Hunting grounds of the Wolf

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As the party began to leave the top of Wolf Ridge the sound of growling and whining came from behind. Turning around the partially obscured sun shone brightly in their eyes as they strained to find the source of the noise. A pack of wolves stood next to the tribespeople at the pyre. Each one of them rested their heads on the lap of one of the tribe and whined in a high pitched concerned manner.

As the party watched on, making sure the wolves wouldn’t attack it became easier to see the people and beasts. The sun’s brightness was dwindling as the moon began to cover the fiery orb. A sound of tearing fabric came from the gathered creatures, one of the young boys near the pyre began to convulse as muscles, bones and tissues split, healed and morphed into something more.

The change

A large shock of black fur sprouted from the ripped clothing as the chains and woven ropes grew taught on his swelling frame. A moment later another young one began the same transformation process. However none of the adults were affected. In fact they continued to chant in prayer. The halfling woman, a shaman of some kind looked at the party with sadness and concern. “The change has begun. The warriors you have in Berkshire will remain in their human form for as long as possible but the more distressed they are the shorter the time it will be. You must hurry.”

The party raced back down the hill as the first of the blood chilling howls erupted from the pyre. The young and infirm were beginning to change but those who were devout in faith and belief held strong and controlled their curse.

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Berkshire

The screaming from Berkshire could be heard from as far as the open gates. A rushed stream of people leaving the town pushed past the party as they hurried through towards the cages. Something told them they were too late. In fact it was more than just the screaming as the time it took to get back to the town had seen the moon nearly fully eclipse the sun.

“Stand firm, hold!” the voice of Luke could be heard from the centre of the town. As the party rushed through the busily clearing streets they came to the sight of a cage nearly full of werewolves. Each wolf was taller than an average man. In fact most of them were as broad as two with the tribespeople being larger than average. However despite the size difference, and monstrous form of the Tribe of the wolf warriors the guard held firm.

Run…

But that is when they heard it. The first of the cage bars breaking, snapping from the fury and might of the lycanthropes. As the cage shattered the beasts stepped out into the moonlight of the Lunar eclipse. “It’s too late. Run for your lives. The wolf has them now, and will have us all on his day of hunting. You should’ve left us chained in the cells for only there would’ve you been safe!” one of the few human form women said. as she knelt and prayed. “When there is no sun left even I won’t be able to contain myself. Go and save as many as you can. Only the cells will save you now.”

Thoughts

This one is a bit of a fun one. A bit of a nightmarish scene as the moon blots out the sun. I personally like the idea describing the fear of the villagers, guards and even the apprehension of what’s about to happen from the lycan’s. Seeing their curse as not just a disease but their deity enacting a great hunt will be a fun twist. I believe that the party members will have to think fast to overcome the situation they will find themselves in this week.

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Though the Streets and the planes

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Where the battles, chases or discoveries happen are controlled by us, the DMs. But no matter how we look at it the theatre of the mind is still the most iconic way of running Dungeons and Dragon adventures. But I find that even with years of experience the inspiration to describe a city, chase or otherwise can be a bit difficult. So I try and include images that can provoke inspiration for describing the scene.

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Astral Plane – the climb

Now a chase through the astral plane, or even hide and seek would be a bit nuts. But what this does give is a way to explore the rules for astral travel, albeit slightly restricted. The threat of infinite falling may create some tense moments but as long as the rules are explain it should be safe… enough.

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The Gibbering Woods Camp

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Now whether we have night time or daytime map we have a few things to note. Several cages are inside the camp compound that has 15 foot high walls. There are only a handful of tents but they look to be able to fit quite a few people. So this means that there may be more people elsewhere for a large operation such as this one.

The large central tent makes it hard to see what’s kept inside. The high walls however do have potential breach points, either the front gates, spiked as they are, will enable people to get past them. Or the several wall breaches that could occur via either ladders, ropes or utilising the trees. But be careful where you jump over as there may be a hungry creature in the crate that you land on top of.

Poachers Camp – day

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Poachers Camp – Night

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The Cults Crypt

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Shirkwall Crypt

Descending into the crypt – Hidden beneath the city the crypts housed a statue to the great behemoths that used to stalk the lands. From there the cult grew and soon they created a large altar and worshipped the beasts. This obsession turned the peaceful prophets into maddened cultists, obsessed with the return of the giant creatures. But as the city unearthed more and more of the ancient ruins, bones of the behemoths were found.

This gave credence to the cult’s prophecy and they started to look into dark magic, necromancy, convinced that they could bring them back and restore the city to the natural order. A few of the order stay and guard the crypt and so the need to have beds and a mess hall was required. The leader of the cult has a study that enables him to study the ancient texts and spells needed for their great ritual.

But, they are toying with things they don’t fully understand and with necromancy, there is always a price.

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The Informant

The party followed the directions to the Greasy Hog with low expectations. However they were disappointed to actually find a reputable dining establishment with a good name and good food. Entering they quickly saw a young lady at the bar being served by an older gentleman.

“Welcome, welcome. The Greasy Hog is one of Shirkwall’s finest dining establishments. If you’re not here for the food then surely you’re after some of the potent magic relics that Shirkwall has to offer. We have a small room out back if that’s of your interest” the man said with a grin.

“Oi, those relics are nothing but our history. We should be keeping them and putting them in a museum.” A girl at the bar said, a large goblet of wine in her hand, most of it on the table or herself.

“I think you’ve had enough to drink lass. I’ve already told you that if you’re going to cause trouble then you’re not welcome here.” the man chastised her. With that she went back to eating roasted meat and sipping her wine.

“We just need directions. To the Red Tulip…” One of the party said as they approached the bar.

Directions

“Ah. Well you can’t miss it. It may be closed now but if you have business with the proprietors of that place there is a key, a hidden one. But they may not take kindly to you using it. When you look to where the sun rises, you can see where the key is hidden above the buildings. It should be at the base somewhere but I am not quite sure.”

“Wait. The only thing that’s that way is the old Obelisk. The Tulip is on the other side of town.” The girl spoke up after a moment but caught herself. “Anyway. Thanks for the meal Rit’, it was as good as ever…” she said before standing and leaving.

“You best hurry if you want to reach the place you are searching. I heard they are closing shop.. tonight..” Ritley responded giving them a knowing look. “Your employer has already paid me, so just make sure that you keep your end of the bargain as I have now mine.”

Thoughts

Trying to keep it still slightly ambiguous, but I probably don’t need to as its beginning to be pretty obvious. Tomorrow night will reveal a bit more and then this weekend, maybe Saturday, I will have the full adventure published again with all the little bits and secrets.

Defence of Heartsfern

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The town of Heartsfern isn’t much more than a collection of houses localised together, a general store-come inn and a few smaller farming families. As there isn’t a standing guard, hasn’t had need of one for generations, or any form of fortification the thought of being under attack is distressing to say the least. It just so happens that the town has been visited by a group of heroes who may be their salvation.

The trees in the forest could offer resources in a pinch. However the guardians of the woods, the elves, may need to be convinced that their trees are worth sacrifices for the town. There is plenty of hay and stray bales that could work in makeshift defensive structures, as long as fire isn’t involved. The buildings themselves are sturdy and robust but not designed for the defence of Heartsfern.

The general store run by Shelly doesn’t have much but there are some who may know the art of fletching and who could make bows in a pinch. There is also farm tools a plenty.

Thoughts

This week we give the control over how the adventure runs to the player. Do they entreat the elves for safe passage or sanctuary for the villagers until the fight is over? Would requesting supplies and weapons or even aid from the elves be the best course of action? Do they create defensive structures or reinforce what’s already there? Or do they want to try and fight away from the town?

The choice is theirs. In fact with the choice going to them this gives us a variety of diverse reactions we can do for our encounter. I cant wait!

The Lands of Taloncrest

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The city to the bottom left of the map is where our adventure begins as we encounter the young prince Aarakocra and continue onwards. To the north of that we have a lake and a mountainous ridge, known as Taloncrest as within the cave systems and a sacred site to the Aarakocra’s lies Taloncrest itself. To the southeast of this, across a lake lies the hills where the king sits. This set of ruins amongst the hills speaks of a ill-fated human settlement that tried to conquer the area. After the land literally ate their settlement alive they headed further south out of the hills and colonised from there. Trading with the Aarakocra’s where it suited the avian folk.

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The Giant Kings Camp

Hills, rocks and ruins await those who live or enter these hills. Fabric tents, not more than a scrap of cloth on posts provide some shade for the giant and his kin. The ruins from a long lost age him that there was once something more here, but that’s lost to time.

The hills provide an interesting challenge of height, being lower provides shadows for blending in and sneaking, but having a height advantage gives those with dark vision, like the giant and his followers, an advantage as well. This wont be easy unless there is a surprise install those investigating the lands of Taloncrest.

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The Pines of Pine ridge

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The heavily wooded hills provide ample places for the party to hide and make ambushes for potential enemies. But the other way around is also viable. Hills with trees and bushes of varying sizes and heights provide a uneven and complex environment for the party to move through as well as to perceive threats. However a well worn path can be seen where several deep drag marks indicate the frequent movement of heavier items. Whoever made these tracks either wanted them to be seen or was in too much of a hurry to care.

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Thoughts

A great place for an ambush on the party or for the party. A series of skill checks to get here first (rangers provide this benefit for free – a pity point for them) can mean that the party arrive and have time to plan when there is one or two enemies around. But getting there later its a different story.

Tomorrow night we will look at the ins and outs around the encounter but also the creatures we are encountering this week. But On Saturday I will release another map for the final encounter of this weeks adventure – and its going to be chilling.