Once in the distant past of Dunstrand there stood a shrine of Elancil along the river’s course. The Lords of the Riverlands did not venerate her, but since the river flowed tot he sea, they at least paid tribute to her. When the river changed course, this practice was stopped. Now, in ever lengthening periods, every generation or-so, those which have drowned in the river and are carried away rise to walk again. It is a ‘plague’ visited on the Riverdans for not paying tribute to the Queen of the Sea – though they see her as an enemy, part of the forces which ruined their once prominent position in Dunstrand.
When: The drowned always walk on nights of the new moon, when there is no light at night.
Additional jobs defending settlements near the river (on both sides) could
be rewarded well.
East River Run: Have the PC’s help across the river (they will pay better) and have them befriended by a local family. This same family may have soldiers in Cerran’s Grant that the PC’s would have to attack later, if they follow the ‘Restoring Tradition’ plot – making them choose their long term allegiance.
The tradition paying tribute to the Sea Queen could be resurrected in the Riverdans. This would create much hostility towards them from everyone around them – yet just to spite their neighbors, a bold family may put it forward. There would be much arguing over where the shrine should go. One lord could build one, making just their fief target of scorn, but the other river lords should, over time, come to see the benefit (perhaps next year, the dead return but leave that fief alone). Ultimately, the area of Cerran’s Grant makes the most sense, but that would mean open war with East River Run’s occupying forces. There is much danger here and the party could be hired
as a squad in the forces of one of the river lords.