03-Wednesday – Twists

Wednesdays we will be investigating what twists and turns we can include a twist in the adventure

The Parrots Call

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Welcome to Wednesday night where we look at the advancement of our adventure this week as our party heeds the Parrots call. Now this one is a bit of a riddle to this week, with combat but perhaps with a twist. So sit back, grab a coffee and let’s roll into tonight’s write-up.

The Parrots Call

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The Parrot looked around the room at its silenced audience. A man stood up from his seat where moments ago he was slumped over.

“Shank. Shank foretells the arrival of the Flying Owlbear. See I am not crazy. The stories are true!” and he roared with laugher, ale froth still caught in his beard. With that the room cleared out, everyone running for the exits as the booming canon fire could be heard getting closer and louder. As the party went to move the parrot, Shank apparently, looked at the party. Its odd almost human like extra toes seeming to skitter across the table was it walked towards them.

‘Wait,’ it said as it got closer, turning its head to stare at the party with a ghostly eye. ‘Sin’s of the son wealth haunt the father. One unable to return to the place of his living, the other unwilling. One cursed to still live, the other lives a curse. Both existences healed only when both returns to ones place of birth.’ The parrot hopped closer and repeated it staring at them. Saying it loud enough that the sounds of canon fire seemed to punctuate the rhythmic sentences. Then the canon fire stopped and the parrot flew to land in front of the man who cried out before. Then with a groan of wood from outside signalling the arrival of something, the parrot flew towards the front of the Tavern and passed through the wall.

The stomping of boots came from the front of the tavern after a moment. Slowly the doors opened and a ghostly man strode in. Looking around he tavern he strode towards the bar, passing through a table, part of his ghostly body knocking over a tankard that bounced across the floor.

‘Rum, please.’ he said to no one, but a bottle flew across the table with a glass and he poured himself a glass.

‘So,’ he said as he turned to look at the party and the crazy man who remained. ‘Do you know where my treasure is?’

Thoughts

Tonight the riddle, the parrot, Bryce (the crazy old man) and the spectral NPC (Percy Bryceson) all play an important role. The riddle is hinting that we need both the Father, Bryce, and son, Percy to go home. There is the treasure and the encounter for the week. Well the encounter is on the boat as well – but let’s see if we can convince the party to get on a ghost ship that travels across the land…

Don’t forget to come back for the last few days of this week as we continue our adventure. I have some interesting maps, I hope, that I plan to do for this week as well as some more additions for our adventure. So I hope you will not forget to visit daily and, as always, don’t forget to roll it with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Ambush at dusk

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Tonight we expand our adventure forward by looking at the two trigger points for this weeks Soulbound adventure. This weeks pivot starts with an ambush at dusk and devolves into a frantic race and struggle to survive. Intrigued? Well sit back, grab a coffee and let’s roll into tonight’s writeup.

Ambush at dusk

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The party sailed low in the small airship, a modified grundstock gunhauler, as it head towards the edge in the direction Lord Brighthammer had sent them. The light of Hysh was high in the sky when they saw ruined research outpost that they had been flying towards. Setting down near a relatively intact tent, that wasn’t completely riddled with bolt or arrow holes and large gashes they threw a large length of cloth over the kharadron vessel to keep it from being discovered easily, as metal tends to attract the wrong typoe of attention in these lands.

Searching the outpost they didn’t find the remnants of the people posted here, nor the guard that was meant to stand watch but evidence of them being here was everywhere. The binding found a few vials of Aqua Ghyranis which they stockpiled for later and eventually found a barricaded door.

Forcing their way in they found what looked like the remains of the scouting team, cut to ribbons in the cruellest of ways. But what was more shocking was that they had all their belongings and supplies still on them.

Visitation

The beating of large wings drew them to take a defensive position inside the doorway but a familiar, yet surprising and unwelcome, voice called out through the camp. The Dawn Keeper had flown here on his two headed griffon and was looking for the party. When he saw them the amber mage’s face lit up with glee as he raced to greet them.

“Boy am I happy to see you. And I see you have found the scouts. I do apologise but time is short. Lord Brighthammer has sent me here to retrieve the Amberbone as quickly as possible. The Orruks are massing and we have no time to waste. Sigmar is bringing down his stormcast but we fear it may be too little. We need the amberbone to guarantee our success and my griffon is blessed with Ghurian magic. It will get the amberbone quickly.” he said as he looked around for the amberbone.

Not taking no for an answer the ruler of the Dawnbringer crusade grabbed the amberbone and clambered onto his griffon, barking out gutteral words that made the hair on the back of the bindings neck stand on edge. The griffon shrieked with primal energy as it took to the sky and flew off at great speeds towards the centre.

Ambush at dusk

Watching the mage go the glint of steel flashed from a nearby peak and a bolt of metal and wood slammed into the griffons side. A mass of feathers and meat fell to the ground and the Keeper with it. However within a few seconds the form of the falling battlemage shifted as he took on a primal shape as wings sprouted from his back and he darted low and into the setting sun.

I was evident that there was something on a nearby hill that had its great weapons trained on the skies. The binding could risk take off and hope that the setting sun protect them or wait a few hours until the light from Hysh had vanished. But there was no telling what lay in wait in the hills or what had killed the scouts within the outpost. Regardless of the choice the binding was in for a tough decision and potentially many tough days to come ahead.

Thanks

Thank you for joining me tonight as we continue on with our Soulbound adventure. Tonight I wanted to capture the essence of the adventure, discovery, tough decisions and overall danger. I have added elements of risk into each action or outcome this week and I want the players to feel that. The world of warhammer, and by extension soulbound, is a cruel and unforgiving space and there are more sad stories than happy ones. It’s now upto the power of the binding, and their choices, if this ends up being a happer one or a sad one.

So to end the night I wish to say thanks for joining me for another day but there is more to come. Tomorrow night I look at maps and the extra things that make it just so right. Friday and the weekend we have our encounters and, hopefully our writeup for this adventure. So to aid you in this week, I wish to grant you a bonus to all save rolls. Perhaps that extra chance to shrug off something aiming for a weak spot will come in handy for you, perhaps not. But having it is nice regardless,
The Brazen Wolfe

Haunting of the Inn

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Welcome to Wednesday night’s update to our weekly adventure. Tonight we reveal what’s happening in Crelion Manor where we look at the haunting of the inn.

But why is the party of adventures the only people who stay in the inn and, why does Tom glare at them constantly? Let’s read on tonight and during the week more will be revealed!

Haunting of the Inn

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The rain continued well into the night and while the party sat by the warm roaring fire they wondered when the storm would let up. The manor seemed to be equipped for just about all their needs and when ever they asked Jane about something of interest she would be able to provide some advice or tool to assist. There was enough space for the adventurers to stay in a single room or in several and the beds were comfortable, much more so than the open road at least.

As the night continued onwards the party members retired for the night and eventually the manor was silent except for the howling wind and battering rain. One by one they drifted off to sleep and one by one they suffered a nightmare that when they woke they felt more exhausted than they had in the morning. When they complained about their sleep they began to realise that they all suffered the same nightmare. The same creatures had attacked them in their dreams and where they suffered wounds they hurt the next morning but without physical harm. The innkeeper Tom stood at the doorway to were they talking and, with a hint of sorrow to his frown filled face nodded towards the door once more.

Departure

As the party moved to the front door of Crelion Manor Tom looked both sad and gleeful at their choice to depart. After the haunting night they could not be blamed after all. The days sun barely pushed its away through the stormy louds above and the rain and wind made it difficult to walk. But they continued outwards and beyond.

‘See you real soon, take care!’ Jane called as she leant against her quiet husband at the front door. As the wind whipped at the capes Jane had provided them for fear of their health. It wasn’t long until the rustling of footsteps could be heard behind them but as with last time nothing could be seen. As the further they got from the manor the more frantic they became, desperate to reach the party. As they continued faster away from the hounding footsteps a crack was the last sound they heard as a branch from a tree fell down and hit them.

Soon they woke, the images and sounds of pursuit still haunting their waking thoughts. Sore but comfortable and warm, the sounds and smells of food cooking brought them back to the present. ‘Hello dears. Oh you’re lucky we found you when we did. Tom brought you back after you ran into the woods in the middle of the storm. Don’t you worry you are safe here with us.’ Jane said as she came in with plates filled with delicious smelling food. Cured meats, eggs and bread piled up high.

The book

As they looked at the food Tom appeared in the doorway and shook his head, sadness appeared in his eyes as he frowned at them and clutched his guest book tighter. But… was that a purposeful look at the book. Jane turned around at that moment. ‘Tom… Oh yes that’s right. They still need to sign the book with the duration of their stay, come in dear and give it to them. Make sure the ribbon is on the right page – we want to make sure the guest book is in good order now.’ Jane said with a broad smile as she walked out of the room.

Tom brought in the book with an inkwell as well and slipped the quill into the back of the book before handing it to them. As the party grabbed the heavy, large leather bound book he stared at them and then the book as he adjusted the feather in the last page. Tom then stood and left them to the book and the food.

As the party opened the guest book to the ribbon they noticed that there were hundreds of names in the ledger and each of them had a season and day of listed down in there. Turning to the last page, where the quill was jammed into the book they noticed a different list. Twelve names were on the page where eleven names ran down the page with a gap at the fifth line, each with a number next to their name. There was a blood smeared fingerprint on the page and the last name was separate and at the bottom of the page.

Thomas Dottery – 0

Thoughts

Alright the time to start the puzzle has begun! This week we have a list that is the key to working out the puzzle and a few horrifying encounters planned. Every night the party sleeps they are wracked with nightmares of being attacked, alone by some unknown creature. When they wake they feel more exhausted than before they went to bed and what’s more, each other member of the party has had the same dream. If they try and leave they get so far before they are attacked or otherwise injured and knocked out When they wake the yare back in the Crelion Manor with Tom standing nearby looking at them with sadness and frustration.

I designed this week to try and move away from the traditional format of my adventures being fetch or stop and look at a Learning one. Learn what the message on the last page is and then you can be free. That’s it.

Thanks for coming tonight and sharing this with me. As tomorrow is Maps and bonus content I hope to have the letter and a few maps organised as dream scapes are the maps of the week. So don’t forget to come back for them and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Hidden Graves

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Tonight the focus is on the Twists and Turns that happen in the adventure which expands and changes the journey ahead. Tonight we uncover the hidden graves that lie beneath the ruins. So sit back, grab a coffee lets roll on with tonight’s, albeit shorter, content.

Hidden Graves

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She had to give chase to the bandits that had threatened her parents life and stolen the goods they were transporting for a baron. She felt compelled to chase them through the broken walls, dodging arrows like Stephan had taught her and she had them within her sights now. As they turned and saw her they moved to a defensible circle in the middle of the room that they had found. As they huddled together she stalked forward like a predatory creature. Batting arrows as they flew at her the panic began to set into the bandits in front of her.

Then there was a crack. First subtle which caused the bandits to falter and look around worriedly. After a heart beat more they raised their weapons again and took a step forward towards her. Suddenly the ground beneath them gave way and the bandits disappeared in a cloud of dust.

Stepping up to the edge of the caved in floor a crypt was revealed down below. The broken bodies of the bandits were surrounded by the shattered remnants of her parents goods, crates and chests.

Tonight we looked at the expansion of this weeks adventure as we move deeper beneath the dark forest. The catacombs beneath the crypts gives us an interesting proposition. The creatures that generally live in crypts give us extra diversity of combat. But also traps. This week promises to be a fun so don’t forget to come back each day to follow along. And before I leave for another night don’t forget to roll it with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Cherpa Hen

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Welcome to Wednesday night where we expand the plot and look at secondary hooks and tonight, we look into the cherpa hen. The Cherpa hen is the centrepiece of this week where the town of Cherpa have lost their famous birds, all of them (seemingly) have disappeared overnight. With the festival approaching that celebrates these creatures and their bond with their partnered humanoids finding them is a top priority for the townsfolk. So to avoid leading you down this long road let’s roll on with tonight’s content.

The Cherpa Hen

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Two figures scurried through the darkness whilst the town of Cherpa lay quiet behind them. Pushing through the tall grass and reed they made their way towards the old mill, a place that was thought as haunted and cursed by the townsfolk of Cherpa.

As they approached the large, old double doors that lead to the interior of the mill they skipped with glee. They were about to pull off the greatest prank in the history of the sleepy little town. Pushing on the door they snuck inwards, the bags they were carrying bursting with grain, lake weed and vegetables.

‘Now don’t fret. Stop it. Calm down!’ the two humans shouted as dozens of large birds fluttered and called out as the mill was suddenly invaded. ‘Come get it!’ the other called as the bags were upended and the food within was scattered amongst the room. The birds calmed down some degree and waddled forward to pick at the food scraps. However they were on edge, alarmed and spooked easily.

This wasn’t like the birds they knew. Each bird was intelligent beyond normal birds. In fact the birds had followed them to the mill at the promise of mischief. But their feathers were puffed out and their large flat beaks were bent down threateningly. Normally these beaks were used at snapping and severing plants at the bottom of the lake as these birds were peaceful. However now they were waving threateningly in front of the youngsters.

Trouble

‘I don’t know what’s wrong with them. They aren’t acting normal. Daisy isn’t even eating!’ called the younger of the two who was trying to coax a particularly large cherpa hen to eat. The hen suddenly rushed forward, the smaller wings on its back beating in an effort to gain speed as it crashed into the boy. The beak darted forward and snapped several times, the boy cried out before the bird landed down on the boy.

‘Help me sister! It bit me. There’s blood, soo much blood!’ a panicked voice cried out from under the feathers of the hissing bird. The opening and rapid closing of the mill door were the answer to his cries as Casey rushed from the mill back towards Cherpa.

‘The adventurers. The ones old Gerald was talking to. They can help I am sure of it.’ she said to herself under strained breath as she raced down the road. Meanwhile in the mill the lifeless body of a furred predator lay meters away from the hissing hen as the large birds moved around the one called Daisy. Their large bodies covered with dense plumage creating a barrier between the youngster and the other predators that had dug their way into the mill. Concealed under their feathers of the large bird the boy wept and promised any of the gods that would listen that his days of trickery were over.

Thoughts

Being young and brought up by a community of calm, collected folk would drive any child to boredom if not tickery. Corey and Casey are products of this and I have tried to stress the intent of their actions of a prank rather than malice. However malice doesn’t need to come from the ones at fault or those who cause mischief and in this case it comes from the outside. There are several predators of water birds and the larger the bird the larger the predator has to be.

Being a low level encounter and adventure I wanted to try and both bring something familiar to all low level adventures but keep it a bit fresher. Avoiding the normal kobolds and goblins that I favour for low level encounters this week I thought of natural predators that we can use. I also wanted to avoid rats.

Now I love rats, skaven are still my favourite race in most of fantasy settings but in this case I felt like the cliché giant rat adventure was a bit over done. So tonight we are looking at something else. Curious? Well you’ll just have to come back later this week to fine out what’s in the shadows of the mill.

Thanks for dropping in tonight to check in our hens. Tonight we uncovered the not-rats as well as the location of the hens and the antagonists of the story. Now I love a redemption story as much as the next person but let’s find out what the Murlay siblings can do to redeem their actions.

I have decided to keep it natural and nature based so far. But that doesn’t mean that the end of week will be natural. Still curious?. Well you better not forget forget to come back for the rest of the week to look at the town, the mill and other content that adds to the adventure. I also have a new creature to reveal Friday night as well as giving some love to a perhaps under-used creature from the core book.

And as always I will leave you with wishing you the best luck in your endeavours and remind you to not forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Beaten to the punchline

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Tonight I wanted to follow on with the theme from last night where I had a random set of folk heroes that could work in any adventure. Tonight I want to throw out there a random twist that can work in nearly any adventure – the party is beaten to the punchline. Now the inspiration for this twist came about from me exploring what my first Soulbound adventure would be for the new year. But it definitely isn’t anything new or anything super special its just something that could be useful to drive a sudden change in the plot.

Beaten to the punchline

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The Basics

To implement this twist is very simple. You have something bad which the party oppose and before they can stop it, it is stopped by someone or something else. This works for any of the four basic adventure types that I explored over a year ago; Learn, Stop, Escort or Fetch.

Let’s explore that a bit.

D&D 5e – Fetch

“Are you sure this is the place?” Arien asked the halfling not for the first time.

“Yes yes, it’s the right place alright. Just hurry up and keep watch. The Wand of McGuffin is not to be guarded lightly…” Darrel responded as he went to pick the lock in the shadow of his ranger companion. “oh that’s odd.” he mumbled as the door swung inwards with the lightest of pressure on the door. The scratch marks and strange powder on the doorframe told the halfling master rogue all that he needed to know. “Quickly. Walk away. We were not the first people to search for the wand and its gone.” Darrel was already blending into a nearby troop of performers by time he finished his command.

“what do you…” Arien began before she managed to peer through the opened door… “good gods.” she managed to squeak as the frozen form of a dozen guards stood around a magical device that thrummed with power in the centre of the room. A large chest that would have been hidden under floorboards lay opened and empty near the guards. “D. What do we do now?” she asked as her long strides make short work to catch her companion.

