The Tide of Secrets

Uncover mysteries to halt a rising monstrous tsunami.

The players arrive in the coastal town of Marilith, where an unusual phenomenon threatens its destruction. A massive wave, seemingly filled with writhing creatures, has appeared on the horizon and is set to crash into the town in a week. The wave originates from a hidden, ancient structure on the seabed, revealed by a recent rockslide. Heroes must navigate a city divided between desperate collaboration and rising panic, diving into the ocean's mysterious depths to uncover and halt the source of the magical calamity. Along the way, they encounter undead mariners and uncover secrets better left buried, changing the fate of Marilith forever.

The World

Context

In a world where magic is scarce and feared, and technology is reminiscent of our medieval period, humans and undead attempt coexistence in coastal towns. Tension persists, as magic's appearance can sway life drastically. Towns rely heavily on the sea for sustenance, and its fickle nature is both a boon and a threat.

Concept

Oceanic anomalies reveal hidden magical structures affecting climate and sea life.

Impact

Fisheries collapse causes tension; regular strange sightings instill fear and stir racial animosities.

The Plot

Summary

The adventure centers on discovering the origins of an unnatural, looming tsunami that threatens to destroy Marilith within a week. This disaster stems from a hidden underwater temple suddenly exposed by a rockslide. The PCs must investigate the seabed ruins, confronting undead protectors and deciphering leftover magical glyphs hinting at an ancient spell gone awry. As time ticks down, they face choices between befriending or battling the local undead community, who hold crucial insights into the temple's secrets. Can they learn enough to diffuse the growing wave's power, or will their involvement exacerbate the disaster? Their success hinges on choices balancing urgent action with uncovering hidden truths, navigating local politics, and leveraging mysterious technologies spawned from magic, which even the undead do not fully understand.

Complication

The undead community, with knowledge of the temple, distrusts the living.

Hook

A massive tsunami looms, but remains eerily frozen and monstrous.

World stakes

Town's destruction if the tsunami breaks; magic's fear grows.

Personal stakes

PCs risk drowning or being ostracized by Marilith.

The Acts

Act 1

Summary:

Arriving in Marilith, the PCs learn of the impending disaster. They meet with townsfolk, gathering information about recent events, including the emergence of the undead. The town's mood is tense with fear, and there's an urgent need for a solution. PCs discover an ancient chart hinting at a hidden underwater temple linked to the wave, setting the stage for further exploration.

Location:

Marilith's bustling marketplace, featuring a sea witch's stall.

Challenge:

Navigating social tensions and conflicting accounts.

Objective:

Learn about the hidden underwater temple.

Set Back:

A sudden storm destroys important fishing gear, heightening urgency.

Revelation:

An ancient chart hints at the temple's location.

GM's Guide:

Start with a bustling market scene to introduce various NPCs. Keep the pace moving with small rising tensions; rumors swirl, and the undead show up asking questions their own. Encourage PCs to dig deeper into local history and establish the town's growing paranoia.

GM's Move:

Introduction of undead mariners asking about the temple.

Act 2

Summary:

The PCs prepare for a dive into the ocean's depths to locate the temple. They decide whether to ally with or work around the undead community. A journey beneath the waves reveals serpentine creatures guarding the temple, shrouded in water magic. PCs must align ancient runes to clear the next phase of the mystery. Tensions between the humans and undead simmer, challenging diplomacy and decision-making once back on land.

Location:

Submerged ruins with bioluminescent coral.

Challenge:

Dangers from sea creatures and deciphering runes.

Objective:

Gain entry to the underwater temple.

Set Back:

A misaligned rune sets off a magic surge, damaging gear.

Revelation:

Temple link to magic sea phenomenon confirmed.

GM's Guide:

Balance combat with diplomacy and exploration. Allow consequences for failures—disruptive sea creatures escalate tensions. Highlight the oppressive ambiance beneath the sea through description and sounds of distant wails.

GM's Move:

Serpent guardians intensify patrols around the temple.

Act 3

Summary:

With knowledge from the temple, the PCs must decide between removing the magic glyph causing the wave or redirecting its energy. Meanwhile, a rift grows between Marilith's denizens as some mistrust the undead presence. The PCs must navigate these tensions to orchestrate a feasible plan. The climax is a daring ritual under the moonlight to settle the wave’s fate, combining magic, technology, and diplomacy.

Location:

Moonlit shores of Marilith, altar prepared for ritual.

Challenge:

Masterminding a sensitive magical ritual on turbulent waters.

Objective:

Defuse or redirect the tsunami safely.

Set Back:

An elder's interference disrupts the ritual preparation.

Revelation:

Both races share a common past involved with the temple.

GM's Guide:

Encourage multipronged approaches: spellcraft, negotiation, and social persuasion. Focus on tensions growing between humans and undead. Allow failures to contribute to mistrust or harmonization with undead, altering potential outcomes.

GM's Move:

Mistrust peaks, affecting collaboration potential.

Climax:

The wave dissipates or redirects, altering the town forever.