The sleepy village of Hendroncliff woke up one day to a most astonishing sight – a strange type of grass, slightly reddish, have grown all over their fields and crops. They are also deep-rooted and slightly poisonous, causing itchness to those who touch it. Removing those weeds is going to prove difficult, and they immediately regrow overnight. What is this nefarious weed that has invaded the farmlands of Hendroncliff?
- If the adventurers are observant enough, or there is a ranger or a man of the wild in the party, they would realise that an uncommon wind is blowing. A strong gust of wind is blowing from the southeast, which is unnatural for the season. Following the gust of the wind the adventurers would come to cave – which led into a tunnel which emerged into an underground forest, where grass of the same colour as the weed choked the ground. The wind has bore the seeds out through the cave into the farmlands. Who dwells in the underground forest and what caused the wind? It may be the start of an invasion plan by dwellers beneath the grounds – first, starve the humans by killing off their crops and cattles!
- The weed, if analyzed by a herbalist, would be found to have origins in desert regions, where deep roots allow them to burrow for underground water. The theory is that some seeds of the weed have been accidentally (or deliberately) scattered into the soil of Hendroncliff. Further detective work will lead the adventurers to discover that the weed was used in the brewing of a form of strong beer which originated from a town to the south. Would they know of the properties of the weeds and how to kill them off? Or were they one who sow the seeds in the first place?
- Within days, the farmlands of Hendroncliff is carpeted with red grass everywhere, but one can discern a shade of darker red leading up into the forested hills. Following the trail, the adventurers will find an ancient burial mound, despoiled. This belongs to an ancient sage of yore, and when he was dead, interned with him were several of his precious findings. He specialised in herbs and plant life, and collected seeds of many exotic plants and preserved them using his magic. The tomb had been broken into, and many artefacts were missing. Near the entrance there is a broken jar and there the density of the red weed is the highest. It was said the sage recorded down every detail of all the plants he had found within a tome, but that too was missing too. If the adventurers could track down the thieves, they may be able to find out how to kill those weeds. One good lead (which the adventurers may not be aware of yet) is that some of the seeds were stuck on the soles of the thieves’ boots…
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