that in no world would the wizard be mistaken for a local, and she's wearing the regalia of one.

"I'll find something else to wear as soon as we get settled," she accepts sheepishly.

[Pyrophilios]

"Not the village per se, but just that obvious Chultan indigenous headdress."

The Red Horns clarified

[Volthawk]

Draelin's in agreement when it comes to keeping the canoe docked for now - he wasn't sure if they'd need it going forward, but it was a small enough cost to keep their options open while they came up with a plan.

When it comes to the stares...Draelin's glad that he decided to put the mask away a few days ago, that's for sure. Other than that, he pays them little attention for now. If it was trouble, they'd find out soon enough, and if it was just surprise at them returning...well, he could work with that. Either way, he had more important things on his mind for now.

Speaking of important business... "Perhaps we should deliver those messages before we find a comfortable place to collapse into. There's a fair chance the recipients may have heard we're around, and while they probably don't know we're the messengers they will eventually, and...well, "we have important messages from your men in the field but we left it for a while because we wanted to relax" might not go over well with them. That, and the impression we make will probably be stronger if we can sell the 'adventurers returning from a long stretch in the jungle' look properly."

[The Hellbug]

Nolwenn opens her mouth to protest. She had been planning to spend some time cleaning up and fully formulating an argument to bring before the Order of the Gauntlet about pulling their forces, which were clearly suffering for no one's sake, out of Fort Vengeance. But Draelin's point is a good one. If the three of them show up fresh out of the jungle, it'll show how urgent the situation is. Weighed against bringing the full extent of her patrician etiquette and charm to bear, that's actually probably better, especially given her current company.

"You're right," she instead agrees, stowing away her headdress and cape, "lead on."

[agignac]

Feeling much less conspicuous, Nolwenn and the others head off in search of the Order of the Gauntlet's Headquarters. It takes about a half an hour to find the building, which is marked with a now-familiar flag. An armored soldier stands at attention by the front gate, and challenges you as you approach. "What is your business here?"

Spoiler

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(1d20+6)[8]

[Pyrophilios]

"We are carrying correspondence from Niles Breakbones of Camp Vengeance. Are you allowed to sign for receiving mail?
If not please direct us to someone with the appropriate authority."

The Red Horns replied without missing a beat.

[agignac]

"We are carrying correspondence from Niles Breakbones of Camp Vengeance. Are you allowed to sign for receiving mail?
If not please direct us to someone with the appropriate authority."

The Red Horns replied without missing a beat.

The soldier took a clipboard that had been hanging near the door. "I am. Please give me your names, and where you're staying, in case you're wanted for questions." He took down your information, then held out his hand for the packet of mail.

[Pyrophilios]

The Red Horns shrugged: "The Red Horns, Nolwenn and Draelin staying at Kaya's most likely, but we have just arrived, so no rooms yet."

[The Hellbug]

Perfect! is Nolwenn's thought on the matter. This way they get to convey a sense of urgency from coming right away while also giving time to prepare to meet with whoever commands the Order here more formally. The wizard doesn't even spare a thought for if they won't be contacted. Actually, she has to contend with a different thought.

"Wait," she says suddenly with a sidelong glance at Red, "me and Draelin? Are you not staying at Kaya's?