Artifice and Arson

Tonight the blend of artifice and arson come together in a foul concoction as a group are found within the valley hauling barrels into place. Will the party be able to stop them in time just as the gentle creatures make their passage through the valley?

So let’s grab a coffee, our fire fighting buckets and make haste to protect the valley!


Artifice and Arson

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Clearing of Preparation – Created in Nightcafe.

As the party rushed along the barely functional path behind the scouts that that returned with news of a hostile force moving equipment into the valley. Racing ahead with the small amount of light a tiny driftglobe tied to the the belt of one of the scouts they made quick progress despite the unsafe conditions of their flight.

Eventually the scout stopped and a clicking from a nearby shrub drew their attention to where some scouts were waiting. Approaching they ducked just in time to witness a dozen men carrying barrels of material into a large, stacked and ordered pile.

“That should be the lot now.” one of the men said as they placed the barrel down. “Now just like the last one, once the signal is given move as far away from the barrels as possible as you wont have much time before this place is a smoking, burnt hole.”

“Yeah. Those black-cloaks don’t do much fighting but they sure know a thing or two about blowing stuff up.” another replied with a murmur of agreement.

Jovi looked towards the party. “We may be able to work out how to stop what they are doing. But we will need a distraction. That’s where you lot come in. We aren’t much fighters and if we can stop those barrels from…”he paused. “doing whatever they are going to do. Then we need you to help us out. Can you give us enough time, or simply take them out so we don’t have to worry about them?”

Before the party could respond a bright vial was produced from the cloak of one of the men. The glass vial seemed to glow like fire as he pulled out a stopper and lay it on its side above the barrels. “Alright. We have a few minutes before that drops out and hits the barrel. You know the drill. Get out of here!” the larger man called out.

“I guess that’s our queue.” Jovi said as he and the scouts moved forward, blending into the shadows.


Thanks for joining me tonight as I continue to grow this adventure. Don’t forget that the next few days I will add more onto this adventure, so make sure you come back each night this week to stay up to date. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Ruined Migration

This week the party bear witness to a ruined migration as the legendary megafauna of a kingdom are interrupted in their migration by large burning craters appearing in the valley that they have crossed since the beginning. A mystery to solve, a rare opportunity to bear witness to the birth of a kingdoms system of commerce and a villain who thinks they can get away with it.

So let’s grab a coffee, grab some binoculars and watch the drama unfold!


The rekuldor’s have migrated through the Mascalar valley for centuries and their passing has given birth to the thriving Empire of Musca who’s commerce is solely based on the migration of these large fantastic beasts. However, when a series of fiery craters has appeared it threatens the migration of these creatures and the miracle that their passing gives to the people of Musca.

With the success of the Empire in peril they call to aid, someone to help shepherd the gentle giants and in protecting the creatures, to also uncover the origins of the craters. But as the Empire moves its pieces into play and gold changes hand the same is happening in an opposition to the prosperity of the Empire. Will the hired adventurers be enough to protect the creatures and put a stop to the hostile forces invading the lands?


Ruined Migration

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Mascalar Valley – Created in Nightcafe.

The kingdom of Musca was gearing up to celebration migration season. They had anticipated this event for the last five years and as the last of last migrations supplies were running out it was arriving at an opportune time. As the main city of Musca prepared their artificers, smiths, wagons and workforce in anticipation of the migration of the Rekuldor the scouts of the arm were pushing into the Mascalar valley to secure it and to ensure nothing was wrong.

Emperor Isbolg looked through his stack of paperwork and despite the near dire straits they were heading towards the migration held his empires future in the balance. He and the council had planned it perfectly, nearly to the month of when their supplies of Rekuldorite, a rare durable metallic ore with blue sheen, were to run out. However as the creatures who gave the ore its namesake passed great masses of this ore could be found where they trod.

His sages had investigated it once, the creatures fed upon the rocks, plants and minerals in the Muscalar Valley and some alchemical process took place within their body. Their leavings was this ore, a versatile material that was seen as more precious than gold or platinum but it was more durable than steel. But the creatures only migrated once every ten years and their passing always corresponded with a burst of luck and prosperity for the kingdom.

Their passing, the migration, was a kingdom held secret and they had done well to conceal it for as long as they had. As the Isbolg finished his musings the doors to the office burst open and the leader of his scouts burst in. “My Emperor, the Mascalar valley is in ruins. Pits of fire, craters like something split the earth open litter the valley.” he reported. Taking a deep breath he continued noticing the concern on his lieges face. “It gets worse. The calamity is growing. Each day there are more craters, more fire. I fear that the Migration may be at risk if it continues.” he ended.

Isbolg thought for a moment. “I need to secure the valley, rally the first and second battalions to secure the passages in and out. I will also need something more discrete. Send for the head of the Musca guild – I will need a group of adventurers to come and secure the Rekuldor and ensure their safety. The Dusk Scouts can back them up but I fear that we have spies in the court and that we have enemies trying to stop the migration.” After he was done speaking he summoned his messengers and requested the presence of several people, the last few days leading up to the migration were about to get very busy.


Thanks for visiting tonight for something new. When I asked my youngest what I should write this weeks ‘story’ about he had… a rather vicious telling of death and destruction. Well I am bringing the destruction and hopefully the adventurers and prevent the death part. Don’t forget to come back each day this week as we continue to expand this adventure, and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Magnifico Vault

A cave adventure tonight with fun use of shadow and light when exploring the Magnifico Vault. Trying to get the blend between natural rock and made stone wasn’t the hardest thing wit this quick map tonight – trying to get scale of the rocky cave walls was more difficult and, I think, the overlapping cave walls did that.

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


Magnifico Vault

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Magnifico Vault – Created in Inkarnate.

The cave entrance would appear to be like any other cave. The stone was remarkably flat compared to other caves that the party would have gone to especially when leading to the statues. Well in this case the platforms where the statues were found. A truly astute dwarf of stone mason may make out the worked stone around the statues and how it leads up to the wall itself.

But the wall is not as the party would remember with a gaping hole beyond. A cavern that has been worked to be smooth by an expert mason or via magic awaits them. One cavern wall is slabs of stone mortared together and forming a man-made wall to the ceiling, the other side is rough stone encroaching into the worked area. A large statue in the front end is an imposing figure looking at a large glowing sigil in the stone.

In the centre of the circular magical stone slab lay a intend that looked like a helmet would be resting in the stone itself – but its missing.


Several rock layers were used to get it looking… ok. Some parts are a bit rougher than I would like but a lot of that was only revealed post flattening of the image to a single layer. Three or four layers were used to get the flooring to the right texture and the rest is pretty easy. I love using light as a way of emphasising parts of maps and hinting at something more than meets the first glance.


Thanks for joining me for another map making night. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow to finish off the week strong with the encounter stat-blocks and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Switch and Lift

The party are dismayed to find that the vault is not all its made out to be as they realise they have been the victim of a switch and lift. The vault lay open before them, dozens of tiny golems attack ferociously and somewhere nearby someone has the key to calming the creations.

So let’s grab a coffee, put on our runners as we may need to get out in a hurry!


Switch and Lift

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The party looked at the wall in the cave where they found the statues and looked at something new, a gaping hole in the wall. Something similar to acid had eaten away at the craggy stone wall that lay behind where the silver statues had been when they were last here. Movement could be heard beyond and the sound of steel leaving scabbard came from Captain Claud.

“We are not alone it seems and it’s as I fear. Someone else bet us here.” he said as he moved to stand next to the party. “Be prepared for traps, guardians, large bears. Magnifico was known for many things but one of them was not kindness for those who snooped amongst his belongings.” Almost on queue the sound of something walking towards them from the opening in the wall. A kind of heavy footstep and scrape.

Slowly the figure of a three foot statue stumbled forward, the stone features on its face an expression of joy as it moved with animated life. “Gods, its one of his golems.” Claud murmured as he stepped backwards. “Don’t provoke…” he began a moment before the creatures eyeless face looked at him and skittered with unnatural speed at the party. Blade like stone appendages extended from the clublike firsts of the creation as it rushed forward to attack.


The golems were nearly endless, there had to be something, a failsafe of some kind that would stop them from attacking. Whoever had got here earlier must have it and they would be surely directing the constructs. However despite the feeling of being watched the only thing they managed to catch a glimpse of was a shadow at the edge of their vision before another golem rushed at them.

The creatures were not overly strong but they were well made, durable and relentless. After the second dozen of the constructs had rushed at them they began to realise that perhaps, there were too many for the party to be able to deal with. Pushing inside the room where they rushed from they could see a similar melted hole that had been cut into the roof, an exit point with sloughs of melted stone, rock and dirt piled down underneath. But the sheer number of golems in the room standing motionless, surging under the hole and gradually creating a ladder of each other bodies and the ones that were heading towards them still was impressive.

A wave of movement told them that danger was behind as Captain Claud launched several alchemist fire vials behind them, sealing them between the golems and the sticky fire. “I am sorry about this but I can’t have anyone else getting those golems. If we can’t control them then I will have to bury you with them until I can get a mage to come and pacify them. I wish it didn’t have to come to this, truly, but I’ve got no choice.” he said with little to no sincerity.

As he darted away the golems surged onwards towards them, however something else happened. A rope was flung down from the hole in the ceiling and a woman’s voice rang out. “Quickly! Climb while the captain has gone. You don’t have long before they send people to investigate this hole.” a shadow of black leather could be seen at the entrance to the hole in the roof, and a way out of the trouble they are in.


Thanks for joining me tonight to look at the next part of this adventure ark. Don’t forget to come back the remaining days this week as we continue to grow this adventure and conclude it, on Friday. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Man Made Army

Some days its hard to find the right people for the job, let alone to join and army, and that’s where the man made army comes into it. A man made army means you don’t have to employ the perfect people, you create them. But it usually comes with a catch…

So let’s grab a coffee, sit down and put chisel to stone!


There comes a times where the use of magic does not just create a vast leap in warfare, defence, agriculture or learning but it creates an opportunity. The opportunity for greed, or for profit or for both good and evil. The creations that Magnifico spun out of his workshop are such a cautionary tale and the people who searched for his vault are just as bad.

But searching or not the vault has been opened, the creations of the wizard are loose and soon they will be used for great good, or great evil. A band of adventurers stands in the way for opposing forces who only have their greed and desires front of mind.


Man Made Army

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Magnifico The Crafter – Created in Nightcafe.

The party was unsure why soo many people swarmed around them at the tavern that day. They had just come back from exploring a cave where they found a series of immaculately crafted statues that they brought back to the city and sold for a tidy profit. However it appears that several people considered these statues more than just an art work to display in their manors and houses of people with too many coins and not enough sense.

As they pushed passed horde of people harassing them they were stopped by the city guard. “All right you lot clear off.” one of the guards bellowed over the top of the people nearby. As the people scattered the guards smiled at the party. “Sorry about that, word on the street is that the statue you found was an original Magnifico.” the guard said with a smile that let on that he knew more than he was letting on. “To verify these reports, you’ll have to come with us and for your safety of course”.


The party learnt a great deal more than they had or would ever want to know about the wizard known as Magnifico. Specifically that he was a great craftsman who had created an army of golems which he used around his keep. He has locked away his creations and has refused to tell people where they are. Many have tried to get the information out of him as an army of golems is too valuable of those of noble or malign intent, however all that attempted have not not been successful and his rumoured power has been proven many times.

But with these statues being revealed in a place so inconspicuous as where they were found it could only mean one thing, the wizard had a vault near by and, potentially, the rumoured golem army could be within. People will be dying to find out the caves location as anyone who desired power, or could use an army, would be after them. The guards offered the party a job from the king who was preparing his forces to march on a neighbouring country. Bring him the golems and retire comfortably for life, ignoring the fact of hundreds of peoples lives being lost and it could be a pretty sweet deal. However, there were others who looked at the party with hungry eyes.


Thanks for visiting tonight for something that may sound familiar. Hoping to have a familiar hook compared to something I completed earlier this year but with a different twist involved with this one, mostly. Don’t forget to come back each day this week as we continue to expand this adventure, and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Fester Chasm Cliffs

Tonight’s a big one – a lot of little images went into it and for the most part, I am happy with how the Fester Chasm Cliffs turned out. It’s a rather large encounter map but this week we are running away from a blue dragon – well maybe just moving to a better place where we aren’t just easy target practice for the creature.

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


Fester Chasm Cliffs

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Fester Chasm Cliffs – Created in Inkarnate.

A much wider part of the Fester plains looms ahead where a dragon will have better visibility on you, but also you on it. Not able to fly over the chasm walls and blast breath weapons down into the plain below the open field may prove to be better than the more narrow and sight-obstructed winding path through the plains.

A small stream provides some welcome water and happens to be where the party camped on the way past here last, their camp fire still intact but evidence of it being used since is everywhere. Some grass is here if the party dare to rest and allow their animals to eat and drink but, its not advised if there is indeed a dragon around.


So many rocks. Many of the rocky cliffs are comprised of anywhere between three and more than twenty segments of rocky cliffs. A campfire, some hills and about seven texture paints for the background made up this map which was, a bit more time intensive than I first wanted it to be. But I think I am mostly happy with the effect with the many layers to the Fester Chasm.


Thanks for joining me for another map making night. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow to finish off the week strong with the encounter stat-blocks and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Bandits and Beating Wings

The party make good progress to return with the the goods from their supply run but they are stopped by would-be bandits and beating wings. A big week for a near-end of year adventure this week!

So let’s sit down, grab a coffee and try to avoid more than just the head and desert insects!


Bandits and Beating Wings

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Bandits and Beating Wings – Created in Nightcafe.

The heat was tinged with the promise of a different type of storm as thunderheads could be seen above the rocky spine that lined the Fester Chasm. They had been warned to keep an eye out for bandits from the Ochre Company, the three warriors they had met in the tavern and they had been given good advice. The evidence was everywhere in the sand.

Hoof and foot prints, led around the rocky walls of the chasm that they were walking through and even people could be seen attempting to hide. When the convoy stopped and the armed guard of the convoy rocked up and formed a wall between the potential bandits and the convoy.

“Well, I guess the game is up. I don’t suppose your lining up to surrender peacefully now, Ay are ya?” a large tanned man declared, nervously, as he eyed the party and the guard. “I’ll warn you – we have a wyvern. Yeah, you heard me. A wyvern. We caught it and it follows our orders now. If you don’t back off we’ll summon it!”

A few seconds later and the other men on the side of the road emerged and started to taunt the party and their crew. “Yeah, you heard him. Drop ya weapons and on ya knees dogs.” “Better do as he says or we’ll feed ya to ol’ bitey!” another called.

“They are bluffing… obviously…” one of the mercenaries said, hesitantly though.

“What’s your choice!” roared the would-be warlord.

A voice in the Fester Plains roared back. The reverberating bellow bouncing off the stone cliffs to make it sound even more menacing. A pause shuddered through all those assembled.

“Good one boss. That’s right our Wyverns coming to get ya! Surrender now!” screamed out a younger gap-toothed woman who brandished a large curved sword.

“Shut it!” the leader hissed, terror crossing his face as another roar burst forward, closer now.

The beats of wings echoed through the rocky walls now and the unease grew in the animals first, then the would-be bandits. The bandits broke first trying to run away from the sound of beating wings. “There are no wyverns in these parts.” another mercenary said. “But that sounds bigger. Meaner.” she added.

Blue scaled wings were the first things that the party saw soaring through the wind currents created by the Fester Chasm. A adult blue dragon, young or otherwise it was hard to tell from this distance, had come to investigate who would declare themselves rulers of these lands and, it was here to challenge that rule.

The Horses were the first to start the process of fleeing as they tore forward, the party and their guard able to barely get onboard the wagons as they raced passed. The sound of screaming, terrified men and women could be heard as they thundered past the men and women that just tried to rob them at wyvern point. Now they fled from something much worse.


Thanks for joining me for a big step in challenge this week. I don’t tend to do high challenge rating adventures on here due to the complexity and the nuance between each DM and their table. But tonight with this adventure I felt it fitting to up the ante on a traditional fetch quest to be more life-and-death. Don’t forget that we will continue to expand the adventure each remaining night this week so don’t forget to come back each day. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Supply Run

It should come to no ones surprise that sometimes in life a supply run is required to get through to the next week. Whether you’re running to get rations for the next few weeks, ammunition for the defence of a keep or fresh water to supply the rest of your caravan the supply run hook is something that happens often.

So let’s saddle up, grab a coffee and go in search of a lengthy supply list!


The supplies are running low, dangerously slow and in a last ditch attempt a small band head out to find food, arrows and other key supplies to keep their operation continuing. However, as with any quest where both a small fortune of gold and an actual fortune of supplies is on the line it tends to catch the eye of those looking for a meal ticket.

Although not all is lost as the party stride onwards through the dusty plains of the Fester Plateau; a vast stretch of flat terrain amongst the rocky mountains. With the experience these adventurers brought there is surely nothing that would pose a problem for them, surelyโ€ฆ


Supply Run

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Chasm of Fester – Created in Nightcafe.

Try as they might the party could not prevent the hooves of their horses from kicking up a dust storm that rolled through the winding chasm before them. The Chasm of Fester is what the locals called this place, a sight of an unholy battle between good and evil that corrupted and destroyed the natural beauty of these plains.

Now only the strongest or smartest survived in these parts and the lands reflected this fact. Rocks jutted from the dirt dominated plain at the bottom of the large chasm. Sporadic coarse grass clung between the rocks as they found the only source of moisture in this land. Locals moved their herds through the chasm and all of them had hawks or other birds that would shriek when something approached.

As the party moved through the locals cautiously allowed them to approach but their hands never strayed too far from their bows or blades. After a few minutes of talking their posture relaxed and they provided direction to the party, highlighting where the city that they were heading towards was. But they also warned them of the roving bands of savage humanoids as well as rumours of a large wyvern flying over the chasm.

Parting with the herders they moved onwards keeping an eye to the ground for dust clouds and another to the sky, looking for shadows in the harsh sun. The only respite from the sun came from the walls of the chasm as the sun moved onwards it created a great shadow the plunged half of the plains in cooling shade. But they could not rest for long as they had a quest, a mission, they needed to reach the City of Orchreweld to get supplies of food and water as well as sundries, such as ammunition.

If there was a large wyvern in the area then having additional arrows may be needed sooner than anticipated.


Thanks for visiting tonight for the first in what I hope to be a series which can integrate with the campaign hook, The Bleak. But this can be used with any adventure as its not uncommon for supplies to be damaged, expended or lost on an adventure and in these cases requesting members of the convoy, party or keep may be what is needed. Don’t forget that tomorrow night I will expand this with, hopefully, some colourful NPCs for the party to meet with. Oh, and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Bleak

Tonight it’s the build up for something I hope to run one day with my own party and The Bleak is where we start, continue and end this short adventure hook. Inspired by an image generated weeks ago in Nightcafe and since, its broiled in the back of my mind and with the DMG coming out in the imminent future – a player run keep could be cool no?


In an interesting turn of events the party are made the custodians of a lone citadel at the edge of the known civilised world known as The Bleak. Taking a job to deliver a message turned into something much larger, much more imposing than what they could have anticipated. But not all is lost and not all seems as wild outside the fortified walls of The Bleak.

But it’s never that simple, there is always something more, just a little bit that gives adventure its name.

The Bleak

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The Bleak – created in nightcafe.

The job was a simple one, beyond simple. Deliver a letter to the warden of some old keep called ‘The Bleak’. When the party had asked about the keep from their employer, messenger’s from the king and queen, they were only too happy to tell them about the local area, the environment, natural resources and rumours around the local area. The pay, goods worth thousands of gold pieces – enough that you could retire on if you wanted and live a comfortable life for a number of years.

The one condition, don’t open the letter. The messenger demonstrated with a duplicate what would happen if they opened it – a pile of ash.

The trek was even easier. The horses were fine steeds gifted to them by the court, well fed and ready for the trek with enough feed to get them by for the week of travel. The roads were, relatively quiet with the first people to try and stop them disappearing quickly one they saw the horses. Game was plentiful, a run in with a pack of wolves was quickly dealt with and a large wyvern flew above them heading in the direction they were.

They should have consulted the seers. This wasn’t the first omen they had seen and anyone in the business knows that there is no amount of easy money that is, in fact, easy. As they climbed the mountain where the keep was positioned they could see through gaps in the rocky surface that beyond the mountains was a rough rocky and barren land. A few shafts of smoke were the only tell-tale sign that there was life out there and they remarked that the land behind them was a fertile paradise compared to what lay beyond.

But they had known this, the kings messenger had described the lands of the keep in great detail. The first few miles into the desert, the mountain range and then up to and including a village they had stayed at last night. It was a large land and there was no sign that this was at the detriment to the keeps success.

The Clause

The party reached the keep at sun down as it cast half the fortress in a glow that made it look like it was made from gold. The gates were closed and they could see a few people standing watch in towers, who, quickly scurried inside when they saw the party.

“Hold!” a voice called from the keep. “A few questions to make sure you’re the ones we’re expecting. It’s not often, if ever, we get visitors so well equipped so please excuse our apprehension.” the man who spoke was old, well mannered and had an air of nobility about him. Satisfied by the response the party heard an loud, audible crack of a ballista that must have been concealed as it undid the tension in its bow.

The man, Cornelius, was a wonderful host and once he had the letter in his possession a whisk of blue rose from the wax seal. He ushered them into the keep and organised for their steeds to go to the stables where they would be housed and well fed. He showed them to the hall where they happily waited for a a little amount of time to get just enough food to fill their bellies. When it was time to retire he showed them to the bed chambers, a large one designed for guards with many bunk beds or rooms that would fit in with inns of good renown.

In the morning they found Cornelius waiting for them with a broad grin. “I hope you’ve found that the keep is to your liking? That’s good as its yours to run now. The letter was proof that you had been chosen to inherit the governance of The Bleak and its lands. I will leave tomorrow morning to give me enough time to fill you in on what you may want to know and the servants and all but two guards will stay here with you. With owning this prestigious piece of land it grands you the titles of Lords and Ladies, so, what would you wish for breakfast my lords and ladies?” he asked with no hostility or malice was to be found in the old mans face.



Thanks for dropping by tonight for a quick length campaign hook. Something tells me that this wont be the last we see of The Bleak. Don’t forget that tomorrow is ZINE night so make sure you come back for that and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Silver Bucket Inn

Tonight’s a fun one where I got back to experimenting with the watercolour maps when I created the Silver bucket Inn maps. A complete night time and day time one to reflect the light sources on the streets and interior as, well you know me, I love night time encounters.

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


Silver Bucket Inn

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Silver Bucket Inn – Day – Created in Inkarnate.

Tables litter the room making some parts feel really cramped. A large bar bench and stools provides the ample room for people to just sit and drink while having a casual meal. Chauntea’s favour can see with the amount of grass and trees present in the village and things being more natural feel to it. A quaint kitchen with a more-modern gnomish invented stove for a halflings passion to cook delicious meals.

Shelving for plenty of vegetable access as well as stairs under ground for a larder that is a bit more protected from the heat – where dairy and meats can keep a bit longer. Before you reach the kitchen and behind the bar is the stairs up to the second story where the bedrooms would be located – one having a balcony to the outside world.

Silver Bucket Inn – Night – Created in Inkarnate.

Night time shows where the light would be concentrated – lanterns hung from the posts and some key spaces provide limited light as well as the soft glow from the stove itself.


Four terrain paints for tonight to create the scene with blending of stone, dirt, grass and even wood to make sure that it looks as natural as possible. Many stamps were used (especially the walls of the Inn as well as the kitchen where each vegetable, plate and utensil is a unique item). The roofs look more natural than the non-water colour ones which I appreciate, a small win for this art style which I am liking.


Thanks for joining me for a quick-ish map making night. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow to finish off the week strong with the encounter stat-blocks and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe