The Witches Huts

[travelagency]

Who: Various
What: Swamp Hunting
When: M11 D27 - M11 D29 (Feb 17 - Feb 25) IMPORTANT NOTE days have been changed to make the plot more accommodating.
Where: Three different swamps far from the Village
Notes & Warnings: See the plot post for further details. You are allowed to go to more than one swamp. There's plenty of time, to. Plotting Links: The Marsh of Sorrow | The Offending Swamp | The Witch's Den. Participation is encouraged so that we can make later plots around expanded world access, or so that characters can use potions or cauldrons they didn't turn in themselves. The Slip 'n' Slide log is still open for tagging.

The Marsh of Sorrow

Foggy and murkey, sparse trees jut out of the bog like gnarled fingers reaching to an unseen sky. There's a light mist in the air- raining again in some form or fashion as every explorer who has returned has reported. Not all have returned, though, and caution is very much encouraged. There are more wild hounds than one would expect for somewhere that apparently doesn't have free grazing livestock. They seem to be waiting around for something.

It becomes obvious when a sheep becomes mired in the mud near the border. Easy prey. Luckily the hounds have never shown any interest in people.

The good sign is that that there are few skeletons and creepers. While one might assume that they're hidden by the fog, they're generally extremely sparse. Off in the distant fog there are lit spots, areas where old huts are, glowing mysteriously. Those are the places that the museum wants to be investigated. It just requires wading through the muck to reach them.

What the museum doesn't know is when the marsh is active, emotions play a role in whether someone can make it across. Unfortunately it's the only time that the huts can be located through the fog. People that are entering the swamp with grim feelings in mind will find themselves sinking. Perseverence, ambition, joy, curiosity? Those will help people strive through, and hopefully pull others to the surface.

The Offending Swamp

The museum doesn't tell people why it provides them with face masks, but oh, they will know when they hit the border of the swamp. It's a terrible smell, not quite like being near a sewer but not far off. That unfortunate paper-mill smell. The mask given to them will allow people to speak freely and unmuffled, but it only blocks out about 90% of the stench. This is one of the situations where someone might hope that the rewards are worth it.

The ground is far more solid than in the Marsh of Sorrow, with plenty of firm areas to roam. It makes the stench more irritatingly mysterious. There are few animals, too. But the answer to that becomes obvious when bursts of flame pop out of small holes in the ground. Apparently getting through will require great care.

The museum did not provide fireproofed clothes. But when the hut is found, luckily alongside its cauldron will be an abundence of fireproofing potions. Their purpose isn't obvious so it would depend on the curious or the adventurous to figure it out. That will at least make getting back out easier.

The Witch's Den

When entered, this swamp seems the more relaxing one. The temperature is moderate, the air isn't deplorably foul, the boggy areas are not as difficult to navigate. Once someone is within its limits, making their way to the hut, the more unsettling aspects of the swamp make themselves known.

Voices of people lost or left behind speak to people over their shoulders, soft and sometimes pleading, or accusing. They mutter secrets, things about their past, fears that people don't say aloud. Sometimes they're just whispers, and sometimes they're loud enough for the next person over to hear. Often they will tell people to go a certain way, toward another object or in another direction.

If they follow, it will put them back at the edge of the swamp.

There is a single hut in this one, far towards the center. As with the ones in the Marsh of Sorrow, it will glow as the swamp's abilities are active. It lies past the remnants of dilapidated houses and landmarks, a village likely abandoned long before any of the other ruins were formed. It is best found as the sky grows dark. Unlike the Marsh of Sorrow, though, enemies will crawl out of the dark.

Comments

[folkscallmewander]

[He tugs even harder as Grainne attempts to pull herself out.]

It think it was the Marsh o' Sorrow? Place looks pretty gloomy to me, if I might say.

[athousandcurses]

The Marsh of Sorrow?

[A slightly alarmed look appears in her eyes. Such things existed in her first life. Places that would be affected by people as much as people were affected by those places.]

Wander, can you find a piece of wood or something? Something long and flat that I could rest on. It's an old trick I remember from the bogs in my homeland.

[folkscallmewander]

Got it! [He scampers away, confidence renewed now that Grainne proposed a solution. It doesn't take long to find a fallen branch in the middle of a swamp, though the trip back takes a bit longer since he has to drag something longer than he is.]

'kay, wanna grab onto one ends while I pull?

[athousandcurses]

That should help. Lay it flat so I can spread my weight out when I grab it.

[Keeping focused on getting out seemed to lessen the effect the sinking has on her, though, and an spark of an idea forms in Grainne's head. She holds on to the wood.]

It is very gloomy here. What do you think, Wander? Maybe this place is cursed.

[folkscallmewander]

Like this? [He lets it drop to the ground and rolls it over to where Grainne is sinking.]

I dunno. Could be, if there's a witch here! Maybe that's why it looks so dark? Because she likes how it looks that way?

[athousandcurses]

Yes! [The weight spread out helps a little, and she manages to pull her feet up a bit.] Thank you, Wander. And I think there's no doubt there's a witch here...

[folkscallmewander]

[Hooray, Grainne's going to be okay! He keeps an eye on her to make sure she gets out safely.]

That would be amazin'! You ever met a witch before? I'm told they can be plenty scary if you're all rude to 'em, but I heard of nice ones out there. [His grin widens.]

How're you doin' there?

[athousandcurses]

Wander, I am a witch. [Grainne, despite the situation, couldn't help but smile slightly at Wander's cheerfulness.

Some more of the mud let her go and she wiggles free.]

Well, sort of. I know they would call me one now. I am doing better... it's a little easier to move.

[folkscallmewander]

[A genuine look of shocked embarrassment.] Oh gosh, I'm sorry, I didn't know. I shouldn't have assumed you weren't one!

So what kinda magic do you do? You lift curses? Or are you that witch that makes love potions? [Those exist, right?]

[athousandcurses]

Love potions... [Grainne shakes her head, getting a bit of mud everywhere from where it stuck to her hair.] Ah, if only I did, my life wouldn't be so complicated. I make curses.

[and then, as if in response to her words, she starts sinking again.]

Eee! I'm sinking again!

[folkscallmewander]

Oh no! [He pulls her as hard as he can, feet digging into the mud. She was doing so well, and now she's in danger again?]

Hold tight!

[athousandcurses]

[Frowning, Grainne pulls hard and comes up a little bit.]

Wander, tell me something good!

[folkscallmewander]

Uh...! [He stops, eyes darting as he tries to focus on something other than his sinking friend.]

You're a really nice lady, an'...I know you can get out of this!

[athousandcurses]

[The feeling of being pulled down lessens, and Grainne relaxes a little before resuming her efforts.]

It's slowed down now... would you tell me more?

[folkscallmewander]

[Oh good, Wander sighs in relief. She's not sinking as fast anymore.]

Well, uh, sorry if I said anythin' to offend you 'bout witches, because you're really nice. And pretty!

[athousandcurses]

You didn't offend me, Wander. [Coming out of it seems a little easier, and she starts wiggling out of the muck.

Normally, she would have yelled at anyone who called her pretty, and she had the last time, but coming from Wander it was a little endearing.]

You are too nice to offend anyone, really.

[folkscallmewander]

[A sigh of relief, both for her kind words and the fact that she's finally getting out. He moves to the side, since Grainne seems to be able to handle it herself, and only interferes when it looks like she could use a small boost.]

Shucks, Miss Grainne. that's awfully sweet of you. [And he really tries his best to never offend anyone. Even if that someone is Belloq.] I'm only tryin' to help.

[athousandcurses]

[At last, the muck gives way and she flops out, spreading her weight across the ground.]

I know. That is the mark of a kind heart.

[She rests there for a moment, making sure she isn't going to sink again.]

Maybe I should turn back and take on a different task.