Author: thebrazenwolfe

The town of Daye

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So for a long time I have spent my d&d adventures in my own homebrew world’s complete with factions and city states fighting for power and big continent shattering bad guys. Its not since Neverwinter nights (fabulous pc game) that I ever ventured forth through Faerun until Daye.

Daye

204ThDaye

Daye is a small town situated on the river Esmel and being a direct river into Amn it gets a lot of traffic. This is where we see the party visiting. It gets almost all of its income from the river through fishing, farming or trade with people travelling further into Amn.

Being part of Amn they are well off and frequently a port of call for tired travellers bringing wealth into the state. A lot of inns and stout but comfortable houses can be found in Daye with the inns being more well built and suitable for travelling merchants.

Amn not allowing arcane magic outside of their brotherhood means that most forms of magic or supplies for magic may be harder to find but Daye’s priesthood to Chauntea seem to have an exception to the rule.

Map found at loremaps. Found here

To the south of Athkatla and to the west of Purskul the small port town is a blip in the scheme of things having a few thousand residents including those who spend their time working the fertile soils.

Well thats all we have today. Working with the Faerun map is strange but beneficial with thr established governments, history and geography of the lands already being well cemented.

Don’t forget to come back tomorrow and as always don’t forget to roll with advantage,

The Brazen Wolfe

A welcome distraction

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Welcome to Wednesday where we look ay plot twists, secondary hooks or bumps in the road where we may place a side path along the road to the end goal for our players.

Tonight I wanted to touch on last nights post, the Priestess having a problem that she wants the party to help with. This may be a simple quest or something that will take the party away for quite some time.

Errand for a Priestess

204WeErPr

Priestess Lizbet sat in the corner of the inn dressed plainly with none of the formality or elegance that she commonly wore when om official duty. She sighed in relief and swirled the ale around in the tankard almost reminiscing what life was like before she came into this position.

A group of people sat down at her table dressed much like her and familiar to her in some degree. “Hello adventures, I am relieved and gladdened that you came to meet me at such unexpected notice. I have a proposition for you. I have had ‘mother’, reveal to me another priestess of Chauntea that is more powerful than the current.” She stared at the adventures, so far they had played along and were pretending that she wasn’t the priestess. “This new priestess will be a great addition to the sisterhood here in Daye but she needs persuasion and I believe that you may be able to do such.”

“I believe she is about a day and a half north, there is a small community in the hills. She wouldn’t be too far out of adolescence but I don’t know much more than that.”

“If you can help me I may have another request of you that will undoubtedly be in both of our interests and I can provide some gold for this request upon completion” she says, unable to fully disguise who she is due to the way she speaks.

The party look amongst each other but there is a glint in their eyes that she finds promising to furthering the remedy to her predicament.

The idea of this one is straight forward, a side “retrieve / fetch” quest to keep the party busy but also work towards Lizbets goal. She, despite liking the luxury and opulence of her role, dislikes being in the spotlight and the focus from the town of Daye.

She believes if she can find someone else to fulfill the role then maybe she could go back to worshipping her deity and helping the community without the celebrity status.

Thanks for joining me to look at a side quest for the party.

Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for more content and as always don’t forget to roll with advantage,

The Brazen Wolfe

Favoured of the city

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Welcome to Tuesday where the common theme is NPC and interactions with the party.

Tonight I want to touch on something that may have happened ‘off screen’ after the night where the party assisted the priestess of Chauntea escape the Gaki.

Of the cloth

204TuOTC

As the sun rose and Lizbet returned to her chambers at the temple she carried a large wooden box covered in foreign silver runes that meet to form a complex pattern at the seams where box meet lid.

Placing the box down she took off the charming necklace that she had been presented with and placed it in the box as instructed. She longingly touched the beautiful object which she could sense granted her additional power to help those who were stuck or needed help. With a sigh she closed the lid and strode off to the washing chambers to try and relax after her night turned into a nightmare.

As the warm water ran down her shoulders she remembered the kind adventures that had risked their life to get her to safety. Perhaps they could help this town once more.

Pondering the other predicament she was facing, she walked back to her chambers she didn’t notice skittering of claws on stone as something watched her move across the wooden flood and through the stone archway to her chambers. Closing the door behind her she didn’t care to check when it didn’t latch properly as she was that tired. Sitting down at the end of her bed she closed her eyes and began the mental exercises to pray to Chauntea to ask for guidance and replenish her allocation of divine spells.

The aura she gave off was enticing and the creature knew that she had some power but the locked silver box intrigued it more. Perhaps it could persuade the human to trade, perhaps not as the asking price would need to be much more. Thinking on what this human could possibly want it sat down in the corner of the wall and watched as a channel of energy flower between the weave and the girl. Humans of this continent were interesting things, he may grow to like it here afterall.

Thats it for tonight, a bit of a NPC write-up a bit of a plot write-up fot a future session. Needless to say there is content there for us to explore and expand upon while I work in the background to collate the Red Fleet and Gaki Adventure.

Don’t forget to come back tomorrow and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,

The Brazen Wolfe

At a stretch

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Welcome to the last full week of January and the last Monday for Januaries content, sort of, and the plan for the last week of January is to wrap up the last of the content for the Red Fleet adventure but this week I will take a step back and collect all the little bits that were posted during the Month and collate them into a cohesive adventure and put it up here at the end of the week.

So tonight will just be some musings around the plot so I can focus on writing up the adventure elsewhere for this weekend.

Red Fleet and the Gaki

204MoRFatGa

So the Gaki was something that I wanted to explore as something ethereal but not something that was driven not by hatred of the living but by out of a desire for itself to complete a goal, however greedy and selfish it would be.

The original thought process behind this adventure was to have a creature that was largely ‘passive’ to move around the city and being drawn to something that the fleet of merchants from across the waves brought to the little town of Daye – readily available magic. Through these minor magical charms I wanted the creature to seek out more and more of them to eventually lead them to the party which serves to purposes. The first is simply to get the party involved in the story but having the creature visit them and the second is to give the party a reason to hunt the creature. Magic items tend to be something that players seek out due to the power and awe that they give the player and having a creature that feeds of such items gives players the fear that their items, the things that sometimes define their character, is reason enough that I hope the party will be wanting to hunt down this creature.

Another driver to participate in this adventure I hope is the promise of travelling to an exotic new land where the Red Fleet are from. I will introduce you all, hopefully soon, to Ryokughan where the Red Fleet is originally from (where I hope to work on several adventures to form a series of them this year) which is a place of superstition, magic, spirits both good and bad, and nightmarish creatures that prey on the people of the land.

Having the Family and key NPC (Lee) being Vanara, a monkey type race, introduces something new that appears in a lot of Asian folk lore there are a few key races that stand out above others and one of them is the Vanara. Having the Vanara as a race for this adventure could be a good selling point for people into playing this adventure out.

That will have to do for tonight. Don’t forget to come back to check on the thoughts and extra content over the next few days and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Famished

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Welcome to the end of the week where I bring you the final version of that weeks adventure. This week we look at the final confrontation between the Party and the Gaki (…unless it was slain by a silvered weapon already in which case just look at the final writeup).

So let’s look into this week’s write up.

The hungry Ren

203WeHuRe

_Part 3: The Rens ship_

Note. If the party managed to defeat the Gaki already with a silvered weapon then see conclusion and adjust slightly.

Once the party sit down with the priestess and Kyoko after being chased by the Gaki more information is revealed and Kyoko confirms that its a spirit creature from her home land and likely has inhabited one of the merchant families. She asks Hurane and Takeo to go find the family to report back to her. She advise the party to talk to Lee Ping, their alchemist come Priest, so that they can have their weapons blessed.

They find the way to Lee Ping easily enough and find his room, on a messy Ship, cluttered with no trace of him except the bubbling cauldron. Astute characters (DC 15 perception) would notice a man walking up behind them using his hands and legs to crawl over and around the stuff that is strewn across the ground. The figure will talk to them if they walk or approach the cauldron. Lee will talk in a shamanistic way, focusing on his task of creating a batch of blessed liquid silver for blessing their ships, doors, windows and the trinkets that they sell.

After leaving the party can do what they want but they are unable to find Kyoko, Takeo or Hurane. If they check Kyoko’s cabin they find a note about the Ren family probably being the family in question.

