Part 1: The Journey

Chapter One: Encounter

Swamps... Alidorim hated swamps. He hated everything about swamps; the heat and humidity that made it feel like he was inhaling soup; the sucking mud that caused every meter to feel like a mile; the putrid water that seeped beneath his armor; and the swarms of insects that bit and stung at any exposed portion of his scaly hide. Yet here he was, deep in the Evermoores, searching for black mushrooms of all things.

As he struggled to yank his clawed foot out of the quagmire for the umpteenth time, he couldn't help but wonder if the payout was really worth the effort. At the time one-hundred silver for a quick fetch and carry job seemed like child's play. The job lost some of its novelty when the client mentioned that the mushrooms only grew on the northern faces of rocks and trees near caves. According to the client, the closest cave formations were a half days journey west of the city.

Half a candle-mark after receiving the cave's location he was trudging through the wilderness. The task had gotten less and less enjoyable with each step. It got to the point he was operating on pure stubborn determination. Alidorim had already committed so much time and energy to the job he might as well see it through to the end. The client had even offered to amend the purse with an additional fifty silver pieces for every extra kilogram of mushrooms he obtained on top of the two already agreed upon.

Alidorim Ulkith; proud Dragonborn Adventurer reduced to slogging through swamps filled with mold laced air in order to pick mushrooms for chump change.

"All so he can cook a goulash," the Dragonborn growled in frustration. "It had better be a damn fine goulash." As part of the payment, Alidorim would receive a portion of the prized meal. His stomach rumbled at the thought. A proper meal would do wonders for his morale.

He had to admit the smell of the bog hadn't been nearly so bad inside the city, but outside...? It was a challenge just to keep from gagging at the scent of stagnant water, rotting undergrowth, and the ever-present dank moldy undertone of every breeze.

The balmy swamps of the Evermoore were littered with rancid bogs, mudflats, and algae choked lakes. The lakes were dotted with Islands teeming with turfs of fungi and spores, and guarded lairs of dangerous local wildlife.

Worst of all was the humidity. His linens were soaked within minutes of stepping outside the city, and the moisture was starting to seep into the padded lining of his armor. He was grateful for the well-tanned leather shed most of the liquid, but that fact did little to comfort him as he struggled to breathe. Each breath was a strain on his lungs. The thick damp air was bad enough but coupled with the exertion of just walking it sounded like he was in a constant state of near asphyxiation.

Now he was wading through water and mud that ranged from passable to nearly waist-deep. It wasn't long before every piece of his armor and the crimson scales beneath were soaked. A horse would've reduced his fatigue, but it turned out the everglades outside Everlund were so dense as to make use of any steed impractical. He was as likely to drown the beast as himself.

The trip to the caves took just over ten candle-marks, though judging from the heavy breathing it sounded like he'd been traveling for days. As motivated as he was to be away from the swamp it was more likely he'd have to make camp. Alidorim did not relish the thought of spending even a single night in the Evermoores.

As he made his way up onto the banks of a lake, the Dragonborn noticed a cliff face with several small, half meter-high openings. Burrows; long vacated. The clearing was large and hilly, with only a dozen trees scattered over a fifty meter by fifty-meter area. The area matched the client's description almost perfectly. Alidorim searched the region surrounding the abandoned burrows for the black mushrooms. In very short order, he was able to find a decent amount of the pungent truffle. In total, he was able to harvest about five kilograms.

As he secured the bounty in his pack, Alidorim allowed himself a small satisfied smile. Despite being exhausted and soaked to the scales he managed to achieve his goal. He actually stood a chance to turn a decent profit. Maybe even enough to get him to the coast.

Looking up he figured he could make a few miles before making camp; fates willing.

Just then a chill ran up Alidorim's spine causing his hackles to rise.

The ever-present chirps and gurgles of the swamp, which had plagued him as much as the humidity and smells had the entire day, faded away until all was quiet. Alidorim's senses were on high alert as he scanned the dense foliage for any sign of what had affected the local ecology. "Something isn't right."

Instincts told him that the only time wildlife went still and silent was in the presence of hungry predators. It seemed he was not the only creature on the hunt.

Some bushes off to his right shifted. His hand flew to his back sword as a brown-furred creature leaped into view. Alidorim froze just as his fingers grasped the handle. The meter-long swamp fox leaned back on its haunches and stared up at the Dragonborn with complete insolence.

Ulkith growled in annoyance before releasing the weapon. He returned the impertinent stare with a glare of his own. The swamp fox growled threateningly, but the show only makes Alidorim chuckle. "You have a stout heart, pup," he said shaking his head. The fox wasn't having it though. It went to all fours, hackles raised, and teeth bared. Did this creature really think he stood a chance? Placing his hands on his hips the Dragonborn looked down his snout at the misguided beast. "Know your limits pup!" But the fox didn't back down. Its jaws parted as it issued several loud barks.

Sighing Alidorim reached for the long knife at his waist. If the fox was so eager, the Dragonborn would oblige its recklessness. The fur would fetch some coin at least and could use the meat. He was prepared to end the animal's defiance when he became aware of another presence. It was accompanied by the sloshing sound of displaced water and of leathery skin sliding on mud. As he turned back toward the lake's edge Ulkith grasped that the fox hadn't been the predator he should've been looking for.

"Just not my day."

The Dragonborn found himself face to face with five meters of scales, teeth, and muscle. A pair of glossy back eyes the size of a child's skull stared at him with pure territorial outrage. A low threatening gurgle rolled up out of its throat. Alidorim froze. He knew any sudden movement on his part would cause the creature to attack. Even though its four legs were short, Alidorim could tell they were capable of propelling the beast forward at tremendous speeds.

The alligator was nearly 500 kilograms of solid muscle, most of that being in its tail. A glancing shot from the appendage would incapacitate him if not kill him outright. He had to be smart and think fast lest he-

-The swamp fox jumped forward barring its teeth and barking. 'Damn you!' The predator's jaws moved with shocking speed, but the fox was faster, leaping to the side and snarling in a challenge. Unfortunately, that placed Alidorim directly in its line of sight. The Dragonborn leaped backward as the alligator's jaws snapped again. Oh, how he wished he had a ranged weapon.

Ulkith drew his sword and slashed downward scoring a shallow cut along the side of the beast's snout. Distressingly it barely seemed to phase the alligator as it lunged once more. The Dragonborn tucked and rolled narrowly dodging the attack. He barely had time to think when the large reptile attacked again and again. On its next attack, Alidorim ducked behind one of the trees only to have its jaws close around the trunk. He snarled as one of its teeth stabbed into his left arm.

Alidorim dipped and dove just as the alligator's massive head twisted, ripping the tree out of the soft earth. As the beast flailed the chunk of foliage, he heard a yelp of pain but was too distracted to pinpoint its location.

As the beast rolled its head side to side Alidorim noticed the fleshy sack just behind alligator's jaws. Unlike the rest of its hide, this section flexed and expanded like a wineskin.

"Here!" Ulkith roared brandishing both his weapons. The alligator turned its attention back toward the bothersome Dragonborn. Dropping the tree, it stalked toward him, growling and hissing as it went.

Alidorim's claws dug into the soil as he flexed his legs. He would have to time his movements perfectly. Too late and the jaws would eviscerate his body. Too early and he was just as likely to get crushed by the tail.

The alligator lunged at the same time Alidorim moved. Launching forward, he twisted and was past the beast's snout. As the jaws snapped closed on air, he circled the head and raised his sword in a stabbing strike. The blade sank half its length into the soft flesh before the pain registered. The alligator gasped in surprise. Snarling Ulkith jammed the sword all the way to the hilt. The alligator reared howling in pain. Releasing the weapon Alidorim backpedaled just enough to avoid the creature's thrashing. Its massive tail whipping about, snapping another two trees at the trunk. It rolled over and over in an attempt to dislodge the thing that was hurting it.

After moments that felt like an eternity the alligator's movement slowed. It attempted to crawl back to the comfort of the lake. Flanks heaving it slumped to the churned earth. Giving one last galvanic kick the giant reptile finally went still. Alidorim gave it another quarter mark before wearily approaching the animal. Judging by the sheer volume of blood puddling about its head, the Dragonborn surmised it was most certainly dead.

Locating his weapon Ulkith cursed. He had to work it back and forth several times before it finally came free. The pommel was lost, and the handle had been cracked during the beast's struggle. It was a relief that the blade itself was still intact. The pommel and grip were going to be expensive enough to replace. So much for turning a profit.

Behind him, he heard a weak whimper of pain. Turning he found the swamp fox amidst the shattered remains of the first uprooted tree. Its forelimbs kicked feebly while its hindlegs remained still. Though it continued to whine it was incapable of even lifting its head to look at the Dragonborn. It was already struggling to even breathe.

The brave fox had fought well outside its class and had suffered for it. Poor deluded creature. Hefting his long knife, Alidorim sighed in mild reluctance. "Just not your day, pup."