Starting the Adventure
Info
table-of-contents
Introduction
Link to original
Starting the Adventure
The Investigation
The Confrontation
The Conclusion
Maps
Windlewood Manor
- First Floor
- Second Floor
- Roof
Store & Warehouse
Lady Windlewood (AI created)
Higgins
The adventure begins in the parlor of Windlewood Manor – the PCs have each received a letter of summons from the captain of the guard explaining that they’ve been deputized to investigate this matter, with the understanding that they will be fairly compensated by Lady Windlewood. Upon arrival at Windlewood Manor, they are ushered into the opulent parlor by Higgins, the head butler, deposited on luxurious couches, and given tea and deputization forms.
Allow the players a few minutes to introduce their characters and interact. When enough time has passed, continue to the next section.
Meeting Madame
Read or paraphrase the following:
Read
The heavy wooden door to the hallway swings open and a petite elderly woman steps purposefully into your midst. Her clothing, fashionable and costly, is complemented by jewels sparkling on her wrists, neck, and ears. Her hair is secured with an elaborate ornament, exposing her angular face and contributing to her austere appearance.
Lady Windlewood is upset by the loss of her bird and expects the PCs to find Beatrice, and quickly! She gets fed up with too much questioning and carries herself with a haughty disposition towards anyone who is not nobility themselves (especially non-humans). She responds very well to flattery and deference when addressing her. She also gives the PCs free rein of the house, so long as Higgins keeps an eye on them. She doesn’t broach the topic of payment, but if asked, she promises to pay each PC 100 gold coins on the return
of her beloved pet.
She has developed her own list of suspects:
- Jane Goodthorn, the new scullery maid. “She’s lower-class and doesn’t have much money, and Beatrice is quite valuable! She’s also a tiefling, which makes her a highly suspicious sort of person!”
- Karvatticus Fletcher, the exotic animal dealer. “Perhaps he sells animals and then steals them to resell to a new buyer! After all, he’s a gnome, and you know how those are. Thieves and scoundrels, to the last!”
- Lady Brumblebush, a fellow noble and Lady Windlewood’s social rival. “She always tries to outdo me in everything – collections, vacations, friends! She was probably jealous of my beautiful bird. She’s also cruel and likes to see me upset; she probably hired someone to steal it and then gave it away to an urchin, just to spite me!”
Of course, all three are incorrect – but in addition to the physical evidence in the study, these should provide the PCs a few good starting points for their investigation.
Eventually she will dismiss the party to begin the investigation. If they want to see the room where Beatrice was kept, or anywhere else, she will have her butler, Higgins accompany them.
Read
Higgins is a slim, impeccably groomed, and stands ramrod straight. He has dark hair, neatly combed and kept short and a prominent, well-groomed mustache. Dressed in conservative, proper clothing, he carries himself with an air of precision and discipline, emphasizing his role as the meticulous caretaker of the estate.