I recently ran a module (Paizo's The Hangman's Noose) set in Sharn. The PCs solved a frame job and a murder, and the villain was sent to the gallows.
As a reward, the PCs will be granted ownership of whatever they want of the Murderer's holdings, as he did not have a will or next of kin. My thinking is that the PCs are going through the man's holdings and discover a stash of files and notes. The murderer had been collecting dirt and observations abound, potentially engaging in blackmail in the past, along with having fail-safes in case someone tried to take him down.
So here in lies the rub: I'm trying to think of some nice rewards, but more importantly, I want plot fodder. I want to foreshadow and drop information the PCs can use in future adventures. Except that I can't really think of any good connections.
The murderer in question was a retired Barrister, a prosecutor in Sharn's court system. He moved on to become a socialite and moved around the circles of Sharn's elite. He was a selfish, cruel bastard, but a very sharp one.
For my campaign, I'd like to use the following groups:
Boromar and Daask
Goblinoids of Malleon's Gate, Dhakanni, and the Lords of Dust (A PC is a Dhakanni exile, tainted by the Rakshasa, trying to move politically)
The Karrnathi Embassy (another PC is a diplomat and necromancer) and the Emerald Claw
The Dreaming Dark
House Medani and Viktor Saint Demaine
Children of Winter, a homebrew Ghoul secret society, and a guest appearance by House Tarkanan
I can't think of a good way to link him into any of the above, due to his personality, position, and the various organization's 'styles'. The only one that seems appropriate is Boromar, but I actually have a PC who's got strong ties to Boromar, so if I wanted to use them I'd go through the PC.
Any suggestions would be great.
Has everyone gone over to the 4e Eberron board?
I would suggest a journal giving the PCs info into the murderer's life. Maybe he's not as bas as they think. I haven't read the adventure you played, but maybe his killings were justified in his mind? Maybe all his victims were secretly part of an organization in which the murderer was trying to iliminate because their plans endangered Sharn... In his journal is evidence of this organization's axistance. Maybe the judge who sentenced him is even part of this organization! That would fit the Eberron style nicely I think.
Show
He intended to **** a man's wife. She cut him. So he, in a fit of rage, took an axe to her and her son. Then framed the father for the murder, stacked a jury with people holding a grudge against the accused, and payed a mercenary to mutilate one of the jurors holding out. When found guilty, the innocent man was hung. Then the barrister had a judge killed who was going to rat on him. The PCs went out of their way to ensure this guy was executed, so I don't want to undermine their victory.
Goblinoids of Malleon's Gate, Dhakanni, and the Lords of Dust (A PC is a Dhakanni exile, tainted by the Rakshasa, trying to move politically)- He could have used the goblins to help him gather dirt. He could have dirt on the Lord of Dust. The person the rakshasa is pretending to be not the rakshasa itself, who is paying for some reason. Perhaps just for appearances. Or maybe the blackmail somehow serves his purposes.
The Karrnathi Embassy (another PC is a diplomat and necromancer) and the Emerald Claw- Well if he moved in social circles he could certainly know the diplomats of Sharn and the blackmail could be that one has an involvement of some kind with the Emerald Claw. Either sinister or just shameful like a sibling is a member.
The Dreaming Dark- Wouldn't use this for them.
House Medani and Viktor Saint Demaine- He might have sold his information to them. Or upon his death this was the group he had his deadman's drop sent to. So the PCs aren't the only ones with this information.
Children of Winter- A druid in the city might belong and have payed for silence with beneficial magic.
a homebrew Ghoul secret society- Hmmm well it's a homebrew so hard to say but as a secret society might they pay to keep it's existence a secret?
and a guest appearance by House Tarkanan- The easiest and perhaps best one. He discovered someone with an aberrant mark and that was the blackmail on that person. Either this person was in Tarkanan (and gearing up to kill anyone who knew his secret... like the PCs now do) or an aberrant not in Tarkanan who ended up going to them for help and paying them to silence him and secure his dead-letter box.
The Karrnathi Embassy (another PC is a diplomat and necromancer) and the Emerald Claw- Well if he moved in social circles he could certainly know the diplomats of Sharn and the blackmail could be that one has an involvement of some kind with the Emerald Claw. Either sinister or just shameful like a sibling is a member.
Yeees. I'm thinking that one of the clerical workers in the Embassy gives aid and comfort to the EC; offers a safe house, keeps them informed in general of what's going through the office.
Then something like well-to-do Sharn-based Karrn likely has family in the EC, but does not support them in any fashion.
House Medani and Viktor Saint Demaine- He might have sold his information to them. Or upon his death this was the group he had his deadman's drop sent to. So the PCs aren't the only ones with this information.
Some new development. I have someoen who wants to join the game who's going to be a double agent working for Medani. Medani wants him to join the party so that he can get copies of the barrister's files, and possibly destroy certain ones that are too sensitive for Medani's tastes.
But that is an intriguing matter, making the PCs chase down the dead-drop box. The question is how to set that up; how they know where it's going.
Children of Winter- A druid in the city might belong and have payed for silence with beneficial magic.
This suffices. It would at least give them a name to go on in the future. Someone with a green thumb, taking care of Sharn's greenhouses could have ties to the CoW.
and a guest appearance by House Tarkanan- The easiest and perhaps best one. He discovered someone with an aberrant mark and that was the blackmail on that person. Either this person was in Tarkanan (and gearing up to kill anyone who knew his secret... like the PCs now do) or an aberrant not in Tarkanan who ended up going to them for help and paying them to silence him and secure his dead-letter box.
Though this would put a crimp in their plans given this prosecutor got the express trip to the gallows. Though I can use this: the knowledge of the individual's Aberrant mark is something new, and the barrister was just putting together his blackmail when he got the kibosh dropped on him.
All this is in addition to the standard "Noble X is cheating on her husband" "Magistrate Y is gay" "Respectable Wizard Y is hooked on Dreamlily" and other such general blackmail.
Thanks.
BTW, Shady: While this is a different game (Damn you scheduling and lackluster players tanking games!), I will have Thomas Torin and Aldo Boromar make guest appearances. ;)
Show
For Viktor, it would probably fit for him to have maniuplated this guy, with one of his Xanatos Gambits, into buying somewhere the PCs would want to snag.
("Wow! An entire Artificer's lab built over a forge made of lava, thus making it easier to craft metal weapons and fire-based magic items? All this with an attached house where we can keep all our junk and Azm's love interest? Where do we sign?")
Of course, Ol' Vik happens to know something important about the location which could seriously cripple the PCs. Maybe there's a secret entrace he can inform an enterprising burglar/hitman of. Perhaps it's located on a site sacred to the descendants of the Dur'Sharrrat goblins. Perhaps the lava forge was shut down because it produced weaponry tainted with evil curses. (Something Cannith covered up when they closed it down, citing "Mineral impurities" or somesuch). Or maybe Viktor happened to know an expert geologist who predicted the area would be destroyed by a small eruption in the next year.
Naturally, this shouldn't just be a license to arbitrarily off one of your PC's love interests or incinerate their gear. Have clues pop up now and then. Give your PCs an opprotunity to find out what's wrong with the place. Perhaps at the last second, so there's a mad rush to present disaster, or give them an opportunity too good to pass up. ("So there's caverns full of amazing riches hidden underneath Baristi's shoe closet? What luck!")
("Wow! An entire Artificer's lab built over a forge made of lava, thus making it easier to craft metal weapons and fire-based magic items? All this with an attached house where we can keep all our junk and Azm's love interest? Where do we sign?")
Of course, Ol' Vik happens to know something important about the location which could seriously cripple the PCs. Maybe there's a secret entrace he can inform an enterprising burglar/hitman of. Perhaps it's located on a site sacred to the descendants of the Dur'Sharrrat goblins. Perhaps the lava forge was shut down because it produced weaponry tainted with evil curses. (Something Cannith covered up when they closed it down, citing "Mineral impurities" or somesuch). Or maybe Viktor happened to know an expert geologist who predicted the area would be destroyed by a small eruption in the next year.
Naturally, this shouldn't just be a license to arbitrarily off one of your PC's love interests or incinerate their gear. Have clues pop up now and then. Give your PCs an opprotunity to find out what's wrong with the place. Perhaps at the last second, so there's a mad rush to present disaster, or give them an opportunity too good to pass up. ("So there's caverns full of amazing riches hidden underneath Baristi's shoe closet? What luck!")
Unfortunately RedRider, the PCs have yet to meet Viktor; they're 3rd level, he comes in at 5th. Otherwise that would have been delicious.
More spoilers:
Show
Well, just a tip, remember the adventure suggests you introduce Viktor as an ally before the PCs have to deal with that adventure. Establish him as a fairly decent, charitable man and all. It also give Viktor knowledge of their personalities and motive he can use at a later date.
There's a rich rich gem mine in the mountains between Zilargo and Breland. Unfortunately, they're infested with Kobolds and the gnomes were unable to get them out, so the villain got it cheap. (He's even got other papers where he's hired various schmucks to kick them out, with notes about how at least he won't have to pay them, since they died.)
"Ah," will think at least one of the PCs. "Those poor commoner/expert gnomes lack our amazing strength and flaming sphere spells. Clearly with a dungeon full of gems and puny opponents we were destined to visit this mine."
Then of course when they get there the Kobolds are way too tough for their level then them, like level six for average guards, backed up with magic traps, and they're guarding a sacred site containing marks of the prophecy.
Even then, it's not a total loss, since part of the prophecy written there speaks of their arrival (so they aren't immediately killed) and hints at the role they are to play in the unfolding prophetic event in Sharn.
Or if that doesn't float your boat, maybe you could offer them somewhere that could be used as a bargaining chip with one of the other organisations.
(Like maybe Boromar want a good warehouse to hide stolen goods, near the dockyards. Enter the PCs, who can offer it's use in exchange for a favour.)
More spoilers:ShowWell, just a tip, remember the adventure suggests you introduce Viktor as an ally before the PCs have to deal with that adventure. Establish him as a fairly decent, charitable man and all. It also give Viktor knowledge of their personalities and motive he can use at a later date.
Or if that doesn't float your boat, maybe you could offer them somewhere that could be used as a bargaining chip with one of the other organisations.
(Like maybe Boromar want a good warehouse to hide stolen goods, near the dockyards. Enter the PCs, who can offer it's use in exchange for a favour.)
Thanks. I'm hoping the PCs take the initiative and do that. Getting their hands on a lot of dirt is well, plot fodder. They can make some real friends by saying "We have these files on you, and we're going to give them to you so no one can know" will probably win big with the victim. Or they use the info to their advantage; the Karrnathi diplomat will more than likely expose the EC aider in the Embassy, or at least make her life hell, given that he hates the EC.
However, I think that Viktor showing up to congratulate them on solving and uncovering a murderer so vile should offer a nice bit of presentation.
Another interesting technique could be to use him as a re-capper or as a nudge or, better yet, as a window into your player's minds.
For example, the PCs have just gotten home from their latest escapade and they're confused as hell. Viktor shows up, and tells them he's persuing a tangentially related case. (The Medani probably recognises him, if the other PCs don't bother reading the newspapers.)
Preferably, he should be on the trail of a crime which establishes him as a good guy. Maybe someone's been kidnapping orphans in the depths and Viktor is investigating on his own dime since the city watch are more worried about thieves and rabble-rousers than these annonymous nobodies.
He interviews them for their description of what they've been up to recently.
This is a good way to get the players to think about events and clues your might have dropped, and if nescessary, Viktor can give them a nudge if something would seem interesting to him.
("So the Orc's mace was Purple? Sounds like Byeshk, and that's only really common around western Khorvaire. Maybe the necromancer isn't from Karrnath after all...")
This also gives you an idea of what the players think about the plot you've spun so far. What stood out, what they missed.
If they've missed a subtle clue you've thrown their way, then you know you could do with repeating it. If they're inferring ideas, you can confirm, contradict or encourage investigation with Viktor's responses. Stuff like that.
Best of luck!
Another interesting technique could be to use him as a re-capper or as a nudge or, better yet, as a window into your player's minds.
That is really catchy. The trick is using it sparingly and very carefully; I do not want to look like I'm bringing in The DM's Mouthpiece to Feed You a Clue.
As an aside, Redrider, I am now going to work hard to engineer some sort of Xanatos Gambit for my game. Likely involving the DD. I might also pull an Enfante Terrible (or a subverted one; a child who walks, talks, and thinks they are, but it's a front by their handler).
Show
1. Gasslak, the medusa who keeps the peace in Malleon's Gate, approaches the Dhakanni exile. In exchange for putting support behind his "Unite Goblins" campaign within the district, the medusa wants the PC to investigate a failed assassination attempt on him. (Why? First Gasslak is testing the PC, to be sure he's not in on it to take control of the district. When he's satisfied, he wants someone outside of Daask to do it because he's suspicious it was Daask).
2. The PC is given the assassin's corpse. The assassin was a grimlock, with three important clues: marks suggest the grimlock was exiled from its tribe (a PC has off-hand knowledge of their culture), and there's only one tribe in Sharn's Cogs; remnants of a psionic tattoo; a brand that suggests the grimlock works for Daask. In addition, the assassin was working with a second grimlock, a bard who was "Snake Charming" Gasslak, but who escaped. This suggests a shaman of the Grimlocks (again, PC knowledge).
3. The PCs do some investigating. Through some clues I haven't figured out, they find the Grimlock's roommate, Durok. Durok is willing to tell them the what: the dead assassin was exiled from its tribe for gravely insulting the chief. In desperate need for food (being a cannibal), it became a hitter for Daask. However, Durok says that the grimlock had been contacted by their Shaman, and was given an opportunity to get back in. Durok tells the PCs where to locate the Shaman in a roundabout fashion.
4. The PCs find the Shaman. The Shaman is off her rocker. She talks about promises in her dreams of being able to see, visions from her mind, and she would be given Sight if she killed Gasslak.
5. During this talk, the cave they are in starts to collapse. Something burrowing through the rock has tapped into a magma vent, and the lava's getting closer. There are many creatures burrowing through the rock, and thus, the PCs must escape the collapsing, burning tunnel before they're all consumed. During their escape, the arm of something breaks through a wall - and is broken off. As soon as it is broken, the arm turns to goo.
6. The PCs have no clue where to turn now. So they go home and sleep. One of the PCs has a fitful nightmare; something comign after him. But it's eaten by the power of the Rakshasa lurking inside of him, and he gets a glimpse of a face, and a place. The PCs follow up on this, and find the body of a Riedrian, and some date books suggesting meetings.
7. I haven't filled this in yet. Not sure where the meetings info will take them. Potential attack against them?
8. The PCs receive an envelope. A cryptic letter suggests that Gasslak will soon be attacked (this is foreshadowing for an NPC who helps/uses the PCs in the future).
9. Another attack on Gasslak with much more determination. Either DD agents acting openly, or manipulated Daask mercs.
10. Not sure where to go from here, but likely the DD, unsuccessful, split from the scene, and the PCs have no clue where to go next; I might "end the adventure" here with suggestion that information will come in the future (or more appropriately, recurring villain).
What's Going On: The Dreaming Dark are using a Daask affiliated assassin to kill Gasslak. Why? Destabilize Malleon's Gate or cause problems with Daask. If Gasslak dies, there will be a power vacuum that Daask will certainly fill. This may force Boromar's hand (or give Daask stranger assets to fight Boromar). If it is unsuccessful, then Gasslak will throw Daask completely out of Malleon's Gate, and cause some minor fractures in the gang's power structure (since Gasslak is a Medusa from Droaam, and will sever ties with the Daask's bosses and the few medusa in Sharn).
The DD used astral constructs with burrowing to close the loose end of the shaman and try to kill the PCs. Then a psion tried to invade the PC's dream, but was killed by the Rakshasa's power inside of him.
2. The PC is given the assassin's corpse. The assassin was a grimlock, with three important clues: marks suggest the grimlock was exiled from its tribe (a PC has off-hand knowledge of their culture), and there's only one tribe in Sharn's Cogs; remnants of a psionic tattoo; a brand that suggests the grimlock works for Daask. In addition, the assassin was working with a second grimlock, a bard who was "Snake Charming" Gasslak, but who escaped. This suggests a shaman of the Grimlocks (again, PC knowledge).
3. The PCs do some investigating. Through some clues I haven't figured out, they find the Grimlock's roommate, Durok. Durok is willing to tell them the what: the dead assassin was exiled from its tribe for gravely insulting the chief. In desperate need for food (being a cannibal), it became a hitter for Daask. However, Durok says that the grimlock had been contacted by their Shaman, and was given an opportunity to get back in. Durok tells the PCs where to locate the Shaman in a roundabout fashion.
4. The PCs find the Shaman. The Shaman is off her rocker. She talks about promises in her dreams of being able to see, visions from her mind, and she would be given Sight if she killed Gasslak.
5. During this talk, the cave they are in starts to collapse. Something burrowing through the rock has tapped into a magma vent, and the lava's getting closer. There are many creatures burrowing through the rock, and thus, the PCs must escape the collapsing, burning tunnel before they're all consumed. During their escape, the arm of something breaks through a wall - and is broken off. As soon as it is broken, the arm turns to goo.
6. The PCs have no clue where to turn now. So they go home and sleep. One of the PCs has a fitful nightmare; something comign after him. But it's eaten by the power of the Rakshasa lurking inside of him, and he gets a glimpse of a face, and a place. The PCs follow up on this, and find the body of a Riedrian, and some date books suggesting meetings.
7. I haven't filled this in yet. Not sure where the meetings info will take them. Potential attack against them?
8. The PCs receive an envelope. A cryptic letter suggests that Gasslak will soon be attacked (this is foreshadowing for an NPC who helps/uses the PCs in the future).
9. Another attack on Gasslak with much more determination. Either DD agents acting openly, or manipulated Daask mercs.
10. Not sure where to go from here, but likely the DD, unsuccessful, split from the scene, and the PCs have no clue where to go next; I might "end the adventure" here with suggestion that information will come in the future (or more appropriately, recurring villain).
What's Going On: The Dreaming Dark are using a Daask affiliated assassin to kill Gasslak. Why? Destabilize Malleon's Gate or cause problems with Daask. If Gasslak dies, there will be a power vacuum that Daask will certainly fill. This may force Boromar's hand (or give Daask stranger assets to fight Boromar). If it is unsuccessful, then Gasslak will throw Daask completely out of Malleon's Gate, and cause some minor fractures in the gang's power structure (since Gasslak is a Medusa from Droaam, and will sever ties with the Daask's bosses and the few medusa in Sharn).
The DD used astral constructs with burrowing to close the loose end of the shaman and try to kill the PCs. Then a psion tried to invade the PC's dream, but was killed by the Rakshasa's power inside of him.
There also could be a twist that the barrister was mistaken: he thought that somebody was practicing necromancy while he was just a follower of the undying court.
Or entries like: 'Suspect A went to the a ceremony on the Dark Six's temple on Gygax street'. This could be an adventure hook.
Maybe indication that somebody is posessed by the Quoris.