Session 1: The Arrival at Port Nyanzaru

Finally! My ship made it to Port Nyanzaru. After weeks upon the seas, step one of the journey was nearly complete. The port city was nestled on the shore of the massive jungled peninsula. I strained to see the buildings and their strange architecture.

While I stood at the edge of the ship, a bright white light flashed next to me. My cat-like reflexes kicked in and I instinctively jumped upon the mast and scurried up the pole.

Five humanoids appeared out of nowhere and stood proudly on the main deck. One was a sickly shaped cloaked figure, hunched over as if a leper with a strange silver mask covering its face. Another cloaked figure, dark and serious, seemed to be a proud figure. He was an elf with a strange symbol embroidered on the chest section of his clothes. He seemed to command two imposing dragon-men. Tall and stout. One blue'ish with wild spines. One copper with a metal shirt and a snarling face. Not least, there was a tiny figure with dandy clothes and a dashing smile. He wore a rapier upon his hip.

The dark one asked me something but I was too shocked to respond. At first I was worried they were pirates using magic to board and conquer the ship. However, they seemed non-hostile and turned to gaze upon the port city. Then one of them pulled out a map. Against my better judgement, I jumped down from my perch and approached them. I had to see what was on their map. Was it different than my map? Yes, it was! They seemed to have a map of the entire peninsula of Chult! Minus the interior, but still a remarkable article of information! I begged them to share any knowledge they had of Chult and I offered to show them the map I acquired in Maztica.

The dark one said I should go back home and steer clear of the dangers that lie within Chult. But I had come so far and trained so hard for this moment. I explained my scholarly background and my possible worth to join their expedition, where ever it may take them. They agreed to let me follow them, but made sure I knew that I was making a dangerous decision. The dark one called himself Nuru Sinter with his two guardians, Brick and Harp. The small one said his name was Confodere, which meant "to stab" in his native tongue. He then said he was at my service. I could not believe friendliness of this little guy!

The boat safely made it to the dock and a giant gold dragon guy, more dragon-ey than my new companions, introduced himself as Zindar, the harbor master. He told us to keep our noses clean, which I always do, less we be marked as wanted criminals. He gestured to some wanted posters depicting three pirate captains: Dragonfang, Emerald Eye, and Stirge. Bounties were listed with each. 2000 gold pieces for each ship and 500 gold pieces for each captain captured alive! So much money! I can only guess what crimes they had committed. The silver masked figure said he was going to the meeting place and to finish the mission before he died. That was weird...

Then I saw one! A great lizard walking down the boardwalk. I asked what it was. The harbor master chuckled at my excitement and said it was one of Ubtao's children. I don't know what that meant but I, at the same time, wanted to get closer and yet keep my distance.

Zindar then suggested we find a guide if we wanted to go beyond the city's walls. He noted two particular inns, the Thundering Lizard and Cia's House of Repose. Both were located in the Red Bazaar.

As we made our way through the streets, overwhelmed with odors and displays of chaotic colors along with a bustling city, we found a market place. Nuru was seeking to purchase some armor suited to this climate. Confodere approached a man with animals in cages. He was looking for a pack animal but the prices were much too high. Then I saw the most beautiful birds with long tail feathers. I sought to catch one but they avoided my clutches and lazily wandered away in the sky.
Nuru came out of the shop with a new garb of leather with metal buttons layered on top. While still adjusting his new shell, a booming tone blew across the city. A great horn bellowed out. Nuru asked a local what it meant. It was an alarm declaring the Eaters were coming! The local said that sound meant those in Malar's Throat were most likely doomed. Apparently, that is where the poorest people lived, outside the city's walls.

Nuru encouraged us to rally to the cause and fight the undead! The dragonborn unquestionably followed Nuru and Confodere pledged his sword. I agreed because I had to know what an undead was! Nuru assured me my curiosity would be answered.

We made it to the city's gate just as it was closing. Soldiers were rushing out into the jungle. They warned us not to leave the walls but Nuru convinced the guards to let us pass and save the citizens of Nyanzaru.

We saw people screaming and running toward the gates. Behind them, unbelievably, were things. People, but not alive. Animated skeletons, moving on their own! Some with flesh still rotting on their bones! My heart froze. I wanted to turn back and scale the walls for safety. But then the blue dragonman brazenly charged into combat. What help could my small framed body provide? I followed Brick blindly into the melee not knowing what to do.

The soldiers began fighting the corpse invaders at close range. Brick joined them and a choke point quickly formed as survivors ran past us. I decided to run up the side of the ravine and attack the enemy from the rear. I quickly found I had made a bad decision as I found myself isolated and a particularly scary dead creature had spotted me and charged. This one was different than the others. It had never been a human, it was more of a monster than a vessel from the grave. Its jaws moved in disturbing ways and its hands were claws of unnatural length.

It swung at me, I ducked out of the way. I swiped out at it and unleashed my electric claw attack and connected. I knew I only had a moment to escape as the thing recovered from my shocking touch. I scurried up the cliff side. The thing followed but could not climb as well. Suddenly an arrow hit the creature and it fell to the floor of the ravine and laid motionless. Confodere had saved me! He truly was at my service.

When I finally caught my breath I could see the fighting had ceased. We had won! Some of the townsfolk lay dead on the ground. Nuru walked among them, burning the bodies with radiant spells from his god. Confodere and I inspected the bodies. It turns out he has the same interest as I do! We both like finding out about the past and finding clues to ancient mysteries! Outstanding!
Between us, we found 63 silver coins, 32 copper coins and 8 gold pieces. Unfortunately, none of them seemed historically significant. I didn't want the others to feel like their efforts were diminished so I cast a spell to make it look like all the coins were gold! However, when the others discovered I had deceived them, they seemed upset or confused. Could they not see I was trying to please them? I suppose they will not understand why sometimes I brush up against their leg and other times I just walk away from them... Strange people on this side of the ocean.

132xp