Ani sends the owl ahead to learn anything more about the Rushmoor lair.
After a few hours the owl returns, and hoots at Ani. She hoots back, and after a few moments passes on the owl's findings to you. Perhaps a three hour hike ahead is a low dike in the swamp, encircling an island barely fifty feet across. The water level of the swamp is higher than the ground surface within the dike. In the middle of this dry area is a gaping hole in the ground. The owl saw no sign of any life in the area.
Tragon looks at the others. "Likely there are guards about. But, I see no other way. We must go to the island and then down the hole. It is likely there where their lair is."
"Der yer think we're going ter need a boat," asks Krrl. "I ain't very happy about havin' ter swim across that swamp."
Tarl says, "I am agreeing with my short friend here, but alas, we have no boats..."
Tragon shrugs. "I don't know where you going to find the wood if there isn't a boat already sitting somewhere out there. We might have to swim the dike, although the idea doesn't appeal to me, either."
Lornard asks the group, "Does anybody here have any skills that would allow him to construct a servicable raft?"
The mayor shakes his head in a negative manner.
"Well," growls the dwarf, "I guess we'll cross that swamp when we gets ter it."
You gingerly begin your trek across the swamp. Following the trail, you find that even at its worst, the muck and water is only two feet deep...though that is almost waist-deep for poor Krrl. You make very slow progress southwards.
Suddenly, after two hours, there is a movement in the water, and something grabs Krrl's left leg! He loses his balance, falls with a splash into the water.
You now see an enormous (man-sized) snapping turtle attacking him! It struck so quickly that even the ranger did not spot it, catching you all of guard.
Even now, only Tragon, Thrwyn and Tarl can react.
"Glubb," responds the dwarf.
Tragon tries to use his sword to flip over the turtle.
He cannot get enough leverage to do so.
"Tarl, hold Krrl's head above water!"
Tarl attempts to grab him and pull him out of the water. The big barbarian grabs the spluttering dwarf by the head. The giant turtle does not let go of his leg, and a tug of war results, with Krrl in the middle.
"Boy, it sure does suck to be a dwarf," says Thrwyn with a smirk. He quickly tries to hit the turtle with his warhammer.
"Glub."
Thrwyn's hammer bounces right off of the turtle's shell.
Lornard fumbles around with his bow, turns around, and generally acts surprised.
Tarl continues to try and pull the dwarf out of the water, looking to get a better body part to pull with (maybe under an arm or around the torso, instead of pulling off Krrl's head...).
The barbarian gives a mighty heave, and pulls the dwarf out of the turtle's grip. The man and the dwarf go tumbling back into the mud.
Krrl scrambles to his feet, and moves to attempt to throttle the turtle.
Thrwyn comments, looking at the turtle.... "Man if we could make armor out of that stuff it would be great."
He tries to help Tragon flip the beast over and then if possible get in a swing at its underbelly.
"Same side, Thrwyn. On two..."
Thrwyn slips, and lands in the mud. Tragon, though, manages to flip the turtle all by himself, and it lies on its back in the shallow, muddy water, legs flailing.
"Leave the beast be," growls the dwarf. "It's just a turtle. Unless somebody knows how ter cook the thing."
Valea says, "Leave it be...it is just a dumb animal trying to get food. It should be able to right itself in a while. Let's move on."
Tragon nods. "I wasn't going to slay the beast. Krrl, are you badly wounded?"
"I'm fine," grumbles the dwarf. "Let's keep moving."
All of the suddeen Arwihn's Niece pushes aside her comrades and rushes over to the turtle, attempting to heave it upright. She gestures, mutters something and looks intently at the turtle. She has a sudden fluctuation in her voice - an even, mellow whisper like the rustling of reeds.
The turtle replies with a hiss, and a strange conversation ensues. With her help, the turtle slides off into deeper water and rights himself. When you resume your march the turtle follows you, Arwihn's Niece hanging back a bit and continues her conversation with it.
Finally the short day comes to a close, and you find a small hummock of grass to make a camp upon. You post watches, but the night is uneventful.