It was, Settionne supposed, pleasing to know that the Lizardman - called Argon, he learned at some point in the next few hours of hiking - did not seem to hold any particular grudge against him. Even so, he wondered at the creature's ability to survive in this frankly unpalatable climate, for how foul the stench became at times. Indeed, he was inclined to wonder how such a disgusting "land" formed to begin with. Some form of evil power, he imagined. Really, that was the only explanation that made sense, considering that there really were dark powers at work in the Southlands.

Even so, he managed to take his mind off it by keeping up small talk with the others in the party, and for whatever lurching horrors the swamp could inflict upon them and theirs, it could not last forever. The group finally reached dry land once more, and for his efforts, Sett was rewarded with bog-soaked leggings. And what a shame, for that was good cloth too... though he was barely given but a few minutes to resolve the matter, for not minutes later, the party was confronted, albeit briefly, by a band of Wood Elves, or who he assumed were Wood Elves, for it of course followed that other sorts of Elf would live elsewhere than the woods. And their leader, now that was an attractively-clad woman. Her armour was very well fitted, and obviously very well made, and he was quite sure whatever weapon she wielded was of similar high quality... and he supposed the woman herself was attractive too, albeit in the same way as the Elven Princess Vanya - a beauty to be observed, not handled, and woe betide anybody who tried it. And similarly for anybody who tried to steal anything: aside from the sheer number of potential watchers, the woman herself was surely exceptionally eagle-eyed. Sett worried he'd lose the opportunity to nab anything at all for himself, with how utterly impossible such a thing had been as of recent.

But alas, enough of that sort of thinking. T'was time to explain to and mollycoddle the authority around these parts. 'I will report one minor setback,' he began to say jovially, 'taking the form of some swamp monstrosity, but rest assured our friend here handled the matter most handily.' He gestured to Argon before continuing to talk: 'Nevertheless, we are alive and unharmed, though it seems in a less well-kept state than you and yours, miss- am I missing a title?- Verya, and might I say what a truly brilliant sight you are, even in these harsh conditions?' He supposed his mild flirt may well be disregarded by the Elven commander in much the same way that Vanya had disregarded him last night, but it was hardly a loss anyway. Let them think he was a hopeless flirt; so much the better when his opportunity to act finally arose.

[@POOHEAD189][@Fetzen][@Banana][@The Fated Fallen]