Rumors: Harrowmere

Rumors and Notices at the Stuck Pig You can't miss it - the noticeboard in the Stuck Pig dominates the wall opposite its entrance, a great mess of help wanted, missing persons, and horse for sale adverts cluttering a number of potential leads for daring adventurers to follow up in the nearby Harrowmere. The gateway to the rest of the savage frontier, the Harrowmere is a blighted marshlands full of biting insects, venomous snakes, warring humanoid tribes, and half-submerged remnants of the Old Empire - the perfect place to get rich or die trying. Below, you'll find the current smattering of Help Wanted posters, with others either unlocked later or to be found as you explore the Harrowmere. Missing in the Chittermarsh (COMPLETED) The fisherman's camp out in the Chittermarsh has not sent word in some time.  A group of ten hale and hardy men, all of them experienced in the area, had set up a new camp deeper in the Chittermarsh in hopes of finding larger and more flavorful fish to bring back to Hope. On their last supply run, they had mentioned large and aggressive insects had become increasingly problematic. We now fear that they were overrun. Anybody willing to venture out and rescue any survivors will be rewarded with the sum of 50 gold pieces. Wanted: Iron (COMPLETED) Muredach at the Hope smithy is in dire need of iron if he is to keep arming and equipping the militia. The last shipment from the east has not yet arrived and anybody wanting armor or weapons is made faces a lengthy wait if something can't be done. Old maps of the region indicate that a dwarvish mine lies on the northern fringe of the marsh. While notes in the margin mention it being abandoned due to flooding, recent surveying in the area seems to indicate parts of the mine might yet be salvageable. The only problem? A nest of giant spiders has prevented the last two expeditions from staking their claim. If then mines can be claimed, you'll not only earn yourselves some gold, but Muredach might be convinced to provide a discount. Borin's Folly (COMPLETED) The estate of one Borin Grimhammer is seeking brave adventurers to establish the whereabouts of their reckless and adventurous son, who recently came to the area in hopes of establishing a settlement of Lathander worshippers. Locals refer to the village as Borin's Folly, and their doomsaying seems to have been prophetic, as nobody has heard a word from the settlement in the past month. His parents are offering the princely sum of 200 gold pieces if somebody can venture to the village and rescue Borin. Failing that, the return of his ancestral ring will be sufficient to earn payment. Friends of Fizzbang (FAILED - NO LONGER AVAILABLE) The famed gnomish archaeologist, Fizzbang Wizzpopper is seeking daring adventurers to act as guards and explorers in his next great expedition: the unearthing of the dwarven temple of Lull. Legend has it that the temple was guarded by powerful automatons that Fizzbang believes can be repurposed to act as guardians for Hope, but he'll need the help of sturdy adventuring types to survive the complex's trapped halls and surprisingly devoted guardians. In addition to a handsome monetary reward, adventurers are welcome to keep anything of non-historical value that they might find. Claiming Fort Harrow The mayor,  Quincy Penfold , has offered a handsome reward to anybody who can kill or drive out the warring goblin, kobold, and cannibal tribes that currently hold the ruins of Fort Harrow. This impressive fortification would make an ideal base of operations for the next westward expansion, but the three tribes of evil humanoids make such a plan impossible. Should you return with the heads of any or all of the tribal leaders, you will be rewarded handsomely.

Revenge for the Fishermen (COMPLETED) A recent expedition into the Chittermarsh discovered evidence that the fishing camp there was attacked by servants of a mysterious man who had been lingering about. While the templar, Alexandria and her companions reported that the men had been slain by blood-sucking stirges, it appears they might have been under the command of this mystery man. The families of the dead fishermen have put together a sum of 100 gold pieces for those that can locate this 'old coot' and bring him to justice. A Creature in the Fog (COMPLETED) Local legends speak of a strange creature made of fog that dwells in the thick fog that regularly blankets the Harrowmere. Those who have encountered it tell of how it beckons them to follow it into the mists. Those who follow the beast into the mists receive good fortune: a big catch when fishing or finding an item of value, while t hose who refuse to follow the strange creature inevitably have bad luck: dead livestock, a failed business venture, or being unable to keep their wife from roving.  The creature has been sighted again on the road outside of Hope. What could such a being want? Troll Trouble The druid Lizzie  and the monk,  Diarmuid reportedly found evidence of trolls in the marsh less than a day's travel from Hope. If such creatures are venturing so close to civilization, it can only be a matter of time before they grow bold enough to assault the village walls. A group of concerned citizens is willing to pay a bounty of 150 gold pieces for each troll head brought back to them, with an additional reward of 750 gold pieces if their lair can be found and destroyed. Wanted: Leather Goldar Ironfist at the Mercantile is looking for brave adventurers to head into the wilderness and procure fine quality skins for use in the making of armor.  He is offering a bounty of 2 gold pieces for snake skin, 10 gold pieces for crocodile hide, and 50 gold pieces for the hide of a giant crocodile. The Woodsman's Tale (COMPLETED) A wounded woodsman staggered into the Stuck Pig earlier today, ranting about an attack on his hunting cabin by a band of goblins and a large wolf that spoke in a guttural tongue of its mistress. While the woodsman was able to escape with only minor injuries, his two companions were killed and their bodies dragged away by the goblins. He fears dark sorcery may be afoot. While he cannot offer a financial reward for answers, he has promised that the party that recovers the bodies of his friends can have his family's heirloom hatchet - an enchanted weapon of great power.

