Bogbrook

Bogbrook is a muddy, unkempt farming village named for a spring that rises to the east of the Star¬water River and forms a small marsh that flows into the river. The town is known for its melons, squash, and cranberries, which grow in sufficient quanti¬ty to supply most of the Dragonmere region. The houses in Bogbrook are built of stone with slanted stone roofs covered with boards and turf so that the rooftops themselves appear to be small garden hills. This provides adequate drainage for the tomatoes and melons, keeping them dry and making it easier to harvest. Some families supplement their income by gathering catfish, crayfish, trout, and frogs from the bogs using hook lines baited with nightcrawlers, bits of fat, or moldy cheese. The village also produce a fiery black wine known as utterdark whose strong, slightly salty flavor is something of an acquired taste. The process to pro¬duce utterdark is kept secret and different families in Bogbrook often alter the recipe by including var¬ious spices or juices to produce their own varieties. While it is not widely popular it is a favorite of many quartermasters on the Sea of Fallen Stars due to its potency and many chefs love its ability to mask the flavor of spoiled or poor quality ingredients. Utterdark sells for 1 gp a bottle in Bogbrook, but it is twice that in Suzail, Marsember, and Sembia. It can go for six times as much in Waterdeep. Visitors to Bogbrook are advised to stay on marked paths and travel only during the day to avoid the many hazardous pits of quicksand that surround the village.