A Midnight Rendezvous

The city of Droslev’s Gate wakes to a fragile dawn, but for Francesca di Valcere, rest is a luxury she cannot afford. Seeking answers, she meets her old ally Whistle Korrin — only to find that the past moves faster than she can run. As a familiar enemy returns and the shadows close in, Francesca must decide whether to stand her ground or disappear once more. But in Droslev’s Gate, every knock hides a consequence… and this one may come from fate itself.

The night after the battle at South Pier, Francesca slips through the fog of Droslev’s Gate to meet an old ally. But the city never sleeps for long — and the silver card she carries hums with more than magic in her dreams, symbols twist into prophecy, revealing glimpses of the past, present, and a future she cannot yet escape. As shadows gather at the door, Francesca must decide whether to confront what fate has written — or vanish before it swallows her whole.

The docks erupt into chaos as Francesca di Valcere’s silent strike lights a fire she cannot put out. Prisoners rally, guards scramble, and the Black Glove enforcers close in under the orders of a red-cloaked captain. With her rapier bared and the night ablaze with shouts and steel, Francesca must decide whether she can turn this spark into freedom — or be consumed by the storm she’s unleashed.

Francesca di Valcere follows whispers from her ally Seraphine to the South Pier of Droslev’s Gate, where the Black Glove syndicate unloads chained prisoners under the watch of a corrupt captain. In the shadows, she must decide whether to risk exposure or let innocents be taken. But one strike sparks a riot, and the bard finds herself in the eye of the storm.

A quiet word from her ally Seraphine pulls Tiefling bard Francesca into dark intrigue — whispers of a ship called The Widow’s Smile, a corrupt guard captain, and chained prisoners bound for the black market of Droslev’s Gate. As she stalks the South Pier in secret, one wrong step shatters the night… and a desperate cry sparks chaos.Join me for episode 2 of Rolling Solo!

In the first episode of Rolling Solo, I explain how this podcast came to be and what you can expect going forwards. Then we step into Francesca’s world for the very first time. On stage at the Broken Bow Inn, Francesca plays to a crowded room under the watchful eye of her old acquaintance Seraphine. But when Seraphine calls her backstage, the music fades into danger. With the spotlight dimmed and choices looming, Francesca’s story begins in shadows and song.

In this first episode, I explain how a lifelong love of games — from PlayStation classics to Stardew Valley to Baldur’s Gate 3 — finally led me to Dungeons & Dragons. With dice, ChatGPT, and a brand-new Tiefling bard named Francesca, I’m starting my first ever solo campaign. Join me as I ramble, learn, and roll into this new adventure.