The party may also happen to stumble upon the ship and note that it looks run down and that there is shattered mirrors on the docs next to the ship.

Once entering the ships deck they are greeted by shambling crying women, Hana and Saki. Hana breaks out of her trance and tells the party to run and that her grandfather had grown to strong and that they were in danger and they must leave the ship.

The fight that commences should be straight forward with the lair actions and the Gaki engaging in combat as per its Stat-block.

After the combat is over the party can rescues Kyoko, takeo, Hurane and the Ren family.

The Ren family will explain that they were in financial trouble back home and that they were visitied by their grandfather’s spirit who offered to help in exchange for a favour. They agreed and when they realised what was going on he had grown to powerful and had taken over the ship and Hiro.

They thank the party and offer them a favour that is within their power. Its also revealed that they are Vanara, a monkey humanoid race from across the ocean.

Thats it for this week. Make sure to come back next week for some more content and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,

The Brazen Wolfe

The seekers of the lost god. P1

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Xer’lyss looked over their host as they sped forward across the ashen ground, rotting wood and shattered stone. Chariots, steeds of slaanesh carrying daemonettes and mortals alike, heralds and mortals who ran in foot wanting to curry favour with the warhost as they sped ever closer to their forgotten prince.

Breathing in deeply they detected the waft of the sleeping prince and eyes flickering with ecstacy as they detected the faintest trail of whome they sought. But there was a darker, danker smell on the breeze. One of death, of bones and of rot.

Sending one of their fastest riders off they began to prepare for the hunt, mustering the host for battle and driving them ever forwards towards their god. A few hours later their rider returned carrying a shield of solid bone, expertly crafted from shoulder blades, skulls and the like to be a work of art. Violence and even the harvesting of bones from the living in excess was still a calling to Slaanesh. A wicked smile spread across Xer’lyss’s face as a shiver of anticipation wracked her body.

Letting out a trill that resonated through the host. All steeds, mortals and daemons stopped and watched as her alabaster steeds tore off, her returning rider leading the way to the bone reapers and their tithe of excess.

Yup it’s finally Warhammer night!

As I prepare for a battle against my opponent, a friend I am teaching AOS 3 to, I wanted to make my army as thematic as possible. For me Slaanesh is fast, lithe and deadly and for me that’s chariots, mounted troops and super fast daemons. It may not be the most competitive army but to help my friend learn the hobby and new edition (not so new for many of us) I believe it will do just fine.

My list

Allegiance: Slaanesh
– Host: Godseekers Host
– Grand Strategy: Sever the Head
– Triumphs: Bloodthirsty

Leaders
Synessa, The Voice of Slaanesh (260)*
Viceleader, Herald of Slaanesh (140)*
– Lore of Slaanesh: Born of Damnation
Xer’lyss – Bladebringer, Herald on Exalted Chariot (265)*
– General
– Command Trait: Speed-chaser
– Artefact: Girdle of the Realm-racer
– Universal Spell Lore: Flaming Weapon

Battleline
5 x Hellstriders with Claw-spears (135)**
5 x Hellstriders with Claw-spears (135)**
5 x Hellstriders with Claw-spears (135)*
1 x Seeker Chariots (130)*
1 x Seeker Chariots (130)*

Units
5 x Blissbarb Seekers (220)*
5 x Blissbarb Seekers (220)*
3 x Fiends (200)**

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment
**Hunters of the Heartlands

Total: 1970 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 0 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 118
Drops: 4

The opposition

Allegiance: Ossiarch Bonereapers
– Legion: Mortis Praetorians
– Mortal Realm: Shyish
– Grand Strategy: Hold the Line
– Triumphs: Bloodthirsty

Leaders
Arkhan the Black, Mortarch of Sacrament (360)
Katakros, Mortarch of the Necropolis (450)
Liege-Kavalos (185)
– General
– Command Trait: Katakros’ Chosen
– Artefact: Artificer’s Blade

