Month: Apr 2022

Quick Adventure Challenge – April 30

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So it’s been a while since I did one of these and I wanted to try and do one again tonight. So as per the other challenges for the sake of tonight I will enforce the below constraints:

  • 30 minute time limit
  • 1 protagonist
  • 1 location
  • 1 randomly generated enemy
  • “randomly generated pot” (tonight we are using one from here: https://blog.reedsy.com/plot-generator/fantasy/)
  • Grammar and spelling (ONLY!) can be fixed outside of the 30 minutes if required.

So let’s kick off.

PROTAGONIST

A witch, who is abrasive.

SECONDARY CHARACTER

An enchantress-in-training, who is soft-hearted.

PLOT

It’s a low fantasy story about defying destiny. It kicks off in an enemy camp with someone important being kidnapped.

Ok, Cass a soft natured Enchantress who is currently studying under Arabel – a ruthless and efficient witch at the academy has been given her final assignment – Enchant one of the visiting elven dignitaries, a hard task at the best of times, and make them commit an embarrassing act that will send their reputations with the human population into turmoil.

The Academy is located in the City of Gurmish – a rough and dark city that specialises in black market goods, dark dealings and darker deals committed for the right amount of coin. It is however a completely neutral city where dignitaries can find anything and everything including “safe places” to conduct business – such as the current deal between an elven cities royalty and the local human and gnome coalition who wish to trade with the elves and establish mining rights for their advancement in technology.

However as the plan is set into motion the elf dignitary, a lesser prince, is kidnapped whilst in the city, vanishing from one of the better reputed houses of ill repute and both the human and elven governments start the search for him.

Weeks pass and Cass is unable to complete her final test – but her mistress, the witch Arabel has ordered her to locate the prince, complete the task or she will never be granted the title of Enchantress and be welcomed to the council of nine- an order of mages who preside over a school of magic with the high witch being there to break ties between the schools. Cass is next in line to take over the mantle of of high enchantress and be able to sit in the council.

BUT – Cass organised the fake kidnapping – going so far as to seek out the prince, warn him that he was in danger and being targeted and then ferried him away to safety, out of the public eye until she can work out a way to get his name off the list. The reason for this is Cass believes that this prince is actually her brother – discovering late in her life that she was half-elven from when her mother had an affair with an lower elven lord.

The Witch Arabel isn’t stupid though and wonders if Cass has the right mettle for the task – she has recruited the party to investigate the disappearance and find the prince – the reward is access to the counsel’s magic vault and the selection of one magical relic, artefact or goods from within. What the party doesn’t know is that the vault is nearly dry – a handful of items remain as the council is moments from ruin and the conflict between elves and humans was the only thing that was keeping gold in their purses.

The party would need to skirt the dangerous streets of Gurmish – bandits, thugs and worse lurk the streets and aren’t afraid to take what they see as theirs – including anything the party have. Futhermore the humans and elven councils are also looking for the missing dignitary so they will have their own men and women after the prince and his location – so there are many people in the race for information, a location and the prince!

The party would need to start their search with finding his last seen location by talking to his guards who have taken place up in a local inn for dignitaries – The Broad Boar, the guard will tell them, with sadness, that they left him to watch a dance and have some drinks and then when they returned from their own dances (which they will say they were patrolling the area) he was gone. Arabel sends the party to the guards with a token (forged) which she tells them will allow them to convince the guard, magically, that the party are guards of the city who are on official business.

The dance hall is called The Pink Lilly, a place for drinks and dances – of the adult variety. The matron will know of what happened but she wont see anyone unless something is wrong with her house of ill-repute – so the party need to make a scene, bribe their way to her, or work with one of the dancers in the venue in order to see. The Matron, Galadea (Gal-a-day-ah) is half drow, strong and quick witted and is not to be trifled with – however for the right leverage (DMs discretion) she will tell the party that the prince was seen leaving with a singled armed guard – who was not a guard at all! “Obviously an illusion, a poor one at best. You could tell that the way the cloak danced in the light that it was fake. Childs play to detect such petty magic for someone experienced such as I”. Flattery will worth with Galadea somewhat but she will play with the the party members who think that they can manipulate, charm or coerce her.

When asking about the guard people on the streets, shop owners and beggars will ask for coin, a few silver or a few gold depending on the venue. Eventually when the Party pay a homeless dwarf – who watches everything acutely (Insight check DC14 after spotting the dwarf DC13 perception) – if the party buy him a hot meal and a few mugs of ale at his favourite tavern “The Spitted Manticore” then he will tell the party (after eating and drinking for an hour) that he saw the guard and the elven prince move to a alchemical supply shop – “All that Glitters could be gold” and that she guard and prince never left. He also mentions that the same info was given to some mean spirited elves and humans – except that he said that it was a different shop – same street though – they would be getting close to uncovering the princes wheareabouts.

“All that glitters could be gold” is in the employ of Cass – she being a long lasting patron she has organised use of a hidden back room for keeping the prince hidden. However the elves and humans are also closing in on the venue and time is of the essence.

The prince is shocked to see the adventurers, as he is not in the room and is flirting with the shop assistant when they walk into the building – the party need to convince him to leave with them instead of the elves and humans – deception is best as he is a bit gullible but not overly stupid.

Cass walks in as the party are leaving and then pleads with them to her her out – casting a spell to turn them all invisible to all but each other as she walks them to a nearby house. She explains why she kidnapped the prince and asks them to not take him back to the elves and humans yet until she works out what to do with Arabel. At that time several thugs break into the room and surround the party, prince and Cass – Arabel walks in and asks the party to make a decision – help the soon to be excommunicated Cass and prince – or help her murder the prince, blame it on Cass so that she can create war with the elves.

Parties choice.

Time commenced: 5:25

Time completed: 5:53 (2 minutes spare)

Some inspiration taken from the 8 schools of magic

Found here: https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/9uspaa/oc_schools_of_magic_periodic_circle/

Well tonight it just flowed – the plot generator helped point somethings in the right direction (and I didn’t use all of it as I didn’t have time to write a whole novel!) but it was good to do this challenge again.

If you like what you read tonight let me know! Better yet if you have a suggestion for a future one let me know below and I will try and deliver the random adventure in 30 minutes based on the restrictions and requirements you give me.

Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for the end of the week write-up and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Inevitable boarding

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Hi all and welcome to Friday, also known as Fight-night! Tonight I wanted to had a small random encounter for whilst the party is still in the marshlands – aboard the ship or on foot.

So sit back, enjoy, and let’s get into it.

Ethereal malcontents

217FrEtMa

As the mist wafted across the waters surface the the onlookers assumed nothing was different to the previous nights where the same phenomena happened. That is until movement from within the mists foretold the appearance of humanoid faces gliding atop shadow and air which writhed towards sentient life like a leech does blood.

Now, being someone similar to the Shadow we would use them as such except that they are a lot weaker than a shadow. Ambushing, stealth and infiltration before wearing there targets down before draining them of life.

For a party of 4 level 5 characters we would probably look at around 8 of these – enough that one per turn per player will go down but they will still be able to give that sense of dread and danger to the player to let them know that they are in danger.

Well after the last few nights being larger than I had intended tonight is a bit smaller than I had intended but I also didn’t want to overload what we had for this month as its quite busy. Don’t forget to come and see the final product at the end of the week and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Keeping afloat

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Hi all and welcome to Thursday where, for us here at Brazen Wolfe Tabletop we look at extra bits, items, maps, stat blocks, information and titbits that make our game richer.

Tonight, after an incredibly long day at work I have opted for the easy way out (but don’t fret! I will have what I originally planned as additional goodies for Sunday!).

Help from old foes

217ThHfoF

As the crew lit another fire and cooked the food that they or the Toad-kin had managed to catch for breakfast Kyoko stared at the ship, her ship, the Dancing Drake as it sat resting between two mudbanks which it had drifted between during the fight with the chiefs and the now friendly Toad-kin a few days ago. As a few toad-kin swam to the surface having slowly been patching the hull with twigs, leaves and a sap that grew from a certain tree in the nearby forest they looked exhausted but approached her joyously.

The croaks, grunts and clicks that came forth from them with gesturing and drawing in some soft soil near by indicated that they had something to show, and they were excited by it. “Go on, lead the way” she said as she shucked her layered lamellar chest plate, bracers and greaves before following the toad-kin into the water using a rope that had been tied to the edge of the ship as a way to keep herself from being swept back out to see or pulled down into the deep river by the strong currents – no one here was a strong as a swimmer as the Toad-kin. As she drifted below the water several eel, and snake like fish darted away from the boats edge as she pulled herself along to where the hole, well was previously. Instead of broken boards and a gaping hole to the ship there was now an, albeit ugly, patchwork of reeds, branches, leaves and a hard semi-shiny sap like material that even as she looked at it under water was hardening and shrinking; binding the mess of plants together. Pointing up she surfaced and moved towards the shore, the toad-kin coming to help her as they were at home in the water as much as on the land.

“It looks, well not as good as new, but mended. When will be set and ready to sail?” she asked as she squeezed water from her hair. The toad-kin who had followed her drew three moons and circled the last one. “Thee moons from now. Huh, well its better than nothing and will do until we can get it repaired by the ship builders.” she said smiling. “thank you” she said as she patted the lumpy skin of the toad-kin in front of her who croaked with a broadening grin -revealing their sharp teeth lined powerful jaws.

“Captain!” a voice yelled from on deck, Sun Yu one of her crew mates. “We have two toads approaching” he yelled.

Moving around the side of the ship, grabbing her chest piece and strapping it back on as she moved she met the toads as they leapt onto the mudbank. “Princess Kyoko, star emissary, the adventurers have made it through the Marsh, and the jungle” they paused to breathe as a cheer went up, some bewildered faces at the Toad-kin speaking common were scattered amongst the crowd – including Kyoko.

“that good news. We should be on our way soon then it seems” she said with a grin, looking at the curious pendant that the Toad-kin was wearing.

“that’s not all – the Oni are attacking the town on the waters edge, the town is falling. The adventurers, Kookastem catcher and Long tooth slayer,” audible gasps could be heard from the toad-kin present, “stayed behind to go help the town but the Oni are shrouded in shadow – we must aid them if they are to succeed.

Kyoko gritted her teeth, this was not good but she could not let her crew know that she was worried. “I guess we don’t have three days to wait for the sap to set. We shove off tomorrow at midday on the morning – a day and a half shall have to do..” Concerned looks came from the toad-kin who had patched the ship but the camp immediately bustled with activity as crewmen climbed aboard the ship with buckets to start bucketing out water from below deck.

“Liz – a word if you will” Kyoko called as she walked towards her and Siu – concern on the face of the dragon-like beast called Siu as Kyoko picked up the rest of her armour and started to buckle them on as well.

Well I had intended it on being a shorter night but, much like last night, once I had worked out where and how I wanted to go with the write-up it just flew. Don’t forget to come back the next few nights for the last few pieces of content and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The deal

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Hi all and welcome to our twist day where we look at what curve balls, forks in the road and pitfalls we can put in the path to adventure for our parties. Tonight I want to explore a little bit more, perhaps put some mystery and intrigue into our little adventure.

Shadows Calling

217WeShCa

The warm air that blew across the last of the marsh was enough to calm the nerves that had built up over the past few days since the Oni first appeared out of the mists. A shudder rippled down her back as they remembered the ruthless efficiency at which they killed indiscriminately before moving to the next target, passing by the seemingly lifeless body that crumpled under a man who had taken an arrow to the chest – her body, not lifeless just cowardly.

As the Oni rushed past the fields, torching the houses and building that nurtured them the feeling of guilt and relief mixed together like a witches brew in inside, maybe just maybe she would get out of this nightmare alive.

“Hey, pssst, do you need some help?” a voice said after what felt like an hour of listening to the sounds of distant battle. Daring to open an eye and look up at the source of the voice they were greeted by woman, wrapped in furs and cloth and huddled behind a wagon that had been turned on its side – the draft horse having been shot through with arrows when the Oni attacked.

“Yes, please.” she whispered her reply, nodding as the woman ran over and crouched next to the girl stuck under the body of the dead man before slowly pulling the body off and helping the girl to stand to her feet. “I-I-I don’t know where to go or what to do. The Oni are attacking the town now and I don’t think I can make it on my own in the woods.” the girl stammered as the sat next to her saviour who looked at her with a calculating stare.

“I have… no, sorry. I couldn’t do that to you…” the woman began

“No please anything. I need help I don’t know what to do or where to go” the girl asked.

The woman looked to the girl and sighed “I have this stone, a cursed object that makes it nearly impossible for someone to look at you even when you want them too. The catch is that you cant drop it or give it up until someone does notice you and then the curse is broken. You broke the curse for me, somehow, so I can give you the stone but no one will see you, truly see you even if they search for you until you find someone who can then the curse is broken.” the woman began “It’s a curse and a blessing as it could get you into the town if you are swift about it – but you will be cursed for some time and be alone with just yourself to rely upon..” she continued before the girl spoke up.

“I will take it, please anything to get me away from the Oni” the girl pleaded – her eyes searching for the stone that would be her salvation.

“There is something else…” she continued as she produced a black stone from a pocket. But by then the girl had snatched at it and the rock was gone. The woman’s mouth turned into a grin for but a moment before returning back to a concerned “The other thing is that you will owe one favour, but a small price to pay for your life. But when its called upon you will be magically bound to complete it. You will know the price of the stone when you see it, or hear it or even just feel what its asking and to ignore it means a painful death. – You will be unable to speak about this promise, this favour, until you complete it – much like I have just completed mine.

The girl stood up and stumbled back – looking upon the woman with both manic relief and panic, this sounded like the type witchcraft where the price was always too high for what it gave you.

As she ran away from the woman she stopped dead in her tracks as an Oni rounded the corner and stared at her, then past her towards the woman before taking off at some speed in that direction, running right past the girl. Amazed that the stone actually worked she ran to the city walls, where the piles of dead humans and few Oni were littered around the gate which was slightly open so people could rush in and out to retrieve their wounded or fallen brethren.

“Thank the ancestors you’re here. Plea..” she began but the solider she was talking to walked passed her – ignoring her completely even when he bumped into her.

“Private, bring those men in. Lieutenant make sure none of those Oni are living.” the man barked as she went from one Oni body to another – driving a short blade through their chest.

Stumbling through the gates the girl looked at the black stone that refused to fall from her hand, as if glued to her palm and she began to cry as people pushed past her carrying bodies or wounded, dying and dead men and women in from the outside of the ruined gates and walls.

Days later and after a week or so of hard nights of stealing to eat and survive a large red sailed ship moored at the docks and the people of Jade Point rushed onboard the ship. The girl stumbled towards the ship, determined to survive but the past week had crushed the hope she had as she was sure she was going mad. A day after the stone came into her possession – which she had worked out how to get it to be in a pocket rather than in her hand, it was all about intention – she had started to hear whispers, telling her where to find food, talking to her like an old friend or like someone who cared about her which she wrote off as just herself creating voices and friendliness in the space where she felt none of that.

As she stumbled onboard no one looked out towards her but there was rations, fresh water and a place that was far from the Oni – even now there was the sounds of battle could be heard from the raised ramparts on the hill as a group of people created a distraction to enable the town to escape – well those who survived.

The next morning the ship stopped to let the adventurers who faced the Oni alone back on board and as she lent across the railing with the warm breeze as a chorus of cheering and celebration took place she managed to smile for herself for the first time in a few days.

“I was awestruck too the first time I saw what they could do” a voice said next to her. “These adventurers from across the sea – they are pretty amazing don’t you think” the friendly face said to her with a warm smile.

“Yes” she replied back, the stone dropping like a heavy weight in her pocket – no longer bound to her. “Yes it is pretty amazing. Thanks for rescuing me – I have a something I want to give to you…”

Thanks for joining me tonight for what proved to be a more lengthy writeup than what I had intended – but I kind of got lost in it and enjoyed writing up something that I think will cause some chaos a bit later – but more on that when it comes up. Don’t forget to come back in the next couple of days to catch up on what I have planned for this week and especially this weekend with some of the additional content I have for this end of month write-up, and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The importance of survival

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Hi all and welcome to the last Tuesday of the month where tonight I want to look at the leader of the Oni incursion force, Mugrave, and what happens to her after the Party confront her when she is torturing Captain Jake Hart.

This week I introduce a, semi-lasting antagonist NPC who’s primary focus is keeping themselves alive to complete their debt to the Shadow and be freed from its service.

Mugrave the Shadows left hand

217TuMu

The wound across her shoulder, running down her torso and to her hip throbbed and ached – a reminder to not underestimate the allies that the people of this land has called for. Sitting down having walked for quite some time since her shadow-form had worn off she rummaged through the bag she kept on her at all times and picked through the trinkets, plant bits and bits of meat that she kept in there – finding a sliver of torn out bark from an old tree that grows in the marshes she bit off a chunk and chewed, welcoming the bitter yet spicy flavours knowing it will help heal her wounds quicker.

“Well, that puts a dint in our plans then” she mumbled, feeling the cold claws of the Shadow pressing on the skin on her shoulders. “Never mind that though the town suffered enough casualties and it looks like they have abandoned it for now. Plus we got the information we needed from them, even if the Toad-kin never returned with their end of the bargain we still found out what is on that ship – Princess Kyoko has brought home something more than magical trinkets. My agents said that there was a Fallen Star amongst that ship,” Mugrave could feel the shadow recoil at the mention of the star – but the knowledge of its existence in the land was better that finding it by surprise, “quite a shock since you killed the last of the realm bound stars – or so the story goes. Perhaps you missed one?” she teased the shadow – feeling its searing cold anger flash against her psyche.

The bombardment of visions, words, sounds and the urgency in its desire for action washed over Mugrave, she was used to the way the Shadow communicates having been born with a connection to the dark entity. “Let me get this straight, the adventurers who nearly killed me and ruined your plans single handed – you want me to follow them into the heart of the enemies territory and snuff out this light before it realises the truth?” she signed, wiping the blood that dripped from her nose – a symptom of having the shadow in your head. A reassuring squeeze, or controlling she wasn’t quite sure, told her what the deal was.

“If I do this I am free. This is it, no more” Mugrave said, turning to stare at the Shadow – something that she knew it hated. The writhing mass of darkness had taken some physical form, two long thin arms ended in three digited hands that ended in claws. a long serrated beak had formed under two glowing embers that narrowed with not only anger, but contemplation.

“Deal” – the one word resounded out in her mind, like a bolt of lightning in the darkness before the thunder caught up. After the word was hissed the shadow turned to mist and disappeared, floating up and over the rocky outcrop in front of her and towards the dark recesses of the mountain. Mugrave turned to stare towards the capital. To make a deal to release a pawn, especially one like herself, the fallen star must either terrify or concern the Shadow – either way she knew where she was going, the price of her freedom was easy enough – A life for a life, the end of this star for the true beginning of her life away from the Shadow – and all the power that came with unbridled access to her birth right.

She grinned revealing her sharpened teeth as she slowly stood, testing out her wounds as she began to walk back the way she came, her body shrinking and cracking as she walked taking on the guise of a young, somewhat beautiful yet plain woman wrapped in furs and commoners clothes. A trick that she loaded to use as it normally added time to her indenture with the Shadow but since it was effectively paying for this – she was able to go fully out and let go of the restrictions and chains that normally held her back.

This star would stutter out and then there would be nothing that could stop her and the master she was soon to stop serving, the shadow.

Thanks for joining me tonight and getting a glimpse into a bit of the mind of Mugrave, the shadows left hand. The price of freedom is normally pretty great and in this case the party stand between the Oni and her freedom from the contract she walked into at birth. Don’t forget to come back the next few nights as we wind up this months adventure and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Desperation Point

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Hi all and welcome to the last week of the month where this week we compile the previous three weeks writeups into one post to be looked at as a single adventure.

Tonight I want to look at the easiest choice for the party to make and the easiest way forward – making a run to the town.

Jade Point

217JaPo

The Run down to the town wasn’t the be difficult part nor was the exhaustion setting in from days of poor rest. Dodging arrows and the ever encroaching mist hiding Oni or worse within was. As the party ran past a line of barely noticeable white stones in the grass arrows and bolts whizzed passed them to meet a rushing Oni as if two opposite poles of a magnet finally able to be united.

“supportive fire, lose when ready” a gruff voice bellowed up ahead as the party had to jump abruptly as a few logs came into view causing them to slow down or jump if they wished to avoid being stuck behind a 3ft high log. As they cleared a few logs they saw hastily repaired walls, well scaffolding, where a handful of archers stood and shot into the mist as the Oni slowly ceased their pursuit. As the party neared the wall several armed but tired looking soldiers rushed out from behind a door that was pulled open quickly and escorted in the party.

The moment they crossed the threshold behind the barricades they were surrounded by soldiers who had their weapons trained on them. “Take them to the inn. I’ll be there shortly once we know if the Oni are dealt with” said the voice before.

Three party didn’t have to wait long in a large, cold storage room at the inn before a haggard man stepped through, a fresh bandage covering the left side of his face. “Well, you best get talking before I send you out with the Oni. Where is captain Jake and private Yu?” The man began by sitting and clicking this fingers which caused a fire place to bloom to life in the room.

After a run of questions from the man in In front of them they find out he is Lieutenant Mattyias, second in command to Captain Jake who went missing sometime today. “Well, if what you say is true it sounds like we are both working for the same side. We came to the defence of this city on our way back to White fort and have been at a loss how to get the town’s folk our of here. If we could mend your ship and get the townsfolk, well those who remain, onboard we could save the rest of these people. But the Oni won’t let us leave or escape. Lost a few of my men and brothers in arms to that plan.” He mused out loud.

“What we need is a distraction, one that would keep them away from the town long enough that we can get these people out of here. I also want to find Captain Hart. He is one of the best captains we have and he cant be left in enemy hands. His knowledge alone is worth his survival and the Oni probably know that too. My guess is he and Yu are behind enemy lines.” Mattyias continued. “Perhaps you were sent here for a reason? Got any ideas?”

Thanks for joining me tonight for the wind-down before the wrap-up this weekend coming. Don’t forget to come back each day this week so that we can look into the tweaks, extra detail and additional things for this adventure and see what it creates at the end of the week. This week marks the end of my short break and with only a unit, and friends, painted alas I was unable to get through 80 miniatures in such a short timeframe but I will endeavour and push on! Don’t forget to keep an eye out for my extra content and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Oni Incursion

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Welcome to another end of week writeup where this week we have the party travel through the jungle at night, get ambushed (surprise!), find Jade Point and meet the Oni.

This is a bit of a bigger week so I better get a move on it without spending too much time discussing the week.  

Defence of Jade Point

True to her word Varda’s charms saw the party standing on solid ground soon at the base of tangled grove of trees, the now talking Kiri and little feathered bird fetish proving invaluable in their bid to leave the Marsh. Now standing at the edge of the mass of trees which could only be described as a jungle due to the hot, dense mass of trees, roots, bushes and other vegetation it appeared as though they would have a hard time traversing the jungle floor whilst constant drops of warm water dripped down upon them from the heavy canopy above.

The creatures in the jungle were smaller than the marsh, skittish even which meant there was always a noise, a growl, a call or a watching shadow nearby the party as they moved through the dense vegetation and avoided being trapped in the vines, roots and leaves. As night fell the party set up camp whilst Kiri warned them of the many dangers, a list that went on for quite some time. The noises increased in tempo and volume the party began to believe some of the stories the toad-kin told over the flickering embers of the fire and as creatures of the jungle wandered into camp either curious of the light and noise or hungry for what they believed was an easy meal.

After a day walking after one of the worst nights sleep that anyone could remember for some time, including the storm at sea, they stumbled through the edge of the Jungle turned forest and looked down upon the port town which sat at a large cove in the river about a further mile away.

Thick black smoke billowed forth from buildings on the outskirts of the town and evidence of battle could be seen from this distance, fallen bodies and a small camp settled in from the north of where the party had come from the jungle, could be seen cloaked by an constant cloud of mist that defied the wind and cast a massive shadow over the ram shackle camp.

The Toad-kin seemed spooked, jittery even, and when the party finally spoke they jumped in fear. “That’s no brigand or ramshackle force there, that’s an Oni camp – blessed by the shadow. It seems they, the shadow, had a backup plan in case my people could not stop you in the marsh.” he began, fear causing his voice to tremble. “I will go and warn my people, and the ship, there must be another way to where you need to go. To face the Oni is death.”

Looking forward at the town and the ramparts the party discussed on their course of action, tired and low on reserves after the marsh and the jungle they were unsure of what their next move was but knew that they could not stay at the edge of a jungle and that the port was their next stop and best hope at returning back to the ship to re-unit with Kyoko, Siu and Lizbet to reach the Captains home city and lend aid where they could.

Some time later…

The party watched a dark mist flooded the lower recesses around the gap between the rampart and the dock town with morbid interest – memories of the mist and the creatures it bore from Daye still fresh in their minds. As they looked towards the town they noticed two people stride from the town, from this distance they were just two small figures like ants but it was very evident that something that wrong when the one in the back moved suddenly and the front figure collapsed onto the ground. The mist approached the two hungrily and soon it engulfed them, the vapour collapsing around the wall before alarm bells tolled and figures buzzed around the towns crudely constructed barricade like ants defending their nest.

