Month: Nov 2021

Dice-ember prelude…?

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Last day of November and that brings us to what I have planned for the season of Dice-ember! So tonight I will give a taste of what I hope to bring for the next few weeks as leadup to the holiday season, which is 31 days of content including Adventure Hooks, NPCs, Maps, ideas for twists, Homebrew Creatures and encounters as well as, homebrew magic items.

Now I am not the best judge of balance and power when it comes to magical items and I will have a suggestion on there on its rarity, use, cost, etc. but as the DM/GM feel free to tweak it or modify the rarity so that it suits your purpose.

So a taste!

The Cloak of Lesser False Appearance

14CoLFA

As Albazahr looked into the demi-plane he had created for his experiments he looked on with keen interest as one of his apprentices, for he had many, was attempting to clean out the remains of the last creature that was fed to the beasts.

He had, of course, reassured the young aspiring wizard that the room was completely safe and that the beasts had been put away to ensure the enclosure within his demi-plane could be cleaned, but who is to say that all of the creatures that dwell in his forest of false appearance could be accounted for. As he watched intently, taking notes with a quill made from a griffon with golden plumage, he noticed that a bush was hastily moving away from the boy and stopped abruptly in a patch of bushes, its ability to give the false appearance of it being a bundle of twigs or a bush was remarkable, almost as much as the three goblins sized mushrooms that fled from the bush suddenly bursting into there they had chosen to remain stationary and give off their own false appearance.

The Shrieker’s kept to the shadows of a rocky overhang where the boy was scooping up the remains of a dire wolf he had put in there to test the ability of the other creatures to be indistinguishable from other the plant, rock formation or statue that they were so often confused with.

A shadow passed over the boy which spooked him, just as he ran away from the rocky face just as a stalactite dropped to the ground and started to wriggle around, the pierces ability to mimic the rocky formations on the roof of a cavern was utterly amazing to Albazahr. As the boy ran and screamed many other creatures spooked and scattered, the plants, dead bushes, mushrooms and even some rocks moved away from the source of the noise as the boy ran towards the exit, a small magical door built into a edge edge of this micro demi plane that the wizard had constructed. As the boy through himself through the doorway the shadow, now apparently a gargoyle swooped and narrowly missed the boy. As the stone-like beast flew up to perch near the top of the rocky area in Albazahrs demi-plane the entire area went still as the creatures lurking within became something else, at least to the eye.

The boys panting and constant dabbing at his sweaty forehead with the edge of his cloak gave the wizard an idea.

“Curious creatures aren’t they. Apologies dear boy I thought that they had all been contained.” Albazahr said turning to Wulfrik, his apprentice. “Take this down when you are quite done wasting time. The creatures ability to give off a false appearance seems to be not just a defence mechanism but a means to attack as well. Once stationary they are indistinguishable from their surroundings but given enough time their true nature is revealed. Note to self,” Albazahr muttered as he tapped a long fingernail on his chin. “Make a cloak from the hides, skins and parts of these creatures with the intention to have the wearer don a false appearance of their own. The profits,” he scrawled out some glowing glyphs in the air before nodding satisfactorily, “yes, the profits from the sale of these cloaks will fun operations near Waterdeep and Neverwinter for at least another year. Come now Wulfrik, we have much work to do.” he barked as he strode off, the magical seals snapping shut a few moments after he passed which caused the exhausted and panting boy to run after his master so he would not be trapped in the demi-plane again..

So that’s what we have for tonight. A curious, eccentric and entirely too powerful wizard, his apprentice and the development of a magical cloak that we may have already seen a glimpse of.

As the days go on do stay tuned for more magical items, fearsome beasts or eccentric characters that we can use in the adventures ahead. Don’t forget if you use something or gain inspiration from something I produce please feel free to leave a comment and tell us how it went! Cloaks are meant to be worn and who best suited to test out these magical creations than your players.

And, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Dice-ember prologue

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Welcome to this special edition of the Monday writeup, this week I have a short snappy peak at what Dice-ember will bring you for the next few weeks.

This will be a bit of a large project and with work not slowing down, life ramping up (December is never quiet here in the Brazen Wolfe den) and an overly ambitious project I want to do over the next month I hope that I can make it. But I didn’t think I would be writing nightly for 3 months straight and yet here we are.

The creaking wood was the only indication of the load the eight wheeled wagon. Its driver looked wearily at the eyes behind half closed doors and window shutters who stared at the heavy wooden vehicle as it moved without beast of burden to pull it down the street. As the broad steel-clad wheels rolled over the bluestone pavement the clack-clack-clack echoed down the empty streets as it did every time he took his wagon on its pilgrimage.

“Easy now Nicki, no need to think this time is any different to the past hundred.” the driver muttered to himself as he approached a narrow bridge that crossed above the road he was on. Whistling once, as quiet as a whistle could be a stunted green body slunk up to sit just behind Nicki. “What is it master? You called?” The green form of a frail, old goblin asked, his words laden with spit from his nearly toothless mouth.

“get your misses and get into the wagon from the hatch. Don’t let anyone see you but I have a odd feeling about his run Humph. Keep and eye on the goods and don’t open up unless it’s me.” Nicki said as he drew the wayward branch, a slender wand that had the word gave off feelings of discontent to any who gazed at is dark wood.

Without a word Humph skittered over the top of the wagon and muttered to another goblin that was perched at the back of the wagon before they both disappeared over the side and under the wagon. Nicki looked to the few people staring at his wagon who perched on the edge of the bridge.

“Nothing to see here boys n’ girls. Move a long lest you get on my bad side” he called out, the children climbed over the ledge and safely back onto the bridge before running giggling and carrying on.

Every time was the same, he would pass the bridge then roll out of the town. Having a magic wagon that moved without need for beasts or people to pull it was novelty enough, but the wagon itself wasn’t what he was worried about. He had a schedule to keep to and if he didn’t get his wagon and it’s contents through the city safely there would be no time for niceties.

“There he is,” the shadowy figure said as they watched the heavy magic wagon move slowly towards the bridge. “Come one lets go now!” said the eager cloaked figure.

“Hold it, you know the plan. Wait for the signal, create a distraction then join up with the others on the other side of the bridge” a second non-cloaked figure said has he held a basket of apples.

“Ahh don’t let him get you!” called a child from on top of the bridge. Knowing that to be the signal the man in the cloak pushed his co-conspirator in the chest, who dropped the basket of apples (more threw them) as they rolled towards the cart. “Oi watch it mate! My Apples!” called the un cloaked man as he ran forward picking up a few apples and putting them in into the basket but always moving forward towards the wagon.

Stopping Nicki watched the man approach the wagon, his hand tightening on the wand in his hand. “Hail stranger, you seem to have a bit of a problem there friend.” Nicki said, quickly glancing the man over and determining that he held no weapons or objects that could do him harm. Jumping down he started to pick up the apples and hand them to the man.

“Thank ye sir, it’s not often you get such a nice fellow this far up north” he totally-not-a-apple-seller said.

“You just caught me on a god day I assure you my friend. Do be careful with your wares next time ” Nicki said as he went to jump back on the Wagon.

“Sir, do take some for the road. I have plenty and I really do appreciate your help” the man said with a grin as he held out three apples to Nicki.

Smiling Nicki took them, throwing the most bruised two into the wagon for Humph and Missy through a window that was too small for anything other than a purse or in this case apples. “Thanks Stranger.” He said as he jumped onto the wagon and pressed onwards through the bridge. Maybe he was wrong, he just had been doing this trip for too long and had grown paranoid.

Meanwhile a halfling held her magical cloak down tightly as she lay flat on the roof of the wagon. She hoped the merchant was right and that the outside of the cloak would make it look like the roof was flat and that her presence was completely masked. Hearing two apples hit the ground inside the wagon she smiled. Her plan was going just as planned.

Well there we have it – a bit of an obvious teaser for tonight’s writeup. Come back tomorrow night to have a look at the next step of this months content and thanks for joining me for the 1st day of Dice-ember!

Also a big thanks to everyone who has subscribed or followed to this little blog of mine, I don’t mean to sound sappy but it means a lot to know that there are people out there who are interested in the random, or sometimes calculated, thoughts that I put to keyboard (and paper…) So thanks to you all, you all can have a point of inspiration.

Don’t forget… You make your own advantage, don’t hesitate to cash in on that pool of goodness when feel like you need a little bit extra on any one day. Oh, yeah, and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Beneath the waves… Part 3

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You may notice that today isn’t Sunday but it’s the end of week writeup…

Unfortunately I had overcommitted my time on the weekend, between house work, hobby (painting Warhammer miniatures) and having a game with them I just ran out of time and brain capacity.

So let me make it up to you and post the writeup tonight and see if I can make it up to you with a special preview of something I want to do as part of end end of a year and the holiday season.

Crests and Troughs

This week we are using the following content produced over the week.

  • Plot(s): 13MoTE – The Emissary + 13MoKF – King Felris
  • NPC(s): 13TuAV – Astrid Volcanius
  • Twist: 13WeRT2 – ‘Rip Tide 2’: Mutual Benefit
  • Map: 13ThMa1 – DMG ship map 1.
  • Encounter: 13FrDSK – Deep Coral Knight + 13FrSw – Sea Wolf

So with that in mind let’s look at the writeup.

The door rattled abruptly as someone knocked on the door. Dusk shook his head not having been long asleep. Grabbing his axe the old dwarf stumbled to the front door, nudging his party members awake as he walked past their bedrolls in the room that they had been given to stay in.

Opening the door the dwarf was greeted by the familiar face of Rafnir from underneath a hood.

“Sorry to wake you, can we come in?” Rafnir said, looking around the streets as if checking for something or someone.

“Aye,” Dusk said standing aside before his thoughts caught up with his sleep deprived brain “We?” Dusk added looking around the doorframe before Astrid strode past him, both of them drenched from the rain.

“Sorry to intrude master Dwarf, we needed somewhere to talk and thought we would catch two fish in our net” Astrid began as she shook her hair free of the hood.

“We need your help, and can pay for your assistance if coin is needed.” Rafnir began after greeting Mike, Ray and Zander.

“Well, I won’t say no to coin” Zander began before being cut off by Mike and Ray.

“What do you need friend” The paladins chorused.

“We need you to help us stop Blake before he revives a war ship fuelled by an arcane artefact that has ripped the souls from the sea elves” Astrid said, digging through the room before settling on a bottle of rum that she found. Dusk stared as his rum was consumed but shook his head as a familiar tingle returned to the base of his skull – the Raven Queen was listening and needed him to.

“what do you need us to steal, we are not that stealthy and don’t know how we can do to stop Blake from getting his magic whatsit” Dusk said as he ferreted for his pipe instead of lamenting over his rum.

“We need you to steal the magic whatsit” Rafnir said bluntly.

“The one that rips souls?” Zander asked rubbing his chin with his left hand in absent minded thought.

“yup” replied Rafnir stairing at the party.

“Blake, as in Sir Blake the ruler of this city?” Mike asked

“The one and the same” Astrid said placing the empty bottle of rum on the bench.

“And he plans to use this magic thing in a warship?” Ray asked, his oath of conquest itching to foil the plans of war whilst on his watch”

“Yup, a big one. Big enough that he won’t need more than the one” Astrid replied as she strutted over to Dusk, passing him a hip flask from under her cloak.

Dusk grinned as he recognised the smell of dwarven mead, “When do we leave?” the old dwarf said as he pocketed the flask and started to strap on his armour.

“As soon as you are ready. We are taking the Gallant Swallow” Rafnir said as he moved to look out the window. “Make sure you bring a hoods, no one can know what we are doing.” The party nodded as they ferreted out their hooded cloaks. “Oh, there is one more thing,” Rafnir said as he looked at the Party getting their equipment ready. “The Prince will be joining us.”

As dawn rose on the second day the party stood on the deck of the Gallant Swallow, it’s tall dual masts catching the breeze as the party made good time out to sea.

“I did not expect to be heading home so soon without peace brokered, but here we are” Prince Sellis spoke as he walked up next to Mike, who, was looking a bit sea sick standing at the bow of the ship.

“Well perhaps it is not the peace you sought,” Mike paused as he repressed the urge to hurl what ever meagre food he had left in his stomach over the side of the ship, “but it will prevent war and if this artefact is the cause of this sickness of the soul then I am glad that we can help you out.” Mike finished, sipping a bit of water from his waterskin to quell the urge to hurl.

“we are not long for my city now,” Prince Sellis said, looking over the edge of the swift ship at the Rays, shark and other sea creatures that his person guard rode on the bellies of. “Then hopefully with the wizards magic and this ship we will be able to rid my city of the curse on their soul and prevent the sickness growing in yours” the prince said as he clapped the paladin on his shoulder and strode to the back of the boat.

As Ray, Dusk and Zander walked up to Mike to make sure he was coping the urge overcame the man and this time his resolve was weaker than his constitution, which was not much considering the vomit that streamed from his mouth over the side of the bow”

“Ah lad, you are not built for the sea yet but you get used to it, trust me, I was on a boat for weeks travelling from and avoiding the Black Steel vessels as I fled my homeland.” Dusk spoke solemnly looking over the waves at something that wasn’t there.

“Guys, I don’t think that should be there” Mike said gesturing over the side of the boat at the stains of blood that were flooding the water “Prince Sellis! Your people. There may be trouble!” Mike said, as he and the others quickly tightened the strap of a magical belt that the ship captain, Astrid, had given to them.

“Rafnir! Astrid! We’re going over!” Ray called as he gripped his shield in one hand and the potion that Petrel gave them in the other. As he dropped over the edge of the boat they drank the potion as if they had rehearsed it, knowing that they each had the counter potion and Rafnir had a few as backup as well made the task easier. The moment they finished the bottle their skin itched, there was a pain on their neck and each of them, not just Mike, vomited into the water as their insides changed. Once the vomit had cleared each of them felt the cool sea water on their newly created gills as they sank into the water.

Touching the belt buckle they slowed their descent into the water by their will and were able to move in any direction by mental command. The wonder of the belts and the potions was short lived as the battle scene in front of them took them by surprise.

Sea elves dressed in some kind of black Coral armour were darting out of a wall of sand that had been stirred up in a great wall of bubbles, water and murkiness. The elves riding seal-like creatures that had the head of a wolf and bodies similar to the seals that they saw at port darted in and were lancing some of the elves and animals the prince had brought with him. The royal guard however were giving as good, if not better than they were getting. Trained for for this type of combat they and their mounts worked as an extension of their own bodies, attacking when the enemy exposed themselves and defending not only them selves but their mounts and fellow guards.

“Look out!” The mental link of the belt shouted in the minds of those wearing the linked pairs, no sooner then the cry of alarm had cone out had a black seawolf and a lightly armoured elf charged through their scattered formation before swimming out of reach faster than the party could retaliate. Luckily Ray had caught the spear on the shield and had deflected the blow easily enough.

“There will be more of them” A voice sang from above them as the prince floated down to join them. Clad in bright coral armour that shone as if it had never basked in the light before. A cheer went up from the guard as their prince emerged and the started pushing into the wave upon wave of their aggressors.

A war cry seemed to bubble through the water as four mounted coral clad nights darted from below the party, Ray knocked aside one attack, Dusk took the attack to his forearm but the head of his axe parted and blazingly hot wave of boiling water washed over the attacking elf and his wolf, causing them to falter. Zander drifted behind Mike as an invisible shield of force bubbled up around him and he used his control over wind to push him away from a counterattack of the attacking sea elf. Mike parried the head of the spear before his counter attack removed the head of rider and mount, the magical blade seeming to cut through water and armour as if there as nothing there.

The party moved to surround the prince who shouted to the attackers begging for their cease of aggression, and when he was attacked he would fling pulses of water outwards with a flick of his wrist to push the attacking elves away and batter them and their mounts. Another pass from the seawolves and Deep Coral Knights saw another knight drop, this time Dusk brought his divine magic to bear and speared one elf through the chest whilst the magical blade of Ray, Vexing Thorns, cut the wolf to chunks of flesh as three twisting vines of rusting metal wrapped around it and tugged tightly.

Short blades of shell spun in the water into the side of Ray and Zander as lightly armoured warriors swam from the sand cloud, the blades managing to find gaps in armour and catch the sorcerer off guard. As the warriors clashed into Ray his shield took many of the blows before Dusk summoned his spectral weapon to float in the water beneath the elves which silenced one of them before they were able to react to the spell. Zander shot out two chromatic orbs of magic that smashed into the head of one of the remaining seawolves which cause its rider to drift in the water momentarily before swimming towards the party drawing a blackened longsword.

The princes guard had pushed back and were approaching the cloud of sand and bubbles, as they neared it the bubble net and sand ceased and King Felris swam next to the largest shark the party had seen as well as a writhing eel that was the size of a horse. The shark and Eel darted towards the royal guard as King Felris swam towards his son, the prince.

