The Jungle's Claw #003
General Summary
Game date: 13th day of the Crow, Year 13944
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.
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
Fouk Shadim
Neutral Evil Variant Human (Criminal / Spy)
Rogue 4
Rogue 4
31 / 31 HP
STR
9
9
DEX
20
20
CON
15
15
INT
13
13
WIS
8
8
CHA
8
8
Thronn Zamda
Report Date
06 Oct 2023
Primary Location
Secondary Location
Related Plots
Related Characters
Summary of intelligence that Thronn divulged to the Kurnok: 1. That the Bloodclaw often use a series of hidden tunnels for quick and covert movement. He offers to provide the locations of three such entrances closest to Kurnok territory. 2. 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. 3. 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. For the player, answer these: 1. Hidden Tunnels Information: On a scale of 0% to 100%, how much did revealing the information about the Bloodclaw's hidden tunnels betray the Bloodclaw? (0% meaning it was a ruse to help the Bloodclaw, 100% meaning it was a complete betrayal that genuinely helps the Kurnok.) 2. Secret Stash and Traps: On a scale of 0% to 100%, how much did disclosing the Bloodclaw's secret stash of weapons and traps betray the Bloodclaw? (0% meaning it was a ruse to help the Bloodclaw, 100% meaning it was a complete betrayal that genuinely helps the Kurnok.) 3. Pre-Battle Ritual: On a scale of 0% to 100%, how much did mentioning the Bloodclaw's pre-battle ritual betray the Bloodclaw? (0% meaning it was a ruse to help the Bloodclaw, 100% meaning it was a complete betrayal that genuinely helps the Kurnok.)
If the Bloodclaw never learn of Thronn's betrayal, his life could take a different trajectory. He might continue to operate on the fringes of the faction, benefiting from his "honorably discharged" status to engage in mercenary work or trade. The Bloodclaw's ignorance could be maintained if their raiding parties sent to investigate the tunnels and weapon stash find them either empty or inconsequential, attributing it to outdated intelligence rather than betrayal. Thronn could then plausibly deny any accusations, should they ever arise. Game Mechanic: To determine if the Bloodclaw remain ignorant of Thronn's actions, a Deception check could be made against a DC of 15. Success would mean that the Bloodclaw attribute the misleading information to other factors, like outdated intelligence or enemy trickery, rather than suspecting Thronn. On the other hand, if the Kurnok come to believe that Thronn has provided them with genuinely good and actionable information, his standing with the tribe could soar. He might be offered more permanent alliances, access to their dark magics, or even a position of some influence within the tribe. This favorable outcome could occur if the Kurnok's raids on the tunnels and weapon stash are successful, even if only minimally so, reinforcing their belief in Thronn's loyalty. Game Mechanic: To see if the Kurnok fully trust the information provided by Thronn, a Persuasion check could be made against a DC of 17. A successful check would mean that the Kurnok are convinced of Thronn's loyalty and are more inclined to offer him greater rewards and responsibilities within the tribe. Both of these scenarios hinge on a delicate balance of trust and deception, and Thronn's ability to navigate this complex web will significantly influence his future relationships with these powerful factions.
If Thronn fails the Deception check against the Bloodclaw, suspicions would arise within the faction about his loyalty. Given that the information he provided was not entirely false but selectively misleading, the Bloodclaw might not immediately brand him a traitor. However, they would likely cut off any remaining ties or benefits he enjoys as an "honorably discharged" member. Thronn could find himself being actively hunted by Bloodclaw assassins or, at the very least, blacklisted from mercenary contracts and trade routes associated with the faction. His personal adversaries within the Bloodclaw would seize this opportunity to settle old scores, making his life perilous in territories where the Bloodclaw hold sway. If Thronn fails the Persuasion check with the Kurnok, the tribe would become wary of him, doubting the veracity of the information he provided. Given that some of the information was partially true, the Kurnok might not immediately consider him an enemy, but they would certainly revoke any offers of alliance or access to their resources. Thronn would find himself in a precarious position, having to tread carefully in Kurnok territory. Any future interactions would be tinged with suspicion, and he might even become the subject of covert surveillance or sabotage attempts by the Kurnok, who would want to validate their suspicions before taking more drastic actions.