A small one tonight but introducing the Yuan-ti Scaleguard. These tougher more formidable humanoids have a thick layer of scale that covers most of their body. While not quite as corrupted as the Yuan-ti Malison they have similar abilities and can stretch their arms out like snakes to ensnare and constrict their targets.
So sit back, grab a coffee as we look deeper into this week’s encounter!
The Yuan-ti scaleguard are the bodyguard for the infiltrators and more powerful members of their kind. They have the ability to stretch out their arms to ensnare, strangle, constrict their prey. However using their bulk and ability to restrain targets they can also issue a powerful suggestion across them to ensure that they protect the more precious yuan-tis.
Able to spit poison at great distances they are not just limited to melee combat as they, like other yuan-ti work best from the shadows. Ambushing, deceiving and slipping their way into more advantageous situations by using their natural prowess.
Thanks for joining me tonight for a small update for this weeks adventure. Don’t forget tomorrow we will wrap this week up with a Zine so make sure to come back for that. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Tonight we look at a relatively simple stat block for something that has the front and centre spotlight this week – the Yuan-ti infiltrators. While not overly strong there is nothing to stop us adding stronger companions
So consider grabbing some anti-venom when picking up the coffee as we get a bit toxic in tonight’s encounter!
The party had expected to see some infiltrators but having seen this many it was obvious how much of a bad shape the city if Imgard was in. Dozens of men and women gathered around the fountain under the light and the party were confident that the bulkier Yuan-ti body guards were amongst the trees and away from prying eyes.
The infiltrators moved around and spoke casually amongst each other asking about each other about family, business or even the weather. This didn’t take long to catch on as some kind of code but that’s when the party were approached by a group. As the questions came out and the party did their best to answer the unmistakeable sense of unease washed over them. Something wasn’t right here.
The Yuan-ti infiltrators are not overly direct and will try and attack as a group or use their snake-like charm to get the party into an unfavourable position with their latent magical power. The guards will step in quickly enough and they are definitely more accustomed to combat than the infiltrators – but that remains to be seen as of now.
Thanks for slithering in to get a glimpse of the Yuan-ti encounter this week. Hopefully tonight gives just enough to see where this adventure is going but not to much that you would forgo looking at the Zine. So don’t forget that we will have the zine come out this weekend for this adventure, maybe more, so make sure you come back each remaining day of this week. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Tonight we have the Imgard Sanctum – a garden that pays respect to heroes that have been lost defending the people of Imgard. But it happens to be also a great meeting spot for those who are up to no good.
So as we close in on the infiltrators make sure to grab yourself a warm coat as we enter the Imgard Sanctum in tonight’s map!
The grave stones to the north of the area pay homage to the heroes once lost. These appear be graves but there are no bodies buried here – its just a memorial. The gardens were built around the memorials and have grown to be a place to reflect. However, many people use this as a place to meet to exchange information, goods or other nefarious things which has become its main use over the years.
A simple map using some of my favourite assets. A single texture with this one (for quick use) to create the grassy background and the night filter placed over the top makes it a bit darker. Two types of trees gives variety to create more visual appeal when looking at the repeated assets of the graves and tombstones. Lanterns on pillars and a fountain add another item to create both a light source as well as something to provide cover other than trees.
Small orbs of coloured light could reflect a magical effect or fire flies that flitter through the gardens at night. Either way the Imgard Sanctum was a fun and quick map to create.
Thanks for visiting tonight to find out more about the Imgard Sanctum. As we continue on the adventure this week we with the creature stat-blocks tomorrow night we inevitably get closer to the conclusion on the weekend. So don’t forget to come back the remaining days this week to stay up to date with what’s happening at my tabletop. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
As we reach the tipping point of this weeks adventure its only fair that we have the infiltrators identified. However, these individuals will not go down easily and even if one is identified the possibility of infiltrating their midst is very, very unlikely.
So grab your best disguise, settle down with a coffee as we kick off tonight’s adventure!
Infiltrators Identified
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Infiltrators Identified – Created in WordPress!?
The party had managed to track down the person they saw in the hall way outside of Lace’s room and using the information Lace had given them they believed them to be one of the infiltrators. The man in question was moving with haste down the empty streets with only the space lamplight to guide their way. Despite being a rough part of town that they travelled through the man they were following moved with a determined haste.
As they neared the man he quickly ducked into a doorway – just as swiftly the party hid from view and watched as he checked if he was being followed before entering quietly. A few moments later the party snuck up to the building and listened. ‘It’s going well. I have found the new faces of our cause since these ones’ usefulness is wearing off.’ a mans voice said. But, even as it spoke something changed within it. Gone was the masculinity and it was replaced with a lisp and feminine sound.
