We went into a swamp today to find some witches who are trying to murder an enormous toad.
Before leaving, we returned to the Baron because none of us could remember exactly what we had promised him. As far as we can tell, we agreed to try to stop the witches killing him and not kill him ourselves.
There was a lot of discussion about what “try” and “kill” technically mean.
We also asked about the medicine that slows the strange changes affecting Daisy, Baw and Gloom. The Baron had one small vial, but would only give it to us if we promised to bring more back from higher in the Spire.
We said we would try.
He kept it.
The swamp was full of mud, leeches and flies, but I found a sunken path leading deeper in.
Ahead, Baw spotted two stone golems guarding the way and slipped into the water with a reed to listen to them. One of the golems had decided to become “the one who tells lies”.
This was a poor choice.
By the time we approached, he had grown fangs, claws, strange eyes and a tail.
I simply told them the truth. We wanted to speak to the witches, hear their side and avoid hurting anyone.
They let us pass.
It turns out honesty is very useful when lying makes your face grow extra parts.
Daisy also reminded me that I can call on my draconic magic to grow wings for a short while.
I had completely forgotten.
Beyond the golems, the swamp became calmer, but every animal had glowing pink eyes. Fish watched from the water, birds circled above, and deer, bears and squirrels followed us towards the witches’ hut.
Outside, we found Ryan.
Except it was not Ryan.
He was a changeling called G, who had murdered the real Ryan, hidden his body beneath Baw’s bed and stolen his identity. He had planned to use us to get close enough to assassinate the Baron.
We ruined this plan by refusing to bring him with us.
Inside the hut were three witches, including one growing into a tree and another staring into a glowing pink sphere.
They told us the Baron had upset the balance of the land. He had been sent down from higher in the Spire and now ruled the swamp while those above him lied without consequence.
Their solution was simple.
Kill the Baron, take control and fight their way upwards.
I asked what would happen to everyone caught in the middle.
They did not seem especially concerned.
The Baron wants everything to remain as it is. The witches want to tear everything down.
Neither option sounds very heroic.
The witches suggested we return to the Baron and leave a door open so they could deal with him themselves, possibly with the help of several hundred glowing-eyed squirrels.
I did not agree to this.
I am not entirely sure everyone else disagreed.
Gloom was not with us, and we are beginning to notice how much heavy lifting he normally does when talking stops working.
We decided to return to the Baron and ask him to change, help the people beneath him and work with us against those higher in the Spire.
If he refuses, I do not know what happens next.
There may be an open door involved.
For now, I am grateful nobody new died today.
Ryan had apparently been dead for quite some time.
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