FLAIL: The Curse of the Dreadmarsh Witch Pt 2

Your party grew as you were joined by Tiki, a warrior-turned-cleric attempting to embrace the wild ways of the swamp, and his companion, Daniel the Wolf. Tiki immediately pleaded for your help; his mentor, Chieftain Reed of the swamp folk, had been captured by crocodiles. In exchange for his rescue, Tiki promised a Blood Petal, a key ingredient for the antidote to the witch’s curse that afflicts you all. Agreeing to the bargain, you set off towards the ominous Crocodile Temple.

The journey was not without its perils. The curse continued its foul work, twisting your bodies with strange mutations. However, you also had a stroke of luck, encountering a monstrous Walking Skull Spider. Recognizing it as the source for another antidote ingredient, you engaged the beast. Vendetta pinned it with a ghostly hand, and after a short, brutal fight, Tiki shattered its skull with a mighty punch, allowing you to harvest its eye. Your primary mission, however, still lay ahead.

Arriving at the temple, you found Chieftain Reed suspended in a cage over a nest of hatchlings, guarded by two colossal Tyrant Crocodiles. They demanded a worthy tithe for his release. Thinking quickly, you offered them a giant, dead shark you had previously discovered. The crocodiles, amused and disbelieving, agreed. To transport the massive carcass, Vendetta summoned a powerful earth elemental, affectionately named Muddy Boy, who hefted the shark for the day-long trek back.

Upon your return, the stench of the now-rotting shark filled the air. Disgusted by the spoiled offering, the crocodiles furiously attacked. A chaotic battle erupted as Vendetta summoned an army of undead to her side—a carrion swarm and a wraith puppet—to fight alongside her elemental. While the battle raged, Daniel bravely scaled a tree to hoist the chieftain’s cage to safety. With Reed freed, you seized the opportunity to flee, escaping the wrath of the temple guardians and leaving the chaos behind you.

OUTLINE:

A New Ally and a New Quest

The party met Tiki, a human cleric, and his hireling Daniel the Wolf.
Tiki revealed his mentor, Chieftain Reed, was captured by crocodiles and requested the party’s help.
He promised them a Blood Petal, an ingredient for their anti-curse antidote, in exchange for the rescue.
The party agreed and headed toward the Crocodile Temple.

An Eye for an Antidote

While traveling, the party suffered mutations from their curse.
They encountered a Walking Skull Spider, a source for another needed ingredient.
Vendetta used a spell to pin the spider.
Tiki delivered the final blow with a punch, and the party harvested the spider’s eye.

The Shark Tithe

The party arrived at the Crocodile Temple and found Chieftain Reed in a cage.
Two Tyrant Crocodiles demanded a worthy sacrifice for his release.
The party offered a giant dead shark they knew the location of, and the crocodiles accepted.
Vendetta summoned an earth elemental, ‘Muddy Boy,’ to carry the shark carcass back to the temple.

The Crocodile Confrontation

The party presented the shark, which had started to rot, to the crocodiles.
Disgusted by the smell, the crocodiles became hostile and attacked the party.
Vendetta summoned a carrion swarm and a wraith puppet, adding to the chaos.
The battle began, with the party facing two formidable foes.

A Daring Escape

While the summoned creatures and Animus fought the crocodiles, Daniel focused on the rescue.
Daniel climbed a tree, pulled the chieftain’s cage to safety, and pried open the door.
Tiki used prayers to entangle one crocodile and distract nearby hatchlings with food.
With Chieftain Reed freed, the entire party fled the battle, successfully escaping with him.

NPCs:

Chieftain Reed: The leader of the swamp folk. He was teaching Tiki the ways of the swamp before being captured by the Tyrant Crocodiles.
Daniel the Wolf: A tough, broody, and serious hireling who wields a sword and shield. He was recruited into the Justice League by Animus.
Merelda: A witch who lives in the Dreadmarsh Marsh. She placed a curse on the party after Vendetta stole her cat.
Muddy Boy: A powerful earth elemental summoned by Vendetta to carry a giant shark. It fights with slams and by throwing rock boulders.
Tyrant Crocodiles: Two gigantic, intelligent crocodiles dressed in filthy temple garb. They serve as guardians of the Crocodile Temple and worship a forgotten hunger deity.

ITEMS:

Blood Petal: A rare flower cultivated by the swamp folk. It is one of five ingredients needed for the anti-curse antidote.
Dead Shark: The massive corpse of a great white shark, strangely found in the swamp. The party attempted to use it as a tithe for the Tyrant Crocodiles.
Eye of a Spider: The eyeball harvested from a Walking Skull Spider. It is one of five ingredients needed to create an antidote to Merelda’s curse.
Floating Disc Ring: A magic ring stolen by Animus. It can create a floating disc capable of carrying heavy loads.
Spirit Lantern: A lantern atop a staff used by Vendetta. It absorbs the souls of those she kills, which she then uses to power her magic.

LOCATIONS:

Ancient Ruins: A mysterious set of ruins in the swamp, marked by three stone statues of women with wild hair at its entrance. The party has avoided entering.
Bog Village: The home of the swamp folk, led by Chieftain Reed. It is the place where the party can acquire a Blood Petal.
Crocodile Temple: A shrine dedicated to a forgotten hunger deity, now occupied by two Tyrant Crocodiles. It features a pit-like nest filled with their hatchlings.
Dreadmarsh Marsh: A vast and dangerous swamp that serves as the primary setting for the adventure. It is home to witches, swamp folk, and various monsters.

FACTIONS:

Justice League: A guild of burglars and pickpockets who steal from the aristocracy, believing they are serving justice. Animus is a member and recruits for their cause.
Swamp Folk: The native human inhabitants of the Dreadmarsh Marsh. Their leader is Chieftain Reed, and they trade in rare herbs like the Blood Petal.

QUESTS:

Cure the Curse: Find the five ingredients (fungus, fang bone, wraith dust, blood petal, spider eye) needed to create an antidote for the mutating curse placed upon the party by the witch Merelda.
Rescue Chieftain Reed: Rescue the leader of the swamp folk, Chieftain Reed, from the clutches of the Tyrant Crocodiles at their temple.

PLAYER CHARACTERS

Animus: A human street urchin and distant descendant of Vendetta. He is a member of the ‘Justice League,’ a band of thieves who steal from the rich. Hunted by a powerful wizard after stealing a magic ring, he now fights with a spiked chain and blowgun.
Tiki: A human who was once a warrior but, after a religious epiphany, hid in the woods to become one with nature. He is now a cleric trying to learn the ways of the swamp folk. He wears hide armor and wields a quarterstaff.
Vendetta: A human vampire and bone whisperer who was entombed alive and now seeks revenge. With an appearance like Elvira, she wields a soul-absorbing spirit lantern and a flail. She commands the undead and is accompanied by a vampiric cat she stole from a witch.