Louse Morass

The Louse Morass was once a beautiful marshland, where Ribinas roamed freely among the grass and rivers. The temperature was humid, yet warm, and cozy dens were constructed for the Ribinas to live in. The Ribinas loved to catch insects for fun, and swim in the shallow rivers.

However, when the curse was unleashed, water levels began to rise slowly, and the once lovely marsh turned into a muddy swamp. The area experienced frequent rainfall, causing the Ribina's dens to become damp, and a breeding ground for bacteria. They had to abandon their dens and seek out a dry area to create a new home, but such places were scarce.

The swamp was teeming with bugs and mosquitoes carrying dangerous diseases, which proved fatal to infected Ribinas. Sickness spread quickly, leading to rejection from others, even from close family and friends, who were shunned to protect others from infection. The Ribinas believed that the curse had corrupted the spirits of bugs and mosquitoes, causing them to spread disease and reduce the population. Despite their best efforts, the Ribinas' attempts to find a cure failed, so they resorted to making supplements and antibiotics to help the sick and prevent others from becoming ill.

The swamp was littered with patches of wet mud, posing a risk of getting stuck. If a Ribina were to get stuck in the mud, it would be a dangerous situation. The suction of the mud would trap the Ribina, making it difficult for them to escape. In such situations, the Ribina would need help from other Ribinas to pull them out of the mud. If no one were around to help, the Ribina might end up being trapped for an extended period, leading to dehydration or death.

The Ribinas developed fur that matched the colors of the swamp, as they believed it would help them avoid mosquito bites. Though it was only a myth, they still relied on this strategy to protect themselves from the disease-carrying insects. By blending in with their surroundings, they could move around undetected, reducing their chances of being bitten by mosquitoes. This was particularly important, as diseases spread easily in the swamp, and getting bitten by a mosquito could be a death sentence for a Ribina. Despite the lack of evidence supporting their belief, the Ribinas persisted in using camouflage as a defense mechanism against the pests of the swamp.