WH4.3 – Marsh Stalkers

• Suggested Level: 2–4
• Quest Giver(s): Cerris Fenwild (druid), or Freddie if rumors come via fishing routes.

Something is stalking the western marshes near Reedwatch—several fisherfolk haven’t returned, and a boat was found floating, half-full of water and tangled with clawed reeds. At first, the disappearances were blamed on swamp hazards or drunken slips—but now, even seasoned trappers speak of “shadows with eyes” watching them from the cattails.

Cerris Fenwild fears a migratory predator has taken residence… or worse, that some forgotten race of river-dwellers has emerged from deeper pools where even druids won’t walk. Warns of “old paths reawakening.”

Freddie – Heard rumors from passing traders and found a fishbasket that looked “gnawed, not snapped.” Freddie recalls that “the fish used to vanish like this… years ago. Before the floods.”

• DM NOTE: If pressed further, you can have Freddie elaborate depending on the demeanor or a Persuasion check
  • Freddie scratches his cheek, glancing toward the river with a look that doesn’t quite match his usual smile.
    • “Ah… the floods, eh? Aye, I remember. Not like the spring swells we get nowadays. I’m talkin’ the deep floods—about twenty-odd years ago, just before I came back from Hodnet with more scars than coin.”
    • “Whole stretches o’ marsh went under. Water rose up quick—fast as a blink. The old stone ferry pier downriver? Vanished. We found parts of it twisted in the trees days later. Trees drowned where they stood. Locals started talkin’ strange—sayin’ the river was angry, like somethin’ below had stirred.”
    • “I weren’t one for stories then, but I’ll tell you this: the fish changed. We’d cast lines and pull up things with translucent eyes, bent spines. Once, I caught a catfish with a mouth full o’ tiny human teeth. Swore I’d never drink again after that.”
    • “Then there were the lights — little green flickers in the reeds at night. Cerris said it was just swamp gas, but… they followed the boats sometimes. Stalked the riverbank. And then folks just stopped goin’ out after sundown. Can’t say I blame ‘em.”
  • He leans in, lowering his voice.
    • “They say the marsh took a price then — and it ain’t done collectin’ yet.”

Haren Brookfell – Knew one of the missing—Tamwell, a skilled fisher—and suspects something unnatural.

Entering the Reedmarshes

The fog rolls in heavy across the reed beds, thick enough to taste. You can hear water dripping — not from rain, but from something moving through the bog, slowly, with intent. Behind you, a heron screams and takes flight.

Then it goes quiet. Too quiet.

You swear you saw movement in the reeds. A ripple. A glint of scaled skin. Something just below the surface… watching.

Objectives

• Investigate the site of the last reported attack (near Blackwater Crossing).
• Survive (or reverse) a potential ambush.
• Discover who or what is behind the disappearances.
• Optional: Track the attackers to their lair or drive them from the marsh.

Rewards

• 5 gp pouch and silver locket found in the bogling lair (from a missing fisher).
• Bogling Fetish Charm (Wondrous Item, uncommon): Grants advantage on Stealth checks in marshland while worn, but emits a faint fishy smell.
• Inspiration or Favor from Cerris if players cleanse or seal the den with a druidic rite.

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Key Locations

1. Blackwater Crossing
   A tangle of sunken boards and half-drowned willows (left edge of the map among the reeds (or at your discretion). The missing punt is found here, with deep gouges in the wood and shredded rope.
2. Stalker’s Trail
   Survival (DC 13) to follow strange drag marks; Stealth (DC 14) to approach without being noticed.
3. Bogling Lurker Den (Optional)
   A partially submerged den formed in the roots of a fallen tree. May contain stolen items (fishing hooks, boots, a satchel), a half-finished reed idol, and one wounded bogling (non-combatant).

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Possible Combatants

• Bogling Lurkers (2–3): Now confirmed as the ambushers. Hide beneath the reeds and leap out.
• Swamp Stalker (optional elite): A stronger bogling variant or marsh-adapted predator (like a giant toad or reflavored lizardfolk).
• Reed Swarm: If the players fail a stealth or nature check, they may disturb biting insects that add pressure to the fight.

Bogling Lurker
Small aberration, CR ¼

• AC: 13 HP: 18 (4d6 + 4) Speed: 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
• STR 13, DEX 14, CON 12, INT 8, WIS 11, CHA 6
• Stealth +4, Perception +2, Darkvision 60 ft.
• Swamp Ambusher: Advantage on attacks from hidden or underwater.
• Claw x2: +4 to hit, 1d4+2 slashing
• Harpoon Toss (1/day): 1d8+2 piercing, pull target 10 ft (DC 12 STR to resist)

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Swamp Stalker (Elite Bogling)
Medium humanoid (swamp mutant), CR 1

• AC: 14 HP: 27 (6d8) Speed: 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
• STR 15, DEX 12, CON 14, INT 10, WIS 10, CHA 8
• Multiattack (2): Bite (1d6+2) and Claw (1d8+2)
• Swamp Camouflage: Advantage on Stealth in marsh or reeds
• Tongue Grab (Recharge 5–6): Pulls one Medium or smaller target within 15 ft. DC 12 STR save or be pulled 10 ft and restrained until end of next turn.

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Reed Swarm (Hazard or Terrain Effect)
Medium swarm of biting insects, CR ⅛

• AC: 12 HP: 22 Resistant to weapon damage
• Speed: 10 ft., fly 20 ft.
• Swarm: Occupies creature’s space
• Bite Swarm: +3 to hit, 1d4+1 piercing. Fails CON save (DC 10) → Disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) for 1 hour.

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DM Lore Guidance

Historical Floods as a Catalyst (20–25 years ago)

• Caused by a convergence of melting snow, heavy rains, and perhaps an ancient marsh seal weakening.
• Marked the awakening of dormant entities — possibly tied to Beory, aberrant elemental forces, or proto-Boglings.
• The Sunken Shrine beneath the river (optional future quest) was damaged then.

Impact on Local Life

• Fisherfolk and reedweavers still treat that era with reverence or quiet dread.
• Freddie had just returned from an “unsuccessful job” (a failed heist or guild war?).
• The coastal Shrine of Obad-Hai & Beory was rebuilt after the flood—Cerris Fenwild might mention “new growth from drowned roots.”

Strange Fauna

• Aberrant fish or mutated creatures began appearing for a few seasons.
• Bogling sightings occurred sporadically—believed to be swamp spirits or hallucinations.