Session 3

Session three began the day of Johfra's execution run.  A sorrowful Runt visited his cell prior to the run and offered to make peace with the Paladin.  A deal was offered to Johfra to aid in his run today in return for helping Runt return to Everlund to claim his rightful throne.  The proud Paladin wouldn't accept the dagger but did take the potion of haste from the young lad and certainly made it clear there are other issues far more pressing......

As the sun reached its apex after a short torrid storm, the humidity was nearly visible as tendrils of vapor rose up from the street.  The temperature within Johfra's jail cell was akin to the stone ovens operated throughout the Market District in the mornings but after the day becomes too hot to bake.  Sweat beads poured down the jailers face as he unlocked the prisoner's cell leading him into a barred wagon with no escape from the sun, onlookers, or other criminals.  Before Johfra reached the gates, the roar of the crowd echoed through the Merchant Ward.  The wagon lurched through brontosaurus footprints and he became aware of the stench of the nearby refuse pit...a mixture of rotting excrement and rancid water.  He emerged into Old City where the road forks.  Under the midday sun, the crowed cheered again as the wagon of offloaded and Johfra shoved into the long dirty pit.  He stood before an obstacle and veracious reptilians gnawing on the bodies of criminals too slow, stupid, or unlucky to escape being lunch.  The sound of churning gears grumbled as the heavy bars are lifted...........

"The Pond of Death"  After being dropped in the pit with his faithful companion Ka'sias, the two cautiously advanced towards the small water trap filled with aggressive giant seahorses.  Their attempt to climb around on the transformed Druid's back as a spider almost succeeded had the weakened Johfra had not slipped and fallen into the pool. The seahorses relentlessly rammed him until he could manage to climb his way out....but not without at least taking one of them with him. Johfra mocked the crowd the giant sea creature on a pole shouting....

                                                        "Are you not entertained???!!!" 

 
Somewhere in the crowd above the pit Arlen cruised around causally helping himself to unaware victims of minor theft. 

Cogar decided to cast a hold person spell on the spectating Runt, then attempting to push him into the pit only to be saved by Peter.  The question is which god does Cogar serve?  Peter tried to befriend Runt only to be dismissed by the rotten rat.  Karn snooped around the Merchant Princes for clues to discover a possible agenda by Ifan (Merchant Prince).

"The Pit":  Moving closer, the hungry veleciraptors separated only by a unstable rope ladder, the two decided to wait it out and pick off the raptors  one at at time.  Impatient for a meal, several velecipators attempted to climb over the ropes only to find themselves some sixty feet at the bottom of a dark pit.  The ones that did manage across were dealt with swiftly.  After some injury and use of some magic, the two sailed across the pit into the arms of some more hungry dino's

"Onto Freedom"  After dealing with the remaining dino's and traversing the course, the crowd cheered and jeered as the worn out Paladin lumbered to the top of the stairs victorious. 

A few hours later, the mysterious Kwyothe announced the next grand event!  Dinosaur races!  The adventures climbed on and the race was on!  The large cheering crowd assembled at the government seat of Goldenthrone, rooted on their favorites.  Unfortunately or perhaps fortunately,  Arlen's ride suddenly dropped dead from the heat and pressure of the race and he joined Peter on his ride.  Peter essentially broke the race by casting hideous laughter on the competition, allowing only the hero's to cross the finish line all lead by Karn!

 After the all the festivities, the party decided to get serious and prepare for the long journey into the jungle.  They picked Eku and Azaka as guides and followed their advise on what to buy for the trip such as rain catchers, insect repellent, and canoes.  

Azaka

 "The great god Ubtao loved mazes. If you happen upon a maze of any kind, trace a path through it. You will earn Ubtao’s favor by doing so."

Eku

"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."

"Into the Jungle"   Early the next morning the part set out in their canoes south on the Soshenstar River- so sluggish and murky, almost impossible to tell the direction in which it flowed.  As the party of three canoes paddled south, the sounds of the wild jungle was experienced all around...but strangely without any incident of the first three days of travel.  Only a brief shower here and there gave any clue to the harshness of this land....it almost seemed too easy.

Day 4.  On this day, both the weather and the party's fortunes changed for the worse.  A steady unrelenting rain fell on the travelers all day long.  Eyes were spotted sticking out the water and the party became alarmed.  Suddenly, the first canoe was overturned along with all the adventurers in it only to be immediately attacked by Giant Crocs! 

Karn was suddenly the victim of the Croc attack going unconscious in the muddy water only to saved by one of his friends and healed. The party effectively worked as a team.  Arlen bravely jumped on the back of the one of the great reptiles only to be caught in the jaws of the monster.  Peter used his utility spells and Karn his punches.  Cogar with deadly magic attacks and Ka'sias transformed into a sea monster....even the guides got into the action....  Chaos, water splashing, crocs rolling about in the water, jumping and attacking party members was the scene.  When it was all said and done as two floating dead crocs slowly sunk to the bottom of the river, the reality of the danger in this jungle had finally set in.  
                                          Shit just got real.

A Tot Production,

EeAhhh...I need a smoke.