This adventure is inspired by the writing, artwork, maps and plans of Randy Musseau. His campaign setting ‘the Bay of Spirits’ published by Roan Studios has given me hours of enjoyment and excitement since I found ‘blood in the snow’ on drivethruRPG back in 2021.

If you enjoy reading my tales set in the Bay of Spirits, (solo game write ups), then please go check out Roan Studio on drivethruRPG and Randys kickstater, “Dire North, into the Wilder Lands.

The Characters.

A quick recap here of who the characters are and some images of them generated using Nightcafe Studio (done back in January 2024)

Culdus. The devout acolyte. 1st year novice at the Monastery in Winterton. Devoted to the goddess Enebria.

Hew d’Winterton. The would be knight. Sone of the watchman. Charismatic, brave, yet prone to overstating his own abilities.

Karina Lankrit. The local performer. Keeps the good people of Winterton entertained with her songs imbued with tranquility and secrets of her new home.

Rhian. The Woods-woman, Orphaned at an early age, watched over by the strange Fae known as Fox Fairies, and possessor of a magical fire sword. She also has a cloak of warmth.

Strawberri Cottoncloud. The mysterious Fae Foundling. Found abandoned under an ancient standing stone and raised by the Fisherman and his wife as their own.

Magic item rewards.

The robe of bones,

This ominous garment seems unexceptional at first glance, but upon wearing it, one discovers it is embellished with tiny embroidered figures of undead creatures. These figures are visible only to the robe’s wearer, who can identify and detach them. Each combat round allows for the detachment of one figure, which then transforms into a real undead creature (refer to the list below). The resulting skeleton or zombie is not controlled by the wearer but can be commanded, rebuked, turned, or destroyed afterward. A newly crafted robe of bones always contains two embroidered figures of each type listed below:

• Human skeleton
• Wolf skeleton
• Heavy horse skeleton
• Fast goblin zombie
• Tough human zombie
• Plague ogre zombie

After all the embroidered figures have been used, the robe of bones becomes just an ordinary robe.

Abe’s Instant Elexia.

(the Lost Loot of Sculpin Ann, page 20)
Healing potion. Contains herbs abd extracts such as birch, mint and juniper. Restores d4_4hp per dose. 2 dose per vail. Cost 10 sp.

Movement rules.

In ideal condition over good terrain, characters on foot can expect to cover 20 miles per day. This is halved in difficult terrain, (such as mountains and dense swamps).

Snow further reduces how far characters on foot can travel. The following table is taken from ‘The lost loot of Sculpin Ann’ adventure published by Roan Studio.

Snow depths

6″ or less. Normal
1′ 3/4
2′ 1/2
3’+ 1/4
Correct use of snowshoes negate the penalty of deep snow. For this adventure I have assumed that each party are equiped with one pair of snowshoes and know how to use them.

The party leave Winterton.

Time & Date: the morning of Sunday, 1st January, 1513CY, the morning after the five companions, exhausted but jubilant, entered Winterton with the casket containing the bones of St. Agnus firmly attached to the back of a pony.

Weather: overcast and snow falls heavy on the hamlet of Winterton and its surrounding lands.
Visibility is 1/4 of normal. Movement is greatly reduced without the use of snowshoes.

The five companions begin their long and difficult journey from Winterton the the monastery in the far mountains. As they make their way through the hamlet a woman, dressed in heavy dark winter robes, marches swiftly swiftly up to them.

“Elzbeth. And what can we do for you?”, Culdus stops along with the moose he is leading and turns to Witch.

Elzbeth rummages inside her long heavy winter coat and pulls out a neatly folded item of clothing which she places in Rhians hands, “I have a robe for you, from Grandmother Weaver, she says you may have need of it”.

“Thank you but I have enough rob…”,

Elzbeth cuts Rhians answer off, “It is more than just a simple robe, as you will discover when you wear it, use it wisely”. With that the witch turns and leaves.

Rhian carefully tucks the robe into her already full backpack and thinks nothing more of it.

Ranogg the old mercenary stands at the door of the Blue Goose tavern along with Martain Wicklow, and says “I should have gone with them, I fear greatly for their safety”.
Martain places his hand on the old mans shoulder, “we are too old my friend, I think we would be as much of a hindrance as we would be a help”.

“perhaps you are right, still, I cannot help but fear of what may become of them”.

Neither see through the snow a figure in a heavy cloak following and gaining on the party.

The Fox Fairies.

There is little over 6 hours of daylight left before it becomes too dark to continue their journey westwards, I roll to see if they have a random encounter during the day, 1 in 6 chance, d6 = 3, no encounter.

The party have travelled only a short distance from Winterton when the depth of the snow becomes deep enough to slow them down. They decide to stop and put on their snow shoes, taking the opportunity to eat a little. All are amazed that the moose seems to almost glide across the deep snow.

Out of the heavy snow a hooded figure appears from the direction of Winterton.
Question. Who is following them? 1-2 Nessa Ridgerow, 3-4 Crea the Priestess, 5 – Fox Fairy, 6 – Cultist of KA. d6 roll = 4, Crea.

“I have caught up with you at last”, the priestess says, “I thought I had lost you in this heavy snow”.

All are surprised to see her, “What are you doing here, I thought you too weak to travel with us”, Culdus replies.

“A dose of Abe’s instant elixir restored me, you need me to lead you to our monastery, in this weather you may never get there, and do you think I would trust you with my moose”.

There party, now with the addition of the young priestess move on. They notice that like her moose, Crea seems to move over the snow with ease and without the aid of snowshoes.

There heavy snow does not let up, and as day begins to turn to night the party look to find shelter for the evening. There is a woodland to their right, about a mile from where they are.The party decide to make for it, the woodland should provide cover, wood for a fire and there is still enough daylight to make simple snow shelters.

As they reach the edge of the woods they stop in their tracks, in front of them, armed with bow, spears and axes are (d8 = 8) eight creatures who look like 3 feet high, bipedal foxes, all dressed in simple clothing.

“Fox fairies” whispers Rhian to no one in particular.

“welcome to our home Rhian, and your friends too, all are welcome. We have been expecting you. Come, follow us, we have food and dry place for you to rest and spend the night”.

to be continued.