Mabar - The Endless Night

[Aramis Simara]

Hello all,

I need some ideas for my current Eberron campaign. Here is some background information. The party is currently traveling to Mistmarch in Breland and then on to the Faded Forest. There goal is to try and collect some valuable acorns from the rare Ghost oak and Dragoneye oak trees. They also plan on investigating the portal to the plane of Mabar, The Endless Night. Not a very nice place. According to the 5 Nations book the residents of Mistmarch have a higher standard of living due to them harvesting the rare acorns from the Faded Forest every year.

I'm trying to come up with a reason why the acorns are so valuable. I'm currently looking at the rare spell component angle. Since the gate to Mabar is so close I'm thinking the gate has effected the trees/acorns in some why. The problem I'm having is trying to determine what spell the acorns are used in. Every spell I come up with has a dark or evil feel and I can't justify the reason the good people of Mistmarch would risk their lives to collect acorns that we're going to be used for evil purposes.

Any ideas out there either with the acorns being used as a spell component or other uses?

Thanks.

 

[Grymar]

It doesn't have to be a spell component.

How about the fact that with the nearby gate, the trees have to be stronger to survive with the nearby leakage of negative energy. When taken out of the area, these acorns grow in to oaks of unusual size and health and eventually can be harvested for some of the best wood outside of the Arenal forests.

 

[BlackMoria]

The acorns can be such that a single acorn, when consumed, provides the equivalent of a full day of food. That alone would make them valuable.

 

[Aramis Simara]

It doesn't have to be a spell component.

How about the fact that with the nearby gate, the trees have to be stronger to survive with the nearby leakage of negative energy. When taken out of the area, these acorns grow in to oaks of unusual size and health and eventually can be harvested for some of the best wood outside of the Arenal forests.

Grymar, good idea, I like it. They grow very fast when planted outside the Faded Forest area. The wood is used for magical staffs and maybe ever air ships. Thanks.

 

[JustKim]

Is magic the only thing of value in your world? People like to eat food. Food with a unique taste that can't be easily found is valuable on a very basic level. In the real world, rare foods have historically been some of the most valuable substances. How about taking the realistic approach? The acorns are valuable because supply does not meet demand.

The acorns can be such that a single acorn, when consumed, provides the equivalent of a full day of food. That alone would make them valuable.

I can't empathize with this at all. Who would buy such a thing except adventurers with too much money? Eating a full meal is a pleasant experience for most people, so an expensive acorn that eliminates the need for eating will most likely not roll off the wagons.

 

[Sejs]

Grown in the proper conditions, the wood has particular properties. Maybe it's semi-transparent, or can regrow from cuttings if kept watered.

Both would be exceptionally useful for craftsmen if they knew how to work with it.