With steady hands and a short, quick movement, Shae removes the remainder of the shaft from the Captain's wound. Almost immediately as the shaft is removed, Maxine cauterizes the wound with the heated blade. Grimacing in pain, Berrus still manages to hold the Captain down until the wound is fully cauterized. Though hurt, Thessalandra remains conscious, and after Shae applies a cool poultice and protective bandages, the Captain is soon able to move her arm again. Weakened by the blood loss and the procedure however, she asks the rest of the party if they wanted to risk staying in the same camp that was attacked just recently, or whether they wanted to risk moving further in the night, in the hopes of finding new camping grounds.

Gruk meanwhile keeps communicating with the Professor, slightly puzzled at the Professor's remark: "Gruk not understand. No long-knive, but with longknives? Not chief, but other long-knives still follow? And long-knives not all same? Grung all born with Colour. Me, red grung. Chief always gold. Soldiers and workers green. If grung good with tools, or if grung look after tribe, grung blue. Grung that command purple. Red grung study and heal. Orange grung best warriors of tribe. Grung never change colour. Possible that Koro-arak find something in forest, but Gruk not know what or where." Gruk seems to speak with particular intensity after your question about the colours of grung, and in particular how grung can change colour. 

"I am for staying here" Maxine's hands trembled a bit - she was not a surgeon in heart, healing potions or spells is one thing, operation - is something very different. She truly admired Shae's skills but would never want to be on her place. "We are all wounded or exhausted. If we rest a bit, we might be able so save Faekin, but if we move... Anything can happen in this jungle, we risk to get lost and loose him for good too then."

Quote from NemoCaptain >>

Gruk meanwhile keeps communicating with the Professor, slightly puzzled at the Professor's remark: "Gruk not understand. No long-knive, but with longknives? Not chief, but other long-knives still follow? And long-knives not all same? Grung all born with Colour. Me, red grung. Chief always gold. Soldiers and workers green. If grung good with tools, or if grung look after tribe, grung blue. Grung that command purple. Red grung study and heal. Orange grung best warriors of tribe. Grung never change colour. Possible that Koro-arak find something in forest, but Gruk not know what or where." Gruk seems to speak with particular intensity after your question about the colours of grung, and in particular how grung can change colour. 

Professor S:

"Gruk," says Snively, "We are from different cultures indeed. I am not the leader of the tall ones, but I could be--our people do not restrict leadership or societal role by stature or coloration.  A being of any size or color can be a warrior, leader, or healer.  I am using magic to be able to speak your language, so that may be why you see me as the leader.  In items magical or intellectual, I can indeed function as the leader in this group, but for all other functions, I play only a supporting role."

Snively continues, saying, "But your culture links scale color with function.  In this case, however, even with the gold scales, Koro-arak seems to be ill-suited to leadership, with his decisions resulting in death for his people and lost trade opportunities.  What if there is no gold grung, who leads then, one of the purples?  Is there a purple grung you would trust to be a good leader? If that is the case, perhaps we can challenge Koro-arak for leadership of the grung, putting a wiser purple leader in his place with you as the tribe healer."

As Maxine makes a case for staying, several of the wounded crew members chime in, all relieved that they could stay here. After a bit, the exhausted and hurt Captain speaks: “I think you’re right Maxine. We were surprised before, and still beat back a coordinated attack. If we spend a little more time fortifying this position and if we post two guards at all times, we should be safe. Berrus, as our only veteran as far as land warfare is concerned, what do you suggest?”

Professor, you notice that the intensity is not interest, but fear, mixed with pride. You find it difficult to pinpoint the emotion exactly, as you struggle to understand where the sense of pride stems from. Gruk continues: “Long-knives strange. How do long-knives know their role and place in tribe?  If Short Knife know magic, then Short Knife like Gruk, red grung. Colour change forbidden, if no chief, no tribe. Chief grung leader in everything. For knowledge, red grung leader. For war, purple grung leader. Orange grung or red grung leader, if chief not there.”

Professor S:

”We will have to consider what must be done, then,” says Snively, yawning.  “We must rest tonight, then we will head to your tribe and attempt to rescue our companion.  If there is anything you can think of, Gruk, that might make the situation better for you and your tribe after we leave, let me know in the morning once I have done the magic ritual so we may communicate.  Keep the stone and meditate on it, that you may be alert to any attack.”

The Professor will relate the gist of the conversation he has had with Gruk, giving the others a chance to communicate with them if they desire.  To the captain, he says, “Yes, let’s stay here tonight.  If you attune yourself to that dagger, you and everyone near you should be more aware of danger if it approaches.”

Snively will see to Gruk’s comfort and do any other necessary tasks (including doing the ritual for Alarm), then curl up by the fire, write in his journal, and sleep.

"Thank you..." Shae would let out a heavy breath of relief, pleased with the census from the group to stay here. She'd just plop herself back down on the ground before sprawling out on her back to stare up at the sky. Am I losing hope? She definitely needed to decompress and go over todays events. There's so much I still don't know... So much I can barely even grasp. The warlock would tilt her head to the side to watch the professor communicate with Gruk. The things we can learn... Shae watched with genuine wonder for a few moments before looking back up at the sky. Kam, I need to get stronger. I need to be wiser. Shae would sit up abruptly, "I need to get off my ass."

With a bit of a groan, Shae would pick herself back up off the ground to begin cleaning up the medical supplies. She'd take inventory and she packed everything away. Once done, she'd find an area to get settled in. The scholar would pull out her notes and take some time to review them. What am I forgetting? :

Wildroot

Torchstalk

Barrelstalk

Ripplebark

Fragrant Leaves - Identify me!

Flowers - Identify me!

---------------------------------------------------------------

DANGER:

Yellow Musk Creeper

 Tri-Flower - Identify me!

Shae would circle 'fragrant leaves and flowers'. These were gathered with the Wildroot and Torchstalk. Did I ever investigate these further? She'd reach into her supplies and pull out the leaves and flowers she gathered a while back. After looking them over, the warlock would begin sampling them and grinding them down into pastes to test their reaction on her skin. Of course she'd record anything of interest.

Once she feels she's exhausted all options with the herbs she has on hand, she'd take a quick look around the immediate designated safe zone to see if there's anything new to add to the mix while she's taking the time to do it. As she walks and scans, she can't help but wonder if they ever did identify the carnivorous tri-flower. Did we? Have I just forgotten? Days are starting to blend and I'm starting to question my own memory. Shae would give her eyes a rub before returning back to her research spot closer to the others. Shae, you're getting stuck in your head again. Talk with the others. You're not alone here.

"Did we ever identify that carnivorous tri-flower?"

(OOC sorry was out)

"Yes two person watches.  I would recommend pairing the injured and uninjured.  Give the injured range capability."

He thinks some more.    "The alarm thing is a good idea.  And maybe torches, one in each direction 

As Shae applies the crushed flowers, they feel cool and soothing on the skin. Although further tests might be necessary, you get the sense that these flowers could have analgesic or anti-inflammatory properties. The fragrant leaves give of a minty scent as you crush them, but the application to the skin yields no particular change. As Shae looks back over the specimens of the tri-flower, she notices that the samples of the sap had thickened and blackened, to the point where now, the sap almost resembles the Professor's inks.

At Berrus' advice, the pairings are drawn up- Bertrand and Maxine, Brax and Shae, Falx and Zip, Cliff and the Professor, and Berrus and the Captain. Though everyone seems fine with those pairings, the distribution of the weapons is a bit trickier. Both Zip’s and Maxine’s crossbow have been heavily tinkered with. Beyond that, only Falx’ handcrossbow and Shae’s boomerang make for good ranged weapons. As for melee weapons, after handing the magical dagger to the Captain, everyone can equip at least a dagger, apart from Berrus, who has his handaxe as a sidearm. Beyond that, there are three more handaxes; Brax and Berrus have shields; Falx has a longsword he’s unable to use with his broken arm, and the Captain’s and Faekin’s rapier, as well as Shae’s spear and Berrus’ battleaxe could be redistributed. In the meantime, Bertrand stacks the now almost useless clubs and some nearby rocks near the Professor to serve as ammunition for his catapult spell.

Thasselandra suggests to all to sleep in armour, if they have any. As she says this, it becomes apparent to you all that most of your clothes and armour has taken a beating and is torn, ripped, cut, singed, rotted and rusted, since you crashed five days ago.

Beyond setting up alarms, two person watches, and torches, is there anything else anyone wants to undertake to fortify your camp for the night?

Maxine's crossbow is attuned at the moment (if I am not mistaken), so, she is the only one who can use it.

Berrus looks at the distribution.    "The crossbows be specialized im thinkin. But rocks will do in a pinch. They are more fer delayin anyways.   This should be good fer the night."

Then to Maxine. "Wake me immediately if anything suspicious. "

Kam was right... After jotting down the notes from her testing, Shae would clear her throat and look up to the others, "Maxine, the sap samples you collected from the tri-flower has thickened and blackened. I think we may be able to use this as ink. I think you and Snively should come check it out." She'd offer the sampling over for them to take a look.

The scholar would slide over the samples of the crushed flowers next, "I don't think I've quite figured it out, but I have a hunch these could have analgesic or anti-inflammatory properties." As she spoke, she'd make sure to point at what she's talking about and motioning to where she's tested it on her skin in hopes that maybe Gruk was watching. Shae would glance over from time to time to try to make eye contact in case anything she's been handling could invoke a reaction out of him. She'd then ask the professor, "Do you think Gruk would know?"

Finally, the fragrant leaves she was thinking could be used for cooking or something to chew on based off of its similarity to mint. "And I'm thinking these leaves are similar to mint."

After the captain suggests they all sleep in their armour and the realization hits of how tattered their gear actually was, Shae would look at her hands, then back to Maxine. "Maxine, you have the ability to mend correct?" She was confused as to why she was feeling so sheepish about asking, but she'd continue, "What do you think about working together to clean and mend some of our gear and supplies? I believe we had a tailoring kit somewhere? Maybe I can give it a try on items that may not be mendable?" The warlock was thinking out loud as she looked over some of the torn and battered clothes. It could be too late for some things, but it was worth a shot to try to prolong more wear and tear.

"No, not you too!" That was the first reaction from Maxine to Shae's self-experiments. It did not look like Shae was suffering right now but Maxine did not feel anything either at first. "Seriously, don't! You need a test-subject, use me!" She looked very suspiciously at the affected skin but agreed they needed to ask Gruk.

Potential inks were grinded to powder between 2 rocks, then dissolved one part in water and one in the last drops of wine - to see which solvent is better and gives more stable coloration. Then both were tried on a piece of paper and left until morning.

"If it can be sewn together, it should be mendable too. And clearing... Would not be fast but agree - much needed. Let's work then." 

Maxine planted herself near the fire and until her guarding shift was Cleaning (Prestidigitation)/Fixing (Mending) groups gear (hopefully, others could bring it closer for the treatment).

Professor S:

The Professor already has the mounded earth at the camp’s borders with the Move Earth and the alarm spell set.  Hopefully the captain has attuned the dagger so all within 30 feet have warning of ambushes, and lastly Snively uses the downtime before going to sleep as a short rest to get Arcane Recovery (2 first level spell slots).

With your preparations made, and Maxine undergoing a first wave of mending and cleaning minor tears and dents before going to sleep, much of the camp looks and feels more ready to deal with long term survival, even if the dwindling resources make the situation somewhat more dire. Trying to get the most of the night, it is agreed that Thasselandra and Berrus should take first watch and Brax and Shae the last one, so that the two most wounded party members could sleep the most. Bertrand and Maxine take the second, Falx and Zip the third, and Cliff and the Professor the fourth shift.

Berrus, please give me a perception check with advantage for your shift, as you peer out into the darkness and keep your ears open for any noises of appraoching enemies.

Berrus and the Captain’s passes without incident, and Maxine and Bertrand take over. 

Please give me a perception roll with disadvantage, Maxine.

Of course... My favourite roll ever. Perception: 23

Maxine, you start to feel the full force of the exhaustion of the day, and the pulsating sensation, as if fire moved through your veins, returns. Your fever starts to break out, and within moments, you're drenched in cold sweat. Despite this, you remain at your post, peering out into the darkness. All you notice are a couple of snapping twigs, and the occasional rustling of leaves in the wind. 

As Zip and Falx take over, Zip's concern is written all over his face: "Maxine, you need to get some rest, immediately. I'll let Shae know to have a look at you once she takes her watch." 
Although Falx and Zip can't shake the sensation that the camp is being watched, they can't make out anyone concrete within the area illuminated by the torches. Unfortunately, with the bright light next to them, they fail to see much in the darkness beyond. As their watch passes, Zip and Falx wake up Brax and Shae, and Zip briefs her about Maxine's condition.

Shae, please give me a normal perception roll for your shift.

“Wait!” Shae would gasp, sitting up abruptly as if she was trying to reach out to someone. She’d blink a couple times for her gifted darkvision to adjust to the jungles darkness with the flickers of light provided by torches. Her eyes would meet with Zip’s and she’d blink a couple times before picking herself up, “Yes of course. It’s my watch.” As she gets up a book would fall from her lap onto the ground. This is not my spellbook... She’d pick it up. As much as she wanted to dive into it right this second, Zip had a look of worry that seems to need her immediate attention.

Shae’s brows would raise then furrow with concern when Zip would provide her with the update on Maxine. “Ironic that she gives me heck for testing on myself, only for her to break out into a fever today...” She would make her way over to Maxine. First she’d grab some cloth to soak and wring out with some cold water to clean off Maxines cold sweats. She’d rinse the cloth again before laying it as a cold compress on her forehead. Shae would also top off Maxines waterskin and keep it close by for her to sip of if she needed. 

Shae, the dream wasn’t the only gift you received last night. There is always hope. Believe in yourself.

Shae could feel the weight of the new book against her. She’ll pull it out, slide it onto her lap and open it up. While thumbing through the pages, some familiar sparkles would manifest and dance around a specific page, guiding her to a spell. “Kam, this is... will it work!?” Her eyes would dart along the page as she absorbs the knowledge bestowed upon her. She’ll hug the book to her chest and look up to the night sky to look and search upon the stars, “Please, Gods, let this work. She’s suffered enough.”

And with a breath, Shae would kneel next to Maxine. “Hwe sa hwul siacktlenm so slouck so tlonsceann co.” A familiar sparkling mist will flow from the Warlock and blanket Maxine.

 Shae will sigh, “Now all we can do is wait...” she’d tuck Maxine in and hope that she’s comfortable.

Finally, the warlock would take her post at watch. “Thank you for the report Zip.” Even though she was the last watch of the night, there have been concerns about them behind watched. Now’s not the time to let her guard down. As much as she wanted to thumb through the rest of this new book, Shae focused on her task at hand.

OOC: Yes, it does. The  thing is, having the torches there actually kinda ruins darkvision for those who have it. Having been on some military night exercises, bright light is not necessarily your friend if trying to observe anything outside of the beam. So I decided to not grant a bonus for her dark vision. Maxine rolled with disadvantage as a result of her not normally having dark vision, and thus relying solely on the torch light. You and Berrus have a slight advantage due to having darkvision. I just noticed however that I skipped the professor and Cliff, but their watch is uneventful.

As Shae casts her spell, the shimmers remain on Maxine's form, before being absorbed by her sweaty skin, until every last glimmer of celestial magic disappeared. You're unsure whether the spell has had an effect, Maxine doesn't seem affected either way.

Shae finds her thoughts wander to Maxine, whom she has come to regard as a friend, and the new book she has been granted. What could the dream mean? 

The torches die down shortly before dawn breaks, and the jungles slowly awakens. As you peer out into the dim twilight, you think you can make out shapes, moving through the nearby trees. You watch intently for ten, fifteen minutes,  until finally, with the growing light, Colours return to the surroundings, and you spot something red. Before you can warn anything however, the Professor is woken up by the alarm he set up, and Shae and Brax see four green grung on wild boars charge into sight, and three arrows flying your way, while one arrow is flying towards Brax.

Two of the arrows find their mark (unless Shae has a reaction to boost her AC). Please give me a Constitution saving throw to avoid the poison damage, else Shae is down for the count.

 Brax' and the professor's shouts shake you all awake! Rolle initiative! For the purposes of this battle, you're all considered to have slept in your armour, and your weapons are close by, so you can pick them up immediately. Since you've been asleep however, you'll have to spend half your movement on the first turn to get up. 

Something general to add: If you want to use a skill to obtain information or maneuvre a certain way, please let me know what your intention is, and I'll adjudicate accordingly. Don't think that trying to figure out how many enemies your facing by making a perception roll will necessarily mean that you forego your action.