Tabletop

Herald of Rats

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Now when you hear a title like herald of rats this is something that no one really wants to deal with. But this so called herald of rats is something more than just a man with a pan flute. No tonight we have something a bit different.

So without wasting any more time let’s grab a coffee, sit down and lets roll into tonight’s encounter.

Herald of Rats

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Giant Rat – created in Tetra-cube.

The man called out a high pitched whistle and suddenly the child sized creatures sped towards the wagons and the guards that defended it. As the fog whirled around the creatures the manic squeaking erupted from them as they pounced at the party and guards.

As the guards fought them back the prisoners in the wagon called out to be freed so they could escape the man. The unrelenting squeaking from the animals and the fog that seemed to swirl around the creatures made the fight more difficult than it needed to be. But as they were distracted with the rats a larger figure slunk around the combatants and headed towards the wagon.

Wererat – created in Tetra-cube.

The prisoners called out in a panicked cry as the party noticed a figure smashing through the locks on their wagons. Rushing forward to confront the man from before he snarled and fled into the foggy forest. The rats continued their attack on the party and guards and when the last of the creatures lay twitching in its death throes they regrouped at the campfire.

No one had suffered any major wounds, a few bites and scratches here and there but the locks on the wagons were broken beyond repair. The prisoners huddled together in a hybrid-animal form but their appearance was anything but hostile. Thanking the party for scaring off the man they stayed away from the busted door and watched the guards and the party nervously.

“Well what now?” Em called out as her and another guard, Kat, stood watching the prisoners.

“I don’t think we have seen the last of that man or his rats.” Boris said as he nursed a vicious looking bite on his forearm. “We are maybe a day’s travel from where we need to take them. Can we tie the cage shut or will we have to ensure they don’t leave?”

“We won’t leave, we don’t want to leave the cage.” one of the prisoners said. “We are seeking Pensevtil’s aid in healing us. But we are prisoners until we are cured, that is the law.” the woman said – her face resembling a hybrid of human and rabbit.

“Well… We have a long way to go. Can you walk?” Boris asked, noticing the damage to one of the wagon’s wheels.

“We can try,” the prisoners replied.

A wererat and his pets lies in wait for us this week as we continue the adventure onwards. Cowardly but cunning the man in the coat will continue as an adversary for this adventure as he seeks the docile prisoners. But more on that this weekend. So don’t forget to come back this weekend for more tabletop content and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Foggy Path

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The fog is a great way to make easy encounters more difficult but what if the encounters are already difficult. The Foggy path does just that where even with an additional five mercenaries on their side the party is facing overwhelming odds, unless they do something perhaps a bit reckless. This week is about assessment of the situation, the overwhelming odds in combat and, learning additional rules.

But let’s not get mystified with the fog, or mist, any longer. So grab a coffee, sit down and let’s dive into the map for tonight.

The Foggy Path

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The Foggy Path – Created in Inkarnate.

With the guards taking the path through the woods it was only a matter of time until they were ambushed. The attacker from before who escaped, with an arrow wound as thanks for his company, returns with more feral allies this time and they make full use of the foggy path. The fog lies thick and heavy across the battlefield with the distant torches acting like micro beacons that help discern movement and placement but without aiding anything to visually identifying anything. This makes this weeks encounter a game of cat and mouse.

To complicate it – a cage full of, somewhat docile, lycanthropes who are the target of the attack. The hard decision will have to come at some stage on what to do. But we will touch on that this weekend.

The map is a simple affair with a few overlapping terrain paints, overlapping fog and light sources to give a “blinding” effect where the main campfire is. The horses are hitched on the wagons, but maybe not for long and the party will have to fight amongst the trees, in the fog. Or flee through it if that is the more wise course of action.

Thanks for joining me tonight for a glimpse at the foggy path. Not my best name for a map but it will have to do, for now. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for some stat-blocks for the encounter and a reminder that the PDF will be coming out this weekend. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

They Came for Them

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Generally an escort mission goes one of two ways; either those being escorted go haywire, or, they came for them. Who are they you might ask? Why its the associates, a mutual interested party, assassins or in this case – creators. While people creating generally is something that happens naturally not all creation is such. A bit of a darker one this week with it turning from an ‘escort the prisoners’ to a ‘save the VIP’.

