Session 30 - Chapter 6 - Feeling Swamped

Hello & Welcome!

Chard had to sit down and take a breather. "I don't feel fully myself," he managed to blurt out before he slumped down on the ground near the campfire. 

Torsion rushed over to check his friend. This would be first time he would get a close look at the new skin he was wearing. He still couldn't come to terms with it all. But he was still his friend, regardless of the skin. Wasn't he?

He could feel Chard was burning up and sweating. He checked him over and noticed a few large bites which were inflamed and looking quite angry. He recalled Chard had commented on how annoying the biting bugs were. 

Torsion reached for his holy symbol and cast Lesser Restoration in the hopes that it would cure whatever disease was afflicting him. Thankfully, once he finished his spell, he could see that Chard became visibly calmer and his temperature had broken. He, just like the rest of the party, was exhausted and they needed a long rest.

Meanwhile Dafnae and Pipp searched the campsite. There was nothing save a few discarded bones and some debris. The bones didn't appear to be humanoid so at least whatever had frequented this place didn't have a taste for humanoids. But there were lots and lots of footprints in the dry dirt and the campfire seemed to have been used in the last few days or so.

Not being able to really set out on foot again, they decided to take their chances and rest up here and hopefully those that frequented the place would give it a skip that evening.

They had managed to eat some rations and set their wet clothing to dry by the fire. It was nice to at least for now not be sinking into mud. The quiet didn't last long thought because the sound of movement on the water below gave advanced warning to Dafnae who spied two rowboats filled with Lizardfolk headed right for them.

Dafnae let the others know and to be prepared. Surely they had seen the campfire and smoke. But she was surprised to see that the occupants of the rowboats didn't seem to be concerned or otherwise preparing themselves for conflict. They just casually landed the ships and proceeded to unpack.

One of them appeared to be in charge and he gave some casual orders to his people in no hurried tones and the other Lizardfolk similarly were calmly unloading the boats of various provisions and seemed like they were preparing to make camp here.

After giving his initial orders, he shifted his attention to the four in the campsite. He called out to them in Draconic, raising one hand to them, much in the way that they saw them do in the work camp. 

Thanks to his obsessive research and investigation, Torsion had manage to learn the Draconic language. He was instructed to learn his enemy, and so, he had set out during his studies to learn all aspects of them, even their language. But his command of the language was still a little rusty, but he managed a similar salute and appropriate greeting reply back to the Lizardfolk leader.

Torsion's reply in Draconic cause the other to make a wide tooth grin (as much as Lizardfolk can be perceived to smile) and he replied in Draconic, "That is good. The other hairy ones like you didn't speak out language. How is it that you have learned?"

He replied, also in Draconic, "I studied the language long and hard when I singed on for this work. I wanted to know as much as I could in order to be prepared."

The Lizardfolk leader replied in his raspy, albeit non-threatening tone, "Good, good - it would be better if others learned like you have. What news and loot have you brought then this time? You are earlier than usual. no?"

"News is not good, Bog Luck has been found out and he had to flee," Torsion replied. "We have brought back the last of the treasure we could grab as we had to flee shortly thereafter. Torsion presented the few necklaces that Dafnae managed to grab before it was too late.

The Lizardfolk leader seemed to explore deep into Torsion's eyes. He had to get the measure of the haired one. "I see. At least you managed to bring the final bits of treasure with you. The masters will not be pleased at this news."

Torsion was felt relieved because it seemed the Lizardfolk leader believed him.  

The other Lizardfolk continued about their work unloading and sorting supplies unbothered by the four of them. Torsion continued the dialogue while his friends sat nervously near the campfire trying to keep up the ruse that everything was normal.

"Have not see your hairy ones before. First time?" he continued in Draconic.

"Yes, we've recently joined the cause and what to get involved."

"Me, I am Snapjaw. I and my kind carry the goods returned to the castle. You don't look like the other hairy ones You seem stronger somehow. I bet you managed yourselves well in the swamp. Did you have any trouble?"

Torsion explained, "Well, yes - quite a bit of trouble actually. Early on we were attacked by Giant Frogs and Bullywugs." At hearing the Draconic for 'Bullywug' - 'Svaust wux rethos' those Lizardfolk in earshot stopped and looked at Torsion and let out a hiss before turning back to work. 

Snapjaw continued after he finished his hissing, "And how many of the Svaust wax ethos did you kill? I hope many, but don't tell them at the castle I said so."

"Yes, we managed to kill several - they didn't put up much of a fight." This seemed to please the Lizardfolk as this response caused a few of them to let out a positive 'Vorel Thric' in response. Looking at the equipment of the Lizardfolk, they were far more rudimentary than those of the Bullywugs. "Do they cause your kind trouble as well?"

"Very much trouble. They master over us, they beat us, they keep food from us. They are in charge as they have the favour of the Masters." There were several more hushed hisses amongst the group as Snapjaw explained.

"The masters, who are they?"

"Ah, you are new. You have not met the Vutha Darastrixir - she is in charge. And she has the aid of the Aracaniss Svaust wax rethos. You will soon meet her. Be careful, she is very dangerous and the Aracaniss is very powerful." And as h mentioned both the Black Half-Dragon and the Bullywug Sorcerer the Lizardfolk all hunched down as if the names themselves struck fear in them.

"Why do they treat you so?" Torsion enquired. He was quickly relaying information back to his friends in Common. He was careful to stick to the facts and details without any contextual embellishment as he was not sure if Snapjaw understood Common.

"We are not as strong as they are. We serve the the Vutha Darastrix here in the swamp and they seek to gain favour with her. And if this is her will, then it is our will to serve. But it is not our will to enjoy it. We do not agree with how they are trying to gain her trust."

So it is the Black Dragon of the swamp that they are after. Torsion had read about the legends of such a beast in the Mere of Dead Men. While not really wanting to ally with Lizardfolk, Torsion got the sense that there could be something to exploit here because the enemy of my enemy is my friend after all. 

"You should fight back and regain your position and favour."

"You hairy ones are different than the rest. Not like the other hairy ones at all. You speak of wanting to serve then you also speak of disobeying the Masters. Before you make it to the Castle you have to make it out of the Swamp and though you all appear to be strong, not sure you would survive a battle with Rethos Vuthaith Darastri," and with that Snapjaw laughed a little to himself while the other Lizardfolk again ducked lower in the stature. 

Torsion was not familiar with the term initially. He had to work it out Rethos Vuthaith Darastri - it translated as Many Headed Death. Ah - the Swamp Hydra. "We already came up against the Rethos Vuthaith Darastri and we defeated it."

All the Lizardfolk stopped in their tracks, all looking at the four of them. "You? Defeated the Rethos Vuthaith Darastri? How did you manage such a thing? The Rethos Vuthaith Darastri is most ferocious! Many of our kind have fallen to it! Do you have any proof of your kill?"

"It was a tough battle and we took much damage but we sent it sleeping in the bottom of the swamp water. It will attack your kind no more. No proof, but know that it is gone."

There were soft (soft for a Lizardfolk) murmurs amongst the Lizardfolk as they considered the fact that the Swamp Hydra was defeated. Snapjaw continued, "Yes, I did say you are different hairy ones. I do not think you are here to work for the Master, are you?"

Sensing now was the time if there ever was one, Torsion clarified, "You are right Snapjaw. We are here to investigate what your Master is up to as we don't want her to succeed. Tell us, how far is it to the castle and which direction is it?"

The Lizardfolk leader thought a moment, then replied, "By boat it is another half day to the edge of the Swamp and then castle is not far from there. You will need to keep up your story to avoid attack until you can get inside. I trust you hairy ones - maybe you can help us to be free from the Master and restore order. We will head to our village not far from here and you may use our boats to make the journey. Maybe we see you there, either dead or alive."

To Torsion, restoring order would mean killing the Dragons as well, but he did not want to push his luck with Snapjaw - the boats would be helpful and they were in no shape to attack all of them. "Thank you - the boats would be helpful indeed. And we will try to end the control they have over you."

"Good, it is agreed then. Just as you travel by boat be careful of the Kepesh - they attack without warning. We will rest here and you can leave in the morning."

Snappers Torsion thought about the word? Ah - Crocodiles he quickly relayed to the others. "Yes, we will rest and set off early and we will keep an eye out for the Kepesh on the water."

The rest of the evening was quiet as they settled in for evening meal and preparing to bed down. Most of the conversation translated through Torsion were focused on the battle wth the Swamp Hydra. And Pipp could not resist singing a song for them. When would she ever be able to perform for a pack of Lizardfolk again? She searched through her memory for something relating to the swamp. 

The Mere's Lament

Verse I

Where the willow bends low o'er the black water's face,
And the mist steals the names from the old resting place,
Step soft, little traveller, heed where you tread,
For the Mere keeps its secrets... and honours its dead.

Low runs the water,
Deep sleeps the fen,
Walk with the dawn,
Or walk not again...

Verse II

The reeds whisper softly of kingdoms long drowned,
While the snappers lie silent where lilies are found.
The frog warriors watch with unblinking green eyes,
And the herons take wing when the old spirits rise.

Low runs the water,
Deep sleeps the fen,
Walk with the dawn,
Or walk not again...

Verse III

If the lantern burns blue, turn your footsteps away,
Do not follow the voices that bid you to stay.
For they speak with the tongues of the lost and the cold,
And they barter your future for stories untold.

Low runs the water,
Deep sleeps the fen,
Walk with the dawn,
Or walk not again...

Verse IV

Trust the lizardfolk's warning more than your own sight,
For they know every shadow that walks in the night.
They remember the dragons whose wings shook the fen,
Long before there were kingdoms... or roads made by men.

Low runs the water,
Deep sleeps the fen,
Walk with the dawn,
Or walk not again...

Verse V

So raise not your voice where the black waters sleep,
And promise no oath that you cannot then keep.
Walk humbly, walk kindly, leave nothing but song,
For the Mere will remember... long after you're gone.

Low runs the water,
Deep sleeps the fen,
Walk with the dawn,
Or walk not again...

The Lizardfolk enjoyed the tune even if they did not understand the words - they clapped their hands and stomped their feet even though the song was slow and sombre. But she was only glad - it would seem that music is universally understood.

The Heroes did keep watch overnight just in case but there was no incident. Early in the morning they set off with the boats.

The travel was slow but still faster than by land. They kept their eyes out for Snappers but the water was quite murky and dark. And anything could be sending up the various bubbles.

It was Chard's and Dafnae's boat that lurched to the side first with a loud crash. Slowly followed by Pipp's and Torsion's. Something big and nasty had slammed into their boat under the water!

One person continued to row while the other readied an action should something advance.

Another crash! This time both ships' hulls sprung a leak with the damage they took. Water quickly flooding in, both  rowed over to the water's edge as fast as they could before they sank. Whatever was in the water attacking them would be better to take on while on land. 

Both boats managed to make it to land and the Adventurers jumped out to the muddy bank. And that was when two Snappers emerged, chasing after the occupants of each boat.

Luckily it was a quick battle and the Snappers didn't last long. But they had the ore urgent task to repair the damaged boats in order to continue on. They managed to use the canvas from one of their tents to patch the holes enough to carry on.

They carried on quietly until they reach the edge of the water and back to the muddy earth. They disembarked and continued the last bit on foot.

Here the foliage was more lush than the rest. The trees were fully laden with moss hanging like thick hair. They trekked forward carefully.

The moss around them became more and more dense and it almost seemed like it was slowly heaving, like as if it were breathing in the cold damp air. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale.

One of these pulsing mounds of moss and debris seemed to be moving in its own rhythm. As the team was getting a closer look it started to move and form and towering over them was a Shambling Mound!

The monster writhed and wriggled as it attacked them with Slam attacks and tried to Grapple then. But the Heroes were able to defend and attack back. 

While in combat, another mound writhed to life behind them and this time they were able to Grapple Dafnae who was pulled into the centre of the pulsating mass.

They found back and tried to free Dafnae before she suffocated. 

Blows were exchanged, roots emerged from the muddy earth to try to slam into them again and again. The one that engulfed Dafnae started to slither away but they gave chase. 

Eventually, the first one crumpled to a mound of leaves and moss, lying still, motionless. Chard tried to investigate to see if he could find a place to land the killing attack but he was unable to locate it and so joined Pipp and Torsion to attack the one in order to free Dafnae.

The attacks continue and not soon after Chard joined the fray that the second one also slumped to the ground motionless, spitting Danae out onto the ground. Again, they could not identify where the creature had disappeared to and so could not kill it either.

But it wasn't important as then moving just beyond where the second Shambling Mound was, they could see the exit from the Swamp and so pushed on and reached it.

It was a small victory in a way. But they were still exhausted and they could see the walls of the Castle through the trees not far away from where they were. It was now or never, they had to press on towards the Castle and the Dragon Cultists lying wait inside ...

Until next time ...

If the murky depths of the Swamp have you thinking about the Lizardfolk and the creatures that share their world, a few pieces from our range might help bring that atmosphere to your table:

Lizardfolk Primitive Battle Banner 01 by Novaminis · Swamp Monster by La Louve 3D · Lizardfolk Bundle by Yasashii Kyojin Studios · Swamp Monster by Mia Kay M3DM

Add the party's heroes to your collection:

Chard · Dafnae · Pipp · Torsion

Explore more collections: Swamp & Marshland! · Aquatic & Nautical! · Plant!