The Green Dragon Brotherhood finds itself hiding in a dark jungle swamp, licking its wounds and trying to make sense of the violent ambush set for them by giant talking apes and vicious man eating monkeys. For once, they decide to think before acting, and concoct a plan.

Skarrow transforms into a harpy eagle and does some reconnaissance of the apes' Treetop Village. He sees lots of apes, some of whom are wearing clothes and talking, but he does not see Sooney-Crow of No Family, despite the fact that William Dune has confirmed she’s in the direction of the village. Skarrow has a thought - what if there’s someplace past the village and that’s where she is? So he flies higher and scouts farther - but sees nothing save a strange giant reptile feasting on the carcass of a gazelle.

He returns to the party and tells them what he’s seen. They decide to skirt the village and hike for a day or so and then use Dune’s powers to triangulate. Again, all signs point to the village. They carefully make their way in that direction, finding a strange ancient statue in the jungle. A monument to the Serpentfolk has apparently been maintained by someone - the party all throw a gold piece in as an offering, just to be safe (how will Graxus feel about this? We’ll find out soon…).

Laying low just outside the village, they decide stealth is the best option - getting wrecked by an opposing force will do that. Once night falls, Shiv Drinkstep and William Dune will sneak into the camp and climb to the Head Ape’s lair. Cleansing Waters and Greer the Betrayer will take position to light the ground level huts on fire in case a distraction and hasty retreat is needed. Skarrow has overwatch, ready to pick off unwanted observers.

Dune casts an illusion on himself and Shiv, making them appear to be apes who belong in the village. It works, too - they pass one of the village’s denizens who doesn’t bat an eye. However, something goes wrong with his spellcasting, and he now sports a third eye on his forehead!

They climb the gangplanks to the building and find Oot-Arn, the leader, spooning with another giant ape next to a pet monkey.

But no Sooney.

Dune’s third eye lets him see in darkness, and he spies a strange metallic cube next to Oot-Arn - he sneaks in and is able to pilfer the thing without waking the ape. He makes it out safely, and he and Shiv quietly climb down to ground level and make their way back to the treeline.

Almost.

Unfortunately, they run into two more apes, one of whom sees through the illusion and begins to raise the alarm. The jig is up! Waters and Greer light the fires and everyone turns to flee - the apes begin to pour from the huts. Dune turns while running, scattering caltrops and casting a fireball into the leader’s hut. Skarrow and Greer fire into the crowd but can’t hit a thing! Oot-Arn appears charred and angry, commanding his forces to give chase.

And chase they do. The party gets lucky and pulls away as the apes run into a pack of javelinas, but gets unlucky as one ape closes the gap and eats Skarrow’s blade for his trouble, though the ape gets a pretty got shot in as well. Finally, the Brotherhood finds a bolthole and hides away while the apes blunder into the night.

They now find themselves in possession of some strange, otherworldy cube that doesn’t appear to be magic but also doesn’t appear to be of this world.

And still no Sooney.

TOTAL ELAPSED TIME: 2 DAYS