Welcome to another Monday, plot and hook night where this week revolves around the confrontation between the party and their hunt for the dark master through the Shadows maze like citadel.
Shadows Maze
246MoShMa
The party scurried forth towards the heart of the citadel. Or at least that’s what they had thought atleast. The citadel was a tangled mess of halls and tunnels. The halls were obviously well crafted at some point but tunnels were dug between halls.
The halls were largely barren and empty as were the tunnels. Occasionally they would witness a screaming wounded oni being dragged down a hall before disappearing into a tunnel.. But otherwise the minions of the Shadow were frantic. Their movements, organisation and coordination were disorganised and hasty as if anxious or fearful. They did have an army at their front doorstep and their master was weak or so the vision had indicated so.
The party were running out of time but they were getting nowhere fast. They would have to find a way to the dark master soon before it was too late.
The very human cries and screams brought them to their present moment and without a moment to lose they took off down a well used hall. Eventually they began to notice a pattern for the tunnels as some lead to new rooms, hallways, dead ends of refuse pits. As they were approaching what smelt like a refuse pit they heard the muffled screams again in the tunnel. Venturing forth they found a well concealed secondary tunnel, unlike the others to date, perhaps, which lead to a large chamber with cages and cells built into the wall. A large ogre stood in the middle of the room brandishing a whip as it lashed out at humans pleading for mercy.
The ogre stopped flaying a middle aged man and looked up towards the party. The look of shock was quickly replaced by a stupid grin and malicious twinkle in its eye. The Shadow would have to wait.
Thoughts.
A creature as strong and ancient like Shadow would surely have an defensible position within the mountain. Oni, in this campaign, are very similar to a familiar goblinoid; the hobgoblin.
Like these foreign creatures the Oni of Ryokughan live in tunnels and have a warren of them to live in. It’s part defensive tactic, part disorganisation and effective for gaining an advantage against their opponents.
A short one this week as there is more to come in the coming days. So don’t forget to come back each day this week to see how the campaign ends. Tomorrow we look at the NPCs for this week which sets us up for secondary hook and the map for the adventure. Don’t forget that we’ve made it through 11 months of this campaign and and feedback is great, and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Welcome to another end of week writeup where we look towards the citadel known as The Shadows Throne. This week our party moves towards a hidden path into the shadows Throne, or the front door, and prepare to confront the being that has haunted them for almost a year now. So sit back, have a cup of coffee and lets catch up on what was created this week.
The party stared at the sheets of paper in front of them. The small droplets of blood that clung to the parchment left a trail as they slid to the ground. The letters, maps and notes that lay out infront of them revealed a side yo the Oni that they hadnโt seen. And one they wished they hadnโt.
Diagrams for a ritual in a large antechamber were revealed. A large altar or pedestal looked to be in a large bowl or recession in the chamber. The drawings indicated sacrifice of spirit folk, oni, humans and other races deemed lower than the oni.
The ritual looked to be one of creation. Binding bones, flesh and blood together to form a new body for something. The ritual pages finished here but there other pages that looked to be schematics for a fortress within a mountain. It mapped plans for guard rotations as well as the hidden path for escaping the citadel in case of emergencies.
Taking the plans, Gin and the surviving members of the plan they head back to the wall. The captain, Kyoko and the messenger for Kuang were all eagerly waiting for the party when they arrived.
After some time they started discussing what it could mean in hurried conversation before they turned to the party for advice.
The creature stirred from the warm granite and ash on the stone floor. Slowly the nerves in its muscles fired and it pushes its face from the ground and looked up at the creatures that served it. They stood around it in reverence, not wanting to be the first to approach the fallen figure that had, until this moment, lay crumpled on the ground.
โMaster. The humans. They have pushed us from the wall. I.. er.. some of the others feared you had fallen and ordered a retreat.โ A large, although cowardly, oni spoke as it shuffled forward towards the large humanoid figure. โWhat would you have us do? We may be able to rally the spirit folk and have them take back the ground we lost when the ice witch..โ his speech was cut short as the creatures hand shot forward and plunged into the chest of the oni. With a look of shock and horror the oni watched as its heart was pulled from its chest, all but one artery detached as the figure drank deep from the pulsing organ.
โI would have you shut upโ the creature said as it drank its fill from the warm blood. โI would have you all not have retreated from the wall. It was ours to take. Victory was within our grasp and you let it slip through our fingers.โ The creature said as it shuffled to kneel on the ground.
No creature dared speak or move for fear of suffering its wrath. Although it wasnโt the shadow itself it was a vessel for embodying its unholy form within this plane and its power was unfathomable to the mortal creatures that served it.
Finally a ogre like creature spoke. โMaster. The humans. They are come hereโฆโ The rest of the servants moved from the avatar.
It slowly looked up at all those who were gathered. โThe ritual must be done again. Before they get here. I will need to bolster this body and prepare to do what you can not. Kill a party of humans. Take the slaves, take the captives. Grab the weak and injured. Their bodies will renew my strength. Go nowโ The avatar if shadow barked and delighted in the creatures panicked scurry.
Liz and Jung travelled with a small army of Harimasu warriors as Kuang directed them towards the shattered mountain up ahead. Since Jung has appeared as a dragon Liz had begun to notice that her connection to her deity, Chauntea, had increased. Her Goddess had started to grant her more powerful blessings and miracles and she had the feeling she was being drawn towards the dark mountains.
What Liz hadnโt counted on was the aura that seemed to resonate from her causing creatures to shy from her and humans to flock to her. Her presence when General Kuang and the Harimasu warriors met the Toshio family guard, mercenaries and soldiers caused the majority of them to lay their arms down and surrender to the Harimasu force.
When travelling through the western pass and even past the wall towards the shattered peak ahead creatures, Oni and other dark servants of the Shadow retreat from her presence. That or maybe it was the fifteen foot dragon that floated or walked next to her at all times.
Jung, once called Siu, had increased in size since being with the humans. Whatโs more he had noticed that whilst being with Liz he was stronger, faster and seemed to radiate a light much like she did. As the two of them approached the front ranks of the soldiers โ a mix of Harimasu and the defected Toshio soldiers โ the full extent of the mountain came into view.
โWe believe that they are already in there. Or close to being so we believe.โ Takeo said as he appeared suddenly next to Liz in a flutter of feathers. โSome of the Wall guard have begun to siege the wall at the entrance to the mountain, well what remains of it.โ he continued as he looked across Jung and Liz. โI am glad that you have come. We could use your help. The men and women will rejoice in just seeing you, evidence of our ancestors being on our side as well as the light that radiates from you Liz is a direct affront to the Shadow.โ
Looking forwards towards the skirmishes ahead Liz reached out to Chauntea. With a prayer on her tongue she asked for the light to shine on Ryokughan.
NPCs –
Elizabeth โLizbetโ Scaulder
Liz appears at the frontline with the golden dragon form of Jung Harimasu as they prepare to assault the citadel known as The Shadows Throne. As a distraction or aiding the getting the party in it doesn’t matter as her presence alone rallies the troops.
Environment and running the adventure
Smoke and dust fill the sky as you gaze up at the entrance to the mountain. The flow of Oni and other servants of the Shadow are constant, scurrying backwards and forth across the rough stone. Deep within the mountain a red glow and the chants of an unholy ritual resonate through the cold stone as you stand and watch. As you look at the remnants of the crumbled faรงade of the citadel before you its not evident whether it was constructed after of before the rock fell, but you can tell that it was made by a master craftsmen.
The creatures that move through the area donโt pay you any attention but they seem to be directed by an unseen hand. As the pounding of air and chanting of magic continues the feeling of unease settled in your bones. This is not a place for mortals. This is not a place where the sunlight wants to tread for fear of being swallowed up by the shadow that has penetrated the stone.
Oni, Bakegamoto, Butatล, Oni Sentinels and bound river trolls guard the front entrance. The Butato provide ranged support from the walls and pepper the ground with arrows whilst Oni defend the gate, wall and operate the defence. The Bakegamoto act as shock troops and charge in to disrupt the party.
