The Swamp of Suffering

On your way to the swamp, you wonder what the name could mean.

Lana: Ranvi, any idea how the place got its name?

Ranvi: Not much... I have heard a few rumours about it, that is all.

Drek: And what were they about?

Ranvi: It is said, that the swamp is a kind of cursed place... Those who enter are rarely seen coming back, expect for a few. They reported, that the plants act like predators, they pray on the careless ones and render them immobile, to slowly **** them to **** for weeks if not longer... But that is the better way to die there...

Drek: That's the better?!

Ranvi: The place is filled with mutated predators, that would do horrible things to you as they slowly devour you alive, piece by piece...

Lana: Mutated? How?

Ranvi: The dark side surrounds the planet, but at some points, it is more concentrated than at others. The swamp is one such place. The dark side is so powerful there, it corrupts any living being.

Lana: Those who came back, must have done something right. Better learn from them, what was their secret? Do you know?

Ranvi: All I know is that there hasn't been anybody going there for decades... Mother Talzin was the last one to come back alive and she did it in her youth...

Drek: Wonderful news... So far, only the most powerful nightsister managed to survive the place! If you wonder, this means our chances to do the same are...!

Lana: Drek, please, don't even say it...

Drek: Well, okay... But to let you know, it would have been very VERY low...!

Ranvi: We will got this guys, don't worry...! We will do it together and all will be well!

Lana: I hope so...

You arrive to the swamp's entrance. You could feel the dark side energy flowing through the place. The whole swamp was covered in a thick dark mist with blackish trees and bushes blocking your sight even further. There was a narrow path leading into the swamp though, it seemed like the only way to go forward.

Lana: Alright, are you ready?

Drek: This place is definitely not as friendly as Naboo... But we should be okay, right...?

Ranvi: I... I don't know guys... Maybe we should turn back...

Lana: We shouldn't! We have came this far, we will get what we have to get!

Ranvi: But what if we get lost in there and never come back out alive...?

Drek (reaching out for Ranvi's hand and looking in her eyes): Ranvi, all will be well, okay? We will got this together! Nobody is going to stay here longer than we intend! I won't let any plant or animal get anywhere near you, I promise!

Ranvi (blushing and looking away in embarrassment): Yeah... yeah, you are right...! Thank you Drek!

Lana (thinking): Wow, Drek has never been like that before! Guess he is learning!

Lana: Okay, here goes nothing, into the swamp!

You go first, the others closely behind you. You couldn't see further than about 10 meters in all directions. You don't want to abandon the path, at least you are staying on the solid ground. Drek meanwhile tries to use his navigation equipment, but it had gone crazy due to the aura of the place.

Drek: This is great! All my stuff has gone totally crazy! None of my devices work at all!

Lana (igniting her lightsaber): I guess I have all I need right now!

Drek: Ah, the minimalism!

Ranvi stops and looks at one of the trees.

Lana: Ranvi? What's wrong?

Drek: Are you not feeling well, Ranvi?

Ranvi: This tree... As if it was... calling out for me...

Lana: Calling out for you?

Ranvi: I can sense its... feelings.

Drek: Plants have feelings?

Lana: Stupid, all living beings have feelings!

Drek: But those are just... plants! I would sooner imagine a droid having such things than a plant!

Ranvi steps off the solid trail into the muddy water. It isn't deep, reaching up only to her ankles.

Drek: Ranvi, don't leave the trail! Its dangerous!

Lana: I agree, come back!

Ranvi: I am coming only this far, don't worry! I just feel like... I would better understand it if I had touched it...

She reaches out and puts her palm on a branch of the tree. Her eyes and palm starts glowing green and she senses the feelings of the plant.

Ranvi: Guys... I... I can feel what the plant feels right now...

Lana: Really?!

Drek: Do they really have feelings?!

Ranvi: Yes! And it is... hungry...

Drek: Oh boy, a hungry tree! What are we going to do, give it some fertilizer or something?!

Lana: Thank you Drek, at least you always find a way how to ruin a serious moment!

Drek: At your service ladies!

Ranvi: Not hungry in that sense... rather... It hungers for...