Yasami pauses checking her gear as Nketiah drops the question. Taken aback, she squints her eyes briefly before turning towards the elf with a much more controlled expression.
"That would be very kind of the Ekujae and yourself, and I would appreciate that very much. It would save us a lot of time. Both Cev and Joran deserve to find a way home, at least. Whatever state they are in."
She moves closer to Nketiah. To whispering distance. "In the spirit of openness, I would like to say something. And I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but somehow - you know more than you should. And while I do have secrets, they are not relevant to the Ekujae or this rag tag bunch of strangers that appeared in your home, it might put them in danger if my secrets were revealed to the wrong people. And that puts me on edge. So if you think you know, and you feel like sharing... Respectfully, I would ask you not to. People with influence might be after me, and they probably wouldn't care if they had to burn down your home to find me. But I assume both of us hope it never gets to that."
Nketiah is taken aback in turn but also quickly recovers her composure. To Yasami, it is a bit like watching a mirror. "My apologies, I thought we understood each other. I know full well that you are a finder and keeper of secrets, although I don't know what secrets you keep. I know things because I know to ask simple questions that invite open answers and I know when is time to listen and not speak. Please be assured I have acquired no information that the speaker did not deem themselves feel free to discuss, I know nothing about your secrets, and I am generally discreet with information that comes to me. I, of course, share matters relevant to the Ekujae with the Twin Leopards. And, as you have observed, I am free with the legends of the Ekujae when among the Ekujae and friends. I hope we better understand each other now."
Lisi observes the women whispering but chooses not to comment upon it. "We owe it to Joran and Cevendyll to find them," he says in agreement. "Jahsi, your maloscurwë--" (he uses the Elvish term for forestcrafting--"it is very impressive. I hope one day we can share skills between us, if it is allowed."
He waves to the archers, then turns to Jahsi again. "We rejoice in seeing the Ekujae again. Please understand if our hearts, so bent upon our rendezvous with Belmazog and her minions, may appear hardened or distracted, even after our respite in Avistan."
Nketiah is taken aback in turn but also quickly recovers her composure. To Yasami, it is a bit like watching a mirror. "My apologies, I thought we understood each other. I know full well that you are a finder and keeper of secrets, although I don't know what secrets you keep. I know things because I know to ask simple questions that invite open answers and I know when is time to listen and not speak. Please be assured I have acquired no information that the speaker did not deem themselves feel free to discuss, I know nothing about your secrets, and I am generally discreet with information that comes to me. I, of course, share matters relevant to the Ekujae with the Twin Leopards. And, as you have observed, I am free with the legends of the Ekujae when among the Ekujae and friends. I hope we better understand each other now."
"We do understand each other. I was not threatening you. Just warning you to be careful. Not in regards to me, but the people that are interested in me."
She relaxes a little. "In retrospect, it may have sounded aggressive. I'm a passionate person. Sometimes it simmers through the cracks. Apologies. Let's move on?" she smiles at the elf.
After passing through the portal, she looks around. She waves at everyone ni sight, knowing that Taldane doesn't do much here. "Well, this looks different. So does the tunnel, actually."
Before they leave, Catalina leaves Alak with a token of her affection--one of her many necklaces, this one a small chunk of surprisingly clear amethyst wrapped in copper wire.
On the other side of the portal, Catalina grins at the greeting and replies in Mwangi: "It's good to be back! Has anything transpired in our absence?"
"Well, this looks different. So does the tunnel, actually."
"I don't have enough experience with the tunnel to know if the differences are typical and perhaps periodic or if any changes are novel and significant. I am trying to avoid dwelling on such unknowns. We have other things to attend to that we have more knowledge about and control over."
Yasami nods to Caiten. "Hmm. That's fair."
She looks to Catalina, Lisi, and Nketiah. "Any chance Cev or Joran appeared or were sighted? Could you ask, guys?"
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Alak is very touched by Catalina's gesture and he immediately places the necklace around his neck. "I will treasure this part of you and keep it close to my heart." He gently touches Catalina's cheek with his hand and says quietly, "Please do take care. You always have a home here."
Nketiah returns Yasami's smile. "No apology needed. I did not feel threatened and I'm glad we had this talk."
Nketiah also responds to Lisi, "I'm afraid that sharing the sacred knowledge of our maloscurwë with non-Ekujae, even good friends, is out of the question, but, as I explained to Yasami, I do think I can convince my people to perform the ritual on your behalf."
Caiten is exactly correct that the tunnel is a situation such without precedent that you all have no basis to assess what the changes mean precisely, although everyone was certainly glad of them. The changes in the temple/garden are, on the other hand, clearly due to the Ekujae's hard work and, to Lisi's eyes, reflect some druidly magic as well.
Jahsi nods gravely in response to Lisi's comment. "Yes, of course. We are always pleased to see our friends, and we are grateful for your determination to rid these lands of Belmazog's scourge." And answers Yasami's question, "No significant changes to report. Our scouts still cannot progress far due to the remaining pillars, but neither have we detected any Cinderclaw incursions. I'm very sorry to report we have no information about Joran and Cev. The pillars, again, limit our ability to search. I can tell you there are no tracks suggesting that he ever reached the area to which we are currently constrained." Jahsi's expression is of great frustration and, uncharacteristically, he utters what must be some local profanities, judging from the surprised reactions of the warriors under his charge. Jahsi then composes himself and seems embarrassed, "My apologies. We Ekujae warriors are not accustomed or well-suited to feeling powerless."
Jahsi leads the group back to Akrivel; Nketiah walks beside him and speaks to him quietly. Once again, the group's approach is noticed well before you spot signs of he magnificent settlement in the rainforest canopy. The Twin Leopards themselves are there to greet the group once you ascend into the tress. “Welcome back, friends. We are eager to speak of your travels and plans. Let us proceed to the communal circle. After you have the chance to rest and eat and drink, we can talk."
Ose Panin and Ose Atsu lead you to the sunken circular communal theater and take their seats on the simple woven platform in the center. Simple but delicious food and fruit drinks, all fresh from the jungle, are brought to you, as the Twin Leopards patiently sit in silent contemplation, perhaps meditation, as they wait for you to eat and be rested. When it is clear you are done, with a waive of their wrists they invite community members to join. The Twin Leopards speak, alternating phrases and essentially speaking as one, "We want to hear from Nketiah, but perhaps you can share with us of your visit home, your current plans, and if there is anything we can do to help."
Lisi stands to speak.
"Our visit home was restful. We grieved and honored our fallen friend, and we saw our kin. We hoped to find our lost friends here in your lands, but at the very least, we shall make our approach to Belmazog's fastness and stop her and the Cinderclaws once and for all."
He pauses. "We will face boggards and charau-ka. Anything that will slow them down, confuse them, and protect us from the croak of the boggards, would be useful. Also, on the way, we will destroy any remaining pillars we find."
He bows to the Twin Leopards.
Yasami greets the Ekujae with a polite wave, and waits her turn. She looks at Nketiah as if urging her to start.
"I'll speak after if needed." she whispers to the "ambassador".
"It is, essentially, as Lisi says," Catalina adds, crossing her legs.
"At this point, I believe we just need to nail down where, exactly, we are going...?" She glances around at her peers to confirm; the events of the past day or two (how long had even passed? so much had happened) overwrote her memory.
"Totems. Totems first." Yasami whispers to Catalina.
"Did we...get information from the kobolds...as to the location of Belmazog's fortress?"
Lisi sneaks back towards Yasami and Catalina.
Yasami nods quietly.
"Ah...then, yes, as it stands." Lisi gives a firm nod; confirmations all around.
He looks to Yasami and Catalina. "As we did with the mines--I'd like to scout around in animal shape. Belmazog may have better ways to detect interlopers, but we can work on that." I think, says Lisi to himself.
The Twin Leopards, Nketiah, and the gathered Ekujae listen to the comments offered. The Twin Leopards nod gravely at the reference to Dario, and the crowd murmurs sympathetically. At Lisi's reference to taking the fight to the Cinderclaws there are many approving comments from the audience.
Once the party members that wanted to speak initially have done so, Nketiah stands and walks to the center, acknowledges the Twin Leopards and then the crowd. "I return flush with confidence in the intentions of our new friends and the strength of their community. It is a small remote town in the shadow of an old citadel, a giant building made of stone with walls the height of our guard posts." Nketiah seems successful in her attempt to translate the notion to the community, which echoes with curiosity. "And where here we are all Ekujae, except for the occasional visitor," Nketiah acknowledges Catalina, "in their town, called Breachill," which sounds weird in Elven, "many races live and work together. And there are elves that live there too, and, indeed, the leaders of their temples to Desna and Shelyn are elves. I met with each and they embrace the possibility of making connections to our community. I know you will have many questions for me, and I look forward to sharing more about the remarkable community."
As the party reflects on Nketiah's comments, knowing full well that she is well-traveled and has been exposed to many small towns, it occurs to you that Breachill really is a quite remarkable little community, even putting aside your own recent contributions...
Yasamins steps closer to Catalina. "Can you translate for me?" she asks and clears her throat. She takes a few steps towards the Twins. "Esteemed Leopards. Again, we are grateful for the warm welcome upon our arrival to Akrivel. I only hope Nketiah felt just as welcome during her visit. We have rested and believe that we have come prepared for the tasks you asked of us. While we" she gestures towards the party " don't speak for Breachill, it is my hope we can establish friendly relations between the Ekujae and our home. I believe Nketiah had already made the first steps in doing so with our temples. And before that, it is my hope that we continue pursuing our common goal to rid your home of the Cinderclaw pestilence. Our campaign against Belmazog and their cronies is further fueled by personal motivation. They had ended the life of one of ours, and I intend to make them regret them doing that. With that said, two others are still not accounted for. Joran Bravestone and Cevendyl Liressade. I would ask this favour of you - to help locate them while we go destroy the other totems in your jungles. Or, if you are able to, contact them by help of mystical means while we are in Akrivel to arrange their return home. Alive or otherwise."
Yasmai offers a slight nod of courtesy and waits for a response before stepping back.
Catalina grins at Nketiah, inclining her head gratefully at the mention.
At Yasami's request, the thaumaturge dutifully translates, doing her best to emphasize just how important finding Joran and Cev is to them. She adds on a plea of her own in Mwangi: "I did not know either gentlemen long, but they are important to this group of people. To me. To us. Anything you can help us with..." She bows low at the waist. "We would owe you quite the favor."
Lisi remains quiet, thinking about his own parental conflicts, but then thinks about a future with Narine. They're calling them--us--'aiuvarin' in some places. Perhaps it's the birth of a new race. And even with the Goblinblood Wars in our memory, we have the friendship of the goblins.
He thinks about Nketiah's description of the fort, and of Adare's description of dragon headed pillars. "I wonder if those pillars Adare described are more magical pillars. If so, it will be hard to attack the fort, or even sneak up on it," he says to Caiten. "Can you detect magic from afar somehow?"
The Twin Leopards listen to Yasami's request with a neutral expression, which appears typical of them. Nketiah steps forward before the Twin Leopards respond. "Yasami refers, of course, to the gerio mellyn ritual. I told her our people could not share the sacred knowledge of the ritual, but that I would speak in support of the Ekujae performing the ritual, with Yasami's participation, in order to try to locate Joran and Cev. Based on my experiences with this group and what I have seen in Breachill, I do support Yasami's request, but it is, of course, up to your wisdom to decide."
The Twin Leopards listen and confer in their almost unspoken language and respond, trading phrases back and forth. "Yes, certainly, we will perform the gerio mellyn ceremony. We believe we have enough mellothond root to perform it. Yasami will need to participate as a focus for the ritual, but she may not be permitted to observe the preparations, as the ritual is sacred to our people."
They continue, "Lisi, our wise ones have studied the functioning of the pillars based on examining remains of the pillars and based on the descriptions provided to us, and the wise ones are confident that the pillars remote from the fortress sustain the pillars around the fortress. They believe if you destroy the pillars in the jungle, the fortress will no longer be protected by the pillars that surround it. And we will, of course, provide anything we can to help protect against the croaking of the boggards, and anything else you seek that we have on hand."
After some further back and forth, the assembly ends and you are led to huts where you can rest and prepare for the next part of your journey. They bring you all earplugs () and moderate healing potions ().
It is Yasami's understanding that preparations for the ritual are underway and that Yasami will be participating as a secondary caster.
"I wonder if those pillars Adare described are more magical pillars. If so, it will be hard to attack the fort, or even sneak up on it," he says to Caiten. "Can you detect magic from afar somehow?"
"Not very far, no. I expect that there will be several barriers. The one that we were warned most about was that we would have to take down the totems scattered around the Expanse first. Apparently in addition to their other duties, they draw and direct additional power to the defenses of the fortress. Without understanding the magic involved, I am not able to give any more specifics. It is not magic that I am familiar with directly, though I have read some hypotheses on similar ideas."
"I wonder if they'll know each time a pillar is destroyed," says Lisi. "I can't think of a magic that does that easily."
"I am having to make some assumptions here, so my information may not be accurate. If it was my security system, I would be monitoring the incoming power. I may not be able to know which sources are still functioning, but I would be able to detect when the incoming power drops."
"And the few that we have destroyed did cause a rather large surge of power. That may be detectable if someone is paying attention and looking specifically for it."
Yasami listens with intent as the twins debate the ceremony to be done. She looks up from the floor at them. "Esteemed Leopards, I was not sure whether you would be able to help with this. It was a shot in the dark. But since there are options, I was hoping one of us could learn this rite. In case we needed to contact distant allies. For example - let you know of our progress in the coming days. Notify you that you can roam your lands unimpeded, and the like. Thank you for considering. We appreciate the help either way."
Caiten and Lisi, this is how Adare, the Elephant People scout, described the fortress: "I failed to travel far enough to detect the threat of the Cinderclaws before their recent attack, but I have since traveled and seen their fortress. It is deep in a massive swamp a few days distant. There is a large slab of rock that I swear was not there the last time I visited the swamp -- admittedly long ago. And the fortress is an oval structure built of red clay. It is not very tall, although the walls of the fortress rise about 15 feet from the water and there are higher watchtowers. Surrounding the fortress are a number of dragon headed pillars -- all have bonfires on top, but some are lit up their whole length in different colors and some have no light. That is about all I could see -- I could not risk getting too close, and the only way to approach the fortress was from the water -- I approached in a small canoe but did not emerge from the cover of the swamp. I did not encounter any cultists as I approached through the swamp." From the fact that some of the pillars surrounding the fortress were lit and others were not, you suspect that the corresponding lights go out as the pillars are destroyed.
After Yasami pushes the request further, again asking to be taught the ritual, the Twin Leopards nod to signal Nketiah to respond. Their faces betray no annoyance, but Yasami interprets the the indication to Nketiah to respond as signalling some displeasure with the repetition of the request. Nketiah responds: "As we have explained to you, the gerio mellyn ceremony is a ritual sacred to our people and not to be taught to non-Ekujae. Further, it requires a quantity of the most rare mellothond root, only to be found in these lands and most difficult to locate and preserve. It is not the most effective method to send messages at a distance, and that would not be a respectful use of the gerio mellyn ceremony, which is used only to call upon the spirit of the jungle to help find lost ones. If you wish to message us, we can provide you scrolls that will allow you to send me a message I will receive in my dreams, and we can communicate with you the same way. You know we have great appreciation for your assistance, but we cannot violate the sacred tenets of our people. As we have said, do let us know if there is any other way we can help. And, now, let us go rest and prepare for the ceremony and see what we can find of Cev and Joran." Nketiah's manner is more gentle than those bare words may suggest. It is clear there is no lingering displeasure with Yasami -- just a clear boundary as to what they are able to share.
"I understand. Just tell me what I need to do to help you now." Yasami nods at the twins, then turns to Nketiah with an expression that shows no emotions. Before stepping back into line, she flashes Nketiah a smile with a barely visible head tilt and nod. "Thank you."
She remains quiet throughout the rest of the procession, gently nibbling on her lip from the inside.
The group departs the meeting circle and you are brought to treetop rooms where you can eat, rest, and engage in any other activities while awaiting for the ritual to begin.
After a couple of hours, Nketiah gathers you up and leads you deeper and higher into Akrivel than you've gone before. While Ekujae from all walks of life watch and interact with you while you are in the central areas of the community, none follow as Nketiah leads you to the apparent location for the ritual. Higher and deeper into Akrivel, the vegetation is thicker and wilder, less crafted and shaped by the Ekujae, although certainly structurally sound.
You are brought to a large cavity in a thick tree trunk, the entrance largely concealed by flowering hanging vines. You hear rhythmic chanting coming from within. Inside you see two Ekujae -- the herbalist Vilatha, who you recognize from prior visits to Akrivel, and a very old female Ekujae you've never seen before -- and older than any other you've seen. Lisi suspects she is an ancient druid. She wears foliage that barely can be considered clothing, her eyes are a cloudy white, and her white hair is long and unkempt. Vilatha and the elder sit around a small cauldron made out of a heat-treated gourd over a low burning fire. Something very pungent smelling bubbles within. The elder's head rolls around and she chants in a trance-like state. She does not acknowledge your presence. The language sounds like the Ekujae version of elvish, but more ancient and Lisi can make little sense of the words, which seem highly local and ritualistic.
Vilatha asks Yasami to join the two of them around the cauldron, explaining "Nketiah and the others may observe," gesturing to an area 10 feet away, "but you are to be the focus of the gerio mellyn ceremony and will have to drink the mellothond root. Do not try to consume the root if you should ever come across any in the future -- unless specially prepared according to our ancient traditions, it is a deadly poison. But you need not worry today -- not when the ritual is in the hands of Mwenyesonga," gesturing to the elder.
You sit together in the cavity of the tree, while Vilatha and Mwenyesonga chant. The room fills with pungent smoke that makes it hard to see, and a bit hard to breathe. It also gets hot inside. After about an hour, while the elder continues to chant, Vilatha scoops out the small remaining amount of liquid in the gourd into a cup (it has apparently been concentrating all this time) and hands it to Yasami, saying "Drink, and concentrate on your friends and your questions."
Yasami follows Nketiah up the platforms and into the trunk interior, wondering how thick this tree actually is near the roots. She greets everyone with a nod, but remains quiet throughout the process, taking in as many details as possible.
When asked, she walks up to the cauldron. As they sit, she fights the urge to rub her eyes to stop the smoke-induced stinging but is adamant about keeping them open.
There is no hesitation on her face when given the cup. Only curiosity. She smells the contents briefly. Unsure how much to take in, she puts the cup to her lips, and starts drinking slowly. Her eyes gaze at the elderly woman, waiting for a queue to stop, if necessary. If not stopped, she drinks the whole thing.
Yasami gave a promise to Trinil and she tries to focus her mind on Joran first.
Curious about this ritual, Caiten follows and joins the group in the tree trunk. He keeps a respectful silence, but is watching everything with interest.
Catalina sets up with Caiten and Sulee to watch the ritual, concentrating hard on the details to file away in her notes. She doesn't press her luck with actually taking notes in front of them--she knows better. But any bits and bobs of folklore and practices always helps her own efforts, especially when their goals will take them to places where ancient knowledge could help.
Caiten and Catalina find the ritual intriguing, if a little monotonous. Unless they resist, the chanting, heat, and smoke eventually induce a trance-like state, albeit you are not entirely unaware of your surroundings.
Catalina cannot pick up any real details of the ritual in order to reproduce it even in part, but she certainly picks up some subtle bits of esoteric knowledge from the style and rhythm of the ancient chanting. She also stores away some oft repeated sounds and words in her memory. She is able to take in this esoteric knowledge even in a trance state.
Concentrating first and foremost on Joran, but also keeping Cev in mind, Yasami drinks the whole cup, which isn't very much liquid after being concentrated over the fire. It is enormously bitter and also has a taste profile different than anything she's tasted before -- it almost tastes like all of the smells of the jungle distilled together. It is certainly unpleasant to drink, but not actually disgusting.
After Yasami drinks the liquid, her head rolls back and her eyes cloud over. She finds herself in what she can only describe as a blank space, utterly devoid of any details. In her mind's eye, she looks down at herself and sees that she is sitting and sees she is dressed as she is currently dressed, at the ritual. She then "looks" across the space and "sees" Joran. He is thin and filthy and wears rags. He has numerous injuries on his body, most of which appear to have healed mostly of their own accord, with only minimal signs of first aid. His eyes are red and irritated, as if by smoke. He also has sores and bruises that suggest some mistreatment, but nothing appears serious and certainly nothing appears life threatening. He sits on the ground and is thoroughly bound with thick rope. Yasami can see nothing of his environment, but he sweats profusely and she sees bright yellow light reflected on his body, as if he is seated near a large fire, although the light does not flicker.
Joran appears to see Yasami, and his eyes open wide in shock.
Yasami looks at Joran. This beast of a man, previously full of life and vigor, reduced to a second-class prisoner. She gasps both in the blank space and in the ritual chamber, and puts both hands to her mouth in shock. Her mind races as she observes Joran's state, taking in every detail available.
It is a little hard to tell, but it looks like there were blunt force injuries, scratches, and puncture wounds, that are now in various states of healing. Joran is dirty, but it's not obviously or primarily soot as far as you can tell. The light reflecting on Joran's skin is not flickering and it does indeed have a gold tint.
Joran looks at you expectantly, seemingly aware by the magic of the ritual that you're to ask him a question...
"We'ce coming. Yasami says reassuringly, although her voice is still shaky. "How long can you hold up?"
Joran responds in common, in a parched and quiet but desperate voice. "Belmazog has me and Cev; we can hold out as long as you need, but it's crazy here. There's a golem made of clay and a red dragon that Belmazog ..." Yasami then sees Joran hit the ground and fresh marks appear on his face, as if he received an unseen blow from an unseen captor standing nearby...
Having asked her single question, Yasami feels herself fading from the blank space and her eyes uncloud and she returns to awareness in her body sitting in the tree cavity as the chants continue around her. Vilatha looks at her with concern and curiosity, "Did you make contact?" For the moment, Mwenyesonga continues to chant, although with less intensity than before.
"I did." she nods. "No need for another rite. I know where they are. Thank you." Yasami wipes her eyes with a barely audible sniffle and looks at the rest of the party. "Damn. The smoke really gets to your eyes here, doesn't it?"
Catalina gives in to the trancelike state and breathes deep of the smoke and the heat, letting the ritual watch over her. No better way to learn of other cultures than to experience it yourself.
Caiten recognizes the hypnotic effects of the environment being set up, but trusts the people creating the ritual. He drops himself into the trance and continues observing as best as he can.
Sulee, while not distrustful, prefers that at least one of the two of the pair keeps their full wits about them.
Fighting against the hypnosis is difficult and the effects are very jarring when fully observed. Sulee eventually has to retreat out of the tent door and instead keeps a vigilant watch from the outside.
Lisi does his best to withstand the deleterious effects, and focuses on Cevendyll.
He settles into a rapt meditation, becoming one with the chanting.
Caiten struggles, perhaps finding it a bit more difficult to let go in such an unfamiliar situation, but he stays for the full ceremony. Sulee, on the other hand, gets overwhelmed and slips out part way through.
Lisi, unsurprisingly, easily lets his consciousness sink into the ritual, and he feels the significance of being in the presence of an ancient druid.
The ceremony gradually comes to a close, as Mwenyesonga's chanting grows more quiet and eventually ceases, when her head slumps down on her chest. She appears to sleep.
Vilatha and Nketiah usher everyone out of the tree cavity and back down to the huts where you will rest before heading out in the morning. You are all too exhausted to engage in any festivities, which would not feel quite right, in any event. The villagers you see when you return regard you with respectful distance, apparently aware of the significance of what you experienced.
"We should go. No time to waste." Yasami speaks up after regaining her wits. "No point sitting around."
"I agree," Catalina says, nodding to Yasami. "We're more than well-rested. I feel useless just sitting around."
Lisi nods. "The situation will change the moment we reach Belmazog's fortress, no matter how much we plan in our heads for some outcome."
He exchanges a meaningful glance with Guba and then his eyebrows raise. "Yep. Yes, Guba. Goodness. Yes, we'll kill a lot of flesh-creatures. I mean, any who don't surrender. Okay?"
Lisi grimaces. "I think the jungle is influencing Guba again."
Lisi grimaces. "I think the jungle is influencing Guba again."
Sulee gives a big toothy grin. "It happens."
The Ekujae are surprised you want to leave immediately, especially after the grueling ritual, but they don’t protest. They provide each of you with a sturdy pack with rations and water and sleeping and other supplies for your jungle travel. The packs also include the earplugs, healing potions, and portions of resistance mentioned before. They provide a hearty meal and see you off with little ceremony, although many of the Ekujae leaders (including the Twin Leopards) and many members of the community are there to wish you well.
You again find yourself in the heat and humidity of the thick jungle and start moving in the direction of the next remaining pillar. You are only able to travel for a couple of hours before the darkness makes it difficult to continue. You set up camp and spend a bit of a rough but otherwise uneventful night — given the hour and your tiredness, you don’t set up a great camp. ()