But enough on that here, let’s grab a coffee, sit down and roll into tonight’s adventure.

They Came for Them

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The calls of alarm woke the party from their rest and they roused quickly from their slumber. The prisoners were crying softly nearby and the musky stench of fear was getting stronger with the passing moment. Above them a full moon shone down and pierced through the fog revealing several shapes moving closer. The hunched forms scurried across the ground at the edge of the torch light – but they were waiting for something.

A larger figure strode from the shadows, the large long coat covered most of a plain tunic but did nothing to hide the sword and hand crossbow on the stranger’s hip. “Ahoy. A pleasant evening for a stroll under the moonlight isn’t it?” the voice called as several bows trained on him as the guards took up a well trained formation.

“Now we can do this the easy way or the messy way. You have something that belongs to me. Those creatures you have in the cage on wheels – I will have them” he said with a trained gesture.

“Now why the bloody hell would we give them to you?” Boris called out, placing his axe over his shoulder, aware of the several shapes moving amongst the darkness around the flank of the wagons and his formation. “We are entrusted to ensure these people get to their destination. Unharmed, mind you.” Boris added.

“That’s where we have a clash of thoughts I am afraid. You see they are my property, I created them and while they are not perfect, yet, I assure you I will make them so.” the man replied, the look of confusion on the guards faces brought a cruel smirk out of him. “Oh, you don’t know what they are. They have done such a good job hiding it. But I assure you, any moment now you will see why you simply must hand them over to me.” The man said with a chuckle.

The cages containing the prisoners rattled and voices broke out amongst them. “No, brother, don’t. Don’t let him get to you, fight it. Don’t let it out!” one man said to another. The latter was trembling, wide eyed and looking terrified. But that wasn’t all, he was changing before the eyes of those who watched. His form shrunk, his bones and face distorted and soon a furry humanoid sat there shivering. The transformation of one of the caged lycanthropes caused all of them to begin to cry out and plead for help as they all too began to shift. However, the normally cruel forms of lycanthropes were not present, a softer, more scared creature sat before them. Large soft ears, large round eyes and soft paws were present more akin to a mouse or rabbit as opposed to a rat, wolf or worse.

“Ah, right on time. As you can see these nasty creatures best come with me and my associates shall we call them. So what say you?” the man asked.

“I say…” Boris said as he looked from his wards to the men and creatures in the mist. “I say Guards! Attack!”

One of the encounters for this week has been revealed with a twist. While not all baddies, prisoners or otherwise are evil these ones definitely aren’t as we will explore this week. So with the twist revealed we next have the location and the encounters itself – so you best not forget to come back each day remaining this week to stay up to date with the adventure. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Boris’s Guard

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The men and women that Boris hire to be part of his crew when working for him are known simple as Boris’s Guard. They are far from elite warriors but under the firm guidance of Boris’s keen mind they have faced off worse foes than many. Despite all of them coming from a diverse background they each blended well and complimented their fellow guards skills well.

But not everything is always peachy perfect, there are rough spots to any team and Boris’s Guard is no exception. So grab a coffee, sit back and let’s explore what the guard has in store for us this week.

Boris’s Guard

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Boris Izenhowlser – Created in Artbreeder.

The fog that had come in from the trees at night was expected. Boris had planned for this and had set up mounted torches at the edge of their camp that ensured that there were no significant shadows between the trees and where they had stopped for the night. Cookie, Luke, had organised enough food for the guard, the party and even the prisoners and was busy ensuring everyone got fed. When he returned from the wagons though he had a concerned look on his face.

“The prisoners won’t eat. They keep looking out beyond the torchlight like a Tarrasque is about to step out of it and eat them. Maybe the adventurers are right, when we saw those tracks the prisoners mentioned that something was after them.” he continued as he handed a bowl of stew to the party – it was good stew.

