Investigate the Wither in Havenport#

Status#

Active. A subquest of Havenport. The Wither — the same pestilence, hollowing and blight that originated in the Thornwood Vale — has been taking victims in Havenport for roughly 15 years, since House Westermere fell. Source: 2026.09.22, 2026.09.29.

Timeline#

~15 years ago: House Westermere falls in a House Wulfhelm coup. The family vanishes instantly. A black wall of force blocks the undercroft. The Wither begins creeping into Havenport. Source: 2026.09.29.
First 5–10 years: 2–3 individuals a year are taken. Source: 2026.09.29.
Last 5–6 years: the town begins to fall apart. The Wither accelerates. Source: 2026.09.29.
Concurrently: Odine’s black vine markings appeared on her arm ~15 years ago, around age 10–11. Source: 2026.05.12, 2026.09.29.

What’s Known#

Symptoms: people get tired and sick, stop eating, stop talking. “It’s like watching somebody disappear before their body’s gotten the message. Black veins begin to crawl beneath their skin.” — Mauve Marigold. Source: 2026.09.29.
The Wither is the entity’s corruption — the same malignant energy or magic behind the mist entity in the Vale. Source: 2026.05.12, 2026.09.22.
The undercroft may be the source: the convergence of the ethereal and material planes beneath Westermere Manor is suspected to be connected to the rise in deaths. Unconfirmed. Source: 2026.09.22, 2026.09.29.
Hesta Cole tends the victims as a practical healer but has reached her limits. Source: 2026.09.29.
Odine Dunmere showed Mauve her arm markings and earned her trust when Mauve recognized the Wither. Source: 2026.09.29.
Samantha Westermere said the wall wasn’t there in her lifetime and is likely tied to the Curtain. Source: 2026.09.22.
Past attempts at the veil: priests have prayed at the veil and tried to bless the undercroft’s burial site, and a House Corwyn hedge mage studied it for three days. None of it worked. Source: 2026.10.06.
Hesta can’t be spared: Mauve would not let Hesta Cole leave the sick even briefly: “we may lose another life this evening.” Mauve also refused Cassian’s suggestion to ask dying victims for their life force. Source: 2026.10.06.

Leads#

Mauve Marigold — has first-hand knowledge of the 15-year progression and believes Westermere brought something into the manor they couldn’t control. Source: 2026.09.29.
Hesta Cole — has seen the Wither’s progress in Havenport up close. How many victims? What’s the current state? Source: 2026.09.29.
Odine Dunmere — her markings and family history in the Vale are a direct parallel. What does the timing tell us?
The black veil / the Curtain — is the convergence beneath the manor the cause of the Wither’s spread?
House Westermere — what did they bring into the manor?

Next Steps#

Talk to Hesta Cole about the current state of the Wither in Havenport.
Determine whether the Wither’s appearance in Havenport is connected to the Westermere fall or is a separate outbreak.
Explore the relationship between the Curtain, the black veil, and the Wither’s spread.