Another week has begun and we have a little village nestled amongst the mountains and forest who will be facing off against the swarm of hungry foes this week. But do not be afraid because as luck would have it we have a party of adventurers who have come to Crakenburg in the nick of time.
So take a load off your tired feet, grab a coffee, let’s sit down and roll into tonight’s adventure!
The problem with farming has always been the land required to create those crops and feed those beasts. Crakenburg finds itself at the foot of mountains and nestled amongst the rough wilds around it and it has had to prove itself stubborn and durable enough in the past to earn its place in the world.
But not all of nature’s wilds share this sentiment. Despite the rock slides, ambushes and raids from orcs and gnolls, earthquakes and worse, nature still demands a toll to pay. As the village prepares for its harvest festival where they harvest the wheat and straw darkness descends on millions of wings.
Will the adventurers be caught in the crossfire between nature and the village or will they find a way to divert the ravenous swarm?
The Swarm
410MoTSw
The sun set down behind the Crakenmoore mountains as evening spread its tendrils of restfulness across the valley beyond. As shadows from the mountain mingled with the shapes of trees, rocks and buildings the people of Crakenburg hurried to usher their animals within the large barns as oil lanterns were lit across the village’s streets in a mimicry of the sun’s warm embrace.
As Reeve O’leary finished locking up the barn with his pigs safely within he moved contently across his paddocks and watched as a distant flock of birds took flight from deep within the Ironwood forest as dusk began to fall. The vast fields of wheat lay before him, the result of a hard season of labour and good weather which he could only thank the druids for. The stalks swayed in the cool breeze that descended from the mountains and as he looked outwards at the village he could not help but sigh with contentment.
The distant watch tower already had people watching over the plains around the valley. Over the years orcs, gnolls and other roving raiders had caused trouble for the village. Last year though they had an earthquake that shook great chunks of mountain down, crushing houses and flattening crops and animals alike. However they had recovered and shown their durability. As the flock of birds weaved through the dusk sky the way they moved drew Reeve’s attention. Soon he was having to squint as the distant sound of thrumming wings could be heard.
Slowly like a cloud, the once-birds-now-creatures descended towards the crop of wheat next to his and landed amongst the stalks. The sound of chirping, flapping-skittering wings and thrumming could be heard as the creatures feasted on the crops. A few of the creatures flew into his paddock and he crossed the wooden fence to go and investigate. Pitchfork in hand he approached the buzzing creatures but it would do little for him as a large locust the size of his hand jumped out and landed on his pants. Crawling up his leg and chirping soon more were jumping towards him and he turned and fled.
The creatures hung onto him for a few strides before sharp and aggressive swats dislodged them. As he ran towards the Tavern, the Lonely Goat, he looked down at his hand where he had grabbed one of the creatures. The still twitching corpse of the locust lay in his outstretched fingers as the other farmers, merchants and guards fell in to gaze upon its rigid ugliness.
“The paddocks are filled with them…” Reeve got out as the others looked between it and him. “Hundreds of them. Chewing on the wheat…” Soon several farms were taking large sticks, swatters, to go and investigate the fields. The locusts were gone but a large portion of the wheat field they landed in was also missing. They would need a miracle, or a brave group of adventurers to travel into the Ironwood forest to request aid from the Druids of the woods.
Thanks for joining me for the start of another week of adventuring. Don’t forget to come back each day this week as we expand this adventure. And as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe
Brazen Wolfe Tabletop 