"Tell me when we're leaving and I'll be ready to go," Reng says. "In the meantime, do you need help to clear the ditches of those corpses so the ditches will help repel others? I'm a little confused. They attack on their own? Or they're driven by someone... something else?"

Berrus follows keeping a slight distance. Critical eyes looking over the defensive arrangements

Berrus, you notice that the defences are solid, but the men and women on top of the watchtowers spread thin, with only single guards up top. Once inside the fort, you see that the palisade walls are secured with heavy crossbeams and support trusses anchored into the ground, but you don't see any walkways or parapets, only the towers.

Reng, at your question, the Commander sighs: "You sound like Sergeant Blackclaw, she's of the same opinion. As far as we can tell though, we don't have any indication for organised attacks by the wildlife. These two outside attacked within the span of three days, about a week ago. It's sporadic at best, in my opinion. But given that we haven't heard from the grippli at roughly the same time, she might be onto something. She's currently out on patrol with some of the locals and a squad, I'll make sure you get to speak with her when she gets back."

Professor, at your words the Commander looks at you with a fierce fire in his eyes: "I've lost three since we started, maybe more if something happened to the squad sent to the grippli outpost. And while we destroy the undead, every loss on our side that we can't dispose of properly is someone we might have to face again. We learned that lesson the hard way. As for helping our fortification efforts, please talk to Captain Firebeard, he's our chief engineer and responsible for the defences and the guard rotation. As for your healer, I've already told you were to find Syster Cyas, they are sure to appreciate a set of helping hands." He takes a moment to look each of you in the eyes. "Our grip here is tenuous, civilisation reaches as far as our torchlight, at the most. Without local allies, we'd be lost. I understand if you aren't able to help, but I'll happily make the same offer to your Captain as well- I'd wager a good part of the soldiers would chip in with their wages too, if it got us a secure supply line back." He stops again, and quickly shifts his eyes to the ground, "As for the kenku, we thank your efforts. I was afraid that an incident a few months ago had soured relations, but I'm glad to see that that isn't the case."

     Mulligan, so far, is just taking it all in and doing his best to commit it to memory by creating short phrases and thing emotions to scenes so as to give them extra weight in his brain.  Some things could never be forgotten, such as the piles or burning corpses, but others need to be weighted down and connected to other pieces to ensure they took hold.  Amongst all this misery it would be so easy to forget that quirk of a smile that flashed across the grizzled veteran’s face when they spied the colorful Kenku, or the way the injured soldier still found a moment yo ignore their pain and appreciate the curves of the newly arrived women.  The misery was overbearing but these little scenes had to be remembered for they are what gave humanity, perhaps even hope, despite it all…

     Besides memorizing scenes, writing lyrics and crafting stanzas, Mulligan was listening to the others and trying to take it all in.  Truthfully though, fortifications and supply lines?  Well he understood what they were but he sure as hell didn’t feel qualified to comment.  At least he could go with Shae to see the wounded, when she did…  he didn’t consider himself a healer but he did have some little magics which could maybe help.  If nothing else he could provide some musical or narrative distractions, for a while…

     “Wait…”

     “Huh??”

     “Incident??  What kind of incident?!?”

The Commander shifts uncomfortably. "We had just experienced one of the worst attacks of undead in a while, and unfortunately lost some of our foodstores when a lantern was knocked over and set fire to the supplies. I sent a strong hunting party out and the rest is hazy- their report indicated that they had tracked a wild boar and had fired off arrows in the general direction. When they came to the clearing, they saw the boar, dying, with arrows other than their own sticking out. Hearing rustling in the bushes, they let fly some arrows in the direction of the noise, and then gathered the carcass and hightailed it back. It's only later we realised that they must have gotten lost and accidentally entered the hunting grounds of the Kenku. I was afraid we had injured or killed one of them, but I simply don't have the strength to send a strong party out for diplomatic reconciliation. Glad to hear that they didn't mention anything."

     “It likely was a different tribe.  We traveled a ways to get here, likely further than your hunters travelled.  Still, perhaps we could help establish communications, if Ginny and Sonny are agreeable,” Mulligan suggests.  “But truthfully, our first contact is recent.  Can’t say for sure if different Kenku groups are friendly to one another.  Certainly not all human groups are…”

There were definitely challenges present, but the moment they first pulled up to the shore, there was hope. Shae knew they could help. Each one of them had unique skills that would contribute in a meaningful way. And if they didn’t see it, she was happy to encourage a suggestion. 

Shae fell to the back, quietly observing and making her notes. There was a plethora of information provided to record. She was grateful for everyone’s contributions and questions to further the discussions while she wrote.

As the conversation naturally rounded near an end, Shae would take a deep breath and rest her hand over her healing kit. “Thank you Commander.” She’d offer him a warm smile and bow her head to him. “If you’d please excuse me, I will take my leave now.” Having already spent perhaps too much time here, the medic would excuse herself.

On her way to find Syster Cyas, Shae would take a moment to check on the status of the supplies. She’d make point to inspect them herself to ensure they were in good order.

Glasses:

"If you will excuse me as well, I will go contact Captain Firebeard and get started," says the Professor.  Turning to Fang, he says, "I believe your mending needle could be of great use, uh, just about everywhere here."

OOC:  Mending as an action with the magic item instead of a minute with the spell is much faster!

Glasses is thinking of using his mastery of the wind to blow away the ashes of the burned undead, then using his earth mastery to quickly dig some shallow graves for the remaining bones.  He can use his floating disk to help move things, his Mending spell to augment Fang's work, fire to burn away brush and more earth moving to bolster their defenses and shore up their berms.  Water can wash and clean, etc.  The Professor is literally in his element, molding the world in subtle ways to his liking and working with the good Captain to get the fort cleaned and ship-shape...

"Perfesser. I been thinkin.  Im nae sure we ken do much wi tha walls but i think we ken make that ditch really nasty"  Berrus gives a wicked grin

Glasses:

"Good thinking, Berrus, perhaps we can make it deep and fill it with water using my spells...Do you have any other...augmentations...planned?" he schemes...

Berrus gives a low laugh "Deep steep an meybe some sharpend stakes at tha bottom an on the inner side toward tha top like they ha' now.. Yer water would add to it an hide tha bottom nasties"

Reng files Sgt. Blackclaw’s name away and nearly bumps into Shae on the way to see to the stores. She tries not to call it a larder for fear of making fun of some desperate people, but she will pass a practiced eye over the state of things, confer with Shae on what can be done. She then finds her way to the ditch, ready to be amazed at the professor’s abilities, lending a hand at moving things onto and off of the disc, helping to coordinate excavation, and grinning evilly with Berrus as she joins in coming up with ways to make the obstacle more nefarious and deadly. If sharpened spikes or traps can be deadly to things already undead.

How far out is the jungle cleared from the ditch? She will summon her battleaxe and fell some trees that lean too close or provide too much cover for enemies, then chopping up some lumber to help strengthen the walls or lend more sharpened spikes to Berrus’ devilish funtimes moat o’ carnage.

Another laugh "Ifn we had a company o dwarves we could make this really nasty....but we don ha' em or the time. But this should do" 

A small smile rested on Shae’s lips while she worked on completing her review. She had known the Professor would fall into a rhythm, applying his knowledge, skills and direction around the camp. It was always a pleasure to watch him work, and even more so to hear Reng and Berrus bond over their defences. The camp was in very good hands. There was no doubt.

Reng and Shae, you head over the the stores, where you find a tall and slender woman in full plate, painted green and well oiled, checking inventory. You see almost immediately that there are several dozen shovels and picks, plenty of torches and casks of oil for lamps, but most of the spare tents and rope seems to be rotting and of dubious quality at best. You see a small anvil and tools used for smithing, sitting neatly packed in a crate and oiled, to prevent rusting. The meagre food supply consists of a total of eight barrels of hard tack, three casks of ale, two crates of local produce, foraged during hunting parties, with most of the non-durable vegetables pickled or sundried. Adding to that is a barrel of salted fish, and a small crate of smoked meats. Captain Salhana continues her inventory undisturbed, meticulously noting all the new items brought in by a trickle of soldiers and Hope's Crew. By a quick tally, you are both able to tell that the supplies you brought might last the soldiers here about a month, at most.

With the help of the Professor, Reng and Berrus, over the next few hours the desiccated bodies on the outside of the camp are buried, the tree line is pushed another twenty  feet back on all three sides and the defences are quickly layered and turned into a bristling gauntlet of stakes, ditch, spikes and murky water. The two kenku younglings are eagerly helping as well, clearly showing an interest for simple repurposing of the natural materials into a formidable set of defences. The soldiers are surprised at first, but quickly join in the work, always under the vigilant watch of four guards keeping an eye on the nearby treeline.

Captain Firebeard, a stout dwarf with bristling auburn beard and pale skin turned the colour of tanned hide from repeated sunburns whistles through his teeth: "Wi' tha three o' yous, we'da had this plaece up an' runnin' in a dae! Thanks fer tha help, evryone has a pulse,'ll appresheet tha work." Then, turning to Berrus, he adds: "Graet ta see sum o tha stout folk maek it down south as well. But wha brings an heir o' tha Trueanvils to this godsforsaken forrest o' all plaeces?"

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

Shae, after briefly inspecting the inventory, you noticed the complete absence of medical supplies, either indicating that they had run out, or instead store them seperately. As you step into one of the field hospital tents, you see that the truth lies somewhere between, and the scant few supplies are neatly stored close to a table at the entrance, where the tent flap allows for better lighting. Inside, you see six cots, with four of them being occupied at the moment. One of the soldiers, covered in a film of cold sweat, has clearly suffered some injury to his upper torso, with necrosis settling in and filling the tent with a mingled scent of sickly sweet rotting flesh and cold sweat. The other three are afflicted by a number of tropical diseases, shivering and feverish. Judging by the stains around one of the cots and the filled bedpan, dyphteria is a serious concern.

Among the sick and wounded, you find Sister Cyas, a sleight half- elfen figure with a deep chocolate- like skin tone, with their black and curly hair neatly tied back with a red bandana, and their sleeves cut off at the elbow and tied to their arms with straps of cloth. The simple garment and the title clearly indicate some connection to a monastic order, though given the splatter, dirt and grime on their tunic, which one was difficult to tell. As the light from the opening tent flap alerts them to the presence of someone, Sister Cyas doesn't look up from their work, instead ordering: "Cyrus, I need a new bedpan and clean rags in here. Torm should be ready with the infusions, have her bring them over, Derek and Quentin here need the fluids."

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

Fang, starting with the defences, you quickly notice that much of the wall is in rough, but good shape. Instead, you turn to the soldier's tents, helping to repair the moth eaten canvas as best you can to make sure that the tents keep the rain out. You're quietly observing the soldiers as you go about your task, overhearing them discuss the arrival of supplies and a group of mercenaries already launching themselves into helping out the camp rather vigorously. You also hear some amazement at the fact that they are traveling with kenku and scaled folk, such as yourself. A small wager is going on between two privates, with one of them convinced you're a local and the other determined to show her comrade that you're in fact a dragonborn.

Turning to Firebrand. Speaking dwarvishs"Captain ifn ye be knowing the Trueanvils then youll understand what i be saying next...i drew the Seeker. An tha has brought me south. Its these folk tha bring me here. There be good folk in this group.

     Mulligan takes some time to talk to... everyone.  Soldier, captain, cook or sergeant, they're all glad-handed and given an encouraging word, a sympathetic ear or just someone who shows some interest.  Mulligan is trying to get the true story of this encampment, not just what those in power say.  He's, of course, also listening for any interesting stories or gossip or new snippets of information with Shae's notebooks and the mysteries within always at the back of his mind, looking to see if any connections can be made.

     Simultaneously, Mulligan is of course keeping close attention the Kenku and where they are wandering off to.  He's not looking to play mother hen or smother them, but he does want to ensure that a party member is nearby them at all times even if it's not himself.

     And as he assumes we're here for at least the day, so Mulligan is quick to use up his spell slots passing out Cure Wounds wherever it would be helpful, particularly to those who are hurt but aren't taking themselves to the medical tent - These are soldiers, of course there are those amongst them who refuse to admit when they need help, so Mulligan does what he can without comment or show, just passing along the help without comment.  Similarly, his four Inspirations are dealt out to those doing the hard work of increasing the fort's defenses...  

Entering the tent with no assistants, Shae dedicated full focus to the situation. Running her fingers through her hair, she’d pull it together to tie it up in a ponytail, away from her face. It was obvious Syster Cyas and her team were elbow deep in treatment of the existing patients. The medic contemplated whether she should interrupt the flow to introduce herself, but decided it was more productive to jump in instead. A name and claim means nothing when work needs to be done.

Apprenticing came naturally. So without much thought, if Cyrus was not available to hand over the requested items Shae would do so without skipping a beat. Locating a bedpan and clean rags amongst the diminished stores, she’d provide them before slipping off to the next request.

Shae worked in the background unloading the supplies she had on hand, restocking the items that were out, or low stock first. As she’d move along, she’d begin to hum the softest of melodies beneath her breath, almost inaudible. It was a bit of juxtaposition considering the environment. But with her song, it summoned vibrant magic to her touch. Little by little, Shae aimed to tackle perhaps some of the ‘lesser jobs’, targeting the dirtiest of tasks with the goal of relieving them from exhausted professionals so they could focus on their current task. Shae disinfected surfaces, supplies and tools in demand prior to addressing changing and cleaning bedding. And as tasks were completed, she’d record them for reporting updates to ensure it could be communicated.

(Liberal use of Prestidigitation)

Of course, those weren’t the only notes she made. After spending some time in the space, around/with the patients and observing the other medics, Shae did preliminary investigations related to patients necrosis and the diphtheria concern. She’d be prepared to observe and/or assist with the infusions.

(First considerations: Current medical processes/approach for treatment aka the infusions for which ailment? Shae would reflect on the effectiveness of her Lesser Restoration in relation to these.
Diphtheria: Infusion as treatment? 
Necrosis: Review pain level and consider mapping out a debridement procedure if necessary.)

Berrus, Firebeard nods: "Aye, they bring fresh wind to this place- an' a lot of good hands too. If'n yer ever in need, ye have won the friendship o this 'ere dwarf, that's fer sure."

Mulligan, you learn that this camp is the second that was established by the order of the gauntlet. When the Order of the Gauntlet first brought its war against undead to Chult, its members established themselves at Camp Righteous, around an ancient Chultan shrine, which local guides call the House of the Crocodile. The overconfident visitors neglected to build defenses around the camp, believing that their own strong arms were sufficient protection. Two years ago, they were proved tragically wrong when hundreds of undead swarmed out of the jungle and overran the camp.

Only a handful of warriors of the Order of the Gauntlet escaped the undead onslaught against Camp Righteous by retreating up the River Soshenstar toward the Aldani Basin, under the leadership of the most senior person at the time, Sergeant Kernema Blackclaw. Three days later, they ended their retreat by digging in on this spot. Eventually they got word of their situation back to Port Nyanzaru, and they’ve since been reinforced. Their original, small camp has been transformed into a fortified base far more capable of withstanding attack than Camp Righteous ever was. Sergeant Blackclaw is still here, having refused several promotions that would have gotten her transferred to other parts of Chult. When asked why, she always responded in the same way: "By Tyr and Bahamut, my work here isn't done."

Together, Mulligan and Shae are able to provide relief for those soldiers wounded in the line of duty, but your own magics serve little to ease the suffering of the sick. Nevertheless Sister Cyas gives a kind smile at your efforts. Shae, you notice that the herbal infusions are handed to the shivering patients, who eagerly drink the clear liquid enriched with honey. The soldier suffering the effects of necrosis around his upper body is somewhat healed by Mulligan's magical touch, but you can tell that the necrotic flesh has caused him to be feverish too. Upon your inquiry, Sister Cyas explains: "We told him that the best thing would be to cut off the flesh. He knows that would mean he couldn't lift a shield anymore though, meaning he'd have to transfer out and leave the Order. He is determined to tough it out, praying every day to get stronger. He's only allowed us to provide him with cool cloth to help with the fever, as well as clean bandages around the wound, and is simply refusing anything else."

Noticing the infusions, Shae made point to ask Sister Cyas, and her crew. "May I copy and study this recipe for use?" She'd also be interested in any harvesting details, the herbs, but more importantly, the honey.

At the news of the soldier, Shae exhales a breath of understanding. Blue hues look over the patient. "I know some who'd do the same..." She'd then begin to prepare herbal tea and a fresh cloths.

Shae would bring the items with her to the soldiers bedside. "Hello." She'd exchange the cloth on his forehead with a cooler one. "May I ask your name brave warrior?" Her words were soft. "I'd like to hear your story, if you'd share with me." And she was genuine. Engaging with the patient, should it not cause him too much stress or additional pain, may be a way to at least distract him from it, even for a little bit.

"My name is Shae." She'd introduce herself as she'd start dabbing him down with another cool cloth. "I've spent some time in this blighted jungle." Shae would share in an effort to keep the soldiers mind off the pain, while also trying to build a rapport. After having watched Mulligan's approach, she made a few notes and was applying some of the tactics in her bedside manner. "I was blessed with valiant individuals much like yourself at my side." She'd speak honestly from the heart as she worked, reviewing the healing Mulligan was able to provide as she did. "I survived because of them." I live for them... She swallows to fight the tears that'd well up suddenly. "The pain suffered for the experience gained... I harness to give back." Mulligan's efforts were a good start and provided at least some relief to the patient. "I've learned new skills and techniques a long the way in hopes I can keep them free of suffering..." She'd lift the cloth on his forehead to check his temperature. He did still have a fever, and the necrosis...

Shae's blue eyes meet his. "What is it you fight to protect?" Her visage was gentle and compassionate, once again genuine in her ask. Passion. The hope and desire that can inspire one to push through against all odds...

Maybe, just maybe, there was something she could at least try... Now was as good of time as any... "May I try something?" Shae would ask the soldier for permision.

Should he agree, Shae would cup her hands together and bring them to her mouth. She'd whisper then blow, opening her hands to release a purple butterfly. It flutters into the air leaving behind a trail of pink sparkles as it flits it's way around the tent. It'd eventually make it's way to Mulligan. It'd circle him, beckoning him to follow it back to Shae. She was asking for his assistance.