[h2][center][color=00a651]The Orc Grave Swamp Enclave[/color][/center][/h2]

"Well... Balls." Was all Gredy could say as the report came in. He had rather hoped that since the bloody reptile lived in the water it wouldn't have encountered the toxic plant life in the drier areas of the swamp. Well, live and learn. At least no one had died to discover the fact that the bloody beast was immune so there was something of a silver lining, but alas it did leave them at square one...

With a small sigh, he turned to look at Biscuit before clearing his throat. "Alright... new plan. We're going to have to wait until Buddy gets back before we can [i]hopefully[/i] get started on making bows and arrows, but in the meantime I want some of our hunters scouting out the wildlife in the area. Find out what the animals eat, how they raise their young, that sort of thing. It might give us an idea of what plants are safe to eat or use..."

Biscuit nodded her head in agreement before adding "Might be able to try and gather some eggs while they're at it. Might only give us something to eat, but we could try hatching some of the birds to domesticate them as a food source later on as well." 

Nodding his head a little as he raised his hand to cover his mouth for a moment of thought, Gredy grinned a little before muttering in a slightly muffled tone "That's... a great idea. Even if it fails, we still have some more eggs." Removing his hand, he quickly asked "Who do you think would be good at leading an exploration group?"

Blinking a little in surprise at the question, Biscuit considered for a moment before suggesting "Well... Geist seems like she has her head screwed on correctly. Why?"

"I want to send a team out to investigate the northwestern part of the swamp. See what's over that way and what's bordering us on that side. Can you ask her to pick out a team of thirteen and get going when she's ready?" 

.............................................................

The idea of a tree becoming a tombstone had quickly caught on, the other names of those who had died finding themselves craved into their own trees. While the first tree was selected for a goblin whose body was given to the swamp in an failed attempt to kill one of the large reptiles that stalked the waters those who had bodies to bury were buried under the trees that would serve as the markers for their graves. Some of the families of the deceased discussed the idea of being buried under the same tree with their friends and loved ones around the camp fires, desiring to be put to rest alongside family.

Sitting on her own, Charti closed her eyes and listened to the swamp around her as she let her thoughts wander. She was a younger goblin, just barely an adult but she had seen plenty of horrors in her time just like everyone else had. The swamp had provided her and her people with a surprisingly peaceful place to live; Sure it was dangerous, but there was beauty there too. And all the swamp asked for in return for them enjoying its protection and bounty was that when they died, to feed their bodies into its soil and let their spirits join with it to be reborn in a new manner. All things considered it was a pretty good deal.

Charti physically relaxed as she quietly listened to the swamp around her...


[hider=Summery]
Geist and a team of 13 other adults have gathered together and go to explore the Northwestern area of the swamp, their goal being to see what it bordered on that side. 

The hunters are instructed to observe the wildlife to try and understand not just the creatures around them but also to get an idea of what plant life might actually be safe to eat, as well as to collect eggs for food and domestication purposes. 

The idea of converting the tombstone trees into a kind of 'Family Tree' is raised, while some goblins start focusing on the world around them, listening to the swamp to relax and find balance in their new lives.
[/hider]