Ambush in the Snow

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Werewolf

Stronger than there verminous brethren in the cause the werewolves will launch a volley from their longbows during a surprise round before charging across the snow at the humans – shifting as they charge.

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Wererat

The wererats are a bit more cowardly than the werewolves – likely to use their turn to move and launch a volley from their crossbows as opposed to charging into melee. When the battle turns against them they will shift into a giant rat and try to escape into the snow, digging if needed.

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The Mountain King and The Monster

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The Mountain King

The Mountain king, self proclaimed obviously, is a vicious but ever so slightly cunning Stone giant. Keen on expanding his territory he made a deal with a Chimera to protect and assist in his conquests.

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The Monster

The monster of the mountain king, a Chimera, is vain, greedy and stubborn – all the normal traits of one of her species. However she has learnt that being in the employ of another creature isn’t all that bad.

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The Hunter Knight

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The Hunter of Squires…

The metriacanthosaurus is more than just a big name. A large beast with useful forearms this creature was a vicious and fast creature. Whilst not as big as a T-rex or as agile as a velociraptor these creatures were brutal and large enough to pick up humans within their jaws.

Adept at hunting and stalking their prey these creatures are fast and shouldn’t be underestimated.

The Hunter Knight – Rebeka and Charger

The hunter knight herself, Rebeka and her faithful companion, Charger come into focus this week. A stalwart night that buffs her allies and is brutal while mounted and a creature that is defensive and loves to charge towards larger predators.

The Pachyrhinosaurus is a large crested dinosaur, a ceratopsian, a beaked dinosaur with a large bony crest. A relative of the Triceratops these creatures faced their aggressors head on with horns and their sheer strength.

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The Stone Beasts

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Encounter in the forest

This week is about ambushes in the forest. Tonight in particular we have the skilled lizardfolk ambushing the party as they venture close to a water source and then an attack by a lone Cockatrice as they recover from their encounter later that night.

The lizardfolk are fearsome warriors. Attacking from a range with Javelins before engaging in melee these creatures fight for both survival and food. The Brute will wade into the front lines and use its bulk and strength to try and break the defences of the party. While the other Lizardfolk would harass and act like flankers for their larger cousin.

The cockatrice on the other hand is a bit of flavour with a dangerous undertone. It should either act like a red herring for the source of the stone statues OR it will make them think of what else it could be. Either way I think its a good addition to this weeks encounter.

Stone Lair Guardians

This one is harder, the younger and the older basilisk. I would like to think its a mated pair or a parent and child that are defending their lair but any narrative would do. One of each though for a party of level 7 adventurers or it will be too much.

Attacking quicker the smaller basilisk maybe will be over zealous, or as the lore of the basilisk goes the older they get the more sluggish they become. Relying on ambushing their prey rather than running them down. However there is a very real risk of death with this encounter so the party best beware.

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Martial Champions contest

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

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

The Bout

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

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

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

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

Thoughts

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

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Uncovering the Secrets of the Keep

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

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

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

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

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

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The Gnolls of Yeenoghu

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The Gnolls of Yeenoghu

The Bloodhunt pack is normally gnolls and hyenas. But where the hyenas sup from tainted flesh and the corrupting energies aren’t quite right enough then other variations emerge. The energy being too strong then Witherings and Pack lords are born. Even Chosen of Yeenoghu can be created – however it is not always the case.

The scholars have recorded different variants of gnolls where under the right conditions, and given the right prey, gnolls fit for a purpose can be created.

Gnoll Stalkers

This sees the Gnoll stalker born. Small, about the size of a goblin or halfling but quiet and lethal these hunters and scouts of the bloodhunt are lethal. They ambush their prey with a volley of arrows before closing in to feast on their flesh.

Due to their size and being seen as lesser beings of Yeenoghu only Hyena’s tolerate being around them. The larger gnolls and even giant Hyena’s treat them as prey and fodder when no civilised race is within sight to bully or slaughter.

Gnoll Called to Yeenoghu

When a particularly favoured Giant Hyena feasts on a particularly tainted meal they have the chance to be called into Yeenoghu’s service. Whilst different to a gnoll, fang of Yeenoghu who can create gnolls much in the same way that their demon spawn-father created the first gnolls these gnolls are heralds to the demon in another way. The uncontrolled bloodlust and hunger for destruction reigns true for these creatures. However strong, powerful and desiring destruction they lack the cunning of other leaders of the bloodhunt and are seen as more shocktroops.

Closer in size to bugbears and ogres these creatures wade into battle and use their strength to bully and controll the smaller races.

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The Devil in your dreams

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The Devil in your dreams

The Dream Devil is a simple creature. Not as powerful in magic or combat as some of its larger more imposing brethren it seeks to wear out its prey over days and weeks instead of moments of intense combat. Using its abilities to get its opponents to sleep it then targets them with more lethal attacks, believing that its able to win through its cunning rather than power.

It will try and disguise itself and have the party confused as to what they are dealing with. Utilising both its illusion magic and legendary actions it will begin to look like its opponents, or innocent creatures, before changing something subtle about the environment. If it can’t create an opening with illusion it will blanket the area in darkness, calm emotions or simply put many creatures to sleep in order to make its escape, set up its next attack or go in for the kill.

The Dream devil is a lethal combatant and even its touch has a potent magic on it. The most stalwart of warriors having to fight against the magical compulsion else they fall asleep.

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