The Jungle's Claw #003
General Summary
In the dense, perilous jungles of the
Kurnok territory of
Nolavor, two adventurers—Thronn, a ranger afflicted with a mysterious poison, and Fouk, his stealthy companion—embarked on a quest to find an antidote. Their journey was fraught with danger, from deadly giant lizards to the enigmatic
Kurnok, a tribe of crocodile-like humanoids known for their dark magic and territorial aggression.
The duo had recently slain a giant lizard, finding an amulet of unknown power within its stomach. Thronn, suffering from a toxic rash that had crawled up his arm, was desperate for a cure. The adventurers suspected that the
Kurnok were behind the poison, as the toxicity seemed to emanate from their territory.
Opting for stealth over confrontation, Thronn and Fouk decided to skirt around the
Kurnok's routine patrol paths. As they moved cautiously, Thronn discovered signs that two missing child soldiers from their faction, the
Bloodclaw, had passed through the area. The evidence—a piece of
Bloodclaw uniform and a crudely carved wooden figurine—intensified the urgency of their mission.
Just when they thought they had evaded detection, Fouk's keen ears caught the sound of an approaching scout party. Thronn recognized one of the scouts as Scout Nok, a
Kurnok he had had favorable dealings with in the past. Seizing the opportunity, Thronn whistled to get Nok's attention. Scout Nok recognizes Thronn and greets him with a wary but respectful nod.
Nok revealed that their tribe was also suffering from the same mysterious poison. He suspected an upstream drug lab was contaminating the water supply. Thronn, sensing that Nok was withholding information, negotiated a deal. In exchange for a peace offering—a carcass of the giant lizard they had slain—Nok agreed to take them to Witch Doctor Tila, who might have an antidote. Scout Nok seems to trust Thronn enough to vouch for him, indicating a level of familiarity and respect between the two.
However, Nok warned them that they would need to bring something valuable to gain the Witch Doctor's favor. As they prepared to meet this enigmatic healer, Thronn couldn't shake the feeling that the
Kurnok knew more than they were letting on.
Chieftain Krolok is suspicious of Thronn's intentions and motives, especially since he used to be a member of the
Bloodclaw. Krolok mentions that some "cheap child soldiers" from the
Bloodclaw had been trespassing through
Kurnok territory and suspects that they might be connected to the poison affecting their water supply. He challenges Thronn to prove his loyalty by providing valuable information against the
Bloodclaw.
Thronn responds by saying he's not particularly loyal to the
Bloodclaw and is willing to share information. He offers to reveal the last known encampment of the
Bloodclaw, which piques Krolok's interest. The Chieftain makes it clear that if Thronn can provide valuable intel on the
Bloodclaw, he might be willing to offer the antidote Thronn seeks. This sets the stage for Thronn to share crucial intelligence about the
Bloodclaw tribe, including their use of hidden tunnels and other tactical advantages.
Thronn shares crucial intelligence about the
Bloodclaw tribe with Chieftain Krolok of the
Kurnok in exchange for an antidote to his poison. Thronn reveals that the
Bloodclaw often use a series of hidden tunnels for quick and covert movement. These tunnels have concealed entrances scattered throughout the region. Thronn offers to provide the locations of three such entrances closest to
Kurnok territory, giving them a tactical advantage.
Furthermore, Thronn discloses that the
Bloodclaw have a secret stash of weapons and supplies hidden in a cave, guarded by traps. He offers to describe these traps so the
Kurnok can disarm them and seize the stash for themselves.
Most intriguingly, Thronn mentions that the
Bloodclaw perform a ritual before going into major battles, a ceremony that leaves them temporarily weakened. He suggests that attacking them during this time would catch them at their most vulnerable.
Chieftain Krolok listens intently, nodding as he absorbs the information. He acknowledges the value of this intel and agrees to provide the antidote, but also warns Thronn that betraying the
Kurnok would bring consequences far worse than any poison.
After entering the
Kurnok village, Thronn is led to the shaman's hut by Scout Nok, a
Kurnok scout he had previous dealings with. Inside the hut, Witch Doctor Tila and Shaman Grik perform intricate rituals to cure Thronn's poisoned arm. The atmosphere is thick with the scent of herbs and incense, and the shaman chants incantations while applying a mysterious salve to Thronn's arm. The process is painful but effective; Thronn feels the poison receding.
As Thronn and Scout Nok prepare to leave the village, Fouk is caught trying to approach the shaman's hut and is nearly captured by the
Kurnok guards. A tense moment ensues, with weapons drawn and suspicions high. It's a delicate situation that could easily escalate into violence.
Fouk decides to offer the amulet he found in the lizard as a peace offering to the
Kurnok Chieftain, Krolok. Fouk senses that the amulet is powerful and valuable, and he believes it could be exchanged for information and safe passage. When Fouk presents the amulet, the atmosphere in the
Kurnok village shifts dramatically. Chieftain Krolok's eyes widen, and a murmur ripples through the crowd. Witch Doctor Tila leans in to examine the amulet and whispers something in Krolok's ear, her eyes filled with a mixture of awe and reverence.
Chieftain Krolok then raises the amulet high and announces that it is an artifact of great power and a sign of portent. He declares that the outsiders bring not just words but omens and that the tribe shall aid them in their quest. The crowd erupts into cheers, and the tension dissipates. Scout Nok looks at Thronn and Fouk with triumph and relief, indicating that they have won the favor of the
Kurnok, at least for now.
Witch Doctor Tila presents Thronn with a Bag of Cursed Herbs after the ritual to cure his poisoned arm. The bag contains leaves from the Nightshade Willow, a tree that grows only in the darkest corners of the
Kurnok lands. Tila instructs Thronn to crush the leaves and throw them into the air to create a cloud of darkness, rendering even the keenest eyes blind. She warns him to use it wisely, as the herbs are rare and the bag holds only three uses. The Chieftain of the
Kurnok tribe, Krolok, nods approvingly at Tila's offering, indicating its significance and value. Thronn is told that with these cursed herbs and the Eye of Varkala, he is better equipped than most who venture into the cursed marshes. However, he is also warned that the land itself is a living curse and to trust nothing and no one.
With the situation defused, Scout Nok accompanies Thronn and Fouk as they leave the village, guiding them through the treacherous terrain and ensuring their safe passage.
Rewards Granted
Bag of Cursed Herbs
Wondrous Item, uncommon
Description:
This small leather pouch is adorned with dark runes and sealed with a twisted cord. It contains leaves from the Nightshade Willow, a rare and mystical tree. The bag is imbued with a minor enchantment to keep the herbs potent.
Properties:
Charges: The bag contains 3 charges. Each use expends one charge.
Action Required: Using the bag requires an action.
Effect: When activated, the user can crush the herbs and throw them into the air to create a 20-foot-radius sphere of magical darkness. The darkness spreads around corners and lasts for 1 minute or until dispelled. Darkvision can't penetrate this darkness, and no natural light can illuminate it. If the sphere overlaps with an area of light created by a spell of 2nd level or lower, the spell creating the light is dispelled.
Recharge: The bag does not recharge naturally. It can only be refilled by a druid or a character with the Herbalism Kit proficiency, and even then, only with leaves from the Nightshade Willow.
Requirements:
Attunement: No attunement required.
Weight:
1 lb.
This item offers a tactical advantage, allowing for surprise attacks, quick getaways, or strategic repositioning. Use it wisely, for the Nightshade Willow leaves are rare and difficult to obtain.
Character(s) interacted with
Scout Nok
Chieftain Krolok
Witchdoctor Tila
Hunter Mok
Warrior Zarn
