Along the southern edge of the Deadlands stands a large formation of natural rock marred by numerous cracks. Underground springs in the area force water up into the rock, from which streams of fresh water flow to fill a great pool. The nomadic clans known as the Deadland Shadows refer to this rocky spire as the Mother for her life-giving waters, and call the pool and the thriving village that has grown alongside it the Oasis of Mother's Tears. Clanfolk use the oasis as a place of refuge on their journeys across the desert, and protect the site from wandering monsters and bandit raids.

Family farmers and hunters make up most of the folk who dwell permanently in the village, in addition to a handful of merchants ready to serve adventurers who come to the oasis during expeditions across the Deadlands. A former goblin adventurer named Riley Gustborn has established an adventurer's refuge here, renting large tents whose fine amenities feel out of place for the setting. Riley is also the best source for tales of lost treasures rumored to be hidden in the many caverns that open up beneath the oasis.

Adventure Hook. A corruption has taken root in the underground streams feeding the Mother, shortly after an adventurer named Gulak Sandrunner delved into the underground caverns beneath the oasis. Riley Gustborn is anxious for other adventurers to follow Gulak's trail, find the source of this corruption, and end it. Characters who do so discover that an archway in the caverns connects to a poisoned world called Uvarys, and has been opened. A venomous blade carried by Gulak was secretly the key to the arch, which now poisons the water and fills the caverns with gray oozes, ochre jellies, and poison-corrupted grimlocks.

Built for five 3rd level character – D&D 2024

Strong Start

Several gray oozes come out of a nearby well and attack nearby folk.

Scenes

Goal: Find the Thorn of the Dead Forest in the poisoned caverns and use it to close the archway to Uvarys.

Dealing with the gray oozes
Investigating the well
Talking to Riley Gustborn
Exploring the poisoned caverns
Deal with the corruption / close the arch
Hurrah!

Secrets and Clues

The Mother is a source for natural underground water in the desolation of the Deadlands
Farmers, caravans, and merchants use the oasis as a stopover for hundreds of years.
There are several large caverns and numerous tunnels beneath the oasis.
Some believe there is a shrine filled with glorious treasure deep in the caverns.
Some whisper of twisted humanoids and other monstrosities that call the caverns home but these monstrosities rarely come to the surface.
The poioned abyssal realm of Uvarys is ruled over by a demon prince known as the Plaguebringer sometimes known as one of the Lower Twelve called Gelas Grimtouch.
Grimtouch is worshipped by unholy druids who believe death and rot are the ideal nature for all things.
The adventurer Gulak Sandrunner went into the lower caverns carrying a magical dagger. He's been gone three days and since then, people said they've been getting sick from the wellwater and plants are starting to look diseased.
Gulak's dagger, known as the Thorn of the Dead Forest, is a sacrificial dagger for the druids of the plaguebringer. It also serves as a key to the archway to Uvarys.
Druids of the Dead Forest have been seen lurking around Mother's Tears but disappear when followed.

Location

Entry from the irrigation well. Half-melted statue of the Plaguebringer.
Ancient Plaguebringer crypts.
Grimlock hovels.
Grimlock feasting hall.
Fresh altar to the Plaguebringer
Shrines of Four other members of the Lower Twelve
Shrine of the Plaguebringer
Ruined Statues and murals of dead worlds
Treasury of the Plaguebringers
Arch of Uvarys – rootbound bodies

NPCs

Riley Gustborn – Goblin adventurer and proprietor of the Mother's Embrace – the adventurer's camp at the oasis.
Gulak Sandrunner – a sly dwarf scout who took the Thorn of the Dead Forest into the caverns beneath the Mother.
Ava of the Gray Earth – Greedy faeriefolk druid (priest) of the Plaguebringer.

Monsters – LEB 4 – Max 3

Grimlocks of the Plaguebringer
Ogre zombie + grimlocks
Gray oozes
Ochre jellies
Gas spores and myconids
Giant toads

Treasure

59 CP, 114 SP 493 GP
8 × 10 GP Lapis lazulis (light and dark blue with yellow flecks)
Cloak of Protection (uncommon)
Thorn of the Dead Forest – +1 dagger. Once per day as a bonus action: Add 2d6 poison onto its next successful attack and poison the target for one round (DC 14 Con save). Once per day, as an action, cast Entangle.