short-story

Cyril Brightmorn

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Tonight I go back to working on my party of five for Openlegend RPG. Utilising the character creation flow that I started with Ci’ara Stormbringer, Vimbol Forgeblow and then Glendor Woodtusk and Wenton Humblewood. Tonight I bring to you Cyril Brightmorn, a cleric of the Lightbrigner and powerful healer and defender of the group. While not as durable as Glendor or as powerful as his other companions Cyril excels at healing and seeking direction from higher powers.

So let’s grab a coffee herbal tea, sit back with Cyril Brightmorn – the Morning Herald.

Cyril Brightmorn

Cyril Brightmorn – Created in Nightcafe.

Background

Born into the streets of a large city he grew up poor, a tale as old as time really, and he spent the first dozen years or so of his life in a street gang. It was not an easy life and the darkness of the allies, warehouses and the building where he and the other street urchins were sent to work always terrified him and this fear of the dark caused him to get into more trouble than good.

On one such job, to ambush a group of travellers in an alleyway his fear of the dark melted away when a stranger, one of the travellers, walked down the narrow path bathed in light. The sight was so stunning, so beautiful that his fear melted away. When he came too he was at the steps of a church to the Lightbringer with a mote of radiant light hovering above his head and a cleric, dressed in a tunic over his armour held out a hand for him to take.

Several decades later and he serves the church as a herald of the light. So taken was he by the word of the church and the blessings of the Lightbringer that he always wished to follow the light, spreading its word and aiding those he could with its healing and purging intensity. On his missions he obtained the title the Morning Herald, the one that brings the light as none were as successful of purging the darkness in peoples hearts nor as caring and compassionate as he.

Joining Wenton, Ci’ara, Vimbol and Glenda he travels with them as where they go, darkness awaits and he can bring the light that ensures success.

Abilities

While not as complex as his companions Cyrils focus on healing, restoration and ensuring that they are supported where ever possible and for what ever task is at hand makes him the centre of the battle formation. Enemies that are foolish enough to come close to him will be struck down with the power of the light and rendered immobile or blind after an encounter with its purging radiance.

Banes

  • Immobile
  • Blindes
  • Forced Move

Boons

  • Aura
  • Heal
  • Restoration
  • Genesis
  • Light…(duh)

Feats:

Exceedingly good at healing and ensuring that himself, those in need and his party (more often than not) are healthy and ready to help in the Light-bringers cause. This coupled with his connection to his deity has given him an extra-ordinary edge when knowing when an encounter is to go south so he can prepare the relevant prayer or invoke the right divine power to protect his allies or be best prepared to assist where possible.

  • Extraordinary Healing
  • Hospitaler
  • Lightning Reflexes I

Perks and Flaws:

Chosen by the Lightbringer Cyril has a unnatural connection to his deity to hand out the blessings that the morning brings. This manifests in a supernatural ability to withstand attacks that would fell a normal man as well as to gain insight in what the plans that are laid bare will be successful or lead him down the right path.

Perks:

  • Divine Agent
  • Divine Insight

However not wanting to return to his life on the streets, and putting that behind him he still has not gotten over his fear of the dark, and what lies within and he tenant to being honest at all times has gotten him into trouble more often than not.

Flaws:

  • Phobia (darkness)
  • Honest

Attributes:

A devout spellcaster by trade Cyril is also mighty and tough to crack. A perceptive and divinely intuitive man he provides a support role while still being able to wield weapons if it comes down to it.

  • Perception 1
  • Will 1
  • Presence 1
  • Fortitude 2
  • Learning 2
  • Might 3
  • Prescience 4
  • Creation 5

Links and downloads

Cyril Brightmorn

Cyril Brightmorn Character Sheet_ Open Legend RPG _ HeroMusterDownload

Thanks for dropping by tonight. Cyril Brightmorn is the fifth in this party which concludes the group of five for an Open Legends experiment that I am looking at. Again I used my process to really hone in on what I want to achieve when creating a character and it continues to work well.

Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for another end-of-week Zine and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Mercenaries and Merchants

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This weeks supply run adventure will inadvertently run into both mercenaries and merchants like trying to scrape out a living amongst the baron landscape of the Fester Plains. Tonight we meet a few of them, some key interactions and perhaps, something that we haven’t considered before as part of these campaign series – hirelings for part of the adventure.

So let’s sit down, grab a coffee and take a load off your feet – the sandstorm is going to make us wait!

Mercenaries and Merchants

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The first sign of the sandstorm came in the sudden rush of a series of two legged, large bird like creatures who dashed past the party and their horses. The City of Orchreweld could be seen with its tall imposing rock-hewn walls and towers with brown and red flags clearly now and it looked like quite a great number of people were fleeing inwards.

“A Sandstorms on the way. You best move those cloven-feet if you want to make it to Orchreweld!” a strange man, more insect than human called out as he reached where the party were. “Follow me if you want to make it through the gates and hurry!” he called as he urged a large locust like mount to jump and flitter a hundred feet. Needing nothing more than that the sound of the storm behind them, coming from the Fester chasm, motivated them and their steeds to get through the gates quickly.

An assortment of men watched them from the gate and stopped them out front. “Halt. Reason for visiting Orchreweld.” one of the guards, a tabaxi, said with a cheeky flick of his tail.

“Cut that out Tomiaus, there’s a sandstorm coming what more do they need. You can hold them once they are out of the storm.” The insectoid man snapped at him as he thundered past the frustrated looking guards.

“He’s right you know captain… that is the protocol for sand storm.” said the second guard, a younger looking human.

“Yes. Thank you Yason.” said the tabaxi as he gestured inside. “Enter the stables on the left and see the guards there for checking in.” The insectoid man flashed a terrifying smile as he bounced off deeper into the city.

Var’Snikk the Trader – Created in Nightcafe.

The process of sorting out who they were and why they were in Orchreweld was much simpler than the man at the gates had indicated. Within a few moments they were sent on their way with directions of where they may to go as well as names of a few taverns and Inns that should be able to put them up for the time they were staying here. They also were warned about a particular part of the city to avoid where strangers and newcomers rarely left unharmed in some manner.

As they moved through the streets they marvelled at the sand storm that funnelled itself over the city as it hit the walls. Something about how the walls were constructed at the right angle and a little bit of wild magic to keep the winds and sand out of the city. The lack of sky was no problem as several giant drift globes floated above the city streets providing illumination which made up for the darkened skies above the city.

As they moved onwards they saw a familiar giant locust-like creature and a man in a ratty shawl taking saddlebags off the back of it – there were quite a lot of them. As they approached the man turned around and smiled in that terrifying way. “Ah friends. I see that Var’Snikk got you through thee gate just in time. If its no trouble could you be of assistance in taking these bags off of Revoon for me?” the large locust thrummed its wings in recognition of its name. Var’Snill turned out to be a trader, a merchant that specialised in the dangerous desert crossing.

Zaroh Short-Tusk – Created in Nightcafe.
Pralu Short-Tusk – Created in Nightcafe.
Yazmin Defthand – Created in Nightcafe.

The Jade Scorpion

The Tavern they had ended up at, the Jade Scorpion, was a rough yet comfortable establishment with enough space for their animals, as promised, and it was quiet. A group of three women sat at a table in the corner and poked their fingers at a map looking at plotting a course but it didn’t appear to going well before one of them stood up and stomped towards the bar. All of them were clad in some amount of armour and looked like they knew how to handle themselves.

“Three more Rounds Barthos.” the orc said. Her sandy-grey hair matched with her sun bleached olive skin that gave her a worn and hardy look. The Barkeeper handed over the tankards and took the coins in the same motion.

“How goes the planning Pralu?” the barkeep called out to her as she walked off.

“Not good. Zaroh and Yazmin have some doubts about this contract. Something smells fishy and we it looks like it may be the raiders who are a plague in the Fester.” Pralu, shrugged as she moved back to the table.

The other orc at the table called out to the keep after taking a quick drink from the tankard. “Do you think the rumours are true about this wyvern?” he asked, obviously doubting it was a wyvern. “We’re much to dry for one to be out here by itself. This job to help bring it down in its lair doesn’t add up. There’s no cave near where they want to meet, they are asking for people to come at the wrong time of day – when they are most active and it’s suspicious. It’s a lot of money for just one wyvern.” Zaroh added thoughtfully.

“Well if we don’t get a job soon we’ll be in trouble. We’re the best mercenary crew in Orchreweld and we can’t go down like this ladies.” the human added looking at her companions.

“Yazmin’s right. Even if it is the slavers we got to take a chance.” Pralu added with a sigh.

“What about you lot. Do you need mercenaries? I can vouch for these three as being worth their weight in coin.” Barthos, the barkeeper asked the party. “If there is a wyvern out there, you could do much worse than to have these three by your side.”

“Geeze, don’t sell us too hard Barthos. Wow, I’m blushing. Could do much worse ay?” the three women chorused back at the man behind the bar.

Thanks for visiting tonight as we meet four NPCs, technically five, that the party can hope to meet on this adventure. As this continues on from yesterdays Supply run adventure this also mirrors in with “The Bleak” if longer base-orientated campaigns are you’re thing. Don’t forget that each remaining day this week I will expand and grow this adventure further. So don’t forget to come back daily and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Supply Run

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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, surely…

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

A Welcomed Breather

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It’s not often that I feel the need to take a welcomed breather from the daily updates on the blog but this weekend has thrown a spanner in the work. But instead of focusing on creating a ‘half-done’ zine for my Plentura’s Storm Chasers zine I wanted to take a slower approach tonight.

So time to sit down, grab a coffee and perhaps even snuggle in deeper as we get some more cosy vibes from tonight!

A Welcomed Breather

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Time to Rest – created in Nightcafe.

Brazen sat down on his cushioned stool and stirred his coffee absentmindedly which a casual flick of his wrist. The spoon moved to mirror his movements as it blended the boiling water with the coffee grinds to create a rich, deep and nutty concoction. As he look around his workshop with various maps, notes, and scrawling’s of research material he chucked to himself.

“Anyone would think that it’s all the ravings of a madman,” he side to himself as it stared at a scrap of parchment that listed out various gods and their relationships amongst each other. “I suppose they are.” he said bemused with himself. His cat, Cleo, curled around his legs thankful that he wasn’t shoulders deep into another adventure or book. Picking up the old cat she purred and lounged on his similar-colour shirt, smoky-grey as it was not often that they got to spend these quiet moments together.

Determining that the brew was ready he placed Cleo back onto the ground, much to her protest, as he reached over to the vessel he was stirring moments ago. Gabbing a siv he poured the brew from the pot into his cup, watching as the finer grains of bean were stripped from the brown liquid as he filled up the mug beneath. Satisfied he had enough he placed the pot back onto the small wood stove.

Blowing on the hot beverage he had a tentative sip which revealed two things. One, it had been too long since he had a good coffee and two, this one was particularly too hot. Placing the mug aside to cool he looked over his notes again to ponder the next steps, the plans left half completed and those yet to be started at all. It was going to be a busy few months ahead as time careened towards the natural conclusion of the year and he had still so much to do.

But that can wait for another day, today was a day of rest. The first in, well quite a while if he was being honest with himself. Those plans left unstarted could wait for a few more days and those left half-complete aren’t going any where. Besides his coffee was much to hot to be useful in the completion of any of his plans, maybe tomorrow.

Thanks for continuing to support this blog, it means a lot of me. I’ve recently hit (according to the stats!) 1017 nights posting in a row with a handful of them being shorter snippets, like tonight, but with 46 Zines completed last year and, so far, 35 completed this year (another 6 in the works). If there’s something that you’d like to see more of feel free to let me know!
Don’t forget to come back next week as we continue on the road to, 48 zines for this week and a larger one for Dice-ember – My Holiday themed zine. Oh, and always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Master of Rumours

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Tonight we look at the age old trope of Inn Keepers being the master of rumours, the holders of half-truths and the foreman of furphy’s. Harry Hastebee is just a regular inn keeper but he brings with him the knowledge, rumours and stories that many travellers, patrons and even some competitors have ownership of.

So let’s sit down, grab a coffee (or something stronger) and let’s listen to a tall yarn from the inn keeper!

Master of Rumours

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Harry Hastebee – Created in Nightcafe.

Quick on his feet Harry bounced towards the door to open it up ceasing two annoyances of the party’s at once. The stifling heat from the kitchen roasting non-stop and the persistent banging from someone wanting to come in. “Hold up hold up, what do ye want?” Harry asked as he ushered the person inside.

“Thank the gods that you let me in. I’ve been chased by a spirit down the streets who was after my very soul!” cried the man before he broke down into tears in front of Harry.

“Come now friend. A hot meal and a strong drink will calm your nerves. Tell me what happened” Harry said as he led the man to a table. “Tell me your name while I fetch you a plate. We don’t have much prepared but what we do have is cheap and good. Two silver pieces and I’ll fetch ye what you need.” he said as he bounced off. The man, in a state of shock fished out the coins as he sucked on the tankard of ale.

“The names Adam, Adam tanner.” he said as he paused to drink from the tankard more deeply. “I was coming back from the market with a cart laden with cloths and leathers, you see I work at the tannery and we didn’t sell through everything, as usual. But I was passing by one of the streets near the Church to Chauntea and I saw someone standing over a pile of clothes. So I called out to see if I could help them and then I realised they had no face. They then floated up off the ground and chased me. I swear the pile of clothes was a body!” he shrieked before drinking again.

Harry looked over at the party and walked closer leaving Adam to his drink. “You best be leaving soon if you don’t want to be caught up in this friends. It’s the third story I’ve heard of this spook on the streets. I pick pocket playing tricks I bet. But its not a good sign with the clerics having no connection to Chauntea. It’s right odd really. Normally lady luck, Tymora, looked after this place and I have a way with luck – like most halflings I guess. But lately, I don’t know. It feels like there’s something dampening that connection.” he shrugged.

“Probably just superstition to be honest but I don’t like it, and you lot don’t have to stay put…” he stopped as his face when pale. As the party turned around to see what had made the cheerful man freeze they saw a faceless figure drifting through the chairs and tables in the dining space as it moved towards them, steadily and with purpose. A shriek brought them back to reality as Adam had looked up and seen the spectre.

“Well, I guess its not a pickpocket after all.” Harry said as he grabbed a skillet from the bench top. “This place is for paying guests only!”

Thanks for visiting tonight as we explore a bit more of the people involved in this story as well as piece together the rest of the adventure. Don’t forget that each day this week we will continue to expand and build this adventure, so don’t forget to come back daily and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Silent Treatment

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When your significant other, or just anyone in your life for that matter, gives you the silent treatment you know something has really gone wrong for you. But what happens when its your deity and where that treatment has spread across the whole village you live in and for everyone within its boundaries.

So let’s slow down, grab a coffee maybe some flowers and try to make amends with higher powers!

Quiet is a word that none would have expected to describe Chauntea let alone the devout followers within Sunleaf Village. However, a silence has washed over the village and the clerics have had to save their remaining blessings, healings and divine spells as they are unable to replenish them each night as their pleas to their goddess have fallen on deaf ears.

Although that’s what they think. Darker powers are at play and a spectral figure has been seen amongst the thatched and tiled roofs of Sunleaf village. What they need is not just help, nor the divine intervention that they are hoping for but the kind of miracles that come with strangers looking to stay the night in the village on their way through.

Silent Treatment

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Sunleaf Village – Created in Nightcafe.

As the party encouraged their horses to plod along the last few minutes to the inn they gazed at the village at night. Neat and tidy houses of farmers greeted them amongst the dark silhouette of the village in its entirety. A large steeple, likely a church to a deity that looked over the village could be seen towering above the houses and in the distance warehouses for storing farm produce.

Sunleaf village was, as the houses and buildings indicated, a farming village that provided a significant amount of produce for the capital. Its beasts were regarded as being some of the best in the land when it came to its draft horses, oxen and sheep.

As the party saw their destination, the Silver bucket, they led their horses to the adjoined stables and ensured that their horses were secured with feed and water. As they entered the cosy inn they were greeted by a smiling halfling with halfmoon glasses. “Good evening travellers. I’m sorry we’ve just finished with much of the hot meals but we still have food available. Rooms are 1 gold piece a head but it includes meals and we’ve got a stable hand that can see to any beasts needs if you’ve got them in the stable.” the man said as he leaned across the desk at them.

“The names Harry, Harry Hastebee. What brings you to Sunleaf viallge?” Harry asked as he placed a plate of warm roast vegetables and some mutton in gravy in front of them. “I best warn ye though. Try not to get hurt unless you’ve got your own healer. The clerics of Chauntea’s church have run dry.” he said as he poured the party a drink of wine of ale, all locally made.

“They say the goddess has gone mute, or gone deaf to our pleas. One of them, I can’t keep up with what they are saying. Any way, look after yourself and try not to go outdoors too late – rumour is that there’s something spooking the village folk in the city at the moment.” Harry continued as he moved about the room. “Lucky we have a songstress in the church, some of her magic isn’t given by the gods so we aren’t defenceless, but its not looking good. The parent church in the capital said they would send some clerics to come and help but they are yet to arrive. Strange and scary times I tell ya.”

Harry excused himself as another visitor walked in, a young man who was carrying a box of vegetables with him. “If you lot need anything I’ll be in the larder. Give a holler and I’ll be with you in a moment. Young Jason just brought some fresh vegetables for tomorrow and I best look after him first.” Harry called out as he led the way for the man, Jason, into the kitchens.

Thanks for visiting tonight for another quiet week of adventure. Don’t forget that each day this week we will expand this adventure further with tomorrow exploring what’s going on a bit more and meeting some notable NPCs. So don’t forget to come back each day this week until its conclusion on the weekend and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Maribeth and Roderick

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This week our story revolves around Maribeth and Roderick, the queen and the noble who unknowingly sent Maribeth to the Astral plane. But he may play a vital role in retrieving the queen if the party are wise to listen to his council.

So let’s sit down, grab a coffee and let’s prepare for an astral adventure!

Maribeth and Roderick

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Queen Maribeth – Created in Artbreeder.

Queen Maribeth watched as the gifts scattered out before her, drifting in empty space as she struggled to keep herself level with what she assumed was the right orientation. It had happened so far but she could still remember the look of shock and horror on the faces of those near her, especially Roderick.

“I told you Roderick was no good.” her guard, Sven, muttered from nearby as he drifted upside down next to her.

“Come Sven, you know that Sir Roderick isn’t responsible He is one of the most decorated heroes that we have in the kingdom and has protected both you and I countless times in the past. Remember the Dark Autumn? He hunted the vampire single handed and moments before the beast drained your life he fought it off and managed to get you and I to safety.” Maribeth reassured Sven even as he grumped near by.

“Then what is this? If he didn’t get his pet witch to curse the bag then what?” Sven said as he pumped his arms and legs to try and right himself.

The sight of the giant of a man running in empty space yet not moving brought a smile to her face. “Well given where we are I can think of two things,” she began as she concentrated on turning in space to be on the same orientation as Sven, “we are in the astral plane. The gifting chest functioned like a bag of holding and I remember Sir Roderick telling us once that you should never, ever, place a bag of holding inside one another or you…” she paused.

“Get sucked into the astral plane.” he finished for her.

“So I just hope that the other guards don’t behead Roderick as he, and his ‘pet witch’ as you called her might be our only chance of a rescue.

Sir Roderick – created in Nightcafe.

Roderick shook with fear and worry. He hadn’t considered that the donation from his vassal, Lord Tokaois, would’ve been a disguised bag of holding. He had already called for Freja, his sorceress, to locate Tokaois and to question him to confirm his suspicions he had luckily been granted access to the library. His reputation of being fiercely loyal to the queen had served him well and he poured through books searching for the answer.

The mercenaries, some well known adventurers had joined him when the realised too that she had been sucked into the astral plane as he searched for a book. An ancient guide to the astral plane that the court wizard had once taught him about when he had been sent there to hunt for a beholder. He never found it but he did find a gith war party that nearly cost him his life if it wasn’t for the book and its guidance on how to tell the different puddle-portals in the Astral plane apart.

His ring started to warm up as the embedded sending stone activated. Twisting it counter clockwise he connected the two sending stones. “My lord, I have the information.” Freja began before the sound of whimpering in the background of her voice interrupted. “Lord Takaois was less than willing to part with the information but I managed to get it out of him. It was a bag of holding that had been disguised so Maribeth is as you assumed, in the astral plane.” she continued.

“Queen Maribeth. She may remember the stories that the old wizard told her but she wont be able to get out by herself. How quickly can you get here?” he asked.

“I can be there by tomorrow morning, I have a mess to clean up here and then I should be able to reach the capital. Why?” Freja asked. She loved playing dumb just to vex him.

“I need you to locate where she is and so we can open a portal to recue her.” Roderick sighed. He knew she knew, that’s why he kept her employed in his service.

“Oh my, that does sound very expensive.” she replied, a hint of amusement in her voice.

“We will deal with that later. I will see you at sunrise.” he said twisting the right clockwise to sever the connection. Turning to the adventurers he noticed that they had been listening. “I have a request in the service of the queen. Are you willing to save her?”

Thanks for visiting tonight as we explore a bit more of the people involved in this story as well as piece together the rest of the adventure. Don’t forget that each day this week we will continue to expand and build this adventure, so don’t forget to come back daily and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe