fiction

Talley Rinden

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Tonight we uncover the mystery of what really is going on in Rimoi with Talley Rinden being at the right place at the wrong time when they party go to investigate the pantry. Will the appearance of a little girl searching for her lost friends spur the party to uncover the darkness that is happening beneath the village.

So get those running boots on as we give chase in tonight’s adventure!

Talley Rinden

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Talley Rinden – Created in WordPress!?

The party had just finished their meals when they were shown into the pantry. The homely space was warm with several meals being cooked at once. The soft cool breeze that came through the open door caught their attention first moments before a short girl darted through it and into the street beyond. ‘That’s her. The girl that I leave food out for. Somethings wrong, she would never be here during the day.’ Glenda called out for the girl to stop but she had already gone.

The party were close on her heels as they raced to catch up with her. Many people simply stopped and pointed in a direction when they saw the party chasing after her. The look of disgust was plain to see on their faces as they gave up the location of the young girl that fled form the tavern. ‘The little rat when that way!’ one of them called out as they passed a woman that pointed towards an alley.

They soon caught up to her as she tries to push into a door that was locked. ‘Please don’t. I am just trying to find my friends.’ she sobbed at them. The girls name was Talley Rinden and she was young, too young to be on the streets. The party learnt that she had been forced to scrounge on the streets, and in the Hooting Owl Tavern, for food since her grandparents passed away from the plague the year before. She and a few other urchins had formed rallied together to survive but never taking more than what they needed to survive.

As they led her back to the tavern she explained how they had snuck in a few nights ago and had left the door opened when they had heard noises in the pantry. They had taken turns to sneak back to try and find their missing friend but one by one they all disappeared. The guards would have put them in the stocks for breaking in so they couldn’t ask them nor could they ask Glenda as the scary dwarf lady would not take kindly to them stealing from her.

But as they arrived back at the tavern Glenda placed a plate filled with hot food and let her eat. ‘Now where’s your friends lass?’ she asked. But Talley simply sobbed. ‘Lost’ was the only thing that came from her lips.

That’s when the party heard noises from the pantry – something much larger than a rat despite Glenda climbing onto the table and brandishing a cleaver.

Thanks for visiting as we get closer to what’s causing the strange noises, and disappearances in this weeks adventure. Don’t forget that the rest of the week I will continue to expand this adventure further. So don’t forget to come back each night to stay up to date with the adventure and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

A Simple Request

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This week has kinda already kicked off with some of the foreshadowing of this simple request done on Saturday with Rats in the Pantry. Tonight we continue this on with a difference view, the parties, as they enter the tome of Rimoi and begin to uncover what’s happening here.

So grab a torch, or lantern, as we descend into dark pantries in tonight’s adventure!

The village of Rimoi is unremarkable in every way. It has the average amount of houses, the average population and the normal establishments a village within the capitals protected highways would have. Rimoi also has the normal problems that any village has. Frequent food shortages, frequent theft and the occasional missing person.

But the party investigating a small request to find the thieves, likely rats, from a prominent taverns pantry leads to a disturbing history of the village. Will the party recover the missing children and stop the thefts that are happening six feet under the floorboards?

A Simple Request

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A Simple Request – Created in WordPress!?

The party entered Rimoi as many other adventurers did, as a halfway stop before heading towards larger cities. As they walked down the street urchins asked for coin, trading advice and their service as a guide to take them around the village. But there was not much of a village to be taken around with.

A few general good stores and smiths operated within the village and two taverns sat across from each other in the main street. The rest of the village was a nest of houses, barns and stables that supported travellers and the farmers that made a living in this village in the middle of nowhere. As they moved through the village they were drawn to the Hooting Owl tavern with the rich smells coming from within.

Approaching the door two sour faced guards pushed past them and onto the street. ‘Well the Hoot’s just lost two customers. We’ll take our business across to the Trotters.’ they yelled as they stormed off. Within a sturdy looking dwarven woman stood fuming at the bar glaring knives at the guards who had left. As she looked towards the party her demeanour softened as she greeted them.

‘Welcome to the Hooting Owl Tavern, also known as Hoot’s to its Loyal patrons.’ she added with a venomous look towards the guards. ‘What can I help you with? I have a fresh roast boar on the spit out back and a new barrel of dwarven ale if that’s to your fancy?’. The party were delighted with the food and arrangement of drink when it came out to them. The woman, Glenda, was warm and welcoming and after a few moments of talking to her the strangeness of the guards leaving in such a state eventually came out.

‘I knew you’d seen that but was hoping you hadn’t. The local guard is meant to look into keeping the village and shops safe. A few days ago I woke to find the door to the kitchen open and some food had been taken. Now I knew that there were a few kids that used to come in and help themselves and they never really took that much. But,’ she paused for a moment. ‘They let rats in. Oh I hate rats. They are in the pantry below but I can’t do anything about them. Every time I see one of the furry devils I faint from fright. Give me a goblin or orc any day but something about the beady little eyes…’ she shook herself to try and rid the look of disgust from her face.

‘I asked the guards to just pop down and get rid of them for me, if there was any. Being it their job to look after the village I thought it was part of their job. But instead they demanded free grog and coin. I wouldn’t of minded paying them if they hadn’t been so rude about it. Instead they stormed off and I won’t be able to get into the pantry for days. What’s worse is the little kids that come and take some of the extra food I leave out… well I haven’t seen them yet. I worry they got a fright or hurt. I have some food for them, being all alone as they are. But I have no way to find them as they scamper when they see me.’ she sighed. ‘Something else the guard refused to do.’

Thanks for dropping in to see a bit more of this weeks adventure. I don’t normally expand from my adventure ponderings but being able to take a simple quest hook, like Rats in the pantry, and evolving it into something more is something fundamental for all dungeon masters. So for new or old DMs alike make sure you come back each day this week to follow along on this adventure. And as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Formica

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Now while not quite like ants the formica are very similar and share some characteristics. Instead of all of them stinging that is reserved for the queen and her elite guard alone where as the typical red formica rely on developed claws for grasping and carrying prey or items and their bites for subduing unruly ‘guests’.

So look for a can of bug spray, or something more useful, as we encounter some monstrous bugs in tonight’s encounter!

The Formica

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The red formica is the worker and foot soldier of their species. With powerful jaws and overdeveloped claws for grasping and crushing they do the queens bidding using a mixture of pheromones and high pitch sounds.

Red Formica – created in tetra-cube.

When the formica queen is around her workers they will do what ever they can to protect her and follow unheard and unseen commands that she issues with special scents and noises. However she is not weak and frail and is in fact the strongest of her kind. Able to sting and bite the creatures her claws grasp onto she quickly despatches with those who dare to confront her.

Where that doesn’t work her workers will quickly put their bodies in front of the queen as a shield to protect her from those who dare attack her. When she takes damage though her blood and from a special gland near her she can spray a pheromone that drives the formica around her wild with a blood frenzy. Those that are dosed with the pungent ichor are quickly dispatched.

the Formica queen – created in tetra-cube.

Thanks for stopping by tonight to meet the queen and her followers. Don’t forget to come back over the weekend for more tabletop content and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Ponkae Fields

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Tonight we have the party tracking the creatures from the fields towards the edge of the forest – but they should have known that it wouldn’t be that easy. A fierce fight with vicious adversaries that fight not only for their life, but the life of their sisters, brother and queen.

So join me as we lay down the foundations for this weeks climatic battle in tonight’s map!

Ponkae Fields

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Ponkae Fields – Created in Inkarnate

The raindrops from above felt heavier as they crossed under more trees that had evidence of the invaders scratching around the cocoon mounds. Some were too late with evidence of the villagers sawing out the precious cargo. However some were definitely successful and as they stood at the upper levels of the tiered trees around the village a dash of colour caught their eye.

Red silk flittered in the breeze as the grass clung to to the last bits of sticky fibre. This cocoon was huge and it appeared as though several sets of sheers or blades had cut it open. ‘Ah they found a red one.’ Naya said from nearby. ‘They are rare, very rare in fact with only one appearing every few harvests. The wine and nectar harvested from them is particularly strong and potent so the farmer that finds one ends up well paid and rich.’ she added as she scanned the woods ahead.

Her hand touching the handle of her axe was the first sign of danger, the second was a chittering and thrumming sound that waved towards them from the trees ahead of them. Several red creatures waited and watched them their mandibles and antennae moving menacingly as they watched the party near the undisturbed cocoons.

A simple map tonight with my favourite stamp being overly used – the rocky hills. The cherry on top was placing a cobblestone texture I the rocky crevasse that gave it a true stone wall look – which I will definitely do again. Several trees make up the rest of the assets while three or four grass textures make up the backdrop. A stone like texture darkens some of the area around the hills and blends it with the grass otherwise a fun, quick simple map that will get the job done.

Thanks for joining tonight for another update for this weeks adventure. Don’t forget that we still have a few more nights this week worth of content so don’t forget to come back each night to stay up to date. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Silken Threads

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From silken threads to tracks across the farmlands and into a deserted home this weeks adventure leads to an unnerving revelation.

So grab some bug spray, a large shoe or newspaper as we go bug hunting in tonight’s adventure!

Silken Threads

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Silken Threads – Created in WordPress!?

The party followed Naya who walked through the village confidently and with her eyes scanning the trees constantly. Starting with the trees that were attacked she checked for the tracks of the creature, creatures based on how many sets of erratic prints she could see heading towards the tree. Following the prints was the difficult part but locating where the creatures originated from came a lot easier.

The tracks led them to across the farm, sticking to the walls where the ledge met the stepped form of the farmland. At points they disappeared from the soil, grass and leaf litter but only for the tracks to be picked up again next to the wall as if something was digging at the wall for something. Eventually the tracks stopped, at the base of a tree that had black strips of cloth hanging from the vines.

A large mixture of bark, hardened sap and splintered wood revealed an empty silken cocoon. Cut through with sharp blades or claws with evidence that something had dug its way in, or out. There was evidence that there once was other cocoons in this tree however a hollow in the tree was all that remained. Looking around for the source the party with Naya and her fellow scouts looked for the creature that had reportedly snatched at the cocoons.

Towards the villages centre a large hole had been burrowed into the side of a house. Checking within with hatchets and blades drawn Naya crept forward. ‘I think we have a problem…’ she called out. Following her the party found the torn up interior of what would have been a cosy home. Three large silken cocoons lay cut open in the room with each of them having the same familiar cut out section. Something had either cut into them or cut their way out of the cocoons.

‘I think the grubs within the cocoons finished their changes. This is Tamaya’s house and has been vacant for a few months now and it looks like it was the perfect nest of the creatures that cut themselves free.’ she examined the silken cocoons that were as big as a humans torso – if not bigger. ‘They must have grown further once they emerged from these. Come, we have to confirm this so it wont be too late for the village.’

Thanks for joining in tonight for the investigation of of silken threads tonight. Don’t forget that I will continue to expand this adventure each day this week. So make sure you don’t forget to come back daily to stay up to date with this adventure and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Naya Fieldmoss

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Naya Fieldmoss was the first of the villagers to greet the party when they were approaching Ponkae and she is also the one that the party runs into when the first sign of trouble happens.

So grab your coats, boots and a hot coffee as we go into the rainforest in tonight’s adventure!

Naya Fieldmoss

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Naya Fieldmoss and scouts – Created in WordPress!?

The party had a knack for finding problems and the sound of raised voices and cries of alarm brought them towards a large round amphitheatre where people were talking quickly. ‘Its been over a month now and we still haven’t found the successor to his farm. If we don’t act immediately it will be too late to harvest the cocoons.’ one man was saying passionately. ‘All those trees, all that silk and all that moon broth gone to waste.’

‘The wishes of Tamaya was that only his descendants would inherit the farm and its harvest. He had issued a letter to be delivered to his next of kin but,’ the elder paused for a moment, ‘it’s harder than expected. It seems many of them left the village quite some time ago and the historian is looking for the next in line.’

As the debate continued Naya came storming forward, briefly catching the eye of the party, before kneeling before those arguing. ‘Elders.’ she began and waited to be addressed. With a not the oldest of them asked her to make her report.

‘A creature has been spotted in the village. It has a shell as red as blood and it stormed towards the trees on the second level and snatched several cocoons in its claws before darting into the forest to the east. But none of my scouts reported seeing it enter the village only as it left.’ she said as another similarly dressed man knelt beside her.

‘Elders.’ he added before they asked him to report in turn. ‘A creature with many legs has attacked some of our farmers to the north on the lowest farm before stealing their cocoons from their baskets and fleeing into the forest to the north. The weird thing…’ he began

‘None of the scouts reported seeing the creature enter?’ the elder finished for him. The man nodded looking over at Naya. A moment later a third scout knelt before them, ‘Elder.’ he addressed the group. ‘Let me guess. A creature with several legs and blood red skin stole cocoons and fled into the village with none seeing the creature enter?’ the man looked bewildered but nodded.

‘There is a legend.’ the elder continued as he sat in front of the scouts, the party noticed Naya roll her eyes. ‘That the red harvesters will appear as intervention of the gods when the village becomes to greedy. When we seek to take more than we give to the forest. They appear out of the forest air itself, take what they want and leave a trail of destruction in their wake.’ he finished looking towards the forest.

‘Naya, you and the other scouts are to track them down, study them but to not attack them as they are the will of the gods.’ the elder ordered. Naya nodded and turned to leave before looking back to the elder.

‘Elder. These travellers have come from far away to see this village. I request that they be allowed to join as they may have encountered these creatures before and may be able to save lives with their knowledge, that is if they are also willing.’ she looked towards the party.

The elder nodded. ‘You have my approval. Protect lives and find where they went.’

Thanks for visiting tonight to get a glimpse of what’s happening in this weeks adventure. As with tonight the next few days will expand the adventure further to add in additional layers onto this adventure. So don’t forget to come back daily to make sure you stay up to date and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Grub Harvest

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This week kicks off with the party encountering a group of farmers mid grub-harvest. The grubs are used by the farmers to help produce a particular crop and have been for many generations now. However, when tragedy falls upon the villagers they come to realise that not all is as it seems.

So grab your hatchets, knives and tweezers as we rustle up some grubs in tonight’s adventure!

The village of Ponkae has harvested the Moon weave grubs for years for their delicious nectar and the silk that they spin. However when the grub harvest happens to reveal a bigger problem where complacency and politics overrule common sense a bigger problem is revealed.

Now it’s up to a travelling group of adventurers to save the village and its people as their livelihood begins taking lives.

Grub Harvest

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The Grub Harvest – Created in WordPress?!

The village of Ponkae was rumoured to be place of history, tradition and the most intoxicating food and drinks known throughout the region. As the party travelled through the wet rainforest roads they crossed many people moving through the underbrush with small hand-axes and two long thin reeds. As they moved about the ferns and decaying logs they would cut at the decaying matter and, occasionally, would excitedly yell out to those near by.

A flurry of activity later would see many axes hewing into the wood, before the reed like tongs would dash out and pick out a squirming red creature from the wood. Quickly deposited into little containers they carried on their hips the village folk would continue until there was nothing more of the wood before moving onto the next decaying wood matter and continuing the search.

‘They are hunting for Moon wave grubs.’ a voice said from near by. A woman who was nearly invisible as she moved from the log she was crouched on. Dressed in a long cloak and had that consisted of moss she blended nearly perfectly in with what she perched on. ‘My name is Naya and I am a watcher of this years harvesters. They search for the grubs that feed Ponkae’s harvest.’ she smiled toothily at them. ‘Now, you don’t mean any trouble for these fine harvesters do you or I’d have to cause you some trouble about now?’

As the party continued to speak with her as she moved along the path keeping one eye on the party and the other watching the surrounding area. As she spoke to them another call went out and she looked toward the harvesters who had made it. ‘Sounds like there’s something to investigate. I may see you at Ponkae if the forest wishes us to meet again!’ she called as she nimbly darted towards the call to see what was wrong.

It was not too long until they had begun to descend the large steps that would take them into the village. The sound of running water and insects could be seen everywhere where large trees with strange growths from their branches and trunks could be seen on the many tiered fields that surrounded the valley of the village. As they passed from one large jungle trees canopy to the next they were drizzled with the water droplets that came from above, it was always wet here from what they could tell. A large river cut the village in half and it took a steady stream of water out of the village and further down the valley.

As they passed some of the farms they could be seen taking large, arm sized silken cocoons out of the growths in trees and passing them to another famer near by who lay the quivering masses carefully into baskets before carrying them towards the village. The whole village was a whirl of motion and nearly every tree had someone harvesting large cocoons from it.

However one patch of trees was drying, large strips of black fabric swung from branches and no one touched trees despite it having the same swollen growths as the others. As the party moved deeper into the village they soon forgot the trees as the sights and scents of Ponkae caught up with them and they were surrounded by people selling silken products, pungent smelling oils, strong beers and the sweetest smelling foods.

Thanks for visiting tonight for the start of a new week. Don’t forget that we will expand this adventure each day this week as I continue to work at my tabletop. Don’t forget to come back each day this week to stay up to date with what’s happening and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Sea Witch

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Now after this weeks updates so far its pretty easy to guess what tonight’s update would be, the Sea Witch herself. Now not an overly strong creature, nor swift but she is highly proficient at magic. Able to summon fog seemingly at will she attacks from hiding before using the sea against her foes.

So buckle in as we’re heading into a storm for tonight’s encounter!

The Sea Witch

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The party watched with horror as they thought, not for the first time in a few minutes, that they shouldn’t have provoked the sea witch. As she moved the thick fog swam over her form blanketing her from view and the sound of waves from the sea grew in intensity.

Her nails grew longer from her fingers as she strode towards them, moving from something human to something more feral. Long talon like claws extended from her finger tips to dagger length.

Sea Witch – created in tetra-cube.

While not overly fearsome itself it can use control water, while next to the sea, to drag the water up onto the shore. This will make the terrain difficult if not force every player to swim instead of being able to walk. This will make the Sea Witch much more difficult than its CR would make it seem (although the CR takes some of this into consideration.)

Thanks for stopping by tonight to get a glimpse of this weeks encounter. Don’t forget that this weekend we will add more tabletop content as well as the zine. So don’t forget to come back for the remaining days this week and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Launghui Docks

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Tonight we have the Launghui docks where the encounter may or may not happen. As with some encounters there is a peaceful or non-combat path through to resolution and this week is no exception. But more on that tomorrow night for tonight we have the docks where the party encounter the sea witch.

So grab the oars, man the mast as we go fishing in tonight’s adventure!

Launghui Docks

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Launghui Docks – Created in Inkarnate.

The fog rolled in more rapidly now as the sea witch strode forward more menacingly now that the party had revealed that they wouldn’t murder the villagers. As she moved past the tables that would normally have baskets of fish piled upon them she pushed them effortlessly away snuffing out a flickering flame that stood defiantly in her path from the pan that the party had set upon the village fire pit.

The fabric covers that provided shade and shelter from sun and rain normally would catch the sea breeze and funnel it across the tables to catch the smell of the fish and replace it with the crisp salty smell of the waves. But the fog was oppressive and the coloured canvas sheets hung limply as if scared to raise their sails.

As normal there is quite a few blended textures to get the colouration right. I have three for the waves and eight for the cobblestone this week. The sails, benches and huts take up centre stage with the assets this week appearing to take over the area and provide some depth. However tables, docks, boats and even a few fishing rods that are hiding behind the fog.

Thanks for dropping by tonight to see tonight’s map. Don’t forget that tomorrow we both continue and wrap up this weeks adventure. So don’t forget to come back tomorrow, and the weekend, for more tabletop content and lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

From the Depths She Comes

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From the depths she comes in tonight’s addition to the adventure, a vengeful and scorned enchantress, a magically sourced poison and much more.

So grab your tackle and rod, pull on some boots as we wade into tonight’s adventure!

From the Depths She Comes

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Sea Witch – Created in WordPress!?

The party placed Sunraya in her bed next to her sleeping parents. As they left the room and looked around what remained in the village. The waters were quiet and still without the fishing boats out amongst the waves. The gulls waited, expecting the scraps from the latest catch that would never come.

But as the party watched the gulls swimming on top of the light waves the beginnings of fog started to creep across the water. As the fog crept closer to the jetty and moored boats the surface it thickened as if summoned from the waves itself. As the party watched from their position a large, hulking creature strode from the water onto the shore. Covered in large swaths of seaweed it straightened up and looked around the village with a cruel smile twisting its features.

A woman, some would say beautiful if not for the clothes that looked as if it had been salvaged from those lost at sea. As she sunk her toes into the sand, soil and gravel of the land of Launghui she inhaled deeply. ‘After years the blood oath is complete. The villagers that pillage the waters and refuse to trade with my sisters and mother is no more. The curse fully enacted.’ as she spoke water dribbled from her mouth.

A laugh, mad and joyful broke from her mouth. ‘To think the fish that they loved so much would be their downfall. It was easy mother! Like you said, ask the fish to feed upon the urchins and snails and the meat would be tainted with poison. As long as I kill them all before they wake in a few days time then they will be gone for good.’

The party watched as she strode forward, her eyes wandering across the houses and buildings of the port village. Before, they settled on them. ‘Some still wake sisters. Something that I was not planning for. Yet these are not the villagers that refused us, that drove us out, that attacked and hunted us. Or those who killed mother. No these as outsiders.’ she paused as she straightened herself. The touch of magic prickled their skins as she attempted to charm them.

‘You wont attack and drive me away like they did will you? Its been hard being lonely for so long. All we wanted was to partake in the feasts, the merriment from the creatures that they caught from the sea. Yet when we asked they drove us away. This is just fair and just retribution that we must do. Something we must see through.’ her words sounded like pleas, but the hidden threat was real.

The party were in danger of becoming the source of the sea witches hatred if they didn’t think quickly and act even more so.

Thanks for joining me tonight for another expansion of this weeks adventure at my tabletop. Don’t forget that we will expand the adventure over the next few nights. So don’t forget to come back each night this week and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe