"My what a day!" He breathed...or was it 3?...Wildred couldn't remember! he slumped against the cold wall and closed his eyes..but his mind continued....."time is not a true calculation in the wilds"...."but what if time has no way of being calculated here!?"...his mind was on overload...but this was good!.his best theory's and observations always came from a tired state of mind....
"Maybe?" Wildred whispered his eyes twitching
"But no it couldn't be?" He roled over to his left side and hugged his knees with his back against the wall......
"A child once again" he whispered.
Time not seeming calculated,the Wilds he knew lacked certain structure and magic itself was less a construct and more a law that was misunderstood.
"How much a study of magic you make, a law of logic will always break!!"
..or so his father always said.True it was!! Wildred had always looked up to his father's prowess when it came to the logical explanation of Magic and its properties..the reactions of materials and the forces that governed the outcome of any spell..but a positive action always negated a negative reaction.
"Or is it the other way around" wildred mumbled quietly..in and out of consciousness.
So much for his fathers logical practices none of that had helped when his mother was sobbing herself to sleep for days on end..Wildred slipped in to a trance...
Resmae followed the rest into the tower with Sammy faithfully behind her. She carries the fairy in the cage (unless someone else grabbed him that I missed) and settles herself into a rest as well. Happy to be out of the rain.
"Thank you for keeping watch friend, but make sure you rest too! I know you said you were hungry as well..." Halei speaks to Chapley.
As Wildred starts muttering to himself, obviously a little agitated for a few moments turning over different explanations for their situation, Halei tries not to let herself think about it too much; tries not to think about her current form, where they are, how they'll get back, how wet her clothes are, the bandits, the snakes outside, their quest. She tries to not let her mind wander much farther than the fact that her limbs are heavy from trekking through the swamp all day and she desperately needs to rest for a bit. She'll leave Wildred to make sense of their situation, while she focuses on what's in front of her; she might go crazy otherwise. They say when walking a tightrope to keep your eyes on the rope and never look down.
With that final though Halei settles amongst her friends.
It feels like it has been a long day. Waking in Hither. Finding a way down from the crumbling causeway. Trudging through the swampy landscape for what seemed like hours. Surviving an encounter with some local bandits. Swimming and trudging for more hours through the muddy swamp. Battling your way into this quaint little leaning tower and two new folks for company. It has been a long day.
You all pile into the tower. Not shortly after you settle in, you hear the rains increasing. Bucketing down and the wind begins to howl. The slanty tower creaks and groans in the weather, but still, it holds out. It is warm and cosy, and there is just room enough for all eight of you and a fire.
Some of you tucker down on some delicious, well-earned snake. Cooked to perfection by Chapley. Aros's inability to eat or drink and the angst it is causing her is of concern to you all.
Balliol, you pose your questions to Sir Talavar.
Sir Talavar shares his story "I, Sir Talavar, a noble faerie dragon and emissary of Titania the Summer Queen, travelled to Prismeer to persuade Zybilna to ally with the Seelie Court against its hated enemies, the Fomorians. I soon discovered that Prismeer had been seized by the hags of the Hourglass Coven. Before I could return with news of their treachery, Bavlorna trapped me in this enchanted golden birdcage. Wigglewog stole the cage and fled with it in one of Bavlorna's balloons. Soon after, the balloon was attacked by a malicious wind that sent it careening into this ancient, crumbling tower in the middle of Hither's swamp. Wigglewog died in the crash, and I have been stranded in the dangling wreckage of the balloon with that pair of Bavlorna's serpents circling below until you took care of them. I can't thank you enough."
He continues to tell you more about Bavlorna. "Bavlorna Blightstraw is one of three sisters who together make up the Hourglass Coven. They are a crafty trio of hags who loath one another. But, together they are formidable foes. Bavlorna can conjure minions that look like tiny versions of herself. She lives in a spooky cottage on stilts at the heart of Downfall, a bullywug settlement here in Hither. The bullywugs of Downfall are quite courteous and welcoming, provided one does not offend them."
He talks about Jingle Jangle. "A goblin named Jingle Jangle has the key to this cage. She lives atop of Telemy Hill, not too far west of here."
Balliol questions Sir Talavar about the retaliating landscape. Sir Talavar explains, "Prismeer is shaped by the emotions of the creatures that inhabit it. Even creatures of little consequence can transform the domain in minor ways as long as no other, more powerful force is exerting its influence."
Halei, you are captivated by your new sword. Sir Talavar recognises the weapon as Wigglewog's shortsword.
"A special sword that one is! Wigglewog called it his lucky blade," he comments, "You wield it well, Miss."
Wildred, between ponders and your wandering mind, you look and find 3 pieces of gold inside the pouch, 12 pieces of copper and a ring that fits over two fingers. It is inscribed with peculiar writing. You spend some time contemplating the object before you sleep.
Resmae, you listen on to Sir Talavar's talking. You lay back and fall asleep inside the already sleeping, curled-up Sammy.
Chapley, after a substantial feed of well-cooked serpent, you guard over the others as they all fall asleep. It is not long before you barricade the door and join them on the floor, finding a spot to rest under the crumbling staircase.
You sleep.
Please adjust your character sheets for any provisions you may ingest, or there is snake on the menu. Reset after a long rest. Balliol, Halei, Resmae and Wildred, please level up.
Balliol relaxes in the tower and gets a rest. For a little while he keeps one eye on Chapley, unsure of exactly who had joined them. But he seemed trustworthy and helpful and the monk needed to rest. All of this slogging through the swamp had made him tired. He fell asleep thinking about what it meant for a land to respond to emotions.
In the "morning" he woke up and prepared to move out. "I assume we are all agreed that it is now time to find Jingle Jangle. We need a key for the cage and a cure for Aros. Sir. Talavar, yesterday the fog made it hard for us to keep track of directions, would you be so good as to guide us today - it seems we need to go West. Also, you mentioned last night that the snakes had been sent by Bavlorna - do you think she will know of their death and send other friendlies?" He then looked around at everyone else. "Everyone ready?"
Resmae listens to the fairy, enraptured. She had no idea all this was going on in the feywild. Having spent most of her life in the carnival, she was pretty sheltered from the goingons in all the planes they visited. It very much intrigued her to learn more, but she knew she also had to find two beasts they could bring back. She wondered if the Summer Queen could help her with this? She was pretty sure Jingle Jangle couldn't, that would just be too easy.
She turns up her little rabbit nose at the snake and digs into her pack for anything else and settles into Sammy's side, happy for the company she is keeping.
As they all start stirring, she hops up and with an emphatic, "yes! let's go find Jingle Jangle. Sure hope they can help Aros! Oh, and our fairy dragon friend."
After a long nights rests Halei is rearing to go, and feeling fully rejuvinated. She admires her sword one last time, she feels weirdly attached to it, before moving around with it awkwardly, unsure where to put it. "Oh!" she remembers the scabbard still laying on the previous owner outside and hurries to retrieve it. When the sword is secured to her person she waits by the door for the rest of the crew.
Wildred feeling rejuvenated looks at the day with renewed enthusiasm..his dream had troubled him why had his brother Andrix been so vivid in his mind?he had never forgot him for sure!and the reason he had dedicated his lifes studies to the wild magics and the fae were heavily influenced by the dissappearence of his brother bit he had never felt such a strong emotions for a long while?Maybe it was him being in the Wilds finally..or maybe it was some sort of exposure to the wild magic that seemed to thrive so freely in the Hither.
"So much questions" Wildred said aloud to himself while gathering himself..he gazed over in the direction of Halei examining her new sword.What a sweet easy going soul she was..he found so much comfort in his new companions.He felt somehow Fate had brought them together for a purpose he was yet to identify.His practices of Divination had always instilled in him a sense of understanding and a presence of the future.His Gaze met Balliol as he explained about our priority was to find this jingle jangle.Widred nodded approved..."and another thing" he thought..what is the cause of this Ageing magic and why had near death affected him in Ageing years on to the teens.
"So much to learn he pondered...just then he remembered the ring.
Once everyone is ready Halei heads off leading the way, hopefully in the right direction but not really actually knowing where she's going, and hopefully not getting too far ahead of herself.
Wildred gathered some soot from the fire and places it in his satchel "this may come in handy"...he sits down and begins a ritual to Identify the ring he found.
As you fall asleep, you listen on as Sir Talavar, seemingly not short of a word, tells his stories of Hither and the tale of his escape from Balvlorna.
Wildred, you ask around for some leather, to which Sir Talavar unwinds and hands you a tiny piece he had wound around his sword handle. "Here you are, Sir!" he calls as he passes it to you for your ritual. You place the twin golden ring on your fingers and touch it with your spell in mind. Muttering your words, you sense the ring's abilities and the magic it already holds.
You all wake the following morning feeling stronger and more prepared for the journey ahead.
You have reached a consensus, and you all agree to help Sir Talavar get to Telemy Hill in the hopes that Jingle Jangle, the goblin, has a key that unlocks his cage and hopefully a cure for Aros. Before her time runs out!
Balliol, you quiz Sir Talavar "...Sir. Talavar, yesterday the fog made it hard for us to keep track of directions, would you be so good as to guide us today - it seems we need to go West. Also, you mentioned last night that the snakes had been sent by Bavlorna - do you think she will know of their death and send other friendlies?"
"It is almost certain, Sir!" replies Sir Talavar, his eyes narrow, "She has eyes and ears all over Hither." he continues. "This way, Friends!" he calls out optimistically as he points to the West.
Just as you are about to leave, Halei jumps up and runs off into the brambles to retrieve the scabbard that belongs with her new sword. Shortly she returns panting and steps up front to lead the adventurers onward.
With Halei leading the way, you all head westerly, into the swamps of Hither. The rains have eased but the swamps remain soggy, muddy and smelly. However, you find travelling much easier than yesterday.
Please let me know if you have a preferred traveling order and arrangement.
Resmae hops up on Sammy and quicly catches up with Halei, "Well, at least it isn't raining anymore! Though it would be nice to get out of this swamp. What do you think Jingle Jangle is like? Has to be a pretty fun goblin to have a name like that!"She turns around on Sammy for a second, "Come on slow pokes! Let's get a move on!" and in a more somber tone of voice, "Aros truly needs something to drink and eat."
"Hmm, I actually haven't the slightest clue! Hopefully he's friendly...."
Halei turns to regard Aros.
"Oh right, it's easy to forget someone who's so quiet. Crazy to think she was so lively before the bugs took her mouth away. She'll starve if we can't cure her soon. Say, can't you eat and drink through your nose? When I was a kid, sometimes I would snort out my drink if I laughed too hard, maybe it works the other way around?" Halei ponders in all seriousness, chewing on her bottom lip in thought, still trudging along steadily.
Miserable, hungry and thirsty, Aros tries as Halei suggests. Waterskin in hand, she awkwardly tips the water into the nostril of her tilted head. She chokes and coughs and splutters, water poured all down her front. Aros repeats the process several times, expressing some relief.
Food may not so be easy to ingest via the nostrils, but you have bought Aros some time.
Let me know your traveling formation and order and who is carrying Sir Talavar please.
"Alrighty, Sam and I will lead you all on! Well, as long as you tell us which way to go!" And she points her dog to the West as was mentioned before, looking forward to what waits ahead for them.
Bugs takes up his position in line - the back - and prepared to move out. His job would be to make sure nothing snuck up on them from the rear and he made sure his well-rested rabbit eyes and ears were at the ready.
OOC: The marching order should be what was posted in the other thread. I'd assume that we would go two-abreast where possible. If we can't then single file.
You set off, The tiny Resmae atop of Sammy, walking beside Chapley. Followed by Halei, who carries the little fairy dragon in his bird cage, sharing the load with Wildred beside her. He lends a hand when the cage becomes too tiresome. And trailing at the back is Balliol and Aros.
This days travel seems easier than yesterday's travel. You have no explanation or understanding of why, but you all notice it. You hear birds singing and crickets chirping. Which gives the swamps a slightly less glum feel.
After a couple of hours on the fluctuating swamps following Sir Talavar's directions, you chance upon a 10-foot-wide stream when the tides are low. Appearing out of place for the mud surrounds, this little creek has crystal clear water running through it. You all move in for a closer look and gather around the edge. As you peer into the stream, images begin to form before your eyes on the surface of the water.
Please read your correlating spoiler for the scene that you witness.
Resmae,
A headless, child-sized scarecrow with metal lobster claws for hands tries on some new heads, including an upside-down wooden bucket and a withered head of cabbage. It decides on a large gourd.
Chapley,
A bullywug bedecked in the trappings of a monarch constantly adjusts his ill-fitting crown of lily blossoms while leafing through a large tome spread across his lap.
Halei
A tall, thin figure wearing a pointy black hat and a hooded black cloak climbs a rickety staircase leading up to a large, ramshackle house built on stilts. As the figure approaches the house, their shadow seems to detach from their body, move across the walls of the house, and crawl through an open window.
Wildred
A short, mean-looking old woman wearing a crimson cap, a leather apron, and iron boots uses a cleaver to chop meat in a drab kitchen.
Balliol
A hag with toad-like features relaxes in a pool of water while miniature versions of her ladle the water and pour it over her head and shoulders.
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Finally Wildred thought.
"My what a day!" He breathed...or was it 3?...Wildred couldn't remember! he slumped against the cold wall and closed his eyes..but his mind continued....."time is not a true calculation in the wilds"...."but what if time has no way of being calculated here!?"...his mind was on overload...but this was good!.his best theory's and observations always came from a tired state of mind....
"Maybe?" Wildred whispered his eyes twitching
"But no it couldn't be?" He roled over to his left side and hugged his knees with his back against the wall......
"A child once again" he whispered.
Time not seeming calculated,the Wilds he knew lacked certain structure and magic itself was less a construct and more a law that was misunderstood.
"How much a study of magic you make, a law of logic will always break!!"
..or so his father always said.True it was!! Wildred had always looked up to his father's prowess when it came to the logical explanation of Magic and its properties..the reactions of materials and the forces that governed the outcome of any spell..but a positive action always negated a negative reaction.
"Or is it the other way around" wildred mumbled quietly..in and out of consciousness.
So much for his fathers logical practices none of that had helped when his mother was sobbing herself to sleep for days on end..Wildred slipped in to a trance...
"Andrix........"he mouthed with a gentle breath.
Resmae followed the rest into the tower with Sammy faithfully behind her. She carries the fairy in the cage (unless someone else grabbed him that I missed) and settles herself into a rest as well. Happy to be out of the rain.
"Thank you for keeping watch friend, but make sure you rest too! I know you said you were hungry as well..." Halei speaks to Chapley.
As Wildred starts muttering to himself, obviously a little agitated for a few moments turning over different explanations for their situation, Halei tries not to let herself think about it too much; tries not to think about her current form, where they are, how they'll get back, how wet her clothes are, the bandits, the snakes outside, their quest. She tries to not let her mind wander much farther than the fact that her limbs are heavy from trekking through the swamp all day and she desperately needs to rest for a bit. She'll leave Wildred to make sense of their situation, while she focuses on what's in front of her; she might go crazy otherwise. They say when walking a tightrope to keep your eyes on the rope and never look down.
With that final though Halei settles amongst her friends.
Time for a long-needed rest indeed.
It feels like it has been a long day. Waking in Hither. Finding a way down from the crumbling causeway. Trudging through the swampy landscape for what seemed like hours. Surviving an encounter with some local bandits. Swimming and trudging for more hours through the muddy swamp. Battling your way into this quaint little leaning tower and two new folks for company. It has been a long day.
You all pile into the tower. Not shortly after you settle in, you hear the rains increasing. Bucketing down and the wind begins to howl. The slanty tower creaks and groans in the weather, but still, it holds out. It is warm and cosy, and there is just room enough for all eight of you and a fire.
Some of you tucker down on some delicious, well-earned snake. Cooked to perfection by Chapley. Aros's inability to eat or drink and the angst it is causing her is of concern to you all.
Balliol, you pose your questions to Sir Talavar.
Sir Talavar shares his story "I, Sir Talavar, a noble faerie dragon and emissary of Titania the Summer Queen, travelled to Prismeer to persuade Zybilna to ally with the Seelie Court against its hated enemies, the Fomorians. I soon discovered that Prismeer had been seized by the hags of the Hourglass Coven. Before I could return with news of their treachery, Bavlorna trapped me in this enchanted golden birdcage. Wigglewog stole the cage and fled with it in one of Bavlorna's balloons. Soon after, the balloon was attacked by a malicious wind that sent it careening into this ancient, crumbling tower in the middle of Hither's swamp. Wigglewog died in the crash, and I have been stranded in the dangling wreckage of the balloon with that pair of Bavlorna's serpents circling below until you took care of them. I can't thank you enough."
He continues to tell you more about Bavlorna. "Bavlorna Blightstraw is one of three sisters who together make up the Hourglass Coven. They are a crafty trio of hags who loath one another. But, together they are formidable foes. Bavlorna can conjure minions that look like tiny versions of herself. She lives in a spooky cottage on stilts at the heart of Downfall, a bullywug settlement here in Hither. The bullywugs of Downfall are quite courteous and welcoming, provided one does not offend them."
He talks about Jingle Jangle. "A goblin named Jingle Jangle has the key to this cage. She lives atop of Telemy Hill, not too far west of here."
Balliol questions Sir Talavar about the retaliating landscape. Sir Talavar explains, "Prismeer is shaped by the emotions of the creatures that inhabit it. Even creatures of little consequence can transform the domain in minor ways as long as no other, more powerful force is exerting its influence."
Halei, you are captivated by your new sword. Sir Talavar recognises the weapon as Wigglewog's shortsword.
Wildred, between ponders and your wandering mind, you look and find 3 pieces of gold inside the pouch, 12 pieces of copper and a ring that fits over two fingers. It is inscribed with peculiar writing. You spend some time contemplating the object before you sleep.
Resmae, you listen on to Sir Talavar's talking. You lay back and fall asleep inside the already sleeping, curled-up Sammy.
Chapley, after a substantial feed of well-cooked serpent, you guard over the others as they all fall asleep. It is not long before you barricade the door and join them on the floor, finding a spot to rest under the crumbling staircase.
You sleep.
Please adjust your character sheets for any provisions you may ingest, or there is snake on the menu. Reset after a long rest. Balliol, Halei, Resmae and Wildred, please level up.
Balliol relaxes in the tower and gets a rest. For a little while he keeps one eye on Chapley, unsure of exactly who had joined them. But he seemed trustworthy and helpful and the monk needed to rest. All of this slogging through the swamp had made him tired. He fell asleep thinking about what it meant for a land to respond to emotions.
In the "morning" he woke up and prepared to move out. "I assume we are all agreed that it is now time to find Jingle Jangle. We need a key for the cage and a cure for Aros. Sir. Talavar, yesterday the fog made it hard for us to keep track of directions, would you be so good as to guide us today - it seems we need to go West. Also, you mentioned last night that the snakes had been sent by Bavlorna - do you think she will know of their death and send other friendlies?" He then looked around at everyone else. "Everyone ready?"
Chapley grins and gives a thumbs up. "All filled up and ready to go. Just point the way!"
Resmae listens to the fairy, enraptured. She had no idea all this was going on in the feywild. Having spent most of her life in the carnival, she was pretty sheltered from the goingons in all the planes they visited. It very much intrigued her to learn more, but she knew she also had to find two beasts they could bring back. She wondered if the Summer Queen could help her with this? She was pretty sure Jingle Jangle couldn't, that would just be too easy.
She turns up her little rabbit nose at the snake and digs into her pack for anything else and settles into Sammy's side, happy for the company she is keeping.
As they all start stirring, she hops up and with an emphatic, "yes! let's go find Jingle Jangle. Sure hope they can help Aros! Oh, and our fairy dragon friend."
After a long nights rests Halei is rearing to go, and feeling fully rejuvinated. She admires her sword one last time, she feels weirdly attached to it, before moving around with it awkwardly, unsure where to put it. "Oh!" she remembers the scabbard still laying on the previous owner outside and hurries to retrieve it. When the sword is secured to her person she waits by the door for the rest of the crew.
Wildred feeling rejuvenated looks at the day with renewed enthusiasm..his dream had troubled him why had his brother Andrix been so vivid in his mind?he had never forgot him for sure!and the reason he had dedicated his lifes studies to the wild magics and the fae were heavily influenced by the dissappearence of his brother bit he had never felt such a strong emotions for a long while?Maybe it was him being in the Wilds finally..or maybe it was some sort of exposure to the wild magic that seemed to thrive so freely in the Hither.
"So much questions" Wildred said aloud to himself while gathering himself..he gazed over in the direction of Halei examining her new sword.What a sweet easy going soul she was..he found so much comfort in his new companions.He felt somehow Fate had brought them together for a purpose he was yet to identify.His practices of Divination had always instilled in him a sense of understanding and a presence of the future.His Gaze met Balliol as he explained about our priority was to find this jingle jangle.Widred nodded approved..."and another thing" he thought..what is the cause of this Ageing magic and why had near death affected him in Ageing years on to the teens.
"So much to learn he pondered...just then he remembered the ring.
Once everyone is ready Halei heads off leading the way, hopefully in the right direction but not really actually knowing where she's going, and hopefully not getting too far ahead of herself.
Wildred gathered some soot from the fire and places it in his satchel "this may come in handy"...he sits down and begins a ritual to Identify the ring he found.
He looks up to his companions.
"I don't suppose anybody has any spare leather?"
As you fall asleep, you listen on as Sir Talavar, seemingly not short of a word, tells his stories of Hither and the tale of his escape from Balvlorna.
Wildred, you ask around for some leather, to which Sir Talavar unwinds and hands you a tiny piece he had wound around his sword handle. "Here you are, Sir!" he calls as he passes it to you for your ritual. You place the twin golden ring on your fingers and touch it with your spell in mind. Muttering your words, you sense the ring's abilities and the magic it already holds.
You all wake the following morning feeling stronger and more prepared for the journey ahead.
You have reached a consensus, and you all agree to help Sir Talavar get to Telemy Hill in the hopes that Jingle Jangle, the goblin, has a key that unlocks his cage and hopefully a cure for Aros. Before her time runs out!
Balliol, you quiz Sir Talavar "...Sir. Talavar, yesterday the fog made it hard for us to keep track of directions, would you be so good as to guide us today - it seems we need to go West. Also, you mentioned last night that the snakes had been sent by Bavlorna - do you think she will know of their death and send other friendlies?"
"It is almost certain, Sir!" replies Sir Talavar, his eyes narrow, "She has eyes and ears all over Hither." he continues. "This way, Friends!" he calls out optimistically as he points to the West.
Just as you are about to leave, Halei jumps up and runs off into the brambles to retrieve the scabbard that belongs with her new sword. Shortly she returns panting and steps up front to lead the adventurers onward.
With Halei leading the way, you all head westerly, into the swamps of Hither. The rains have eased but the swamps remain soggy, muddy and smelly. However, you find travelling much easier than yesterday.
Please let me know if you have a preferred traveling order and arrangement.
Resmae hops up on Sammy and quicly catches up with Halei, "Well, at least it isn't raining anymore! Though it would be nice to get out of this swamp. What do you think Jingle Jangle is like? Has to be a pretty fun goblin to have a name like that!" She turns around on Sammy for a second, "Come on slow pokes! Let's get a move on!" and in a more somber tone of voice, "Aros truly needs something to drink and eat."
"Hmm, I actually haven't the slightest clue! Hopefully he's friendly...."
Halei turns to regard Aros.
"Oh right, it's easy to forget someone who's so quiet. Crazy to think she was so lively before the bugs took her mouth away. She'll starve if we can't cure her soon. Say, can't you eat and drink through your nose? When I was a kid, sometimes I would snort out my drink if I laughed too hard, maybe it works the other way around?" Halei ponders in all seriousness, chewing on her bottom lip in thought, still trudging along steadily.
Miserable, hungry and thirsty, Aros tries as Halei suggests. Waterskin in hand, she awkwardly tips the water into the nostril of her tilted head. She chokes and coughs and splutters, water poured all down her front. Aros repeats the process several times, expressing some relief.
Food may not so be easy to ingest via the nostrils, but you have bought Aros some time.
Let me know your traveling formation and order and who is carrying Sir Talavar please.
Wildred thanks sir talaver and puts his new acquired materials in his satchel.
"Are you sure youl be ok with him on your own?"he says to Halet gesturing towards the caged noble dragon.
"I'm sure I will be!" Halei lets the group put her where she's needed in the line, and takes Sir Talavar.
"Alrighty, Sam and I will lead you all on! Well, as long as you tell us which way to go!" And she points her dog to the West as was mentioned before, looking forward to what waits ahead for them.
Bugs takes up his position in line - the back - and prepared to move out. His job would be to make sure nothing snuck up on them from the rear and he made sure his well-rested rabbit eyes and ears were at the ready.
OOC: The marching order should be what was posted in the other thread. I'd assume that we would go two-abreast where possible. If we can't then single file.
You set off, The tiny Resmae atop of Sammy, walking beside Chapley. Followed by Halei, who carries the little fairy dragon in his bird cage, sharing the load with Wildred beside her. He lends a hand when the cage becomes too tiresome. And trailing at the back is Balliol and Aros.
This days travel seems easier than yesterday's travel. You have no explanation or understanding of why, but you all notice it. You hear birds singing and crickets chirping. Which gives the swamps a slightly less glum feel.
After a couple of hours on the fluctuating swamps following Sir Talavar's directions, you chance upon a 10-foot-wide stream when the tides are low. Appearing out of place for the mud surrounds, this little creek has crystal clear water running through it. You all move in for a closer look and gather around the edge. As you peer into the stream, images begin to form before your eyes on the surface of the water.
Please read your correlating spoiler for the scene that you witness.
Resmae,
A headless, child-sized scarecrow with metal lobster claws for hands tries on some new heads, including an upside-down wooden bucket and a withered head of cabbage. It decides on a large gourd.
Chapley,
A bullywug bedecked in the trappings of a monarch constantly adjusts his ill-fitting crown of lily blossoms while leafing through a large tome spread across his lap.
Halei
A tall, thin figure wearing a pointy black hat and a hooded black cloak climbs a rickety staircase leading up to a large, ramshackle house built on stilts. As the figure approaches the house, their shadow seems to detach from their body, move across the walls of the house, and crawl through an open window.
Wildred
A short, mean-looking old woman wearing a crimson cap, a leather apron, and iron boots uses a cleaver to chop meat in a drab kitchen.
Balliol