In reply to Albion Hawkmoon (msg # 94):

Sitting on the ground, now, sipping on his wineskin.
"Just tell me when we are leaving, or if I should unroll by blanket here."

In reply to Stoney Applesmith (msg # 95):

"We are leaving, my friend.

"I don't know if we should come back, we did search this place rather thoroughly.

"There was a fork in the path we followed to get here from Port Strange. I feel our quarry went up the other way. We should try the other path first, then return here some time later.

"We did find some books and scrolls inside. But not much more."

Boris reached down to give Stoney a hand up.

Frederick perks up when he hears books and scrolls.

What sort of books and scrolls?

Hawkmoon chuckles at how Frederick's attention is grabbed by mention of books and scrolls.

"Excellent, then let us make haste to a place less ominous for camping."

So the plan is to head back towards town and hope you make it before dark or are you actively searching for a campsite en route?

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 99):

OOC:  Either the old campsite or new campsite back on the way to that split in the path.

Searching for a new campsite, if we can find one.

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 99):

Boris is going to make for the previous campsite, the last one before reaching the caves.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:25, Wed 27 Feb 2019.

In reply to Boris Underhill (msg # 102):

Yep I am up for that as well.

In reply to Ondrea Avalor (msg # 103):

Stoney follows in tow to the new campsite.   Drinking and looking around at the plants, and surroundings.

If you remember, the first night you camped was pretty much at the base of the rock formation that the cave was part of.  It wasn't until morning, when the storm had cleared and the sun came out, that you were able to see the cave.  At least you had a pleasant night XD

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 105):

Boris leads them back to where the trail from Port Strange diverged.

OOC: I think the first night was when we fought the snake-skull things? We camped at the base of the bluff the next night. But it's not really important, we gotta camp somewhere!

Yes yes, good point.

From memory, the point of your original divergence was only a few miles away, easily attainable within a short time.  Thankfully, the intense heat previously experienced had now dissipated along with the storm.  The bugs, however, were still in a frenzy and as you drew nearer the southern head of the swamp, so too did their numbers increase.  Before long you were once more moving in odd, zigzag patterns in an attempt to avoid sinking into the muck.  Eventually a uniform firmness slowly begins to take hold and, if memory served, you were approximately at the point where the now long gone tracks had split.

So were we taking the other 'path' or continuing forward towards the town?

OOC: I sugesst at the split if we can

Could we make a campsite here good Sirs?

In reply to Frederick (msg # 109):

"I don't think we will find better in the time we have." Ondrea said. If the majority were in agreement she would set to making camp.


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In reply to Frederick (msg # 109):

"Yes, this looks like the spot where the track diverged. Let's continue on up the other route. Tracks are long gone, of course, but the Saracens were following some kind of path, maybe a game trail, and so that's where we'll go.

"Friend Frederick, I agree with Ondrea and say we camp here. I recall that ahead on the other route, the one we did not take, it was more swampier. Less chance to find a viable campsite once we start on it."

He looked for a place to put his bedroll, then got to making camp, gathering wood and so on.

"Of course, we must set a watch. This is a quite accursed place! We were attacked by demons when we were here before. They were like snake skeletons... with human skulls where snake skulls should be!"

OOC: Sorry, I forgot to reply to the DM's last post.

In reply to Boris Underhill (msg # 111):

Hanging back, sipping on his wine Stone plops down near a tree.
"This looks like a good campsite."

Then he will also unroll his bedroll.

"I can take first watch."

Frederick looks around and finds a couple of trees the right distance apart. He takes his pack off and pulls out a hammock, which he stretches between the trees.

Much appreciated Sir Applesmith. I will take last watch if that is acceptable to everyone. If anyone has items that are broken or torn I can do a few small mendings before I sleep. Unless you wish me to hold what I have left in case of attack?

In reply to Frederick (msg # 113):

Boris said, "far be it for me to suggest, but do hold what you have at the ready, as it were. We were attacked in our slumber here a couple days ago. Evil lurks in the darkness here. My gear is fine, I do not know of anyone in need of tinkering.

"I shall take middle watch."

As the sun disappears, allowing the shadows to grow and ingest the world, so to does the onslaught of the ravenous insects dissipate.  The crack and pop and the fire soon replaces the constant drone of flying bugs, allowing a collective sigh of relief.  However, as the darkness becomes all encompassing, new, more terrifying sounds begin to emerge from the darkness.  Your campsite is both a curse and blessing.  Being so out in the open granted you a far better chance of seeing danger coming, but, in turn, it allowed anything wondering through the land to sight you in from some distance, especially with the flashing light of the fire dancing to and fro.

OOC: Any character conversations or actions before we move on through the night?

"I am available for any watch, I can split the middle with sire Underhill if he desires."


While on watch the paladin will be extending out his detection of evil radius regularly, though he will also use his eyes and ears... for it is not just evil that can harm you.

"I will be up early anyway so I can help with the last watch."


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In reply to Albion Hawkmoon (msg # 116):

"Thank you, Sir Albion." Boris wasn't sure if the armoured holy warrior was actually knighted but it didn't hurt to use the honourific anyways.

"Alas, I am not one of the breed of half-folk that can see in the dark. But let's anyways bank the fire so that there is no light to give away our encampment."

Frederick speaks to the whole group.

Are there two of you willing to keep watch all night?  I can assure that you  will not suffer from sleeplessness and that you will extra bonus to resist the effects of spells that might cause you to be sleep, or that might cause you to go against the group such as charm and suggestion and such. That will leave me with 3 spells in case we are awoken during the night and need to fight. And I assure you I can give a good accounting of myself with my cane.