Battleline
20 x Mortek Guard (280)
– Nadirite Blade and Shield
– 2x Soulcleaver Greatblades
– Reinforced x 1
20 x Mortek Guard (280)
– Nadirite Blade and Shield
– 2x Soulcleaver Greatblades
– Reinforced x 1
5 x Kavalos Deathriders (190)
– Nadirite Blade and Shield

Behemoths
Gothizzar Harvester (215)
– Weapon: Soulcrusher Bludgeons

Total: 1960 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 2 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 103
Drops: 1

Teaching my friend is a true joy. Keen as a knife, smart as a whip he learns quickly and we got into the swing of things by the end of round 1. Despite our best efforts we left it at the end of round 2, turn 1 and the beginning of OBT turn 2 at 2am on Sunday morning.. unfortunately this means that we will have to wait to see if Xer’lyss can defeat Katakros and Arkhan’s combined might.

The seekers of the lost god. P1

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Xer’lyss looked over their host as they sped forward across the ashen ground, rotting wood and shattered stone. Chariots, steeds of slaanesh carrying daemonettes and mortals alike, heralds and mortals who ran in foot wanting to curry favour with the warhost as they sped ever closer to their forgotten prince.

Breathing in deeply they detected the waft of the sleeping prince and eyes flickering with ecstacy as they detected the faintest trail of whome they sought. But there was a darker, danker smell on the breeze. One of death, of bones and of rot.

Sending one of their fastest riders off they began to prepare for the hunt, mustering the host for battle and driving them ever forwards towards their god. A few hours later their rider returned carrying a shield of solid bone, expertly crafted from shoulder blades, skulls and the like to be a work of art. Violence and even the harvesting of bones from the living in excess was still a calling to Slaanesh. A wicked smile spread across Xer’lyss’s face as a shiver of anticipation wracked her body.

Letting out a trill that resonated through the host. All steeds, mortals and daemons stopped and watched as her alabaster steeds tore off, her returning rider leading the way to the bone reapers and their tithe of excess.

Yup it’s finally Warhammer night!

As I prepare for a battle against my opponent, a friend I am teaching AOS 3 to, I wanted to make my army as thematic as possible. For me Slaanesh is fast, lithe and deadly and for me that’s chariots, mounted troops and super fast daemons. It may not be the most competitive army but to help my friend learn the hobby and new edition (not so new for many of us) I believe it will do just fine.

My list

Allegiance: Slaanesh
– Host: Godseekers Host
– Grand Strategy: Sever the Head
– Triumphs: Bloodthirsty

Leaders
Synessa, The Voice of Slaanesh (260)*
Viceleader, Herald of Slaanesh (140)*
– Lore of Slaanesh: Born of Damnation
Xer’lyss – Bladebringer, Herald on Exalted Chariot (265)*
– General
– Command Trait: Speed-chaser
– Artefact: Girdle of the Realm-racer
– Universal Spell Lore: Flaming Weapon

Battleline
5 x Hellstriders with Claw-spears (135)**
5 x Hellstriders with Claw-spears (135)**
5 x Hellstriders with Claw-spears (135)*
1 x Seeker Chariots (130)*
1 x Seeker Chariots (130)*

Units
5 x Blissbarb Seekers (220)*
5 x Blissbarb Seekers (220)*
3 x Fiends (200)**

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment
**Hunters of the Heartlands

Total: 1970 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 0 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 118
Drops: 4

The opposition

Allegiance: Ossiarch Bonereapers
– Legion: Mortis Praetorians
– Mortal Realm: Shyish
– Grand Strategy: Hold the Line
– Triumphs: Bloodthirsty

Leaders
Arkhan the Black, Mortarch of Sacrament (360)
Katakros, Mortarch of the Necropolis (450)
Liege-Kavalos (185)
– General
– Command Trait: Katakros’ Chosen
– Artefact: Artificer’s Blade

Battleline
20 x Mortek Guard (280)
– Nadirite Blade and Shield
– 2x Soulcleaver Greatblades
– Reinforced x 1
20 x Mortek Guard (280)
– Nadirite Blade and Shield
– 2x Soulcleaver Greatblades
– Reinforced x 1
5 x Kavalos Deathriders (190)
– Nadirite Blade and Shield

Behemoths
Gothizzar Harvester (215)
– Weapon: Soulcrusher Bludgeons

Total: 1960 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 2 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 103
Drops: 1

Teaching my friend is a true joy. Keen as a knife, smart as a whip he learns quickly and we got into the swing of things by the end of round 1. Despite our best efforts we left it at the end of round 2, turn 1 and the beginning of OBT turn 2 at 2am on Sunday morning.. unfortunately this means that we will have to wait to see if Xer’lyss can defeat Katakros and Arkhan’s combined might.

The Family home

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Welcome to Friday and that normally means Fight Night! here at Brazen Wolfe Tabletop. Tonight I have something that I hope will spice up the encounter with the Gaki just that little bit more to make it feel like a true end of adventure encounter, it is also something I haven’t used before in a campaign of adventure but I believe it will become part of my homebrew toolbox moving forwards.

Last we saw Kyoko, Takeo and Hurane being knocked unconscious and thrown down below deck on the Ren families ship – not an ideal situation to be in with a angry and desperate Gaki spirit. Tonight we will investigate that final confrontation between the party, with their blessed silvered weapons as they go to investigate a mysterious note left on Captain Kyoko’s desk stating that the Gaki spirit must be at the Ren families boat. So without any more of a re-cap lets get on with the content for tonight’s encounter setup, also known as fightnight!

The possessed ship

203FrPoSh

In addition to the normal stat-block that the Gaki has he will be accompanied by the unconcious, yet possessed bodies of his daughter and grand daughter, Hana and Saki. As they approach the party in a shuffling, disjointed manner the party can see a dark mist flickering about them as tears streak down their face and a look of anguish and confusion as one of them, Hana – the grand daughter, breaks the possession for a moment to scream for the party to run, to escape as her grandfather had full control of the ship now and it wasn’t safe. After the warning she would go limp, falling to the floor before slowly standing back up with a the same anguish filled face as her mother as they both stumble towards them.

Both Hana and Saki follow the commoner template below.

Lair Actions

On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the Gaki spirit (Grandfather Ren) takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects; the Gaki can’t use the same effect two rounds in a row:

  • Waves of water that are within 5ft of the edge of the ship crash onto the deck before draining outwards under the railing. Any creature on the deck within 5 feet of the railing (edge of the boat) must succeed on a DC 12 Strength saving throw or be pulled up to 20 feet into the water overboard and knocked prone.
  • A knife, hook, oar, shard of glass, bottle or other object on the ship flies towards each member of the party. Any creature on the deck of the ship must make on a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw, taking 5 (2d4) piercing damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
  • A wave of dark mist suddenly blows across the deck of the ship centred on the cabin and extending for 30ft on deck before dissipating. Any creature caught in the wave of mist must make a DC12 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned until the start of the creatures next turn as they retch and become overwhelmed with nausea and hunger. A creature that succeeds on their saving throw has advantage on the next constitution saving throw for the same dark mist next time and a subsequent success will grant them immunity to the third time they are affected.

The Gaki will be in the Cabin at the stern of the ship, for reference perhaps check out the ship map in my Ship Life post from November. Hana and Saki are meant really as a morale dilemma for the party. Knocking them out is what is preferred – hence why I have Hana waking up to warn the party to show that 1, they are possessed and 2, they can wake up from it. Their purpose isn’t to damage or attack the party but to try and grapple (likely unsuccessfully) and disarm the silver weapons where possible. Once unconscious, or you know, dead, the party will find Grandfather Ren – Gaki spirit in the cabin wearing his Hiro body and likely holding something valuable that maybe the perceptive party member may recognise from Takeo or Kyoko. Maybe a Short blade with an elegant long handle (wakatashi) that they have seen Kyoko wearing before in almost a ceremonial manner.

This is to trigger the party into knowing that Kyoko may have been here or is somewhere near by. The Gaki would likely be enraged and continue to use lair actions whilst dashing in to attack the party members who fall, slip or otherwise are hindered by the Gaki’s possessed ship lair actions. He would be aware of any remaining silvered weapons and avoid these characters at all cost unless there was no option. Once reduced to 0 HP by a silvered weapon the dark mist would shriek outwards from Hiro and fly into a urn that was the only non desecrated item in this room upon a mantle with a kind, smiling gentleman sitting above it in a painting. When Hiro wakes up (as he will be wounded by not dead – his grandfather wouldn’t let him die now would he) he would rush past the party wanting to check on his family and Kyoko, Takeo and Hurane.

That would conclude tonight’s adventure and the encounter with the Gaki spirit. What do you all think about lair actions? They are meant to be something that really threatens the party, that puts the party in a dangerous situation and can really put the adventure in the favour of the creature that is heavily out numbered. I hope to use these a lot this year as I have some bigger plans in the work for 2022 and am excited to bring them to you all for your enjoyment and hopefully your use in your own campaigns.

Don’t forget to come back this weekend for some, dare I hope for it, Warhammer content as well as the summary and conclusion of this part of the Red Fleet campaign! And, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage!
The Brazen Wolfe

Dark promises, fulfilled oaths

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Welcome to Thursday, the day set aside for those extra bits that can make your adventure just that little bit more. Today is hopefully no exception with a bit of a insight to the current situation in the city of Daye and within the Ren family.

The idea of tonight is to create a story point within the linear quest line for this adventure sequence. The reason behind it is to give the DM some insight into what’s going on in the adventure behind what has been written – you cant expect the Ren family to wait in a room for the party to come knocking, they have their own agenda which may cause the party to encounter them sooner than the adventure plans for and hopefully tonight’s post will give a bit more of a background, if but a taste, into what this family is all about.

Grandfathers gift

203ThGrGi

Hiro Ren smiled behind his white mask and bowed deeply to the man who purchased the horse pendant that would see the mans endurance increase, or so the talisman was meant to provide that blessing to him. Placing the gold pieces in a pouch tided within his robes he looked across his sister and mother who were also selling similar talismans to other people of Daye, “good”, he thought, “we are doing well. Grandfathers suggestion to sell talismans to ward of evil spirits is paying off well. We should be able to make enough gold after a couple weeks with days like today and leave back for home. As long as there aren’t any more setbacks.” He smiled to himself behind his mask as he greeted the next person to come to his little stall and enquire about the warding talismans. Producing a small silver dragon pendant, a dragon from his home country which had a long serpentine body unlike the dragons of this continent who were lesser winged lizards the dragons back home were like deities who flew above man.

Several hours passed and the Ren family packed up their stall. Hiro sat down as his exhaustion came over him and took a few large gulps of the briny air that surrounded the place they set up their stalls. “Brother you must look after yourself better. Are you still unable to sleep well? Is Grandfather keeping you awake with his requests?” His sister, Hana, asked concerned as she wrapped up the last few items in the silk sheets that they stored them within large heavy chests.

“He is just restless at night, ever since we made the ship more suitable for him he has become less agitated and disturbs me less. But I can go these last few weeks until we have achieved grandfathers and our goal with limited sleep. It will be worth it when our family can return and save our family home from the yakuza.” Hiro smiled sadly, his father having to stay home in order to keep the family business back home occupied and working so the yakuza didn’t move in and take possession of everything they had worked so hard for many years to achieve.

“Hiro, I picked this up from the Kuronami family. It should help you sleep better and get more rest. It’s some form of potion that you pour on a thin cloth and drape over your face as you go to sleep. I have been warned that it can be quite potent so we won’t use too much at once, just enough to help you get rest.” his mother, Saki, said as she handed him the small opaque bottle with a large cork stopper.

Smiling he took the bottle and stood, grabbing the chest that held their wares as his mother and sister walked in front of him, sharing favourite moments from the days sales and being otherwise in a good mood.

As they neared their ship they could see a disturbance on deck, objects were flying around and three figures were retreating off the ship and back onto the dock. Frowning he could make out who they were and he could feel grandfather stirring, a fear, unbridled and raw sprang from deep within him. Placing the chest down he ushered his mother to mind the goods as he and his sister crept forward.

“It looks like my teacher was correct. The family would have had to let the Gaki spirit take possession willingly. This whole ship seems to have been desecrated in order to allow the spirt free reign” the smallest of the figures said, as he nimbly moved across the deck towards the other two, Hurane and Kyoko, he could see Kyoko’s face and would recognise Hurane any where.

Sneaking closer to be at the end of the plank that connected his families ship to the dock he remembered the potion his mother had given him. Quickly uncorking it he risked letting his long dexterous tail coming out to quickly grab some rags he kept in a hip pouch for wrapping sold items at the stall. Coating two of the rags with the potent smelling liquid he gestured for his sister to do the same. An understanding, and fear, crossed her face but a sudden disturbance on deck pushed her fear away, grandfather was impatient and needed these people taken care of.

As they descended the gangplank they discussed his family and his keen hearing heard the word ‘gaki’. He was no fool and the gaki was a hunger spirit from his home continent, they could not be talking about his grandfather, he was a kind and generous ancestral spirit that had come to his family in their moment of need and only asked to be able to walk amongst them during the day to grand them fortune and luck when doing business. Bracing himself for what he was about to do he rushed forward, his sister behind him. Grappling Kyoko and forcing the towel over her face she struggled for a moment before going limp. His tail quickly wrapped around the throat of Hurane and held the last of the soaked Rags to his face too and after a moment all three people; the captain, vice captain and the small nimble one of the Red Fleet, were unconscious in their arms. A calm and soothing voice spoke to him “Take them below deck, I also believe that the mirrors left in the ship will bring a bad omen to us. Destroy them, discard the remains face down on the dock for now. Quickly go my son” his grandfather urged him into action. Moving quickly and using his Vanarian strength and dexterous limbs he quickly did as his grandfather had suggested, it was through his wisdom that they had come this close to their goal.

Well that will do us for tonight, not as small as a writeup as I had intended but I hope that it provides that extra insight into the Ren family, their goals current situation and what the party will need to deal with this week.

Don’t forget, like the Gaki spirit I am hungry to hear your thoughts, feedback and any report on playing through these adventures I think of. Maybe not as hungry as a gaki as the Japanese lore on them is quite, disturbing. But regardless do let me know!

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

Waning moon heralds the dark

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Welcome to Wednesday where we look at twists, turns and changes in direction of the adventure. This week there isn’t a huge amount that we would want to shift as we are wrapping up the adventure with the Red Fleet setting anchor in Daye.

So to still make use of the adventure I think I will touch on something that I would be adding on Friday. So sit back, have a cup of tea (or coffee – my preferred liquid) and enjoy.

Dark wind

203WeDaWi

As Kyoko stepped onto the deck of the ship belonging to the Ren family she noticed the harshly burnt and damaged wood above the doors and windows. As she walked towards the door a fishing harpoon sprung from where it lay and barely missed her as a throwing blade deflected it off course. Looking backwards at the masked and robed form of Takeo and the armoured form of her friend Hurane she nodded thanks to both for having her back.

“It looks like my teacher was correct. The family would have had to let the Gaki spirit take possession willingly. This whole ship seems to have been desecrated in order to allow the spirt free reign” Takeo said as he smacked a lantern that flew towards his had to the ground.

“There is no sign of the family here. They must be elsewhere, likely continuing to do as they please to sate their desire and the Gaki’s hunger.” Hurane said, sticking his head through the door only to duck out quickly as the sound of knives on a wooden door thudded from where he was standing.

Cursing Kyoko lead Takeo and Hurane off the boat and watched as the moving objects stopped. “We will need to prepare the adventures before they come back” she said as she turned to head back to her boat only to be met by a pair of glowing eyes as several people grabbed them and a sharp smelling rag was forced across their faces.

So the disappearance of key NPCs when they are needed and maybe a note left on a table with poorly chosen words such as “Ren family” could see the adventures walking into a trap consisting of a family fully enthralled by the Gaki spirit and its energy having accumulated so much in a short period of time that its affecting the objects in the ship that it calls its home, for now, which can then a medium level encounter into something much more challenging.

Well that’s it for tonight, short sharp and too the point for our secondary plot hook and twist. The safe return of the Captain and her compatriots as well as the purification of the gaki spirit being in the cards this week.

Don’t forget to let me know if you have any feedback on the format or the adventure itself as I really do want to hear from my awesome readers their thoughts!

And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,

The Brazen Wolfe