“Son, why do you bring war to our doorstep. We came here to silence the surface dwellers, strike a blow against them so we can learn how to undo their magic and rid our people of this curse.” The king spoke with anger and determination, his hand moving in grand arcs gesturing to the party, the ship and the elves. “What good can you do bringing them here?”

“Father, your highness,” the prince corrected, “These people are here to remove the artefact that poisons our waters. They are here art my request to undo what their people had done previously and I trust that once they have removed it we will be able to work together to understand the artefact and identify the cure for our peoples curse.” The prince looked to his father, conviction in his eyes, “You once said to me that to not at least try and make peace is the sign of a warmonger, not a king. I am here seeking peace and an end to war and this curse”.

The king swam their for a moment before signalling his people. His people immediately disengaged and swam to his side, the king looked to the ship, to the guard who had now swam to join the Party, to the prince and the surface dwellers who were here.

“You have one tide, if they can not remove the cursed item then their life and the city is forfeit.” The king spoke, a semblance of his once calm and merciful heart shining through. “If they are unable to find a cure for this sickness we have no choice but to continue to take souls so that we can survive and our race endures. This is the barter, take it or we will have war.” The king spoke with cold savagery as he gripped onto the side of his Giant shark as it swam back into deeper waters.

Well that’s where we leave it tonight. There is at least one more adventure in it where the party can decide if they retrieve the artefact and risk its magical backlash and then decide if they wish to look into ways to undo the curse for the sea elves, which may include obtaining historical records from Sir Blake and his library.

Apologies once again for the day late writeup, but I hope it was worth the extra days wait!

Don’t forget to tune in for the 25 days of Dice-ember and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Battle report, Cities of Sigmar vs Skaventide

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Ok so as promised I am writing up the Warhammer game I ran off to last night.. i will alo endeavour to remember what happened as I forgot to save little Audio reminders in my game.

Army lists (from yesterday). The Brazen Wolfe vs Basti.

A pre write up disclaimer, Basti is awesome. One of the best armies I have seen, period, and such a great opponent. Happy for your victories, humble in his wins. Just wants to play a fun game and interact with the army, scenerio and players

The Garden Rats
Allegiance: Skaventide
– Mortal Realm: Ghur
– Grand Strategy: Prized Sorcery
– Triumphs: Inspired

Leaders
Arch-Warlock (175)***
– General
– Command Trait: Overseer of Destruction
– Artefact: Amulet of Destiny (Universal Artefact)
– Lore of Warpvolt Galvanism: Warp Lightning Shield
Warlock Bombardier (125)*
– Universal Spell Lore: Ghost-mist
Plague Priest (85)***
– Universal Prayer Scripture: Heal
Plague Priest (85)***
– Universal Prayer Scripture: Curse
Grey Seer on Screaming Bell (265)****
– Lore of Ruin: Warpgale
Grey Seer (140)***
– Artefact: Suspicious Stone
– Lore of Ruin: Skitterleap

Battleline
RatPack1 (130)**
20 x Clanrats
– Rusty Spear
– 1x Standard Bearers
– 1x Standard Bell Ringers
RatPack 2 (130)**
20 x Clanrats
– Rusty Spear
– 1x Standard Bearers
– 1x Standard Bell Ringers
RatPack3 (130)**
20 x Clanrats
– Rusty Spear
– 1x Standard Bearers
– 1x Standard Bell Ringers

Units
6 x Giant Rats (40)****
6 x Giant Rats (40)****
1 x Ratling Gun (65)***
1 x Ratling Gun (65)***
1 x Warpfire Thrower (70)****

Artillery
Warp Lightning Cannon (185)*
Warp Lightning Cannon (185)*

Endless Spells & Invocations
Soulsnare Shackles (65)

Core Battalions
*Grand Battery
**Hunters of the Heartlands
***Warlord
****Vanguard

Additional Enhancements
Artefact

Total: 1980 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 0 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 136
Drops: 16

Cities of Sigmar: Tempest Eye
Allegiance: Cities of Sigmar
– City: Tempest’s Eye
– Mortal Realm: Ghur
– Grand Strategy: Pillars of Belief
– Triumphs: Inspired

Leaders
Runelord (100)*
– Artefact: Patrician’s Helm
– City Role: General’s Adjutant
Runelord (100)*
– General
– Command Trait: Hawk-eyed
Drakesworn Templar (455)*
– Tempest Axe
– Artefact: Amulet of Destiny (Universal Artefact)
Gotrek Gurnisson (435)*
– Allies

Battleline
20 x Irondrakes (320)**
– City Role: Honoured Retinue (Must be 5-20 models)
– Reinforced x 1
20 x Longbeards (210)**
– Ancestral Weapons & Shields
– Reinforced x 1
10 x Arkanaut Company (100)**
– 1x Skypikes
– 1x Light Skyhooks
– 1x Aethermatic Volley Guns


Units
10 x Shadow Warriors (120)*
1 x Grundstok Gunhauler (155)*
– Main Gun: Sky Cannon

Core Battalions
*Warlord
**Hunters of the Heartlands

Additional Enhancements
Artefact

Total: 1995 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 2 / 4
Allies: 435 / 400
Wounds: 106
Drops: 9

The battle plan was marking territory where at the start of the third battle round of any player controls all 4 objectives (set up on the quarter points) they immediately win. If there is a tour then the most successful battle tactics scored determines winner.

Being severely out dropped with my list I knew I had to play defensively in order to have a chance if I was given first or second turn. So I set up two gnawholes in my territory within 6″of the objective and my third near his left hand objective incase I could try and snipe it from him late game.

I set up two ratling cannons in my centre unit of clanrats and a warpfire thrower in my third clanrat unit on the right of the table (determined pre game as much as it mattered with 3 identical units of rats) My gnawhole near this objective was also next to mystic terrain so my two plague priests started there for +2 to cast. I put my screaming bell here in so it has bodies to push it and +1 to it’s casts. This way it also had the most bodies around it yo try and push forward to contest the opposing right side objective where my opponent had set up Gotrek, the 20 long beards, 20 irondrakes and both rune lords. Ouch.. So it was going to be a blender of hurt.

The left side of the table had the Arkanaut company, gunhauler and the stardrake.. i still feel it was less of a threat than Gotrek. I matched this dragon with two warp Lightning cannons, my warlocks and 20 clanrats

Battle round 1.

Basti was extremely generous and gave me the first round. Went with ferocious advance and picked my bell and two clanrats with weapons teams to be my runners. Tried to get a command point for my screaming bell (heroic leadership) and failed.

Bell rang 9, but nothing in range to zap. Spells went off well. Arch warlock cast his warp Lightning shield but didn’t cast anything else, yet…

My priests prayed, giving bless to my 3rd unit of clan rats on the far right. The other one smote.. smite-ed? His general dealing 2 mortals, nice..

My grey seer cast skitter leap and teleported my arch warlock just inside of 13 of my opponents front line. My screaming bell failed to cast warpgale but cast arcane bolt (newsflash.. I forgot to use it) my arch warlock finally cast war lightning storm but was unbound by those pesky runelords.

Moving. Moved my cannons up. One to be just within 24″ of his stardrake the other within 24″ of his longbeards. Moved my left clanrat unit to screen the objective.. the giant rats (oh yeah, forgot about them. I deployed them to ward off deep strikes within 2′ of my right and left backfield.. where the objectives are.) Moved slightly to adjust the bubble. the warlock bombardier moved to within 3″ of both cannons. For precautions..

My two units of clan rats ran to form a body line infront of my arch warlock, within 10″ish of their front line. My priests moved a little bit around and I got my bell to protect my rats from battleshock.

End of movement my two ratling cannons popped out within 12″ of his irondrakes. I wanted them gone. My warpfire jumped out as a charge

Shooting. Let’s start with the bad.. the ratlings. Yup, sad time my fellow rat enthusiast’s. Both of them got force fed a warpstone and let off the limiter. Neither exploded!! But we managed to get a through 10 or 11 shots from 26 or so attacks. But the irondrakes spiked 8 saves in total and only lost 4 models.. not the unit I was hoping for.

Now the good. Warp lightning’s.T

The one shooting into the longbeards wasn’t overcharged and I managed to roll a power level of 2 and dealt 5 mortals. I think 2 were shrugged due to mystical terrain but 3 still died. Nice.

Now.. shooting into the stardrake. Overcharged and rolled a power level of 1.. it happened! 12 mortals!!!

It shrugged 3 so was left on taking 9 wounds. However I dealt 5 back to myself. Oof.

That was the end of my turn.

