Year 19

"…and stay away from my daughter, mage minion!" you hear the angry farmer shout as you run away and still attempting to get your pants back on.

You soon make it out of Dert and take a breather.

Ever since the citizens of Dert finally realized that you were "working" for Ral, (Nobody ever really bought the herbalist story) their attitude towards you hasn't gotten any better. If anything they're even less friendly.

Good thing for you they're a bunch of ignorant cowards at heart because they're reluctant to just string you up since they think it might draw Ral's ire somehow. A few even believe you're magical. You aren't really going deter that sort of thinking despite the reality that Ral could probably give a shit if you got killed or not.

Of course some (like bored wayward farmers' daughters) find your "mysterious aura" enticing. Another type of thinking you aren't exactly going to deter either.

Still, you probably shouldn't push your luck. Fear and hesitation can easily be overridden in a quick moment of violence. Then again, it's not like you've got much else to do with your time.

You return to Ral's home and find that he's actually expecting you AND he doesn't have a menial task for you for a change.

"I need you to go get me a blood gem." Ral says.
"Blood gem? Gee, that sounds like it involves vampires again." You answer.
"No, no, no. There aren't any vampires this time around, just a lot of sotakians or lizard folk as you might call them."
"Didn't know there were any sotakians in the area."
"There aren't, you'll be going to Sotak Swamp. The sotakians use blood gems in their idols, so just seek out one of those and you should be good."
"Uh, not that I don't live to serve thanks to the spell that forces me to, but isn't that pretty far away? I don't think I'm making it back in a week and that's if I even knew how to get around there in the first place."
"Don't worry about that, you're going to have a guide and you're going to be teleported to a relatively close to where you need to be. When you get the item and back to the original location, you'll be teleported back here."
"Hm, well I guess that makes things slightly easier, who is this guide?"

Ral points to a small winged being flying in from the next room. You guess he's a fairy of some sort, but you couldn't guess what kind. He doesn't look happy.

"This is Tych, your sprite guide. He'll be able to direct you to where you need to go." Ral says.
"Sprite huh? Weird to see one alive this time rather than just the blood." You say.
"Yes, Tych you could say was most inspired to save his own life when I first encountered him. In return for his servitude rather than death, it was he who gathered twenty of his kind in one place and made that process a whole lot easier."
"Wait, how long has Tych been here and where's he been? This is the first time I've seen him."
"Oh he's been here maybe about as long as you have and you haven't seen him because I tend to keep him in my lab where I can keep a better eye on him. Sprites, like most fairy folk tend to be tricksters and Tych in particular is one of the more treacherous of his kind. In fact you may find him to be very friendly towards you since he'll probably be trying to convince you that you two should work together to escape. I of course advise you not to listen to such nonsense that will only get you into more trouble."
"Great, and you're sending this little devious bastard to guide me?"
"As long as you insist on sticking to the task I've given you, he won't be able to resist helping. So don't listen to anything else he says and you'll be fine. Think of it this way, you're his direct superior and what you say goes."

You're not sure about this, but as always you have little choice in the matter so you gather up what equipment you believe is going to be useful and return to Ral who says a few words and before you know it, you're blinded by a flash of light.

As you're still shaking off the effects of temporary blindness, your guide is in no hurry.

"Take your time plivik. It's been awhile since I've been outside so I'm going to enjoy every moment we're out here." Tych says in a high pitched squeaky voice that almost makes you want to laugh.
"Where exactly are we anyway?" you ask finally getting over your condition and finding yourself in new surroundings.
"Oh we're in Gnarlwood Forest, not too far from the border of Sotak Swamp. More specifically we're in a fairy circle or an old abandoned one at least. Of course even abandoned ones have magic to them, probably why Ral sent me with you too. Makes the teleportation connection easier for him to cast. He's not nearly as powerful of a wizard as he thinks he is."
"Hm, well he's still got the pair of us doing his dirty work."
"True plivik, but that won't last forever. If we work together we'll be able to overcome his magic that's binding the both of us to him."
"Oh? How so?"

Tych giggles a bit.

"Ral has made a big mistake in letting me come back here! We fairy folk as you may know are magical by nature, but I cannot break our magical chains by myself. However, my village isn't too far from here and it would help the both of us plivik. With their help, Ral's spell could easily be overcome." Tych says.
"Why would they help me? I'm not a sprite." You ask.
"What does that matter plivik? You're still a being in need of help. I can see you're not a bad person, and just like me, you are just forced to serve a bad master. If you tell me to guide you to the other sprites, we can go right now."
"You keep calling me plivik, what does that mean?"
"Oh, it's just a word in my native tongue. Just means friend."
"We're friends all of a sudden?"
"We both don't like Ral and wish to be free of his chains correct? I'd say that already makes us have enough in common to be friends even if we just met, plivik."
"Ral said you would be friendly towards me to do something underhanded and that I shouldn't pay any attention to what you have to say unless it directly involves the task."
"Well of course he's going to say that, plivik. He wants to keep us divided. He also told you that I lead twenty of my people to be ground up into into blood paste. I guarantee that I would never do such a hideous thing even to save my own life! He used a spell to capture us all and it was only by pure luck that he decided to keep me around as a pet to torment. You know he keeps me in a glass jar on his lab desk and shakes it around?"

You can see how this is going to go. You're going to have to play "Who's the liar?" the whole time during this task.

"I think we should stick to the task for now." You say.
"Oh I understand your hesitation. How about this, we go get the blood gem first and when we return here then you can decide to return to Ral or go to the sprite community I mentioned. That should give you time to decide whether I'm trustworthy or not. Just think about it okay?" Tych says.
"Hm, I suppose that's reasonable."
"Great! Now let's get this task underway then."

Tych goes on to tell you due to his own capture, he's hoping that his information about the area is still the same. He tells you that from your position he knows that there should be a sotakian place of worship within a day's walk.

"Now if we head north and then west there's a clearer path to where we need to get to. We're going to have to be careful to avoid elven patrols though. Just hope they aren't on heightened alert because that's going to make sneaking around a lot harder." Tych says.
"I don't suppose the fact that we're planning on desecrating one of their enemy's idols would make them friendly?" you say.
"A good idea, but it wouldn't make any difference. Elves are a bunch of territorial assholes. They think EVERYTHING in Gnarlwood forest is under their control. As a human, you'd still be seen as an interloper and most likely killed. And as for me, well let's just say it wouldn't be much better than Ral's magical enslavement."
"Sounds like it would just be easier to immediately go west and bypass the patrols."
"You would think that, but chances are it would take just as long due to all the high marshes and sinking bogs in the area. That's not even counting whatever creatures are lurking there. Not even the sotakians make their homes that way and consider it sacred ground due to the daquala population in the area."
"Wait, what's a daquala?"
"Oh, they're a creature about the size of one of your dogs but a whole lot more vicious and meaner. They can also camouflage themselves to practically be invisible. However, I don't think they would necessarily be a problem, they tend to sleep a lot and most of them should be hibernating this time of year. You're more likely to get swallowed by quicksand or a giant swamp serpent honestly. Still, I suppose if we got lucky it would cut our time by half. Up to you, plivik."

You take the forest path

While you're going to have to stomp through the swamps eventually, if you can avoid the areas that contain vicious invisible beasts that would probably be better for your survival.

"Okay, we'll take the long way." You say.
"Probably for the best." Tych remarks.

As you and Tych travel through the forest, you find that Tych is overly talkative. He even acknowledges that he is, but he's just so happy to talk to ANYONE who isn't Ral. Most of his talk concerns Gnarlwood and Sotak swamp, so it isn't completely useless banter though you're more concerned with his chatter calling attention to you.

He has much to criticize when it comes to elves and says it was they who started the war with the sotakians in the first place. And ever since that point, now everyone else who lives in Gnarlwood forest that was more or less minding their own business has to deal with the consequences.

"The sotakians were perfectly content on staying in their swamps before the elves pushed them. The sotakians would just take a few elves every now and then for their primitive sacrifices, it wasn't personal and the sotakians never tried to encroach on their territory." Tych says.
"I can't imagine WHY the elves would take that badly." You reply.
"It isn't like the elves couldn't afford to lose a few of their number given how much they rut with each other. Not to mention as I said, elves are a bunch of territorial assholes. They just used their war as an excuse to try to lord it over the rest of us that live in Gnarlwood. Demanding tribute, conscripting us to help them. Nevermind the fact that the rest of us don't have problem with the sotakians. A bunch of degenerate hedonistic imperialist assholes is what they are."
"Interesting. Elves generally don't have that reputation of being particularly interested in conquest, well other than the sexual kind I suppose. I dunno, I haven't really run into many save for passing by a few aggressive whores in Holgard."
"Hm, well luckily for you humans, you've already established your dominance in this land. If you were in lesser numbers, the elves would be trying to conquer you lot as well. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the elves hadn't sent out their people to go purposely mate with humans and other races to create more half breeds in the world."
"What would they gain by that?"
"Spies of course! Half elves would make excellent spies to gather information about the rest of the world and human governments in particular. Mark my words plivik, there will come a day when elves will try to pull their bullshit on humanity. I know you humans already tend to be foolishly entranced by their superficial looks. Ugh, dunno how anyone could find those freaks attractive."

Yep, Tych certainly has strong opinions on elves.

Most of your journey is uneventful and despite Tych's ranting. Eventually you do get weary of the sprite's squeaks and tell him to keep it down. Tych apologizes and complies.

As night begins to fall, you decide to camp for the night so once again you find yourself a tree you can climb up and reasonably sleep in.

"What are you doing, plivik?" Tych asks as you climb up a tree.
"Maybe you sprites can see in the dark, but I can't unfortunately. Not to mention I need to get some rest if I'm going to go steal the eyes from sacred sotakian statues tomorrow." You respond.
"Hm, I suppose you're right. Very well my wings could use a rest too and it'll be nice to sleep outside rather than a glass jar for a change. (Sigh) Just wish I could sleep with my beloved Gink tonight. Even the sight of her would be most welcome."
"You're married?"
"You surprised? Though I'm not married in the way that you probably are thinking. There was no lavish ceremony like you big legs seem to like to have. Gink and I just bonded under the moon in private and made our commitment statements to each other. We're the only ones that matter, so why all the need for a crowd to watch?"
"Makes sense to me actually."
"What about you?"
"What about me what?"
"Do you have someone?"
"No. I mean I had someone for a few months, but it didn't last…anyway I wasn't married and honestly it's not something I've ever thought about. Especially not now."
"Yes, I suppose our predicament would put other concerns first. Remember though, it doesn't have to be that way."

Tych flits away and goes off to find a soft leaf to sleep on. You remain awake for a little while wondering if Tych is lying about everything, telling half truths, or being completely honest.

Eventually you fall asleep.

Later you wake up to Tych's squeaky voice.

"Wake up! Wake up, plivik! Elves are in the area and they're on the move!"
"Huh? What? Here? Now? I didn't even hear anything!" you respond, suddenly waking up and catching yourself before you fall.
"Well no, they aren't right here under us plivik, but close enough! I woke up early and did a little scouting north. There are a bunch of them marching down that well trodden path that leads into the swamp. It looks like a war party."
"So are they going to attack a lizard village?"
"I would imagine so."
"I guess taking the path is completely off the table now."
"It is until they clear the area which might be awhile."
"Do you know what village they're going to attack? Were we heading in that direction?"
"I actually did hear some of their conversation and they're striking the closest one on the border and fully intend on wiping it out. I think I know which one that is and it's a fairly large one. Makes sense that they would send so many soldiers. Our destination was going to be a little to the southwest when we reached the swamp. A smaller village that was further in the swamp."
"Would both of them contain idols?"
"Well the sotakians are pretty religious, and they usually have one somewhere in their villages, why?"
"I'm just wondering if instead of me trying to sneak around a lizard village by myself that maybe I shouldn't just shadow the war party and snatch the gems from a village that's going to be raided instead."

Tych gives you a concerned look.

"I don't know plivik, that sounds pretty risky. As I said, the elves are likely to attack you as well." Tych says.
"You're probably right, if only because they're going to wonder what the hell I'm doing there, but lizards are still going to be their primary targets. At least if I get seen, there's going to be enough distraction on both sides that I might avoid getting targeted. If I get caught in the other village, it's just going to be me by myself surrounded by lizards and I don't expect you'd be much help." You respond.
"Way to have confidence in me, plivik. I'll have you know I can fly about the other village without causing any attention and give you a run down on how to best approach the place. Certainly seems safer than what you're proposing."
"Hmm, okay, we'll go with your idea again."
"It is the safer course I assure you, plivik. I am also happy that you have so much trust in me." Tych responds.
"I'm just hoping I don't regret it."

Since you're intending on going with the original plan, Tych says that he's going to go back to watch the elven war party and let you know when the path is clear. He suggests that even when they do finally all pass by, it would probably still be best to keep off the path proper and just follow the general direction of it until you get to the swamp. From there he'll once again guide the way and scout ahead.

As Tych takes his leave, you sit back and wait. You sort of feel like you haven't been doing much on this task, though you suppose Tych IS your guide so it makes sense that he's doing most of the work to get you to your destination.

You don't know how long you wait, but it's enough that you end up going back to sleep for a little while. The second time Tych wakes you isn't quite as jarring.

Having been given the all-clear reassurance, you climb down from the tree and follow Tych as he leads you into the Sotak swamp.

The swamp is about like what you imagined, it's muggy, very wet and filled with a lot of little biting and stinging insects. (Though in Tych's case, they aren't all that small and he tends to perch on your shoulder for most of the way) You don't encounter anything too bad; save for a couple of the larger reptilian predators (Tych says they're crocomoths) and in both cases they're busily feasting on something else and you slip by unnoticed.

Despite you practically being up to your knees in muddy water you're making good time all things considered and then that's when you hear a faint sounds in the distance coming from the north. Sounds like a horn.

You walk a few more minutes and that's when you begin to hear a lot of splashing, several voices shouting and heading in your direction from the south and getting closer by the second.

"Those must be sotakians!" Tych says.
"Shit, I just realized, that horn sound we heard was probably was some alarm from that other village getting attacked. There's probably going to be a shitload of lizards heading our way!" you say.
"We have to hide!"

Tych at this point does exactly that and flies away! Whether he's completely left you or not is irrelevant because all that matters now is you finding your own hiding spot.

You don't know how many are heading in your direction and how spread out they are, but all you can do is hope you stay out of their sight.

You hide in some tall reeds

Hiding underwater holds the danger of drowning on top of getting stepped on and getting discovered. You'll take your chances with tall reeds and hope for the best.

You run to the left and hide in a thick clump of reeds getting as low as you possibly can without actually being completely submerged.

You keep your weapon ready as you hear the splashing of several bodies heading your direction. You expect one of those lizards to suddenly stumble upon you at any time. You only hope you kill him so quickly that none of his fellows notice.

Unfortunately, you're paying so much attention to if the lizards are going to stumble upon you, you don't notice the nearby snake nest that you've stumbled into.

You suddenly feel several small piecing bites in your flesh. This causes you to jump up and yell involuntarily as you quickly try to get the colorful little snakes off of you. Of course this then calls the attention of not just one, but several lizards who were running by at the time.

They notice you and after a few hisses and something in a language you don't understand, three of them move in to attack you while the rest continue their other mission of defending their settlement.

Besides outnumbering you, the lizards are bigger than you and probably faster than you in this sort of environment. They're also most definitely better warriors than you.

However, none of that really matters because you're currently in no condition to fight or flee from the sotakians. Whatever type of snakes those were, they were highly poisonous and you just got bit by several of them.

By the time one of the lizards even reaches your position, you've fallen to the ground vomiting, your heart beating much to fast, and you feel like the interior of your body is on fire.

Your eyes roll in the back of your head and then you lose complete consciousness before dying face down in muddy water.