At the city Captain Bene avoided the main harbor and entered the common docks in Tiryki Anchorage. After receiving payment from the company she stated that the Pink Pearl would likely be in port for several weeks. If they needed to travel to a location on the shores of Chult she was willing to offer them transportation for a modest fee while she secured enough cargo and crew to return to the mainland.
The group set out trying to find any news of the arrival of the Handmaiden and learned that the group of cultists arrived several days prior. During that time they were able to gather provisions for an expedition within the jungles. Interestingly the cult had gained the employment of a black market guide. All business and services were under the control of several merchant princes within Port Nyanzaru. Somehow the cultists managed to find and convince a non-guild guide to head their expedition. Following the same haunts that the cultists used through guile and a quick tongue, the group were able to secure the services of a pair of Tabaxi guides.
Going by River Mist and Flask of Wine, these independent guides knew the man hired by the cultists, and the likely region they would be heading. The area was known to have several ruins. They expected that a group of 40-50 men would be an easy trail if one knew the expected destination. The pair of cat humanoids made an offer for an equal share of treasure in exchange for guiding them through the jungles. The group decided it was a fair offer and accepted the contract.
The following day using canoes to skirt the shoreline, the group headed east and south entering a large river. Several days going up river, the group left the canoes and traveled east through swamps on foot. After nearly a week of travel the party found the trail of the cultists. The trail lead to a small set of ruins. There they made an arrangement to have River Mist and Flask of Wine wait nearby for several days until the company’s return.
The group entered the ruins and came across several cultists guards. They managed to take one prisoner that offered little information other than his comrades had entered the ancient complex several days ago. Both their leader, Frulam Mondath and Langdedrosa Cyanwrath were in a lead group that had been inside for most of the day. As the party explored further they came under ambush by guards several times, but found a path in the underground structure easy to follow. Ominously, they noticed some chambers had blood trails leading out towards the entrance. As if some cultists had met their demise and the corpses were disposed of nearby.
Steeling themselves they investigated further into the ancient ruins...
