The Science of Dancing: WIP
The Gala of Stars is the highlight of the year in the city of Luhren. Hosted at the planetarium in the spring, the brightest minds of the age congregate to mingle with the nobility and businessmen who give them the grants to fund their research. It's a chance to rub elbows and schmooze the rich and famous, a way to ensure there's progress for the sake of progress...and profit.
There's a rumor that there might be a hit on one of the nobility at the party, but it's written off as just a rumor, since the assassin isn't tied to the Assassins' Guild in the Wastes. They're denying any knowledge of the hit, and so, no one pays it any mind.
The "target" of the assassination is Lord Gellworth, a wealthy investor from the Wastes who traveled to Luhren just for the party. He has a habit of funding research for the trolleys that ferry the people around the city, both in the Wastes and in the city of Luhren. He owns shares of three trolley companies and delights in his earnings. While not a cruel man, he's not very giving either, and is known to be a penny-pincher. More frugal than the day is long, Gellworth jealously hoards his funds unless someone comes along with the right idea. He's currently backing a project that will turn the trolley's power system towards magic crystals rather than coal and steam. The idea came from a Crepuscan woman named Eshelda, who drew on the technology her people use in Kalnasthi.
The party must first obtain invites or acquire a job as security that allows them to get closer to the partygoers. They're there to ensure the assassination doesn't happen; it may just be a rumor, but rumors always hold a small grain of truth. The quest can be obtained either directly through Gellworth if the party has the notoriety for it or through a job listing.
Plot points/Scenes
Part 1
The first step is obtaining the invites or getting the job. The job posting is found on a board in the University District, looking for people to be security at the party. They're not given details beyond what the pay will be, and the amount is up to the GM.
Part 2
The party either enters through the main doors as guests, giving the porter at the door their invitations, or they go through the back entrance for the staff.
Part 3
The party must blend in with the other guests or staff and search the party for anyone who sticks out. If the Assassins' Guild lied and is involved, the task will be much harder. The GM can decide if the assassin is part of the guild or working alone. They can ask around to see if the guests have noticed anyone new to the scene. The newcomers are:
- Kalson, an astronomer who was recently denied a grant to build a better telescope for the student body's use.
- Lady Ruby Scorle, the investor who denied Kalson the grant.
- Lory Phelps, the newest department head for engineering.
- Nesem Barefore, a competing investor for the trolley systems in place.
Part 4
The party must collect information on the newest additions to the yearly guest list, trying to find out which may have the motive to kill Gellworth. Of the four, Nesem appears to be the most likely to want him out of the way. The players can either try to call her out publicly or get her in private to accuse her of plotting to kill Gellworth. This will start a fight, where it's revealed that Nesem has private security hidden amongst the guests and is a talented mage herself.
Structure
Resolution
Nesem can kill Gellworth if not stopped in time. One of her guards will do the deed, but it would still be up to the players to prove it's her.
If Gellworth is saved, he will give the party a monetary reward; the amount is at the GM's discretion.
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