The trolls are interesting, they are chained a little way from the wall in a small trench. When those foolish or unaware walk near them the trolls attack with a ferocious hunger but they are chained to the trench. These chains however can be released by mechanisms that the Oni control (but the trolls attack Oni and humans alike).
The Oni sentinels are the best marksmen of the Oni. They are positioned in watch towers and are crack shots with a heavy crossbow. However there are not many of them. As the mountain fell many of those on watch were lost as the towers were crushed by the rock.
The hidden passage is along the wall towards the north of the entrance. This requires the party to cross a trench, dodge crossbow shots before entering into it. Having or memorising the notes from the Oni camp will enable them to find the entrance with no issue. Once in there is nothing within the passage way itself apart from some Giant rats and perhaps a starved Oni or Butatล.
Another week has come and gone and we find ourselves at the precipice of the end of the year of content. This week we revealed the intel gathered from the Oni camp, made our way to the citadel and hopefully saw our party make their ways in. Next week we confront the creature at the heart of the ritual which is a pretty big deal. So don’t forget to join me for for this coming week and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Welcome to Saturday night where I bring to you rainy one shot ideas. Now the forecast here in Victoria tomorrow is rain so I thought what else could be better than D&D one shots.
Tonight I will cover a few one shot ideas, the hook, the plot and perhaps some thoughts on the encounter to drive the creation of a one shot. The twist is that, like the title says, they are all having to do with rain.
Rainy one shot ideas – 1
Local farmer has been complaining to the local church about the lack of rain. This farmer has gone as far as to even denounce the church and preach that they are fake worshippers. However the following night the town is struck by a mighty rain storm where the farmers (who complained) property seems to be the worst hit. Crops are flooded, stock is lost and even their house is destroyed.
The farmer starts to preach to the towns folk about the church deliberately destroying his livelihood and there are growing fears that some of them will believe him.
The general idea I had with this one will be a diplomacy mission to prevent a civil uprising between the farming community and the relatively peaceful church. The cause could be a few things but I am fond of “built their farm on cursed land” but that requires a question to be answered. Why is the land cursed? Let’s work with that notion for now. The farmer had this land handed down from his parents and they their parents. At some stage they killed the original owners of the land and stole it from them. They buried the bodies at the bottom of a hill where eventually a watering hole was built.
The resentment to the church and turmoil that the family was creating stirred up the restless spirits of those murdered and as they were buried under water that is the shape of the vengeance they chose.
Rainy one shot ideas – 2
A town sits in a valley along a river that is fed by a high waterfall a few miles north. The area has been experiencing rain for a week straight but the river has run dry and the only water they have is from the rain. The issue is the hydro powered mill that feeds the towns smith (they are famed for their steel) and their bread production. Until recently everything was fine but a new influx of dwarven steel from up north has created some desperate times for the town and with their mills now shutting down townsfolk are worried that this is the end for their town.
The party are asked to investigate what happened to the water.
Another simple one with an easy plot. The dwarves have also made use of the river system further up river with one exception. It’s humans creating fake dwarvern steel and arms. Any dwarf worth their beard would be able to see the inferior craftsmanship. The river was blocked to channel it into a large dam that they use for their industry. However with all this rain the dam is full to bursting and they are quickly trying to find a way to prevent the dam from falling.
The tricky part of this is that there isn’t an easy way up to the village. It requires some mountain climbing along rain drenched stones. I believe that the rain is a perfect addition to increase the difficulty of the adventure, second to snow and thick fog.
Rainy one shot ideas – 3
On the way back from their latest adventure, carrying loot and exhausted the party become aware that they are being hunted. A group of bandits who out number and overpower the party easily have given up chase on the party. They have a few options. Try and outrun them, ambush them or ditch the loot and retreat to the nearest village a days ride away if they are unburdened.
Constant rain makes for difficult travel with a laden cart. Slowing progress down to a crawl, getting bogged nearly impossible to hide your passage rain gives it all. This one shot has some interesting bits in it too where the bandits are lycanthropes. Were rats tend to be the typical bandit and they add a touch of danger to combat which may dissuade them. Also being particularly malicious creatures they may not be put off the hunt from the loot being abandoned.
