The Goblin Market

The Hook

In the marsh-town of Wick's Hollow, a weaver named Sela Marrow corners the party outside the tavern, her hands raw from wringing them. Two winters ago her daughter Tansy was dying of the wasting fever. A peddler with too many teeth told her about a market that opens at the crossroads once a season, where anything can be bought — for the right price. Sela sold a year of Tansy's life to save the rest of them. Tansy lived. But now she is eight years old with a hole in her where seven-going-on-eight should be: she doesn't remember her last birthday, can't recall the dog that died, stares blankly when neighbors mention the flood that nearly took the mill. Tonight the market opens again — the last night it will open before the year fully ripens and is lost for good. Sela has eleven silver crowns, her wedding ring, and nowhere else to turn. She begs the party to go where she cannot go twice, and bring her daughter's year home.

🎭 The rest of this tale is the Dungeon Master's secret. You'll live it at the table.