An unlikable noble is looking for security to protect them from potential assassination attempts on their life. This is a situation where the characters can be brought into a political campaign as they look to ferret out the rival noble. This is a mission for level 4 PCs
Six W’s
Who are the enemies in this One Shot?
Rowdy crowd of peasants, Owlbears, Redcaps, Assassins
What has happened to cause the PCs to fight?
A wealthy young noble ( Duke Darrian Valdrous) has contracted the PCs to provide security for them until the assassin is brought down. A rival noble ( Count Harkus Delain ) has gone to great lengths to hire multiple groups to kill the duke (who is first in line to become king once the old king passes). The young noble does not wish to change how they live life and it is the PCs job to maintain security of this noble. The PCs are being paid pretty handsomely for this security but the noble is cocky and self centered.
Where is this encounter happening?
This is happening in the city of Chandles in the small Kingdom of Thrusk. The other locals are the royals forest and the estate of the young noble.
When did this happen?
Duke Darrian Valdrous has always received the ire of his fellow nobles for years. His various transgressions thought the years has rubbed a number of nobles the wrong way. Yet, once the king became ill and the only male heir to the kingdom passed away from disease earlier in the year he has become the heir apparent. Now he is in the way of those who want power and someone has decided he needs to move aside.
Why are the PCs here?
The PCs were hired by the guild to assist in the protection of the Noble by the Kings authority. A large stipend has been offered (20,000 gp for the party) and each PC is gifted with one +1 item of their choice if they take the mission.
How will the PCs deal with this problem?
Primarily the PCs will do what they can to keep the noble alive at all cost. The main actor behind this plot will not be apparent until the end but if they can defeat his various machinations this will cause the rival noble a huge loss of trust. This will allow Count Harkus Delain to be exposed and the disposed off with little trouble.
NPCs of Note
Duke Darrian Valdrous- Cocky young noble and heir apparent of the kingdom of Thrusk
Count Harkus Delain- Rival noble vying for control of thrown and conspirator behind the attempted assassinations
Baronet Telaine Delrose- Bard and leader of the cell trying to actively kill the Duke
Maps
Town Square Battlefield
A town square with a large fountain or water feature in the center of it.
The Royals Forest
A day time forest grove map
Duke’s Summer Estate
Encounters & Treasure
Noble Agitators
https://www.dndbeyond.com/encounters/3ed31732-b628-4117-b0f2-b94c61305f00
Forest hunts you
https://www.dndbeyond.com/encounters/cb129a36-9c76-49ec-b91c-f1c6307234df
Assassination Noble Nation
https://www.dndbeyond.com/encounters/c8ebcde9-6555-4d11-a279-37997d1ea20c
Epilogue
With the death/capture of the Baronet the link to Count Delain becomes apparent since the Baronet is the direct retainer for him. Anyone who is connected to Count Delain will quickly flee from said connections and leave the Count without allies when the time comes.
