Month: Jul 2023

Alternative Boons

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Tonight I want to look at something that has always fascinated me with D&D and other RPGs, mounts. So tonight we look at what mounts could mean if they are requested as alternative boons, what limits should be drawn and any considerations.

So sit back, grab a coffee and look at some mounts…

Alternative Boons

Now for most mounts that we see already we have a few domestic animals such as horses, donkeys, goats and mastiffs. Occasionally we would see Camels, riding lizards, giant turtles and even bears which can all be different mounts depending on the situation. But what about more exotic mounts??

The owlbear

Now my love for the owlbear should be no secret now. Strong, fast and ferocious it makes a difficult creature to tame and train to be a mount. However there is something satisfying about charging into battle on the back of one of the most iconic D&D creatures out there.

Being a higher CR the process to get an Owlbear as a mount would be difficult and they are quite deadly in combat. But D&D 5e has rules for mounts and attacks so this is covered.

Now the consideration I would make is although they aren’t intelligence creatures they would likely be one to bond with a creature as a partner. So raising one from a chick is likely the only way that you could instil loyalty into one of these creatures as as mount

The Nightmare

Now while normally seen as the bad guys mount they make a wickedly cool mount. Fiends being as varied as they are numerous you could see that there would be different appearances of fields. So a nightmare constructed of living metal, wood, stone, or more gruesomely – rotting flesh could be a thing. Although they may have a flaming main and hooves they don’t have to be red flames either.

This makes them just badass. But to have one as a mount would require a strong charm, binding or contract with the fiend to bend it to serve the master who doesn’t align with its fiendish desires.

The Hippogriff

Now anyone who has seen Harry potter can probably recognise this creature. The Hippogriff is a pretty cool creature and although its often seen as a poor mans Griffin it still makes for one cool mount.

Hatched from eggs these creatures are likely to be reared from chicks and bonded to their master but they aren’t game breaking if someone has instilled loyalty into all hippogriffs in their ranch for welcome buyers.

The Griffon

Now we are getting somewhere. A Strong, fast mount that can fly and is cool as all heck. Most MMORPGs will have a griffon mount as something cool that your character can get at a later level and they generally are seen clad in armour and majestic as all hell.

But these creatures are remarked to be the toughest creature to tame and a true test of animal handling. So these may not be for the faint heart to steal an egg and raise.

Dinosaurs

The Ankylosaurus

Now some people out there would try and debate this statement but there is nearly no mount cooler than a dinosaur and the Anky holds a place in my heart.

Durable and it can pack a mean punch this creature is great for combat focused encounters. However its a bit slow so trying to use this as a means of transportation may be a bit risky.

Its also huge, so getting a stable organised for this massive herbivore may be a struggle.

The Allosaurus

Now for me the Allosaurus needs to be a size bigger, but its a fast ground predator that will be big enough for any player characters needs.

Vicious, packing a punch and it has a great perception skill to boot. This is a perfect hunting companion for parties who want that extra oomft.

However, its a bit low on the intelligence and as such it may take a bite out of its rider or the other mounts and creatures its master works with,

Like the owlbear I don’t think this is a creature that would take kindly to any other than the one that raised it trying to ride it.

Special Considerations

Now while we look at the comparison of a mount, or several, vs the benefit and value of a keep, land , titles or magical items the balance isn’t quite there. The alternative boons that we could have vs a mount are likely to bring more people in but what if the party are at that level where a dinosaur just isn’t cool enough. The next few creatures are other options that may just break the balance of the game but should be considered.

Thanks for joining tonight. I wanted to look at other alternative boons that we could consider for our party if they asked for something a bit different. Some are easier to come across and others are perhaps a bit rarer and harder to tame and raise.

Tomorrow we end of the week with something a bit different. So don’t forget to come back for that and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The ‘other’ Boon

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Welcome to another Friday night where tonight we are looking at the ‘other’ boon. Now until this moment we have kept our boons relatively mundane and simple. But what if we added a flirtatious bard, a protective father and king and a room filled with guards to the mix. But there is another boon that could be asked for. Tonight we can investigate both with the same stat-blocks!

The ‘other’ Boon

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The request

The king stared at the party member for a moment as he began to process the request. “My own daughter… her hand in marriage is what you request for the boon…?” he quivered as he spoke. “And if she isn’t available my wife?!” he roared. “I generously offer you a reward where none was promised and you request the impossible. I seriously hope you are joking or you will find out just how generous I have been until this point.”

Now this one is simple. Asking for a daughters hand in marriage, or the queens hand could be a bit cheeky but it’s nearly guaranteed to be a quick way to make enemies. In this case a room filled with knights, guards, lords and even the requested princesses family may step towards to you protect her and their families honour.

They may have several guards, a few knights and even one or more Royals that would jump to the aid of the king. But also consider things like guard animals such as dogs, lions, cats or birds. Different cultures would have different animals.

The request for Aid

Now the other use for this certain set of stat blocks is the request for Aid. Asking the king or queen to have some of their troops and warriors. If the cause is noble and the deed great enough for the boon perhaps even the king or queen will join the adventurers who ask for such a boon.

In this case instead of fighting these statblocks they would join the party for a period of time. This would be more beneficial if they had a grand quest or conflict that they needed to prepare for, such as fighting demons lords, dragons, giants or worse.

Guard – Sourced from tetra-cube.
Royal – Sourced from tetra-cube.
Knight – Sourced from tetra-cube.
Mastiff – Sourced from tetra-cube.

Thanks for visiting tonight as we looked at another two potential boons. Don’t forget to come back this weekend as we produce more content. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Just Reward

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This week we continue to look at the party collecting a boon from a kingdom or significant NPC. So what can the party get as their Just reward? Well the list is nearly endless but there are a few ones that we can get inspiration from. So this let’s sit back, grab a coffee and delve in!

Just Reward

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The types of boons that can be given to the players are wide and varied. From simple mundane items like, I don’t know, a fort and land with a title to magical trinkets that unlock the parties maximum ability score cap. The list and potential is endless.

So instead of a map tonight we will have a look at a few of them to help start giving ideas.

The Fort, Land or title

Streets of Narlowglen – created in Nightcafe.

Now the fort is something that has been on the table for ages and in Vox Machina we see the provision of a keep as some sort of Boon. Now there are a slew of issues with owning a place like this and it normally comes from things like upkeep, friendlies wanting in and enemies wanting to get in and get you out.

Similarly titles and lands come with their own responsibilities. You need people to work the lands to gain use out of them. Perhaps people live there so now you are responsible for not only the land but the people living there. This increase in responsibilities can provide interesting quests or just a driver to go and achieve more so they can manage the upkeep.

Lastly titles. Titles come with an element of coming with a catch. You may be Lord MacPuffin but as a lord you have to do activities or ceremonies or something to retain that title.

Magical items

Depending on the item they can make great boons. A few months back I produced the adventure the stones of deepgrove. This has a ring of wishes being offered as the reward for completing a quest. Now although the guild leader wasn’t a king or queen it was still can be seen as a representation of a boon.

The other magic item’s is as I mentioned earlier. A ring, totem or “macguffin” that grants the character a increase in the cap to one of the six ability scores they have. This can be more rewarding or seem underwhelming depending on the character and the skill.

So this was a few of the items that we could see as a boon. There are more and probably each one comes with pro’s and cons for bot the player and the DM. Don’t forget to come back for the next few days as we continue to look at boons. And as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

A Boon Rescinded

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Because this week doesn’t really have an adventure line or straight forward plot we have something different. With us looking at what can flow into or from an adventure tonight we are looking at what happens what is A Boon Rescinded. The revocation or denial of promised reward. So to explore this concept let’s sit back, grab a coffee and let’s roll into it.

A Boon Rescinded

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Furious Count Ottar stormed down the hall and towards the hall where the adventures waited. How dare they claim a boon that was meant to be his. He had orchestrated the attacks and lead the giants to siege the cities defences. But that was so his victory would seem even more magnificent. With the outcome predetermined and success in his corner all he had to do was request for aid and prove to the people of the kingdom that he was a better leader than the lost heir they waited on.

With his own boon claimed he would be king. He would claim the throne as what was rightfully his. But instead these adventurers came out of no where and silenced war by bargaining peace with the giants queen. He didn’t even think it was possible. He had spent every last penny he had in a dozen giant killing arrows and he was going to ambush the queen and claim the prize. But that was all for naught now.

Broken Oaths

Slamming opening the door he saw the interlopers looking calm. “Seize them! I have received word that they collaborated with the giants to stage this assault. Knowing full well that the kingdom would do anything to be saved they waited until the promise of a boon was issues and then finalised the deal. These fiends are not heroes they are anarchists and traitors to the crown!” he roared gesturing a finger at them. The guards, the low heirs men and women looked startled and confused.

“But sir. They rescued us. They save our lives. We can’t arrest them.” One guard said, someone who had been there at the front lines against the giants.

“Refusing this request is to go against the crown and treason!” roared the count. “Consider this A Boon Rescinded.”

Thanks for joining me for tonight’s update. When looking at the motivation behind boons and the rescindment of one its not hard to find. I have a few more things planned for this plot expansion so don’t forget to come back and visit to keep up to date. And as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Of Kings and Queens

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As we continue this weeks adventure primer, or conclusion, its only right that we look at different
Key NPCs. When we talk of kings and queens that offer boons to adventurers they don’t always have to be benevolent or welcoming like the queen in the Boon of the Crown. Oh no they can just be trying to settle a debt or to use the parties fame to bolster their own appeal. What ever the reason we are here to investigate it all. So sit down grab a coffee and let’s roll into this nights introductions!

Of Kings and Queens

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Jason Sorne

King Jason Sorne created in Artbreeder

Born into Royalty but not by first choice Jason Sorne was the last in the line to the kingdom of Jae. Without ever considering that the throne may be his Jason worked hard at being useful for the kingdom instead of focusing on women or power like his brothers.

However a conflict with a neighbouring country left his father, the king, dead and his elder brother, Harlsen, gravely ill. To keep the power within the throne for an extended period of time he was made king without any desire nor any experience in courtly politics.

When the adventurers unwillingly defeated a great evil that was besetting his kingdom he was cautious and curious. Why would strangers come to help his country without being asked. What is their game plan and are they here to swindle his country because they think him weak? His advisors, his fathers trusted friends, urge him to parley and offer these adventurers a reward, a boon, so that the have nothing further to ask from him or the kingdom. Once the boon is given then the debt is cleared.

Claire Constance Yulgo

Queen Claire Constance Yulgo – created in Nightcafe

Thankful to be rid of the dangers that brought her kingdom to its knees Queen Claire Yulgo sent messengers to retrieve the band of adventurers who had completed the deed. Claire was brought up by her mother, the previous queen, under the faith of Tymora. Luck would have it that the goddess had blessed her line for generations. As part of her faith she believes that good luck is deserving of reward and recognition and the timeliness of the adventurers appearing and defeating the threat to her people must be the work of the goddess. But luck goes both ways.

Believing that a debt needs to be settled she is prepared to reward the adventures in equal amounts to the luck and benefit that they have done. Their deeds are to be recognised for all of history and so a boon is in order. A favour from the queen for the adventurers to show her appreciation and by extensions the kingdoms.

Tonight we met two different approaches to kings and queens. I have written just two (as it gives me more content to write this weekend) to start. What this gives us is the ability to look at what we can work with. A suspicious king looking for ulterior motives and one wanting to reward because its the right thing to do. What ever the motives for the boon givers I think we can have fun with this. So don’t forget to come back each night as we expand this concept of a boon. And as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Boon of the Crown

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Now this week I have something a bit different, this week we look at the Boon of the crown. With only a few weeks, a mere handful or two of days left until a Warhammer tournament I have to get going with painting the rest of my army. This leaves me with the unsettling task of ensuring that everything is painted up to the standard I am ok with.

So this week is a primer adventure. One that is a simple interaction that could drive into any other difficult adventure or task that the party could do. The idea is simple. What could you do to win a boon from a king. So let’s sit down, grab a coffee and read about this weeks adventure!

Boon of the Crown

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The Queens Boon – created in Nightcafe

The party strode forward through the tapestry and painting covered halls towards gilded doors. Two guards escorted them and by the way that they carried themselves they were confident but cautious. Rightly so as the process of the party had been heard far and wide by now. It was a rare moment where the party was not recognised and their arrival heralded to those who needed to know.

But this also brought with it times such as this. As they neared the door one of the guards jogged forward and knocked loudly on the door three times. The door opened and the head of a short man appeared, a dwarf by the looks of him. A moment of hushed whispers and the man disappeared leaving the door slightly ajar. As the Party waited for several heartbeats a honeyed voice called out.

“Heroes of the kingdom! Enter. Her Majesty awaits your company!”

The Queen

The doors opened to reveal a welcoming sea of faces. Nobles, guards and other members of the court clapped and cheered for the party as they walked across the floor. The queen beamed down at them from a slightly elevated throne. “Welcome Adventurers, heroes. Word of your accomplishments and what you have done for my kingdom and its people has reached me. I am a strange position. So you must forgive me.” she paused as the last of the attendants at court were shooed out the door. As the doors closed and only the queens trusted counsel and consort remained she smiled and visibly relaxed.

“I have never been in debt to people who I have never met. Nor to adventurers before but I find myself unable to even fathom what I would have done without your assistance. Your bravery, your duty and your honour is as good as any herald and it has stuck to the name that precedes you. I can’t promise you more than what you have done for me but I wish to show my appreciation.” she paused again as she walked down the steps to her throne. “I offer you a boon. Wealth and power are things that come easy to people of your stature. Land or titles don’t seem to be sufficient so what can I offer you that would repay the debt my kingdom finds itself in. Name a reward and if it is possible of the kingdom of Shor and myself I will endeavour to see the it done.”

Thoughts

Now the published books go into what I call “Boon of the Crown”. A thing, a title, land, a castle or riches that the party request of the king or queen as payment or a reward. This can be nearly anything and it is normally where the deed is so great that the benefactors of the deed can’t possible begin to pay it back.

This is both dangerous and a great thing to offer as, I believe, it opens up a whole new world of possibilities for the party. If they ask for a castle now they have to maintain it. Or it may attract a hostile lord, dragon, army or the like. magical artefacts or items always attract problems and the same goes for wealth. Titles can go either way as well. Fame is a powerful tool and an immense burden to those who have it, but many crave it.

A different start of the w eek but we begin at the end this week. With the party having completed something so magnificent that we, the DMs cant compute what its worth. So we offer the players the choice of their reward and adjust as we can. Now don’t forget to come back as we explore this concept this week and I look at potentially marrying this up with an adventure, or creating something new for this weeks end of week content. And, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Undead of Narlowglen

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Tonight and I have created a zine for this weeks adventure. The Undead of Narlowglen. This adventure can be used system agnostic as we explore other RPGs out there other than D&D. So please adjust to what ever creatures you are using in your adventure! However as always Kobold fight club can be used to quickly balance an encounter for Dungeons and Dragons and Tetra-cube currently provides the stat-blocks for creatures in this adventure.

So I hope you enjoy this weeks adventure, The Undead of Narlowglen. If you like this format please let me know and I hope you enjoy.

The Undead of Narlowglen

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Narlowglen

Narlowglen – Created in nightcafe.

The party received word that the City of Narloglen was in trouble. The message from the priest indicated that a breed of undead that he hadn’t encountered before had targeted the denizens of the city. These cunning, fast and calculating creatures of undeath had begun to hunt the people of the city. Drawn to their lavish lifestyles and ambushing them at their weakest. Approaching the city of Narlowglen the nightlife is evident even in the morning light. Groups of people clean up the street from the night before and many people walk seedily around the streets.

The Road to Kelemvor’s Temple – created in nightcafe.

Walking down the streets towards the city’s temple to the lord of the dead, the volume of people leaving the city was the first thing that struck them. People were packing up their entire houses and shops and were putting their entire life into the back of wagons.

PDF adventure – The Undead of Narlowglen

The-Undead-of-NarlowglenDownload

Thanks for joining me tonight for another Zine. Next time you get a party together consider running this adventure and I hope that you enjoy it.

I hope you don’t miss a thing so come back daily in the coming week. This is so you can experience the creation of the next adventure as it evolves and shapes out. And as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Spoilt Rat Milk

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Tonight, after a long day out and a bout I wanted to post something nice and quick. So I had the suggestion of a quick adventure prompt that involves everyone’s favourite alternative dairy product, Spoilt Rat Milk. Yes that’s right, spoilt rat milk. Now I made the argument that all rat milk should be considered spoilt before consumption but the prompt still stands.

So sit back, grab a coffee and try and not imagine drinking this fine concoction.

Spoilt Rat Milk

Shelves were lined with clear glass vials with a slight pinkish opaque liquid. The milk-like substance nearly bubbled when looked at but remained a think milky consistency when disturbed in its vessel. But the colour or consistency wasn’t what attracted people to this little store, oh no. It was the miracle like properties that the vials claimed to give the consumer.

Those who drank the substance were invigorated with the energy of someone half their age. They had boundless energy and a lust for life that was hard to come by. Those who washed themselves with this liquid diluted claimed to have softer, clear skin that caused their now supple skin to radiate with health. It could also be used to start fires, act as an ink for spell books and even keep away the undead!

The little store, Sam’s Supplies and Alchemical Emporium was the only supplier of this miracle ointment and tonic. But when asked where he was supplied the fine liquid he was either unwilling or unsure of exactly where it came from. Only that it arrived with his other goods, came highly recommended and was quite expensive.

Use for such a liquid

Now in game this liquid could be used as a primarily plot hook or a secondary ‘distraction’ hook. In fact this weeks adventure finds the party fighting undead in a city. This is a prime example of where the party could hear someone claiming that the miracle liquid was keeping them safe. This could prompt the party to investigate only to uncover its origins.

If a secondary hook or distraction, where it comes from doesn’t really matter. They could ambush or tail the delivery driver of the substance and then ask the person where it comes from. Revealing quickly that its just spoilt rat milk mixed with boiled rose petals (for colour and aroma) could sate the parties curiosity.

If used as the main source I would draw out the discovery. Maybe tracing it through a few merchants and people to a warehouse or farm where they find bloated giant rats being milked… Gross…

Thanks for joining tonight for a bit of a weird plot hook idea. Tomorrow we find the end of the week where my tabletop will be quite busy. So don’t forget to come back for that and don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Lords Puppets

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Welcome to another Fright-night Fight-night where tonight (there is a lot of -ight sounding words there…) day fight-night where we have the lords puppets. This week we have a powerful lord of the undead in the city calling his faithful servants to the hunt. However he didn’t anticipate that the adventurers would arrive so quickly to aid the priest that has vexed him so. But to look at his minions we need to get into tonights content.

So sit back, grab a coffee and let’s look at some creatures!

The Lords Puppets

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The Puppets

Humans who are left to rot and die in the sewers or alleyways may turn into zombies who are called to the lord’s cause. However they are not the best at chasing down their prey – they save that for the bigger of the lord’s minions.

The Ghouls are fast, ferocious and frankly terrifying. A single bad roll and you’re paralyzed. My love for ghouls should be well documented now and this week sees a ‘hunting group’ have three ghouls and a Ghast with support from the lesser undead.

But these hunts need to have a leader. Enter the Vampire Spawn. Now I know what you’re thinking. Vampires are no joke, their spawn are pretty lethal so will the sheer volume of bodies be too much? Probably not, but perhaps. So monitoring the flow of the combat and having the spawn enter when required to step up the pace would be ideal.

Zombie – Sourced from tetra-cube.
Ghast – Sourced from tetra-cube.
Ghoul – Sourced from tetra-cube.
Vampire Spawn – Sourced from tetra-cube.

Thanks for visiting tonight as always. Now with this weekend there may be some disparity with my normal diligence on blog content. A full weekend with several kids birthdays will keep me busy but I will endeavour to still get more content out to everyone. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Streets of Narlowglen

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Welcome to a Thursday night where we look at creating a darker map this week whilst fighting through the streets of Narlowglen. But this is not the only maps we are looking at for this week but more to come on that later. So have a look at the images, let your imagination run wild and picture the possibilities with a theatre of the mind adventure. So in order to do this let’s sit back, grab a coffee and delve in!

The Streets of Narlowglen

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The streets of Narlowglen late at night are shadowy dark places with a few lanterns here and there to shed light. However these Lanterns are easily broken and prone to being extinguished which will give pockets of shadow along the streets.

This gives us an atmospheric adventure with some interesting encounters that we can set up along the way. From random social encounters with drunks stumbling from a dark alleyway the possibilities are endless this week.

The roof tops for Narlowglen also provide the cunning hunter, or prey, another avenue of seeing the city. And for stalking prey. However despite this there is more than one alleyway that will lead he party to adventure and barrels, crates, rubbish and the people of the city may help or hinder them in their quest to save the city from the undead.

Streets of Narlowglen – created in Nightcafe.

This weeks Thursday update is a bit of a shorter one. But there will be more coming for where we find the nest of the creatures. So don’t forget to come back daily for next few days as we wrap up this weeks adventure. And as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe