It's a Wonderful Knife
Adventure Briefing
The characters have been invited as guests of honor for the holidays to an area where their Renown has grown. While celebrated, the characters are also being paid to perform.
Unbeknownst to anyone, a supernatural figure known as the Narrator oversees the play. The crowd will witness an entertaining show, while the Narrator creates real “illusions.”
The show uses an Applause-O-Meter that tracks how the crowd reacts. Before things begin, the characters choose both the roles they will play and the ending of the story.
To the Players. You are local celebrities here. The town has invited you as guests of honor and asked you to perform in a play. Your performance will influence their holiday history.
Level Range: 6-7
Tags: Local Heroes, PVP, Roleplay
Connections: Renewal
Monsters: Banshee, Ice Devil (summoner variant), Wight
$1 PDF: Ko-fi, DriveThru RPG
Tags: Local Heroes, PVP, Roleplay
Connections: Renewal
Monsters: Banshee, Ice Devil (summoner variant), Wight
$1 PDF: Ko-fi, DriveThru RPG
The Celebration
During daylight hours the town is alive with feasts, music, and bonfires. Locals gather, eager to share gifts and stories.
The Narrator
The Narrator is a supernatural god-like figure who guides the play. They speak in storybook narration, are heard every-where, controlling what everyone experiences. They narrate as an observer, shaping the stage as they desire. The Narrator is playful and most powerful when a crowd is watching. They can be lighthearted or menacing based on the tone you want.
Playbill & Script
The characters receive a playbill and script. Each character chooses a role. One line per character should be said per Act.
Protagonist. The main character.
- “I loved you like family.”
- “I have this. Alone.”
- “If only we had more time.”
Antagonist. The main adversary.
- “You never understood.”
- “May you be as passionate in undeath as in life.”
- “I won’t need to use the blade to cut your time short.”
Love Interest. Someone in the cast loves you.
- “I need you to see me with your heart.”
- “I would never love someone like you.”
- “Why would you betray me like this?”
Foil. A wild card with their own agenda.
- “A new year always brings new choices.”
- “I won't let the likes of you stop me.”
- “You have no idea what I’m capable of.”
Confidant. A trusted ally.
- “What is wrong with the lights?”
- “You can trust us.”
- “I see wolves among the sheep.”
Comic Relief. The clown.
- “Your mother.”
- Fart noise.
- “Don’t want to beat an undead horse, but it’s getting back up.”
The Script
Characters are presented with the plot: the Blade of Renewal was stolen by the Winter Warlock. The knife is necessary for the new year to arrive. Present these choices for the ending:
1. Face the Winter Warlock to reclaim the Blade of Renewal.
2. Turn on one another to claim the Blade for yourself.
3. One of you has become the villain who must be stopped.
The choice sets the tone for the play and gives the group a goal to steer toward. If you do not want any PVP, choose #1.
Background Actor Names. Gloria Violet, James Bailey, Jimmy Tommy, Karolyn Zuzu, Lionel Potter, Sara Hatch
Running the Play
Each Act has key events. The Narrator moves the story toward them with verbal cues. When events call for action you may roll initiative and have each character describe what the story shows around them. Keep them moving toward the ending they chose. By the end of an Act, each character should feel the Narrator’s influence at least once. Treat each Act as a scene that you frame.
The Stage. Characters are in a pocket dimension. The world is 30 ft. wide, 60 ft. long, and 30 ft. high. Attempts to teleport out fail.
The Audience. The audience response drives the Applause-O-Meter. When a character speaks a key line or nails a moment, the crowd reacts. Use their response to guide mood and reward play.
Complications. Each Act, a single Show Complication disrupts a scene – roll 1d6 or choose one. Narrator Complications may occur when a character speaks a line from the script or fail a roll.
Act One
The story revolves around the Blade of Renewal, which is needed for the new year to change. Without it, life will end. When the Narrator speaks, it is the first time players know something is up.
The Winter Warlock. A villain of the highest order. Humanoid, evil, and here to ruin. Ice devil stats w/extra. See reference page.
Read Aloud. A booming voice rolls across the sky as the stage magically twists. Bitter cold snow drifts through. “Our tale begins in the old world, where the Winter Warlock has stolen the Blade of Renewal. Without it, the world will still and die.”
- Introductions based on the chosen roles..
- Undeath spreads. Townsfolk become wights, 1x per character..
- The call to action. Follow the trail to stop the threat.
Act Two
The land weakens, pushing the cast toward a meeting with the Winter Warlock. Cracks form in their alliance. If using ending #3, the character should take the Warlock’s spot at the end of the Act.
Read Aloud. “The dead rise in a never ending winter. Our heroes falter. They begin to argue, desperate to find a solution.”
- A decisive moment occurs between the cast, causing division.
- Clues point toward a meeting with the Winter Warlock.
- A hard choice. The group sees how their ending may form.
Act Three
The cast has arrived at their conclusion. Battle will ensue. If using ending #2, the Winter Warlock may falter to their own magic. See the reference page for extra combat mechanics.
Key Events
- The trail leads to the place of the final confrontation.
- The fight ensues over the Blade of Renewal.
- The heroes return, victorious or defeated.
Encore
The Applause-O-Meter standings affect the rewards, based on the performances. The blade remains, but the Narrator does not.
Reference Page
Rewards
Pay. An appropriate amount each for their appearance.
Renown. For performing, characters gain a step of Renown.
Blade of Renewal. The blade remains when the play ends.
Applause-O-Meter. First place determines who wins the Adventure Calendar. Ranks determine other gifts: 2nd place: Figurine of Wondrous Power: Dove (Silver Raven), 3rd place: Feather Token: Anchor, 4th place: a pig, anyone else gets nothing.
Adventure Calendar. This wooden box has 30 small doors on it, each containing a tiny wooden cube. When a cube is removed from the door it changes form. Roll 1d100 and consult the robe of useful items table in the DMG. Only one door may be opened per day. When all the doors are opened, the magic fades.
Blade of Renewal
Dagger, very rare (requires attunement)
A +1 dagger carved from the hollow bone of a celestial’s wing. The blade looks fragile but is stronger than metal.
Ritual Magic. While attuned to this dagger, ritual spells take half the normal casting time.
Renewal Resurrection. Once per year, on the turning of the new year, the dagger can cast true resurrection without material components. The undead or original body must be present.
Applause-O-Meter
Keep a d10 visible for each player, as a way to track the audience’s reaction. 10 is best. All meters start at 3. Adjust a starting value if the story or town history affects a character. Whether or not the meter changes is always up to you.
Ranges. 1-5: The crowd is cold. 6-10: The crowd is hot.
Using Lines. When a player speaks a line at a fitting moment, increase their meter by 1. When a player uses a line poorly, decrease their meter by 1. If a player reaches the end of the play without using all three lines, give -2 for each unused line.
Rolls. A natural 20 gives a +1. A natural 1 gives a -1.
Narrator Influence. Narrator complications use the meter to judge if a character gains a benefit or penalty.
Character Special Bonus Action
Acting. Roll a Performance check as a bonus action. Success gives you advantage on your next d20 roll. Failure decreases your applause by 1. The DC is 10 + your current applause.
Show Complications
DCs for saves and skills are 10+ a character’s applause.
| 1d6 | Complications |
|---|---|
| 1 | Scene Stealer. A background actor steps on your lines. Performance skill check. Failure, -2 applause. |
| 2 | Pyrotechnics Malfunction. An explosion. Dexterity saving throw or take 3d6 fire damage and be caught on fire. |
| 3 | Distraction. A spat behind the curtain draws your attention. Wisdom saving throw. Failure, -2 applause. |
| 4 | Shyness. A bout of stage fright has gripped you. Charisma saving throw. Failure, you are at disadvantage for the Act. |
| 5 | Heckler. A person is yelling at you. Charisma based skill check, advantage if at 6+ applause. Failure, -1d6 applause. |
| 6 | Prat Fall. Your feet stumble beneath you. Acrobatics or Athletics check. Failure, -1d6 applause. |
Narrator Complications
When someone fails a roll or speaks one of their lines, the Narrator changes the scene. If all Applause-O-Meters have an average of 6 or above, the event is favorable for the actors. If it is 5 or below, the complication causes drama or a conflict.
Final Combat
Position the Blade of Renewal in the scene as an objective.
Winter Warlock. Use an ice devil (summoner variant). The devil is an undead instead of a fiend. Summon Devil becomes Summon Banshee. The Winter Warlock has Legendary Resistance (2) and the following legendary actions:
- Blinding Storm (2 Actions). Snow and ice whips around. Each creature within 5 feet must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution save or be blinded until the end of its next turn.
Frightening Gaze (2 Actions). Gaze at a creature within 10 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom save or be frightened for 1 minute. The target repeats the save at the end of each of its turns. On a success the effect ends.
Ice Step (1 Action). The Winter Warlock melts into frost and appears in an unoccupied space up to 30 feet away.
One Versus All. The solo player gains the Winter Warlock’s legendary actions and legendary resistances. Increase their hit points by 50 per other player. The villain gains the effects of a long rest. The rest of the cast does not.
All Versus All. The Blade of Renewal is at a central point. Whoever possess it gets +2 to all d20 rolls during the fight.
GM Advice
Characters are playing roles, not themselves. The audience sees only what the Narrator allows. Treat the entire play as one continuous event with no long rests. Prompt skill checks and direct rolls for players who are not roleplayers and let the required lines carry them through key moments. The story that unfolds in the play may become this area’s New Year’s lore.
Maps
Act One Scene
Act One Scene - Inside
Act Two Scene
Act Three Scene
