ToA: Session 23

## Once More Into the Jungle

We join our intrepid heroes as they have just received new orders; Rescue the Company of the Golden Coin, while doing what D-Squad does best. Ekku and Santi most likely does not know what this, else they would look even more worried. They seemed troubled by the companies capture, for reasons that would soon become clear. See, they were supposed to be the solution to the disease plaguing the land, as foretold some ancient prophecy. Both seemed rather reluctant about sharing the specifics about the prophecy, only giving us the basics; Some ancient evil was buried in Omu, and it's protectors would be incapable of stopping it. The company would go to Omu and fix everything, so it was vital they be rescued. Instead of elaborating on this prophecy, they opted to tell us what they knew about the disease. It seemed to mostly affect those who had had a bush with death, something that would explain why Khovaire was being hit especially hard. It also seemed to be draining it's victims lifeforce, and sending it to an unknown location in the jungle. They hypothesized that Rasni may be involved in all this.

Before anyone could stop him, a surprisingly sour Fargus asked if the prophecy had foretold of the chosen ones capture, this shocked Ekku, enraged Santi, and destroyed any goodwill he had obtained from the trial. Daedalus and Neb, not satisfied with the short version, attempt to persuade them to tell us more of the prophecy. Ekku says that it would take far to long to tell it, and shortening it would lose the all important nuances. Santi however insists we hear more as well, and a reluctant Ekku tells us the slightly less abridged version.

### The Prophecy

The prophecy said some ancient evil had been locked away in Omu, and kept safe by "paladins". If thi great evil should ever escape, Omu would not be able to contain it. This was in part due to the evils nature; it was a deceiver and instigator, turning friends against each other. It is said to be this evil that influenced Zalkoré to go mad. Ekku, growing ever more annoyed at having to "dumb down" the prophecy, continues, saying that in their time of need, heroes from across the ocean would come to save them. She mentioned an old Galifar legend about Huma, before stating the virtues said heroes would possess:

* 1 would bear the mark of the dragon.
* 1 would searching for a soul.
* 1 would be a prodigal son or exile.
* 1 would be a scoundrel with a heart of gold.

Together they have will have performed many a heroic feat, though they each carry a mark fro a past calamity. Ekku notes that many of the nuances have been lost in translation, before D-Squad get any bright ideas that this prophecy could be speaking of them.

### The Job

It is imperative that the selfless company must make it to Omu, no matter the cost (well, this was implied.. kinda). Having received a sending just before the company was captured, they knew that the company were near Orulanga, though whether they had already been there or not was unknown. Receiving directions, Ekku added one more tidbit; The tribe responsable for the companies capture likely know of the prophecy. To put it crudely, the prophecy is open ended, the outcome either being salvation or rapture. The tribe may believe they are better of if the company never reach Omu.

To sweeten the deal, they offer us both gold and artifacts of we complete the mission. They'll even go so far as allowing us to take artefacts out of the jungle. The party happily accepts, seeing as they were going that way anyways (as Fargus so crudely puts it). This makes Zendar, who had been standing in the background, extremely happy, and he goes over all the supplies Ibnin had "happily" prepared for us. Before sending us of, he gifts us his sword, thinking it will help uson our quest. Bucket immediately ruins this storybook moment by initing on specifics in regards to the reward. With everyone disappointed, the party sets of once more, this time on lizards.

### Welcome to the Jungle... again

Making their way through he plantations on the outskirts of the city, our noble heroes finally reach the precipice to the jungle, and are overcome with unpleasant memories. Yet as they enter, the jungle seems less intimidating, almost welcoming, as if the jungle is cheering us on. It doesn't take long for they jungle to remind us of it's dangers, for soon we find the skeleton of an old explorer. Not wishing to dwell on the explorers fate, the party presses on, only to find a, for lack of a better word, floating island. It seems to be a natural phenomenon, and seems anchored to this spot. After scaring off the local wildlife, neb manages to climb up top. The view is spectacular, and besides getting a great view of the jungle, he also sees a settlement.. and a huge zombie horde moving SE. This obviously alarms the party, yet the island has more to offer. Neb finds a strange hatch, with an etching of what could only be a beholder.

This news would have been unsettling for those still on the ground, but they had other things to worry about. Dark shapes had formed a semi circle around them, and while they looked like panthers, they were to big for this to be true. The biggest of these shapes stepped forth, clearly showing its 8 legs, 2 tails and crown of amber. It bowed, introduced itself as Raum, and asked for an audience with the godslayer.

**Will D-squad ever become the heroes they so adamantly are working against becoming? And will Fargus ever meet someone who doesn't know he's a godslayer? Find out next time, on D-squads Jungle Adventures 2, Electric Boogaloo.**