Second Chances

Shedinn had always been a mediocre adventurer, barely scraping by and narrowly avoiding death at every turn. He was constantly overshadowed by his more talented companions, who always seemed to be the ones to land the killing blow or make the most impressive moves. His insecurities plagued him constantly, leaving him feeling weak and useless. This made him angry.

His rage only grew over time, until one day, he decided to set out on his own, to prove to himself and everyone else, that he too could be capable. That he could be the hero. Yet, here he was, once again failing.

Will the goblin continue to strike while the Dragonborn is down? Will it take him, prisoner, back to his clan? Or maybe it leaves him to die as it runs off to safety with its offspring.

Rolling a 1 on my dice, the first option became true. The goblin continued to strike until it was sure the Dragonborn would not rise again.

Should this be the end of the story?
1d20 — Result: 6. No.

Otherworldly Patron or Celestial Deity?
1 or 2 = Otherworldly Patron
3 or 4 = Celestial Entity
1d4 — Result: 2.

Warlock Patron?
1 or 4 = The Archfey
2 or 5 = The Fiend
3 or 6 = The Great Old One
1d6 — Result: 4.

“How sad it is to see… a life, even as insignificant as yours… wasted… lost… forgotten.” A deep, powerful, otherworldly, female voice echoed around him. “To be felled by a lowly goblin. One-quarter your size. Weak!”

There was nothing else but the sound of her voice. No sights. No smells. No sensations. Only her voice.

“I could change all of that if you so choose. I… could make you strong… I… could make you… Powerful. I could give you a taste of what I wield. But my gift to you does come at a price. There will come a time when I will require a champion to complete a task. This is what I ask in return. When that time should come, you shall answer the call. What say you?”

Shedinn hesitated for only a moment before answering. “I…I don’t wish to die. I am not ready to die.”

“Then take it,” the voice replied. “Take my magic. It is yours to wield. Do you want it?”

“Yes.” He answered with desperation. “Yes. Please. I don’t wish to die. I will take it. I want to live.”

As he spoke, he felt a surge of power coursing through him. His eyes shot open as if waking from a dream. If not for the fact that he was covered in blood and the feeling of having been stabbed multiple times, Sheddin might have brushed it off as such, but the world seemed different somehow. Colours were brighter, sounds were clearer, and he could feel the magic humming within him. With a flick of his hand, he cast a spell called Prestidigitation, and the blood and gore that had covered him moments before disappeared.

As Shedinn travelled through the forest, he could feel the magic coursing through his veins. He practiced his new spells, testing the limits of his power and revelling in the sheer joy of being alive. The world around him seemed to be a more vibrant and alive place as if he was seeing it for the first time. The leaves on the trees seemed greener, the sky bluer, and the animals in the forest more vivid.

WILDERNESS ENCOUNTERS
1d100 — Result: 100.
Monster! Level-appropriate encounter. 1–3: Hard, 4: Deadly. — Result: 2.

Shedinn trekked through the wilderness, his hunger pangs growing stronger with each passing moment. Suddenly, he caught sight of a deer grazing nearby. He crouched low, inching closer to the animal.

Perception Check
1d100 — Result: 14.

Shedinn realized he wasn’t the only one hunting this deer.

Is he spotted?
Highly Likely, +4 — Result: 14.

The Dragonborn’s golden eyes locked onto the piercing gaze of one of the wolves, both predators focused on the same prey. The Dragonborn’s scales glistened in the sunlight, radiating a quiet power as they stood poised to strike. The wolf’s fur bristled, its teeth bared in a silent snarl, ready to defend its meal. For a moment, neither creature moved, each waiting for the other to make a move in this primal game of hunter and hunted.

Initiative:
Shedinn — Result: 11.
Wolves — Result: 15.

He knew he needed to be smart about this, but he was also desperate for food.

He raised his hand, channelling his Warlock powers to cast Witch Bolt, when the pack leader struck first. The rest of the pack circled him, nipping at his heels as he fought them off with his claws. The pack was much larger and more ferocious than he had anticipated, and they attacked him with a savagery that left him reeling.

Shedinn wasted no time, striking one of the wolves in the pack with his magic. He bellowed out a fierce roar, calling upon the power of his rage. His body surged with strength, his muscles bulging as he prepared to fight. The wolves lunged at him, but Shedinn swung wildly, striking them and sending them flying backwards.

But the pack leader was not so easily defeated. It launched itself at Shedinn, its jaws snapping shut just inches from his face. Despite the odds, Shedinn refused to back down.

As he fought, the Dragonborn could feel the heat building up inside of him. He knew that he could unleash a blast of fire, but he needed to time it just right. Another wolf lunged at him, its teeth bared.

Shedinn’s quick reflexes saved him from being mauled, but the pack had him surrounded. He fought them off with all his might, but he was tiring quickly. As he swung wildly at the wolves, he felt a sharp pain in his side. One of the wolves had managed to sink its teeth into him

With a fierce roar, Shedinn unleashed a powerful blast of fire. The pack scattered in all directions, but one wolf remained, its fur still smouldering. It lunged at Shedinn with a final burst of strength, its teeth sinking deep into his shoulder. Shedinn let out a guttural scream as he fell to the ground.

Despite the excruciating pain, Shedinn’s barbarian rage carried him through. He summoned every ounce of strength and with a primal roar, he grabbed the wolf by the throat and hurled it away from him. The wolf crashed into a nearby tree and slumped to the ground.

Shedinn slowly rose to his feet, breathing heavily. He glanced around, scanning the area for any other threats. He saw that the rest of the pack had retreated. Gritting his teeth, Shedinn tore a piece of cloth from his tunic and used it to bandage his wounded shoulder. The wound was deep, but it would heal.

Animal Handling — Result: 16.
Is Shedinn able to befriend the wolf?
Possible, +0 — Result: Natural 20.

Shedinn approached the wolf, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew that he had to be careful if he was going to earn the trust of the animal. He took a deep breath and lowered his fists, trying to appear non-threatening.

The wolf snarled at him, but Shedinn remained calm. He spoke softly to the animal, coaxing it closer. Slowly, he reached out and touched its fur, stroking it gently.

The wolf’s snarls faded, and it relaxed under Shedinn’s touch. Shedinn knew that he had earned the animal’s trust. He let out a deep breath and smiled, relieved that he had ended the battle without seriously harming any creatures unnecessarily. These were primal creatures, acting on instinct, likely just as hungry as he was.

Shedinn had always believed that respect for nature and its inhabitants was crucial, and he felt proud that he had been able to show compassion and empathy, even in the midst of a battle.

As he walked, Shedinn pondered the nature of the world around him. Life was harsh and unforgiving, and it was often a struggle just to survive. But there was beauty in that struggle, in the primal nature of things. Shedinn knew that he had much to learn from the natural world, and he was eager to explore it further.

The female voice boomed once again, filling Shedinn’s mind with its power. “I sense a glimmer of something within you, Shedinn. A respect for the natural world, a reverence for its creatures. It is a rare quality in one such as yourself, and it pleases me that my magic has not been wasted on one who is unworthy. Perhaps there is hope for you yet.”

The voice paused for a moment before continuing, “There is much you can learn from the primal forces that govern this world. Embrace them, and they will embrace you in return. Perhaps you will make a worthy champion when the time comes. But do not disappoint me, for I have little patience for failure.”

Nature Check to determine if he realizes what she is. — Result: Natural 8. No.

Shedinn listened to her words, knowing that he had made a deal with a powerful being. He felt a newfound strength within him, but he also knew that it came with great responsibility. He vowed to use his power wisely, to protect the natural world and all of its inhabitants.

As he continued on his journey, he suddenly felt a presence beside him. He looked down to see the wolf from earlier, now walking beside him with a look of trust and loyalty in its eyes. Shedinn smiled, feeling a sense of kinship with the creature.

Together, a pack of two, they continued on their path, Shedinn eager to explore the natural world and learn all that it had to offer. He knew that he had much to learn, but with the wolf by his side and the power of the Archfey within him, he felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

I’m so happy I didn’t roll higher than 6 when I asked if this should be the end of the story. Some interesting rolls create some interesting stories. I’m excited to see where things go.

With Shedinn’s newfound friend, a name will be required. What should we call the wolf going forward? Any suggestions?

I hope you’re enjoying the story as much as I am. What will happen next, I wonder?