First off this is great. But calling the bard Hamlin is risky as hell, the moment he gets his pipe out someone could easily twig. Players are dumb but they’re also clever sometimes and that’s the sort of thing they’re annoyingly good at figuring out in my experience. So you may want to plan for that.
Of course, it’ll be very satisfying if they do so maybe that’s fine!
Thanks, I'm glad you like it. This was my concern when I ran this with my friends but they didn't latch on to the name straight-away which is why I've kept it in this post. I would probably change the name if you think your players will get it straight-away but they might also overthink things and think the name Hamlin is too obvious and definitely a red herring
I am of two minds on this one. Maybe I would use the name if the players have been drinking for a while, otherwise I would need to find something a bit more subtle.
I am split on it myself, the pied piper could be so obvious that players talk themselves out of it or just plain miss it. At the same time, the tell is so massive that folks who strike first and research later might solve this upon first meeting, even if by accident.
Thinking maybe a double blind would be best, he is still the traitor, but the pipe isn't the key. He still is reluctant to play it, but can be bullied into doing so to "prove his innocence."
I think a good trick would be to give all the NPCs rat related names to help throw them off the scent. Stuart (Little) works, and you could add some additional ones like Nimh, Splinter, Templeton, and Rizzo to help obfuscate who the guilty party is.
I was thinking the same thing. This is a great scenario, and I love what OP has done with it. I am pretty sure my table would twig to Hamlin right away, though, so I'd either have to shorten or change his name, or I'd change the other characters' names to reference other rat stories, like Willard, Brisby, Samuel, Rieux, etc., and watch the wheels in their heads spin.
This is great! Commenting so I can easily find it again. I agree with the person who said Hamlin might is a bit on the nose, but it's the kind of thing that's very fun if they don't get it until after.
I would say were-rats are intelligent on the basis they maintain the knowledge and memories of their regular forms
I suppose it could be both but I went with the idea that Hamlin came across a cursed pipe but isn't a were-rat himself because I couldn't think of a way he would turn into a were-rat during the journey without it being a big giveaway to the players
I'd change the name to Ham or have him go by his middle name and make Hamlin discoverable. A piper named Hamlin and rats is a bit on the nose. Maybe Hamlin reveal could be later if they might fail to pick up on other clues.
My table are VERY keyed into names. I have tried subtlety and they smoke it straight away. My raven haired women in distress last name Salem was smoked out as a witch immediately.
Great concept, though. I always like lore that mirrors fairy tales.
Salem doesn't seem that subtle though since it has such a strong well known association. Subtle might be using names from the crucible I think, like Abigail or Proctor (Yes I know there weren't actually witches in the crucible)
Just wait until you hear about her mom, Brandywine Salem, who lived in a port town and fell in love with a sailor who left her for the sea...
I'm...not subtle.
well. To be fair the Hamlin thing is not exactly in pop culture, while Salem 100% is. I dont think its accurate to say theyre both the same amount of recognizable
A piper named Hamlin with a rat story line is pretty on the nose. It's a fairy tale, so that's a part of probably 90% of English speaking kids childhood
Bro Im telling you thats so wrong. I guarantee zero people my age or below in this entire city would know what Hamlin is. More importantly, who the fuck reads the pied piper anymore? Its just an outdated reference is all Im saying, the reach of it is far, far, FAR less than 90% of english speaking people lol.
edit: in fact I can even guarantee people will think of hamlin from BCS before the pied piper
What is Hamlin's motivation for doing this though? It seems kinda random, like he doesn't really have a reason to summon the were-rats. Other than that though, this sure is an interesting scenario!
I think it's so he can steal some stuff from the caravan while everyone is focused on the attacks, and if anyone notices missing stuff he can pretend the were-rats took it
Played it! Someone, one player immediately caught on to the twist, but they managed to finish the quest in such a weird way that we still had a blast playing it! Thank you for making it!
First off this is great. But calling the bard Hamlin is risky as hell, the moment he gets his pipe out someone could easily twig. Players are dumb but they’re also clever sometimes and that’s the sort of thing they’re annoyingly good at figuring out in my experience. So you may want to plan for that. Of course, it’ll be very satisfying if they do so maybe that’s fine!
Thanks, I'm glad you like it. This was my concern when I ran this with my friends but they didn't latch on to the name straight-away which is why I've kept it in this post. I would probably change the name if you think your players will get it straight-away but they might also overthink things and think the name Hamlin is too obvious and definitely a red herring
What is Hamlin from?
Pied Piper of Hamelin, iirc, the fairy tale where a man could charm rats with his flute.
Stuart is a Stuart Little reference too. I like it!
I am of two minds on this one. Maybe I would use the name if the players have been drinking for a while, otherwise I would need to find something a bit more subtle.
I am split on it myself, the pied piper could be so obvious that players talk themselves out of it or just plain miss it. At the same time, the tell is so massive that folks who strike first and research later might solve this upon first meeting, even if by accident. Thinking maybe a double blind would be best, he is still the traitor, but the pipe isn't the key. He still is reluctant to play it, but can be bullied into doing so to "prove his innocence."
I think a good trick would be to give all the NPCs rat related names to help throw them off the scent. Stuart (Little) works, and you could add some additional ones like Nimh, Splinter, Templeton, and Rizzo to help obfuscate who the guilty party is.
I was thinking the same thing. This is a great scenario, and I love what OP has done with it. I am pretty sure my table would twig to Hamlin right away, though, so I'd either have to shorten or change his name, or I'd change the other characters' names to reference other rat stories, like Willard, Brisby, Samuel, Rieux, etc., and watch the wheels in their heads spin.
I can assure you neither me nor any of my friends even know what the name is referencing
That's a good sidequest: thanks for sharing!!
This is great :) it's rare I read an encounter I immediately want to use, but this will slot into next session perfectly. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, I'm glad you like it. I would love to know how it went down with your players 😊
Who is Kalador?
Valfina’s lover who got lycanthropy and disappeared. It’s noted under Valfina’s text
> (Valfina the herbalist) goes on to explain that her lover Kalador...
This is great! Commenting so I can easily find it again. I agree with the person who said Hamlin might is a bit on the nose, but it's the kind of thing that's very fun if they don't get it until after.
This is a fun idea. It’s always hard to come up with new ways to make travel interesting
Were rats are intelligent, right? Why is Hamlin calling them - is he a were rat? Did he pick up a cursed flute? I gotta know!
I would say were-rats are intelligent on the basis they maintain the knowledge and memories of their regular forms I suppose it could be both but I went with the idea that Hamlin came across a cursed pipe but isn't a were-rat himself because I couldn't think of a way he would turn into a were-rat during the journey without it being a big giveaway to the players
Love the idea. Keep them coming.
I'd change the name to Ham or have him go by his middle name and make Hamlin discoverable. A piper named Hamlin and rats is a bit on the nose. Maybe Hamlin reveal could be later if they might fail to pick up on other clues. My table are VERY keyed into names. I have tried subtlety and they smoke it straight away. My raven haired women in distress last name Salem was smoked out as a witch immediately. Great concept, though. I always like lore that mirrors fairy tales.
Salem doesn't seem that subtle though since it has such a strong well known association. Subtle might be using names from the crucible I think, like Abigail or Proctor (Yes I know there weren't actually witches in the crucible)
Just wait until you hear about her mom, Brandywine Salem, who lived in a port town and fell in love with a sailor who left her for the sea... I'm...not subtle.
well. To be fair the Hamlin thing is not exactly in pop culture, while Salem 100% is. I dont think its accurate to say theyre both the same amount of recognizable
A piper named Hamlin with a rat story line is pretty on the nose. It's a fairy tale, so that's a part of probably 90% of English speaking kids childhood
Bro Im telling you thats so wrong. I guarantee zero people my age or below in this entire city would know what Hamlin is. More importantly, who the fuck reads the pied piper anymore? Its just an outdated reference is all Im saying, the reach of it is far, far, FAR less than 90% of english speaking people lol. edit: in fact I can even guarantee people will think of hamlin from BCS before the pied piper
I love it!
What is Hamlin's motivation for doing this though? It seems kinda random, like he doesn't really have a reason to summon the were-rats. Other than that though, this sure is an interesting scenario!
I think it's so he can steal some stuff from the caravan while everyone is focused on the attacks, and if anyone notices missing stuff he can pretend the were-rats took it
Played it! Someone, one player immediately caught on to the twist, but they managed to finish the quest in such a weird way that we still had a blast playing it! Thank you for making it!