help needed on an adventure - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

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#1 amperage Jul 05, 2010 19:43:49	I'm not sure if this is the right section for this or not. If not, my apologies. I'm in the process of coming up with an adventure for a group to play. I've never DM'd before and I'm relatively new to D&D overall. This is going to be a standalone adventure(meaning it doesn't have to connect to anything else) and it's mainly to give the regular DM a break and also to let him participate as a PC once in a while. Also, I don't know too much about any of the D&D worlds or cities or geography so I basically made up all the places and names for everything. Anyway, my idea was to create a murder mystery. I think I've got a decent idea for a the basic plot in terms of who does the killing and why he's doing it, but I'm having a difficult time coming up with some ideas for clues and ways for the PC to figure out who did it. I'm sort of hesitant to write too much details simply because I don't really know who may end up seeing this but oh well I guess because I need help. Also, feel free to take this and use it how you wish. Essentially what I'm looking for is someone or anyone to help me finish the story., specifically details as to the type of clues that ought to be left behind and how they can lead the PCs to the killer while still leading them to false suspects as well. Also I want to be able to have multiple levels of clues that way if they roll a certain number they will find one set of clues that, while still directing them towards the killer, also don't quite help as much as the clue or clues that they missed due to the lower roll. Like maybe if they roll a certain level they can save one of the members lives and prevent their murder whereas, if they do not, then the next person dies but then they'll get another chance with the set of clues left at the second murder. In short, any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Plot Background and Motive --------------------- A group of explorers, The Comanche's( a 5 or 6 man team I'm not sure yet), are on an expedition through the treacherous mountains of Vesbin in search of an ancient treasure long thought to be a myth when one of the members, Fenton Restabule, gets seriously injured(spinal injury). Doctors believe he won't ever climb again so the team feel it is in their best interest to find a new member. However, Restabule was a somewhat integral member of the team and planned most of the expeditions that they went on and even had plans for some they had yet to explore. Some time later, One of these expeditions leads to a great discovery and relative fame and fortune for the team. The team gives no credit to their former member/planner/team leader who they had long lost touch with. Meanwhile he has kept up with the team and upon hearing about their discovery is devastated to see that they have given no credit to him. Not only that, but one of the other members,(his old best friend, Simon Pearson, who was 2nd in command while Restabule was a member but since his departure from the team due to injury became the #1 guy) actually took full for it. His devestation soon turns to rage as he begins murdering the team 1 by 1, saving Pearson for last. Note: Restabule has since made a recovery from his injury thanks in part to the help of a wizard who was able to restore him to full health and, in some ways, make him stronger than ever. One adverse side effect however, is that his mind has been somewhat warped and this, in part, has led him to his way of thinking and indeed his madness. HOOK ---- You(the party) are in the town of Elkmore staying at a local inn, The Silver Dollar, which is your regular hang out when you're in town. you're pretty well respected amongst the long time residents spanning from an incident a few springs back when, while at the time you were merely passing through, you helped stop an influx of Gnoll raiders from terrorizing the Elkmore citizens. Since then, you've been treated well and you've taken full advantage of the comfort. The town has seen a recent economic boom which has given rise to things both good and bad. The good being the influx of money and traffic, the bad being the crime. The town has expanded faster than the police force and therefore crime is beginning to rise. Nothing major but it seems to be getting a bit worse. Because of this fact, the sheriff of the town, Quinn Milner, at times, enlists your help(usually for pay). Incidentally, you're at your usual table near the back, just about to begin your second round of ale when the exhasted sheriff walks through the door, motions to Reesha, the owner and operator of The Silver Dollar, who quickly pours him a drink after which he makes his way to your table. It doesn't take long for you to realize he is at his wits end trying to stay ahead of all the problems taking place in the town. You converse a bit after which a man storms in, out of breath and yelling for the sheriff. As he see's him, he hastily makes his way back to where he is, "Sheriff! Sheriff! He's dead! He's dead!" "I went t-" -keep your voice down, the sheriff says. Chas Grazlow, a delivery man, was delivering something[detail later] to Roscoe Green's, a private man who doesn't get many visitors, when he noticed the door was slightly open. This led to the discovery of Mr. Green's body. The sheriff head drops as if this was the straw that broke the camels back. What more could be added to his already full plate. He lets our a reluctant sigh and alsmost in a plee for helps asks for you all to accompany him(if you haven't offered already) to check things out. Once on scene the sheriff and you are greated with what looks to be a murder. However, several things are amiss and certain things lead you to believe this may not be a run of the mill murder and this may not be the last... The sheriff says, "I hate to say it but we just don't have the manpower to launch a murder investigation at this point, but the county commissioners have authorized me to outsource some of our work as needed until we expand and, to be honest, I'm more of a peacekeeper than an investigator, and I don't have the skill to handle something like this. You boys are about the only people in this town I would trust with such a job...Would you be willing, to take on this case? We would pay of course." ---HOPEFULLY THEY'LL ACCEPT THE OFFER--- "I have all the confidence in the world in you boys"

Plot

Background and Motive
---------------------
A group of explorers, The Comanche's( a 5 or 6 man team I'm not sure yet), are on an expedition through the treacherous mountains of Vesbin in search of an ancient treasure long thought to be a myth when one of the members, Fenton Restabule, gets seriously injured(spinal injury).

Doctors believe he won't ever climb again so the team feel it is in their best interest to find a new member.

However, Restabule was a somewhat integral member of the team and planned most of the expeditions that they went on and even had plans for some they had yet to explore.

Some time later, One of these expeditions leads to a great discovery and relative fame and fortune for the team.

The team gives no credit to their former member/planner/team leader who they had long lost touch with.

Meanwhile he has kept up with the team and upon hearing about their discovery is devastated to see that they have given no credit to him. Not only that, but one of the other members,(his old best friend, Simon Pearson, who was 2nd in command while Restabule was a member but since his departure from the team due to injury became the #1 guy) actually took full for it.

His devestation soon turns to rage as he begins murdering the team 1 by 1, saving Pearson for last.

Note: Restabule has since made a recovery from his injury thanks in part to the help of a wizard who was able to restore him to full health and, in some ways, make him stronger than ever. One adverse side effect however, is that his mind has been somewhat warped and this, in part, has led him to his way of thinking and indeed his madness.

HOOK
----
You(the party) are in the town of Elkmore staying at a local inn, The Silver Dollar, which is your regular hang out when you're in town.

you're pretty well respected amongst the long time residents spanning from an incident a few springs back when, while at the time you were merely passing through, you helped stop an influx of Gnoll raiders from terrorizing the Elkmore citizens. Since then, you've been treated well and you've taken full advantage of the comfort.

The town has seen a recent economic boom which has given rise to things both good and bad. The good being the influx of money and traffic, the bad being the crime.

The town has expanded faster than the police force and therefore crime is beginning to rise. Nothing major but it seems to be getting a bit worse. Because of this fact, the sheriff of the town, Quinn Milner, at times, enlists your help(usually for pay).

Incidentally, you're at your usual table near the back, just about to begin your second round of ale when the exhasted sheriff walks through the door, motions to Reesha, the owner and operator of The Silver Dollar, who quickly pours him a drink after which he makes his way to your table.

It doesn't take long for you to realize he is at his wits end trying to stay ahead of all the problems taking place in the town.

You converse a bit after which a man storms in, out of breath and yelling for the sheriff. As he see's him, he hastily makes his way back to where he is, "Sheriff! Sheriff! He's dead! He's dead!" "I went t-" -keep your voice down, the sheriff says.

Chas Grazlow, a delivery man, was delivering something[detail later] to Roscoe Green's, a private man who doesn't get many visitors, when he noticed the door was slightly open. This led to the discovery of Mr. Green's body.

The sheriff head drops as if this was the straw that broke the camels back. What more could be added to his already full plate. He lets our a reluctant sigh and alsmost in a plee for helps asks for you all to accompany him(if you haven't offered already) to check things out.

Once on scene the sheriff and you are greated with what looks to be a murder. However, several things are amiss and certain things lead you to believe this may not be a run of the mill murder and this may not be the last...

The sheriff says, "I hate to say it but we just don't have the manpower to launch a murder investigation at this point, but the county commissioners have authorized me to outsource some of our work as needed until we expand and, to be honest, I'm more of a peacekeeper than an investigator, and I don't have the skill to handle something like this. You boys are about the only people in this town I would trust with such a job...Would you be willing, to take on this case? We would pay of course."

---HOPEFULLY THEY'LL ACCEPT THE OFFER---

"I have all the confidence in the world in you boys"