istainion

CHARACTER: Streth Evira
CLASS: Paladin LVL: 03

Our druid companions, Naewarin and Juniper decided to return after our successful battle. They considered their mission completed after the slaughter of ghouls and began their journey back to Port Nyanzaru. While we are offered to join them on their way back, we instead decided to remain to explore the surroundings as marked on our map, to investigate the infested area for foot prints.

Our travel resumed south in order to enter the said area. A heavy storm made our path difficult, but a steady pace was kept.

Day 7: 34 > 33 Insect repellant. (Lasts for 24 hours) 6/6 Incense. (Lasts for 8 hours)
LOOT: (None)

The next day, our path resumed and we made our journey clear in the tracks we leave behind, guided by the heavy rain. It is to our luck that the day had no obstacles to offer for us. We move stealthily not to attract any offense.

Day 8: 33 > 32 Insect repellant. (Lasts for 24 hours) 6/6 Incense. (Lasts for 8 hours)
LOOT: (None)
NOTE: We discovered the footprints of 3 Frost Giants and 2 large wolves (of unfamiliar subspecies)

A new day begins, and we have successfully reached the marked surroundings on the map. The morning began with the exploration of the grounds for markings, but so far we have been unlucky. No difference in that result by the afternoon either. Due to the lack of water, Gat's spell helped us refresh not only our water supplies, but the rest allowed me to shower as well. What a delight not to feel the warm water for a change! Very refreshing, indeed!

The evening brought us luck when the light slowly began to dim. A clear pathway is marked by large trees and bushes alike to be pushed aside for a huge creature to pass. The markings of their feet no different. They are of humanoid nature, by Gat's suspicions, not only that, he could conclude that these tracks originate from Frost giants. The sound of it is highly unusual, as these wouldn't be their natural environment, given the heat. Three of these tracks in total mark the discovery of three traveling frost giants, and the company of two wolves of a large size.

The tracks of the frost giants are as big as I am, it could be the size of my bed! That is ... I am entirely speechless. Many tales I had heard, but never have I witnessed these entities! The giants wear no footwear, much of that is clear from the prints.

By this, we have discovered the tracks, but as the Flaming Fist major had said, she would be most pleased if we could confirm the travelers' species with these imprints on the ground. We have no proof, other than Gat's certainty, but with it came his curiosity. One that Arden shared, but not without that familiar fear in his eyes. These tracks are of approximately 2 days old by Gat's understanding. If we can cover the land in between us and a fast traveling species by height? I do not know ...

Our plan is to resume exploring, but to move with caution.

Day 9: 32 > 31 Insect repellant. (Lasts for 24 hours) 6/6 Incense. (Lasts for 8 hours)
LOOT: (None)

Our new mission is to seek physical evidence and sight of our curious far travelers. Our pace was challenged by a strong wind and not only that, our path was too, when a large dinosaur passed us from a great distance afar. Quickly, we hurried to the safety of a hiding spot for it to pass. It took the reptilian creature only moments to move out of sight. Seemingly chasing after something, that luckily is not us.

With newfound courage, our journey resumed. Blessed by a moderate rain to drink from. We kept heading south from the map in the hopes of new discoveries.

Day 10: 31 > 30 Insect repellant. (Lasts for 24 hours) 6/6 Incense. (Lasts for 8 hours)
LOOT: (None)

The morning during our path of exploration was uneventful to our luck, but the afternoon had a heavy rain to offer. While it is good for our health to drink, I notice the discomfort of wearing this armor with such temperatures and weather conditions. It feels like insects have made a home in my armor and cloth, everything itches! ... But for the sake of the lands, we must ... Press onwards ...!

And while we did, we were not disappointed when we caught the glimpse of Gat's suspicions. In the far distance of this heavy rain, we discovered two visible frost giants. Seated, and consuming their meal at what could be their camp. No wolves in sight what the distance could tell. Upon Gat's closer inspection of the footprints, he told us that he had noticed odd motion in the tracks of the third giant. He might potentially be sick from how he has been moving. And there might be reason for them to rest there for the third to recover.

We had decided to find a good hiding spot and keep an eye on them, until we had noticed them finding a more comfortable position for rest.

After the discovery of the third giant's health, a discussion began. The intention is to visit their camp and offer them help, however we do not know if they see us as a threat. The wolves are likely set as the guards of their camp. And closing in would potentially cause an uproar. One we mustn't risk. I had tried to reason with Gat to think twice about his reckless plans. I wish no death upon a man I have traveled with thus far. I had assumed the climate has affected his thoughts, but regardless made my attempts.

We do not know what decease it carries, if it's infectious, if it can be cured by our doings. And those same words, and those of others had him giving up on his enthusiasm toward chaos. With the giant sick and the remaining ones resting, we have decided to keep an eye on them as we set up camp in our hidden position. Nightfall came and allowed us rest.

Day 11: 30 > 29 Insect repellant. (Lasts for 24 hours) 6/6 Incense. (Lasts for 8 hours)
LOOT: Broken Frost Giant arrow, Wind Wolf fur.

A heavy rain woke us from slumber when we noticed the giants rise from theirs. All three of them got up their feet, and even the third seems to move like the others. It either recovered, or all three are weakened. None is out of the ordinary. Their camp is slowly abandoned by them. I had suggested to wait long enough, but not for the sun to rise that marks our afternoon. We mustn't waste too much time, nor leave too much of our scent behind for strangers to follow. Even in an exotic environment of exotic scents as this jungle.

As soon as we wished to approach their camp, we caught the movement of magically camouflaged Yuan-ti scouts hurrying to the same location as our destination. Taban had warned us not to approach them. These snake cursed humans carry no good stories with them in Chult either, and he fears that we might not have what it takes to beat these numbers of five.

We had decided to keep our position and our eyes on the enemy until they will leave. They, too, seemed to seek for something. Their fast pace, however, had them travel swiftly afterwards, away from the camp and heading toward the south-west, away from the direction in which the frost giants are heading into, which is south. Perhaps they return to their base to report or had discovered something.

We split up briefly to explore the safety of the camp, where Arden and Taban carefully approached. But when the sign was given, the rest followed. All is clear.

We caught a unpleasant display of a half eaten dinosaur, the size of what we had previously witnessed running away from ourselves. They tend to eat their meal raw, that much was confirmed by this sight. Fascinating, not a doubt. But honestly, what is it I know, I am the only human in our group. Quite a funny thought when I think about it.

Their meal has been caught with three separate cuts, and not far from it, we discovered a broken arrow. One approximately three times the length and size of a regular longbow arrow. This alone seems proof enough. We also discovered fur of the wolves, now identified as Wind wolves.

I cannot detect any remains of disease from the location. Perhaps it was exhausted from its travel in unfamiliar grounds. I do wonder how they ended up in a location such as the current.

This marks our completion and success, now, we must return to Port Beluarian to report to Flaming Fist Blaze, Liara Portyr. Our journey back has began and a light rain granted us its blessings.

Day 12: 29 > 28 Insect repellant. (Lasts for 24 hours) 6/6 Incense. (Lasts for 8 hours)
LOOT: (None)
NOTE: Discovery of a large scale ice spell that affects the landscape of a 120 ft radius

Our journey back is marked by a careful pace not to attract any dangerous encounters as we remove ourselves from the highly infested lands of undead. We were pleasantly surprised by a cool air that helped me to recover briefly from the climate. Finally it is much easier to breathe in contract to the humid air of the jungle, but ... We haven't left it?

Qawasha warned us that the air is unnatural, and of magical nature. And soon enough, we found the source in the distance. The land is covered in frost, and it seemed to cause the druid great distress. He considered it an abomination and requested our abilities to remove it from the lands. None of us has that ability. A radius of approximately 120 ft of snow was ahead of us, while it can be avoided from entering, our curiosity brought us closer.

A new discussion took place and we had made attempts to discover the reason and purpose of this winter climate. It must be a high level ability of a magician to manage such an impact of such scale. Aside from the cold, none of it seemed harmful to us.

What is also curious about it is the lack of footprints of the giants. A first thought would be that the frost giants might have created it, but as we remember, their trails were far from it. We do not know if it came after us, or if it was here before us. Another assumption of the group was that it could possibly be a portal from the wintery surroundings, but again, no footprints are to be found here. Its creation is a mystery.

Gat decided to shift his appearance into a brown bear with icy white stripes to mark his uniqueness. That had not only Taban gasping in surprise, but myself as well. It is impressive! I do not think that I would get used to such a magnificent display of a satyr changing into a bear or other creature.

His pace was swift when he traveled the ground of the unknown frost, and he returned moments later. He could not discover any source of a magical item or the sort that is responsible for this display. Not at the center of it, nor on his path toward it, but he could report that it was incredibly cold. (-30 Celsius) These might as well be the remains of a spell. A high level spell at that.

With no spells available for us to remove this "abomination" of nature, Qawasha has requested us to mark this location on our map for him to travel to with a magician friend instead. We can also confirm that this display is neither the work of an illusion magic by our combined senses.

We decided to leave it at that, and prepare for our journey to resume the travel by the coming of afternoon.