Author: thebrazenwolfe

For the sovereign

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Welcome to a what I am calling as my week off. As I prepare for the first age of sigmar tournament I am attending this year, sovereign smash, I am left asking myself. What do I need to do to prepare for the sovereign?

I have my army, one I will perfect over the next two weeks as I prepare for the sovereign smash tournament. Now I just need my theme. Theme and the story behind my army is important for me to really invest in the success for my Warhammer and a long standing army of mine is still king. Well Arch Reagent. The Flesh Eater Courts.

This week and the next I prepare by taking my army through the ringer against a couple of local players who are both excellent hobbyists in a local league finals. Yeah, I managed to get 3rd place overall and got into the finals to decide the who were take home the 1st place crown.

So I wanted to write up a bit about my current formation of my army and allude to possible future iterations. So I give you my great delusion.

For the Sovereign

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The green grass of the field ahead of them was only broken by the pillars of woodwork and stone that his men had erected years ago. The vibrant banners flapped in the winds as his followers, mighty knights, his courtiers and the largest gathering of serfs that had been witnessed on a battle field for many years now.

Looking across the battlefield the serfs had just finished setting up the tower from which he could sit upon and conduct battle. It was a fine day for a fight and these interlopers, these invaders were here to fight to claim the title Sovereign. It was his title and not one that he would share lightly. In fact there was only one other that he would consider sharing this title with and she was vacant from this battlefield. Probably wise as her appetite for bloodshed was almost as high as her other appetites.

Climbing his throne-like tower he stood high above the surrounding lands and looked across his men. His general caught his eye. A woman of rare bearing and even rarer martial prowess, much like himself. Tall for her kind and despite her ruthlessness in combat she shared a strange fondness for the beast she rode into battle. A dragon. Shaking his head, his twinned moustache floating in the spring breeze he heard the first trumpets of his scouts saw the unholy minions of darkness streak towards the ground in bolts of lightning.

“How she can manage to keep astride that beast and still manage to direct troops is beyond me” he muttered to himself.

“Arch Reagent!” a portly man, one of his courtiers, Bran Hoofgnasher, called to him as he strode swiftly towards him. “The invaders have fell beasts on their side. The knights are ready to engage but I fear the Serfs will falter.” The man was correct, he rarely was wrong when it came to his knights and their ability to sew chaos and bloodshed.

“Well I better hope that Lord Tyson Tearn’swallow and Luke Bonespittle can keep their men in order until reinforcements arrive. This is a battle we can not afford to lose as I hear rumours of a gathering of others who would wrestle my crown from me.” The Arch Reagent, Krak Crowncracker, said as he looked over the gathering of men, beasts and knights.

Besides. We also have a dragon.

The call to arms went out swiftly and with a sudden burst of movement the enemy was advancing towards them. Foul black knights in armour the glimmered and shone in foul mockery of their dark nature formed walls of flesh and steel. ‘Clever’, he thought to himself as he noticed the key positions that they sought to hold. The giant dragon, foul scaled and crackling with fouler lightning landed on the left flank to bolster the small contingent of forces that had gathered there.

“Sire! They have a sorcerer!” a call shrieked out from the front lines as bolts of putrid lightning and thunder rumbled forth across the battlefield bolstering their warriors and shaking the serfs nerves.

Dashing forward he climbed the tower with ease, for someone of his physique it was an easy test. “Do not falter!” he called, his voice magically bolstered by the holy robe he wore. “Do not fear, my people. We will beat these invaders back. They have brought foul sorcery and dark beasts to our lands but they have not faced our might and fury before. Onwards to Victory!” he roared above the din of the contingents.

A chant broke out from Lord Tyson Tearn’swallow “For the Sovereign!” the call went out. Soon the serfs started to mirror the chant. “For Krak Crowncracker! For The Sovereign!”. He smiled and swelled with pride at his footmen, his beloved infantry who had served him well for years. The knights bellowed and soon his general, Lady Alloren Drakerender and her mighty companion flew above head to land just in front of him. The dragon bellowed forth a rage filled roar. Challenging any and all to come towards its rider or the Arch Reagent they served.

The serfs moved up, maintaining regimental rank and keeping their banners and weapons high. These were highly trained troops and as the enemy forces finished their positioning they too had mirrored their hold on the key positions.

His anvil. The knights and his courtiers the mighty keening hammer that would drive the invaders home he thought to himself. But, he also knew no fury like the serfs. They were loyal and ferociously so to not only himself and the lady Alloren Drakerender but also his adjutant Duke Bryce Tallowswallow – and unfortunate name for one of his rank – but he had proved himself time and time again.

Watching his serfs, their courtiers move and mirror the invaders brought a smile to his mouth. For he had organised a surprise gift for the invaders. Grabbing a horn from his side he pressed the cold metal to his lips and blew – the sound like a screaming horse split across the sky and the same haunting sound came from the flanks of the opposing forces. Lord Vorn Blackblood, his mightiest courtier was joined with a contingent of his fiercest of serfs and drove the enemy back one of the key defensible positions.

Blowing a second time and his scouts returned from off field to join him by his side.

“You called sire?” they yelled as they ran towards him, the rest of his forces moving up to take the field and key positions.

“I need you to watch our territory. I feel as though they are holding back from us. This can not be the force we heard about there are far too few men.” he said as he counted only 20 foot knights that accompanied the large drake-like mount, the dragon and the hideous feather winged abomination that some had called a Tauralon.

