Chapter 3-5 - Welcome to the Jungle
Fully rested, the party packed up their equipment and set out at first light. They travelled across the lush grassland, following the gentle course of the River Kylyd, so wide at this point that the far bank was a distant line on the horizon. At this stage, the river's course was fairly straight as it slowly flowed out to meet the sea.
It took the party half a day to travel from the Monastery to the edge of the jungle. As they travelled further east, thick vines began to creep through the long grass, tripping the unwary and causing the travel to become more difficult. In spite of the grey clouds closing in overhead, the heat was intense. Humid air seemed to drape over everything, smothering the party with a choking warmth. Insects buzzed around the groups' faces, causing the party members of grow irritable. Ahead, an imposing wall of greenery loomed closer as they drew near to the edge of the jungle
Reaching the eaves of the treeline, everybody turned to Ryoko for guidance. The Iskathi instructed the rest of the group to fall in behind her, and she led them into jungle, on a parallel course to the river but at a safe distance from the bank and it's associated predators. Following the druid, the group made their way into the trees. Underfoot the ground was covered by a patchwork blanket of thick roots and creepers. Foliage surrounded them in every direction, green and brown tendrils clawing inward like gnarled claws, angry at the intrusion. Overhead, the branches of the trees intertwined to form an nearly unbroken canopy, filtering the sunlight into a hazy green glow. Through the canopy, thick reddish vines run like pulsing arteries. Ryoko reached up and grabbed one of these thick vines. Folding it in half, she sliced it cleanly with her dagger and took a long swig from the open cut, before passing it around. Miaug reluctantly took the vine and held it up to her mouth. Surprised delight crossed her face as she realised it was full of fresh, cool water. She took a deep draught and passed it to Aetilius. The party all slaked their thirst and rested for a moment, then set off again following Ryoko.
As night began to fall, the shadows between the trees grew darker and more sinister. Unwilling to risk travelling much further that day, Ryoko called for the party to set camp. Aetilius cut down a handful of other crimson vines for water, while Ramas and Clootie set up the tents and collected firewood. Miaug and Badger accompanied Ryoko as she set out into the forest hunting for food. Ryoko identified some potential prey, two large four armed monkeys hanging low in the treeline. Miaug silently and efficiently picked them off and they brought them back to the party to roast for dinner. After a couple of hours of conversation around the campfire, the party elected to rest for the night.
Next: Chapter 3-6 - Morlyn
Previous: Chapter 3-4 - The Sisters of Akkedis
It took the party half a day to travel from the Monastery to the edge of the jungle. As they travelled further east, thick vines began to creep through the long grass, tripping the unwary and causing the travel to become more difficult. In spite of the grey clouds closing in overhead, the heat was intense. Humid air seemed to drape over everything, smothering the party with a choking warmth. Insects buzzed around the groups' faces, causing the party members of grow irritable. Ahead, an imposing wall of greenery loomed closer as they drew near to the edge of the jungle
Reaching the eaves of the treeline, everybody turned to Ryoko for guidance. The Iskathi instructed the rest of the group to fall in behind her, and she led them into jungle, on a parallel course to the river but at a safe distance from the bank and it's associated predators. Following the druid, the group made their way into the trees. Underfoot the ground was covered by a patchwork blanket of thick roots and creepers. Foliage surrounded them in every direction, green and brown tendrils clawing inward like gnarled claws, angry at the intrusion. Overhead, the branches of the trees intertwined to form an nearly unbroken canopy, filtering the sunlight into a hazy green glow. Through the canopy, thick reddish vines run like pulsing arteries. Ryoko reached up and grabbed one of these thick vines. Folding it in half, she sliced it cleanly with her dagger and took a long swig from the open cut, before passing it around. Miaug reluctantly took the vine and held it up to her mouth. Surprised delight crossed her face as she realised it was full of fresh, cool water. She took a deep draught and passed it to Aetilius. The party all slaked their thirst and rested for a moment, then set off again following Ryoko.
As night began to fall, the shadows between the trees grew darker and more sinister. Unwilling to risk travelling much further that day, Ryoko called for the party to set camp. Aetilius cut down a handful of other crimson vines for water, while Ramas and Clootie set up the tents and collected firewood. Miaug and Badger accompanied Ryoko as she set out into the forest hunting for food. Ryoko identified some potential prey, two large four armed monkeys hanging low in the treeline. Miaug silently and efficiently picked them off and they brought them back to the party to roast for dinner. After a couple of hours of conversation around the campfire, the party elected to rest for the night.
Next: Chapter 3-6 - Morlyn
Previous: Chapter 3-4 - The Sisters of Akkedis
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