‘Traitors’ poster put up at Michelle O’Neill’s office
### One-Shot Adventure: “The Veil of Betrayal”
#### Adventure Overview
In the high-magic realm of Eldoria, a dark shadow looms over the city of Caelum, where the air is thick with whispers of treachery. The party of four adventurers, each with their own unique skills and backgrounds, finds themselves drawn into a web of intrigue when a mysterious poster appears, depicting a prominent figure in the city—a beloved leader named Michelle O’Neill—marked as a traitor. The adventurers must investigate the origins of this poster, uncover the truth behind the betrayal, and confront the malevolent force that seeks to plunge Caelum into chaos.
#### Setting the Scene
As the session begins, the players find themselves in the bustling marketplace of Caelum, where vibrant stalls overflow with exotic goods and the scent of spiced meats wafts through the air. The sun hangs low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the cobblestone streets. Laughter and chatter fill the air, but an undercurrent of tension is palpable.
Suddenly, a commotion arises as townsfolk gather around a newly posted flyer. The poster, crudely drawn, depicts Michelle O’Neill with the word “TRAITOR” scrawled across it in bold, red ink. The crowd murmurs in confusion and anger, and the players can feel the weight of suspicion settling over the city.
#### Objectives
1. Investigate the origins of the “Traitors” poster.
2. Uncover the identity of the true traitor.
3. Confront and defeat the mastermind behind the chaos.
#### Key Locations
1. **The Marketplace**: A hub of information where the players can gather rumors and speak to NPCs.
2. **The Whispering Alley**: A shadowy part of the city known for its underground dealings. Here, the players can find a contact who knows more about the poster.
3. **The Hall of Remembrance**: A grand building where Michelle O’Neill holds her ceremonies. The players can find clues about her past and the enemies she has made.
4. **The Hidden Sanctum**: A secret lair of the true antagonist, where the final confrontation takes place.
#### Key NPCs
– **Michelle O’Neill**: A charismatic leader, she is determined to clear her name. She provides the players with background information and hints about her political rivals.
– **Garrick the Whisperer**: A shady informant in the Whispering Alley who knows about the poster’s origins. He is nervous and paranoid, fearing for his life.
– **Lady Seraphine**: A powerful sorceress and the true antagonist, she seeks revenge against O’Neill for a past slight. She uses illusions and manipulation to turn the city against its leader.
#### Encounter: The Hidden Sanctum
As the players delve deeper into the investigation, they discover that Lady Seraphine has been using dark magic to manipulate the minds of the citizens. The final confrontation occurs in her Hidden Sanctum, a dimly lit chamber filled with arcane symbols and flickering candles.
**Boss Enemy: Lady Seraphine**
– **Race**: Human
– **Class**: Sorceress (Level 10)
– **HP**: 120
– **AC**: 15
– **Spell Slots**: 4 (1st), 3 (2nd), 3 (3rd), 2 (4th)
– **Notable Spells**:
– **Charm Person**: To manipulate the players.
– **Fireball**: A devastating area attack.
– **Mirror Image**: To create illusory duplicates of herself.
– **Counterspell**: To thwart the players’ magic.
**Tactics**: Lady Seraphine will use her spells strategically, creating illusions to confuse the players and using the environment to her advantage. She will attempt to charm or frighten the players, turning them against each other if possible.
#### Conclusion
Upon defeating Lady Seraphine, the players will uncover her plot and the truth behind the “Traitors” poster. They can choose to reveal the truth to the citizens of Caelum, restoring Michelle O’Neill’s reputation, or they may decide to keep the knowledge for themselves, wielding power over the city.
As the session wraps up, the players will feel the weight of their choices, knowing they have shaped the fate of Caelum. The adventure ends with a sense of accomplishment, intrigue, and the promise of future adventures in the high-magic world of Eldoria.