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The False Accusation

by RFmatt Posted on

The False Accusation

A crowd fills a small square, some are speaking quietly to their companions about what they are witnessing while others are yelling jeers towards the scene before them.

Description

As you step forward from behind the crowd, a wealthy looking merchant who is pointing a golden cane toward a dockworker who is sitting on the cobblestones.

Adventure Hook

The Trigger: A scuffle breaks out just ahead of the party as a wealthy looking foreign merchant points a golden cane at a terrified, dirt-covered dockworker. The merchant, who the party come to overhear is named Orlov, claims the laborer cut open his bag and stole a small pouch containing several sapphires. A group of local mercenaries steps in, shouting, “Hold still, Jovan!” as they begin beating him to try to force a confession.

  • The Objective: Jovan, notices the party of adventurers and desperately begs for their help, swearing he is innocent.
    • If the Party Intervenes: They step into the fray to buy time. A character must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom (Perception or Insight) check to spot the true culprit hiding in the gathering crowd: a nimble pickpocket, who is wearing an oversized smock and nervously trying to conceal Orlov’s pouch inside her gloved hand. Should they confront her, they will learn she is named Mikla.
    • If the Party Does Not Intervene: They watch from the sidelines. As Jovan is dragged away bleeding. A character can make a DC 13 Wisdom (Perception) check to notice someone from the crowd slip away while transferring a lavish pouch into an oversized smock pocket. If they choose to make contact with the individual, they will learn their name is Mikla and can decide what to do next.

    REWARDIf Jovan is vindicated, a grateful dock supervisor who says he works with the man will secretly hand them a Nautilion Cargo Manifest as a gratuity for helping him.

    Alternatively, if they hunt down Mikla privately, they secure the manifest from her stash alongside Orlov’s stolen sapphires. A character proficient with a forgery kit can modify this official manifest to cover any single inventory item. When a customs official inspects that item, the manifest grants advantage on one Charisma (Deception) check made to bypass the security checkpoint. The manifest is surrendered and destroyed upon use.