Bastis turn 1

Here we go. Selected aggressive expansion and healed 2 wounds on his star drake. I tried to heal my bell and failed (sad rat)

Moving forward he got his prayers off. A 6+ ward on longbeards, extra rend on his irondrakes. He then moved everything up. His dragon, terrifyingly, moved to take my left objectives. He wall of dwarf flesh moved up to get range on my screaming bell, i redeployed one ratling toward gotrek, as a sacrificial rat to prevent him moving closer to my front line.

Shooting removed both ratlings by his irondrakes but left my warpfire thrower alive with 2 wounds left and dealt 3 wounds to my screaming bell.

The stardrake killed my wounded cannon but the other one lived.

Charge phase. Gotrek got into my clanrats and got within 3″ of both units of my clan rats and a plague priest. 1 like = one prayer to the horned rat.

The stardrake charged and almost didn’t get in with a 3″ charge. But it was just enough for an unleash hell for my lightning cannon. I overcharged (praying for another 1) but rolled a 4 for power level. I ended up dealing.. 7 mortals but another 2 were shrugged (I believe).

The end of charge phase my clan rats bravely ignored the dragon and its monster tantrum (hunters) but Gotrek swung first and only killed 17 rats.. yup. He wiffed.

My clan rat blob fighting the dragon moved in and landed 4 wounds, dealt no damage. They then died down to 6 models. Not bad, well done rats.

The remaining clan rats against the dwarf blender moved to the opposite side of Gotrek so he couldn’t pile in to get within 1 inch of my other units. As predicted they did.. actually 1 wound. It was easily saved but their job was done.

End of the round I spent my last command point to keep my 6 rats on the dragon.

Winning the rol-loff we started with a bang.

Battle Round 2.

A 12 on the bell. Oh yes, lord Skreech joined us! – he was setup just outside of 9 of the dragon. My heroic action was to heal the bell, and I did, healing 3 with heroic recovery. Basti mirrored this and healed his dragon.. I think the same amount. My battle tactic was the easy one – aggressive expansion – to hold the two objectives on my side of the table.

Spell wise. Dreaded 13 spell went off.. just as he was within 1″ off the gnawhole (haven’t regretted setting two up in my side of the field yet..) and selecting his master of magic hero phase empowerment. Rolling 13 dice I scored 7 mortals on the dragon, he shrugged 5. Amulet of destiny on a 4+ or 3+ hero-monster is just.. hard to crack.

Skitterleap failed, Wither went off and hit the long beards dealing 3 mortals, 2 were shrugged (I think), but they were penalised with a -1 to hit debuff.

Cracks call was unbound, but, I summoned the shackles around Gotrek to try and hold him down for a turn. One of my monks got Pestilens-pestilens off and dealt a few mortals to the irondrakes and longbeards. the other dealt a few mortals to his runelord with smite.

My Warlock bombardier overcharged his warp lightning spell and it went through onto he dragon.. dealing… 1 mortal, which was shrugged.

My arch warlock had his warp lightning storm unbound (not game to overcharge it) but got his warp lightning shield off.

The grey seer on bell failed to get warpgale off (double 1) and dealt 1 mortal to himself.

Start of movement.. the shackles splashed mortals across all my models, basically. And ignored all of Basti’s.

Movement I ran from Gotrek, not afraid to admit it that dwarf is a menace, my warpfire thrower moved up to get the long beards in range and the longbeards redeployed to get.. closer to him. Nice.

Skreech moved to get ready to charge the dragon ready for a monster-off.

My giant rats moved up to try and screen a bit whilst my arch warlock ran to get within 8 of the stardrake.

Shooting.

Left hand side whiffed. no mortals dealt by the arch warlocks warp fire gauntlet, the stabby tails I think did 1 wound that wasn’t shrugged and the bombardier failed to wound. My warpfire however reduced the ~16 long beards to just 6 models. That warpfire is so good.

Charging.

Skreech got in, that was my only charge. Titanic Duel went off and I used my triump. Surely 14 attacks on 2’s and 2’s would do it. I even used is command ability to re-roll wound rolls of 1s.

Almost all the attacks weant through but I dealt, at the end of all that, I actually don’t think I dealt any wounds with the 3+ shrug and the 5+ ward.

My Clanrats died and Skreech was taken down to 8 wounds

Basti turn 2

Prayer 1 failed, but he then unbound the shackles.

Shooting saw my verminlord taken down to 2 models and Basti selected aggressive expansion to run 3 units.

He brought in his shadow stalkers and peppered the verminlord.

His Irondrakes killed 3 giant rats and dealt 4 wounds to my plague priest and 1 wound to my warpfire thrower.

Charge.. he got in Gotrek, even with my giant rats moving (Re-deploy in the move phase) to intercept it wasnt enough.

My verminlord died, his stardrake was brought down to 4 wounds, Gotrek killed the remaining 3 giant rats and outright smote my 20 clan rats.

End of round there was nothing in combat.

Battle round 3

I won the rolloff again and tried to just consolidate my forces, I selected to destroy his battleline (Longbeards) as it was looking to either be an outright loss for me or a draw. I got skitterleap off moving my grey seer on foot to contest one of his back objectives. Dealt no other damage with the grey seer with my other spell failing.

I charged a arcane bolt on my arch warlock and then tried to cast chain warp lightning, it didn’t go off (from memory)

The bell tried to cast cracks call and was unbound, the warplock bombardier tried to get warp lightning off and I think he dealt a mortal or two to the drake. Smote the wrong runelord (not his general), tried to heal the bell and my priest rolled a 1, then failed to roll a ward save due to mystical terrain. So he died.

Movement. Everything moved away from Gotrek. teleport or through the portal, having one plague priest on the edge of 6″ the objective to just cower.

Shooting. The warpfire thrower removed.. 11 models from the Irondrakes (wow..) and left it with 1 model.

The Aarch warlock charged the dragon, the bell charged the dragon.

Start of Phase he stomped my bell (I think I saved the mortals with it’s ward) and then I shot off the arcance bolt, dealing 2 mortals – he saved one. The dragon was left on 2 at this stage.

Attacking with the Bell I rolled my 2d6 attacks with the spikes, I think I had 11 hit, 2+/3+/-1/1. 7 went through and.. he failed 2 saves.. He then failed both wards and the Screaming bell killed a stardrake.. in combat..

That was the end of the round.

Basti Round 3.

He healed his general, I tried to get an extra command point and didn’t.

He then buffed his drakes and rally returned 1 of them. He selected conquer to try and push my priest off my right objective with Gotrek..

Shooting saw a few wounds go into my Bell, saw my grey seer die.

Move and charge

The shadow stalkers moved up and charged my clan rats behind my bell, killing them but not bringing in the bell (not that he could pile in with no models around him..) Gotrek moved, My priest re-deployed and made it just inside 6″ of the objective by 7″ from Gotrek.. He failed the charge, rerolled with a command point.. and failed again.

That concluded the turn and game (ran out of time).

At his point I was a complete draw and I had all my wizards alive on the opposite side of the map of his killing machine with a very difficult journey ahead of Gotrek to try and get to me to kill me.

Hope you enjoyed that write-up. I will endeavour to get better at these as times goes on and hopefully start to record games eventually.

As always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, (or re-roll fails in this case)
The Brazen Wolfe

Weekend update

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It’s Saturday and here in Australia (particularly Victoria) a lot of places are closed to you until you’ve had two doses of the Covid Vaccine and now that I am… It’s time to hit the wargaming hall and have a warhammer game against a friend!

But I wanted to take this opportunity to have an update on the next few weeks..

I’ll attempt to do a post a day!

…Well that’s nothing unusual tonight marks 90 days straight of posts to Brazen Wolfe Tabletop (feel like I should celebrate somehow hmm…) But I will change the format a bit. I am not w Christmas person but the holiday season does bring certain joy to my household with my two kids so I will be doing 25 days of Christmas, an advent calendar if you will where I will create NPCs, Maps, plot hooks, story-style writeups, homebrew monsters and, hopefully, something new.

So make sure to drop in for December and enjoy the lead up to a Truly Brazen Christmas.

So for those here since I mentioned warhammer I will publish my list tonight, update the post with my opponents list – know it’s Duardin (Dwarves) and will do a written battle report tomorrow!

The Garden Rats

Allegiance: Skaventide
– Mortal Realm: Ghur
– Grand Strategy: Prized Sorcery
– Triumphs: Inspired

Leaders
Arch-Warlock (175)***
– General
– Command Trait: Overseer of Destruction
– Artefact: Amulet of Destiny (Universal Artefact)
– Lore of Warpvolt Galvanism: Warp Lightning Shield
Warlock Bombardier (125)*
– Universal Spell Lore: Ghost-mist
Plague Priest (85)***
– Universal Prayer Scripture: Heal
Plague Priest (85)***
– Universal Prayer Scripture: Curse
Grey Seer on Screaming Bell (265)****
– Lore of Ruin: Warpgale
Grey Seer (140)***
– Artefact: Suspicious Stone
– Lore of Ruin: Skitterleap

Battleline
RatPack1 (130)**
20 x Clanrats
– Rusty Spear
– 1x Standard Bearers
– 1x Standard Bell Ringers
RatPack 2 (130)**
20 x Clanrats
– Rusty Spear
– 1x Standard Bearers
– 1x Standard Bell Ringers
RatPack3 (130)**
20 x Clanrats
– Rusty Spear
– 1x Standard Bearers
– 1x Standard Bell Ringers

Units
6 x Giant Rats (40)****
6 x Giant Rats (40)****
1 x Ratling Gun (65)***
1 x Ratling Gun (65)***
1 x Warpfire Thrower (70)****

Artillery
Warp Lightning Cannon (185)*
Warp Lightning Cannon (185)*

Endless Spells & Invocations
Soulsnare Shackles (65)

Core Battalions
*Grand Battery
**Hunters of the Heartlands
***Warlord
****Vanguard

Additional Enhancements
Artefact

Total: 1980 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 0 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 136
Drops: 16

Come back later for the Duardin list and tomorrow for the outcome!

Update! The Cities of Sigmar (not quite all dwarves…) list

Cities of Sigmar: Tempest Eye

Allegiance: Cities of Sigmar
– City: Tempest’s Eye
– Mortal Realm: Ghur
– Grand Strategy: Pillars of Belief
– Triumphs: Inspired

Leaders
Runelord (100)*
– Artefact: Patrician’s Helm
– City Role: General’s Adjutant
Runelord (100)*
– General
– Command Trait: Hawk-eyed
Drakesworn Templar (455)*
– Tempest Axe
– Artefact: Amulet of Destiny (Universal Artefact)
Gotrek Gurnisson (435)*
– Allies

Battleline
20 x Irondrakes (320)**
– City Role: Honoured Retinue (Must be 5-20 models)
– Reinforced x 1
20 x Longbeards (210)**
– Ancestral Weapons & Shields
– Reinforced x 1
10 x Arkanaut Company (100)**
– 1x Skypikes
– 1x Light Skyhooks
– 1x Aethermatic Volley Guns


Units
10 x Shadow Warriors (120)*

1 x Grundstok Gunhauler (155)*
– Main Gun: Sky Cannon

Core Battalions
*Warlord
**Hunters of the Heartlands

Additional Enhancements
Artefact

Total: 1995 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 2 / 4
Allies: 435 / 400
Wounds: 106
Drops: 9

Don’t forget to roll those 6’s.. err.. nope.. let’s stick with not forgetting to roll with advantage,

The Brazen Wolfe

Something swims this way…

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Friday is here and it has brought with it FightNight! Yes the end of the working week is finally here and that brings a collection of stat-blocks or information for us to use in this weeks adventure. Since I am hoping to do a bigger write up this weekend I will keep tonight’s content short and sweet but hopefully full of content, and some information that will make this weeks adventure/ combat inspiring.

This week I went to go to my normal “Tetra-cube ” for my stat block generator and decided that I wanted to mix it up a little bit. So let’s not get dillydally and get caught out in the tide and let’s get on with the writeup!

It’s called a lance…

13FrDSK/13FrSW

Two new creatures that I haven’t seen before (the Seawolf was an old favourite from Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, when I first started to DM…) for us to enjoy this week.

CR3 Dark Coral Knight
CR1 Seawolf

This week I used a different tool (Gasp!), oh yes I stepped away from Tetra-cube and looked at RPG Workshop. The interface is easy enough to use, a bit hard to see and scroll down the bottom of larger stat blocks and the ability to import an existing statblock as a template/skeleton was sorely missed but it was a lot easier to create what I wanted and, dare I say, not as confusing.

One thing that you may see as above though is that there is no Challenge Rating – That is something that RPG Workshop does not do. But the Knight is CR3 and the Wolf is CR1. The idea here is that the Seawolf knights would be fast skirmishers t hat would dart in with their lances and try and harass the foe but with enough armour (weird how breast plate, a shield and non-pathetic AC is actually really solid.. hmm..) to stick around one turn before urging their mounts away for another charging attack with the lance. If they find themselves mount-less then they would switch to their longsword and try and hold out until reinforcements arrive.

Hail to the king…

13FrKF

We had to bring the king into this, even if the fates deem that he doesn’t join us in the adventure this week I wanted to have him ready to go this week in case we finish with the Arciryas arc this week and move onto something next week.. Just saying.. I mean it’s a possibility.

CR4 King Felris

So the King is not the highest CR monster we have, but I would not catch him away from a mount nor guard or several who are willing to die for him. Where he is really going to be brutal is fighting something one on one where his guard and knights can pin and hold down his foes allies so he can bring his multi attacks and cursed coral blade into play which only makes him stronger.

Depending on the CR of the adventurers you are playing with you could mix (and I will be…) previous weeks content such as the tide warriors, Sea Guard or even a possessed or few to really give the impression that the party is fighting against an army that was on the way to conquering a sea-side city. Waves, many waves of enemies (not the watery ones.. I can’t be punny 100% of the time) is how I would play this out with knights engaging first, then warriors, then the guard and the king.

Giving a set number of rounds that you think your party would need to be able to chunk through the attackers (or defenders.. we will see) and adding a round or two before the next wave begins will give them time to rest, some flexibility if the party take longer or the dice take their sweet time to start rolling normally between one wave and the next.

Also consider that these are not stupid creatures or undead and they would value their life. Once they take some real damage (for me thats around 25% of their hit points remaining) they could likely flee. Warriors and maybe the possessed definitely, the knights perhaps not and the guard definitely not a chance of them fleeing. The king may retreat and order his guard to hold back the party while he swims away (and this may give up the tactics for the final writeup) as in his eyes he is the only one who is capable to rule and save his people.

Well that has got to be all for tonight. Thanks for joining me and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Ship life

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Welcome to Map day (also known as Thursday by most). Today I don’t have a plan for a write up as I believe the leadup for this week has players on a boat heading out to sea, regardless if its the King invading, the prince coming to broker peace (with either of the twists…) or a mashup of both of them I feel as though a ship will be involved.

So for that purpose I have found two maps for a ship – one from the D&D 5e Dungeon Masters guide and the other from an artist out there (100% credit and link to them below).

A dungeons Guide

13ThMa1

Dungeon Masters Guide (full credit to the original Author and WoTC)

The dual masts, galley and living quarter all are suitable for the rough picture painted for this weeks adventure. It is perfectly wide for combat above and below deck but perhaps too much empty space on the lower deck. I would almost consider having a separate room or two there for ‘guests’ to reside in the lower dock.

‘The Somnolent Queen’

13ThMa2

All credit goes to the original Artist, found at Nerdbrarian.com

This is more ideal, main deck is simple with a single mast, ample storage space down below with a single stairway down (sort of how I described entrance to the galley) and two rooms where the captain and crews quarters would be. Having the stern deck is nice – its how I envisioned The Gallant Swallow, but perhaps having a bow quarter with the crews quarters at the bow (front) of the ship. This ship is wider, but shorter which in this instance I find less desirable due to the breadth of field that combat can now take on the top of the boat.

What ever boat you choose, image you find or draw or, potentially, ship you build, print or create for your tabletop having a visual representation of what the ship is can aid in describing it to your players, is their ropes attached to the stern deck so you can tie the ships wheel at the helm down to lock it into a position, or ropes that you can swing from the stern deck (where the helm tends to be located in my make believe boats and ships) to get to the main deck or even Bow Deck quickly to deal with tricky situations can give your players ideas for dealing with giant waves to giants in waves..

Combat outside of the boat can take place near it and the boat can be a simple reference point to what it happening around it or beneath it, but having something in mind can make all the difference.

Well that’s it for tonight, thanks for tuning in, apologies it wasn’t as long as normal (Thursdays tend to go overtime with work..) but I still hope you walked away with something that can create that spark of adventure for your stories and campaigns.

Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for FightNight! (Friday) where I come up with new creatures, boss stat blocks or puzzles and ordeals that the party must overcome if they want to be successful in their endeavours.

Don’t forget to let me know if you like what you have read, and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Hook line and sinker…

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Wednesday is here so let’s look at what I believe twists and turns really bring to the table. This is the third week of exploring Arciryas and although the series of adventures could be completed in a single full day adventure, maybe, but for the purpose of the process it’s been broken into three parts. Each week we have looked at a twist for a future week, or so it seems to have played out to be so and this week I wanted to do something different.

So this week let’s investigate the under currents for what could be future potential plots for a longer story arc or at least a glimpse of what I look for in a campaign/multi-part adventure and when I believe a twist in the plot, or one of the hooks will allow us to reel in a keeper.

Sorry for the fishing puns, my wife doesn’t appreciate my artistry when it comes to these things.

Rip tide

Ok so a catchy title – they are actually called Rips or Rip Current but they aren’t as catch as a Rip Tide… any way..

So for those who are not aware of what a Rip current is they are areas near the shore of a beach where the breaking of waves and wind force surface water to land, however that water will then try and get back out to sea by the path of least resistance which will do so quickly and in some cases quite wide. This movement of water from the shore back out to sea essentially is a current that will pull objects, people, boats, etc. out to sea and in most of cases the current is too strong to fight against.

So why Rip Tide (current). Well when I look at the currents in this adventure (please bear with the terminology) we have Blake and his ambition, Rafnir and his need to defend his people, prince Sellis and his want to form a bridge.. over troubled water (bear with it!) and his father, King Felris, in his madness seeks the path of what he believes is redemption for his people and the remedy for his kinds affliction.

Within this scope of influences to our adventure we have been introduced to a circle of people who can become key protagonists, or antagonists, by simple actions they can change, twist or irreversibly shift the direction in what the plot and whole adventure can go. These shifts in the current can cause what was a straight forward journey across the waves into something more unpredictable or treacherous.

The one I am exploring here is the grief stricken Sea Captain (and daughter) Astrid.

Astrid in her grief for her lost mother, the fear for the safety of the person she cares about most, Rafnir, and also that warriors spirit that she has within her could all be used to spur her into motion. The first option here is a simple, yet sad one.

As she crept from shadow to shadow her eyes never wandered too far from the light at the window, her feet making no sound as she skirted the edges of buildings and slunk into shadowy nooks and crannies as she moved towards her target. The rain had come at midday and did nothing to dampen her resolve even if it did mask the occasional tear that escaped her eye, Raf would take some time to forgive her for what she was about to do but at the end of the day he was like her, pragmatic.

“The end justifies the means” she muttered to herself, the sound of rain drowning out her own voice before it reached her ears as she unslung a rope and grappling hook from her shoulder. Swinging the hook to gain momentum she hefted it towards the balcony where the window was situated. Giving it a few tugs to be sure that it was taught she began the climb, the wet stones causing her feet to sleep occasionally but her determination and pain spurred her onwards. As she reached the balcony she stepped over and landed on her feet as quiet as an alley cat.

(Alternative path 1)

13WeRT1

The sound of voices could now be heard from the window frame, one agitated, confused, angry the other dismissive yet tinged with sadness.

“How could you do this Mathias, after they welcome us into their home, their keep with open arms ready to discuss peace you have ruined it all. There is no way forward from this, no way to salvage the situation you have gotten us into.” One voice, the agitated one, snapped almost hissing in the speed he was speaking. It took Astrid a moment to realise they were speaking elven, her enchanted earring letting her understand what was being said despite not allowing her to speak the language herself.

“My prince, forgive me. It was the only way for our people, you can not claim to see otherwise. The curse is their doing and with the ambition in that mans voice we will never be free.” the other replied his voice breaking with emotion.

Somewhere in the keep an alarm rang, soon soldiers were scurrying everywhere like ants in the rain surging forward with single purpose.

“We will explain your actions, perhaps they will spare our people housed in other parts of the keep if they have you and I as a blood debt.” The prince spoke. Calculating and calm despite the emotion in his voice. As Astrid heard a brief scuff of boots further into the room she slunk closer to the window, drawing her longsword – fear of the curse it holds not seeming like a big thing any more.

“I am truly sorry my prince.” the one called Mathias said in a soft tone.

“We can still save our people.” the prince spoke, turning towards the door as voices could be heard stamping up the stairs towards the room he stayed in.

A blade shot out from the robes of the one called Mathias and plunged into the neck of the prince. Astrid covered her mouth to hide any noise she would produce in her shock.

“I am sorry my prince. They are already dead. King Felris has ordered it to be as so. Cleanse the weak so that the strong may lead and a new wave of our people and surge forward.

The prince turned, clutching briefly at the neck of the man in front of him before he collapsed, presumably dead, on the floor at his feet. As the pounding began on the door and the voices of the guard started to demand the door to be opened up the robed man dashed towards the window and balcony.

Astrid slid from her hiding spot in the shadows and faster than even elven keen senses could respond to she separated the traitors head from his shoulders as the door burst open and the guards had just enough time to see a red flash of the enchanted blade as the body fell in a noiseless cry at the feet of Astrid.

(Alternative path 2)

13WeRT2

The room was quiet except for the scratching of quill on parchment and the groan of a chair. Sneaking forward Astrid looked into the room and noticed her target, the prince Sellis, sitting at a provided desk and writing on provided parchment. The prince was wearing a thin flowing robe but still seemed to be wiping his brow from sweat that glistened in the candle light.

“There, that has done it. Hopefully Blake can remove that cursed ‘artefact’ from my peoples home and we can be done with this curse and move forward to peace above and below the waves” the prince said, stretching as he placed the quill in a inkpot on the desk.

Astrid crept forward, drawing her oiled blade silently from it’s scabbard as she prepared herself to take a life.

“Are you sure that’s the wisest decision prince” Astrid’s blood chilled as she heard a familiar voice from her right, glancing up she met the piercing gaze of Rafnir. “We both know that Blake can’t be trusted, he seeks conquest and to rebuild his armada using that cursed technology to wage a new war.” Rafnir stood slowly and walked towards Astrid, sadness and disappointment in his face.

“You may be right Rafnir Coral-Tusk but there has never been peace that was for free. This is the only way for my people to be free of their curse and he has given his word to study the dark magic of the artefact. If we know how to undo what has been done to my people then they won’t suffer from their madness any more, they won’t feed on souls to sustain themselves of give birth to life any more. For a chance at that I would give a madman the keys to the sea.” The prince said before standing up.

Rafnir gestured to Astrid to be silent before muttering an arcane phrase in orcish. Astrid watched a she turned invisible before her own eyes. That man was always full of mystery.

“Did you say something Rafnir?” Prince Sellis turned around and looked to him, smiling.

“I think you’re right. There is another way however. The man and his party who spoke to your man at the docks. They are more than capable at removing the artefact from where it rests and we don’t give a madman a weapon. We would need to be discrete and would need a ship that could carry the cargo and captain to take us to where it is but it’s possible.” Rafnir spoke to Prince Sellis, but directing some words towards his hidden friend.

“You speak as if you know this captain already, if so. Can they be trusted?” the Prince asked, walking towards the window causing Astrid to step back and move out of the way of the prince. As he reached the window he stuck his head out and sighed as the water splashed his scaly skin.

“I hope so. She has not let me down yet.” Rafnir said as he stared at where Astrid stood. His mismatched eyes piercing through his own magic and her resolve.

We have explored but 2 of the several NPCs we could use to create under currents with. We could also have our Wizard, Petrel, become a contender for the artefact, or, create a ritual that would strip the madness from the elves.

We have Blakes men who are so driven to the cause that they would complete the mission even if Blake had a change of mind and heart after talking to prince Sellis, not wanting to use the artefact but to right past wrongs.

We also have the main NPCs themselves, Prince Sellis, King Felris, Blake, Rafnir or the party members who could shift the direction of the current and create a different outcome. If the invention / discovery from Petrel meant that an entire army could use it to be able to fight under water then we could have a battle underwater, a clash of two armies under the waves if you will.

What ever the shift, if it makes sense and drives a meaningful or enjoyable change in the story for your players generally about midway through a campaign I introduce a shift, to rekindle the interest of the party or hone their focus onto where I want them to explore. You set the stone to roll and they keep the momentum going forward.

Don’t forget if you like anything in particular do let me know and if you use this adventure/campaign setting and hooks I would equally love to know how they helped drive your creative spark onwards.

And as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The battlefields a strange place to find love..

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Tuesdays and here at Brazen Wolfe Tabletop we look at NPCs to use in adventures, or what I have found myself doing, character inspiration for a PC. Now that NPC day is here let me introduce you to another NPC or two for us interact with in the city next to the waves, Arciryas.

The warriors dance

13TuAV / 13TuGF

Astrid Volcanius vaulted across the balcony tucking her shoulders and head forward as she turned her jump into a roll landing behind one of the pirates that had boarded her ship, The Gallant Swallow. Flicking her wrist out the barbed whip lashed out, wrapping the weighted end around the wrist of one the assailants as they prepared to strike one of her passengers who refused to pay the price demanded.

“Get to the galley, you will be safe there” She called as she ripped the cord back causing the wrist of the man to snap painfully into his face. Darting forward in the same motion she gripped the mans other hand, hauling with her momentum and weight, although not heavy she was of stocky build, she hurled the pirate against the railing of her ship causing him to wobble, disorientated as his boots slid on the water logged boards. Whipping out her weighted whip she snapped the man between the eyes causing his head to snap back from the force of the blow which saw him tumble over the edge of the rail and into the foamy sea below.

“One down” Astrid murmured as she wound the corded leather around her hand again and darted forward, picking up a discarded scimitar as she didn’t dare unsheathe the blade she wore at her hip. Darting across the deck she interrupted two pirates who were coming from her quarters, bags stuffed to the brim with her personal affects and the goods she held in safekeeping for her passengers.

“Looks like I need a new chest, can I help you with that boys?” she asked coyly as she leant in the doorframe.

A look of dumb confusion passed their eyes for a moment before the pommel of the borrowed blade smashed one of their nose, her offhand elbow catching the other in the neck causing the brigand to drop the booty to the floor and clutch as his windpipe as his breath was taken from his body. Grabbing one of the rings from her finger and speaking a command word as she threw it at the two of them the ring expanded and wrapped around both of them, growing, expanding and lengthening until a giant octopus tentacle wrapped around both of the men. “Anchor” she called out, the slimy word echoing out an arcane command to her trinket as more tentacles sprang from the original one and gripped onto the wall, floor and ceiling of the entrance to her quarters locking the two men in place as the squirmy slippery mass bound tighter around the looters.

“Neat trick, do you bring it out for all the boys?” a confidence voice spoke from behind her, turning Astrid looked upon the pale green skin of a half-orc, his tusks smaller than other half-orcs she had met. His piercing eyes, one blue the other brown, spoke of a calculating man who had seen his share of combat.

“Thanks, a girls got to have her secrets” Astrid said, sizing up the man in front of him. By the looks of his scarce armour the harpoon and blade at his hip and the way he leant against the mast of her ship he sure of his place in this world. “Now may I ask what you are doing on my ship?” she said as she began to unwind her whip around her wrist, as subtly as she could muster.

“Heard that there was a ship, unguarded mind you, transporting a range of goods across the sea with foreign dignitaries who are looking to sell their goods in Arciryas. I am here to see if the rumours are true” the half-orc said, plucking something from his between an exposed tusk with the edge of a small knife that she didn’t notice he had drawn. “I can see that for one, it appears the captain of this ship can handle herself, and when I poked around your cargo the goods look mostly harmless.”

A snarl came to Astrid’s face unbidden, “Return what you took brigand and get off my ship” She snapped at the half-orc.

“you have me mistaken..” The half-orc began before flicking his wrist, the blade moving forward with such speed and precision that Astrid could only flip backwards to avoid the blade hitting her, but the blade went wide and as she landed on her feet and looked to see where the blade went she saw the blade buried hilt deep into the palm of a woman, the blade somehow impaling the mans hand into the wood of her door frame, a knife coated in a black inky substance clattered to the floor as the man began to scream.

“It seems your writhing friends let that one go.” The half-orc said coolly, looking between Astrid and the man with the knife impaling his hand to the wall of the cabin. “Sea urchin venom, a nasty way to spend your last hours outside of the embrace of Umberlee”

“I only counted four pirates as they attacked this ship, one is overboard, one is in the slimy embrace of your ring and one is now the proud owner of my toothpick. That leaves one left..” a scream cut off the half-orc musings as a man stumbled up from the stairs to the galley below with a knife held to the throat of one of Astrid’s passengers, the merchants wife if she wasn’t mistaken.

“Let me through! I swear I’ll do it. I’ll bleed her like a marlin” the man shouted emphasising his point by pushing the blades slender tip against the neck against the wailing woman, a bead of blood forming and trickling down her neck.

“Easy now lad, no one needs to die here today” the half-orc stepped forward the palms of his hands facing outwards, he shuffled over so that Astrid couldn’t see the man any more.

“Can you distract him for a moment?” the voice of the half-orc rumbled into existence in her mind, “I can get to him but I need his knife away from her neck“. Smiling Astrid thought how full of tricks this man was before responding back verbally, being familiar with the message spell.

“Just watch me magic man“. As Astrid crept to the right, the mast and the half-orc blocking her progress from the man holding the knife the half-orc reached some arbitrary distance.

“That’s enough, stop there! I swear she will get it. Her blood will be on her hands!” the man said, Astrids keen eye noticing how he held himself, this pirate was in a different league compared to the others. “The price of her freedom has gone up. I need your weapons, all of them. And gold, a lot of gold!. Give me everything this ship has and throw your weapons down there” the pirate gestured down the steps to the galley.

“Sure thing,” The half-orc began as he drew his harpoon and tossed it down the stairs, slowly drawing his scimitar before dropping it to the ground and dropping it down the stairs too. “Now would be a good time” his voice echoed in Astrid’s mind.

“Where is the girl!” The pirate practically shrieked, his voice sounding much like a parrot.

“Right here!” Astrid called as she whipped her rope forward, the weight smashing into the pirates nose causing a splatter of blood to shoot over his face as the nose was pressed against his cheer. The knife dropped as he was startled.

With a snarl, the half-orc whipped his hand forward, a rope made from lightning reaching out to ensnare the pirate and rip him forward, knocking the woman over but away from the pirate as he was wrenched ten feet towards the hulking half-orc. As the man was wrenched forward it appeared as though he was about to stumble, snarling the half-orc exploded forward covering the distance between them in the blink of an eye, his meaty fist coming up to hammer into the mans ribcage.

The moment the fist was about to connect with the man his stumble turned into a roll and he dodged the attack, the hand holding the knife daring forward and scoring a deep wound on the half-orcs arm before whipping back to a defensive position along the forearm of the man who was now smirking.

“Right, the hard way then.” the pirate snarled as he jumped forward, his dagger lashing out at the exposed ribs of the half-orc who managed to bat them away with the back of his one gloved hand. Astrid watched as the offhand of the pirate produced a short sword and whipped out her whip again, the sudden motion causing the pirate to deviate his attack from the half-orcs now undefended side to prevent the weighed coil from wrapping around one of his limbs.

Dashing forward Astrid threw the scimitar from her right hand as she moved to draw the blade at her hip. “Hey magic-man” Astrid called as the blade sailed through the air, the half-orc catching it just in time to parry another thrust from the dirk. As Astrid drew the long sword at her hip she gritted her teeth, sending a silent prayer to any power that would listen to make sure that today wasn’t the day that the blade took its price.

As Astrid moved to engage the pirate a sudden kick and a trust from the short sword caught her off-guard, the blade being deflected by her own but the kick landing heavily on her knee, causing it to buckle and her to stumble backwards. Standing back up and starting to move through the motions her father had taught her to use with the blade the mans movements became more complex as he began to weave between attacking, defending and moving to try and position in such a way that the half-orcs attacks would interrupt the attacks of Astrid. A score of cuts could be seen on the green skin of the half-orc and Astrid was rewarded with a failed attack with a cut across her cheek under her right eye. As the fight wove on the two warriors, the half-orc and Astrid began to move in unison. Scoring a hit or two on the pirate before his defences could keep up.

“You two are good, enough for me to know how this fight ends” the pirate said, jumping and rolling out of an attack that would have removed his right arm. “But I fear I do not lose here today. The smiling lady has other plans for me” the man calmly said as he stood up next the mast, Astrid and the half-orc already rushing towards him. Faster than a viper the man blade cut one of the ropes next to he mast, the rush of air the only indication of the beam that was now falling towards Astrid and the half-orc.

Astrid realised to late as the secondary mast smashed into her stomach, carrying her towards the rail of the ship. The Half-orc was less lucky, his wounded arm taking the full brunt of the impact with a sickening crunch. As the mask smashed them into the railing the pirate flicked his wrist, one of his blades darting up to the helm and no sooner than he had done so the ship started to turn harshly to the port side, the momentum carrying both Astrid and the half-orc over the edge of the railing to dangle over the waves. Astrid using arms to wrap around the mast and try and get a grip the canvas to hold onto the mast as it limply moved above the water below. The half-orc, wrapped one arm around the mast, the scimitar he held dropping into the rolling waves beneat.

“Well, you two gave better than most I will admit. And as I promised no one needs to lose their life today. But I will be taking my men and all the treasure we can carry.” The man smiled in a sickly sweet manner. “You will do well to remember this day as the day you were spared by the dread pirate Gustave Firelock. “

And with that the man turned, returning his short sword in a hidden sheath before dashing off to make good on his promise.

By the time that Astrid and the half-orc made it back onto the deck of the boat the pirates were long gone and so was a lot of the valuable goods they were hoping to trade at port.

“Well that could have gone better” Astrid said, examining the arm of the muscular half-orc. “But if it wasn’t for you I dare say I would be in worse shape with urchin venom coursing in my veins so thank you I guess.” she said, brushing a strand of hair out of her eyes that had come loose from her plat, “This looks to be dislocated so could down from 3.” She said tapping her lower lip.

“3..” The half-orc began with a sigh that turned into a snarl as Astrid pushed his shoulder back into place.

“What is your name any way. I haven’t seen someone fight like you do in a very long time.” Astrid asked, suddenly aware how close to the shirtless half-orc she was.

“Rafnir, Rafnir Coral-tusk is what people call me, but Rafnir is fine” he said, shrugging his tunic back on.

“Astrid, Astrid Volcanius, Well met Rafnir” She said, extending a hand to the half-orc.

Well that’s it for today. The origin story of two friends meeting. It turned into a much longer writeup than I intended but when the current takes you sometimes you just got to see where your end up.

Don’t forget to come back tomorrow where we look at what twists we can wriggle into this weeks adventure and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Dredge the depths

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Welcome all, Monday has come and it brings a new weekly adventure and the 3rd (and maybe last) in the Beneath the ways adventure series. So let’s get looking into what we have on the table for this week.

This week I want to get back to what we started doing but still attempting to stick with the more narrative story driven style that I have adopted more recently, a few options that are a bit shorter should give me more time to be able to produce a variety of content that is still more engaging than a few small bits of information from the DMs point of view.

The Emissary

13MoTE

As the party lay in their bed rolls, the inn no longer having space enough for their group of 4 they were able to secure lodging with the soldiers of Arciryas, they were suddenly jostled awake by a scrawny boy who looked like he had avoided having a bath for weeks.

“Sirs, Sirs, we need you at the docks. The Elves they are back and Blake has requested for your presence at once!”

“I don’t know what use I will be considering that I have not had more than a few hours to rest. That last battle consumed the last of my magical reserves and I fear that I have not had sufficient time to recuperate my reserves…” Zander began, not being a fan of being woken up. Before he could open his mouth to continue complaining Ray spoke up.

“Tell Blake we will be there momentarily.” Ray looked to see Dusk and Mike standing and buckling on their armour. Even Zander had pulled his robe over his head and began attaching his hooded cloak and retrieving his staff that bore the motif of a snake as the body formed the pole of the staff whilst the head of staff resembled a snarling viper.

As the party left the tent they had been housed in they followed the scruffy boy and jogged towards the docks more and more soldiers funnelled from other tents or houses and moved towards the docks, all of them wearing battle ready armour, holding their spears or swords and had a shield strapped to their wrist ready for battle.

Walking down the narrow path to the docks, a defensive design decision to restrict the number of invaders that could take the city by sea the boy shouted to get the soldiers and sailors to make way for the party as they hurried down the slippery path toward the docks, much to Mikes dislike.

As they finished their march down the steep path and the footing underneath became more stable the party noticed a ring of guards, Sir Blake and Rafnir standing behind some of the more armoured of the men who had formed a ring against the edge of the docks.

“Ah, adventurers. I am glad you came with as much haste as you could. Sadly none of us speak elven and we have been unable to establish what this lone elf wants but they have made no move to leave nor any sort of aggression and we are at a loss. However my men, after losing friends and family to these sea elves, are losing their patience and I fear that violence is just under the surface. To punctuate his point a chorus of shouts erupted from the ring of guards and a few guards moved forward before being commanded back into line.

“We have two who can speak elven.” Mike said, looking towards Ray, the sudden ability for him to understand and speak elven appeared at the same time as they wrestled that cursed blade from the banshees tomb.

Striding forward and being of average build and height Ray used his presence to part the guards in front of him, the soldiers parting ways for him with a respectful bow of the heads given that word of his nobility had spread this far and he was the talk amongst many of the soldiers, and the women of the city.

“Hail, what brings you to these docks. I fear that if you were expecting a friendly reception you have chosen the wrong city friend.” Ray spoke, the soldiers looking between him and the sea elf.

The elven male, dressed in a warriors plate made from some form of coral or shell, produced a bow that was both full of grace and purpose but laden with martial prowess that was not lost on Ray.

“My name is Mathias, well met. I did expect to be received as I was,” he look around a faint smile of sadness present on his face. “But I did not expect to be spoken to in that dialect of elven – it is very old for such a young race to have so evidently mastered.” Mathias curiously mused out loud a he looked towards Raynor, his eyes flicking to the blade at his side. If any recognition of the history of the ancient weapon glinted in the eyes of the elf it was lost on all surrounding him. “However failure is not an option for me and I am here as an emissary. Prince Sellis is waiting my return with the permission for himself and his personal guard to seek audience with the ruling body or person of this city.”

Raynor turned and translated the message back to Blake, a nervous murmur spread amongst the guard.

Pushing through the ring of guards Blake came to stand next to Ray. “Tell him that he will have his audience.” the old warriors face revealing none of the thoughts buzzing through his mind.

The King

13MoKF

King Felris smiled, it had been many years since he had felt the rush of cold water on his face as his massive steed sped through the water heading towards the divergence, the divide under the surface where the warmer water met the ice cold water of the deep, where he ruled.

“Smell that Slakeesh, there has been blood spilt. Ahh, it has been so long since we have hunted surface dwellers, their warm blood, their little wooden boats that they hope in vain will protect them. Even when our claws, spears and jaws break through their hulls they cling to the wood as if it a a saviour. They need to stick to their land, and after our hunt they wont dare to venture out on the water again.”

The large shark he rode swam faster, its massive head thrashing from left to right as it too began to smell blood in the water, its speed increasing.

King Felris laughed as the other steeds of the deep sprang forward, all of them blood drunk as they punched through the divergence. Great Eels, sharks, rays and a single giant squid rushed around the king, swarming through the sea as the great hunt began in earnest.

“Sire!,” a young elf swam up to him, his steed, a sea wolf – a rare breed for this part of the ocean, lithe and quick in in the water “We have found a boat, they appear to be non military but they are heading toward the surface dwellers city.” he warrior said, his face giddy with untested excitement.

“Good. Send word that we attack at once, leave no survivors. These surface dwellers have tested our good will for long enough and will need to be taught respect. Make sure to send some of our Ilnari to conduct their rituals. We need all the bodies on the land as we can, and I need more souls to save our children” King Felris spoke, a sadness in his face and voice. The surface dwellers had taken everything from his people, poisoning them at first and causing them to turn upon brother, sister, wife and child. When the king had fallen ill he alone had been strong enough to supress the madness and in his exile from his people he had found it. The cure. The souls of those who were responsible for this poison, this curse could cure the burden his kind had been left with.

As the warrior sped off, signalling for a few other warriors to speed off towards their prey the old King felt remorse. How had his son, a prince of the sea elves, been so soft and weak to believe that the curse was not the fault of the surface dwellers. It was their wrecked war ships that had spread it, their wild, uncontrolled magic had ripped into his people, into his father – the king. To save his wife and pathetic son a terrible fate He had send himself off into exile hoping his son would find the cure but as decades past and no word from the palace, his home, came the king took matters into his own hands.

This was the only way forward, the only choice. It had been so long since he had partaken in a great hunt and he was going to let nothing or no one stop his quest to save his people. A laugh came unbidden to the king, him not even aware that the laugh had taken place as somewhere his warriors dragged the souls of a merchant and his family into the shards of the great Clam, the birthplace of a new race of elf, the rightful rulers of under and above the waves.

Well that’s what we have for this week, the prince coming to offer aid to the city in attempt to save his father from committing something he couldn’t come back from or the King breaking forward and perhaps beating his son to the city, his madness spreading through his army of sea creatures and elves.

Depending on which way we go with this week we may have another week left of adventures in this story arc, but we will have to see what the rest of the week brings. Don’t forget that if you like a particular direction that the adventure could take to leave a comment. Ultimately I want to leave the decision of the adventure to the readers of the blog, or fate and roll to see which one I write-up at the end of the week where we have multiple options.

Oh, and always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe