TTRPG

Wolf Moon Rising

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Tonight and I have created another zine for this weeks adventure, Wolf Moon Rising. 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, Wolf Moon Rising. If you like this format please let me know and I hope you enjoy.

Wolf Moon Rising

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The halfling woman crossed the tent to retrieve a cup of stewed herbs. Inhaling the smells from the potent mixture she breathed out a sigh of contentment, kneeling by the fire to look what the omens had in store for her. As the fire danced across the coals in front of her the herbal tea and smell of the smoke. 


Slowly images appeared in the fire in front of her. As normal, for her tribe, a large wolf appeared amongst the fire and images swirled around. The passing of days, three in total, The sun being devoured by the great wolf and the moon replacing it. A burning village, animals running as packs of wolves ran with her tribe as they hunted anything that moved within the land. The halfling dropped the empty cup as the images slowly resided. 

The day of the great hunt was approaching and she had much to do in order to protect the tribe.

Berkshire

Berkshire – Created in Nightcafe.studio

The trek into Berkshire was a relatively uneventful one. The animals that had stalked them for days had given up their pursuit but they had been acting more aggressive, more bold than normal wolves, bears and boars. 

The town of Berkshire is where the party had been summoned, the promise of wealth and adventure had sounded nearly too good to be true but the governor of this town had apparently built the town up from just a few houses to what it is today. 

Houses and farmsteads lay on the outskirts of the town with farmers working the fields. The lack of animals was soon explained by a large pyre of burning livestock carcases that sent a plume of dirty smoke into the air. 

It didn’t take them long to find the governor’s building, his office, and after a few moments they were shuffled through the doors and ushered to meet Casey Dae.

PDF adventure – Wolf Moon Rising

Wolf-Moon-RisingDownload

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

Challenge one word adventure

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Good evening all and welcome to another long overdue speed adventure challenge. Tonight for my Adventure speed challenge one word adventure I have chosen Claw. Tonight the adventure will follow a few key criteria but by the end of it there should be an adventure that should be useable.

The criteria include:

  • Time limit: 30 minutes
  • Word: Claw
  • Minimum word requirement 1000
  • Must have a initial Plot, Secondary hook and conclusion
  • Must have at least one NPC
  • Must have at least one conflict
  • Must have at least a description of a battlefield if no map is produced
  • Images and statblocks can be added after 30 minutes if required
  • Notes on how to run the adventure or the thought behind it
  • Anything done after 30 minutes clearly called out or identified. (red background)
  • Can clean up after the 30 minutes~

Claw – Challenge on word adventure

Time started: 8:00:32

Plot:

At the edge of the emerald sea there lies a string of villagers, towns and cities that all have been encountering members of the “Worshipers of the clawed god”. These zealots are fanatical in their belief that a great beast, a forgotten deity resides within the large underwater sink hole that lies off the coast. Those who have been captured and questioned claim to have been chosen by this deity to spread their word whilst travelling by ship or boat on the sea.

What has brought this to the attention of the local power and authority is that each report has no ties to the other. However, each one of them make the exact same claim to be chosen. They have reached out to see if they can understand what is going on by seeking assistance from adventurers of some renown.

Clawed God – created in nightcafe.

Causation –

The cult, the Worshippers of the clawed god have all been exposed to a Huge crab. However this crab is far from ordinary as it has ingested flesh of a dying aboleth that had fallen prey to hunting ships. When ingesting the flesh of this sunken aberration the crab obtained some of its psionic powers. As the crab was consuming the flesh the aboleth was using the last of its psionics to corrupt the mind of the crab, in an attempt to enslave it. However the aboleth was just too weak.

The result was a highly intelligent crab with mild psionic powers who had received its hate for humans and ships from the dying creature. In fact the creature now seeks to get its servants, the worshippers of the clawed god, to bring all the ships of the emerald coast to its lair, the Emerald Coast sink hole.

Main NPC:

However, it is not the authorities, the Sea Watch who has reached out to the adventurers. Jess ‘Ironsails’ Smith is the financer of the endeavour to route out the cult and understand what is going on. Jess is the inheritor by mirth of the Ironsun trading company. The Ironsun trading company operation was born out of Wavecrest, the largest city on the Emerald coast, and they started small. A few ships and just as few crew would run trade goods from the Emerald coast down to the Thruul jungles.

However Jess, after protecting the vessels from pirates, took it one step forward and began bringing goods, rare spices, herbs and other trade items from the jungles of Thruul back to Wavecrest. This saw the companies profit increase threefold and through her actions the company expanded. It now has a place in each port along the coat and, in its own right, becoming the largest power in the southern jungles.

Jess is a middle-aged woman who was born on the sea, literally born in a boat. In fact so close is her bond to the sea that she forsake her parents forges to quench her fire for good. However she is a stubborn as raw iron and as honed as steel.

Secondary Hook:

After talking about the job with Jess the party go to leave, a man attempts to push past them, dropping a long blade that thuds into the wood below. The blade is serrated and curved with the cross guard curving towards the blade itself to look like a claw. The man looks nervously between the party, Jess and the blade. However, seeing the party notice the blade the man attacks them, pulling a secondary blade in the process. After the brief but vicious fight the man is identified by Jess as one of the deck hands for her ship, the Wave Blade.

Jess asks the party to investigate the ship first in case there are other members there who have fallen for the uprising cult.

Area for Combat:

The hallway is thin and cluttered with tables, portraits and displays of wealth. The Ironsun trading company came from nearly nothing but apparently now has no qualms with displaying their wealth. However despite the art, fine silver and portraits that line the walls everything displayed has a purpose.

Swords, daggers, spy glasses, everything that is here is a tribute to someone in the portrait. In fact the only thing that is on display that doesn’t have a corresponding portrait is a worn anvil next to Jess’s door.

The floor is well maintained and sturdy. However the creak of wood and smell of salt water underneath the boards gives away the buildings location. Built on stilts on the beach and stretching out across the dock the Ironsun’s office is build into the docks. In fact despite the wood being durable it is also prone to damage. The salt and water has weakened sections that could cause it to fall through.

Creatures for combat:

Giant Psionic Crab

Clawed God Cult members & Enslaved crew members

Sharks

Eels

Created in tetra-cube

Resolution:

The party take a single ship to the Sink hole and fight the crab. The weak psionic powers don’t have much affect on the party who are experienced combatants however some of the ships crew may become enslaved. Once the crab is killed the other sea creatures and enslaved crew and cult members are released from the psionic slavery. However, they will suffer for a few days as they regain their sense of self.

Thoughts and notes:

I think its about time for a maritime adventure. The tricky part with this adventure will be balancing actual combat in the water against what we can do on the ship.

I don’t think having a huge sized crab on the ship will be hard. However exploring its movement as it crawls under the keel of the ship to attack from a different side, attempting to both sink the ship and get the combatants into the water will be tricky.

The investigation may take some time however planting a few cult members on the Wave Blade will give the party a good lead. In fact the creature wants to be found, but it wasn’t planning for strong defenders on the boats.

Time finished: 8:30:52

Words: 1140

Thanks for joining me tonight. Tonight was a bit of a fun one and a long overdue test to shape things up. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow as we wrap up last weeks adventure. And, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Like a Lycanthrope

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Welcome to a frightful Friday Fight-night where tonight we learn to hunt and fight like a lycanthrope! But that won’t be the only creatures we fight this week but it certainly is the one I am most excited about. So instead of getting all excited about the big angry-pup-men let’s just roll into tonight’s content – creature Stat blocks!

Like a Lycanthrope

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The Wolf Tribe Wolves

Step by step the werewolf moved forward. It’s fellows already had run off into others parts of Berkshire. The long legs ended in sharp claws while shredded rags hung from the creatures body from before it changed. Fur the colour of dark woods, browns blacks and greys blended together to give the creature in front of them the look of a predator. An alpha predator. The best and biggest hunter of the woods but further than that there was an intelligence in its eyes.

Its large eyes reflected the deep reds and golds from the Luna eclipse and its ears twitched to detect all the sounds that the town was making. People barricading doors, windows and even walls to stop the maddened lycanthropes from getting in. People screaming and crying and running through the streets. And the howls of the hunters as they closed the gap between themselves and their prey.

Werewolf – created in tetra-cube

Other creatures that join the hunt

Thoughts

Now a werewolf is a hard fight. I think most of the balance of this encounter comes to where our parties are at. Their level, equipment and wealth (magical items, silvered weapons etc.) are all the deciding factors of this weeks adventure. For me I would probably have a party of level 5 adventurers with magical items by now that would cut through their resistances. But maybe your party wont. So keep in mind that this is a deciding factor on what makes a hard and easy encounter form this week.

Thanks for joining me tonight. An alpha predator, some potential hunting buddies to also join in the Wolf’s hunt and their prey. Guards and mercenaries wont last long, and commoners definitely wont, but they are the main objective of this week. Keeping them alive. So with the weekend already here don’t forget to come back this weekend for the final writeup – in Zine format – and a few more surprises. And, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Hunting grounds of the Wolf

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Welcome to another Thursday night where we look at materials to help flesh out our adventure this week. Tonight we look at the two places that we can consider the hunting grounds of the wolf, the deity of the Wolf Ridge tribespeople. Tonight I really wanted the theatre of the mind to be centre of the stage. Where we look at the potential for combat we can use descriptive language to really enthral our players. But to get to these descriptions we need to first move out of the introduction… So without any more delay, let’s roll into tonight’s adventure!

Hunting grounds of the Wolf

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As the party began to leave the top of Wolf Ridge the sound of growling and whining came from behind. Turning around the partially obscured sun shone brightly in their eyes as they strained to find the source of the noise. A pack of wolves stood next to the tribespeople at the pyre. Each one of them rested their heads on the lap of one of the tribe and whined in a high pitched concerned manner.

As the party watched on, making sure the wolves wouldn’t attack it became easier to see the people and beasts. The sun’s brightness was dwindling as the moon began to cover the fiery orb. A sound of tearing fabric came from the gathered creatures, one of the young boys near the pyre began to convulse as muscles, bones and tissues split, healed and morphed into something more.

The change

A large shock of black fur sprouted from the ripped clothing as the chains and woven ropes grew taught on his swelling frame. A moment later another young one began the same transformation process. However none of the adults were affected. In fact they continued to chant in prayer. The halfling woman, a shaman of some kind looked at the party with sadness and concern. “The change has begun. The warriors you have in Berkshire will remain in their human form for as long as possible but the more distressed they are the shorter the time it will be. You must hurry.”

The party raced back down the hill as the first of the blood chilling howls erupted from the pyre. The young and infirm were beginning to change but those who were devout in faith and belief held strong and controlled their curse.

Wolf Ridge Tents – created in nightcafe.

Berkshire

The screaming from Berkshire could be heard from as far as the open gates. A rushed stream of people leaving the town pushed past the party as they hurried through towards the cages. Something told them they were too late. In fact it was more than just the screaming as the time it took to get back to the town had seen the moon nearly fully eclipse the sun.

“Stand firm, hold!” the voice of Luke could be heard from the centre of the town. As the party rushed through the busily clearing streets they came to the sight of a cage nearly full of werewolves. Each wolf was taller than an average man. In fact most of them were as broad as two with the tribespeople being larger than average. However despite the size difference, and monstrous form of the Tribe of the wolf warriors the guard held firm.

Run…

But that is when they heard it. The first of the cage bars breaking, snapping from the fury and might of the lycanthropes. As the cage shattered the beasts stepped out into the moonlight of the Lunar eclipse. “It’s too late. Run for your lives. The wolf has them now, and will have us all on his day of hunting. You should’ve left us chained in the cells for only there would’ve you been safe!” one of the few human form women said. as she knelt and prayed. “When there is no sun left even I won’t be able to contain myself. Go and save as many as you can. Only the cells will save you now.”

Berkshire – created in Inkarnate

Thoughts

This one is a bit of a fun one. A bit of a nightmarish scene as the moon blots out the sun. I personally like the idea describing the fear of the villagers, guards and even the apprehension of what’s about to happen from the lycan’s. Seeing their curse as not just a disease but their deity enacting a great hunt will be a fun twist. I believe that the party members will have to think fast to overcome the situation they will find themselves in this week.

Thanks for joining me for another night at the tabletop. Despite not having any maps for tonight I will still look at creating some for the final product this weekend as they can be a good way to visualise certain battle area’s. In fact sometimes theatre of the mind and having a map for parties to utilise can enrich the adventure that little bit more. So make sure you come back tomorrow night for the creature blocks, there will be werewolves guaranteed.

Don’t forget to come back this weekend for the end of week writeup and, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The Wolfing Hour

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This Wednesday brings upon us the most holy time for the Tribe of the Wolf, the Wolfing Hour. It may come to no surprise for some of the more astute readers but there are a few hints to this weeks theme already there. But what we have in store is a bit different. But that’s something we will explore tonight. So you better sit back, grab a coffee and let’s roll into tonight’s adventure!

The Wolfing Hour

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The party was confused. The prisoner’s from Wolf Ridge weren’t fighting against the guards. They weren’t pleading for mercy or threatening violence to their captors. In fact they were sitting near-motionless and were in different stances of prayer and worship.

“something’s not right,” one or the other mercenaries hired to assist the town and party began. “It’s like Luke said. It’s a sacred week and they won’t do nothin’ to us. But like, it’s not natural. What’s special about this week anyway?” He asked as he bit into a hunk of bread and cheese.

“Well whatever it is the Captains got a plan for them. He wants the lot of them hauled outside, unshackled and put on display in a wooden cage. ‘Barbaric treatment for a barbaric tribe’ he had said.” A nearby guard said. “It doesn’t sit well with me.” He added looking at the peaceful tribes people in front of them. “They seem content to sit here, chained up in the cells. These don’t look like the people that would attack our farms and steal our animals.”

The request

It wasn’t long until the party had another group come and relieve them from watching the peaceful prisoners. But when they left the guards barracks they were greeted by Casey, the Governor. “Hello, might I trouble you for a drink and an extension of the job? That is unless you’re content to stand around bored and guard those that don’t need to be guarded.” he said with a smile.

After following the Governor to his office he uncorked a small bottle of spirits and offered a drink to the party. After those who wanted some had a glass of the strong alcohol he looked out his window and towards the barracks. “Despite me trusting Luke in his judgement and ability to cast judgement, something doesn’t feel right.” he began, swirling his glass around. “These aren’t the people that we have had trouble with. Sure I recognise a few and they are the same people but, their fight and viciousness has gone. I have heard that they spend their time in prayer to their deities. They even thanked one of the guards for locking them up and asked for their chains to be tightened.” he sighed, placing the glass on the windowsill as he rubbed his temples.

Change of heart

“I need you to go back to the village, just you. A small group to understand what this sacred week is about, work out why they are like this. Luke told me they were vicious savages with no culture who would raid our farms monthly and slaughter our animals for the fun of it. But those aren’t the people I see in front of me. Luke has a plan to prove to the people that the capture of these tribesmen is the right thing. He wants to put them on display and let the people see them enraged.” Casey looked back at the party, wiping a tear away.

“I can’t let him do that to these people. They appear to be innocent, peaceful men and women. Will you please consider a quick journey to the village and to speak with their elders, or find out what’s going on some other way. Please?”

As the party left Berkshire they noticed the guards dragging the tribespeople to large cages in the centre of the town. Luke was standing there watching. “No please, take us back inside. Bind us. Don’t put us in the cages!” an older man cried out, visibly distressed. “You can’t do this. Please think of your people. They don’t deserve this.” Luke just frowned.

“I knew you were bad news. This religious, calm act was just that was it? An Act? Luke practically spat at them. “A day in the cages will teach you humility.”

Sacred Day

The party neared the village, less than a day’s travel away, they noticed a plume of smoke from the central pyre. Approaching the village they found all the tribespeople sitting down, chanting and bound to large logs around the column of smoke. As the Party approached the older halfling appeared from a tent with lengths of metal chains as she approached a large log at the centre of the gathering. As if by magic she turned and stared directly into the eyes of the party. “You shouldn’t have come. It’s not safe. Not today, our most sacred of days.” she said. “In fact, this week isn’t great with the full moon approaching. What brings you here? Has the people of Berkshire seen sense and reason and released the tribespeople?” she asked as she started to mark the remaining tribespeople with symbols of the moon on their face.

When she noticed the party looking at the chains and ropes she sighed. “We don’t know when our sacred day may come. Some of us can feel it, the elders of the tribe. We are cursed people who live and die by the moon cycle. Our strength wanes as the moon grows in its own strength and its power controls us. But, there is another time where the strength of our deities is too much. That’s today. If you want to save the people of Berkshire, you must leave now. Leave before the wolf comes and claims his people.”

Thoughts

So the concept is simple. Self imposed exiles, a recluse tribe of lycanthropes. Yup, werewolves. However, they are not the murderous kind and wish to live in harmony with nature and try and control their disease. However the young or new joiners of the tribe can not control their urges during a full moon… Or a Luna eclipse…

Thanks for joining me tonight. This week promises a lot of combat, high amounts of danger and even a game of cat and mouse, err, well wolf and human. So make sure you come back daily to follow along. And, lastly, don’t forget that as the weekend approaches to make some time for your own tabletop. And, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

The people of Berkshire

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So here we are at another Tuesday where we are introduced to the gullible and the gambler in more detail. Tonight we meet Simon and Raff, the two protagonists or antagonists depending on how you see them. But the party will learn something very important this week that those who they work for may not always be trustable. So with that in mind let’s grab a coffee, buckle up and roll into the adventure!

The people of Berkshire

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As we set up the adventure for this week we are introduced to the people of Berkshire tonight. But more to the point we are introduced to the leaders of the city, the Governor and the guard captain. However I hope to show that even great leaders can give the wrong order and get things wrong. Last night I gave you the first part of the adventure as our party attempt to take wolf ridge, and do so with ease. But, I have more, so much more in the words for this little town.

Governor Casey Dae

Casey Dae – Created in Artbreeder

Although Casey wasn’t born to Berkshire he came in wanting to be integral to the little town. Having many of his business ventures in a larger city fail he escaped debt and persecution from those he owed money too and found his way to Berkshire. But while here the quiet life of working for someone wasn’t to his liking and he convinced the town to make him Governor. This was partly because of the friendship he formed with Luke, a retired military veteran who he instated as guard captain.

But his endeavours at becoming a governor weren’t all smoke and mirrors and with no competition he was able to grow the township and it expanded from a few households, a single inn and a general store to something a bit more. When the Tribe of the wolf who lived on the aptly named Wolf Ridge started to threaten the town he built up he quickly acted.

Luke Chard

Luke Chard – Created in Artbreeder

A veteran from a military conflict some time ago Luke sought out the quiet life in Berkshire. However the war he fought in never quite left him and it drove him to drink and to squander away the meagre amount of money he had managed to save. That was until Casey arrived and gave him purpose.

Being captain of the growing guard of Berkshire gives him regimental discipline as well as the purpose of commanding the other guards. Under his guidance the guards are well respected and fair in their dealings. But, the level of control of the guards from Casey through Luke is something that is questionable.

Thoughts

Tonight I have purposely put both Casey and Luke as, somewhat well respected people. Neither of them are malicious or have ill intentions however both of them are the causation of the calamity of what will happen in Berkshire this week. But having these two work for the people of Berkshire will give us a solid foundation to build from.

I am excited to put the party in the same place with these two to give them a strong contrast from some of the other one shots. Having nothing Inheritantly wrong with them makes it hard for their actions to be questionable which further adds to the adventures intrigue.

Thanks for joining me for another NPC night, I hope you got some inspiration for your own adventures. Tomorrow I will bring the secondary plot hook and trigger to blog. And I can’t express how excited I am to bring it to life. So don’t forget to come back tomorrow to read what I come up with. Or for the rest of the week for that matter. And lastly, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

To Take Wolf Ridge

thebrazenwolfe1 Comment

Welcome to another Monday where I am sadly too late for the full moon for this adventure. However I wanted to bring this adventure to life this week so let me issue a challenge to your party, to take Wolf Ridge. Tonight we will explore a bit of the setting and the main quest line for tonight. So to actually finish tonight’s blog before the next full moon I better roll on with it.

So let’s grab a cup of coffee, sit back and get into tonight’s adventure!

To Take Wolf Ridge

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Wolf Ridge
Wolf Ridge – Created in nightcafe.studio

The party watched the man, a veteran from some forgotten conflict, pace in front of a map. The plans were simple yet the man took a lot of pride in them and strutted like a bird trying to impress a mate. The mission was simple: support the soldiers and escort the transport from some barbarians from Wolf Ridge to town. The veteran began to explain to the other adventurers and sell swords the reason for the raid on the village. The party had heard it before.

The governor of the town of Berkshire was growing tired of the farms being raided for livestock by the barbaric tribe of Wolf Ridge. So he organised the guards of Berkshire, along with some mercenaries to raid the village to capture the tribal people a week before the full moon. The Governor had heard from a passing wise man that the tribe indulged in a week of peace before the full moon. With the soldiers gathered and bolstered by eager to sell swords, adventurers and mercenaries the Governor and his friend, the captain of the guard, planned to attack in the middle of the week.

The party had been approached separately, by the governor, and had been asked to keep the other non-guards in line. Word had reached him of the party’s previous successes and he was keen to have them employed differently than the others. Besides, he was worried about his friend, the captain, as he had left the army after being involved in a large battle but that battle had never really left him.

The Raid

The party approached the village, ready for anything but as predicted they were greeted by alarmed but passive people. A variety of races, ages and people made up this tribe and they dressed in wolf furs to fight off the chill of the alpine village. As the guards rounded up the tribe’s people they left the elderly and kids and escorted the others out of the village. The sell swords stood near the party and watched as the warriors marched, defeated, away from their homes.

“You can’t do this… Not during our sacred week.” a voice spoke from behind them. Turning they saw a middle aged halfling woman who dressed in a mixture of merchant and tribal gear. “We spend this week praying and seeking mercy from our gods. To break this cycle is to insight doom upon our people and yours as our gods are unrelenting and merciless.”

After a brief but concerning talk with the woman the guards called for the party to leave. Those that remained at Wolf Ridge cried but stood there, peacefully, as they watched their tribesmen and women be marched off. The party noticed the little halfling woman looking pleadingly at them but slowly lowered herself to her knees and began to pray. Cupping her hands in such a way that a large circle was made she held it to the sky and began a howling chant.

The chant carried them down the hill and sent a shiver down their spines.

Thoughts

Now this one, in my opinion, is a bit of a classic trope that I simply love to throw at parties. The idea behind this week is to seek signs, to question little ‘Easter eggs‘ and for me to tie multiple things together to have an “ah-hah!” moment. I believe that this adventure should be thrown at almost all parties as it can teach them a few things about themselves, the game and their characters.

I hope you enjoy the adventure this week. What I have planned is something that isn’t too difficult but to can still pose a challenge for the unprepared. So there will be a few things I reveal at the middle of the week as well as through the days as we explore this adventure. So don’t forget to join me as we explore the town of Berkshire later this week. And perhaps I may pay another visit to Wolf Ridge.

Little beginnings

Now for many of us, myself included this week is the first week of school holidays. For me I was about the age of my eldest when my father sat me down and opened the “Players Handbook” for me to read. What I found was a lifelong passion, a interest that has stuck with me all through my child and adulthood. It is also something that I remember fondly. The adventures as a child is something that I wont forget. From my first bandit riddled cave to the feat of stirges, that I still keep to this day, I still remember all those wet, wintery days. So for me this may be the first eater holidays that I introduce my kids to Dungeons and Dragons.

So consider sharing your tabletop hobbies with your family. I know that for me it was a great shaper of my life and my passions moving forward. So consider running one of my first one shots, like the trouble with birds, at your tabletop for those new players. I will continue to progress this story this week so don’t forget to check in as the week progresses. And, if you are taking time off, spend some time on your own tabletop too. And finally, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

A Palmful of Luck

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This week I wanted to put into practice the five point approach to create a one shot in a short time frame. Despite the map everything was thought up on the Monday night and the short brainstorm produced a Palmful of luck. So instead of creating a full zine for this week I wanted to put down a few summarising points and tie it in with the process. However don’t worry as we will be back to the normal Zine format next week.

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 quick-adventure, A Palmful of Luck.

A Palmful of Luck

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Magical Dice – Created in nightcafe.studio

To Roll with Fate

The concept of this week really was the question. What if the act of rolling dice is more than just how the players explore this game but also the centre point of the mission. The dice we use can be simply magic in our hands, but what if they were actually magic. The concept of a magical dice that randomly does this can’t be a new one. But I wanted to add a twist that its cursed to be skewed towards the opposite luck of what its bearer has. So the outcome of the dice roll is better if someone is Inheritantly unlucky.

However this can cause trouble for people who are trying to utilise the dice to better themselves and this is where the Who comes into it.

The Gullible and the Gambler

The NPCs that take the stage is someone who believes that they are being swindled by someone with a magical item, a gambler of their own fortune. The other protagonist is someone who believes that they are safe, gullible due to innocence. However, this does not last long and their one lucky break in a long line of misfortune starts to swing to unlucky.

Both Simon and Raff could easily be the ones who approach the party. Raff’s greed and belief that he was swindled due to a lucky, magical trinket could push him to do the unthinkable. However Simons need for acceptance and desire for, what we all want – safety, could push him to reach out to stranger to help. This week we went with Raff’s greed as it opens up more possibilities. This leads us to the Why.

A Business Proposal

Why is normally the key component of bringing the party into the problem of others is our gig as a DM. I believe that by having Raff being our proposer of employment it means that we can have the party understand something for themselves. That is to not believe or trust everyone they encounter.

I believe that all parties will need to learn this at one point. In fact by having the bad guys of the adventures convince the party to do the wrong-doing it should develop not only the characters but also the players. However, it could go wrong if they do bring Simon back to Raff at which point we have a very different adventure on our hands. But in order to come to that conclusion we need to go to Where it all happens.

Though the Streets and the planes

Where, this is what we encounter next.

Another street chase, or simply back-tracking to where Simon was last found. We have a few ways to get the party to the astral plane. Firstly if they find Simon, if we want them to, then they could chase after him and through an active roll of the dice it gets interesting. However, they could simply find the magic dice by the barrels, hidden somewhere (but not for them).

By finding the dice the inherent bad luck causes them to drop it and open a portal to the astral plane. Once there they wake up on a floating island and can explore from there. Finding Simon being chased by a Githyanki Stalker, or, being the next mean for the gibbering mouther. But that’s in our Why the party have to care.

Ambush in the Astral Plane

Why the Githyanki or the Gibbering mouther encounter Simon or the party is the next question to answer. We have a bit of fun with these two stat blocks as they aren’t anything special. In fact I just wanted to have the Githyanki make an appearance. In fact the idea of a gibbering mouther being thrown in there as a plausible cause to why the Githyanki are there.

Thoughts

I want to thank you all for showing up this week to explore the concept of quick adventures in your palm. In fact this isn’t too far from the format that makes me come up with new adventures weekly. I have been DMing for a while, on and off, and by looking and refining my own process I believe it makes me improve my skills. Short, sharp and sweet concepts without lengthy setups or adventure hooks. This is the concept I have every week and despite it taking me about twelve hours to produce the weekly Zines. They are worth it. I think.

If you like this format let me know! Short, sharp and to the point with some notes to understand the reason why is something a bit easier to turn out. However, I do prefer the tangible zine that I produce weekly. I believe that that format will be the constant that I return to but let me know if there is something else. In order for me to grow and produce higher quality work I will push and explore more.

Next week we kick off with something a bit more Grim. With Warhammer also kicking off for me I want an excuse to use some of the miniatures I have. But, painting these ones are keeping me in a world of pain as finding little things to motivate me to paint more is a constant battle. So keep an eye out for more painted miniatures on here. If you like what I produce let me know, feedback is appreciated as I mentioned above it helps me grow. Don’t forget to take some time for your tabletop and as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Easter eggs in TTRPGs

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Welcome to a weekend post where the theme is set and its something a bit more advance than what I normally talk about. Tonight I want to talk about the subtle art of Easter eggs in TTRPGs. Now, I can hear your thoughts, I’m not talking about randomly sprinkled treasure under bushes, near couches or on pillows – or maybe its someone else’s… never mind. So sit back, grab a coffee and me roll this concept over you and further into adventure.

The art of Easter eggs in TTRPGs

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Little treats

Now I am certain that we have seen many dungeon and game masters do this over campaigns but I need to say it. However, It is very difficult to do. What it is involves the GM/DM adding little bits of lore or a familiar face or symbol throughout the campaign. In fact the very idea behind this is that you set up and build up all these little things for a later big reveal. Whether this reveal is a twist midway through the campaign of the conclusion of the adventure it doesn’t matter. However, I find that the art of getting these just right is very difficult.

Now here lies the difficulty with it. If done correctly, subtle little hints, appearances or non-blatant pieces of information then you give control of the Easter egg to the player, not character. If they are not the type of person to note little things and make connections then this may not have the desired outcome or effect that you were hoping. However if your players that the type that like to play Cluedo and who will recognise the little Easter eggs along the way then this can be an enriching and powerful moment for them.

Laying the eggs

So now that we have explored it a little bit some suggestions and a scenario to try and get it to stick. If the adventure resolves around an order of knights for one of the main deities in the realm. However their new leader is over zealous and has initiated a purge of those who they deem to be going against the natural order. The party may begin to notice little things. Perhaps the bodies of thieves, murderers or monstrous humanoids are all found with wounds from similar weapons. Or, they are laid to rest in a particular way. On their back, arms folded but bound with red cloth and with a copper piece on top of their lips. This may be something that only priests of the religion would know it if they saw it.

If we get to the point where we want to reveal the Easter egg but the party are yet to put it together we can do some little things. Dropping the deities symbol, a book of their prayers or something like that could help hammer it in there. Particularly if the coins have the symbol on them (upon closer inspection) or if the book has a description of the ritual they found the previous victims in.

What ever the option, hint or Easter egg is it requires two things. The GM/DM to know how to implement it and link small things to larger plots. As well as the Players at the table to be able to pick up what we are putting down.

Thoughts

While not something I implement often, most of my players are new, the times I have done this the party have had that Eureka moment that just increases the wow moment. A key takeaway for me is that if they come up with something else, that isn’t farfetched OR is somehow akin to what I wanted them to realise, I normally give it to them anyway. Changing the plot for party enjoyment, changing the flow or even who the bad guy is, as long as it makes sense, can be even more enriching for the players at the table. And heck, I have fun watching them celebrate the their wins even when it wasn’t the one I had planned for them.

Thanks for visiting and having a look at my musings for this Saturday night. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for the end of week adventure, our Gibbering heist, and for more tabletop content. And, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Ambush in the Astral Plane

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Welcome to a fight night that’s a bit different to what I have done in the past as we encounter an ambush in the astral plane. Now tonight’s content looks to add in some creatures for us to encounter that may wander the astral plane. But there may be encounters in the streets as well so that needs to be considered also. But instead of spoiling it let’s just roll into tonight’s content – Stat blocks!

Ambush in the Astral Plane

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The Githyanki

Why the Githyanki stalkers exist is an easy question to answer but where they may be found is a bit more difficult. The Githyaki are protectors of the astral plane so fixated on their duty that they see any and all races as threats to their society. But they can not always muster the great envoys of warriors that they pride themselves in for all encounters with aliens to their plane. Sometimes they need a subtler approach and this calls for the Githyank Stalkers. However the other members of their race may see them they are the rangers of the plane. Swift, stealthy and efficient in what they do.

A group of warriors who bear not the famed silver great swords but have been gifted with smaller, more nimble blades suited for more subtle operations. These warriors are no less deadly so those who enter the astral plane, willingly or otherwise best keep their wits about them.

Githyanki Stalker – created in tetra-cube

Feaster of the Astral Plane

While the passage of humanoids in the astral plane is not something uncommon creatures such as the gibbering mouther are things out of nightmares. These creatures may simply just be looking for a meal for its many mouths in the astral plane. However, it may have been caught up in an astral portal and whipped into this plane through some chaotic magic. Chaos is what best describes these creatures. In fact their very being may be what draws the Githyanki stalkers to the floating rocks. What we can say for certain is that they are always hungry and they will rarely pass up a meal.

Gibbering Mouther – Created in Tetra-cube.

Thanks for joining me tonight. Two creatures revealed with many more to be included this weekend. So don’t forget to come back and consider including this adventure as part of your tabletop. And, as always, don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe