fiction

Tricksters of Meldwel

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The Tricksters of Meldwel forest couldn’t even take away from the view when the sun rises over the Darkstone Mountains, casting long shadows and a golden glow across the rugged terrain towards their destination. The party has survived numerous trials and now sets their sights on the Meldwel Forest, a dense and ancient woodland that lies to the northeast. Within this forest, hidden beneath the ancient trees, is the crypt that holds further secrets to the Red Lord’s fate.

So grab a coffee, or festive drink, and keen your senses as we explore tonight’s adventure!

Tricksters of Meldwel

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As dawn breaks, the party stands on the precipice of the Darkstone Mountains, the chill of the night slowly giving way to the warmth of the morning sun. The Blank Citadel had made the time feel like mere moments between Dusk and Dawn however as they witnessed the rising sun there could be no doubt that time passed differently beyond the portal. The path ahead leads back down into the valley several paths trek over the mountains towards the Meldwel Forest, a place of ancient magic and hidden dangers.

The trees of Meldwel rise tall and imposing, their branches intertwining to form a thick canopy that casts deep shadows on the forest floor below. The journey to the forest was surprisingly quiet with only a few goats daring to walk near where the party travelled with their cleric companion. The air grows cooler as they descend into the valley, the shadows lengthening as the party approach the edge of the forest with a trickling river moving towards the canopy of leaves and branches.

The scent of pine, blossoming trees and earth fills the air and the sounds of birdsong and rustling leaves create a serene yet eerie atmosphere. The parties footsteps crunch softly on the forest floor as they enter the Meldwel Forest in full, the path winding between towering trees and dense undergrowth.

As the party delve deeper into the forest the air grows thicker and more dense as a curtain of mist appears over the trees. The party stop to have a short rest while they wait for the mist to clear but it instead thickens until a dense layer covers the ground and rises in wafts to about chest height. The bird song and afternoon rays of sun give the forest an otherworldly presence as they continue deeper heading in the direction that Elara can feel the faintest of surges of the Red Lords connection to her and the Red Candle, which remains the same nearly inert flame as before.

The shadows seem to dance and shift, playing tricks on the senses of the parties eyes. Bird song mingling with the trickle of water near by starts to sound like soft flits of laughter, light and airy as it echoes through the trees and the fog that has refused to yield to the sun. Soon the party begins to catch glimpses of small, glowing orbs moving through the fog, fireflies they hope, and as the sun drifts lower they start seeing figures flitting between the branches.

The forest grows darker and more foreboding as they venture deeper, the once steady sounds of wildlife giving way to an uncanny silence. Suddenly, a chorus of laughter erupts around the party, and tiny, glowing orbs launch out from the trees towards the party causing them to to duck and dive and slip into the mid that was hidden by the cloud of fog. The party rise covered in mud prepared to fight but a chorus of laughter greets them as the trickster of Meldwel Forest, appear in short bursts before disappearing from sight. These are beings of mischief and mirth who have followed the Red Lord for as long as history can retell and they delight in spreading joy and chaos in equal measure.

Finally after a series of escalating pranks the trickster spirits appear before the party, their eyes twinkling with mischief and the tears of their delight at the parties expense. They giggle and whisper among themselves, their voices like the jingling of bells.

‘Well, well, well, what do we have here? Travelers in the forest, hmm? Seeking secrets best left hidden, hmm? Tell us, do you bring mischief, merriment or perhaps,’ the creature paused its eyes turning cruel for a moment betraying its fey heritage, ‘trouble?’

The party attempt to convince the creatures of their intentions. After a while and a game of riddles and tests that the creatures set as they goad the party deeper into the forest. Eventually the party manage to succeed in convincing the trickster spirits , their demeanour changing immediately from cruel and mischief to gleeful and friendly. ‘Very well, brave travellers, we see your hearts are true and you seek not to take our source of joy and merriment from us. The Red Lord has been kind to us, and we shall aid you in return. The place you seek is a crypt that lies deep within the forest, hidden beneath the roots of the oldest tree. Follow our guidance, and you will find it.’

The trickster spirits lead the way, their glowing forms illuminating the dark forest as they guide the party through the maze of trees and undergrowth. After dusk has come and gone the party arrive at a massive, ancient tree whose roots twist and burrow deep into the earth.

Beneath the roots, the party find a hidden entrance covered in moss and ivy. The trickster spirits gather around, their orbs of light casting eerie shadows on the ancient stone doorway.

‘Here lies the entrance to the crypt where once the forces the Red Lord and the Forgotten one battled along side their deities. Be wary, for within you will face trials that test your courage and resolve. But fear not, for we believe in your strength. May the Red Lord’s light guide you’

With the entrance to the crypt revealed, the party prepares to descend into its depths.

Thanks for joining me tonight for the next piece in the puzzle for this adventure. Tomorrow we will likely have an action packed day so don’t forget to come back for that and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Gatekeeper of the Citadel

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The gatekeeper of the Citadel bears witness to all the items believed to be too cursed for even the gods to deal with but yet he understands what’s at stake when he is deceived into guarding the Sacred Red Candle – until the party arrive that is.

So sit back, grab a blanket as its a bit cold in tonights adventure!

The Gatekeeper of the Citadel

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Their journey has been arduous and the party pushes forward with exhausted bodies as they put more distance behind them and the body of Brother Colin. After hours of climbing the steep path they are so close to their destination, the legendary Blank Citadel. The sky begins to darken as the sun begins its descent behind the horizon. As it sets the Darkstone Mountain pass doesn’t look so hostile and unwelcoming as a golden glow washes across the landscape.

As the path they travelled flattens out the sun begins to sink below the horizon, its dying light casts long shadows across the jagged peaks of the Darkstone Mountains. As the temperature drops, and a biting chill settles in clouds of the parties breath swirl around them as travel across the landing looking for the location described by the hidden temple guardians. Ahead, the path stops, and the party find themselves standing before a sheer cliff face covered in ancient ice. Elara walks up to the ice and places a tired and bruised hand against the surface. Nodding she confirms what they all suspected, this is the entrance to the Blank Citadel.

As they look around a blinding flash of light hits them in the eyes from a pillar that is covered in bushes. The party recall the cryptic message about the setting sun and the entrance to the Blank Citadel and examine the pillar and beam of light. Sure enough at the top of the shoulder high pillar is a clear multifaceted gem placed which is sending a refracted beam of light onto the wall opposite it. After a few moments of pondering it is clear that the gem must be rotated just right so that the suns setting light can reveal the hidden entrance.

With a concerted effort, the gemstone turns, refracting the sunlight into a focused beam that strikes the ice wall. The ice begins to melt and crack, revealing a hidden doorway etched with ancient runes. The entrance to the Blank Citadel stands before those before it, foreboding, ancient and cold and yet it beckons the party inside.

As the party step into the Blank Citadel, the air grows colder, and an eerie silence envelops you. The walls are lined with ancient inscriptions and artifacts with a warning to not touch or linger too long on the cursed items forsaken by the gods. A breath of frigid air washes out from the chasm and along with it a foreboding presence whispering of a time and a think long forgotten. The path leads to a grand chamber, its centrepiece a pedestal upon which rests a candle of vibrant red – the Sacred Red Candle.

As Elara walks towards the candle transfixed on the artefact of her deity that stands on the pedestal before her a dark toned creature with inhumanly long arms and legs watches the party closely and the cleric, Elara, most intently, its eyes filled with a deep sense of regret.

‘Welcome, travellers. I am the Oracle, guardian of this sacred place. Long have I watched over the cursed items that have been sent to me and now this, the sacred Red Candle,’ it took a deep breath to steady itself as if not used to talking, ‘ensuring it none of them fall into the wrong hands. But I fear I have been deceived as the Red Candle is not unholy nor cursed nor a threat to any who know what it is.’ it paused as is moved closer to the party and Elara its long arms unfurling more like an arachnid than humanoid. ‘The one who came before you… his intentions were dark and twisted and when he left the candle and declared the oath be fulfilled I felt the authority of a god in his command and obeyed. But he was no god.’

‘The Sacred Red Candle was meant to be a beacon of mercy and hope, but it has been tainted by deceit. I entrust it to you now, for I sense your hearts are true and do reek of vengeance less than the one that brought it here. But be warned, the candle will only burn for those who are true to its teachings. The path ahead is fraught with peril and darkness is closing in as that which was forgotten comes front of mind for the first time in an existing.’

The Oracle gestures towards the candle, its flame barely flickering as the party contemplate their next steps. With the candle found and still alight, barely so, then the Red Lord must be alive. Elara’s elation could be seen as she tentatively walked forward to pluck the candle from the pedestal, the Oracle watching intently.

The oracle spoke breaking the tense moment with is pained voice ‘The Red Lord is held within a place of darkness, where despair and isolation are his sole companions. Seek the ruined fortress within the Meldwel forest to the east of the Darkstone Mountains, beyond the reach of mortal light. There, you will find the answers you seek and the means to restore the Red Lord.’

Thanks for visiting tonight for something a bit different to my normal Friday plans. But don’t fret as there is more planned for this adventure as we continue on with day 14 tomorrow! So don’t forget to come back tomorrow for more Dice-ember and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Darkstone Mountain Pass

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The Darkstone Mountain pass is a hazardous place to travel through let alone rest or do combat in. So tonight we cover that combat scene in a bit more depth, explaining the terrain, some of the hazards and what we can expect from a map in the cliffs of these mountains.

So sit back, grab a coffee and let’s explore tonight’s map!

Darkstone Mountain Pass

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Darkstone Mountain Pass – Created in inkarnate.

Setting the scene for the Darkstone Mountain Pass encounter this week we have the clearing in the Darkstone Mountain pass where Elara and the party connect as well as Brother Colin revealing his true colours. There is more to come tomorrow but the map takes centre stage today.

Along with a rather large, roughly 40 feet by 75 feet, area to fight in, there are many areas that the party or their aggressor can attack from or move to. This makes the combat dynamic and feel more engaging than a 1v5+ fight.

Recap

The tension in the air was palpable as Brother Colin, his speech delivered and his eyes burning with malevolent intent, stood before the party and Elara. The once calm clearing now seemed to hum with dark energy, and the ground beneath their feet felt unstable, as if it too was ready to give way to the chaos about to unfold.

With a flick of his wrist, Brother Colin summoned a sphere of dark energy that crackled with malevolent power. He hurled it towards Elara, who barely managed to conjure a shimmering veil of red fire that deflected the worst of the attack. The party sprang into action, weapons drawn and spells at the ready.

The party moved quickly to surround Brother Colin, hoping to cut off his escape and overwhelm him with their numbers. Their weapons clashed against his shadowy defences, and bursts of magic illuminated the dark clearing as the magic itself seemed to fizzle before coming into contact with the corrupted cleric. The sound of metal on metal and the hiss of arcane and divine energy filled the air as the first moments of the intense battle erupted.

The party, already weary from their encounter with the patrol, moved to protect Elara who, positioned at the rear, chanted prayers to the Red Lord, her holy symbol of a red candle glowing brightly. Her divine magic flowed through the party, mending their wounds and bolstering their resolve just as quickly as their foe ripped it away with the shadowy reflection of the divine magic that Elara produced. She called upon the Red Lord’s mercy to shield her allies from harm, creating protective barriers that shimmered in the cold air as hammers of dark energy wailed on them, trying to beat them into the earth.

As the magic clashed and the party, and Colin, were thrown into the wall of the cliff, rocks began to tumble down pelting the party and the cleric alike. But despite this nuisance the dark magic still flowed and lashed out hoping to drag the party into the true isolation that only death can bring.

Brother Colin fought with a fierce determination, his spells weaving dark tendrils that sought to entangle and immobilize his foes as needles of magic tried to pierce their flesh. He conjured shadowy minions to distract and harass the party, forcing them to split their attention between him and the spectral assailants. His voice echoed with a cruel taunt, ‘You cannot hope to defeat me. I do not wield the weak power of forgiveness and mercy but that of the determination to bring you the truth. Power is absolute, isolation and despair comes to all those that idolise mercy and comradery.’

As the battle raged on the rocky terrain grew more lethal as the combatants’ spells and attacks churned the earth and weakened the small clearing ledge that they battled on. Loose gravel and earth coupled with narrow paths required careful footing where any misstep could send them tumbling down the steep cliffs to their likely demise below.

Brother Colin’s dark magic began to falter under the relentless assault. He attempted to retreat, weaving through the rocky terrain, but the party pressed forward with determination to prevent him from hunting them down again, this interference from the corrupted man would be hist last. A well-placed attack caught him in the shoulder, and he staggered back, the protective magic he weaved slipping from his control.

In a last-ditch effort, Brother Colin summoned a massive wave of dark energy, intending to obliterate everything in its path. Elara stepped forward, her voice rising in a fervent prayer. ‘Red Lord, grant us your mercy and protect us from this darkness.’ A brilliant light erupted from her holy symbol, clashing with the dark wave and neutralizing most of it’s destructive power but in return it tossed Elara backwards against the cliff.

Seizing the opportunity, the party launched their final assault. The final attack struck true, shattering Brother Colin’s defences and delivering a fatal wound. As he fell to his knees, his shadowy form began to dissipate, and a shard of a mirror spilled out of his cloak, reflecting the otherworldly realm of the hidden temple.

Environmental Hazards:

  1. Loose Gravel and Rocks:
    • Hazard: The ground is littered with loose gravel and small rocks that can cause characters to lose their footing.
    • Checks: Characters moving quickly or engaging in combat must make Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks (DC 13) to avoid slipping and falling prone.
  2. Steep Cliffs and Drop-offs:
    • Hazard: The clearing is bordered by steep cliffs and drop-offs, posing a significant fall hazard.
    • Checks: If a character is pushed or falls near the edge, they must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC 15) to catch themselves or a nearby ledge. Failure results in falling 20 feet, taking 2d6 bludgeoning damage.
  3. Rockslides:
    • Hazard: The unstable terrain can trigger small rockslides.
    • Checks: During the battle, there is a 1-in-6 chance each round that a rockslide occurs. Characters in the affected area must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC 14) to avoid taking 2d4 bludgeoning damage and becoming restrained by the debris. Explosions or collisions with the wall of the hill above the party may also trigger these rock slides.
  4. Narrow Pathways:
    • Hazard: Some areas of the clearing are connected by narrow pathways along the cliffside.
    • Checks: Characters moving along these pathways must make Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks (DC 12) to maintain their balance. Failure results in falling prone and potentially slipping off the edge (see Steep Cliffs hazard).
  5. Thin Air:
    • Hazard: The high altitude and thin air make physical exertion more difficult.
    • Checks: Characters engaging in strenuous activity (e.g., running, fighting) must make a Constitution saving throw (DC 13) every 10 minutes or gain one level of exhaustion. This is more relevant if they decide to retreat and a chase occurs or if they wish to create substantial distance for themselves from whatever else Brother Colin may be working with

Combat Aftermath

With Brother Colin defeated, the clearing fell silent, save for the laboured breathing of the party and the faint whisper of the wind. Elara knelt beside the fallen cleric, her eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and resolve. She retrieved the shard of the mirror, wondering if it held the key to the next step in their journey as she retold the stories she remembered from the early days of her initiation.

‘We must hurry,’ Elara said, her voice steady despite her energy. ‘I can feel the Red Lords presence growing closer, but it is still so faint as if there is a cloud surrounding it that his light can’t pierce.’

Thanks for visiting tonight for another map night with a bit of an expansion from combat scene from last night. But tomorrow we are back on track to powering through to the last half of this years seasonal adventure. So don’t forget to come back each day to stay on top of what’s happening here, and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Elara and the Forgotten

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As the party draw closer to the Blank Citadel they meet a cleric and a mad man. Elara and the forgotten gods servant are tonight’s focus with the party trying to save the young priestess as she can still sense the Red Lords light.

So sit down, grab your candles and let’s prepare to fend off the darkness in tonight’s adventure!

Elara and the Forgotten

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Elara describing the Forgotten – Created with Copilot.

After the battle with the patrol the party continues their journey north, deeper into the Darkstone Mountains. A harsh and unforgiving terrain greets them where the Blank Citadel lies hidden among the jagged rocks and towering peaks and if the cryptic messages are to be believed its location wont be revealed easily. The path grows more treacherous and untravelled with each step, but despite the dangers they have their names to clear and, gods willing, a deity to find and save.

The deeper parts of the Darkstone Mountains are a maze of narrow passes, steep cliffs, and winding trails. The air is crisp and thin with a constant chill that bites at their skin, note and throats. The sky above is often overcast, casting long shadows that make it difficult to see dangers in the path until its too late as pockets of deep shadows conceal cracks, debris and even potential foes.

The party had been moving cautiously through the winding mountain paths, their eyes scanning the rocky terrain and bushes that grew out of the mountain face for any signs of dangers. The memory of the patrol’s ambush was still fresh in their minds and every twist, every sound along the path seemed to echo with potential threats. As they navigated a particularly narrow ledge, one of the party members noticed a figure trailing them from a distance.

At first, they thought it was another enemy, but as the figure drew closer, they recognized her as one of the clerics from the ambush; a follower of the Red Lord. She was one of the few that they hadn’t subdued as she had hesitated during the attack and her devout nature to the Red Lords teachings of mercy and second chances had been noticeable, and now she seemed to be following them with a purpose.

The party decided to confront the cleric in a small, sheltered clearing where they could speak without fear of immediate attack or of falling over the edge of the path and into the deeper parts of the mountains. The cleric, a woman named Elara, approached them cautiously, her eyes filled with uncertainty mixed with a firey determination.

‘I… I don’t mean you any harm. I couldn’t bring myself to believe that you were responsible for the disappearance of the Red Lord as your reputation didn’t match the image that you were being painted with.’ she said finally after a series of questions.

‘There’s something deeply wrong about all of this. I could still faintly sense the Red Lord while in Felmore but now with each step deeper into the mountains the feeling and connection grows. If he was dead and his Red candle truly snuffed out forever then no one would be able to sense the lord. Many have given into their despair and their fear and strayed from the path that our lord has shown us. That is why they cannot hear him.’ she added before pausing, looking doubtful of her next actions.

‘I was ordered to join the search as I was a hunter before finding my calling and I have a strong affinity with divination magic. But despite my order being received I never believed in the intent and planned to resolve this matter peacefully with mercy.’ she said as she made the sign of the Red Lord. ‘I needed to see for myself, the people you truly were and I now doubting that anything that Brother Colin had said, all the words he had used to paint a perfect picture of the monsters you were… they are all false aren’t they?’ she asked with a look of loss and hopelessness.

As the party debated her intentions, the air grew tense. Elara’s sincerity seemed genuine, but if it was true then someone who followed the missing lord would surely be able to assist them in the near future.

Without warning, a shadowy figure emerged from the bend behind them. A dark, tattered once-red cloak looked frayed and as if the colour was seeping out of it. It was Brother Colin, his eyes burning with malevolent intent. He had followed Elara, suspecting her betrayal but reliant on her ability to sense the party, and now he sought to silence her and deal with the party once and for all.

‘You could have just stayed in the cells and let justice determine your fait. But I wasn’t surprised to see you escaped despite the words of comfort and hope that my agents had whispered your way. Never mind I have you and this traitorous fool now. Did you really think I wouldn’t notice your hesitation to believe your superiors words. Do you still hear the weak fools voice calling you to spread mercy? I can’t have you ruining the Forgotten One’s plans, this ends now!’ he called.

With a flick of his wrist, Brother Colin summoned dark energy, launching a vicious attack at Elara which she barely survived as a shimmering veils of red fire moved to protect her form the worst of it. The party, recognizing the threat to themselves and their only connection to the lost lord, sprang into action to defend her.

As Brother Colin falls, a shard of mirror spills out of his cloak reflecting another world, a familiar one, the hidden temple. Elara provides them with more information about the Blank Citadel, a place of myth where the deities used to lock away all that was best left forgotten and buried. She highlighted the danger that lay within its sealed doors and asked them if they had a plan, how they would breach what was meant to be impenetrable.

She also remembered, barely, a story that she was once told when she joined the clergy of the Red Lord that he had once tried to extend the candle of mercy, his Red Candle, to the Forgotten deity who had been shunned from the world. They were a mess of madness and chaos and survived of the energy of fear, loneliness and hopelessness that came from extreme isolation. They didn’t have a clergy of a sort but creatures that weren’t too long by themselves, in isolation, always would reach out to the Forgotten One. They were sustained by such negative emotions that when the Red Lord showed Mercy, kindness and understanding it hurt them more than any immortal weapon could.

As the Red Lord grew to power and those who felt isolation and banishment so profoundly were given second chances, invited to feasts and shown compassion the Forgotten One’s power started to wane and they all but ceased existing, or so the story went.


Thanks for joining me for another twist in this December’s seasonal adventure. It would have been seen coming from a long way away but Brother Colin revealing himself as a traitor, a servant of the Forgotten One, has been in the cards for a while. But there is yet more to come and even more deadlier foes to face. So don’t forget to comeback each day this week to stay up to date and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Road to the Blank Citadel

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Tonight we follow the party on the road to the Blank Citadel. The roads out of Felmore are heavily patrolled as the word that the party has been seen in the city has spread. However the party manage to avoid the patrols on the road, however, their luck wont last for ever and they are ambushed with the Darkstone mountains within striding damage.

So sit down, grab a hot coffee or seasonal beverage as we hike into tonight’s adventure!

Road to the Blank Citadel

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Patrols chase in the mountains – Created in Copilot.

The party leaves the Hidden temple through a vertical shimmering transparent mirror-like portal. As they enter the central chamber of the Red Lord where they entered the hidden temple from. As they step through the statue of the Red lord the surface stops being mirror-like and the portal closes as the symbol they used to trigger the portal clangs to the floor. The clerics are still elsewhere and even the guard to this room remains as they were when the party entered the room.

After leaving the temple the party sets out on their journey to the Blank Citadel, armed with the cryptic clues from the hidden temple guardians. Their path leads them northward, through the dangerous roads and treacherous landscapes. However, the journey is fraught with danger as they realise very quickly that several patrols are actively searching for them, determined to capture the alleged murderers of the Red Lord.

The road from Felmore is bustling with activity, as merchants, travellers, and the busy patrols crisscross the landscape. The air is thick with tension, and every passer-by seems to eye each other with suspicion and the party must navigate the road and their travels to avoid detection while making progress towards the Blank Citadel.

The party moves cautiously through the road out of Felmore, their hoods drawn low and their eyes scanning for any signs that they have been discovered or for patrols heading towards them. The city was alive with noise and activity, but the road out of the city was a stark contrast. As opposed from the jubilation in anticipation for the large feasts in Felmore the activity and noise that was on the roads out came from disgruntled merchants and travellers that as patrols pulled them over.

As they moved along the roads they managed to avoid the majority of the patrols as other travellers were questioned before them. It was going nearly to well as they continued their way out of the city. But their luck ran out when they encountered their first patrol, a group of well-trained guards, knights, and clerics, each one alert and vigilant.

The patrols were stopping all travellers, demanding identification and searching for any signs of the fugitives. The party managed to quickly duck behind a large wagon and they managed to barely avoid detection, or so they thought.

Despite their best efforts, the party’s luck eventually runs out. As they leave the roads and head towards the towering Darkstone mountains the narrow passageway doubles back on itself heading up a ledge. As they turn to climb they notice that they have been followed by the patrol that they believed they had narrowly avoided prior.

As the battle draws to a close, the knight, wounded but not fatally, gasps a message in defeat. ‘You may have won here… but you wont escape your fate, murderers..’

With this ominous warning, the knight breathes his last. The party, battered but victorious, takes a moment to regroup and tend to their wounds. The journey ahead is filled with uncertainty, but they now have a clearer sense of the dangers that lie ahead.


Thanks for joining me for another night as we kick off the second part of this adventure! But we are not done yet so don’t forget to come back daily so you don’t miss a thing and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Blank Citadel

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‘The Blank Citadel holds the last light of the Red Lord, none can stop it from turning black’, the dying words of a cruel creature wishing to taunt the party this week as we continue on with the eighth day of our December adventure. But this information comes at a price and a frantic battle awaits those who dare oppose the dark guardians of the hidden temple.

So sit down, sharpen your magical blades and let’s get ready to square off against the most cruel of guardians!

The Blank Citadel

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The Dark Guardians – Image created using Co-pilot.

As the party gathers their belongings and prepares to leave the hidden temple to the forgotten deity the air grows colder. An unsettling presence wafts over them causing their vision to blur around the edges and them to momentarily lose the sight of their comrades. The guardian spirits that they conversed with seem to sense the change in the room with their forms flickering with unease and them looking around as if pained.

Suddenly, the quiet atmosphere of the few moments before a storm is shattered as new guardian spectres materialize in the hall. These guardians are different, more menacing, ancient and dark, their spectral forms cloaked in shadow and their eyes burning with an intense, hostile cold light.

One of the new guardians, a towering figure with a jagged spear, steps forward the sound of its footfall the sound of breaking glass. It’s voice is neither male nor female but the sound as if heartbreak had a voice and with it speaking it echoed with an otherworldly resonance. ‘Intruders, you have defiled this sacred place and the forgotten one. You shall not leave here alive.’

The party braced themselves as the guardians attack without warning, their movements swift and deadly putting the masters of their age to shame with masterful use of their weapons. The grand hall erupts into chaos as the party engages in a fierce battle as they test their will to live against the opposing force that wishes them to fail. With each swing of the smoke-hewn weapons the party experienced a flash of a memory where they were alone, banished from the warmth of people and friendship.

As the ancient spectres fight the ground and ruins around them start to shift and float apart taking the party away from each other. The floating platforms and shimmering dark energy fields make the battle more dangerous as the creatures seem to be at home with the terrain, as if the realm between realms, the hidden temple of isolation is where they have always existed.

However, the guardians they had befriended lash out in coordinated attacks with the party and together they fell the spectres one by one. As the battle reaches its climax, one of the dark guardians, a spectral figure with a crow-like helm, speaks in a cryptic tone. ‘The Blank Citadel holds the last light of the Red Lord, none can stop it from turning black.’

With those final words, the guardian falls, his form dissipating into wisps of dark energy and with the remaining guardians laying defeated, the party is left with a new and crucial piece of information. One of the surviving friendlier guardians explains that ‘the Blank Citadel is located far up north and that the setting of the sun reveals where it is within the Darkstone Mountains when you show ultimate reverence to the ancient stone’. With its cryptic message delivered it fades from existence, its oath broken and its fate sealed.

With the hidden temple’s secrets unveiled and a new lead pointing them to the Blank Citadel far to the north, the party must decide their next course of action. The stakes have never been higher, and their quest to clear their names and save the Red Lord now takes on a new and dangerous dimension. The journey ahead will be fraught with peril, but the party is determined to uncover the truth and restore hope to their world.


Thanks for visiting again for the start of another week and the seventh section of content for this adventure. Don’t forget we have another two weeks to go for this adventure so don’t forget to come back daily so you don’t miss a thing and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Hidden Temple

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Tonight the party have left Lorkan’s shop the party went towards the next place they needed to go was to confirm the information they received and discover, the hidden temple. But this is just the beginning as un foreseen twists await the party and it’s only still the beginning.

So sit back, grab a coffee and let’s run through tonight’s adventure!

The Hidden Temple

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With the further evidence gained at Lorkan’s that pointed to Brother Colin as the mastermind behind their framing, the party sets their sights on the Temple of the Red Lord in Felmore. They had one goal in mind, to investigate the location where the Sacred Red Candle was last seen and uncover any further clues that could lead to the Red Lord’s whereabouts if he still existed.

Felmore was an ancient city with a rich history before it became the bustling trade hub that the party knew it as today. A lot of the architecture still dates back to the original city and this was more prominent near the city centre. The temple of the Red Lord stands proudly in the city centre, an welcoming structure with high flag posts that flutter their red flags in the breeze. The atmosphere within the temple is sombre, as the clergy and worshippers are still praying for their from the recent events.

The party arrives at the temple under the cover of the shadows of dusk, hoping to avoid drawing too much attention from the people who would be after them. They blend in with the evening worshippers, making their way towards the clerics rooms and the guarded sanctum where the Sacred Red Candle was kept.

Amongst all the rooms there was a large central chamber guarded by a lone cleric who was quietly standing guard and watching in the other direction. Once the party had convinced him to let them pass they were greeted by a small, dimly lit chamber filled with ancient relics and statues of various deities. In the centre of the room stands a large statue of the Red Lord, with a serene expression and an outstretched hand.

Recalling the amulet they found earlier in Brother Colin’s room in the Temple to Tyr in Morlam, the party realizes its significance. They place the amulet in the outstretched hand of the statue, and a soft, pulsating light fills the room. The statue’s appearance begins to shift and move, revealing a mirror like surface instead of the stone surface of the pedestal supporting the figure of the Red Lord —a gateway to a temple between realms.

The party steps through the portal and finds themselves in an otherworldly temple suspended between realms. The architecture is ethereal with floating platforms and shimmering waves of energy. The air is filled with a sense of ancient power and mystery. However several thin, and spectral elves drift down towards them.

‘Visitors, you have the taint of the man who last visited. He soon realised his errors’ the spectral elf emphasises the last word. ‘State your business with the temple between worlds’.

The party are able to find out that the temple is to a deity of isolation, the Forgotten Deity. One that was banished to loneliness despite having several chances to take their ways. They were able to subdue the angry spirits who have been sentenced to tend to the temple in isolation even past death – as a punishment from the deity that rules this realm. The further insult to injury is that they can not hear or see each other so that their sentence passes long into their next lives.

They coerce the spirits, who are finally happy to have someone they can see and talk to, to give them information. The Deity who rules this realm seeks to imprison the Red Lord who strives to give people a second chance and prevents them from being destined for loneliness. But they were unable to kill the deity but cut off their connection from the red flame of his candle.

With newfound knowledge and an understanding of the enemy they face, the party must plan their next steps. They have unravelled part of the mystery behind the Red Lord’s disappearance and the framing, but more challenges lie ahead. Armed with the secrets of the hidden temple, they prepare to confront the forces that threaten their world and restore hope and mercy to the land.

Thanks for visiting tonight for the sixth expansion of this years Christmas adventure. Don’t forget that we aren’t even half way there yet so make sure to come back each day in the future to keep up to date! And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Lorkan’s Shop

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The party makes their way back to Felmore where they once had business with their previous employer who owned Lorkan’s Shop. A man not known for his imagination or honest he had been called out in the evidence they had found in Brother Colin’s room as working against them and falsifying evidence. The goal was simple, find evidence of wrong doing and begin to clear their name.

So sit back, grab a coffee and let’s explore tonight’s encounter!

Lorkan’s Shop

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Armed with the information that they had liberated from the Temple of Tyr the party travels to Felmore determining that investigating their previous employer as a source of information. With Brother Colin completely disappearing they had to chase up their next lead and starting withy Lorkan, their previous employer where they left on unfavourable turns.

Felmore was a bustling trade city known for its merchants and craftsmen in addition to the main temple to the Red Lord. The parties primary goal was to uncover more evidence of Brother Colin’s manipulations and beging to get enough information to clear their names.

As they enter Felmore the vibrant city with crowded streets, noisy markets, and a mix of cultures and races. The air is filled with the sounds of hawkers, blacksmiths, and street performers. The party must navigate through the city’s maze-like alleys and busy squares to reach their former employer’s place of business.

Investigating the Lorkan’s Shop:

The employer, a wealthy merchant named Lorkan, operates out of a large, building in the heart of the city. The exterior is adorned with banners and signs, dedications to his self envisioned prosperity and influence. However despite how he see’s himself not many people were keen to do business with Lorkan as he had a bad reputation for cheap goods and worse manners.

The party knew from their dealings with Lorkan that he kept a chest in his office where he stored his important business dealings. If they could get into his office and into that chest they were sure they’d be able to get some information that would aid them in their quest. However the first problem that they faced was the thugs and experienced mercenaries that the paranoid merchant had hired to keep his business safe.

Thug – Created in tetra-cube.
Gladiator – Created in tetra-cube.

Thanks for visiting tonight one of the encounters that would have happened this week. There is a fair bit behind the scenes for this one so don’t forget to check out the final Zine when I post that sometime around Christmas! And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Temple to Tyr in Morlam

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The party makes their way to the Temple of Tyr in Morlam, where Brother Colin’s temporary chambers are located. They have a hunch that something in his room could provide the evidence they need to prove that something about his testimony was fabricated. But complications arise when the temple is bustling with activity, as the clergy and worshippers go about their daily routines.

So sit back, grab a coffee and let’s explore tonight’s map!

Temple to Tyr in Morlam

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Temple to Tyr in Morlam – Created in inkarnate.

The Temple of Tyr is an imposing structure with high ceilings, grand columns, and intricate mosaics depicting the god of justice. The air is filled with the scent of burning incense and the low hum of prayers. The party must blend in with the crowd to avoid drawing attention as they make their way towards Brother Colin’s private quarters.

The party slips into the temple however they see fit, disguised, magically cloaked or otherwise. They move through the hallways, avoiding direct eye contact with the clergy and worshippers. As they near Brother Colin’s room, they notice Sage Aramis speaking with a group of senior priests. He catches sight of the party and subtly signals for them to proceed while he engages the priests in conversation.

Inside Brother Colin’s Room:

The party quietly enters Brother Colin’s chambers. The room is modest, with a simple bed, a wooden desk cluttered with papers, and shelves filled with religious texts and artifacts. The soft light from a small window illuminates the space, casting long shadows.

Investigation:

  1. Searching the Desk: The party begins by examining the papers on the desk. They find letters and notes, some of which are written in a code. After deciphering the code, they discover correspondence with their previous employer – the one who gave testimony against them. The letters are from their employer and it discusses the party in some detail, describing what they look like and, wrongly so, the wrongdoings they did to the employer which is later admitted to being fabricated..
  2. Hidden Compartment: While searching the shelves, one of the party members notices that a section of the wooden panelling is loose. Behind it, they find a hidden compartment containing a sealed vial of a strange, dark liquid and a dagger with an unusual emblem, a symbol they don’t recognise immediately.
  3. Personal Journal: They find Brother Colin’s personal journal, which stopped two weeks ago despite being written in daily up until that point. The last few entries talk about haunted dreams and a dark presence in the temple in Felmore.

Other skill Opportunities:

  • Deciphering the Code: The party uses their skills to decode the letters, revealing the plot against them.
  • Finding the Hidden Compartment: A keen eye or an investigative check leads them to discover the secret hiding place.
  • Reading the Journal: As they read through the journal, the party learns about the days leading up to, what they assume, the candle being stolen.

Sage Aramis

While the party searches the room, Sage Aramis keeps the clergy occupied, preventing them from interrupting the investigation. He subtly manoeuvres the conversation to keep the senior priests engaged and away from Brother Colin’s quarters. When he notices the party is nearing the end of their search, he orchestrates a minor distraction in the temple to ensure they can exit without suspicion.

Outcome:

Armed with the evidence of Brother Colin’s falsehoods, the party must now decide their next steps. They can choose to confront the imposter directly, gather more allies, or present their findings to the Council in a bid to clear their names. The journey to uncover the truth behind the Red Lord’s disappearance and their own innocence continues, with new leads and challenges ahead.

Thanks for visiting tonight for another map night but this time with a twist! Tomorrow we continue with something a bit spicy and hopefully amusing as we push forward with this loosely, for now, Seasonal adventure! So don’t forget come back tomorrow for more content, and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Red Candle

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As the party embarks on this dangerous quest to clear their names and uncover the truth behind the Red Candle and the missing deity, they must rely on their wits, bravery, and newfound alliances. The path ahead is fraught with peril, but the fate of the Red Lord and their own lives depends on their success.

So sit down, prepare best escape soundtrack as we slink out of tonight’s adventure!

The Red Candle

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The party sit there in shock as nearly the entire sage council pass their judgement. Despite the parties best attempt several different and at times opposed factions of clerics and mages gave evidence that pointed towards the party. Divination magic both arcane and divine, witness reports and even a statement from an old employer; who had tries to refuse to pay the party the agreed sum, all pointed to the party as the cause of the missing candle and the disappearance of the Red Lord.

They had been bound by the same black metallic shackles that kept their powers in check and escorted to the jail to await a final judgment as many, including Brother Colin, had argued that the Red Lords teachings said they should be given a second chance. As they were led into the cells with a hot meal their escort smiled at them warmly. ‘I know it looks glum now, but I am sure that I’ll let you out tomorrow as free people. You may not remember me but you saved me and my family not long ago and I know you to be the kind of people to save the innocent, not to harm them.’ with guard smiled again and with a curt nod departed to leave them alone with their thoughts and each others soft words.

The memory of the grand hall that was filled with anxious and angry onlookers and the echoes of the finality of the verdict of guilty still resounded in their heads as inescapable slumber took them one by one. Their instincts honed by years of living and travelling through the wilderness kick in as they wake up one after another. The cells are cold, dark, and damp and a lone candle at the end of a far hall is the only reminder that they are locked deep within the bowels of the royal dungeon. The heavy iron bars remain closed and bound deep within the thick stone walls which make escape seem impossible even without the thick metallic bands around their wrists that had so far remained impossible to pick or get out of.

The mood is sombre amongst the party and as they look around for the trigger of their danger sense awakening them the distant sound of dripping water and the occasional echo of another prisoners moan or wail only created a sense of isolation and despair, yet something was not right.

A hurried scuff of a boot broke the oppressive lack of life as a muffled light appeared hurriedly next to their slide as a hooded figure approached the cells. It was Sage Aramis, an elder of the Council and stemmed cleric of Tyr known for his wisdom and fair judgment. He carries a small driftglobe wrapped in thick clothes that painted a soft glow revealing the concern etched on his face and only a few feet around him.

‘Wake up, all of you. We don’t have much time.’ Sage Aramis whispered as he slipped an overly oiled iron key from his pocket and unlocked the cell with a strained click. Answering the parties confused looks on their faces he rushed into the cell and with a soft glow from his hands the metal bands fell off their wrists and into his waiting hands.

‘I came because I believe you are innocent and despite the overwhelming evidence stacked against you my oath to Tyr would not let me sentence you to death. The council passed verdict late that you were to be executed for fear that you would inspire others to rise against all that is holy.’ Sage Aramis looked disgusted, ‘fools the lot of them.’

As he unlocked the last of the shackles he looked to them all and crouched before them. His age was evident now and there was a sadness in his eyes. ‘There were too many inconsistencies in Brother Colin’s testimony, and the evidence seemed too convenient, all of it. It was nearly too perfect a collection to singly point at people with your history. Something is amiss, and I fear a deeper plot at play and you listed as the scape goat for someone more more heinous.’

‘We must move quickly. Follow me, and keep quiet. If we are caught, my position and your lives will be forfeit and there will be no more aid coming.’ he urged them to follow him closely as he slunk through the corridors, passing many prisoners who were all fast asleep, definitely magic or poison was used in their slumber.

As the party followed Sage Aramis through a series of secret passages known only to a select few within the royal family. As they navigated through hidden corridors and trapdoors they met up with a younger cleric, one that looked more dubious and untrusting of the party.

‘This is Samaeus, he is one of my clerics who helped confirm that untruths were being spoken at the trial.’ Sage Aramis nodded towards the man. ‘He has collected your belongings and has sworn a vow of silence on the matter of your liberation.’ After another tense hour the party, Sage Aramis and Samaeus emerged in a secluded area outside the dungeon.

‘I don’t envy your position my friends and once they realise you have escaped I doubt that there will be anyone within a days travel that won’t know your name and appearance. You must be careful of who you trust and where you go but,’ he paused looking around the small gathering of trees that they found themselves in, ‘you must prove your innocence and uncover the truth behind the Red Lord’s disappearance. Investigate Brother Colin’s testimony as even I believed what he said to be true which troubles me.’

‘To clear your name you must find out who is truly responsible. I’ll do what I can from within the Council to buy you time, but you must act quickly. Good luck and may Tyr guide you to the Red Lord.’


Thanks for joining me for another night here at my tabletop. Don’t forget that this is still the beginning of this twenty four day adventure so we have many more miles to travel before we reach out destination. So don’t forget to come back daily so you don’t miss a thing and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe