Welcome to a Thursday writeup where we look at those little extra details that make our game that little bit more for our party. Tonight I wanted to put a bit of flavour on the potion that was revealed earlier this week as well as the weapons which were taken. The Potion of Radiance, as the name suggests, is sunlight and divine energy liquified. Where as the blades of the same name-sake are something of a rarer variety – something that is carved from divinity itself. Curious? Well read on dear reader, read on.
The glowing potion, a Potion of Radiance is the condensed essence of dragon fire given liquid form. This almost holy liquid surges power through the body of those who consume it giving them enhanced senses, strength and imbuing their body and weapons with radiant energy.
Once consumed for 10 minutes a creature gains advantage on saving throws, emits a bright light within 10 feet and dim light for a further 15 feet. The consumer’s weapons also count as magical for the duration and the damage is dealt as radiant instead of slashing, bludgeoning or piercing.
Blade of Radiance
Sword image created in GIMP.
The sword of radiance is a burst of sunlight. A drop of divinity and radiance hammered into a tool of war. Only those chosen by the creature that created it, or entrusted by the family of the weapon are seen as worthy to wield this power.
This weapon shines bright light, as if daylight within 15 feet and sheds dim light a further 20 feet from there. Creatures in shadow do not gain benefit of partial cover or cover and it deals an extra 2d4 radiant damage on successful attack. This weapon requires attunement and they must be chosen or appointed as custodian of the blade before the true properties are bestowed.
The legend of how these blades were formed has been lost over time. In fact only one being a live remembers how they were made because they put their blood, sweat and tears into its creation. Literally. These blades are formed from the essence of ancestral dragons and as such when wielded by the descendants of the creatures who made the first pact with such creatures their full power is revealed.
Thanks for dropping by tonight. A little while ago I promised or committed to deliver magical items for this campaign and tonight I fulfil that oath. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow night and the nights following as we move to wrap-up this month and move into the September! And, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Welcome to a twisty Wednesday where tonight we look at the subtle actions of an shadow. A stain of a memory that fades from sight, from memory the moment it wills it. A being who seeks to prove that Sleight bests might every time. With such creatures under its influence its amazing that The Shadow needs armies at its command at all. Or is it. Those who are masters in the art of deception are often those who will deceive their employers at any and every given chance. Enough cloak and dagger talk and on with the writeup!
Sleight Bests Might
234WeSlBeMi
As the creature reached into the pocket dimension located in its ribcage, one that all its kind were born it smiled. It had completed its task and the reward that was promised to it was within grasp. Passing the spy, yes it had known who it had delivered the letter too it couldn’t help but giggle. But the spy, the human boy, was none the wiser – all it saw was a blushing young lady of the court who was watching the man from the corner of her eyes.
Trickery was something that all of its kind had been born with. In fact not event the shadow could bestow the required amount of dark power to match even a fraction of its races natural abilities. Those Skin walkers and the Quaigin were nothing compared to it and not even the mighty ancestral dragons were able to detect its kind. Well not straight away at least.
The tricky part wasn’t stealing the items, no that was easy. But pulling a large enough illusion that the weapons turned to dust and convincing everyone in the area to believe the lie was a challenge. But having planted the seed of doubt, the seed of concern in the young spies mind it knew its plan would succeed. In fact casting a realistic illusion of the door and masking the actions of the human to trigger muscle memory but severing the recognition from mind to hand was another delicious challenge.
But the hardest thing was shrinking the room from the outside, expanding the centre of the room and placing illusions of the contents of the room around in front of the originals. Doing all of this the moment the human opened up the door and it was able to see the room was the key.
What the creature didn’t was the presence of pure radiance in the room. Something that it knew to avoid at all costs. Where the being of light touched or shed its rays on it was unable to warp and so the vials that were left out in the open were unable to be shielded. This didn’t vex the creature, in fact it made it more curious as to what else this city had to offer.
Moving down the hallway it turned a corner and faded into the shadows of a doorway. The cold tendrils of mist and darkness clung to its skin as it moved through a rip in the fabric between dimension and soon it was in a very different room. One where only it could access. Moving over to a pile of furs and fabrics it reached into the pocket dimension within its ribs and pulled out the swords, arrows, spears and other weapons. Each one of them glowed as if the summer sun was shedding its radiance and fury at being taken from its home. The creature wasn’t phased – it had been some time since it had seen the sun.
Thanks for visiting tonight and taking the time to read tonight’s twisted Wednesday. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow where we look at additional information to spice up the month of August. So make sure to come back this weekend too where I hope to share some warhammer content too! And as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Welcome to a Tuesday night special where tonight we look at the outcome of Kyoko sending a request for Aid to Takeo. With her spy looking about for weapons and items to help his lady and her allies Takeo stumbles across some forgotten treasure that are likely to tilt the scales in their favour.
Forgotten Treasure
234TuFoTr
As Takeo finished escorting Liz around Heavens Reach castle he closed the door behind himself and left her to the protection of the royal guard and several of his kinsmen. Having been unable to locate or contact his master, the head of the Lotus clan, in weeks. The absence of his master was felt heavily by his students but the head of the Harimasu family seemed unperplexed.
“Koshimako has always disappeared for some time every once in a while.” Kyoko’s Father had said, “he normally comes back after uncovering some foul plot or a nest of spirit folk planning an attack at our border”.
Takeo wanted to believe the emperor, but this time it was different and he wanted to find out why. As Takeo was deep in thought he nearly bumped into the messenger that was racing towards him. Taking a step back in shock the messenger bowed deeply and held out a letter. “Lord Takeo, a messenger hawk came for you an hour ago. I have been trying to find you since its arrived as its addressed to you as a matter of urgency.”
Taking the letter from the panting messenger Takeo bowed deeply before taking a look at the rough parchment. Flipping it over he could see Kyoko’s seal on the back, but the wax looked as if it has been disturbed. Looking up to catch the messenger he cursed when he couldn’t find the boy immediately or was it a girl? To be honest he wasn’t sure as he tried to remember something about the person who had delivered the message his mind seemed to have trouble remembering anything distinguishing about them. Kyoko had an uneasy feeling about it but ripped open the letter and retreated to a well lit windowsill.
After reading the letter he clicked is fingers and summoned a spark of magic which consumed the dry parchment. Kyoko was in danger and needed items that were used to finish the first war with The Shadow. Such items were thought to be forgotten treasures but Takeo knew better and knew to retrieve them from the Harimasu vaults. Taking off at a sprint it wasn’t long before he arrived at where the items were kept. Finding the guards standing to attention gave Takeo a sense of relief after finding the seal on Kyoko’s letter broken.
“I come with an urgent request from Lady Yoko.” Takeo said to the guards as he neared them. No response. “I need to enter the vaults and retrieve certain items that she needs to combat The Shadow.” he continued. The the guards moved, breathed and continued to act as if everything was normal but they were oblivious to Takeo’s presence. Then he noticed that the door was slightly ajar.
Rushing forward past the guards his fears were realised they didn’t move or react to his burst of speed. ‘Enchantment‘ he thought to himself as he raced passed them and through the door. On the other side of the wall the vaults contained scrolls upon scrolls. Hundreds of them that documented the history of the Harimasu clan. It also contained weapons and armour.
Approaching the weapon rack which held the weapons forged to combat the dark masters puppets the first time around he hesitated. Reaching forward he grabbed one of the blades, a long two handed sword that was expertly crafted, and as his hand touched it the blade turned to sand and fell to the ground. Grabbing the other weapons around him he started to yell in frustration as blade after blade turned to sand. The armour was no different and soon Takeo was on his knees surrounded by piles of sand.
Closing his eyes he tried to calm his mind through a series of exercises he had mastered from an early age. That’s when he heard it, the slight tinkle of glass on stone. Looking up and towards the direction of the noise he noticed five glass orbs that seemed to glimmer as if containing the first rays of dawn. Approaching them from down the row of scrolls he noticed that they were little vials, each with a crimson stopper that held back the golden liquid.
Bending down and looking at them there was a scrap of parchment that had a symbols, glyphs that were etched in a glowing ink written upon it. The language was a secret one that only the Harimasu family knew – one said to have been passed down to them from their ancestors. As he grabbed the potion he could feel the warmth of the sun that banished the rising dread that he knew was at his core.
