03-Wednesday – Twists

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

They Came for Them

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Generally an escort mission goes one of two ways; either those being escorted go haywire, or, they came for them. Who are they you might ask? Why its the associates, a mutual interested party, assassins or in this case – creators. While people creating generally is something that happens naturally not all creation is such. A bit of a darker one this week with it turning from an ‘escort the prisoners’ to a ‘save the VIP’.

But enough on that here, let’s grab a coffee, sit down and roll into tonight’s adventure.

They Came for Them

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The calls of alarm woke the party from their rest and they roused quickly from their slumber. The prisoners were crying softly nearby and the musky stench of fear was getting stronger with the passing moment. Above them a full moon shone down and pierced through the fog revealing several shapes moving closer. The hunched forms scurried across the ground at the edge of the torch light – but they were waiting for something.

A larger figure strode from the shadows, the large long coat covered most of a plain tunic but did nothing to hide the sword and hand crossbow on the stranger’s hip. “Ahoy. A pleasant evening for a stroll under the moonlight isn’t it?” the voice called as several bows trained on him as the guards took up a well trained formation.

“Now we can do this the easy way or the messy way. You have something that belongs to me. Those creatures you have in the cage on wheels – I will have them” he said with a trained gesture.

“Now why the bloody hell would we give them to you?” Boris called out, placing his axe over his shoulder, aware of the several shapes moving amongst the darkness around the flank of the wagons and his formation. “We are entrusted to ensure these people get to their destination. Unharmed, mind you.” Boris added.

“That’s where we have a clash of thoughts I am afraid. You see they are my property, I created them and while they are not perfect, yet, I assure you I will make them so.” the man replied, the look of confusion on the guards faces brought a cruel smirk out of him. “Oh, you don’t know what they are. They have done such a good job hiding it. But I assure you, any moment now you will see why you simply must hand them over to me.” The man said with a chuckle.

The cages containing the prisoners rattled and voices broke out amongst them. “No, brother, don’t. Don’t let him get to you, fight it. Don’t let it out!” one man said to another. The latter was trembling, wide eyed and looking terrified. But that wasn’t all, he was changing before the eyes of those who watched. His form shrunk, his bones and face distorted and soon a furry humanoid sat there shivering. The transformation of one of the caged lycanthropes caused all of them to begin to cry out and plead for help as they all too began to shift. However, the normally cruel forms of lycanthropes were not present, a softer, more scared creature sat before them. Large soft ears, large round eyes and soft paws were present more akin to a mouse or rabbit as opposed to a rat, wolf or worse.

“Ah, right on time. As you can see these nasty creatures best come with me and my associates shall we call them. So what say you?” the man asked.

“I say…” Boris said as he looked from his wards to the men and creatures in the mist. “I say Guards! Attack!”

One of the encounters for this week has been revealed with a twist. While not all baddies, prisoners or otherwise are evil these ones definitely aren’t as we will explore this week. So with the twist revealed we next have the location and the encounters itself – so you best not forget to come back each day remaining this week to stay up to date with the adventure. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Lore Keepers and Ladies

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When people think of excitement they rarely associte it with the combination of Lore Keepers and Ladies. Generally those two are mutually exclusive, well depends in the circles in which you roam. But tonight these worlds collide as the Lore Keeper answers some questions from a visitor at his door and reveals another piece in the puzzle.

For those who patrol the streets and deposit the charged Lanternstones, Morrowstones in the villagers view, it is an unpleasant night to begin their shift. But for those of us who create adventures from these situations it potentially is a great way to start ours.

So as you sit down to enjoy this read, make sure to get yourself a coffee or tea and get comfortable as its another bigger one.

Lore Keepers and Ladies

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The man picked up his little wooden box, a bit heavier than when he put it down and stretched. He had been the keeper of the history of Morrowdeep for half his life and yet he always found the need to make a few extra coins from the visitors to the city. Many people in the city didn’t visit the old library any more and those that did were normally adventurers who were asking for information.

Shortly after lunch, and long after his unpleasant interaction with the stupid dwarf Hiljor, he had a group of adventurers interested in the catastrophes of the city. The Cave-ins, the disappearances, even the night where the animals in the mountain pass went mad and attacked anyone outside of their houses. It was a good week before the last of the creatures were slain by adventurers and the guard. He hadn’t willingly parted with this information but gold pays for what Gregory needs and so it did, admittedly, loosen his lips somewhat.

Gregory Barker – Created in Artbreeder.

He fumbled with the lock of the Lore House, a library, and stumbled in after drawing his small lanternstone from the inside of his jacket. It wasn’t dusk yet but the windows in this building faced away from the setting sun which made it hard to see. As he moved about the room he placed the little wooden box on the corner and, after quickly looking around to make sure the coast was clear, bent down next to the little bench in the room. Moving aside a loose wooden board he pulled out a tiny chest and, hurriedly, he opened the wooden box and emptied the majority of the coins, coppers, silvers and a gold coin, into the chest before quickly replacing it and the board.

“Excuse me,” a voice said from the door. “Are you Gregory the lore keeper?” the soft voice continued. Startled, Gregory looked up and gazed upon a beautiful young woman that he hadn’t seen before. He was not sure if she had seen him transferring the coins to the chest or not.

“Well, yes I am. How can I help you my lady?” he said as he stood up, a moment too slowly. “You must excuse me as I had dropped my glasses.” he said as he grabbed a pair of glasses from the bench. Smiling, the woman walked forward and for a fleeting moment Gregory had an uneasy feeling of being hunted. But as the woman started talking the feeling passed “Sorry for startling you. I was wondering if you had any books or knew of lore on the town and on this mysterious stone.” She said as she pointed at the Lanternstone on the bench that shed bright light in the room that was nearly the same as a flame.

Isabella – created in Nightcafe.

Gregory smiled. “We call them Morrowstones as they are dug up in this village,” he said proudly as he moved to a bookcase on the wall. “The wizards did some extensive study into the stones and we captured it all in the Journal of Azkabob, a dwarven wizard of some repute. Now where was it…” he pondered as he looked through a shelf that was nearly overflowing with books and scrolls. A moment later he stopped on an old book bound in a blued leather. “Ah here it is.” he said as he brought the book down and dusted it.

“I have heard them called Lanternstone, interesting that they have names too. Do you know what’s in the book?” a voice said from his shoulder as dainty fingers touched his arm.

Startled for a moment with that flight or fight, primarily flight, sense tingling he stammered. “I… uh… have read it, but it would take me a few days to go through it again. Why?” Gregory replied as he turned to look at the woman. The light from the Lanternstone causing her green and brown robes to look yellow in its light.

“Uh I am a very fast reader. Is there anyone else who would know of the contents of the book?” she said as she stood nearby smiling coyly.

“I don’t think anyone has read this book since it was written, apart from me of course.” he replied, noticing the woman’s face shift slightly from coy smile to something hungrier.

“Oh what a shame, thanks for spending the time to look for it for me and talking to me. I’ve been travelling for quite some time and don’t get to talk to people too much.” she said as stood up straighter. A sudden gust of wind blew into the building and caught the doors making them slam shut. Jumping, the woman moved closer to Gregory and grabbed onto his arm.

“Oh don’t mind that, it’s just the wind. It comes right up merchant lane.” Gregory said as he looked at the door in wonder.

Smiling and looking down to her hands on his arm she said softly “No, it wasn’t the wind. It was me.” she said as she drew a blade from her hip and stabbed the old man between his ribs. As he fell, unable to talk, she grabbed the book from his hands. “The Journal of Azkabob, by Azkabob Ironbrow.” she muttered to herself as she opened the book and began to read. Finding the information that she wanted she ripped it out of the book and left it on the bench.

As the lantermen strode the streets and deposited the charged Lanternstone into their holsters they checked in on the Lore House as the door was open. The sounds of bells and alarms rang through the town as Morrowsdeep as people rushed to investigate the murder of the lore keeper.

A bit of a bigger one, again, tonight with two new faces for the NPC list, one very quickly deceased. Don’t forget to come back each day this week as we continue with this adventure. We have a few more nights to go where we can, with some excitement, get into the multiple options and adventures we have to go through. But don’t forget to let me know how the last Zine was – a different approach with having a varied party level within the adventure itself. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Doomguide Aspirants

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Those who hear the call of Kelemvor rarely sit idly by and pray to heir deity for aid and prefer to worship their god in the actions they take. Those of which who are the most zealous, the most holy of Kelemvors warriors are known as Doomguide Aspirants – those who aspire to establish and maintain the natural order of life and death.

Despite being warrior priests these holy warriors are generally cunning, intelligent and empathetic to those that do not corrupt the natural order of things. However being cunning, wise and strong isn’t always the right mix for those who seek power at the same time as honouring their god.

Tonight content is focusing on a few Doomguide Aspirants and in particular the steps that they would take to ensure that the natural order of things, the holy decree of their god is ensured. So sit back, strap on your buckler and let’s swing into the thick of it.

Doomguide Aspirants

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The halls were quiet leading up to the day of rituals for Richard Spiritbane and for those who are trained for the smallest noise in their hallowed noise that’s how the figures stalking the halls wanted it. Cloaked in a veil of silence and shadow the priests walked towards the crypt entrance, muttering a prayer to Kelemvor as they descended the hallowed steps.

The walls were lined with the Doomguides that preceded them, warriors all and not all of them had honoured their god by preserving the natural order of things. However the shadows and bubble of silence hugged the priests closer as they descended deeper into the crypts hoping that not even the bones of their predecessors would cast a judgemental gaze towards them. For what they were doing tonight could be misinterpreted as treason and the perversion of the natural order. As they reached a chamber at the bottom of the steps the silence and shadows slowly slunk back from the figures within.

“Are you sure about this Brother?” Haster asked as he looked towards his superior. “If Kelemvor is granting the High Priest an extended life then surely it’s the blessing as it is claimed?” he continued looking around nervously. If Brother Tobias found them down here he wouldn’t hesitate to mete out the justice of Kelemvor for what they were discussing. What made matters worse is that Brother Kindred wouldn’t let him and they would have another dead brother in the chamber of remembrance.

Haster Reart – Created in Artbreeder.

The halfling man to the right of Haster looked between him and those gathered around him. “You yourself have found it suspicious Haster that the lord of the dead who’s tenants is preservation of the natural order of life and death would willingly go against what he stands for. The extension of life is perverse and an affront to Kelemvor himself and I fear that the clergy is rotten to the core. There are those few, us, amongst our church who believe that no man, woman or child should be treated differently when it comes to Kelemvors’ beliefs.

Brother Kindred Ucklethorn – created in Artbreeder.

Brother Kindred looked up at the gathered priests, fewer than he had wanted. “With a small price we can dig out this evil and ensure that it never takes root again. With a smidge of power contained within these walls, the relics our brethren gave their natural lives to protect, we will start a new order. One that isn’t corrupt, which won’t twist the words and will of Kelemvor.” Spittle flew from his mouth as he spoke. How could the others disagree with his viewpoint at this stage? It was only logical, the only correct course of action.

Walking over to an entombed skeleton, one of his brothers, he smashed through the stone with the head of his mace. Reaching in he plucked out a length of ebony wood, a wand, one that thrummed with Necromantic energies. “This is the price of the bargain. Fret not brothers for once the truth is revealed and the correct course is set then it will be easy to retrieve this unholy relic and return it to the chamber of remembrance. “

The other priests looked from one another, a mixture of anxious energy, of hope and of belief swirled amongst them. Tomorrow before the rites could begin the truth would be revealed by the wizard and the perversion of Kelemvors’ word will be stopped at its core. The High Priest must not live past his three hundredth birthday.

Thanks for joining me for another fun one as we looked at the conspiracy that happened before the High Priests death. But this isn’t the cause, nor the full picture – oh no, that will come later. So make sure to not forget to come back and visit each day to keep unravelling this adventure with me and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

What Happens on the Road

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Welcome to a bit of a filler tonight but with good intention as I look at the previous fifty-two weeks of content and try to imagine what happens on the road for the parties in the next year. The theme of this blog has changed from a bombardment of options for Plots, NPCs, Hooks, Locations and Encounters which was shortlisted into a single adventure to be crafted on the weekend. This then evolved to a single campaign that was driven over the space of a year with, quite overly detailed write-ups and to what it is now.

Every week brings an adventure and one-shots seem to be the calling that I have settled on. But I believe that all my one-shots can be weaved into a campaign by using your own NPCs and by modifying the Plot, Hooks, Locations and even Encounters to really tailor it to your own. However, a few of my One-shots don’t even need that and they can be used right out of the Zine and into your campaigns.

Now to get the one-shots to this format I have to keep it simple and provide guiding but not defining moments and encounters. This gives the DM/GM more control over how they integrate it for their party but makes it less accessible for new hosts of the game to pick up one of my Zines and use it as their first adventure. This is something I wish to remedy in the new year but it may take me some time to work out how – as to write a Zine each week is quite time intensive (between 10 to 14 hours depending on the content). Where the daily update is shorter there is normally more fleshing out that happens in the Zine – and sometimes even well fleshed out Daily updates get a boost in content in the Zine as well!

But enough on my rambling. Tonight I wanted to look at some quick hooks that can be interjected into any campaign to throw the party into a memorable one shot.

What Happens on the Road

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The invasion

What I will dub the “invasion” secondary hook or twist for this blog post is becoming more popular these days. Simply put it is the party coming into contact with a hostile force at the right time and right place.

The party had been traveling along the road at the south of the kingdom along a road that was seldom used. This road would see them leave the dense forest at the guarded checkpoint into the neighbouring kingdom where they had to deliver a sealed letter. The checkpoint was one of two regulated crossing points where the residents of the two kingdoms could cross over legally and safely. The wilderness between the two kingdoms was rumoured to be the territory of a particularly foul and territorial black dragon. However, luckily, it was extremely lazy and rarely left the large swamp that lay between the two kingdoms.

This created a natural barrier to people who wanted to cross over which the kingdoms seemed happy about as there were taxes in crossing into the neighbouring lands. The road they were on skirted the known edge of the dragons territory and had been used for decades as a way to and from the checkpoints and into the various parts of the kingdom.

The party pushed on their horses keeping a fast pace and making good time but the party were beginning to become increasingly alert and cautious. The horses were anxious and it had been some time since they had last seen wildlife that normally filled these woods. Thinking back it had been days since they had seen any sign of game and even the birds and smaller creatures were decreasing in sightings at a quick pace. Suddenly the party stopped, their forward scout signalling that something had been found. Alert and cautious the party moved up to reveal that around the bend and in a small gully a small tent-city had been created.

Dozens of men; hundreds even, could be seen moving between the tents and slowly packing supplies into bags as they mustered around a large central pavilion. Each of the men and women, humans and other races bore the colours of the kingdom they were heading towards and they were each dressed for combat. With a sinking feeling the party realised that they had stumbled upon what appeared to be either the forward advance or the rear guard of the kingdoms royal army. As they watched on the ground shook as a large adult black dragon pulled itself through the trees, its horns tearing bushes from the grounds and shredding branches on the trees.

A sturdy looking dragonborn with black scales strode forward and bowed to the dragon. “Everything is going as planned. With our forces invading the forest and moving up soon we will be out of your way as promised Garvelorgn.” the dragonborn said reverence.

“Good. And as soon as you are gone I can begin to expand my territory. Your sorcerer had correctly guessed that I was planning to take over these lands. Your promise of land and a new hunting ground is just consequential” the black dragon, Garvelorgn, said with a puff of green smoke from its nostrils. “Are you sure your force is big enough? I couldn’t help but notice that there wasn’t many amongst your ranks?” The dragon teased.

“The Black Talon is the strongest assault force in the continent. Despite our fewer number our strength comes from that idiot king and his pathetic nations lack of awareness of what happens in his own lands. Once he knows we are there it will be too late and he will be at our mercy” the dragon born said and several other warriors amongst the forest camp called out in support.

The Old friend

Now the old friend is a more situational one that is tailored to a “Find the source of the trouble and silence them”, or “Rob this wagon – it will be laden with gold” or “escort the prince, there is a rumour that there are people after him so be alert” type of mission. This is where the Party, or a member in the party, know the antagonist and have to come to grips with their old friend being the source of their work. But although it’s more sorted to these kinds of situations/quests it can work elsewhere.

The party checked the map in front of them making sure that they had the right address. Surely enough they were looking at the correct wagon that was parked in an alleyway with a draft horse harnessed to the front. Sneaking across the street they slowly approached the animal and the druid placed a hand upon its muzzle and the horse quickly went back to standing still.

Moving around the side of the wagon they found the door locked, but nothing their thief couldn’t handle. With a deft hand the lock was open and the door was slowly opening. Looking in the dark interior the bard called out a dancing mote of light to fill the interior. A few comfortable seats, curtains on the windows and a cushion one one of the two benches greeted them. Stepping into the wagon the bard and the thief began to look around. Having some advance intel that there was a hidden compartment that held what they were looking for they began searching for latches, buttons or nooks that would hold what they were searching for.

The warrior of the group kept a watch out as the druid, in the form of a tabby cat scouted around for an exit route. The warrior looked at the building they were next to. “Pinot and Stubbs” read the sign. She frowned as one of the names on the sign brought back memories from a lifetime ago.

Lost in her memories she heard too late as the door opened next to her and she turned too slowly to warn her allies within the wagon. “Arh!,” a woman’s voice shrieked as she saw the cloaked and armed figure in the alley. But the lantern in her hand did a fantastic job at revealing the warriors face. “Oh you scared me. What do you wan… Is that you Fiona? Fi?” the voice asked. “It can’t be you, surely. I haven’t seen you since we were both at the Orphanage. It’s me Pinot.” said the halfling in front of her.

A noise from the wagon drew the attention of the now smiling woman in front of her. “Wait.. Actually what are you doing here next to my shop, in the middle of the night next to my wagon?”

Either one of these two types of hooks could bring a added level of adventure to your session. Keeping the same theme you can quickly tie in a one-shot to something mundane, like travelling through a forest, or expand upon a easy snatch and grab – like stealing Pinots secreted chest. What ever the adventure is there are always avenues to include something different, a side quest, a tangent if you will. I add in more one-shots than I care to admit to doing but some of these feel much more rewarding and produce the biggest thrills for my party.

But that’s where we will have to end tonight. Don’t forget to come back for the rest of the days this week as we explore a bit more, learn a bit more and reflect on the last year. If you haven’t already don’t forget to check out my seasonal adventure, Mischief and Merrymaking, and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

An Unlikely Truth

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Welcome to the Twentieth night of Dice-ember and tonight we face an unlikely truth. With the offer of aid from Alice the party would be foolish to not take the eye witness account of someone who was watching the building for a day. Surely this evidence would even sway the guards that the Dwarf attacked earlier

So sit back, grab a seasonal beverage and let’s roll into the holiday season!

An Unlikely Truth

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The party considered their options but something wasn’t adding up with the version of events the children were claiming. But if the Dwarven member of the bloody Knuckles gang, Alice, could prove that what they claimed was wrong then they would be removed as the suspects for the stolen reward from the vault. As they moved back through the Guards hall, with a small escort, they knocked on the door to Captain Sungrave.

“Enter.” she responded from beyond the door and the party pushed on the oaken door. On the other side of the door Captain Sungrave was scribbling notes amongst a pile of similar looking reports that had been scrawled. “I wasn’t expecting to see you for some time yet. Please sit where you can.” she gestured towards the chairs that were mostly bare. “What can I help you with? Remember something more?”

“Now let me get this straight. The Dwarf that attacked you and me claims that she has information that may help us uncover what happened to the gold that proves it wasn’t you. And it will only cost her being pardoned for the crimes of associating with known criminals, assault on the city’s guard and attempted theft?” Captain Sungrave asked as the party finished telling her what they knew so far. “It sounds like we will need to get Alice in here to confirm what she knows. I can’t promise her a full pardon until I know what she has to offer.”

Penelope looked at the party of adventurers and considered if there was an ulterior motive behind it. But no reason came to mind. Gesturing to one of the guards that had escorted them in, she requested that they retrieve Alice. She then gestured to the other guard and requested that they fetch the children. She needed to give them the opportunity to defend themselves. She sighed deeply, it was going to be a long night.

And that’s the end to tonight. A short set-up for what will be a bigger encounter from tomorrow and Friday. So don’t forget to come back the last five days of Dice-ember and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Sucker Punch

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Welcome to the Thirteenth night of Dice-ember where the Three Knuckles of Rimeglenn initiate the sucker punch to retrieve their map. But the success all depends on the Players and how they can talk, walk or fight their way out of it.

So sit back, grab a seasonal beverage and let’s roll into the holiday season!

The Sucker Punch

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The party had just come out from the inn where a weasel-like man approached them. “Excuse me, I am looking for someone. We found an important document with their name on it but have not been able to find them yet.” he said as he procured a familiar letter from his coat and handed it over. The party looked over the contents for a moment and realised it was the parchment that the guards had given them when they reported the missing items.

A flash of recognition passed through the eyes of the man in front of them. “The names Wal, Short for Waldorf and I can see that you recognise the paper. No need for thanks I am just making sure it gets to the right people.” he said with a bow before turning and walking off. The party continued down the road but it wasn’t long until they found that they had people following them. A few rough looking individuals walked closely behind them and appeared on side alleys as they walked past. As they stopped to confront them a tall, broadly built man stepped forward.

“Now this doesn’t have to be difficult. I need to ask you some questions and I need to know what you did with a bit of paper you received some nights ago.” the man said. The rustle of clothes indicated that more people were closing in on them. “If you can tell me what you did with the map, who you told about it then you can leave. If you don’t comply I will get the information out of you. Don’t think about deceiving me – My colleague is very good at reading people.” Peter said as he stepped forward towards a door and pushed it open.

“After you” he said politely.

Conflict or compliance. The party can determine which route they want to go but as always the luck of the dice will determine their fate. This is where Pete gets a bit more ruthless, his goal is within sight and he believes the the party has the map, according the Wal that is. But there is more to this week still to come so don’t forget to come back tomorrow and Friday and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Whispers of Opportunity

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Welcome to the Sixth night of Dice-ember where we have a certain band of criminals meeting to hear the whispers of opportunity from their leader. The Season of Mischief is when the guard are most distracted and with a group of thieves taking items from people it opens a chance for the thieves in Rimeglenn to profit from the chaos. But, their leader has a bigger plan and the sparkle of greed is in his eye.

So sit back, grab a seasonal beverage and let’s roll into the holiday season!

Whispers of Opportunity

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The Redgloves meeting – Created in Nightcafe.

Hooded figures stood around the table in the cellar of the Burgundy Brigand, an Inn of ill repute and waited for their sixth member. Talking to each other in low murmurs they exchanged guesses on what this meeting was about, complained about the time of venue or, they boasted about their recent exploits.

“I hear that ol’ Fierce knuckles is retiring and he brought us ‘ere to announce his successor.” One said in a mixture of excitement and nerves.

“That’s daft, I heard he was caught with his hand in the wrong purse and was given the ultimatum, marriage or execution. He’s here to organise his party!” another said with a bout of roaring laughter.

“Well I don’t care whatever it is. I gotta get out of here – there is this lady, yeah, she lives by herself on the corner of the Spotted plaza opposite the Hammer and Tongs smithy. She has this locked cellar and guess what!?…” a third said nearly jumping out of the chair he was lounging in.

“You lifted the key…” a low rumbling voice said from the stairs. “Don’t you ever dream of bigger stuff than some old ladies’ basement?” the man said with a chorus of laughter from the others present. “Apologies for being late gentlemen, I had an appointment I could not refuse.”

A golden coin passed between one man and the man who claimed they were organising a party. “So who is she then boss? When’s the party?” he boasted.

“Oh she is a fine one indeed,” Fierce knuckles said as he reached into the shoulder bag he was carrying and brought out a roll of parchment. “She is the biggest haul you’ve ever seen. The big one that will make us all rich as kings.” he said as he placed the parchment on the table and began to slowly roll it out. A gold piece was quickly taken from one man by another elsewhere in the room. “You see gentlemen. Every year when the season of mischief is called we focus on stealing trinkets, jewellery, tools, gold and gems from the houses and blame it on these mischief thieves. All small game. What else does this season bring?” he asked looking around.

“Well the monsters come down from the mountain. So sometimes the guards get killed when they fight em. We can pick the battlefield clean for weapons and things that were dropped?” one, a more educated fellow said.

“That’s true – what else?” the boss asked as he rolled the parchment out slowly.

“The guards are distracted by these mischief makers and lower their guard. We can steal from the merchants?” another said.

“That’s correct. The guards are distracted in finding these tricksters. What else?” he continued as he rolled the parchment out more.

“We can get cheap food cause there’s lot’s round?” the man who was boasting about his target said boldly.

“Cheap food…” the boss said as he looked over. “You’re focusing on cheap food?” The man stood up quickly and held his hands out defensively. “Gold you idiot. There is a vast pile of gold. Every year the guard are focused on finding these tricksters. Every hear the nobility grow more tired of their precious baubles and trinkets going missing and so they put more gold into the bounty on their head. I found the vault where it’s kept.” the boss said as he rolled the parchment fully out revealing a detailed map showing the location of a vault and how to get into it.

“Ohhhh,” the gathered thieves said collectively. “The bounty gold…”

“Yes the bounty gold. Currently there is a bounty for five thousand gold pieces for who ever can find the thieves and prove that they are them. I heard that its doubled this year. Ten thousand gold pieces sitting there, in the dark and all alone. Well gentlemen – I think that gold is scared of the dark and we best liberate it from its prison!” Fierce knuckles said to the cheers from the others gathered.

“Now.. here’s how we are going to do it…”

The plot thickens this week like a good stew. A group of thieves wanting to profit from the troubles going on in the city and a recipe for mischief and disaster. But this is just the very tip of the blade for this adventure. So don’t forget to come back every day as we expand this adventure and be sure to visit again tomorrow. And finally, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Dawn of a new Adventure

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Welcome to the second last post of the campaign year and the dawn of a new adventure. Tonight we investigate what the next part of the adventure would be if we were to continue. But we will still have to see if I continue the adventure on past level 16 and beyond. So let’s get into tonight’s adventure, sit back, grab a coffee and roll into tonight’s adventure!

The Dawn of a new Adventure

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After the party came through the portal and back to the material plane were a blur. The people of both Kalehgrul and Duraegis needed a lot of help securing the defences of the cities and repelling attacks from rival cities. But soon the rumours of what the party members had accomplished the cities stopped being targeted by the attacks.

Lucile stayed with the drow in Kalehgrul after negotiating a business deal with Qistra Melarn for her family’s silk and with Morali O’lorun to assist with transportation of other underdark goods. The merchants discussed trade and agreements for weeks but the surrounding lands were still not safe enough to transport the goods. A steadfast guard would be needed to pass through safely.

But, with the defeat of the fiend, Larituron, nothing was preying on the creatures of the underdark. Mercenaries and travellers started to report stronger creatures that were prowling the roads and caverns. Some of the creatures were showing a level of distress that was not normal for their species and some were very rarely seen at the best of times. Many rumours started to circulate around what could be causing these incidents and many of them fell on a rival city forcing them out of their normal habitats and towards Kalehgrul and Duraegis. The other theory was more terrifying. Something was invading the lairs of these creatures and forcing them out.

The party rested where they could but it was evident that they would not be in want for work as long as they stuck around in the underdark.

Another step closer to my December adventure and another night done. Thanks for dropping by and for following along with the possible next steps for the party. Tomorrow we start Dice-ember and pause our normal format to these adventures, but don’t worry as they will be coming back soon. So don’t forget to come back daily for the december adventure and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The end of Andrasa’s Spell

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With the end of Andrasa’s spell coming into effect the final moments of the unholy ritual to extract the fiend from its prison is racing against the plans of the party. Centuries of planning coming up against what seems to be mere luck and happenchance and he does not want to risk it. As he prepares to be free he also prepares to fight for his freedom and his very existence. But, we can touch more on that another night. So let’s sit back, grab a coffee and roll into tonight’s adventure!

The end of Andrasa’s Spell

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Lucile could feel her consciousness waning once more. She was not sure if she was dreaming or if this was her reality. Some moments she collapsed on the cavern floor within an opaque dome and others she was watching the adventurers moving across a strange land. Her vision and what she experienced changes depending on where she was looking but something was not right.

She had memories of a voice that had called to her beyond the deep dark which she had struggled to resist. She remembers approaching the portal before realising what it really was but that is where her memories had stopped. She could still feel the presence compelling her to complete a spell; a ritual that she did not realise she had read in Andrasa’s notes, one that weakened the seals to release a creature that was stored within.

The fiend watched the adventurers within the sanctified shrine and waited patiently. It would not be long before they realised it was too late to stop him from completing the ritual through the human – a mere puppet now. Despite the seal still being active he could feel its bonds waning and the strength of the spells failing, but there was also something that was concerning. 

A buildup of magic that seemed to come from the shrine. The adventurers had seemed to trigger something and this could only be a bad sign for him. Soon his form in this area would be significantly weakened but in order to shift out of this prison he needed to stay in the zone that had been prepared. His centuries of planning and scheming now down to the next few hours and he was not about to let some mortals stop him from seizing his freedom.

No he will not let these mortals stop him. Calling the shades, mere shadows of his legion to his side he started forcing energy into them to give them a physical form. If he can hold them off long enough he may be able to escape and then nothing or no one will be able to stop him.

Thanks for dropping by tonight as I look at what the next few days bring. Don’t forget to come back over the next few days as we continue this adventure and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Culmination of Acquaintances

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The Culmination of Acquaintances is what is in store for us this week as we move forward with the last few weeks of this adventure. Tonight we have a visit from an old acquaintance who may be just the person to convince the party of their next step, or maybe not. So let’s sit back, grab a coffee and roll into tonight’s adventure!

The Culmination of Acquaintances

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The party looked into the small fire they had made and the many, many pyres that they had to burn some of the corpses that had remained after the fight. The survivors of the cocoons had nearly all left now as some had stayed behind to help move some of the bodies out of the calcified web and towards one of the cities.

Talking to Qistra and Morali the city of Duraegis was directly above them and a few tunnels lead up and out of this room. They had been told from some of the survivors that they had been taken directly from the city and down into the Deep Dark. But as the party listened to the sisters and the young Lolth priestess they couldn’t help but notice another set of figures moving through the droves of people leaving. A bright torch moving into the pit itself, crossing the web-bridges and making their way to themselves.

The Drow with them, and Viktira noticed and started to watch with interest as two cloaked humans appeared next to them. “When we first met I couldn’t imagine what you have been through,” a familiar voice said as Lucille Bendercuff and Alex Portand pulled back their hoods. “We visited the Ice Spire, well what little remains of it. There wasn’t much apart from the remains of a dead giant in a ruined building. But my scout let us know that you had been seen moving towards Ferklend and the well of souls.” she paused as she sat down and pulled out a map.

“We found a man named Rike who told us all about you. He said that you had saved the town from the undead and then headed off into the swamp to stop a catastrophe. And we found a bunch of rotting corpses and ruins.” Lucile paused as she revealed the parchment she held. “We deciphered the runes and each of these places form some kind of seal. Two of them have failed completely but this one,” she nodded towards the Dark pit at the centre of the ritual circles, “looks to be fine. The issue we have now is that it’s now just a matter of when, not if the creature can come through this ‘Deep Dark‘ as it acts like a portal. I theorise it may be able to be sealed from the inside permanently based on some other books and scrolls I read from Andrasa.”

The party looked between the scribbles in common, the still slightly thrumming portal to another dimension where some fiendish master was contained and the notes around the ritual’s failure and how to prevent it. Other notes theorised what the creature could be but most of them settled on a greater fiend or some nature. Something that was powerful enough to warrant the greatest sorcerer of these lands and a group of heroes from a bygone age’s combined strength to best.

More questions came up unbidden but conclusive answers were few. The matter of the Portal, the ritual and how to deal with the creature remained a decision for the party.

And that brings tonight’s update to a wrap. Thanks as always for visiting but don’t forget that tonight is just the beginning. There is two more nights, tomorrow may hold something different for a change, and Friday – where we may not have an encounter as such but there will be some moments that the party will need to intervene. So I will see you again this week and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe