D&D5e Compatible

Martial Champions contest

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Welcome to another Friday night where we look at the Contestants of the Martial Champions contest. These contestants have proven themselves worthy to partake in the contest and all of them are honourable. Well most of them are. But some of that will be covered tonight, and the rest on the weekend! So join me as we glimpse at the contestants. So sit back, grab a coffee and let’s roll into tonight’s adventure!

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!

Thanks for dropping by tonight for another warmup for this weekends contest! As we get ever closer to the weekend, one more sleep, I have busy weekend at the tabletop. So don’t forget to visit again this weekend for more glorious hobby and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Finchford Arena

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Thursday night is here and we are back to Inkarnate as we look at a the basic Finchford Arena! Now this two layered arena has a few things to offer, the crowds that is. Ample vantage points and many angles to watch the combatants brawl and cut their way to victory. However despite being a contest for swordsmanship the many view points offers opportunities for external influence. Whether beneficial or otherwise remains to be seen. So grab a coffee, sharpen your pencil and let’s look at tonight’s map!

Finchford Arena

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Entrants ready, fight! – Finchford Arena

So this week is all about the fights that go on as the party work out how and what they can do. Each party member will have the opportunity to partake in the contest somewhere but only one will enter the arena.

Now without giving it away there are a few stages to the arena fight but they all take place in the fenced off arena. In fact the party will be present for the majority of them unless they mysteriously don’t attend one of the rounds. But there may be an angry crowd to content with if they aren’t present.

Finchford Arena – Created in Inkarnate

Now there are steps going up to a raised platform, 20 feet above the arena floor. This gives a quick, nimble combatant an advantage if they can get the high ground early – or for those unaware of their opponents whereabouts a significant disadvantage. This map favours those who can keep track of their opponent as well as utilise the simple terrain.

Thanks for joining me again tonight. Another short one tonight preparation for a tournament zine this weekend. So if your party is wanting to flex their muscles don’t forget to come back for the last few days this week for the closing additions. Also with the weekend fast approaching don’t forget to set aside some time for your tabletop and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Backer

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This Wednesday twist night features the backer of the party to compete in the tournament as well as some underhanded dealings. The intent isn’t so much to set the party up but to have a distraction sufficient enough that the real plan can go ahead. Curious? Well we best grab a coffee, sit down and let’s roll into tonight’s adventure!

The Backer

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The stands were as loud as thunder as they cheered for the combatants that entered the stage. The Contest of Martial Champions was by far the crowd favourite for all the events that they ran at the Finchford Fair and Festival. Each year different cities and towns would submit one warrior amongst their own to contend. In fact each warrior would have to undertake trials and prove their worth to participate. One by one these tried and tested warriors were called to the platform. Heralded by a crier who called out their achievements and praise to the adoration, and dislike, from those in the crowd. Caught up in the masses the party stood by and watched as the stage filled. Those who had not gone through the trials were never allowed to participate.

As the announcer continued on a hush wafted over the crowd. “And this year we have a late contender. One that has been sponsored in full by a party that wishes to be unknown. This person has travelled many miles, slain countless foes to the good people of this land. In fact they even recently stopped an undead dragon in our very own Thrall Keep. Let’s welcome the mighty… ” and as the crowd erupted into cheers, heckling and a pang of confusion wafted across the voices one of the party was called to the stage.

Masterminds at work

Two figures from the crowd watched as the sudden adventurer was called. However they weren’t cheering or booing this new contender. Instead they watched and smiled. As they watched the procession and the mixture of emotions spread across those gathered one of the existing participants glanced their way and nodded. The message give and received in a single gesture that their plan was in action.

Thoughts

This weeks twist is about the plan of the Wolf and the Doe being in acted. I have planned that the sudden and surprise entrance of the party member. I have, by separating the sponsor from the party created a situation where the party is at a loss as to why they are there. In fact I hope that this confusion leads to some great Role play as well as a duel style combat. However, I think the schemes of the nefarious duo will throw a few spanners in the works. Of which I will unravel on Friday when the format and style is gone over.

I would like to thank you once again for visiting tonight. By spending some time and joining me as I create this adventure it helps refine and share my craft. As many DMs will tell you hours upon hours go into a single evening adventure. My goal is to share adventures and my format with as many people as possible. In this way I hope to inspire a new generation of DMs. However, I can’t do this without people reading and sharing my blog – so thank you.

Now with the weekend coming I have some plans for my own tabletop. Finishing a few units for my Hedonites of Slaanesh army being first and foremost. The second is working out a way to transport these beautiful models so I don’t break them. A lot of effort, well for me, has gone into painting them so far and I would hate to damage that. So don’t forget to keep an eye out for updates on these minis! And, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Players of the Game

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Tonight we bring the Players of the Game, the Wolf and the Doe for this NPC Tuesday for us to meet. I have chosen two very soft, inviting NPC portraits this week to help with the task at hand. What ever needs doing to drive an exciting story. Sometimes a face is all you need and these two have that quality in the bag. So let’s meet this so called Wolf and Doe and roll into the adventure!

Players of the Game

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Imran Colderbek

Imran Colderbek – Created in Artbreeder

No stranger to people, Imran is about as calculating as they come. Despite getting by with her looks and appearance she houses an intelligence, an animalistic cunning that gives her the nickname “the Wolf”. Despite being beautiful by most races’ standards, Imran is also a skilled combatant and has rarely, if ever, found herself an opponent that can measure up to her skill.

When she isn’t on a job and focusing on the next big win, a rare occurrence, she takes time away from it all. Prone to letting herself into abandoned manors, or using her charm and manipulative nature to make a manor abandoned she can make a home just about anywhere. As long as it’s up to her high standards and has at least four bedrooms to choose from.

But her background is anything but the fabulous life she lives now. Born as the lovechild to a maid in a nobleman’s household, she was kept a secret for many years. However due to a hereditary birthmark that was revealed when she was playing with her unknown sisters and brothers the infidelity was revealed. Instead of taking ownership of the situation the nobleman had her mother fired and murdered. Imran managed to escape through her grit and determination to survive but the invisible wounds of her fathers betrayal never left her.

Revenge

He was the first one she would target with her wrath. However it wasn’t until she met Anton that she had a convincing way to pull off her plan. Together they managed to convince her father to entrust Anton with their fortune before disappearing with it. Imran watched with glee as her father had everything he prided himself on ripped away like he did to her. The loss of a mother was replaced with the loss of an empire.

Anton Purlsun

Anton Purlsun- Created in Artbreeder

Now not to be confused with his business partner, The Wolf, Anton is the Doe to the deadly Duo. Soft spoken, eloquent and gentle to a fault he will talk his way out of any situation before resulting to violence. Fond of bribery, only to steal it back later, he has one of those faces, voices and personalities that can see him get just about anywhere, anytime and get away with whatever he wants.

His story is a cliché one. Grew up with a loving family in a manor as heir to a large fortune his life was perfect. Well almost perfect. In fact his inquisitive nature and ability to persuade people to trust and believe him led him to discover something. The discovery that his parents weren’t his real parents. They were con-artists who were after his fortune and that he wasn’t the real heir after all.

Now a teenager when he found out this he made the bold choice to follow on with the ruse, pretending he knew nothing. But slowly he drove his fake parents apart, got them doubting each other’s intentions until the fateful day that they murdered each other. Now left an orphan, an incredibly rich orphan, he would inherit the wealth of his false heritage. Except the real heir showed up with undeniable proof that Anton was a fake. Now penniless and worth nothing he struck out by himself only to meet someone else scorned by the higher classes. A Wolf in a Doe’s clothing.

Combatants, Contestants and Contenders

Various NPC Portraits – All created in Artbreeder.

Thoughts

Now I have a great idea for this weeks NPCs. As you can expect the festival would have tournaments that the party would be encouraged to attend. This would see a wide variety of NPCs come to visit the town and with these NPCs brings new faces. However we are not using new faces tonight. We have Nine NPCs from my previous adventures that can all be re-used for adventures such as tonight. The great thing about having hundreds of NPC portraits that you have created before is that you never really run out of a face to put a name to when your Party asks “what do they look like..”

Thanks for joining me tonight for another NPC Tuesday. Each night this week, like all weeks, we will continue to expand this adventure with more content so keep coming back daily. For more tabletop updates and for further additions to this weeks adventure I will see you each night. But as the days get colder, well in my part of the world, try not to forget to set aside time for your tabletop someplace warm. And, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Festival fever at Finchford

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As this week’s Monday welcomes another week near Finchford we welcome the Festival fever at Finchford and the chaos and excitement that it brings! So without delaying any longer let’s grab a coffee, sit down and roll on with the adventure.

Festival fever at Finchford

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Finchford Outskirts- Created in Nightcafe.

The Game

With all these people around it was easy to move around unhindered. The joyous shouts of victory, the laughter, the sadness of a crowd favourite falling at the last hurdle. All of it was covered for the biggest score of their life. However despite the ease of how it was going this was not the first time that they had worked together. In fact working together brought the most out of them and they each knew how to play the game.

Keep one hand open for the players to see, a few cards for your allies to see but keep just as many cards hidden from all. That’s the way to win the game and they both knew this. The Wolf and the Doe – an effective team of thieves, con artists and if the job called for it they could handle even dirtier work. But today, this blessed week of games and merriment, there were competitions to rig, pockets to dip into and purses to steal.

The Keep

After the business at Thrall keep had died down, festival fever at Finchford was in full swing. Merchants were sporting new wares both exotic and local craftsmanship. The city was the busiest it had been in years and everyone was going to make the most of it. For adventurers such as the party there were tests of skill, power, strength, cunning and dexterity a-plenty with hefty rewards and prizes for those who rose above the rest.

It was a time of relaxation and celebration and for those who had uncovered the secrets of Thrall keep it was a time of expectation of their abilities. In fact, they had set the benchmark high, people and other adventurers looked at them like either worthy opponents or threats to their claim of the prize. Maybe it wouldn’t be a relaxing week after all.

Thoughts

A good old fashioned tournament week! One of the earliest adventures I remember was where we had to work our way up from nothing. Dad had just con’d out PCs with some illusion magic, janky illusion magic mind you, and we had lost all of our gear, gold and equipment. Participating in a tournament of skill with a little bit of underhandedness thrown in was a great way to learn other aspects of the game. So this week as the festival fever at Finchford reaches an escalation point the party have two adventures in one.

Thanks for joining me tonight to get a look at the next, almost continuation of our adventure last week in Finchford. Tomorrow we meet this Wolf and Doe and maybe a few other faces with our NPC night. So don’t forget to come back tomorrow for another night of adventure, and as always don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Enthralled by the Past

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Tonight and I have created another zine for this weeks adventure, Enthralled by the Past. This adventure can be used system agnostic as we explore other RPGs out there other than D&D. So please adjust to what ever creatures you are using in your adventure! However as always Kobold fight club can be used to quickly balance an encounter for Dungeons and Dragons and Tetra-cube currently provides the stat-blocks for creatures in this adventure.

So I hope you enjoy this weeks adventure, Enthralled by the Past. If you like this format please let me know and I hope you enjoy.

Enthralled by the Past

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The City of Finchford was a midway point to just about nowhere, and everywhere. Settled on the beginning of a large plain the flat land surrounding the city’s immediate location provided ample room for farming and expansion. However the true wealth of this city lay in the hills beyond the farms, fences and walls.

Gold, silver and even a rich platinum deposit had enticed dwarves to move here years ago. Those dwarves then sold their ore and weapons to the people of the village of Finchford. Soon  a city was born from the prosperity between the two races and there was a time of development and peace. However, it was short lived.

Soon the need arose for a standing guard, an army, to be near Finchford. The local nobility had the grandiose idea to create a kingdom here and so the land became engulfed in war. This war gave birth to an order of knights the land had not seen. The Parn Dragoons were born from this conflict and for many years their power was undisputed.

Finchford

Finchford – Created in nightcafe.

The party gaze at the city of Finchford as they continue their ride towards its large gates. Farmland stretches for miles around the city and the sheer size of it dwarfs many that the party have seen in the past. As they descend the last of the hills and head towards Finchford’s heart the land evens out. However, to the east of the city a few mountains rise and at this distance a large ruin can be seen looking over the surrounding land. 

This towering ruin sits like an ancient guardian looking down upon the folk of Finchford, silent and still except for birds flying near the peak of a tower.

PDF adventure – Enthralled by the Past

Enthralled-by-the-pastDownload

Thanks for joining me tonight for another Zine. Next time you get a party together consider running this adventure and I hope that you enjoy it.

I hope you don’t miss a thing so come back daily in the coming week. This is so you can experience the creation of the next adventure as it evolves and shapes out. And as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Uncovering the Secrets of the Keep

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Fright night brings the attention of the party to the group uncovering the secrets of the keep. Instead of a typical front-on combat this one is filled with magic. So it will be prone to being unbalanced which can make it harder for us. The task we have is staging the combat. We need it to feel like one fluid encounter but having it go through phases or stages. This will help balance it out without making it too difficult, I hope. So join me at this brief glimpse at the encounter this week tonight. Sit back, grab a coffee and let’s roll into tonight’s adventure!

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.

Mercenary Mage – Created in Tetra-cube.
Ryan Peller – Created in Tetra-cube.

Thanks for dropping by tonight. This weekend we will delve deeper in uncovering the secrets of the keep but until then we can only wait. This weekend is another adventure filled one for me and as we roll closer to the tournament season for me warhammer will take over. But the blog will always continue! So don’t forget to use this weekend for more glorious hobby and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Approaching Thrall Keep

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The shadow of the Thrall Keep covering Finchford City, the dangers of the woods and then the hike up to the ruins is what lies in wait when the party being approaching thrall keep. This Thursday night brings a few inspirational points to help guide the encounter and adventure. Instead of maps that can restrict imagination let it flow this week. So sit back, grab a coffee and enjoy the inspiration flow below!

Approaching Thrall Keep

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Approaching Thrall Keep

The decision to approach the keep is one that the party will need to make. To trigger this though the party would need a reason to begin.

“A rumbling came through the floor. At first the party thought it was the dragging of a stool for a bar fight but even the combatants ceased their hostility and waited. Listening. Moving outside Marie was close in front of the party when the great beating of wings could be heard and the silhouette of a large dragon appeared in front of the moonlit clouds. A dragon, as Marie has claimed, had appeared to take up residence in the ruins. However the party felt something was odd in the way it moved, the movements felt disjointed as if the creature wasn’t well. It flew with too infrequent wing beats to keep its large frame aloft.

Yes, something wasn’t right.

Marie bit her thumb and frowned “That’s no dragon,” she muttered under her breath as the other inhabitants of Finchford appeared in the street and began to flee in panic. “Something’s not right here..” she said as she turned to the party“

Thrall keep view from the behind the pillars – Created in nightcafe

The Forest

Now the approach to the keep lies under a heavily wooded path that leads up towards the keep. I find this is a great spot for an ambush of either diggers pretending to be bandits or creatures of the woods.

Perhaps an encounter with a friendly denizen of the forest who accuses the party of being part of the others who travel the path. Giving clues to what lies at the end of the journey as well as what is going on.

Finchford Woods – created in nightcafe

The Keep

Now I believe the keep should have high parts and lows. Places to hide and sneak through the entire ruins if desired as well as open places for combat. Broken walls could expose higher levels to climb into for an advantage. Uneven ground could give a disadvantage to people fighting across the ruins and even discarded tools and weapons could be hazards.

However the people that current work here, they are the ones to watch out for and the party would need to have a solid plan in dealing with them before engaging the group.

Thrall Keep under moon – created in nightcafe

Thanks for joining me tonight. A shorter one this week as I wanted to focus on preparation for a tournament tonight. But this weekend I will look to include some new and old maps in the end of week Zine. So don’t forget to come back fro the last few days and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Unearthing the Past

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Wednesday has come and tonight we have an exciting one where we flash forward to the party visit the ruins as a group continues Unearthing the Past. This will see the party investigate the sights, find the people behind it and come face to face with the dragon. So grab a coffee, sit down and let’s roll into tonight’s adventure!

Unearthing the Past

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Rhyan Peller – created in Artbreeder

The sound of metal tools colliding with stone could be heard from a few hundred feet away. In fact the once thought to be quiet ruins was not quiet at all. As the party assumed there was more than just undead at ruins. The party crept closer; they wondered how such a volume of noise and people could go undetected. In fact from a distance the entire keep itself was dark and foreboding and silent as the grave. As they crept up towards the keep they moved silently. Bush to bush, behind rocks and shattered stone work they passed slowly and carefully. Eventually they stopped in the shadow of the ruins as they came across new constructs.

Small knee height pillars that were constructed from dark wood and capped with a dark metal, likely lead. Each one gave off a faint arcane feel but none revealed what it could be. However the moment they passed the pillars they marvelled at what lay in front of them.

Dozens of humans and creatures moved around the ruins. Great balls that glowed like moonlight hung suspended in the air around the walls shedding light around them. The orbs, driftglobes, revealed a great number of people excavating the ruins. In fact from the look of things, they had been here for some months toiling in secret.

Leaders of the excavation

“We found something!” a voice sang from deeper in the ruins. Immediately people flooded away from the walls and external ruins towards the commotion. The party lucky to go undetected so far watched as several robed people stood from concealed places near the driftglobes. The robed strangers moved towards the call but waited in place, obviously watchmen for the work here.

The party crept closer, daring to move now when everyone was distracted to uncover the truth of the ruins. Looking through a small hole in the wall, a doorway most likely, a large internal courtyard revealed that the people here had been unearthing the past. “What have you found?” a young woman with a shock of vibrant, flowing hair asked as she approached the ruins of the outer wall.

“We think… It’s the dragon…” the voice responded as the crowd parted for the woman to walk forward. The party gazed upon the broken body of a large adult dragon still covered in muted red scales that had lay crushed under the remains of a tower.

Thanks for visiting tonight for the reveal of the week. Whilst not fully revealed yet I can’t have us uncovering the past of the keep this early on in the week. So this weekend we will continue on our excavating of the content and reveal more as we look at the map, encounter and end of week zine to come. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for more content and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Watchers of the Keep

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Tuesday is here and as the dragon rises from the keep, or perhaps it doesn’t, there are those who simply bear witness and those who are watchers of the keep. While this week is about mystery, undead dragons and meat that’s suspiciously not lamb there are a few key NPCs that the party will want to encounter. This week is about them as much as it is fire breathing lizards. So to meet these characters we better settle in, grab a coffee roll into the adventure!

Watchers of the Keep

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Marie Turnburke

Marie Turnburke – Created in Artbreeder

Born and raised in Finchford, Marie is the owner of The Five Fat Ravens Tavern. Once an adventurous youth she gave up on her dreams of exploration and uncovering mysteries and settled on feeding those who lived them. Business was good in Finchford and soon she had one of the more successful inns that was nearly booked out every week. Her food was a hit amongst the patrons but having a small stage for wandering bards is what really brought in the customers.

Live music, hearty food and tales of adventure was the theme of Marie’s inn. However despite her not pursuing her dream of adventure she still got to experience it. Living in the shadow of the ruins of the kings of old, the Dark Thrall Keep ruins had its perks. Many adventurers explore caves and the ancient forests in the area and the populace of the town always meant that there was adventure nearby. But darker tidings came with the proximity of the ruins and Marie kept a watchful eye on the empty battlements. And the sky.

James Herkorn

James Herkorn- Created in Artbreeder

Known as Jim in the town of Finchford James Herkorn is a curious man who always has his eyes on the skies. When not working the cities market square he can be found reading legends of old. A bit of a hermit and recluse Jim will occasionally be seen in bars listening to adventurers and buying them drinks. A gatherer of knowledge and stories he seems to believe that these titbits of information are worth more than the items sold through the market.

Thoughts

Now I have a good feeling about not only this weeks adventure but how Finchford is growing into something more. While the call to create a city of scale in Inkarnate is strong I don’t think time allows – but if there would be a city for it then Finchford would be it. Near ruins, forests, caves and a high populace is a recipe for constant, local adventure and a ‘billboard’ style adventure could be something I could create here.

Thanks for joining me tonight to meet Marie and Jim. This week we expand our adventure onwards as we look at the cause of the sightings tomorrow night and the maps of this weeks adventure. So don’t forget to come back for these expansions. As the weeks progress I am also painting more slaanesh and as my first unit of blissbarb archers near completion a little painting montage will have to be a theme this week. So keep coming back for mote tabletop updates and, try not to forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe