DAY 24

The party breaks camp, which happens to be a small area of grasslands on the border of the central jungle and the swamps surrounding the great Bloodwater Lake's western edge (which is not visible at this time, and much farther east. Skald is no longer the best aide to Hoggie, having left the jungle, but now it is back to Rabbi Cohen, who can use celestial navigation to aide the uncanny psychic's even uncannier sense of the land around him. The intention is to cross due southeast, even skirting Bloodwater Lake for many miles, before getting to Fogmire. It is an unfriendly place, but Rabbi Cohen and his people have been there to that accursed place already, and know its dangers. Once out of Fogmire, it is due south a few days to the isthmus leading to the Great Wall and Tanaroa.

That's the plan. But for now ... once that is shared with the Olman hunters, they bid the PCs farewell. They are not in need of a rush, and they will take the longer way around and possibly for good hunting. They will not for love, money, or religion continue with the party to Fogmire (and even the swamp itself spooks them). Though the Olman hunters will miss the party's protection, Acacoatl and her families know smaller little encampments to keep them safe at night. But again, the PCs - working against the clock - do not have that luxury.

Goodbyes are given, and Rabbi Cohen makes sure that the hunters have the lion's share of the meat rendered from the terror birds, while still keeping enough to be polite (otherwise, the hunters would infer that they are unable to do their job, having been given such "charity").

The party heads out, with the normal "rations" of endure elements. It is a tough slog, and over the course of the day, the party will travel about 8 miles through the trackless swamp, about as quickly as in the jungle. The party encamps on the western elbow of Bloodwater Lake. With the lake on the party's left (east), travel tomorrow should hopefully be a little quicker as they have a visible landmark to help them keep more focused direction.

After camp is set up, but before the PCs have put down, Rabbi Cohen will come to the party. "There are massive dinosaurs out there - six of them. They are slowly foraging this way. I want everyone to prepare for a fight, since we are in their territory. But before it gets to that, Skald, do you think you can use your druidic powers to convince them to leave us alone?"