Editing Parting of the Ways (Fortune: Evolution Game) (section)

== Swamps ==
The Swamps are a murky bog, humid, muddy, and a breeding ground for reptilians and insects. The dirty water conceals many predators well, and visitors are advised to keep their eyes peeled, for a predator could pop out from any moment. A good Earth analogue would likely be the Bayou, the swamps in American state of Louisiana. The Florida Everglades also bears similarities to the Swamps.

===River Spearfish===
[[File:Spearfish (Part 6-2).png|200px|thumb|Spearfish]]
A recent branch off from the Common Oceanic Spearfish, River Spearfish carnivorous fish that are adapted to survival in the watercourses of Fortune, inhabiting the Swamps region of Alpha Continent. The River Spearfish is about 5ft long upon reaching adulthood, though individuals of up to 6 feet are spotted from time to time.

River Spearfish are heavily adapted to freshwater, only rarely entering oceanic waters. They are smaller than their cousins, and travel in smaller packs. They share the hunting tactics of their ancestors, 'winding-up' the muscles in their tail, putting all their energy into a tremendous burst of speed, and leaping out of the water. From there, the creatures can achieve limited flight, or glide for extended periods of time. They are slightly more mobile on land than the Common Spearfish, possessing claws which are generally used to cling to and climb trees, though they also make traversing some terrains easier, though they are still bound to return to the water eventually, due to the limited capacity of their primitive lungs.

Spearfish evolved in order to hunt Rainbow Blimpies, however, this species is not present in the swamp, so its anyone's guess as to how the creatures will evolve now, with different prey available.

River Spearfish lay thousands of soft slimy-coated eggs in smaller waterways, attempting to hide them with rocks and river-flora. The young hatch into small thumb-sized fry that must fend for themselves from the moment of birth. On average, only around 6% reach adulthood.

====River Spearfish Descendants====

''Skimmer Tridenfish''

''Cuckoo Fish''

''Bog Wyvern''

===Saltspike Frog (Swamp)===
[[File:Saltback_(Part_6-2).png|200px|thumb|left|The Male Saltspike frogs' pouch is coloured a vibrant red, as opposed to the females' who "ribbits" with a pouch that matches the rest of her.]]
The Saltspike Frog, or simply Saltback is a terrestrial amphibian that dines almost exclusively on the Salt Cactus, a plant that, despite its name, grows on the banks of freshwater bodies in warm to tropical areas as well as swamps and wetlands of a similar climate. Thus it is that the Saltspike dwells here also, being native to the Swamp region of planet Fortune.
[[File:Saltback_Cutaway.png|200px|thumb|The brain and lungs of a Saltback. Shown here because they're located in unusual places within the body.]]
While the creature has lost its shell since evolving from the Shellfog, the Saltspike does retain a decoration of sorts, an assortment of salt crystals adorning its back (hence the name). This is the result of the creature's body filtering out the high sodium content of its diet, too much of which will dry the Saltspike out like a slug. As the frog matures, some of the crystals lengthen and sharpen, forming protective spikes making the frog unpalatable for most predators. This display is sometimes used in courting rituals, as a thick crust of the stuff indicates the individual is well fed, and a large number of spikes is generally a sign of a creature that will avoid predation. The salt also develops a "lens" about the creatures eyes, creating an effect similar to a spyglass. This grants the creature telescopic vision.

Saltspikes are small, the biggest are around the size of an outstretched palm. That said, these small critters are a prolific bunch, not to mention loud. During the mating season (anywhere from late spring to midsummer), males and females will croak to each other, and within these chirps and ribbits, the health, size, age, and gender of the frog making them is made apparent (to other Saltspikes, anyway).

When a frog hears a mate that it likes, it will follow the sound to the caller and try to initiate the courtship dance. If the other accepts, they will mate and lay a foamy mass of around 700 of eggs. The pair will then separate, not to see each other again, except perhaps next season. The young are but miniature version of the adults, unlike Earth frogs, and must grow quick should they wish to survive.

Saltspikes are truly amphibious, able to breathe both in and out of water.

====Saltspike (Swamps) Descendants====

''Saltbeaks''

''Smurf Frogs''

===Swamp Tick===
[[File:SwampTick 00.png|100px|thumb|left|Swamp Tick]]
Swamp Ticks are terrestrial bloodsucking parasites common to the Swamps of the Alpha Continent of Fortune. Swamp Ticks are currently identical to other Tick species in everything but colour.

The Swamp Tick takes advantages of the many large animals in it's habitat, using it's sturdiness and strong claws to cling to their skin, while an adapted leg siphons blood from it's host. Smilers are their most common hosts. As it feeds, it grows bloated and ever so slightly more fragile as its skin stretches to accommodate the fluid within. Once full in this manner, the Swamp Tick leaves its host, hibernating inside a tree hollow or under a rock until it hungers again.

Swamp Ticks spend a great deal of their lives asleep. Long slumber (3-4 days) punctuated by gorging themselves on a host and the occasional mating (sometimes done on a host if that's where they meet) comprises the entirety of their lives. Gross to humans, but from the viewpoint of the tick, life is good.

====Swamp Tick Descendants====

''Bayou Beetle''

''Swamp Tick''

===Strider Crab===
[[File:Strider Crab.png|150px|thumb|Illustration of a Strider Crab]]
The Strider Crab is a terrestrial crustacean with a diet mainly consisting of small fish that it catches with the brutal "hook" atop its back. It is found within the murky Swamps and sunny coasts of Fortune, where it wades through shallow waters with the use of its long legs.

Strider Crabs are about 3 feet in height, and lay their eggs in small holes they dig in the ground. They lay fewer eggs than other crab varieties, but tend to have a higher survival rate.

Strider Crabs possess an uncanny curiosity, but no real intelligence has emerged from it as of yet.

====Strider Crab Descendants====

''Strider Crabs''

''Hell Hammerer''

''Naked Bullstrider''

''Ambusher Mudcrabs''

''Big Jawed Strider''

''Hell Climber''

===Smiler (Swamp)===
[[File:Swamp Smiler (Part 6-2).png|200px|thumb|left|Artist's rendition of a Swamp Smiler]]
The Smiler, or Smiling Chomper is a herbivorous terrestrial egg-laying reptomammal found in the swamps and bogs of Alpha.

The Smiler is a gorilla sized herbivore that travels in family groups not unlike Earth chimpanzees. The troop is led by a leading mated pair, and child-rearing is overseen by all females of the group. They are most at home in grasslands, but the species does well in forests too. Smilers are well known for their use of tools, unique on Fortune. They use the branches and sticks to dig up large roots and tubers as an alternative to their regular diet of grasses. It should be noted, though, that there is no sense of ingenuity or invention in this, and that it is almost purely instinct. For now, the Swamp Smiler's intelligence has plateaued.

Smilers get their names from the creepy looking grin that, because of their jaw structure and musculature, is permanently etched onto their faces, enhanced by facial markings superficially resembling large teeth.

====Smiler (Swamp) Descendants====

''Platodile''

''Bog Smiler''

''Smiling Boar''

''Bladed Smilers''