Tabletop

Smoke by the Seaside

thebrazenwolfeLeave a comment

Welcome to Wednesday where we are looking at the party coming up to the seaside town of Nigrun and a surprising amount of smoke by the seaside. This weeks twist isn’t so much of an earth shaking shift in the story but the decision point where we join the two points together. So to explore what this is let’s roll into tonight’s adventure!

Smoke by the Seaside

338WeSmBTSe

The view from the sea was peaceful and the calm waves helped alleviate the tension from earlier. The spot of fishing earlier in the day had caused quite the commotion when one of the sailors had something take the bait bigger than what he had intended. However, the adventurers had stepped in and both the sailor and the crew were ecstatic at the result.

“We are approaching Nigrun, we will stay here overnight before heading to the last town a bit further along the coast two days’ travel from here. The next town is Ferklend port, the doorway into the Tulkore jungles. Not the most pleasant of holiday destinations due to the Carrion Swamp beyond that but it has its riches to be made in those dank waters.” Jon said from the helm of the ship towards the party standing nearby.

A few quiet moments went by as they moved closer to Nigrun before Jon broke the silence “That’s odd. I didn’t think it was the end of the season yet, they must have had an early harvest.” he said as he pointed to the amount of smoke along the shore. “The people of Nigrun mainly deal with trade but they have enough fertile land nearby that it makes a fair bit of wheat and straw. Once they have finished their season they burn off the refuse and spread the ash on next year’s crops to boost the soil. A clever bunch really.” he added as he turned the wheel to get ready to dock at Nigrun.

The cold journey hadn’t been as quiet as they had hoped but after they left the beast’s territory it left them alone. It had been a few days on the sled and the weird, giant ox-like creatures that pulled their sled seemed to have accepted the party’s presence. “We will stop for a day, or two at Nigrun. I have lodgings there for the beasts and then I swap to something that can cope with the warmth of the lands around Tulkore as we move towards Ferklend port.” Carmine called behind her. The weather was clear enough that she didn’t need to shout or call but her voice carried a directness that the party still wasn’t used to.

Standing up in the sled, Carmine pointed to the north east. “If you look there you can see Nigrun and its green hills about half a day away. We will be there at nightfall but not much later than dusk as I don’t want to push the animals to move at speed if we don’t need to.” she said as she turned to pull out a spyglass. “If we wanted to, we could get there in half the time.” she said as she turned her spyglass to the sea before a small smile crossed her face.

A few hours later Carmine checked on the party and her other passenger, Viktira before turning to check on the town of Nigrun with her spyglass. Standing upright as she checked she called back to everyone with urgency in her voice. “Hold on, something is not right at Nigrun. I am going to get as much as I can out of the beasts and get there as soon as I can.” she said as she passed the spyglass backwards. The party member grabbed it and looked through the device at the seaside town. A ship was docked in town but a few buildings were smoking and charred. A crude barricade had been formed from wagons and wood around the town with smoking sections standing between the town and the road heading east. Something was definitely not right in Nigrun and from the concern in Carmine’s voice the party were in for a bumpy ride.

Thoughts

Both modes of transport cross over in Nigrun for a bit of town defence. How the party continues on depends on them and the next day or so as they defend Nigrun from attackers. After that though its a pretty smooth shot to Ferklend port and beyond that. The Carrion swamp.

Another night down and a few more to go this week as we move towards the Well of Souls. This week may push forward at a faster pace than the others as we have more adventures left in this humid environment. So don’t forget to come back this week and the next for more adventuring. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

In the Business of Travel

thebrazenwolfeLeave a comment

The mode of transportation set, the next part of their adventure awaits as we meet two NPCs who are in the business of travel. A sailor who tames he seas and a land-based Merchant who battles he snow and ice. Who the party chooses to travel with doesn’t change the outcome but changes the experience, well mostly that is… So to meet these two NPCs let’s sit back with a coffee and roll into tonight’s update!

In the Business of Travel

338TuITBuOTr

Bonjon Quiverwick

Bonjon Quiverwick – Created in Nightcafe

The ship known as Little Nymph was run by a rather rotund and wealthy merchant names Samuel Redeye. Sam however had trusted Bonjon, Jon to many, to run his ship up and down the coast between the Platara lands of ice and cold to the more humid shores of the Tulkore jungle and the endless swamp beyond.

Despite always being on the sea Jon hasn’t found wealth about the ship but has found a freedom that he craves. Being born into a life of servitude he and his parents served a lord far inland. As chance would have it Tymora smiled upon him and granted a release from his bond when he and his parents were given to a travelling merchant to settle a debt. This turned out for the best as the merchant quickly freed them and gave them employment.

Although not married, Jon has been in a long relationship with someone else in the trade. But despite being monogamous neither appear to want to settle down and continue their relationship in brief periods of respite from both their travels.

Carmine Cliffrunner

Carmine Cliffrunner – Created in Nightcafe

As brash and rough as the ice fields that Carmine travels along she is as merciless as the frigid lands she makes an income from. The owner of a series of sleds that transports goods along the land, far from the coast and the rumoured pirates there, Carmine is known for getting goods safely to where they need to get to.

Carmine ensures safety by utilising large Oxen like beasts that are twice as large, nearly impervious to the cold and about as ferocious as a blizzard. But despite their hostile nature Carmine’s own nature seems to have kept the beasts in line and surprising loyal and protective of her. However, despite her best efforts they tend to be a bit ornery with those who choose to travel with the goods that she generally transports.

Carmine doesn’t talk much about her family or relationships but she has been hard to find periodically as she takes time away from transporting goods and people through the cold ice fields every few months.

Viktira Bronlock

Vikira Bronlock – Created in Nightcafe

A young lady that appears to be excessively wealthy Viktira seems to be in a hurry to leave. Whether its to escape something or get somewhere she doesn’t explain. However, she is open to the party after questioning them and learning about their exploits and adventures and she wants to know all about their travels. If they travel together she is a source of near-endless questions and requests for more information on their adventures and tales.

Thanks for joining me for a NPC night which feels a bit more familiar than the past few. Don’t forget to come back each day this week as we expand on this weeks adventure and to follow along with the story as it unfolds. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Road to the Well of Souls

thebrazenwolfeLeave a comment

Welcome to another night of adventure building and tonight we find our party on the road to the well of souls. This is the second part of 3* adventures that take place after the discovery of Andrasa’s tower. So to get on with the trip let’s carry and sit back grab a coffee and roll into this weeks adventure!

The Road to the Well of Souls

338MoTRoTTEWeOSo

The Ship from Platara Coast – Created in Nightcafe
The Sled from Platara ice fields – Created in Nightcafe

Saying goodbye to the snow, ice and cold was the easiest part of their departure from Platara. The last battle that they faced in the Ice Spire still caused their bodies to ache as they bumped along towards the Well of Souls. The information that they had gathered from Lucile and the map was that it was located in a sunken forest, well a swamp really. But like the Ice spire it was apparently a place of interest, and the phantom of Andrasa that they had seen in the aftermath of the battle led them to believe that the wards there were also failing.

But for now they smiled at the fresh air and the distinct lack of chaos or impressing doom that was waiting to drag them down. For now the sounds of other travellers coming along with them to the Port town of Jandarl was refreshing. In the town they would have a choice, travel by sea on a merchant boat that stops at a few port towns along the way or travel by land which is a direct route to their destination. The ship is just as fast as a Sled and wagon due to the stops but gets out of the cold a little bit quicker.

Entering Jandarl they were greeted by friendly faces of Jardi and Hisha, both were trading with some locals near the docks. “So you made it. When we left camp we believed that we would see you again.” Jardi said with a smile. “I had a winter wolf visiting me and let me know you all were safe.”

“We can’t thank you enough for rescuing our people from those creatures in the ice caves. They spoke highly of your bravery and determination to save them.” Hisha added with a bow, “but once you do know where you are heading please let us know. We would like to pay your way to your next destination, wherever that is. It’s the least we can do.” Both Jardi and Hisha smiled warmly at the adventurers before ushering them to a tavern nearby.

Warm ale and food was quickly brought out and it wasn’t long until everyone knew of the conquests and actions of the party as they sat down and enjoyed a moment to rest.

Another decision for the party to make that will help shape their experience of the next leg of the journey. But don’t fret young DM as we do have ways to cater for a moment of sandbox thinking. As the saying goes, all roads lead to Rome, and I have implemented this approach many times. So don’t forget to come back each day this week and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Frozen Ridge

thebrazenwolfeLeave a comment

Tonight and I have created a zine for this weeks adventure. The Frozen Ridge. This adventure can be used system agnostic as we explore other RPGs out there other than D&D. So please adjust to what ever 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 currently provides the stat-blocks for creatures in this adventure.

So I hope you enjoy this weeks adventure, The Frozen Ridge. If you like this format please let me know and I hope you enjoy.

The Frozen Ridge

335SuTFrRi

After the discoveries made at the tower of Andrasa the party uncovered something more. Three sites marked and labelled by the Arch mage herself in a language unknown to all. The closest being the Ice spire in the lands of Platara, a frigid region to the north.

These places could be a place of great opportunity, danger, or both but the adventurers will only find out once it’s too late.

After returning to Rastabar with the party spent a few days resting and seeing the sights. The markets were filled with local and exotic wares and they had access to almost any magical or mundane item they could wish for, the right amount of gold permitting of course. But the strange and exotic animals also drew them in. Wind cutters, hyenas, a fellgorger and something both chained, caged and contained in a giant wooden crate that occasionally rattled. All these weird and wonderful creatures are all up for sale. 

But despite their shopping and rest it wasn’t long until Lucile asked for them to join her at her warehouse.

“Now I don’t need to say thanks again, the payment should be enough for that, but I do have something else to offer. The land has changed since Andrasa drew her map but we believe we know where she was talking about. If they were placed Andrasa had pointed out or was drawn to they would certainly be placed of great interest. We have updated one of our modern maps with Andrasa’s key points and I want to give it to you. While Andrasa will always be my favourite subject it’s what she did with Rastabar that makes it special to me.”

Lucile Bendercuff – Created in Nightcafe

Although the ship had been paid for by Lucile the captain, Alex, seemed less sure of the job. “I don’t really fly up that part of the Desert. Tribes in the desert have been known to attack merchants given the chance, flying ship or otherwise.” he said as he looked over the helm and railing.

“There is a crate of supplies there, a gift from Lucile. You lot made that young woman’s dreams come true by uncovering stuff about that old mage. She hasn’t been this excited in years.” he said with a nod as the party opened the crate and looked at the rations, climbing gear, warm clothes and tent. Just don’t go do something stupid. These places were marked for a reason and it may not be the right one. The closest is the Spire, a spike of ice. I saw it once I did when I traded with some barbarian tribes of the ice plains. That was before I got the ship though. Magic plays up on the ice.”

PDF adventure – The Frozen Ridge

the-frozen-ridgeDownload

Thanks for joining me tonight for another Zine. 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. 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

Alternative Directions

thebrazenwolfeLeave a comment

With this week leaving the decision on how to move forward up to the players I think its wise to touch on this weeks alternative directions. Now based on the encounter planned for this week it’s going to be a big one. But if they don’t want to fight the Frost Giant and a beefed up Winter Wolf then how do we wrap up this week. That’s where the alternative directions come into play. Something that is triggered from the players decision where the outcome helps drive the story forward in a different way. So sit back, grab a hot drink and let’s roll into tonight’s adventure.

Alternative Directions

337SaAlDi

Disappointment and Fury. More fury than disappointment when the creatures watched the idiot mortals talk with the hulking giant. Who were they to think that they could stray from the plan and make peace with the dumb brute instead of kill it. As the rage began to take over the creature calmed itself. Never mind, the plan still had another option. The idiotic mortals still removed the first guardians, the dead wolves out front had kept his agents at bay for centuries and now the pack was diminished.

Steadying a breath it pushed out a command, a series of instructions to the fell beasts that dwelt within the frozen tundra. After a few moments of concentrating the horde answered the broken commands, the confines of the creatures prison hampered its magic. But then the horde answered. A screeching, seething horde of claws, teeth, fists and blades smashed through the ice. Claws from the foul undead creatures scampered over rocks and rushed towards the spires. Foul winged beasts swooped towards the spire at their masters commands and finally, hulking brutes pushed through the ice as they were driven by ancient oaths from their ancestors towards the spire.

If you can’t trust lesser beings to do your dirty work for you then you need to do it yourself. Soon the bindings will be removed and its powers will grow but first, revenge on those who betrayed it was a dish best served frozen.

So a bit of a glimpse what the alternative will be to ensure the story for this multi-part adventure continues… But even with that considered as one of the alternative directions the party has the final say in the end. So don’t forget to come back tomorrow for some more D&D content and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage.
The Brazen Wolfe

Oskarg & Platara

thebrazenwolfe1 Comment

This weeks adventure finds the party coming face to face with Oskarg & Platara, the two demi-gods of Platara, or so the people of the ice plains call them. These two figureheads rule over the frozen lands like king and queen, but they hide a dark secret. But before I reveal their back story this weekend let’s sit back and meet the numbers behind the names.

Oskarg & Platara

337FrOsPl

The giant known as Oskarg is a deity to the people who live on the ice fields of Platara. Some think him immortal, a demi-god but only he and one other knows the truth. Oskarg sided with an ancient evil in a battle with heroes from a lost age, and he was defeated. In his rage and his refusal to accept defeat the great mage Andrasa cursed him to reside within the frozen lands and to guard an unholy site until he was relieved of his duty, or until he defeated the evil master that he once served. This time is still yet to come.

Oskarg – Created in tetra-cube.

Platara

The Winter wolf known as Platara is a marvel of the ice fields. There is always one Platara, no more and no less. Those who have claimed to have slain the wolf are visited by the creature on the next morning and walk away from the encounter changed.

Thought to be blessed by the land itself Platara guards the people from evil and from danger in exchange for the winter wolves of the ice plains being considered sacred animals. If even as little as one winter wolf is slain Platara will hunt down and challenge the murders to prove their worth in battle.

Platara – created in tetra-cube.

Thanks for dropping by tonight and getting a glimpse at Oskarg and Platara, this weeks combatants. However as I have mentioned a few times this week there is a choice to be made by the players. Confront the giant and wolf or not. I do have something up my sleeve for the alternative to fighting this formidable duo so you better come back again this weekend for more Tabletop Content. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage
The Brazen Wolfe

Inside the Ice Spire

thebrazenwolfeLeave a comment

Tonight’s we get a look Inside the Ice Spire where we have a statue, a giant and a wolf. This week looks a bit cold and menacing but as I mentioned in yesterdays post; Secrets of the Spire, how this plays out is up to the party. So before we reveal anything more let’s sit down, grab a coffee and look at tonight’s map!

Inside the Ice Spire

337ThInTIcSp

The walls of the room are sharp and harsh by they look like they are chipped back at jagged angles. A raised platform of ice, maybe 10 feet above the flat floor holds a statue that is in the stages of cracking and healing from a small trickle of water that drops from the roof above.

A smoother section of the wall lays behind the statue which looks like its purposefully been kept smooth and flat. Two large braziers shed flickering blue light around the room from either side of the statues platform from magical flames. Despite the room itself being well looked after and worn in places the hallway in has several different bones thrown against the wall and partially buried from snow that made its way down the hall.

Inside the Ice Spire – Created in Inkarnate.

The final map for the Platara Ice shelf, ice plains and ridge journey that the party has gone through. This week caps off the journey with a decision from the players on how this adventure goes. Will they confront the giant, the demi-deity of the glacier or will they head its threats and leave this place. Don’t forget to come back the next few days to see the outcome of this and the encounter that we crave. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Secrets Of The Spire

thebrazenwolfe1 Comment

This week the inside of the Ice spire reveals more than what was expected and the actual secrets of the Spire. However it’s been a hard road here and potentially the toughest fight is yet to come. So without any more time wasted let’s roll into tonight’s adventure!

Secrets Of The Spire

337WeSeOTSp

Inside the Ice Spire – Created in Nightcafe.

The blood of the Winter Wolves still cooling on the ice outside the party moved towards the spire. An archway that nearly glowed with a blue light was carved into the side of the ice and the party wasn’t quite ready to wait around to see if there were more members to the pack. Despite being tired and cold, the party were pleased to find that inside the spire there was no wind and it even felt a bit warmer than outside.

After a hundred feet or so the hallway they were moving down opened up into a large dome with jagged ice walls. In the centre of the otherwise smooth flat room was a platform made from ice and a statue rose from the middle. The statue looked like it had parts broken from it as cracks in the ice had worn away at the appendages of what it used to be.

But the bulk of the statue appeared to be male, some would consider him attractive. With the damage around his arms, torso and hairline it was impossible to see what he would have looked like and as they drew closer to the statue it looked like a few drops of water would occasionally drip from the ceiling and freeze into the cracks forming on its torso, acting like glue to hold it all together.

“I will have to ask you to stop there and turn away. The power of this tower is not for little folk like you.” a loud masculine voice rolled over them like thunder. “So turn around and flee like the vermin that are drawn to power like you are.” The owner of the voice revealed himself, a large frost giant that had an uncanny resemblance to the statue that Jardi had made offerings to at the top of the Platara Ridge. A giant great axe that thrummed with power rested on the ground in front of him as he sat against the wall, a giant winter wolf lay at his feet and licked his jaws at the party.

“Like I told that bitch Andrasa, I don’t bow to no man or woman. I will continue my sacred duty and watch over this cursed place. So you run along now lest I cut you apart with Fjedrisil and feed you to Platara.” he said calmly as he scratched behind the wolf’s ears.

Thoughts

So this adventures conclusion is the encounter with demi-gods of the Platara ranges. The Party will ultimately decide the outcome whether its a fight or not, but there will be some more important dialogue to come as we perhaps understand a bit more bout the spires purpose, or maybe not. This part of the adventure is not guaranteed to give information out to the party. They have to role play to get what they seek and I am ready for it.

Thanks for visiting tonight as we glimpse the final stage of the Platara ice fields. Don’t forget that we have a few more nights of content this week and this weekend we are looking forward to wrapping up another few Zines. Also as the end of the week is approaching don’t forget to set aside some time for your own tabletop and lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Eyes in the ice

thebrazenwolfeLeave a comment

The party approach the Ice Spire unaware of eyes in the ice. As they march forwards the spire a group of eyes spy an easy meal and something ancient watches the humanoids wander towards the spire of ice. So to uncover a bit more about the lurkers let’s grab a coffee and roll into tonights update!

Eyes in the Ice

337TuEyITIc

Dozens of eyes watched from the frozen cliff above the glacier eager and sparkling with hunger. Saliva dripped from white lips and froze mid air to form jagged sharp pillars that mirrored the spire before them. As the people walked towards the frozen spike the other members of the pack moved forward and began to climb down. The hungry creatures are drawn to hunt around the spire of ice as they had for many generations. But this hunt was different to the others.

Normally they hunt the corrupted and the tainted that were drawn to the shard of ice that rose from the ground. This time they were hunting something different, something warm who’s flavours danced upon their tongue from the air that they inhaled. The leader looked across the pack of winter wolves and it was filled with a sense of duty and belonging. But they weren’t quite winter wolves; they too, like the spire were something more than what they seemed.

The winter wolves found purchase in the steep ice cliff, using their sharp durable claws to carve paw-holds into the ice, rock and snow. As they began to close in on the people they let out their mournful hunting howls. Their prey heard the calls to the hunt too late.

But a darker, more sinister presence began to creep forward on ethereal winds towards the same humanoids. The people were only just now realising they were the prey and were forming battle-ready lines. But despite the adrenaline they felt they also felt something cast its eye upon them, something deeper. From beyond the veil an ancient evil stirred and watched eagerly as the guardians faced off against would be aggressors to their cause. The other guardians in the spire awoke and began to prepare for their sacred duty. The evil had long awaited this moment when the naïve tribes people were not around or had forgotten their ancient oaths.

That mage, Andrasa had discovered the truth of the spire and had attempted to seal the secrets of the spire away so none would be tempted for its power or wealth. But her wisdom was long forgotten and those that had fought with the mage in the battle so long ago were no longer around. Soon the wait would be over but only if the puppets played their part.

Thanks for joining me for a change in pace for the NPCs night. Don’t forget to come back each day this week to follow along and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Ice Spire

thebrazenwolfeLeave a comment

Towering above the The Platara ice fields lies the Ice Spire. This monolith pierces the sky and is considered both sacred and forbidden by the tribespeople that call the glacier and fields of ice home. Not much is known about the Ice Spire only that it holds great significance and great danger. In order to find out about the Ice Spire we best sit back grab a coffee and roll into this weeks adventure!

The Ice Spire

337MoTIcSp

The Ice Spire – Created in Nightcafe

Leaving the glacier was a relief and the snow storm had died down after leaving the cave but what greeted them chilled them more than the winds could. A monolith of ice rose high above them nearly piercing the sky like a frozen spear. The Ice spire was both terrible and beautiful and as they stared more into its frozen form a pulse like energy could be felt.

The source of curiosity from Andrasa’s map held untold promise of what could lie within its chilled walls. The script on the map around the spire itself didn’t reveal anything about its construction, purpose or history but suggested it held great power and importance. Andrasa had studied it, this was clear and from the information that Lucile had given them on not only this place but the well of souls and deep dark also held such power.

Each place was obviously significant and in the shadow of the Ice Spire the party could not but wonder what lay within its frozen walls. With the howls of winter wolves nearby driving home the point that they were far from both civilisation and safety they began to trudge through the glacial walls and passages towards the Ice spire. However, as they progressed forwards something ancient and predatorial watched them eagerly as they moved across the ice sheets. After so long the promise of warmth was close yet not close enough as the sun rose across the glacier causing the light to refract from the spire of ice.

Thanks for joining me tonight for the last week of the adventure centred in Platara. Need I say that you shouldn’t forget to come back each day as we move forward with this adventure. Tomorrow we may have a visitor drop by and introduce themselves to the Party and after that, well you’ll have to find out. Don’t forget to look for the little adventures in every day life and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe