It was the perfect day for a visit: dreary with drizzle, a cutting breeze driving the lingering chill straight to the marrow. Fog lingered in billowing rags along the marshy ground, rolling silently across the spongy paths as squelching footsteps echoed through the swamp; the mud-sucking cadence occasionally interrupted by an indecipherable shrill muttering and self-amused cackle.

The elderly witch was in good spirits, eager to pay her sister a rare visit. The journey from the Southern Swamps had not been an easy one, and not just due to the seemingly frail state of her body, for her mind was prone to wander and would often lead her astray until brief lucidity would set her back on the proper path towards her goal. It was in the final leg of her protracted journey that Kloreme found a very special pet to adopt as her own: an emaciated bog hound pup, wandering the Bog of Ashtan near her sister's home.

The initial jovial conversation between the reunited sisters soon deteriorated into bickering. Drawn to the uproar, Moroa, Alyzar, and Ashlei soon arrived at the cottage to investigate what all the commotion was about. Soon after them Archaeon and Imyrr followed and an uneasy tension hung in the air as political enemies attempted to tenuously unite to mediate the witches' spat. The distraught witch of the Southern Swamp, Kloreme, was frantic, while her sister, Haag, dismissively undermined her hysteria.

Finally, after some coaxing, the adventurers were able to get Kloreme to explain that her Puppy had gone missing and she was sure Haag had something to do with it. There was some initial unease as the adventurers quietly discussed Haag's love of bog hound soup, while others set out into the bog in search of a lost pup.

It didn't take long before adventurers came across a terrified young bog hound pup, cowering in the corner of the bog. Try as they might, however, they could not win the trust of the pitiable creature. After hearing the stern threats uttered by the Ashtani soldier, Archaeon, citizens of other cities were forced to abandon their care of the puppy, while Archon Ascendant, Imyrr, escorted the elderly witch to her lost Puppy.

Elated to be reunited with her newest pet, Kloreme sought to reward those who had found him but due to their forced departure from the area she instead entrusted Imyrr to deliver her reward to them: a "sleeping Kitty," in need of a new home. And then, with Puppy in tow, Kloreme gleefully set off on her meandering journey back home.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Summary: Kloreme, Witch of the Southern Swamps, visited her sister Haag in the Bog of Ashtan. But after an argument erupted over the disappearance of her new pet, adventurers stepped in and reunited a very grateful Kloreme with her Puppy.

Penned by My hand on the 20th of Glacian, in the year 915 AF.