The party stirred to the ground trembling beneath them, a low, ominous rumble that grew louder with each passing second. [[Ellette|Ellette]] was the first to rise, scanning the horizon with sharp eyes. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Ellette|Ellette]]: *“Something’s coming.”* [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] stood and steadied himself, gripping his staff. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]: “Undead.” In the distance, a massive horde of shambling figures stretched as far as they could see. They were coming fast. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Zara Blackwood|Zara]]: *“We’ve got to move! Now!”* The group scrambled to pack their gear, Gugar clinging to [[Ellette|Ellette]]’s arm as panic spread through the camp. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] packed his book and stressed. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]: “We run. No time to fight.” And so they ran. Across a vast, open plain, their hearts pounded as they raced to stay ahead of the encroaching wave of death. The horde’s groans and rattling bones echoed behind them, a relentless reminder of their mortality. In the distance, a town began to take shape a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Zara Blackwood|Zara]]: *“There! We can warn them!”* $\hspace{1cm}$[[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]: “If we make it in time.”* As they neared the settlement, something felt... off. The air shimmered faintly, charged with a strange energy. The buildings seemed translucent, almost spectral, and ghostly figures wandered the streets, their forms flickering like dying embers. The party slowed to a halt, catching their breath. Amidst the ghostly inhabitants, one figure stood out—a kenku with dark feathers, perched on a rocking chair on a porch. He wore a weathered cowboy hat and chewed on a piece of straw. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]: “What in the hells is this place?”* $\hspace{1cm}$[[Ellette|Ellette]]: *“Let’s find out.”* The group approached cautiously, and the kenku tilted his hat back, greeting them with a rasping voice. $\hspace{1cm}$Kenku: *“Well, now. Y’all look like you’ve seen a ghost.”* [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]] pointed behind them, her voice urgent. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Zara Blackwood|Zara]]: *“There’s a horde of undead heading this way! We have to warn the people—”* The kenku held up a hand. $\hspace{1cm}$Kenku: *“Hold your horses. Just watch.”* The party turned, tense and ready for the worst. But as the horde reached the edge of the town, something strange happened. The undead passed by as if the settlement didn’t exist, their vacant eyes staring straight ahead. The party watched, dumbfounded, as the tide of death continued on its way without touching the town. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Ellette|Ellette]]: *“What is this place?”* The kenku stood, tipping his hat. $\hspace{1cm}$Kenku: *“Name’s Cawraig. I’m a reaper, and this here’s a resting place for those between life and death. Zargathax’s meddling has thrown the balance outta whack, and it’s got folks like me mighty worried.”* Before anyone could respond, a small voice cried out. $\hspace{1cm}$Gugar: “Mama!” The party turned to see Gugar running toward one of the ghostly figures, her arms outstretched. The ghost, a tall orc woman with a kind face, knelt down and smiled at the child. But when Gugar leapt into her embrace, she passed straight through, landing on the ground with a sob. $\hspace{1cm}$Gugar: “Mama, no!” [[Ellette|Ellette]] rushed to Gugar’s side, pulling her into a hug. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Ellette|Ellette]]: *“I’m so sorry, little one. She’s... she’s not really here.”* Cawraig stepped forward, his voice softer now. $\hspace{1cm}$Cawraig: *“Poor thing. She doesn’t belong in a fight like this.”* He looked to the party, his black eyes glinting. $\hspace{1cm}$Cawraig: *“Tell you what. Leave the child here. I’ll reunite her with her mama, just for a while. If y’all don’t come back, she’ll remain united, safe and sound, If you catch my drift.”* The party exchanged uneasy glances. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]: “How do we know we can trust you?”* $\hspace{1cm}$Cawraig: *“You don’t. But I ain’t lyin’. This place? It’s peace. The kinda peace Zargathax’s gotta answer for.”* [[Ellette|Ellette]] knelt down to Gugar, brushing a tear from her cheek. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Ellette|Ellette]]: *“You’ll be safe here, okay? Stay with your mama. We’ll come back for you, I promise.”* Gugar sniffled and nodded, clutching [[Ellette|Ellette]]’s hand one last time before letting go. After a brief rest, the party gathered their things and prepared to leave. $\hspace{1cm}$Cawraig: *“Y’all best be careful. That mountain ain’t a kind place. But if anyone can fix this mess, it’s you lot.”* With heavy hearts, the party turned toward the looming mountain in the distance. The skull-shaped peak seemed to glare down at them, a grim reminder of the challenges that lay ahead. [[Chapter 26. Wailing Swamp]]