The party reached the edge of a murky swamp as the sun dipped low, casting the landscape in eerie shadows. The air was thick and oppressive, carrying the sound of distant wails and the occasional bubbling from the dark, still waters. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Zara Blackwood|Zara]]: *“Well, this is charming.”* [[Ellette|Ellette]] knelt, examining the ground. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Ellette|Ellette]]: *“There’s a path. Barely.”* A series of rickety wooden planks stretched out ahead, weaving through the swamp. Dim, purple wisps floated between the twisted trees, casting an unnatural glow that barely pierced the gloom. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]: *“Stay close. This place isn’t right.”* As they ventured forth, the swamp seemed to press in around them, the wails growing louder and more mournful. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]’s gaze wandered to the water’s surface, his steps faltering. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]: *“Wait... no... it can’t be.”* He stumbled toward the edge of the path, his eyes wide. In the murky depths, he saw his hometown—a vivid scene of destruction. Fires raged, his kin screamed in agony, and shadowy figures tore through the village. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]: *“I have to help them!”* He lunged forward, his arms outstretched toward the vision. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Qwimby|Qwimby]]: *“No!”* [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] grabbed [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] by the collar and yanked him back onto the planks, both of them tumbling to the ground. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Qwimby|Qwimby]]: *“It’s not real! The swamp is messing with your head—it wants to take you!”* [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] stared at him, trembling. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]: *“But it... it felt so real...”* $\hspace{1cm}$[[Ellette|Ellette]]: *“Keep moving. Whatever this place is, it feeds on us.”* As they pressed on, each of them began to see visions in the swirling mist and water. [[Ellette|Ellette]] saw a younger version of herself, feeling helpless, visions of Hags laughter echoing in her ears. She gritted her teeth and pushed forward, refusing to let the swamp’s tricks take hold. [[Zara Blackwood|Zara]] saw a crowd of people jeering and an overpowering figure looms in closer, the faces of those she had once trusted. She clutched her lute tightly, forcing herself to look away. Even [[Qwimby|Qwimby]] faltered, catching a glimpse of a dark haired child calling out to him with tearful eyes. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Qwimby|Qwimby]]: *“Shut up, swamp. You don’t know me.”* The haunting visions tugged at their minds, but the party stayed together, grounding each other when one of them wavered. After what felt like hours, the swamp began to thin, the wails fading into a heavy silence. Ahead of them loomed a rocky tunnel entrance, carved into the base of the mountain. Strange, otherworldly engravings lined the walls, glowing faintly in the dim light. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]: *“This has to be the way.”* [[Ellette|Ellette]] stepped closer, tracing the engravings with her fingers. $\hspace{1cm}$[[Ellette|Ellette]]: *“These symbols... they’re meant to ward something off.”* $\hspace{1cm}$[[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]: *“Then we’re heading right into the thick of it.”* The party exchanged grim looks before stepping into the tunnel, leaving the swamp and its horrors behind. Darkness enveloped them as they ventured deeper, the faint glow of the carvings their only guide. [[Chapter 27. A Dragon's Pact]]