CH 3: Pulp Adventure!

[JadedDM]

The party presses on, following the trail through the increasingly thick jungle. Grey and Areilon scout ahead, although scouting is difficult when one is forced to hack and slash through the foliage just to get through.

It's hard, tiring work. The party has to take multiple breaks to catch their breath. But luck is with them in one regard--they don't run afoul of any more tribals or anything else, for that matter.

By the time they reach the center of the island, night has fallen once again. Here the scouts find a series of ruins built from stone and largely overrun by local vegetation. Many of the buildings have succumbed to age altogether and are crumbling all around. But at least a few are still standing.

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The party travels 1 mile through heavy jungle on a trail in seven hours. It is now 9:45 PM.

[Nuke]

Taking deep heavy breaths, Val asks "Is this it?" She looks at the dwarf a little incredulously but doesn't say anything more.

[JadedDM]

"It must be!" the old dwarf whispers excitedly. "Oh, what wonders might we find within those buildings still standing? I feel like a child on the morning of Yuletide, I do." He clears his throat and straightens out his vestments. "Of course, we should proceed with caution. No telling how many tribals live in these ruins."

[HorizonsDream]

"If any at all," Jocelyn says as she looks around. "It is also dark out here, so we should be looking for a place to make camp," she adds.

[Breila]

"Yes, you're right, that should be our first priority" Ouragana agrees with Jocelyn. She looks for an even spot, not overgrown, and tells Maua to sit down, with an accompanying gesture. "Maji?" she asks her, holding out the waterskin. Then she calls over the shoulder to the rest of the group. "We should look for water. There must be some here at the settlement, unless its drying up was the reason it was abandoned, which is unlikely in this climate."
She then takes off her backpack and sits down herself, sharing her rations with Maua.

[Jenara]

(Sorry.) Arei having found water earlier arranged for the water skins to be refilled and heads on ahead.

Telsa swinging brightly in the Sun she hacks away allowing Grey passage and pauses from time to time to let him go ahead.

"Camp might be good. Do you think some of us should rest while others take a look around?"

[Nuke]

"Let's looks around a bit. If we plan on being here a while, we might pick a good defensible position for our camp." Val scouts around a bit.

OOC: Can we get a map?

[JadedDM]

The two nearest buildings are between 60 and 100 feet from the party. To their right is some kind of stone structure that resembles a temple of sorts. Its ceiling is held up with columns, ivy twirling all around them. To their left is a far larger structure, also made of stone. It appears to be some kind of large dome.

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The red dot is the party's current location. Each big square is worth 20 feet, each little square is worth 10 feet.

[Jenara]

"The Temple like structure?" Arei suggests as the group joins up with them, she keeps her distance from the Druid, remembering the last reaction. "It would give us shelter, and all round vision." She suggests.

[Nuke]

"Looks good from here. Hopefully nothing inside." Val heads that way.

[JadedDM]

The party moves toward the temple in a mostly single-file. Along the way, they spot a third building further south, but it looks in much worse repair. The temple, however, is completely intact.

"What a find!" Dalaim whispers with eagerness. "This could be exactly what we've been searching for. There's no telling what kind of artifacts might be within. Shall we enter then?"

[Breila]

Ouragana had been snacking on her ration when the others started to explore. When they seem to be ready to enter the temple, she drops the bit of food she was holding and shouts: "Wait for me!", her mouth still full. Getting up, she realises that Maua would be unguarded if she left as well, so she bends down and takes the bindings she took of earlier out of her pouch and ties Maua's legs again.

She then hurries over to the others and asks: "Are you sure this is safe to enter?"

[Jenara]

"I suggest we move slowly, allow myself and Grey to enter first. He is more experienced at searching for hidden surprises, but I will aid him." Arei suggests, collecting a long branch she strips it down, removing the loose twigs.

"Does that sound acceptable?" She asks, looking at Grey she waits for his response.

[JadedDM]

"Sounds good," Grey says. "Let's move."

The elf and gnome slip inside quietly. It is pitch black, but this doesn't bother either one, thanks to their innate infravision.

They make their way to the main worship area. There is no sign of anyone about, but there is plenty of evidence that there were people here recently. There are unlit torches on the walls, and the place smells faintly of incense. There's a large altar made of stone, as well. Upon it are numerous flowers and skulls, and it is coated with dried blood.

There's also quite a bit of writing and pictographs on the walls, although neither thief can decipher them.

[HorizonsDream]

Jocelyn hangs back with the others as Areilon and Gray scout ahead a bit. "So this is what you've been looking for then?" she asks the Kohen.