The Treasure of the Tierra Padre... [Knight Otu Judging]

[Zweischneid]

Crouching at the riverbank and following the curious fruitbat flutter out of sight above the murky swamp, Razir quietly wonders if building a bridge is really necessary
'Wouldn't it be possible to cross the stream at the mill race? I believe I overheard that we are in a hurry, that there are even other venturers out there looking for the very same treasure we seek.'

Carefully studying the river for a place to cross he whisperingly concludes
'A bridge, impressive as it might be in this forlorn place would cost us time and help our.. uh.. compeditors'
((Search + 5))

Having finished his speech, he thankfully takes another refresh from the clear water.


((Either way, Razir will certainly help with any endeavor the group decides on.))

 

[El Jefe]

As he puts the last of the cookware away, Oirhandir's impatience grew. "What is Rogier waiting for?", he thought to himself. "This only took a few minutes the last time."

Wouldn't it be possible to cross the stream at the mill race?

Oirhandir approached the half-elf with the rasping voice. Placing one hand gently on his comrade's shoulder, he pointed with the other to the spot where the mill race rushed past the dam.

"That, my friend, is our problem", he observed. "You see how the mill race is too large for even someone of Gath's stature to just step across? And leaping it with the horses is no answer, either. The top of the dam is only as wide as a stout human's shoulders, and if your mount misjudges the jump, you're both going for a swim. Of course, the top of the dam is underwater, even if it is only as deep as your ankles. So, what we need is a hasty bridge over just the millrace, which is how we got across the last time." Oirhandir paused to let his words sink in, then continued: "But, as you see, the mill race is not much wider than a man is tall, so it shouldn't take too long to put together something that is both serviceable and safe. The last time we were here, Rogier did it himself in a few minutes. He had to work fast as night was falling. But I would prefer we use the extra hands that we have, and use a few extra minutes if needed, to build a crossing that won't be as rickety as the poles he lashed together a few days ago."

Oirhandir glanced at Rogier as he said the last few words. He had hoped that the crossing would be ready by the time camp was struck; with that work now half done the elf at least took some satisfaction in knowing that the party wouldn't have to wait while he finished his share of the chores.

 

[Pbartender]

OOC: As a reminder...

The flat top of the stone dam is at least two feet wide the whole way across. Even with the river flowing high from the recent rains, the water spilling over the top of the dam is barely ankle deep. The millrace spillway is deep and wide enough to allow a rowboat to pass, but it is only a matter of a short hop from the dam over the rushing water to the shore and the mill's delapidated foundation.

Oirhandir takes a look into the water where he heard the small splashing noise. Out near the middle of the river, he can see a slim dark creature swimming beneath the surface of the water. From where he stands, it looks roughly the size and shape of a large otter. It is headed across the stream, but reaches the opposite shore in an area of thick brush, where Oirhandir cannot make out any more details.

It takes little time to fashion a make-shift bridge from several stout branches lashed together with lengths of rope. It is not entirely sturdy, and bows a little in the middle when stood upon, but appears strong enough to carry the weight of horse... At least for a short period of time.

Every crosses the river without mishap. The swampland is a water-logged bog, riddled with scraggling trees and the occasional hummock of marsh grass. Small buzzing and stinging insects are ubiquitous.

 

[GPEKO]

Gath

Gath follows whomever leads them into the swamp. He dismounts from his horse when necessary. He also curses loudly at the annoying insects. "Jakark Woudar*! The bugs be bugging me!" With that, he 'smashes' yet another one, with little result.

*the translation from Orcish would not be appropriate for anyone's grandmother

 

[El Jefe]

Not long after the band had made its way across the dam, Oirhandir spoke to Rogier. "Nice work on that bridge", he grinned. "And you as well, Gath", he added. The half-orc wasn't the most couth being around, but you could say that for some of Oirhandir's former ship-mates, as well. Despite centuries of misgivings between their ancestors, the brute was beginning to grow on the elf.

To no one in particular, the bard announced, "I caught a glimpse of the beast that dwells in the river, just before we crossed. I think he might be a big otter, or something. He took cover in the bushes on this side of the river, so I didn't get a good look at him. I don't think we have to worry about him doing any worse that stealing our food!", he joked.

Oirhandir didn't expect to find the "hye hille" until later in the day, if at all. But just the same, he scanned the marsh in search of it as they slogged their way through.

 

[Manzanita]

Iggy

"Yes. Thank you Rogier and Gath." He glances around for Kennedy. "I do hope my bat comes back soon. Perhaps I should have picked a bug-eating bat instead of a fruit bat... I'm not a 'witch,' Gath, I don't think. I'm a wizard." He trudges along by the others.

 

[Zweischneid]

We’re wading knee deep, we're going in.
Who knows, if we ever come back again.​

Razirs dry voice acidly croons under his breath as he removes a particularly fat and bloated leech from his thigh. Absentmindedly squishing the wriggling bloodsucker between his fingers, the half-elf gazes at the dreary and deserted horizon before turning to address the rest of the motley group.
'Well, If I remember that lizardman poem of yours correctly, Oirhandir, we'll have to keep walking south, right?'

Wiping off the slimy remains of the leech on a nearby fern, he whispers a naggin doubt of his.
'Does anyone here know how to keep a compass point? I'm not even sure I could find my way back to the mill in this desolate bog by myself.'

 

[El Jefe]

"Due south is right, Razir", replied the elf. "If the map is accurate, I can't imagine going south for more than three days before either finding the hill or the far edge of the swamp", he continued.

Keeping a compass point was another matter. Oirhandir could easily follow a compass point at sea, if he had a compass. And that gave him a thought...he began racking his brains to see if he could recall a compass packed amongst all the gear that Rupert had provided for the expedition, although he wasn't so sure that he could keep a compass point well with all the back-and-forth weaving among the tall trees and around the deeper holes that the party was forced to do. He'd been worrying about Razir's query even before they had reached the mill the day before, since he recalled the first trip through the edge of the swamp along the Roars. It wasn't hard to follow the riverbank, which sloped up out of the swamp before dropping down steeply to the river. But here in the middle of the swamp, there was little more than trees, grass, and endless water to navigate by. Oirhandir kept glancing up at the sun in a vain effort to keep some sense of direction...now, there was a compass in one of those packs, wasn't there?

 

[Gurdjieff]

Oirhandir's compliment makes Rogier smile a little. After much doubt from his party, the bridge held, and everything was going smoothly. "Thank you" he says politely. "A compass might be very handy indeed. Getting lost in these swamps might be a really bad thing, both to our mission as to our health."
Rogier grins while taking another good look around him, not feeling much for getting jumped on by some wild animal.

 

[Xael]

Almayce seems rather tense as he follows the others. He has taken a black travel cloak from his own equipment pack, and is trying to use the cloak's hood as a shield against the insects. His success is rather questionable, but he's not complaining aloud. He's busy planning insect repelling magic item market...