Looking through a small window they had to repress their shock when the face of the man they followed was shifting and melting off to reveal serpentine features beneath it, Yuan-ti’s. As they started to move away in shock a two towering figures stepped out from either side of the building and the door opened. It looks like they would have to talk or fight their way out.
As it turned out the Yuan-ti’s did not have talking in mind. Wishing to kill the party and assume their identity as a way of further infiltrating the groups trying to route them out. But they hadn’t accommodated for how powerful the party were or that they would be prepared for a fight. As the party secured the area and made sure that no one had seen the fight that occurred they scouted the room.
In a secret compartment in the table there was a stack of parchment. Details on the plans to infiltrate, who was being infiltrated and – more importantly – a meeting spot with a time and date. There was to be a gathering of the infiltrators in a few nights time within the city.
Armed with information and the semblance of a plan they disposed of the bodies and got ready for their next move.
Thanks for dropping in for tonight’s expansion to this adventure. Don’t forget that we will continue to expand this adventure each night this week. So don’t forget to come back each remaining day this week to stay up to date with how the adventure is expanding. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Tonight we meet Lace as he carefully constructs the persona that he needs everyone to see in what he calls, the dance of Lace. While not entirely forthcoming with information or some would also claim not entirely sane he is highly experienced at espionage and is normally acutely aware of what’s happening in the city. So he asking for help must mean something.
So sit down, grab a notebook as we take note of what’s been noticed happening so far within Imgard in tonight’s adventure!
The Dance of Lace
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The Dance of Lace – Created in WordPress!?
After climbing possibly the most noisy stairs in any tavern they have ever stayed at the party walked down the hall where a few well sized rooms lay for rent. As the party searched for a clue they locked eyes on something that glinted from under the door of one of the rooms. The party found themselves knocking on that door which upon inspection had another of the same coin that had been left on their table at the base of the door.
As the door swung open they headed inside and sat around a table at the centre of the small room. As the old man hurried around and closed doors and curtains his posture changed until he was walking more upright. In the lantern light within the room his features seemed to relax more and by the time he sat down he looked like he could be a young nobleman instead of an aged pauper which is who he had appeared to be but a few moments ago.
He had a medium length beard speckled with grey through his cheeks and neck but a long stream of grey hair ran around his mouth and past his chin. His eyes were sharp, blue and intelligent and his hair was greying and messy – almost deliberately messy enough to make sure anyone without a keen eye for details would overlook him for being homeless or destitute.
‘Sorry for the delay in reaching out to you. I had to be sure you were the not the ones we seek.’ he paused as if doubting his statement for a moment. Shaking his head lightly he continued. ‘You can call me Lace and I am a member of Imgard’s Harpers branch. We have been tracking a few individuals who we believed were the cause of several missing peoples. However, as we moved in on their location we found their bodies – dead for about as long as we were tracking them.’ he thumbed at his temples.
‘For the last few weeks we have seen those same individuals around the city, and had reports of them showing up elsewhere through the network. I can’t make heads or tails of it but I suspect that its not good news.’ he paused to watch their faces. ‘This is where you lot come in. Neutral eyes to route out the infiltrators. We suspect that they know who we are and are making us look like fools but they wont know you. Besides. Everyone who is going missing are new faces to town, adventurers and the like. You would be both bait and trap.’
After the party left the room after talking to Lace they managed to lock eyes momentarily with someone who was descending the stairs. They had not heard anyone travel up them and as they saw the pale faced man with dark hair they failed to hear him descend into the room below. As they made it to the first few steps of the stairs they protected loudly at even the lightest of they party as they stood on the well worn down wood. This may be something Lace had an answer for or a suspicion about.
Thanks for joining me to meet Lace and potentially one of the antagonists for this weeks adventure. Don’t forget that tomorrow we reveal the true plot behind this weeks adventure so make sure you come back for that. However, don’t forget that I also have expansions of this adventure coming for the rest of the week so don’t forget to come back each day to stay up to date with what’s happening. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
The city of Imgard has been known for its wealth of culture and diversity. However there is a new cause of an influx of people to this city with Infiltrators in Imgard appearing more and more often. The guard are powerless to stop the infiltration and have made a subtle call for aid amongst trusted channels.
So sit back, wait for the messenger for we are the infiltrators in Imgard with tonight’s adventure!
Imgard is the city of a hundred inns, taverns and pubs. Where all that you could want to sample is available and normally a price that the average sampler and purveyor of such goods would not be able to afford. However, there has been an increase in the illicit trade of ‘goods’ that are not deemed lawful to make within the walls of Imgard of late.
The guard are busy trying to bring down these crime rings while something darker slithers its way into the city. The guard have put out a call for aid to get to the bottom of a series of grisly murders and worse. Their role? Infiltrate the cult, group or gang that has infiltrated Imgard.
Infiltrators in Imgard
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The Wonky Mule Tavern – Created in WordPress!?
The party drunk “Kicking Mules” at the Wonky Mule while they ate and waited for the person who was going to offer them a job. The drink was watered down and infused with some unforeseen herb or plant that gave it a sweet and spicy taste.
As they waited the thick scent of roasting meat, damp wood and sweaty patrons mingled together to create the now-familiar smell of Imgard. The low ceiling seemed to amplify the low chatter of voices from across the room including traders boasting or lamenting on their recent exploits, mercenaries discussing a job and even thieves and ruffians talking about a different kind of job.
Over the last two days they had waited for their informant they had noticed a few regulars. An old man sat in the corner of the tavern and chewed on tobacco while telling a tale of how he lost his chance at glory when he was young. The Bartender and her twin brother rushed around taking brews, like the kicking mule, to patrons as well as dealing with any trouble makers themselves. Tall and burly the pair had enough combined scars to match any seasoned adventurer.
A man sat in a booth not far from the old man dressed in finery that was not fitting of the establishment. Yet he drank with a few questionable figures that dished out cards to each other as well as those desperate enough to join an obvious con artist and his companions.
The noise of the skill-less bard enthusiastically started to belt out his latest melody to anyone who would listen caused a welcome change of pace as a cloaked stranger tripped near the parties table and caught themselves on the sturdy wood. ‘Excuse me, must have had too much of the swill’ the man said before tossing them a single coin and heading up stairs with a drunken amble. The coin and the man were what they were waiting for.
Waiting for the song to finish the party followed suit and went up stairs to meet with their employer, someone who valued secrecy more than they did promptness it seems.
Thanks for joining me tonight to begin the journey in uncovering the infiltrators in Imgard. Don’t forget that I will expand this adventure each day this week as we continue through to Sunday. So make sure you don’t forget to come back to make sure you’re staying up to date with what’s happening at my tabletop. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
The party tonight face a horde of Kobolds, and potentially a dragon if the DM is feeling particularly spicy. Caves with Kobolds tends to end one of two ways and both involve a Fireball. But mixing up the regular kobold with some variants may make this a bit more challenging.
So grab a coffee, sit down and practice your draconian as we kick off tonight’s encounter!
Yipping Through the Tunnels
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The increase in yipping since the party had entered the main tunnel from the cave entrance had only just reached a cacophony of noise once the party had found the re-inhabited tents. The party were swarmed by kobolds in little more than their scales with daggers while others slung stones from the safety of the tents. Seldomly did a more impressive specimen appear clad in armour and a shield that attacks in a near knightly manor.
But through the waves of slashing kobolds a more grander one appeared backed by more that had several vials, potions and bags strapped to themselves. The other kobolds milled about them and it was easy to see it was these kobolds that rules over the others, that led them and commanded the defence of the cave.
Thanks for stopping in tonight to get an idea of this weeks encounter. Scalable for larger or more experienced parties Kobolds remain to this day one of my favourite thing to throw at parties. So don’t forget that we will wrap up this adventure this weekend with more tabletop content. Also don’t forget to come back this weekend for the end of week Zine and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Tonight we uncover the main body of the Gorthhollow Peak Cave map as the party travel deeper into the winding cave they find something that’s in a bit better condition than the outer structures. But the new residents are less than impressed with visitors.
So sit back, grab a coffee as we delve deeper into tonight’s map!
The party had pushed passed the wooden structures that had been burnt and smashed apart and were passing deeper into the cave system. Finding the right path was not too difficult as various creatures had been left to defend the path as well as frequent traps. The smell increased but so did the noise – a kind of Yipping that carried through the caves.
Kobolds.
The party pressed on as a clan of Kobolds this size could post a threat if one of their larger cousins, a dragon, were to take interest in the cave system. And with so many willing servants to tend to its needs it could threaten a wider area than a cave full of goblins. As they pressed deeper they came to a wider cavern that had several lava tubes that connected to the outside much further up, based on the light and presence of a breeze.
As they looked around several goblin tents were current teeming with kobolds and their animal pets. Large scorpions, spiders, a dire wolf and other creatures were caged or tied to the tents as the kobolds went about their business. It appears like the party found the heart of those who had displaced the goblins deep within the Gorthhollow Peak cave.
A rather simple map with a few different textures this week. The main call out is the pre-made tents that fitted well with the theme of this adventure as well as the cave walls that made it a lot easier. Some interesting other art assets for points of interest (like a cave in and some treasure) as well as a main central loot horde – perhaps a potential offering or established horde for a dragon – this cave is pretty scalable to what the party could need it for.
Thanks for stopping by tonight for another map. Don’t forge that the week isn’t over so make sure to come back over the next few days. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
As far as one-shots go this one is turning out a bit bigger than normal with the new residents of the peaks being discovered. While not too dissimilar from Goblins these new kids on the block are perhaps just as dangerous but its not just them that the party have to worry about.
So sit down, grab a coffee and let’s tack down tonight’s adventure!
New Residents of the Peaks
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New residents of the peaks – created in WordPress!?
It wasn’t long until the party had left Wyrehaven that Sven rode up along side them. ‘Jin thought you could do with some local help so has asked me to accompany you. Also it means that I can report back anything else we discover for the sake of the guards.’ he explained as he started to take the rear guard for the party. The guards had provided them with horses, not the best but they would make do where they didn’t have their own beasts to carry them.
The party had been travelling for only a few hours when they found evidence of the goblins pretty easily as they left many of the dying or wounded behind in their attempt to retreat back to where they came from. Following the trail left behind from the goblins until night fall. It appeared that not all the goblins who were left behind died like the ones they had been finding.
After a brief encounter with some desperate but no longer blinded goblins they had a rough sleep and decided to inspect the bodies of the goblins when they had light to do so. Looking for a sign of infection, disease or something else manipulating the creatures they found some of the goblins had puncture wounds like that of a spider or snake bite in irregular places. Others had healing cuts, gashes or bruises that were the sign of fighting – perhaps from the party but some appeared older.
Mulling over the information as they rested they welcomed dawn and continued in the direction they were heading, stopping to check the trail when they could but keeping a good time as they moved onwards. Eventually after another uncomfortable nights sleep they came to the foot of the mountains where a small goblin camp could be seen amongst the trees at the bottom. Up above were signs of a goblin village in a large open mouthed cave but even from here the party could tell there were no goblins in the caves.
The camp was deserted, recently so based on what they had left and more strange tracks were found. Some were from beasts like lizards, giant spiders and even some similar to a large wolf but there were others. Similar in size to a goblin but different all the same. Following the tracks they were led to the gave where the goblins once lived and immediately they could tell something had moved in.
Many of the goblin huts had been ripped, burnt or otherwise destroyed leaving shells and refuse of where they once were. Bones of goblins and of other small humanoids were littered throughout the room, gnawed clean of any meat and cracked open to ensure nothing had gone to waste. There was also the stench. A heady aroma of pungent musk and something metallic and sulfuric blended through which was almost enough to make the party gag.
What ever had driven the goblins out was setting in its roots and if it had disrupted a healthy goblin clan it could not be good news for the party or near by civilised settlements.
Not an overly uncommon one this week but moving from lots of goblins to something else as the main antagonist can keep the party guessing. The list of what could kick a goblin clan out of their cave and drive them to desperate measures is quite numerous. But we have something that should cater for most party levels this week. So don’t forget to come back each day this week to stay up to date and lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Tonight we meet Sven Ironwrought the middle son of a family of blacksmiths who needed to set himself apart from his talented brother and sister. So like most boys with trained muscles from years of bending iron to their wills he tried his hand at being a guard for caravans, wagons and merchants.
So join come and join Sven as he talks to the Iron Gauntlet captain in tonight’s adventure!
Sven Ironwrought
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Sven Ironwrought and Jin from the Iron Gauntlet Company – Created in WordPress!?
The party walked through the gates of Wyrehaven not long after encountering the merchants and their guard, Sven Ironwrought. As they travelled the party discussed the normal hostile parties that they see on the road, where to find work and the best places to go for gear for adventurers and the like.
As they bid farewell to the merchants; Sally, Gabe and Roy, they followed Sven towards the Iron Gauntlet’s barracks, the cities own guard and militia headquarters. Waiting in the entrance for a few minutes Sven returned to them after going to talk to the captain the party were privy to many rumours and gossip.
As the guard Sven returned he walked next to a short woman with short cropped hair and calculating, tired eyes. As they stopped in front of the party the woman addressed them. ‘I am Captain Jin. I have heard of the reports of the goblin attack. I assume you will agree with me in saying that the goblins attacking during the day and this far away from their normal haunts.’ she looked towards Sven who nodded in agreement.
‘Aye, I don’t remember seeing goblins this far from the mountains before. I remember a few teams of adventurers going out to quell them last time they were getting a bit too much.’ Sven.
After a moment of thought. ‘I would like to offer you lot a job. Go and investigate why the goblins have come so far from their homes. It could be dangerous if they keep attacking, and something feels off about it. We can reward you handsomely for your troubles and see that you have supplies before you head off if you’re willing to take up this offer?’
Thanks for joining me tonight for a short and sweet introduction to Sven Ironwrought and Jin. Tomorrow finds us exploring what’s really going on with the Goblins before we get into the meaty bits towards the end of the week. So don’t forget to come back daily to stay up to date with the adventure and lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Brazen Wolfe Tabletop 