The scouts nodded and retreated to climb a nearby house to watch for other invaders.

Noticing that his opponent was on the backfoot he blew into his horn again and raced down from the tower. It was time to go on the offensive.

“Onwards Lady Alloren Drakerender. Show them how its done!” he called out as the drake roared and charged into enemy lines. Moments after a torrent of fire roasted two knights in their armour and their bodies fell to the ground with foul lightning forking out around them.

The serfs, courageous and hungry to prove their might to the Lady, also charged into the dark warriors. Brave souls they were as a few of them were struck down with foul lightning on the charge. His knights also charged in – bolstered by his call to combat they made short work of the distance between them and the foes.

Krak Crowncracker watched as his small contingent of elite knights met a fiery end as the dragon breathed fire down upon them. One knight and his steed survived the fire onslaught but that made the remaining warrior all the more ferocious.

Soon the dragon, the knights and even Vorn Blackblood had charged into the invaders and the knights fell shortly after. Foul magic whisking across the field keeping falling warriors alive by unholy magic and the arrival of anther five knights looked to cause an issue for the noble warriors.

Then the dragon fought back. The brave knights that charged into it and his warriors were gone, cut in two by those putrid claws. The serfs, courtiers, knights and Alloren had killed the land drake, a Dracoth, was ripped in two by the ferocious jaws of her dragon. After a few heated moments of conflict his forces had decimated all the foot knights and a few small lords on foot. However the dragon and winged creature posed a threat.

The counter charge was brutal. His instincts were right as the most unholy creature fell to the earth – a Lord Celestant-Prime, his ancient tomes had warned of their dark magic and ability to single handily win fights. He only had to get his troops to hold long enough so that his reinforcements could arrive and all would be well – Lady luck was normally on his side.

After the dragons fire, claws and worse his entire left flank was gone. The middle contingency of troops was down to a few standing but those approaching with Vorn were nearly uninjured – a few scrapes and scratches. The dragon had killed Bryce and Tyson and there wasn’t anything between him and his foe. But, a horn sounded in the distance and another unit of his fiercest troops appeared, a unit of 30 strong!

Lord Vorn Blackblood charged into the remaining troops and made the final push to hold the enemies position. His troops, his men and women controlled the field. There wasn’t an inch of land that wasn’t under his control and the enemy knew it. The crack of bones rumbled through the battlefield as Alloren Drakerender and her mount were killed by a ferocious and desperate charge from the dragon. The Celestant-prime strode up to Lord Blackblood and with a swing of its unholy mace his most loyal courier fell.

Cursing he screeched across the battlefield. The field was his but what remained was no match for the foul creatures. As he pressed the ornate horn to his lips to bellow a retreat another horn rang out. Reinforcements were appearing and the thundering of feet on ground sounded the arrival of more of his zealous serfs. The battle was not over and with a bolt of dark lightning the Dragon, Tauralon and Celestant-Prime fled the battlefield. A chorus began to spread across the battlefield. “For the Sovereign!” and his loyal troops returned to gather around him as they grabbed the bodies of the fallen to form piles of the dead. There would be a feast tonight in their honour.

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

The Shadow Born’s Final Move

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Tonight as we head towards the conclusion of this yearly adventure meet Mugrave once again, but this time she is something more. This month is a level 7 adventure so our party of adventurers better be up for the task in dealing with the Shadow Born’s final move.

As with last time Pages 1, 2 and 3 are content pages, the description, flow, random tables, etc. and such that you’ve previously seen.
Page 4 contains all NPCs and portraits to help the DM describe them and a bit about them to help play them out.
Page 5 will be stat blocks and map(s) – all that D&D encounter goodness that you want.

Now I will assume you have read the entire post which has had some bits modified over the months content. Now including the original content, and some bits added this is a smaller than normal length, only just making 7635! words long. I really do appreciate the time you take to read through these end of month adventures.

All Maps were made in Inkarnate using their Pro license, Art was created in Artbreeder and the statblocks were created in Tetra-cube AND the balancing of encounters is a mixture of experience and the guides found at Kobold Fight Club.

Don’t forget to come back next week and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Part 1 – Those without Form – 231MoWaVi

After the party had found some horses that were in need of some new, living owners they continued north. The hope of a warm bed and hot meals quickly fades when they passed another village that was in the wake of violence left by the Shadows minions. As they passed through the village they noted that only some of the houses were destroyed whilst others looked like they had sustained minimal damage. But regardless of which of the villages along the northern road they travelled there were always bodies in some stage of mutilation or being devoured.

About three days travel from the Kunagi Ranges the party came across a village that was untouched. In fact as they asked around they quickly became aware that many of the people in this village were refugees from the previous village or some to the East.

“What’s east?” asked one of the players.

“The wall, our last defence from the shadow and the hordes of creatures that it commands in the mountains” Kyoko replied.

“We best make haste to your home Lady Kyoko, I fear that we spend too much time on these roads” Kuang said as he analyses the buildings and faces nearby.

Begging

As the party left the Village and headed north she watched from the side of the road. Posing as one of the refugees from an earlier village she had made it to this small town without any real issue. Now that she was seen as one of those who drifted, one of those in need it was easy to move from place to place without questions being asked which suited her purposes.

“Soon we will be rid of that princess. Once she leads me to the light.” Mugrave muttered quietly to herself as she moved to get some food. “Once I have taken care of the light then our plan wont fail” she said to the voice in her head. The Shadow was pleased with his servant and retreated back from the busy street.

“We won’t stay long in this village on our way to Heavens Reach.” Kyoko explained as she moved down the street, greeting villagers and guards like she was an old acquaintance of some. “I don’t like the idea of that spirit harming these innocent folk because we stayed a moment too long.”

“I agree. It’s best for your safety and the safety of others if we can return you home.” Kuang said as he uncharacteristically bent down and handed some food to a few small children who were begging for it.

Without warning one of the guards that had approached Kyoko drew their sword and lunged at the princess. The party sprang into action and within moments the guard lay at their feet. After a few moments of looking for other threats the body of the guard shuddered once and a gargling wheeze came forth from the body. As the shuddering stopped the body separated into finger length slugs that crawled into the ground leaving nothing behind.

Staring at the creature, the place where it was to be more exact, the party were unable to identify the creature. Kuang, Hana and Kyoko stared at some of the fleshy slug like creatures as they buried in the ground. Scooping one up and putting it in a glass bottle Kyoko examined the creature.

The skin of it appeared to take on the texture and colour of what body part, clothing or item it was imitating before it was reverted back to this fleshy slug form. After a few moments of it being captured in a bottle it slowed its twitching and writhing before stopping all together and appearing to be dead. “Gross little creature,” Kyoko muttered as she stared at it, “some of the studied men back home may know what it is.”

Walking down the road once more, this time more cautious they met with no difficulty or hostility for quite some time. The group even let their guard down as they approached a vendor selling breads and street food. As they went to hand over the bartered for coin a knife dashed out from behind the counter and after another intense fight another mass of fleshy slugs wormed their way into the ground.

“These attacks are not enough to get past us.” Kuang mused as he looked at one of the slugs he had impaled on his sword. “They die quickly, inflict little to no damage but its the same type of creature attacking us in different ways. There must be a plan or intent behind these attacks.”

Walking through the streets trailing the foreigners and the Harimasu princess was easy. Dressed as she was, with the skin she was wearing she could blend in any where. Mugrave moved through the streets, appearing hungry and confused, a look of fear and a touch of despair tugging at her voice helped to sell the act.

As she moves from door to door, vendor to vendor she asks for food, spare coin or clothes to keep her warm. Her comely appearance, soft voice and youthful skin draw more than one glance from the men but that doesn’t concern her. She watches as one of her agents moves closer to the party, glancing back knowingly towards the her and receiving a signal from Mugrave before lunging at Kyoko.

The panic that ensued was sheer bliss. Mugrave relished in watching the streets erupt into chaos as the adventurers and Kyokos guard erupted into action easily cutting down the would be assailant. As she pretended to scream and scramble to safety as the violent response came Mugrave studied them. She watched their moves and the assessing their capabilities as was her plan. She could not attack the group without knowing what she was up against and now she knew.

As the day went on more of her agents attacked the group and she learnt more about their strength. She would need to be careful with this lot.

Settling down in a refugee camp for the night she enjoyed the comforts of poverty. Free food, blankets and different faces, emotions and personalities to learn and perfect. For a skin walker such as herself having a supply of inspiration and a list of faces and voices to use was of most importance.

Areas and places of note

Refugee Camp– A collection of cloth, canvas, smoke and tent posts the refugee camp hosts dozens pof the displaced and unfortunate.

Environment and running the adventure

The panicked streets is an easy enough gimmick with people running around and looking for a place to hide. This means that for our party they now have to deal with this movement and shift of potential threats. As DMs we need to really sell this. Describe the moment that the panic sets in or just simply emphasise that these people, refugees or farmers are just trying to get away from the spark of violence.

These small details can help drive the narrative of the encounter and enrich it from just being “Combat” to being “roleplay”.

The actual encounter should be one or two Quaigin attacking at once. Trying a different approach or tactic each time as they test how the party react.

Notable NPC interactions.

Kyoko Harimasu – Kyoko is quick to help those in need but when she starts to get attacked by the Quaigin she is more hesitant to approach strangers.

Captain Kuang Ping – Kuang is un-normally kind to people, revealing a side of himself that isn’t often seen by the Captain. He is however the first to draw his sword and strike down those who attack Kyoko or Hana.

Sasha (Hana Toshio-Harimasu) – Hana is much like Kyokoas she helps where she can and people celebrate her passing along with Kyoko and Kuang. The three are well loved and despite the trauma the villagers and townsfolk have endured these past few weeks they try and protect and help the harimasu heir where they can.

Encounter

Shifters –

The panicked streets is an easy enough gimmick with people running around and looking for a place to hide. This means that for our party they now have to deal with this movement and shift of potential threats. As DMs we need to really sell this. Describe the moment that the panic sets in or just simply emphasise that these people, refugees or farmers are just trying to get away from the spark of violence.

These small details can help drive the narrative of the encounter and enrich it from just being “Combat” to being “roleplay”.

The actual encounter should be one or two Quaigin attacking at once. Trying a different approach or tactic each time as they test how the party react.

After the encounter:

The party can do what they please, but to head back into the village of Lanidaye will help drive the story forward. Whether it is to buy supplies or say farewell the village should be provided as the suggestion from Jason and the other NPCs.

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Happy 1st year BrazenWolfeTabletop

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Well, its apparently one whole year since i started this little venture and I am even more excited that my goal of having atleast one post a day has averaged out to be true over the year.

Today, and this post, marks 371 posts to date across the 12 months and 365 days. And while I have a small and awesome group of followers I hope to see it expand and grow next year.

So whilst next week is the start of September I have a few hobby updates to do this coming weeks as I prepare for a local warhammer league finals and a two day warhammer tournament in mid September. So I hope to post some warhammer content this coming week instead of the normal D&D heavy content. But next week I will be back into the full swing of things with d&d.

So have run, keep visiting and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,

The Brazen Wolfe

Subtlety and illusion

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Welcome to a slightly changed up Friday. Tonight instead of fightnight I wanted to talk about something that I see used very infrequently and used successfully even less so. Subtlety and Illusion.

Subtlety and illusion

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Now the second adventure I ever had when playing D&D I will never forget. We had heard rumours of a group of bandits, well assumed bandits who were terrorising a nearby town and robbing them. Always near the village dump. When we got to town we met a helpful wizard who bought us a meal and offered to help us catch the culprits.

The next day we head out to the dump, weapons waiting and expecting an ambush. What we didn’t expect was a giant rat to run at us, shape shifting and growing in size as it ran. Soon the rat that was as large as a dog was now bigger than a house and our weapons seemed to do nothing to it. The wizard was calling out saying that the spell he was trying to cast on the rat wasn’t working. But he kept trying, always chanting and gesturing at the rat.

We passed out and next thing we knew we were robbed blind. Naked with no equipment, armour or weapons we started from scratch. Rigging a bull tug-o-war to win 5gp of prize money to start to rebuild our equipment and gear.

Now being a bit more experienced in DnD now I still fondly remembered when Hunter, my wizard-fighter was robbed without a weapon being drawn. It still inspires ideas of illusion winning the day and either the great Illusionist saving a city, or, enslaving them.

To get the illusion to work the player needs to believe it, or doubt that it could be anything other than real. Its got to be believable, realistic, plausible and without fault. Many of these qualities can be achieved by simply describing the scene and making the illusion sound real. The other part is mechanics of the illusion.

The mechanics are simple in dnd5e. If they think its an illusion they need to succeed on an investigation check vs the spell cast dc. Of they pass they know straight away. Of they don’t they don’t know – well… They shouldn’t know.

It tales a great deal of commitment from the player to have their character knowingly, from their end, believe an illusion. Even if the player knows the on character may not and. This is where the truly experienced and veteran players can flex their roleplaying muscles.

Thanks for dropping by tonight for a glimpse at what I want to cover next month. Sort of. Don’t forget to come back this weekend for the ene of month write-up and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Potion of Radiance

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Welcome to a Thursday writeup where we look at those little extra details that make our game that little bit more for our party. Tonight I wanted to put a bit of flavour on the potion that was revealed earlier this week as well as the weapons which were taken. The Potion of Radiance, as the name suggests, is sunlight and divine energy liquified. Where as the blades of the same name-sake are something of a rarer variety – something that is carved from divinity itself. Curious? Well read on dear reader, read on.

Potion of Radiance

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Credit to original artist, Pramod

The glowing potion, a Potion of Radiance is the condensed essence of dragon fire given liquid form. This almost holy liquid surges power through the body of those who consume it giving them enhanced senses, strength and imbuing their body and weapons with radiant energy.

Once consumed for 10 minutes a creature gains advantage on saving throws, emits a bright light within 10 feet and dim light for a further 15 feet. The consumer’s weapons also count as magical for the duration and the damage is dealt as radiant instead of slashing, bludgeoning or piercing.

Blade of Radiance

Sword image created in GIMP.

The sword of radiance is a burst of sunlight. A drop of divinity and radiance hammered into a tool of war. Only those chosen by the creature that created it, or entrusted by the family of the weapon are seen as worthy to wield this power.

This weapon shines bright light, as if daylight within 15 feet and sheds dim light a further 20 feet from there. Creatures in shadow do not gain benefit of partial cover or cover and it deals an extra 2d4 radiant damage on successful attack. This weapon requires attunement and they must be chosen or appointed as custodian of the blade before the true properties are bestowed.

The legend of how these blades were formed has been lost over time. In fact only one being a live remembers how they were made because they put their blood, sweat and tears into its creation. Literally. These blades are formed from the essence of ancestral dragons and as such when wielded by the descendants of the creatures who made the first pact with such creatures their full power is revealed.

Thanks for dropping by tonight. A little while ago I promised or committed to deliver magical items for this campaign and tonight I fulfil that oath. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow night and the nights following as we move to wrap-up this month and move into the September! And, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Sleight Bests Might

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Welcome to a twisty Wednesday where tonight we look at the subtle actions of an shadow. A stain of a memory that fades from sight, from memory the moment it wills it. A being who seeks to prove that Sleight bests might every time. With such creatures under its influence its amazing that The Shadow needs armies at its command at all. Or is it. Those who are masters in the art of deception are often those who will deceive their employers at any and every given chance. Enough cloak and dagger talk and on with the writeup!

Sleight Bests Might

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As the creature reached into the pocket dimension located in its ribcage, one that all its kind were born it smiled. It had completed its task and the reward that was promised to it was within grasp. Passing the spy, yes it had known who it had delivered the letter too it couldn’t help but giggle. But the spy, the human boy, was none the wiser – all it saw was a blushing young lady of the court who was watching the man from the corner of her eyes.

Trickery was something that all of its kind had been born with. In fact not event the shadow could bestow the required amount of dark power to match even a fraction of its races natural abilities. Those Skin walkers and the Quaigin were nothing compared to it and not even the mighty ancestral dragons were able to detect its kind. Well not straight away at least.

The tricky part wasn’t stealing the items, no that was easy. But pulling a large enough illusion that the weapons turned to dust and convincing everyone in the area to believe the lie was a challenge. But having planted the seed of doubt, the seed of concern in the young spies mind it knew its plan would succeed. In fact casting a realistic illusion of the door and masking the actions of the human to trigger muscle memory but severing the recognition from mind to hand was another delicious challenge.

But the hardest thing was shrinking the room from the outside, expanding the centre of the room and placing illusions of the contents of the room around in front of the originals. Doing all of this the moment the human opened up the door and it was able to see the room was the key.

What the creature didn’t was the presence of pure radiance in the room. Something that it knew to avoid at all costs. Where the being of light touched or shed its rays on it was unable to warp and so the vials that were left out in the open were unable to be shielded. This didn’t vex the creature, in fact it made it more curious as to what else this city had to offer.

Moving down the hallway it turned a corner and faded into the shadows of a doorway. The cold tendrils of mist and darkness clung to its skin as it moved through a rip in the fabric between dimension and soon it was in a very different room. One where only it could access. Moving over to a pile of furs and fabrics it reached into the pocket dimension within its ribs and pulled out the swords, arrows, spears and other weapons. Each one of them glowed as if the summer sun was shedding its radiance and fury at being taken from its home. The creature wasn’t phased – it had been some time since it had seen the sun.

Thanks for visiting tonight and taking the time to read tonight’s twisted Wednesday. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow where we look at additional information to spice up the month of August. So make sure to come back this weekend too where I hope to share some warhammer content too! And as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Forgotten Treasure

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Welcome to a Tuesday night special where tonight we look at the outcome of Kyoko sending a request for Aid to Takeo. With her spy looking about for weapons and items to help his lady and her allies Takeo stumbles across some forgotten treasure that are likely to tilt the scales in their favour.

Forgotten Treasure

234TuFoTr

As Takeo finished escorting Liz around Heavens Reach castle he closed the door behind himself and left her to the protection of the royal guard and several of his kinsmen. Having been unable to locate or contact his master, the head of the Lotus clan, in weeks. The absence of his master was felt heavily by his students but the head of the Harimasu family seemed unperplexed.

“Koshimako has always disappeared for some time every once in a while.” Kyoko’s Father had said, “he normally comes back after uncovering some foul plot or a nest of spirit folk planning an attack at our border”.

Takeo wanted to believe the emperor, but this time it was different and he wanted to find out why. As Takeo was deep in thought he nearly bumped into the messenger that was racing towards him. Taking a step back in shock the messenger bowed deeply and held out a letter. “Lord Takeo, a messenger hawk came for you an hour ago. I have been trying to find you since its arrived as its addressed to you as a matter of urgency.”

Taking the letter from the panting messenger Takeo bowed deeply before taking a look at the rough parchment. Flipping it over he could see Kyoko’s seal on the back, but the wax looked as if it has been disturbed. Looking up to catch the messenger he cursed when he couldn’t find the boy immediately or was it a girl? To be honest he wasn’t sure as he tried to remember something about the person who had delivered the message his mind seemed to have trouble remembering anything distinguishing about them. Kyoko had an uneasy feeling about it but ripped open the letter and retreated to a well lit windowsill.

After reading the letter he clicked is fingers and summoned a spark of magic which consumed the dry parchment. Kyoko was in danger and needed items that were used to finish the first war with The Shadow. Such items were thought to be forgotten treasures but Takeo knew better and knew to retrieve them from the Harimasu vaults. Taking off at a sprint it wasn’t long before he arrived at where the items were kept. Finding the guards standing to attention gave Takeo a sense of relief after finding the seal on Kyoko’s letter broken.

“I come with an urgent request from Lady Yoko.” Takeo said to the guards as he neared them. No response. “I need to enter the vaults and retrieve certain items that she needs to combat The Shadow.” he continued. The the guards moved, breathed and continued to act as if everything was normal but they were oblivious to Takeo’s presence. Then he noticed that the door was slightly ajar.

Rushing forward past the guards his fears were realised they didn’t move or react to his burst of speed. ‘Enchantment‘ he thought to himself as he raced passed them and through the door. On the other side of the wall the vaults contained scrolls upon scrolls. Hundreds of them that documented the history of the Harimasu clan. It also contained weapons and armour.

Approaching the weapon rack which held the weapons forged to combat the dark masters puppets the first time around he hesitated. Reaching forward he grabbed one of the blades, a long two handed sword that was expertly crafted, and as his hand touched it the blade turned to sand and fell to the ground. Grabbing the other weapons around him he started to yell in frustration as blade after blade turned to sand. The armour was no different and soon Takeo was on his knees surrounded by piles of sand.

Closing his eyes he tried to calm his mind through a series of exercises he had mastered from an early age. That’s when he heard it, the slight tinkle of glass on stone. Looking up and towards the direction of the noise he noticed five glass orbs that seemed to glimmer as if containing the first rays of dawn. Approaching them from down the row of scrolls he noticed that they were little vials, each with a crimson stopper that held back the golden liquid.

Bending down and looking at them there was a scrap of parchment that had a symbols, glyphs that were etched in a glowing ink written upon it. The language was a secret one that only the Harimasu family knew – one said to have been passed down to them from their ancestors. As he grabbed the potion he could feel the warmth of the sun that banished the rising dread that he knew was at his core.

Suddenly his missing master, the spy in his midst and the discovery of the destroyed forgotten treasure of the Harimasu didn’t seem so much of an issue any more.

As he turned to leave, planning on sending the potions to Kyoko he failed to notice the long golden serpentine tail that coiled around the rafters above his head. Or the smile of the being that the tail belonged to.

Thanks for joining me tonight for a further glimpse into the behind the scenes activities that drive the story. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow as we explore a shadowy figure in the Harimasu halls and Thursday night where we look at some additional content that you wont want to miss. And lastly don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Request for Aid

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Welcome to a bonus Monday content night for the August adventure. This week revolves around the things that happened behind closed doors and how the Harimasu heiress sent out a request for Aid. With Mugrave being more aggressive in her actions the party need to step up their defences to keep themselves and their allies safe. With this comes the knowledge and wisdom that only comes with growing up in these lands and the Harimasu family has fought against The Shadow for years.

Request for Aid

234MoRefAi

As Kyoko left Hana to sleep and went about cleaning up some of the debris from Doorich cottage after the fight with the Night prowlers she was lost in thought. The attacks on them and increased presence of the Shadow in her families lands were not a coincidence and she could feel a shift in the status quo. For centuries her people had defended Ryokughan from not only aggressors and spirit folk within their land but also those that dwell in the shadowlands – the tainted lands beyond the wall.

As with centuries of conflict her family had become quite talented at fighting against these tainted creatures. In fact they were the best and that is partly the reason why her family is put in such high regard. Taking out a quill, some ink and parchment Kyoko began to write to Takeo, her spy, so that she could get some of their most powerful tools for fighting the Shadow. For years her family had guarded and used her ancestral blades. Swords, daggers and knives that cut through the minions of The Shadow as easily as a honed blade through reeds.

As she continued her letter she stressed the importance of the retrieval of the weapons and the troubles that they had encountered these past days. In doing so she hoped that she would convince Takeo, and the family members of the importance of her request for aid so that they provide what support and manpower they could and fast.

As the sun rose and sent scattered beams of light through a splintered window she sealed the letter with a stamp. “Kuang.” she called out, her guardian and the commander never far away.

“Yes lady Kyoko” a voice came back from the other side of the door.

“Take this letter and send it home to the Heavens Reach castle. As quickly as you can,” she added, “I don’t think these attacks will let up before we get home”. Kuang nodded and retrieved the letter before hurrying out. Kyoko wished as she watched her guard and her fathers friend walk down the street with haste and purpose that she could trust him, that she could trust anyone but her self as what she has seen and dealt with lately indicated that there were foul plots afoot.

Thanks for joining me tonight for a bit of a glimpse of the actions that happened on the side. These actions or events don’t necessarily need to happen without the party knowing or being involved but they help drive the story and tie in the Harimasu heiress a bit more. As we move towards the end of our Ryokghan journey the importance of coming back each night has increased. So don’t forget to come back this week as we expand upon our last content for August and, always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Final stand of Mugrave the Shadow born

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Welcome to the end of week writeup for August. This week we bear witness to the Final Stand of Mugrave the shadow born. An empowered Shadow blessed Oni who went from minor NPC to one that was helping drive the story – but since we are moving on closer to the end of the yearly adventure we have to say goodbye at some point.

Final stand of Mugrave the Shadow born

The irritation was felt from across the darkened copse and even the diluted moonlight did nothing to pierce the mass of shadow that gathered by the roots and trunks. “You have failed in one of your ploys yet again. Revealed your presence to a mortal, lost your night prowlers and the majority of your quaigin. Yet you still think you are able to deliver what you have promised?” The Shadow asked through a mixture of telepathy, images and pain.

Mugrave stood within the shadow, a darkened mass that quivered and shook. Even in her Oni form prolonged exposure to the Shadow was detrimental and she knew that she needed to think of a way out of this predicament and fast. “I tested them. The foreigners. I know what their strengths and skills are. The quaigin and night prowlers were not wasted. I know what they are capable now and just need more time to gather the right strength and I can deal with them myself.”

A chuckle resonated forth. A sound that brought the cold and dark to such a mirth filled expression. “So you think that power is what you need? More power and you can beat these warriors that are touched by the light hmm?” the Shadow mocked. “I can give you more power if that’s what you ask”.

Mugrave hesitated. She had considered asking the shadow for more power yet she had ruled against it as it wasn’t as fair trade. In fact the price that the Shadow demanded from such barters were never fair. She had watched countless mortals waist away at the promise of power form a pact with the Shadow.

“Have faith in me master. I can do it with my own power and my own cunning.” Mugrave said, unable to contain the quiver in her voice. “The power you offer must be conserved for the fight at the wall.” she added. She knew that the Shadow would hesitate on that as the fight at the wall was not going well. However the shadow merely drifted away from her and melded amongst the trees.

“I have given up too much for your plans already Mugrave and each one has resulted in failure. For instance, your meddling with Yukri’s house almost had her killed. In addition the Laelóng of Lanidaye was also killed because of your ambition. I don’t think you have a choice but to accept my gift of power.” The Shadow spat, tendrils of black mist whipping across the distance between them to inflict bleeding wounds across her skin. “With this last blessing you can make your final stand and either return triumphant of dead.”

The tendrils continued to lash out but more violently carving runes into her skin and into the flesh beneath. Mugrave bit down on her tongue to hold back the howls of pain as the shadow stuff that broke her skin. As the shadow tendrils began seep into her wounds her muscles to expanded and her connection with the arcane powers fluctuated like the waves in a sea. The process was excruciating and after the process was done Mugrave knelt on the ground amongst the copse of trees with tendrils of shadow whipping about her form.

“Now go and fulfil your oath to me” the shadow commanded and disappeared.

Mugrave stood slowly. Her body slowly adjusting to the changes she could feel beneath her skin. The power, the raw manifestation of chaos and malice that swirled through her form was killing her. But she could feel that it was far beyond what she could have imagined. Power enough to command respect amongst her kind. Power enough to instil fear in the enemy and power enough to make her final stand.

Nightmares of Shadow

The dulcet sounds of laughter seem to reverberate through her the room and hearing those notes of mirth caused goofy grins. Her laughter, her grins. It had been quite some time since she was able to speak or laugh and it felt like the last days after the attack from the weird cats had opened up something within her. Hana looked from her cousin to their protector, Kuang and to their new allies, the adventurers from across the seas and she couldn’t help but laugh.

In the past hour alone she felt her jaw cramping from over exertions her her talking. “Enough Cousin. We wont be able to get any rest with you talking to use all night.” her cousin laughed as she sipped on a rice wine.

“Why do we need rest? I have rested for years and now that my voice has returned I don’t want to rest it!” she laughed back. “Besides the escort from home will be here tomorrow and we will be on our way home without a fret in the world.”

The laughter and reply from those around her grew quiet as she felt a cold seep in from behind her. Looking over her shoulder she saw nothing except for a shower of dust from a lose plank above them and she returned to her talking. But her voice was quiet and people didn’t appear to be able to hear her.

A creak somewhere down stairs caused her to stand as her body told her to run. “Did anyone hear that?” she asked but her question fell on deaf ears as they kept talking and drinking. Peruve was making noise down stairs as he shuffled through the house. A result from the injury he sustained during the attack from the Night Prowlers. As she descended the stairs she looked towards the front door just as Peruve reached it. The urge to flee, to run, to get as far away from here grew in sudden urgency as he reached for the door – a soft tapping noise now audible over her heart beat. With a shower of splinters and dust the door burst inwards. Spears of a black shadow like energy burst forward and impaled the poor old man in so many places it was surprising that he was held together at all.

A figure stood in the door and a realisation sank into Hana’s chest when she felt the sensation of cold and darkness grow. In fact it was the same cold and darkness as the last person she spoke to at the Toshio family keep – one of Lady Yurki’s retainers or aides. Turning she fled up the stairs screaming out for help but to also run but no one answered her calls.

As she reached the top of the stairs she could see the party, Kuang and Kyoko were laughing and merry with alcohol. Her screams and cries for help unable to reach them as she was tripped by a tendril that was shadow born. As she pushed and strove upwards she called out again, her voice failing and disappearing as darkness wrapped around her.

Starting awake with a scream Hana sat upright shuddering with tears coming down her face.

“Whats wrong!” called Kyoko who sprang awake with a sword in her hand. A moment later Kuang and the party appeared in the door all dressed for battle. “Hana tell us. What’s the matter”

Hana sobbed. Between her sobs she looked up as she felt her kins arms wrap around her shoulders. “She comes for us. The one that is blessed by The Shadow. A shadow born now hunts us and there is no place we can run.” she managed to get out between the sudden inhales of breath.

Shadow Lands – A place where light fears to tread.

The skitter of feet across stone was a common sounds amongst the shadow and murky light in the Shadow lands. The thick cloud of dark mist that drifted up from the ground created a perpetual shadow that hung to the sky and the rocks below. The creatures that ran, shuffled, slithered or skulked below the clouds were a reflection of their environment. Dark, twisted and devoid of what traditionally defines life for humans.

The Shadow smiled down at its creation. The entire north west of Ryokughan was its domain. A place that no creature wanted to dwell in, unless serving their shadowy overlord, and it was a place that light fears to tread.

Extending its conscience outwards the overlord of the shadow lands checked in with one of its pets, the Oni called Mugrave. Watching as the power it lent rip through her body and power her attacks to beat, rip and tear into those around her was satisfying. But something wasn’t quite right.

The closer it watched the more it became apparent. Something in the combatants that she engaged was dampening her power and she was sustaining damage, significant damage. As the Shadow felt its power being lost with each blow – its shadow stuff dissipating into the air to be burnt out as it left the dying form of its minion enough was enough. Ripping the power out from Mugrave wasn’t an issue, it had done it many times before with many different minions over the years. The issue was the weapons that the creatures used appeared to be made of light itself, blinding, radiant and powerful.

Wonderment and fear touched the Shadow, it had been some time since it had felt the later but as it focused on the blazing weapons and wondrous items adorning the adventurers a powerful presence rushed forth and slammed the Shadow backwards. The power from the items was so intense that it knocked the Shadows physical form backwards to collide with the rocky outcrop it was surrounding. That was when The Shadow felt true fear for the first time in a millennia – not since the war with the warriors of light and the ancestral dragons.

NPCs

Kyoko Harimasu

Kyoko spends most of her time concerned about her cousins health. The sudden return of her voice and the nightmares she has been having that foretell a darkness coming leaves her rattled.

During the confrontation she and Hana are quickly whisked away to safety by Kuang but not before giving each of the party members a potion that was delivered to her in secret.

Captain Kuang Ping

After the deal with Mugrave Kuang always positions himself between the party and the Harimasu family. Subtle at first but as the time after the attack from the Night prowlers turns from hours to a day it becomes more obvious.

Sasha (Hana Toshio-Harimasu)

Hana is plagued with visions when ever she can find time to sleep or nap. A shadow-cloaked woman appearing in their midst before attacking them relentlessly with such dark power is the centre of it. She discussed and revealed her suspicions of who it is to Kyoko who sent a hawk to her family for help. The help that arrived a few moments before they were attacked again.

Mugrave – Human shadow-born form

Being ripped apart by shadow magic isn’t fun for anyone let alone someone who was born to the shadow. Using her slowly draining power she launches a final assault at the party who is responsible for thwarting her plans yet again.

Environment and running the adventure

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A vision of the Shadowlands.

Image created in Artbreeder

Encounter – Final Stand

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Shadow Born template

The-Shadow-Born-The-HomebreweryDownload here

Made at the Homebrewery and discussed previously here and used here.

The encounter this week see’s the party fighting Mugrave at an enhanced level. She fights ferociously and voraciously with heightened physical prowess but no real access to her previous spells that kept her alive last time.

The real difference is that when she gets below 50 hp I would impose disadvantage on her attacks and checks – the reason is that the Shadow is trying to take back his power when he can see that she will lose. This should be described as Mugrave begging the Shadow to restore her power as she is fighting and perhaps fighting more erratically and viciously.

But in the end it doesn’t matter.

Now I have mentioned potions up above and in this weeks encounter Final stand of Mugrave the Shadow born I want to dive into the potions this coming week. But they enable the drinker to fight as if all their attacks and abilities were radiant (or blessed).

It’s temporary (a few hours) but there is a plot reason for them – but more on that this week.

Well we are at another the end of the week write-up. Thanks for joining tonight and this week as we wait in a little village within the Ryokughan continent for safe passage out of dangerous lands. So don’t forget to come back for the next week for more information on this months adventure and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Railroading or Player-Centric plot?

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Good evening everyone and welcome to a bit of a discussion around Railroading or Player-Centric plot.

When it comes down to the definition of railroading it boils down to, basically the following. “The DM taking control of the outcomes of the adventure despite the actions of the players”.

The beginning

When I was a 5 year old boy learning D&D from my dad railroading wasn’t a concept. No really. It wasn’t. You would play an adventure, go from point A-B. You would track the bandits to their lair that had been overrun with stirge’s, find the mcguffin and bring it back to the nearby village. That was it. The adventure really became a single road leading to adventure, combat and loot. Even the adventure books that came out during that time also were of the same page. A single adventure, albeit longer, where you went from A-B and then to C after you had found out that NPC1 was really BBEG2. Or something like that.

This made it easy to DM. In fact all you needed was one adventure, the plot hook and all you had to do was run it using your prep sheet. You had to improvise around the decisions during the adventure of course but this wasn’t hard to do. As the DM you knew your NPCs, the map and the creatures. You didn’t have to worry about what was off the beaten track and your players knew it.

The players came in expecting adventure, they were trained mercenaries, henchmen or heroes and they had a job to do. They had to explore the hidden dungeon, find the mad alchemists lair and defeat the golems within. These heroes didn’t care for the nearby keep – that was another adventure and this alchemist was dangerous. And so the adventures went like that. Each session a new adventure, a new story and new things to see and explore – but all prepared for by a Dungeon Master who spent hours on it for the players, and their, enjoyment.

The shift

You remember Skyrim? maybe it was your first RPG. For me Neverwinter nights was my first digital RPG and boy was it great. You could move through the towns, buildings, dungeons and sewers and learn and do anything. But there were doors that needed keys and those keys were kept by holders of the plot. You couldn’t continue to the next town until you had done the quest before hand. And you couldn’t do that quest until you completed the one currently assigned to you. Yes the bakers wife would ask you to kil lrats in her basement as a side quest – but you didn’t leave the city until much later.

With the rise of open world games and bigger RPGs, like Skyrim, we saw the humble style of fun weekender-one-shots step aside for long winded campaigns that were completely driven by players decisions. This makes it harder to plan and organise for the DM, which is 100% fine. But the counter argument is if the story is that an evil wizard is in a castle to the north you want the party to find that castle. You don’t want them exploring the swamp-islands to the south where the cannibalistic tribes of Kuthrapika hunt the marshy waterways. Though – that does sound fun now doesn’t it?

Railroading or Player-Centric plot?

The rise of “your decisions, your story” is putting the classic “Your decisions, my quest” in a negative light in some circles. This unrealistic expectation of the DM shifting, changing and maintaining multiple story lines and bending the game that they facilitate (yes.. the big F word..) makes it harder to convince players to come along with you on the journey through the adventure you have crafted.

The old saying of “it takes two to tango” is so true with D&D these days and the real quest is getting the players to care about your story enough and stick to it and not go looking for adventure but trust that you have it in spades, waiting for them to come along for the journey.

Well that’s it for me tonight. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow night where I will take you through the weekly write-up and look to finish up this month. If you have a different view on railroading let us know, let’s talk about it openly from players and dungeon masters alike as the game has changed heaps since I was a kid and the adventure needs to work for both DM and player.

Don’t forget to read up on the past week, look out for new stat-blocks and potential new items for our adventurers in the coming posts and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe