Tag: witches

New for 2021

After a busy time in the workshop, what started off as two new projects grew into four. This was because the Agora Core roleplay group needed new scenarios to match the intensity of the moment. Let’s walk through them…

Token’s Rock
(available from DMs Guild)
In Agora Core, the group was pursuing a slippery character called Baden, but to find him they would need to leave their comfort zone and enter a strange subterranean environment where ancient secrets are waiting to be revealed. This is a rich and surprising storyline that provides opportunities to gather information as well as some unique combat encounters.

Quarterstaffs of Legend
(available from DrivethruRPG)
After creating the Treasures of the Desert book, which contains 100 magical items, I watched a number of Japanese anime series and felt inspired to create a series of unique quarterstaffs. This was a fun project in which its simplicity allowed me freedom and flow to create interesting items. Quarterstaffs are generally underrepresented but there’s no reason that these honed pieces of wood couldn’t be lethal in combat or useful in traveling.

Tomb of the Witch Queen
(available from DrivethruRPG)
Currently in Agora Core, the party are biding their time, trying to stay in the good books of a tyrant until they can strike a deadly blow. From a range of options, they decided to go on a tomb-raiding mission for their employers. Creating this adventure was fun because it was a blank canvas and unrelated from the main plot thread. As I thought about who Sassaya (the Witch Queen) was, I thought about the history of the tomb, her strong, enduring magical essence, and how it was discovered later on by devotees as well as women who had nothing left to lose.

There is a section called the Witch’s Labyrinth, which is based on an idea that is a story element in the Hilda animated TV series as well as the sweet and sour anime, Magica Madoka. I decided to make traversing the labyrinth a player-driven experience, which is a decision I’m really pleased with.

War of the Wilds
(available from DMs Guild)
Inspired once again by the Agora Core group that I DM. A major plot thread in the campaign is the war over the wild and new landscape of the Da. As the players tried to gain allies and find an opportunity to defeat a dangerous enemy, they needed a backdrop where events and conditions could unfold at any given moment. War of the Wilds has become the setting template that I use for each session when they are traveling through the wilds of the Da.

Thanks for taking this tour of the new books with me. If you decide to give them a try with your group, I hope you enjoy the experience! Please do let me know.

Rolling Word Play – 57

Creating Roleplay ideas based on randomly generated words.  Here’s today’s selection:  Discover more about Functioning Land Saints, Engendered Poky Increments, and Nodded Begin Elects.

Functioning Land Saints
The trees of the Sayora Moors are vast and wild, where only the desperate would dare venture at night.   If the thick mist and howling winds don’t discombobulate the traveller then the half-crazed goblins will have a good go!  One phenomenon that does sometimes come to the aid of the travellers is the Land Saints.  They are rarely seen but when they are, it is considered a blessing to the innocent and the underdogs.  These trees are not plotted on any map, nor are they tree ents that have the ability to uproot themselves and walk about.  They simply appear and bestow their guiding light and gifts.  There are many stories of how they appear and what form they take.  They have been known to terrify bands of goblins or smugglers, and have provided healing fruits and shelter.  In one story, they lit up a shimmering path from the tree all the way to the traveller’s next destination.  Why they appear there is quite a mystery but many non-religious creatures seek divination after encountering a Land Saint.

Engendered Poky Increments
The witch covens of Baon are very distrustful of each other and many will deal punishments for late deliveries or a bad harvest crop.  These are often done through long-ranged spells that inflict their victim with an illness or physical disfigurement.  Thus the witches and inhabitants of Baon often have many unsightly boils and bad tempers.

Nodded Begin Elects
The Forest Warden and the Head of City Office have few things in common, but one is how they announce their resignation and begin the process of looking for a successor.  Both nod their head to their second in command, who starts funnelling this information to those they deem worthy.  In the forest, the second will visit each tribe and announce it to the chiefs, whilst the cities version is much more underhand.  In the lead up to a suspected change of head, his Assistant or Secretary will take many bribes, which will enrich the head’s retirement and mean his assistant will be theoretically more likely to inform them of the news sooner.  The timing of the announcements is a fairly delicately affair though.  Whilst it’s always good to accrue payments, take too long and the good will could subside and the other members of the City Office may attempt a Coup.