(https://img00.deviantart.net/3944/i/2014/173/b/b/epic_swamp_by_jjpeabody-d7ngbl4.jpg)<br/>With the caravan set safely, well, hopefully safely, away from prying eyes the strongest and the bravest set out in different directions to scout the area in which they had settled.  Knowing that another demon wave would arrive with the next month, they pushed hard and stood ready for what horrors they could face.  By the end of the first week, there was but one such party remaining though they of course would not find this information until they returned to their people.  If they would, that is.<br/><br/>The swamps they were assigned to explore were difficult to navigate from the start but soon the water and mud had raised to a point that walking through it would be dangerous.  Too many shapes twisting and curling in the water.  Too many chances to fall into unseen caverns.  The five found a small boat and for a time, they passed beneath twisted trees hung with scraps and pieces of a lost world.  They found a raised, drier bit of swamp on the 7th night of exploring and rested for the night.<br/><br/><div class="floatright">(https://78.media.tumblr.com/226dd7626e69bc863ea292cd0bebbea5/tumblr_nv2ds3PVDJ1r2s3h9o1_500.jpg)</div>Luckily, their alarm was raised in time.  We find them now surrounded in their small camp, the fire dimmed and offering little heat.  The mound of earth they have stationed on with a bare stone foundation showing the ancient basement of a collapsed hovel offers little protection as the first of the beasts draws itself out of the swamp.  A hooting sound of frustration and anger comes from it as it lurches forward, more of it's kind drawing from the swamp.  Their bodies are humanoid certainly, enormous seven foot tall beasts regardless of sex.  They are shrouded in plants and coverings of the swamp from the waist down, their pale skin glowing in the dying embers.<br/><br/><div class="floatleft">(https://orig00.deviantart.net/1a7e/f/2011/041/1/e/dryad_by_fatalis_sacristia-d398x3l.jpg)</div>The leader wears a carved mask with horns.  He lets out a shout as they move forward, a thick rope heavy with skulls dragged along behind him.  From the fog come another two dryads of his form, one covered in a layer of thick bark armor and the other standing an easy half foot taller than any of the others.  The other two show more feminine forms, beautiful if marred by bark features still alien and empty in their eyes.  Of the two more femme dryads, one has a distinct bird skull mask and the other heavy bark gauntlets.  As all the dryads move forward, implacible, desperate moans escaping from them, the leader lifts a hand to point at the survivors and gasps out the words, "Take them!  They look bountiful sacrifices to reclaim our forms!"<br/><br/>Survivors... What do you do?