I would have disadvantage on Dexterity checks, stealth checks and athletic checks due to fatigue and cold rain which will make getting away and fighting difficult. After all it would be too easy if they could just outrun the lycanthropy infected bandits.
That’s it for tonight. Thanks for joining me as I went through three different ideas with the rain theme. Tomorrow we have the end of the week writeup which leads into the last full week of November. I want to thank you for joining me daily and look forward to our journey together in the future. Don’t forget to stay dry and safe and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Welcome to a Friday Fightnight where we have a look at some reoccurring stat blocks, a new one and the option our party have to take. The decision is either a frontal assault or taking a path that light fears to tread itself, the hidden way through the darkness of the mountain. This weeks encounter section of the Friday Fightnight may be disappointing. I would say that this due to the fact that we have a larger monthly content next week so this week may be light but this week is simply not as exciting as whats in store
A path that light fears to tread
245FrAPaThLiFeTTr
Frontal Assault
Oni, Bakegamoto, Butatล, Oni Sentinels and bound river trolls guard the front entrance. The Butato provide ranged support from the walls and pepper the ground with arrows whilst Oni defend the gate, wall and operate the defence. The Bakegamoto act as shock troops and charge in to disrupt the party.
The trolls are interesting, they are chained a little way from the wall in a small trench. When those foolish or unaware walk near them the trolls attack with a ferocious hunger but they are chained to the trench. These chains however can be released by mechanisms that the Oni control (but the trolls attack Oni and humans alike).
The Oni sentinels are the best marksmen of the Oni. They are positioned in watch towers and are crack shots with a heavy crossbow. However there are not many of them. As the mountain fell many of those on watch were lost as the towers were crushed by the rock.
The hidden passage is along the wall towards the north of the entrance. This requires the party to cross a trench, dodge crossbow shots before entering into it. Having or memorising the notes from the Oni camp will enable them to find the entrance with no issue. Once in there is nothing within the passage way itself apart from some Giant rats and perhaps a starved Oni or Butatล
I hope the new creatures are enough to tide our party over this week. There is a lot more planned for next week so don’t forget to come back for that and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Welcome to Thursday night where tonight we have some more inspirational images for this weeks adventure as we find our party knocking on shadows doorstep itself. Tonight is a bit of a shorter night as tomorrow there will be more content with the plans for the weeks encounter being revealed. So let’s have a look at what I have cooked up and roll on!.
Smoke and dust fill the sky as you gaze up at the entrance to the mountain. The flow of Oni and other servants of the Shadow are constant, scurrying backwards and forth across the rough stone. Deep within the mountain a red glow and the chants of an unholy ritual resonate through the cold stone as you stand and watch. As you look at the remnants of the crumbled faรงade of the citadel before you its not evident whether it was constructed after of before the rock fell, but you can tell that it was made by a master craftsmen.
The creatures that move through the area don’t pay you any attention but they seem to be directed by an unseen hand. As the pounding of air and chanting of magic continues the feeling of unease settled in your bones. This is not a place for mortals. This is not a place where the sunlight wants to tread for fear of being swallowed up by the shadow that has penetrated the stone.
Thanks for joining me again tonight. Come back tomorrow where I unravel the checks, skills and tasks that await our party this week as we continue on the month. Don’t forget that this weekend is already upon us and next week is the last week of the month, mostly. And, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Welcome to our second-hook day of the week, Wednesday, where tonight we witness the herald of light joining the fray with an impressive ally. So let’s dive into Ryokughan and what’s happening at the foot of The Shadows Throne.
Herald of Light
245WeHeOLi
Liz and Jungย travelled with a small army of Harimasu warriors as Kuang directed them towards the shattered mountain up ahead. Since Jung has appeared as a dragon Liz had begun to notice that her connection to her deity, Chauntea, had increased. Her Goddess had started to grant her more powerful blessings and miracles and she had the feeling she was being drawn towards the dark mountains.
What Liz hadn’t counted on was the aura that seemed to resonate from her causing creatures to shy from her and humans to flock to her. Her presence when General Kuang and the Harimasu warriors met the Toshio family guard, mercenaries and soldiers caused the majority of them to lay their arms down and surrender to the Harimasu force.
When travelling through the western pass and even past the wall towards the shattered peak ahead creatures, Oni and other dark servants of the Shadow retreat from her presence. That or maybe it was the fifteen foot dragon that floated or walked next to her at all times.
Jung, once called Siu, had increased in size since being with the humans. What’s more he had noticed that whilst being with Liz he was stronger, faster and seemed to radiate a light much like she did. As the two of them approached the front ranks of the soldiers – a mix of Harimasu and the defected Toshio soldiers – the full extent of the mountain came into view.
“We believe that they are already in there. Or close to being so we believe.” Takeo said as he appeared suddenly next to Liz in a flutter of feathers. “Some of the Wall guard have begun to siege the wall at the entrance to the mountain, well what remains of it.” he continued as he looked across Jung and Liz. “I am glad that you have come. We could use your help. The men and women will rejoice in just seeing you, evidence of our ancestors being on our side as well as the light that radiates from you Liz is a direct affront to the Shadow.”
Looking forwards towards the skirmishes ahead Liz reached out to Chauntea. With a prayer on her tongue she asked for the light to shine on Ryokughan.
Thanks for another night where you have spent some time here on my blog. Don’t forget tomorrow we look at the extra things that make the RPG just that little bit more, more-some and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Welcome to a npc Tuesday where tonight we are looking at the creature summoned from blood, bone and shadow. Tonight the avatar of shadow stirs and begins to prepare to undergo a ritual to boost its power, but is it too late? Is the party and their allies too close to its lair? Let’s find out this week
Blood, bone and shadow
245TuBlBoASh
The creature stirred from the warm granite and ash on the stone floor. Slowly the nerves in its muscles fired and it pushes its face from the ground and looked up at the creatures that served it. They stood around it in reverence, not wanting to be the first to approach the fallen figure that had, until this moment, lay crumpled on the ground.
“Master. The humans. They have pushed us from the wall. I.. er.. some of the others feared you had fallen and ordered a retreat.” A large, although cowardly, oni spoke as it shuffled forward towards the large humanoid figure. “What would you have us do? We may be able to rally the spirit folk and have them take back the ground we lost when the ice witch..” his speech was cut short as the creatures hand shot forward and plunged into the chest of the oni. With a look of shock and horror the oni watched as its heart was pulled from its chest, all but one artery detached as the figure drank deep from the pulsing organ.
“I would have you shut up” the creature said as it drank its fill from the warm blood. “I would have you all not have retreated from the wall. It was ours to take. Victory was within our grasp and you let it slip through our fingers.” The creature said as it shuffled to kneel on the ground.
No creature dared speak or move for fear of suffering its wrath. Although it wasn’t the shadow itself it was a vessel for embodying its unholy form within this plane and its power was unfathomable to the mortal creatures that served it.
Finally a ogre like creature spoke. “Master. The humans. They are come here…” The rest of the servants moved from the avatar.
It slowly looked up at all those who were gathered. “The ritual must be done again. Before they get here. I will need to bolster this body and prepare to do what you can not. Kill a party of humans. Take the slaves, take the captives. Grab the weak and injured. Their bodies will renew my strength. Go now” The avatar if shadow barked and delighted in the creatures panicked scurry.
ย
Thanks for dropping by tonight. A short one but it helps set the scene for us DMs as we move forward into the final push. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow to get more info and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Welcome to the second week of November where we have found some dark script for the players to piece together. With Christmas just around the corner we may find ourselves chasing darkness as the party venture deeper into the shadow lands. Towards the Shadows Throne we find our party surging forwards on the tail of the fleeing Oni. Their intel received they ready themselves for the battle ahead and move to intercept the creature at the centre of it all. A beast not only of Shadow and magic, but for a short window, one of flesh and solid form.
ย
Dark Script
245MoDaSc
The party stared at the sheets of paper in front of them. The small droplets of blood that clung to the parchment left a trail as they slid to the ground. The letters, maps and notes that lay out infront of them revealed a side yo the Oni that they hadn’t seen. And one they wished they hadn’t.
Diagrams for a ritual in a large antechamber were revealed. A large altar or pedestal looked to be in a large bowl or recession in the chamber. The drawings indicated sacrifice of spirit folk, oni, humans and other races deemed lower than the oni.
The ritual looked to be one of creation. Binding bones, flesh and blood together to form a new body for something. The ritual pages finished here but there other pages that looked to be schematics for a fortress within a mountain. It mapped plans for guard rotations as well as the hidden path for escaping the citadel in case of emergencies.
Taking the plans, Gin and the surviving members of the plan they head back to the wall. The captain, Kyoko and the messenger for Kuang were all eagerly waiting for the party when they arrived.
After some time they started discussing what it could mean in hurried conversation before they turned to the party for advice.
Thoughts.
Hopefully there is enough in the description (more coming Thursday) to cover the meaning of these scraps of paper. The idea really is that the ritual, the vision from the wall guard who recovered from affliction and what they have witnessed will them to the right conclusion.
The next part of the puzzle is how to get them motivated to get to the mountain.
ย
The week is fresh and its looking at being a cracker of one at that. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for the dark NPC night and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Welcome to the home stretch. This month are taking the fight to the Shadow while it’s weakened. This week we made the first move in this quest, we are searching for the intel of the Oni and their plans. This week we have a choice that leads the party into the camp of the Oni as the spies or as the saviours – but the initial choice is theirs.
With the retreat of the Oni and the cracking open of the mountains peak the party woke up feeling refreshed. After the defeat of the ice queen and defence of the wall against her magic the wall guard offered them the best room and comforts available to them. Four walls and a bed each.
In the morning the party emerged to find the wall quiet. The land beyond the wall was even more so with only the occasional movement at a forward base camp the shadows minions had on the ridge further towards The Shadows Throne. The oni and their slaves, the Butatล, were the only things that could be seen as left over from the battlefield. The Spirit folk and other creatures that had been fighting the party and the wall guard had disappeared which gave the wall guard a day of repairs to the wall.
โMessage from the General. Lord Toshio was found dead in his tent and his troops had surrendered. Apparently they have all claimed enchantment and enthrallment from the Yuki-onna and the warriors claim that Lord Toshio took his own life when he heard his wife had been killed.โ The messenger from the general recited to wall captain Hou and Kyoko. โThe General has begun to detain and question the Toshio troops but Lord Harimasu has pardoned them on condition that they return to their homelands and begin to broker peace between the two families again. The general is on his way here to make an attack on the mountain. He will be here in two days however he needs what ever intel we can provide him.โ
Kyoko frowned at this and asked for a map of the battlefield from what the scouts had been able to map out. โThis camp of Oni. How defended is it?โ
โWe estimate that it would be a few dozen Oni, their leaders and slaves at a minimum. A frontal attack would go poorly but if there is another way that we can get the intel without risking more lives or leaving the wall undefended then I am all ears.โ Captain Hou replied as he pointed towards the map, indicating where he would suspect the intel to be kept.
โSir, I volunteer to lead the operation to retrieve the intel.โ a voice said from the door. Wall Guardsmen Gin Seng stood there looking determined and fatigued. โIโve grown up training to fight these creatures, to defend this wall. If I can help finish the war then I want to be involvedโฆ Sir.โ he added with a moment hesitation.
โThis mission is too crucial to leave it to one person. But too difficult and risky for a large scale attack.โ Kyoko said as she nodded to Gin Seng.
โPerhaps these heroes from across the sea would be able to be of assistance once again?โ Kit Hou said as she smiled at the group. โThey seemed to have saved half of Ryokughan already from the Oni and the Shadows influence so whatโs one more mission?โ
General Hou frowned at his daughter. โWe put too much pressure on them. They have done enough. We can not rely on them forever and I fear that there may be worse things up in those hills which we just havenโt seen yet.โ
Kyoko smiled to the party. โItโs up to you. But we may need help distracting the main force if we were to send in a smaller group of wall guard to retrieve the intel. If you can help with either endeavour I would feel more confident in our success. The entire Oni force would know of you by now and surely they would want to have a chance at gaining the Shadows favour by attempting to best you in combat.โ
โSir, I volunteer to lead the operation to retrieve the intel.โ His voice echoed in his mind as he looked over the battlefield. In four hours the sun would begin to set and he would begin the mission.
As he looked across the soldiers clearing the battlefield of their dead and piling the enemy corpses onto a pile he called out. โPlace the spiritfolk in a separate pile. They dont burn their dead with the Oni. They think it an offence to the spirits who guide them.โ He said to Kit who, as punishment, was in charge of the bloody duty.
When the party and Kyoko looked his way he smiled sadly. โI spent some time with the spiritfolk when I was youngโฆ Some things you cant forget.โ He began. After a moment he explained further.
Gin was born the son of an alchemist, two infact. His parentโs were non-conventional to say the least. His mother was a human but his father was one of the Spiritfolk who fell in love with the human woman who kept foraging in his forest.
Intially it was professional completion amongst each other. Finding the best reagents or herbs before the other could. But before long it blossomed into more.
Their son looked completely human except for a light covering of fur across his torso. His fathers goat legs, horns and tail were not gifted to his son but his reflexes and inhuman strength was. In the village they lived in the villagers quickly accepted Gin and his parents union. Especially when the quality of potions, charms and lotions were as high as his parents. However, happiness โ like most things canโt remain for long.
Halfway through Ginโs tenth cycle an oni raiding party attacked his village. His parents locked him away and kept him hidden from the oni. But the Oni eventually found his parents. When they worked out that a human and spiritfolk were a could they made a sport out of their torture. It was ok display to the whole village yet Gin couldnโt see his parents in their last moments. But he could hear them.
The following month he pledged himself into the service or the Harimasu military and dedicated his life to hunting Oni.
โand Iโve been here ever since..โ he said with a touch if pride on his face.
โsir! We have movement!โ A guard shouted as they hurried towards the wall.
โHold! Itโs the spirit folk to send off their dead.โ Gin called out to his fellow guardsmen. โSee. Wait and watchโ
A few moments passed and gradually all types of Spiritfolk appeared around the pile of their dead. Then slowly they formed a circle and began to sing and dance around their fallen. โThey are celebrating the reunion of their parents, elders, children and friends and the spirit world. Where they believe they will hunt in the endless plains of their ancestors.โ He explained. โThis will last until sunset at which point they will take the bodies away and burn them amongst the rest of their kin.โ
Sure enough as the sun set the spiritfolk gathered their dead and singing out in joyous tones they carried them away from the battlefield and into the wilds beyond.
Moving forward as the sun set Gin and those who followed behind him looked anxiously at the oni camp. โWe will be there soon. Remember. If we get into trouble or the mission is at risk to fire a drift globe shaft into the air and aid will come.โ Gin said to the people standing nearby.
With agreement from those gathered he began to creep across the battlefield once more, signalling to stop periodically when something moved up ahead. Soon they were in the shadows of the tents. The setting sun and the shadows of the hills, mountain and nearby forest aided in their mission by creating pockets of shadow.
As the sun hit the edge of the mountain it plunged the camp into a mixture of amber glow from the setting sun and dark shadows. A few hundred feet away war horns trumpeted signalling that the second part of the plan had begun and that it was now or never to enter the camp.
The camp
As the oni and butatล left the camp in a hurry to meet the attackers head one. Slowly Gin and his entourage crept forward towards the main tent and waited for the oni captain to leave. As the captain stormed out with its armour buckled in tight a few slave Butatล followed in its wake. Taking this moment as the one to move Gin and his companions skulked forth once again and cut a hole in the canvas tent. Once the coast was deemed clear they entered silently.
None of those present realised the mistake that had been made until it was too late. A deep unholy growl rumbled forth from the shadows of the tent which threatened to bring the entire oni warband to the captains tent. A neat table lay in the centre of the room and contained a map, documents and scrolls. For their brutal use of weapons and mastery of war and savagery the oni were also expert tacticians.
As they stared at the multi limbed creature that confidently strode forth Gin prepared his drift globe shaft in a hand crossbow and prepared to state the words that would activate the arcane device. Looking between his compatriots and the creature he hoped that he didnโt need to call for aid and that they would be able to deal with this threat quickly and quietly.
NPCs –
Wall Guard Gin Seng
Gin heads straight to the Oni camp with the party or with a small group of warriors from the wall. He is determined but nervous at the mission ahead.
Wall Captain Hou
Managing the repairs and defence of the walls Captain Hou makes the necessary plans to ensure that the party and the other warriors joining them near the Oni’s camp are well supplied.
Kyoko Harimasu
Kyoko stays back at camp and works with Takeo to ensure that General Kuang arrives quickly so they can press the advantage.
Miss Hou
Assisting her father, Captain Hou, Kit spends most of her time near the wall coordinating the warriors to provide cover fire, fix walls and prepare if there is a counter attack.
Environment and running the adventure
Gin He has five drift glob shafts which are small drift globes that are crafted into arrow or crossbow arrow/bolt shafts so that when they are shot they activate the moment they start to slow from being launched. This causes the bolt to slowly fall to the ground whilst the drift globe emits a light (of pre-determined colour).
If the party go with Gin they are in the tent when the creature reveals itself. It’s not a hard fight but as it falls it calls out loudly (unless silenced in some manner – Player and DMs decision).
If they don’t the Party are with some other warriors fighting Oni, captains (a larger one in full plate with a large shield and battle axe) when they see several drift globes activate above the Oni Captains tent signalling Gin needs help.
The camp is built on an incline, rather sharply so. The tent are setup in a rather ingenuous way where they form a solid slab-foundation of wood, earth or even snow under the tents to level the tent.. to some degree.
The snowy hills pose an interesting mechanic for us. One way difficult terrain. Moving up the hill through the snow towards the camp is considered difficult terrain where as moving down isnโt. Patches of snow pose a further hindrance as fighting in these areas would impose disadvantage to dexterity checks and strength contests (not checks) due to the slippery mud and shin-to-knee deep snow.
The Bakegamoto is a large dog like creature with a pushed in snout, large bat like ears and at least two large tusks jutting from their bottom jaw. The males are generally endowed with larger tusks and are a mixture of faun with a ruddy brown light mane that sprouts from the neck.
Females are generally lighter in colour without the mane but their tusks are shorter and generally thinner and sharper than the males. Trained bakegamoto are extremely obedient, strong and powerful. Normally kept by Oni captains or chieftains as a sign of power and strength they defend their master completely and obey orders to the best of their ability.
The other creatures that fight the party are Oni, Oni Captain and Butatล.
Thanks once more for reading my end of week writeup. This week see’s the party taking the fight to the Oni, next week being the aftermath of the fight as well as the leadup to the second and last week of the month. This week may be a bit sketchy with the first few days being broken and different schedules my normal ones. I will endeavour to provide a regular flow of content as we make our first steps up into the mountains where the Shadow Calls home. So don’t forge to come back each day this approaching week and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Welcome to Friday fightnight where tonight we are looking at The Bakegamoto. Not only do we have a new creature to look at we also have the environmental conditions to look into to. So sit down, have a bit of fun (maybe a coffee) and lets have a look through the weeks encounter.
The Bakegamoto
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The Bakegamoto is a large dog like creature with a pushed in snout, large bat like ears and at least two large tusks jutting from their bottom jaw. The males are generally endowed with larger tusks and are a mixture of faun with a ruddy brown light mane that sprouts from the neck.
Females are generally lighter in colour without the mane but their tusks are shorter and generally thinner and sharper than the males. Trained bakegamoto are extremely obedient, strong and powerful. Normally kept by Oni captains or chieftains as a sign of power and strength they defend their master completely and obey orders to the best of their ability.
The snowy hills pose an interesting mechanic for us. One way difficult terrain. Moving up the hill through the snow towards the camp is considered difficult terrain where as moving down isn’t. Patches of snow pose a further hindrance as fighting in these areas would impose disadvantage to dexterity checks and strength contests (not checks) due to the slippery mud and shin-to-knee deep snow.
That’s it for tonight. Tomorrow we will look at a improv night which I am looking forward to. As always don’t forget to come back this weekend to see the full picture and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Brazen Wolfe Tabletop 