The Fungal Menace (Side Quest)
The party comes across Hargulf Holmsteinsson, who is desperately seeking information about his missing brother, Hallvard. Hargulf is deeply concerned about his brother's well-being, and he is willing to pay the party handsomely for any information they can provide.
Hargulf believes that the source of the fungus lies in a nearby cave system, and he wants the party to investigate. The party will need to navigate the treacherous cave system and fight off various fungal creatures that have been mutated by the same fungus that infected Ferryman.
As the party progresses deeper into the cave system, they will discover that the fungus is not only infecting creatures but also spreading through the environment itself. The party will need to find the source of the fungus and put an end to it before it spreads further. Once the party returns to Hargulf with the spores, he will be able to use them to create a cure for the fungus.
Hargulf grows serious and leans in, lowering his voice. "Listen, I have a delicate matter that I could use your help with. It's about my brother Hallvard. He's been missing for some time now, and I fear the worst. You see, Hallvard was a ferryman like that one they found murdered a few days ago. Which I'll be honest, had me worried but they haven't been able to identify the body yet and so for my own sanity I mustn't give up hope that he's still alive just yet."
He takes a deep breath and continues. "You see, my brother was on a search for a legendary treasure hoard that's said to be hidden deep in a cave system outside of town. But he never returned, and I fear he may have run into trouble."
"But there's more to the story than that," Hargulf adds, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You see, my brother wasn't right in the head. He'd been acting strange for weeks, and when he disappeared, I knew something was wrong. I've been searching for him ever since, but I haven't had any luck."
"Around the same time Hallvard started acting strange, I began hearing stories of a particular fungus that seemed to bloom out of nowhere. People have told me horror stories of their loved ones breathing the spores and making them into violent killers. That fungus has been known to take over a man's mind," Hargulf warns, his brow furrowed with concern. "If my brother has been infected, he may not even be himself anymore. And that treasure he was searching for? It may be nothing more than a fool's errand."
Hargulf looks at the party, his eyes pleading. "Please, I need your help. I don't know what's become of my brother, but I fear the worst. If you can find him and bring him back to me, I'll make it worth your while. And if you can find that treasure hoard he was searching for...well, as far as I'm concerned you can keep it." While your at it though, I could really use your help gathering some spore samples from this so called Brainrot Fungus. With those I can potentially make a cure. I'd go myself, but to be frank, the thought of spelunking alone in a dark cave potentially filled with deadly mushroom spores has me a little on edge. But you, you all certainly look like your the type to eat danger for breakfast. So, will you help me?"
However, it is possible the information that the players have already killed his brother, and/or that his brother was already infected beyond a cure, will come forward to Hargulf. To determine his reaction to this make a destiny roll.
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