2022/08/21: Return to the Swamp
General Summary
A recount from Theodrogo after a few Ales:
Theodrogo looks up: “The creatures in these wilds are even more dangerous than we have previously seen. I died out there…well, I am clearly still here but that is only due to Yaneb’s will. I felt the embrace of death, even if just for a moment, and I had not expected it at the time. Some of these creatures…they can end you before you have time to even contemplate the risk! But as I said, Yaneb had decided it was not yet my time…and I must dwell on the meaning of that, and what Yaneb would have me do with my remaining days. Why was I spared, when so many before have fallen? Also…let me tell you…if that tall blue Thrasher suddenly runs off…don’t chase him, at least without a plan, a bard, or a cleric.” The barkeep stares at Theodrogo until he feels the ale overflowing the mug he holds to the tapped barrel, wetting his hands and the floor. “Um…sure Theo. That sounds, really rough. Anyway, here is your ale.” He passes the mug to Theodrogo and excuses himself to find a bar towel to clean up the mess, and remove himself from the clearly shaken Dragonborn warrior in front of him.
Theodrogo, slightly slurring, his eyes struggling to focus on his friends starts out…”if Goldbroad were in the tavern she could sing us the tale…hahahaha…I mean, WHEN she is in the tavern she will likely regale us with a tune. But I’ll tell you we wandered the wilderness for days as I navigated us overland to the swamp, for the river was overcome with waters due to the rains and unsafe for boat travel…sometimes I navigated well, sometimes not. But these lands are beautiful and bountiful, and there was ample food and water and though we were beset by beasts in the evenings—giant cats and gianter cats mostly—we fended them off until the local fauna learned to keep their distance. We traveled through forests to a mountainous range of pinnacles until the swampy lake was in view, with the far end shrouded in mist. We decided to continue overland to the far end of the swamp so we’d be closer to the keep of the swamplands.”
“As we got very close to the swamp shore a stench began to arise from our destination…and something about it set off our new friend Thrasher. He ran toward the foulness, leaving the rest of us behind. Worried for his safety I followed, galloping on Arrow upon whom I’d pulled Iva Dennegrom (Simon) astride as well. Goldbroad stayed behind with the mule and boat, a mistake on our part to leave without her and her songs of safety. When we caught up with Thrasher, he was staring down a pair of Yaneb-forsaken creatures at the edge of the swamp. While my recollection is getting blurrier (prayers of thanks to Yaneb for this ale) they were lizard like people, yet also covered in fur. They attacked and soon Thrasher was down. We fought back from a distance and I tactically retreated to the higher ground. But the creatures followed, and one of them stopped at a distance, stared in my eyes, and though I had a moment ago been at full health and fully armored astride Arrow, I suddenly felt death’s embrace. But as the last spark of my consciousness was being snuffed out, I felt a distant ember of warmth that I easily recognized as Yaneb, and Their ringing voice in my head announced “NOT TODAY” as I slipped into unconsciousness instead…”
Iva takes over:
Iva sits at a center table; Mahi the Imp sits atop his left shoulder. Though accounts of the journey made travelers become disheveled, Iva looks as if his attire were newly threaded, and smells of lavender.
He orders salt and water. Then Mahi takes flight, landing across various tables and making eye contact with those unfortunate enough to do so. As Mahi traverses the bar, Ivas voice comes from the lips of the Imp and recounts the journey.
“We traveled south east. By, near and from the river. While water is scarce, it can be found with a little luck. It is recommended to bring bottles or skins, for drought can come on quickly.
“Carry catnip or dog urine, for cats abound. They can kill you quickly, and those are simply the cubs. The mother beast approaches as we killed her kin. Thrasher pounded his chest with magnificence and startled the matriarch away. However, that wasn’t tale’s end. She stalked us. Hunted us. We were able to fell the beast, but when we prepared to feed off of her as we did her children… let’s just say when the wind bows the trees like these legs, it’s time to flee.
“We set up traps around the large cat to perhaps ensnare more than mice, but we’d have been wise to put them atop the carcass, for a large vulture came from the skies. We fought the beast to no end. Only when it gripped the dead mother cat in its wrinkled talons did it fly off, leaving our traps and stomachs empty. A warning for future ventures…”
“A stench of a weeks old battlefield. That would have been a delight compared to the assault which disfavoured our nostrils. Beware that stench. Most know to stay away from decay, yet out Thrasher did just the opposite. For some reason I can’t know I gave chase. And as Theodrogo (Aaron) gave account, a battle ensued.
“Yes, with beasts that looked lizard-like, grown to massive proportions, attacked us. They have a dastardly stare that seemed to fell out party member in an instant. But whatever God he speaketh of is a powerful one, and gave him leave to return to this insufferable land of the living.
“Another beast came: to have razors for teeth and ridges for spine. With Goldbroad returned, we made quick dispatch of the creatures, and returned to health. We thought Thrasher dead and drowned in the murky depths of the swamp. Alas, that big skull and large nose were just enough to keep him from dying.
“After all this, we only came to see the peaks of the keep in question. I can only hope to join the next party, for the joy in a present isn’t in unwrapping the difficult outer layer, it’s savoring what’s in the box.”
Report Date
21 Aug 2022
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