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It's a swamp. A wet, marshy, dank, miserable swamp, wreathed in thick, drifting patches of cold fog. While there is solid ground here and there, a single unlucky step in the wrong direction could see you sinking waist-deep into gross swamp water.
Frogs bellow and insects buzz, and from time to time you might notice something a little … unsettling. Glowing eyes in a patch of shadow; a sinuous ripple of Something beneath the otherwise still water; a long, low gurgle …
On Square 11, just before murky swamplands transitions into a spring forest in full bloom, you find a rope-bridge … on a dauntingly steep but not completely unreasonable incline. Good thing it looks sturdy! If you're lucky enough to stop on this square, you may choose to take this shortcut instead of continuing on.
Frogs bellow and insects buzz, and from time to time you might notice something a little … unsettling. Glowing eyes in a patch of shadow; a sinuous ripple of Something beneath the otherwise still water; a long, low gurgle …
On Square 11, just before murky swamplands transitions into a spring forest in full bloom, you find a rope-bridge … on a dauntingly steep but not completely unreasonable incline. Good thing it looks sturdy! If you're lucky enough to stop on this square, you may choose to take this shortcut instead of continuing on.
The ground rises gently, and as it does, a verdant forest springs up around you. The ground is solid but springy beneath your feet, and a huge variety of colourful flowers bloom all around you. Bright sunlight filters through the canopy. The warm, pleasantly scented air is probably a relief after the swamp.
Square 17 marks the beginning of a steep hill, cresting at Square 20, where you'll find the other end of the rope bridge you saw earlier. By the time you reach Square 21, the trees are starting to thin, going from lush, dense forest to steadily more scraggly woodlands.
Square 17 marks the beginning of a steep hill, cresting at Square 20, where you'll find the other end of the rope bridge you saw earlier. By the time you reach Square 21, the trees are starting to thin, going from lush, dense forest to steadily more scraggly woodlands.
As you emerge from the trees out into the bottom of a magnificent canyon, the air goes from "warm" and "pleasant" to … "wow I sure am in a desert" and "yikes why is the sun so bright". Here and there you may find some cute cacti or patches of hardy desert shrubs, or skeletons of long-dead creatures. There's a few small ridges you'll need to scramble over as you make your way forward, but overall this section is fairly level.
Square 27 is an interesting one, in that it's a huge skeletal spine laying across a ravine with a river rushing down below. It looks like there used to be a bridge, but, uh. Not anymore. Anyone just scampering along the spine will be fine, but those who have to roll here may be in for an Interesting Time.
Square 27 is an interesting one, in that it's a huge skeletal spine laying across a ravine with a river rushing down below. It looks like there used to be a bridge, but, uh. Not anymore. Anyone just scampering along the spine will be fine, but those who have to roll here may be in for an Interesting Time.
The canyon widens out into the foothills of a miniature mountain range. The sun has disappeared behind roiling dark clouds, and the temperature has dropped significantly. It feels like it could snow at any moment.
There's a steep drop to the west of Square 34 — if you look down, you can see the river from the canyon. Square 35 is a steep, icy staircase leading up into the mountain proper. From there, it's a wintery trail along winding paths, peaking at Square 40. The descent on the other side is rapid, except for Square 42, which is a short but very, very, very dark tunnel.
There's a steep drop to the west of Square 34 — if you look down, you can see the river from the canyon. Square 35 is a steep, icy staircase leading up into the mountain proper. From there, it's a wintery trail along winding paths, peaking at Square 40. The descent on the other side is rapid, except for Square 42, which is a short but very, very, very dark tunnel.
You've made it through the mountain range! Heck yes! The weather out here is (mostly) mild but drizzly, and the terrain is pleasantly flat and grassy. All that's left is to follow the cobbled country road to and through the town. By Square 48 you'll have reached the town proper — it's pretty and quaint, and seems almost abandoned except for the occasional cat or dog.
Just … watch out around Square 52. The ancient mine shaft may have been paved over, but the workmanship was a little on the shoddy side …
Just … watch out around Square 52. The ancient mine shaft may have been paved over, but the workmanship was a little on the shoddy side …
Big yuck.
Who is going to roll this big dice?
[picks it up]
Who is going to roll this big dice?
[picks it up]
I can do it! If I die, then that means it was dangerous.
...I didn't care about my shoes or outfit or comfort anyway.
[ tea is distracted eating a butterfly ]
[passes it over]
Take the hit for us wee babies, W.
Take the hit for us wee babies, W.
We can buy new ones we're rich.
Well I am, you may be screwed. But as a doctor you're probably rich back home.
Well I am, you may be screwed. But as a doctor you're probably rich back home.
Oh? My seniors will take care of me, is that right?
Oops! What looked like solid ground was a dirty, filthy lie - enjoy being underwater!
Everyone must roll Agility or Adaptability.
6+: You successfully escape onto dry(er, for a swamp) land.
2~5: It takes you a hot second to fight free of the weeds and get your head above water. Lose 1HP.
0~1: You're tangled in swamp weeds and disoriented by the muck. Roll Power 6+ to escape, losing 2HP with every failure. A unitmate can save you with a Power roll of 6+.
Everyone must roll Agility or Adaptability.
6+: You successfully escape onto dry(er, for a swamp) land.
2~5: It takes you a hot second to fight free of the weeds and get your head above water. Lose 1HP.
0~1: You're tangled in swamp weeds and disoriented by the muck. Roll Power 6+ to escape, losing 2HP with every failure. A unitmate can save you with a Power roll of 6+.
WHOOPS
[ rolled 9 (1, 0, 2, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1), scrambles to higher ground ]
[ rolled 9 (1, 0, 2, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1), scrambles to higher ground ]
[10!!
Onto the drier land]
Goodness, that wasn't very sturdy!
Onto the drier land]
Goodness, that wasn't very sturdy!
[ Rolled a 4! GLUB ... GLUB ... but she fights her way out eventually, with gross swampy weeds tangled in her hair. Sputters - ]
Euuuuggggh.
Euuuuggggh.
I've been reinvigorated! I don't have to think twice about my clothing if you guys are here to take care of it for me!
Too heavy from all the butterflies....
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