Kira Coldspring: The Hunt for Jorsh

Exterior Description

The heart of Belladonna is a lively stone-paved square surrounded by three-story buildings, whose architecture blends elven curve and human function. Flower boxes overflow from upper windows, and colorful laundry strings between balconies like festival banners. A central fountain carved from pale marble depicts the mythical Hart of Yew, a sacred stag said to guard lost travelers.

Around the square are cobbled alleys leading to various guildhouses, shops, and homes. By morning, it bustles with market stalls; by night, it glows with lanterns strung across iron hooks and enchanted lights swaying on gusts of magic.

Two notable features line up on the wester edge of the square: Mira’s Apothecary and the The Whispering Well.

Interior Description

1. Mira’s Apothecary (“Herbs & Whispers”)

Front Room: Shelves packed with dried herbs, potion vials, bundled roots, glowing spores, and small charms. A glass case displays special potions (labeled but locked).
Counter Area: Scales, ledgers, and an enchanted talking raven named Grackle who gossips freely unless told to hush.
Back Room: Workbench with alchemical tools, drying racks, and two sleeping cots — one for Mira and one for her cat, Vixie (who may or may not be a disguised familiar).
Basement: Accessible via ladder — stores older tomes and failed experiments. There’s a hidden niche behind a stone shelf (see Hidden Section).

2. The Whispering Well

1. Shaft Descent

The descent begins with carved stone but quickly gives way to rough masonry. Around 30 feet down, the walls begin to sweat with moisture, and glowing green moss appears. At 55 feet, the shaft widens into a circular chamber — a crumbled access hub with three tunnels branching off.

2. Forgotten Aqueduct

This passage leads to a flooded aqueduct, thigh-deep in brackish water. Cracked statues of elven origin line the wall — their faces worn smooth. Faint chanting sometimes echoes from nowhere.
Trap: Pressure plate releases a burst of necrotic gas (DC 14 CON save or take 3d6 necrotic).
Contents: Old water-purification sigils still glow faintly, causing minor illusions or hallucinations.

3. Ancient Cistern Hall

A vast vaulted chamber once used for water storage, now drained and dry. The ceiling is covered in stalactites, several of which contain embedded bones. A broken metal pipe leaks oily black fluid from the ceiling into a circular pool.
Central Feature: A massive stone wellhead surrounded by runes. It pulses with energy and connects to the lower catacombs.
Enemies: One Whispering Sludge and two Mutated Rats (from consuming the black ichor).

4. Sealed Door of the Elder Drain

A massive circular bronze door sealed with three arcane locks. Symbols include an eye, a key, and a spiral.

Opening Puzzle:

Eye: Requires casting Detect Magic in the chamber
Key: Hidden in the elven statue’s mouth in the aqueduct
Spiral: A rotating floor tile puzzle must align spirals with flow markers (INT check DC 15)

Beyond the door lies a vault filled with ancient relics and the deeper tunnels (future expansion).

Stat Blocks

Mira Vensh, Elven Apothecary (CR 1)
Medium humanoid (elf), neutral good
AC: 12 | HP: 27 | Speed: 30 ft.
STR 8 | DEX 12 | CON 10 | INT 16 | WIS 14 | CHA 11
Skills: Medicine +6, Arcana +5, Nature +5, Insight +4
Tools: Alchemist’s supplies +6
Languages: Common, Elvish, Sylvan
Abilities:
- Potion Mastery: Can identify potions instantly and mix a basic healing potion (2d4+2) in 10 minutes with ingredients
- Soothing Aura (1/day): All allies in 20 ft. gain advantage on fear saves for 1 minute
- Quick Remedy (Bonus Action): Neutralize poison or reduce infection once per short rest

Grackle (Enchanted Raven Familiar)
AC: 13 | HP: 5 | Mimics voices, gossips, but obeys Mira
Special: Can cast Message once per day

Backstory

Once a court alchemist in Yew’s capital, Mira was disillusioned after the Minister of Trade began hoarding rare alchemical reagents. She left quietly and took up residence in Belladonna. Despite her gentle manner, Mira still tracks the Minister’s smuggling routes and communicates in secret with someone in the royal court.

Mira sees potential in Kira Coldspring and has taken a quiet protective role in her life.

Side Quest

"The Scent of Silence"
Quest Giver: Mira Vensh
Hook: Mira’s flower supplier is missing and strange dreams plague those near the square fountain.
Objective:

Track the supplier into the eastern woods
Uncover a planar rift and choose to seal it, harvest from it, or report it

Reward:

Potion of Dreamless Sleep
Veilwalker’s Token — cast Misty Step or Detect Thoughts once

Completion by Kira may reveal info on Jorsh and Varis.

Hidden Chamber / Puzzle / Treasure

Location: Basement of Mira’s Apothecary
Puzzle: Behind a moveable herb rack is a hidden niche with three vials: green, silver, and red.
Incorrect order: sprays stinging spores (1d6 poison)
Correct Order: Silver → Red → Green (matches journal entry)
Contents:

Planar Lens Crystal (shows invisible creatures/doorways, 3 charges)
Note: “If Varis moves the trade east, warn the girl. The key lies in Hemlock.”

Monsters

Optional Night Encounter near the Fountain
Flicker Wraiths (2–4)
Tiny incorporeal undead, neutral evil
AC: 15 | HP: 18
Abilities:

Incorporeal Movement
Dream Drain: DC 13 WIS save or suffer disadvantage on Wisdom checks until long rest
Flicker Shift: Teleports 15 ft. leaving behind a ghostly afterimage

DUNGEON MASTERS ONLY

Location: Belladonna - Town Square & Residential District