Roots, Crimson Roots

The frontier town of Brightshore is working to build a lighthouse. However, Silvermere, a rival settlement farther down the coast, has secretly sabotaged the project by hiding a cursed totem deep within the nearby forest. The totem was crafted and planted by Antreli, a powerful hag living in the marshes to the east of the forest. Its magic slowly corrupts the land, making the woods increasingly dangerous—not just for logging, but for anyone who enters.

The local druid circle sensed a malevolent presence, but couldn't locate its source':' the totem had been placed on an overgrown islet in a secluded glade, shielded by nature and the expanding corruption.

As the corruption spread, forest animals became unnaturally aggressive, and local plants began to stir with a twisted awareness. A logging camp was attacked, and several workers were hurt. The druids halted all logging operations, but were unable to offer a clear explanation to either the loggers or the town’s mayor.

The mayor needs timber for the construction, the loggers want a steady livelihood, and the druid circle wants the fell presence out of their forest.