Chapter Nine: the Ragged Man (a brief respite)

Having found a hospitable place to rest, the Starborn spend the afternoon at the Mission of The Blessed Marius in the Hogglepot Marshes. Rygorh and his cohort Ashton elect to remain outside as Rygorh does not trust the lawful church of Marius.

Early in the afternoon a soft rain begins to fall . . . a gentle stream of warm water sprinkles the land. In the meantime Father Abstinence and his swamp elf followers tend to the needs of the heroes. They are shown to a pair of large rooms on the upper floor of the mission where they can rest and stow their gear. Father Abstinence seems obsessive in his desire for cleanliness. "This swamp is a cesspool of vermin and filth. You should all bathe, and we will see to the cleaning of your clothes." He's rather insistent on this point and refuses to allow anyone up to the common bedrooms that does not agree to bathe and have his clothes cleaned. In fact, anyone that refuses to take a bath is asked to leave the place . . . politely at first, but forcefully if any continue to ignore his request.

Late in the afternoon, after everyone has bathed, the rain outside begins to pour down in sheets. Great gusts of wind whip the rain about and it becomes impossible to keep dry. Father Abstinence acts a most pleasant host . . . he tends to any minor hurts and casts detect disease, a minor spell that none of you has heard of before. He casually explains that it is an orison of his own invention that he felt would be most useful in the swamp. His preparedness proves most useful for the Starborn, particularly Seebo, Rumus and Alev, all of whom have contracted what he calls "swamp fever." The disease is in its early stages, but untreated it can be most deadly. "I will tend to this disease on the morrow, after I have prayed to Marius for your well-being. He will cure this disease from each of you. In the meantime, you three should sleep separate from the others." He provides a room for just that purpose on the first floor of the mission.

Father Abstinence answers any questions the heroes have about the swamp and the area to the best of his ability:

• There is indeed a temple further south from here but it is a wretched place, best avoided by clean-minded people. He has never been south of this point but the last priest to serve here has. That priest unfortunately went insane and fled into the swamp some months ago. The poor man is probably long dead by now. His name was Father Industry Maxwell.
• He has no idea what the 'dead god' means.
• The swamp elves worship animal spirits. Their totem poles represent the primary ones.
• 'Kharad' is the name of a god of vegetation, worshipped by a small sect of elves many years ago.

As evening falls the rain outside has become a torrential downpour. The water level around the mission begins to rise. Flashes of lightening, punctuated by roaring thunder, provide glimpses of the dreary night outside. Poor Rygorh and Ashton must surely be chilled and soaked to the bone by this point . . .

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