Putting the Con in Contest

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

So I hope you enjoy this weeks adventure, Putting the Con in Contest. If you like this format please let me know and I hope you enjoy.


Putting the Con in Contest

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The games available at the Finchford Festival were varied and all were done in a spectacular way. A test for athletics and acrobatics in which local thieves guild members paid close attention to potential future members. An archery contest for those swift with a bow or crossbow. A jousting and horsemanship competition for those trained with beast and weapon and several others. 

However everyone knew that the real draw card was the Contest of Martial Champions. One where the prize was double of the others combined with the potential for long lasting contracts with mercenary guilds or even personal bodyguard positions being offered to participants who can demonstrate their skill.

The Contest of Martial Champions

Finchford Arena – Created in nightcafe.

The party watched the duel occurring on the main field at the moment. Sue Shawkaft was currently fighting a hulking goliath known only only as Butcher. of the white sands. The Goliath was strong but Sue was fast and managed to deflect the mighty blows at any moment. The result of this bout would determine who the member of the party would be against in the next round.

Being late to the arena they managed to get seats close to the gates to where the other entrants would wait and then be called forward to the field. It was at this moment that a familiar voice of Felicia Strongarm, the current crowd favourite to win, came through thick with anger.

“You tell those worms that Feli Strongarm has honour. Their offer to bow out of this tournament is a disgrace and dishonour to my name and to them. I can only hope that they placed their money on me and not Tyson to win this bout or they will be sorely disappointed.” her voice ranges with anger and forceful direction. A few muffled words were had before a hasty retreat of feet could be heard in the opposite direction.

“These fools. Threatening me? I am the strongest competitor in this competition. Pah! Their attempt to rattle me has just hardened my resolve.” A small pause. “Screw this waiting. I’ll get an ale…” and a second set of footprints head off with the jangling of mail.

The final moments of the bout

Sue had landed a few solid hits during this discussion. The Butcher was reeling from the blows and despite the blessings that kept everyone alive it did nothing for their fatigue. As the blows came in hard and heavy, so did the strain on the goliath’s muscles and stamina. Soon the announcer was calling an end to the bout with Sue being the winner.

Twenty minutes is how long it took to repair the arena, clean up some blood and prepare it for the next bout. Felicia and Tysons’. The air was thick with tension as money was exchanging hands, bets were being made and a clear divide in spectators was being made. Within a few minutes Tyson was striding onto the field, stretching and pacing like a wolf in a cage. “…Felicia Strongarm!!” the announcer called as the crowd cheered, as they did for Tyson. But minutes passed by and the announcer called officials to go search for Felicia…

A few minutes later they came back with no word, sightings or anything of the tournament favourite. The whole time Tyson stared at the party – his eyes spoke of malice and wanted bloodshed. “It’s unfortunately my duty to announce that Felicia has by lack of presence forfeited her match. The winner by default is Tyson! Officials please get the next contestant ready.” The party watched as the officials walked directly towards them. “Are you ready to enter the ring?” he asked.


PDF adventure – Putting the Con in Contest



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

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

Mixed Bag of Misery

Now tonight I was looking for something to write about, and really the bombardment of ideas was a Mixed Bag of Misery. After spending a day, yup a whole day (well nearly…) Magnetising my currently built infantry for my Hedonites of Slaanesh army and painting nearly all my currently built blissbarb archers (so expect a photo bombardment next weekend) I am tabletop fatigued. But as I looked at the twenty daemonettes in front of me I thought “Well, at least after the content dense blissbarbs these are different kind of misery.”

But this got me thinking, and soon an idea blossomed. Cursed useful items in DnD. Now hear me out. A cursed sword is arguable useful as long as you can resist the curse. A cursed ring can is generally not great at all – in all cases.

But what about a cursed utility item. So tonight I will focus on a Mixed bag of Misery.

Mixed Bag of Misery

Lore – The devil in the detail.

Long ago a devil plagued the house of Rosariae. The little imp pestered the family daily for years. By creating little acts of malice within the home it spread misery throughout the household. Eventually the family noticed that the cause of this misery was an imp, Demsodae (Dems-o-day). Acts to catch or persuade it to leave the house always failed but they noticed a quirk of the diminutive devil. It always took a single egg each night and devoured it. Using this knowledge they hired an enchanter to alter a leather drawstring bag to capture and ensnare the creature if it entered it willingly. So they laid a trap with a large, goose egg as bait.

Sure enough in the morning the bag was full and the family rejoiced in their capture of the imp. Many decades later and the bag fell into position of an adventurer who mistook the bag for one of holding. Upon reaching into the bag they discovered with horror that it was filled with headless mice. And this adventurer hated mice.

The next owner found that the bag was instead filled with centipedes, but when that owner entered the bag again the bugs were gone. The cursed bag has seen a few duplications as the original enchantment was unravelled but all of them contain a tricked imp that tries to give the owner of the bag a daily dose of misery.

Mechanics of the Mixed Bag of Misery

Once per day, the Mixed Bag of Misery will change the contents of what it contains to something the owner finds repulsive, disgusting or something they are fearful of. After the contents have been revealed then the bag is sated. Once sated it acts like a bag of holding, although its storage capacity is half that of a normal one (due to an imp living within…). However, despite the Imps malicious nature it can be persuaded to help.

If the owner offers it something it favours, a goose egg in the case of Demsodae, it will help the owner. This is an infrequent occurrence but it can produce something to help the owner of the bag. This act of helping is infrequent and will normally backfire on the owner.

As this bag is cursed it is not easy to get rid of it. In fact to get rid of the bag the owner must convince someone else to place the imps favourite thing within the bag. Only then can the bag be transferred from one living owner to the next.

Thoughts

Now I have created this bag primarily for role play. However it all depends on how we interpret the assistance of the imp. I may have the Imp may assist the owner by producing rotten eggs that the owner can use. In the right circumstance they could be a great distraction or tasty snack for a hostile beast. The list of things that we can do to make this cursed item a useful one is near-endless. However it’s up to the Role play of the Player, us – the DM, and the situation that its being used.


Thanks for joining me tonight for this weird little item. A Mixed Bag of Misery isn’t quite how I would capture my current tabletop progress. But, there are highs and lows with any tabletop venture and for me I find its focusing and finding the time to focus on painting miniatures. So as we continue on with our weekend consider this. The bag of experiences you take you are always going to be mixed. You can’t always pass that skill check, nor should you. That’s not how adventures are made or how heroes are born. So take what will with what you can and the rest, I guess just leave it up to the dice!

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

Martial Champions contest

Welcome to another Friday night where we look at the Contestants of the Martial Champions contest. These contestants have proven themselves worthy to partake in the contest and all of them are honourable. Well most of them are. But some of that will be covered tonight, and the rest on the weekend! So join me as we glimpse at the contestants. So sit back, grab a coffee and let’s roll into tonight’s adventure!


Martial Champions contest

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As the party member sponsored to the contest of champions sat down after their first fight the next combatant got up. Standing opposite the wiry young man a hulking Tiefling clad in glistening armour rolled his shoulders, a magic blade stretched in his hand.

“Now as with the previous bout both contestants will be blessed with a powerful enchantment that will prevent them from dying. However the pain from each others blows will be felt just as keenly.” at this some of the crowd roared with approval. “Now we have Tyson Emergel, a mammoth of a man…” The man began to drone on to introduce the Tieflling and human in turn. However the party noticed that whilst warming up the young man, Karl, looked to the crowd, nodded once and his demeanor changed. The party tried to track to see what the cause of the interaction was but they were greeted by a sea of faces.

The Bout

“And may the lords and ladies of light bless this contest. Both contestants when ready, enter the circle and begin your fight!” the announcer called. Before the call was made Tyson was striding forward, blade ready with a layer of frost coating the blade already. After a few moments Karl stepped forward and rushed at Tyson. The counter attack was like lightning and with a single swing Tyson hit Karl across the chest and he flew backwards, nearing he edge of the ring.

Either Tyson had the strength of giants or something wasn’t right. A heart beat later Tyson strode forward undeterred as Karl sat up, coughing up blood before dropping his sword and yelling “Yield! I Yield. I am to worn out from training that to continue this fight would not be fair for my fans, or my opponent.” And with that Karl stepped out of the ring.

A hush heralded the chorus of booing and yells of anger. However the resignation seemed to be accepted as Tyson was declared the winner and moved onto the next bout.

“Dishonourable thing that,” a fellow contestant said from near by as he leant over. “The names Sue, Sue Shawkaft. I’ve seen Karl fight before and he just didn’t even try this time. Somethin’s not right then. Well.. It looks like I am up against You and I progressed to the next round. Best of Luck to you.” Sue said with a smile, a larger bottom tooth betraying her orcish heritage.

Thoughts

Now the idea of a contest being rigged is nothing new. But being rigged to what reason, well we will find out this weekend! Now I do normally produce Statblocks and tonight is no exception! So see below!



Thanks for dropping by tonight for another warmup for this weekends contest! As we get ever closer to the weekend, one more sleep, I have busy weekend at the tabletop. So don’t forget to visit again this weekend for more glorious hobby and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Finchford Arena

Thursday night is here and we are back to Inkarnate as we look at a the basic Finchford Arena! Now this two layered arena has a few things to offer, the crowds that is. Ample vantage points and many angles to watch the combatants brawl and cut their way to victory. However despite being a contest for swordsmanship the many view points offers opportunities for external influence. Whether beneficial or otherwise remains to be seen. So grab a coffee, sharpen your pencil and let’s look at tonight’s map!


Finchford Arena

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Entrants ready, fight! – Finchford Arena

So this week is all about the fights that go on as the party work out how and what they can do. Each party member will have the opportunity to partake in the contest somewhere but only one will enter the arena.

Now without giving it away there are a few stages to the arena fight but they all take place in the fenced off arena. In fact the party will be present for the majority of them unless they mysteriously don’t attend one of the rounds. But there may be an angry crowd to content with if they aren’t present.

Finchford Arena – Created in Inkarnate

Now there are steps going up to a raised platform, 20 feet above the arena floor. This gives a quick, nimble combatant an advantage if they can get the high ground early – or for those unaware of their opponents whereabouts a significant disadvantage. This map favours those who can keep track of their opponent as well as utilise the simple terrain.



Thanks for joining me again tonight. Another short one tonight preparation for a tournament zine this weekend. So if your party is wanting to flex their muscles don’t forget to come back for the last few days this week for the closing additions. Also with the weekend fast approaching don’t forget to set aside some time for your tabletop and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Backer

This Wednesday twist night features the backer of the party to compete in the tournament as well as some underhanded dealings. The intent isn’t so much to set the party up but to have a distraction sufficient enough that the real plan can go ahead. Curious? Well we best grab a coffee, sit down and let’s roll into tonight’s adventure!


The Backer

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The stands were as loud as thunder as they cheered for the combatants that entered the stage. The Contest of Martial Champions was by far the crowd favourite for all the events that they ran at the Finchford Fair and Festival. Each year different cities and towns would submit one warrior amongst their own to contend. In fact each warrior would have to undertake trials and prove their worth to participate. One by one these tried and tested warriors were called to the platform. Heralded by a crier who called out their achievements and praise to the adoration, and dislike, from those in the crowd. Caught up in the masses the party stood by and watched as the stage filled. Those who had not gone through the trials were never allowed to participate.

As the announcer continued on a hush wafted over the crowd. “And this year we have a late contender. One that has been sponsored in full by a party that wishes to be unknown. This person has travelled many miles, slain countless foes to the good people of this land. In fact they even recently stopped an undead dragon in our very own Thrall Keep. Let’s welcome the mighty… ” and as the crowd erupted into cheers, heckling and a pang of confusion wafted across the voices one of the party was called to the stage.

