Chapter Nine: the Ragged Man (the interloper)

As the rain pours down in the swamp, Ashton hears a loud splash in the water nearby. He alerts Rygorh to the noise. Looking towards the sound they can see a very short, squat man lumbering through the water towards them. He is submerged up to his chest in the filthy swamp water and his features are obscured by the darkness and the rain.

A flash of lightening reveals the "man" to be a dwarf wearing what appears to be full plate armor and carrying a massive axe in one hand and lugging a monstrous tower shield in his other hand. His beard is tangled and matted with swamp filth. He is soaked and dripping water.

As the dwarf gets closer he makes for the mission building while keeping a wary eye on Rygorh and Ashton in their boat. He steps up onto the porch of the mission and stamps out his boots spreading mud and stray vegetation over the place. He is clad in steel from head to toe and his massive shield is a fine silvery metal. His axe has a wicked edge to it, and he carries a monstrous sack tied over his right shoulder. Strapped across his chest is a leather bandoleer with a dagger and various tools and widgets poking out. He looks over to the soaking wet humans and says matter-of-factly, "Eh, pretty wet out here, huh?" He then turns and makes for the front door.

So, what are you going to do?

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