Campaign Chronicles

Normally, this would be the type of thing that makes it into an " Odds and Ends " post but since I have neither enough " Odds " nor " Ends " to make one, here we go... For the  eating contest my playes participated in, I determined the results of the contest with a series of Constitution checks, adding up the results as I went. Any contestant who failed would either get sick, choke, or pass out and would then be eliminated. The second contest was an event they were meant to observe and  judge . And that's fine because it is relatively safe to say that Competive Eating rarely comes into play in most D&D, or any other game, campaigns. But what if it did? What if a player wanted his character to make his living by traveling from town to town, engaging in eating contests as a way of life? What if the summer camp they are attending is having a competition against the fancier, more-upscale camp on the other side of the lake and you have to rally an ecl...

Note: This adventure is based on the "Banquet of the Damned" and "Winter's Crest" modules for 5e. It has been adapted for edition and level. 21 Frostkolt 348 AC Grotto thanks the dragon. "That was great! I have never thought that I would ride a dragon!" Grotto looks to Raven and smiles! "Looks like some fun to be had at the fest! Let's deliver these treats! We can get a good meal and settle in to take in the merriment. Besides, don't we have a pie-eating contest to judge?" Raven groans, "I suppose we do. Well, let's get this over with. I would like to get back to Silvanost as soon as possible." A dozen or more stalls line the main (and only) road through Womford. Vendors selling scented wreaths, steamed ciders, roasted chestnuts, candles, cloth dolls stuffed with dried beans, all kinds of things scented with cinnamon, fir, myrrh, and frankincense, fur hats and gloves, and a wide variety of foods. Hawkers call out, adve...

Note: This adventure is based on the "Gingerbread and Dragons" module for 5e. It has been adapted for edition and level. 21 Frostkolt 348 AC The two adventurers receive directions to Nonna's and set out to climb the trail leading up the mountain. Grotto remarks that the giant maggots he fought were certainly tougher than the ones they faced in Carla's cabin and that it is possible they have yet to discover the true source of the troubles Womford faces. Raven nods, "The pair I fought were also more formidable. Perhaps they need a host to grow in?" After a few minutes of walking, he adds, "Everytime I have had to deal with this Faerie nonsense, it has always turned out to be more convoluted than it ought to be." The pair trudges onward, following the road as it winds back and forth up the mountain slope. As they climb, they begin encountering patches of snow and ice. After about three hours (and Grotto estimates 3,000 feet of elevation), the snow i...

21 thru 30 Frostkolt 348 AC As the reality that those deemed “less than” or “other” are not even permitted to dwell within the city dawns upon the black-robed elf, a quiet fury builds within him. Ra’ziir, upon this realization, turns on a heel back in the direction from whence he came. “It seems that w e have found a true Utopia, first priest of Malazzar. How the god of progress must delight…” The Eldritch Knight’s ire seeks a home in the nearest target, not because it is warranted necessarily, more because it is accessible. “Like crumbs swept beneath a rug, they deny the existence of those they deem unworthy… and think themselves “noble . ” Ra’ziir stalks off into the night, a black-robed figure disappearing into the darkness. Elves out celebrating the holiday instinctively part, allowing him to pass unimpeded. Confused looks from the partyers follow in his wake. Mothers even pull small children out of his path, so palpable is his ire. Kysek utilizes what he has learned from Rave...

My kids were watching the D&D cartoon today. On my last watch, I really wasn't paying a lot of attention but today, there was an episode that really stood out. Spoiler Alert for an episode of a TV show that first aired 41 years ago. If you haven't yet seen Episode 17 of the Dungeons and Dragons cartoon, go watch it before reading any further. Everyone else, read on! In this episode, a band of orcs make repeated attempts to raid a village of Ewoks, err.., I mean Cloud Bears on behalf of Venger in an attempt to capture the kids and their magical weapons. First, the orcs employed what was essentially a giant-axe version of a battering ram. They pulled back, released, the axe's cutting blade would chop the tree a bit before repeating the process. This attempt was fouled by the kids dumping bowls of fruit onto the orcs from above. Attempt #2 had the orcs launching ballista bolts with long ropes tied to them up into the trees. The orcs then began climbing the ropes toward ...

Note: This adventure is based on the "Banquet of Death" module for 5e. It has been adapted for edition and level. 21 Frostkolt 348 AC "Definitely looks like the house of a forest witch! Let's scout out the grounds before knocking on the door. Maybe we can see in a window if there is anyone home. Keep you eyes open for traps. Hopefully there are none and she just relied on those elves to chase away folk," Grotto hisses under his breath. Raven nods, "I'm more concerned about all of these rats. Keep your eyes peeled. Nala, bark if anyone tries to sneak up on us." The pair splits up with Grotto going one way and Raven, the other. Moving slowly and carefully, they circle the house. Rats scurry and scramble out of their paths and within a minute, both reach the door at the front. Raven draws Nightwatcher with one hand and reaches for the door handle with the other. He throws the door open amd rushes inside, moving out of the way to leave Grotto room to...

Note: This adventure is based on the "Banquet of Death" module for 5e. It has been adapted for edition and level. 21 Frostkolt 348 AC Grotto sees the arrows flying at Raven. "Well this isn't going as planned!" Grotto tries to signal to Raven that he is going to subdue those shooting at him. He leaves the road on on its north side, heading toward the rocky cliff where the three elves are shooting at Raven. He reaches the bottom of the escarpment and follows it along its base. The ground gradually rises beneath his feet as the base of the cliff curves away from the road. On the cliff above Raven, a lone elf sees the trio of archers firing at something below him and leans out over the edge. Upon seeing Raven climbing toward him, he falls back slightly. Grabbing a long branch cut specifically for this purpose, he drives it into a narrow cleft in the rock and begins to pry. His efforts send a dead fall of rocks and  trees over the ledge to rain down on Raven. The c...

21 thru 30 Frostkolt 348 AC As Arthur and Agnes stroll through the city, he tells her about himself as well the celebrations in Lankmar, "We have the Day of Masks where we dress up in costumes with feasts, dances, and storytelling; Vermin Day commemorates Lankhmar's victory in the War of the Rats, and  every New Moon, the people of my city leave offerings at the Black Temple to appease the Gods  IN  Lankhmar, which are not the same as the gods  OF  Lankmar." Agnes' brow furrows, "What is the difference?" "The gods  OF  Lankmar are a group of thirteen powerful undead who emerge from their temple to defend the city in times of need. The gods  IN  Lankhmar are deities who have believers living in the city," Arthur explains. He continues, "And there is always some sort of celebration in our Festival District - when my world was young, the Lords of Necessity decreed that the gods of Nehwon would be 'as numerous as the grains of sand on a beach...

I was searching through old posts today, looking up what now seem like ancient and long-forgotten details about an event that took place twelve years ago in my play-by-post campaign and stumbled across an article about level limits in AD&D. This concept has largely been abandoned over the intervening decades since the creation of Dungeons & Dragons with 5e essentially capping out at 20th level for everyone but it got me to thinking about the story my players are currently engaged in. In earlier editions of the game, it was commonly accepted that the time of elves and dwarves, et al has passed with them reaching their "maximum potential" somewhere between 8th and 11th level. Humanity is the mover and shaker of the world now but it seems to me, and always has, that an elf with a lifespan of hundreds of years is going to amass more experience and have more time to hone his skills than any human.  The same can be said for dwarves and gnomes who also can expect to live to...

21 thru 30 Frostkolt 348 AC The end of year celebration takes place over the course of several days, starting on the evening of the Winter Solstice and running through the end of the calendar year. Gifts are exchanged between family and friends, music - some lively and modern, other tunes obviously traditional with roots in religious hymns, abounds. The scent of sage hangs heavily in the air as the herb to drive off negativity and open pathways for positive energy to enter. There are races in the street for children (and adults). Snow and ice carving take center stage on the third and fourth days of the celebration. Cedron observes the elves' festivities, and a spark of curiosity flickers in the human. He decides to go explore the mid winter celebration first hand. Using Akivasha's blindfold to alter his features and commanding his chain shirt to take on the appearance of the local garb, the minstrel-priest makes his way casually into the streets to immerse himself in the cit...

Note: This adventure is based on the "Banquet of Death" module for 5e. It has been adapted for edition and level. 21 Frostkolt 348 AC Grotto tells Raven what just happened. After, gathering all of the weapons he threw, he recasts "Inflict Serious Wounds" into his spell-storing axe. Grotto and Raven both check on Dakara. Grotto asks, "Would me and my friend here be able to do an exorcism? I think I can handle the lead but you said two priest were required." She shakes her head, "No. Both priests must be ordained. If you can capture these possessed elves, I will help them." The dwarf nods and turns to check on Mortimer who is asleep and resting quietly. "It's settled then. Let's put an end to this," Raven crouches to scratch the white dog behind its ears. "Lead the way, Nala." Dog, elf, and dwarf take off, leaving the harvest temple and racing into the woods. "I informed Lord Harrick about the cursed pies, so th...

Note: This adventure is based on the "Banquet of Death" module for 5e. It has been adapted for edition and level. 21 Frostkolt 348 AC "Will Nala take me to her master," Raven asks. Nala wags her tail. "Yes." And with that, the two are off. The white-furred hound leads the elf into the woods, miles passing beneath their feet. Finally, the dog slows. The stench of rotting flesh hangs heavy in the air. Raven's hand drifts slowly to Nightwatcher's hilt. "Nala, stay," is all he says before approaching the body. The half-eaten corpse of a man lies on the side of the trail. Judging from his advanced state of decomposition, he’s been there for nearly a tenday. Dozens of maggots are drilling through his body. When Raven approaches, two of them grow to the size of a small bear. Raven's sword is out in a flash. The maggots rear up, tiny forelimbs raking the air and serrated mouth parts click-clacking as they spread out in an attempt to catc...