Storyline

Taron Kester was regarded as the finest hunter in Saltmarsh, a man who knew every creature track along the Dunwater River and could vanish for days into the Drowned Forest without leaving a trace. He would bring back rare hides and trophies from rare creatures living in the dangerous region.

He was known to keep a small hunting shack somewhere in the heart of the Drowned Forest, a lonely refuge where he would skin his quarry, salt the hides, and bundle them for the long journey home.

Six months ago, Taron set out on another hunt and never returned. Captain Eliander Fireborn led a small search party of guards and volunteers from the Hoolwatch Tower, but no sign of the hunter was ever found. Most turned back before venturing far into the Drowned Forest, whispering of strange creatures and noises.

His younger sister, Kiorna Kester, still runs the family business, Kester's Leather Goods. Though most have accepted that her brother met his end in the forest, she has not.

• Starting Location: Kester's Leather Goods, Wicker Goat, Hoolwatch Tower

• Levels: Any

• Player Handout: Hides Wanted Notice

• Missing Hunter: A fresh notice on the job board outside Kester’s Leathers (see Hides Wanted Notice). Meeting with Kiorna Kester and her family can help direct the party to the Drowned Forest.

• Captain Fireborn: Eliander Fireborn recalls leading a search party along the Dunwater River. They found no tracks, camp, or sign of Taron. After a month, he eventually called off the search, fearing he was dead. He urges the party to speak with Kiorna Kester, the hunter’s sister.

• Rumors: In taverns, wild tales of the lost hunter; taken by spirits, monsters, or the Hool Marsh Moss that devours creatures. Any inquiries, they tell the party to speak to Kirona at Kester's Leather Goods.

Kiorna offers the party 200 gold pieces as a reward for any news or belongings recovered from her brother. Should they return with his remains for a proper burial, she grants them something far greater, a suit of finely crafted studded leather armor, forged from rare hides and silver drawn from the dwarven mines. It is both a token of gratitude and a memorial to her lost brother.

Kester's Gift of Studded Leather

Uncommon (unique, handcrafted)
Armor (light), requires attunement

• AC 13 + Dex modifier.

• Advantage on checks to resist grapple or restraint by natural creatures (beasts, monstrosities, plants).

• Once per long rest, you can add +2 to a single saving throw against poison, disease, or spore effects (reaction).

• Exceptionally made and silver-studded. Worth 250 gp.

Description:

A supple coat of storm-gray leather, polished with oils and saltwater wax. Tiny silver studs catch the light like scales and four pearl inlays shimmer faintly. Inside the collar, stitched script: “Taron. The tide takes, but the craft remains.”

The quest can tie into other quests on the Dunwater River and/or Drowned Forest.

Whispers by the River

Decanter of Endless Water