The Darkening of the Moonwell

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Investigation and restoration

The Darkening of the Moonwell

Lvl 13 to 5 characters1 to 2 sessions· Easy

“A village's sacred spring has gone dark, and the forest remembers a promise no one kept.”

— Hook · Investigation and restoration

QuestgiverMara Venn

Investigation and restoration

D&D 5E

Easy

Lvl 1

3 to 5 characters

1 to 2 sessions

4 NPCs

3 encounters

The Opening

“The village well has gone dark, the grain stores are covered in pale fungus, and something is calling the animals out of the forest. Reeve Mara Venn offers a small purse to anyone who can reach the Moonwell before dawn and restore its light. A frightened witness claims the answer lies beneath Alder Hill.”
— Hook · Investigation and restoration

Set the Scene

Mara Venn leads the characters to the edge of Brackenford, where the village well stands silent beneath a cloudless sky. Pale mold creeps across nearby grain sacks, and distant animal cries echo from the Alderwood. Mara explains that Pella Moss saw lanterns beneath Alder Hill and asks the party to investigate before the next dawn.

Patron

Questgiver

Mara Venn

Mara Venn approaches the party near the village well with a guarded but urgent request. She offers a modest reward and free lodging, admitting that Brackenford has no one else capable of entering the Alderwood safely.

On the Streets · In the Books

Rumours

d5 · table

01
The Moonwell has never gone dark in living memory.
02
Old villagers say the Alderwood once demanded a yearly gift from Brackenford.
03
Pella Moss saw blue lanterns moving underground beneath Alder Hill.
04
A child claims the well whispered their mother's name after midnight.
05
Some villagers want the forest cut down before it can cause more trouble.

Stakes

If the Moonwell is not restored before dawn, Brackenford loses its primary source of clean water and protection. The Alderwood may become hostile, the village's crops may fail, and the party may be blamed for worsening the crisis.

Ticking Clock·The ritual reaches its final stage at dawn. The party has roughly one night to investigate Alder Hill, reach the Moonwell, and choose how the pact will be renewed.

Background Lore

For generations, the village of Brackenford has relied on the Moonwell, a spring hidden in the nearby Alderwood. The well's water keeps crops healthy and wards off common woodland sickness. Three nights ago, its silver glow vanished, animals began acting strangely, and the village's grain stores were found covered in pale fungal growth. The villagers believe raiders or a curse are responsible.

What the World Knows

Brackenford's Moonwell has gone dark, threatening the village's crops and drinking water. Strange fungal growth has appeared throughout the settlement, and animals are fleeing the Alderwood in panic. The party must follow a witness's clues to Alder Hill, uncover the cause of the disturbance, and restore the Moonwell before dawn.