Scene 3: hiring a guide

Tenday 1. Day 2. Evening. Kaya's inn
I'm an albino dwarf. Do you know what that means? We live in Chult jungle. We make armor out of dinosaur hide; shape weapons out of sacred wood. .

He note indirectly jungle are their second home for other guides, while first for him. You can notice ornate jewelry made out of bones, feathers, tusks, and stone beads on this dwarf and his hide armor seems to indeed be made of dinosaur hide.

But I'm more that a warrior. I am able to talk with the nature. Literally. My magic could even help to hide you in jungles

"Those do sound like fine skills to have to survive outside the city," Tonby was quite interested in hearing more from the is man. "Can you tell me, how deep have you been in the jungle and what you know of the area around camp vengeance?"

Deep? I come from the Kobold Mountains at the west cost. More than 300 miles away from here. Not deep enough for you?
Camp vengeance ? Never hear. Why ask? If you want to ambush same human camp, I'm not interested.

"Nothing like that, it's the camp of the Order of the Gauntlet, Priests of Torm and we were thinking of heading up river and starting our expedition from there," Tonby replies, hoping to not put the Dwarf off. "Would that be a problem for you?"

"That's them, and I am just going by what I have heard around the city and from the one member I have met," Tonby replies. "It is good to talk to someone with reliable information. What is the house of the Crocodile?

"I had heard the story but didn't know the shrines name, thank you for that," Tonby said politely. "Do many of the ancient sites have active traps or is that something unusual?"

There is nothing usual in chult Musharib notes mysteriously. I guess any site that not well protected against treasure hunters are plundered already. Or not hidden well deep into the jungles. People have been hunting treasures for decades. Not complaining as it keeps me employed. he shuts up as if said too much and comment more to himself than to you: Enough to be truthful with you. I believe I've provided you with enough to make the decision. If you still can't decide you can always hire me through Jabal Musharib excuse himself and rush out of the tavern, leaving Tonby alone with his thoughts.

Tonby will get a drink and wait.

It takes about an hour but next guide approach you at your table after talking to bartender. Midde-aged local woman wearing light blue robes and carries a fancy walking stick carved like a snake of sorts
Hello. My name is Eku and I'm a jungle guide. Are you looking for opportunity yo pillaging the antiquity of Chult ?

"Not exactly pillaging but me and my company are seeking a guide," Tonby replies between sips of his drink. "Do you know the area around the House of the Crocodile?"

House of the Crocodile? she pause before continue I bet you mean the old temple that looks like a crocodile. South of the river Soshenstar jungles are full of undead. pause again as if considering something yes I know the area.

"One of the other guides called it that," Tonby says with a chuckle. "That's good though, we were possibly looking to head up river to that area to begin our expedition. Tell me, how long have you been a guide?"

Is it a real question? What a pity... she seems upset not angry or something, just sad You really thin to ask that to every guide and hope for honest answer? I tell you what you can double check: A small portion goes to pay off the merchant prince Jobal. The rest I give to charity. Visit Malar’s Throat. Meet people who can't afford live protected by city walls....
That moment you notice another dwarf approach bartender, Eku notice him as well and add Here comes Hew. He is saving every gold piece he earn hoping to start his merchant business.


She leave inn and the dwarf with only one arm approach you:


Hew Hackinstone, guide he introduces himself
I’ve stood atop every mountain in Chult. I know every gorge and crevice, every plateau and trail. My memory is an iron trap. I forget nothing. Trust a dwarf, I always say, because a dwarf will never steer you wrong.

Fearless, I am. There’s no dragon, beast, or undead horror that scares me. You want a guide who runs away at the first sign of danger? No! You want a dwarf, and I’m the toughest dwarf around. Red dragon bit off my arm, yet here I stand! Takes more than a dragon to stop Hew Hackinstone!

Looks like he knows the monologue from the top of his head, he add then in a slower peace:

If you, huh - not decided yet on the location you want to visit... I have one ! The best quality Dwarf made weapons and armor and their treasures - it awaits you!

When Eku walks off Tonby just thinks to himself that yeah, he wants an experienced guide that isn't going to abandon them or leave them to die in some ruins, so of course he will ask. When the well rehearsed Dwarf finishes his sales pitch Tonby looks him square in the eyes and says, "I'm not interested in dwarven treasure. What else you got?"

With a short "that's a shame" Hew turns around and leaves the inn. Leaving Tonby alone after waiting about hour more bartender suggests that there are hardly going to be more guides tonight.

Tonby will wait for the others to return before heading to bed. He would at least like to figure out how they faired and give his recommendation of Musharib as their guide. Tonby likes his directness and honesty, and he seems very competent.

At some moment Tonby have that strange feeling someone or something is trying to reach his mind, trying to read him.