TGS Tour

The TGS Camp is surrounded by a tall fence on all sides. Officially it serves to protect the people inside from predators that live in the swamp. But rumor has it that its actual purpose is to protect guests from their own ignorance and keep them from wandering into bogs that are scattered all across these lands. Inside the fence there is the two-story main building, several tents, and a tool shack. Paths lead South, East and West towards a gate in the fence on each side. [[Enter main building->TGS Lobby]] [[Go West->West Gate]] [[Go South->South Gate]] [[Go East->East Gate]]

You enter the lobby of the TGS main building. There is a reception desk here, but it is currently unoccupied. The stairs and most of the doors have signs that say "Staff Only". There is however one door that says "Swamp Tours Here". [[Go on a tour->Guide Selection]] [[Leave->TGS Camp]]

You enter the room where the TGS tour guides await their customers. Currently the only visitor is you, and the only tour guide available is Tara. Click on the tour guide of your choice: [[<figure><img src="tara_portrait.png" style="max-width:100%"/><figcaption>Tara</figcaption></figure>->Tara]] [[Leave->TGS Lobby]]

The gate has a padlock on it and you do not have a key. Beyond the fence there is a trail that quickly disappears between the bushes and tall grass. You cannot see anything much beyond dense foliage. A [large sign]<sign| is attached to the fence. Beyond the fence there are tall trees and a trail that leads on between them. You can also hear some flowing water to the East. Probably a creek.(click: ?sign)[ The sign says "Danger! Visitors are strongly advised to stay within the perimeter for their own safety unless accompanied by a certified TGS guide."] [[ Go to the center of the camp->TGS Camp]]

Beyond the Southern Gate you see a boardwalk that leads towards the lake. On both sides of the boardwalk there are cattails and high grass. Currently there is nobody around and the gate is locked. [[ Go to the center of the camp->TGS Camp]]

A locked gate is blocking your way. A [large sign]<sign| is attached to the fence. Beyond the fence there are tall trees and a trail that leads on between them. You can also hear some flowing water to the East. Probably a creek.(click: ?sign)[ The sign says "Danger! Visitors are strongly advised to stay within the perimeter for their own safety unless accompanied by a certified TGS guide."] [[ Go to the center of the camp->TGS Camp]]

(set:$guide to "Tara")(set:$she to "she")(set:$She to "She")(set:$her to "her")(set:$Her to "Her")(set:$hem to "her")(set:$herself to "herself")(set:$mangrove_enter to true)(set:$npeat_sink to false) Tara smiles and welcomes you. "Hello! Looks like I will be giving you a private tour of the Great Swamp today." The young woman is wearing nothing but a red bikini. Given the temperature outside this attire actually does make sense. Even so, one might expect a guide here to wear something that offers a little more protection. "Since it's just the two of us, I will let you choose where we'll go. What would you like to see?" [[Choose a destination->TGS Locations]]

The Great Swamp covers a large part of this valley. Hence the "Great" in its name. There are many beautiful places, and at least as many dangers to found. [[Mangrove Swamp]] [[Northern Peat Bogs]] [[Mdogo River]] [[TGS Camp->Return to TGS Camp]]

You follow $guide for hours through the swamp. Except for a creek you need to cross, you stay on dry ground as you observe the local fauna. The path becomes narrower and eventually barely visible, but your guide knows the way. $guide points up ahead "This is where we get our feet wet." You see the roots of some tall mangrove trees in that direction. As you come closer you also see what $guide was referring to. Naturally these trees like it wet. There is no way around the murky water if you want to go on. $guide steps into the water and demonstrates that is merely shin-deep here. "But you better watch your step anyway. The ground is a bit uneven and there's the occasional branch that you might trip over." You follow as she shows you around. Many of these mangrove trees are extraordinarily large for their kind. They must have lived for ages untold. There are plenty of paths among these trees to choose from. <img src="tara_mangrove_start.png" style="width:100%"/> "This is about as far as we go into these swamps. It is easy to get lost in there. There are not really any landmarks to help you find your way back out." [](responses| [[Leave the mangrove swamp->TGS Locations]] (if:$mangrove_enter)[[[Persuade guide to go on->Mangrove Swamp Lost]]](else:)[[Persuade guide to go on]<guide_refuses|] (click: ?guide_refuses)[(append: ?responses)[ "I don't think that's a good idea. Last time I went in there it took me all day to find my way back out. Maybe someday when I am more familiar with this part of the swamp myself." ]]

Your guide leads you far into the North-Western part of the Great Swamp. There are many different smells to be found in the swamp from all its exotic flowers. But as you come closer to your destination the smell of peat begins to dominate. "Watch your step! Do not walk too close to any dark, moist patches!" $guide explains and points at one of them for you to avoid. "This place is always changing. Day by day. Season by season. Even if you have walked this path a thousand times, you still need to watch where you go." That explains why $guide is walking much slower than before. You both tread on soft green moss. The ground squishes and bounces with each step. The area is kept in darkness by large leaves that block out most of the sunlight. Until you find a clearing that is. "It is safer to stay at the edge of these clearings. These are really just large, partially overgrown bogs. If you break through the upper layer and start to sink, there is nothing solid to hold onto out there. Here at least there are some trees with strong roots." <img src="tara_npeat_start.png" style="width:100%"/> This is apparently as far as $guide intends to take you. [[Ask about exploring the clearing some more->Northern Peat Bog Walking Start]] [[Leave the peat bogs->TGS Locations]]

You arrive at the center of the camp where $guide bids you farewall. [[Continue->TGS Camp]]

You follow your guide far to the Western part of the Great Swamp. On the way your cross several creeks and rivers. But the Mdogo is not quiet what one might expect. Mostly, because there is no water. "The Mdogo river is just a side-arm of the Mwalamu. And the Mwalamu river's water level has been rather low this season which in turn has led to barely any of it being fed into this one. I hope you are not disappointed, that the river is currently practically non-existant as you can see. But this allows us to explore the river bed a bit and walk upstream. The locals consider the Mwalamu to be the Western border of the Great Swamp. That seems a bit arbitrary to me but I guess you have to draw the line between the swamp and the surrounding jungle somewhere. If only to tell your people where not to go," $guide explains. You explore the riverbed. The ground feels moist and a little muddy, but there is still no water in sight. $guide tells you about the flora and fauna of this area including what it is like when the river actually has water and what kind of fish you can catch here. There are some beautiful flowers alongside the riverbed. <img src="tara_mdogo_start.png" style="width:100%"/> "So, shall we head back?" [[Leave the Mdogo river->TGS Locations]]

At first $guide does not seem too happy about going farther in, but after a while $she gives in rather easily. It seems that $she actually wants to explore this place as well despite the danger. Together you head deeper into the mangrove swamp. There are myriads of twists and turns and some paths appear to be dead ends but on closer inspection you still find a way through. However as you progress farther the fog also becomes thicker and to make things even gloomier clouds gather above as well. That is when you decide that you should better get out of this place after all. You keep following $guide while taking on all the natural beauty of this place, even if it is also a bit eerie at the moment. $guide stops to think more frequently about which way to turn. After a while $she says "It seems we must have taken a wrong turn somewhere. But I still think we are headed the right way." The fog makes it even harder to discern these trees from one another. And you cannot rely on the sun for orientation anymore with the clouds now obscuring it. Even though it is still the middle of the day it looks and feels more like dusk is approaching. You keep going until you walk into yet another dead end. <img src="tara_mangrove_lost.png" style="width:100%"/> "Maybe we can find a way through," $guide wonders aloud. "We could also turn back to try and retrace our steps, but we really need to get back to camp before it gets dark. Hmm..." [[Go ahead->Mangrove Swamp Sinking 01]] [[Turn back->Mangrove Swamp Way Out]]

(set:$attempts_branch to 0)(set:$attempts_root to 0)(set:$attempts_approach to 0)(set:$depth to 1)$guide and you approach the wall of mangrove trees to look for a way past. Underneath their branches the place looks even gloomier. At first you see nothing but blackness beyond their massive roots. Only as you eyes adjust do you see hints of a trail. "I think we can get through here," $guide exclaims and begins to climb onto some roots. You follow $her and you both stumble along the narrow trail in near darkness. Finally there is some light up ahead. Your guide lets out a sigh of relief and begins to go a little faster. Minutes later you step out onto a wider path. The clouds have partially cleared up and so has the fog. "Much better. Now let's see," $guide says and checks the position of the sun. "Good, looks like we are going the right way. From here we should get home easily," $she adds, still looking up rather than paying attention to the ground that $she is walking on. Suddenly $guide stops with $her feet stuck in the earth that is liquifying underneath $her. "Wha...?" The ground quivers all around and $she sinks deeper into it. <img src="tara_mangrove_sinking01.png" style="width:100%"/> "QUICKSAND! Stay back!" (link: "Keep safe distance")[(set: $action to "none")(goto: "Mangrove Swamp Sinking 02")] (link: "Get closer and help")[(set: $action to "help")(goto: "Mangrove Swamp Sinking 02")] (link: "Find a branch")[(set: $action to "branch")(goto: "Mangrove Swamp Sinking 02")] (link: "Break off a root")[(set: $action to "root")(goto: "Mangrove Swamp Sinking 02")]

At every turn you look for familiar sights. More than once do you and your guide discuss which way you have come. And also more than once do you find yourself walking into another dead end. An hour passes like this and you are beginning to have serious doubts about whether you will ever find your way out of this place. You have not come prepared to spend the night here. And with the water covering just about every inch of ground, you do not even have a dry place to lie down. After another hour the sky at last seems to clear up a bit. $guide's mood also lightens up. "We are finally on the right track. This looks familiar," $she says. And you hope that $she is right. Eventually you arrive at the spot where $guide initially wanted to turn back. "We made it. I told you it's easy to get lost in there, didn't I?" $she says with a wink. Much relieved that you could escape the mangrove maze you head back to camp. [[Leave the mangrove swamp->TGS Locations]]

(set:$depth to 2)(display:"mangrove_swamp_actions") "Ungh. This is not so bad. I think I got this," $guide tries to reassure $herself as $she struggles to free $her legs. The quicksand protests with some slurping noises and those legs only slide deeper into it. $guide then tries to lean towards firm ground in order to get a grip on something solid. <img src="tara_mangrove_sinking02.png" style="width:100%"/> (link: "Keep safe distance")[(set: $action to "none")(goto: "Mangrove Swamp Sinking 03")] (link: "Get closer and help")[(set: $action to "help")(goto: "Mangrove Swamp Sinking 03")] (if:$attempts_branch < 1)[(link: "Find a branch")[(set: $action to "branch")(goto: "Mangrove Swamp Sinking 03")]](else:)[(link: "Find a branch")[(set: $muddyness to 0)(goto: "Mangrove Swamp Rescue")]] (link: "Break off a root")[(set: $action to "root")(goto: "Mangrove Swamp Sinking 03")]

(set:$depth to 3)(display:"mangrove_swamp_actions") $guide claws at the ground next to the quicksand pit, but what looks like firm earth quickly disolves between $her fingers. The quicksand consumes $her legs and shows no sign of stopping there. $guide is frantically trying to find something solid to hold onto but only slips deeper into the quivering mass. <img src="tara_mangrove_sinking03.png" style="width:100%"/> "Oh, hmm. Maybe I need some help after all," $guide admits. (link: "Keep safe distance")[(set: $action to "none")(goto: "Mangrove Swamp Sinking 04")] (link: "Get closer and help")[(set: $action to "help")(goto: "Mangrove Swamp Sinking 04")] (if:$attempts_branch < 1)[(link: "Find a branch")[(set: $action to "branch")(goto: "Mangrove Swamp Sinking 04")]](else:)[(link: "Find a branch")[(goto: "Mangrove Swamp Rescue")]] (link: "Break off a root")[(set: $action to "root")(goto: "Mangrove Swamp Sinking 04")]

(if:$action is "none")[(if:$depth < 3)[You trust in your guide's advice to stay away and in $her ability to pull $herself out of this predicament.](else:)[You watch $guide's struggles to escape and stay at a safe distance from the quicksand.]](else-if:$action is "help")[(set:$attempts_approach to $attempts_approach + 1)(if:$attempts_approach is 1)[Ignoring $guide's initial warning you try to get close enough to help $hem. But when the ground begins to liquify and yield under your foot you realize that the patch of quicksand is much larger than it appears to be. You shift your weight onto the other foot and manage to get back to safety.](else:)[You walk around the patch of quicksand and search for a spot where you can get close enough to rescue $guide. Just when you think you might have found it, you feel the ground becoming softer underneath you and are forced to retreat.]](else-if:$action is "branch")[(set:$attempts_branch to $attempts_branch + 1)You quickly look around for a branch that you could use to reach $guide, but all that you see are either too thick or high above beyond your reach. And in both cases they are still firmly attached to their respective tree.](else-if:$action is "root")[(set:$attempts_root to $attempts_root + 1)(if:$attempts_root is 1)[You quickly make your way to the nearest mangrove tree and grab onto one of its roots. You pull but it does not budge at all.](else:)[You try another mangrove root that looks like it might budge. When you pull with all your strength it bends slightly, but it refuses to crack and much less would it give in and break.]]

(set:$depth to 4)(display:"mangrove_swamp_actions") $She keeps sinking deeper into the heaving quicksand. $guide tries to stay calm but tries to reach for firmer ground nonetheless. In between $her attempts to drag $herself out, $she glances towards you for help. It does not take long for the quicksand to reach $her chest. <img src="tara_mangrove_sinking04.png" style="width:100%"/> "Not good. Not good at all. I could really use your help here," $guide says in a worried tone. (link: "Keep safe distance")[(set: $action to "none")(goto: "Mangrove Swamp Sinking 05")] (link: "Get closer and help")[(set: $action to "help")(goto: "Mangrove Swamp Sinking 05")] (if:$attempts_branch < 1)[(link: "Find a branch")[(set: $action to "branch")(goto: "Mangrove Swamp Sinking 05")]](else:)[(link: "Find a branch")[(goto: "Mangrove Swamp Rescue")]] (link: "Break off a root")[(set: $action to "root")(goto: "Mangrove Swamp Sinking 05")]

You look for a branch again. This time you try to find one in the shallow, murky waters around the patch of quicksand that $guide is still sinking into. You hurry up sending splashes left and right, but even though the water does not even reach your knees you can barely see to the ground. So rather than finding it with your eyes you do so with your toe and then almost trip and fall. But what matters is, that you actually do find that life saving branch. (if:$depth is 5)[You return to $guide as quickly as you can, but as you hurry towards $hem the quicksand already closes over $her face. The only part of $hem still above the surface is a muddy arm extended towards you. You reach for it with the branch and $she grabs hold. Immediately you begin to pull and thankfully $her head soon breaks the surface and $she gasps for air.](else:)[Quickly you return to $guide who is getting deeper by the second. You extend the branch to $hem. Gladly $she grabs hold and you begin to pull.] The quicksand has a good and tight grip on $her body, but slowly inch by inch you pull $guide closer and eventually out of this deadly trap. (if:$depth is 2)[<img src="tara_mangrove_rescued01.png" style="width:100%"/>](else-if:$depth is 3)[<img src="tara_mangrove_rescued02.png" style="width:100%"/>](else-if:$depth is 4)[<img src="tara_mangrove_rescued03.png" style="width:100%"/>](else-if:$depth is 5)[<img src="tara_mangrove_rescued04.png" style="width:100%"/>] With a smile of great relief $guide thanks you for saving $her life. After taking a moment to rest and catch $her breath, $she washes off the quicksand in the those murky waters. When $guide is done, you resume your search for a way out of this place. Like $she predicted before $she stumbled into the quicksand, you soon find the border of the mangrove swamp and drier ground. [[Leave the mangrove swamp->TGS Locations]]

(set:$depth to 5)(display:"mangrove_swamp_actions") With the quicksand rising up to $her shoulders, $guide can barely move anymore. $she tries to stay still, but $her descent barely slows down at all. The quicksand is still agitated from $her struggles and will take a while to settle down. $guide is running out of time as it swallows $her neck and reaches $her chin. $She begins to tilt back $her head. <img src="tara_mangrove_sinking05.png" style="width:100%"/> The heavy wet quicksand weighs in on $her submerged form from all sides and makes it harder for $hem to breathe. "Please! Help me!" is all $she still manages to say as $she looks at you with pleading eyes. (link: "Keep safe distance")[(set: $action to "none")(goto: "Mangrove Swamp Guide Down")] (link: "Get closer and help")[(set: $action to "help")(goto: "Mangrove Swamp Guide Down")] (if:$attempts_branch < 1)[(link: "Find a branch")[(set: $action to "branch")(goto: "Mangrove Swamp Guide Down")]](else:)[(link: "Find a branch")[(goto: "Mangrove Swamp Rescue")]] (link: "Break off a root")[(set: $action to "root")(goto: "Mangrove Swamp Guide Down")]

(set:$depth to 6)(display:"mangrove_swamp_actions") $guide desperately claws at the surface as $she slips deeper still. Exhausted $she tilts $her head back farther and farther while the quicksand claims more and more of $her head. As it threatens to submerge $hem completely, $she pushes down against it and lifts $herself up by just an inch. But $she is sucked back down almost as quickly. With $her face about to be swallowed $her last call for "HEL--!!" is cut off. For a while you can still see $her muddy hands trying to reach for something... anything really, but there is only yielding quicksand within their reach. <img src="tara_mangrove_sinking06.png" style="width:100%"/> And so $her hands eventually too disappear into the depths of the quicksand. When at last a few bubbles of air pop on the surface where $guide as gone under, all turns quiet and you are on your own. [[Leave the mangrove swamp->Mangrove Swamp Alone 01]]