Masterminds at work

Two figures from the crowd watched as the sudden adventurer was called. However they weren’t cheering or booing this new contender. Instead they watched and smiled. As they watched the procession and the mixture of emotions spread across those gathered one of the existing participants glanced their way and nodded. The message give and received in a single gesture that their plan was in action.

Thoughts

This weeks twist is about the plan of the Wolf and the Doe being in acted. I have planned that the sudden and surprise entrance of the party member. I have, by separating the sponsor from the party created a situation where the party is at a loss as to why they are there. In fact I hope that this confusion leads to some great Role play as well as a duel style combat. However, I think the schemes of the nefarious duo will throw a few spanners in the works. Of which I will unravel on Friday when the format and style is gone over.


I would like to thank you once again for visiting tonight. By spending some time and joining me as I create this adventure it helps refine and share my craft. As many DMs will tell you hours upon hours go into a single evening adventure. My goal is to share adventures and my format with as many people as possible. In this way I hope to inspire a new generation of DMs. However, I can’t do this without people reading and sharing my blog – so thank you.

Now with the weekend coming I have some plans for my own tabletop. Finishing a few units for my Hedonites of Slaanesh army being first and foremost. The second is working out a way to transport these beautiful models so I don’t break them. A lot of effort, well for me, has gone into painting them so far and I would hate to damage that. So don’t forget to keep an eye out for updates on these minis! And, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Players of the Game

Tonight we bring the Players of the Game, the Wolf and the Doe for this NPC Tuesday for us to meet. I have chosen two very soft, inviting NPC portraits this week to help with the task at hand. What ever needs doing to drive an exciting story. Sometimes a face is all you need and these two have that quality in the bag. So let’s meet this so called Wolf and Doe and roll into the adventure!


Players of the Game

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Imran Colderbek

Imran Colderbek – Created in Artbreeder

No stranger to people, Imran is about as calculating as they come. Despite getting by with her looks and appearance she houses an intelligence, an animalistic cunning that gives her the nickname โ€œthe Wolfโ€. Despite being beautiful by most races’ standards, Imran is also a skilled combatant and has rarely, if ever, found herself an opponent that can measure up to her skill.

When she isnโ€™t on a job and focusing on the next big win, a rare occurrence, she takes time away from it all. Prone to letting herself into abandoned manors, or using her charm and manipulative nature to make a manor abandoned she can make a home just about anywhere. As long as it’s up to her high standards and has at least four bedrooms to choose from.

But her background is anything but the fabulous life she lives now. Born as the lovechild to a maid in a noblemanโ€™s household, she was kept a secret for many years. However due to a hereditary birthmark that was revealed when she was playing with her unknown sisters and brothers the infidelity was revealed. Instead of taking ownership of the situation the nobleman had her mother fired and murdered. Imran managed to escape through her grit and determination to survive but the invisible wounds of her fathers betrayal never left her.

Revenge

He was the first one she would target with her wrath. However it wasnโ€™t until she met Anton that she had a convincing way to pull off her plan. Together they managed to convince her father to entrust Anton with their fortune before disappearing with it. Imran watched with glee as her father had everything he prided himself on ripped away like he did to her. The loss of a mother was replaced with the loss of an empire.

Anton Purlsun

Anton Purlsun- Created in Artbreeder

Now not to be confused with his business partner, The Wolf, Anton is the Doe to the deadly Duo. Soft spoken, eloquent and gentle to a fault he will talk his way out of any situation before resulting to violence. Fond of bribery, only to steal it back later, he has one of those faces, voices and personalities that can see him get just about anywhere, anytime and get away with whatever he wants.

His story is a clichรฉ one. Grew up with a loving family in a manor as heir to a large fortune his life was perfect. Well almost perfect. In fact his inquisitive nature and ability to persuade people to trust and believe him led him to discover something. The discovery that his parents werenโ€™t his real parents. They were con-artists who were after his fortune and that he wasnโ€™t the real heir after all.

Now a teenager when he found out this he made the bold choice to follow on with the ruse, pretending he knew nothing. But slowly he drove his fake parents apart, got them doubting each otherโ€™s intentions until the fateful day that they murdered each other. Now left an orphan, an incredibly rich orphan, he would inherit the wealth of his false heritage. Except the real heir showed up with undeniable proof that Anton was a fake. Now penniless and worth nothing he struck out by himself only to meet someone else scorned by the higher classes. A Wolf in a Doeโ€™s clothing.

Combatants, Contestants and Contenders

Various NPC Portraits – All created in Artbreeder.

Thoughts

Now I have a great idea for this weeks NPCs. As you can expect the festival would have tournaments that the party would be encouraged to attend. This would see a wide variety of NPCs come to visit the town and with these NPCs brings new faces. However we are not using new faces tonight. We have Nine NPCs from my previous adventures that can all be re-used for adventures such as tonight. The great thing about having hundreds of NPC portraits that you have created before is that you never really run out of a face to put a name to when your Party asks “what do they look like..”


Thanks for joining me tonight for another NPC Tuesday. Each night this week, like all weeks, we will continue to expand this adventure with more content so keep coming back daily. For more tabletop updates and for further additions to this weeks adventure I will see you each night. But as the days get colder, well in my part of the world, try not to forget to set aside time for your tabletop someplace warm. And, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Festival fever at Finchford

As this week’s Monday welcomes another week near Finchford we welcome the Festival fever at Finchford and the chaos and excitement that it brings! So without delaying any longer let’s grab a coffee, sit down and roll on with the adventure.


Festival fever at Finchford

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Finchford Outskirts- Created in Nightcafe.

The Game

With all these people around it was easy to move around unhindered. The joyous shouts of victory, the laughter, the sadness of a crowd favourite falling at the last hurdle. All of it was covered for the biggest score of their life. However despite the ease of how it was going this was not the first time that they had worked together. In fact working together brought the most out of them and they each knew how to play the game.

Keep one hand open for the players to see, a few cards for your allies to see but keep just as many cards hidden from all. Thatโ€™s the way to win the game and they both knew this. The Wolf and the Doe โ€“ an effective team of thieves, con artists and if the job called for it they could handle even dirtier work. But today, this blessed week of games and merriment, there were competitions to rig, pockets to dip into and purses to steal.

The Keep

After the business at Thrall keep had died down, festival fever at Finchford was in full swing. Merchants were sporting new wares both exotic and local craftsmanship. The city was the busiest it had been in years and everyone was going to make the most of it. For adventurers such as the party there were tests of skill, power, strength, cunning and dexterity a-plenty with hefty rewards and prizes for those who rose above the rest.

It was a time of relaxation and celebration and for those who had uncovered the secrets of Thrall keep it was a time of expectation of their abilities. In fact, they had set the benchmark high, people and other adventurers looked at them like either worthy opponents or threats to their claim of the prize. Maybe it wouldnโ€™t be a relaxing week after all.

Thoughts

A good old fashioned tournament week! One of the earliest adventures I remember was where we had to work our way up from nothing. Dad had just con’d out PCs with some illusion magic, janky illusion magic mind you, and we had lost all of our gear, gold and equipment. Participating in a tournament of skill with a little bit of underhandedness thrown in was a great way to learn other aspects of the game. So this week as the festival fever at Finchford reaches an escalation point the party have two adventures in one.


Thanks for joining me tonight to get a look at the next, almost continuation of our adventure last week in Finchford. Tomorrow we meet this Wolf and Doe and maybe a few other faces with our NPC night. So don’t forget to come back tomorrow for another night of adventure, and as always don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Enthralled by the Past

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

So I hope you enjoy this weeks adventure, Enthralled by the Past. If you like this format please let me know and I hope you enjoy.


Enthralled by the Past

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The City of Finchford was a midway point to just about nowhere, and everywhere. Settled on the beginning of a large plain the flat land surrounding the city’s immediate location provided ample room for farming and expansion. However the true wealth of this city lay in the hills beyond the farms, fences and walls.

Gold, silver and even a rich platinum deposit had enticed dwarves to move here years ago. Those dwarves then sold their ore and weapons to the people of the village of Finchford. Soon  a city was born from the prosperity between the two races and there was a time of development and peace. However, it was short lived.

Soon the need arose for a standing guard, an army, to be near Finchford. The local nobility had the grandiose idea to create a kingdom here and so the land became engulfed in war. This war gave birth to an order of knights the land had not seen. The Parn Dragoons were born from this conflict and for many years their power was undisputed.

Finchford

Finchford – Created in nightcafe.

The party gaze at the city of Finchford as they continue their ride towards its large gates. Farmland stretches for miles around the city and the sheer size of it dwarfs many that the party have seen in the past. As they descend the last of the hills and head towards Finchford’s heart the land evens out. However, to the east of the city a few mountains rise and at this distance a large ruin can be seen looking over the surrounding land. 

This towering ruin sits like an ancient guardian looking down upon the folk of Finchford, silent and still except for birds flying near the peak of a tower.


PDF adventure – Enthralled by the Past



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

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

2023 Campaign Adventure 2

Good evening all and welcome to the night of my second adventure and the brief summary I want to provide for it. Whilst not giving away the campaign, adventure or mystery I will attempt to write up each adventure this year starting with my 2023 campaign adventure 2.

2023 Campaign Adventure 2

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Plot:

Mordekai (Kai) and Tater have survived another night as wagon guards. After witnessing the horrible worm like creatures the night before they are cautious today. Checking over Groku, a fellow female caravan guard, and her wounds they are satisfied that she isn’t infected. The presence of the worm like creatures and the unmatched aggression from those infected they are concerned of further madness spreading.

The day is long and positioned at the back of the caravan, where the highest chance of ambush lies, they make good progress towards Warrendeep. Guarding a Farmer called Tilly who is transporting the last of her animals to their new home and the repaired wagon that they had found last week they were busy to say the least.

However there is trouble brewing. As they get within a few hours ride to their destination a storm grows and the decision is made to seek shelter in a closer village that didn’t involve travelling through a ravine during a storm. Moving off road the wagons begun to get stuck and bogged in the muddy ground. They were nearing the village of Suncrest when the empty wagon they were escorting (tied along side Tilly’s wagon filled with farm small animals) slipped into a divot.

Timely Discovery

As Kai and Tater heaved the wagon out they uncovered a relatively well kept looking blade, made by a kobold. Kai went to report the findings and his suspicions to Sam while Tater stayed with the wagons. While Kai convinced the wagon master to avoid the town Tater noticed a rock moving along the top of a ledge. However when he called out in alarm the rock moved away, dislodging some smaller stones to land near his feet.

Explaining this to the other guards and Kai was an amusing affair and Tater’s sobriety was questioned but the wagon guards became on high alarm. A young guard, Jason, rode backwards and forth scouting the area and delivering news while they waiting for the scouts to return from Suncrest. When they returned they had found the village they were approaching was long deserted, but a smaller sheltered area was nearby that could be a viable alternative. With some deliberation the party agreed to camp in the wild, sheltered by small rocky outcrops. This was to be a mistake they would regret.

Suncrest Ambush site – Created in Inkarnate

Ambush!

Trouble Brewing –

Organising a clever system where guards are holding torches and standing watch on the elevated rocks (Some as high as 14 feet from the place where the wagons rest) the party set up to rest. The wagons in a defensive position gave the party, the travellers and the wagon animals the most protection. However Kai and Tater rested they were jolted awake to the sounds of screaming as one of the guards was dragged off into the night. All three sentry torchers were missing (dropped when ambushed of fleeing back to the wagons).

Tater dashed to investigate to reveal a reptile with a stonelike thick scaly hide. It had a hold of Jason, the young messenger guard and was trying to drag him off to be eaten as leisure. With a mighty blow Tater deal some damage to it, however it wasn’t enough. Moments later a giant lizard appeared from the gloom and rushed at tater which he side stepped. Several guards rushed to help Tater but some stayed in a circle, including Groku to follow the parties plan. However they were soon ambushed by more of these giant stealthy lizards, revealed to be the same one that Tater had seen earlier in the day.

After a vicious combat four guards had died, devoured by the large lizards. However, the party manged to kill all but one and save three of the seven guards they defended the caravan with. They noted that many of the lizards had broken shackles or harnesses still attached to them indicating they may have once been domesticated. Or enslaved.

Closure

Having dealt with the lizards they retrieved Jason’s wedding band to give to his wife and discovered driftglobe inside the stomach of the Stonehide Gobbler. After an unrestful night, eating some roasted lizard meat and drinking ale they packed up camp. Taking some more of the lizard meat with them for fresh food on the journey they continued on – the towers of Warrendeep appearing in the distance by the end of the day.

Main NPC:

Sam Gustave – created in artbreeder

Sam having seen Kai and Tater fight and defend the caravan trusts them a bit more now. After Kai approaches him to discuss the suspicions of the local populace he entrusted the nights defence to Kai and Tater. This will cost a few lives but save many more in the endeavours of these two.

Creatures for combat:

For this 2023 campaign adventure 2 combat having creatures that aren’t dumb, but not super cunning made sense. Knowing when to flee to save their life but driven to attack by hunger these ambush predators and their larger comrades attack in packs. Although not brutal in combat these were enough for the party and with a many bad rolls it was an entertaining combat non-the-less.

Four Stonehide Gobblers and 2 Giant Lizards were enough for the party of two level two characters.


Thanks for joining me tonight and for continuing on this campaign with me. I had planned a different adventure this week but the party saw through my cunning plan. However I have many more in store for them and next adventure day they enter Warrendeep. So do join me as we continue this adventure fortnightly!

Don’t forget to come back tomorrow as we wrap up last weeks adventure. And, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Uncovering the Secrets of the Keep

Fright night brings the attention of the party to the group uncovering the secrets of the keep. Instead of a typical front-on combat this one is filled with magic. So it will be prone to being unbalanced which can make it harder for us. The task we have is staging the combat. We need it to feel like one fluid encounter but having it go through phases or stages. This will help balance it out without making it too difficult, I hope. So join me at this brief glimpse at the encounter this week tonight. Sit back, grab a coffee and let’s roll into tonight’s adventure!


Uncovering the Secrets of the Keep

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This week we have a few mages investigating the ruins and causing all types of issues. The motif will be revealed this weekend however the combat prowess can be revealed tonight!

The idea behind the spells taken from the wizards is a good mixture of damage and Area control. The spells could be used in their efforts to explore as well as hinder the party. This is how I would design a wizard I would play so it only makes sense that mercenaries would do the same.

While Uncovering the secrets of the keep the wizards would use catapult, mage hand and levitate to move debris around. Rhyan would use her spells to influence people and to battle anything particularly dangerous.

Fireball wont be used that frequently, the reason is that it could damage the valuable items and things they are looking for. But they are there if the going gets rough.

Of course they wouldn’t be much without body guards so having a few low CR humanoids to do the heavy lifting would be in order. However being a powerful mage it already will be difficult to balance this encounter as all wizards or sorcerer’s can decimate a party if luck is on their side.

Mercenary Mage – Created in Tetra-cube.
Ryan Peller – Created in Tetra-cube.


Thanks for dropping by tonight. This weekend we will delve deeper in uncovering the secrets of the keep but until then we can only wait. This weekend is another adventure filled one for me and as we roll closer to the tournament season for me warhammer will take over. But the blog will always continue! So don’t forget to use this weekend for more glorious hobby and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe