185.Giant Beavers just latest prehistoric Dires to appear.
The 2 experts looked around their damaged museum. Sure enough, the only things missing were the matched pair of saber toothed beaver skulls.
"I told you, it's fallout from all those raise dead and resurrection spells being performed nowadays. There's no evidence of a druid ritual."
DM Briefing: You can reskin a grizzly with saber teeth and a long, otter like tail. They live in marshes and eat water plants. Their swim speed is twice their lumbering land speed. Add them to your homebrew swamp/marsh encounter and summoning tables.
Source:https://www.rawstory.com/2019/06/what-you-should-know-about-giant-hu man-sized-beavers/?utm_source=push_notifications
186.Pre pharaoh island outpost may contain gold, jewels, and royal purple dye.
The captain looked at the land mass through his spyglass. "There she is, and there are are goblinoids with bows on the beach! Prepare to return fire!"
DM Briefing: Ancient Minoans harvested, and even farmed sea snails for their scant royal purple dye they used as venom. They amassed riches and luxuries till cheaper and safer dyes were discovered. The ruins have become an outdoor dungeon. In addition to standard treasures, the dye is so valuable, it subsumes most of the cost of making magic garments. Experiments to get more dye per snail have resulted in venomous flail snails adding to the wandering monsters.
Source:https://www.livescience.com/gold-jewels-found-on-island-purple.html? utm_source=notification
187.Do constructs have fingerprints?
Detective Ratbert took one look at the fingerprint and said,"Yes, there's the barcode from that lot of stolen android bodies! This is no random crime!"
GM Briefing:Fingerprints can add 1 to hand intensive tasks such as safecracking, climbing, and holding on to a weapon. Clay golems can have your holy symbol as part of their fingerprints for +7% of the cost. Likewise a golem or caryatid column can have your wizard mark as their fingerprints if wizard mark is included in their construction.
Source:https://www.livescience.com/why-do-humans-have-fingerprints.html?utm _source=notification
188.Sword of poison.
The barbarian grabbed the sword and said, "Mine!"
GM Briefing:Using an arsenic hardened copper sword without thick gloves gives an exposure whenever they eat without washing their hands first.
Source:https://www.livescience.com/ancient-anatolian-sword-in-venetian-mona stery.html?utm_source=notification
189.First temples were to nature.
[i]The archaeologist climbed down the ladder to find a hooded figure looking at the animal carvings on the pillars. "These are druidic runes." The archaeologist nodded and climbed back up the ladder. He addressed the rest of his team'"We are going to leave. Only nature worshippers among you can stay and complete the restoration."
GM Briefing: Characters may be hired to protect the arch druid as he goes to the site. Character druids might journey there to learn the spells and rituals carved into the pillars.
Source:https://www.livescience.com/gobeklitepe-built-with-geometry.html?utm _source=notification
190. 66 Forbidden Spirits Discovered
Ford grumbled as he mixed the vile smelling paste. Wynne had been on him to repair the small hole that separated the first floor from the underground larder, the small hole had turned into something neither small nor exactly a hole due to the spring rains. Still, the project got him out of the house and away from his wife's astute observations.
He reached up to pull away some more hasty masonry gone bad, but was rewarded with the sound of a thud as opposed to the clatter of stone. A tightly wrapped package appeared on the ground in front of him. Curiosity piqued, he opened up the mouldering cloth to reveal a dirty, but still legible label: Old Smuggler, it read. Ford knew and envied the name, bottles could go for as much as 100 gold each. Struck by inspiration, he stepped a pace or three back and placed a thumb where the bottle fell out. Then he saw it- other bulges in the area he was working on. This house was a treasure trove...
DM Briefing- In a small village several hours travel away from the settings grandest city, a man and his wife discover the older home they purchased has exactly 66 bottles of ancient whiskey built into the outer moulding of the home. These bottles are holdover from a time where all spirits were forbidden in the kingdom, and will sell for at least 100 gold a bottle, if not more to a collector. PCs are called in to provide security for the family or someone who wishes to buy the whiskey from them.
Source:https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/11/25/us/whiskey-bottles-found-new-york -home-walls-trnd/index.html
191. Woman in Quiet, Remote Town Divorces Ghost Pirate, Claims He Was Using Her For Sustenance
Var had never traveled this far north before, and she had to admit that she found the almost bitter cold mixed with the sea air bracing as she stepped off the gangplank. She was in what could generously be referred to as a village- and one dedicated to Thenaka, goddess of the frontier, at that. Why was she, a sophomore servant of the more cosmopolitan Ophelia, specifically requested from lands more than a week to the south by sail?
It seems she would not have long to wait to discover the reason why. She was almost bowled over by her host. By the look of him, he was either the mayor or a comparatively wealthy private citizen. He pumped her hand up and down enthusiastically in greeting and guided her to the longhouse-style structure that served him as both. She noticed relieved looks on the faces of passersby, but none of them could quite manage to look her in the eye.
A moment later she was inside, with a roughspun mug of hot cider in her hands and a host of documents spread out before her. They seemed to be divorce papers, and about as cheerless as the woman that was guarding them. She signed her part of the contract without so much as even a glance in Var's direction, and to that point, it seemed she traveled this far for nothing more than a warm drink. But there was something familiar about this woman- where had she seen her before?
"Where is the other party?" she asked patiently. "I cannot witness this without them."
"He will be here when the sun sets in full," the woman said bitterly. Var was used to discordant break ups, but there was a note in this woman's voice that seemed more worn than angry or hurt. Var noticed she hadn't touched her own beverage, and that there were only a trio of mugs available. Was everyone involved so petty that they would deny the former husband food and drink? Var felt her goddess' interest piquing along with her own.
Just then, the shadows in the room lengthened. Var felt the unmistakable chill associated not with winter evenings but the undead. A low fog slowly crept its way into the room. Her senses sharpened and she cried out a warning as a ghostly figure, bedecked in avuncular nautical finery, strode through the wall. Her holy symbol burned in her hand as she began to call upon Ophelia's power to burn the spirit to wisps of ectoplasm and regret.
"NO!" The woman sprang in between Var and the ghost. "This is my husband! He's here to sign his part of the paperwork!"
Var felt her jaw drop. "He's your WHAT?" She did not let go of the holy power she drew upon, but aimed it in a slightly different direction so as to not sear the being directly.
"He is my husband," the woman said wearily. "Or he was once. Once he signs his part of the document, our association will be ended." She positively spitted the spirit with her glare. The ghost, for his part, looked equal parts abashed, frustrated, and hurt- by his former wife or Var's spiritual gifts, she could not tell.
*I apologized not once, not thrice, but each time I came to you, wyfe-* the spirit began.
"You never came for ME, you came for DINNER!" she snapped in retort.
The spirit seemed agonized. *I do not eat anymore, my luv, but being around you is what sustains me.* The ghost seemed unable to yell, his voice never rising about a loud whisper, but he was obviously exasperated to the point of anger.
"Is that all I ever was to you? A source of sustenance?" Out of nowhere the woman began to weep. The alderman put himself between the two parties and began what sounded like an oft repeated request for peace between the two. The ghost walked in a tight circle and made a wailing sound of his own that made Var's ears burn. She could feel her goddess's excitement build even as she returned the power she had borrowed. This was no common lover's spat...
DM Briefing: In a remote town on the edge of the frontier, a woman somehow makes the intimate acquaintence of a long dead pirate who once plagued the area- and then marries him, to local astonishment and international acclaim. As the story eventually faded from gossip and passed into myth, so too did the passion the pair once shared, and the woman has sought a divorce, accusing her former husband of using her only for her life force, which keeps the ghost attached to this realm of existence. PCs are called in to witness the ceremony, provide security for the wife- or the husband- during or after the divorce, or simply hear about a woman who loved a spirit and then lost one at a tavern.
Source: https://www.irishpost.com/news/northern-irish-woman-married-300-year-old-pi rate-ghost-divorced-spirit-using-169239
192. Waitress Finally Allowed To Take Home 200 Gold Tip After Public Outcry
Aelba ground her teeth together in the approximation of a smile as her boss shook the scribe's hand. "So, as you can see, it was all something of a misunderstanding due to local law." He put a slight emphasis on that last word. "Mistress Aelba will be given the promissory note- and with you as a witness, no less!" The fat oaf spread his hands as he made the proclamation.
For his part, the scribe, attached to the a local cryer's guild, seemed unmoved, thank Tarkith for that. "But sir, if I am not mistaken, didn't you say that she had already received the maximum tip allowable before- 50 gold, and that was about a week ago. A large amount to be sure, but what happened to the remaining 150 gold in the time between then and now? Was it pocketed, as some detractors are claiming?"
Aelba no longer needed to fake her smile as her boss blubbered an excuse, his face red as a late autumn sunset. He wrote out the promissory note in full view of the scribe, and she accepted it with thanks. This would be an excellent yule this year...
DM Briefing: In a small town, a waitress is tipped the unheard of sum of 200 gold for a well to do meal. This is a time of unusual economic hardship, and so all are surprised to hear of the amount and most wish the waitress well, but the owner of the eatery initially refuses to give the waitress her tip, stating that they cannot honor tips over 50 gold- a lavish amount to be sure, but less than what she is owed- due to fear of fraud. Public outcry sees to it that the waitress gets the remainder of her money, but bad blood remains. PCs could be hired by the restauranteur to act as security against angry passersby, who occasionally throw impromptu protests of the eatery, by the waitress, who is also occasionally a target of people who feel that the proprietor is the victim in all this, or have simply heard this story in local gossip.
Source: https://nypost.com/2020/12/03/texas-waitress-takes-home-2k-tip-after-claimi ng-she-was-stiffed/
193. Mysterious Metal Monoliths Appear And Disappear Across The Land
Xiao pulled up the reigns on the sturdy mountain pony and it slowed to a halt. There was no doubt- the structure was gone, and just as quickly and mysteriously as it had appeared. And just like then, no tracks to or from the structure. Almost as if it had been placed there by the gods. The pony let out a little whine at the cold- unusual for such a hearty animal. He nudged it with his heel and the pony gratefully began his walk back to the stable.
Just then, the speaking stone in his pouch began its characteristic insistent rumble. Xiao fished out the magical communication device and the voice that came through was Kristoff's equally characteristic excited ramble.
"It's gone! It's completely gone! Without a trace! Is yours still there?!"
Xiao answered slowly in the "common" tongue used throughout so much of the world that seemed to be the only one Kristoff could speak- strange that the foreign scientist didn't view his poor linguistic skill as a handicap, but viewed his accented speech as one. "No. Ours is gone too. Like yours, there is no trace."
"AMAZING! I am going to reach out to the people in Vinland!" With that the stone became an inert piece of rock.
Xiao threw a glance over his shoulder and saw that the pony was indeed leaving tracks of his own. The metal monolith was several feet tall- there was no way it could have been placed or removed without any evidence at all...
DM Briefing: A collection of featureless 7 foot tall steel monoliths appear in different places all over the world. They appear in remote areas overnight, with no signs of people passing through the area to put them up, and then, just as they garner attention, the monoliths disappear with likewise no sign of mortal passage. PCs are hired to investigate.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-globally/third-monolith -mystery-california-monolith-disappeared-7091413/
194. Bank Robbers Leave Untold Amounts of Gold in Streets, Making Them Into Local Heroes
Gandain fired his repeating crossbow with a grim sense of irony- he was being paid more money than he had ever made in a day's honest work to miss the watchmen. However, they didn't know that. They leapt behind the cart and a trio of bolts embedded themselves in the wood well above where their heads would have been if they charged him. "We gotta go!"
"I know, I know!" The dwarven woman barrelled around the corner with a pair of surprisingly healthy looking horses in her hand. "Let's move!"
Gandain launched himself into the saddle and offered a hand to the dwarf, only to snatch that hand back to keep it from being impaled by an arrow. The guardsmen had collected their wits enough to return fire with their shortbows, and their aim was better than his had been just a moment ago. Grumbling a curse, the dwarf hurled a fistful of silver and not a few gold into the air in the archer's direction. Had Gandain not been let on to the plan, he would have rounded on her and likely filled her belly with bolts in fury- that was at least a few weeks- if not a couple of months- pay at a VERY generous employer she had just tossed into the street. The coins hit the ground and went everywhere.
But the plan worked. The city folk, initially cowered by the sudden violence at the bank robbery, swarmed into the street to collect the coins. Gandain couldn't help but smirk as he saw one of the officers pick up a gold coin and gawk at it. But then he scrambled to grab the reins of the horse as it took off down the street in response to the meaty hand that slapped it on the ass. The dwarven women took her time to get onto her own horse- her stature meant she needed to be cautious as she truly could not afford a fall- and took off after him, a pair of sacks bulging with coin tied firmly to her waist. She took off after the yelping arbalestier after she smoothed out her beard with a flourish. She needed to look good for the posters, after all...
DM Briefing: A truly gutsy bank robbery with a take of well over 10000 gold has been successfully pulled off in a large city. The thieves involved are heavily armed, but do not kill anyone who attempts to stop them, instead driving them off with heavy weapons fire, possibly backed up by magic. The level of organization for this robbery is quite high, with "accidents" of all sorts on major roads that keep the city watch from responding to the robbery with all but a token force that is readily outnumbered by the score of thieves who take off on hearty horses, and leave behind thousands of coins behind to trip up the authorities as people scramble into the street to collect the coins. No small amount of opportunists are arrested, and the police recover about 1500 gold from them as well as a few honest people who wish to see the coin returned to the bank. The head of the watch has asked for honest citizens to remain in their homes as these clearly dangerous bank robbers attempt to make good their escape in several different avenues out of town. PCs can be part of the thieves guild that pulled off this amazing score(in either the bank robbery, city watch distraction, or horse getaway parts of the scheme), city guardsmen overwhelmed by this ingenious robbery, or are just people on the street who see dozens of gold and silver pieces being tossed in their direction by a charming rogue on top of a horse.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/12/1/brazen-armed-bank-heist-in-brazil- leaves-cash-scattered-on-road#:~:text=Brazen%20armed%20bank%20heist%20in%20 Brazil%20leaves%20cash%20scattered%20on%20road,-1%20Dec%202020&text=Ban k%20robbers%20in%20southern%20Brazil,to%20be%20pocketed%20by%20locals.
195. Giant Lizards Found In Unusual Area
"Whoa! Look out!" Ruben's short sword went flying as the creature's tongue enircled it, yanked it out of his grasp, and then spat it out as if it did not care for the taste of it. It just barely missed Cassandra as it whizzed past her head.
The mage did not care for the ignomious near-fatal blow- it would have speared her through her left eye socket if she hadn't heeded her partner's warning. She held an encircled fist up to her lips and blew as if she were sounding a horn, and a blast of freezing air struck the huge lizard in its flank. Unable to withstand that punishment along with the numerous stab wounds Ruben had inflicted upon it before being disarmed, it fell to the ground with a shudder and did not attempt to rise.
"Be careful, that tail could still trip you up good," Ruben grunted as he fished his gladius from the tall grass.
"I know," Cassandra said quietly. "But what is it DOING here? We're leagues away from the marshes." She pointed her chin in a southerly direction. "In a few months this big guy would have frozen to death without the help of magic."
"No idea," Ruben admitted. "But I doubt the city fathers know that. The question is, do we tell them, or...not?" Ruben shrugged. He was a sellsword, not a mercenary, but there was no denying few of the relatively soft cityfolk to the north of the swamps that were the homes of creatures like this would pay handsomely for giant lizard tails, even if they didn't know how to prepare them for supper. There was no way they would know the beasts wouldn't survive the wint- Ruben shouted a warning as the creature's tail encircled Cassandra's waist as easily as its tongue had grabbed his sword. Maybe they weren't such easy pickings after all...
DM Briefing: Giant lizards are being found far and away from their normal stomping grounds in the south. They grow up to several feet long and eat all manner of flora and fauna, and with few predators, have no real reason to not spread through this new land. Adventurers are called in to whittle down their numbers, but may already be too late to do much of anything beyond kill a few prize specimens.
Source: https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/12/07/us/argentine-black- and-white-tegus-southeast-invasion-trnd/index.html
196. Giant Rats Invade Chain Restaurant in World's Greatest City
Aelba kept her heavy broom- really more of a stave- steady, as the giant rats feasted upon the gourdfruit, ignoring her utterly. She sprang at the last minute, and with a painfully loud squeak, speared one of the loathsome beasts. The other ran off, red eyes aglow in the night. Despite this being far and away outside of her job description, she could not help but feel a momentary flush of pride- she got one of them. Her boss cringing behind her, still managed a hearty "After them!" as she and her coworker, armed with an cast iron pot that could crack a skull wide open, chased after the survivor. It squirmed in between two boxes that showed signs of being gnawed upon and disappeared from sight. Her boss let out an outraged groan of dismay as he realized what was hiding behind the boxes- the restaurant's now defunct speaking stone. Somehow the rats had gnawed through the rock's delicate crystal base in order to access this part of the storage room, rendering it useless. Great. They couldn't even call someone to exterminate the beasts now. As if to mock everyone, a chittering squeak came from behind the magical device. Aelba squinted and saw not one but several pairs of reddish eyes glaring back at her team from the darkness....
DM Briefing: In the world's greatest city, a horde of giant rats have invaded a popular location of a chain restaurant that specializes in gourdfruit and other recipies of cultures far, far to the south. While not good enough to fool the refined palate of a native, they have enchanted the average resident of the city and word of the infestation spreads like wildfire, keeping many from reaching out to the restaurant with their orders, even if they are at a location far from the afflicted one. While some employees are eager to fight back against the beasts with improvised weapons, PCs are called in to act as dedicated exterminators, and are warned that these monsters are so hearty that they have chewed through the equipment necessary for the speaking stones that keep much of the world in communication with each other- DM may decide these giant rats do extra damage with their bite.
Source: https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/09/chipotle-rats-new-york-avocad o
197. Country Begins To Explore Turning Wounded Soldiers Into Half-Golems
"And...jump!" Hans went into a full crouch and leapt up with every bit of enthusaism as the magus instructed. He hit somewhere between his personal best and what was for him a very good jump, 0even back when he had both of his original legs. He could not feel much with the obsidian prosthetics, but what the magicus had promised was true: he was able to walk, run and even jump again, as if he had never left the Expeditionary Legion.
Applause and excited conversation exploded around him, and so many people shook his hand, he feared his arm- equally obsidian- would be pulled off, although so far it had shown no sign of being any less or more hearty than his original. Far off to his left, he caught the leftenant's subtle nod. It was official. He was back in...as a part of Wada's Journeymen, however. It was unlikely he would ever see front line combat, not that the country was under a war setting, mind. Still, it was certainly more than many other wounded soldiers in his condition saw...
DM Briefing: In a land far from the PC's home, a military is making strides in taking seriously wounded soldiers and using magic to make them whole again as half-golems. This is something that has been argued for before in the campaign setting, but was always seen as an affont to nature, religion, and the ethics that make up both. However, these soldiers have already been wounded in battle, have volunteered to be something of an honor guard that will not see combat, and are not being enhanced in any way(recieve no bonuses for being half golems, but lose their penalties for lost limbs, DM is encouraged to be fair with respect to the character regaining their original stats with minimal penalties). Other countries have taken exception to this and feel enhanced soldiers- which would violate many treaties- are on the way and are already undertaking research of their own, but many who hear of this are happy that grievously wounded men and women once again have the chance to serve their country, even in a limited role. PCs are the first of these new type of soldier to see the world, and perhaps combat as well.
Source; https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/12/09/europe/french-army-soldiers-technology-e thics-scli-intl-scn/index.html
198. Retired Guard Captain Captures Wrong Man
The cries of the horses were hellacious as the two carts crashed into one another a second time. Unlike the first collision, this time the smaller cart yielded to force and gravity, and the chestnut mare pulling the cart was the only thing that did not upend itself, sending wood adn detrius everywhere. Aguili couldnt help but grin- he was no spring chicken, but he had bought down the fleeing suspect like an officer a fraction of his age. Igonring the groans that emanated from the remains of the cart, Aguili drew his dagger to cut the panicked horse free, loaded his crossbow and warily approached the bloodied rider.
"Are you insane- WHOA!"
The mastermind behind the graud that the people of the village hired him at no small cost in part due to the sloth of the town guard he had recently retired from backed away from the loaded crossbow, hands held as high as he possibly could. "Don't shoot!"
Aguili kept his voice even and professional. "You are under citizen's arrest. Keep your hands where I can see them."
"O-Okay..." the criminal remained stock still. Aguili heard distant alarm-whitles, and he began to relax a little. Maybe he would even recognize the officer who showed up at the scene...
DM Briefing- A retired guard captain has been hired by concerned citizens to investigate a man they believe is guilty of changing the note tallies for an election. They have amassed well over 26,000 gold to pay this fellow and he arrests the presumably guilty party after a struggle. However, investigation by active guardsmen reveals that the man is quite innocent, and although the retired guard captain paid the 3,000 gold bail to secuire his release, many questions remain. PCs are called in to investigate the retired guard captain, the supposed fraud mastermind, the organization that raised the astonishing amount of money for what almost became a murder-for-hire situation, or some combination thereof.
Source: https://www.google.com/amp/s/beta.ctvnews.ca/national/america-votes/2020/12 /16/1_5234004.html
199. Treasure Hunter Kept Imprisoned For Refusiong To Reveal Location of Treasure
Vera continued to mutter the hermetic formulae to herself. It was nothing especially complicated, just the basic greeting a fire elemental. Without her reagents and offerings, nothing would show up. And over the past five years, noone had. Except for-
The door to her cell creaked open for the second time that day, letting her know it was the middle of the week and late afternoon, judging by the painful flash of light that burst into her cell. The clerk sat down opposite of her- on the covered commode, to her only amusement- and stared at her with the bloodless gaze of the disapassionate bureaucrat.
"Maid Vera. You are an incredibly wealthy woman outside of these walls. I am sure you would eat something other than gruel for dinner this day. All you would need to do is tell me where you found Old King Viper's Horde, and-"
Vera recited her words with the cadence and accuracy of any spell, although she had not seen her spellbook in half a decade. It was a near ritualistic recital of her rights under local law, and her refusal to give up any of the goal she foudn in waters that belonged to no nation. The bureaucrat paled further in frustration, if possible, and called for the guard just as he had in his previous one hundred and sixty visits. The door opened and the man took his leave. Vera would never reveal the location of the grudge gold. They had kept her for far longer than they legally could, and he planned to sue them for a gold piece for ever day she was held. She would be wealthy as any queen the day she left...
DM Briefing: A successful treasure hunter lies in fetters for five full years as they refused to reveal where they found ancient gold coins worth a fortune. They have refused to cooperate with authorities, however, as they found the work independently. WHiel they legally do not have to give an answer to the judge, the way they have maintained their silence has them guilty of contempt of court, and held in jail indefinitely, although they should have been released after 18 months at the most. PCs could be part of the treasure hunter's crew working to free their friend legally, or a group of brigands looking to silence the treasure hunter to thereby increase their shares.
Source: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9051937/amp/5 -years-counting-Ex-treasure-hunter-stuck-jail.html
200. Missing Person Alert Goes Out For Pair of Dolls, Not Children
The woman was beside herself with fear. Trusty Persana wanted to say something unkind about the womans size, but she mentally chided herself. Even if it was only an unkind thought, it was not Wada's way. And she wanted to make serjant sometime beofre 30, thank you very much. She arranged her features into the appropriate look of concern and professionalism.
"Please find my boys! They are all I have!" Persana comforted the woman as best she could, but she could see she was too upset to get any information out of her. Persana turned to the woman's manservant instead, an unusually tall half elf with eyes that seemed oddly colorless.
Despite his imposing stature, the valet seemed equally upset, though far more composed. He proffered a broadsheet, and Persana had to squint to make out the features of the two boys. The likenesses weren't very good, but dountless the valet was pressed into service as an artist.
"These will help." Persana began reassuredly, "but I need more. How big are these boys? Are they tall for their age? Hefty, perhaps?"She could not help a glance at the mother.
The half elf grimaced. "They are maybe two and a half feet tall...no more than a few pounds altogether." Persana couldn't believe what she was hearing. While it was possible they took after their father, what he was describing made them sound no bigger than-
"Dolls?" The word fell out of her mouth. It would explain the weight, size, and poor likenesses.
The half elf bristled, "Yes. Dolls," he said in a hushed tone. "It's a...long story. Can you help?"
DM Briefing- A woman of no small means contacts the watch about her two missing boys- really dolls that may or may not be magical constructs. PCs are called in to help locate the missing "youths" discreetly.
Source: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55925674.amp
201. Thief Brings Young Accomplices ALong For Truly Petty Crime
Sami couldn't help but giggle, but her father speared her with his gaze. This was serious. "Quiet. We can't afford attention at this stage of the game." Sami tried to keep her face neutral, but she couldn't. This was so much FUN!
Her brother was a bit more reserved. Sanno crept up to the stall and immediately began working on the lock. Even though he worked it with skill that belied his age, his brutish approach meant that his father had to block the visage of his son from passersby with his own body. Fortunately, even in daylight, few held interest in this kind of shop. Finally, the little click was heard by all members of the thieving family. "I did it!" The boy was excited, as he should rightfully be, but he was too loud to his father's taste.
"Hush up." He flipped up the locked stall door just enough so that his children could slip underneath. "Get the good stuff, now." The little ones ran inside the stall and rustled about.
Just as soon as they got in, they got out. Their hands were stuffed to overflowing. He raised an eyebrow and opened his mouth, but his daughter cut him off. "Two handfuls each, just like you always said!"
"That's pocketfuls," he corrected, but he quickly shook his head. "Never mind. We've attracted too much attention. Let's go."
The children hastily shoved the candy in their pockets as they sauntered away and almost expertly into a crowd heading away from the sweet shack...
DM Briefing- A thief is observed robbing a candy store of nothing but the most innocuous of penny candies from a closed candy shack. This is a crime that is astonishingly petty, but that the thief involved his children is of concern to the watchment that the crime is reported to. PCs are called in to investigate the family.
Source: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nbcnewyork.com/news/weird/thief-brings-2-k ids-along-while-robbing-queens-frozen-yogurt-shop-just-for-toppings/2997464 /%3famp
202. Gambler Killed By His Own Cock At Cockfight
Djan winced as he drew his thumb across the cockspur. The bead of blood was red and bright as it ever had been. But the bird was...different, somehow. Quiet.
"Djan! You back here? Djan!" Djan couldn't help but groan inwardly- the fussy bookie was a perfectionist and wanted nothing more than to make sure his feathery gladiators were ready for another evening of carnage.
"Yes, yes, I'm here. The cock is ready." He hoped he kept the exasperation out of his voice. He shook his coinpurse a bit, hoping the chubby fellow's greed would keep him from getting his own feather's ruffled at Djan's tone. "Full bet, like always."
The bookie smirked. "Lucky streak, huh?" He reached around to his back pocket absentmindedly to check off the bet, but movement out of the corner of his eye distracted him. "Hey, what was that?"
"What was..." Djan turned his head back to notice his prize cock had wandered off. Damn. Well, it wasn't like the room was that large, it wouldn't be too hard to find it again. The bird clucked somewhere in a corner, behind some boxes.
The bookie sighed in his own exasperation. "You've got 2 minutes before you forfeit." He then stomped off to work the crowd.
Crappy timing in every sense of the phrase. Djan leapt into a corner he picked at random and threw boxes left and right. Nothing. The other two yielded similar results. It was thirty seconds before the fight, but at least he knew exactly where his meal ticket was. Djan shoved both hands into the last of the boxes, and was surprised to feel somethng in the boxes sink its teeth into his hand. He had been nipped before, but nothing like this. He tried to pull the hand away in shock, but the teeth held fast. The pain went from a surprising chomp to something else. He was pulled into the boxes with a speed that defied reason...
DM Briefing: An underground cockfighting ring becomes the site of a murder as one of the prize fighters turns on its owner. It could be anything from a curse to a dire cock to some new type of cockatrice that lacks a petrifying gaze. PCs are called in to investigate, as cockfighting may be a grey enterprise in the city that the watch cannot investigate without scaring off witnesses.
Source: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-56224144.amp
203. Sculpture Created Out Of Nothing Sells For Almost 2000 Gold
Usas couldn't believe it, but he had been an auctioneer for nearly a decade- he knew how to keep things going and keep his face professional, and his incredulity internal.
"1700? I hear 1700," Usas said smoothly, nodding towards the well dressed smirking halfling in the front row who placed the bid. "Do I hear 1800?"
"1800!" The shout came from the back and Usas, despite his years of experience, couldn't quite make out the individual at the moment- was it a crowd plant? His eyes flickered over to the rather plainly dressed private guards who almost lounged near the entrances to the auction chamber to keep anyone who engaged in price-fixing chicanery from leaving without making a payment plan.
"ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND THIRTY!" The shrill shout came from near those very same guards, a thickly built woman waving her program enthusiastically as if she were at the races, not a private auction. The half-elf next to her- an unusually tall fellow, he towered over most of the human men next to him even sitting down- covered his face with his palm. Usas could empathize with him, but he had to keep the auction going.
"Do I hear 1800?" Usas inquired. A titter of chuckles ran through the crowd but no other bids were made. "SOLD!" Usas shouted with what he hoped was a believable level of enthusiasm. "A sculpture of air, spirit and imagination, to the lady in the back..."
DM Briefing: An infamous sculptor who claims to work in the realm of thought and spirit, has sold his second invisible work at auction for nearly 2000 gold. While it does come with a base and a certificate of authenticity, the sculpture is truly made of nothing- although in a world of magic it could be created out of ethereal materials or physical ones permanently made invisible. There is also the chance that the sculptor- who often gives lengthy speeches about the importance of maintaining a sense of wonder in the world in front of their sculptures- is a con artist. PCs are called in to investigate the sculptor, their creations, or to guard a seemingly empty artistic display.
Source: https://news.artnet.com/art-world/italian-artist-auctioned-off-invisible-sc ulpture-18300-literally-made-nothing-1976181
204. Pair Of Giant Eagles Devastate Shepherd's Flock
Cyndi gawked at the scene, not entirely sure she wasn't dreaming. The bodies were everywhere. Her fiscal mind snapped to the fore, and she ran into the enclosure to check on each member of her flock. They were all gone, expertly executed with the same puncture wound to the back of the neck that killed them instantly. When factoring in the wool she might still be able to harvest from the dead sheep, she was still behind at least 750 gold. Only once she had satisfied her acumen did the heartbreak of the situation hit her. Whoever- whatever- had done this had slaughtered older sheep and younger without mercy. But predators would have taken a few to slake their hunger, and focused on the younger ones to boot...
Just then, the eagle's cry- far deeper than it should have been for a normal raptor- pierced the air, and ran a chill down her spine. She searched the heavens until she saw what had to be a dire bird making its way along the horizon. She spat in its direction. The damn things were a menace now, and she would have to head into the town to find a ranger to deal with them...
DM Briefing: A shepherd in a remote area has a unique problem- giant eagles, the very symbol of her country's heraldry have started to kill her sheep in droves, slaying each of them with an expert nip to the back of the neck in an apparent attempt to teach their young how to hunt. Unfortunately, they have not made off with their kills, and are leaving them to rot, which, while not unusual is a problem as they are killing entire flocks, which is getting expensive. Moreover, as these animals are protected, the shepherd cannot simply hire adventurers to kill them- they must either submit a permit to move their flock or harrass the birds until they find someplace else to go. PCs are called in to encourage the giant eagles to move on without killing them, possibly through use of speak with animals, wild empathy, or similar abilities.
Source: https://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/local/bald-eagles-kill-54-sheep-at-i daho-farm/article_49c46f69-e1c1-5e95-9b1a-7194c2794274.html
205. Watch Called In To Arrest Man Over Culinary Meltdown
"Where. Is. It?" The man seemed to use every ounce of strength he had to keep his anger in check. Aelba blanched at the man's pupils, which were growing and shrinking with each measured breath he took.
"Sir," she began, her training taking over, "we simply do not have any more elven tears at the momen-"
Just like that, her world toppled end over end as the man's arm swung in an arc, catching her square on the chin. The sound was like a thunderclap, but the pain was distant, almost as if it had happened to someone else. "YOU F#*@ING LIAR!" he snarled.
That was it. Aelba's manager leapt at the man to restrain him, and other customers leapt into the fracas as well. In a moment he was pinned to the ground, unable to move as people sat on his limbs. Aelba stumbled to the door and drew a breath to call for the watch...
DM Briefing: A man at a local tavern loses his temper upon hearing that the establishment is out of a famed local sauce for chicken, and attacks the staff. While they are caught off guard, bystanders and even private security for the establishment wrestle the man to the ground and he is eventually arrested by the watch for assault. PCs may witness this event or even be a part of the people who corral the man, but they are either called in by a confused tavern staff or the watch to find out why this man snapped the way he did.
Source: https://www.kansas.com/news/local/crime/article251865633.html
206. Public Carriage Runs Off Of Road, Becomes Wedged In Building, Becomes Spectable
"Damn." Evith and a small crowd stood in awe at the spectacle of the massive carriage stuck in the first floor of the multi-level tenement.
"Would you believe noone was seriously hurt?"
"No way," grumbled her dwarven companion. This is a human city, no stonebones here..."
The artist slowly wended his way through the small crowd and set up his easel well away from any passersby. He took a knee and began to mix his paints.
Children attempted to sneak their way past their parents to get a better look at the carriage, but upon seeing nothing actually happening quickly lost interest and wandered off in search of more exciting adventures. But their parents told them to stay in the area, and, exasperated as only children could be, began a game of tag. Their laughter brought more curious spectators.
Paol saw the gathering group and packed up his cart and headed for the corner opposite the sleepy neighborhood's newest tourist attraction. Sales would go through the roof so long as the carriage remained where it was...
DM Briefing- A truly astonishing accident in the campaign setting's greatest city sees a gargantuan public carriage crash into a brownstone. Miraculously noone is seriously hurt, but the carriage is stuck in the building. Safety measures have been placed around the accident scene to discourage fools, but it seems that the sight has drawn no small amount of gawkers to the normally quiet area. Businesses in the area are quietly attempting to cash in, and some may even want to keep the carriage as a part of the building as a way to increase tourism.
Source: https://nypost.com/2021/06/10/mta-bus-lodged-in-brooklyn-brownstone-turns-i nto-attraction/
207. Shirtless Ranger Leaps Into Action To Save Hawk- One Handed
The sound of the crash was far louder than expected- cries of alarm gave way to gasps of surprise in its wake.
"Is everyone alright?" Winston winced as he glanced at the spider-webbing of the glass that protected him from the wind and elements, but it had held. A series of mumbles and mutters revealed that none of his passengers had been injured.
But outside of the carriage, it was quite the opposite. A figure on the cobblestones flapped and writhed in agony, letting out an intermittent inchoate cries of pain and alarm. Winston let out a low whistle- this was no common pigeon by the size alone, and the plumage seemed to indicate some kind of ...hawk? Mayhap it had dove after a pigeon and aIt was unfortunate, perhaps, but he had to get his passengers off this coach and onto another one that could be operated without fear of spreading broken glass.
Just then a man pushed his way past Winston and made directly for the wounded bird. He seemed to be offering the bird basic healing. Winston shouted out to the man- he needed to get the carriage out of the way of road traffic to better help his passengers. But the man ignored him completely as he took his shirt off and wrapped up the bird gently as if he were a loaf of bread. Winston began to move the carriage closer to the walkway and began to help his passsengers off, but the mystery man tucked the bird under one arm and leapt onto a waiting horse., guiding it off with a single hand on the reins...
DM Briefing- A hawk accidentally collides with a public carriage, causing no small amount of damage to it. Noone is hurt beyond the hawk, who is saved by a mysterious ranger, who takes the shirt off his own back to wrap the hawk up in and rides off on a horse with a single hand on the reins to take the animal for treatment at a local animal hospital. This could be an excellent backstory for a PC ranger, druid, or a rare sorcerer or wizard who takes the hawk on as a familiar.
SSource: https://nypost.com/2021/06/10/man-drives-one-handed-to-rescue-hawk-that-cra shed-into-mta-bus/
208. Woman Spends 16 Hours Gluing 77 Copper To The Floor Of Her Washroom, Records It For Posterity
The resin went on a milky white but dried clear, Evangeline noticed. That was good, as she did not want a washroom that looked like it was awash in milk...or other substances, she noted with an inward grin. The mirth had to remain mental, as her lips were moving to cast a spell of preserved viewing, and it would not do for it to record her snickering. She glued copper piece after copper piece to the floor of her washroom, wreathing the legs of her washstand and tub with the things and then moving to the door, working backwards. After no small amount of time her back began to ache- the work was painstaking but in the end it was worth it. The sun had long since set, but her washroom floor was now covered in copper pieces resulting in quite the beautiful aesthetic. She ended the spell and reviewed it- some 16 hours had passed since she started. As she knew of few wizards and even less sorcerers with that level of patience, she altered the speed of the viewing so that it would take about a minute to view. To anyone watching she would move with the speed of a zephyr, but that was all part of the charm...
DM Briefing: A woman with minor magical skill and deep pockets spends 77 copper pieces to give her washroom floor the look as if it were cast in copper. She magically records herself doing this and shares it with friends but in time becomes a local celebrity of minor note. All manner of taverns gossip about this unsusual event, and some extremely desperate thieves may want to help themselves to this eye popping 7 silver piece floor of hers. PCs hear about this event and may even seek to replicate it with silver or even gold coins in their base of operations.
Source: https://yen.com.gh/188596-woman-spends-16-hours-painstakingly-gluing-77-wor th-coins-her-bathroom-floor-shares-cute-video.html#:~:text=A%20creative%20d irector%20identified%20as,the%20pennies%20to%20the%20floor.
209. Village Is Home To Lode of Quartz. Not Diamonds
Varuth groaned with the effort as he hauled the wheelbarrow full of freshly-excavated rock and sediment to the keen-eyes to be processed. The foreman gave him a thankful wave as he emptied out the latest haul, and directed the slight, long-fingered men he oversaw to their tasks. Varuth took a break from his return trip to the mine to draw a ladle full of water, and was unsurprised to hear a jubilant cry from the men searching through his bounty as they discovered yet another diamond. It was added to the small but growing pile of them that would be taken to the jewelers for cutting and polishing. It made the refreshment of the water only more satisfying. Soon not just they but their entire village would be quite wealthy. He put the ladle back into the sizable cistern, and took the much lighter wheelbarrow on its return trip.
But something was wrong on the way back. He noticed no small amount of the pale outlanders- ghostlanders, as they were referred to in private- heading for the processing camp. One or two were nothing of note but this was a dozen at least. And they were all angry, their faces flush with frustration. He turned around to the processing camp, and noticed a few of his fellows with heavy laden wheelbarrows making their way to the camp with haste. "No, no no!" shouted a particularly fussy-looking ghostlander, dressed as if he were going to a family dinner and not a mine, "these aren't diamonds at all! They're QUARTZ! They're worthless!"
The foreman shouted a curse as he gestured at the pile of 'diamonds'. These had taken all day to mine, and the men- Varuth included- would want payment for the labor and stones, diamonds or no...
DM Briefing: A village in a remote part of the world that is poorer than others believes it has hit a motherlode of diamonds when, upon further investigation, has actually hit a motherlode of quartz. While the gemstone is still prized by some, it is far less valuable than diamonds and a combination of local people and distant investors are crushed by the discovery. Moreover there is a history of racial disparity here that means that the local people will be hurt by this far more than non-locals. PCs are called in to either see what can be done with the quartz if their party is inclined towards magic, or to provide security for the area if they are inclined towards melee.
Source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/thousands-of-people-flocked-to-a-s outh-african-village-digging-for-diamonds-only-to-find-out-they-were-quartz /ar-AALgDYZ?li=BBnb7Kz
210. Mysterious Packages Show Up By The Hundreds At Private Residence
Gereth groaned as he saw the day's duty sheet. The address had shown up, again. It wasn't that the route was dangerous or the neighborhood was bad. It was that the woman had so many deliveries he would have to brace his back just to make it through the day.
Still, complaining would not make the packages deliver themselves. His underloaders- the only people on his job he outranked- loaded the wagon until it was set to burst from the weight. The pair of small but powerfully muscled ponies were eager to pull his delivery through the winding city streets to the quiet little home, and did just that. But as Gereth eased his way out of the cart and began to unload his wagon he noticed he wasn't alone- another cart was there, filled with packages that were being offloaded and simply placed in front of the woman's door. And another seemed to be just leaving after it made its own deliveries. The courier in front of him began to pick his way through the obstacle course of boxes his earlier fellow made, and added to the pile. Gereth had no choice but to wait as the mountain of boxes grew and grew. He caught sight of the woman at her tiny front window as she gaped at the eyesore. She looked something between incredulous and frightened...
DM Briefing: A middle class woman in a quiet part of town is becoming a celebrity for all the wrong reasons as hundreds of packages are being delivered to her door by the day. These packages are from a popular delivery service in the campaign setting, but the packages themselves are delivered through local postage, and have no identifying markings or return address. The packages contain all manner of bric-a-brac- and perhaps a few items that might be of interest to adventurers- but no magical weapons. The woman is starting to get scared at the amount and regularity of these deliveries. PCs are called in to investigate the source of these mysterious deliveries or may find that their base of operations is awash in hundreds of packages from an unknown benefactor or perhaps someone who is grateful for their assistance in the past that are unfortunately mostly(75%) junk.
Source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/a-woman-mysteriously-received-hun dreds-of-amazon-packages-that-she-never-ordered-and-no-one-knows-where-they -ve-come-from/ar-AALeY6Q
211. Fish Offered By Popular Tavern May Be Something Else
Vera inwardly winced as the lunch rush began. The summer heat was not doing the tavern room any favors, and she had only one man tending the cookfire in the back- he would be overwhelmed before long.
Naturally, most people coming in were elves or half elves. Those of elven heritage often refused red meat, preferring fish- eating chicken was human silliness to them, just as eating cow was human savagery. She put on a smile and went to take a newly filled table's order.
"I'll take the fish cakes and a tall clearwater," the woman began, but the man with her cut her off.
"Don't you know there isn't any real fish in those cakes? You're better off getting something else."
Vera had worked at the tavern for several years, and prided herself on her professionalism, but was wounded by the fairly ridiculous accusation.
"I assure you, sir, the fish is quite real-"
The elf rolled his eyes. "Come now. After you have cut it up, roll it in flour, and add Thenaka alone knows what to it, is it really fish anymore? I think not." He harrumphed to emphasize his point.
Just like that, the whispers and mutters spread like wildfire. A few people began to poke at their meals suspiciously. Vera raked the room with the glare of an angry proprietress, and people began to eat once more. But as the pit man rang the bell indicating an order was up, the conversation began again...
DM Briefing- A popular tavern or chain of taverns in the PCs sphere of influence is the subject of rumor as the idea that the fishcakes they serve have something other than fish in them. At least one modest investigation revealed that it is indeed fish, and the owners angrily swear they do business with the local fisherman's guild, specializing in two types of local fish. Still, rumors persist, and some elves and half elves who do not eat red meat are beginning to grow concerned that they cannot eat there. PCs are called in to investigate.
Source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/subway-was-sued-over-claims-it-mi slabeled-its-tuna-as-tuna-the-new-york-times-tried-to-get-to-the-bottom-of- the-mystery/ar-AALf6v3
212. Duergar Ruin Human's Wedding Proposal
Sasuke went through his pockets again and again. There was nothing for it. The box was gone. Three months pay went to purchase the engagement ring. He could afford neither the expense of the loss or the humiliation of being unable to propose to his betrothed. He continued to retrace his steps through the mountain trail. He would look under every every stone, every blade of grass. He would find the ring!
Unbeknownst to him, deep underground, Karusht was admiring his newest diamond ring. A bit on the small side, but it cost him nothing more than a whispered incantation and some slight of hand. He wondered when another hapless human would make his way through his people's territory...
DM Briefing- Unbeknownst to any beyond those who listen to outlandish tavern tales, a small footpath through a local mountain chain is actually home to a small colony of Duergar thieves who use their spell like abilities to quietly pick the pockets of any who wander through it. Of late they have stolen the engagement ring of a well to do young man, who is desperate for its return. While he has heard tales of duergar living underground he has not paid them any heed- he hires the PCs to help him find his lost engagement ring.
Source- https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/man-proposal-haunted-hillside-victim-folk lore.amp
213. Fisherman Claims To Have Survived Being Swallowed By Whale, Experts Skeptical
The heralds were practically crowding the man. A watchman, who looked like he would rather be anywhere other than here, stood up and waved his arms exasperatingly, keeping the inquisitives at a distance. "I was just sucked in along with the rest of the water in the vicinity. I honestly thought I was going to die but then there was a strange rumbling and then I was just....outside, back in the ocean. It was so dark in there..."
The scribbling of charcoal on foolscap drowned out the rest of the story from where Amelia was sitting, but she had heard enough. If he had indeed been swallowed by a whale of all things, he would be quite dead. Not from the whale, but the pressure sickness from going from the ocean depths to the very top, where he claimed he was spat out. She scoffed at the man holding court outside of the tavern and made to walk to the docks.
"A moment, please...madame druid?" Amelia spun quickly as the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. She had been adventuring for years and it took someone quite skilled to to sneak up on her, and someone in the know pick her out as a druid. The man behind her had a weasely took to him, but other than that he seemed very much a broadsheet man, with his ink stained fingers and considerable writing sheets carried in his hands. "You seem to doubt the story being told here. Would you like to explain why?"
Amelia paused before responding, but before she knew it she had outlined several reasons why the story was suspicious. The inquisitive scribbled her story with as much zeal as he had the other side...
DM Briefing: A lobster fisherman claims he was swallowed by a whale, but at least two experts in the field of marine life have issues with his story. This story and it's refutal become scuttlebutt in local taverns for weeks, and the PCs hear of it, with one of them possibly getting involved one on or the other side of the argument.
Source: https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/is-mass-lobster-divers-whale-story-a-f ish-tale-some-on-cape-are-skeptical/2405474/#:~:text=A%20lobster%20diver%20 says%20he,Cod%2C%20Friday%20went%20viral%20quickly.
214. Mountain Seems To Bleed Red Blood, A Sign Of Impending Doom
Amelia wasn't sure how she had been roped into this, but she focused on putting one foot in front of the other. Or on top of the other, in this case. She felt the rope that was attached to her waist tighten for a moment and she glanced down to see Rashid, the inquisitive, reasserting his climbing position on the mountain. He waved up at her somewhat embarrassedly and continued to climb as if nothing had ever happened. The tall tenderfoot was about as burly as a scarecrow. She had no doubt she could haul him up the mountain face as if she were dragging a bundle of sticks, but she would rather not do that. She shuddered to think of what would happen if he bashed his head on an outcropping, leaving a trail of blood behind him...
Just then, the hand she moved up to grab the next sturdy-looking handhold came back red and dripping. She quickly assessed herself to see if she had burst a finger open to the point that it bled, but she seemed fine. It was the mountain that was bleeding. A slow rivulet of crimson oozed out from where she had grabbed, as if she had cut into tender flesh. She heard a loud gasp from underneath her, where some of it found her companion. It was turning from a trickle into a flood before her eyes, an artery of the rock face that had been breached.
Nothing for it then. She called upon her druidic abilities and turned into a sizeable condor. Using her beak to snap through the rope, she took to the sky and swooped around to grab her companion, who was now a red ruin after just a moment of the mountain's bleeding. From the sky the scene was even worse. It seemed as if the entire mountain was infected in some way, with red waterfalls here and there.
"See?!" Rashid called out, still dripping. "I told you my sources were good!"
DM Briefing: Somewhere in the mountainous region of the setting, entire mountains seem to be afflicted with glacierbleed, an algae the color of blood that grows prolifically all over mountains making them seem as if they are bleeding when viewed from the right angle. The algae itself is harmless, but the ecological damage is considerable, as it taints the water runoff and sometimes leads to increased temperatures that can lead to avalanches and flooding. Soothsayers see this as a sign of impending doom, as do some clerics of nature deities. Druids from all over the world are actively seeking a remedy, and the PCs are called in to help.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/11/science/watermelon-snow-algae-glacier-bl ood.html
215. Well To Do Inn Apologizes To Patrons For Local Wildlife's Appetite
Ulod leapt into action at the sound of the second scream. The alligator wasn't particularly large, but it didn't have to be to take down some long pork- it had the woman's leg in its jaws and was slowly harassing her towards the shallows. Ulod was not especially adept with the longspear, but he was able to snake the head of it in between savaged leg and snapping jaws and pin the beast in place by its tender tongue. The gator recoiled in agony as the woman crab crawled away. A priest-of-the-manor and his acolytes were nearby, thankfully, and wrapped the woman in blankets and prayers. A few thrusts as awkward as they were powerful, and the longspear was wrenched from Ulod's grasp as the gator entered its death throws.
A few dozen feet away, Mamie whispered the spell under her breath, which would take her description of the events to her old boyfriend, a dozen miles away. He would use his screamslate to write a terrible review of this supposedly "luxurious" inn...
DM Briefing: A guest at a well to do resort is attacked by an alligator on a semi private part of the resort. While the animal is dispatched by private security and the victim's wounds are tended to by private priests, a poor review of the resort is shared via magical communication at first and then overall word of mouth. People are shocked to hear of the incident and although some are eager to point to the fact that the victim ignored numerous signs warning of wild animals in that part of the resort, others point to lax security. PCs are called in either by the inn or concerned parties to investigate.
Source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/a-tripadvisor-reviewer-left-a-scathin g-one-star-rating-for-a-marriott-resort-after-witnessing-a-crocodile-drag-a -guest-into-the-ocean-the-hotel-apologized-for-an-unpleasant-experience/ar- AAMHxPF?ocid=st
216. Woman Goes Mad At Shop After Hearing Mysterious Sad Tune
The screams could be easily heard over the music. But it was the crash of pottery and glass that was the most jarring. "Stop it! STOP IT!" Deran just barely ducked under the jar that sailed towards his head. The woman had her hands over her ears but each time the song reached a crescendo, she would reach into the fruit preserves and begin throwing anew. Deran felt the splatter of fruit wetting his back as the wall behind him exploded into a riot of reds and purples. Just then, the music receded and the screams began anew. Seeing that he was no longer under direct assault, Deran took a chance- he leapt onto the woman, and wrestled her to the ground as he called for the watch...
DM Briefing- A rash of madness grips a large town as rather ordinary people claim to hear a sad tune and then go inexplicably, temporarily mad, driven to fits of violence when the music reaches a crescendo. This has leas to a spike in attacks upon musical performers and especially bards, as people claim their magical abilities are being used offensively. Bards of means call upon bodyguards, including PCs, to both defend themselves as well as get to the bottom of what is happening.
Source- https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/woman-becomes-enraged-by-sad-song-play ing-at-grocery-store-gets-arrested-twice/ar-AAPhz5v?li=BBnb7Kz
217. Man Refuses To Give Up Prime Real Estate, Surrounded By New Businesses
Nozon positively swaggered as he walked down the thoroughfare. The nervous looking clerk preferred to stay closer to the professional bodyguard he had brought with him to safeguard the coinpouch deftly hidden out of sight, but there was no need for that level of concern. The people passing by were far more interested in the upscale shops and towering multi-story well to do inn than anything they might or might not be carrying. Just then, the timber of the neighborhood changed. Right there between selfsame inn and a bustling equally multi story collection of private offices was a well appointed, just barely middle class dwelling. It was two floors, but positively tiny in between the two buildings. It was also just shy of charming, its paint and decor making it lean more towards avuncular. The clerk's eyebrows raised as Nozon lead the trio to the front door. He had to knock loudly to be heard over the din of passersby.
A man with a sprinkling of salt in his thick beard answered the door with a hint of annoyance. "Goodman Nozon, welcome back." His tone was indeed welcoming, but his body language was not. Nozon smiled as if it were. "Yes, Goodman Alan, how are you today? I represent-"
Alan cut the man off, "My answer has not changed?"
Nozon's smile was that of one of the many sculptures in the public park that Alan would have been able to see in the distance if not for the row of eateries that took up the view across the street. "Are you certain, Goodman Alan?" He gestured to the clerk, whose eyes goggled at being directed to this level of naked display of raw coinage but did so anyway. 9000 gold in trade bars wrapped in a soft wooden case appeared from underneath the clerk's robe in a purse designed especially to carry them. Behind them, the bodyguard shifted to hide the package from public view, the look on his face encouraging the very few people who were looking in his direction to look elsewhere.
Alan was unmoved. "No sale." He attempted to close the door in Nozon's face, but his heavy booted foot kept that from happening.
"Saaet's scales, man. This is more than enough for you to buy a new home anywhere else in the city, certainly in the country itself." Nozon's tone was as hard as his bodyguard's face. "Take the money, damn you."
Alan gently pushed the businessman's foot out of his doorframe. "No. Sale." The door slammed shut with such force the clerk yelped.
Nozon ground his teeth together and gave his bodyguard the signal they agreed upon earlier. He would remain behind as Nozon guided the clerk back to the office, just to let him know just how serious he was about the property...
DM Briefing: In a newly upgraded metropolis, a man in a once residential neighborhood refuses to sell his beloved home to developers, claiming that it is his sole inheritance from his now lost parents. Various businessmen and land developers have made outrageous offers to buy the home, enough for the man to settle anywhere he so wishes, but he has refused all offers. The PCs could be hired by those same developers to try to get the man to sell his property, possibly through crude means, or they may be hired by that man at no small expense to protect his home from ruthless businessmen.
Source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/coral-gables-man-refuses-to-sell -family-house-swallowed-by-massive-development/ar-AALczjd?li=BBnb7Kz
218. Passserby Discovers Ancient Artwork, Watch Investigating
"Ouch." Brevon rubbed his aching calf. Hiking was supposed to help him get back into shape, not bend him out of it. Still, the stroll through the public park wasn't a bad thing- it was close enough to the fancy taverns, although where he was standing had a certain pungent quality he didn't associate with the tiny tea cakes that were all the rage at the moment.
Ah. Brevon realized he was standing near a garbage can. And an overflowing one at that. He would have to contact the rangers to let them know about the situation before the rats made their presence known.
As he cast about, something about the shape of something sticking out of the garbage can called to him. A memory from his school days. He had never become the skilled artist his mother thought he would be, but he knew a canvas when he saw one. Breathing through his mouth, he excavated the painting- no, paintINGS- from the rotting pile.
He instantly lost his breath, and not from improper technique- these were not amature or even journeyman works. These were classical. He did not recognize the artwork immediately, although the use of shadow and rosiness in the cheeks brought even more old classes to mind. Who left treasures such as these here...
DM Briefing: A man in a public park in a well to do area has discovered a pair of classic paintings in the trash. Similar works have sold for 200 to 7000 gold, and the watch has been called to investigate both the man who found the paintings as well as the area. The PCs could be working for the watch to investigate the man, who is quite normal to all cursory background checks, or could be hired by interested parties to investigate the area for more discarded art.
Source: https://news.artnet.com/art-world/germany-appeal-found-paintings-1981824/am p-page
217. God Reveals Himself to Those Looking Up At The Night Sky
He couldn't help but sigh. It STILL wasn't quite right. The three stars added to his canvas to signify the the serpent just didn't seem right to be right next to the seven signifying the apples of wisdom his sister guarded- no need for THAT kind of interpretation after what happened the first time, thank you very much. He would find a much more innocuous- though still honored- place for it. But the night sky was just so cluttered...
Ah, there was a spot. It was close to the horizon, giving it a mostly honored place that early evening viewers would be able to enjoy.
Just then, he realized that he had been a little too flustered in his work- stardust positively clung to his hand, illuminating it so that it could be seen easily by the naked eye. The celestial being- a demigod really, if you wanted to be technical- frowned and gazed at the planet where the mortals lived. He could hear a few gasps coming from those wealthy and inclned to own powerful "telescoping spyglasses" or whatever they were called. He chewed his lip. He would have to make a visit to the mortal realm to survey the damage to the pantheon's aire of mystery...
DM Briefing: A demigod in charge of hanging the stars in the night sky gets a little sloppy in his work and accidentially gives the mortal realm a glimpse of his hand. While it can only be seen by those who were looking up in space at the right time and have powerful telescopes, enough people do see it that it is seen as actionable by the pantheon heads and the god is ordered to ensure that those who DID see something actually saw nothing at all. PCs are contacted by the demigod in question- possibly they are worshippers themselves- to hush this all up, either through diplomatic means or more permanent ones.
Source: https://www.space.com/giant-space-hand-gas-cloud-new-x-ray-photos
216. Common Painting Revealed To Be Unknown Masterpiece
Ange sighed as the clatter raised by the fallen painting began again. It was just her and her mother-in-law now that her husband had passed, and the old woman was so set in her ways after the death of her son that she could not take any change in her enviornment. The screaming and curshing that had always followed this disturbance didn't come though- it was just a hushed, long cry that was turning into a wail. Ange dropped her mending and ran into the kitchen. Her mother in law was clutching the painting and shaking her head slowly as she wept. It didn't take long for Ange to see what the problem was- a smallish tear along the canvas that wasa in just the wrong place. It had been decades since she worked with canvas but she knew that it wouldn't take much for it to spread. Ange took a while to coax it out of her hands and poured over the damaged painting. Her husband had been a debutante artist, and made only a handful of pieces, but this had been his mom's favorite. She liked it too. She murmured that she would take care of it that same day, and left the woman crying on the floor- callous, perhaps, but she knew from long experience that she wouldn't move until the picture had been returned to the wall, whole and unspoiled. Thank Ophelia for small miracles.
The little shop was a holdover from her days as a young fashion designer, and the few patrons were a holdover from her school days. They would be skilled enough to repair the rip within a day, and Ange could use the break from her mother in law. She propped up the piece of art and began her spiel, but the old critic held up a hand.
"Is this not a Hermillot piece? Where did you find it?"
Ange denied it and stated it was her husands,but the entire shop had descended upon her now. Offers came in to repair it for free and then buy it off her, each more ludicrous than the last...
DM Briefing: A woman who has brought in a painting for some minor maintenance after an accident is told that her piece is actually a long lost masterwork, and offers to sell the painting are coming in. The woman is a widower living with her aged mother in law, and coudl certainly use the money, but the several other art pieces she owns are now coming under question. Are they originals as well or is she some kind of fraud? PCs are called in to eithe rinvestigate or act as security for the now overwhelmed woman.
Source: https://news.artnet.com/art-world/rembrandt-painting-discovered-after-frame -breaks-1983504/amp-page
218. Man Finds 158 Bowling Balls Buried on His Property.
The stench was only growing stronger. Curses from the work crew were growing stronger as well. The flooded area near the humble home's outhouse had gone from a nuisance to a genuine danger, as the area was turning into a swamp for reasons unknown even to the druid that Amien had hired to look into the situation. Now broke, he and his friends were up to their knees in dirt, mud, and worse.
"No more. I'm done." Daniel was clearly frustrated and hurled his spade to the ground as if it were a spear. The fit of pique wasn't uncalled for, although it was poorly timed. "You don't pay me enough for this."
Amien coudn't help but laugh. "I'm not paying you at all, but I think now is a good time for a break." He threw his own spade down and was looking forward to getting some fresh air. But where his friend's spade had sank into the slurry without much of a sound, his stopped suddenly with a loud CLINK. Curious, Amien kept digging- and unearthed one particularly foul-encrusted...bowling ball?
The entire team fell silent until one wag piped up, "Amien. What did you EAT?
DM Briefing: A homeowner undertaking some work in his backyard uncovers no less than 158 bowling balls deep on his property. He is at a loss with respect to what to do with them. PCs most likely hear this tale in a tavern, although a base of operations procured by the party may have these somewhere on the property, waiting discovery.
Source: https://www.11alive.com/article/features/ballsy-backyard-muskegon-man-finds -158-buried-bowling-balls-during-home-renovation/69-44952525-d7af-44a5-8681 -1954a50e69ff
219. Pious General Store Ordered to Return Artifacts to Land Sworn To Another Faith
Eliot squeezed her holy symbol so hard she thought it might break. The diplomats sitting opposite her, on the other hand, seemed quite composed. They didn't quite sneer at her, but they did seem overconfident. The magister overseeing the meeting was at the apex of room, and was shuffling papers while adjusting his spectacles with every other rustle. She couldnt' help it. She began to pray.
"That is enough, ma'am." The magister cleared his throat and dropped the last piece of parchment atop the mountain. "This court finds for the plaintiffs, the Satrapy of Novisaron. While the purchase itself was legal, this court finds that items of cultural heritage cannot be hoarded outside of their place of origin." He brought the gavel down on a relatively clear portion of his desk.
The Novisians leapt up and hugged one another, even as her own barrister offered his apologies, which fell on deaf ears. Wada would not want this to happen. Her portfolio wouldn't want this either. There had to be a way to protect the tablet...
DM Briefing: A court has found against a peculiar and incredibly wealthy chain of general stores which is owned by an incredibly pious individual that collects religious artifacts- even ones that are a part of other religions. Ostenibly these are kept as part of a private collection, but the very loud and blatant practice of their own religion has brought up the question of what they are doing with artifacts of different faiths, and even a concern that they have bought them to destroy them or damage them somehow. The court case has greatly upset the individual, but they are in the process of returning the items they have been ordered to return to their lands of origin. PCs can be part of the security team returning these items to a grateful populace, or are celebrating as they have spent decades locating and peitioning for the return of their people's sacred items. Or, they could be hired by the extremely upset pious individual who wants their gewgaws back.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2021/07/28/hobby-lobby-ordere d-return-rare-gilgamesh-dream-tablet-auction/5402188001/
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220. Pablo Escobear
"There's the bear, he's charging! Fire!"
DM Briefing: People have been disappearing in the woods. One kid managed to get away from the enraged bear. He thinks it's dire. The bear found some dumped drugs, laced with a potion of rage. If it is somehow held off or held, it will go back to the drug cache because it's addicted. The royal watch is seeking the drugs and smugglers. The bear is easily tracked because of the potion/drug interaction.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/01/arts/cocaine-bear-true-story.html