Ondrea looks at the quickly moistening surrounds and says "Well Stoney I believe our journey is about to take a turn for the worse as I think we are on the edge of a swamp."

She looks to get some height and make use of the surrounding dead wood to do so if it looks to be able to take her weight. Otherwise she looks for the signs of a camp, smoke in the air or in the distance.

The trees appeared to have simply drowned due to the moisture content in the soil as you can find no evidence of fire, insect or any other natural/unnatural cause of death.  Finding one with enough strength to support your weight is rather simple as many are still freshly dead and have not been completely hollowed out by insects and weather.  Climbing up several yards, you can see that indeed you have entered a swamp or bog area but that you are still along the outer ring.  Aside from where the swamp must be (as the area in question is lacking in forest canopy), you see no other signs indicating life or movement.

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 14):

Being the heaviest of the group the barbarian was finding it harder to walk as his boots kept sinking deeper into the mud as he walked. "I hope they don't go too much farther into this swamp or I'm liable to get stuck completely." he said cursing as he almost fell face first in the mud.

In reply to Larzander Gunderzen (msg # 15):

"These goblins always have a knack at finding the most difficult place to call home so perhaps we are close ?" She forges a head following the trails while stopping to look a head every now and again.

In reply to Ondrea Avalor (msg # 16):

The presence of water and fens seemed to explain the dead trees. Boris drew his sword. "Let's look for some kind of high ground? I imagine that not even goblins like to sleep in the mud."

As your march becomes steadily slower, you finally reach a point where the tracks diverge.  One set runs off sharply towards the east and the other set, while still running north, starts curving towards the west.

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 18):

Ondrea crotches down to look at the tracks to see if she can find the newer set. "Well looks as if we could have two camps working together perhaps, either way which path should we take ?"
Rising she puts a hand above her eyes as she again looks for smoke in the distance.

In reply to Ondrea Avalor (msg # 19):

"I vote for which ever way takes us out of this bloody mud." Larz said in response to Ondrea

In reply to Larzander Gunderzen (msg # 20):

"I need a break!"
Stopping on a semi-solid log Stoney empties out his show.  Nothing but water and sludge pours out.
"This is no place to live, even for goblins!"
Taking a long sip of wine.
"Just let my feet dry out for a few minutes!"

In reply to Larzander Gunderzen (msg # 20):

"Northwest then ?" She did not know if it would get them out of the mud, but a least they still had a trail to follow.

-

In reply to Ondrea Avalor (msg # 22):

Boris looked at the brackish water, then down at his feet and frowned.

"Agreed. Northwest."

Turning towards the NW you trudge onward through the sludge.  The trail seems to be trying to skirt around the edge of the swamp but it would seem that this particular area of land may perhaps shift like the tides; several times the tracks turn into chaos where someone/thing fell into thicker mud followed by a sharp turn further westward.  Somewhere around midday, thick, dark clouds began rolling in from the south.  The shade was a welcome relief from the heat and humidity of the swamp but it also brought with it hordes of biting insects.  Striking at you mercilessly there is little you can do until the sky opens...one way or the other.  Eventually, the land begins to rise slightly and the soil becomes firmer and firmer.  Before long, the vast swaths of flying monstrosities have vanished, leaving you calmer but itchy.  Distant rumblings in the clouds, once mere echos, begin to draw closer.  Thankfully, in the distance, you can see a sharp rise in the land and the thick darkness of the forest once again.

Once they on on harder ground again Ondrea stops to look at the trail again. Before long she is ready to move off as she says "They have come a long way on their own to attack the village. Does anyone else find that strange ?"

-

In reply to Ondrea Avalor (msg # 25):

At some point Boris sheathed his sword. He did keep his sling in hand and a bullet ready to let fly.

"Yes they did. If I had to guess, maybe it's because there are no towns around here?

"Or else we chose the path they took from wherever they came from before? And the other path lead to their camp?"

He wiped his forehead, taking a swig of water from a belt flask.

"We can continue on. We can make camp now before the storm strikes. Or we can backtrack and hope the other tracks are still there."

In reply to Boris Underhill (msg # 26):

"Camp?  My feet are ready for a break!"
Taking a drink of brandy.
"I think the goblins will stile there in the morning, as long as we can track them."

In reply to Stoney Applesmith (msg # 27):

"Let's get busy making a shelter, we can find enough branches and such to build a lean-to. Unless someone thought enough to being a tent.." the barbarian said grinning.

Scrambling into the treeline just as the rain begins, you find some shelter in the canopy but it's still not great.  Within no time, however, you are able to locate enough branches, saplings, and brush to make yourself a decent shelter against a large rock formation.  As the wind begins to increase you can hear the trees creaking to and fro.  With your shelter complete, you settle in just as the sky opens and begins soaking the land around you.

Ondrea helps with the shelter and once they are finished she asks "Should we risk a fire ?"

In reply to Ondrea Avalor (msg # 30):

Boris nodded. "For the love of Christ, yes! I don't think there will be any smoke. Let's get what dry wood we can, while we can!"

He began gathering deadwood and wrapping it in his cloak to keep it dry.

In reply to Boris Underhill (msg # 31):

Doing what he can around camp, then settling in and quietly going over a multitude of prayers in his mind.  Of course while sipping on his wine.
In between prayers, sparks conversations.
"How much further do you think?  It IS a long way to march, Boris where did you say they picked up your trail, and started chasing you?"

In reply to Boris Underhill (msg # 31):

"Grab the small dry branches from the trees that haven't got wet yet. The ones up under the canopy of the tree. They will be the driest, and will be the easiest to start alight." the barbarian replied to Boris' comment.

"It doesn't take a big fire to make warmth, and the rains will cover most of the smoke making it harder for anyone to locate us." he added as he went to gather kindling and dry wood for the fire.

When he returned he knelt in the shelter, placing the wood to the side of the stone. Then he built a small fire up against the rock so the smoke could escape but the heat of the fire was reflected back into the shelter. Then he settled with his back against a tree and took out some jerky and cheese.

"Anyone else want some?" he asked offering it around the circle.

"We need to set watch." he added taking a bite of dried meat. "Doesn't matter to me which watch I'm on. I know Stoney can't function without his beauty rest." he said smiling at the man.

In reply to Larzander Gunderzen (msg # 33):

"I'll take some meat & cheese, please."
Gnawing on the meat.
"You can't keep a face like this pretty without proper rest.
If it is all the same to you, I'll take first watch.  Since I am up anyways."

"I am happy to take one of the middle watches." She helps with collecting the wood for the fire as someone else sets to starting it. She will continue collecting wood until they have enough for most of the night.

-

In reply to Stoney Applesmith (msg # 32):

Boris replied to Stoney, "it's a good question where they picked up my trail. I have a feeling it was the other direction. We haven't found the remains of Bessie, my mule, not even a place where they might have butchered her." He paused, remembering his faithful servant. "All I know is I wasn't running for hours."

He turned to look at the large human. "Thanks, Larz. I'll take final watch. I can make breakfast from my rations and the food in my pack. I have a little bread, cheese, meat. It won't last for long."

Downed wood is plentiful and it would seem this area hasn't seen much rain as the majority of it is rather dry.  Scrambling, you manage to snag enough to start a small fire before it becomes too wet to work with.  The storm rages for what felt like several hours, drowning the area (and visibility) in a waterfall like deluge.  Periodically the sky would tear open with a blinding burst of light followed immediately by a huge, earth-shaking *BOOM*.  Thankfully, an addition of giant fern palms before the storm let loose kept the majority of the rainwater well away from your area and you are able to ride it out in relative comfort.  When it finally subsides and the clouds begin to part, you find that the sun is getting very near to setting beyond the canopy.