The Case of The Ebony Falcon
Below is a sample adventure meant to give the game master a brief overview of the plot without painting all the pieces for them. It can be easily changed to fit the needs of your campaign or setting.
Quest Giver: Domwell Zookington III
Location: Metropolis of Sundale
Quest Text: “Three days ago, our agent Ms. Selina Direction stole the Ebony Falcon from a powerful gang of art collectors known as The Facilitators. Before Selina could fence it, the Ebony Falcon was stolen from her. Return the artifact to the Facilitators or rescue Selina from their wrath, but the clock is ticking. Here is her last known address.”
Background
Reminiscent of 1920’s Chicago in both its architecture and problems, Sundale is a booming metropolis in the passionate embrace of the industrial age. Magic and machinery work hand in hand to build soaring towers, yet in the shadows of those monoliths, many are taken advantage of and left to rot in the slums. Gangs are rampant and everyone is in someone’s pocket.
The mayor of Sundale is the charismatic Donovan Attackrock, a wealthy socialite that rose to prominence on the golden wings of his parents’ wealth. His platform was built on busting unions and bringing jobs to Sundale. In truth, Donovan has no fortune left. He spent most of it getting elected and has been embezzling from the town to keep up his lifestyle. Donovan plans to trade the Ebony Falcon to a group of cultists, known as The Cabal of the Forsaken Mist. In return for the artifact, the Mist has promised to cast spells to kill the union leader Zoe Heart, and place a curse on the word “union,” giving any that speak it bad luck.
Leading the charge for better wages and safer working conditions is Zoe Heart, a plucky and outspoken woman who is sick of being taken advantage of by the wealthy elites of Sundale. After surviving being roughed up many times by union busters, she now only communicates through circulated literature.
Selina Direction lives for the thrill of the hunt, but this time she has miscalculated her prey. Selina received the location of the Ebony Falcon from a secret informant. She has no leads on how the Falcon was taken from her and has little time to investigate while dodging The Facilitators’ enforcers.
The Facilitators run various philanthropic ventures including feeding the poor and running the Rosewood Museum, but they're also the most powerful gang in Sundale. They use soup kitchens to recruit muscle and spies, while the museum is a front for smuggling. The Facilitators are led by Angel De La Cruz, a vicious leader that has risen to power by making brutal examples of any that cross her. Selina is currently in her sights.
In the shadows of Sundale, the Cabal of the Forsaken Mist pull strings for their own nefarious purposes. They have no allegiances, but no direct enemies either. Through a combination of divination and dark magic, the Mist has become near impossible to pin down, yet their influence can always be felt. They gave Selina the location of the Ebony Falcon and planted the mayor’s idea of killing Zoe. No one knows The Mist plans to use the Falcon to resurrect a dead titan beneath the city of Sundale.
Overview
Selina’s Hideout - Her apartment has been ransacked.
Lead #1: a matchbook from the “Broken Ends”. ‘Fish’ is written on the inside.
Lead #2: Rosewood Museum of Arts flier for the Ebony Falcon display.
Broken Ends - a seedy bar in the slums of Sundale with a rough crowd. Any mention of Selina, Fish or the Ebony Falcon draws glances. No one will talk unless paid off or forced.
Lead #3: Fish is an informant who sells info out of the bar, but they haven't been in for a couple of days. At the same time, Fish walks into the bar, spots the party, and makes a break for it.
As the party chases Fish, some heavy bruisers intercept them and soundly beat the party (non-lethally). They don’t identify themselves, but warn the party to quit investigating. One bruiser drops a police badge.
Lead #4: The badge belongs to Officer Johansen, personally assigned to the mayor of Sundale.
Rosewood Museum of Arts - An upscale museum filled with antiquities, including an obviously fake Ebony Falcon to keep up appearances until the original is recovered. None of the staff knows anything about Selina or the theft.
The Mayor - He can be “ambushed” on his way into the office with only enough time to ask one question before he is whisked away by security and aides. If asked about Selina or the Falcon, he turns pale before regaining his composure and denies knowing anything.
The Mayor’s Office - Breaking into the mayor’s office is tricky but not impossible. Hidden in his secret office safe are documents that outline his agreement with The Mist, including his plans to hand over the Falcon at his fundraising gala.
Lead #5: a stack of flyers for the mayor’s fundraising gala tomorrow night at the Ruby Room downtown.
The Ruby Room - A luxurious ballroom with a live band, fine dining, and glamorous dancers. Security is tight and none get in without an invitation. When the mayor arrives, one of his goons is carrying a box cuffed to his wrist. Several Mist operatives are also at the Gala.
If the party is unable to secure the box and escape, Selina will flood the area with dancers and lead the party out during the confusion. She knows where the Falcon is headed.
Sewers of Sundale - By following Selena’s directions, the party is led into the sewers. Deep beneath the town are the gnarled and twisted remains of a titan encased in stone, but its decomposed right eye is visible. Painted sigils surround the eye and Mist cultists chant as the Ebony Falcon begins to glow with energy. This is the last chance to retrieve the artifact.
If they fail, a titan rises up in the middle of Sundale, destroying half the town.
If they succeed, the town, Zoe Heart, and Selina are saved. The Falcon can be stored in the Exploration Society, but the society will become a target for The Facilitators.