The Clockwork Oasis Murder

Unmask the killer in a mechanical desert city before time runs out.

The city of Sandspire, nestled within the desert, is abuzz with unease following the sudden and mysterious death of its beloved king. The adventurers are urgently summoned to unravel the truth. Their investigation weaves through winding streets and mechanical workshops, as they delve into the simmering tensions among humans, dwarves, and the recently marginalized lizardfolk. Clues are hidden among the city's enigmatic machinery, some fueled by rare magical energy. As they dig deeper, a conspiracy unravels—a faction among the dwarves plots to seize power, using the king’s death as a catalyst. Layered with intrigue and betrayal, the adventure must come to a head before the burial rites conclude in one week's time.

Campaign Image

The World

Context

In the desert city of Sandspire, mechanical ingenuity thrives alongside erratic pulses of ancient magic. Humans and dwarves, the city's main inhabitants, rely heavily on their mechanical creations, while the lizardfolk, attuned to the desert's mystical auras, stand apart. The blend of magic and machinery shapes society and complicates local politics.

Concept

Clockwork technology powered by unpredictable magical currents.

Impact

Society teeters between innovation and chaos as machines sometimes act unpredictably, creating both marvels and crises.

The Plot

Summary

In 'The Clockwork Oasis Murder,' players become agents summoned to Sandspire, a city marked by its mechanical advancements and enigmatic bouts of magic. They must solve the murder of the king within a week, as his assassination threatens to ignite racial tensions and technological upheaval. Investigating leads across key locations—a bustling market, a hidden lizardfolk encampment, and the royal clock tower—players uncover secrets linking the murder to political conspiracies fueled by certain dubious dwarven factions. The seemingly random magical surges powering the city's machines serve as both allies and hazards. As they connect the dots, players face unexpected twists, like a false lead implicating the lizardfolk, before unmasking the true culprits at a climactic gathering. Their success averts chaos, fostering newfound unity.

Complication

The unpredictable magic-surging machines disrupt the investigation.

Hook

The king of Sandspire has been murdered.

World stakes

Failure could lead to racial conflicts and citywide chaos.

Personal stakes

The PCs risk becoming pawns or fall guys.

The Acts

Act 1

Summary:

Players are introduced to Sandspire and the murder scene. They gather initial clues through the late king's quarters and the royal library, learning of tensions between factions. Mysterious mechanical anomalies that sporadically activate provide both challenges and insights, introducing players to the city's volatile magic-tech fusion. They encounter NPCs: a wary human guard, a keen-eyed dwarven mechanic, and a tired lizardfolk merchant, each offering vital yet conflicting evidence.

Location:

Royal library housing both ancient texts and blueprints.

Challenge:

Deciphering cryptic notes amidst dangerous magical machinery.

Objective:

Gather initial clues about the king's murder.

Set Back:

Key evidence nearly destroyed by a magical surge.

Revelation:

A secret message hints at a dwarf conspiracy.

GM's Guide:

Introduce the city's vibrant backdrop, balancing mystery and urgency. Keep track of the ticking clock—a week counts down. As players explore, slowly unveil the unpredictability of magic-intertwined technology, presenting it as both help and hindrance. Use NPC interactions to build suspense and offer breadcrumb clues, encouraging creative interrogation.

GM's Move:

An unexpected gear explosion endangers the investigation.

Act 2

Summary:

Players delve deeper into Sandspire's factions. They navigate the secretive lizardfolk enclave, where they unearth hidden loyalties and trade under strains of prejudice. Magic-fueled technology grows increasingly erratic, threatening the city's stability. They must broker tense peace talks to gain crucial lizardfolk intel, discovering that dwarves aim to capitalize on chaos to cement power. This revelation illuminates both potential allies and threats but complicates trust.

Location:

A secluded and mystical lizardfolk enclave by an ancient oasis.

Challenge:

Winning trust amidst prejudice and concealed agendas.

Objective:

Uncover lizardfolk connections to the murder plot.

Set Back:

Conflicting testimonies nearly fracture a possible alliance.

Revelation:

Dwarves plan to use chaos for a power grab.

GM's Guide:

Heighten tension as racial suspicions peak. Illustrate the lizardfolk's perspective regarding recent events. Allow for player-driven negotiations that can shape future alliances. Highlight the pivotal role of chaotic mechanical outputs as either assets or perils, reflecting party actions and choices. Offer moral dilemmas via espionage opportunities.

GM's Move:

Increased mechanical failures threaten diplomatic negotiations.

Act 3

Summary:

Players confront the orchestrators during a ceremonial gathering where the king is to be laid to rest. With time dwindling, they utilize the ticking clock tower as a strategic asset or a chaotic obstacle amidst citywide instability. Amidst heated debates and revealed betrayals, the evidence exonerates the lizardfolk and incriminates conspiratorial dwarves. The act concludes with either foiling the coup or mitigating its aftereffects through diplomacy or combat, stabilizing Sandspire's future.

Location:

Sandspire's grand ceremonial chamber beneath the clock tower.

Challenge:

Navigating alliances and enemies amidst volatile magic-tech.

Objective:

Expose the murderers and prevent a power coup.

Set Back:

Uncontrolled magical machines threaten to sabotage resolution.

Revelation:

Faulty magitech sabotaged by dwarves to mask their plot.

GM's Guide:

Amplify final act with intense stakes—playing against time. Use the clock's physicality as dramatic scenery. Guide the party's strategic decisions around public revelation, combat, or diplomacy. The climax should focus on unified resolution, allowing player choices to dictate the aftermath. Keep pace brisk yet intense, culminating in a satisfying conclusion regardless of divergent paths.

GM's Move:

Reveal true culprits amidst public chaos at the funeral.

Climax:

Resolution achieved through evidence, combat, or alliance.