Barty's "Hoard of the Dragon Queen" (Tyranny of Dragons Part 1)

Rachael also takes a moment to help Rogram check out the campsite. "It does seem like we should take advantage of this spot to camp. We'll just have to keep a watch for any others that might also come  this way."

If nothing of intetest ous discovered, she'll also help with seeing about getting a fire going.  

Hono watches with a playful grin as Rachael goes to help start a fire as he holds up the little flame in his hand, "let me hold a light for you." This was not the first time Rachael had seen this joke from Hono, and probably not the last as her helpful nature and his... well whatever folks thought of his behaviors. "I suppose a good round of shuteye would do the old body well."

Karib nods, also looking around the camp for signs of who might have occupied it in the past...tracks, litter, any sign of human or other occupants.

"Watches, indeed," he says looking into the mist warily. "I don't fancy being suprised by Remzir or his servants again."

As they settle in to rest and after a meager evening meal of trail rations, Karib focuses his mind on Rogram's father, calling up a memory of the old smith in better days, back in Greenest when he was first sent there to investigate. He had only really come to know the smith in the mercenary camp. Before that he had just been an itinerant tinker and smith, helping out at the forge, quietly asking questions and trading stories with anyone who wanted a pan mended or a sword sharpened. He sighs. A few weeks and a lifetime ago.

Calling upon Gond's aid once more he reaches out. "How long did it take to get through the swamp? Any notable camps or threats? Any news? Is Remzir there? Answer briefly." He adds the last with a hint of frustration. The older dwarf always rambled. 

(( He relays what he learns to the others ))

Each canoe looks large enough to hold five humans without much gear, maybe two or three with packs and other gear to fill the space. Inside of the lean-tos, you find a few baskets that contain smoked fish along with some lizards and birds that have been smashed flat and dried. While the latter part looks thoroughly unappetizing, Merric is able to point out that since they are smoked and dried, all of it would likely be edible.

Between Rogram's magic drying some wood, and Hono's natural affinity for flame, a fire is soon roaring in the middle of the campsite. After some time, Karib relays what he's received in response to his spell.

"Durn it, I don't know, a day or three? Nothin' but stinky water slowin' us down, and I don't see no Rezzawhatsit, just a bunch--"

"Think I'll stick to the smoked fish. Or my own rations," Rachael says. "Let's rest up then move on by daylight. Any particular order for watches?" She's willing to take whatever turn the others wish her too. 

Karib shakes his head, a faint smile playing on his lips as the words cut off mid-sentence.

After relaying the meager news to the others exactly as he heard it, he glances around his companions before speaking again, "If I ever speak to any of you using that spell, choose your words carefully. It is limited to twenty-five in total. Take your time. It's not well suited to rambling."

He looks out into the marsh and at the boats before continuing. "At least we know he's not far...and he was somewhere in the mud. He didn't mention boats, but that doesn't mean much." He snorts, "He might just have not go to that yet."

"I wish we knew which way. It looks like mud in all directions."

((@DM: Do we have much visibility out of the immediate area?  ie. what can we see in the distance from the highest point nearby))

It's a bit difficult to see, gazing into the foggy swamp at dusk as Karib is, but the cleric can still make out some symbols scratched into tree trunks and totems hung from the branches of the trees growing out of the swamp's water that mark the continuation of the trail, even with the end of dry land. 

OOC: Letting you all determine your watch order. Jamna and Carlon are also available for watches or if you want some additional assistance during a watch. We can use this watch order as the default going forward to avoid slowdown.

Rogram shakes his head and chuckles to himself at Karib's frustration over Mathon's magical responses.

"Thanks for checking on my Pa," Rogram says to the big man. "At least we know he's still alive. Have you tried to find the ring? Maybe that will tell us which way to go."

As for food, he's willing to try the smoked fish, but waves off the flat lizards and birds.

When talking about watch, Rogram offers to take first watch.

Rachael mentions that she does not have any special ability to see in the darkness. So perhaps she could take the last watch, when it might be close enough to sunrise to have a bit of light. If that's the case, once she finishes eating a bit, she'll settle in to get some rest. 

Merric shrugs at Rachael and Rogram as they choose the smoked fish.  “Suit yourself, but the birds are quite the delicacy.”  He bites into one of the flattened birds with a loud crunch.  “It looks like the boats are the most likely way forward, but it will be near impossible to track them, or determine which way they went, through the water.”  He passes most of dinner in silence, considering the words Karib passed along from Rogram’s father. 

“I can take the second watch, after Rogram. I like the solitude and quiet of the middle watches.”   After dinner, and before turning in for the evening. He sits by the edge of the boat landing, hand trailing in the water as he waits and looks for a bird or other nearby animal in an attempt to commune with them and learn more of the happenings in the swamp.

Karib looks up as the watch is discussed. "There's seven of us now. That's enough to double up so those of us with limited vision get some help."

Rachael would agree with the watch arrangements Karib had come up with. "Alright then. Let's hope it's a quiet night." 

Merric's only companion as the party settles into sleep is the crackling of firewood, and the occasional pop of some wood that sends an ember flying. The woodsmoke helps to hide the scent of stagnant water, and the dry ground provides welcome and comfortable rest among the sounds of chirping insects.

The elf wakes Karib to join him on his watch soon after. While they stoke the flames, they both see it; a motion among the blackness of the water, something glinting in the waving firelight. On alert, the pair watches closely for a moment before the gentle splash of a paddle hitting water gives it away. Three canoes are headed toward the camp, each carrying at least one humanoid figure whose body consists of scales that occasionally reflect the firelight.

The canoes are currently at least a thousand feet away, and approaching slowly.

Karib looks over to warn Merric, only to realise the elf has also seen the approaching boats. "Time to wake the others," he whispers, moving cautiously to put his words into action.

"Can you see how many? One per boat? More?" he asks Merric. His own sight only shows vague outlines. As the others wake he looks around at the campsite wondering how they might best ambuss the lizard folk, assuming they are allied with the cult.

Rogram sits up and rubs his face. "Time for watch already?" he asks, his words turning into a yawn.

When Karib quickly explains that canoes are approaching, the half-dwarf gets to his feet in a hurry. He moves to a concealed place where he might observe the approaching boats. He peers into the darkness, trying to discern whatever he can.

Speaking over his shoulder, he whispers, "I can make two of us invisible, but we should decide soon because otherwise they'll hear me do it."

As she is woken up, Rachael slowly rises. But as she quickly grasps the situation, she's on her feet to join the others. "I can try to hide myself," she says softly. "Perhaps others should use the magic. Can anyone with better night vision make out how many there are?" 

About 500 feet away now, the three shapes moving through the water are visible, even if its occupants are not, the flickering firelight reflecting off of the water easier than the rowers.

“I can’t really tell” Merric strains to see further into the dark as he replies to Rachael “But at least three boats.  And they are bound to have seen our fire by now.”  Merric carefully takes note of what direction the canoes are coming from, it may help them determine the path forward.  

He looks over at Rogram.  “I can hide myself as well, but we should all take cover now before they get any closer.”  He looks over the group, many just rousing themselves from sleep. “Be ready, I don’t think we can avoid a fight.” 

Merric slips back away from the firelight, attempting to hide himself in the brush surrounding the camp.  Stealth: 20.

.

(Hono is completely unaware as he is sleeping in a bed of stone)