KHAZUUL

"We should get our bearings before going out too far," Sow offers in her scarred voice when the discussion on what to do starts in earnest. Hefting her hatchet, she adds, "We can mark trees and such, leave some signs that will help us orient while we look for the Lotus and whatever else is out there..."

"Nice! I'll look forward to taking the doggos on a trek in the future," he replies to Tunny.

---

Freki assesses his supplies as he puts away his breakfast. "I think I've got enough food for another day, so yeah, let's go lotus hunting while the weather's good for it. We can save a bigger hike into the jungle for a nicer day."

Lowering his voice, he whispers to his companions, "As for the siblings, it sounded like they weren't in a rush to recover their relic because they wanted to make sure the dead guy doesn't show up alive! So I think we can wait on that a bit on that. But we could invite them hunting today to get to know them better in the meantime. Also, that would ensure they don't go after the relic themselves today."

"Sounds like there’s beastmen here, there and everywhere, don’t it?" he says, in response to what the Tunny had to say.

"No good marching off to be someone else’s dinner, is there? Best we set up around here until the rain clears off. We can have a poke around not too far from here, can’t we? That way we’ll know which way to run if it all goes tits up!"

"Freki, you're a genius. That's an idea worth pursuing."

Thorn thinks about Cutwell's valid concern. "I think we can form a small hunting party and not stray too far from here. Poke around as you said. We need to replenish our food anyway. Marking a trail is also a fine idea, Sow. So let's invite those two also and see what they are about."

As you discuss teaming up with Samir and Saffron, you look over to see how the two are getting on. They are all packed and ready to move. Watching them for a moment, you see they are keeping their noses down, as if trying to avoid attention.

Freki smiles with a nod to acknowledge Thorn's compliment.

Looking over to the siblings, he suggests to Thorn with a wink, "You're always bragging about all the young ladies you seduce with your charming good looks. Think you can catch her eye?"

He plucks a wolfsbane blossom from the wreath hanging off the back of his pack, "I'll even let you give her this. It'll keep away any wolves and the like."

The vibrant violet flower is spectacular even in the drab lighting of the stormy weather, the pungent smell is just as intense. He's not sure a single flower will have much effect, might delay an attack or buy a moment of hesitation; regardless, it's a pretty gift.



"My dad always swore it even repels werewolves," he chuckles as though he didn't really believe in such things, "so maybe it'll work on these beastmen we keep hearing about." He sounds skeptical.

He finishes with a wary glance towards Samir, "But be careful, the brother seems protective, you don't need a knife in your back to start the day."

Sow just listens as she packs up, nodding at the idea of inviting the siblings along for the day. She frowns at Cutwell's comment, but watches as handsome Thorn moves to approach the pair.

"Can I catch her eye, you ask? I am always up for such a challenge. Now watch the artist at work, and duly noted about the brother."

Thorn graciously takes the flower and strides confidently toward the girl, a beaming bright smile accompanying his presentation of the pretty flower. Even the rain doesn't dampen the twinkle in his as he says, "Please accept this flower as a token of my appreciation, for your beauty knows no bounds. I would be honored if you and your brother would accompany us on our first foray outside the safety of the camp. There is safety in numbers."

He hoped he didn't overdo it but more was better than less, and besides, he was very handsome.

Saffron is taken off-guard by Thorn's approach. She is fearful at first, but Thorn's gleaming smile gives her pause. She takes the flower in both hands (which you notice are quite delicate and smooth) and is speechless for a moment. A blush comes over her tan skin, and then a shy smile.

"I shall confer with my brother. One moment."

Saffron heads over to Samir and interrupts his packing. He stiffly turns to stare the party down. You can't hear the details, but Saffron appears to be arguing in favour of joining forces with you, and at some point he gives in. The two approach.

"If you four wish to partner with us, you must agree to split all profits equally," Samir stipulates reasonably, after introducing himself. "As well as face all dangers equally." He gives Thorn a stare that feels like a warning shot across the bow, and finishes: "This is a strictly business partnership."

Day 3, First Watch
Hex: 3
Wilderness Action: Explore (Hunting for Black Lotus)
Weather: Extreme (+1 Watch, +1 Fatigue)

The rain is relentless, and it dominates your search for the Black Lotus. Saffron and Samir's usual paths they've learned in the few weeks they've been here have been flooded, and it is difficult to survey further than five feet out from your face. The only bright spot is that it seems the bad weather has scared away Hunters and beastmen alike, for your first 8 hours in the jungle are completely devoid of contact with any creature larger than a bird.

Saffron struggles more than anyone. On multiple occasions she slips in the mud. But, what she lacks in physical strength she makes up for in willpower, for resolve does not waiver.

Near midday, the six of you are caught in a sudden mudslide. The torrential rain tears away a large swath of soil on a ridge, sending it cascading down toward you. Although nobody is hurt, you will have to spend a fair bit of time or a great deal of hustle digging yourself and your gear out of the muck.

You are painfully aware that you have laid eyes on no Black Lotus yet.

Day 3, Second Watch
Hex: 3
Wilderness Action: Explore (Hunting for Black Lotus)
Weather: Extreme
You push yourselves to the limit to deal with the mud slide, digging yourselves and gear out while the rain continues. Exhausted, you take a refuge under a some vine-strewn, ruined stone edifice, sorting out your gear and eating your last bits of food.As you are slogging back to the Black Skull camp, you become aware of something moving in the jungle. Without warning, two bipedal creatures emerge from the jungle a mere thirty feet from your position, dragging two large bundles behind them. They spot you immediately and howl aggressively, dropping their bundles and reaching for weapons!

Each is a nightmarish amalgam of man and beast, with torn scraps for clothes. One is a wretched man-like creature with tentacles streaming out of its face and other parts of his body. The other is a shocking creature with the body of a man but head and feet of owl.The owl man draws a notched machete, while the tentacled thing raises a serrated bone spear adorned with fetishes. Howling, they advance!

Freki is currently at the front of the group leading the hike back to camp when the beast men appear.

"What the fuck?!?!?" he yells in shock as his mind tries to comprehend the horrifying appearance of the ... monsters.

"I'm gonna need some help up here!" He steps to the side, off the trail, so others can move up beside him to join the fight. He loosens the whip at his hip and prepares to strike. He plans to try ensnaring the bird-legs of the owl-man, tripping it, so others can pounce.

Cutwell slips his devilish knife from its place on his hip. Wickedly sharp, and used far carving up meat and bodies, the man kept it back when it came to cutting through jungle. This was a finer tool than some machete. Still… It would be needed now to cleave fur, shit and meat at once.

"Two of them ain’t too many, is it? We can manage that! How many gold did he say it was for one of them heads?"

Thorn who had been watching Saffron nervously as she struggled with mud, the slides, and the environment in general wasn't prepared to see the type of creatures the group suddenly had before them. They were large and odd-looking, and what was in those bundles? Loot or remains?

"Right here with you!" he cries as he draws out his long sword, the reassuring sound of steel on scabbard surging his adrenaline further as he prepares to take on the beasts.

Sow’s mutterings of the day’s mud-caked misery trail off into the rain when the two bestial humanoids come into sight, and then almost immediately charge the group. Caught a bit flat-footed, her companions scramble and prepare for the clash as the little warden moves to her left as she loads a sling bullet, looking for slightly higher ground and a clear shot.

"Fowl beasts! You'll pay for attacking us."

Thorn hopes they prevail, for the sister and brother might be no match for these creatures. Thorn moves to the Squid and lunges his sword deep into the belly of the nasty thing.

Cutwell darts this way and that, fending off tentacles with quick stabs of his blade. The steel in his hand would happily part a soft, fleshy protrusion with ease.

Seeing his moment, he cuts with the blade, aiming to make the face of the creature a few inches the shorter!

Freki maneuvers to flank the owl man as it tries to impale Sow. His whip snaps out and catches the bird-like legs and he yanks as hard as he can ...