TOTAL ELAPSED TIME: 5 DAYS
After discovering that the Thunder Folk Encampment had been raided and destroyed, The Green Dragon Brotherhood begins searching for clues. They very quickly find a note from Sooney-Crow of No Family - apparently started as a kind of letter, but with a hastily scrawled plea on the back (“THEY CAME FOR ME FOR US FOLLOW FOLLOW”). Skarrow makes a shocking discovery about the fire damage to the camp - only dragonfire burns that hot. He also finds tracks heading East.
They also discover a dead raider with a strange symbol branded on his leather armor. It appears to be the sigil of Abartu, a mythical warlock, known from the Second Age to have lived in what is now the Suurat Jungle. They take Sooney’s halberd and leave. They realize they must rest and head for Rainwall City, conveniently located between the camp and the jungle.
Greer the Betrayer notices that there is a river that flows in that direction and the party decides they could make better time on the water. They successfully gather wood and lashings and are able to eventually make a seaworthy vessel. Unfortunately, they built it too far upstream and the damn thing proves too heavy for portage!
Skarrow comes through with some luck and some ingenuity, and they find enough saplings to create runners that allow them to get the boat (the SS Fuckhead) to the river, and they shove off, with Greer as captain!
They do indeed make quick time - much faster than walking. On the second night, they drop anchor in the middle of the river only to discover they’ve camped in centaur territory! Two centaur watchmen find them, and after taking some abuse from a surprisingly cranky Skarrow, send the party on their way. Their luck holds and they somehow make it downstream in the dark safely.
The next night, they are awakened by splashing and giggling and find themselves beset by Water Sprites - mischievous fey who soon turn hostile. Another escape in darkness proves ill-fated, and they get hung up on a large river rock. A strange battle ensues - all splashes and little poison arrows - Shiv Drinkstep and Cleansing Waters are soon put to sleep. Greer and Skarrow eventually chase the fey off.
After that, the party makes quick work of the rest of the journey and take another day to travel overland to Rainwall City. On the road into town, they meet William Dune, half in the bag but willing to share his whiskey. He graciously invites the party to buy him drinks at The Tame Salad, his favorite local haunt. Over those drinks, he learns the party is heading into the jungle and offers his guide services.
Part way through those negotiations, the tavern doors fly open and two burly men approach the table. They brace Dune and demand to know “where their stuff is.” Dune seems to try to cast some kind of spell, but the dudes brush it off and draw their swords…