Erik Sieurin has an interesting theory:
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Delecti also derives his powers from the swamp. He has no real chance of
moving in lands which are not covered in water like that. Outside, he
would be struck by the curses of the dragons (or just devoured).
Similarily, his more powerful creations (stitched-together dinosaurs,
dream dragons, giants etc) cannot leave the swamp and its closest area.
Delecti turned to the Vivamort cult just to get minions who easily can
move outside the swamp. Thus his lands and lair became an haven for
undead, not because Delecti likes them, but because no one else wants to
work for him. (Which makes him Dr Frankenstein with his castle guarded
by vampires. Suits me.)
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I have a couple of quibbles with this.
- GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL SOURCE MATERIAL
Delecti was born in the game _White Bear & Red Moon_, and was later
rewritten for _Dragon Pass_. In both games his Zombie armies are allergic
to water: they cannot cross rivers except at a ford. (Aside: this is a big
reason why they are frustratingly slow to get into action in DP, as the
Marsh has three rivers flowing into/out of it, blocking Zombie movement.)
Also, the Zombies have no problem with broken terrain. Mountains are no
more difficult for them to plod along through than a nice Lunar road.
While the muck of the Marsh doesn't slow down Delecti's minions, neither is
it much to their advantage. I think the whole "Delecti grows a swamp
around his stronghold" idea was born because of a swamp's inherent
spookiness, and intimate relationship with the concept of decay. (Aha!
There must be a significant number of Black Elves in most good sized
marshes!)
2) I'M A TRADITIONALIST
Call me closed-minded, but I am too attached to the idea of the ducks
fighting a valiant battle against the encroachment of the swamp. I just
cannot accept the thought that they created it in the first place.
Erik, I applaud your creativity, but I feel obliged to poke holes in the
Gloranthan logic of your idea, for the sake of my Duck friends.
*David Cheng