rollplay – Page 2 – Rollplay Sidekick

Rolling Word Play – 34

Creating Roleplay ideas based on randomly generated words. Here’s today’s selection. Discover more about Tipping Cavailer, Feeling Jackets and People Brother.

Tipping Cavailer
Although they don’t always get great press, cavaliers are the classic ‘knight in shining armour’, or in other words, escorts in armour. Most are mercenary, happy to be bought or sold to the highest bidder, whilst some become indispensable to one particular patron and are bought out for life. The cavalier has loyalty to the one that pays them but beyond that must keep an eye out for potential custom and maintain an impressive reputation. While there is no doubt some truth behind patrons tipping cavaliers for extra favours, there is a famous case of Sir Basil the Cavalier who tipped not only rich folk with goblets of wine that he hoped would patronize him, but also gave money to town criers and king’s subjects to say favourable things about his deeds and stature. Sir Basil is likely in great debt by the time the adventurers enter his domain. A chance then to try and rescue Sir Basil’s faultering career by accomplishing some impressive deeds. As a reward? Well, he knows where all the best parties are in town.

Feeling Jackets
This one is a bit of a caper. As the temparature drops and the weather worsens, giant snow critters have awoken from their swampy island and invaded the mainland. The town is riddled with these creatures, which look like flying wind chimes. When they bite their prey, they take blood and inject an ice-cold fluid into their victim’s veins. If the creature manages to stagger away, they must quickly warm their bodies up or risk freezing on the spot and being stabbed by a second snow critter which will fill them with tiny eggs. After that it is a matter of hours before they become the host for a new generation of snow critters. If your adventurers are unlucky enough to find themselves in such a town in wintertime, expect rescuing missions and lots of hot drinks. How can the snow critters be stopped or prevented from feeding on the townsfolk?

People Brother
In the town of Ricaroto, they have perhaps the most surprising guardian. A troll youngling was discovered outside the town in the grasslands before the forest proper. The young couple who found her didn’t have the heart to kill her seeing only desperate hunger in her eyes. Away from prying eyes they fed it meat and berries until it was able to use its own limbs. By that time they had already named her Dew Eyes and couldn’t bare to let her go. It caused much alarm when at first it was discovered by friends on a house visit. Word got around but the couple stubbornly kept her. After much debate, the council did not banish their child troll from the town. However, many were very weary of her and the troll was kept at home for all but occasional trips. At the present time, Dew Eyes is a young but nearly fully grown troll and believes herself to be a person. She came into her own when a band of orcs raided the town. They were not expecting a troll and she defended her foster parents’ territory as if her life depended on it.

Rolling Word Play – 33

Creating Roleplay ideas based on randomly generated words. Here’s today’s selection. Discover more about Recollect Intolerant Vandalism, Creator Beginning Anymore and Chain Wrestle.

Recollect Intolerant Vandalism
The ashes of the Dwarven King Krasta the Great were scattered some 70 years ago by the Elven Prince, Velsor when they vase containing the ashes shattered. Since he succeeded his father as King, the Dwarves have stopped trading with Velsor’s kingdom completely. This rift between the two nations is stopping trade for both kingdoms and is threatening to turn into a full-blown war.

Was Velsor really to blame for this ‘terrible crime’ or was there another power at work that ensured the ashes were scattered? Can peace be brokered between these kingdoms?

Creator Beginning Anymore
A large area called ‘The Divide’ is a growing phenomenon where both land and sea are swallowed up into a gaping hole into which nothing returns. Many say the Gods forgot this land or that an argument between two deities has created a wilderness that has festered over time. Can the adventurers stop the ever-growing Divide before an epic disaster ensues? Will the clues lead them to resolving the situation? Will they perhaps get divine intervention of their own as a third God acts as their guide?

Chain Wrestle
Three criminals or fighters defeated in battle are brought to the mountain kingdom of the Dwarves to be punished. The three criminals are bound together with long chains. In the arena, the ground gives way leaving a deep ravine below, and just three circular platforms beneath these fighters’ feet joined by narrow pathways. The criminals must fight but in doing so, they seal their own fate. Only if one can hang on will their chains be cut, allowing the others to fall to their doom.

Rolling Word Play – 32

Creating Roleplay ideas based on randomly generated words. Here’s today’s selection. Discover more about Rewarded Glares, Blankly Gaps and Exacts Thumbs.

Rewarded Glares
The slumlike city of Beren is heavy with criminal fraternities; so much so that freelancing specialists offer their entrepreneurial services such as lock picking and explosives to many different gangs. Every spring, there is a deadly but highly lucrative tournament for aspiring young criminals, which involves combat, traps and picking locks faster than the other competitors. They find these contestants by roaming the streets looking for untried talent. ‘The Jury’ are the seasoned criminals who not only judge the performance of the tournament’s contestants but walks the streets looking for the next batch. Any boy or girl who is not yet in a fraternity is a potential target and can range from 12-18 years old. If one of them stares back at a Jurer when they are walking by, this is ‘rewarded’ with automatic inclusion for the next tournament where they compete against other children and ambitious fraternity juniors. Are your adventurers young enough to enter? Will they be attempting to rescue or train one of the contestants before it is too late to save them?

Blankly Gaps
Edreda is a bustling city of over 200,000 citizens with a maze of street markets and is also home to the summer palaces of the monarchy. There is always news with such a sprawling population and with the kingdom always contesting borders with its neighbours. But recently odd things are being reported. Thefts have been completely unexplained, including walking sticks which were being used at the time and food which had just literally been taken out of the oven. Messages have even appeared on the street in flower petals, although no-one remembers seeing a street artist at work.

What is going on? Are these strange moments connected? How are the perpetrators doing this and who are they? Will these instances escalate and will the instigators attempt more than petty crime? If the adventurers get involved, they will certainly have offers from wll-to-do citizens asking for their help. But they might also be at risk of being robbed themselves.

What is going on? Well, one theory is that a bored princess is stuck in the summer palace all day but has a time-stopping device, allowing her a few moments each day to express herself in the city. Another theory is that a young sorcerer is flexing their magical muscle and seeing what they can get away with. But it really is up to you.

Exacts Thumbs
Filius Athaston was a much maligned head of the Merchants Guild. Was, because yesterday evening he was found dead at a merchant’s banquet. The death happened suddenly and it is strongly suspected that the pie he was eating was poisoned. His neighbour at the table heard him comment at the poor presentation of the dish and moments later he had collapsed. Examining the pie, there was an opening at the top of a pie and a thumb print left on the pie’s crust. There is definitely a need for assistance here, and respected adventurers would be welcomed into the Merchants Guild, which is often out of bounds to outsiders.

Who committed this crime?

Those who investigate will discover a criminal syndicate masquerading as chefs for the sole purpose of turning the trade tide in the favour of their patron. Lord Avelan Brusquely has ties to pirates and his stock of spices was being undermined by Filius Athaston’s own supplies which were given priority when entering the port. The adventurers can expect some tough fights and some interrogation tactics before uncovering the truth.

Rolling Word Play – 31

Creating Roleplay ideas based on randomly generated words. Here’s today’s selection. Discover more about Snow Plaster Redouble Surface Shopping, Factored Landowner and Satisfy Feeling.

Snow Plaster Redouble Surface Shopping
The snow shelves of Arenos are perfect platforms for the bird people to set up stalls to sell their wares. At the height of winter, these stalls can stack on top of each other to over 50 high. The largest are used to sell transport or are social spaces, while others sell meats, pelts and tools. If your adventurers visit here, how will they get around? What items, wise minds or criminals might lurk within the snow shelves?

Factored Landowner
The island of Ivinex has a very shrewd ruler known by many as the Purse Keeper. He has a small school of Conjuration Wizards who have enchanted the land and its subjects in such a way that for any exchange of wares and money that takes place, the Purse Keeper gets his cut. Within his grand palace there is a large warehouse and a treasury that is constantly being filled with his share of the transactions. Many are tired of this but know that the Conjuration Wizards have them in a bind and will route out any illegal attempts to trade. There are adventures to be had here in the wild parts of the island as well as jobs for hire-swords in the towns, and with rewards (minus the Purse Keeper’s share). There is also a chance to topple the ruler, if they dare. Will the adventurers risk taking on the Conjuration Wizards? Is there a way into the palace that avoids a full-scale battle? What percentage of the transactions does the ruler get to keep?

Satisfy Feeling
The Swirling Pools oasis is an exotic, luxurious city state, where any business or land owner is rich thanks to the attraction of the naturally bubbling hot springs. They have been lovingly carved into pools and every home that has been carved into the rocky cliffs is at a premium. But be it the hot air or the rich power on display, something about Swirling Pools has an effect on those that visit there. Any craving or desire they have is very hard not to act on. While many are happy to relax, they can do for hours on end. But for others, the seeds of jealousy, love, lust or addiction can germinate very quickly. This is probably why the murder rate among inhabitants and tourists is so high and why the parties are so colourful! If the adventurers go here, they will need to have their wits about them. Otherwise it may be a case of what happens in Swirling Pools, stays in Swirling Pools!

Rolling Word Play – 30

Creating Roleplay ideas based on randomly generated words. Here’s today’s selection. Discover more about Voice Bulge, Senator Fetches Turtles and Fireworks Outsted Global Jogging.

Voice Bulge
A numbers of thefts have been reported in one city, with the watch very keen to catch the criminals. But as things develop, a gang war is brewing between two of the criminal factions and seemingly unrelated, a popular singing sensation is letting down his adoring fans. If the adventurers investigate further, they will discover that Dano Dew’s brilliant singing can manipulate and unlock doors. Clues are a plenty, including a pleasant humming sound being heard by witnesses before a robbery took place and the gang wars are to do with who gets access to ‘DD’s incredible talents. It seems that he is over his head, but can the adventurers assist him, or has Dano Dew sealed his own fate?

Senator Fetches Turtles
One ambitious politician takes his orders from another being outside of his political party. Sean Vlarn seeks to gain favour through worshipping an Old One; an ancient god. But in return this deity wishes Sean to make sacrifices. Instead or murdering his fellow citizens, he raids an animal sanctuary, bringing back many baby turtles in the hope that their sacrifice will suffice. To do this, he hired two humans to help move and sacrifice the turtles, promising them riches if they keep their mouths shut. But as the sacrifices begin, they start to lose their minds. As the players come into this adventure, a dangerous tension in the air of something evil and powerful stirring. But what will be the result of Sean’s efforts? Did his turtle sacrifices work, or was he forced to kill something bigger? Will a door open between worlds, or will the Old One’s powers be given to Sean and his followers?

Fireworks Ousted Global Jogging
The gentlemen’s shoes. This is a brand of magical black leather shoes that contain bright runes on its soles. Created by a renowned magician-inventor as a marketing gimmick, it contains basic instructions to help teach the wearer how to behave in public. When sitting, if the wearer places one leg over the other, it will suddenly become twice as heavy and force the wearer to keep both feet on the ground. If the user’s walk is with feet pointing to the sides, it will give out a blast of air to affect the user’s balance until they adjust to keeping the feet pointing straight ahead. If the user moves fast enough to have both feet off the ground at once (for example a run or a skip) then the shoes will create small fireworks that bang and pop all around the user until they slow down.

Rolling Word Play – 29

Creating Roleplay ideas based on randomly generated words. Here’s today’s selection. Discover more about Slumped Hotels, Decades Trek and Duchess Cycling.

Slumped Hotels
The Culis is a hotel and tavern that sits over a wide chasm on the edge of the Maddening Wastes. There is no bottom in sight; just the chilling blackness below. And yet, the hotel attracts many visitors, particularly the brave and foolhardy adventuring types who are travelling into the unknown, and those who are looking to strike a bargain for strange artefacts. Quirks of the Culis include weird dreams, odd tales and even stranger travellers. The bar can only be reached by walking over single planks of wood and the rooms are often at odd angles and yet the building seems to hold together somehow.

Decades Trek
Moremir Dunes is a very long, thin bar of sand that stretches for tens if not hundreds of miles. It is buffeted on either side by howling winds and unforgiving waves, so much so, that travelling by air and sea is futile. Nobody knows the distance the dunes go on for, or if they are intact. That is because very few make it all the way across and by the time they do, their news is already old. Despite this, many do try to cross them and start a new life for themselves. There is civilization on both sides, but no regular communication or trade because the distance is too great. There are many tales as to the condition of the dunes, the safest places to bed down for the night and also what monsters to be weary of. What reason would adventurers have for crossing the Moremir Dunes? Are they perhaps trying to escape something, or is there someone that needs rescuing, or capturing?

Duchess Cycling
The Rainbow Duchess wanted to stand out and be difference from her royal siblings. The King and Queen of Osonbrok are well known, as is Cyralda’s argument with her father, the king. She was banished from the royal palaces of the capital and sent to the provincial town of Brioson until such a time as she had redeemed herself. Rather than meekly behave and be a respectable ruler of Brioson, she decided to rebel in her own way. She discovered an arcane blacksmith in Brioson and persuaded him to create a one-of-its-kind bicycle. At great expense and great ingenuity on the blacksmith’s part, the bicycle could create a rainbow trail on the ground as it ran. It could even fly temporarily. Delighted with this, Cyralda had a basket installed and started giving out sweets to the bewildered but delighted residents of Brioson. She soon got her nickname The Rainbow Duchess and is yet to return to the capital.

Rolling Word Play – 9

Creating Roleplay ideas based on randomly generated words. Here’s today’s selection. Discover more about Detect Cattle, Trap Brains and Snake Tilt.

Detect Cattle
A farmer’s cattle have all disappeared from his ranch/farmstead. A few individuals have been found wondering outside the area, and seem completely bewildered. A plant known as Cow Slip was used to entice the cows towards Tipper’s Dyke. This local patch of wilderness looks oddly darker than the surroundings and objects that have fallen into the dyke have disappeared from view.

The dyke contains a wild portal going to another plane. But where does it lead, and who deliberately enticed the cows there?

Trap Brains
A trap that contains a pit full of detached brains. They are able to survive on a liquid solution and have grown large root-like cords to continue to drink and circulate this life-giving brine. The living body of a creature that falls into the pit will be attacked by the other brains who will attempt to squeeze into an hole they can find and usurp the creature’s own brain.

Snake Tilt
A bridge not only provides a way across difficult terrain, it also provides a singular point of travel, which is useful if you want to stop others trespassing. The Snake Tilt Bridge connects two rocky ledges that sit above a stream of magma and is designed in a colourful, attractive way to look like a snake. For those who understand its meaning, it is a deterrent. A perceptive creature will see a slit in the far side of the bridge that indicates it is not connected to the far ledge. Only the first half of the bridge is supported underneath. A party that goes across will get to the centre without any trouble, but as soon as enough of them move past the middle, the bridge will become unbalanced and tilt into the magma stream below.

Rolling Word Play – 5

Creating Roleplay ideas based on randomly generated words. Here’s today’s selection. Discover more about the Scalding Regret, Flimsy Bite and Hissing Health.

Scalding Regret
A natural ingredient placed in a stew to deter or punish deal breakers. A powerful shaman needs adventurers to complete a quest, is happy to pay and give them provisions, but asks them to drink a stew with him to honour this task. The drink is partly made of swamp weed only found in that area. It dries and grows hot outside of its own environment. When eaten, it remains in the body for 3 days. If the party venture out of the swamp area within those 3 days they will suffer horrific burns internally. They will need clerical or shamanic healing to prevent further damage.

Flimsy Bite
A potential quest. A giant eel has been sighted in the lake where the natives of the area like to fish. There hasn’t been one seen for many generations and they are afraid to go back into the waters. Any adventurers who take on this task will find the eel is harmless to the beings as it only eating small plankton-like creatures. If they follow it down into the waters, they will discover a clutch of eel eggs. If they attempt to harm or move it or its eggs, it will attempt to defend itself. The party must make the moral decision how to bring peace in the lake.

Hissing Health
There are ways to survive the jungle of Barvu but they have consequences. Plenty of animals want to attack others or protect themselves with toxic skin and venomous fangs. There is a type of snake called the Vulena that if placed on the body will heal them and protect the user from venom. But it is also a parasite. Take it off and the host creature will bleed profusely. The more wounds a player gets and turns to Vulena for help, the more the snakes will assimilate into the host’s body. There is a tribe in the jungle called the Vulens that is made up of humanoid Vulena. This is the impact of those who forget themselves and give in to the jungle.

Rolling Word Play – 4

Creating RPG ideas based on randomly generated words. Here’s today’s selection. Discover more about the Lying Spoon, Slim Treasure and Motionless Snow.

Lying Spoon
Anything a person eats with this piece of cutlery will disguise the taste and deceive the taster. A delicious dessert will taste fowl whilst rotting meats will taste fresh and divine. The spoon doesn’t however protect the user from poisons or disease, so consuming dangerous products will taste healthy but will still cause harm.

Slim Treasure
The Harp of Aratras has strings made of pure gold. They are so finely made that they act as if they are hairs from the strongest horse or silk from the largest spider. The wooden shell of the harp is beautifully decorated but the real value in in each golden string. When plucked by a musician proficient in playing the harp, the sound is both earthy and warm, and is so unique that there is no sound quite like it.

Motionless Snow
In the Tarpa Seas is a mist that has been created by the Tarpa Waterfalls. Some say that the source of the spring that created these falls is magically because it cures weapons of rust when placed in its waterways. By the time the water gets to the falls it creates a mist that stays in the air and forms a dense, unmoving cloud. The cloud is so dense and so magical that when the weather turns cold, the ice and snow crystals appears in the air, motionless. In such weather, it becomes impregnable for sea vessels and in some instances, 10 foot diamond shapes have formed, standing impossibly on one edge. Only direct sunlight destroys the clouds, but they reform quickly as the mist ascends again.

Rolling Word Play – 3

The Inspiration of Chance and Improvisation – Word Play

I’m starting a series where I generate Roleplay ideas based on random words. Let’s see what words I get to play with today:

Massive Analyst
This is a pill taken by a creature that is desperate for an answer that they cannot yet grasp. Many of those that have taken the pill take a long time to re-emerge from their semi-comatose state. Some never return, lost in the midst of a mental or spiritual maze. For most, they have returned profoundly shaken and many are never the same again. The epiphanies they bring with them are often not simple and take events in a completely different direction.

Here is a way of playing out the effects of a Massive Analyst on a d10 die roll:

1 – Utterly lost. Re-roll again the following day to see what happens next. Add a mental quirk to your character sheet from this life-altering experience.

2-3 – Confused in the unconscious realm. You re-emerge 1d10 days later, but have lost some of your mental sharpness. Add a condition to your character sheet to reflect this.

4-5 – You return quickly but altered by the experience. Add a mental quirk to your character.

6-7 – You were unaffected by the experience and were able to return quickly. You will gain +1 to the die roll if you ever decide to retake this pill.

8-9 – You found an answer to the question. Check with the GM to see what wisdom you gained.

10 – You had a profound epiphany. It is greater than you could have possibly imagined! Check with the GM for details.

Activate Understanding
A scene of devastation. Zombie roam across an area known as the Death Zone. They are surprisingly fast and aggressive, attacking living organisms, which either bleed out or become animated undead husks like themselves.

The source of the trouble is in a grave. A powerful magical ring was left with the corpse of an elderly lady who died a few years ago. She carved it and used her magics to prolong her life. As her own energy drained away, the ring’s stored energy was still working. As the flimsy wooden coffin in which she was buried deteriorated, the ring’s influence tainted the soil and cause an un-life in the corpses of those in the graveyard.

The town records and library will have information on an old woman who dodged death for so long (she was over 140 years old) and where she was buried. There is also information about how to use witchcraft to change the energy flow in an item. Using a ritual and a few key ingredients, the ring’s energy can be changed to generate a flow of peace and rest. This is a way to finally end the reign of un-life.

Sorry Accept Patience
A society run by a zealous religious faction expects their citizens to report their own sins and the sins of others. For those who are brought to receive their punishments, they must first ask for repentance (Sorry), accept they are wrong and sign a confession (Accept). Having signed, they must then await punishment, which will be delivered when the religious faction deem it appropriate (Patience). This can sometimes take several years and can even be provided in smaller installments. The faction controls the populous in this way, with fear of punishment and of being reported for sins.