Boris was the last to eat and as usual as per the last few nights, he was the one who insisted that he walk to each torch mounted on a post and ensure that they were lit and placed correctly. As the guards watched Boris walking about, a large broad headed axe was held ready in his hand but swung by his side. “What do you think they did?” one of the guards, Ron asked. “If they are spooked by something following them, maybe they betrayed a cartel?”

“Nah I reckon they were found to be spies from the fey. You know that they inhabit these woods?” Kat said looking around the woods with a twinkle in her eye.

“You’re all wrong. They are just normal prisoners. Probably thieves.” Dorn said as he chewed on his stew.

“But why are we being paid this much to guard them to Pensevtil. You know that a wizard runs that place? He is only interested in the truly messed up and arcane.” Raff said boldly as he leaned forward.

Em Wannapeek – Created in Artbreeder.

“Now let’s not go looking into ghost stories now. We have reason to suspect that there may be people that want this group free but the chance of that is low.” Em, Boris’s second in command announced as she watched some of the other guards start talking. “Besides, we’re scarier than whatever is out there.” she added which brought upon a small cheer.

“Enough of that.” Boris said, appearing as if a ghost himself behind the guards. “I want three guards on watch at any time tonight. This fog may be natural but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. Tomorrow we will ensure we set up above the fog so we have better visibility.” he said as he grabbed a bowl of stew from Cookie, thanking him as he sat down. 

“Now I spent some time thinking about the bandits that we encountered on the way here – I think they were just being opportunistic. Thinking to make some coin from the prisoners after they disposed of us.” he mused as he ate. “Any other theories?”

“From the ones we dispatched there was nothing to indicate otherwise.” Dorn replied, normally the silent one of the group.

“One did flee, but I got him with my bow” Kat said as she mimed firing an arrow.

“Yeah he won’t last more than a day with that wound” Raff added, the others and Boris nodding.

“But I don’t think he was that wounded. Something was a bit off about that one bandit fleeing. Normally Kat’s shots lay a man flat in the ground. But this one kept running. Something unnatural about that unless,” Em paused for a moment, “Unless Kat – were you off your game?”

Kat mocked looking shocked and insulted “Why I never. I am never off my game.” she replied, shooting a mock-glare at Em.

“Exactly, mark my words. That one that escaped wasn’t natural.” Em added. Boris nodded before adding “Ensure that we keep an eye out until we drop off the prisoners. If you see something odd, shoot first, ask questions later.” he said as he brought out a peculiar medallion and looked knowingly at everyone – the party inclusive.

The Guard

Luke Arden ‘cookie’ – created in Artbreeder.
Ron Kesper – Created in Artbreeder.
Kat Farmgate – created in Artbreeder.
Dorn Brumble – Created in Artbreeder.
Raff Blitzword – Created in Artbreeder.

It’s shaping up to be a big one this week and we have quite a few NPCs this week. I don’t go through all the Prisoners but having names will help at least, but that can be for another night. With tomorrow night changing what we know about this weeks adventure don’t forget to come back then. And, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Guarding Prisoners

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Welcome to the third week of the year and we find our party on bit of hard times, guarding prisoners. It’s not the most glamorous of jobs but this on pays exceedingly well, shockingly well in fact to the point that one could assume something was wrong with the job. But perhaps that would be the paranoia speaking. Then again, perhaps it’s not just paranoia.

The guards made it look easy back in the tavern and the promise of gold, victory and the fame that came from these jobs made it sound all worthwhile. Boy were they wrong. The bright moon heralds a darkness to the night that the party are told to fear. There is something that stalks them on the tracks through the woods, between the trees and through the brush.

The wizard is paying them handsomely, two weeks worth of wages for something that would take no longer than three days of travel – but the realisation comes too late that it’s all hazard pay. How could guarding and escorting prisoners to some remote prison be a hard gig. That was until the mission changed.

The flight for their life wasn’t the worst part, it was the exhaustion as day turned to night and night turned to days and days into a week as they tried to complete the job.

Guarding Prisoners

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The Musty Oak – Created in Nightcafe.

“The guards seemed relaxed as they lounged in the bench-booths of the Musty Oak and waited for the last of their ales to arrive. The coin flowed freely from their hands as they paid for their meals and boasted of their exploits to any who would listen, and many who cared not to. But the adventure, the wealth and the way that they spoke of their job made being idle and completing little jobs for little merchants sound utterly pitiful.

As they watched the guards enjoyed the comforts of being well paid and looked at their, in comparison, meagre meal before them. “Now now, don’t look too disheartened. Just so happens I know the boss of that crew and he is in need of some more men for a job.” the innkeeper said as he passed along a pint of ale, the first shouts of “Ales on me!” came from one of the younger guards at the table.

“If you are interested, Boris is sitting by himself over there,” he pointed to the quieter side of the he inn at a large man. “He is studying for the job.” the innkeeper chuckled and shook his head.

The Road to Pensevtil- Created in Nightcafe.

The job. This wasn’t exactly what they had in mind but the pay was significantly disproportionate to the work itself. The job was simple: transport two wagons filled with prisoners by road to some remote prison and deliver them to a man called Pensevtil. The prisoners were bound but sat quietly as they travelled in the well made wagons. The wagons were barred but constructed of ironbound hard wood that looked like it could contain an owlbear.

As they moved down the road the guards joked crudely and made fun of the prisoners but they were not cruel. The head guard, Boris, scouted the roads and was always looking forward. When he thought something was not quite right or needed further investigation he would bark out an order and one or two guards would immediately fall into line and move to investigate.

“The men respect Boris,” the company’s cook would say when watching one such order being given. “Boris is rarely surprised nor wrong when it comes to trouble and the boys have learnt to listen to the old vet. They say he commanded an army once but he won’t say why he isn’t still.” Cookie was an odd half-elf. He definitely got more of his human parents appearance but despite being quite ugly, he was tall and lanky with slightly pointed ears.

The men came back reporting nothing again but something near the road itself stood out to the party. Broken brush, several somethings had passed through here and they had broken some of the bracken that grew just under the trees. There were also signs of the passage of creatures further into the trees and they found fresh signs of the creatures. Whatever they were there were a few and they were nearby. Boris seemed pleased at the discovery and ordered the guards to be more alert which caused them to grumble but obey quickly and efficiently. One of the prisoners was staring into the woods when the party walked near the wagon, a look of fear and apprehension was clear on its face.

“It’s coming.” is all he muttered when they drew near and when they looked at the other prisoners all of them had the same haunted look.

Another week started and something a bit different. The classic guard trope with a twist, or two, as the party explore this adventure that we craft this week. Don’t forget that each day we expand this adventure so you better not forget to come back each day to keep tabs on whats going on here. And finally, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Morrowdeep Murders

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Tonight and I have created a zine, the second of the new year and I hope that the way you find this Zine is a welcome change. So without any further waiting I present, The Morrowdeep Murders, in the same format, as a fun one-shot to assist the GM.

As always this adventure can be used system agnostic but focuses on D&D so please feel free to adjust to what ever system and the creatures you are using in your adventure! However 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 the creatures found in this adventure.

So I hope you enjoy this weeks adventure, The Morrowdeep Murders, and that your rolls are made with advantage.

The Morrowdeep Murders

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Merchants Lane, Morrowdeep – Created in Nightcafe.

Morrowdeep was a busy city filled with visitors, merchants and tradespeople. Bustling wasn’t the word for it as the constant din of commerce and talk was akin to a buzzing insect in the mind of those who were nearby. 

As the party strode through the city the sights and sounds of the place got them excited to spend the coin they had earnt prior – but there was more than the buzz of commerce. 

Everywhere the party looked there was another old building that was steeped in history. Dwarven architecture was dominant and even the newer buildings followed a very dwarven aesthetic. At the centre of the market lay something that could only be described as one thing. A great dwarven forge. 

PDF adventure – The Morrowdeep Murders

the-morrodeep-murders-1Download

Thanks for joining me today for another Zine this year. As usual there is a lot more in the Zine than there was in the daily updates on this blog – 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

Source of the Problem

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Tonight we look at the source of the problem in Morrowdeep with the revelation of the creature causing the problems. This particular statblock, much like the common one we see for this (the green hag) gives us an option for higher level combat as well. A single hag isn’t too threatening but a coven could be a real challenge for a level 4 or 5 party.

But tonight we can see the scene in focus and the additional statblock for those higher level encounters. So let’s grab a coffee, sit back and read on with the adventure for tonight!

Source of the Problem

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The party moved quickly through the streets of Morrowdeep as the child they found in the abandoned mine in the hills. As they pushed past the people on the streets several spoke to the child, asking about her whereabouts and what she had been doing and before long a group of people were rushing towards her home with the party and her.

As they reached the child’s house she stopped as her parents ran out of the door and hugged her. Crying and embracing each other the reunited family thanked the party for bringing back their daughter but a shadow, something passing behind the windows in the house alerted the party to something being wrong.

Looking between the parents of the girl and the house they noticed that both parents had the same rich-earthy-red colour dirt on their shoes and clothes that the girl had. This matched what the party had on their boots from the cave. As the rest of the people around them dispersed quickly the party notice the girl stop sobbing and clutching at her parents, pull back and look at them. Her hand touched and rubbed their arms before stepping back out of their embrace.

“You’re not my parents,” the girl said. As the realisation dawned on the party and little girl a woman in brown and green robes strode from the house. The girl immediately shied away and pointed at the woman “I saw her in the woods, collecting pink tongue and riverwort. Why is she in my house?”

The villagers nearby stopped moving as the woman in green, the mother and father each drew out a long, gnarled wooden staff that was tipped with Lanternstone. As they did so they pleaded for the child to come to them, to safety but she refused and walked behind the party.

Grey Hag – created in tetra-cube.

As the villagers moved forward and started questioning the parents and murmuring the forms of the three people wavered for a moment, a twisted, hunched and vaguely humanoid appearance wavered into existence before the three of them ran inside the house and closed the door behind them. A gust of wind started to blow down the streets and with it a cloud formed overhead.

Something was not right in the town of Morrowdeep and the party was at the epicentre of it.

Thanks for joining me tonight as we expand the adventure some more with another stat block. Going with a cave theme and having a slightly modified stat-block that would make sense for a cave dwelling hag we have a recipe for a fun encounter with a hag coven, a loan hag or some creatures that may make an appearance only in the Zine. So don’t forget to come back tomorrow for a copy of the PDF and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Of Cats and Children

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Now almost any parent can testify that kids love cats; there is just something about them and so this Friday fight-night is of cats and children. But there are some children that prefer canids and this adventure could work with either, well mostly. But for the sake of the first encounter, one that we saw yesterday, tonight we continue that line of adventure to the next stage.

So the adventure of cats and children starts off with the party being stalked by large cats, then we add some children to the mix, afterwards we move into something… bit more brothers Grimm. So sit back, grab a coffee and let’s roll into tonight’s encounter!

Of Cats and Children

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Crag Cat – created in Tetra-cube.

As the final stout crag cat lay breathing its last breaths on the ground before them the party could not help but wonder what had driven these creatures to madness. They looked over the creatures for any sign of infection or disease but there was no sign of them. No bite marks, no bruising, no sign of worms or parasites and nothing that would indicate what drove them to attack beyond the point of reason.

These creatures were normally smart enough to know when to retreat to lick one’s wounds to survive another day, but these few did not. Despite their mortal wound they attacked relentlessly and without regard for their own safety or that of their pack. As they finished searching and inspecting the bodies the party stood and turned their attention to something else – the cave.

They weren’t but a few feet from the cave entrance when something small moved, whimpered and pushed further into the darkness beyond. Curious, the party approached cautiously and the sound of whimpering turned to audible panic and crying.

“Please, please no. Please don’t hurt me…” a voice said from the darkness behind a rocky protrusion from the wall. It took only a few moments for the owner of the voice, a young child, to rush outwards and embrace the closest party member, sobbing.

“I was so scared. She took me. My parents fell asleep at the table and when I tried to wake them this lady grabbed me. All I remember was this smell of fish and sour milk before I woke up here, in the darkness. There was a creature that would walk around the cave and it would come and feed me from its pot. But I didn’t want to eat at first but I was so hungry. It’s gone for now but I’m scared. What if it comes back. It carried a Morrowstone with it on a large walking stick wherever it went, that’s the only time I could see. The last time it left I pretended I was asleep and then followed it to the edge of the cave and then those animals were there. They stalked the outside of the cave but never came in. But I was too afraid to leave. Then you showed up.” the child babbled.

“Please help me, I just want to go home.”

And that’s it tonight. A shorter one but a hint at what’s to come. There isn’t a huge amount of a write up this week as the other tier adventures take place elsewhere and with other things – so you’ll just have to come back to find out. So on that note, don’t forget to come back this weekend for more tabletop content and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Morrowdeep Hills

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The trek up into the Morrowdeep hills is not something that is done often. The rush to get the ‘Morrowstone’ was fraught with danger as the mines were more prone to collapsing which made the extraction of the stone dangerous. Regardless of the dwarves from older times warnings on mining Lanternstone, as they called it, nor the warnings of the resident dwarf in Morrowdeep the hunger for Lanternstone increased.

However some events linked to these tones are yet to be fully explained and as the party explore the Morrowdeep hills they find more than they are bargaining for. But let’s dive into the content instead of sitting around and talking about it. So sit back, grab a coffee and let’s roll on in!

Morrowdeep Hills

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Morrowdeep Hills – Created in Inkarnate.

The gradual incline that they had been walking up for the past hour began to level out and an even walking trail awaited them. The Journal had revealed nothing but there were clues left behind that indicated that someone had come from the mines in the Morrowdeep hills.

As the party pushed past onwards the trees started to thin and the signs of mining became evident. Discarded buckets, broken tool heads, campfires and tents as well as some large piles of shifted earth lined the path and funnelled the party onwards. Soon a small grotto surrounded by hills revealed a cave. The remnants of a mine track and a tipped over cart heralded the entrance to the darkness beyond. But the party’s attention was drawn to the soil underneath. Disturbed as if something had walked along here not once, but a few times.

As they looked towards the darkness and their imaginations began to take hold over what could lie within a rustle from the bushes at the base of some of the trees brought their attention back to the present. A danger sense spread across the party and the natural dip into the mind made for a tactical disadvantage for them and one for would-be attackers if they knew how to use it. However when a mountain popped out from the brushes a sense of relief passed over them.

But this sensation was brief when it started to stalk them and the party caught more movement from behind them. A coating of foam covered the mouth of the large cat as it stalked forward more than just hunger in its eyes. A madness that was throwing away any sense of its own preservation that it had. The party watched as more cats appeared and soon they prepared for battle at the mouth of the Morrowdeep hills cave.

A slight change in pace tonight with a revelation of one of the types of encounters the party can hope to go through this week. With the week not being over yet we have more to come so don’t forget to come back tomorrow for the details of this encounter and perhaps more. Don’t forget that this weekend will see the coming of another Zine so don’t forget to grab a copy for yourself when that’s available. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Lore Keepers and Ladies

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When people think of excitement they rarely associte it with the combination of Lore Keepers and Ladies. Generally those two are mutually exclusive, well depends in the circles in which you roam. But tonight these worlds collide as the Lore Keeper answers some questions from a visitor at his door and reveals another piece in the puzzle.

For those who patrol the streets and deposit the charged Lanternstones, Morrowstones in the villagers view, it is an unpleasant night to begin their shift. But for those of us who create adventures from these situations it potentially is a great way to start ours.

So as you sit down to enjoy this read, make sure to get yourself a coffee or tea and get comfortable as its another bigger one.

Lore Keepers and Ladies

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The man picked up his little wooden box, a bit heavier than when he put it down and stretched. He had been the keeper of the history of Morrowdeep for half his life and yet he always found the need to make a few extra coins from the visitors to the city. Many people in the city didn’t visit the old library any more and those that did were normally adventurers who were asking for information.

Shortly after lunch, and long after his unpleasant interaction with the stupid dwarf Hiljor, he had a group of adventurers interested in the catastrophes of the city. The Cave-ins, the disappearances, even the night where the animals in the mountain pass went mad and attacked anyone outside of their houses. It was a good week before the last of the creatures were slain by adventurers and the guard. He hadn’t willingly parted with this information but gold pays for what Gregory needs and so it did, admittedly, loosen his lips somewhat.

Gregory Barker – Created in Artbreeder.

He fumbled with the lock of the Lore House, a library, and stumbled in after drawing his small lanternstone from the inside of his jacket. It wasn’t dusk yet but the windows in this building faced away from the setting sun which made it hard to see. As he moved about the room he placed the little wooden box on the corner and, after quickly looking around to make sure the coast was clear, bent down next to the little bench in the room. Moving aside a loose wooden board he pulled out a tiny chest and, hurriedly, he opened the wooden box and emptied the majority of the coins, coppers, silvers and a gold coin, into the chest before quickly replacing it and the board.

“Excuse me,” a voice said from the door. “Are you Gregory the lore keeper?” the soft voice continued. Startled, Gregory looked up and gazed upon a beautiful young woman that he hadn’t seen before. He was not sure if she had seen him transferring the coins to the chest or not.

“Well, yes I am. How can I help you my lady?” he said as he stood up, a moment too slowly. “You must excuse me as I had dropped my glasses.” he said as he grabbed a pair of glasses from the bench. Smiling, the woman walked forward and for a fleeting moment Gregory had an uneasy feeling of being hunted. But as the woman started talking the feeling passed “Sorry for startling you. I was wondering if you had any books or knew of lore on the town and on this mysterious stone.” She said as she pointed at the Lanternstone on the bench that shed bright light in the room that was nearly the same as a flame.

Isabella – created in Nightcafe.

Gregory smiled. “We call them Morrowstones as they are dug up in this village,” he said proudly as he moved to a bookcase on the wall. “The wizards did some extensive study into the stones and we captured it all in the Journal of Azkabob, a dwarven wizard of some repute. Now where was it…” he pondered as he looked through a shelf that was nearly overflowing with books and scrolls. A moment later he stopped on an old book bound in a blued leather. “Ah here it is.” he said as he brought the book down and dusted it.

“I have heard them called Lanternstone, interesting that they have names too. Do you know what’s in the book?” a voice said from his shoulder as dainty fingers touched his arm.

Startled for a moment with that flight or fight, primarily flight, sense tingling he stammered. “I… uh… have read it, but it would take me a few days to go through it again. Why?” Gregory replied as he turned to look at the woman. The light from the Lanternstone causing her green and brown robes to look yellow in its light.

“Uh I am a very fast reader. Is there anyone else who would know of the contents of the book?” she said as she stood nearby smiling coyly.

“I don’t think anyone has read this book since it was written, apart from me of course.” he replied, noticing the woman’s face shift slightly from coy smile to something hungrier.

“Oh what a shame, thanks for spending the time to look for it for me and talking to me. I’ve been travelling for quite some time and don’t get to talk to people too much.” she said as stood up straighter. A sudden gust of wind blew into the building and caught the doors making them slam shut. Jumping, the woman moved closer to Gregory and grabbed onto his arm.

“Oh don’t mind that, it’s just the wind. It comes right up merchant lane.” Gregory said as he looked at the door in wonder.

Smiling and looking down to her hands on his arm she said softly “No, it wasn’t the wind. It was me.” she said as she drew a blade from her hip and stabbed the old man between his ribs. As he fell, unable to talk, she grabbed the book from his hands. “The Journal of Azkabob, by Azkabob Ironbrow.” she muttered to herself as she opened the book and began to read. Finding the information that she wanted she ripped it out of the book and left it on the bench.

As the lantermen strode the streets and deposited the charged Lanternstone into their holsters they checked in on the Lore House as the door was open. The sounds of bells and alarms rang through the town as Morrowsdeep as people rushed to investigate the murder of the lore keeper.

A bit of a bigger one, again, tonight with two new faces for the NPC list, one very quickly deceased. Don’t forget to come back each day this week as we continue with this adventure. We have a few more nights to go where we can, with some excitement, get into the multiple options and adventures we have to go through. But don’t forget to let me know how the last Zine was – a different approach with having a varied party level within the adventure itself. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe