TTRPG

Of Cats and Children

thebrazenwolfeLeave a comment

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

402FrCaCh

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

thebrazenwolfe1 Comment

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

402ThMoHi

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

thebrazenwolfeLeave a comment

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

402WeLoKeLa

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

Morrowdeep’s Miners and Minors

thebrazenwolfeLeave a comment

The village of Morrowdeep is filled with people. Tourists and the workers of the village far outnumber Morrowdeep’s miners and minors – the people who risk their life in the mines and those to young to know any better. This week we meet a few people in those categories, young and the old who call this city home – both are prey to the evil that now stalks this land once again.

Will history repeat itself or will the people of Morrowdeep learn from their past mistakes – only time can tell now. But without dawdling any more let’s look at Morrowdeep’s Miners and minors – the NPCs of this weeks adventure.

Morrowdeep’s Miners and Minors

402TuMoMiMi

Hiljor Ironbrow – Created in Artbreeder.

The young dwarven lass pushed through the large oaken doors to the Wispy Willow, one of the few drinking establishments that still let her in. She pulled up a stool at the bar and sighed heavily, she had just left this seat not even an hour ago and she was already sitting back down at the table. After a moment she felt the familiar presence of the bartender looming over her.

“What will it be now Hiljor? I wasn’t expecting you at least for another hour or so for lunch.” the older man asked without a hint of malice in his voice.

“That Gregory just riled me up, that’s all Pastor. I’ll just have some bread and cheese – will skip the ale until I can pay you back for the last one you poured me.” she murmured behind her heavyset arms. The man shook his head and disappeared behind the doors behind him. A few moments later a plate of bread, some cheese and some roasted meat was placed in front of her – with a mug of ale.

“If you can look at the lanterns and work out why they aint working that would count us square.” Pastor, the old innkeep, said with a smile as Hiljor looked up. Pastor was one of the last businesses in Morrowdeep that used the old lanterns instead of the Lanternstone. Hiljor appreciated this and was grateful that she could still use her natural affinity for this technical work to good use.

“I’ll have them working by the end of the day. Don’t worry about that, but I will still get the coin to you to pay for your hospitality” she mumbled, she didn’t feel like she could suffer too many blows to her ego today.

“Your dad was a good worker, a credit to the village. I just want to make sure that you have a better life here than he did. You should avoid Gregor, you can’t get in trouble with the guard again.” Pastor said as she tapped her twice on the shoulder and went to serve another customer.

Gwen Thistlewick – created in Artbreeder.

The forest was bright and noisy in the mid-morning sun and Gwen strolled more carefree than normally. Her older brothers stood nearby and stood watch while her and the other girls gathered mushrooms and other herbs. She knew what to look for most of the time and the order was rather large this time and some of it was harder to find. She thought she knew where to find the riverwort but her brothers refused to let her go into the woods.

But the order required it and if they didn’t bring it back they wouldn’t get paid well. As she watched her brothers keep a watchful eye for danger she slunk off. Being slight and smaller than the other older children it was easy to move about unnoticed and soon she was passing the thick bark of the trees that grew close to the river. As she pushed through the last bushes she spied what she was looking for – a fallen log sitting near a small stream.

She was always a studious student and could memorise the herbs, plants and mushrooms that grew in the woods, hills and caves near Morrowdeep. This made her a credit to her family’s name and she prided herself in her ability to source the rarest ingredients. Carefully looking around the trunk of a large tree she paused and looked about the river for signs of danger. Seeing none she moved forward quickly and drew the small knife that she would need to remove the fungi from the log.

She spotted it, there deep in the log the riverwort. Pushing herself deeper into the log she extended her arm and cut off many of the flat, liver looking fungus before crawling backwards. “Riverwort, useful to stop bleeding and can relieve pain and fevers. But you already knew that didn’t you lass?” a voice said from above her.

Startled, she fell backwards and let out a small shout – her brothers called her name in the distance. “I didn’t see you there. I swear I checked. How… Who…?” she stammered.

A young woman sat there in layers of green and brown cloth. She smiled broadly and produced a flower from a basket she had next to her. “Just a friend, I also was looking for riverwort and other ingredients. Do you know where I can find pink tongue? It’s been a long time since I’ve been in these woods and I can’t remember where they are.”

“You can find them closer to the mountains, they grow attached to the underside of the grew stones.” Gwen said as she took the flower the woman offered her. “Thanks, I haven’t seen a starburst lily outside of books.” she replied, looking at the flower.

“Must be the first of the season. Thanks for your help, miss…?” the woman smiled and waited.

“Gwen. Gwen Thistlewick.” Gwen said as her brothers called again, angrier.

“It sounds like you are in a hurry.” the woman said with a wrinkle in her nose. Gwen smiled, stood and as she dusted herself off she skipped off towards her brothers. She looked back towards the woman but saw that she was already moving off towards the mountains. She ran through the short distance of the forest to her brothers and, upon finding them she saw the worry and anger in their faces.

“Where have you been! I thought we told you not to leave the group?” her older brother, Caden asked.

“I found the riverwort – we needed it for the order and I knew where it would be.” she replied. “Oh and I got this!” she exclaimed as she showed the starburst lily.

“Where did you find that?” her other brother, Tom, asked. He was always more interested in the herbalism business than Caden.

“A woman gave it to me. She was looking for riverwort and pink tongue and I told her where to find it.” she replied with a broader smile. Tom looked to Caden, his face wrought with worry. “Starburst lily hasn’t grown here for years. Riverwort and pink tongue you said?” Tom questioned again, his hand going to an arrow and knocking it in the bow. “A curious mix. I think we best return back. I need to talk to the alchemist.”

Thanks for joining me again for another lengthy write-up. Don’t forget that this is just the second day of the week of content. So don’t forget to come back for the other days this week and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Miners of Morrowdeep

thebrazenwolfeLeave a comment

Welcome to the Second week of the year and we have a deep dive into history tonight as we explore the Miners of Morrowdeep. But there is more than meets the mine in a village with history as deep as the veins of iron that run beneath its rocky soil and through the Cragstone mountains. Join me this week as we explore the village and beyond in search for something foul, deep and dark.

The party walks amongst the bright fabric of the market with cultures as colourful and diverse as the woven tents that protect the stalls. The people of this town are what you expect in a village of this size, bitter rivalries, blood feuds going back generations but something more. A rallying cry to justice as more of their children go missing. And as the first of the bodies appear the call for aid, for adventures, mercenaries and heroes goes out like a merchant hawking his goods on the street.

But something foul resides within the city, something ancient and dark. What the dwarves failed to notice as they toiled below and above the village of Morrowdeep the residents now pay for. Can the ancient enemy of peace and humanity be defeated or will it be too late for justice, hope and peace?

The Miners of Morrowdeep

402MoMiOMo

Morrowdeep Market – Created in Nightcafe.

“With pick and hammer the dwarves dug deep and mined well and without tiring for the work was nearly the reward itself. The Dwarven Clan of the Irontongues were devout in their craft, swift with a hammer and trained in their forges and at the village’s heart is one such device.” The old man sat down chewing on the end of his pipe as he glanced down at the heavy book in his lap. “These dwarves worked with the people of Morrowdeep for over a century and with their iron, our timber and the stone from the mountain itself we made ourselves a future. Morrowdeep, the village built for tomorrow from deep within the Earth. That is what our ancestors called this place and with their dedication we won ourselves a new future here.”

The man paused as a few more people stood to listen, he hid a smile as he nudged a small wooden box with his feet causing the few coins to rattle within to draw attention to it. “But the peace would not last and soon a war was brewing. This was good for business as nothing is given for free and coin is required,” he paused as he took a drag from his pipe – the chime of coins hitting more of their own kind heralded a kind donation to the old sage. “The history of this town, its books, do not tell of what the war was with only that within the span of a few days the entire dwarven population was rallying north. A great departure from the home they built which left us on the precipice of dissolution.” An audible gasp spread about those who listened as the man let a tear streak down his face.

“Nobody knows what happened to the dwarves of these lands and those that had trained with the miners quickly tried to pick up where the dwarves left off. It was here that the miners, not the dwarves stumbled upon a stone that the dwarves had overlooked. Something new, something valuable. We called it Morrowstone, a kind of quarts that glowed with power. The wizards and alchemists worked out that the gemstones absorbed power from the sun and lit up like a torch.” he paused and for effect he produced a small thumb sized yellow crystal. In the light the crystal turned darker as if hidden in shadow but a spark of yellow could be seen in the centre of the gem.

“The dwarves never returned but Morrowdeep has come back brighter than ever thanks to the stone.” he continued.

“That’s a nice bedtime story Gregory, but you be forgetting the curse.” a voice from the back of the crowd said and immediately everyone turned to the new voice.

The man, Gregory, withdrew the gemstone which started to glow brightly from within his clothes before his face looked unhappily at the lady dwarf in front of him. “Hiljor, why am I not surprised you’re here to spread your superstition and lies,” he spat.

“None of it is lies. There is a reason the dwarves left them stones alone for they carry a curse. We called them Lanternstones and each Lanternstone plucked the earth demands a sacrifice, a blood debt per gem until the debt is made right.” she said as if reciting from a book. “You failed to mention the cave ins when mining the gems, or the miners that went missing coming down from the Cragstone mountains. Or the Lanternstone night where the wild beasts from the mountains attacked the village.” she listened to the look of horror on the faces of the people listening to her and Gregory’s tale.

“All that was happenchance. The books have reasons for all of that which doesn’t involve your fear of sorcery or stupid dwarven superstition. Do not heed her, she is finding it difficult to let go from the past and embrace the future. A brighter one than is told in your pubs and taverns which is where it smells like you’ve just come from hey Hiljor?” Gregory sneered as some of the onlookers looked more settled and some even chuckled.

“You heed my warnings. People are going missing in this city and you best leave the Lanternstone alone” Hiljor said before leaving the growing number of laughing people behind her.

Moving through the darkness was easy with the help of the Lanternstone and something was calling on the wind. Moving through the old tunnels the stone was rough on the bottom of its feet but the thickened skin meant that it felt nothing as it walked into the open night air.

The town before it spread like an infection and the glow of Lanternstone lit up like fire. Nodding slowly the creature walked towards the city and as it walked the hunch in its back straightened. By time it walked into the city it blended in perfectly with the crowd and as it stalked the brightly lit streets it basked in the glow of Lanternstone.

Thanks for visiting me tonight and joining me for the second week of the year. As we continue with the second adventure of that year I invite you to continue to join me daily as we expand this adventure throughout the week. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow was we meet some NPCs for this weeks adventure and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Kelemvor’s Rest

thebrazenwolfeLeave a comment

Tonight and I have created a zine, the first of the new year in fact and with it being a new year there may be some changes in the PDF, how its structured and what is contained within. But regardless in how you find this Zine, Kelemvor’s Rest, rest assured that the intention is still to have it structured as fun oneshot’s 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, Kelemvor’s Rest, and that your rolls are made with advantage.

Kelemvor’s Rest

401SuKeRe

Kelemvor’s Statue – Created in Nightcafe.

Work was never a real issue as the people of these lands always found themselves in need of adventurers like themselves. But the last few weeks had proven to be the exception of the rule and the party had rocked up to Strumden, a small village of no real consequence with a below average Inn.

The Tickled Brownie housed the normal rabble that would be expected in a small country village such as this one except that it had five roads leading out of it. A half-way town where travellers came in and workers left. As the party had just ordered their meal and lunch; the same average fare that wouldn’t be anything to remember after a week, their hopes were answered.

A man clad in the robes of Kelemvor walked into the inn and approached the barkeeper, a gnome with an extraordinarily long, ginger moustache. After a few moments the gnome nodded a few times, pointed towards the party and began fixing a tray full of drinks.
The Priest of the god of death walked over to the table and cleared his throat. “Excuse me. I have been told that you may be the just the kind of people I am looking for. If I may, can I take a seat?” then gestured towards an empty spot at the table. Without waiting for a response he picked up a heavy oaken chair and placed it next to the table and sat down. The barkeeper brought over a drink each for the party, what they were already drinking, and disappeared with a polite bow, muttering “I wish you find the peace you seek brother” before heading back to be behind the bar, cleaning a tankard with a rag.

“I have a business proposition that will pay quite well at the end of it.” he started as he brought out a folded piece of parchment.

PDF adventure – Kelemvor’s Rest

kelemvors-restDownload

Thanks for joining me today for the first Zine on the new-year. As always I put a bit more content into the zine itself than could be captured in the daily updates 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

A Difficult Lesson to Learn

thebrazenwolfeLeave a comment

The priests of Kelemvor have a difficult lesson to learn this week as the full price of their deal comes to light. Making a deal with the wrong people to follow their misguided beliefs has cost them, well a trinket in their eyes but tonight it is revealed that it is much, much more.

The deal made, the plot hatched and the aftermath is what the priests of Kelemvor have to wait for. Will these misguided warrior priests survive this night, a difficult lesson to learn and more. Well to find out we need to read on.

A Difficult Lesson to Learn

401SaDiLeLe

The priests moved through the city, smiled and blessed any and all who greeted them – ignoring the hot pulsating aura that came from the length of wood and bone tucked under one of their robes. The wizard had promised them the ability to root out the truth behind the ritual that always extended the high priest’s life.

He, a gnomish man who smiled warmly and smelt like warm biscuits, had assured them that with some borrowed power he would be able to pull forth the truth and prevent corruption. A divination ritual he claimed it was – but he was short on a focus. He claimed the ritual he would take would need a powerful focus to be able to draw down from the weave and harness its raw power.

So Brother Kindred had found such a relic in the catacombs and crypts beneath the temple. Guided by his belief and zeal that he was the wrong thing for the right reason he had also convinced those amongst the order that his course of action was alright. Emboldened by their faith in him he had made the deal, stolen the unholy relic – a bone wand that was taken from the still twitching corpse of a necromancer, and we’re now on the way to the wizard.

“Are you sure Brother, Kindred,” Haster asked as they turned down the street to meet the wizard at the Green Fairy – an inn that was famous for its strong gnomish spirits. “This relic, I can feel its unholy power from here. I have my doubts…” he began.

“Easy Haster. The relic isn’t the thing that commits evil, it’s the person. The gnomish wizard is willing to help us root out evil and this foul scheme. That can only be an act of good can it not?” Kindred began smiling and grasping his brother affectionately. “The relic itself is not evil – it is merely power to be controlled and bent. It would not matter if it was something from our temple, something from the street or dug up from a grave. If the wielder is good then the outcome shall be.”

Smiling Haster nodded, “I believe you brother, sorry for my doubt.”

“Do not apologise Brother Haster, to doubt is human but to believe and trust is what entrusts us to the right course of action. Fear not all will be well.” Brother Kindred said as he opened the door and walked into the inn.

The exchange went off without a hitch and soon the brothers of Kelemvor were back at their temple and there they witnessed the determination of Kelemvor themselves.

A few days after Richards death the body was ready to be sealed within the Chamber of Remembrance. The brothers that believed and stood with Kindred had been shocked, like him (but maybe more so) , that the High Priest had been found dead on the day of his three hundredth birthday. But they were happy to see the natural cycle of life and death continue.

Sometime during the day they had noticed a group of outsiders to Oakspire, two in fact, who had been around the church giving thanks, paying respect and trying to learn more about the order. Kindred had caught them on the odd occasion asking questions about the late priest and asking if there were suspicious actions leading up. Kindred had to buy in for his brothers who were still in shock and recovering from the rapid determination after the ritual had been completed.

These outsiders were asking more questions and had even been granted permission to examine the catacombs themselves. They would not be granted admittance to the Chamber of Remembrance as that was Kelemvors will – he was sure, but there was a spark of doubt. They were even down in the Crypt now, well one group was anyway learning about their order and their history.

That’s when Kindred heard the knocking. Alone Kelemvor went to the door to find the gnomish wizard there in dark green robes. “Good evening Brother, I hope I find you well?” the old gnome asked, smiling in a friendly way.

“Yes Master Girten, I am pleased that the natural order has been reestablished and that we are moving forward with what is right.” He answered the gnome’s question. “Can I help you, Girten?” he asked curiously.

“Yes actually, I have trouble lifting something, can you help me lift something that is in a cart just over there.” he said and pointed to a cloth covered cart near a hold tanners building that had closed. “I fear that I am not as strong as I used to be… Not that I was ever strong mind you!” he laughed as he walked slowly over to the cart.

Kindred obliged and walked to the cart, following the old man. When he got there he saw that there were a few dirt covered sacks, some that appeared to be wet and some that were much drier. “These should be light enough. But there are quite a few.” he began as he reached for the first bag, a dirty moist bag. The dirty, dank smell from the tannery was strong next to it and the smell of rot and the unclean mingled with the contents of the bags which made him nearly retch.

“What is in these might I ask?” Kindred asked the old gnome as he hefted out the firth one, the bags were heavy and his hands were getting damp and tacky with moving them. A faint pink-red moisture was sticking to his fingers.

“Oh just some reagents for the finalisation of the ritual I promised you. Herbs and hard to come by components that’s all.” Girten replied from nearby. Kindred continued to unload the bags into the old tannery before moving to the cart – the tacky substance on his hand disturbed him and the smell was nearly unbearable.

“These reagents are repugnant are they not?” he asked with a laugh as he turned to look at them. “I don’t know how you can work with them,” he added.

“Oh you get used to them.” Girten replied as he stepped up to the halfling priest. “Oh I have one more request if you have some time to spare…” Girten asked, his hand on the shoulder of the halfling.

Kindred was looking from the bags to his hands, something was not right. He looked at the bag as his mind registered the question. “Sure I can – what is it? Also…” he looked harder at one of the wetter, dirtier bags. “Girten, is that a hand?”

Girten sighed. “Yes it is and that’s where I need your help. I need you to die Kindred,” the old wizard replied before untold pain caused its way through Kindred’s body. He tasted blood in his mouth as he felt Girten’s hand rip through his tunic, into his shoulder and the pain echoed through his chest. The last thing he felt was a blade, a thin slither of metal entered through his neck and slit his throat.

And that wraps up that part of the adventure nicely. This may be used as something that the party are told from a witness or they may see it, partially of fully, themselves. But more on that this weekend as we wrap up this adventure. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for the Zine and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Risen, Remorseful and Repugnant

thebrazenwolfeLeave a comment

This week finds the party encountering The Risen, Remorseful and Repugnant, or a few of them depending on which way the adventure goes. This week finds the party coming onboard to help Brother Tobias who is not convinced that the death of the high priest, Richard Spiritbane, was the true will of Kelemvor.

Depending on the level of the party it changes how the adventure goes, or so I hope to achieve this effect for the Zine. Skeletons and another visitor with the reskinned mage, the Necromancer, complete some of the adventure and depending on the level of the party and the challenge that you want there will be others too.

But tonight is a glimpse at what will be as there is not enough time in the week to get everything into these updates so these few creatures are staples for many encounters, and as such are for this one too.

The Risen, Remorseful and Repugnant

401FrRRR

Skeleton – Created in tetra-cube.
Zombie – Created in tetra-cube.

Through the darkness and chill a creaking noise could be heard from the alcove around the corner. As the party drew near and the hung magical lanterns flickered in their attempt to banish the dark, the shadows played tricks on the row of burial tombs. As the party turned the corner and looked deeper into the darkness, the large statue in front of them stood imposing yet still, its stone eyes staring down at them as if judging and welcoming in the same glance.

The first sounds of feet on stone other than theirs came with the thud of something heavy in the chamber behind them. Then it echoed in the chamber guarded by the statue of Kelemvor and the sound of scratching on feet and creaking could be heard coming from both rooms, and getting closer. Backing out of the doorway the flickering lantern light revealed two skeletons as they ambled out of the rooms. A shriek of pain echoed down the stairs and into the chamber causing the skeletons to look up before charging at the party.

A few minutes later on the descent up the stairs the tangy smell of blood wafted down and guards stood at the entrance of the stairs, vigilant for intruders coming into the crypts. But as the party approached they realised too late that the guards shields hung loosely at the wrist and that the spears rested against the walls or stairs and were not held firmly by the guards. Turning around great tears in their armour, tunics and flesh revealed oozing intestines and the lightless eyes of the undead.

Priest – Created in Tetra-cube.
Mage (Necromancer) – Created in tetra-cube.

The priests of Kelemvor rallied and charged upon the interlopers. Slinging spells, prayers and swinging maces they crashed upon those the church had deemed enemies. The hum of magic bristled through the air as the battle raged on, blow for blow, spell for spell and blood for more blood. Soon the priests fervour dwindled as they looked upon their enemy, their prayers no longer being answered by their god and a fouler feeling wafted into the hall.

A dark and powerful force like the smell of baking rotten flesh washed over the combatants and at once they turned towards the hulking form of a brutish creature leading the way for a pack of newly made undead. Somewhere in the room a voice laughed, calling out and mocking the priests for their betrayal, the head of one of their own was thrown at their feet, recognition registering on their face as slowly the warrior priests understood what was happening here.

Calling out for Kelemvor’s blessing they rallied around their wounded brethren and prepared for the battle that they had trained for. The purging of undead, the opposition of corruption and the perseverance of the natural cycle of life.

This week has come and gone too fast and with tonight’s’ update there is not much left to hide, only a bit left to reveal. So don’t forget to come back this weekend as we wrap up this adventure. More Stat blocks, some maps and images will greet those who remember to come back for the zine and spend another evening at the tabletop with me. But also, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Chamber of Remembrance

thebrazenwolfeLeave a comment

The descent into the crypt of Kelemvor’s Church is known as the Chamber of Remembrance, but only opened to a selective few is the heart of this crypt. The Actual Chamber of Remembrance is where the most favoured of Doomguides are put to rest - that is those who gave their life in service to the god of death and in maintaining the natural cycle of life.

There is no door, no secret compartment or lever into this chamber but those who descend the steps know not to go down the final flight of steps for there is only the distant hint of a flickering light and the permutating cold that travels along with the darkness. It is this cold that embraces all and for those who are of ill intent it is dissuasive enough that they do not pass the threshold to the chamber. However this feeling is fleeting for those who draw Kelemvors’ gaze and who he deem worthy.

The Chamber of Remembrance

401ThTChORe

Chamber of Remembrance – Created in Inkarnate.

Dark and cold, the Chamber of Remembrance is a unpleasant place to be. Any attempt to summon magical light ends in failure and when a torch is lit a gust of wind extinguishes it. The only light comes from four lanterns that permanently shed their warm glow at the archways to help guide those back to rest.

This battle map will be the one used for the, dare I say, lower level encounter I have planned – but I don’t want to give away too much on this just now. There will be another one or two to come in the Zine which will explore another aspect of this adventure.

The crypts each contain a hallowed knight, a doomguide of Kelemvor who maintains and strives to protect the natural order of things. These people were thought to be buried with the most perverse and unholy of relics however rumours are not always true.

The chamber contains many bodies and section on the wall appears to be a stone archway leading to soil and earth. A stark contrast to the other cold walls of this chamber. A statue to Kelemvor stands in the antechamber, a proud and cold gaze looking down on those who find their gaze drifting up to the imposing figure. But the Chamber of Remembrance is more than just a crypt – it is a place where it is rumoured that Kelemvors connection to the material plane is strongest in Oakspire. Those of devout and pure intention have been called into the dark and cold to bear witness to his authority and voice, but only a few are called.

Thanks for joining me for another night of map making. Tonight we look at a hint of a map, a restricted smaller encounter map that will be one of three that will go in the final Zine. So for those who want to see more make sure to remember to come back and visit the remaining days of this week to keep exploring this adventure with me and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Doomguide Aspirants

thebrazenwolfeLeave a comment

Those who hear the call of Kelemvor rarely sit idly by and pray to heir deity for aid and prefer to worship their god in the actions they take. Those of which who are the most zealous, the most holy of Kelemvors warriors are known as Doomguide Aspirants – those who aspire to establish and maintain the natural order of life and death.

Despite being warrior priests these holy warriors are generally cunning, intelligent and empathetic to those that do not corrupt the natural order of things. However being cunning, wise and strong isn’t always the right mix for those who seek power at the same time as honouring their god.

Tonight content is focusing on a few Doomguide Aspirants and in particular the steps that they would take to ensure that the natural order of things, the holy decree of their god is ensured. So sit back, strap on your buckler and let’s swing into the thick of it.

Doomguide Aspirants

401WeDoAs

The halls were quiet leading up to the day of rituals for Richard Spiritbane and for those who are trained for the smallest noise in their hallowed noise that’s how the figures stalking the halls wanted it. Cloaked in a veil of silence and shadow the priests walked towards the crypt entrance, muttering a prayer to Kelemvor as they descended the hallowed steps.

The walls were lined with the Doomguides that preceded them, warriors all and not all of them had honoured their god by preserving the natural order of things. However the shadows and bubble of silence hugged the priests closer as they descended deeper into the crypts hoping that not even the bones of their predecessors would cast a judgemental gaze towards them. For what they were doing tonight could be misinterpreted as treason and the perversion of the natural order. As they reached a chamber at the bottom of the steps the silence and shadows slowly slunk back from the figures within.

“Are you sure about this Brother?” Haster asked as he looked towards his superior. “If Kelemvor is granting the High Priest an extended life then surely it’s the blessing as it is claimed?” he continued looking around nervously. If Brother Tobias found them down here he wouldn’t hesitate to mete out the justice of Kelemvor for what they were discussing. What made matters worse is that Brother Kindred wouldn’t let him and they would have another dead brother in the chamber of remembrance.

Haster Reart – Created in Artbreeder.

The halfling man to the right of Haster looked between him and those gathered around him. “You yourself have found it suspicious Haster that the lord of the dead who’s tenants is preservation of the natural order of life and death would willingly go against what he stands for. The extension of life is perverse and an affront to Kelemvor himself and I fear that the clergy is rotten to the core. There are those few, us, amongst our church who believe that no man, woman or child should be treated differently when it comes to Kelemvors’ beliefs.

Brother Kindred Ucklethorn – created in Artbreeder.

Brother Kindred looked up at the gathered priests, fewer than he had wanted. “With a small price we can dig out this evil and ensure that it never takes root again. With a smidge of power contained within these walls, the relics our brethren gave their natural lives to protect, we will start a new order. One that isn’t corrupt, which won’t twist the words and will of Kelemvor.” Spittle flew from his mouth as he spoke. How could the others disagree with his viewpoint at this stage? It was only logical, the only correct course of action.

Walking over to an entombed skeleton, one of his brothers, he smashed through the stone with the head of his mace. Reaching in he plucked out a length of ebony wood, a wand, one that thrummed with Necromantic energies. “This is the price of the bargain. Fret not brothers for once the truth is revealed and the correct course is set then it will be easy to retrieve this unholy relic and return it to the chamber of remembrance. “

The other priests looked from one another, a mixture of anxious energy, of hope and of belief swirled amongst them. Tomorrow before the rites could begin the truth would be revealed by the wizard and the perversion of Kelemvors’ word will be stopped at its core. The High Priest must not live past his three hundredth birthday.

Thanks for joining me for another fun one as we looked at the conspiracy that happened before the High Priests death. But this isn’t the cause, nor the full picture – oh no, that will come later. So make sure to not forget to come back and visit each day to keep unravelling this adventure with me and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe