thanks
They are walking along, minding their own business, when a woman's scream peirces the night. They rush to investigate, and find...
A woman struggling with hooded figures, one holds a sword, another holds her arm, they are about to cut off her arm when they see the party and flee.
A woman sobbing, her arm cut off, two dark figures flee out the other side of the alley, leaving a trail of blood.
etc.
Depending on your plot and their actions, they may kill or even capture a cultist, which could give them more clues. Also, depending on their actions, they may or may not be able to track the cultists whether to a lair, or into the trackless sewer system...
2) strange artifacts are scattered around the town. They show the thing that is being made. If they ask about the items they are told that there are a ton of them in "the old pit". The cult gathering place entrance is there.
3) Old woman has dreams for each death before it is happening. She wont talk about it because her son is the leader.
4) ghost of the dead people appear.
5) a monster (?) shows up and tries to explain that the samething is happening to his tribe.
6) anyone worshipping the Raven-Queen can't sleep, and falls into trances speaking gibberish. Suffers a -1 to Wisdom, Dex, and Int per day.
as for strand0, the ones that I like, 3 and 6, I'm not quite sure how they would fit in lol. I mean I can understand the old lady but if she doesn't speak up how is the party expected to know about her? and 6 i plain don't get, although it has piqued my interest; if you wouldn't mind elaborating on your ideas that would be wicked
as for strand0, the ones that I like, 3 and 6, I'm not quite sure how they would fit in lol. I mean I can understand the old lady but if she doesn't speak up how is the party expected to know about her? and 6 i plain don't get, although it has piqued my interest; if you wouldn't mind elaborating on your ideas that would be wicked
The drunkard who they could belive or not with huge slashes on both of his arms bursts into the inn and begins spouting about the cultist who tryed to remove his arms and all and then he promptly dies of bloodloss
After this they would ask who the guy was. the innkeeper stammers out that he was a chief officer in the city gaurd and shouldnt have been taken so easy .
now they have a reasion but no modivation . well maybe the party gets into some kind of skirmish . the drunkard comes in they hear his screams just as you guys walk in . They see blood on your armor fresh from battle and decide that this gaurd couldnt have been taken so easaly by crazys so they blame the party. They are quickly taken before the mayor whare they strike a deal . The mans gauntlets with special engravings on them where taken by the cultists. they where searched and then tasked with bringing the cultists heads along with that gauntlet to prove there innocence . From there they are forced to hun and ask around (to people who at this point with a few acceptoins dont like them)
Simple scene,
If any wake up in the local inn and go downs stairs to eat a bit of breakfast, then walk say nature calls, there are out houses out in the alley behond the Inn. Walking down the narrow alley the PC sees a pack of dogs eating something...
A torso of a young rake who was prowling the nights to steal a few kisses from his sweet hearts, missing both his legs and arms, a filthy rag stuffed in his mouth, eyes glazed in horrid death.
Someone walks by and calls the guard if the PC doesn't do so, the guards come question the PC (don't be accusing unless the PC has a bad rep) like did he see who did it and when he found it, and if anyone can account for his where abouts, no one really suspect the PC unless he is an unsavory sort.
If the PCs are known for heroic stuff, the guards might ask if they are going to get involved, obviously intimidated for whatever is doing the crimes.
Have the guards give a bit of information that this isn't the first victim, and they have been all a certain sort, (choose one roughly like a PC, so they might get the idea for a sting/bait) in the dead of night down back alleys.
Preferably you choose the stereotype something Stealth inept PC can fit, or funnily maybe not (a burly dragonborn paladin a long dress and blonde wig is what comedy is made of).
----
The horrific nature of the murders could spawn undead as an unintended side effect, especially if the bodies are left hidden without proper burial.
The first undead is a Wraith and the PCs are attacked in thier room while they sleep, it howling in newly risen rage. It enters thier room through the wall from the alley side of the Inn. The PCs who pass the DC 15 religion check know the body should be close, or it was summoned. The next morning the PCs can find a corpse that spawned it hidden under rubbish, similar to the body above.
This teaches horrible crimes have more consequences then first thought.
If the PCs doesn't stop the murders Wraiths could well overtake the town through a thoughtless consequence of power hungry experimenters.
Ask yourself, am I developing this plot line because I think the players enjoy it or I would?
You know the right one. :P
I love the idea, I must say.
Think i just started a creative reaction in my brain thanks to your post... this might have what i need to spice my adventures up a bit
