After Raymund found the ancient scrolls hidden between the pages of the monumental literature located in the Church of the Sword, near the paladins' graveyard, he set out once again to find a cure. The scrolls, in an ancient language, said something about a plant that was the main ingredient curing Soul Rot. A fern, the juices of which reverse the rotting processes. However, it was still impossible to get exact information. The ancient language is only partially translated and still harbours the mysteries of the Forerunners. Raymund travelled to where these ferns should grow. To the Grimy Swamps. Passing through the swamps, he came across a settlement of local natives. Amphibians of various kinds living in community and never removing their masks. It was a local custom. When a larva turned into an adult, it had to make itself a mask. Which it would wear as long as its previous mask was intact. If the mask broke or was lost, the ritual would have to be done again. And with the new mask, the Aborigine is given a new name. After that, he is treated as a completely different person. Paladin learnt this from his interactions with the natives. However, there was one problem. The language was very unusual - they communicated with whistles and tsk tsk sounds. As if imitating the sounds of various birds and insects. So all communication tkook place through primitive, but extremely entertaining drawings. After talking to the tribe's chief, Raymund discovers that he knows where these ferns grow. However, for them it is a sacred plant, and to pluck it Raymund must prove that his goals are worthy of it. The chieftain has asked the knight to find an aggressive beast that lives in the swamps and attacks the locals who are lost in the marshes. To rid the local population of its oppression. Raimund agreed to these conditions and set off on his journey. But he could not go alone. He was followed by a local shaman. A female newt that Raymund called Totek. Because he'd often heard a combination of these sounds in her speech - ‘to-tek’. On their way to the aggressive beast abode, Raymund and Totek entered the home of other creatures... They are now being hunted, but they don't realise it yet. P.s. A little bit from the author personally. This is another idea that I came up with about 4 years ago, but only now I was able to competently implement. Sketches with the natives I still at the very beginning of his creative journey made)
