The party has successfully defeated the undead who made their way into the Chult city proper.  Upon examination, they see that there are upside-down blue triangles on their foreheads – this is the mark of Ras Nsi’s evil undead army.  Ras Nsi was a paladin who betrayed his oath and used a skeleton army to destroy the land. Super great guy.

The next day, they prepare to head into the jungle.  Azaka is able to lead them to Firefinger with perfect precision.  She offers the party a choice.

1) week to Firefinger via the river OR 2) 16 days around the river through Grung territory (pesky, poisonous, evil frog men)

After expressing an extreme amount of dissatifaction at Azaka for even assuming that they would choose option 2, they decide on the 1 week route.

Day 1 through the jungles of Chult — Uneventful

Day 2

The party gathers fruit as they travel.  Maracuya is a fruit native to the jungles of Chult (Fun fact: Maracuya is an alternate name for Passion Fruit).  If it is wrinkly, it is safe to eat. If it is not wrinkly, it is deadly.  The juice can be used as poison.

They happen upon a herd of brontosaurus.  Kanye is able to have a very pleasant conversation with one of the grazing dinos.  They helpfully tell him that there are monsters in the jungle. Speaking of monsters…

ENCOUNTER – 20 zombies approach

• Honestly, took very few notes on this battle.  Suffice to say, everything was killed.

After dispatching the zombies, the journey through the jungle is uneventful for the rest of the day.  They find a cave and rest for a night. In this cave, they find the body of a dead Tabaxi and rhino. Out of respect for the dead the party bury the body.

Around the campfire, there are some rather heated discussions surrounding whether or not Bill and Clarice should be allowed to sleep in the cave.  Is Clarice really tame? Bill farts a lot…etc.

During this discussions, Galliard has dug up the Tabaxi corpse, reanimated it, and disguised it to look like Elgard.  He proudly shows it to the group.

It is disgusting.  And everyone hates it.  No one hates it more than Elgard, who, without much delay, casts a Level 2 Chromatic Orb spell and blasts that Tabaxi body into ash.  So much for respect for the dead.

This causes a much needed discussion about voting companions in the group.  A vote is held immediately.

• Bill the Triceratops AYE
• Clarice the Raptor AYE
• Zombie Companion NAY

Also, Kilgore’s name is Allison…but no one cares because she figures out that GALLIARD WAS DISGUISED AS ELGARD FOR THEIR ENTIRE BOAT JOURNEY. WHAT. THE. HECK.

The following morning the team decides to go to the dinosaur pit to watch justice be served to the 7 pirate captains that they “returned”.  In Chult, those who do wrong, get eaten by dinosaurs. If you can survive the encounter, you are free to go. No pirates survive.

Before the *coughtruecough* pirate captain is killed, he points in the direction of the travelers, and more specifically at Galliard.  No one is sure what this means, but it doesn’t take long before they find out.

As they exit they dino pits, they hear Galliard’s strange red orb say: “Go to the ship with the green sail.”  Before anyone has time to figure out what the heck Galliard has had on him this whole time, the orb is stolen from him.  The party chases and captures the dude and reclaims the orb. Kilore casts ‘Friend’ on the man, and a new friend is made in the group.  They bring their new friend straight to the Harbormaster for processing (dino pit for you dude).

Per the DM’s Notes: Party decides not to buy a Charter of Exploration from the Flaming Fist at Fort Beluarian, cause permits are for losers. Galliard forges one

As they head back to their quarters a cry rings throughout Chult: “Undead!”

ENCOUNTER – Several undead are in the city

• Elgard marches into the fray with shallot breath
• Kilgore hangs back and shoots at them from a distance
• Galliard uses his unseen servant to snag an undead on the defense hooks in the city
• Kanye rages and heads into the middle of the fray.  He knocks one prone.
• Seraphine charges in and hits the prone undead.  Kills him.
• Elgard casts burning hands on 3 of the undead while still chomping on shallots. “Death of the Undead by Elgard the Shrewd.”
• Zyldi heads forward as a bear for a stomp and chew.  Bones scatter as death claims the zombie once more.
• Nor steps in front of a civilian to protect him.  
• Galliard’s Unseen Servant spins the dangling skeleton.
• Seraphine Divine Smites one undead
• Elgard throws the least many fireball ever

Chult is once more undead free.

The party sails into the Bay of Chult.  From a peninsula a turtle beak rises out of the water.  This is Arameg, a giant Dragon Turtle, who demands tribute.  With Kilgore using some very persuasive words, they are allowed to pass paying less money than is traditional.

MEANWHILE

Zyldi and Elgard were transported to Chult by Syndra.  They hung out in Chult, staying with a merchant prince Wakanga O’Tamu, while waiting for the rest of the party to arrive.  Zyldi practices her druid powers; Elgard gets a fancy hat and books.

The rest of the party arrives, and it is damn hot.  They are all reunited, and there is some confusion around how Elgard got to the docs before them…but Elgard just glosses over the issue with the excuse of, “Magic”.  They head to the Harbormaster where they all lie through their teeth about the amount of Captains they have captured.  It was a Captain Conference…naturally.

Fictional Names of Pirate Ships: Bloody Sash, Hungry Turtle, Sea Cow, Decepticon

True Pirate Ship Names: Sturge, Emerald Eye, Dragon Eye

The party learns a few things from Wakanga.  Syndra died in the jungles of Chult via a trap in the Mist Cliffs.  The prince wants an amulet; he has asked Elgard to get it via a journal that he has provided to the wizard.  The prince does not know where the Soul Monger is.

Thus, the party proceeds out into the marketplace to buy and listen.

Some party members did some dino shopping:

• Rahn buys a hadrosauraus
• Kanye buys a triceratops – Bill
• Kilgore buys a raptor – Clarise

Rumors Overheard: [Courtesy of the DM himself]

• The jungle is full of nature spirits – weird little elemental creatures with masks. They don’t speak, and I’ve never known one to be harmful, but their magical powers should not be taken lightly.
• Perched atop a plateau overlooking the Aldani Basin is a ghost village. All the people there disappeared. No one knows why. You can reach the Aldani Basin by following the River Soshenstar
• Bird folk inhabit a monastery that hangs on the side of a plateau many miles up the Olung River, past the Laughing Gorge. The bird folk are holding the last royal heir of Chult as their prisoner.
• If you head up the Tiryki River about five days by canoe, you’ll see a stone spire to the east. Natives call it Firefinger. Terror Folk nest there, and if they spot you, you’re in for a fight.
• If you head up the Tiryki River about five days by canoe, you’ll see a stone spire to the east. Natives call it Firefinger. Terror Folk nest there, and if they spot you, you’re in for a fight.
• One must purchase a Charter of Exploration at Fort Beluarian before undertaking any jungle expedition. The Flaming Fist punishes explorers who don’t have the required paperwork.
• Deep in the heart of the jungle is a city built by Minotaurs. It’s now overrun by snake people, but even worse things dwell below. In visions, I have seen strange devils screaming in the dark.
• A Dragon Turtle named Aremag lives in the Bay of Chult. If you wish to set sail from Port Nyanzaru, you’ll need treasure to appease the greedy monster. How much treasure, I can’t say. Aremag will tell you what it wants, and you’d best give it what it demands.
• Long ago, a peaceful tribe of fisherfolk called the Aldani angered Ubtao by catching and eating all the lobsters in a river. As punishment for their greed, they were all transformed in to monsters that dwell in the Aldani Basin.

That evening they all assemble at Wakanga’s home for a dinner party.  He has invited several jungle guides to dine so that they can share their skills with the party members.  After interviews, the crew decides to hires Qawasha, a druid, and his vegepygmy, Kupalue.  His price will be reduced depending on how many undead they are able to kill on their journey.

In addition, they will be joined by another guide Azaka.  She will pay the party to retrieve a mask that she has lost to the pterafolk.

Party Present:  Kilgore, Seraphina, Rahn, Elgard, Bardo, Kanye, Nor, and Kulu

Party Missing:  Zyldi, Galliard

The team makes their way back to Baldur’s Gate where they reconvene with Syndra at the Inn Too Deep.  They learn that Syndra has been to Chult. Chult is a peninsula island with giant reptiles, jungle, and undead.  Only the outskirts of Chult have been charted. The rest has yet to be explored as the danger is immense. In fact, Syndra died at Chult.

The party heads off with Captain Swift, and her crew, on the boat The Brazen Pregasus.  They are told that during their trip, should they encounter pirates, they can make some extra cash by incapacitating the looting ship and bringing in the pirate captain for a bounty.  The journey should take them 10 days.

The first 8 days of the trip are uneventful except that it appears that Galliard, who had been with them at the tavern, is now missing. No pirates are yet spotted.  However, a storm is on the horizon.

The storm hits hard and fast.  The crew and the adventurers take measures to keep the ship from sinking.

• Kanye – Uses his strength to counteract the boat’s rocking by quickly moving back and forth on the side that needs it.  Success.
• Kilgore – Uses persuasion to inspire the crew to keep hope.  Fail.
• Kulu – Secures the crates below deck to prevent shifting.  Success.
• Bardo – Climbs the masts and secures the rigging.  Success.
• Nor – Bails the water that comes crashing into the boat.  Success
• Rahn – Uses insight to determine the best direction to steer the ship with the wind.  Success.
• Elgard – Casts 3 winds to shield it from the prevailing winds.  Success.
• Nor – Yells at the storm to intimidate it.  Success.

All the efforts of the adventurers proves fruitful, and they weather the storm without incident.  However, as soon as they are out of the storm, they see a pirate ship on the horizon. Kanye: “Ramming speed!”

The adventurers board the pirate ship and successfully take down most of the 16 crew.  The captain lays down his sword in defeat. Kilgore: “Let’s discuss your terms of surrender.”

