Along the swamp

Nightmarish stories came from that area. Drunken travelers spread tales from other travelers. It was not a place to be triflied with. Bugs the size of birds of prey and carnivorous giant plants were the least outlandish things you had heard. There was no way of really knowing, the area uncharted. You felt it your responsibility to pacify the danger of the marshland somehow. Maybe with the place tamed, folks could live freely there.

The journey was uneventful, at first. As soon as you hit swamp you quickly discovered some of the stories were rooted in truth. Jungle and swamp as far as the eye could see. Wild, untamed, it was daunting.

A giant dragonfly flew overhead, prompting you to hide behind a nearby fallen tree. It was disgusting being face down in this wet mess but there was no way you could fight off a predator. One the size of a dog was going to kill you for sure. What you didn't see was a jungle vine dangling from the trees snap up the insect. Both vine and bug vanished into the jungle.

When you rose up you were none the wiser. You quietly took in the marsh before you. It was alive with activity. Not inviting though. There was no question you were getting a warm welcome here. However, trying to tame this land might provide more habitable territory for mankind.

The other thought occured to you. Maybe, just maybe, you'd meet some rough types of men out here. Convincing a bandit horde to change their ways or some such other fun thing. What you didn't realize was vines slowly snaking up behind you.

Before you could react, the strong tendrils wrapped around your ankles. You were being hunted. Your feet were yanked out from under you and you were **** into the marsh. There was little you could do but claw feebly at the muck. The vines were a fair amount stronger. This might be it for your journey, no way of knowing what was on the other end.