IC 003 - Expedition to Blackwater Swamp

[Rex]

Ciarra

Ciarra examines the hives.

Survive [1d20]=18

[cybersavant]

Kaithar looks at the hives

know, survive

[sulldawga]

Ciarra

Ciarra examines the hives.

Survive [1d20]=18

Ciarra remembers opening normal-sized nests in the past. The empty holes were where larva had previously hatched. She assumes the hole with the plug contains an immature larva and that's where they'd find any nectar. The parent wasp leaves nectar behind for the larva to feed on once it's hatched.

[Rex]

Ciarra

Ciarra will explain to everyone what she knows and try and recover the nectar from the hives.

In case needed:
Survive or other [1d20]=11

[Urson]

Mikhail
Mikhail scrapes his axe blade across the surface of a nest, hoping it will cut into the material. I figger we'll need a damn big hammer.

[sulldawga]

The party has to hit up the mule for some tools to help break open the nests, but they are successful. Cracking open the plug is also relatively easily done with a sharp dagger and the wasp pollen/nectar is removed intact from all four nests. This has the added effect of dooming the larva to starvation once they hatch but such is the way of nature.

Thinking about your next intention, you scan the local area for markers. There are no paths visible.

Back to the east, you can see the top of a tower at the limit of your sight which, if memory serves, is one of the Forts ringing The Farms. This one is Fort Illumination.

To the north, perhaps a mile away, is a low rocky tor sticking out from the surrounding flatlands.

The lands to the west become forested at the edge of your vision. These are the woods south of the swamp. You also know Song Lake lies to the south of those woods.

You also hear water running to the south/southeast. Perhaps a river or stream running from the swamp toward the Moche?

[Rex]

Ciarra

"We should check out the running water and see what it is. That would be important to know."

[Marullus]

Gars considers thoughtfully. "Civilization lives and dies on fresh water. If we find and follow the fresh waterways, we are more likely to make discoveries - whether habited or uninhabited. That said, it is only a mile to that high-ground, and we will be able to see significantly further from there. That will help us orient to larger landmarks. This stream looks like it flows from the swamp, in which case do we want to see the high-ground before wading into the low?"

That new point-based input is GREAT. Thanks!

[sulldawga]

It also goes without saying that you can see hills that rise into the mammoth Falkenhorn to your southwest.

[Rex]

Ciarra

"Valid point Gars, lets head for the high ground and see what we learn."

[Urson]

Mikhail
Mikhail steals a taste of the honey. Ayuh, the high ground is always a good choice. I want to look at the stream later- there may be beaver or mink for the trappin'.

[sulldawga]

Blackwater Swamp region
Date: Fourthmonth, Fourthday (The Bloom 4)
Time: roughly mid-afternoon

The party heads north toward the tor. It's about two miles away and there's nothing stopping the party from taking the most direct route.

Upon arrival, it's quickly determined that this is a valuable find. The elements have worn away grass and dirt here, revealing a rich slab of sandstone. Sandstone is resistant to weathering and is prized as a building material. This would be a good spot for a quarry and it's close enough to the Fort and The Farms that no doubt the King's Army (or some other enterprising businessman) would pay for information on its location. You're only about three miles due west of the Fort.

Climbing to the top to take a look around, one can see a thin wisp of smoke in the air a couple of miles to the north, suggestive of a campsite. Closer to the north, within a half mile or so, is a trail running NNE to SSW.

Several miles to the west-northwest, you can espy the top of a bald hill in the midst of the forest.

To the southwest, you can see hints of the running water you heard earlier emerging from the forest and heading away from you.

[Enoch]

"Not just civilization, but animal life as well."

Lavin stops to examine the stone. "Perhaps we should head back to fort and report this before anyone beats us to it."

[Rex]

Ciarra

"I am fine with that, we could also try to sell some of the nectar."

[cybersavant]

how far have we travelled, close to 1/2 way for the day?

[sulldawga]

Blackwater Swamp region
Date: Fourthmonth, Fourthday (The Bloom 4)
Time: roughly mid-afternoon

[cybersavant]

Lavin stops to examine the stone. "Perhaps we should head back to fort and report this before anyone beats us to it."

Kaithar "Being that it's so late in the day, turning back is best if we want to get there by nightfall."

[Rex]

Ciarra

Ciarra turns back with the others.

[Urson]

Mikhail
Mikhail grumbles. Gods of the Woods! We'll never make any progress iffen we run back to the damn town every time we find an unusual flower! Let's not waste more time on back-and-forth. Note the location, get some bearings so we can direct someone else here, and move on.

[Marullus]

Gars points west northwest to the next bald hill (which should be in or across the swamp, right?). "There. I suspect that if we're going to solve the swamp's mysteries, we should start there."