Grinning, Rimeera took a deep drink from her mug, then spoke once more. "Of course, that's not a proper telling, now is it? Why don't I give more details, then..."<br/><br/>"This bright morning we went out hunting the Licktoad tribe for the bounty that Sheriff Hemlock put on them. Natya and I were both planning to go out separately, so we chose instead to go hunting together. Our itinerant guardian, Shalelu suggested that we go visit the one who knows the swamp best, Walthus Proudstump." Pausing a moment, Rimeera tilted her head speculatively. "As we traveled I saw a strange, pale figure stalking us...something that I guessed was the Soggy River Monster. But all thought of it was pushed out when a trio of goblins attacked us, wielding fireworks to try to burn us. After...relieving the creatures of their heads, we reached the home of Walthus."<br/><br/>"There we found the bodies of his pets about, and Walthus was outside, looking battered and wounded. He suggested that his pets had turned on him, and that the interior of his home wasn't in shape for visitors...but we noticed his face rippling. When confronted he turned into one of those strange creatures of the swamp a faceless stalker. Fortunately his wisdom was mediocre at best, as he all but impaled himself on my blade. The real Walthus had barely survived the attack, but gave up his cloak in thanks, and after we got directions and gave him healing, we headed back toward the old fish road." Taking another drink, Rimeera paused to give Natya a chance to interject before continuing. "On the trail we found a strange footprint, of something big, a predator. Following it into the swamp we found a hillock, its interior decorated with bones and bits of clothing. The monster within was the Soggy River Monster itself. Tall and strange, it had a mouth that split into four fanged, tentacle-like segments. It fought, but perished at our hands. Only then did we move on toward the Licktoads."<br/><br/>"More goblins obstructed our path, these speaking of other attackers. With them gone, we found their wall breached and a pit where many goblins had been burnt. The survivors regained their courage when they spoke of us as foes that could bleed. They came forth with fireworks and stupidity, and while Natya kept everything from burning, I slew all but three there. We ventured into the home of their chief, who we found there. He was huge." Rimeera held her hands out with a grin, showing how big the goblin had been. "He shot Natya while I dealt with his companions, and then lit a rocket. Rather than play his game, I struck the firework in his hands, burning both of us and lighting the other two he had on him. I escaped the blast, but he did not...and the next I sent his head rolling across the floor. But it was there that we found a beautiful chest of crimson red. Within was a fan with a map, a map which indicated shipwrecks and a cave."<br/><br/>Taking another pull from her cider, Rimeera closed her eyes for a moment, then continued. "Following another road to avoid swimming, we found the hut of the old Swamp Witch. It was decaying and seeming abandoned. Within we found strange rats, including one with a human face that tried to slay us. Its own magic turned on it, and it was eaten by its own kin. The witch killed herself with a wrongly cast transformation that pierced her heart, so we journeyed forth in her boat. Two wrecks there once were, but one was little more than burnt fragments...I suspect the goblins let their love of fire get the best of them."<br/><br/>"The second ship, the<em>Kaijitsu Star</em>was little more than the frame, but from it rose skeletons with armor from far-off Tien. Our faith repelled them, and at last we journeyed toward the cave. Sheltered by stinging vines, the cavern was the grave of a half dozen skeletons that rose to face us. At the rear was one that spoke, demanding that we leave, that the things behind it belonged to the family. It was a battle dire...but it turned with Natya's well-timed blow." Rimeera nodded respectfully at Natya as she added dryly. "Let it be a lesson to you, if you choose to go adventuring, take something that is blunt as well as a blade. The former is better if bones choose to take life. Taking another chest of treasure, we found a cavern of glittering crystals and beauty. Though the crystals were worthless, it was guarded by a creature of pure clear ooze. With our strength nearly at its end, we slew it and left. We brought our acquisitions here, and now you see us once more."