I need to sleep. I don’t know what that thing smashing through the forest was but with two more alligators and the giant squid added to my arsenal, I can probably take it. Once I am out of this damn swamp I am headed for the oven. Fuck this place. No offense to Othe and all the lovely people that live there but I have had enough swamps for a lifetime.

I am going to head to the Lucidian Ocean and hunt sharks. I don’t know where I saw it but I remember an octopus with eight shark heads. That sounds intimidating. Maybe if I can turn into one of those, people will think twice about fucking with me.

In the distance, I can see a landmass rising above the swamp. That must be Othe. I land and take in my environment. Since I know where Othe is I track the path we took through the swamp and head south by southeast a little. Hopefully, I will find them soon.

“Edsom are you safe? We have used magic and know you escaped. If you can return to Othe. We will return as well,” Klaneste’s voice appeared in my head. She sent me a sending. That feels weird. Careful, 25 words only.

“I killed the octopus. Escaped forest. Can see Othe. Heading there now. Please be safe. Something big chasing me. Will keep an eye out,” I sent. Are spell slots still a thing? Divination is a 4th level spell. I mean getting knowledge is important but I never asked how high she could cast.

I rise back up into the air and fly towards Othe. I keep a few eyes on the forest behind me. Whatever was chasing me hadn’t appeared. That is good. I might need to revisit the ten times the size alligator idea. The only reason the hag has not been killed in her lair is that you would need an army of a thousand to kill her. That's a thousand mouths to feed. You would need to give them protective equipment to survive the swamp itself. There is a risk of diseases and infection. Then you have to pay them. I don’t think the hag has a treasure horde. All this together means you would lose more people than you could ever save. The hag has enough creatures to defend herself but she probably can’t send them out of the reach of her lair's magic. This means you can’t attack her without lots of casualties and she can’t attack anyone else with her army. The only way to deal with her is a small strike force that can move through her lands and kill her quickly. It's just that all that have tried so far have failed. This is madness.

I land on the Stark Docks and undo my bird form. A few people are shocked but I don’t have the energy for them. I see a Zho and I tell him to find Mata and tell him I am here. I sit on a barrel and watch the swamp. Fetu and the Claret Order should be here in a couple of hours but I can wait.

Mata eventually rushes towards me. I didn’t think the old baggy tortle could move that fast. He asks, ”What has happened? Why are you here and where are the others?”

“I got pulled into the hag's lair by a giant octopus. I managed to kill it and escape but I was separated from the others. They did some kind of magic and learned of my escape. Klaneste sent a sending and are regrouping here in Othe.” I said. “Mata I need to tell you something. Once this hag business is done with I am leaving. I need out of this swamp. I am gonna see if I can turn into a jellyfish and just float in the ocean for a week.”

“I don’t blame you. Life sometimes throws its worst at us. We either break or stand strong and win. You have stood strong and I know you will save us. I do mean that. Kill the hag and you will have a home here forever. I may be an old tortle on his last legs but I am respected by these people. They will honor this request for generations to come,” Mata spoke. The weight of his years was visible on his face. I don’t know how long he spent as Marquis but this hag has probably been his boogy man for most of his life.

“I will do what I can. Right now I need a nap. Tomorrow I will have new forms that will let me devour anything she can throw at me,” I said. I walked towards the Marquis’s hall intending to get a meal and a nice 8-hour rest.

……

“Hey boss good you are here. The gators want to speak with you,” Rubert said. It was sort of random where I woke up in the dream, but Roob seemed to know how to find me.

“Good I wanted to do the same," I said and took a step. One of the additions to the dream world made by the planning committee was a series of rivers that allowed for swimming and relaxation. The sun was nice and warm here. A nice little vacation and relaxation area. I found both gators lying down next to each other basking in the sun. I also saw the other 2 nearby as well absorbing memories. It's going to be weird later in a couple of months. I will have probably killed hundreds by then. And all of them will be able to relive my memories. In a way I have become a weird Twitch streamer, I guess.

“The liberator is here Jeffery,” one of the gators said in a Cajun accent.

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“You're right Timmy he is impressive,” Jeffery said.

“Told you. He is the liberator, freer of all who were trapped by the hag,” Timmy said.

“Wow wow, liberator what do you mean?” I asked.

They both looked at each other then Timmy spoke first,” You are the liberator. By killing us we have been freed from the mind control of the hag.”

Next Jeffery spoke, ”That cunt has kept all the animals of the swamp her puppets. Most of us were born under her spell.”

Gods damn. I knew it was bad for Othe but I never considered the wildlife. I looked at these animals with pity and grief. They had been slaves for generations.

“Don’t be looking like that now. You have saved us. Not only are we free but we now get a paradise. A world we can help create without fear of hunger or death. One without the hag,” Jeffery spoke.

The river to my side rose as water rapidly gave way to the black form of the octopus. He looked at me with a new intelligence. His tentacles moved and I saw his beak. He spoke, "We owe you a great debt for what you have done and will owe an ever greater one once you kill the hag. But before you leave we need to inform you of the truth of the Othemoor.”

“You gained sapience fast,” I said.

“Yes. It is as you said before my death, but there is more to my story. I have not always been the way I am. I was once a dwarf. Long ago I found the hag hoping to make a deal. My wealth had been lost in a storm in the ocean. I had tried to hire crews to retrieve it but many sharks and other sea creatures made the shipwreck their home. I found the hag and asked for the power to recover my gold. She turned me into this form. I went on to recover all that which I had lost. But I did not change back. When I managed to find the hag she used her magic to take my mind from me. For many years I have been her puppet in this swamp. I have told you this story because it is one of many. Her lair is filled with victims or the descendants of victims.”

I stared at the octopus that was once a man. I gave myself true sight and saw beneath his form. It was murky, like looking at something beneath a couple of feet of water. His dwarven self was there and beneath that was a soul tainted by a black ichor. I look at the alligators and I can see a similar ichor.

“I can see your old self around your soul. I also see the hag’s corruption on you all,” I said.

“We have spent many years in that swamp. I hope with time its touch will fade. But before that, there is something you must know. The source of the lair's power.” the octopus said.

“You know what it is? It's not the portal, is it?” I asked.

“No. This artifact powers the portal. It is a relic from long ago during the Age of Arcanum. A powerful relic that was given to the champion of Melora. The hag found it long ago and has been using the divine essence inside of it to power her enchantments. But that power is running out.” He spoke,

“Running out. Why is it running out?” I asked.

“She has abused the power for too long. The artifact has long been losing its magic and several times the hag has had to infuse it with the energy of a powerful shapechanger. By sacrificing their soul the artifact is renewed. That is why she is desperate to gain you. She has only weeks left before its magic is gone and her lair is powerless.” He said.

Holy shit. That's why she needs me? So what she felt or saw my powers and rushed to capture me. “Can we just wait her out? Let the artifact run out of power and attack her then?” I asked.

“No. She is a coward. If she can’t get to you she will flee. She has spent years building her base of power but will throw it all away to avoid death. You see, that is her problem. Her lair is her only strength but othewise she is insignificant. She has had time to prepare and fortify her home. But she is weak in every other way. Face her in battle and you will devour her. And when she is here, you can take everything from her,” he said.

I had been avoiding the thought of what would happen when I killed the hag. But with all my new residents I think I can handle her. This artifact has got to be one of the Vestiges of Divergence. One of the most powerful magic items created during the Calamity. Which one is it? I create the memory orbs for both the explorers guide and the campaign setting. There are vestiges created by the Wildmother and one that could have been. One that was created by her is the Spire of Conflux. A magic staff that gave the wielder the ability to cast several powerful druidic spells. I know this one is still in the hands of the Voice of the Tempest Keyleeth of the Air Ashari. The item that may have not been made by the Wildmother is the Verminshroud. It's a cloak made of rat pelts and insects. It is an artifact that represents a more diseased and poisonous side of nature. Could have been made by her but that is unconfirmed. The last item is probably the one that is actually in the hands of the hag, the Hide of the Feral Guardian. It's a shapeshifter's best friend. In-game mechanics can increase the user's AC, their attack, and damage rolls. But for me, it will probably make it harder to hurt me and easier for me to hurt. Other than that it would give more forms.

So I just need to steal the armor the hag's entire defense network falls apart. Then I need to kill her before she can get the chance to run away. No problem I am sure I will have help hunting her. I looked at the octopus and said,” I didn't get your name.”

“I am Hardok,” he said.

“Hardok, I promise to get your vengeance. For all of you. Thank you for this information,” I said.

It's going to be a busy day tomorrow so I read up on hags and any other creature she might throw at me.