They managed to get Bliksem back into the boat before the quippers found him, and the tiefling's magic turned him from soggy to fluffy in no time.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully, thought the jungle constantly had new things to show them. A troop of fluffy flying monkeys chattered at them from the branches of a tree, swooping down low over the canoe to investigate. Qawasha was worried they'd fling fruit, or something worse, but they were simply curious.

In fact, the next several days were quiet as they paddled up the Tiryki. Sore muscles hardened, and they got used to the upper-body workout. It rained almost every day, and they were able to capture or boil enough water to stay hydrated, and carry extra in the canoes. And even without hungry fauna trying to eat them, it didn't get boring.

Pink river dolphins surfaced near the canoes, the mammals rolling onto their sides to stare at the strange land-creatures. The breath they blew from the holes on the top of their head stank badly.

One night, ten thousand fireflies hatched near their campsite, brightening the camp with a dizzying display of insect ballet.

The paddled past a clearing full of a strange, low-lying blue mist. Qawasha warned them to stay out of such areas, as the mist could have bad effects on the mind of those who spend time near it.

On the third day after the coatul attack, as they were getting ready to find a campsite, Draelin pointed out something he could just see over the treetops. To the east of the river, a tall, stone structure could be seen towering over the jungle canopy. Dark figures could be seen flying to and from the structure, though they were too far to make out any details.

When asked, Qawasha said, "That is known as Firefinger. It is home to many pterafolk - flying people who are very cruel. I have never ventured closer to it, as they are dangerous."

The druid continued, "We must soon leave the boats behind. The Tiryki will enter a canyon tomorrow. We can travel another day or two before it becomes too narrow for the canoes, but that will mean climbing out of the canyon. Or we can strike out across land sooner. It will mean a little longer in the jungle, but without a dangerous climb.

"The oracle I spoke of us is to the southwest, through some jungle heavily infested with the undead. We will have nearly a week of dangerous terrain before we reach the Aldani Basin. Here the threat of undead is lessened some, and the jungle is thinner. The basin is a web of lakes and rivers, and the canoes would be useful there. But portaging them across the jungle will slow us down."

He looked up at Firefinger, and frowned. "If you had chosen Azaka Stormfang, she would have wanted to go there. The pterafolk stole something belonging to her people. But it is very dangerous."

"Tonight you must decide which way you want to go tomorrow."

Spoiler: options
Show

1) pause your journey to explore Firefinger.
2) canoe another day or two south, then climb a cliff and head through jungle
3) head through jungle here.
2and3 corollary) bring canoes and portage them, or leave them here for the trip home.