Dungeons&Dragons

Information is Gold

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Tonight information is gold as the party locate the name of the wizard who crafted the amulet and guardian and any additional information they can get. But they quickly find out that this information comes at a price and everyone wants a piece of the potential gold. So to find out we best sit back, grab a coffee and let’s roll into tonight’s adventure.

Information is Gold

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The Rastabar great library was massive. A few large windows let in bountiful light from the second window which made the rows of books, scrolls and parchment seem to glow. Several people were walking around in here looking at parchment or arguing loudly whilst looking at a different books. A few librarians wandered around and helped deal with requests for information or the location of certain tomes or scrolls.

“Hi there, can I help you today?” A woman asked from beside them, her presence barely noticeable before she spoke. “I am Mary, Mary Cepwell and I ‘kinda work as one of the helpers here. If there is something I can help with please let me know.”

After finally looking through the library for hours, and some help from Mary Cepwell, the party opened a book “The creator of Rastabar”. Delving through its pages they came across a sketch and a description of the tower, well what it would have looked like centuries ago. Apparently the tower was one of many created and maintained by the great sorceress called Andrasa, the arch Magus. Each of these towers held one of her treasured artefacts, one was the house of her Guardian Brightsteel, another was a where she conducted ceremonies and rituals to foresee the future and another, her primary keep, was where she created her artefacts and stored her wealth.

There was also some landmasses and descriptions of events that happened at the time which, without context, were impossible to locate or understand what they were. Taking note of the information they quickly left to report back to Lucile. However they were unaware of the many sets of eyes that watched they head towards the door, or the flash of a mirror from a window to the outside.

Thoughts

So as with the series of adventures around the heist this part of the adventure plays out very much like that. a place, a piece of information they need to ‘heist’ and some people which they have to work with or work out. It doesn’t matter if they record the information, memorise it or just steal the book as long as they locate it and report to Lucile who can piece it together for them.

The second part of this is the potential interception which can be either a combat scene and then running from the guards OR it can be a chase scene where the party have to dodge the assailants as they try and make an escape.

The Library of Rastabar is a large and imposing place, much like the buildings around it. But the crowds outside and the knowledge that potentially everyone and anyone could be after them is maybe more imposing. This week is about a heist of information and a flight from the scene when confronted (by either guards or the individuals). So don’t forget to come back to see where we take this weeks adventure and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Those in the Know

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This week we expand upon last weeks adventure calling out a soon to be familiar face, some familiar ones and some new ones. These few make up those in the know, or the people who know about the amulet, the golem and the dragon. So as this week continues to kick off let’s grab a coffee, sit down and let’s meet some NPCs.

Those in the Know

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Lucile Bendercuff

Lucile Bendercuff created in Artbreeder

Coming from wealth Lucile didn’t have to work hard to get where she did, she could have inherited her parents estate. She didn’t have to take over her fathers merchant business or her mothers thirst for knowledge but she did. However she didn’t just inherit it she grew it. A powerful, smart and driven young lady Lucile grew into a canny business woman with an eye for value and a keen sense for the arcane or rare.

Lucile was always fascinated with the legends of Rastabar, the old stories her gran used to tell her. Tales of heroes and villains and princesses. However her favourite stories were about the lost arch-magus Andrasa and the power that she wielded over the lands. It was the stories of her floating wizards tower, the guardians and the secret she locked away in arcane vaults that drove Lucile. Her dream to pursue the floating islands and to chase her dream and ambition further lead to her encounter with a party of adventurers who were maybe just the right group to get the job done. Now all she needed was the knowledge to the next place.

Familiar Faces

While the captain, Alex, moved make repairs on his ship and organise some supplies and business before the next adventure Jessica, James and Colin hung around Rastabar, most of the time drinking at one of Lucile’s bars as he way of bribing them to stay put and not spread word about what they saw on the floating island.

Mary Cepwell

Mary Cepwell – Created in Artbreeder

Mary works as a librarian primarily but she also does odd jobs when the subject and the price is right. Not much is known about her as she came to Rastabar when she was an adult and despite her lack of experience or knowledge in the city or its history she quickly fit in.

Another NPC Tuesday is here and we have some more NPCs to meet and some old ones. Don’t forget to come back each day this week as we expand this adventure. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Ruins of Rastabar

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Tonight and I have created a zine for this weeks adventure. The Ruins of Rastabar. 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, The Ruins of Rastabar. If you like this format please let me know and I hope you enjoy.

The Ruins of Rastabar

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The city of Rastabar was a sprawling nest of sandstone buildings protected from the harsh desert conditions and by a giant stone wall. Created centuries ago the city has stood the test of time but they have a problem. The city has grown so much that the sources of water and plant life are not able to sustain them any longer. 

This has made the rush to find another source of these precious resources even more urgent and the business people behind it ever more powerful and wealthy. 

However, not even the greatest schemers and merchants could’ve predicted a giant cloud appearing in the skies above the desert or the rumours that the clouds contained something more than the promise of rain.

Rastabar City – Created in Nightcafe

PDF adventure – The Ruins of Rastabar

the-ruins-of-rastabarDownload

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

The Fellgorger

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Tonight I wanted to dip in to something I tend to do as part of my normal D&D campaign, Monster creation and this weekend it’s the Fellgorger. Creating monsters is not mandatory but it can enrich the tabletop adventure you have planned for the session.

Now onto the Fellgorger!

The fellgorger appears to be feline by nature and about the size of large cat. Despite it being powerfully built the fellgorger constantly seeking food to fill its disended stomach. Powerful muscles enable it to take down most creatures its size or larger. However being cursed to never been sated only a few moments after eating their fill they find themselves hungry again shortly after.

This causes the fellgorger to also commit cannibalism frequently and so as a species they are rare and only a few tales of them are said around the camp fire tales of nightmares.

Fellgorger – Created in tetra-cube

Thanks for dropping by tonight for a look at the new creature tonight. This creature may not make an appearance in this weeks adventure, as such. However, its something that could be fun regardless. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Race to the Amulet

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Tonight’s adventure finds the party in a life or death race to the amulet, a key magical item that defines success in this weeks adventure. Landing at the edge of the largest floating island the party quickly discover some things that don’t seem right. A potential thief and a guardian of the ruins are this weeks opponents. So sit back as tonight we investigate creatures!

Race to the Amulet

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As the party stepped foot on the floating islands the ruins in front of them glittered. Even from the sky as they came in form their ships they could tell that every stone ruin was inlaid with gold. Perhaps that is what drew the attention of the dragon.

‘Where is it!’ the blue dragon roared in frustration as it stood on two of the pillars and balanced between them. ‘I must find the trinket’ it roared in growing frustration. The party from their vantage point outside the range of the ruins could see a small pedestal in the centre of the ruins that almost glowed with arcane power . But as soon as one of the party stepped near the ruins a hum resonated through the air. The statue slowly crawled to life, standing up and glancing around.

The blue dragon snarled and looked around. ‘You idiots! Who woke up the guardian. It will be a month before it rests again!’

Thanks for visiting and looking at this weeks encounter. Two large creatures that are equally as imposing as they can be deadly. The clincher here is that the amulet controls the golem, if the dragon finds it first then the party will have to deal with two threats. However until the party find the amulet the golem will fight the closest creature to the amulet.

So don’t forget to come back this weekend as we finish this adventure. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage
The Brazen Wolfe

Rastabar Floating Island

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This week sees out party sailing through the open… skies and towards the Rastabar Floating Islands. This encounter should be difficult enough to challenge the experienced players but rewarding for those who think out side of the box. So enough talking lets look at the island map!

Rastabar Floating Island

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The cloud cover is really what sells this encounter map. Partial cover or full when taking the uneven ground it will even cause an element of risk if fighting near the edge of the island as well as the fall could be deadly. However this is depending on how the party plan and deal with what they find in the skies.

Trees give cover and shelter whilst the ruins give something to explore that also hinders movement. There is a bit of everything for any party here and clever use of spells, magic items and abilities will see the day won.

Rastabar Floating Islands- created in Inkarnate.

Thanks for joining me tonight. A nice quick map that is relatively simple but despite its lack of complexity it contains many layered images and objects. This can really ad depth to a map which the players and DM can enjoy. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for more content and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Cliffs of Rastabar’s Clouds

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Tonight finds the party drifting through the cliffs of Rastabar’s Clouds as the rumours are proven to be true. But what else lurks in the shadows of the cliffs as they make their way through the floating islands of Rastabar. So to find out we best sit back, grab a coffee and let’s roll into tonight’s adventure.

The Cliffs of Rastabar’s Clouds

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The call to brace and to man the sails came too late and suddenly for the party to do anything but stare as a wall of rock and dirt loomed in front of them on the other side of the cloud. Luckily the crew of the ship were well trained and knew just what to do. Springing to action the men and women onboard raced to the ropes and Halyard and with a speed and efficiency that only comes from practice the sails flared and caught the breeze.

The ship bucked suddenly and swerved away from the rocks that jutted through the cloud. As they moved alongside the rock, the edge of one of the boom’s scratched the surface of the rock causing loosened rocks and dirt to shower the deck. As they looked up, a momentary clearing in the clouds revealed the floating island of rock and dirt. Vines and plants grew in the soil and rocks which housed different fruiting and flowering plants.

A flock of birds flew off into the clouds away from the ship as it passed. The passengers on the ship marvelled at the colours and slowly as the crew and captain called the orders they started to drift through a few islands composed of floating stone and earth. However their destination loomed ahead and as they looked upon it the rumours appeared to be true. There was land that was in the clouds near Rastabar.

But looking at this land and the glint of sunlight from polished stone columns and ruins on the large floating island it was clear. They weren’t the first people to discover this marvel and perhaps there was something dangerous in the clouds.

Thanks for joining me tonight. This is just the first part of this weeks adventure and there is more to come. So don’t forget to come back daily as we continue to explore the clouds above Rastabar. If this gives you inspiration for your own adventure please let me know! The whole aim of this endeavour of mine is to provide inspiration to other DMs out there. So don’t forget to look at what you can do to spice up your own adventure and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Those That Dare to Fly

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As we lift off into another adventure this week we meeting those that dare to fly above the deserts and barren landscape near Rastabar city. These people are a rag-tag bunch who are t here for the sight seeing, there to work the ship or for their own purposes. Regardless of what brings them onboard the party has their work cut out for them this week. So grab a coffee, sit down and let’s meet some NPCs.

Those That Dare to Fly

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Jessica Windhart

Jessica Windhart created in Artbreeder

An astute student of one of the colleges in Rastabar, Jess is quick to learn and the ships gave her the means to escape her dreary life on solid ground. An cartographer by trade but her true passion lies with the study of the stars, a passion that has saved the ship more than once when it was lost in the wild winds above the desert.

Jess hopes that she can earn enough money from mapping the lands and acting like a navigator on the ship to retire to a life studying the stars and documenting the course they follow on the evening’s backdrop.

Alex Portand

Alex Portand – created in Artbreeder

The captain of the ship and probably the grumpiest person alive aboard it Alex is not fond of, well, just about everything. He hates being called anything other than captain and if it wasn’t for the amount of gold that the benefactor of this endeavour was paying he would much rather be shipping water or goods from Rastabar city to a port for trade. The few times he has opened up about the ship he captains he mentions that he inherited it from his previous captain who sought to retire.

That was also the day that he gave up on his life in a far away city and followed the wind to trade and the promise of wealth.

The Rubhek Brothers

James Rubhek

James is young and impulsive and flirtatious all of the time. A well paying customer to see the sites of the desert as well as what’s in the clouds his money helped get this investigation on the way and off the ground, so to speak.

When he isn’t drinking, dancing and flirting he fancies himself a swordsman as well as a canny business man. It’s not easy getting as wealthy as he is but he leaves some of the operations and dealings to his little brother.

Colin Rubhek

The younger Rubhek brother, Colin, is cautious and seems to be cleaning up or chasing after his brother a lot of the time. He appears to care more about the appearance and reputation of his brother and their family name than his own enjoyment in life.

But when he isn’t watching over his brother like a hawk he can be found staring over the balcony of the ship and the endless sea of sand dunes with a peaceful look upon his face and a slight smile hidden behind his beard.

Thanks for joining me for another NPC Tuesday. There was a opportunity to really go ham with the NPCs this week and I restrained myself. But this week you can have just about as many NPCs as you want but keep in mind that the expectation is that you would have a backstory for all of them. So more fun means more work for us sadly. Don’t forget to come back daily this week as we expand upon this sky-high adventure. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Denizens of Trenchold Woods

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Welcome to another Friday night where tonight we are looking at the Denizens of Trenchold Woods. These are good creatures for level 1 or level 2 parties to encounter and can make for a fun and enriching adventure despite being cliche. But you can scale this to a larger encounter by adding more creatures or looking at higher CR creatures (such as trolls or hobgoblins) to be the aggressor in this weeks adventure. So sit back as tonight we investigate stat-blocks!

Denizens of Trenchold Woods

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‘The wild ones‘

A collection of creatures for random encounters that can be used either on the way to the cave, on the side of the road or even in the cave. Some of these you can set up as the main battle, like the ogre, who is a tough combatant (if you start adventures at level 2 for example).

The Goblins, orcs and such are all easy enough for a level 1 party of 4 to deal with but don’t forget that weight of numbers is also a great way to challenge a party.

All sources from tetra-cube.

Humans

The humans are easy, cultist, bandits or other low level encounters can pose as a main threat or as a twist along the way.

All sources from tetra-cube.

Thanks for visiting tonight more low level stat blocks for the adventure. Come back tomorrow to get a look at the tournament progress, day 1 results and hopefully a picture of the army that I mentioned last week. Don’t forget to come back this weekend as we produce the end of the weeks writeup. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage
The Brazen Wolfe

Trenchold Caves

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Like most of my adventures where I have multiple options or plots that are available I try to have a single point where they link up. I call this the “all roads lead to Rome” approach but really “all roads lead to Trenchold caves” is maybe more appropriate. Regardless of what I call it many DMs do this and it makes those early encounters feel less scripted, more free flowing and natural. However it also helps the DM funnel their efforts into a single map or encounter that they have planned. So enough talking lets get to some spelunking! So let’s sit back, grab a coffee and delve in!

Trenchold Caves

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Now Trenchold caves can be the house for bandits, goblins, ogres, orcs or just about anything you want to throw at the level 1 party. A secluded cave means that they have to use some non-combat skills to get there such as survival, nature and investigation. But it also opens us up to some random encounters OR the chance to use spells and abilities that we may not get much use out of (like Speak with Animals).

The cave isn’t that big but it has an area that is only 5ft wide. It could be blocked by a boulder that gives another skill check OR a mechanical barrier that could be a variety of skill checks or problem solving. Simple maps can lead to the most rich encounters.

Trenchold Caves – created in Inkarnate.

Thanks for joining me tonight. A short and quick one tonight to show that you don’t need hours if you use the right tools to create a rewarding map. Don’t forget to come back the next few nights to see my tournament results and updates, maybe a cheeky army family photo and more. And as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe