One-shot

A Plea for Help

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There are few people that would walk past someone calling out, a plea for help, let alone a mother who has lost her two daughters. This week we have Jaeden’s request seeing the party responding to a plea for help to find the lost daughters who are believed to have been taken by wicked men. The requestor, a young mother who is just trying to find her family.

So grab a coffee and let’s dive into tonight’s adventure!

The Kilderken woods are home to some of the most terrifying creatures known to man but a brave band of warriors call it their hunting ground. But not all heroes can protect everyone under their watch. When children go missing, suspected to have been taken by an evil group of murders, the party are thrust into a desperate hunt through the dark woods.

However there are signs of a darker power than just hunters in the woods. Signs upon the trees, the rocks and even the animals indicate that something foul has taken hold in these woods. Evil is everywhere, a power so palpable that it can basically be tasted upon the air. Will the party find the missing daughters or will something find them first?

A Plea for Help

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Jaedens Request – created in Nightcafe.

The party moved along side the Kilderken forest on the way to the port city of Palau. The sun peaked past the clouds high in the sky the wind snatched at the clothes and hair at the adventures. Soon the sounds of sobbing and a voice crying out from the left of them, towards the forest, carried down to them.

“Cassandra! Taylor!” the voice called out. “Come back to me!” The party moved towards the voice as the desperate cries were replaced with the sound of crying. A woman, middle aged with light blond hair streaked with grey greeted them as she leant against a tree and called out towards the woods. Startled she whirled around and drew a dagger from her boot.

“Here to take my like you did my daughters? What have you done with them!” she cried, the blade shaking in her hands. When the party confirmed that they weren’t the ones who had taken her daughter she dropped the blade and fell to her knees. “Please, my daughters have been taken I am sure of it. They would not be gone this long from the woods and something horrible must have happened.”

She paused as she looked towards the party. “You must help me, please. There have been men with wicked intensions entering the forest for some time now but we thought if we stick to the edges we would be fine. We are forages you see, mushrooms, berries, fruit and herbs. We don’t hunt from the woods as the animals within are sacred.” she paused looking as if she is considering telling the party something more.

“I don’t know what I can offer you to incentivise you to helping me except that a mother needs her children and the children their mother. They are young women having seen at least twenty winters and they go by Cassandra and Taylor. If you can find them, make sure they are safe I will find some way to repay your kindness.

Something a bit different this week with elements of horror and looking at the darkness in the hearts of creatures, NPCs and even the players themselves. If that makes you curious I would suggest coming back daily so you don’t miss out on what’s coming next. So don’t forget that I will be updating this adventure more over the next few days and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Festival of Ale

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After a similar excursion in my home city today I wanted to explore the concept as either a setting or a hook for an adventure. I don’t want to waffle on too much but tonight’s brief snipped has spurred on some ideas for future adventures.

So let’s sit back, grab a beer and let’s check it out!

Festival of Ale

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Festival of Ale – Created in Nightcafe.

Inhaling deeply the man looked around the audience beyond the stand, with a stamp of the foot and a flourish of his fingers across the lute he belted out the next chorus of the song. It was moments like these that made his craft feel more worth while. The sun shone down upon those who were partaking in the festivities as they danced, laughed, sang, drank and ate as the Festival of Malt went into full swing.

Some of the best brewers of beer and ale could be found on the streets of Warfehergen this time of year and for a bad like himself, it was the best paying gig of the year. Several people threw coppers and silvers into his hat as they passed by him playing on stage. As he finished his last song he took a bow before picking up his hat filled with coins. Pocketing them in a pouch within his coat he strolled through the other merrymakers out enjoying the sun.

Several ate and drank exclusively on these days but there were other stores making the most out of slightly inebriated customers. Several stores had fine clothing, jewellery and fancy trinkets where people with more coin than sense would potentially purchase things while enjoying the rest that the festival had to offer for them. However, this also meant that there was an increased number of guards.

Any large gathering of people, especially when alcohol is involved, is prone to having pick pockets, thieves and thugs roaming the streets. After the first year they were more common than actual patrons but the cities guards quickly learnt that their presence wasn’t just requested, it was needed. As the bard walked past a bar and paid for a meal consisting of smoked meat, a strange steamed grain-based bread like substance and some pickled vegetables. It was delicious, spicy and sweet which danced upon his taste buds and as he gobbled up the morsel the vendor handed him a mug of ale.

Drinking the cold liquid deeply he savoured the malty notes, the bitter under currents that swirled within the mug and as he continued the depth of flavour and complexity of the ale satisfied his cravings. Passing the vendor an additional silver piece he finished his food and drink before continuing further into the festivities. As he passed the colourful tents of other vendors and watched the next bard prepare for a song he wondered what else he could get away with on a day like today.

Thanks for visiting tonight. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow night for more content and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Amber Vault

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The amber vault comes in two forms one where the roof that is visible from the moment it raises and then another that shows the bespoke interior of the small vault. But there is something that is missing, the amber eye!

So let’s sit back, grab a coffee and roll into map!

Amber Vault

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Amber Vault – Created in Inkarnate

While the vault rising from the lake bed we have a lot of debris under water. However slippery stones have formed a bit of a path leading to the vault where the party are greeted by a great door.

Amber Vault roof off – Created in Inkarnate

Beyond this door there lies what could be a throne, and a lot of ruins. Centuries under water has done this building no favours which is evident from the damage internally. There is a bit of a door puzzle to get into the final, magically reinforced room but it’s not that difficult to work out.

Overlapping textures with different shades is the name of the game this week with blended watery hues, rubble, debris and earth creating the lake itself. The platform was made to make it look as ‘close to sitting at waters edge’ as possible with some water within the rooms itself on the floor – its not a perfect drainage system. Double walls for the central area help give it depth as well as making it look larger while we we have a pretty simple and sparse affair everywhere else.

Thanks for visiting tonight while I continue to add to this weeks content. If you find yourself using any of these maps in your own game (downloadable via the link) let me know! Don’t forget to come back tomorrow and this weekend as we continue on and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Wooded Lake

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The Wooded lake wasn’t always as wooded or rugged but centuries will do that to what was once still and peaceful lake. But beneath the surface a secret lies and a seemingly non-descript pedestal hides the secret entrance to the Amber eye, and something far more dangerous.

So let’s sit down, grab a coffee and roll into tonight’s adventure!

The Wooded Lake

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As Borfook pushed through the final bushes, still consulting his map he came across what he appeared to have been searching for. The journey around the lake had not been easy as the wilds had really crept into what was once a land maintained by the human settlement. However with the party present they had made good time and the encounters didn’t set them back more than an hour.

After a moment scouring the waters edge Borfook froze wobbled for a moment before jumping with elation. “I knew it, There it is!” he exclaimed as he rushed forward towards the waters edge. Following his rushed gait through the brush and to the waters edge a large pedestal stood out of the water.

The Wooded Lake – Created in Nightcafe

“That is Garthunk’s handiwork you can tell from the ay the chisel was used left handed and horizontally. This has got to be mechanism that was mentioned in the books!” he called as he looked for a way to reach the pedestal without having to touch the water. With a running jump he landed on the edge of the pedestal and searched the stone thoroughly. After a few minutes he scratched away some lichen and blew the dust and plant into the water below.

“Now it’s said that before anyone is allowed to enter the guardian will try and stop us and take the key so no one can have it. But that’s what you are here for to stop the guardian from getting the key. Besides, its been centuries, the guardian is likely dead by now.” he said confidently as he inserted the amber key deeper into the pedestal. The click that followed seemed to reverberate across the waters surface and as the ripples continued deeper into the lake the area became silent.

Heartbeats past before a vibrating rumble came from the ground. Suddenly birds flew up from the trees around the lake, an unknown creature on the other side of the lake bellowed out a warning call which was echoed by several more deeper in the woods. A pillar of stone broke the surface of the lake as a series of ruins materialised from the depths of the lake. A series of large stepping stones started to appear from the pedestal where Borfook stood watching with delight. The steps appeared, still slick with lake-scum and water as they created a bridge to the building that was not sitting just at the lakes surface a few hundred feet away.

“I give you the Amber vault” he said dramatically as he pointed to the building that appeared.

A few things covered here and more to come in the following days. So don’t forget to come back daily to remain in the know and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Borfook Hostletoof

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A gnome sorcerer is something to behold when fixated on something and Borfook Hostletoof is just mad enough to have studied the history surrounding the Amber Eye for decades. Now that he is so close to finding what he has been seeking for half his life he his enthusiasm is bordering mania.

So let’s grab a coffee, sit back and roll into tonight’s adventure!

Borfook Hostletoof

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Borfook Hostletoof – Created in Nightcafe.

The gnome checked his map as he stared at the map and folded out several bits of paper that he had added to the map since its construction. Looking up from the map the trees surrounding them looked very different from where you would find a dwarven stronghold, or a place that a dwarf would store a powerful artefact. But Borfook hurried forward through the trees as he seemed to be checking their height, girth and even type.

“You see Garthunk was a genius, a dwarf but a genius regardless. He knew that if he wanted to keep his artefact hidden he needed to hide it where people wouldn’t expect a dwarf to do so. So I have researched for such a place, poured through history books of the time and I found it. A lake near a forest ruled by the elves. For someone as powerful as him it would be easy for him to craft a spell to hide the eye while remaining hidden from all those who would search for him. However that was centuries ago!” the little gnome hopped over rather large roots before comparing his notes and staring at the tree.

Looking around he nearly hopped with excitement before hurrying towards a part of the woods with smaller trees. “From what I learnt he hid it far from the woods, near where there was a human settlement of no consequence. However you’d assume that humans being the greedy plague that they are for natural resources that the woods would shrink right?” he said as he touched a smaller, younger tree.

“Well you’re wrong! In fact the opposite has happened. The village that he hid the eye near was ransacked by raiders a few years after the eye was hidden and was raised to the ground. So what we are looking for is younger woods encroaching upon a lake near a ruined human village. Now we found the human village, we have found the old part of the woods now we just need to find a lake.” he said with a grin as he hurried off in a direction, his head buried in his map and notes more often than looking at where he was walking.

Thanks for joining me tonight for another part of this weeks adventure. I will expand this adventure piece by piece this week as I continue to grow this adventure. So don’t forget to come back each day this week to stay on top of what’s happening and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Amber Eye

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This week the party are asked with the impossible quest, to find the Amber Eye. A forbidden, powerful and coveted artefact that was sealed away centuries ago has now resurfaced, or the key to finding it has at least. How far will the party go in their search for the artefact rumoured to grant what they most desire.

So grab a coffee and let’s dive into tonight’s adventure!

The Amber Eye is one of the lesser known lost artefacts of the dwarven wizard Garthunk. Enchanted to give the holder powers beyond any other artefact of its time it was seen as both a tremendous boon and a threat to society. Or so the rumours go. The stories foretell of a ancient lock guarding the resting place of the eye and a ferocious guardian that none have bested. But the key to the lock was lost with time and eventually the Amber Eye became a legend and myth.

That was until a key made of amber appeared in a dwarven crypt in an unmarked grave. An expedition was called and with a flurry of excitement the Amber Eye Expedition was born. But they are not alone in their search as many covet the power of the eye, and power does terrible things to those with good intentions.

The Amber Eye

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The Amber Eye – created in Nightcafe.

The door was closed, sealed with a bar and then the gnome in front of the party cast a spell around the back room of the Feisty Ferret Inn. “You can never be too cautious when it comes to information for there is nothing more valuable.” he said as he pushed his glasses further up his nose “having said this I trust that you will keep what you are about to see a secret as part of your employment into the Amber Seekers.”

The man, Borfook, gestured to one of the guards in the room who taking this as her queue unceremoniously thwacked a cloth bound object on the table. The sound of a heavy ‘thunk‘ seemed to echo through the room as Borfook rushed forward. “Be more careful girl!” he said as his fingers unwrapped the cloth from the object. Sighing with relief he shot a glance at the guard who shied away into the corner. “Luckily it is enchanted and very difficult to break.

He placed the cloth down on the table and unwrapped the cloth from it one side at a time. “It was in an expedition into a Dwarvern tomb where we hoped to rid ourselves of a particularly hungry ghast that we stumbled upon a unmarked grave that had been exposed during the encounter. Within was the remains of a book, a wand and this. We didn’t know what it was at first until we looked within the book and found a letter stuffed within the crumbling pages that could be salvaged. It was a love letter of sorts and a declaration of betrayal.” he paused.

“I don’t care so much for a love story, but I do care about this line.”

I have locked it away at your request, the Amber Eye shall remain hidden from the world and its power shall reside over you no more. You must see that I am doing this for us, for you and that my love is true. After this I shall write to you one more time to enquire about my proposal before I take the secret of the eye to my grave.

Borfook paused again. “The Amber eye is an ancient artefact that kings, wizards and warlords have sought after for years due to its rumoured ability to fulfil the wishes of who ever holds it. A magical artefact of unmistakeable power and what we have here is the key,” he flipped over the last piece of cloth dramatically to reveal and amber key with runes engraved over every surface, “figuratively and literally, to finding it.”

“The job is to help me in finding the eye. But the eye was hidden from the world in a place no one knows about.”
He said in a lighter voice, imitating someone else asking the question. “Well that is where I come into the picture, I know where it hides, I have the key – I just need a party to guarantee my safety as I have a few rivals who I would bet would do unspeakable evils to reach the eye before me. What say you?”

A dungeon dive, fetch quest and escort mission this week a we find the party going after the Amber Eye! Each day this week I will be back to the normal flow of updating the adventure here after my quieter week marking my 900th consecutive night in a row. So don’t forget to come back daily to stay up to date and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Beyond 900

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Tonight I look forward after spending a week thinking about what 900 nights in a row meant for me and I consider what is beyond 900. 1000 is the next easiest number but I also want to look at what I bring to the blog and where I go from here.

Beyond 900

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Most adventures begin in an Inn, enclosed within four walls with a source of food, water and riches. Many adventures I daresay end in the same way; being walled in with riches within reach and at least enough food and drink to last a few days. Most of my fondest memories of TTRPGs is being the game or dungeon master and they all involve watching those key moments of success or realisation where the party has just accomplished some great goal or caught onto the grander plot of what is going on.

These moments, the penny-drop, lightbulb and Eureka moments are what makes the game for me and really its thanks to the party’s that I play with. So the next few hundred nights may see a shift to what the party may want to see more of as I do use a lot of my content (but thinly change the who’s, what’s and where’s). The party has expressed interest in trying out another gaming system so we can stop and see what that looks like and how that will play out with what I produce here.

But until that time I will continue to provide the content in the current form with, attempted to be, weekly zines that contain nearly everything needed to run the game. That is except the secret, key ingredient; the dungeon masters themselves. Each one of us who are called to this role and noble calling put our own spin on things, we tell the tale differently and that is what makes it truly great.

So I will look at how I can shift it up a bit, make it more fluid, maybe a bit simpler and who knows, maybe even try to get a better product out there!

Thanks for visiting tonight. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow night for more content and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Simple Rundown Courtyard

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Tonight we have a simple rundown courtyard where I employ a few techniques I have learnt over the year and a few more the give greater depth. However, if it happens to tie in with an adventure that I may have in the works than that suits even more!

So let’s sit back, grab a coffee and roll into map!

Simple Rundown Courtyard

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Courtyard – Created in Inkarnate

Entering from either the lounge, top floor oval room, or the front door path (under the roof top of the map) into the courtyard. The fountain is not well maintained but it is functional with a few potted plants around it. Beyond that is an archway with a room beyond with a stairway up to the left and right.

This side of the courtyard holds a nobles bed room, vanity, tables, a sword, book case and finishing off with a suit of armour. However between bookcase and armour is a secret door that enables the noble within to have a way of escaping what ever is happening to the small manor and courtyard. I didn’t mention that the balcony has stairs that enable people to climb down to defend the courtyard, or if nimble enough climb up to the balcony in a hurry.

Overlapping textures are a norm these days with even textures painted over the top of art assets (the roofs). This enables the balcony over the roof that is to the top of the map. Line tools were used this week to show the flow of movement and highlight the secret doors so it was more obvious. Otherwise a rather simple map with a few rooms, two layers and a few options of different art assets try to give the flow of the map a consistent and cosy feel.

Thanks for visiting tonight and continuing to stay with me with this weeks content. If you find yourself using any of these maps in your own game (downloadable via the link) let me know! Don’t forget to come back tomorrow and this weekend as we continue on and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Hardest Twist

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Tonight being the night where I look at twists and turns and I wanted to talk about the hardest twist, the one twist I haven’t been able to pull off, yet. Intrigued? I hope so!

So let’s sit down, grab a coffee and roll into tonight’s adventure!

The Hardest Twist

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As the party walked into the courtyard they spotted dozens of guards watching them from the sides of the cluttered space. The information they had gained from their own investigation as well as from the seer had lead them here as the source of evil in the land. As if by some unspoken order the guards drew their weapons and slowly advanced on the party.

“You’re not welcome here, what do you wish with the Lady in Violet?” one of the guards spoke. He was the leader or at least walked like he was in command of the men around him. “We are aware of your kind. You think you can push around those with the birth right to rule? Those who dare to shake the dirt from the roots and watch a new plant grow?” the guard nodded, agreeing to the man as they encircled the party.

“Perhaps we can’t let you leave. You reek of violence. Size them! The Gemmed fist will discern their intent!”

Watching from nearby – Created in nightcafe.

The party is generally the hero of the story; those who seek to do right for and by everyone and so when something smells fishy its not frequent that their intuition is wrong. However, there are cases where they are not the biggest player in the room and having them realise this to late is one of the hardest twists that I am yet to masterfully pull off.

You don’t want to deceive the players where something is not right, but you also don’t want them to see through the plot hooks, the smoke and mirrors so that the surprise is ruined for them. After all a there are countless enemies that would be cunning enough to manipulate adventurers, typical heroes, to do their evil bidding.

The challenge is this balance, deception without malicious intent and the ways that you can mask, guide and steer the party in the direction that you need them to go in. Most of the players I have had are experienced enough that they can sense or see through the smoke and mirrors that I have in place for the parties enjoyment of the session. However, as I focus on how I can up my game plan in the future it’s not an impossible task.

Thanks for joining me tonight! Another day into my quieter week and I find myself slipping back into thinking of an adventure rather than just concepts – so watch this space as there may be something else brewing in the laboratory. Don’t forget to come back each day this week as I ponder, scribble and jot down notes and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Master of Dice

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All adventures have something in common whether it be the fight between good and evil, the tavern scene, a overly-flirty bard or simply that they all have a master of dice. This week while I take some time to look at what 900 nights, 901 now!, of posting means for myself and the blog I wanted to take it a bit slower for a week. So tonight I look at the orchestrator of adventure and the true one responsible for any and all TPKs the Master of dice.

So let’s grab a coffee, sit back and roll into tonight’s adventure!

Master of Dice

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Master of dice – Created in Nightcafe.

The man looked at the party as they entered the shop as he rolled several objects on the table and scribbled down some notes. “Be with you in a minute” he called as he continued to roll and hastily jot down information on scraps of paper.

Looking up the man smiled at them “Sorry about that, finishing up a job for another client. Now I assume you are here like all the others that you wish for me to divine something?” he asked as he placed the paper into a pouch and then into a drawer. “I can promise you that you won’t find another as accurate as me so the fee that I require is well worth it.”

The man smiled at them practically oozing with confidence. “I can see you hesitate, perhaps an example?” with dextrous hands he plucked out several items from the table, dice, and retrieved a small scrap of paper and a fine quill that was gilded with gold. As soon as the first of the dice hit the table he began scratching at the paper, drawing lines, scribbles and jotting down words. Grabbing a few of the dice he had just rolled off the table he rolled them once more and scribbled for another few seconds.

Seemingly satisfied he placed down the quill and turned the paper to face the party. A sketch that could’ve been a human with shoulder length hair was standing next to a tree along with “silver” and “Jasper” written clearly next to the image. “This will occur soon. Perhaps the next minute, the next hour or within the day but no more. What ever the dice reveal to me happens and it is rare when it is not something obvious.” he said.

As the party stared at the paper a small bell chimed signalling the door being opened. A hooded figure entered, “Excuse me, Master Varsuise, I can see you are already with clients but it’s urgent.” The young woman walked forward lowering her hood as she reached the desk. “The lords son has gone missing again, sadly on my watch this time. I was teaching him archery near the forest and I went to retrieve the arrow he shot wide. Upon my return he was gone and would not show himself despite my calling.” she paused looking at the party.

Master Varsuise smiled. “Jasper is missing again?” he asked.

“Yes, but the master must not know. I can pay you a silver piece today if you are able to help – but I can’t afford more. Please can you assist me?” The woman spoke quietly, shame evident in her voice. As she looked up at the party, her eyes pleading, the resemblance of the young woman and the sketch Master Varsuise had given them was immediately evident.

“One silver coin will be more than fine, we were expecting you – weren’t we?” he asked the party with a knowing smile. “A once off discount as you may have helped with business today.”

Thanks for joining me for a bit of a fun one with some parallels to how I learnt to DM all those years ago. Reference tables and rolling dice was so tantalising that I made it my most significant hobby to this day. But enough on my reflections. Don’t forget to come back to check in on what else I come up on a ‘week off’ and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe