Surprise Party

The Retirees

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Elvira Glowenstep. (C/G, Female, Elf Retiree)   Elvira is a 600 year old legend. For centuries, her work as a seamstress set the standard for elven fashion in the nation, and her creations under the Glowenstep label are still cherished. In recent years her influence has faded, leaving her nostalgic and increasingly critical of the town she helped shape.  

• Failure. If the surprise is ruined, Elvira will sulk home.
• Animals. Elvira frequently chats with local animals. They will mention “colorful things and food” at the big tree.
• Secret Agenda. Elvira has secretly arranged a “kidnapping” later in the day, hoping to gain some attention. She will insist on going to the tea shop Leaf of Faith around noon.

Roleplaying Elvira
Personality Trait. “I want the attention that I used to get.”
Ideal. “Community. I would do anything for my neighbors.”
Bond. “I love the town, but it is becoming unfamiliar.”
Flaw. “I have a streak of unbendable stubbornness.”

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Cass Pette’son. (C/G, Female, Dwarf Retiree)   Cass Pette’son is a 403-year-old dwarf who has lived in Lolien for over a century, slowly establishing a foothold for her guild. Despite her efforts, she has never fully shaken resentment of Elvira, who once prevented her from operating in the region. Cass hates Elvira’s lingering influence, particularly today. She intends to disrupt as much as possible without being caught.   Roleplaying Cass
Personality Trait. “No one did anything for my birthday.”
Ideal. “Pettiness. Any chance I get to jab Elvira, I’ll take it.”
Bond. “I thrive on the energy of youth. Protect its innocence.”
Flaw. “The older I get, the more bitter I become.”

Rivalry: Elvira and Cass

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Elvira and Cass’s rivalry spans decades, rooted in a long history of slights and competing influence. Elvira, once Lolien’s most beloved figure, used her status to block the Guilds of Tor from operating in the town for many years, viewing their presence as disruptive to Lolien’s traditions.   By rallying local opinion against the guilds, she effectively prevented Cass from establishing a foothold for over a century. Cass, sent to represent Huntress, a Guild of Tor, found herself stymied at every turn by Elvira’s sway.   Though Cass eventually gained approval to establish a small operation, her hatred toward Elvira has only grown. Cass sees Elvira as an outdated fixture clinging to power, while Elvira views Cass as an outsider meddling in Lolien’s customs. Their antagonism has become an open secret.

Ye Olde Flower Shoppe

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Elvira insists on stopping by a shop she hasn’t visited in ages, only to find it abandoned. As the characters examine the area, a gang called Sticky Fingers arrives, hoping to intimidate them. Unfazed by the encounter, Elvira begins to wander off.     Encounter: Sticky Fingers. 1x thug and 1x bandit per character. They’ll attempt threats first but prefer to avoid a full on fight. If resisted, the gang tries to escape through alleyways.

The Cake

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  Elvira is immediately curious and wants a closer look. The characters must find a way to salvage the situation to keep her from suspecting anything. Cass set up this “accidental” en-counter by chatting with the bakers on their path. She lingers.

A Cuppa Kidnapping

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Elvira insists on visiting the Leaf of Faith tea shop for her usual blend. Cass has already bought out all of Elvira’s favorite tea. A group of actors, disguised as kidnappers will arrive. They wear prop armor, carry unloaded crossbows, and ride in dramatically on mules, delivering over-the-top lines as they “seize” Elvira.   Encounter: Actors. From the Neighborhood Playhouse troupe. They’re unarmed, using prop swords and unloaded crossbows. One of the actors will faint at the sight of blood.

Sweeten the Deal

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Elvira grows tired and decides she’d rather go home. She insists that her favorite tea ingredient, Zesty Honey from The Honeypot will help. Without it, she will be too tired to continue. The Honeypot is crowded with folks buying last-minute gifts. Cass is at the front of the line, intentionally slowing things down.

The Party

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If Elvira arrives at the party on time without the surprise being spoiled, she is overjoyed. In gratitude, she awards her least favorite gifts: a mending box and a Pathway Plus®.

Rewards

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Payment. Each character receives 20 gp upfront and an additional 20 gp upon successfully getting Elvira to the party.   Bonus. If Elvira is surprised, she gives the characters a mending box and a Pathway Plus® from her gifts.

Sticky Fingers Gang

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Thug. Ruffus “Red” Gurn   Bandits. Nella Quickthumb, “Smiley” Torv, and Jakki the Limp   Once feared in Lolien, the Sticky Fingers gang has dwindled into a handful of desperate thugs working under a local guild leader. They operate out of The Honeypot and are more bark than bite. They’ll run or surrender if faced with real resistance. Elvira may recognize them and scold them directly.

Neighborhood Playhouse Actors

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Leader. Bartholomew “Bartie” Highmarch   Actors. Lysandra Vine, Tobias Wren, and Dax Dusk   These actors expected Lilea Dawn and are startled to face real adventurers. They follow their script but panic the moment danger appears. If tensions rise, especially after the Sticky Fingers, things can spiral quickly. Their gear is all stage prop, and they break character at the first drop of blood.

GM Advice

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Vibe. Arrested Development meets Grumpy Old Men. Embrace the cantankerous awkward moments and make the players deal with them. Place them in the middle of situations where they don’t belong, but are forced to be there anyway.   Don’t spoil the surprise immediately if the characters stumble. Elvira grows suspicious, but keep her doubt buried under nerves and pride. Her ridiculous plan matters more to her than safety.   Cass may follow Elvira around town and need similar handling to be dealt with. The game can easily turn into to splitting the party and having two separate escort quests happening at the same time.   The final celebration is the emotional release. Don’t skimp on the theatrics. It is a great chance for characters to make lasting relationships and connections for future sessions.

Pathway®

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Wondrous, common   Pathways® are small, palm-sized devices used for changing elemental energy into readily usable power. Made from a combination of Worldstone and copper, they are designed to hold and distribute elemental forces. Pathways were developed by the E.L.L.F. Corporation and are commonly used to power a wide range of technology, from vehicles and lighting to domestic appliances like heating and plumbing.   Pathways come in two types, Pathway® and Pathway Plus®.   Pathway®. The first models were specialized to store energy of a single elemental type, from air, earth, fire, and water. Devices normally require specific charges, so multiple Pathways® were needed for different applications, making them costly. Pathways® hold one charge of a single element, designated by its design. These models are most commonly called, Air Pathway®, Earth Pathway®, Fire Pathway®, or Water Pathway®, depending on their function, or are simply abbreviated to their initials, AP, EP, FP, or WP.   Pathway Plus®. Made to address the limitations of the original, the plus model can convert any charged element into any of the chosen energy types, compatible with both old and new Pathway® operated devices. Pathway Plus® holds one charge each and can be used for any energy type.   Charging and Usage. A Pathway® can be charged naturally by exposing it to raw elements for 8 hours, or instantaneously using spells. Once discharged, a Pathway® must remain dormant for an hour before it can be recharged. A fully charged Pathway® emits a gentle hum and vibrates slightly, indicating its readiness for use. The energy from a charged Pathway® is used immediately upon insertion into a compatible device, and the duration of power depends on the device’s requirements. Any powered machine has a slot or dock where the charge is received, and is known as the “buzz bank.”   It takes an action to charge a Pathway® fully using a spell and it can be done in two ways:  

• Cast a 1st level or higher spell of air, earth, fire, or water into the Pathway®, which absorbs the energy and charges the device.
• Cast a 2nd level or higher spell of any kind into the Pathway®, which absorbs the energy and charges the device.

Charging a Pathway® through natural means is routinely done by leaving the device outside, buried in earth, submersed in water, or placed in fire.

Mending Box

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Wondrous, common, Pathway® (earth)   Available in various sizes, this versatile item ranges from the compactness of a jewelry box to the spaciousness of a wardrobe. When an item, along with all its components, is placed inside the mending box and the lid is securely closed, it undergoes a restoration process. Over the next 10 minutes, the item is repaired as if by the mending spell. For operation, a single earth Pathway® charge is required.   The mending box has become a staple in households, with its larger counterpart, the mending cabinet, being equally prevalent yet more costly. These essential items are predominantly manufactured by the E.L.L.F. Corporation .