3 AM Whispers: Bayou Tuesday: The Cost of the Swamp — The Bladder Mite

Bayou Tuesday, December 16th, 2025

Good morning, everyone. It's Tuesday, December 16th, 2025, and it’s well past 3 AM here at the cypress swamp cabin. The last few days have been agonizingly quiet, and I owe you an explanation for the silence after the excitement of the Tygerian Justiciar and Winterman posts.

The truth is, Bayou Earl ran afoul of the swamp itself.

The Attack of the Invisible Critter

Here in the Red River bayou, the biggest threats aren't always the visible ones. While I am immune to acid and poison—a necessary advantage when dealing with cosmic chaos—the subtle, biological threats are far more insidious. I was struck down by the microscopic horror we call the Bladder Mite.

This microscopic, larval form of a common swamp leech thrives in stagnant, warm water and uses its specialized barbs to bypass outer defenses and enter the body internally. Once inside, it enters a painful, rapid feeding and reproductive cycle.

The acute pain, swelling, and fever meant I was completely incapacitated and unable to work on the lore, the stats, or even write a single blog post. The Bladder Mite campaign is a painful reminder that even the greatest warriors and loremasters are still bound by the fragility of their physical form.

🦠 The Bladder Mite (M!M 2.7)

In the language of Monsters! Monsters! 2.7, this tiny horror doesn't need to attack with claws; it attacks with incapacitation.

• Infection Roll (SR): Host must make a Level 4 CON SR (Target 40) upon exposure to untreated swamp water.

• Damage: On a failed roll, the host takes 1d6 Internal Damage initially, and a sustained 2d6 Internal Damage per day due to swelling.

• Incapacitation: Host suffers a -2 Penalty to all STR and CON rolls due to extreme, debilitating discomfort and fever. I simply couldn't hold the pen.

• Cure: Requires a high-level Heal spell or a Level 5 WIZ SR (Target 50) using purified antiseptic reagents, performed by a professional archetype, including: The Hedge Wizard of the Shreveport Cabin, Alchemists (as Pharmacists), Healers (as Doctors), Priests, Shamans, and/or Druids.

Resilience and the Return

While this microscopic enemy brought me to my knees, the challenge is now to heal and return stronger. Just as the Wintermen of Thrivaldi have a physical trait that grants them immunity to the cold, I will eventually overcome this temporary affliction and return to the work of the TYIS campaign.

This unexpected break has been difficult, but I am now on the path to recovery. Thank you for your patience and understanding. The work of the Ether Dragons, the Royal Cartographer, and the entire Tiger Force Shadow Saga waits, and I will be back to it fully as soon as the last of this swamp-borne sickness is purged.

I wanted to make sure I got this out to you all now. Please know you're in my thoughts and prayers. I look forward to resuming our collaboration shortly. Have a blessed week.

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Product Identity & Legal

The following items are designated Product Identity of Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. / The Adventures of Captain Hedges: The world of Zimrala The Tygerian Isles The Ether Dragons The Tiger Force Shadow Saga The specific "Hedge Wizard of the Shreveport Cabin" persona The "Royal Cartographer" archetype and the character "Emperor Rajah" Unique Items: The Ink of Anticipation, The Compass of Lost Things, Parchment of Echoes, The Scope of the True Meridian, The Rod of Infinite Spanning, and The Plumb of Gravity’s Anchor. Monsters! Monsters! and Humans, Humans (1st Edition) are trademarks of Ken St. Andre and Troll Godfather Press and are used with permission. The statistics and game mechanics provided herein are designated as unofficial playtest material for the Tygerian Isles campaign setting. © 2025 Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. All rights reserved.