Darkthorne

A mysterious weed has begun spreading across the Eastern countryside, strangling the life out of all plants it encounters. It has been rumored that this weed will even attack creatures, and possesses a swift and deadly grasp.

Origin
No one really knows where Darkthorne orginally came from, but it is believe it is the major cause of the famine in the easternlands. This has caused some fear, as it has been reported to be found in the West now as well, and could threaten to bring starvation to the entire land.

Horace's Farm
After employing the adventurers to help at the farm, it was discovered that a large quantity of Darkthorne weeds had destroyed his crop. Upon further investigation, the party found that an old oak tree on a small hill had been dead for some time, and a giant Darkthorne plant had filled the inside of the husk.

Later, the party discovered a mysterious man, and learned that he had been planting black seeds in Horace's farm, and in the area around it, causing Darkthorne to spread there. But before he could be questioned, he decieved the party and made an escape, he was shot down as he tried to flee.