Guild Instructions: A renowned local brewer, Master Alric, is in need of assistance in uncovering the secrets behind a strange batch of brew. The guild requires a party of capable adventurers to investigate the matter. Head to Alric’s Brew House in the outskirts of the town to meet him and offer your assistance. Register with the guild clerk before proceeding.
Reward:
- 100 gold coins for completing the quest successfully
- A keg of Alric’s finest brew for each party member
- Reputation gain with the local brewing community
Difficulties:
- Moderate difficulty: This quest is suitable for level one characters and emphasizes problem-solving and investigation rather than combat.
- Time constraint: The party has three days to complete the quest before Master Alric must present the brew to an important client.
Problems:
- Suspicious Ingredients: Master Alric suspects that someone tampered with his usual ingredients, causing the strange flavor and effects of the brew. The party needs to identify the tampered ingredient(s) and find a suitable replacement.
- Hidden Recipe: The recipe for Alric’s brew has been stolen from his brew house. Without it, the party must gather clues and information to recreate the recipe from scratch.
- Rival Brewer: A rival brewer, Bartholomew, has been spreading rumors about Master Alric’s brew, trying to undermine his reputation. The party might encounter Bartholomew and need to handle the situation diplomatically.
Who to Ask for More Information: The guild clerk will provide basic information about the quest, including Master Alric’s location and any known details. For more specific information, the party can speak directly with Master Alric, who will be available at his Brew House.
Environments:
- Alric’s Brew House: Located in the outskirts of town, the Brew House is a quaint building with a large fermentation room, storage area, and a cozy tasting room. The party can interact with Alric and learn about the brewing process while investigating the issue.
- Local Market: The party may need to visit the local market to gather ingredients for the brew or seek information from the townsfolk who frequently visit the market square.
- Herbalist’s Shop: To identify the tampered ingredient(s), the party can visit the local herbalist’s shop. The shopkeeper might possess valuable knowledge about rare herbs and plants used in brewing.
- Rival Brewer’s Brewery: If the party chooses to confront Bartholomew, they may find themselves at his brewery. The brewery might be guarded or have traps set up to deter unwanted visitors. Diplomacy and negotiation skills will be useful in handling the situation.
Tags: Brewing, Investigation, Mystery, Recipe, Sabotage
When registering for the quest, the party approaches the guild clerk stationed at the job board. The clerk verifies their membership and provides them with the necessary details and instructions. They are also given a small parchment with additional information. The clerk emphasizes the following warnings:
- Time Constraint: The party is informed that they have three days to complete the quest before Master Alric needs to present the brew to an important client. Failing to meet the deadline will result in the quest’s failure.
- Non-Combat Focus: The quest is described as being more focused on problem-solving, investigation, and social interactions rather than combat encounters. The party should be prepared to use their skills and abilities in those areas.
- Brewing Knowledge: While not essential, the party is advised that having some basic knowledge of brewing or alchemy could prove useful during the quest. It may aid in identifying ingredients or understanding the brewing process.
The additional information provided on the parchment includes:
- Master Alric’s Brew House location: Directions to reach the outskirts of town where Alric’s Brew House is situated.
- Suspected Ingredients: A list of the known ingredients used in the brew that Master Alric suspects might have been tampered with. The list includes barley, hops, yeast, and a few unidentified herbs.
- Missing Recipe: A mention of the stolen recipe from Alric’s Brew House, highlighting the party’s need to gather clues and recreate it.
- Rival Brewer: A brief description of Bartholomew, the rival brewer, who has been spreading rumors. The party is encouraged to handle any encounters with him diplomatically.
- Time Limit: The party is reminded once again of the three-day time constraint, with a clear indication that failing to complete the quest within the given time will result in failure.
The guild clerk assures the party that if they have any further questions or need clarification, they should feel free to ask before embarking on the quest.
Guide-Manager’s Notes: “The Mysterious Brew” Quest
- Step 1: Introduction
- Upon arriving at Alric’s Brew House, the party is greeted by Master Alric, a seasoned brewer, who explains the situation. He describes the strange flavor and effects of his latest batch of brew and suspects foul play.
- Master Alric requests the party’s assistance in identifying the tampered ingredient(s) and locating the stolen recipe.
- He provides the party with a small sample of the brew for analysis, allowing them to experience its effects firsthand.
- Step 2: Investigating the Brew
- The party examines the brew sample, attempting to identify the primary flavors and any unusual or unfamiliar elements.
- They can use their knowledge of brewing, alchemy, or relevant skills to gain insight into potential tampering.
- Step 3: Conversing with Master Alric
- The party engages in a detailed conversation with Master Alric to gather additional information about the brewing process, usual ingredients, and any recent occurrences or suspicious incidents.
- Master Alric shares his suspicion that someone with knowledge of his brewing methods might be involved.
- Step 4: Gathering Clues at Alric’s Brew House
- The party thoroughly searches the Brew House for any hidden clues or signs of tampering. They can investigate the fermentation room, storage area, and the surrounding premises.
- The party might find a torn piece of parchment or a broken container that could serve as valuable evidence.
- Step 5: Interacting with the Local Market
- The party heads to the local market to gather information from merchants and townsfolk who have recently purchased or consumed Master Alric’s brew.
- They can inquire about any peculiar experiences, possible encounters with suspicious individuals, or strange ingredients they may have noticed.
- Step 6: Visiting the Herbalist’s Shop
- The party seeks the assistance of the local herbalist, known for their extensive knowledge of plants and herbs.
- The herbalist may provide guidance on identifying the mysterious herbs found in the brew and suggest potential replacements for any tampered ingredients.
- Step 7: Tracking Down Bartholomew
- The party investigates the rumors spread by Bartholomew, the rival brewer, and attempts to locate him.
- They can gather information from townsfolk, visit his brewery, or engage in conversations with Bartholomew’s acquaintances to learn more about his motivations and potential involvement in the tampering.
- Step 8: Confronting Bartholomew
- If the party finds Bartholomew, they engage in a diplomatic conversation or negotiation, aiming to uncover his intentions and potentially gather evidence of his involvement.
- Depending on the party’s choices and skills, they may persuade Bartholomew to confess, strike a deal, or gather valuable information to present to Master Alric.
- Step 9: Recipe Reconstruction
- Armed with the gathered clues, the party attempts to recreate the stolen recipe.
- They combine their knowledge of brewing, the identified ingredients, and any hints obtained during the quest to recreate the brew to the best of their abilities.
- Step 10: Presenting the Findings to Master Alric
- The party returns to Alric’s Brew House and presents their findings to Master Alric, including the tampered ingredient(s), evidence of Bartholomew’s involvement, and the reconstructed recipe.
- Master Alric is grateful for the party’s efforts and rewards them accordingly.
- Step 11: Brewing the Correct Batch
- With the tampered ingredient(s) replaced and the recipe reconstructed, the party assists Master Alric in brewing a fresh, correct batch of his renowned brew.
- They can actively participate in the brewing process, showcasing their knowledge and ensuring a successful outcome.
- Step 12: Quest Completion
- Once the fresh batch is brewed, Master Alric expresses his gratitude and acknowledges the party’s contributions.
- The guild clerk validates the completion of the quest, rewarding the party with the agreed-upon rewards and documenting their success.