After a night’s rest, the group prepares to ascend Orolunga. Abebi, Zuri, and Matata share a hookah with the party. Shortly after, the party falls asleep to awaken later at the base of Orolunga. The sky is purple, the clouds orange, and the sun black as oblivion. The ziggurat appears to shift: at once appearing as both a crumbling, overgrown ruin and as a pristine monument. Flavius attempts to force his way through the overgrowth but succumbs to the thorns. The group reflects on the guidance they received, and attempt to reach Flavius while carrying the orchid in front of them. The brambles part, and soon the party has reached the second level.
The stairs leading up seem unstable, ready to collapse into an avalanche at any moment. Cautiously, they raise the parrot’s feather overhead and carry their orchids. They each feel light upon the steps, and easily reach the third level.
There, the steps leading to the shrine atop the ziggurat are overwhelmed by snakes. They resist any attempt to pass through them, attempting to devour anyone who tries to climb the stairs. The group uses their orchid and feather to subdue a snake, then each member swallows the snake alive. The swarms of snakes allow each member to pass.
Atop the ziggurat is a barren shrine. Hoping for the best, each adventurer passes through the archway of the empty door. As they pass the threshold, each is greeted by a strange sight: a large, iridescent snake with a human’s face speaking to a man and a lizardman.
The group finally meets Saja N’baza, who reveals to them a number of omens, and speaks to them at length about Chult’s history. They also meet Artus Cimber, a Cormyrean from Suzail, and Dragonbait, a saurial from another world.
The group learns the probable location of the death curse: Omu. Saja N’baza tasks them with defeating Ras Nsi, whom she saw allied with the yuan-ti in Omu, to prevent the return of Dendar the Night Serpent.