Suspicions In The Snow

325WeSuITSn

The snow had come in that evening and blanketed the roads, hills and valleys around Foresithe. Looking out from the carriage window Harry frowned as he noticed that the road and scenery was shifting and changing. The flat open lands from Joanhaven was now being replaced by the rocky and bracken rich scenery near the hills of Foresithe. A perfect place for an ambush.

Opening the door and stepping out the blast of cold was a welcome reprieve from the snoring from Mary. The young merchant-wife was insistent on nervous chatter and prone to flattery and flirtation. Things that Harry had once plied to get his wealth once upon a time but now he employed other means to manage and grow it. Stepping out smoothly he strode next to the slow moving carriage, the animals needing rest soon.

Footprints

Walking forward next to the hired guards he began to notice tracks in the snow. A skill that he could not escape from his younger days. A fox here, a rabbit there and the clumsy footprints of the guards who didn’t have horses to carry them on the two day journey to Foresithe. Drifting slightly from the road, but within a quick sprint if trouble occurred he haphazardly followed the footprints of a fox. Darting from bush to bush in pursuit of its prey he marvelled at his own keen senses at identifying the freshness of the tracks as he continued to walk.

“Everything alright Harry?” one of the adventurers he had hired called out.

“Yeah, just some fox prints. I couldn’t be stuck in the carriage for much longer the smell of perfume is only pleasant for the first encounter. Not a aroma I find particularly pleasant for a full day.” he replied with a grin back at the hired help. “Besides I enjoy the feeling of the snow on my boots. Reminds me of simpler times.”

Looking back down to look for the prints again he was alarmed to find human prints instead. “Interesting,” he said to himself, but loud enough that his pause didn’t go unnoticed. “Human foot prints. In fact, either someone is mightily lost in this snow storm or you may be earning your gold.” he said to the adventurers. “I think I’ll retire to the carriage. I left my sword behind” he mentioned as he walked away. Not caring to declare that he recognised lycanthrope footprints when he saw them…

Thoughts

Trying not to give away all the twists of this adventure I decided for a subdued approach. I believe there are enough clues here to reveal the true twist this week. However I don’t believe that it would be so obvious to someone not reading the weeks update.

I love a good redemption story. Personally I believe that there is the potential for great redemption in most villains. However for the sake of adventurers and the triumph of good over evil we like to believe that there is inexcusable evil in the world. In fact this is the premise of many D&D adventures I have read or written. But with this week I want to shift it a bit to the left and see what redemption can mean.

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Hunting Grounds of the Mountain King

324WeHuGrOTMoKi

Groggy and sore Farden looked around the dark and gloom around him. Bones of animals litter the cavern they found themselves in and the slow realisation that his nightmare was real sunk in. Luckily the creature was gone but evidence of its appetite was strewn around the room. Half eaten cow carcases, a horse’s leg propped up against the wall and bones everywhere.

But as Farden looked around the room he could barely make out the shapes of his fellow miners in cages much like his. Feeling around the confines of the cage he found a shard of broken stone, or bone and he started to cut at the bindings of the cage. Little by little the strands of fibre broke apart from their fatty resin that bound them in place. His freedom close he pushed the cage beam away and he wriggled out.

“Farden. Don’t. The creature only just left it will be back soon.” his fellow miners warned as he snuck around looking at the bindings on the other cages. All the miners had some form of injury and they were weak, but alive. Moving towards the exit he looked around the corner and seeing nothing but a large open cavern. “Don’t worry. I will get help”

The guard

Watching from a ledge near by the human wandered out into the cavern. Licking its lips, the creature crawled down the wall, its claws biting into the soft stone of the walls. The look of terror flashing on the humans face brought the creature delight as it skulked forwards its tail lashing in anticipation. Remembering the orders it had received it didn’t want to kill it, but she couldn’t let the creature wander the mountain kings new home could it?

With a sudden burst of speed the creature pounced onto the human, the sounds of a few bones breaking brought a shiver of delight over the malice filled creature. The urge to devour it was immense but it careful grabbed the human and place it back in the cave where the others were kept.

“Well done Rak’shamaneth. I found more treasure of what these humans had tried to hide from you.” the mountain king said, his voice vibrating stone and air alike. Striding over to the king Rak’shamaneth looked at another chest filled with gold that was placed at her feet. She practically purred with delight. This arrangement was working very well indeed for her.

Thoughts

Now what is better than a single imposing foe to contend with? Well two. One king and the queen that he had persuaded to join him. Now the hunting grounds of the mountain king is a special adventure. I have planned it to be two phased with a pretty dramatic ending. One that you wont want to miss.

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The hunt for Squires

323WeTHuFSq

Rushing through the brush was never a good idea but the woops and cheers of the other excited squires numbed senses and he gave into the revelry. As he hurtled over a log the first signs of something large appeared. Broken twigs, missing bark and large deep footprints heralded their quarry. Reaching for the horn at his belt he bellowed out a call with it with such exuberance that the deafening sound lasted until he started to see stars.

Moving the horn from his lips and breathing heavily for a few moments he breathed through the deafening sound of his heartbeat in his ears. When the blood left his head and he looked up the sound that greeted his ears wasn’t the jubilation that was from a few moments ago.

Screaming from his fellow Squires greeted him and the roar of something else. Something bloodthirsty that felt like it froze his blood. Something that was jubilant in the hunt just as they had been when they charged after the tracks in the woods. Swift crashing through the woods heralded its approach and the only instinct that remained in his mind was… run.

Flight!

Dashing away from the creature was an act of cowardice. The tears that streaked down his face marked his shame as he heard the creature crashing through the woods some distance behind him, pouncing and devouring his friends as they too took flight and ran. Nothing was able to sate the creature’s hunger and the hunt for squires had earned its name.

Barrelling out of the woods and into a clearing near the edge of the trees he crashed into a large creature. Atop the giant reptile a woman in shining armour sat in preparation. Lance and shield ready and the adventurers who had questioned their intentions at the nearby inn looked down at him in both disgust and pity.

“Unless you want to die, boy, I suggest you get behind Charger. She and I will protect the people of these lands from the horror that has been unleashed.” the knight on the giant creature spoke in a steady and determined voice. Just as he scrambled to his feet a deep rattling hiss came from behind as the creature had finally caught up to him.

Thoughts

Now I am excited about this one. I know I say that about most adventures but this week is something else. Bringing dinosaurs into D&D brings a bit of my childhood, and my daughters passion for these creatures to life. And I am excited to see what we can make of this adventure.

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The Stone Flowers

322WeTStFl

The party gazed upon only what could be described as the stone garden. Pillars of stone wove and tangled together like branches reaching for the sky. Smooth boulders littered the floor of the area and peaking between them at the base of a massive stone tree were the object of the parties search.

Still rattled from their encounter of the creatures from the other night by the camp they strode forward. Dozens of stone stalked flowers lay before then. Instead of leaves they had emerald and topaz gems in place of the organic structure. Golden thorns littered the stems and the flowers were sapphires, rubies and diamonds. These surely would be the flowers the guild master spoke of. But as they stepped towards the flowers the party stumbled on as smooth round object. Looking down the face of a man frozen in terror greeted them. Realisations sunk in and all around they saw fragments of statues. In fact to be more honest they were petrified people.

The beast of the garden

Crawling forward its many limbs moved its long body effortlessly over the uneven and rough ground. The scent of living creatures drew it closer to its target as it moved around the stone pillars and the remnants of previous meals. As it gazed upon its first target the saliva started to run down its maw as it began to build speed. Sprinting at the human it got ready to grapple with its claws and force the unwilling creature to meet its gaze.

The last thing they would hear would be cracking of their fellow humans flesh as the stone crumbles in the jaws of the keeper of the garden.

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The Backer

321WeTBa

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.

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Hunters of the Blood pack

319WeHuOBl

As the head of the house Loreain, after her husband disappeared, Carline was the last of a noble line that lived in Farlock, a village at the edge of the Rift. The Rift was a large series of canyons and ravines that separated the plains from the more civilised lands. As the only noble family left in this village she used her reputation to get the best for her children. However, this ostracised them which caused issues for her son and daughter.

Rumours swelled around what happened with her husband. They ranged from affairs or leaving Carline due to her abrasive personality. Some say that she covered up his death or even was the cause of it. Nothing was even proven and when she was asked or questioned she would get visibly upset.

The Call

As Toby walked through the streets of Farlock he listened to the noises and chatter of those in the village. How he hated the noises of the village at night. A tug at his consciousness drew him to the gate heading out of town. A gathering of boys, young men from the village stood there kicking a small bundled figure on the ground. The sounds of yelping could be heard and instantly Toby felt sick.

Rushing forward he tried to push past the young men, getting a glimpse at the hyena cub who was being set upon by the young men.

“What do you want?!” one of them shouted as he turned to face Toby who was trying to stop them. “Oh, it’s the weird young lord. Here to save another freak!” the young man yelled as he turned and shoved Toby. “What are you doing so far away from your mother? Don’t you know it’s dangerous out?” another asked as he kicked the cub again.

“Leave it alone.” Toby mumbled as he felt a sharp pain cut through his mind. “The other one, it doesn’t like it when you do that.”

The boys roared with laughter “The other one? There is just us little lord. We can do what we like. Say, if you care about this freak so much why don’t try and save it?” The first of the punches came fast and hard. Toby fell to the ground as the kicks rained down upon him as the boys above him laughed like manic Hyenas. A broiling rage and anger brewed from within. Bubbling over his fear of pain and his desire to escape what was happening he went to stand at the same moment a yip of laughter rang from behind the group.

Herald

A giant hyena lunged forward and dragged one of the boys to the ground. The screaming that rang out snapped something in Toby and he rose to his feet, drawing a dagger from the belt of one of the boys and he stabbed. After a few moments he realised that his throat was the one that was raw from screaming. The boys lay silent on the ground and the giant hyena hovered near the corpses he left at his feet.

Shaking, he looked at the faces of the families in the village. The destruction he had wrought, the chaos it would cause the village and he smiled. Their perfect little world. The pressure in his head eased and he felt calm. He looked at the Hyena and felt kinship, like he had become one of the hunters of the blood pack. Yes this rang true, the blood pack removing a stubborn stain of these civilised murderers.

The Hyena picked up the cub, dead – killed by the boys and ate it. Moving closer to Toby its voice spoke in his head.

“The first gift is hunger.
It is His blessing.
It is our call to bring death.
The second gift is death.
Death proves our strength.
Death purges our fear.
The third gift is fear.
We fear that we will fail him.
We fear the onset of hunger.”

Clarity

Like a cascade of cold calming water his mind reeled from the shock of the words. This was a gift, the hunger for the death of these boys. It pleased the pressure in his head and the voice that tugged at the corner of his mind.

“The first gift is hunger…” he began reciting as he walked back towards the village, the first torch lights of concerned villagers rushing towards him.

“What happened boy? Toby. What happened?” one man asked as he gripped his arm.

“A monster killed them… Mad, ferocious and intent on their death… ” he said, his voice shaking with lust-masked as sorrow. 

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The Devil in our wake

318WeTDeIOWa

As night fell more people gave into the need to sleep promising themselves it was a short nap. However as the creature spread out its influence, a song of rest and respite from the nightmares of the day more townsfolk fell into a deep sleep. Although not as powerful as the others the creature was smart and patient.

Each night more and more humans, dwarves and halflings drifted into his realm. Slowly they succumbed to the soft whispers and songs he sang. The creature couldn’t help but admire its plan. With exhaustion the minds of mortals were weaker, more frail and by sending them nightmarish visions and interrupting their dreams they never fully rested. This made their minds more susceptible to the song. In fact their deprived state of mind is the only reason his song worked. His power was so low even lowly undead could best him. He needed to employ all his tricks.

But now the elf was a problem. Using herbs and tinctures she was preventing people from sleeping. What’s worse was that those who were nearly ripe for harvesting were now not exhausted at all!

She and the man lacing the normally sleep inducing food and drink needed to be dealt with. Before the heroes the Mayor sent to show up that is. Stronger willed humans with real strength would force him to work for his meals. And where was the fun in that?

Thoughts

So I have done undead a few times, I’ve done bad humans and cults but fiends only once… maybe twice. However this week it changes as a Devil has come to prey upon the town of Hildebek and it uses sleep as it’s weapon. This should be a mixture mystery and a traditional encounter and I’m excited to see what the party think of it.

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The Chaos Dresmandae Created

317WeTChDrCr

The tower was an enigma. Each room was a chaotic blend of… stuff that didn’t belong with the other rooms. As the party stalked the halls they came across more oddities and strange occurrences. They could hear the adventurers that came before them but they were just that moment too slow to catch up with them. Evidence of combat was strewn through some of the rooms with freshly slain creatures, things out of place for a tower, and destroyed weapons and armour littered the rooms.

Moving up another floor, they had lost count by now the party began to notice similarities between the floors. The same layout with a door in a different place in the wall. The walls, halls and rooms were reversed from one floor to the next and even the exact same piece of furniture, down to burn marks could be found. This tower was a chaotic blur of everything the party could, or could not expect to see in a tower.
As they climbed the stairs for the seventh time they came face to face with the other adventurers who were descending the steps. Both parties stopped and simply stared for a moment. Both groups were identical for all except for their equipment and weapons.

“Another apparition it looks like” one of the duplicates signed as they drew their weapon.

“This tower is the worst. I wish we never entered this place.” another said as they fished out a crystal wrapped in coiled fine metals.

As the party began to talk to the other versions of them a moment passed where the others stopped again. “Well that’s a first. I don’t remember the others talking. Who are you and what are you doing in Dresmandae’s tower?”

Drake

As the guardian creation, Drake, stared through the dark room, eyes glued to the floor. It had been sitting there in the darkness in silence as it waited for its service to come to an end. However none had been found worthy to release it from its bindings and they had been freed of their pain and suffering. Those who made it to him that is. Stretching one of his tattered wings that its master had created for him he watched as the two contenders met in the hall. In fact he watched all the contenders analyse each other in various stages of alarm, disbelief and nonchalant-ness.

The tower had created everything that he needed to exist. Food, a servant to mend the decaying or fraying materials of his artificial body parts and even a book on the odd occasion. But so far in the centuries the tower had existed it had never chosen correctly. That was the nature of the chaos Dresmandae created Drake mused as he flicked his tail.

Thoughts

A guardian Drake, a augmented creature that watches over the tower of unbridled chaos energy waits for the party. The party, one of two sets of different time-lines and versions of the same people meeting is the very essence of chaos. I want the party to fully get into this adventure where they find a tower that seems to be eclectic to a purpose. A room containing random things, bits and pieces of information that may be useful in the next floor. Only if they realise it is useful that is.

The Tower, whilst not exactly sentient, is constantly seeking a way to create more chaos and only when the act of the party being chaotic can they progress to the next level, or its at a random chance.

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Overwhelming Collaboration

316WeOwCo

The sounds of the banquet were progressing to the grand finale of the evening and the cacophony was growing to a near deafening chorus of wails of lust, gluttony and excess. Looking across the manor’s hall the sights, smells and sounds were even overwhelming the guests of honour. In fact they wouldn’t have it any other way.

This city, once filled with the devout and pious was now theirs. The deprave, the thrill of those giving into their desires and throwing conscious consideration for modesty away was ripe for the taking. As the two nobles looked across the table as the party departed elsewhere they smiled at the heady scent of the taboo and the temptations that this place offered. It was good to be here in person after twisting the thoughts of the pure into perversion for so long.

The harder the person to corrupt the sweeter their fall.

Dinner guests

Sitting at the table and watching the nobles leave for another party Lemren looked at her meal and had a crawling feeling of doubt. This isn’t exactly what she thought it would be like, attending these parties, these celebrations of wealth and opulence. She watched as her parents stumbled out, drunk from the wine and thrill of their relinquishment of control. In fact when her parents were behind those heavy stone doors they were different people. Gone was the two people who cared about this city and the progress it was making. Those people were left at the door with the hastily abandoned shoes.

Sighing she stood and walked towards the door, walking amongst the people and sights and smells of the city in full swing of its night market would do her well. However as he left the two advisers, two people who had come to the city a few years back stood close together. As she strode across the room they watched her and whispered, smiling at her but the words they were muttering didn’t match the looks on their faces. Let alone was it the common tongue. Those two gave her a bad feeling and she wished her parents would listen to her concern.

The night market

Walking down the street she sighed in relief. This is where she felt like she belonged. The people selling their wares, produce and sometimes their services. Good people living their best lives and basking in the wealth that the city had accumulated over the years. She watched as gold was exchanged for an item of clothing, then exchanged for food to sustain the vendor. Then from food it the gold travelled to a merchant selling jewellery who exchanged that gold for company on the brisk night.

The city was alive with commerce. However, as she walked and marvelled at this she also noticed the darker side of it. A cage of people were being auctioned off, slaves, soon to be maids and house servants. Probably the outcome of a war of conflict up north. Pickpockets stole the purse of working folk and noblemen alike. Thugs and thieves stole from tables and ran off with the produce of honest folk. The City guards did nothing about it and the cycle of turning a blind eye to corruption and the growing depravity of the city continued.

“Just like my parents” she pondered out loud, moments before she bumped into someone clad in adventuring gear. The Vessel contains a drink spilling to the floor. “Sorry, I was lost in my thoughts,” she said with an embarrassed smile and a curtsey. The adventurer smiled as their party, friendly folk, joined their companion. “Can I offer you a drink or meal as I seem to have caused you to lose yours?”

Thoughts

The path to redemption starts with a single act. And we have many ways to that path available to us this week. I like to think that it doesn’t have to be Lemren who initiates the contact, it could be a tip-off from the shadow to point the party in the right direction. Or someone visiting the temple for prayer. I personally like the later, but this week is pretty open to how we get to the end goal. But more on that tomorrow.

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