“That’s easy Ari. We have to out burgle another master burglar” Darrel replied with a grin as his cloak, moustache and pants shimmered as a powerful illusion changed his appearance.

Soulbound – Stop

The rivet gun’s clattered echoed off the stonework of the tower as the magazine was emptied into the locking mechanism. “Primitive locks are nothing against Kharadron ingenuity” Hank Geldenhammer said through his aether helmet.

“Well if these mages didn’t foresee our arrival and prepare for combat they are well aware now. Good job duardin.” Eros Witchblade sighed as she took her hand of her hips and strode forward unsheathing a pair of wicked looking blades.

“Now Eros, there may be no need for that. These are men of learning. Surely we can reason with them. The Realm stone of Chaos is cursed and evil. These wise men and women would surely know this and will see that their attempts to harness this stone to retake Barak Zundabarg is folly and dangerous” Tinxao the Lumineth Scinari Cathallar said as she walked calmly through the doors to the hall beyond. The tower itself was made of dark stone that seemed to absorb all light from around it, all light except for the glow from the Warpriests warhammer.

“This place is cursed. I can see the tolling of a great bell. Lord Sigmar’s light does not pierce this blackened stone. We should be all aware of ratmen.” Torval Brighthammer said as he gripped his warhammer tighter and strode in behind the Cathallar.

“Ratmen!? Do you even hear yourself talk Torval? I thought you too old and wise to believe in the tales that are made up to scare children” Eros laughed at the expense of the warpriest. Torval just gritted his teeth and began the trek up stairs.

“Remember we are here to relieve these mages of the realm stones of chaos so they can be destroyed. Hank I know you have a fondness for powerful stones and metals but this is…” Tinxao began looking distrustfully towards the Duardin who she was soulbound to. Hank turned abruptly, the lenses flashing.

“Shh!. I have detected something. Now is not the time for your nonsense Aelf.” Tinxao remained as devoid from emotion as ever. The clatter of steel on stone quickly broke the party into a rush for the last few stairs. Bursting through a door they arrived at the main deck of the observatory where a gruesome sight greeted them. The mages lay dying or dead. Wicked looking throwing stars and knives riddled their bodies and large glass canisters lay smashed on the stones beneath them. Evidence of magic being flung around the room was everywhere. Scotch marks from lightning and fire lay across the meagre furniture and as they looked around the room a flash of lightning from outside drew their gaze to the open window. A large man-sized rat bundled in dark scraps of fabric squatted on the window sill. The lightning illuminated its silhouette but the candles and lanterns from the room where the party stood highlighted the sharp chiselled teeth and bandoleer of throwing blades. After a heartbeat it flung itself over the side of the window and into the darkness beyond.

“Still don’t believe in Ratmen Eros?” Torval asked as he ran towards the window summoning a beam of light to blast out the window. A second later a screech followed as conjured bolt of lightning struck a creature outside who fell from its perch. “They have the stones” Torval roared before he hurled himself towards the door to give chase down the stairs. But as he looked down the winding staircase he was greeted by dozens of pairs of glinting eyes, chittering teeth and rusted blades.

Tonight we had a look at an easy and fun twist to any adventure. The key with this one is to make it so that hope is not lost – to give a hint (blatant or obscure) to the party so they have a way forward. Once they have this then there its full steam ahead to either uncover or confront the rival group. Are they on the same side or something worse than what they were trying to stop or take? Don’t forget to come back the rest of the week where I have more content in store and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Frostkeeper Construct

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The twenty first day of Dice-ember see’s our party entering deeper into the quarry. Having fought off cavern dwelling creatures they turn the corner just in time to witness the enchantress finish her ritual to create a Frostkeeper Construct.

Frostkeeper Construct

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The thrum of magic began to get more palpable as the party got closer to the pulsating light source. The sound of combat from the icicle like creatures and the party didn’t cause any disturbances from the lower levels of the cavern. However this also meant that the ritual had not stopped and that what ever was in the next room was likely aware of their presence.

As the flickering light from the room head touched their shoes the thrum and rhythmic chanting ceased. Panting could be heard from the chamber but the flickering light was the only sound that could be heard.

Turning the corner the party spied a young woman collapsed on a chair made from a solid block of ice. A table in front of her lay empty except for a puddle of water and some ruined rope and belts. After a moment the girl looked up, clutching a broken arm to her chest as she looked, dazed, about the room. A trickle of blood came down her head as she gazed hazily at the party. “You… You’re not meant to be here. Go. Now. The ritual was a failure. He is.. the frostkeeper construct is not right. Oh gods something went wrong.” Aster said as she began to shake. “The commands I placed on him are not enough. I thought I could save him but no. I have tortured him. Be careful. He is coming.”

A pattering of feet on the cold stone floor could be heard in the darkness beyond the flickering light from several braziers. The light so harsh in the darkness that even those with darkvision struggled to see into the murk beyond. A howl or rage, both human and monster bellowed forth and a large, man shaped creature rushed forward.

First contact – Frostkeeper Construct

It’s shoulders were broad, its torso bare with a dark ice creating its muscular form. Large powerful legs with sharp blades of ice that jutted out from its knees into the ground below enabled it to move quickly and stably. However the party wasn’t ready for the human arm encased in sections of dark ice. Nor the very human eyes that looked outwards from the head of the creation. The moment the party realised that his construct was created on top of, well what remained of a humans body the full horror of the creation came into perspective.

Rushing forward the frostkeeper construct smashed through the ice formed table and rushed towards the party. Rage, pain and confusion glowed from its foggy eyes as it did what it knew best, prepare for a fight.

Tonight the full extent of the enchantresses constructs comes to be known. The Frostkeeper Construct is a shell that protects the young man the Enchantress was pursuing, yet something went horribly wrong. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow to find out more about the layout of the areas and what our party will be fighting. Also don’t forget to come back this weekend as we bring Dice-ember to a conclusion for this year. And lastly, as we come to the end of the year don’t forget to spend some time with those that matter the most to you. It’s the time we take to reflect and celebrate what means the most to us. So don’t forget to relax and start the new year refreshed and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Snow covered stones

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The fourteenth day of Dice-ember brings our party to overlook the scene of the snow covered stones of the quarry. The noon sun makes exploring around the stark white snow and the contrasting dark stone to be a dangerous one. The party will have to think quickly if they want to avoid becoming the latest casualties of the large shapes that move around the snow covered stones.

Snow covered stones

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A few hours walk from Snowtown, high in the Gritch mountains the quarry stood nearly motionless and abandoned. Talking to the Goliath chief of the tribe that called Snowtown neighbours some calamity had occurred where miners were lost and unable to be dug out many years ago. Since then the quarry lay destitute, abandoned and quiet as it fell into disrepair.

However, the quarry was a different view now as somewhere higher in the mountains snow had begun to melt and a stream had formed a waterfall into the quarry. The thin frozen surface of the stream concealed the moving water underneath. As the cold water crashed on the rocks below into the quarry small icicle particles rained down on the party. The edges of the quarry seemed to be relatively solid and dry as the water disappeared into a mineshaft that was near the centre of the field. Moving around the quarry the party were blissfully unaware of the sentient structures that watched from under the mounds of snow. Large hulking limbs slowly came to life as the adventures moved close to them.

Slowly hulking masses of stone studded snow lumbered forward towards the party as they noticed a large cavern behind the frigid stream. Only when falling snow thudded on the ground behind them did they realise too late that they were in grave danger and the constructs of the quarry were upon them.

A smaller on tonight as I want to save some reveals for the rest of the week. There is one more week after this one left of Dice-ember content so don’t forget to come back each day this week ad we near the finish line. On another note I will be going back to a more one shot structure next year. Having a year long adventure is fun but I want to get back into smaller bite sized content chunks. So don’t forget to look out for that, and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Rolling Ambush

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The Seventh day of Dice-ember brings us to the party as they return from a dark discovery at the nearby woods. As they are returning back they are surprised by a Rolling Ambush that takes them off guard and threatens to bury them under the snow.

Rolling Ambush

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The party start to head back towards the town making sure to keep an eye on the snowmen within the trees. As they started the trek back to Snowtown with more questions than answers they started to feel a vibration in the ground. After a few minutes the tremor ceased and nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary around Snowtown or Mount Gritch. Entering the town the towns people looked concerned over the tremors and were murmuring and pointing towards the mountain.

Again the tremors returned and this time there was movement from the ridge up above. Soon a cascade of snow was hurtling down the hill but as it hit the trees of the forest it died down and only a few little drifts of snow slid towards the town. But as the party watched the drifts of snow little balls of snow sped across these slowing sheets and hurtled towards the town at a faster pace.

The balls swerved to avoid obstacles and quickly crashed over the low walls of the town and hurtled into the clearing where the party were standing. The balls didn’t stop and quickly hurtled towards the party. It was only then that they could see glowing orb like eyes passing across the snowball and as they collided with people little arm like pseudopods shot forth and wrapped around the person.

Shockingly strong they gathered upon the party and townsfolk, pseudopods of ice wrapping around limbs and pulling people to the frozen ground. Blade quickly severed the arm like appendages but it was too late for some of the elderly or frail.

The balls were quickly turned into puddles of ice and a single glowing chunk of coal that sizzled before being extinguished under heel. The snow ball like creatures seemed to be exceedingly fragile but strong and numerous. The party once again turned their sights towards the ridge in the Gritch mountains where the tremors sent a sheet of ice their way. Wondering what else they would have to face this day and into the night.

Another day in Snowtown where the frozen constructs plague our party. Tonight the snowballs come to town and they bring a crushing embrace that smothers people with festive cheer. Well, at least the smothering part. Don’t forget to come back the next few nights as we look at maps and creature stat blocks and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Reign of Shadow

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Good evening all and welcome to the alternative ending if the party was unable to defeat the Shadow in its keep or, if they decided to not go over the seas with Kyoko. We also will look at the plot for Dice-ember!.

 

Reign of Shadow

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The grass crunched under Kyoko’s feet as she dashed across the street towards the broken crates and boxes opposite her. Throwing herself against the wall of the building she looked around to make sure that no Oni’s or Spiritfolk or beasts had spotted her. Satisfied that she was in the clear she crouched low and hurried down the street, sticking to the shadows as much as possible in case another of the Shadows minions were watching without dark vision.

Moving into one of the buildings she paused to let her eyes adjust to the darkness. Using a broken drift globe shaft to light the way she moved about the dark room. Eventually she found the mat and crate she was looking for she lifted it on well oiled hinges and quickly moved down the revealed steps. Carefully closing the hatch behind her she moved into the carefully dug tunnels and moved silently towards the outskirts of the city.

Refuge under the wall

After ten minutes of walking to came to a door that was reinforced by iron. Taking the broken shaft from the light producing trinket she put it through a hole in the door and waited. Slowly the handle turned and on the other side a stout man greeted her with a broad grin.

“We thought you were lost to us Kyoko. When the others returned without you we feared the worst.” the man said.

“Jokrum. You worry too much. We had to split up as we had a hunting party of Oni discover us. They followed me but lost the others.” She responded as she worked through the door and into the refugee town.

The town it self was constructed in some of the emergency bunkers under the walls. The walls were mainly controlled by the Oni now but with all the stone and soil above them they never noticed the Harimasu people living under the wall. Walking along the tunnel she greeted and handed out the raided supplies to the people she cared for. Her father, and his troops were elsewhere defending the last bastion of the people of Ryokughan. She, however, was captured by the Shadows servants and rescued by the people of this bunker. These survivors were either too old, young or sick to make the trek to join her father and they needed her.

For now they were surviving and it was because of her that they were able to survive for so long. So until help arrived they were to wait here, in the gloomy depths under the wall and wait.

Dice-ember

The snow crunched underfoot as the party strolled into the town. The eerie quiet of the town only broken by the caw of a night bird or the squeal of a rusty sign. As they wondered around the city centre a shadow moved towards them. Raising the torch high the person, covered in snow shuffled towards them like a white ghost. It wasn’t until the figure was within ten feet that its true nature was revealed.

A creature made from snow, pitch black eyes and rotten fruit vegetable was hanging from its nose. As it reached out towards them with shattered ticks and bones for arms a rock smashed through its head, sending the body tumbling to the ground. “Run!” a voice called from a building as the party ran towards the building.

Racing towards the building they dashed through the snow, through the door and slammed it closed behind them. “Don’t let those things touch you. They drain the warmth from you and you soon join them in their frozen march.” the old man said with a shaky voice. “They wont come towards the houses but don’t want anyone on the streets after dark”.

The party made to check the door when they heard the thudding of something heavy on the snow outside. “Shh. Thats the other thing. There is something else. It begs to be let into your house. It appears as a jolly, kindly man and those who let it within their homes are found dead.”

The party huddled around the fire as the creatures outside continued their frozen march.

Thanks for joining me tonight. Tomorrow night we will look at a potential alternative ending for the campaign, if they fail, and prepare ourselves for dice-ember!. Don’t forget to come back for this and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe