Lanu will be last to sleep, taking first watch 

Sosen declared her 'night watch' choice before going back to the meat she was preparing for the days ahead as well as the meal for this evening.  Snake was too lean for good eating but it did help fill a complaining belly!  Unfortunately, she had not packed a full kit for making gourmet meals -- or even anything more than trail rations.  Some peppers, salt, some spices.  Easy to obtain and easily pack-able.   

She sighed as she looked about the tiny encampment.  They had almost all died today.  Thank the Gods for Morgid's tenacity. Sosen sent a pray to Xalicas thanking her for watching over them on their mission and praying she continues to smile on them as their marsh trek continues.   

Food prep; wrapping and packing the next day's meat, Sosen finally bedded down to sleep as she may before her turn at guard watch.

If Morgid or someone else helps >>  Sosen Survival Check == 19

(( Sorry.. rolled in OOC instead of 'ingame' ))

After a long rest, the invigorating swamp air washing away the fatigue of battle, the party finds themselves fully recuperated. The memory of the monstrous serpent hangs heavy, a somber reminder of the dangers that lurk in the swamp. Yet, a sliver of hope cuts through the grief. Peregrine and Lanu, brought back from the brink by Sosen's divine magic, stand beside them, a testament to their resilience. They gather their belongings as Ruidus, even larger and brighter than the previous night, paints the sky with ominous hues of crimson and orange. The once-mountainous pile of serpent meat has shrunk considerably, devoured during their long rest. The remaining portions, carefully dried by Sosen, are tucked into their packs alongside the hefty piece of serpent hide – a macabre souvenir of their ordeal. With a silent nod to each other, they set off in the dead of night, moving with a newfound determination. The dark swamp stretches before them, a labyrinth of gnarled trees and stagnant water. But this time, they navigate with a purpose. Fort Venture beckons, a beacon in the mist, its secrets waiting to be unraveled. The journey is arduous. The humid air clings to them like a shroud, and the tangled undergrowth impedes their progress. But they press on, fueled by a shared desire to reach their destination. Morgid, his senses attuned to the whispers of the swamp, leads the way. Sosen, her hand hovering near her mace, scans their surroundings for any sign of danger. Peregrine, his movements a little stiff from his ordeal, keeps his bow at the ready, a silent guardian. And Lanu's keen eyes search for any hidden paths or lurking threats. The silence is broken only by the occasional croak of a frog or the unsettling hiss of a nearby serpent. An eerie tension hangs in the air, a sense of foreboding that chills them to the bone.

Sosen peers into the darkness, working to keep track of her companions while also being on high alert to anything potentially dangerous in the marsh.    She is concerned for her friends - so close to death and being forced to plunge forward into more potential danger.  Sosen glances up into the night sky with a frown, "Is Ruidus the cause of my failures?  Xalicas has not given me a sign that I have failed to serve properly.  It is so frustrating!'  She shakes herself to get back on track with surviving this marsh trek.

Lanu keeps her eyes peeled, the red light of the moon providing a change to the normal greys seen overnight. Last time the snake caught them all by surprise. She doesn't want to let that happen again. If Sosen wasn't caught, they could have fled and had a greater survival chance. "I wouldn't say you have had failures. If you had failed, I would have died twice. Peregrine would have died too. I would say that the fact we stand here with you are a sure sign from Xalicas that you are on the right path. And it is a path that he doesn't want you to walk alone. Whatever may happen on this journey, if we both are alive afterwards, I would be honoured to stay by your side with what might come next."

"Lanu, I appreciate your kind words and would welcome you in any adventure... hopefully adventures somewhere other than this marsh!"  Sosen smiles broadly as she strains to pull her leg out of a slurping spot of water, mud, and marsh muck.

"Sadly, I have failed though.  I attempted several spells between that knot of writhing snakes and the giant constrictor with poor to no results.  I have yet to discern if it is a failing on my part;  some displeasure I brought on from Xalicas or the ill effects from a full Red Moon.   What ever the cause, I must work harder or our chances of surviving will be even worse."

"My blows have been failing to find their mark too. I do not think it is necessarily failings on our part, as much as the fact that we are not in our comfort zone, and they are. They have the advantage of terrain and familiarity. We have uncomfortableness and unknowns."

"What you speak is true.  We are at a decided disadvantage in this endless marsh.   That said, I hope we fare better on these next few legs of marsh stomping."

Sosen sighs at the thought -- "... and we have not a clue what awaits us when we reach the fort..."  her voice trailing off as the sentiment settles in.

The night, cloaked in the ominous glow of Ruidus, unfolds with a tense rhythm. Every rustle in the undergrowth, every croak of a frog, sends a jolt of adrenaline through their weary bodies. Despite their anxieties, the swamp seems strangely silent tonight. No monstrous serpents rise from the murky depths, no unseen predators stalk them through the shadows. The silence itself becomes a source of unease, a tension that coils around their hearts.

Da'leysen, 7th Thunsheer

As the first sliver of dawn peeks through the dense canopy, casting long shadows across the stagnant water, a sense of exhaustion settles over them. They had made good time under the cloak of darkness, but the journey had taken its toll. Their muscles ache, their throats are parched, and the constant vigilance has drained their mental reserves. Finally, Morgid, who had been darting ahead like a phantom, skids to a halt. He beckons them forward, a relieved expression on his face. Emerging from the undergrowth, they find themselves in a small clearing. Sunlight dapples the ground, offering a welcome respite from the oppressive darkness of the night. Here, at the edge of exhaustion, they pause. The silence, no longer ominous, feels almost peaceful. But with it came the inevitable question: what now? Fort Venture still looms ahead, a silent sentinel shrouded in the unknown. They had come so far, faced so much, but the true challenge may have just begun.

Sosen speaks with Morgid as the others take a moment to enjoy a moment in the sun without fighting the marsh.  "I know it will take a toll upon us but, is there a chance we can go another hour or two westward?   The more we travel today shortens the time and effort we will use approaching the fort tomorrow."   

Sosen goes to Peregrine and Lanu to make certain they can make the extra push.   While they all were feeling ragged, Sosen could tell it had been especially rough on Lanu after the battle with the giant constrictor snake.   "Perhaps just one more hour and we can stop, eat, rest."

(assuming that the extra hour is the one we have rolled for already ooc) "I can manage one hour probably. But having been on the brink of death twice since we left, and then not being able to get as good sleep due to the dangers of the marsh and the bugs, I don't think I can push on much further."

Sosen nods, "I trust you to know yourself best.  Just say the word and we halt."

The party, their faces etched with a weary determination, agree to press westward into the swamp. The morning mist clings stubbornly to the cypress knees and tangled vines, creating an ethereal aura that both soothes and unsettles them. Despite the eerie quiet that followed them through the night, a nervous tension remains. Each creak of a branch and rustle of leaves sends tremors through their bodies, a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk beneath the swamp's surface. For an hour, they maintain their usual, steady pace. Morgid, his senses still on high alert, leads the way, his hand hovering near his bow. Sosen follows close behind, her eyes scanning the surroundings for hidden threats. Peregrine, his movements still somewhat stiff, keeps his bow drawn, a silent guardian protecting their flank. Just as a sliver of hope begins to bloom – perhaps they would reach Fort Venture before midday – Lanu stumbles. Her usually sprightly movements falter, and a groan escapes her lips. Morgid, ever vigilant, whirls around at the sound. "Lanu? What's wrong?" he calls out, rushing back to her side. Lanu, her face pale with exhaustion, leans heavily against a moss-covered cypress knee. "I... I can't go on," she gasps, her voice weak. "I need to rest." Disappointment flickers across Sosen's face, but it is quickly replaced by concern. Pushing on with an exhausted Lanu is unthinkable. They have to find a suitable place to rest and recuperate before continuing their trek.

As they forge onward through the marsh, the mist clears to reveal a lone hillock crowned with a thicket of low-hanging mangrove trees. This bramble-covered knoll looks to be a perfect site to take respite from the murky waters of the swamp. Morgid surveys the area, his gaze sharp. "There," he points towards a cluster of trees rising slightly above the general swamp level. "We can make camp there. It might offer some drier ground and a bit of cover." The others nod in agreement. With a collective sigh of relief, they make their way towards the designated spot. The journey has taken a greater toll on them than they initially realized. The constant strain of vigilance, the oppressive humidity, and the uneven terrain has sapped their strength. As they settle down beneath the meager shade of the trees, a wave of exhaustion washes over them.

Sosen made certain Lanu and company were safely situated and chewing on some snake jerky while a steak was cooking on a very small, makeshift campfire.  Morgid and she felt it best to keep any fire very small and shielded - to be on the safe side.  She helped drag several stones to help hide the flame and light as best as possible before setting to cooking. 

