Ranquin's struggle to maintain Swampie cultural cohesion and leadership through the Kroll myth as factual evidence of the creature's existence begins to undermine his authority

Ranquin dismisses Rohm-Dutt's warning about the Swampies' unpreparedness for war and orders an ambush against the colonists at dawn. Varlik backs Ranquin's plan, arguing that dryfoot weapons are easy to …

The Swampies prepare a sacrificial trap for Romana and the Doctor but fail when their ambush detonates prematurely. As a hovercraft investigates, Kroll rises from the swamp—confirming the colonists’ fears …