Tipping the Scales
Adventure Briefing
Brother Cristos has tasked the characters with exposing Kiefth Dahlword, a noble engaged in illegal trade. The mission requires discretion to protect the reputation of both Cristos and House Dahlword. The goal is to provide solid evidence of Kiefth’s crimes to Baron Druceff without drawing public attention. Cristos’s willingness to see justice served is absolute, but the path the characters take is up to them. To the Players. Brother Cristos has approached you with a delicate task. Kiefth Dahlword, a noble from House Dahlword, is suspected of trading in illegal dragon scales, a direct violation of the Covenant. Your mission is to confirm his guilt and bring the evidence to the Baron, all while keeping the investigation discreet. Cristos offers the tools to succeed.
Level Range: 2-3
Tags: Confrontation, Espionage, Social Connections: Baron Druceff, Basilica of the Bloodied Claw, Dondarian, House Dahlword, The King's Respite, Obediah Cristos, Purveyor's Plaza
Download PDF: Ko-fi, DriveThru RPG
Tags: Confrontation, Espionage, Social Connections: Baron Druceff, Basilica of the Bloodied Claw, Dondarian, House Dahlword, The King's Respite, Obediah Cristos, Purveyor's Plaza
Download PDF: Ko-fi, DriveThru RPG
The Job
To the Players. Brother Cristos has approached you with a delicate task. Kiefth Dahlword, a noble from House Dahlword, is suspected of trading in illegal dragon scales, a direct violation of the Covenant. Your mission is to confirm his guilt and bring the evidence to the baron, all while keeping the investigation discreet. Cristos can offer some advice. Brother Cristos. (N, Male, Human Cleric)
A zealous but pragmatic member of the Covenant faith. Cristos is appalled by Kiefth’s desecration of dragonkind but fears the consequences of getting involved. He has resources.
- Silver Scale. Brother Cristos hands over a young silver dragon scale as bait for Kiefth. The scale was legally won.
- The Basilica. Use the space as needed, but be careful.
Direct Confrontation. Set a trap, bait Kiefth into an admission, or secure evidence through coercion or force. Social Manipulation. Leverage Kiefth’s entourage, including Turk or Aluri O’Rell, to gather information. Stealth and Espionage. Investigate the Purveyor’s Plaza or shadow Kiefth to find evidence of his illicit dealings.
Key Players
Kiefth Dahlword. (C/G, Male, Human Noble)
A well-loved noble with a secret passion for dragon scales. Always surrounded by an entourage, he hides his crimes behind charisma and adoration. Kiefth likes showing off.
Turk. (C/G, Male, Bugbear Friend)
A kind-hearted bugbear. Trusted by everyone, but easily influenced by charm and humor. Turk knows most of Kiefth’s secrets and loves to impress others. A joke goes a long way.
Aluri O’Rell. (N/G, Female, Elvenari Cleric)
A Covenant follower and childhood friend, trying to convince Kiefth to reform. Aluri is perceptive and will interfere with plans that might expose Kiefth publicly.
Clips. (L/E, Male, Human Black Market Dealer)
An unseen man behind smuggling. Clips is a skilled illusionist who spies from afar. He always appears different.
Jackie Number Two. (N/E, Female, Blood Hawk Contact)
A silent middleman. Jackie lives in the Emerald Wood and flies by daily to find buyers. She can speak and understand Common.
Baron Druceff. (L/G, Male, Human Noble)
The foremost authority in Dondarian. Loyal to Kiefth, but unwilling to protect him if irrefutable evidence is presented. Either way, Druceff will use the scandal to boost his own.
Building the Evidence
No single lead offers enough proof to convict. Multiple paths must be followed to convince Baron Druceff or Brother Cristos. The King's Respite. A popular inn where Kiefth regularly buys House Dahlword’s apple brandy. His entourage is usually here.
- DC 11 Insight. Learn of Kiefth’s excess drinking and discover his entourage’s growing frustration with him.
- DC 15 Persuasion. Convince Turk to speak about Kiefth’s secret collection. Humor makes Turk susceptible to flattery.
- DC 14 Insight. Aluri is steering the conversation. If unrecog-nized, gain no useful information and raise suspicion.
- DC 10 Investigation. The normal market is well managed.
- DC 14 Deception. Pose as a buyer to gather evidence. If successful, characters are recognized by Jackie Number Two.
- DC 16 Stealth. Shadow a buyer to secret transactions to uncover Clips’s operations. Find a clipped object nearby.
- DC 12 Animal Handling. Jackie wants to put people in contact with Clips. This meeting is more about respect.
- DC 15 Arcana. Understand the mechanics behind Clips’s illusions, which are custom arcane sigils nearby.
- DC 15 Intimidation. Clips connected Kiefth with a few items over time. Clips is reluctant to talk, but Kiefth loves dragons.
- DC 12 Religion. The items Clips has seem to have religious origins. He is likely connected to a source in the Basilica.
This is a private space under Cristos’s control which gives a secure location to plan, regroup, or confront targets with reduced risk. If characters uncover Clips’s contact, they may find Darius Row (M, Human, Priest) who is susceptible to coercion. Darius Row. A minor player who got sucked up into a world they don’t understand. He has been stealing items for awhile.
Outcomes
Success. Irrefutable evidence is presented discreetly. Kiefth is punished, Cristos remains safe, and the group earns favor. Partial Success. Weak or incomplete evidence creates damaging rumors. Kiefth avoids formal punishment but suffers social shame. Cristos remains unscathed but frustrated. Failure. Cristos’s role is exposed, Kiefth escapes, or the scandal becomes public, drawing ire from House Dahlword and tarnishing Cristos’s name.
Reference Page
Rewards
The characters’ rewards depend on the outcome and approach. Success: Brother Cristos. The silver dragon scale (100 gp) usable as a spell focus, and a favor with the church, which will unlock future assistance.
Success: Baron Druceff. +1 longbow, staff, sword, or dagger, and a Writ of Favor, such as an expedited service or guards.
Partial Success: Brother Cristos. 50 gp and minor supplies.
Partial Success: Baron Druceff. Rare Dondarian apple brandy (25 gp) or a letter of safe passage.
Failure: Brother Cristos. Future limited church assistance.
Failure: Baron Druceff. Small pouch of coins with 25 gp.
Assisting Kiefth: Kiefth Dahlword. 100 gp or luxury goods and a favor with House Dahlword such as noble connections or assistance in future intrigues.
Assisting Kiefth: Aluri. A scroll of healing word, discreetly gifted.
Clips’s Wares
Clips deals in banned or restricted goods, legal elsewhere but outlawed within the Dominion. He avoids morally repugnant trades, refusing to deal in weapons. All transactions are remote. If a deal is made, the buyer is told where to drop the money. Hours or days later, their goods will be found “clipped” to a public or hidden location. No witnesses, no contact, no trace.
NPCs
Brother Cristos
N, Male, Human Cleric An elderly man. Cristos hates his reliance on others as he ages. Roleplaying Brother Cristos
Personality Trait. “I speak carefully and with purpose.”
Ideal. “The Covenant. My religion maintains the peace.”
Bond. “I will follow the teachings of the past to prevent issues.”
Flaw. “Magic does it better.”
Kiefth Dahlword
C/G, Male, Human Noble In his 30s and not destined for much. The fun uncle of nobility. Roleplaying Kiefth Dahlword
Personality Trait. “I’ll buy you a drink for a moment of time.”
Ideal. “Charm. A smile and the right attitude go a long way.”
Bond. “If we’ve become friends, I’m going to trust you.”
Flaw. “Collecting contraband gives me an indescribable thrill.”
NPC (cont.)
Baron Aaron Druceff
L/G, Male, Human Noble Early middle age, Aaron is impressed by others of standing. Currently he has been feeling the true weight of responsibility. Roleplaying Baron Druceff
Personality Trait. “I’ll do my best despite the burden I feel.”
Ideal. “Legacy. A house’s standing means a family’s success.”
Bond. “I would follow the King anywhere.”
Flaw. “I am in charge, and you should listen to me.”
Turk
C/G, Male, Bugbear Friend An older retired adventurer and family friend. He traveled with Kiefth’s father. Turk is now patroned by the Dahlwords. Roleplaying Turk
Personality Trait. “Hey pal, I’m your new best friend!”
Ideal. “Humor. I’m not the prettiest fella but if I’m making jokes people don’t seem to notice.”
Bond. “Show me kindness and I’m by your side.”
Flaw. “I have this damned itch on my back that won’t go.”
Aluri O’Rell
N/G, Female, Elvenari Cleric As children, Aluri and Kiefth went through a rebellious phase. Thanks to a dragon’s intervention, Aluri took a different path. Roleplaying Aluri O’Rell
Personality Trait. “Just try pulling a fast one on me.”
Ideal. “Hustle. Never give up. Earn loyalty and respect and you’re golden.”
Bond. “I shelter my friends from unmerited scrutiny.”
Flaw. “I’ve never suffered defeat and fear what happens.”
Jackie Number Two
N/E, Female, Blood Hawk Contact When Clips found the blood hawk, he already had one named Jackie. Jackie Number Two killed Jackie to gain supremacy. Roleplaying Jackie Number Two
Personality Trait. “I like to intrude on private time.”
Ideal. “Shiny. The fancier the more interested I am.”
Bond. “Clips saved me and now he feeds me.”
Flaw. “I was the runt of the litter and hate blood hawks.”
Clips
L/E, Male, Human Black Market Dealer A sorcerer with some wizard training. Clips’s age is unknown. Roleplaying Clips
Personality Trait. “I let my opinions speak for themselves.”
Ideal. “Confidence. I know I’m right and how I do it works.”
Bond. “The government is out to get all of us.”
Flaw. “I am paranoid of pretty much everything.”
GM Advice
This adventure is designed as a social investigation with multiple outcomes, not a guaranteed confrontation. Present the world as active and reactive. Let players explore, observe, and draw their own lines. It plays best as a sandbox where they move through the city gathering information. The Covenant has major influence over public image, which is key to understanding Brother Cristos’s motivations. Make it clear that dragon parts are sacred relics, and their possession without approval is seen as a violation of both faith and law. Let failure complicate the situation rather than end it. Cristos may still act. Kiefth may still be exposed. But the fallout should feel shaped by the group’s approach, not just dice rolls.
Maps
Purveyor's Plaza
Basilica of the Bloody Claw
