Act 1 Overview — Super Mario: Roots of Ruin

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Arriving in Gearonia

After a long trip, Mario, Luigi, Bubb, and Finnie arrive at Gearonia Docks. Bubb instructs Mario to make his way north and find Spinach Settlement in Spiritsong Forest. There, he can meet with Sagetoad and figure out next steps.
Mario heads north through the Gearonia Coast and into Spiritsong Forest. On his way, he passes through Surging Shores and Bubblegrass Grotto.

Upon entering Spiritsong Forest, Mario first stumbles upon the Abandoned Residence. A crowd of onlookers is chattering about something in the distance.
Mario scales above the forest canopy and finds a perfect view of the Rogue Sapling along the mountain range in northern Valley's End.
While here, the Sapling lets out a deafening roar and launches an deluged chunk of wood into the air through its trunk. The chunk happens to impact right next to the residence. The area is quickly evacuated.
After leaving the residence, Mario ventures through Vegetable Vale before finally arriving at Spinach Settlement.

Mario arrives at Spinach Settlement and is promptly beckoned to Sagetoad's residence.
Sagetoad explains the crisis facing the forest and the trapped research team, and recounts his own debilitating run-in with the Umbral Deluge.
He then directs Mario to find a tinkerer in the settlement, who may have an item that will help on his travels. Afterwards, he should return to Vegetable Vale and make way for the Deep Forest Checkpoint.
The tinkerer gives Mario an item that allows him to perform the Roll Dash.

Mario returns to Vegetable Vale, using the Roll Dash to discover a new path.
He heads north through Biggler Way, Romaine Ruins, The Mire, and Slipslide Swamp.
Near the edge of the swamp, Mario ends up being kidnapped by Mudzie & Brumble and taken away to their treehouse with the intention of eating him.
After realizing that Mario was who they kidnapped, Mudzie decides to let him go to avoid the guaranteed attention from Mario's disappearance, promising a favor in the future if he ever needs one.

After scaling a cliff west of Mudzie & Brumble's treehouse, Mario approaches an enormous mansion known as Matcha Manor.
Inside, Mario meets Whispen, who forces him to solve his illusory puzzles.
After conquering all the puzzles, Whispen thanks Mario and offers to help him travel over the ridge between the manor and the Deep Forest Checkpoint.