The Forge Below Borin's Folly With the successful rescue of Borin Grimhammer  from his ill-fated expedition to establish a pilgrimage at Borin's Folly, word has reached the common people of a mysterious forge temple beneath the doomed village. While no reward is being offered for its exploration, there will surely be items of great power and value hidden in the ancient complex for those brave enough to fight their way past the firenewts, fire wolves, and elemental spirits that guard its hallowed halls. The Miller's Daughter (FAILED) Daise Johannsen , the daughter of a prominent local miller, has gone missing while out picking wildflowers in the Harrowmere. She was accompanied by a pair of her father's employees, both of whom returned to down savagely wounded and riddled with goblin arrows. Olaf Johannsen  is offering a sum of 200 gold pieces to the heroes who are able to bring his beloved daughter back to him. She disappeared somewhere between Hope and Borin's Folly, and was believed to have been wandering south of the Old Road. The Mausoleum The recently returned expedition that had set out to find Fort Harrow told tales of a horrendous mausoleum guarded by gargoyles of green stone. Not only is the witch, Zhanna  interested in such creatures, but Mayor Quincy Penfold  would also like to know more about the haunted location. If it is within just two days' travel of town, it could present a threat to Hope. He is offering a sum of 125 gold pieces per person as well as six  Potions of Healing  to any group that can visit the mausoleum and return with some concrete information as to its purpose. Investigate the Mouth of Doom (ONGOING) A trio of local children recently returned from their rambling in the wilderness speaking of a strange doorway built into the side of a muddy hillock. They described it as looking like the mouth of a great demon, with stairs beyond leading down into the darkness. More curiously, the mouth spoke to them as they drew near, warning them against entering this so-called 'Mouth of Doom'. Adventurers eager to test their mettle and plumb its depths for treasure are advised that it lies South of Hope. The Monastery in the Mountains (IN PROGRESS) An itinerant monk recently paid a visit to Hope, speaking at length about a holy place high in the mountains that separate the Harrowmere from the Ettinheights. The monks living in this monastery practice unique martial arts unheard of anywhere else in the world, and they say any who complete the journey to this sacred place may learn from them. It is described as being north of Borin's Folly and west of Cathal's Doom Mine.

Slavers in the Ruined Keep Reports of elf slavers in a ruined keep only two days' travel from Hope have caused a great deal of unrest, with locals worried that these mystically gifted elves may yet descend upon the town and make slaves of its people. Mayor Quincy Penfold  is offering a reward of 1,500 gold pieces for whoever can retrieve the head of their leader and bring back proof of the band's nefarious goals. The Lost City of Lull A farmer recently came upon a great, stone gate in the Spine of the World, almost directly north of Hope. Urlich Pryn , a newcomer to the city, is a historian with a great deal of interest in uncovering the lost temple city of Lull, and will reward any group able to gain access to the city the princely sum of 200 gold pieces. Muredach's Dilemma Muredach's  niece, Alarielle  is a talented singer who makes her living as a traveling troubadour. While visiting her beloved uncle in the frontier town, she seems to have disappeared along with a priceless heirloom harp. Her two companions have also yet to return to town, prompting Muredach  to offer a reward of a suit of plate mail armor and 100 gold pieces to the heroes who can find her. Rumour has it, she had gone north in search of a pass into the Ettinheights. Fey Intrusion A recent expedition into the Harrowmere came under attack from terrifying fey known as meenlocks. Could this mean that the twisted magicks of the Hagwood are beginning to bleed across into the Harrowmere? Head south to the borders of this fabled fey forest and see if you can find any proof of a fey incursion into the swamps. Into the Ettinheights A pass into the Ettinheights is said to be the only way through the Spine of the World mountains, but no maps show where this pass might be. With rumours of more arable land in the highlands, it would be a boon for Hope to have an easy means of travel. Mayor Quincy Penfold  is offering 500 gold pieces to the group that can locate the pass and return with an accurate map. The Abandoned Castle Historic texts refer to a castle in the Harrowmere that rivalled Fort Hope in size. A party brave enough to lay claim to the castle might be able to set it up as a fortified settlement to bridge the gap between the Harrowmere and the neighbouring Dreadwilds. While its exact location is not mentioned, it is thought to be in the southwest of the Harrowmere.

Rescue Mission (In progress) An exhausted and badly wounded gnome by the name of Fizzbang Wizzpopper has recently stumbled through the gates of Hope, dehydrated and riddled with disease. He told tales of a glittering spire of quartz in the Spine of the World Mountains and the brave heroes who met their end there. He believes Icarus, Varis , and Skrit  may yet live, but fears they will not last long in a tower he claims is home to some kind of mad necromancer creating terrible fusions of man and machine. He is offering the sum of 800 gold pieces to any group who will trek to the place, rescue his former companions, and root out whatever evil gave rise to the strange automatons he encountered there. Lizardfolk Kidnappers (In progress) A number of local peat farmers have gone missing in recent weeks, giving rise to concerns that the previously peaceful lizardfolk to the south of Hope might be becoming agitated. Mayor Quincy Penfold is offering the sum of 300 gold pieces to any group that can travel to the Ringcurrent Islands, rescue any survivors, and bring him the head of the lizardfolk responsible for these heinous crimes. Budding Budonoki (COMPLETED) A messenger from a village in the southern Ettinheights has come, claiming that a strange breed of plant has begun to make life difficult for them. Not only is it choking out their famous budo flowers from which many of them earn a living, but rumours of a strange cult springing up in the town have the citizens on edge. A reward of priceless budo flowers and 100 gold pieces per person is offered to any group willing to trek into the Ettinheights and deal with this floral problem. Goblin Bounty (COMPLETED) Fed up with the aggression of the goblins in the Harrowmere, Mayor Quincy Penfold  is offering a bounty of 5 gold pieces for each goblin ear returned to him. In addition, he is offering the sum of 500 gold pieces if their chieftain, Licktoad's head is brought to him. The Licktoad goblins are said to dwell somewhere to the southwest of Hope in a series of caves bordering the Hagwood. Temple of the Toadfolk A temple dedicated to the dead goddess, Besharas  has recently emerged from the swamp as if called forth by some profane power. Said to have once been home to a bloodstone of immense power, the temple has already been claimed by a number of bullywug and dhrnu, a species of sentient toadfolk native to the region. A local scout, Brand the Brash  has been charged with leading a diplomatic mission out into the swamp and is offering 450 gold pieces per person to any adventurers brave enough to accompany him.  The Heart of Abu-Ra Adventurers recently returned from an adventure to the north of Borin's Folly have reported seeing a stepped pyramid. Local scholar, Walter Whittlesworth  believes this to be the lost Temple of Abu-Ra, where a legendary artifact known as the Heart of Abu-Ra is said to possess immense healing powers capable of bringing back the dead. He is offering the sum of 1,000 gold pieces to any group bold enough to accompany him to this long lost ruin and see him safely to his goal: the Heart of Abu-Ra.

Dirty Deeds (IN PROGRESS) As Ceres  sits in the Stuck Pig awaiting an inkling of a rumour of what adventures might lie ahead, adventure thrusts itself into the gith's lap. A cloaked and hooded figure approaches, sliding into the seat next to the gith and cradling a half full tankard of ale. "Hello there, friend," the figure speaks, and although it is impossible to make out his face, the voice is that of an educated man. "I represent a faction with an interest in the recent rumours of Dragon Cult activity in the region. Recently, we apprehended a merchant of dubious character looking to purchase a dragon egg from representatives of a local criminal faction who bore a striking resemblance to you. You look like somebody who might be able to handle themselves in a fight if push came to shove. What say you to taking our merchant friend's place and negotiating the purchase of this dragon egg for us? There's 50 gold pieces each in it for you and any muscle you wanted to bring along". The man places something on the table and slides it across to you: the sigil of the famed Destined, a faction of historians, archaeologists, and good-minded folk who seek to collect and protect powerful artifacts from those who would misuse them. "You'd be doing my friends and I a big favour..."