<div class="floatleft"> (https://66.media.tumblr.com/0112858e57d6cde2473fa99e231f45f9/tumblr_p1chxp1ATq1wprc3jo1_1280.jpg)</div>It's not common for the Delvers, an elite mercenary group of adventurers known across the five continents (and some say across the Silklace Sea), to take a mission that doesn't promise some kind of large reward. After all, dues need paying, facilities need maintaining, and the hardened women of the Delvers didn't go there to not make assloads of money. They do what nobody else can, so they come with a price.<br/><br/>But when the world fucks with one Delver, it fucks with all of them.<br/><br/>So perhaps it isn't a surprise that when Bayla Rosethorn, a retired assassin of the Delvers, needed help, the Delvers delivered. Bayla arrived at the guildhall injured and unable to fight, so as they walk through the Southern Thicket, her instructions and pleas only echo in their minds as they tromp through alone.<br/><br/>"I know dark magic when I see it," she had said as they suited up for their journey, "This is dark magic. The Council of the Eltree is generous and kind. They nurture. What they have become... It isn't right. There's something the matter."<br/><br/><hr/><br/><div align="center">(https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51f51d1ee4b049481db9a9c7/1410902698876-DKWRY2IQGNQIDOUUF3KM/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kEhnSDGVCPj1n6MHyAz-NrZ7gQa3H78H3Y0txjaiv_0fDoOvxcdMmMKkDsyUqMSsMWxHk725yiiHCCLfrh8O1z5QPOohDIaIeljMHgDF5CVlOqpeNLcJ80NK65_fV7S1UdK-bYtygfaF1cLV2fkJrGlRDQDb8b9xvDe5vh3q13546Oytgo1HQUNlTR4MmAuXYQ/Woodlands.jpg?format=2500w)</div><br/>The Southern Thicket is a jungle untouched by expanding cities or rural expansion. The elves of the Thicket have always been clear that nobody is to damage the jungle, but that the resources held within it may be used; Rich nectars, intoxicating fruit, healing mosses... But then, who would venture into the Thicket?<br/><br/>There are monsters in the trees, the going is difficult and often muddy, and the heavy, sap laden trees trap moisture and heat in the jungle. It's not unbearable, but certainly between this and the Frost Pass, the Delvers will be wearing fewer furs as they go. The air is sweet and thick with the scent of delicious fruit, beyond the first half hour of walking the trees are heavy with them. Some of them are recognizable, but those who haven't traveled far from cities will find others new and strange.<br/><br/><div align="center">(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/8f/ef/87/8fef871b5b808218f1cce02ba5b0b1ea.jpg)</div><br/>As the Delvers walk through the jungle, they come to something strange, the ground softening and footsteps feeling sticky. Ahead they can see that the path that they were following dips into what looks to be swamp, a thick hazy amber liquid quickly hiding the solid ground and scattered roots of the trees around. The buzz of insects in the air also increased, along with the chirping of frogs and twittering of songbirds. If the liquid were darker and the smell less sweet, it would seem just a standard bog.<br/><br/>Regardless of anything else, the way towards the Eltree is a bit more complicated than Bayla had said.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Mechanics Help</div><div class="spoiler_body">Describe your actions, show us what happens, and expand upon the world. You are not bound by the basic moves (https://www.dungeonworldsrd.com/moves/#Basic_Moves) but if you are doing something that triggers one of them, you may roll 2d6+ a stat! The moves will give you results, on a 6- I provide everything, but in a 7-9 or a 10+ it may instruct you to add to the narrative!<br/><br/>If you wish you notice things about this, you may want to Discern Realities (https://www.dungeonworldsrd.com/moves/#Discern_Realities). Or you may believe you know about this phenomena and Spout Lore (https://www.dungeonworldsrd.com/moves/#Spout_Lore). Alternately, if you just wish to push through, you may need to Defy Danger (https://www.dungeonworldsrd.com/moves/#Defy_Danger), though that can also wait for any actual threat to emerge!<br/><br/>You also don't need to make a move every time you post! Play freely, write forward, and when a move is triggered, I'll let you know. The trigger of a move is the "When you X" portion of it!</div></div><br/><strong>So you stand before this strange bog in this sweltering jungle on your way to the Eltree... Delvers, what do you do?</strong>