(first a little apologize if I use some wrong words - english is not my first!) ;)
Hello,
I just running the 2nd Part of Skinsaw Murders and find the last part a bit unsatisfying. It seems to me a little overhasty.
My PC´s came last session to Magnimar and searched for Alderns town house. They heard about the Brotherhood (which is a not so secret society, more like the Freemasons) and that Vorel Foxglove was a founding member. In Alderns house they found information about a possible hideout of the Brotherhood (the sawmill). Before the could go there they were attacked by the Faceless Stalkers. When they wanted to leave the house they heard the city watch (led by hellknight) call them out.
They have asked a lot of questions and meet the wrong people in their search for Alderns House who informed Ironbriar! The PC´s got arrested by the hellknight in the Arvensoar, as ordered from Ironbriar. In the jail the meet Captain Acacia Uriana (see p. 60) who distrusts Justice Ironbriar and thinks Ironbriar and the Lord Mayor only want some scapegoats to satisfy the crowd (Ironbriar meanwhile signs therewhile their death sentence). She let the players flee after a long speech with them and insists that they bring her the true murderer.
So where do I go from here?
I have the idea to let the pc rescue the Lord Mayor, and not only to see him on a death list. I think this would be more of an impact. How could I stage this? I tought he could maybe on an private party or in a playhouse where Xanesha personally looks to dispose him (the most greedy soul in Magnimar - before she must flee after the pc´s stirred to much up). Maybe she can flee after her failed assasination attempt and go back to her tower in the shadow. Then we would still have the finale as described in the book! Maybe the pc´s have additional reeinforcements (Acacia and some soldiers) then which would make the Encounter with Big Xanesha a little less deadly.
What are your toughts? How should I stage this rescue Groberas thing?
My pcs are working for the good justice. They vasically spilled their knowledge to the watch upon arriving in Magnimar. As such they met the mayor who basically just wants the murders to stop and since the pcs had info he met them, aswell as a few people working on the case (including ironbriar since it says he's internally screwing with the investigations) he's since been sending them into danger, finally after they found out about the sawmill he ambushed them there but escaped. Next he plans on sending them after the "cultists" dressed as cultists in another place where conveniently hellknights will catch them... following a farce of a trial in which one hellknight will swear the pcs were cultists he caught as will the priest that detects lies for the court the pcs will be sentanced to death. they will break out (I'm making it easy to ensure) then learn ironbriar is throwing a party to celebrate the killers being brought to justice. They will undoubtably infiltarate the home to see what is going on and find a murder ceremony in a hidden Norberger temple basement. The Mayor will be on the block and the hellknight will be being initiated. The clerk and Ironbriar will be there and fight ensues where the pcs literally save the lord mayor. They then will get Ironbriar's confession of his mistress, some hints of his activities from the clerk who is his 2nd in command, or find his journals... Then it's shadow clock...