Once all were drinking and eating, she paced out several meters from the main camp and made some random stacks of twigs and leaves hoping it could work as an early warning of any approach.  Again, she browbeat herself for being so unprepared with spells or items that might make things easier on this marsh journey.   Shaking her head slowly, she returned to the camp and finished up her meal before volunteering first watch duties.

Wishing Lanu a good rest, she lightly put her hand on Lanu's shoulder and whispered Healing Word  5 hp    and another which bestows

Vigilant Blessing.

 With a nod and low whispered word to Peregrine and Morgid, Sosen will begin her watch.

Lanu eats some food, and shortly after Sosen gives her a little boost, is passed out from exhaustion. She will take the morning watch once she wakes up (assuming we are doing 4 watches) 

Sosen spends her watch keeping the small fire going; collecting more twigs and branches; and circling the encampment with slow, measured steps -- nearly a walking meditation - which allows her to be mindful yet vigilant while she silently prays to her patron.

Passive Perception: 14

Sosen's watch ticks by in an uneventful quiet. The rhythmic croaking of frogs and the occasional buzz of an unseen insect provides the only soundtrack to the night. After several hours, she nudges Morgid awake, a silent exchange passing between them before she retreats to find a secluded spot to rest. Morgid's keen eyes scan their surroundings, searching for any sign of movement or danger. He feels a growing unease, a prickling sensation on the back of his neck that he can't quite shake. Ruidus is strangely in view as the the afternoon sun casts shadows across the swamp. Morgid's gaze drifts towards the hillock upon which they rest. He had dismissed it earlier as a natural elevation, but something about its shape now seems… wrong. He squints, focusing on the moss-covered surface. The texture seems strangely uniform, almost like… scales? Suddenly, a realization dawns on him, sending a jolt of adrenaline through his system. This isn't a hillock at all. We're on the partially submerged moss-covered shell of a horizonback tortoise!

Panic claws at his throat. They had unknowingly chosen to rest on the back of a gargantuan, possibly living, creature! A siege weapon used by the goblins of Xhorhas! Memories of the monstrous serpent they had faced flood back, sending a fresh wave of fear coursing through him. His breath hitches as he considers the implications. Is the creature dead? Or is it merely slumbering, its immense size and camouflage masking its presence? Morgid's mind races. He creeps closer to the edge of the "hillock," his heart pounding in his chest. He carefully reaches out and touches the moss-covered surface. It is cold and surprisingly smooth, unlike any natural rock formation. A low rumble echoes from beneath, almost imperceptible, sending a shiver down Morgid's spine. Is it my imagination, or did the creature stir ever so slightly? He doesn't dare touch it again. Torn between fear and the need for discretion, Morgid debates his next move. How can I wake the others without alerting whatever slumbers beneath us? A frantic whisper alerts Sosen, who sits bolt upright, her eyes wide with alarm. "The hillock," Morgid hisses, his voice barely a tremor. "It's not a hillock. It's a…" He doesn't need to finish the sentence. Sosen's eyes follow his gaze, and her face drains of color. She understands. The implications of their predicament are chilling. Peregrine and Lanu stir, sensing the sudden shift in atmosphere. Morgid and Sosen exchange a worried glance, a tense silence descending upon them. The swamp, shrouded in mist, seems to hold its breath, waiting.

Lanu whispers after the situation is explained "How long is its neck? Can it reach the top of its shell?"

"Morgid,  why are you panicking?  Did we not begin this journey from Urzin, which is built on the back of a horizonback tortoise?"  Sosen went about dousing the small campfire so it would not burn any longer.    

"I can pray to Xalicas for guidance and perhaps Their intervention between ourselves and this tortoise to assure us a safe rest.   I can not do more since I am a cleric of Life and Balance -- not a speaker to animals and plants as some druids might be capable of."

Looking at her companions, she hisses out a long sigh.  "We can pack and move to a less hospitable spot.  Or take our chances here.  Worse case, it begins to move away from our chosen goal.  Best case, it slumbers as we wish to and we move after all have had a good rest."    

"Knowing we sit on it's back -- is just something else to take note of as we do our watches.   My watch was quiet and uneventful.  Even now, our slumbering friend has not shaken, stirred or otherwise shown hostility or provocation.    I ask you all -- do you wish to stay or move into the marshlands to try to finish our rest? While you decide, I shall pray to Xalicas."

So saying, Sosen will step away from the main encampment to a cleared spot; kneel and perform a pray to Xalicas.