Will I ever return to my life in Castle Brackenwold? I fear I may have made a mistake in creating the Shankwold Scholars. Now I dream of a peaceful day in an empty tavern, smoking my pipe and reading an old book. Instead of this mess. This chaos of fungi and stones and faerie that is Dolmenwood...
Concluding Chapter 1 of Dolmenwood, following on from the The Search for Stones. Brackenwold Nights follows the breggle Clover trying to solve the problems of others.
Dolmenwood solo - intro | ch 1, stones (part1, part 2) | all season 3 | all rolling solo
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Starting with Dolmenwood
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Adding to previous thoughts.
Dolmenwood is working well, with all the procedures for encounters, getting lost, finding food, camping. And tables for rumours, fungi and the like.
I've been playing with a few house rules, cos that's all part of Old School play. Some are...
- XP as per Deeds of Exploration, but with every two hexes explored to get a Deed.
- Falling to HP 0 is just unconscious, with less than 0 being 0 hit points but bleeding out (as per variant rule under Combat in DBP)
- Chance of stats going up (stolen from John of Tale of the Manticore) when a character levels. Roll a d6 for each stat, on a 6 it goes up (max of 18)
- . Max hitpoints at level 1, re-roll 1s on hp rolls after Level 1.
- Allow a "Dash" in combat. So move 2 x move but no other action. Found that normal combat rules fine for dungeons, but good to have more movement option in wilderness setting.
Solo Tools - Tarot and Custom Tables
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Following on from Solo Tools notes.
Still using Chaos Solo Engine and occasional tarot cards.
Published some more Dolmenwood Tables for using in solo or other games. I make custom tables for lots of games when playing them solo.
Drew tarot cards for Crewwin - Major Arcana 6 (Lovers) and Reversed Knave of Staves - Romance, partnership, recklessness, aggressiveness (prove love to a breggle longhorn, will take huge risks to do so)
Brackenwold Nights 1 - The Stones of Sister Emelda
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Following on from Chapter 1, part 1.
The viewpoint character is Clover Shankwold, breggle bard. At this moment, party are...
- Clover Shankwold, N breggle bard 2
- Sister Emelda Swinney, N human friar 2
- Brother Roose Bookbinder, N human cleric 1
- Squire Crewwin Pellicorn, N breggle knight 1
- Henrik Dunwallow, L human townsfolk (weaver, zealot)
Journal and Musings of Clover
Squire Crewwin has been confiding to me. We can talk in our tongue here and none will understand. He seeks to prove his worth so that he can win the heart of a longhorn. Either with great deeds or a great valuable gift. I suggested some love poetry, but he had no patience for that.
25th of Iggwyld. Everyone had a good sleep and there was an amazing breakfast waiting for us under the arch. Bless the Breggle Saint!
A harrowing day if truth be told. We happened upon centaurs roasting meat, quite likely that of people. They hailed us and one ran our way. A human rose from near to them, shouting in anger and shooting at them. He was chased after by the other centaurs while our one turned hostile.
Sister Emelda was injured by an arrow, before Henrick blinded the centaur with a spell. Squire Crewwin finished the beast with his lance. He wanted to pursue the others, but I overrode him. The human was dead and we would be if we followed them. We retreated into the forest, carrying Sister Emelda with us.
We reached Fog Lake after following the river, camping on the shore.
26th of Iggwyld. I grew up tending to bees, so was confused to be woken up by the sound of angry buzzing in the night. If they were bees, they would be huge ones. We didn't investigate, just moved camp and slept on.
Sister Emelda was well enough in the morning to walk. We left Lake on the Cave Path and made good time. A cat-headed grimalkin bard on the road challenged me to a musical duel, which I handily won. Dandy told us of a ruined shrine to the west, which Sister Emelda hopes to investigate tomorrow.
We pushed onto the Roost Inn, where I sung for our supper and lodging. My fame is spreading! I sung of the Breggle Saint, we made merry, and there was talk of faeries in Prigwort and evil magic in Castle Brackenwold. Then a longhorn noble entered, smelling of sweat and blood, and killing the atmosphere dead.
He had heard of me too, but I don't recall him.
Will I ever return to my life in Castle Brackenwold? I fear I may have made a mistake in creating the Shankwold Scholars. Now I dream of a peaceful day in an empty tavern, smoking my pipe and reading an old book. Instead of this mess. This chaos of fungi and stones and faerie that is Dolmenwood...
27th of Iggwyld. Now there's a cat faerie haunting us!
We returned down yesterday's trail and searched for an old shrine. We found a strange sight instead. A sailing ship was beached on a mossy knoll. Sister Emelda confirmed that this type of craft was used to cross seas. Dandy the grimalkin hailed us from within. She invited us in and told us her dream was to return the ship to the realm of Faerie. An interesting conundrum for a future day.
We found the shrine of Saint Wort, and we made a vow to restore it. Well, the others did. I'll be happy never to see it again.
A merry evening was spent in the ship of Dandy, the Winter's Bride. Brother Roose opened up a bit, and I saw a smile for the first time.
28th of Iggwyld. We walked a long day, and made it back to peace and security in Castle Brackenwold.
29th of Iggwyld. Henrik's former associates from Dreg have been in my city! Asking questions about us and talking to Berrild. She gave me an earful about that. Their leader is a brute called Adred, second in command of Brother Hogbeard. Happily we've yet to meet them.
We spent time in the Wounded Wyrm, planning and resting a while. We've going to take it slow to Prigwort and the stone beyond. Squire Crewwin was excited by the Duke's Tourney this summer, and Sister Emelda told of the Bishop's hatred for the Drune.
30th of Iggwyld. After a cheap breakfast we made good time to the Henchgate, a living gate from ages long past. Sister Emelda was excited by a fungi she found, shanksroot or something similar.
Stopped for the night at the Refuge of St Keye, last monastery in Dolmenwood. Few pilgrims but many travellers top here. Sadly the Abbot told Sister Elelda of another stone in nearby, that only exists for a few months.
1st of Chysting. I promised Sister Emelda we could visit this "seasonal stone" on the way back from Prigwort. One stupid stone at a time please!
We reached Prigwort and had a quick look around, before heading on to camp beside the road. They'll be time to explore on our return trip.
2nd of Chysting. We had a visitor during the night. An elf wanderer, Candle-Bent-Sideways. She told us she'd passed a camp a little back along the road from ours, with a pair of humans and some dogs. Possible trouble.
She sat with us during our watches, and told a long joke that had taken her five years to tell. None of us got it. As the first elf I've met properly, I'm happy to wait a while before meeting the second.
And so the evils of Dolmenwood strike again. Several carnivorous owls attacked us, and we drove them off, but at a great cost. Henrik fell, drained of his blood, and two of our number were cursed by them. I bade them drink owl blood, as I know a song that speaks thus. Squire Crewwin did so, but Brother Roose refused. Our elven acquaintance fled into the forest.
After burying Henrik and giving him a fitting ceremony, we passed near the ruined Abbey of St Clewyd. If anywhere has lore of the Breggle Saint, it could be in there...
3rd of Chysting. We found a wall of white flame today, not mentioned in the directions Sister Emelda has. We wondered lost, following rivers and camping hungry here in the woods.
4th of Chysting. Today was spent finding food, and Sister Emelda found us some edible roots to last a couple of days.
5th of Chysting. Brother Roose told us about huge boars he heard during the night. He's been acting strange since the stirge-owls, so it's hard to tell where his reality ends and fantasy begins.
According to Sister Emelda's directions we're near her next stone. We're feeling something bad in the air, and I've warned that only one of us should go to look at the stone to start with.
Curse these stones! My plan was ignored and it was I who was entranced by the stone. I came out of the trance to find my companions had dragged me clear. Four hours had passed, and Brother Roose had departed us to pray for aid.
We made it back to Prigwort after a long day's march, to sleep on the cheapest floor we could find.
Brother Roose is an unfortunate fellow. He lost his family in tragedy out west, then found himself again in his faith. Now he's come to Dolmenwood, found a smile again but possibly lost his mind and life. May the Breggle Saint guide his path!
6th of Chysting. I sold the ring the generous Lord Malbleat gave me and we spent a fine day at Raptappen's Quadrant, a most fine establishment. We heard some tales about Drune and a fine bakery in the forest.
I talked to Sister Emelda about the gold she owes me, the fees for Shankwold Scholars. She doesn't have the money, nor is she likely to any time soon. We instead agreed she would help me on the next problem of the Scholars, and call the debt done. I warned there would be no detours to find stones, unless they happened to be on our path.
I'm planning on staying in Castle Brackenwold for the rest of the year, so there should be no stones at all!
7th of Chysting. We left Prigwort early and Sister Emelda found more fungi as we travelled. She is quite different to the priests of Castle Brackenwold.
We met a woodgrue this afternoon, near a smelly hill. She was injured by bandits, she said and Sister Emelda healed her wounds. Now Undermap has attached herself to us, and chatters away.
It was another cursed stone, of course. I wisely stayed back, but the others are strangely affected. Sister Emelda revealed to me she is the chosen of God, Squire Crewwin says bad things of the Duke, and the woodgrue insists that we can't see her.
We had a pleasant evening around the fire, Undermap and I playing music under the stars.
8th of Chysting. I was rudely awoken again at night. This time by ants the size of donkeys running past us in the night. They were fleeing a pair of women with glowing eyes, who started to approach. We fled too, leaving our bedrolls and fire behind.
We returned to the Horse-Eye Road and accompanied a pair of breggle knights. They are on a pilgrimage to Lankshorn and provided good conversation. One gave me tips on how to lose a woodgrue.
Our second time at the Refuge of St Keye was pleasant. Undermap stayed outside in a tree, but Sister Emelda attracted attention, telling how she would be made a Saint for uncovering the mysteries of the stones of Dolmenwood.
9th of Chysting. We returned to my glorious city. I am back now at the Wounded Wyrm. Squire Crewwin is giving Undermap a tour, and will hopefully lose her in the streets.
Sister Emelda and I have been talking over our travels so far, and considering what might be the next problem for Shankwold Scholars.
Something not in the boughs of Dolmenwood, I think...
And so Shankwold Scholars has now established itself. We are a friend to the church, Sister Emelda mapped seven stones and there were two more martyrs lost to Dolmenwood. No invitation has yet arrived from Lord Malbleat, but I'll be happy never to enter those woods again. Time to search through tales and books for more on the Breggle Saint.
Interlude
Taking a break for a month or so before starting with Chapter 2. Possible next problems (and next Chapter) for Shankwold Scholars are...
- Investigating fate of Clover's parents in Mulchgrove
- Finding evidence of the Breggle Saint
- Getting the ship Winter's Bride back to Faerie
- Looking into the triptych near Lankshorn
Characters of Shankwold Scholars
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Clover Shankwold
A tall breggle with long floppy ears , russet fur and wearing tweed. Often smoking a pipe from a drooling mouth. He is always solving problems for friends. Prefers to stay in Castle Brackenwold to roaming Dolmenwood.
Neutral breggle male beekeeper, Level 3 Bard. Seeks to recover ancient breggle lore. Warbling speech, 148 lbs, 6'3", 23 years.
STR 7 (-1), INT 12 WIS 14 (+1) DEX 13 (+1), CON 12, CHA 13(+1), HP 11, AC 14, Speed 40, XP 3575
Abilities - Counter Charm, Enchantment (3/day, 6 lvls, mortals), Horns (d4), Fur, Languages (Caprice, Gaffe, Woldish), Skills (decipher document 3-6, legerdemain 5-6, listen 6, monster lore 6)
Equipped Items - shortbow & arrows (2), leather armour (1), 17 gp, 8 sp
Stowed Items - backpack - twine, oil flask, sack, marbles, flute (1), cherry wood pipe (1), tinderbox, waterskin, shortsword, pipeleaf - shaggy pony (1), witch's shag (3).
Sister Emelda Swinney
A brooding human in a nun's habit, with large ears and many pimples. From outside the Duchy, she has mapped several stones in Dolmenwood and plans to map many more. Has agreed to aid Clover on next problem of Shankwold Scholars, to pay off a debt. Believes she will become a Saint by solving the mysteries of the stones of Dolmenwood.
Neutral human female cobbler, Level 3 Friar, 5'7", 136 lbs, 31 years, Believes prayer redeems evil deeds
STR 9, INT 14 (+1) WIS 13 (+1) DEX 8 (-1), CON 10, CHA 10, HP 10, AC 11, Speed 40, XP 3931
Abilities - Armour of Faith (+2), Culinary Implements, Decisiveness, Herbalism, Holy Magic (2 x 1st, 1 x 2nd), Languages (Liturgic, Sylvan, Woldish), Leadership, Poverty, Skills (Survival 5-6 when foraging), Spirited, Turn Undead
Equipped Items - sling and 20 stones, ladle, dagger, 1 sp
Stowed Items - backpack (rope, old note from mother to return soon, silver pendent of St. Pastery, cooking pot, map marking 7 stones of Dolmenwood, portion of arrowhame)
Crewwin Pellicorn
A young breggle squire who serves House Ramius and keen to prove himself. He is often reckless and aggressive, seeks the hand of a breggle longhorn. Believes Duke is a devil.
Neutral breggle male blacksmith, Level 1 Knight, black glossy fur, buckteeth
STR 12, INT 9 WIS 7 (-1) DEX 10, CON 10, CHA 14 (+1), HP 8, AC 14, Speed 20, XP 2135
Abilities - Chivalric Code, Fur, Horns (d4), Horsemanship, Languages (Caprice, Gaffe, Woldish) Mounted Combat, Strength of Will
Equipped Items - chainmail (2), shield (1), mace (1), lance (2), 1 gp, 9 sp
Stowed Items - backpack- tinderbox, bloodstained jester's hat, lantern, rope, crowbar, clay pipe, barley blend (20)
Undermap
A woodgrue. Currently under a delusion that she is always invisible. Wears a long, ragged cape
Neutral woodgrue female wizard's servant, Level 1 Magician, wide-eyed innocence, seeks to marry a goblin merchant, believes crows are spies from fairy, knock-kneed
STR 12, INT 9 WIS 7 (-1) DEX 10, CON 10, CHA 14 (+1), HP 8, AC 14, Speed 20, XP 300
Abilities - Detect Magic, Languages (Sylvan, Woldish)
Equipped Items - Pipe made of beetle shell (1), 5 gp
Stowed Items - backpack- oil flask, 20 marbles, spellbook (crystal resonance, floating disk, vapour of dream), shovel, 5 torches
Threads and Extras
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Threads
- Investigate death of parents 2 years ago in Mulchgrove (Clover)
- Find proof of breggle saint
- Return to Smoke Shop with money - enchanted pipe (Clover, Crewwin)
- Find out more about the Drune and way to strike at them (Emelda, Crewwin)
- Await invite at Redwraith Manor for Clover to entertain Lord Malbleat ☑☑☑☑☐
- Solve mystery of the Tryptich. Might show Drune
- Face trouble planned by Brother Hogbeard
- Help Dandy return the ship Winter's Bride to Faerie.
- Restore lost shrine of Wort (Emelda, Crewwin)
- Choose next challenge for the Shankwold Scholars.
Extras
- Berrild Crumwaller, breggle sister of Clover, last living close relative, married to a human
- Bethla Shankhollow, f longhorn noble, favoured by Lord Malbleat. Interested in Clover, serves Lord Ramius, has own agenda
- Brother Hogbeard, friar of Dreg, several vigilantes, seek to bring "justice" to the village
- Brother Roose Bookbinder, N human cleric 2, lost family and refound faith. Last seen going into forest to pray, losing mind to stirge-owl disease
- Dandy, grimalkin bard, has lair in a beached ship in forest. The Winter's Bride.
- Drerdl Forlocke, breggle cleric, friend of Clover who introduces him and Sister Emelda.
- Friends of Clover - based at a nearby tavern. Wounded Wyrm Meadhall.
- Lillibeth, human f, con artist / charlatan, friend of Clover, travels a lot, plays instruments, changeable.
- Lord Malbleat - cruel breggle longhorn noble, favours clover to play and entertain
- Megwynne Marrowbold - Pipeleaf vendor, enthusiastic
- Samwise Fraggleton - human from Castle Brackenwold, guided Clover to Golokstone. Hobbitlike. Trades in dogs
Lost and Fallen
- Sister Moss (human f cleric 1), killed at night by a turnip-root monster.
- Henrick Dunwallow (human m townsfolk), killed and blood drained by stirge-owls.
- Brother Roose Bookbinder (human m cleric 2), last seen going into forest to pray, losing mind to stirge-owl disease
Finishing Up
Hmm, enjoyed that and has also added to understanding Dolmenwood for our group game. Will return for more Clover and co soonish.