All alone you try to find your way back to TGS camp. Before $her untimely end in the quicksand $guide was confident that you were on the right track to leave the mangrove swamp. But as you keep going you get the feeling that you are just walking in circles. When you arrive at a crossing where you think you have passed before you decide to try the other path. However as you go on the fog becomes thicker again and visibility gets worse. You turn back but are no longer certain which way exactly you have come. And there are no visible tracks for you to follow either as you wade through the murky waters. At one point the water becomes deeper and reaches your upper thighs. And it only gets deeper from here on until you are forced to swim. But you keep going because you seem to see some solid ground up ahead though you are not quite certain with this fog. Eventually you find some ground your feet again and climb out of the deeper pool. You are completely soaked but for the first time in a while there is actually some ground above the water level for you to stand on. You walk on until suddenly your right foot sinks into the damp ground. Instinctively you try to maintain your balance and before you know what is happening you are knee-deep in the gooey earth with both legs. Too late you realize that you have stumbled into a quicksand pit not unlike that one that $guide ended up in. You are already sinking and with some sense of dejavú almost exactly repeating what $she did. But what else can you do other than to try and reach firm ground and pull yourself out. The quicksand swallows your thighs and you keep getting deeper. You turn either way and claw at what appears to be solid ground only to discover that it yields and reveals more quicksand underneath the moment you place any weight on it. When it consumes your hips, your legs are already held so tightly that you cannot move them anymore. The more you sink the more restricted your movements become. Your futile struggles continue and you sink deeper. When the quicksand presses against your chest it becomes hard for you to even breathe. And it only gets harder as you get even deeper. Despite your best attempts to get closer to solid ground you just keep sinking and your shoulders disappear underneath the muddy surface. The heavy wet muck climbs your throat and touches your chin. You are running out of time. <img src="alone_mangrove_sinking.png" style="width: 100%"/> [[Struggle harder->Mangrove Swamp Alone 02]]

You gather every last bit of your remaining stamina and try to drag yourself out of this pit. Your muscles hurt from the strain and the quicksand makes some sequelching noises as it pulls you deeper. Your futile last ditch effort remains fruitless and soon there is nothing left to do but take one last deep breath as it covers your face and you are submerged completely. You learn too late that it is a very bad idea to be out here on your own as you share the same fate as your guide, $guide. END

(set:$attempts_branch to 0)(set:$attempts_vine to 0)(set:$position to "clearing")(set:$attempts_approach to 0)(set:$attempts_crawl to 0)(set:$stuck_counter to 0)(set:$depth to 1)(set:$lookedaround to false)$guide tests the stability of the moss in front of $her. "Hmm, this should hold us. Alright, but you have to be really careful and follow exactly in my foot steps, ok?" $guide inquires. You agree and $she slowly walks farther into the clearing. The moss squishes and bounces with every careful step of $hem. You follow just as slowly. "You see, the moss constantly grows and decays. In some spots the plant layer becomes stable enough to walk on while in others it becomes thinner and you can eventually break through," $guide explains as $she probes her every step. "It can really change in a matter of days. And then there's the seasonal changes as well. And in some years the place may be completely grown over and your only chance of finding any peat at all would be to dig for it. Other years it might be impossible to walk even this far out in this clearing," $she continues while carefully walking on. "And then there's... woah!" the bog interrupts $hem mid-sentence by consuming $her right leg which disappears beyond the knee between the soft moss. $guide loses $her balance and instinctively tries to stop $her fall with outstrechted arms. $Her right hand penetrates the moss layer as well and $she finds $herself in an awkward position with two limbs in the morass. "This... ah... I think I got this. Don't come any closer! I'm gonna have to move very slowly and carefully," $she explains while doing so. $Her arm comes free, covered in peat up beyond the elbow. But $her right leg is still trapped all the way to $her crotch. <img src="tara_npeat_sinking01.png" style="width:100%"/> (link:"Get closer")[(set: $action to "closer")(goto: "Northern Peat Bogs Sinking 02")] (link:"Stay where you are")[(set: $action to "suggest_self_rescue")(goto: "Northern Peat Bogs Sinking 02")]

(set:$depth to 2)(display:"npeat_bog_actions") $guide gently pushes down against the moss with the three free limbs to try and lift that leg up. The morass squelches underneath $hem. "Hmm, I'm not sure if this will hold," $guide doubts. Then $she turns to her right with $her leg still in the morass. Twisting farther $she then reaches back towards where $she has stepped on earlier. Pushing down against the moss with both hands $she says "This is better. It seems to be thicker here." $She manages to pull $her leg out by an inch before the other legs breaks the surface. In mere seconds $her buttocks and hips disappear into the bog. "Ack... not good. Not good," $she exclaims. With both elbows on the surface $guide attempts to stop $her descend. Water squeezes out of moss where $she pushes down on it but it holds. $guide's descent slows and then stops before the morass would reach $her chest. <img src="tara_npeat_sinking02.png" style="width:100%"/> "I... I may not be able to get out without your help. This is becoming a bit troublesome," $guide admits. "But I can't exactly ask you to come closer either or we might both sink." (display:"npeat_bog_available_actions")

(set:$depth to 3)(display:"npeat_bog_actions") $guide sinks a bit deeper before $she manages to stop $her descent again. Now $she is to $her chest in the dark wet peat. <img src="tara_npeat_sinking03.png" style="width:100%"/> (display:"npeat_bog_available_actions")

(display:"npeat_bog_actions") (if:$depth <=7)[(if:$stuck_counter < 3)[(set:$stuck_counter to $stuck_counter +1) $guide remains as still as $she can while also doing $her best to stay afloat. The plant layer supports $her weight and she remains suspended and trapped in the bog. (if:$depth is 1)[<img src="tara_npeat_sinking01.png" style="width:100%"/>](else-if:$depth is 2)[<img src="tara_npeat_sinking02.png" style="width:100%"/>](else-if:$depth is 3)[<img src="tara_npeat_sinking03.png" style="width:100%"/>](else-if:$depth is 4)[<img src="tara_npeat_sinking04.png" style="width:100%"/>](else-if:$depth is 5)[<img src="tara_npeat_sinking05.png" style="width:100%"/>](else-if:$depth is 6)[<img src="tara_npeat_sinking06.png" style="width:100%"/>](else-if:$depth is 7)[<img src="tara_npeat_sinking07.png" style="width:100%"/>] (display:"npeat_bog_available_actions") ](else:)[(set:$stuck_counter to 1)(set:$action to "continue")$guide's arms are starting to get tired. $She shifts $her position a little and suddenly the moss underneath $her right hand yields. (set:$action to "none")(display: $deeper)]](else:)[(set:$action to "none")(display: $deeper)]

(set:$depth to 4)(display:"npeat_bog_actions") The moss seems to refuse to support $her weight and $guide slips deeper into the morass. As $she inches down $she quickly tries to find something to hold on. When $she is to $her armpits in the muck $her descent comes to a halt once more. <img src="tara_npeat_sinking04.png" style="width:100%"/> (display:"npeat_bog_available_actions")

(set:$depth to 5)(display:"npeat_bog_actions") The unstable surface gives way underneath $her weight yet again. $guide quickly reaches farther to gain much needed support and prevent $herself from going under. $she loses another inch of $her shape to the hungry morass. <img src="tara_npeat_sinking05.png" style="width:100%"/> (display:"npeat_bog_available_actions")

(set:$depth to 6)(display:"npeat_bog_actions") Each time bits and pieces of the moss crumble underneath $her weight the circle of exposed dark peat around $guide widens. Again $she slips deeper and the morass climbs $her neck. Now there is barely anything left for $hem to cling onto. <img src="tara_npeat_sinking06.png" style="width:100%"/> (display:"npeat_bog_available_actions")

(set:$depth to 7)(display:"npeat_bog_actions") $guide sinks even deeper and is forced to tilt back $her head to keep $her nose clear of the muck. $She sinks slowly but steadily. $Her eyes widen with desperation as $she is mere moments from submerging completely and $her hands frantically search for anything to hold onto. Reaching as far as $she still can $guide manages to clench onto some soft moss that is still able to support $hem. $She is able to stop $herself from going under completely just barely. "Hel*mm* *mm* plea*pt*s!" is the best $she can do to plead for help. The bog's heaving surface is threating to devour what is left of $hem any moment now. <img src="tara_npeat_sinking07.png" style="width:100%"/> (display:"npeat_bog_available_actions")

(if:$action is "closer")[(if:$depth <= 7)["No! I told you to stay back," $she reminds you. The unstable surface shakes all around $hem and you get the impression that you had better heed $her advice.](else:)[As you step closer you feel the moss layer give way underneath your foot. Quickly you shift your weight back before you break through.]](else-if:$action is "crawl")[(if:$depth <= 7)["Careful. Spread your weight!" $guide advises you as you get down and crawl closer to $hem. The moss feels wet underneath you but supports your weight. You get close enough to reach $guide's hand. But as you begin to pull you can feel yourself being weighed down even more. Instinctively you push down against the surface with your free hand which breaks through and causes you to reach into the morass underneath. Surprised you let go of $guide's hand and free your arm instead.](else:)[Quickly you get down and crawl towards $guide. The surface feel wet and soft but seems to hold underneath you. As you get closer you try to grab $guide's flailing arm. This would be easier if $she knew what you are trying to do. You shift forward some more and suddenly your torso settles deeper. You manage to retreat just barely before the ground underneath you would have yielded completely.]](else-if:$action is "suggest_self_rescue")["Maybe this is best after all. I don't want you to end up like this, too. If I move slowly, this should work," $guide tries to reassure $herself. Then $she tries to push down against the moss layer a little harder. $She is also leaning back. The guide lifts $herself up about two inches before both $her arms break through.](else-if:$action is "suggest_self_rescue_refused")["No, I'm stuck too deep. I cannot do this myself. I really need your help," $guide concedes.](else-if:$action is "branch1")[You look for a branch amongst the trees near the clearing. The problem is that it is so dark here that you can barely see anything.](else-if:$action is "branch2")[You find a branch, but is half-buried in the some peat which looks to be rather shallow. You will have to get a little muddy to recover it.](else-if:$action is "branch3")[The branch is not half-buried but rather four fifths buried in the soggy peat. And it is a lot larger and heavier than you anticipated, but you manage to drag it free anyway. But it is still quite a way to get this to the clearing and to $guide.](else-if:$action is "branch4")[The unwieldy heavy branch is too heavy for you to lift up. All you can do is drag it towards the clearing. It slows you down a lot and the process is quite exhausting, but you get there as fast as you can.](else-if:$action is "branch5")[You still have to get the branch to $guide and so you begin to pull it towards $hem. Your feet press deep into the spongy ground as you do and progress is slow. Then suddenly both your feet break through and you begin to rapidly sink. You are already holding onto the branch and only have to push down against it to stop getting deeper. Even so you end up to your crotch in the morass before you stop sinking. You push down harder against it and lift yourself back out of the yielding peat. As you do the heavy branch begins to tilt sink into the bog as well. You hurry to get yourself out and luckily succeed just in time before the heavy wooden would-be rescue tool disappears into the muddy depths.](else-if:$action is "vine1")[You look for a vine amongst the trees near the clearing. You barely see anything in this darkness.](else-if:$action is "vine2")[There are no vines on the nearby palm trees. It seems that you will have to walk farther away from the clearing to find one.](else-if:$action is "vine3")[As you look for a vine you stumble over roots and into some peat. Thankfully it turns out to be just knee-deep. Even so getting out of that muck takes some time.](else-if:$action is "vine4")[You are really not sure what kind of tree these vines typically grow on and where to find one quickly. If only you had a guide to show you... oh. Right.](else-if:$action is "vine5")[Finally you find a suitable vine. You try to pull it down from the tree that it is hanging down from. And you fail. It is quite strong which you assume is good, but also a bit of a problem because you have no tools to cut it down with.](else-if:$action is "vine6")[Again and again you pull sharply at the vine hoping it will come loose.](else-if:$action is "vine7")[Again and again you pull sharply at the vine hoping it will come loose.](else-if:$action is "vine8")[Finally you succeed and the vine comes off the tree. It should easily be long enough for the rescue.](else-if:$action is "go-leaveclearing")[$guide understands what you are trying to do, but still does not seem too happy to see you leave $hem alone in the bog. You step into the shade amongst the trees.](else-if:$action is "go-gopalmtrees")[You are headed back towards the clearing. You find it hard to look that way and not stumble over roots or into hidden bogs. Thankfully you only do the former.](else-if:$action is "go-farther")[You have gone rather far from the clearing, but you can still see it like a bright distant beacon. The canopy seems to block out even more light where you stand now.](else-if:$action is "go-clearing")[(if:$depth <= 7)[You step out from among the tree and return to $guide who seems to be somewhat relieved just to see your face even though $she is still trapped in the peat bog.](else:)[You return to the clearing, but $guide does not notice that because the blackness of the bog has engulved $hem completely.]](else-if:$action is "lookaround")[You glance around for anything that might help you rescue $guide from the bog, but you see nothing useful. At least not in the immediate vicinity. You could leave the trapped guide here and try to find something outside the clearing.]

(set:$depth to 11)$guide's hand disappears into the depths of the peat bog and so does your last chance to safe $hem. A few bubbles rise to the surface. After a while a few more. And finally the morass remains still. You are on your own now. [[Leave the peat bogs->Northern Peat Bogs Alone]]

You quickly find a place that seems stable enough to stand on and pull someone else's weight out of the morass. Then you throw $guide the vine (if:$depth <= 7)[and $she catches it immediately. $She also immediately sinks deeper as $she lets go of what is left of the plant layer. But that is OK as you begin to pull the moment $she has a good grip.](else:)[. Luckily it touches $her arm and $she quickly grabs hold. You begin to pull before $she sinks even deeper. Slowly $guide rises up and $her face breaks the surface. $She gasps for precious air, but it is too early for relief.] At first $guide only holds on and lets you do the hard work of pulling $hem out. Slowly you drag $hem onto the moss and out of the bottomless peat bog. Once $her upper body is already mostly free, $her left hands release the vine and instead claws at the spongy surface to assist with freeing $herself from the morass. The rescue efforts are exhausting for both of you. Eventually $her legs are also free and $she crawls away from the bottomless bog. When $guide feels that $she has put enough distance between $herself and the deathtrap you just rescued $hem from, $she turns to lie on $her back and rest for a moment. (if:$depth is 5)[<img src="tara_npeat_rescued01.png" style="width:100%"/>](else-if:$depth is 6)[<img src="tara_npeat_rescued02.png" style="width:100%"/>](else-if:$depth is 7)[<img src="tara_npeat_rescued03.png" style="width:100%"/>](else:)[<img src="tara_npeat_rescued04.png" style="width:100%"/>] "Thank you! I would be a goner without your help." [[Leave the peat bogs->TGS Locations]]

(set:$random_facts to (a:"$She keeps talking about the local wildlife and how predators avoid this place. "They are smarter than us humans in that regard," $she says with a wink.", ""Aiko loves these peat bogs. It's always exciting to visit because they are so unpredictable."", ""There are many more clearings among these peat bogs, but I think this one is the most beautiful."", ""Moss typically grows in cooler climates, but this particular kind has adapted quite well to thrive here like it does."", ""You know how they say that it's important to stay calm if you fall into quicksand. That is especially true if you ever find yourself sinking in these bogs. Thrashing around can easily and very quickly make things worse."", ""I once saw a monkey get trapped in one of these bogs. Poor thing. I wanted to help but I could not get close enough in time."", ""We are lucky to have come here on such clear, sunny day. Sometimes the fog will not go away all day."", ""Maybe I should have brought a rope. Just to be safe."", ""Please don't step there... or there. Hold on..." $guide gives you $her hand and leads the way. "Yes, over here. That's better.""))$guide tests the stability of the moss-covered ground. <img src="tara_npeat_exploring01.png" style="width:100%"/> "It seems safe enough for us to walk near the rim of the clearing at least. Which way would you like to go?" $she asks. [](responses| [[Go around the clearing clockwise->Northern Peat Bog Walking 02]] [[Go around the clearing counter-clockwise->Northern Peat Bogs Walking 03]] [Go towards the center of the clearing]<center| [Ask $hem to sink into the bog]<guide_sink| [[Leave the peat bogs->TGS Locations]] (click: ?center)[(append: ?responses)[(display:"npeat_too_soft")]] (click: ?guide_sink)[(append: ?responses)[(display:"npeat_sink_to_dangerous")]]

$guide leads the way along the edge of the clearing. The air is pleasantly cool in the shade of the nearby trees. <img src="tara_npeat_exploring02.png" style="width:100%"/> (either: ...$random_facts) The moss squishes underneath your feet with every step you take. [](responses| [[Go around the clearing clockwise->Northern Peat Bogs Walking 03]] [[Go around the clearing counter-clockwise->Northern Peat Bog Walking 01]] [[Go towards the center of the clearing->Northern Peat Bogs Sinking 01]] [Ask $hem to sink into the bog]<guide_sink| [[Leave the peat bogs->TGS Locations]] (click: ?center)[(append: ?responses)[(display:"npeat_too_soft")]] (click: ?guide_sink)[(append: ?responses)[(display:"npeat_sink_to_dangerous")]]

You walk in the shade of the palm trees that stand at the edge of the clearing. $guide longingly glances towards the patches of dark peat near the center of the clearing. <img src="tara_npeat_exploring03.png" style="width:100%"/> (either: ...$random_facts) You almost trip as the soft moss gives way under your right foot, but then quickly find a better place to stand on. [](responses| [[Go around the clearing clockwise->Northern Peat Bog Walking 01]] [[Go around the clearing counter-clockwise->Northern Peat Bog Walking 02]] [Go towards the center of the clearing]<center| [Ask $hem to sink into the bog]<guide_sink| [[Leave the peat bogs->TGS Locations]] (click: ?center)[(append: ?responses)[(display:"npeat_too_soft")]] (click: ?guide_sink)[(append: ?responses)[(display:"npeat_sink_to_dangerous")]]

You and $guide step out of the shade and head back to where you started your exploration of the clearing. <img src="tara_npeat_exploring01.png" style="width:100%"/> (either: ...$random_facts) It is easier to see the dark patches to avoid in the sunlight. [](responses| [[Go around the clearing clockwise->Northern Peat Bog Walking 02]] [[Go around the clearing counter-clockwise->Northern Peat Bogs Walking 03]] [Go towards the center of the clearing]<center| [Ask $hem to sink into the bog]<guide_sink| [[Leave the peat bogs->TGS Locations]] (click: ?center)[(append: ?responses)[(display:"npeat_too_soft")]] (click: ?guide_sink)[(append: ?responses)[(display:"npeat_sink_to_dangerous")]]

(set:$stuck to "Northern Peat Bogs Stuck")(if:$depth is 2)[(set:$deeper to "Northern Peat Bogs Sinking 03")](else-if:$depth is 3)[(set:$deeper to "Northern Peat Bogs Sinking 04")](else-if:$depth is 4)[(set:$deeper to "Northern Peat Bogs Sinking 05")](else-if:$depth is 5)[(set:$deeper to "Northern Peat Bogs Sinking 06")](else-if:$depth is 6)[(set:$deeper to "Northern Peat Bogs Sinking 07")](else-if:$depth is 7)[(set:$deeper to "Northern Peat Bogs Sinking 08")](else-if:$depth is 8)[(set:$deeper to "Northern Peat Bogs Sinking 09")](else-if:$depth is 9)[(set:$deeper to "Northern Peat Bogs Sinking 10")](else-if:$depth is 10)[(set:$deeper to "Northern Peat Bogs Guide Down")] (if:$position is "clearing")[(if:$attempts_branch is 4)[(link:"Rescue $guide with the branch")[(set: $action to "branch5")(set: $attempts_branch to 5)(goto: $stuck)] ](if:$attempts_vine is 8)[[[Rescue $guide with the vine->Northern Peat Bogs Rescue]] ](link:"Lie down and crawl towards $hem")[(set: $action to "crawl")(goto: $deeper)] (link:"Get closer and reach $hem")[(set: $action to "closer")(goto: $stuck)] (link:"Look around for anything that might help")[(set: $action to "lookaround")(set:$lookedaround to true)(goto: $stuck)] (if:$depth < 4)[(link:"Suggest that $she should try and free $herself")[(set: $action to "suggest_self_rescue")(goto: $deeper)]](else-if:$depth <= 7)[(link:"Suggest that $she should try and free $herself")[(set: $action to "suggest_self_rescue_refused")(goto: $stuck)]] (if:$lookedaround)[(link:"Leave the clearing")[(set:$position to "palmtrees")(set:$action to "go-leaveclearing")(goto: $stuck)]] ](else-if:$position is "palmtrees")[(link:"Enter the clearing")[(set:$position to "clearing")(set:$action to "go-clearing")(goto: $stuck)] (if:$attempts_branch is 0)[(link:"Look for a branch")[(set: $action to "branch1")(set: $attempts_branch to 1)(goto: $stuck)]](else-if:$attempts_branch is 1)[(link:"Look for a branch")[(set: $action to "branch2")(set: $attempts_branch to 2)(goto: $stuck)]](else-if:$attempts_branch is 2)[(link:"Retrieve the branch")[(set: $action to "branch3")(set: $attempts_branch to 3)(goto: $stuck)]](else-if:$attempts_branch is 3)[(link:"Get the branch to the clearing")[(set: $action to "branch4")(set: $attempts_branch to 4)(set:$position to "clearing")(goto: $stuck)]] (if:$attempts_vine is 0)[(link:"Look for a vine")[(set: $action to "vine1")(set: $attempts_vine to 1)(goto: $stuck)]](else-if:$attempts_vine is 1)[(link:"Look for a vine")[(set: $action to "vine2")(set: $attempts_vine to 2)(goto: $stuck)]](else-if:$attempts_vine > 1)[(link:"Go farther away from the clearing")[(set: $action to "go-farther")(set: $position to "farther")(goto: $stuck)]]](else-if:$position is "farther")[(link:"Go back to the palm trees near the clearing")[(set:$position to "palmtrees")(set:$action to "go-palmtrees")(goto: $stuck)] (if:$attempts_vine is 2)[(link:"Look for a vine")[(set: $action to "vine3")(set: $attempts_vine to 3)(goto: $stuck)]](else-if:$attempts_vine is 3)[(link:"Look for a vine")[(set: $action to "vine4")(set: $attempts_vine to 4)(goto: $stuck)]](else-if:$attempts_vine is 4)[(link:"Look for a vine")[(set: $action to "vine5")(set: $attempts_vine to 5)(goto: $stuck)]](else-if:$attempts_vine is 5)[(link:"Pull vine down")[(set: $action to "vine6")(set: $attempts_vine to 6)(goto: $stuck)]](else-if:$attempts_vine is 6)[(link:"Pull vine down")[(set: $action to "vine7")(set: $attempts_vine to 7)(goto: $stuck)]](else-if:$attempts_vine is 7)[(link:"Pull vine down")[(set: $action to "vine8")(set: $attempts_vine to 8)(goto: $stuck)]]]

Your guide carefully takes a few steps towards the center of the clearing and walks around a bit. The moss appears to be very soft here as it squishes underneath $her feet. At one point $she almost trips and falls. "No, definitely not here."

(set:$depth to 8)(display:"npeat_bog_actions") Unable to keep $her head above the surface any longer, all $guide can do is take a deep breath. The bog closes over $hem and all that is left is an arm reaching up from the bog and hoping to find something to grab. <img src="tara_npeat_sinking08.png" style="width:100%"/> (display:"npeat_bog_available_actions")

(set:$depth to 9)(display:"npeat_bog_actions") $guide's arm steadily slips deeper into the bog. The right hand momentarily re-emerges and tries to find something to grab onto but fails to do so. <img src="tara_npeat_sinking09.png" style="width:100%"/> (display:"npeat_bog_available_actions")

(set:$depth to 10)(display:"npeat_bog_actions") $Her hand is almost gone and $guide probably cannot hold $her breath much longer. Time is running out for $hem. <img src="tara_npeat_sinking10.png" style="width:100%"/> (display:"npeat_bog_available_actions")

Careful not to end up like $guide you leave the clearing. With every step the soft ground squishes. You make it to the tree line and enter the shadows underneath the canopy. Stumbling around in the near darkness you try to find your way back to camp. It looked easy when your guide was leading the way. Now you can barely tell where there is a even path. You repeatedly stumble into some morass or other, but luckily those patches are at most knee-deep. After what feels like an hour you finally see some sunlight up ahead. It is another clearing - one you had not encountered on your way into the peat bogs. At least here you can use the sun for orientation. You know you need to go South to get back to the camp and that would be on the opposite side of the clearing. You walk along the outer rim of the clearing near the trees. It takes a while but you get to the other side without incident. Then you continue to make your path through the foliage. You keep stumbling over roots in the dark. Eventually you trip and fall right into a peat bog. [[Get out quick->Northern Peat Bogs Alone Sinking]]

You struggle to get back up as the heavy peat weighs you down. Though heavy it is also very soft and you rapidly sink deeper. It quickly claims your waist. You try to work your way back out of the bog, but merely keep slipping deeper. In the near darkness you cannot spot anything within reach. The morass engulves your chest and soon after reaches your armpits. You lean back and try to do the backstroke. It is hard to tell whether you are moving that way at all, but you can clearly feel the morass swallowing your shoulders and continuing with your neck. You try the backstroke again. Your arms find nothing solid as you do. Neither do your feet. The peat rises to your chin. It is even harder to move your arms at this depth and it also does not seem to do you any good. In the end all that is left to do is take a deep breath before the bog claims you whole. END

You feel around for something to hold onto as the bog claims your waist. By the time you reach the root that you fell over, you have already sunken chest-deep. You begin to pull and steadily drag yourself out of the bog. The root holds and a minute later you are back on firm ground and looking for a way around this bottomless trap. After more stumbling and searching you eventually find your way out of the peat bogs. Covered in muck you enter another unfamiliar part of the swamp. You seem to have gone too far to the East. The only trail you can see seems to lead South and you begin to follow it. The foliage is rather thick and you get the impression this path is not normally used by humans but rather by animals. Otherwise there would not be so many twigs and branch that want to hit you right in the face. Before you can figure out what kind of animal normally goes here, you hear a growl from behind. You start to move faster and then glance back to see a leopard following you. Then you run, crashing through several bushes as fast as you can. Finally you find a wide path and are able to sprint unhindered. You look back once more and see that the predator has just come out of the thicket as well and is catching up. What you do not see is that patch of quicksand that you run straight into. Your momentum takes you several steps in before you come to a halt with the muck grabbing your upper thighs. Your pursuer has stopped and is walking up and down along the edge of the pit. Growling and waiting for you to come out. You quickly sink to your crotch. As you look around you find that you have wandered way too far into this pit to reach the edge on any side. The quicksand has your legs trapped in an embrace so tight you can barely move them anymore. And you feel nothing solid underneath your feet. The mud climbs up your torso and ignores your futile struggles. You lean back but keep getting deeper anyway. Soon the quicksand claims you chest. It feels like it is holding you in its wet grasp and pulling you deeper. Your shoulders vanish from sight and it continues with your neck. <img src="alone_lost_sinking.png" style="width:100%"/> The leopard growls. You are steadily losing more and more of yourself to the hungry morass as it engulves your head. Your last desperate struggles to break free seal your fate and you slip under. Two hungry eyes watch as you submerge completely and fall victim of the quicksand pit. What a waste of a perfectly fine meal. END

"I would not mind getting a little muddy to show you what it's like to sink into the peat, but this is too dangerous here. I mean it's possible to get out of this morass even when you are pretty deep in it, if you are lucky enough to find enough support on the surrounding moss. But I would not count on that. And even with your help I might not be able to get out. Even worse, you could end up sinking too if you tried to pull me out," $guide refuses.

You follow $guide though the swamp past all sorts of flora and fauna native to this region. Your destination lies to the North of the camp. However before you reach the lake you approach this mud patch. $guide explains "I hope you don't mind getting a little muddy. The lake is not far and we can get cleaned up there." There are bodies of water to either side of the mud and they do not seem to be that deep. [](responses| [[Follow $hem into the mud->Through the mud]] [Enter the water instead]<water| [[Go somewhere else->TGS Locations]] (click: ?water)[(append: ?responses)[ "Oh, and I would not recommend wading through the water. The piranhas are usually quite numerous and hungry," $she adds. ]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

(set:$guide to "Millie")(set:$she to "she")(set:$She to "She")(set:$her to "her")(set:$Her to "Her")(set:$hem to "her")(set:$herself to "herself")(set:$mangrove_enter to false)(set:$npeat_sink to true) Millie approaches and sizes you up from top to bottom. "So, you would like me to give you a tour of the swamp. I can show you all the flora and fauna and... other... stuff," she says and pauses as if she was waiting for some specific kind of reaction. "Hmm. Alright, where would you like to go?" [[Choose a destination->TGS Locations]]