Dungeons&Dragons

Ambush in the Snow

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Welcome to another Fight-night where tonight we look at an ambush in the snow. This Friday, back to the normal pattern of for Friday creature nights. Tonight we have two types of Lycan’s bringing something a bit different to the party. But the driver for their attacks – well that’s something that we can wait for the weekend. So sit back, grab a coffee and let’s look at some creatures!

Ambush in the Snow

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Werewolf

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

Werewolf – created in Tetra-cube

Wererat

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

Were Rat – created in Tetra-cube

Thanks for visiting tonight. Now there is one more appearance in the form of a stat block that I will reveal this weekend. So don’t forget that this weekend I aim to produce the conclusion of this week, and last week as a matter of fact. Both of which you don’t want to miss. With the weekend here don’t forget to set aside some time for your own tabletop and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Shifting Snow

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Welcome to a Thursday night where we look at the encounter with the shifting drifters under the shifting snow. A bit of a tongue twister there but let’s not dwell on the shift/drift theme of this week for too long. So let’s instead sit back, grab a coffee and imagine the encounter ahead!

The Shifting Snow

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The encounter map of this week is a simple one. The carriage and wagons have their wheels caught in previously hidden ruts in the snow, first they think its only the carriage but the wagon then gets stuck in a separate rut-trap hidden by the snow and some spell placed branches over the top.

Around the road there are patches of rocks, boulders really, that span about five feet in width and around four feet tall. Enough for someone to stand up, see above and launch an arrow or crossbow bolt. Around these rocks are thick brambles and bracken. This hides dugouts that are perfect places for someone to sit and wait for a trap to be sprung.

A tree then falls over behind the wagon and carriages pinning them. The previously sawn through but bound tree had the bind hidden under the snow. This trap really isn’t designed to hurt or maim but to pin prey in place. But if a party member or NPC was at the back of the procession it could be fatal for them.

However keep eyes may see the signs of traps in advance. If the traps are sprung then the ambush happens with a surprise round, if not then there is no surprise round.

This encounter happens immediately after Harry reaches the carriage. In fact this also triggers a few other things that the party will have to deal with and assess. However that is for a different nights update.

Travel through to Foresithe – created in nightcafe

Thoughts

I like ambush encounters, there I said it. It doesn’t make me a bad DM or a one that focuses on TPKs. But it does give me opportunities to challenge my party. Generally unless they are the aggressors in an adventure which puts the party on the font foot. This leads to a one side fault where a well executed plan from your players can spell doom for your encounter. However by putting them on the backfoot they have to come up with a plan on the fly with what they have immediately.

This can lead to truly rememberable encounters where they have to MacGuiver a win from toothpicks, an orange and the catapult spell (maybe a lethal combination). This is far more rewarding than throwing several fireballs and mopping up the stragglers.

Thanks for visiting again tonight. While the weeks seem to go to fast I look forward to the weekend where I have a few large projects to move on. So don’t forget to come back the next few nights to see the full reveal and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Suspicions In The Snow

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Another Wednesday has come and as with nearly all wintery Wednesdays it has the chance to bring Suspicions in the snow. This week is about the redemption of a shifter, the potential threat of Lycanthropy on the roads, and the winter setting in around Foresithe. So sit down, grab a coffee and let’s roll into tonight’s adventure.

Suspicions In The Snow

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The snow had come in that evening and blanketed the roads, hills and valleys around Foresithe. Looking out from the carriage window Harry frowned as he noticed that the road and scenery was shifting and changing. The flat open lands from Joanhaven was now being replaced by the rocky and bracken rich scenery near the hills of Foresithe. A perfect place for an ambush.

Opening the door and stepping out the blast of cold was a welcome reprieve from the snoring from Mary. The young merchant-wife was insistent on nervous chatter and prone to flattery and flirtation. Things that Harry had once plied to get his wealth once upon a time but now he employed other means to manage and grow it. Stepping out smoothly he strode next to the slow moving carriage, the animals needing rest soon.

Footprints

Walking forward next to the hired guards he began to notice tracks in the snow. A skill that he could not escape from his younger days. A fox here, a rabbit there and the clumsy footprints of the guards who didn’t have horses to carry them on the two day journey to Foresithe. Drifting slightly from the road, but within a quick sprint if trouble occurred he haphazardly followed the footprints of a fox. Darting from bush to bush in pursuit of its prey he marvelled at his own keen senses at identifying the freshness of the tracks as he continued to walk.

“Everything alright Harry?” one of the adventurers he had hired called out.

“Yeah, just some fox prints. I couldn’t be stuck in the carriage for much longer the smell of perfume is only pleasant for the first encounter. Not a aroma I find particularly pleasant for a full day.” he replied with a grin back at the hired help. “Besides I enjoy the feeling of the snow on my boots. Reminds me of simpler times.”

Looking back down to look for the prints again he was alarmed to find human prints instead. “Interesting,” he said to himself, but loud enough that his pause didn’t go unnoticed. “Human foot prints. In fact, either someone is mightily lost in this snow storm or you may be earning your gold.” he said to the adventurers. “I think I’ll retire to the carriage. I left my sword behind” he mentioned as he walked away. Not caring to declare that he recognised lycanthrope footprints when he saw them…

Thoughts

Trying not to give away all the twists of this adventure I decided for a subdued approach. I believe there are enough clues here to reveal the true twist this week. However I don’t believe that it would be so obvious to someone not reading the weeks update.

I love a good redemption story. Personally I believe that there is the potential for great redemption in most villains. However for the sake of adventurers and the triumph of good over evil we like to believe that there is inexcusable evil in the world. In fact this is the premise of many D&D adventures I have read or written. But with this week I want to shift it a bit to the left and see what redemption can mean.

Thanks for joining me for another night at my tabletop. Don’t forget that this week we continue to expand the adventure with more content each night. Tomorrow we will have a map-less encounter where I have another sneaky surprise. But some of this will need to wait until Friday so make sure to keep coming back. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Destined for Drifting

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Another night where I get to play around with NPC portraits and we don’t just explore the Patrons this week, we also explore those destined for drifting. These upper class folk and these vagabonds, well potential vagabonds, have a role each to play this week. So sit down, grab a coffee and let’s roll into this nights NPC introduction!

Destined for Drifting

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Mary Fournswallow

Mary Fournswallow – Created in Artbreeder.

Although she rarely travels the roads near Foresithe as a rule Mary finds herself in a predicament. Content with the family home she had lived in for years she hadn’t dreamt of moving to a larger city ever. But with her husbands business booming and the risk of competition and theft rising the decision was made to move to the larger city with the last of wares that they had stored in the old warehouse.

However due to the recent increase in highway robbery and bandits on the road her husband, Teller Fournswallow organised guards to escort the carriage and wagons on the final trip. Despite being loyal to her husband Mary has a weak spot for heroic figures and even vagabond ruffians and is just as likely to flirt as she is to run away when dealing with stressful circumstances.

Harry Panscythe

Harry Panscythe – Created in Artbreeder.

Not an unremarkable fellow Harry appears to be a wealthy yet ordinary man. Clever of wit and observation he seems to know the roads, the people and the towns around Foresithe well. Travelling with a few chests he is making his way to Foresithe to start up a new business after the previous one he had went under. Deciding for a change of scenery he seems unconcerned with the reports of bandits and seems to trust the guards and adventurers he hired to look after the rough spots as long as he gets to his destination safety.

Quick to jump to help people but slow to trust or reveal much Harry shows kindness but shies away when observed doing such acts.

The Drifters

Drifters – created in nightcafe.
Drifters – created in nightcafe.

The reports of drifters usually comes in two forms. Rough looking humans in different scraps of cloth harassing the carriages and wagons and stealing what they can. Or half-beast half-human ravaging the people of the road and leaving none alive to tell the tale. Which is an enigma in itself as where do these tales come from?

Those destined for drifting rarely have a say in their life. They are generally the result of poverty or a calamity of some kind. But one can always attest to their desire to survive and come through hardship.

Thanks for dropping by tonight for another NPC night. It would be pretty obvious plot for those paying attention, especially after the turning point for the highway man. But to confirm it you will have to come back every night. But don’t forget to keep an eye out for other Tabletop materials this week as I play a bit of catchup. And as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Drifters and Shifters

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Welcome to the start of yet another week where one the weekend we looked at a redemption story. But what if we look at that differently, perhaps we should look at Drifters and Shifters. So that’s this weeks adventure. So let’s sit down, grab a coffee and roll onto this weeks adventure!

Drifters and Shifters

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“I can’t tell you how relieved I am to have you with us in this carriage. With the roaming pack of lycanthrope bandits on the road no where is safe!” the cooing merchants wife practically fell out of the chair to get closer to the party member in the carriage with her. The other carriage patron, a relatively well off looking human shared a glance with the party member before shaking his head as he turned towards the window, smiling.

“So you some kind of hunter huh? Much experience in hunting packs of werewolves? It makes me feel so safe having you and your men with me, us! with us.” she stammered. “I take my wares to my husbands shop in Foresithe once a month from our warehouse. But his wagon got hit bad once by these bandits and ever since we take smaller quantities and have slowly began the move.” she continued to explain her situation to the party member.

“I am sure our companion is also of similar feelings, er… Mr?” she asked looking expectantly at the other passenger.

“Harry, Harry Panscythe” he politely spoke. He looked from the window to the inhabitants of the carriage. “I fear that I don’t have worry of the stories of lycanthropes on the road. Most of these stories end up being exaggerated by those too embarrassed to admit they were stolen from.” he said with a smile. “But I don’t doubt the prowess in these warriors, these hunters in routing out the beasts if there are any.”

Tracks

“Halt! I said Halt!” a voice called from up ahead. The carriage stopping before the doors opened and the adventurer jumped out. Striding across the snow, winter setting in, they made way to one of the foreriders. Tracks, large bestial tracks by the looks of it. But these ones changed and distorted mid-stride to something different, something more human.

“Interesting,” Harry said from behind him. A look of genuine interest and worry appeared on his face. “I dare say your hunting skills will come into use then.” He said with a smile towards the party member.

Thoughts

Now mix of a carriage escort, an investigation and something more this week. I don’t want to spoil it or how it relates to the weekends content. But it will be a good adventure I hope.

Thank you for joining me for the start of another week. There is a bit to get through this week so keep an eye out for more content as we go. But also don’t forget to come back for the zine of last weekend as I look to get that out this week as well. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Durkenstaff Lost Mine

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So a surprise map night tonight. I worked on a map for the Durkenstaff Lost Mine, one of the paths to the adventure this week. While some mines lead to riches, some lead to just a neat cave. This one is a bit of a mixed measure of what ever we want to put in here. So instead of a Zine this Sunday I have a map with over 400 different objects across four layers. But let’s look at the map tonight by grabbing a coffee and rolling into an adventure!

Durkenstaff Lost Mine

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A Long rocky path and cave that has a few chambers off it. The first path to the right has a ‘secret’ path up to another little area where you may choose to hide something. Perhaps a surviving miner or two who could have some wisdom for the party.

The water is deep, Maybe not infinitely deep but deep enough that you are at risk of drowning if you get stuck in there with heavy armour. Another hazard is the pit to the end of the left passage where I wouldn’t mind this being even fifty feet deep. Deep enough that to slip would mean death.

Durkenstaff Lost Mine – Created in Inkarnate

So a bit of a weird weekend and one where I will have to ‘owe’ a Zine to us all. But the map I think is cool enough as compensation. So don’t forget to look for the zine this week coming and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Durkenstaff Cavern

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A map night, surprisingly Friday night though, is here and while I work out how to make a larger map I wanted to present the final ‘arena’ for the encounter for this week – Durkenstaff Cavern. Yesterday we were introduced to the mountain king and his associate, a Chimera. Tonight we look at the cavern with skylight which is their home. A bit of a big arena for the end of adventure combat but we will see how we go.

But in order to actually get to the adventure we best sit down, grab a coffee and roll onto tonight’s adventure!

Durkenstaff Cavern

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A large cavern with a small cave on one side is known as the Durkenstaff cavern. A hole in the top of the cavern allows bats and birds to fly in if they dare but also sky access for the Manticore. It also brings in rain water into a pool that’s featured in the middle of the cavern floor.

Tall craggy cliff faces litter the walls of the cavern with platforms build into the side. This gives plenty of vantage points for archers or, Chimeras to perch and watch as prey enters their vision.

Durkenstaff Cavern – Created in Inkarnate

Now as I prepare for a pretty full on weekend I want to thank you for coming back again this week. In fact with a bit of a mix up this week with the order of things I will have my work cut out for me in this weekends writeup. However, don’t forget to come back daily as I hope to finally reveal some more hobby progress this weekend. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Mountain King and The Monster

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Welcome to a Fight-night Thursday…. tonight we meet The Mountain King and The Monster he has convinced to join him. A bit of a short one tonight, but more will be revealed in the coming days! So Sit back, grab a coffee and let’s look at some creatures!

The Mountain King and The Monster

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The Mountain King

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

Stone Giant – created in Tetra-cube

The Monster

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

Chimera – created in Tetra-cube

Thanks for visiting tonight. Don’t forget that the next couple days we will expand more upon this encounter including the map of the lair. However don’t let the creatures fool you as there may be more that meets the eye at first glance when it comes to these two monsters. So don’t forget to come back the next few nights to see the full reveal and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Hunting Grounds of the Mountain King

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As Wednesday arrives again we look at the Hunting Grounds of the Mountain King. Now to not give away much of this weeks plot we will take a bit of a different approach. So sit down, grab a coffee and let’s roll into tonights adventure.

Hunting Grounds of the Mountain King

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Groggy and sore Farden looked around the dark and gloom around him. Bones of animals litter the cavern they found themselves in and the slow realisation that his nightmare was real sunk in. Luckily the creature was gone but evidence of its appetite was strewn around the room. Half eaten cow carcases, a horse’s leg propped up against the wall and bones everywhere.

But as Farden looked around the room he could barely make out the shapes of his fellow miners in cages much like his. Feeling around the confines of the cage he found a shard of broken stone, or bone and he started to cut at the bindings of the cage. Little by little the strands of fibre broke apart from their fatty resin that bound them in place. His freedom close he pushed the cage beam away and he wriggled out.

“Farden. Don’t. The creature only just left it will be back soon.” his fellow miners warned as he snuck around looking at the bindings on the other cages. All the miners had some form of injury and they were weak, but alive. Moving towards the exit he looked around the corner and seeing nothing but a large open cavern. “Don’t worry. I will get help”

The guard

Watching from a ledge near by the human wandered out into the cavern. Licking its lips, the creature crawled down the wall, its claws biting into the soft stone of the walls. The look of terror flashing on the humans face brought the creature delight as it skulked forwards its tail lashing in anticipation. Remembering the orders it had received it didn’t want to kill it, but she couldn’t let the creature wander the mountain kings new home could it?

With a sudden burst of speed the creature pounced onto the human, the sounds of a few bones breaking brought a shiver of delight over the malice filled creature. The urge to devour it was immense but it careful grabbed the human and place it back in the cave where the others were kept.

“Well done Rak’shamaneth. I found more treasure of what these humans had tried to hide from you.” the mountain king said, his voice vibrating stone and air alike. Striding over to the king Rak’shamaneth looked at another chest filled with gold that was placed at her feet. She practically purred with delight. This arrangement was working very well indeed for her.

Thoughts

Now what is better than a single imposing foe to contend with? Well two. One king and the queen that he had persuaded to join him. Now the hunting grounds of the mountain king is a special adventure. I have planned it to be two phased with a pretty dramatic ending. One that you wont want to miss.

Thanks for joining me for another night of adventure. Tonight we met Rak’shamaneth and the proclaimed Mountain King. Tomorrow we will mix it up and have the creatures revealed tomorrow as the map will take me a bit longer than I have available. So excuse the different format but I hope that you still have enjoyment from it. Don’t forget to come back for the last few days this week and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Durkenstaff’s Request

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The weeks go by so quickly that we find ourselves at another Tuesday where we meet the NPCs of this week and hear out Durkenstaff’s request. With the disappearance of their miners the people of need all the help they can get in finding their missing families as well as returning their villages main source of income. So let’s not keep the good people of Durkenstaff waiting and let’s roll into tonight’s adventure!

Durkenstaff’s Request

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Durkenstaff’s request from Jandice

Jandice Baker – Created in Artbreeder.

Greeting the party with a warm cup of broth and a chunk of bread she sits down at the table opposite them and explains the situation. “Its not just the income from selling the ore from the mines, its out family. We rely on them for protection as well as helping around the village. They are our strongest and fittest villagers and we will be lost without them.” she began, waiting for the adventurers to drink some of the meagre soup.

She gripped the hand of her son, Randal who stood next to her. “A week ago our miners went to work. They normally stay up there for five or so days and return for just as many to relax and help sell the wares. But on the sixth day when they didn’t return we sent out our hunters to go find them and bring them home. We thought they’d been attacked by wolves and bears and were holed up somewhere. But when the hunters came back they couldn’t find any sign of them. Surely they have missed something. I can’t believe that they would just vanish like that.” Jandice stood up and walked off towards the pot to stir it.

Missing information

Randal Baker – Created in Artbreeder.

Randal sat down in front of the party. “Jandice the wise is what the others call her. A healer of sorts but she doesn’t always listen to counsel. I’m Randal, Jandice is my mother. Without the villagers from the mine we wont last the winter. The others don’t want me to tell you this, they fear that you will run off and take what you want from the mine. But there was something strange in there. A new passage. Now I help the miners occasionally. escorting them back and bringing them food. They would have told me about a new mine.” he began, pausing to look around at the others in the hall.

“I fear that they entered the new passage and got lost. Or something. I know we don’t have much to offer but can you hear out our request? Durkernstaff’s request?” he paused for a moment. “I’d start with the mines. We searched the rest of it. I’ll talk to the villagers and mother. I’m sure we can make it worth your while if you’re willing to help us find our families.”

Thanks for dropping by tonight. This week I want to expand upon what type of rewards can come form quests and requests. Not everything is a bag of gold, a magical blade or ten fast horses. Sometimes its something much more. But to see that you’ll have to wait for the weekend. Even so don’t forget to come back daily for the rest of the week and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe