Campaign Journal: Keepin' up at the Keep of Madrual

Who's stormin' the castle?

• Slick-thief
• Fulvus-halfling
• Jax-barbarian
• Rondel-elf
• Plus Various Hangers-On

Some quick retcon to describe the interactions and reactivation of lens at Vansho Reliquary. A significant observation was that two undead knights in residence who were bound to their funerary chamber now had free movement around the place.

Back to the present: The party assessed Toronin as Librarian Grancet repaired and etched the lens with the help of his bound demon. Benedikt noted that they would need reinforcements to hold the hardpoint if the Barrier was to remain intact. Gerhard was dispatched to see if he could rustle up some troops.

In the meantime, Cleric Henry Cee was reminded that he had a Potentially Useful Relic in Sister Sowena's Gauntlet. Donning it and casting about, he located a small mass grave of slain soldiers from the original fall of the Barrier. A handy platoon of skeletal warriors was summoned, arising from the turf, reattaching limbs, digging up rusted weapons. And soon enough, Gerhard returned with a similar platoon of (living) soldiers and Roderick, Fulvus' archer hench. Reunion made, and Roderick was put in charge of the station's defense. The party and others departed as the soldiers and undead set to digging trenches and sharpening stakes.

The group moved north along the West Trade Road. Several towns they passed through were completely depopulated, either by apparent Chaos raids or fleeing refugees. Coming to the small town of Lany, they found that the Beguines led by Sister Isabel were still entrenched with the locals. They were aware of the predations and turmoil along the road, but were staying put for now, as their oath was to aid and heal. The party encouraged them to decamp for one of the recently liberated fortresses, where there were troops and fresh fortifications. 

source

Bella Hoekstra, former second in command at St. Vivinna's Home for the Wayward, caught up with the party (while also conveniently disguised as a beguine). Acroria was in turmoil, with the merchants and clergy overriding the military on the city council. Conflicting commands were going out, and large numbers of incarcerations were occurring for a variety of trumped-up charges. Most of the “wayward children" had either been arrested or fled. It seemed that little aid would come from Acroria, if at all.

With this in mind, the party considered heading straight to Gaerborin Keep, known to be held by Acroria troops, in an effort to sway them to their cause. But securing Madrual, the next node to the north was a priority. The party had never visited the location, and its occupants were unknown. Off we go.

D66 Times Three... A Collection of Hexcrawl Curiosities

Got on a writing bender on Sunday. Bit of a heat wave here, plus trying to get some house stuff taken care of, so made some focused writing time between other tasks. Started with one table, but knew that I'd eventually drag a couple more out of the brain. So why not now? It's something I need to do. Just sit, focus, and drag some creativity out of myself. 

So have three... count 'em, THREE D66 lists of random, perhaps interesting things, to find during one's hexcrawling of the edge of the map.

Meteorite, or frozen fireball? Your call.

Download me here

Download me here 2

Download me here 3

That's 108 random things to stumble upon, for those keeping track at home.

They Met at a Tavern 11: Shadowdarking 'The Howler'

Ok, had people show for this session, so things were good.

• Betsy - "Charm" - Dwarf priest (pageboy haircut)
• Candace - "Driznag" - Goblin Priest (Banded helm)
• Seana - "Ad Bather" - Halfling Fighter (Hood w/ ancient symbols)

First, we must note that none of the PCs were over four feet tall. This will be important later. I also provided each PC with a random magic item to bait the Howler.

As I mentioned before, I ported over the monster stats for JV West's "The Howler" to Shadowdark, and wanted to give it a run-thru, since it will likely be a con game, as well.

I've run the adventure before, so I'll go light on the details.

We started off among the barrows and graves with the party finding the body of Gundrin O’Noggin. Some questioning, and I shared that they heard the fellow's name in the tavern and that he was going to poke around the tombs. Probably because that's where kids would go to smoke.

They went through the corpse's pockets, respectably, of course. And threw rocks at the vultures harassing them.

The party listened to their common senses and didn't desecrate any random tombs. The blood and drag-trail led them to the tomb entrance, and the fun could begin.

Driznag caught a sneezing fit, which started the "Howler timer." They found some minor items in the entrance chapel, and poked at the slimy water in the ritual pool. More investigation alarmed a giant spider, which they killed without too much effort.

Into the dart-trapped hallway. Remember, they're short. And crept down the hall, unbothered by the darts firing over their heads. Finding a ranting, nearly-dead Rains Calibrin, they attempted to heal him, and only got more ranting.

And the warning that the Howler was creeping along the ceiling behind them. Battle was closed, and a knock-down drag-out occurred. The Howler alternated between attacking magic items and PCs. The creature's ability to heal from magic energies was quite frustrating. 

The priests attempted turning, but found that the Howler was not undead. Spells failed. Driznag went down but was revived with a healing potion. And finally the halfling made two crits to put the thing down. A vision upon the killing blow revealed the Howler's true nature.

The battered PCs recovered a handful of abandoned items from the temple chamber, and chased off lurking spiders with fire. 

Finding the crypt, they investigated. Driznag knew enough Primordial to piece together the epitaph on the sarcophagus plinth. But made the mistake of reading it aloud as she sounded out the words. Oops.

The mummies arose, attacking and chasing the party from the chamber. The dwarf got zeroed out (plus some CHA damage). The goblin and halfling each went invisible and fled (I'd randomly rolled a Cloak of Elvenkind for Driznag). Satisfied, the mummies returned to their sarcophagi, and the surviving PCs dragged the dwarf free. 

A quick check of the remaining chamber, and mushrooms were found. These did not revive the dwarf, although a third Nat 20 by Ad Bather allowed for a stabilization. 

Fleeing with their recovered goods, the party stopped to recover Gundrin O’Noggin's body to return him to town. And if the mummies somehow arose and started to wreak havoc, well, the party wasn't admitting to anything. It was probably those kids sneaking into tombs to smoke.

DM Notes:

I've reviewed the adventure before, and my opinion is similar after this run. Because of its organization and wall of text style, it can be less straightforward to run than something of a more bullet-style or concise format. And this DM got the pages out of order during the session so had to do a lot of flipping. For the next run, I'll probably pull more salient details into my text document with the monster stats, as well as highlight important bits. It's unfortunate, because it detracts from a good concept and creative monster. For instance, I missed some overly-complex if-then details on the Howler's abilities.

If anyone is interested in running the Howler using Shadowdark, I've put a document with stat conversions here. Note: I realize I've been using the original version of the adventure (no longer available), which is written for a generic D20 system. The adventure has since been revised for Labyrinth Lord/OSRIC, so will easily port over to any OSR-style game, like Old School Essentials. It looks like the newer version has been somewhat reformatted and content updated, as well. I've snagged a current version copy, and have revised my conversion stats and update notes.

And, with the presence of a goblin priest, we established the alignment of "Goblin Lawful."

In other notes, we met up with Jonathan (B/X Blackrazor) Wednesday night to playtest an AD&D tournament-style adventure he wrote for an upcoming convention. Let's just say that we wouldn't have scored well. But we had a fun time pulling the levers and opening doors we shouldn't have.

Campaign Journal: A Question of Tactics, or, Questionable Tactics?

We're on the march with:

• Frederick - Revived thief
• Jax and Goober - Barbarian and reliable sidekick
• And a player to be named at a later time.

Rondel and Slick were off due to work commitments, and Fulvus was doing halfling things.

The party, along with their contingent from Chirath and Lenscrafters(tm) started at Ashryn Tower, with some more lens maintenance. That night, as they prepared to head north, Jax (likely via Faith Perpetual) received another vision, that of an old knight, who let the party know that challenges lay ahead (like we didn't know that), and that those who went before were waiting for them when the time came. Nothing foreboding about that.

Anyway - off they went northbound. While scouting ahead, Fred and Jax came on a small Chaos mutant raiding party, which they dispatched with minor difficulty. Fred finally upgraded to +1 leather. 

They paused at the Vansho Reliquary to reactivate that stronghold's lens and check in with its NPC party (and the undead knights in the crypts). (*Author's note - we skipped this location because the DM borked up his notes.)

Slowed by the entourage, the party snaked north. Another encounter, this time zombies.

howdy

The Plague Doctor for Shadowdark

Yes, I'm sure there are a healthy handful of Shadowdark Plague Docs out there, all masked up and curing diseases, or whatever they do.

Oh no, this is a bad sign...

But since I've previously written up the class for OSR games and The Black Hack, might as well complete the triumvirate and gin one up for Shadowdark, as well. 

This one is built on the same chassis as my prior two, with similar focus and skills: non-magical healing, and they really hate rats. 

Download Me Here

Enjoy, comment, disparage, etc.

Now updated to Version 2.0 based on comment by u/noisician and recalling some other, similar game mechanics. Increased healing attempts based on allies, and consequences for a critical failure...

Download Me 2!

Campaign Journal: A Three Hour Tour....

Who woke up in Queen Adra's domain?

• Frederick - No Longer Dead Thief
• Slick - More Thief
• Jax - Barbarian

The smoke is clearing. The dead are being sorted and buried, or burned (more smoke, again). The Chirath forces were allowed to stay, for the time being, as long as they helped. Benedikt agreed, as a campaigner, himself. The troops went to work helping with rebuilding.

Oh, since you're here, and in light of our battle, perhaps Chirath may be useful in the end. Send me an engineer to help us reinforce our defenses. Benedikt agreed, and he knew a guy. He tasked Gerhard with flying back to the city. So off he went:

by Nicholas Roerich

Somewhere in this, I mis-labeled the flying carpet as a flying blanket, so apparently now it's a magic quilt. 

