Publishing Supplies Deal

Calling all those home publishers and zine creators! Great cardstock deal in coming. 

I ran out of white cardstock over the weekend. The Staples and Walmart here average about $15 for one ream of white cardstock.  I found this offer for three reams of white cardstock for under $18. If in need of a cover for your adventure or zine you'll be stocked up. 

And for transparency purposes, this is an affiliate link. I'm trying to establish something for Whisk when she gets her YouTube going and I thought it would be a good place to put deals I find on-line when shopping for publishing supplies. I am always on the hunt for a good bargain. 

If a bargain on cardstock gets you excited, please click the link and let me know what you plan on making with it!

NPC Card#4 Brax

I asked my patrons what they wanted to see next, and a resounding response of three or four folks said NPC cards! Who am I to argue? So Brax was born.

Brax is an NPC I had hovering in the background of the Angry Priest Inn. I don't think anyone had an encounter with him. He's a not so reliable henchmen for hire. He's not a bad fighter, sturdy and willing, for the most part. His loyalty is to acquiring things, not people. If paid well he'll stick around, but even still, if offered the chance to scoop his hand into the party's treasure chest he would not hesitate. Brax is a master at justifying his shitty behavior. 

The entire picture of Brax didn't come together until I found this piece from Luigi Castellani. That's when the cool details that his armor is made of old tankard bottoms, his anti-spider ties and his gorgeous mustache. Meet Brax of the Blue Pants.

As far as GM advice with Brax...because he's been banished by the dwarves, any dwarf in the party would see his sheared beard and know he is a criminal. Brax himself is likely to stay away from parties with dwarves. He believes they are untrustworthy race who betrays their own. Nevermind all the stuff he did.

If Brax is hired on, he doesn't complain and in general, do what he's told. But if left alone with valuables around, he'll take what he thinks he can get away with.

As far as spiders go, he's out. Even little ones terrify him. Screams like a little girl and runs. Even if someone talks about spiders he gets paranoid and he'll swat at his legs thinking spiders are crawling on him.

I hope you guys can find a place for Brax somewhere in your game. I think he's a fun NPC to have around.

Click any Brax on this post and you will be non-magically teleported to my Patreon if you would like a copy of the PDF.

Drowning in the Sound of Gore Crows

Quick recap.

+Rob Conley was the loremaster
+Chris C.  was Ferin, dwarf warrior
Me was Enoch, human scholar who can;t fight out of a wet paper bag...that's torn.

After a six week hiatus and some memory jogging. We found ourselves docked by a ruin. Gore crows roosted outside in trees and gallow weed protected the various entrances. We tracked the two missing dwarves to here.

Sneak. Sneak. Sneak.

I hear a bell.

Fail save.

Cannonball into a yucky water pool.

Ferin dives in after me.

I drownededed.

I get better.

Creepy ruin.

Smells like ass.

Look at ground and find tracks.

Follow. Follow.

Pretty archway.

Fenric gets dwarven chubby. Possibility of wine.

Door stuck.

Fenrin cannonballs the door.

BOOM!

Find dwarves.

We run out.

Marsh man scratching balls attacks.

Run!

Fenric hits.

I smack marsh man.

Dead marsh man.

RUN!

Noises from other halls.

Two dwarves very...I mean VERY slow.

RUN!

Three marsh men not scratching balls attack.

RUN.

At pool.

One dwarf safe.

Dwarf I tried to save not safe.

Fenrin emerges from pool, hammer explodes march man head.

SWIM.

We escape.

Return to Laketown.

PARTY!

100sp!

Gloin happy!

Level 2!

End of session.

Brother Adelmo Pushes Farther in the Wasteland of Gath and Find a Dandylion

Kerg offered a gift of a ring, a ring with shields beautifully rendered in the metal. He asked me to take. I did so. He felt it was a burden because he'd acquired it using his skill in his past life. I soothed his worry and told him the Great Imbiber does not judge those who use their skills to carry on their story. He rejoices in it. With this burden lifted from Kerg's shoulders we followed the weird little Chaka boy to a tin hut.

Blazoned in the sky was a sign. A woman of indeterminate attractiveness prompted everything was going to be okay, 15 miles ahead. That was good to know. We continued on while Kerg was still deciding in his head if she was attractive.

As we approached the tin hut a wastelander, two people in one. A large lolling headed, giant man with a smaller man protruding out of his stomach. Gruesome, slobbering, barely intelligible, what horrible stories they could tell. I wished to hear one. The big one wielded a machete so I kept a respectful distance. And who knows how many more were inside.

He, they, were angry that I'd scared the Chaka boy. I asked for forgiveness. That was not my intent. It was then I saw a charming little girl, her face bore a cleft lip and she carried a doll that matched the likeness of the undetermined attractiveness of the female on the sign. She whispered to her doll and to my delight a purple hue washed over the girl.

I offered wine to share a story. They seemed confused by the offer, but like most wild creatures and offering of primal sustenance would be accepted cautiously. They accepted and told me of their god Dagon, that he was the true and only god. Then sent the girl to fetch the wine.

When she approached she looked frightened. I asked her if she was wanted to come with me. She nodded. I offered the two-man two bottles of wine, I figured one for each of its mouths, for the little girl. They accepted.

Dandlion and her doll she loves so much, walked away from the tin shack. It seemed appropriate we go to this place where everything was okay. I am out of wine, but have picked up two companions on the way. We are going to go where it is okay. Maybe there I can find more wine, more stories, add to our stories. Allow my companions to sleep. Both look very tired.

WAR FROGS are Calling

War Frogs! Okay. I really like these guys. They are nasty. Imagine living in a swampland. Horses and dogs are not effective in the soft and watery environment. Imagine a species of frog that is intelligent, can blend into the environment making it nearly invisible, navigate difficult terrain as easily as using a road and the ability to attack unwary victims with an acid attack. Yeah, the war frogs are calling. 

I introduce a faction of Northmen that lived in the swampy areas in the Komor Forest called the Myr Folk. They bred these frogs to act as guards, much like city folk use dogs. But better. 

The party comes across an old Northman fort, damaged, but still intact. The acid from the war frogs has caused most of the damage. But this isn't just a fort, it was once a temple to Arom, slayer of the great poison god. Within the fort is what remains of his spear.

GM ADVICE

Approaching the fort should set the tone. Low level fog creeping around the players ankles, the dark walls of the fort looming over head, the air full of the buzzing of large insects and a cacophony of frog song. Each step in the swamp should stir a creature to move or hiss out a warning. I'd add in a few large snakes that slip in and out of view using the swamps vegetation as concealment. A large ripple disturbs the black water's surface distorting the reflection of the moon.

Use the war frogs full tactical ability. Use their camouflage to get surprise attacks, use their ability to climb sheer walls to keep out of melee range, have them spit their acid, and don't be afraid of the frogs focusing on one character at a time. These frogs were bred to fight and kill. They have had the instinct of fear removed. They attack until killed. 

Capturing young war frogs, I'd allow that 1d3 would survive, and training them as a faithful pet adds a cool addition to a party. Hell, as GM, I'd even allow a halfling to use one as a steed. I think players would enjoy the oddity of it. A war frog is very useful, but not over powering. It has a decent amount of hit points, but one solid hit can take them out.

The artifact has no magical abilities, but it is a significant object in Northmen culture. However, the deadly poison is still potent and kills on contact. The players might figure out how to use this to their advantage. Of course they will. However, even using a gloved hand or some sort of barrier makes it still extremely dangerous to work with. I'd give a +2 to saves if someone with a protective bearer grabs the spear. A failure still result in death. But if they figure out a way to weaponize it you can minimize the power by saying that now the wood is exposed to the air once again it begins to decay quickly. 

This adventure in a way is about balancing something cool. Frogs or poisoned artifacts. Both have very useful qualities, but still need to no overpower the game. So using this adventure a GM might want to come up with their own solutions before the players get their hands on them, but also not punish them for being inventive.

I've included the War Frogs PDF a map for the GM and one for the players. I hope you can find a place for this in your campaign or maybe a fun encounter in a night of random gaming. 

Thanks and enjoy!

A Terrible Thing Happened to Amos

Man, the Komor Forest has claimed another life. This place is dangerous. Poor Amos.

I'm heading right into the GM Advice section because this kind of adventure is something I put on the top shelf of my GMing techniques. Develop a peripheral NPC, one the party interacts with minimally or maybe strikes up a friendship. Have the NPC come and go a couple of times. Build a pattern. Then drop this adventure on them. 

While you can use this adventure as a straight shot, it is more effective and meaningful to play the 'long con' on the players. Get them at least minimally motivated. You'll know when you have them if after you tell the party that Amos hasn't shown for his usual drop off times, maybe Amos was bringing one of the players a gift, and they go hunting for him without asking how much or what's in it for them. A friend is in trouble. So they act.

Developing NPC relationship is something of a skill, especially in longer campaigns. And when I wrote this adventure I was thinking of it as an adventure in an on-going campaign, not so much a one-shot. There is something satisfying about getting a party of adventurers to act unselfishly. To come to the aid of a friend or a village or family without wondering how it will increase their power. An act that develops their character, to maintain that relationship that is important to them. If you can do that, you are a hell of a GM.

I took a different point of view with the map and used muted colors. I wanted to portray a 'spookier' atmosphere. I imagine the the area around the cavern, quiet. Maybe a mysterious noise of some unseen creature in the distance. The worn markers look like gravestones, but are nothing more than ancient road markers. A dark cavern with glistening wet walls. The water drops falling from the overhanging stalactites, occasionally one of the freezing drops catches a character on the neck. 

Then the fall, as piercers silently drop. One after the other. A rain of deadly stone. Quiet except for the whimpering and cries of those who remain alive. The water continues to drip and the cavern's silence, indifferent.

I do hope you enjoy the adventure and find a place for it in your game. Please let me know what you think if you have the time. Good or bad. I've got thick skin so if you have a complaint or suggestion please let me know. Feedback is welcome here. Always will be.

Thank you to my great patrons. I say this a lot, but you guys and gals make this fun. 

Who Wants Some Fun Mail?

Who wants some fun mail? I finished printing my micro-adventures and guess what? I've got a few extras. If you are interested in checking out what I make for my patrons, comment below and email me your address at elder_sensa(at)yahoo(dot)com. 

There is no obligation. Maybe you just want something cool in the mail. Something free. The adventures, locations and NPCs I offer on my patreon are free on PDF. Oh, and I'll ship them internationally also. 

It has been a good month for my Patreon. It is sitting on the edge of the $200 mark. Once I hit $200 I will get original art for my adventures. I really, really, really would like to  hit that goal. I LOVE getting original art for my adventures. 

I want to shout out my new patrons who joined me in June.

Craig Dunham has returned.

Daniel Norton increased his pledge.

Jim Lewis made his presence known!

Allan Bray, or as we call him here Barry Allen, raised his pledge.

Craig Janssen joined the fun.

And Gordon Cranford.

Without patrons like these and those that have come before, I couldn't offer these monthly giveaways. Thanks to the new patrons and the crusty old ones. 

There is some interesting projects coming in the next few months. I spoke to one of my fellow gamers and we are going to work on a fantasy/horror investigation adventure. And a few adventures I've been working on have finally come to fruition. I love writing these things. 

Thanks guys. I appreciate the support. Comment below and grab some swag!

Space Herpes or For the Love of Tiffany

A couple of days after bringing 'The Tusk' to Millwall Station and going immediately into 7500 credit debt as the ship is repaired, Max and I took another job. Oh yeah, and this scientist joined us, a Dr. Cole. He reminded me of my parents. He had the walk and speech pattern of someone from academia, but lacked their sense of superior judgement based on second hand knowledge and no real world experience to back it up. So I liked him. 

Dr. Scrot asked us to investigate a space station orbiting the planet Invictus. It sent out a distress signal, but the station's computers had no luck gathering information because of interference. What little they did discover was the name of the space station, the Precuneus. A scientific, experimentation station studying the effect of zero gravity on bio masses.  A Dr. Boshavic is in charge. 

Now that wouldn't be strange, except the Precuneus is supposed to be 75 light years away. 

Millwall Station loaned us a scout ship, Rosa, and off we went to investigate the displaced space station. On the way to our destination, Dr. Cole took the time to explain what his process was for selecting a teacher's assistant. The man had a plethora of attractive, female students to chose from. I admire his dedication. 

Upon reaching orbit along side the Precuneus, it was obvious it was in trouble. A strange shaped asteroid attached itself to the hull. None of us had any clue what it was. Dr. Cole surmised that is was an alien spaceship and because the aliens had the intelligence for space travel, that they were friendly, and should be regarded as such. So upon on meeting them we were to assume as much. See comment about about judgement based on second hand knowledge and no real world experience.

We entered the station and Dr. Cole managed to get one of the computers to give a run down of this operation. He found more details about the experiments. It included a variety of creatures, one that bothered him the most was the gorilla. He regaled us with stories of how when gorillas and monkeys attack they go for the face, fingers and to his ultimate horror, the genitals. I can't say I was too pleased to hear that little factoid. 

I messed around with the computer and managed to bring up the personal files. Seventy-five on staff. Dr. Cole took a liking to one of the scientists, Tiffany Fields, a comely scientist who likes working out, pina coladas and walks in the rain. 

From the lower decks we heard knocking.

Down we went. As we exited the lift we saw feet sticking out from beneath a desk. Max and I took the lead, Dr. Cole stayed behind in his day glow space suit. We found a Johnathan, his neck, leg and arm was broken. Dead. And nearby was this fleshy mass with several soft, leathery eggs on top (space herpes!) that had hatched. I always get nervous when I see a broken egg. Nothing good ever comes out of those things.  

Within the wall that bisected the room, was a door with a hand scanner. I picked up Johnathan and drug him over to the door to use his hand. Just as the door swished open, I heard cries from Max and Dr. Cole not to open the door. Whoops.

A thick scent of  azane or ammonia rolled out. It was accompanied by what I can only describe as a thick fog. A form appeared in the fog, another scientist, this one was walking, but his eyes were glazed with a pus white color. On his head were a stacked, pulsating group of eggs the size of grapes. He reached out for me and I shot him with my trusty laser pistol. Dropped him with one shot. It was then I considered maybe if we removed the eggs the scientist would return.

Max rushed over and said there were more in the room. I pushed the button to close the door and the dead man's feet were stuck in the open door. Open. Close. Open. Close. Then defaulted to open as another man stepped out of the rolling fog. Meet Bob. 

Max shot some of the eggs on his head. I tried to imitate this, but my aim was a bit off. Bob lunged at Max, eyes pus colored as the other, and fell forward on his face. I took the opportunity to clear more of the eggs off his head. My aim was off again. 

I killed Bob.

Small alien like creatures popped into the air, made a screeching sound and then hit the floor. I'm assuming they were dead. 

I was in mid-sentence apologizing to headless Bob when Tiffany Fields walked through the door. Somewhere Dr. Cole had gotten a fire ax, but his arms were visibly shaking from the effort of holding it. Tiffany went after Dr. Cole, eggs again, stacked on her head. 

Dr. Cole managed to get her back toward Max and I. I lassoed her with my rope. Yes, I carry a rope in space. This is my rope. There are many like it, but this one is mine. Max shaved a batch of eggs of her head with an expert shot. I wound the rope around her tighter and we managed to get all the eggs off and her eyes returned to normal. There was hope. I looked over at headless Bob and felt a little guilty.

Max turned on the ventilation system and the ammonia fog cleared and we entered the back half of the laboratory. We found where the asteroid connected with the station. It looked like a natural cavern. No sound. No light. We decided to enter.

End session. 

Credits

GM..................... +matt jackson 

Max............................ +Greg C 

Dr. Cole....... +Christian Walker 

Nikola.................................. Me

Bob......................................Bob

Tiffany................ Zienia Merton