Absalom - Fundraising for the Fifth Mendevian Crusade

[laraqua]

I'm running Wrath of the Righteous and now that my players are through Demon's Heresy I feel the need to introduce a roleplay heavy sub-section of the game as the players are getting a bit tired of the combatcombatcombat nature of the game and the characters could probably use a breather in another location to lend further contrast to the later Worldwound sections.

I can handwaive travel through Greater Teleport so that they're not gone so long that the plot will rush off without them but, basically, I need something to do while they're gone.

I came up with an idea for a possible fundraiser in Absalom that the PCs could attend and perhaps be guests of honour responsible for helping convince others to dig deep (one very charismatic oracle and a bard).

I'm wondering what kind of important NPCs could be in attendance, what sort of social trials they might need to muddle through, and perhaps some very nice sight seeing places to visit. An idea for a major venue would be great as well.

I'm figuring that each social trial they succeed on could provide the war effort with a certain amount of money, resources, and perhaps even a Lives Saved tally much like in the Korvosan adventure path but due to resources against demons rather than a plague.

One character is a would-be Calistrian who wants to visit a temple as well, while the barbarian wants to visit a brothel, so that's one sightseeing trip that could also fill in for the necessary tavern breather.

The bard is a worshiper of Shelyn whose also hoping to gather some extra crusaders from the Church of Sarenrae to help redeem some of the prisoners.

[John Compton]

WOW! Do I have an adventure recommendation for you! Take a look at Pathfinder Society Scenario #5-03: The Hellknight's Feast, which deals with exactly this situation from the perspective of the Pathfinder Society. These scenarios are fairly easy to adapt to your own campaign by changing a few nuances of the plot hook.

It contains:

A dinner party in Absalom intended for fundraising and building political support to mobilize Absalom against the Worldwound

About half a dozen important and influential NPCs from around the Inner Sea with varying motives

A dark plot to sabotage the event--and the PCs get to foil it.

A Calistrian NPC who could connect really well with one of your PCs

I heartily recommend picking it up and borrowing what you want from it. There's a lot of room in the adventure to add some more NPCs to fit your needs.

[Mark Seifter]

EDIT: Ninjaed by John, but yeah, you definitely want The Hellknight's Feast. Your PCs are going to be too strong for the fights, but you can either just let them be badass and annihilate the fights, or do some adjusting.

[laraqua]

Thanks! I'd looked over the Pathfinder Society adventures but must have somehow missed this one. :)