This marsh lies in the valley bottom where Gallop Stream and Don’t Drink meet the Anvil Brook. The marsh is inhabited by a powerful disease spirit called Machun. In the marsh live the Bog Rats which are dog sized black rats with red eyes. They are the physical servants of Machun and carriers of disease. They also give the marsh its alternative name – Bog Rat Marsh. This place is avoided by most local people. It is said to be a gateway to the spirit world. In 1562 Orlgard ‘Old Sword’ Barntadusson of the Faltikus quested in the marsh to break the power of Machun. In his day the marsh was larger and was growing. He neither totally failed or totally succeeded. The marsh contains a gateway to the otherworld and there Old Sword fought Machun and took away his control over the Gallop Stream so that its waters were safe to drink again. Each year on Waterday, Death Week in Earth Season there is a ceremony in which some of the people of Roundstone Stead, Jerith’s Stead, Lade and Red Horse re-enact the deeds of Old Sword and cast a sword into the marshlands. This ceremony makes sure that Gallop Stream stays clean and that the marsh does not grow. It is not unknown for worshippers of disease such as broos to come to the marsh and some have contacted Machun to gain his powers. The locals only sacrifice to Old Sword here.
Old Sword
Slay Bog Rat, Cure Marsh Fever
Traits
Loyal, Fierce, Determined
Machun
Summon Bog Rat, Command Bog Rat, Cause Marsh Fever