Recommended Party Size: 2-4 players (scalable by GM for 1 player by reducing enemy numbers)

Estimated Duration: 1-2 threads (investigation/preparation, then clearing the location)

Quest Type: Repeatable Bounty / Side Quest

Prerequisites (If any): None.

Objective:

Details: Borin Stonebeard, a gruff but fair dwarf merchant who runs "Stonebeard's Storage Solutions" near the less glamorous side of the docks (or a similar warehouse district in your game's main city), has a recurring problem: giant rats. These aren't your common wharf rats; these are fist-sized, aggressive vermin that chew through crates, spoil valuable goods, and have even started nipping at his workers. He needs a group of capable individuals to enter one of his currently infested warehouses (Warehouse C this week!), clear out all the giant rats, and ensure their nest is destroyed. He's tired of hiring cheap amateurs who just scare them off for a day.

Primary Goal:

• Enter Warehouse C.
• Eliminate all Giant Rats within Warehouse C (GM determines number, e.g., 4-6 Giant Rats, potentially one slightly tougher "Alpha" or Dire Rat).
• Locate and destroy the primary rat nest within the warehouse.

Secondary Goals:

• Minimize damage to Borin's stored goods (avoiding excessive use of area-of-effect spells like burning hands near flammable materials).
• Find any clues as to how the rats are getting in (a gnawed hole, a loose grate, etc.) and report it to Borin.
• (Optional GM addition for variety) Recover a specific, inexpensive item that was dropped by a fleeing worker (e.g., a lucky charm, a set of tools).

Failure Conditions:

• The party causes excessive, wanton destruction to Borin's goods (GM discretion, but think setting half the warehouse on fire).
• The party is forced to retreat without clearing the majority of the rats or the nest.
• A party member is killed by the rats (quest isn't necessarily failed for the survivors, but it's a bad outcome).

Location: Warehouse C, Stonebeard's Storage Solutions. This is a moderately sized, single-story stone and timber building filled with stacked crates, barrels, and covered pallets of goods. It's currently locked and unoccupied by workers.

Timeline: Borin wants the warehouse cleared within 24-48 hours so he can get his workers back in. The rats are actively causing damage.

Difficulty Level: CR 1 (The combat challenge comes from multiple low-CR creatures, potentially with one slightly tougher variant).

Useful Skills/Abilities:

Skills:

• Perception: To spot hidden rats, traps (if any, GM discretion for simple ones like a loose floorboard), the nest, and potential entry points.
• Stealth: To approach rats unnoticed for a surprise round or to avoid alerting multiple groups at once.
• Survival: To track rats if they scatter, or to identify signs of their activity and nest location.
• Disable Device: If Borin mentions a simple lock on a particular crate he doesn't want opened, or if there's a simple trap.
• Heal: For any bites or injuries.
• Knowledge (Dungeoneering or Nature): To know basic rat tactics or weaknesses.

Abilities:

• Combat proficiency (melee and/or ranged).
• Low-light vision or darkvision is helpful, as warehouses can be dim.
• Spells or abilities that can target multiple weak foes, or single-target damage for tougher ones.
• Channel Energy (for healing or harming, if applicable).

Potential Challenges:

Threats:

• Packs of Giant Rats: These form the primary opposition. They may attack in groups of 2-3.
• A Dire Rat or a "Brood Mother" (a slightly larger, tougher Giant Rat with max HP) might be guarding the nest.
• Environmental Hazards (minor):
• Crates might be precariously stacked, potentially toppling if disturbed heavily (Reflex save DC 10 to avoid being knocked prone or taking 1d4 nonlethal damage).
• Some areas might be dark, providing concealment for rats.
• Dust and cobwebs (mostly atmospheric, but could cause a coughing fit/minor distraction on a failed Fort save if a player is particularly sensitive or unlucky).

Environmental Factors

Weather: Irrelevant inside the warehouse, but the approach could be affected by typical city weather.

Terrain:

• Indoors: Flat wooden or stone floor.
• Cluttered: Many crates, barrels, and sacks providing cover and obstacles. This can be used by both players and rats. Aisles might be narrow.
• Lighting: Dim light, with some areas in darkness (underneath large stacks of crates, deep corners). Borin might provide a cheap lantern or two if asked.

NPCs:

Allies:

• Borin Stonebeard: (See Quest Giver). He will not accompany the party.

Enemies:

• Giant Rats (CR 1/3): The main fodder. GM can use 3-6 of these.
• Dire Rat (CR 1/3): One or two as a tougher encounter, or a single one as a "boss" near the nest. (A single Dire Rat is CR 1/3, but combined with other rats, it contributes to an overall CR 1 encounter. Alternatively, a GM could use a diseased Giant Rat for a bit more threat).
• GM Note: For a true CR 1 encounter with multiple foes, you'd typically aim for an XP budget around 400. Four Giant Rats (135 XP each = 540 XP) is slightly over, but manageable for a party of 3-4. Three Giant Rats and one Dire Rat is 135*3 + 135 = 540 XP. Adjust numbers based on party size and perceived player skill. Perhaps 3 Giant Rats (405 XP total) for a smaller or less experienced party.

Quest Giver:

Name: Borin Stonebeard

Description: A stout dwarf with a meticulously braided brown beard adorned with a few plain iron rings. He wears a sturdy leather apron over practical clothes and usually has a ledger tucked under one arm. He sounds perpetually annoyed but is fair in his dealings. He values efficiency and dislikes messes.

Rewards:

• Experience Points (XP): 400 XP (total, to be divided or per player as per your game's rules).
• Bonus XP:
• +50 XP for identifying the rats' entry point.
• +25 XP for minimizing damage to goods (GM discretion).
• +25 XP for recovering the optional dropped item (if included).
• Gold Pieces (GP): 75 GP (total).
• Bonus GP: +25 GP if the job is done exceptionally cleanly and quickly (e.g., all rats dealt with in one combat, minimal fuss).
• Items:
• Consumables:
• Borin might offer the party a couple of Torches or a flask of Oil upfront.
• Upon successful completion, he might toss in a vial of Antitoxin or a Potion of Cure Light Wounds (CL 1) "for their trouble."
• Mundane Treasure (Potentially):
• If the party finds a crate that was already broken open by rats and contains something minor and non-perishable (e.g., a few pounds of cheap spices, some common tools), Borin might let them keep a small portion as a "salvage fee."
• Reputation: A small positive reputation gain with Borin Stonebeard. If this quest is repeated successfully, he might offer slightly better pay or more important (but still low-level) tasks in the future, or provide discounts if he sells goods.
• Penalties:
• Significant, unnecessary damage to goods will result in a reduction of the GP reward (e.g., -25 to -50 GP).
• If the party fails to clear the nest properly and rats return quickly, Borin will be displeased and unlikely to hire them again for this task.