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------------------Chapter 40: The Cursed Swamp of Bickering------------------
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(DM:)
Suddenly, the dead trees become more prevalent then live ones, and soon even
that falls largely away, and you are greeted with the sight of the swamp
proper.
	A great 'plain' of dark brown sludgy and static water stretches out
before you. The 'plain' is dotted with islands of more solid land, often
clinging around the remains of some trees and bushes. You are at a 'corner'
of the swamp, the river to your right. You see the river going onwards,
splitting in two ways. One seems to bend away to your right, away from the
swamp, another branch goes the other way, and takes itself straight through
the centre of the vast swamp. 
	The swamp is so large, that you cannot see the other side. In the
mists near the apparent centre, an island rises from the centre of the swamp
and river branch. On the island you see a mass of sparkling crystal. The
Crystal Citadel. Reflex Point. The first objective of your quest. From the
size of the city in the distance, you figure the city is some three miles
away. A small distance if had to be traveled by foot on a solid and good
road, but the swamp poses a problem. One of it, Keilan is quick to spot.
There is movement in the swamp. It is inhabited by creatures. The kind who
do not care much for trespassers, and who often have a carnivorous streak
in their eating habits.

(Silver:)
"The swamp could cause us many problems, not least from those ..." Silver
points, showing the trails of sluggish water from the denizens within.

(Keilan:)
Keilan stops at the edge of dry land and looks out over the swamp.
He looks carefully at the creatures swimming in the water, trying
to judge their disposition and if they've spotted us.  Raoh sniffs
at the water but looks displeased with it's smell of decay and
stagnation.  Still looking out over the swamp he says, "Silver, can
you do that spell again?  The one you used in the glade?"

(Silver:)
Silver looks a little confused for a moment. "You mean turning the 
smallest berries into ... Oh ! of course." Silver looks out and frowns
at the swamp. "This seems too trivial a task to call upon the majesty
of Mielikki when we could use other abilities to solve the task in 
hand."

(Keilan:)
"Trivial?  This may be the most difficult part of our journey."

(Silver:)
"Well yes, but merely making ourselves vanish from the eyes of animals
would not mask the disturbance we would make, which might attract some
creatures more ancient and dreadful than normal inhabitants ..."

(Dithion:)
Dithion looks at the swamp and says, "Ah, much like my dear homeland."  He
grins and says, "Mayhaps we should build a raft...I don't know if I would
be wanting to have my feet on these waters.  A quick yank and ye're gone."

(Tatiana:)
OOC: I guess there was nothing special about the statues on the 
     bridge.  Tatiana had wanted to look at them.  I'll assume they 
     were neat but not noteworthy

Tatiana scanned the scummy surface of the swamp.  "I remember 
having to cross a swamp once on a mission.  We lost half of our 
troop to the swamp and it didn't look as bad as this one does." 

"I'd rather fly across if we could manage it.  I could levitate 
three people for about 1 hour and another could fly for more than an 
hour."

"We should be able to travel three miles in an hour don't you think?"

(Silver:)
"That sounds good. I would be able to assume another form, and Shade
could levitate naturally."

"If we cannot all travel this way, then Dithion could build that raft ..."

(Dithion:)
"Aye, that I could, although flying does appeal more to me."  He smiles.

(Keilan:)
"We are not splitting up."

(Falrun:)
"What are we, a bunch of birds?!?"

(Arlon:)
"That's a splendid idea Tatiana, what do you think Falrun?"  he tries to 
contain his chuckles.  "I hear swamp spiders can be quite nasty."  now he
is ready to burst - it is sort of a private joke between Arlon and Falrun,
although he may not remember it.

"We can set up precautions to give us fair warning of an anti-magic area,
that should make flying safer.  It's much safer than walking, you know more
'accidents' happen on the ground than in the air." :)

"We can cast levitate on some item, a stick, staff or rock, keep throwing it 
ahead of us.  The only thing to stop it is air resistance or a magical field
of some kind and in the latter case give us plenty of warning."

OOC: I can throw a baseball about 80 yds, so a roundish rock could probably go
at least that with only air resistance stopping it.  A good size stick about
40+ yards.  Arrows would work well; but firing it a full strength might reach
the Citadel and we'd lose site of it, would need to be careful on how you
fired it.

(Silver:)
"Arlon !" scorns Silver. "Just have a care for what you say ..." Silver 
is really quite cross at the jovial nature of Arlon's comment, even though
she doesn't know of what he's referring to. She can guess, however ...

OOC: I am personally phobic about the little beasties ...

(Falrun:)
"Yes, Arlon, you should listen to Silver.  My blades can be quite nasty
also." Falrun says with a less than mirthful look to Arlon. "I would rather
take my chances with Dithion's raft, or on foot even, than to place my well
being in magic again, unless absolutely necessary. Besides, I know of no 
species of spiders who live in swamps.

(Keilan:)
This last statement surprises Keilan, and he opens his mouth to comment
but then shakes his head and lets it drop.

(Silver:)
Silver also goes to respond and correct Falrun, but says nothing.

(Arlon:)
Arlon gets a little peeved:
"Don't Arlon me Silver, Falrun got his shots in on me when we were in the 
caves.  Questioning MY character, a little ribbing from me should not bring
on such reaction for I did not see it against Falrun who was far more unkind 
than I."
	"I know about your blades Falrun, but you should also remember my
magic carries quite a sting also and is more trusty than any blade you have.
It seems you have forgotten my oath to you on Mindak's rock, a leader needs
to keep his cool."

OOC: I knew my joke had a great chance at backfiring; but I just wanted to
see how people would react to the past.

(Keilan:)
Keilan gives a quiet "Hmm" at that statement.

(Silver:)
Silver also starts to get a little peeved about standing around at the edge
of a hostile swamp bickering. She waits patiently until Arlon finishes.

"Oh, like an hour or so ago when we met those shadowy forms - I presume
your little 'nap' was deliberate ?" Silver says, trying to be humorous
and lighten a situation where she was getting too tense.

(Falrun:)
"Dithion, how long do you think it will take to make a raft big enough for
us to cross this dreadful expanse?"

(Dithion:)
"Depends on how hard these trees are...we need an axe and some rope...I 
have both, but the axe is small."

(Keilan:)
"We'd not make it before nightfall.  I don't think we've even got enough
rope.  As much as I hate it, we may need the tricksters, if Silver won't
hide us.  At least this time, we can fly lower."  Smiling, "And the ground
is a bit softer.  And maybe, just maybe, they won't get it wrong again."

(Falrun:)
"Fat chance."

(Dithion:)
Dithion chuckles at this and then adds, "If everything were right, would
life be so interesting?"

(Shade:)
Shade chuckles too "If Dithion were not so happy-go-lucky, would life be
interesting at all?" He blinks at the priest.

(Dithion:)
Dithion winks back at Shade. : )

Dithion says, "Aye, Keilan is right ... we wouldn't make it by nightfall.
expect that is when these swamps get more dangerous."

(Falrun:)
"Alright, if flying is the only way... I guess I'll just have to bare it,
but I refuse to grin."

"Arlon, I admit I may be a bit touchy but I bet you wouldn't be so plucky
either if you were confronted with a couple of your worst fears.  And maybe
some day we can see whether your magic is mightier than my swords.  ;}
You know, friendly competition."

(Arlon:)
"I am sorry Falrun, my joke was a poor one."

"I still believe we need to fly and levitate to make better time and keep
away from the more harmful creatures.  We might use more spells trying to
cross by raft or on foot and perhaps even a fireball or 2."

(Keilan:)
Keilan is calm, but serious.  He folds his arms and speaks clearly,
"Enough.  The sun isn't going to wait forever.  Arlon, Tatiana, cast your
spells and let us finish this part of our journey.  This is a war against
a strong opponent, not an afternoon lark.  We should be treating it
accordingly."

Keilan sets his jaw when he finishes, and nods to Arlon indicating it's
time for the spell casting to begin.

OOC: What a bunch of wacky elves.

(Shade:)
"Keilan is right, friends, let's go. Arlon, Falrun, I _DO_ think - he grins
a little - you will find your good share of opportunities to prove your
valor."

(Silver:)
"At *last*. Sense."

(Keilan:)
Keilan goes over to Silver and sets her pack down beside her, "Might I
have my bow again, milady?"

(Silver:)
"Thank you, Keil." says Silver, nodding her thanks.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana cast Levitate on Keilan, Falrun, and Dithion.  Followed by 
Fly on herself.  "I assume you three can take care of yourselves and
possible a stick as well?"

"Arlon if you could change into that Pegasus again I think we'd
move along quite well."

"Tie each other off please."

(Arlon:)
"A Pegasus will not be possible at the moment, I have used up all my energy
for that rank.  We will both need the fly spell and pull together with that."

Arlon had cast Stoneskin previously on himself after the shadow fight .. rats
I think I forgot to let whisper know.  Protection of 8 from Stoneskin.

Arlon will cast fly on himself and levitate on a smallish stick.  
"We'll keep throwing this thing ahead of us to make sure we don't get surprised
by a magic free zone or magic barrier again.  Silver we may need you or even
Tuft"  looking to Tatiana  "to 'fetch' this thing if it gets to far ahead."

(Falrun:)
"I know that I am not as learned in the arts of magic as you are, but don't
forget about breeze that may carry your free floating stick away from us.
You might, instead, have Tuft, who has no magical means of flight about him,
pull the stick ahead of us and if the stick, which should be tied to a
string, happens to sag or loose its ability to float we will know that
something is wrong.  How about that?"

(Arlon:)
"It is a good idea and I had thoughts along those lines, pardon the pun, but
I had 1 concern about it.  If there were a magical wall, Tuft would slam into
it without any warning.  I don't think Tuft or Tatiana would like that."

I was assuming there was little or no wind and unless the wind is 
perpendicular to our chosen plane of movement then we can move a bit to try
to get more parallel with it.  If there is sufficient wind, Arlon would look
for a smaller item (sling stone or like it) to use - something with
minimal surface area.  It would be a little harder for silver or Tuft to
grasp but I think they could handle it.

(Tatiana/Tuft:)
*FETCH!  Did he say fetch!*

*I won't be fetching anything for anybody!*

OOC Thus must be the cursed swamp of bickering :)

Tatiana raised her eyes skyward in thought.  "You know Tuft's quite 
a talented flier and used to flying at night in the pitch dark."

*Damn good flier!*

"If there was a magical wall obstructing our path, I'm sure he'd 
detect the air flow difference and would avoid it."

*Like I hit trees in the dark of a new moon. Get real!*

"And the way we communicate, if he crossed into a magic dad zone 
again, I would feel the loss in time to avoid it."

"I don't think we need the stick nor all these elaborate tricks to 
avoid a trap.  More likely we'll be accosted with brute force."

"Besides if I'm to fly into the crystal citadel, I'm not going to be 
seen chasing a stick through the air!"

Tatiana began to lift off with her end of the rope and dragged who 
ever was attached to it along with her building up speed as they 
went.

*Show 'em your stuff Tuft!*

(Tatiana:)
After everyone is tied together in one manner or another.

"Shall we go?" she said taking hold of the rope and lifting off.

(Keilan:)
Keilan seems pleased that the bickering comes to an end quickly if not
immediately, and the mages begin their spells without more wasted time.

Keilan loops the rope around his waist and ties a slipknot in the front,
pulling it as snug as he can.  He passes the rope on to Falrun saying,
"Tie up next to me.  We'll move steadier holding onto each other than
with just the rope jerking us along."

(Falrun:)
Falrun thanks Keilan for the offered help saying, "Thanks, Keilan, but it's
not so much the ride or the height that bothers me, it's having to rely on
fickle magic that scares me."

Keilan loops his bow across his body as best he can with the rope
interfering and calls to Raoh.  The cat pads over and then jumps into
Keilan's arms when he pats his chest.

When he sees Silver tying up Shade and transforming he says, "Stay
close to the rest of us.  If he's too heavy for you to pull, then
just grab on to the rope and ride."

(Silver:)
Silver nods at Keilan before transforming, adding "I'll stay close, but
not too close. I'll also be heading from island to island across the
swamp, just in case ... and I'll make a call you'll understand, Keilan,
if I get into any problems." Silver is referring to the danger signal
that owls sometimes call out ...

(Keilan:)
At liftoff, Keilan will grab hold of Falrun next to him and pulls Raoh
tighter to his chest.  Once the cat realizes just what's going on, he
gets a good claw-hold on Keilan and hangs on looking surprised at the
receding ground.

OOC: So....
	<--Tatiana, Arlon, Dithion, Falrun, Keilan
	<--Silver-owl, Shade

(Silver:)
OOC: Yep, about 100' or so up sounds good. Silver will match flight
     path with the others, heading from island to island, not straying
     more than 50 yards apart.

"Ready, Ebu ?" And if Shade comes over, Silver will tie a length of thin,
silken rope to her leg, and pass the other end to Shade. She then 
transforms into the form of an owl, and perches upon Shade's right 
shoulder. As soon as he levitates, she will fly off, towing him behind
her.

If she tires on the way, she will rest on the levitated Drow, after pulling
him over one of the islands (just in case).

(Arlon:)
 100' is a good height.  Arlon will still cast fly on himself and help
Tatiana pull - Tatiana up front and Arlon just behind her - whistle whistle
he can stay here all day :).  Since Tuft and Tatiana believe they can 
navigate without magical aid, Arlon won't cast the levitate spell on the
rock/stick.

"Tatiana you scan up front and I'll scan below for anything unusual, of
course that could be everything we see."

(DM:)
	Okay, I think I got the picture. First some things: Tatiana was
correct on the assumption that the statues on the bridge were cool looking,
but nothing overly special.

	When Keilan looked into the swamp for the creatures, he noticed a
stone form of an alligator sticking out somewhere, and realized that not
only the more natural horrors of swamps are abound, but also the more
notorious creatures like basilisks, and probably worse.

	You guys argue, and finally decide to go flying/levitating, with
Falrun, Keilan, Dithion and Shade being towed by Arlon, Silver (in Owl form)
and Tatiana. I just need some more specifics. How high you guys floating?
What formation (i.e. who's towing whom, and where are they flying compared
to the others) is being used? I'll need to know before I know if, what and
or how stuff happens on your way to the Crystal Citadel.

(Tatiana:)
Tuft took off flying ahead of the others leading the way to the 
Citadel.

Tatiana took off slowly trying to make sure no-one got jarred 
unexpectedly.  She flew about 100 yards above the swamp in fear of 
something large reaching up to nab them from the muck below.
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------------------------------End of Chapter 40------------------------------
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