Suddenly his missing master, the spy in his midst and the discovery of the destroyed forgotten treasure of the Harimasu didn’t seem so much of an issue any more.
As he turned to leave, planning on sending the potions to Kyoko he failed to notice the long golden serpentine tail that coiled around the rafters above his head. Or the smile of the being that the tail belonged to.
Thanks for joining me tonight for a further glimpse into the behind the scenes activities that drive the story. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow as we explore a shadowy figure in the Harimasu halls and Thursday night where we look at some additional content that you wont want to miss. And lastly don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Welcome to a bonus Monday content night for the August adventure. This week revolves around the things that happened behind closed doors and how the Harimasu heiress sent out a request for Aid. With Mugrave being more aggressive in her actions the party need to step up their defences to keep themselves and their allies safe. With this comes the knowledge and wisdom that only comes with growing up in these lands and the Harimasu family has fought against The Shadow for years.
Request for Aid
234MoRefAi
As Kyoko left Hana to sleep and went about cleaning up some of the debris from Doorich cottage after the fight with the Night prowlers she was lost in thought. The attacks on them and increased presence of the Shadow in her families lands were not a coincidence and she could feel a shift in the status quo. For centuries her people had defended Ryokughan from not only aggressors and spirit folk within their land but also those that dwell in the shadowlands – the tainted lands beyond the wall.
As with centuries of conflict her family had become quite talented at fighting against these tainted creatures. In fact they were the best and that is partly the reason why her family is put in such high regard. Taking out a quill, some ink and parchment Kyoko began to write to Takeo, her spy, so that she could get some of their most powerful tools for fighting the Shadow. For years her family had guarded and used her ancestral blades. Swords, daggers and knives that cut through the minions of The Shadow as easily as a honed blade through reeds.
As she continued her letter she stressed the importance of the retrieval of the weapons and the troubles that they had encountered these past days. In doing so she hoped that she would convince Takeo, and the family members of the importance of her request for aid so that they provide what support and manpower they could and fast.
As the sun rose and sent scattered beams of light through a splintered window she sealed the letter with a stamp. “Kuang.” she called out, her guardian and the commander never far away.
“Yes lady Kyoko” a voice came back from the other side of the door.
“Take this letter and send it home to the Heavens Reach castle. As quickly as you can,” she added, “I don’t think these attacks will let up before we get home”. Kuang nodded and retrieved the letter before hurrying out. Kyoko wished as she watched her guard and her fathers friend walk down the street with haste and purpose that she could trust him, that she could trust anyone but her self as what she has seen and dealt with lately indicated that there were foul plots afoot.
Thanks for joining me tonight for a bit of a glimpse of the actions that happened on the side. These actions or events don’t necessarily need to happen without the party knowing or being involved but they help drive the story and tie in the Harimasu heiress a bit more. As we move towards the end of our Ryokghan journey the importance of coming back each night has increased. So don’t forget to come back this week as we expand upon our last content for August and, always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Welcome to the end of week writeup for August. This week we bear witness to the Final Stand of Mugrave the shadow born. An empowered Shadow blessed Oni who went from minor NPC to one that was helping drive the story – but since we are moving on closer to the end of the yearly adventure we have to say goodbye at some point.
Final stand of Mugrave the Shadow born
The irritation was felt from across the darkened copse and even the diluted moonlight did nothing to pierce the mass of shadow that gathered by the roots and trunks. “You have failed in one of your ploys yet again. Revealed your presence to a mortal, lost your night prowlers and the majority of your quaigin. Yet you still think you are able to deliver what you have promised?” The Shadow asked through a mixture of telepathy, images and pain.
Mugrave stood within the shadow, a darkened mass that quivered and shook. Even in her Oni form prolonged exposure to the Shadow was detrimental and she knew that she needed to think of a way out of this predicament and fast. “I tested them. The foreigners. I know what their strengths and skills are. The quaigin and night prowlers were not wasted. I know what they are capable now and just need more time to gather the right strength and I can deal with them myself.”
A chuckle resonated forth. A sound that brought the cold and dark to such a mirth filled expression. “So you think that power is what you need? More power and you can beat these warriors that are touched by the light hmm?” the Shadow mocked. “I can give you more power if that’s what you ask”.
Mugrave hesitated. She had considered asking the shadow for more power yet she had ruled against it as it wasn’t as fair trade. In fact the price that the Shadow demanded from such barters were never fair. She had watched countless mortals waist away at the promise of power form a pact with the Shadow.
“Have faith in me master. I can do it with my own power and my own cunning.” Mugrave said, unable to contain the quiver in her voice. “The power you offer must be conserved for the fight at the wall.” she added. She knew that the Shadow would hesitate on that as the fight at the wall was not going well. However the shadow merely drifted away from her and melded amongst the trees.
“I have given up too much for your plans already Mugrave and each one has resulted in failure. For instance, your meddling with Yukri’s house almost had her killed. In addition the Laelóng of Lanidaye was also killed because of your ambition. I don’t think you have a choice but to accept my gift of power.” The Shadow spat, tendrils of black mist whipping across the distance between them to inflict bleeding wounds across her skin. “With this last blessing you can make your final stand and either return triumphant of dead.”
The tendrils continued to lash out but more violently carving runes into her skin and into the flesh beneath. Mugrave bit down on her tongue to hold back the howls of pain as the shadow stuff that broke her skin. As the shadow tendrils began seep into her wounds her muscles to expanded and her connection with the arcane powers fluctuated like the waves in a sea. The process was excruciating and after the process was done Mugrave knelt on the ground amongst the copse of trees with tendrils of shadow whipping about her form.
“Now go and fulfil your oath to me” the shadow commanded and disappeared.
Mugrave stood slowly. Her body slowly adjusting to the changes she could feel beneath her skin. The power, the raw manifestation of chaos and malice that swirled through her form was killing her. But she could feel that it was far beyond what she could have imagined. Power enough to command respect amongst her kind. Power enough to instil fear in the enemy and power enough to make her final stand.
Nightmares of Shadow
The dulcet sounds of laughter seem to reverberate through her the room and hearing those notes of mirth caused goofy grins. Her laughter, her grins. It had been quite some time since she was able to speak or laugh and it felt like the last days after the attack from the weird cats had opened up something within her. Hana looked from her cousin to their protector, Kuang and to their new allies, the adventurers from across the seas and she couldn’t help but laugh.
In the past hour alone she felt her jaw cramping from over exertions her her talking. “Enough Cousin. We wont be able to get any rest with you talking to use all night.” her cousin laughed as she sipped on a rice wine.
“Why do we need rest? I have rested for years and now that my voice has returned I don’t want to rest it!” she laughed back. “Besides the escort from home will be here tomorrow and we will be on our way home without a fret in the world.”
The laughter and reply from those around her grew quiet as she felt a cold seep in from behind her. Looking over her shoulder she saw nothing except for a shower of dust from a lose plank above them and she returned to her talking. But her voice was quiet and people didn’t appear to be able to hear her.
A creak somewhere down stairs caused her to stand as her body told her to run. “Did anyone hear that?” she asked but her question fell on deaf ears as they kept talking and drinking. Peruve was making noise down stairs as he shuffled through the house. A result from the injury he sustained during the attack from the Night Prowlers. As she descended the stairs she looked towards the front door just as Peruve reached it. The urge to flee, to run, to get as far away from here grew in sudden urgency as he reached for the door – a soft tapping noise now audible over her heart beat. With a shower of splinters and dust the door burst inwards. Spears of a black shadow like energy burst forward and impaled the poor old man in so many places it was surprising that he was held together at all.
A figure stood in the door and a realisation sank into Hana’s chest when she felt the sensation of cold and darkness grow. In fact it was the same cold and darkness as the last person she spoke to at the Toshio family keep – one of Lady Yurki’s retainers or aides. Turning she fled up the stairs screaming out for help but to also run but no one answered her calls.
As she reached the top of the stairs she could see the party, Kuang and Kyoko were laughing and merry with alcohol. Her screams and cries for help unable to reach them as she was tripped by a tendril that was shadow born. As she pushed and strove upwards she called out again, her voice failing and disappearing as darkness wrapped around her.
Starting awake with a scream Hana sat upright shuddering with tears coming down her face.
“Whats wrong!” called Kyoko who sprang awake with a sword in her hand. A moment later Kuang and the party appeared in the door all dressed for battle. “Hana tell us. What’s the matter”
Hana sobbed. Between her sobs she looked up as she felt her kins arms wrap around her shoulders. “She comes for us. The one that is blessed by The Shadow. A shadow born now hunts us and there is no place we can run.” she managed to get out between the sudden inhales of breath.
Shadow Lands – A place where light fears to tread.
The skitter of feet across stone was a common sounds amongst the shadow and murky light in the Shadow lands. The thick cloud of dark mist that drifted up from the ground created a perpetual shadow that hung to the sky and the rocks below. The creatures that ran, shuffled, slithered or skulked below the clouds were a reflection of their environment. Dark, twisted and devoid of what traditionally defines life for humans.
The Shadow smiled down at its creation. The entire north west of Ryokughan was its domain. A place that no creature wanted to dwell in, unless serving their shadowy overlord, and it was a place that light fears to tread.
Extending its conscience outwards the overlord of the shadow lands checked in with one of its pets, the Oni called Mugrave. Watching as the power it lent rip through her body and power her attacks to beat, rip and tear into those around her was satisfying. But something wasn’t quite right.
The closer it watched the more it became apparent. Something in the combatants that she engaged was dampening her power and she was sustaining damage, significant damage. As the Shadow felt its power being lost with each blow – its shadow stuff dissipating into the air to be burnt out as it left the dying form of its minion enough was enough. Ripping the power out from Mugrave wasn’t an issue, it had done it many times before with many different minions over the years. The issue was the weapons that the creatures used appeared to be made of light itself, blinding, radiant and powerful.
Wonderment and fear touched the Shadow, it had been some time since it had felt the later but as it focused on the blazing weapons and wondrous items adorning the adventurers a powerful presence rushed forth and slammed the Shadow backwards. The power from the items was so intense that it knocked the Shadows physical form backwards to collide with the rocky outcrop it was surrounding. That was when The Shadow felt true fear for the first time in a millennia – not since the war with the warriors of light and the ancestral dragons.
NPCs
Kyoko Harimasu
Kyoko spends most of her time concerned about her cousins health. The sudden return of her voice and the nightmares she has been having that foretell a darkness coming leaves her rattled.
During the confrontation she and Hana are quickly whisked away to safety by Kuang but not before giving each of the party members a potion that was delivered to her in secret.
Captain Kuang Ping
After the deal with Mugrave Kuang always positions himself between the party and the Harimasu family. Subtle at first but as the time after the attack from the Night prowlers turns from hours to a day it becomes more obvious.
Sasha (Hana Toshio-Harimasu)
Hana is plagued with visions when ever she can find time to sleep or nap. A shadow-cloaked woman appearing in their midst before attacking them relentlessly with such dark power is the centre of it. She discussed and revealed her suspicions of who it is to Kyoko who sent a hawk to her family for help. The help that arrived a few moments before they were attacked again.
Mugrave – Human shadow-born form
Being ripped apart by shadow magic isn’t fun for anyone let alone someone who was born to the shadow. Using her slowly draining power she launches a final assault at the party who is responsible for thwarting her plans yet again.
The encounter this week see’s the party fighting Mugrave at an enhanced level. She fights ferociously and voraciously with heightened physical prowess but no real access to her previous spells that kept her alive last time.
The real difference is that when she gets below 50 hp I would impose disadvantage on her attacks and checks – the reason is that the Shadow is trying to take back his power when he can see that she will lose. This should be described as Mugrave begging the Shadow to restore her power as she is fighting and perhaps fighting more erratically and viciously.
But in the end it doesn’t matter.
Now I have mentioned potions up above and in this weeks encounter Final stand of Mugrave the Shadow born I want to dive into the potions this coming week. But they enable the drinker to fight as if all their attacks and abilities were radiant (or blessed).
It’s temporary (a few hours) but there is a plot reason for them – but more on that this week.
Well we are at another the end of the week write-up. Thanks for joining tonight and this week as we wait in a little village within the Ryokughan continent for safe passage out of dangerous lands. So don’t forget to come back for the next week for more information on this months adventure and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Good evening everyone and welcome to a bit of a discussion around Railroading or Player-Centric plot.
When it comes down to the definition of railroading it boils down to, basically the following. “The DM taking control of the outcomes of the adventure despite the actions of the players”.
The beginning
When I was a 5 year old boy learning D&D from my dad railroading wasn’t a concept. No really. It wasn’t. You would play an adventure, go from point A-B. You would track the bandits to their lair that had been overrun with stirge’s, find the mcguffin and bring it back to the nearby village. That was it. The adventure really became a single road leading to adventure, combat and loot. Even the adventure books that came out during that time also were of the same page. A single adventure, albeit longer, where you went from A-B and then to C after you had found out that NPC1 was really BBEG2. Or something like that.
This made it easy to DM. In fact all you needed was one adventure, the plot hook and all you had to do was run it using your prep sheet. You had to improvise around the decisions during the adventure of course but this wasn’t hard to do. As the DM you knew your NPCs, the map and the creatures. You didn’t have to worry about what was off the beaten track and your players knew it.
The players came in expecting adventure, they were trained mercenaries, henchmen or heroes and they had a job to do. They had to explore the hidden dungeon, find the mad alchemists lair and defeat the golems within. These heroes didn’t care for the nearby keep – that was another adventure and this alchemist was dangerous. And so the adventures went like that. Each session a new adventure, a new story and new things to see and explore – but all prepared for by a Dungeon Master who spent hours on it for the players, and their, enjoyment.
The shift
You remember Skyrim? maybe it was your first RPG. For me Neverwinter nights was my first digital RPG and boy was it great. You could move through the towns, buildings, dungeons and sewers and learn and do anything. But there were doors that needed keys and those keys were kept by holders of the plot. You couldn’t continue to the next town until you had done the quest before hand. And you couldn’t do that quest until you completed the one currently assigned to you. Yes the bakers wife would ask you to kil lrats in her basement as a side quest – but you didn’t leave the city until much later.
With the rise of open world games and bigger RPGs, like Skyrim, we saw the humble style of fun weekender-one-shots step aside for long winded campaigns that were completely driven by players decisions. This makes it harder to plan and organise for the DM, which is 100% fine. But the counter argument is if the story is that an evil wizard is in a castle to the north you want the party to find that castle. You don’t want them exploring the swamp-islands to the south where the cannibalistic tribes of Kuthrapika hunt the marshy waterways. Though – that does sound fun now doesn’t it?
Railroading or Player-Centric plot?
The rise of “your decisions, your story” is putting the classic “Your decisions, my quest” in a negative light in some circles. This unrealistic expectation of the DM shifting, changing and maintaining multiple story lines and bending the game that they facilitate (yes.. the big F word..) makes it harder to convince players to come along with you on the journey through the adventure you have crafted.
The old saying of “it takes two to tango” is so true with D&D these days and the real quest is getting the players to care about your story enough and stick to it and not go looking for adventure but trust that you have it in spades, waiting for them to come along for the journey.
Well that’s it for me tonight. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow night where I will take you through the weekly write-up and look to finish up this month. If you have a different view on railroading let us know, let’s talk about it openly from players and dungeon masters alike as the game has changed heaps since I was a kid and the adventure needs to work for both DM and player.
Don’t forget to read up on the past week, look out for new stat-blocks and potential new items for our adventurers in the coming posts and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Welcome to fight night where we have some insight into Mugrave the Shadow-born and how the changes to her powers through the Shadows interference alters her combat abilities.
Now having Mugrave as a “Shadow Blessed” Oni originally doesn’t leave her with much of a stat block when it comes to being upgraded to “Mugrave the Shadow-born”. But when we apply the template created this week we will gain a few new traits, enhanced stats and, my personal way to make a boss fight feel more real. Legendary actions and resistance.
Now for some reason I can’t access the template creator tonight – so we will just have to wait but the legendary actions are reasonably straight forward.
Legendary actions
Mugrave the Shadow-born is faster, stronger and more durable than her previous state and so her reactions should indicate this. As with normal legendary actions they occur at the end of another creatures turn and we cant double up. So with that in mind we want to have something like the following.
Fast as shadow: Mugrave can use misty step as a legendary action
Counter strike: Mugrave gets to make a headbutt attack against a creature within 5ft.
Shadow Tendrils: Mugrave can target a creature within 30 feet. They must make a DC16 Dexterity saving throw or become restrained as per the entangle spell.
This gives some mid range control, a damaging close quarters attack (and when I can create a new stat-block it also inflicts daze) and a defensive action.
Legendary resistance provides the layer of durability where we see her decide to pass a saving throw instead of failing, up to a certain limitation of course and finally the template and enhanced stat block should make the fight feel more challenging and intense from the last time they encountered her (if they can remember that far back).
Closing thoughts
Mugrave the Shadow-born should be a melee powerhouse after this but to ensure she doesn’t get too out of control I would also remove her spell casting as a result of the conflicting energies within her body. The word of caution to have when designing boss encounters is its a fine line between fun and deadly – so tread carefully.
Thanks for visiting tonight and apologies that I was unable to provide an upgraded stat block for Mugrave the Shadow-born. So don’t forget to come back this weekend to see that stat block and the end of week writeup and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Welcome to Thursday night where we look at the extra little things that bring something more to our adventure. Tonight we get a glimpse at a place where light fears to tread, the shadow lands where The Shadow reigns as supreme being above all. In fact that is not quite the truth as there is a being that the Shadow fears above all, an ancient foe.
The skitter of feet across stone was a common sounds amongst the shadow and murky light in the Shadow lands. The thick cloud of dark mist that drifted up from the ground created a perpetual shadow that hung to the sky and the rocks below. The creatures that ran, shuffled, slithered or skulked below the clouds were a reflection of their environment. Dark, twisted and devoid of what traditionally defines life for humans.
The Shadow smiled down at its creation. The entire north west of Ryokughan was its domain. A place that no creature wanted to dwell in, unless serving their shadowy overlord, and it was a place that light fears to tread.
Extending its conscience outwards the overlord of the shadow lands checked in with one of its pets, the Oni called Mugrave. Watching as the power it lent rip through her body and power her attacks to beat, rip and tear into those around her was satisfying. But something wasn’t quite right.
The closer it watched the more it became apparent. Something in the combatants that she engaged was dampening her power and she was sustaining damage, significant damage. As the Shadow felt its power being lost with each blow – its shadow stuff dissipating into the air to be burnt out as it left the dying form of its minion enough was enough. Ripping the power out from Mugrave wasn’t an issue, it had done it many times before with many different minions over the years. The issue was the weapons that the creatures used appeared to be made of light itself, blinding, radiant and powerful.
Wonderment and fear touched the Shadow, it had been some time since it had felt the later but as it focused on the blazing weapons and wondrous items adorning the adventurers a powerful presence rushed forth and slammed the Shadow backwards. The power from the items was so intense that it knocked the Shadows physical form backwards to collide with the rocky outcrop it was surrounding. That was when The Shadow felt true fear for the first time in a millennia – not since the war with the warriors of light and the ancestral dragons.
Closing thoughts
Tonight instead of revealing the final parts of my hand for this week, and month, I wanted to touch on and hint at what is coming. It only makes sense that The Shadow would fear something that the humans have. Something that were used against it in the fights at the dawn of the war and with the coming of the adventurers it makes sense for our party were betrothed this ancients tools of war.
But more on that coming up.
Thanks for dropping by tonight. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for fight night, the stat block of Mugrave revisited and how the encounter should go as well as maybe a hint at how it ends out. With Saturday being a bonus-free-form content day I want to touch on “rail-roading”- a sensitive topic for us DMs and our players alike so let’s see if we can prompt a discussion on the subject. And lastly, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Welcome to Wednesday where we look at a homebrew Shadowy template the Shadow Born. Finally getting around to something I reviewed quite some time ago – The Homebrewery where I have taken a template I was thinking of that really boosts the creatures CR from average to boss encounter.
Shadowy template
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Tonight is a bit of a weird one as I used a fantastic source creator – The Homebrewery.
The idea behind using a shadowy template such as this is to, simply put, level up our reoccurring monsters and creatures we fight and meet. If the bad guy escaped and got away, but is destined to come back then surely it would be stronger when the party next meet it? It only makes sense that the NPC would come back with a vengeance and a power boost to take its revenge.
The full write-up can be found in the PDF download attached but the shadow born have increased physical prowess with the cost of their life. That is to say that the power they have coursing through their veins breaks down their bodies until there is nothing left. Whether its willing or like in Mugrave’s instance, semi-forced, the outcome is the same. A creature of great strength that carries the promise of death that only the Shadow can bring to the inhabitants of Ryokughan.
Thanks for visiting tonight and looking at the template I have created – it will be back. As usual don’t forget to come back the last days of this week as we expand on the content we have created so far. Tomorrow we are looking at the extra things in life that bring spice to the adventure and I hope to explore some more magical items whilst we “have time”. So don’t forget to come back each day and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Welcome to Tuesday night where I have a bit of a weird one this week. Tonight I wanted to touch on something that can be done extremely well and may D&D Influencers do is superbly. It’s something that I have tried to work into my own games with quite a good degree of success and that “Wow” moment for my players. So let’s see how we go with it tonight as we experience a dream of the Shadow Born.
The dulcet sounds of laughter seem to reverberate through her the room and hearing those notes of mirth caused goofy grins. Her laughter, her grins. It had been quite some time since she was able to speak or laugh and it felt like the last days after the attack from the weird cats had opened up something within her. Hana looked from her cousin to their protector, Kuang and to their new allies, the adventurers from across the seas and she couldn’t help but laugh.
In the past hour alone she felt her jaw cramping from over exertions her her talking. “Enough Cousin. We wont be able to get any rest with you talking to use all night.” her cousin laughed as she sipped on a rice wine.
“Why do we need rest? I have rested for years and now that my voice has returned I don’t want to rest it!” she laughed back. “Besides the escort from home will be here tomorrow and we will be on our way home without a fret in the world.”
The laughter and reply from those around her grew quiet as she felt a cold seep in from behind her. Looking over her shoulder she saw nothing except for a shower of dust from a lose plank above them and she returned to her talking. But her voice was quiet and people didn’t appear to be able to hear her.
A creak somewhere down stairs caused her to stand as her body told her to run. “Did anyone hear that?” she asked but her question fell on deaf ears as they kept talking and drinking. Peruve was making noise down stairs as he shuffled through the house. A result from the injury he sustained during the attack from the Night Prowlers. As she descended the stairs she looked towards the front door just as Peruve reached it. The urge to flee, to run, to get as far away from here grew in sudden urgency as he reached for the door – a soft tapping noise now audible over her heart beat. With a shower of splinters and dust the door burst inwards. Spears of a black shadow like energy burst forward and impaled the poor old man in so many places it was surprising that he was held together at all.
A figure stood in the door and a realisation sank into Hana’s chest when she felt the sensation of cold and darkness grow. In fact it was the same cold and darkness as the last person she spoke to at the Toshio family keep – one of Lady Yurki’s retainers or aides. Turning she fled up the stairs screaming out for help but to also run but no one answered her calls.
As she reached the top of the stairs she could see the party, Kuang and Kyoko were laughing and merry with alcohol. Her screams and cries for help unable to reach them as she was tripped by a tendril that was shadow born. As she pushed and strove upwards she called out again, her voice failing and disappearing as darkness wrapped around her.
Starting awake with a scream Hana sat upright shuddering with tears coming down her face.
“Whats wrong!” called Kyoko who sprang awake with a sword in her hand. A moment later Kuang and the party appeared in the door all dressed for battle. “Hana tell us. What’s the matter”
Hana sobbed. Between her sobs she looked up as she felt her kins arms wrap around her shoulders. “She comes for us. The one that is blessed by The Shadow. A shadow born now hunts us and there is no place we can run.” she managed to get out between the sudden inhales of breath.
Thanks for joining me tonight. Dream sequences are fun to use and if done well they can both be beneficial at driving plot as well as enriching our players experience. In fact some of the most amount of wonderment and that feeling of “Being special” I have seen on my players faces has been as a result of a dream sequence. Generally I use them as a way of explaining the sudden surge of power upon achieving a new level, but I have also used them for explaining plot, or hinting at things to come for those who are arcane or divinely blessed. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for more content and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage, The Brazen Wolfe
Brazen Wolfe Tabletop 