[b]Still[/b] Need Help On Idea For Adventure (Very Quickly, I Don't Have Much Time) [Archive] - Wizards Community

[b]Still[/b] Need Help On Idea For Adventure (Very Quickly, I Don't Have Much Time) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Lenwe Luinwe
06-26-06, 03:23 AM I have had an idea for my party's first adventure, they gave me 5 days notice that i was going to DMing, now a day before and i need some help. My idea was that in the begining some muggers (they are in a small town) from an organization(trying to work their way up the ranks) attasck the PCs trying to steal some money. (Foreigners usually have money), when the PCs kill them or beat them, the muggers will inform the higher ups of the enemies (Two of the players have flashy characters using magical stuff, not common in a small town) and they will send a low level (just a 2nd level rogue) asassin to take care of the threat. Now the organization will eventually be behind the throne, slowly killing the king/emporer and trying to replace him with the king's brother. they king is at the time of the adventure just being crowned, he's only 32, and all of that is irrelevant. But back to my problem, what should they do in between the time of the muggers and the assasin?

Thanks,
Lenwe Luinwe
Han Duo
06-26-06, 04:16 AM How about the sergeant of the guard is so impressed with the PCs for standing up to the muggers, that he asks them to get rid of creature X (of an appropriate CR to the PCs) in the nearby forest. When they get back they get a nice reward and a free stay at the town's inn. The night in which they stay at the inn the assassin will strike.

It's a simple idea, but simple ideas can work out great in my experience :)
Lenwe Luinwe
06-26-06, 04:18 AM Wow, sounds like a good idea. There is probably a million things i could have done, but due to it being 1:15 AM here, i needed the extra help, thank you a ton.
Limousine_Liberal
06-26-06, 04:29 AM I have had an idea for my party's first adventure, they gave me 5 days notice that i was going to DMing, now a day before and i need some help. My idea was that in the begining some muggers (they are in a small town) from an organization(trying to work their way up the ranks) attasck the PCs trying to steal some money. (Foreigners usually have money), when the PCs kill them or beat them, the muggers will inform the higher ups of the enemies (Two of the players have flashy characters using magical stuff, not common in a small town) and they will send a low level (just a 2nd level rogue) asassin to take care of the threat. Now the organization will eventually be behind the throne, slowly killing the king/emporer and trying to replace him with the king's brother. they king is at the time of the adventure just being crowned, he's only 32, and all of that is irrelevant. But back to my problem, what should they do in between the time of the muggers and the assasin?

Thanks,
Lenwe Luinwe

Well...some advice:

1) You really can't assume that any of your muggers will get away alive. Players are frequently very dogged in their pursuit and tend not to be very merciful in my experience. You need to consider what happens if all your muggers are killed. The easiest solution is to have some guild member in reserve watching these "trainees" but not helping them. It might be this observer who goes to inform guild officials of the threat.

Alternately, you could have the town guard arrive a few rounds into the combat and take everyone (thieves and PCs into custody). Assuming the party isn't crazy, they are unlikely to attack NPCs clearly identified as "the law", though you should have stats for the guards anyway, just in case. Once in custody the guards can choose to believe the muggers version of events and not the foreigners and let the muggers go (probably because the guild has influence with the town guards/magistrate or whoever else in charge). Once free, the muggers could inform the guild and the PCs will be on ice for a while in the town 'gaol.'

You could obviously blend the two and have the observer inform the guild while both the PCs and the muggers are stuck in jail.

2) Why would the guild care? What's so threatening about these strangers? That they kicked the asses of a few underlings who tried to mug them? Most people, even most powerful people, likely pass through this town without interfering with their plans...and anyone who’s mugged will resist, so I don't "get" why the guild is interested in killing them.

Some possible alternatives (all slightly clichéd, but I'm kind of tired and this is off the top of my head):

(A) If the PCs are the kind to intervene to save people (i.e. "good"), you could have the muggers attacking some old man or an old or young woman. The players step in to stop them, unaware that they are interfering in official guild business. The muggers goal was to get some incriminating evidence from the victim, when the PC intervened.

Then either (i) the victim actually gives the evidence to the PCs, but tells them he is not sure who in the town government can be trusted since the guild has bought off so many people or (ii) the victim goes his merry way, and is later killed by the guild, but they do not find the information on him and *assume* the PCs have it (the guild might then try to frame the PCs for the man's death in some way (to discredit them) while trying to hunt them down themselves). Alternately again you could always have the man hire the PCs as "body guards", though that's too obvious for me personal tastes (I tend to prefer (ii)).

(B) One of the PCs happens to look exactly like a young man the guild previously killed one year prior. The similarities between the two are uncanny and only the closest friends and relatives could tell the two apart. The young man was killed because he was a potential witness (or, if your game has a higher level of historical realism, a juror) against some members of the guild in a crime they previously committed (possibly one related to their overall goal.

Once it's reported back that this man has been Raised the guild would definitely be threatened by the PCs, as raising someone means someone in power has taken a serious interest...and given their machinations against the king they do not want the attention of anyone powerful. In that case, they likely would want information from that player before killing him, so there might be an attempt at an abduction along with trying to kill his companions.

Obviously also, hilarity ensues, as others in the town think the PC is this long missing townsman. Possibilities include (i) he himself is wanted for some crime which further complicates the scenario involving guards from (2) above, (ii) the dead man has past debts that he never paid and his creditors are mad that he "faked his death" to avoid payment (they may send their own thugs after the PCs), and/or (iii) some random woman he had one sweaty night with a year ago (when the missing man correctly thought he was going to die) may show up with a three month old "surprise" for the PC that looks a lot like him. Obviously there are a lot of other possibilities as well.

Dealing with all these repercussions of his now dead doppelganger could tie the PCs up long enough for the guild to get their act together.
Inigo_Montoya
06-26-06, 04:52 AM They go to a tavern called the ______ and get involved in a drinking competition with a dwrf named ______. After _____soundly beats them he suggests a trip to the town treasure trove, which the PC's accept. Then ______ climbs over a wal and fails his Reflex check causing him to fall into a pit of Displacer Beasts. The Pc's can now bet on how long he'll last and during this a ______ shows up offering them the chance of a life time. If they _______ and ________ many times to ________ satisfaction he may grant them an audienece with the mayor who will be expecting ________ as a payment for his graciousness. Etc etc.
Patheros
06-26-06, 08:04 AM If your feeling adventurous, you can also set up some longer term adventures by letting them find something interesting on one of the muggers. For example

A small pouch of hexagon shaped black coins. The coins server as 100gp, if you know where to use them.

A small silver key. The key effectively has a lick pick skill of +5, meaning it picks a lock it tries.

A small back/green/orange/purple/magenta stone that a spot (DC 25) check will notice its glows slightly (DC 30) will also observer that it pulses. The stone is a tracking beacon. The group, if they still possess it, will be approached by an associate of a rival organization. It turns out that the NPC they got it from was really trying to infiltrate the gang. Now this new organization wants them to join.
Lenwe Luinwe
06-26-06, 11:42 AM Hey, I have another question, is this totally absurd. The organizationis trying to take over the throne, but they are now taking over just a small settlement? I have been questioning myself. Is this to early to introduce the organization?
GoldLeader13
06-26-06, 01:22 PM It's only too early to introduce this organization if you give away too much. Maybe all they'll find is a signet ring or some letter that pertains to something mysterious. But, it shouldn't be enough for anyone to discern any information.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Lenwe Luinwe 06-26-06, 03:23 AM	I have had an idea for my party's first adventure, they gave me 5 days notice that i was going to DMing, now a day before and i need some help. My idea was that in the begining some muggers (they are in a small town) from an organization(trying to work their way up the ranks) attasck the PCs trying to steal some money. (Foreigners usually have money), when the PCs kill them or beat them, the muggers will inform the higher ups of the enemies (Two of the players have flashy characters using magical stuff, not common in a small town) and they will send a low level (just a 2nd level rogue) asassin to take care of the threat. Now the organization will eventually be behind the throne, slowly killing the king/emporer and trying to replace him with the king's brother. they king is at the time of the adventure just being crowned, he's only 32, and all of that is irrelevant. But back to my problem, what should they do in between the time of the muggers and the assasin? Thanks, Lenwe Luinwe
Han Duo 06-26-06, 04:16 AM	How about the sergeant of the guard is so impressed with the PCs for standing up to the muggers, that he asks them to get rid of creature X (of an appropriate CR to the PCs) in the nearby forest. When they get back they get a nice reward and a free stay at the town's inn. The night in which they stay at the inn the assassin will strike. It's a simple idea, but simple ideas can work out great in my experience :)
Lenwe Luinwe 06-26-06, 04:18 AM	Wow, sounds like a good idea. There is probably a million things i could have done, but due to it being 1:15 AM here, i needed the extra help, thank you a ton.
Limousine_Liberal 06-26-06, 04:29 AM	I have had an idea for my party's first adventure, they gave me 5 days notice that i was going to DMing, now a day before and i need some help. My idea was that in the begining some muggers (they are in a small town) from an organization(trying to work their way up the ranks) attasck the PCs trying to steal some money. (Foreigners usually have money), when the PCs kill them or beat them, the muggers will inform the higher ups of the enemies (Two of the players have flashy characters using magical stuff, not common in a small town) and they will send a low level (just a 2nd level rogue) asassin to take care of the threat. Now the organization will eventually be behind the throne, slowly killing the king/emporer and trying to replace him with the king's brother. they king is at the time of the adventure just being crowned, he's only 32, and all of that is irrelevant. But back to my problem, what should they do in between the time of the muggers and the assasin? Thanks, Lenwe Luinwe Well...some advice: 1) You really can't assume that any of your muggers will get away alive. Players are frequently very dogged in their pursuit and tend not to be very merciful in my experience. You need to consider what happens if all your muggers are killed. The easiest solution is to have some guild member in reserve watching these "trainees" but not helping them. It might be this observer who goes to inform guild officials of the threat. Alternately, you could have the town guard arrive a few rounds into the combat and take everyone (thieves and PCs into custody). Assuming the party isn't crazy, they are unlikely to attack NPCs clearly identified as "the law", though you should have stats for the guards anyway, just in case. Once in custody the guards can choose to believe the muggers version of events and not the foreigners and let the muggers go (probably because the guild has influence with the town guards/magistrate or whoever else in charge). Once free, the muggers could inform the guild and the PCs will be on ice for a while in the town 'gaol.' You could obviously blend the two and have the observer inform the guild while both the PCs and the muggers are stuck in jail. 2) Why would the guild care? What's so threatening about these strangers? That they kicked the asses of a few underlings who tried to mug them? Most people, even most powerful people, likely pass through this town without interfering with their plans...and anyone who’s mugged will resist, so I don't "get" why the guild is interested in killing them. Some possible alternatives (all slightly clichéd, but I'm kind of tired and this is off the top of my head): (A) If the PCs are the kind to intervene to save people (i.e. "good"), you could have the muggers attacking some old man or an old or young woman. The players step in to stop them, unaware that they are interfering in official guild business. The muggers goal was to get some incriminating evidence from the victim, when the PC intervened. Then either (i) the victim actually gives the evidence to the PCs, but tells them he is not sure who in the town government can be trusted since the guild has bought off so many people or (ii) the victim goes his merry way, and is later killed by the guild, but they do not find the information on him and assume the PCs have it (the guild might then try to frame the PCs for the man's death in some way (to discredit them) while trying to hunt them down themselves). Alternately again you could always have the man hire the PCs as "body guards", though that's too obvious for me personal tastes (I tend to prefer (ii)). (B) One of the PCs happens to look exactly like a young man the guild previously killed one year prior. The similarities between the two are uncanny and only the closest friends and relatives could tell the two apart. The young man was killed because he was a potential witness (or, if your game has a higher level of historical realism, a juror) against some members of the guild in a crime they previously committed (possibly one related to their overall goal. Once it's reported back that this man has been Raised the guild would definitely be threatened by the PCs, as raising someone means someone in power has taken a serious interest...and given their machinations against the king they do not want the attention of anyone powerful. In that case, they likely would want information from that player before killing him, so there might be an attempt at an abduction along with trying to kill his companions. Obviously also, hilarity ensues, as others in the town think the PC is this long missing townsman. Possibilities include (i) he himself is wanted for some crime which further complicates the scenario involving guards from (2) above, (ii) the dead man has past debts that he never paid and his creditors are mad that he "faked his death" to avoid payment (they may send their own thugs after the PCs), and/or (iii) some random woman he had one sweaty night with a year ago (when the missing man correctly thought he was going to die) may show up with a three month old "surprise" for the PC that looks a lot like him. Obviously there are a lot of other possibilities as well. Dealing with all these repercussions of his now dead doppelganger could tie the PCs up long enough for the guild to get their act together.
Inigo_Montoya 06-26-06, 04:52 AM	They go to a tavern called the ______ and get involved in a drinking competition with a dwrf named ______. After _____soundly beats them he suggests a trip to the town treasure trove, which the PC's accept. Then ______ climbs over a wal and fails his Reflex check causing him to fall into a pit of Displacer Beasts. The Pc's can now bet on how long he'll last and during this a ______ shows up offering them the chance of a life time. If they _______ and ________ many times to ________ satisfaction he may grant them an audienece with the mayor who will be expecting ________ as a payment for his graciousness. Etc etc.
Patheros 06-26-06, 08:04 AM	If your feeling adventurous, you can also set up some longer term adventures by letting them find something interesting on one of the muggers. For example A small pouch of hexagon shaped black coins. The coins server as 100gp, if you know where to use them. A small silver key. The key effectively has a lick pick skill of +5, meaning it picks a lock it tries. A small back/green/orange/purple/magenta stone that a spot (DC 25) check will notice its glows slightly (DC 30) will also observer that it pulses. The stone is a tracking beacon. The group, if they still possess it, will be approached by an associate of a rival organization. It turns out that the NPC they got it from was really trying to infiltrate the gang. Now this new organization wants them to join.
Lenwe Luinwe 06-26-06, 11:42 AM	Hey, I have another question, is this totally absurd. The organizationis trying to take over the throne, but they are now taking over just a small settlement? I have been questioning myself. Is this to early to introduce the organization?
GoldLeader13 06-26-06, 01:22 PM	It's only too early to introduce this organization if you give away too much. Maybe all they'll find is a signet ring or some letter that pertains to something mysterious. But, it shouldn't be enough for anyone to discern any information.