Sequence of Events
After defeating the spiders and picking the coveted Fangberries, you began the long journey back toward Bokken‘s hut. Your new path led you first to a dead end in the form of an empty mine, and then to a deep ravine with a dilapidated bridge, completely impassable for your wagon. Following advice from Gassi‘s mysterious shell, you followed the river south. During the night, your camp’s tranquility was interrupted by an ambush from two archers, whom you quickly neutralized.
The journey offered a strange discovery: a lone, dead muskwood tree in the middle of a vast, treeless field. Zogg sensed strong magic, and after you spent an hour investigating the site, he was able to pinpoint that the source was buried beneath the tree. Using Aurelio‘s shield as an improvised spade and Gassi‘s magic to dry the muddy ground, you dug up a leather-wrapped bundle. The treasure contained a (mostly) water-damaged spellbook, a Wand of Brief Fire, a Magic Dagger, and a plain silver ring.
Back at Bokken‘s, you traded the berries for a 25% discount on a future recipe. He also gave you new clues: an old fort to the north, and a haunted ford, Nettles' Crossing, on the Shriek River. You decided to investigate the fort first. It turned out to be abandoned. You made camp, and Zogg, in an attempt to restore his honor after Gassi‘s previous cooking disasters, was in charge of dinner. The result was yet another critical failure that left himself and Maven with food poisoning.
The next day you reached Nettles' Crossing. The legendary bridge was collapsed. When Gassi curiously rang an old service bell, a zombie – Davik – rose from the water and repeated a plea: “Bring me the Stag Lord‘s body…”. You left him and instead followed fresh tracks that led to a cave opening. Gassi called out in Draconic, and a black-scaled kobold named Nakpik emerged. He asked for your help: small creatures called Mitflits had stolen his tribe’s holy statue.
You agreed to accompany Nakpik into the narrow mine tunnels to meet his chief. After squeezing through tight passages, you reached a larger chamber. The walls were covered in charcoal drawings depicting a devilish lizard.
Great Mysteries & Clues
- The Buried Treasure Cache: Who buried a spellbook, a magic dagger, and a magic wand under the lone tree? And why?
Davik, the Undead Bridge Guardian: The ghost atNettles' Crossingwas a zombie who wants revenge on theStag Lord. Can he offer a reward, or is he just a tragic fate you have left behind?Nakpikand the Kobolds: A tribe of black kobolds, led by a “Chief,” lives in an old silver mine. Their holy statue has been stolen by small creatures called Mitflits. Have you stumbled into a new conflict you must resolve?- The Lizard Devil: The cave walls in the kobold’s lair are covered with images of a devilish lizard. Is this a god they worship?
Bokken‘s Recipe: You have not yet claimed your reward for the berries. Which recipe will you choose when you finally return?
Cliffhanger
Far beneath the earth, led by an armed and cocky kobold, you have penetrated what appears to be a holy site. A prisoner groans in a cage, and the walls are adorned with ominous drawings. Nackpick has promised to lead you to his chief to discuss a pact. What awaits you in the heart of the kobold’s cave?