Merton Riggar
Though most assume that the Toriak Swamp is uninhabited, this isn't true. Though there are no large settlements, clusters of families live scattered throughout. Merton spends much of his time fishing and repairing nets, but it's counting that gives him the greatest satisfaction. In his Book of Numbers, passed down through generations, Merton records numbers of fish caught, of inhabitants in the outposts, of gorkies born each year, and of anything else that can be quantified and tracked.
Gorky (common)
Size: Up to 4' long
Color: Blue/gold; females are more golden
Diet: Mostly fish and other water creatures
Sounds: Grunts and tail slaps
Lifespan: Up to 20 years
Gorkies will assist travelers crossing the swamp—so long as the travelers follow closely and don't linger. Some theorize that they do so to protect a secret hiding deep in the swamp.