Steeped in Mystery

**Steeped in Mystery** is a series of quests given by Gramma that serves as an introduction to The Fairhaven Coven.

## Dialogue

Quest intro:

* Gramma: Atchoo!
* Tara: Are your allergies acting up?
* Gramma: No, it’s all the dust in the front room. But sweeping makes my back ache, so I’ve turned a blind eye for – oh, months now.
* Tara: But that’s exactly what I’m here to help with, Gramma!
* Gramma: Then would you mind showing those dust bunnies the front door? There’s a broom in my room you can use.
* Tara: You wait out here. Those dust bunnies have no idea what’s coming for them.
* [Tara starts sweeping.]
* Tara: I’ll have to move this rug to make real headway.
* [Tara removes the rug.]
* Tara: Woah. Is that an actual trapdoor? Jeez, Gramma, what are you keeping down there?
* [Approaches Gramma outside.]
* Tara: So… the trapdoor under the rug…
* Gramma: Hmm?
* Tara: What is it for? Preserves and pickles? Or old machinery?
* Gramma: It’s not important, honeybee. Will you be out and about tonight?
* Tara: Probably, but-
* Gramma: Could you fetch me some moonflower? It only blooms after sunset. You’ll know it by the white blossoms. See, my moonflower tea blend makes me feel so healthy, I get a blush on these ol’ cheeks! Go right past Parker’s workshop into the woods and you’ll find what you need.
* Tara: I… feel like I’m getting redirected here.
* Gramma: At my age, it’s awfully hard to hear certain things. Did you put the rug back in place?
* Tara: Yes Gramma, but… are you brewing moonshine down there? You can tell me if you’re brewing moonshine.
* Gramma: I can already taste that tea!
* [Gramma heads inside.]
* Tara: *That* was normal.

Part 1: Go into the woods at night and pick a moonflower.

* Tara: Hello? Who’s there? I probably shouldn’t spy on the strange people creepily creeping through the woods at night…
* High Priestess: Come along, Elder Hazel.
* Gramma: Don’t rush me, I’m coming…
* Tara: Gramma? Where did she go? She shouldn’t be out here at night!
* High Priestess: Elder Hazel, this is the third time you’ve come to the circle without your robe and mask. This is an unacceptable risk.
* Gramma: It’s time for us to come out of hiding! The town won’t be afraid of witches if they know that we’re their neighbors…
* Farseer: People seem nice, until the day comes when they need a scapegoat for their troubles. Then people become mobs.
* Gramma: I didn’t bring Tara here so she could skulk around like she’s doing something wrong just by being who she is!
* High Priestess: So you think your intuition was right, then? She has the gift? When will she be ready to join us?
* Tara: Join them?
* Farseer: Ya hear somethin’?
* Tara: Uh-oh!

Part 2: Wait until Gramma returns to ask her about the forest.

* Tara: Gramma? So… can we talk about the fact that I saw you with some people in masks and robes in the woods last night?
* Gramma: It would be nice to talk… after I’ve had some tea.
* Tara: Gramma…
* Gramma: Yes, some tea would really hit the spot!

Part 3: Make Gramma some Restorative Tea.

* Gramma: Oh my, you make a very potent brew! Here’s the key to the basement that you asked about.
* Tara: But the hooded strangers…
* Gramma: Go on down, my dear. It will all make sense, I promise.

Part 4: See what lies beneath the trapdoor under the rug.

* Tara: okay, I definitely have more questions than answers now. Is that… a cauldron?
* Gramma: Not just any cauldron, your cauldron!
* Tara: What? I’m not a…
* Gramma: Witch? Oh my dear, yes you are! No layperson could make a brew like that on her first try! I feel as spry as I did fifty years ago! This basement is your sanctum. You have your cauldron of course…
* Tara: Wait! Is Dad a witch, or warlock, or…
* Gramma: Arthur? Hahaha! No, honeybee. He’s more… conventional, I’m afraid. But I saw that spark of magic in your eyes the first time I held you! I’ve always known you would be an extraordinary witch! But the coven needs proof before they’ll accept you.
* Tara: Coven?
* Gramma: Those folks in the woods, of course! They put a charm on the bramble wall, so you’ll need a wand to open it!
* Tara: This is kind of a lot to learn all at once.
* Gramma: I understand, honeybee. When you’re ready, read this incantation before the special silver willow in the woods. Then you’ll have a branch to make your first wand.
	+ [If spoken to again before completing quest]
* Tara: Um, so there’s a magic tree in the woods? How will I know which one it is?
* Gramma: Haven’t you seen it? There’s a little fence around it with a plaque. It’s a landmark – old as the town itself! You haven’t tried to chop it down, have you?
* Tara: Nope. Not me. Absolutely not.
* Gramma: Oh good! The whole town would never forgive someone who chopped down that tree! Read this incantation in front of the tree. If it decides you are worthy, it will gift you a branch for your wand!
* Tara: And if it… doesn’t decide I’m worthy?
* Gramma: Why would that happen? My aunt Vivian got her branch from the tree, and so did I!

Part 5: Read the incantation Gramma gave you while standing next to the silver willow tree in the woods.

* Tara: Let’s see, the inscription says… If I be worthy, Ancient Tree, Give a silver branch to me! … please?
* [A branch floats down from the tree.]
* Tara: Wow! I mean… thanks, magic tree!

Part 6: Read the incantation Gramma gave you while standing next to the Bramble Gate in the woods.

* Gramma: Is your wand ready?
* Tara: Yes, look!
* Gramma: Careful where you point that thing! Oh my, you have a lot to learn! It’s time for you to meet the coven! Are you ready to go?
	+ [Choice: Maybe later]
* Tara: I still have some other things to do today.
* Gramma: All right, let me know when you’re ready.
	+ [Choice: Yes]
* Tara: Sure, let’s go!
* [Transition: Night, forest in front of brambles.]
* Gramma: Okay, the brambles only allow friends of the coven through, so this incantation helps it to identify you. Once it meets you, it’ll know you’re a friend and let you through from now on. Say the spell when you’re ready.
* Tara: *A friend of the coven comes to you. Unravel your brambles and let me through!*
* [Brambles unravel.]
* Tara: It worked!
* Gramma: Well done! Now, let’s head on up!