Encounter Highlights

• Kanye throws Elgard up onto the pirate ship.  Elgard casts Thunderwave right before he lands, which throws two pirates overboard.
• 3 pirates are killed by Kulu, Rahn, and Kanye.
• The pirate captain keeps Kanye raging by hitting him with a crossbow bolt.  Kanye then throws a pirate off the ship.
• Elgard steps in the front of the fray in an attempt to lead the charge.  He is rendered unconscious.
• Seraphina heals Elgard.  Elgard then goes down again almost immediately…because he is a wizard…in the front of the line.
• Bardo kills another pirate
• Kulu is below deck stealing for the majority of this battle.  However, she looks up through the deck grate and sees a pirate.  She shoots up at him, and hits the pirate in his femoral artery.
• Elgard rolls a 1 for his death save.  Seraphina heals him…again.
• Kanye knocks more men off the boat.
• Nor grabs Elgard by the scruff of his neck and pulls in to the back lines. Nor:  “Get back you ass-hat.” Nor accepts the attack of opportunity from the pirate who was once again closing on Elgard.  
• Elgard creates ominous whispers around 4 of the pirates causing two of them to jump overboard.

The battle is over, and they loot the pirate ship and captain.  Captain Swift’s assigns a skeleton crew to bring the pirate ship the rest of the way.

In an unexpected twist, the adventurers only now learn of an Arameg, a dragon turtle, who apparently demands tribute for all ships that pass on their way to Chult. Thus do the adventurers resume their journey aboard The Brazen Pegasus curious to meet this newly mentioned Arameg.

Our adventurers head further into the cavern beneath the Lich’s lair.  They encounter 3 ghouls in a noxious room (causing Bardo to barf). During the fight, Nor, Galliard, and Zyldi were all rendered unconscious (Zyldi went down while charitably saving Nor). Meanwhile, Bardo murders two ghouls with his acrobatic techniques, and Kulu destroys the final baddie.

There are five doors that the group uncovers.  The first door has a demon statue surrounded in a pool a blood.  Kanye charges at the statue and falls into this pool of blood. In this pool, he finds a shiny gem that sheds light.  When Kilgore steps into the pool of blood, she is overcome by a wave of exhaustion.

The second door contains another ghoul, that Bardo also murders.  Much gold is found.

Kulu picks the lock of the third door, which was the other side of the Kraken trap door.

The fourth door has a large stone staircase that would lead them to the battle raging above.   Nor and Kanye rush up the stairs and encounter a large monster who looks as though he has been pasted together with body parts from multiple creatures.  Kanye: “I won’t tell if you don’t.” Nor: “Deal.” They descend the stairs, and declare that the best thing they can do for the Harpers is simply find the the phylactery.  They do not mention the igor.

The fifth door holds an iron chest with two giant pillars that they quickly discover shoot lightning on whomever tries to lay a hand on the chest.  A protective spector appears, and the crew mass piles into the room and defeat it. After switching off the pillars of lightning, Bardo successfully opens the iron chest and the adventurers now have their hands on the skin-bound phylactery.  Zyldi takes the book safely into her possession.

They exit the cavern quickly.  Calbrax is waiting for them and transports them to the battlefront. After calling out Zyldara, Zyldi threatens that they will destroy the phylactery.  Zyldara asks what it is that the group would want in return. Zyldi: “Who is making this curse? Where is it coming from?”

From their questions, the team learns that the Soul Monger is sucking up the souls of those who are dying.  This is preventing the resurrection magic from working, and reclaiming the souls of those already resurrected.  The Soul Monger is on the island of Chult, and that is where the crew is headed next.

Honorable Mentions

• Elgard makes an illusion of rotten smelless limbs to distract ghouls
• Kanye has an amazing constitution.  “Dang, Barbarians are cool.” – DM

Our adventure begins at the funeral of our dear friend Filbretta.  After extremely touching speeches from those present about the dearly departed (by some…well…maybe one?), a Harper, Ramalia, hijacks the funeral to recruit adventurers to help with a mission.  This mission is to obtain the phylactery of the lich Zuldara, Duchess of Rot.

After hearing of the prize of 500gp, a motley few volunteer and head out on a boat to participate in the Harper’s plan.  This plan involves a sneak attack by the volunteers while the Harpers are creating a distraction from the front of this Lich’s lair.  The adventuring folks will enter from a grotto to sneak in and steal the aforementioned phylactery – a spellbook bound in human flesh.  

Thus did our fellows venture in a dark cavern in search of the book.  In this cavern they encounter a mouth in the side of the cavern wall, skeleton gangs, a door with murderous tentacles, a cove of crystals that wants to transport those who touch them to other planes, a room full of handsy skeletons, a murder room with a murderous trap, and finally two swords intent on swiping them dead.

We left our adventurers in the room where the swords attacked waiting to explore further.

Adventure Stats

	Kills	Traps Triggered	Traps Disarmed	Doors Opened
Seraphina Ouranos	II
Kanye the Giant	II			xxxx
Kilgore Lohman	I
Nor Tactern	II	I		xxxx
Rhan Swansong	II
Galliard Mazurka the Magnificent	II		I	I
Zyldi	I	I
Elgard the Shrewd	I			x
Kulu	I		I	IIII