A Heaping of Change
Although the last cold of winter is still felt in the air this morning, the people of Ravenhome are unusually active. There’s a sweet sort of tension in the air – anticipation for the Spring Renewal celebration. Finally, it came around! It’s tonight!
A Heaping of Change
- Quickstart rules
- 3 Pregens
- Action Grimoire
- 5e Conversion Guide
Spring Renewal, being the first outdoor event after winter, is an opportunity to finally have some fun with all your loved ones, making merry under the open sky and bright stars. But first, there’s work to be done: preparing food, setting tables, raking the village green, and more.
One important job is to collect the clothes deemed too worn and the furniture deemed too broken to repair to the Discarded Cart. Every year, the contents of the cart are spilled over the edge of Skunk Glen to symbolize renewal. It’s a Ravenhome tradition as old as the village itself, but you’ve heard rumors the tradition itself might go through a renewal this year.
The Renewal Preparations Committee is a group of about a dozen or so residents and visitors that are assigned to help with anything that needs to be done for the Spring Renewal Ceremony. You have been assigned to help today—the day of the ceremony! There's just a few last minute things that need to be addressed so the "revitalized" ceremony can go off without a hitch!
You dress up quickly, finish breakfast, and make your way to the center of the village. It’s time to join in with the preparations.
System: Legend in the Mist
(no need to buy anything, btw)
There is no need to have familiarity with Legend in the Mist—or any of its predecessors (Otherscape and City of Mist). This one-shot is designed for beginners.
This game includes social encounters, combat, helping others with tasks, and rescuing people.
The primary themes are:
- community
- traditions
- bonds
- influence
- the burden of gifts
- chaos
Character Creation
Origin Only
Create a character with four (4) Origin Themes (Circumstance, Devotion, Past, People, Personality, Skill/Trade, Trait, Companion, Magic, Possessions). You character is at the beginning of their story, or they don't know their full potential yet. When building your character, think of Level 0-3 character ideas in other systems.
While there are some pre-established people of certain professions in this one-shot, do not limit yourself to what you see. If you want to be Ravenhome's primary blacksmith, say so. The town baker? Guard? Random passerby? The only profession/field/title of importance unavailable is the Alderperson.
Each theme should have three tags (title + two tags, answered from the themebook questions), and one weakness tag (any weakness tag question answered). You should also try to come up with Quests that you find interesting that could help compel your character. For a good example, look over the three pregens.
Backpack
For this one shot, select three (3) tags to go into your Backpack. For help deciding what tags would fit, look through the various Tropes, or look through The General Store (Hero, p. 132).
Humans Only
For ease of fitting into the setting, the only species allowed is Human—though if there are specific things you want to accomplish, run them by me. There are ways to achieve this.
What you know
Ravenhome
Ravenhome is a town of about 500-700 people at any given time, most of which being full-time residents. There are a few, around 5, Red Marshals stationed to help with any major threats. Though, lately this number has tripled to 15.
The nearest town is about a half-day's walk (3-5hrs depending on speed and conditions), less by horse.
The Raven's Nest serves as the primary inn and tavern. Most of the Red Marshals stay here except for the few who have chosen Ravenhome as a place to settle down.
There are two other smaller inns:
- Corvus Keep
- Crow's Nest
and one other smaller tavern:
- Flock and Feather
Creatures of Twilight
Though most have never seen one, every Dalesperson has heard of the reviled Creatures of Twilight, named so because they are thought to come out of hiding just before nightfall. Cautionary tales of these demons abound among villagers and farmers, and Oldways practitioners do their best to educate and protect the Dalish against such terrors – but because they are so rare, folk forget, ignore, or overlook what must be done, and the teachings of the Oldways are brushed off as legend.
To the people of the Dales, these Creatures are fears incarnate, ghostly fingers reaching out from the Unseen world to tear their peaceful world apart – and some just laugh it all away, until it is too late. Knowledge of the Creatures of Twilight varies greatly among the Dalish. Those whose fate never took them away from the firelight may only know this term and nothing more, using it ignorantly to describe any feared thing, even outlandish people or large beasts.
Other Dalish – most notably outlanders, recluses, Wise Ones, and Bone Tenders – have encountered the Twilight beings and studied them or received passed-down records of their manners through the Oldways.
There are even those Dalish who have had dealings with these Creatures, whether to pacify them or to gain through them dark powers – from a cobbler arguing with a household hob to the Crow Sisters who steal trinkets as ritual offering to their woodland god.