The mist retreated and bodies clad in a grey clothing – or armour, the distance was really doing a disservice to those watching this unfold, were left in its wake – but the two figures that left the safety of the walls were gone.

Taking that as a sign the party made haste down the slight hill from where the jungle grew and head towards the town but they were stopped by the clack of crossbows and the whistling of bolts as projectiles rained down upon them. Tall, vicious grey armour clad humanoids rushed at them as another volley of bolts whizzed around them and landed at their feet. The humanoids had red skin, pointed ears and large flat features that reminded them of goblins and some orcs from their home continent and as the warriors got closer they snarled, revealing their sharpened short tusks and murderous intent in their eyes.

Areas of note

The Marsh– Using the Fetish of the Kookastem the party was able to move across the marsh with relative ease – avoiding the other dangers lurking above and below the water.

The Jungle – The dense trees, roots and vegetation makes travel and visibility of approaching dangers difficult to notice until its too late. Luckily, or maybe unluckily, the thick canopy of trees

Jade Point – A small town of a few hundred people at most who work the docks or provide for those that do. A few smaller farms lay on the outskirts of the town that produce vegetables and grain for the people of the town and their animals but most of the people work on the docks or on the river.

Build with a few 15ft tall walls that protect it from the forest and surrounding areas from wandering brigands – but not a well trained force like the Oni. The outer walls that faced the West have sustained sever damage without the use of siege weapons but large lumbering shadows have been seen over the walls in the ramparts built where the Oni have encamped.

The Oni encampment – Surprisingly well built for something that seemingly sprung up overnight – the 20ft walls are made from trees not native to this area and even watch towers seemed to have been created without the people of Jade Point noticing, well too much.

NPCs

Kiri – a small toad-kin of young years who believes in the old ways. Spirited and savvy he volunteered to help guide the adventures through the marsh and jungle despite thinking thinking their plan foolish. Since receiving the Longsnout talisman he has been able to speak common and is eager to talk to the party and help there where ever he can.

Captain Jake Hart

Young but ambitious Jake happened to near the town of Jade point as they were being besieged by the Oni and him and his small returning regiment of soldiers have defended it for four days – however their numbers decrease every day and Jake has gone missing.

Environment and running the adventure

The Jungle – The party would have some creature visit their camp every few hours during the night whether it is just one leopard (panther) looking for an opportunistic meal, a pack of hyenas (3-5 of them), a hunting pack of lizardfolk (5-8 of them by themselves or 1 shaman and 4 lizardfolk). The Party would not be able to benefit from a good nights rest unless they are able to deal with the visitors by them selves or keep the entire party hidden somehow.

The Field – To the south of the town is where the party appear from the Jungle – about a mile away and slightly up hill. The mist spreads from the Oni Encampment (which is a bit higher from where the party look out from the trees) into the fields below towards the walls of Jade Point and even up to the trees where they are now – raising up to the trees edge when the mist is particularly thick. When the mist is thick any Oni has advantage on stealth checks made while they are within the mist and all other races consider the mist being a heavily obscured area which blocks vision entirely. (A creature effectively suffers from the blinded condition when trying to see something in that area.)

The encampment and Jade point– See Map

Made by me with Inkarnate.com – original can be found here

Encounter

In this encounters let’s assume that our party of 4 have all reached level 5, I think that would be fitting for being this far in the adventure-year.

Ambush in the jungle: for each 2 hours interval roll on the below table (or choose!)

d6 ResultEncounter
11 Leopard (panther) approaches the party – if all are asleep it will attack the one furthest from the group – if one is awake then opposed stealth vs perception check is required or the leopard gets a surprise round on the party.
24-5 Hyena’s attack the campsite suddenly, any exposed food or rations is lost as the hyenas eat that first before attempting to grab a PC.
35-8 Lizardfolk attack, shooting the party first before engaging in melee.
44 Lizardfolk attack with a shaman, if there is a member of the party awake and the shaman is detected (stealth vs perception) and if the party is successful the shaman will hold off on attacking immediately and will talk to the party member that is awake. They can sense Lizbet on the party but want to seize her power to protect themselves from the Oni (but will deceive to get it)
5A friendly spirit wanders into the camp and begins to ask questions of them, waking up people if need be, curious about everything and everyone it upturns bags, rummages through sacks but stays away from iron and magical items.
6A sudden close growl or shriek happens – Anyone with passive perception 13+ is woken immediately.

Second part.

The Oni attack the party just outside the Jungle with a rain of arrows first off while being hidden in the fog. 1 Oni captain and 7 Oni attack them, 3 at range and 4 in melee. The captain stands back and issues commands to the melee until 1 drops then she will engage. Whilst not engaged in combat the Captain takes the dodge action. The Oni look to knock out the party not kill them so they only use non-lethal attacks.

Third part– Path a.

If the party parley or get captured by the Oni they end up in the main tent atop a hill where they find Captain Jake tied up – just a they soon are. Then the Oni Shadow Blessed appears and starts to try and get information out of them about Lizbet and Kyoko – and any plans they have. In the tent there are no other Oni’s. The Party can try and subtly escape their bindings (DC14+ depending on what they want to do) but the Oni Shadow Blessed will leave and come back again if she doesn’t get what she wants out of them the first time around. She isn’t above casting charm person on a PC if it gets her information.

Third part– Path b.

If the party don’t get captured by the Oni they could sneak into the ramparts to fight through many Oni, (a few encounters of similar numbers mentioned above) until they reach the tent where they find Captain Jake being tortured by a large female Oni (Oni Shadow Blessed) who will try and capture them by calling out for guards (if any survived) or will try and charm and bewitch many of them to get information from them (see path a)

Third part– Path C.

If the party don’t get captured by the Oni they could make there way to the city where they are captured quickly by friendly but scared troops who take them to a leader, for now, who releases them from their binds and tells them about the Oni and Captain Jake going missing. The leader then advises them of the plan to leave the harbour and save the villagers if they can get a ship into port as they only have a single boat ready to sail but its not enough to save them all but the Dancing Drake would be big enough for those who remain) – but they would also need a diversion to make sure that the people can board a big enough ship and continue up river. Up to the party now if they want to create a diversion, attack the encampment to search for Jake or do something else.

Aftermath

This one is tricky – ideally the Dancing drake makes it into port and people board it and head to the capital. If Captain Jake is rescued or the Oni Shadow blessed is hurt (enough that she turns gaseous form and leaves the tent) then the following morning the fog and most of the encampment is gone. If they don’t go then the city is attacked by double the number of the scouting Oni and survivors (party included) are captured and taken to the Oni Shadow Blessed (play out Path A)

Well that’s it for tonight – the ending was a bit hard this week with a few options – the Oni Shadow blessed is quite cunning and wont risk their life for no amount of information and should flee where possible (unless killed so quickly that they simply can’t flee). The following week (and in the end of month writeup) I will decide on an option but as the DM we should encourage flexibility in how we structure our sessions and there are clear defined paths here which lead in different directions.

Don’t forget to come back next week as we look to finish this months adventure and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Soulbound – A test playthrough

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Hi all, a short soulbound update using the pro features from Inkarnate (not a sponsor – maybe one day it will mean something to say that!).

I asked a few veterans to RPG systems over the last week to help me explore how to run Soulbound campaigns in the future so I whipped up a few encounters each increasing in difficulty to see what the limit is with the number of creatures I throw at them.

So lets look at the encounters planned so far.

Encounter 1 – Ambush at Traders pass

For this encounter I have a 10 creature swarm of grots, 4 squig hoppers, 10 creature swarm of squigs (squig herd) and a fungoid cave shaman. The creatures ambush the party on the road as they are moving from where they underwent the soulbinding to Anvilguard (or maybe Brightspear – this is meant to drive out some connections between the party and let new players explore the system without too much risk to permanent death.) The squigs charge at what ever they find after a comical entrance (one falling down into the middle of the road then the rest of the swarm rushing forward to attack what ever they see) then the bounders attacking cackling madly as the 10 grots rain down arrow fire upon the wagon (Causing it to flee) from behind the logs and in the dense trees.

The Shaman stands atop the hill and throws spells and insults at the party screaming “Get them, feed my squiggies, get them get them!”

The zones are easy. Zone -1 (Zone 6 I guess) is the tress to the bottom left of the map, Zone 1 is the road, zone 2 is the trees to the top of the map, zone 3 is the clearing before the hill, zone 4 is the hill, zone 5 is the bottom right trees.

Made with Inkarnate.com

The encounter was easy for the party, Spread on ranged weapons and a pretty strong melee fighter that can dish out enough damage to kill a swarm by themselves made it a cake walk. The squig herd died down to 3 creatures from the first shot (stand and shoot talent) the squig hoppers died in melee but did some damage – which the branchwych managed to heal back very quickly. The Range on the rifle got a few damage on the shaman (who fled leaving a bloody trail to the next area), the grots didn’t do much apart from the plot hook but the volume of dice rolled meant that a few damage got through good defence. The Shaman did the most damage but failed two spells! (out of three being cast with his once per battle, and mettle being spent).

The Squig Pit – Here we had three units of 10 creature squig herds, four squig herders and a loonboss on giant cave squig. This was 3 swarms of 10 minions, four warriors and one chosen. The chosen was super strong here and the minion swarms hurt a lot – despite the group being able to demolish all of them.

Called shot meant that the loonboss spent most of his time on his back AND stunned – both are very powerful but when he did finally get to attack (from hiding) he managed to inflict deadly wounds on two different characters – this was quite the surprise to the party. The squigs did a lot of damage this time with the herders and the loonboss buffing their attack profiles up a rank on the ladder (to a total of two rungs!).

The layout was confusing here. Top of the fallen tree and the road and the trees was zone 1 upto the rocks above the cave, below the fallen tree and upto the rocks was zone 2, the rocks were zone 3, the pit and walkway was zone 4, the northern ledges were zone 5m the bottom ledges were zone 6 and the cave was zone 7. This is another ambush IF the party cant sneak up (stealth(body) checks) – if they succeed on stealth they ambush the grots, if they dont the get ambushed by squigs in the forest and one in the pit.

Made with Inkarnate.com

This encounter saw two characters get deadly wounds and only through the branchwych healing and casting Thorn shield every round did we see the party not take more wounds. The note here is to decrease difficulty (or number of creatures/units.. things) if there is extreme synergy.

Thanks for looking into my madness a bit, I anticipate that future sessions will see more updates and hopefully more maps as I see the different in details with the pro version of Inkarnate makes these maps look much better as both of these maps were made by hand – well mouse and keyboard by myself.

Don’t forget to look out for my end of week write-up also coming out later tonight and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Hobby update! Rats on parade

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Hello one and all to a Saturday special where I wanted to show off some basing I did today. No painting was completed today, well some on Monday, but I wanted to see how much I could get done during the week and boy dis I underestimate kids holidays.

Despite having perhaps two afternoons of doing what I pleased I didn’t manage to get much significant painting done, which is an issue. So today I spent some time, a hour or so, finishing up the basing process I did for my painted clanrats.

So enjoy the short reel and hope you like the progress!

The clawpack, leader up front
Flanking shot, a lot of red fabric there
My favourite model from this unit, just super happy with it.
Maybe this one needed more rocks..
The Clawleader of the pack!
Wish his pink eyes stood out more
Great little paintjob on this rat. Pretty happy with him
Yellow flowers make his colours pop!
Love this model, second favourite from the painted and based batch
It’s the chainmail on his helmet that does it.
Some issues with these two but a good learning experience. Hand behind shield still has bare primer colours.. oops!!
A smidge of metal hit the shield. Damn tiny things they are. Another learning here.
Only noticed after taking the photo the smidge of white showing throw on the spear haft. A small mistake.
That pesky metal flicking onto the shield.. not super noticeable until your looking at it from this angle and distance.

Maybe the hardest model to paint, hence the extreme sub assembly…

Too many little bits, and big bits.. bits in general

Dry fitted together. Great little model – one day it will have better rules but until then its a good looking model nonetheless.

Thanks for joining me to look at my small hobby progress. 27 models with paint, 25 done, 1 nearly done (banner) and 1 half way done (doomwheel).

Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for the end of week write-up and as always, Don’t forget to roll with advantage,

The Brazen Wolfe

The Oni

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Hi all and welcome to Friday (fight night!) where I want to have a bit of a look at the Oni, the warrior race of people who have inhabited the northern mountain ranges and who formed pacts with the Shadow, a dark entity who only wants to see the world turn to darkness and chaos.

Not to be confused with the Oni from the Monster Manual (although its relatively close to the Oni Shadow Blessed) theses creatures resemble and act like a highly disciplined, brutal version of the hobgoblin – driven by the pacts made with the shadow to do unspeakable acts to the other humanoids of the continent.

Face of the Shadow

216FrFotS

A martial race known for otherwise being brutal and calculating warlords and raiders who capture the more civilised races of Ryokughan for their brutal shadow overlord.

Oni – warrior caste

The Oni warriors are brutal warriors that take advantage of the generally weaker humanoid races of the Ryokughan continent and to ensure their success each young Oni undergoes extreme and violent training and battle drills to make sure they work as an effective army when the time comes to raid the weaker races.

Leaders of the warrior race.

Oni warriors that excel at battle drills and display extraordinary leadership qualities are granted the title of captain, if they survive their first dose of power from the Shadow – a process that claims more lives than it blesses.

Those that survive the rituals are driven to do harvest bodies, information, wealth or anything else the shadow desires but they are seen as chosen warriors – creatures which the other Oni follow blindly into battle and follow what ever orders are given to them.

Born blessed

Oni that are born blessed by the shadow grow incredibly fast, strong and large but despite their large size they are smarter than most Oni, sometimes put together, and capable of some magical abilities.

Able to turn invisible and summon unnatural darkness they live to ensure their knowledge continues to aid their kind, and the demands that the Shadow makes of them are completed.

Inherently magical these creatures hunt mages, wizards and young dragons to drain them of their magical essence and knowledge so that the shadow not only loses a potent enemy but that the Oni Shadow Blessed can gain in power and strength. The oldest and most powerful of these Oni tower over all, bigger than even some giants.

Thanks for joining tonight to look at the Oni, ever since seeing both the Oni and the Hobgoblin in the monster manual I always thought that they belonged in an oriental setting and this was a great opportunity to adjust them slightly to fit how I see them in this continent and world.

Don’t forget to come back for the end of week writeup and the hobby update this weekend, or perhaps a writing challenge (I am not quite sure which it will be yet). Don’t forget that next week is the end of the month and so a end of month writeup is on its way so look out for that. As my brief pause of normal work ends and I look to going back to my office job I wanted to thank you all for following me on this journey, exploring this endeavour with me as I really appreciate it and always get a jolt of excitement when I notice people read and like what I put out there. I won’t forget that feeling which my first few posts brought me and I hope that you will continue to join me.

Finally, let’s not forget, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe