Monster of the Week: Anthology

I have started running Monster of the Week one-shots, the idea is to build out a world story by story and I'm currently using this as filler for when other people can't make a game.

Mysteries:

• The Haunting of New Signika
  

Hunters

• Kylie Brown - The Mundane
• Tess "Tinmother" Richter - The Flake

Phenomena

• Cursed Possessions - Items which function as apertures into the mortal world to allow dangerous ghosts influence.
• "Angry Letters" - Purple, eldritch letters cut into objects by the rune awl. They seem to have some level of animation and agency. Can be scooped off objects and trapped in containers.
  

Creatures

• Hunting Ghosts - Puppeted forms of past victims of the Cursed Possessions

 Objects

• Rune Awl - A handle that can produce a subtle supernatural blade which can be used to chisel eldritch writing into things. Used in Big Magic rituals.
  

The Haunting of New Signika - Monster of the Week: Anthology

On the edge where the city was creeping into the fields, two cars drove along a road that had been freshly paved probably no longer than a season past. They passed along several sites of carefully marked and roped off lots. A handful of them were active construction sites, laying the foundation or raising the skeletal framework of a house to be. In other cases the materials had been delivered and lay stacked in weather-proofed containers waiting for a crew to be assigned. In one or two places, a building stood nearly complete but the cars drove past these up to the only house within sight that lay entirely complete. They pulled side by side into the driveway as people exited them. A tall and thin woman smiled as she stepped out of the small, cube-like black car and waved to the two people stepping out of the silver four-door car.

Remnants of Ruin - Caress Melani Journal - Session 7

Bones and Bullies 

The town of Conyberry was a shell of its former self, but it had been abandoned well before Caress was... she paused for a moment and considered. It had never occurred to her whether she had been born or hatched. She was a pureblood and her ears were rounded so at least one of her parents was human or something of that kin. And purebloods had live-birth as often as they laid eggs. She did have a belly-button, but that could have been an artifice. Belly buttons were scars after all and such could be crafted. Purebloods were the infiltrators of the Serpent Kingdom. She glanced vaguely south and east toward the culture that had decided her value was chattel years ago.

Meeting Agatha

Bones and Bullies - Caress Melani Journal - Session 6

Graceless and Sightless 

The bugbears were down, but they hadn't explored the whole of the fortress yet. There was a corridor and a secret passage to address first and the decision was made to head north and push through the secret door on the idea that they might be able to come in at the back of their opponents. In this way, they came to an armory betraying a clear plan for expansion that the thugs had as there were a number of Redbrand cloaks and numerous weapons oiled for long-term storage within. Enough to field a small company of bandits.

Following the narrow passage just a another ten feet or so came to a crypt with three sarcophagi each with a skeleton standing guard. At first they stood there quiet and motionless, but as the party took a step forward, they moved into the fight. Before Caress could step in to plug up there approach, one of the creatures was in the door and swinging at her.

Holding the Line as the Casters Fire

Over her shoulder, one of Mythram's arrows smacked into the shambling automaton, reminding the other two skeletons that they also had bows and each loosed bolts at the companions behind Caress. Silvery fire and purple bolts burst past Caress.

Second Round Inventory

This is a list of some of the outstanding items that the Second Round has run-across in the course of the game.

Weapons

• The Moonglow Spear - Originally used to enchant the shark, it's enchantment has grown stronger by it's involvement in a miracle by Elara, the cleric of Sehanine Moonbow.
• This weapon provides +1 to attack and damage rolls.
• This weapon has the finesse property.
• As an action, you may speak the command word causing the spear to shed bright light in a 10 ft radius and dim light in a 10 foot radius.
• If the wielder misses on an attack, they may use a bonus action to move half their speed away without provoking attacks of opportunity.
• It is primed for further enchantment by the power of the Moon Weaver.

 Relics 

• The Jewel of Three Prayers - A golden circlet that can be warn as a necklace. It is a Vestige of Divergence in a dormant state.
• +1 to AC 
• 3 charges, the wearer may use an action to spend a charge and cast Invisibility.
• While wearing or holding the jewel, you can use an action to cause it to shed bright light in a 15 foot radius and dim light for an additional 15. The light lasts until extinguished (free action.)

Utility

• Aqua-Primer - Anaalch Gramemist provided Snype with a weird alchemical goop which can be used to fire her weapons underwater.

 Journal Page

The Second Round - The Jewel of Three Prayers - Session 2

Journal Page
Festival of Merit 

The elders of Jigow passed out the water-breathing potions and then the race was on. The Rivals practically slammed their potions as Ayo took off ahead of the group. The Second Round were just a little slower, rushing into the water of the submerged cavern behind their opposition. Pushing through the waters, they came to a fork where Maggie Keeneyes encouraged them to take the path to the East. Realizing that hanging back to try to fight their way past Maggie would eat up time, the Second Round moved the way she suggested.

Graceless and Sightless - Caress Melani Journal - Session 5

This didn't go well.

A Dagger Darkly 

There was flash of darkness fitting between the moment when the bugbear's morningstar was falling like a meteor down on her buckler and when she was waking up on the floor to the tingling sensation of a healing potion being shoved down her throat and Mythram crouched over her form. 

The crushed form of one of the Red Brands lay crumpled nearby, clearly not slain by any of her group. Meaning that these thugs were slaying their own allies and as Caress pulled herself to her feet she hardened her gaze. A second potion was thrust into her hands and she swallowed it down.

A Dagger Darkly - Caress Melani Journal - Session 3

 The Tail of the Cat

Caress's mind shifted back to her training in the use of the dagger and whip. How to conceal them on her person and keep them at the ready at all times... without alerting the supplicants that came to her. There were any of a number of warriors and rogues amongst the Courtesans, though she was told that it was rare for devotion to manifest in such a clear connection to the divine font as was the case for her. 

This had presented her with a decision. On the one hand, if such champions were rare among Sharess's clergy then it certainly made since to be cautious and avoid taking risks. But on the other hand, a champion was meant to do things and she didn't think that caution was the reason that Sharess had forged her will into a path to the depths of the upper planes. So she did what a Champion should and strode to the fight. 

And now that divine source was stitching up her scales and keeping her life's blood from emptying out and giving her the impression that perhaps caution was the better option after all. She hadn't even made it up to the boss of this band of bandits. She was going to die to the sword of one of the rank and file. The wolf beside her lashed in and she shoved it back with her shield but the goblin in front of her smiled grimly as he readied to strike..

Call of the Netherdeep - Dramatis Personae

 Journal Page

Official Art of the Rivals

The Rivals of Destiny

• Ayo Jabe - Water Genasi born in a great storm to orc parents. Ranger with glory in her eyes but a good heart.
• Neutral to the party.  Upset at tactics, but understands they weren't malicious.
• Enthusiastically wants in on the glory of the destiny they've found.
• Has a crush on Galsariad.
  
• Dermot Wurder - Goblin cleric of the Luxon uncertain of his own importance but desperate to be of use to his friends.
• Friendly to the party. Was encouraged to try the maze. 
• Had a conversation about faith with Elara.
  
• Galsariad Ardyth - Drow wizard eager to prove his worth and intelligence. A singularly beautiful man but a bit aloof.
• Friendly to the party. Respected their intelligence, and also appreciates Esoh's tactics.
• Curious about the amulet, but reserved and not saying much of his thoughts.
• Unaware that Ayo and Irvan are crushing on him.
  
• Irvan Wastewalker - Youthful human tired of being underestimated for seeming young, eager to step away from his nomadic family.
• Friendly to the party. Enjoyed the pie-eating contest and watching them harvest rice. 
• Laid back, curious about the treasure, uninterested in the quest.
• Has a crush on Galsariad
  
• Maggie Keeneyes - An ogre warrior of great strength and keen mind who seeks to match against a fellow strategist and earn a retirement from the battlefield.
• Friendly to the party. Appreciated their comment on accessibility and good conversation.
• Seems to have reservations about this quest, but did not hesitate to support her friends.
   

Call of the Netherdeep - The Second Round - Dungeons and Dragons 5e

The stories of the adventuring party, The Second Round

Landing page by my friend Ann

The Second Round

• Esoh Vahn - Vedlaken Scribe Wizard who died before she could complete her apprenticeship in her prior life.
• Elara - Pallid Elf Moon Cleric who has the memories of her time as a powerful warrior.
• Imvenda Bladewing - Owlin Hexblade who has inherited a magical blade that whispers secret powers to her.
• Snype - A Kobold Vengeance Paladin trained by the Whitestone Riflecorp who previously died fighting the Chroma Conclave.

The Second Round - The Festival of Merit - Session 1

Journal Page
Meetings and Prologues

The town of Jigow is a collection of villages formed of predominately orcs and goblins that grew and grew, merging together until they were all virtually one place. It was a highly competitive culture and every year there was a festival among the elite of the town to decide who would be hailed as the Champions of the town for that year. It was little more than an excuse to have a big party and get a chance to show off in front of everybody. Adventurers, soldiers, scholars, and more came every year to Jigow for a chance to take part. This year, however, destiny had brought two groups of great potential to the town.

The Second Rounds and the Rivals of Destiny would meet for the first time in this place and it would start with a pie-eating competition.