Despite the initial tensions from the fight, the rest of the evening went by calmly. With the rest of the watch in place you returned to bed. The orcs resumed their camp, but have two lookouts for the rest of the night. Gharakuh the Unyielding withdrew to a spot just beyond the light, and his shade vanished as the sun came up. You didn't seem to be able to find him again.

The following morning started out overcast. The day appeared dim and gray, with bits of sun occasionally showing between spots in the clouds. Some of you woke up renewed and refreshed, having gained from the last three days a measure of wealth that is rare to come by in this world: wisdom.

Angus, in particular, finally solved the problem of arcane structures his teacher had him try to solve so many years ago. This opened the way to a new pattern of magic in his mind, and all he needed was to put it to paper. With the practical repetition of casting Sleep spells, he now understands how such things can be done better, more efficiently. This manifests in his daily routine as an increased spell capacity.

Aila, too, learned new things. While she may not have been the most accurate combatant in the field, her constant perseverance taught her direction, balance, and steadfast resolve. And practice makes better: her personal strength and resilience were improving.

As you considered whether you should let your wizards rest a few more hours to make up for the lost sleep, the orc scouts returned from their foray into the woods.

With Petar's help you learned they followed the walking bones back to a cave only three miles away at the base of a barren hill, hidden behind large layers of foliage in what looked like a rock slide with many large boulders. They didn't actually enter the cave, as they could have easily been ambushed, but they marked the spot to memory and would lead you there when you are ready. They also noted that they were spotted by several drakes in the sky when coming back, and that they were flying uncomfortably close.

With their numbers back together, the orcs looked to you see what you have planned.

OOC: Alright. New day. You can let your spell casters rest for a few more hours so they can get their spells back.

Waking up late, Angus breaks his fast and studies his spell. Within an hour he is ready to go, finishing his ablutions.

Having taken the last watch in the night, along with the other distraction earlier than that, Aila was happy to doze and meditate while the mages amongst them studied their spells and clerics made their morning prayers.  Still, this left her aware of what was happening around her sufficiently that she was prepared to move along when the others were.

Gharakuh the Unyielding withdrew to a spot just beyond the light, and his shade vanished as the sun came up. You didn't seem to be able to find him again.

Despite the undead's friendliness, Petar hadn't been able to muster up enough courage to seek the spirit out for a chat.  There were so many questions, and things that the ghost must know and have seen.  Petar wasn't tired but he knew he had to sleep, the next day promised to be as dangerous as the last!

They also noted that they were spotted by several drakes in the sky when coming back, and that they were flying uncomfortably close.

"Drakes ... " Petar mutters.  With luck, the drakes were anti-undead as well, and were on the lookout for the walking bones as much as anyone.

A cave three miles away .. not a bad place to start looking for Exidamarall headquarters.

Brulna awoke feeling the pain in her joints from a night lying on the hard ground. The uscular woman rubbed her wrists anxiously. As she closed her wyes and sought the arcane words to her spells in her minds eye. The shapes coalesced within her mind as a rhythmic beat with her soul. With the exhalation of breath the warlock stood up and gathered her supplies.

With the orc scouts leading the way, the group marched onwards in the cloudy day. The forests carried with it an aura of gloom, as if though something had robbed it of warmth and safety one could find. The dark clouds overhead didn't help the feeling either, and scouts found themselves frequently stopping to check their trail.

After a short while, they stopped, and conferred with Regnok.

He in turn tells you,

[Language unknown: "Ndie ektant llnc tha omwi'taul. Ch wilwherea to usfierto ri omnce e tedconmen, ni acles io tinndeion astivenot elnce estta lareveave. Icis ing ofosul wi onesng a artardsti mencma bewit ioufo antantble. Wa il hollse venom siatat eau oun hou stirealat leeve."]

After the scouts explained the situation they resumed the trek in their new direction. This time, they moved slower and paid more attention to their surroundings. The rest of the orcs followed them without saying much, although you can hear them make comments to each other [about the weather, the chances for a good hunt, and what they might find once they get to their destination]. Overall, they seemed to be of good spirits.

You crossed a part of the forest where a number of heavy cobwebs were spun around the tops of the trees and the lower branches. There were a few webbed cocoons with captured animals, large beetles, a fox, a goblin, all dead and dry, drained of their vital fluids and left to decay in the open. The owners of the webs did not seem to be around, although the orcs were keeping their weapons at the ready, paying sharp attention to the uppers branches of the trees.

But soon you left the cobwebs behind, and the forest returned to its normal colors.

It is not too far thereafter that the scouts stopped and crouched, and observed for a long time. They called their battle brothers forward, and pointed at something ahead of you through the underbrush.

As you approached as well, they guided your eyes to what appeared to be a clearing. What was remarkable about the area was the presence of large clusters of wild flowers resembling giant sunflowers, but more green than yellow. They had thick stems, growing from two feet up to almost six feet in height. Their heads were all pointing towards the sun, just like sunflowers do. They had thick and long clusters of roots that dug into the ground. Drooping leafy cups grew from the stems, their openings ringed with spiky appendages that resembled fine combs. It is now that you noticed that there was an aroma of stink, a rot, that came from the flowers. You spotted insects of all types that were flying around them, either on the heads or the drooping cups. As you watched, you witnessed one of the cups close suddenly with a bug in it, which buzzed loudly trying to escape.

However, that was not the reason the scouts stopped the group. Not too far into the flowerbeds were a pair a dead bodies, orcs, if their decaying green skin and leather armor was any indication.

The orc scouts were staying put, quietly scanning the area to see what might have killed them.

---

OOC: Ok, finally got that out. Sorry fellas, work's been getting to me.

So, you have an interesting situation before you.

What will it be?
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:06, Fri 26 Feb 2021.

Angus looked about, beginning to trust their new orc companions. He recognized the haunts of the giant spiders that they passed through earlier, but these plants he did not recognize. They seemed to be man killers of some kind too.

He looked to Brulna and Petar and Aila and the others to make sure they were all seeing the same thing. Venturing out was not an option, fire was.