In the meantime, the Librarian had work to do. He took a lens and locked tomes to the lakeside tower.

via Dyson

Rondel (offscreen during this session), the Library Paladins, and desert elf Goladan joined in the effort. Librarian Grancet opened the book, then took out a small lead box and a fist-sized ruby (where was that when we were collecting rubies?!?). From the box he took a ring and put it on. A tiny figure appeared in the ruby. "What is your name!?" Grancet demanded. The tiny demon (for that is what it was) cringed and said, "Raz'Gonol." With that, Grancet guided the demon in the slow process of etching the runes for the anchor lens. 

Since it would take a few days, and thieves tend to get into trouble, Adra "asked" the remaining three members of the party to cross the lake to collect her sister Salax, and her followers, who had arrived on the south shore. Adra provided longboats for the party to use, as well as crews. 

Off they went. Each out and back crossing would take a day, and it would take three days to complete the ferrying process.

Lost and Found Adventure 2: "Dungeon 001" by Logen Nein

I really need to organize my files better.

So I was downloading a few free maps for later reference/inspiration when I found a folder containing a handful of maps that Logen Nein had posted up on the reddits. Most of these maps were from when he was first experimenting with mapping and posting them up for critique and use. I've cobbled together an encounter area using one of these maps before.

Hmm. What's this folder? Oh look, this map...

...and a half-finished dungeon-stocking exercise dated March 2023. Holy unfinished projects, Batman. Yes, one of many temporarily or permanently abandoned projects.

I'd come up with quite a few features and foes to occupy the space, but had never determined a theme or raison d'etre for the place.

The big-bad had been inspired by a post and illustration from Yuri Perkowski, one of the illustrators of Shadowdark and other RPG products. It occupied the space denoted as "22. Chimera-type monster, born of cataclysm, broken thing" on my map. 

And then it sat for two years.

Ok, let's print this thing out, figure out names and personalities for the placeholders left in the old document. Make some justification for the highlighted and "???" inserts. And what the hell do the four classical elements have to do with anything?

Two more days of scribbling and squinting, followed by rampant theft from Wikimedia Commons.

And a (hopefully) cohesive exploration space filled with hazards and discovery. I leaned heavily on my favorite spell supplement, Theorems & Thaumaturgy, as well as a couple of other favorite resources. 

Add a silly alliterative name, and let's post this thing. Statted per OSE/flexible old-school stuff, best for a mid-level party with a bit of resilience.

Welcome to Lysimachur's Elemental Error. Watch your step.

"The Remains Of A Most Unfortunate Party" - More Shorts Inspiration

Well, If I'm going to steal his maps, I might as well use the title he gives 'em.

Here's a good little space. Some finished rooms hidden within a cavern that open to a second, deeper cavern. And a good title, "The Remains of a Most Unfortunate Party." Well, knowing Tim, they were probably "unfortunate" in a rather grim and gristly way, so I figured I should try to honor that, at least. 

We explore the place for its novelty or its resources, perhaps.

And yes, as the PCs are poking around in here when they come across the remains of another party that clearly got in over their heads. From a tough foe that doesn't take any real damage from some of the normal go-to methods. This is perhaps a chance for some of the less martial or poorly-equipped members of the party to shine. We'll see.

Enjoy your visit, and don't trip over "The Remains of a Most Unfortunate Party." Enjoy the shiny foe.

Tim's Patron is here. Free membership tier available plus upgrades that include receiving print versions of adventures and NPC cards.

 

"Why is it Always the Spiders?" - The Map

Well, a couple of months ago, the party nearly met their match with a belligerent phase spider. So I figured I'd take the time to clean up and present the session notes for general consumption. I plan to do this with more of my locations and encounters from the campaign, since they might have some utility for folks, or at least a peek behind the curtains...

Anyway...

Original session prep notes

I had scattered treasure and magic items throughout the original, but the party only made it to the irregular room in the center of the map (essentially the 2nd room encountered) before being set upon by undead and the phase spider. In this writing, I came up with a justification and mechanic for the random magical treasure. And yes, the list of magical items includes a few items “donated” by the party. 

Our party was generally sixth level OSE PCs, although they were hampered by bad initiative rolls, as well as bad saves against the undead, allowing the spider to take advantage of her magic.

So here it is, all prettied up and given a cutesy name.

Download Me Here!

I can see a critter like this becoming an ongoing foil for a party, or perhaps a resource to negotiate for magical goods with, based on her propensity to collect sparkly sorcerous baubles...

Campaign Journal: Breaking the Siege

Who's saddling up?

• Jax - Barbarian
• Fred - Dead Thief
• Rondel - Elf
• Fulvus - Halfling
• Various Mooks

We started with a bit of retcon as the party stepped from various sinking ships onto the two dwarven galleys. Well, except Fred, who was probably unceremoniously bundled along. 

At the end of the battle, Slick still had an active water breathing spell, so I had made up a D10 random treasure table of how much he grabbed before the sinking ship became too much of a deathtrap. They got a respectable pile of loot. 

The two ships sailed on to Chirath, then sat just out of catapult range as Rondel flew to the citadel guarding the harbor (somehow not getting shot). Some tense conversation with the guard captain, a few dropped names, and the city's Legate was summoned to meet with Rondel. The party has interacted with him in the past, and he was aware that they were out and about seeking resources. A cutter was dispatched to escort the dwarven ships in, and they entered the harbor under watchful eyes.

Like this, but full of dwarves.

There was animated discussion on whether the dwarves would be allowed off the ships...

By now, word of the ships' arrival had run through town, and the city's priest and librarian hustled to meet their counterparts who had arrived with the party.

To the business at hand. De-corpsifying Frederick. Well, that does take some time and effort and correct sacrifices and gifts and chanting and such. And we really need an addition to the temple. Ok, if we name it after Frederick and Rondel, since the party emptied Fred's pockets and Rondel put in most of the rest. And so the local temple now has the new "Frederick & Keebler" hospital wing.

Frederick was going to take some time to recover, once he was dragged back from the afterlife (where he witnessed forgotten gods panhandling for worshipers). In the meantime, the party caroused, of course. Property damage, taunts and boasts, feats of derring-do. The usual. The surviving ship's crew was discharged with substantial coin, except Geatio, who was kept on as a hireling because of his chiurgeon skills.

source

Once all were healed and over their hangovers, it was time to plan. The lenses had been secured in the city's main citadel under the watchful eyes of the Library Paladins. The Legate approached the party and let them know they would have aid, because this was a concern for the whole region, and much bigger than the party.

Step into the Green Hell: A Jackson Joint

Second scenario that I've wrested from my scribbled notes and made presentable. There are plenty more lurking, waiting to be transcribed between real work, exercise, appointments, remembering to eat, walking the dogs...

Anyhow. A good looping space with a significant amount of green.

Interesting. 

What would be growing down there in the dark? I scribbled a bit before some random firing of a brain neuron reminded me that I'd written up a model for a spreading, aggressive invader. No, not kudzu.

So, an ooze that has gained some sort of decentralized, alien intelligence has taken over a shrine. And not only may the PCs want to clear it out, but one of the individuals interred there certainly wants it out of their space.

Watch where you step.

Download me here

 

Paying a Visit to the Temple of the Black Oracle: Revisiting a Tim Shorts Map

Tim recently shared out his "Temple of the Black Oracle" via his Patreon (Well, a year ago recently...) and I decided to put my own spin on the map, because that's what I do now and then.

It looked like a good space, and I stuck with the name, as it gave inspiration for who or what the oracle could be...

So after some scribbling in the margins, I cobbled it together as a one-page adventure. Good for generic Old-school play with a few low-level PCs. Bring your earplugs.

Download Me Here

And watch out for the toad.

Source

Just got my games approved for Dragonflight 45, a couple each of Shadowdark and OSE. So looking forward to rolling with folks both new and known.

Ok, now to try to get some sleep with the freedom exploding in the neighborhood while cuddling an unhappy greyhound.

They Met at a Tavern 10 and Mini-Review: The Tragic Curse of Grimhill Fort for Shadowdark

So I ran a "They Met at a Tavern" pick-up game on Sunday through Meetup, but had a fleet of no-shows. Except the Shorter Half and my coworker Chris (better known as Frederick the currently-smoldering thief). But the ethos is to run for who shows. I was going to run The Howler, and had converted all the critters and challenges to Shadowdark (so I was a bit miffed at the spent effort - save it for later). 

But with two PCs (A Sea Wolf and a Warlock), something lighter might be suitable. Besides, both had already run through that adventure.

So I grabbed The Tragic Curse of Grimhill Fort by Reverse Ettin Games out of my folder to run. I'm not going to do a recap, other than to say that they got their asses handed to them a couple of times, and I flexed challenges a bit to avoid a mini-TPK. So first off - have more than two PCs. And perhaps a silver weapon or two, in case the ones in the adventure aren't found before they are needed...

Spoilers ahead.

Campaign Journal: Rapture of the Deep

A lot went on - gotta get it recorded before my notes become more confused... 

Who's aboard? 

• Jax - Barbarian
• Fulvus - Halfling
• Slick - Thief
• Rondel - Elf
• Frederick - tardy Thief

So, first things first - we needed to resolve some carousing outcomes from last session.

A few dice rolls, and Jax was determined to have pulled off a small heist (200gp item).

Frederick busted up one of the better joints in town, got blacklisted, and paid several hundred gp damages.

Slick didn't get off the hook, either. As the party headed to the dock for departure to the dwarven isles, a shadow passed overhead, and the party was confronted by knight (and squire) on a flying carpet. Benedikt Silberbauer was insistent on satisfaction regarding the duel challenged the evening before.

"Gerhard! My dueling swords!" No level-draining sword for Slick... Honor must be claimed in a duel to scars! 

Fine. Slick squared up, went invisible, and whispered into Benedikt's ear, "But I am not honorable," ducking below the knight's swing. Visible again, he squared up, and the two went at it, evenly matched. Back and forth, until Benedikt slashed Slick's face, and honor was satisfied. Until next time! Honor is preserved, and we will share a drink! And away he flew.

Slick has a scar to show off to Serafina the next time they meet.

Slick every morning in the mirror

Debts paid, the party sailed on. Spotting a hulk afloat, they investigated, rustling up a few wraiths. Henry C was in good communication with Garond, and the three spirits were driven from their haunt. A chest of goodies was found.

Onward to the isles. They were escorted in by a dwarven galley. Arriving in the dwarves' "Sub pen" docks, a delegation met them, announcing that the lenses were complete, with one to spare. Escorted to the depths of the isle, into the crushing heat of the island's core...

To the demon's lair. The demon oversaw the loading of the lenses into crates for transport.

"Ah! Back in time. My best work, if I say so myself! And, with this, my contract to you is done. You won't see me again. Unless you deserve to..." (Rondel asked the demon's name from a dwarf, writing it down for later reference...).

With that, the demon sank into the lava, the pool cooling and solidifying behind him.

Encounter Area - Lost and Found in the Woods

Well, as I do sometimes when we go out to one of our local watering holes, I take my notebook, and perhaps a couple of blank maps to scribble ideas on. After all, sometimes the muse is right beneath the surface...

Anyway, printed this out and thought it might make a good spot for a small encounter, maybe a rescue, maybe a fight...

Source

Let's see. Maybe gnolls? They could be keeping watch, take cover in the ruins and tower, fight smart. They'll have captives in the north room. And they haven't found the secret room, but there will be a scary undead there.

Hey. Waitaminute....

https://leicestersramble.blogspot.com/2023/05/returning-to-campaign.html

Damnit...

'Course, I never wrote it down, and couldn't find the particulars in my original notes, so ginned up a reasonable facsimile. 

FINE.

That's what a few years of one-shots and campaign gets you, I guess. 

A Manor, Lost and Found...

Campaign Journal: Wherein Goober Almost Dies

Who's riding with Serafina Rissanen to meet with Victor Matui and his faction of worshippers of "Old Khador" at his keep?

• Slick (And Dukan Dildran)
• Frederick
• Jax (And Goober)

Might want to stand back, in case the religious discussion gets heated.

Serafina was greeted with, understandably, distrust and some hostility, as her zealots were among the parties who persecuted the Keepers of Light, Green Star, and others of the old orders after the original fall of the western lands and resulting upheavals.

But her approach with humility and explanation of her escape from Acroria under duress won over a few of the old campaigners. Discussion soon led to questions and much animated pointing to lines of text in various holy books and requisite religious armwaving.

The party sat back and tried not to nod off.

Just in time before Slick started to either 1) snore and drool, or 2) go steal shit, an alarm from the tower went up. "Something's botherin' Momma!"

That was a curious phrase.

Well, one of the original occupants of the keep tower was a giant eagle. Victor had made the choice to wait for her to fledge her chicks prior to evicting her. Which turned out to be fortunate, as the eagle rehomed to a large tree not far from the keep and "Momma" now acts as an impromptu sentry to things moving about in the area. 

Slick offered to ride out to see what was amiss. 

Could it be Chaos troops with Damned Horses? Of course it was Chaos troops with Damned Horses. 

YeeHaw!

June RPG Blog Carnival: Magic Shops

This month's blog carnival is sponsored by Advantage on Arcana and appropriately themed, "Magic Shops and Their Alternatives."

Well, I'd better hop on board before I lose my muse for another several months...

...with the important question: "Why own, when you can rent?"

***

HEY! HEY! HEY! C'mon down to Lucky Eddy's Magic Rentals! 

(On the corner of Rivenbell Road and Langmug Lane - look for the wacky waving wyvern!)

Why buy, when you can RENT?!?

No need to buy an overpriced item from those sketchy elves down the street or that shop run by the bald dude on the river! Especially if you only need it for this quest or mission! Who needs a pack full of unused magical tinker? YOU DON'T!

Lucky Eddy is here to help you lighten that load and set you up for SUCCEESSSS!! No more hauling three swords, "just in case!" We'll get you kitted out and back from that dungeon before the tavern closes!!!

REASONABLE RATES! By the Day, Week, or Month! (Some Exclusions Apply)*

Source

They Met at a Tavern 9: It Fell From the Sky

Time for another Meetup session at the brewery. This time, I took the leap of actually using a pre-written adventure. In this case, Thom Wilson's "It Fell From the Sky" written for Shadowdark. I have a few of Thom's products, and a what appeared to be a low-level homage to Expedition to the Barrier Peaks sounded like fun. Spoilers ahead, of course.

We had four players:

• Brandon (Dwarf Fighter - Jordan Ironhelm)
• Tom (Half-Orc Wizard - Dakklud)
• Brian (Elf Priest - Anin)
• Seana (Human Fighter - Akiina)

Off to a good start. The premise of the adventure is that the PCs are venturing to the settlement of Fregundle to take part in the "Beggening," an annual humiliation by the local lord, Underduke Ivok. 

Thankfully, the event is cancelled by the crash of an alien spaceship into the middle of town. We determined by rolls that Anin was a native of the area, and knew some local lore and personalities. As the remainder of the party waded through the muck surrounding the ship, Anin retrieved a few aids and poultices from a local healer's cabin (she had perished from shock at the crash of the ship).

The remainder of the party was set upon by an apparent zombie, which they slayed. With this, Ironhelm cast a grapple to the ship, and all ascended, finding a breach in its hull. 

They were able to access the interior, finding it quiet. A dead alien was the only witness. Some poking around and mishaps with invisible force fields blocking accessways, and it was found that alien body parts were needed to open doors. Dead alien hand on a stick.

Odd technologies were investigated, and a sneaky alien was defeated. More dead aliens were found. Now everyone had their own alien hand. 

Down into the heart of the ship. They party circumnavigated around the ship's outer corridor, investigating cargo holds and scrounging as all good adventurers do. They were able to collect a few curiosities and valuables from their investigations and property damage. Including several silver ingots. This was certainly better than the Beggening. 

May RPG Blog Carnival Late Entry: Oaths - The Beguine/Beghard Class for OSE and Shadowdark

Ok, here we are on May 32, and I'm right on time to contribute to the month's Blog Carnival. This time hosted by Tabletop Curiosity Cabinet and themed, "Oaths." So let me share a small introduction to a historic religious community, as well as a player class (OSE and Shadowdark) inspired by them:

The beguines (and their male counterparts, the beghards) were religious lay-communities most active during the 13th - 16th centuries. While not formally monastic in nature, the members typically took vows, most commonly chastity, as well as of charity and religious devotion. Members were also able to quit the role, and return to secular life. 

The communities were typically self-supporting, with their members taking part in cottage industries. These beguinages could be as small as a shared house up to a walled compound. Larger examples contained shops, hospitals, breweries, and cloth mills.

Because many of the beguines came from middle- or upper-class backgrounds, many were literate and wrote treatises and poetry reflecting their faith and the visions that they experienced during contemplation and prayer. This mysticism was a common theme among the communities, as well as the idea of sharing these "visions" through religious or secular texts. Because these publications were outside the orthodoxy and independent of Church doctrine, they were often criticized or suppressed, with the most egregious example being the burning at the stake of Marguerite Porete as a relapsed heretic by the Inquisition.

After all, there is nothing more frightening than a financially independent, literate woman interpreting religious dogma.

Campaign Journal: Why is it Always the Spiders?

(5/18)

The party stands in the cold, stomping their feet by the doors of a nondescript warehouse. We see:

• Jax
• Rondel
• Frederick
• Slick

Magnus Stonewill greets them and loads six casket-sized crates onto the party's wagon. They provide him with the pilfered "crystal ball" taken from Ejnar Winther.

(Wait, if it's fake, what does it really do? Better check the oracle. 45: "Becomes exceedingly dense until it weighs approximately 256 tons." Well then...)

Anyway - west-southwest to an area known as the Barrowlands. No reason. The party overnighted, with no complications. The manikins were activated, and none malfunctioned or failed to act as night guards. So far so good. 

An extended family of goblins was encountered, fleeing more Chaos and avoiding the roads. They were bedraggled, with gaunt wolves pulling travois. Jax shot them a deer while the rest of the party pointed them south to find Queen Adra and her community along the shore of Cobalt Lake. Rough map and fresh provisions in hand, the sad group continued on.

Oh look, a tomb:

thanks Dyson

How convenient. The party entered, interspersed with their new toys. They found a doomed explorer near the entrance. Ah, an auspicious sign. Onward. Broken doors on their right revealed five empty sarcophagi. A few bits of treasure were scattered about, and collected. The southern door was spiked, and the party returned to the main corridor. Entering the first room on the left, they were set upon by three undead knights. 

Surprise!

Henry C's turn attempt failed, and the fight was on. Everyone rolled like crap for a while, undead and party alike. Finally, the party made some progress... Tittering was heard in the corridors. And Rondel and Henry were slowed. A glimpse of eight reflecting eyes, then gone. More chaos, sounds of babbling, and part of the party, as well as most of the manikins, were webbed. Dammit. A magic missile hit Henry. More alien tittering. DAMMIT. 

The Lair of the Pale Toads

Last week, we were introduced to the Pale Toads. To expand on our new friends, they needed a lair, and a bit of a story as to why they have suddenly appeared along the edge of civilization, curious and adventuresome. 

AI Trigger Warning.

The Toads tire of lingering in their dim places, and, curious about those who explore their lands, seek to reach out and make contact. But in that vein, they need a leader to inspire them, and teachers to prepare them to interact with the outlanders.

Fortunately, our little community within the lair has both, and the Toads are ready to seek new lands and new allies. The old Queen seeks a greater calling and legacy for her folk. The priests commune with and teach of the great toad who brought them up. And instructors teach worthy toads the arts they will need to survive in the greater world and the rough language of the foreigners so that they may communicate.

This "adventure" is written more as a settlement or village, with its personalities and resources, than a "lair" to be murderhoboed. YMMV. 

The map was provided by Jean-Claude ''Raznag'' Tremblay. I've used one of his maps before, and have several more in the files awaiting the correct inspiration.

Anyway, welcome to the Lair of the Pale Toads. Try the swamp-beer.

Update: Got called out for the AI art, so I'll address it here, rather than getting into multiple discussions elsewhere. Yes, the Toad images are AI. I happened to find them whimsical and inspiring enough as prompts to write up a couple of posts worth of content. Because I write for fun, after all. This isn't a commercial or professional endeavor. I don't have delusions of adequacy when it comes to my writing. I just put it out there to keep my brain active, and perhaps someone will use a piece of mine at their table one day. And much of what I write here (eleven years of posts, 100+ adventures or scenarios, plus myriad other content) is found inspiration: A good map-space, a piece of history, a photo of an artefact, a scene in a book. But the writing is mine. 

Ironically, I didn't even "create" the Toads' art, but lifted it from Pale Toad's YouTube posts.  

Will I use AI art in the future? Likely not. It doesn't fit the esthetic of my writing and imagined game-space. And AI is considered anathema in plenty of creative spaces. Anyway, I'd rather hunt down an appropriate bit of Hannes Bok or piece of medieval marginalia to illustrate my little adventures or scenarios. The images I use on my posts are attributed to their sources, and anything that I do put up on DTRPG or similar is typically illustrated by either public domain art or purchased art from human creators. 

So, if for some reason this is the first time you've stumbled on my blog, I apologize if AI is your first impression. Feel free to peruse the nearly 650 posts that aren't AI content.

New Class and Ancestry: The Pale Toad

Trying to catch up on the creative work, drafts upon drafts. Certain other obstacles need to be overcome via other means.

Decoy computer, working computer 

So. The Pale Toads. Where did they come from?

Well, this channel came across my YooToob feed, offered by the inscrutable algorithms. OR because I listen to quite a bit of ambient or synthwave while working. Anyway, the channel's namesake AI-produced adventurer-toads needed a bit of a story, or at least to be statted up for some possible play.

Friendly little guy

Over the last seasons, the Pale Toads have arrived from unnamed swamplands and dank caverns, their skin pale from the dim lands that they tread. Their antediluvian eyes reflect wisdom and stoicism. They are curious for knowledge, to perhaps offer trade, or to join in an adventure. The Toads' outward waddling, awkward appearance vanishes with a powerful lunge or silent disappearance into the water.

Campaign Journal Catchup 2: Sneaking and Scrying

(4/13)

Oh look, the gang is prepping for another heist:

• Jax
• Rondel
• Frederick
• Slick

Time for intelligence - gathering. 

Some quick questioning of Solange - she confided that the "doll" had been secured by a third party, but that she or her contacts had no direct information on who may have tipped off Stonewill. Even though allegiances were fluid, the various guilds in town recognized that they had better odds coexisting, so direct conflict or betrayal was not in their best interests. That said: Ejnar Winther is a powerful member of the Merchants Guild. A half-elf by heritage, who keeps his skills and talents close to the vest. I'm sure a break-in will be a trivial affair...

Easy enough. Party members reconnoitered the half-elf's somewhat ostentatious residence - a converted temple, formerly of the Temple of Combris, a deity of merchants and messengers. An informant notified the party that Winther and other guild members were gathering for an emergency meeting that evening. 

Was the party going in through the sewers again? Nah. Wouldn't want to stink up the carpets. 

Rondel did some invisible flying about and spotted a rooftop hatch on the building's tower. Good enough. Nightfall, and well, there was a lot of overly-complicated sneaking, climbing, flying, and manipulation of various spheres of invisibility and silence to reach the roof of the temple. I won't belabor the sequences. We've all watched (or taken part in) a party taking 30 minutes to breach a door.

Artist's rendition of the suspects...

Finally, the roof. Slick inspected the hatch, noticing a rune or two. Best leave it be. Down the side of the building to a less securely-trapped window. More shuffling and sequencing. 

Down through a couple of chambers, converted from the building's religious past. The party did some major filching in Winther's office, avoiding a trapped bookcase and clearing out his petty cash.

No apparent scrying device, though. Down we go to the main level. 

It's dark, too dark. Dammit.

FOOM, and light! And Winther with two of his guild compatriots sitting and waiting for the party. Took you long enough. We're famished. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres, perhaps?

Campaign Journal Catchup: An Invitation to Dinner

Been remiss on my campaign journal summaries - Between other obligation and distractions, took a couple of weeks off to visit the hinterlands and take care of my property back there: 

Slick would touch it.

(3/30)

We return to our scene within the Smoking Isles with: 

• Jax
• Rondel
• Frederick
• Slick
• Fulvus

The party continued their discussions with the priests and Librarians of Athenard. The Library Paladins compared intelligent swords with Jax. Slick stole a mitre from one of the priests and got called out by a Librarian Paladin and her particularly-talented sword as he invisibly crept from the ship. 

Ok, we're just going to get into trouble here. Let's go to Chirath and get into trouble there, instead.

Across the Maranan Sea to a dock in the fishing/warehouse/general thievery part of town.

source

Disembarking, and a quick visit to Eddy's Fish, where the code phrase got them into the basement meeting hall of the Hidden Hand Tavern. Guild thief Solange appeared, notified by a silent signal. What news since we've been gone?

Well, a few troop ships have gone down/missing while crossing from Athnard, leading to the loss of additional reinforcements and increased concern. The city's library has collected a few rare books through trade from the Khanate's mobile libraries in the north. A patrol of elven rangers departed to seek out an old brass dragon rumored to live in the mountains. Word of more raids and depopulated settlements have filtered along the trade roads.

The party considered these things. In the meantime, Fulvus connected with a crew of halflings who agreed to take his growing collection of taxidermied heads to Neuforde, and to pass along some messages to allies and acquaintances.

Well, what now?

The D66 Table Test Dungeon: The Bowl of Gunnfried for Shadowdark

So I have written a number of D66 tables as a creative exercise. A few were themed on dungeon contents, and the final of these included, “things to get, things stopping you, and dungeon decorations.” So, since a couple of friends had put these tables to use, I figured that I should roll the dice and put it to the test, myself. 

"Bowl, roper, incense burners/braziers."

OK then. Let's do this. 

Grab a Dyson map. This one will do...

source

Hmm. Ok, why not put a boss monster in the first room? ...

So here it is - The Bowl of Gunnfried - crafted up for Shadowdarky delvings. Estimated in the 3rd+ level of challenge, as long as there are a few magic weapons in the mix. Knowing PCs, they'll just dogpile every challenge....

This is the first time I've written specifically for the Shadowdark format - critter stats, etc. so critique is welcome.

source

The Village of Caershire

Another populating of a small Dyson settlement, with its cast of characters and local open secret as to the land's productivity and protections...

original

My words here:

It took a lot longer to craft this simple writing exercise than it should have. It's been that way for a while - distracted, not able to complete these little projects. The brain is as cluttered as my desk, I suppose. A lot going on that makes it difficult to compartmentalize and get into some sort of zone. Oh well. Several other half-finished scribblings await - sentence fragments and placeholders awaiting inspiration.

D66 False Crystal Balls

No, I couldn't leave well enough, or half-assed alone. I needed to expand yesterday's list to D66. 

Jareth, again...

So, expanded, bigger, better, and with more balls! 

D66 FALSE Crystal Balls

11: Flashes as Chromatic Orb equivalent, random level effect.
12: Viewer goes into catatonic trance.
13: Becomes permanently stuck to hand.
14: Just shows embarrassing childhood moments.
15: Projects false prophesies.
16: SPIDERS (Causes hallucinations).
21: Causes nightmares.
22: Shiny, mundane.
23: Makes a nice kaleidoscope, casts pretty patterns on walls.
24: Creates a black void to peer into.
25: Causes manic episodes.
26: Causes obsession with the ball.
31: Projects image of viewer to another, real magic ball.
32: It's a mimic, because why not?
33: Becomes very hot. Temperature rises to approx. 1,400° C. Burns through anything it can melt through.
34: Ball begins to replicate, doubling in number every minute until room filled (or 2¹⁶ balls, whichever comes first).
35: Attracts swarms of rats.
36: Explodes, treat as fireball.
41: Big flash! Causes permanent blindness to anyone in room.
42: It's haunted.
43: Begins to emit noxious smoke, continues until the draperies and carpets are ruined.
44: Spontaneously extrudes 18-inch long spikes.
45: Becomes exceedingly dense until it weighs approximately 256 tons.
46: Expands into a Rover, user born off to an undisclosed location.
51: Loudly proclaims, “I can't believe you thought this was a crystal ball!” in a mocking voice for an hour.
52: Transforms into a Magic 8-Ball.
53: Transforms user into a crystalline statue.
54: Rickrolls.
55: Floats to ceiling, bumps around annoyingly, avoids attempts to capture.
56: Floats to ceiling, transforms into disco ball.
61: Teleports viewer to random location within 200 mile radius.
62: Teleports viewer to pocket dimension for safekeeping.
63: Transforms into a lime green D30.
64: Leaps from viewer's hand, giggling, rolls under furniture, avoids attempts to capture.
65: Becomes a luminous, yellow-green cat's eye. Viewer can't shake the feeling that it is surrounded by a near-invisible, spectral cat.
66: Transforms into small black hole. Consumes approximately one cubic mile of matter before imploding.

(May require appropriate saving throw or remove curse/similar to negate effect)

Download here, if you must.

I'm ponderin' my orbs!