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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Amaroq" data-source="post: 1848928" data-attributes="member: 15470">Issue #15: Out of the Swamp - Episode 1 of 51st of March, 2003Issue #15 Out of the SwampOver a week ago, a tribe of Disease ratmen attacked Kratys Freehold. We arrived at the Freehold just in time to assist the defenders and break the siege. We then set out in pursuit of the survivors. We killed many, and tracked them back through the swamp to their warren. After twenty-four hours of hard underground fighting, we’ve cleared out the warren. With the help of our lizard-man allies, we defeated their leaders: a shaman, a priest, and a huge albino warrior. We explored the remainder of the warren, meeting only scattered resistance. Some of the ratmen have escaped into the surrounding swamp, but many are dead.We’ve freed a number of slaves, and the lizard-man Red Scale led us to the hiding place the lizard men had arranged for them. Now the hapless refugees are huddled together, and we have to guide them back to the safety of dry land. There are twenty-one slaves - twenty humans, and one dwarf.Dawn breaks over the Mourning Marshes. It is just after dawn on the first Hedraday of Madrer, the fourth day of the month, and we are deep in the swamp, hidden in a small dell. The slaves are huddled and afraid, though one or two still seem to have some spirit left. Red Scale goes out to scout around for signs of any further rat man resistance.While he is out, Miriel checks over everyone, slaves and rescuers alike, examining injuries and checking for signs of disease. For the third time, Chuck has contracted Corpse Blisters from fighting the dead-eaters. Two of the lizard-men, Hands of Fire and Swims With Fishes, have caught Filth Fever, probably from walking around the refuse-filled ratman warren. Drinks With Orcs has contracted the Slimy Doom. All of the diseases are still in their early stages, and with Goldpetal, Paks, and Novalia assisting, Miriel cures them all, removing all of the diseases. This takes most of her power, and she treats everyone else’s wounds as well as she can, cleaning and bandaging the wounds. While the healers work, Chuck hands his rations out to all of the slaves, who eat hungrily. Telryn is completely exhausted, more than the rest of us are. Miriel is very concerned, but Telryn tell her, “Don’t worry. It’s a side-effect of all the arcane spell-casting. Some of those scrolls contained spells beyond my power. I’ll be okay.” Miriel tells him, “You should rest as much as possible,” a suggestion his heavy eyelids indicate he is likely to follow.By the time she finishes, the sun has risen well into the sky, and Red Scale has returned. He confers briefly with Hands of Fire, the lizard-man warrior, who translates for us. “No rats, gone. They left.” It is the middle of the morning, and with the way clear, our thoughts turn to departure. Paks asks Hands of Fire, “Will you help us escort these,” gesturing to the former slaves, “to the edge of the swamp?”The seven-foot tall lizard man nods, with a steely eye. “Not leave them,” he says. Goldpetal asks, “How far is it to the edge of the swamp?”The lizard man says, “Two days, maybe three.”Miriel says, “We should rest midday.”“We should make a forced march,” Chuck disagrees, with a commanding tone. “There will be time enough for resting when we’re free of the swamp.”Hands of Fire nods. “Storm coming,” he says ominously. While Goldpetal and Miriel rouse the sleeping slaves, and Stone and Novalia break camp, Paks and Chuck discuss their choice of weapons. They had swapped weapons in the warren. “What did you think?” asks Paks.Chuck shakes his head. “I don’t know. I’m used to the heft of my own weapon. This…” He jiggles her long sword in his hand. “…is a fine weapon, very well made, but I like my own.”“Same here,” Paks says. “I’m more comfortable with a shield and that sword. I forget to block with this magical ring. How am I supposed to block if I can’t see my shield?” Chuck nods sympathetically. “Shall we switch back?” she asks him. He agrees, and begins unbuckling the scabbard from his belt. Paks takes her masterwork longsword back from Chuck. He takes his, and Paks returns the Shield ring back to Miriel.The dwarf comes over to Paks and introduces himself. “I am Dorin, of the Silvershield clan. I owe you thanks for the rescue. From your speech, I gather we expect some danger yet. May I ask for a weapon? I will repay the loan in the blood of our enemies, if given the chance.”Paks sizes him up, and says, “We have no armor for you, but... would this do?” She hands over the masterwork bastard sword which she had been using underground. He chuckles gleefully. “This'll split some rat man skulls!" he chortles. It is nearly too large for him, but he can wield it as a human would a two-handed great sword, and as he takes some practice swings, Paks can tell that he is no stranger to a weapon. After testing its heft, he examines the workmanship. “I might prefer an axe,” Dorin says, “But the smiths of Mithril have great skill. ’Tis a fine weapon, indeed!”“Don’t grow too fond of it,” she says. “I’ll want it back, when we’re safe!”We form up, with the lizard-men in the lead, and the adventurers interspersed with the slaves to protect them, and begin the treacherous journey back to dry ground.</blockquote>

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