Chapter: The Murkdeath Swamp
Summary:
On of the mentor's of the party wants an herb for an elixir that the Bubblepots of the Waters and Potions shop were to make, but the Bubblepots have gone missing, and the elixir is needed by the next full moon, so the herb is needed one day before that.
Background:
The MENTOR uses the elixir to keep a friend's lycanthrope in check. Without the elixir, the friend will change and possible hurt someone or themselves. So far the elixir has been very good at keeping this under control. When the Bubblepots ran out of the necessary ingredients, they left town to fetch more in the swamps to the south. What should have been a two or three day trip, has now been almost ten days, and the full moon is due soon. MENTOR will of course tell the PCs that the Bubblepots were supposed to bring back the herb, but they have not returned. Finding the Bubblepots is important, but not as important as returning with the herb ASAP.
Plot points/Scenes
Interview with a Mentor
One of the mentor's of a party member calls them in to discuss an important issue. They purchase every month an elixir from the Waters and Potions shop made by the Bubblepots. This month the Bubblepots had to go looking for some of the ingredients, and they have not returned. The elixir is needed in four days, so the mentor tasks them with finding out what is going on and getting them that elixir before the four days has expired. MENTOR will of course tell the PCs that the Bubblepots were supposed to bring back the herb, but they have not returned. Finding the Bubblepots is important, but not as important as returning with the herb ASAP. If asked what the elixir is for, the mentor will just say it is something they need for a friend who can not afford it themselves. They do not know what the ingredients are, or where the Bubblepots are currently located, but they should go to the shop and talk to Dorsa Bubblepot, their daughter, and she might have more information.Waters and Potions
Dorsa Bubblepot lives in the shop, and is running the business while her parents are away gathering supplies. She can tell the party that her parents left ten days ago in what should have been just a two or three day trip to the Murkdeth swamp, to find the herb called Chagweed. It grows on rotting logs in the Murkdeath swamp. Once harvested the Chagweed needs to be kept dry - wet Chagweed begins to decompose quickly. It is pretty easy to find, and is often right at the edge of the swamp, so Dorsa doesn't know what could be taking so long, and she is worried. In exchange for helping to find her parents, she offers the party 2 healing potions, with a promise of two more if they find her parents.Travel to the Murkdeath Swamp
There is a road that leads south from Nedev but after about a mile it is really nothing more than a wagon track. Several farms are passed along the way, and if the PCs ask for any information at those farms. They may be told some of the following depending on their interactions: • The Bubblepots passed by here awhile ago heading south. They seemed fine. • The Bubblepots said they would be stopping on the way back for a visit. Haven't seen them since. • I've heard some strange noises, like cats screeching, the last time I was down by the swamp. • I had a goat wander into the swamp. If you see him please bring him back. • Don't drink that swamp water. It'll give you Swamp Gas fever! • I've seen strange lights at night around the swamp. Could have been the Bubblepots, but I don't think so! Night by the Shack Once they reach the edge of the swamp, they will see what looks like a run down shack just near the edge of the swamp. Investigating, the shack looks to be an old fishing shack that hasn't been used in a while, but there appears to be a simplistic dagger motif painted on the inside of the shack with red clay that can be seen outside the shack. A History Check DC 10 will reveal that the Red Dagger Goblins was an old tribe that hasn't been seen in years. If the PCs left the town in the morning, and stopped to talk to some of the farmers, then it will be almost dark by the time they finish investigating the shack. During the night, the PCs will hear strange noises coming from the swamp. Some of them sound like cats, others sound like birds or insects. Most of them do not seem to dangerous, but at one point if someone is on watch, they will see several torches flickering deep in the swamp.Exploring the Swamp
Plot type
Chapter
Related Locations