Glancing around the area I can't help but be shocked at the expanse that I'm seeing. We seem to be in a huge cavern that stretches on into the distance, some type of bright blue shining moss covering the ceiling overhead creating a dim constant light. The building I walked out of turns out to be a carved stone square that sits atop several others below it. A small balcony and stairs leading down towards the carved walkways. Looking down I can barely make out a bustling town square with a large glowing stone in the center, various races of creatures sleep or lounge in tents set up so closely together there's barely room to walk.
"Welcome to the forgotten city of Aliq, my friend. This was once home to a race of swamp dwarves eons ago but due to them barley being able to breed and the systematic hunting of them by several swamp species they no longer exist to my knowledge. After losing my tribe to a newly risen king I wandered underground for months before finding this place and when I found that monument in the center I realized I had found a settlement. I ended up claiming it and over time several other creatures that were cast out found themselves here and before we knew it we had achieved a small town. This city at one point could house thousands of civilians alone and their garrison had room for close to five thousand warriors but sadly we haven't been able to clean as much as that out yet hence the miserable conditions. Most the homes and buildings are caved in or have dangerous molds and creatures within so we're slowly cleaning them for use of the survivors." Talia explains as I nod along and watch a familiar group of creatures laugh happily at a young ape tottering and falling on the ground.
Several of the Su-apes in the group glance towards me and smile or nod their head before going back to watching the young one. Shaking the thoughts off I glance into a nearby building and see several large glass beakers set up with colorful fluids in each. Mumbling is heard before a short creature appears before us waving hello before it darted back into the lab. Casting inspect before it disappeared my questions grow deeper.
(Gnome Mindflayer Level ??? Elite Alchemist)
A gnome that was injected with a mindflayer tadpole. Normal creatures when subjected to this become slaves to the mindflayers but gnomes tend to break away from this pattern. Although they mutate into a mindflayer they retain mot of their past memories and their complete personality from before the mutation. This specific creature shows signs of extreme mutation.
Shaking my head that a small squid headed creature the size of Harold is also an extremly dangerous enemy, I can't help but sigh after comparing the people of this place to my settlement. Glancing below I finally see the area with my group, everybody is relaxing or training while Wug and Zadin can be seen talking to a small group of creatures.
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"Your friends have been telling all who will listen about your settlement, and your achievements thus far. I will admit to being surprised when Zadin and Keeg brought you here and hearing of your slaughter of that vine blight that was put there. Also the fact that you spared the siren has won you my respect, not everyone would spare an enemy regardless of their willingness to fight. That group they're talking to now are all established warriors from the swamps and many of them will probably join you due to your defeating of one of the area leaders of our enemies." Talia says as she leads me to the group.
"Who leads the enemies of the swamps? We only just entered and were attacked twice within days. What exactly is going on here." I ask quietly as Talia stops and leans her hips onto her coiled tail using it as a chair.
"I can only tell you rumors since I rarely venture to the surface but from what I understand there are three stories. The first is that a lone elf filled with hatred wandered into the swamps nearly a week ago. Upon entering she summoned a horrid demon into the swamplands and ordered it to enslave or destroy everything. The second is that the demon itself found a way into the world from the hells or something summoned it here and its creating a kingdom for itself. The demon is a hydroleth and its a cunningly viscous one. It's been seen multiple times so at least this one is verified. The last is an old evil that's always been in the swamps since its beginning. Apparently it has awoken and begun to claim what it deems as its own. The beast is known as the Grootslang and its an immense monster, the body of a serpent that weighs several tons with the face of a mammoth. Tusks as sharp as spears with a mouth filled with venom laced fangs. Its trunk can spew out a fog that can cause hallucinations as well and to make matters worse its devilishly intelligent. Sadly that's all I know and can't verify which of them is the actual mastermind to this entire attack." Talia says before uncoiling herself and motioning for me to follow her to meet with my group once again.
As we finally make our way back I finish reading the prompts that appeared and smile happily as my friends surround me and make sure I'm alright. Finally after shooing everybody away I greet the group of warriors and invite them to a meeting to discuss the plans we need to make to accomplish my new goals. As everyone enters one of the larger buildings that have been cleaned out I read the prompts once more before smiling and entering.
{New Quest! Malicious Myth- The mythical Grootslang has awoken in the swamplands, endangering the surrounding area's. Subdue or Eliminate this threat! Rewards Alive- Grootslang settlement guardian. Rewards Dead- Grootslang Trophy, Minor guardian summoning scroll.}
{New Quest! Demonic Blight- A Hydroleth has been summoned in the swamps and is causing havoc. These assassin like water demons are not naturally occurring in this world meaning it was summoned or found a backdoor. Eliminate the demon and determine how it accessed the area. Reward-Hydroleth trophy, Craftsmen summoning scroll.}
{New Quest! Familiar Faces- Rumors of an elf having caused this are being spread. Determine if these rumors are true and if so 'deal' with the elfen blight! Rewards-????}