Tabletop

Clouded Astral Plane

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Tonight’s a pretty easy one but there is nothing easy about exploring the clouded astral plane. Whole not all astral planes will be clouded and fraught with danger this one just so happens to be!

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

Clouded Astral Plane

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The Clouded Astral Plane – Created in Inkarnate.

The large chunks of debris from what appears to be an imploded mountain scatter the skies in this area that is blanketed by thick clouds. This is the perfect place for predators to be lurking amongst the clouds or the rocks themselves. While movement is always tricky in the astral plane fighting is even worse as the mental fatigue of righting yourself and moving a physical form in a place that defies physics proves challenging.

Only two layers for the background today with a mixture of texture, brightness and opacity for the clouds gives it a bit more depth. Rocks give us something more than just clouds to interact with an can add to a layer of depth and complexity when it comes to a battle – but they look good and that’s why they are there.

A filter over the top to bring in some more depth and change the tone a little bit in the warmer direction brings the rest of it home.

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

Astral Acquiescence

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While the queen and her guard give in to their, astral acquiescence, the people that were hired to protect them must sally forth quickly to ensure that they are not too late. There are many ways to cross into another plane of existence but to get to a specific place required a bit more knack.

So let’s sit down, grab a coffee and drift into the Astral plane!

Astral Acquiescence

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The party watched the witch, Freja, as she cast her divination ritual in an attempt to locate where the queen had go. Luckily they had found a means to getting to the astral plane amongst the belongings of Roderick including scrolls, rings and even, reluctantly, the bags of holding her used while adventuring in his youth.

“Now when you’re in there to return back to this plane you need to find a puddle, it may take some time to locate one at all but a puddle that matches the same colour of the one you enter in. Something that’s a different colour, even slightly so may take you to somewhere you don’t want to be. Remember that limbo, the nine hells and even the demi-planes between all have links to the astral plane. Don’t just jump into the first puddle you see.” Roderick recited it like he had said it many times before. In fact he had recited the same information, to them, many times since Freja had arrived and had began the several rituals to locate the queen.

“There are many creatures that are in those plans. Plane-walkers, the creatures that drift between planes for o one but the astral plane houses warring creatures that don’t look kindly upon those who enter into their territory .” he said as he walked off to check on Freja.

The moment had come for the party to cross over via their chosen method. Freja stood before them and commenced a rhythmic chanting as she manipulated the weave around them. Small fetishes, statues made from bone and semi-precious stones glowed as she channelled the magic she harnessed into them to stabilise a point.

She gave the signal for the party to create the portal and Roderick stepped forward. “Freja said that she can get you to close enough to the queen but not her exact location. You’ll have to locate her but be aware, she has been in there for a while now and there may be predators coming to investigate what’s lingered so far from the material plane. Once you have her get moving – after a few hours you should find something like a puddle, a portal back to this plane. If you find the wrong one then keep searching. You’ll get there.” he added as he handed them a bag. “Supplies in case it takes a while. For yourself and the queen.”

And with that the party stepped away from the knight and his witch and prepared to enter the astral plane.

Thanks for joining me for another night of adventure. I find adventures like this where its not, super heavily scripted or controlled hard to write for as any DM can tell you a Party of adventurers will do what they please, when they please and they rarely allow you to stick to your planned adventure. Regardless don’t forget that the adventure still continues here for the next few days 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

The Queens Palanquin

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Once a year on the queens birthday she opens the doors to the castle to receive gifts from her nobles and well wishers alike. However she never keeps them and instead she uses the gifts to bolster the coffers of the kingdom so that she can alleviate taxes for her people and provide support to them. She is a popular queen because of this but not everyone agrees with her methods.

So let’s sit down, grab a coffee watch the procession of well-wishers!

Queen Maribeth has always been beloved by her people and its not just the way that she rules the kingdom or her beauty but by how she supports them out of the kingdoms coffers. She never asks for taxes or tithes but instead uses what she receives from other kingdoms, nobles and well wishers on her birthday to fund the coffers for the next year.

However, not everyone thinks well of the queen and her methods in funding the kingdom. With her life in peril and the party hired to protect her will they rise to the occasion and protect a beloved monarch or will they fail and be held accountable for more than just failing a job, but failing a kingdom.

The Queens Palanquin

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The Queens Palanquin – Created in Nightcafe.

Queen Maribeth glanced over at the extra guards on the stairs to her palanquin and sighed. Her guard had received intel that this year there will be an attempt on her life, but none can say where, when or how just that it will happen. Despite her men warning her Maribeth still decided to go ahead with the normal festivities and opened the doors to her castle once again to receive donations and gifts from nobles vying for power, visiting royalty and dignitaries who come to pay respects and any well wisher who wants to give her a gift.

As for the majority of her reign she looked forward not just to this day but using the gifts, small or large, to support her people, the common folk, merchants and labourers of the Kiptaken kingdom instead of taking taxes she uses her own funds. A large portion of her funds comes from the sale or trading of gifts that are given to her and rarely does she keep anything.

As she looked and thanked the latest well wishers, nobles from her own kingdom who’s people would benefit from their generosity she smiled and allowed the mercenaries acting as her personal guards to allow them to approach her. Taking the hand woven bag that was filled with gems and jewels from their mines she thanked them for their generosity and handed it to her chief guard to confirm there to be nothing dangerous about the gifts.

This had been the norm for the day and it slowed the process down as each item was investigated before put into an open chest near by. The chest itself was enchanted to hold hundreds of times more space than what would normally fit. Her wizards had explained to her that it was much like a bag of holding, a traditional magical item that was sought after those who pursued adventuring.

“The bag itself was a gift from one of our vassals.” the lord said proudly. “Hand woven from across the sea using local materials. I believe its made from Lamia hair if I am not mistaken.” he said with a bow. Maribeth smiled and thanked the man, the mercenaries had already assessed no weapons were concealed on any of her well wishers so far and she the thanked them again as her head guard placed the bag in the chest.

“I am sure that it will continue to make your vassal proud as it assists the kingdom. I think you again Sir Roderick for your families continual support.” she said with a smile at the man and his wife. “Do come for a visit once this month has quietened d…” she was cut off as a sound like ripping fabric burst forth from the chest. Within a moment there was an explosion of energy and magic as a shimmering rift of green energy opened up before the queen and her procession of gift givers.

A force so powerful that the chest imploded sending the entire contents so far tumbling into the shimmering green curtain before it snatched at the resplendent palanquin and a heartbeat later, the queen. As the force took hold The queen, her guard, half the throne and the chest of gifts were snatched up and pulled through the shimmering curtain of energy before it disappeared showing a scene of destruction.

The panic that ensued as guards launched at Sir Roderick and his family to restrain them as the party, the mercenaries who were hired to protect the queen looked over the scene of the crime. An astral portal had materialised and ripped the queen through its shimmering curtain, taking her and her head guard into the beyond.

Their job had failed as without proper guidance or knowledge of the plane the queen would never find her way out. The party would find themselves held accountable for the loss of the kingdoms ruler and, likely, never find work in this land again as they would be known as the guards who failed the Queen.

Thanks for visiting tonight for another week of adventure. Tomorrow I will introduce the queen and a few other people in more details so you wont want to forget to come back tomorrow. Don’t forget that each day this week we will expand this adventure until its conclusion on the weekend and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Sins of the Subconscious

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This week I continued with the creating a shortened Zine, something that fits on a single A4 sheet of paper with just enough information to set the scene, plot and hook with some NPCs sprinkled through that it could be used in any system.

I think its still working well so without any further waiting I present Sins of the Subconscious, in the short format, as a fun one-shot to assist GMs when they need a night out of the books whether you run Pathfinder, Open Legends RPG, D&D or any other RPG System.

There is references to the blog nights which are D&D centric (regarding Friday night’s Stat-blocks) but this adventure can be used system agnostic more so than my regular Zines. As always Kobold fight club can be used to quickly balance an encounter for Dungeons and Dragons and Tetra-cube provides the stat-blocks for many of my D&D creatures.

So I hope you enjoy this weeks adventure, Sins of the Subconscious, and that your rolls are made with advantage.

Sins of the Subconscious

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Church of Kelemvor – Created in Nightcafe.

The party had been travelling to a large city and were a few hours past the last village that they had seen for hours when the storm hit. Violent winds, rain and even hail struck at them and they were forced to seek shelter, an abandoned cottage nearby with a dried up well. Taking turns to watch as there had been signs of a large creature about they waited out the storm. However when the person on watch turned to wake up the next person to take watch a creature darted at them from outside, slamming open its door in its haste and dug a mouthful of fangs into the adventurer. 

The party roused and attacked the beast hoping to kill it but they only managed to scare it off. However the damage was already done and the party member fell unconscious. 

The nearest place they could take their ally was the village a few hours back and since no magic or potions seemed to be healing the wound they would need powerful magic, the magic of the gods.

The party made it to the village and into the church where they were disappointed to be rejected for healing, the doctrine of this clergy to Kelemvor forbade the prevention of a natural death. However room and protection from the storm was available and they were fed, the wounds were cleaned and they sat into a long night. 

PDF adventure – Sins of the Subconscious

Sins of the SubconsciousDownload

Thanks for joining me today for another Zine this year. This is a condensed version of the Zine, but I hope the format works and is good to look at! Please feel free to leave comments if this format is appealing – so make sure to grab a copy of the PDF.

Next time you get a party together consider running this adventure and I hope that you enjoy it.
I hope you don’t miss a thing so come back daily in the coming week and year. This is so you can experience the creation of the next adventure as it evolves and shapes out. And as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

30 Minute Challenge, Raiders Ravine

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So another Saturday has come and something that, after years writing adventures weekly on the blog and for my own Tabletop (which I don’t publish) it shouldn’t be surprising that I hit a creative block on occasion. That’s why I started the 30 minute challenges with tonight I focus once again on something randomly generated and expanding it to a one shot adventure within 30 minutes. Todays 30 minute challenge, Raiders Ravine is to looking the party find when they investigate a series of missing ships and disposed passengers.

As normal I have a few self-imposed restrictions are in place to keep it interesting for me.

Rules of the challenge for me

  • Single word or theme (an image tonight)
  • 30 minute timer
  • Must be a playable adventure
  • Must have at least one driver (Antagonist/protagonist)
  • Must be D&D or RPG centric and attempt to be of the fantasy variety.

Time started: 20:36 AEST

Overview: 

In the Crimson Fjord, an unprecedented number of ships had gone missing. Unlike past incidents involving pirates, storms, or even a white dragon, this time was different. Survivors—passengers, crew, merchants, and guards—were found on the shore, dazed and certain they had been robbed. They all recounted hearing a soft song and seeing a rainbow of colours before waking up in rowboats.

The city, frustrated by the losses, called for adventurers to investigate, claiming a sea monster was to blame. The adventurers set sail with an old, experienced captain. On the second day, after encountering whales, a mist appeared, accompanied by a hypnotic song and shimmering colours. It was a spell, and soon sleek vessels attempted to board their ship. The adventurers fought them off and chased them to a hidden fjord filled with pirate ships and stolen vessels. Now, they had to decide whether to confront the pirates or escape.

30 Minute Challenge, Raiders Ravine

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Raiders Ravine – created in nightcafe.

There had never been a time in the Crimson Fjords history where as many ships had gone missing. There had certainly been times where pirates, storms or even a large aggressive white dragon had taken it upon themselves to destroy the ships leaving or entering the port but lately it had been different.

The passengers, crew, merchants and even guards had all appeared on the shoreline dazed, confused and positive that they had been robbed. Their ships all disappeared and their stories all the same. That they had heard a soft song coming across the waves and then a rainbow of colour before being jostled awake by the waves rocking their row-boats against the shore of the Crimson Fjord.

The city had grown tired of this, let alone the dozens of merchants who had lost merchandise aboard the lost ships. What was more infuriating was that when the it didn’t matter if it was merchants, passenger or military ships they all disappeared with the survivors, of which there were nearly no casualties or missing people sure that they were all innocent and something was hunting them.

The call had gone out for adventurers to investigate with, certain detailed omitted from the report. The city claimed that a sea monster was terrorising the ships, as it was the likely explanation, and that the adventurers would leave on a small ship and investigate what they were dealing with. Not finish the beast off but to merely investigate.

The party had agreed as it appeared that nearly the entire cities worth of merchants had chipped into the reward for the quest. The water in the fjord was calm and soon the chilly sea breeze was carrying the salty sea air to the party as they sailed outwards. Their captain appeared to be too old to care but they had been assured that they were in great company. The old salty sea-dog of a captain drank liquor strong enough to knock a dwarf over but managed to handle the craft like an extension of his own two arms.

On the second day they had seen a pod of large black and white whales that had rubbed against their ship, testing it before heading off to hunt for less wooden prey. However, not an hour after the last signs of the large creatures had head off did a mist appear on the sea spreading out from the land towards them. A mournful song came wafting across the water and the mist began to shimmer with a myriad of colours.

It was a spell. An attempt to put the party under hypnosis, and for some it did albeit temporary, but soon several rough looking sleek vessels had approached the ship and the occupants had attempted to board. After a few moments it was clear that the hired adventurers were not a group to be trifled with and the crafts retreated through the fog towards land.

Giving chase the party came across a second Fjord, a large inlet gave way to sea-side stone buildings and fortifications that swarmed with pirates who started to sound the alarm the moment the adventurers ship was spotted. Within the fjord dozens of ships sat moored sporting colours from just as many different merchant, a naval and mercenary companies. The party had found the source of the missing ships, now they had to either deal with the problem of fight escape.

Objective

The objective with this example is really two choices. The party can attempt to fight through the pirates (either subtly or directly) or they can return to the port city of the Crimson Fjord and provide information, being chased by pirates the entire way of course.

Time finished: 20:56 AEST


Thanks for dropping by tonight for a quick adventure writeup. Let me know if you’d like to see more of these style quick-writeups in the future. 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

The Dark Priest

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The dark priest has been imbued by magic and power by its deity in order to fulfill the great task that has been set for it. In this case the breaking of a seal and the release of an evil upon the lands. However the price is rarely worth the power.

So let’s sit down, grab a coffee as we roll into tonight’s encounter!

The Dark Priest

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The path of the moving trees was difficult to follow, but not impossible despite the forest itself seemed reluctant to let the parties thought. However the source of animation seemed to have moved on, or simply had its eye cast on another location.

Garet had handed them a scroll with exceedingly poor handwriting indicating that there was rumoured to be a shrine deeper in the forest to one of the “winged ones” that he had mentioned before. The party now followed the directions and a rough map to where they believed this shrine was located and they believed that they were on the right path.

As they pushed further into the forest as the sun fully disappeared and the moon pushed forward, its radiant glow illuminating the path for them. Soon the sound of a lone voice chanting and branches cracking came from head and a red glow appeared between trees contrasting against the white of the full moon. They could see it now, a large winged creature atop a tall statue bathed in red light.

From their position they could see four bound human figures wrapped in cloth at the base of a small ziggurat and a man chanted at the base of statue. Green eyes glowed on the statue as it stared at a moving bundle of cloth that called out for help, Synthia, as energy pulsated around the area turning the trees half red and half blue as the moon and unholy magic battled to claim the area.

Sarghuls Altar – created in nightcafe.

The dark priest is a dangerous foe able to punish those to try to interrupt its duty with powerful magical backlash. Many of its spells require no concentration just a thought to summon into existence before it can continue to focus on the task at hand, summoning demons.

The Dark Priest – created in Tetra-cube

However the dark priest is not alone and its power over the forest shrine has given it some measurable power over the trees themselves. Those foolish enough to believe that the dark priest works alone will find branches slamming into their back before they know it, the animated trees unable to be distinguished from other trees in the forest.

Awakened Tree – created in Tetra-cube

Thanks for joining me tonight as we unravel a fun little encounter. I know that night time encounters are perhaps a little over-done but I just enjoy how they look and how well light can clash during the night. Don’t forget to come back over the weekend as we continue this adventure and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Walking Forest Shrine

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This week has two main encounters but only really one map, the Walking Forest Shrine, as the other one should be easy enough to describe. Although the map is coming tonight the description that ties in this this part, well that will be something a bit more and will come in the next few days.

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

The Walking Forest Shrine

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The Walking Forest Shrine – Created in Inkarnate.

Dozens of ways to approach the series of raised stone blocks and steps before reaching the statue. The statue rests on a small stone ziggurat that is twenty feet tall with nine bundles wrapped in cloth on specially crafted sections. A large bat-winged creature sits at the centre of the raise platform with large emeralds for eyes which catch and reflect the light from the braziers that burn nearby.

The trees that surround the platform are large, ancient and twisted. Several types of trees call this forest home and it makes for a relatively sheltered approach towards the statue, if the trees can be trusted that is.

About five layers were used for the background today with a two new jungle-grass tones, a moss-green for highlights, two different shades of dirt blended in different ratios to give a worn effect. Three types of trees adds a depth to the map that I can appreciate as a forest typically wont consist of just one tree species.

The ziggurat is several wall sections combined and scaled down together to give variety of shape and purpose. The statue is purposefully larger for a reason, to be revealed later and other than that its the same technique with other asset stamps with colour modification, size and position tweaking a well as a night time filter to be put over the top.

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

Walking Trees

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Tonight we see the next part in this adventure where the party now have to deal with Walking Trees. However its more than just some Brothers Grimm fairy tale come to life, this week evokes imagery that drew me into the world of RPGs to begin with.

So let’s sit down, grab a coffee and walk down the lane of nostalgia!

Walking Trees

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The party were walking from the hermit, Garets, cottage when the sound of screaming reached their ears. Synthia was there in an instant as she looked around frantically. “Have you seen a little girl, about seven?” she asked the party immediately before the sound of shouts and screams came from the forest. Rushing towards the noise the party paused as they ran past buildings at the sight before them.

Large creatures made from trees were walking slowly back to the forest. One of them had a girl in a brown and green dress entangled in its vine-like fingers as it carried her towards the woods. Several villagers rushed at the creature with wood axe, scythe, spears and even a old sword in hand as they milled about the foot of one such creature. Six creatures towered above the villagers as they swatted at them, sending them flying or crunching into the dirt.

The brave militia quickly started to shrink backwards despite calling for aid to save the girl. “Millie!” Synthia called out as she raced forward towards the girl that was captured. The creatures moved surprisingly fast despite their large size and the way their feet, the trunk and roots of a tree, bonded with the soil when ever they stepped.

The party rushed forwards after Synthia but she had a head start and her fear and rage drove her faster. But before she could reach the little girl one of the towering tree creatures reached down and ensnared her in its grasp. As she was lifted screaming and flailing the creature followed the other into the treeline and deeper into the forest.

The party rushed forward but the trees themselves started to move, their trunks and roots shifting to allow the trees to move to form a wall of dense wood that was several trees which were each several feet deep. However the animated trees on this side of the barricade turned their attention to the buildings of the village and started to stride towards it.

“The trees walk once more! The winged ones approach and call the nine to the door, their home, where they will break free and rule the forest again!” called Garet as he hobbled towards the edge of the small field which separated the village and the trees. As he called out the trees stopped and looked towards the old man, pausing for a moment. Then with a sickening lurching motion the trees began to move towards the old man, the ground shuddering with each thunderous step as they moved to reach the hermit-come-lore keeper.

“They collect the tithe that was promised to them. The nine have been selected and now the deal has been brokered. Free from their binding the trees march for the elves once more, but this time for war. Sick of servitude their new masters, the winged ones, have promised their freedom!” called Garet as he brandished his oaken walking stick at the trees.

Thanks for joining me for another night of adventure expansion. Following on with this adventure there is one more part to come, a big one really, that will tie in the final piece in this puzzle. So don’t forget to come back over the next few days and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Folk Lore and Falsehoods

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There is sometimes no real difference between folk lore and falsehoods when it comes to stories about the local happenings or non-happenings. Tonight we look into such allegations of a mad hermit who is responsible for keeping the lore of the village. But when his mind is failing and the next generation is not ready to inherit the task there can only be trouble.

So let’s sit down, grab a coffee and let’s listen to some old-timey stories!

Folk Lore and Falsehoods

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Garet Solroot – Created in Artbreeder.

Garet shuffled across the dirt floor the hearth where a pot of water boiled. Using a worn wooden ladle he scooped out some water and poured it into a cup which had a sprinkling of leaves in it. Shuffling back, most of the boiling water ending up on the dirt, he handed the cup to the first in line for his hospitality.

“More tea…?” he asked looking to the others. The first cup looked to contain half an earth worm, a few pine needles and what appeared to be dog or cat hair; potentially even human beard hair. When the others gestured that they needed no tea he scooped out his own serving, sprinkling his own few leaves into it and sat down, gingerly, on a pile of furs near the hearth to stay warm. His thin frame looked tiny in comparison to the cloak of furs he held around his shoulders.

After sipping from the obviously too hot tea he smiled, nodded once as if satisfied with the brew before looking to the party. “The woods have ears did you know that?” he began. “When the elves first left the woods and headed south past the human lands they encountered the first settlers of this village. Back then the woods were said to come alive at the beck and call of the elves to build their houses and fight their enemies.” he paused to sip his scalding tea.

“But when the winged ones left the trees stopped. A Pity as I always wanted to talk to a tree.” he mused to himself.

Synthia Mullpeck – Created in Artbreeder.

Synthia walked into the room hastily putting down a basket that had dozens of root vegetables assorted in near piles. “Sorry Garet there was word that some hot shot adventurers had come to the village so I tried to find them.” she began before turning around and noticing the party. “Oh, I guess I found them. Hi I’m Synthia. I am Garet’s apprentice come household help.” she added with more than a bit of disdain.

“I am here to learn all I can from Garet so that he can retire while he still has some of his memories. I have started to try and write them down in books but,” she paused looking at the man who was scooping out the other half of the worm, “Some how I don’t think I’ll fill a book of actual history. All his stories he tells don’t make sense or are impossible.” she added with frustration.

“Synthia, dear girl. Did I tell you about the spell at the heart of the forest? The one that called the winged ones home and silenced the trees?” he added chewing still. “They say that nine are needed to bring back the trees but I don’t think we could find nine more winged ones. They all disappeared. Did I tell you about the time that a winged deer flew over my hut? It started to eat the thatching on my roof!” he continued looking visibly excited.

“See, wild stories.” Synthia added looking at them knowingly. “I do have some of the ones that made sense in this book if you want to take it and look over it. If there’s any questions I’m from Remale, the village one over. I will be here for a few more hours then leaving before dusk.”

Thanks for joining me tonight get to know Garet and Synthia. Taken from a few inspirations this week I hope to capture the essence of “all stories are based on a fact”. So don’t forget to come back daily this week so you can see how this adventure expands and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe