An Intriguing DnD Murder Mystery One Shot
In this mystery for DnD 5e, the players are hired by Paige Turner, the Master Librarian in the vast library known as the Sanctum Scriptorium. Their task is to provide security during the gathering of the Erudite Council, a group of seven sages who advise royalty and heads of state. Paige is hosting the council's Conclave to choose a new leader, and she is hoping to be chosen. Tensions run high as council members from warring nations and mistrustful countries gather. During the banquet, a council member is mysteriously murdered. The players must unravel the mystery before the murderer assumes leadership and war engulfs rival nations.
Adventure Hook
The players are hired by Paige Turner to ensure security during the Conclave, where she hopes to be elected as the next leader. Due to conflicts resulting from a recent war between two of the Council members' countries, Nemedia and Aquilonia, the Council members agree to leave their entourages outside the Library Walls and to each be accompanied by a single assistant. The players are tasked with providing security while a new leader is chosen.
In this DnD Murder Mystery, players will need to find and unravel clues, ignore false leads and use their cunning and creativity to catch a killer.
The Players' Reward
Paige will pay the players 500 gp for their service. If she is elected, she will also reward them each with a magic item from the library's vaults.
Adventure Setting: The Sanctum Scriptorium
The Sanctum Scriptorium is a walled haven of knowledge and intrigue that stands as a sentinel of wisdom and secrets. The place names in this adventure are taken from the Hyborian Age world of Conan but can be easily changed to fit any setting.
Within the outer walls of the Sanctum, the players will explore:
The Guard House - is nestled just inside the gate, and provides a humble abode for the players as well as a single jail cell.
The Hearth - Deeper into the courtyard a warm glow emanates from The Hearth, an inn and tavern brimming with both camaraderie and whispered intrigue.
Banquet Hall - The largest building in the courtyard is the Banquet Hall, poised on the very edge of the Sanctum walls. Its vast balcony stretches towards the horizon, offering an unimpeded vista of the ocean.
Library - At the South end of the courtyard, concealed behind a locked and guarded door, lies the very essence of the Sanctum Scriptorium—the Library. A vast structure teeming with the accumulated wisdom of ages.
The Mystery Begins
The adventure starts in the Hearth, an Inn in the walled courtyard of the Sanctum Scriptorium. Paige explains to the characters that most of the library staff has been sent away except for those needed for the banquette and to serve the council members at the inn.
Paige gives the players three tasks:
1. No one should be admitted into the main Library without Paige's permission.
2. In an hour the Council members will arrive, gather at the front gate to greet them, bow and pay your respects.
3. Make sure nothing goes wrong and there is no violence.
Read the Following:
You are gathered within the cozy confines of the Hearth, an Inn nestled in the protective embrace of the walled courtyard of the Sanctum Scriptorium. Paige Turner, the esteemed Master Librarian, details your upcoming duties with an air of both urgency and caution.
"Dear friends," she begins. "The Sanctum Scriptorium stands at a crossroads, and our path is fraught with uncertainty. The Council members, those esteemed figures of wisdom and power, are due to arrive shortly." With a graceful sweep of her hand, Paige imparts you with a series of tasks:
"Firstly, I entrust you with the solemn duty of guarding the sacred Library. No soul shall enter into the inner keep which contains our sacred tombs and treasures without my express permission."
"Next, I confide in you a personal matter. I am well respected and liked by all members of the council. As host of this gathering, if I am able to maintain the peace and unity of our Conclave despite recent turmoil I believe I will be elected as the next leader. Guard this event well and ensure no harm befalls any of the guests. My success rests upon the avoidance of any untoward incidents."
"Finally, in a mere hour, the Council members shall grace us with their presence. Gather at the front gate, for it is there that you shall bid them welcome. Bow before their eminence, paying your respects as befitting their esteemed stature. Do your duties well, and if I am elected leader of the council, you will be rewarded. In addition to the 500 gold pieces I will pay you for your services, I will allow each of you to select one magical artifact from the vaults beneath the sacred library."
Act 1: The Council Arrives
Once the players have had a chance to settle in, Paige's bodyguard and attendant Ragnar Roc, a burly Paladin from Vanaheim, summons them to the gate to greet the other council members and their companions.
Ragnar announces the names of each Council person and their assistant as they enter.
Use this as an opportunity to describe the Council members to the players.
A half-elf hailing from the Isles of Pearl, Lady Alustra possesses an otherworldly charm that hints at her elven lineage. With cascading silver tresses that frame her delicate face, she embodies both wisdom and ethereal beauty. Her regal robes, adorned with intricate pearl embroideries, speak of her famed passion for unraveling ancient mysteries and ciphers.
She is accompanied by Vendago, a formidable warrior hailing from the distant lands of Iranistan, whose brooding eyes and air of mystery add an enigmatic quality to their alliance.
Bishop Svikara is a prominent figure in Ophir's religious circles. He bears the hallmarks of ecclesiastical authority. Resplendent in his opulent vestments, embellished with golden symbols of faith, the Bishop exudes a dignified aura. His wise countenance and piercing eyes reveal a mind well-versed in both temporal and spiritual matters.
Usually attended by his trusted clerk, La Chuff, a diligent scribe known for his unyielding dedication to the Bishop's cause. However, on this particular occasion, La Chuff seems to be absent and the Bishop enters the library walls unattended.
A sorceress and the esteemed wife of the King of Nemedia, the Duchess De Belvarus emanates an undeniable allure. Clad in flowing black garments that accentuate her enigmatic presence, she possesses an air of mystery that is as captivating as it is dangerous. Her emerald eyes hold a hint of intrigue.
The Duchess's companion, known as The Bear, is a hulking half-orc Eunuch. Towering in stature, his imposing frame serves as a constant reminder of the power the Duchess commands.
A figure steeped in dark and ancient mysticism, Thoth-Amon commands the powers of necromancy and sorcery. His appearance, reminiscent of a pharaoh, is striking and awe-inspiring. Bronzed skin, a shaved head adorned with intricate hieroglyphic tattoos, and robes shimmering with traces of gold and lapis lazuli, all attest to his mastery of arcane arts.
Thoth-Amon is accompanied by his young slave boy, Pago, burdened by the weight of an enormous trunk on his back. The boy's eyes, filled with a mixture of fear and subservience, speak volumes about the dark powers Thoth-Amon maintains.
Hailing from the distant eastern empire of Khitai, Lu Dong embodies the serene wisdom of a poet, scholar, and monk. His presence evokes tranquility, with simple yet elegant robes that reflect his ascetic lifestyle. His weathered face, etched with the lines of experience, speaks of years spent in contemplation and spiritual enlightenment.
Lu Dong is accompanied by Wu, his devoted student and loyal bodyguard, whose disciplined bearing and watchful gaze serve as a testament to his commitment to safeguarding his master's teachings.
A knight, warrior, sage, and noble of Aquilonia, Leonus is a figure of great nobility and valor. His countenance bears the marks of time, with a salt-and-pepper beard and a confident smile that hints at his experience and wisdom. Clad in resplendent plate armor emblazoned with the coat of arms of Aquilonia, he represents the epitome of chivalry.
Lionus is accompanied by his son, Lobos, who mirrors his father's strong features but with youthful exuberance. Lobos gazes upon the world with a blend of curiosity and determination, eager to carry forward the legacy of his distinguished lineage.
Paige is a female gnome and the esteemed scholar and Master Librarian of the Sanctum Scriptorium. She exudes an air of intellectual prowess and sagacity. Her aged countenance tells the tale of a life devoted to the pursuit of knowledge, etched with countless lines of experience. Her warm smile conveys a genuine passion for sharing wisdom with those who seek it.
Paige is accompanied by Ragnar Roc, a stalwart and loyal paladin adorned in gleaming armor. With his unwavering dedication and imposing presence, Ragnar is clearly a steadfast guardian by Paige's side.
Act Two: The Mystery Unfolds
Now that the stage is set, the DnD Murder Mystery unfolds through a series of events outlined below.
1- After the council members arrive, they go to their rooms before gathering in the tavern for a reception.
2- While the council members are in their rooms the players are approached by Le Chuff. He explains that he just arrived and apologizes for being late,
He tells them that someone is trying to kill the Bishop.
He says they were attacked by bandits on the road and that's how he was separated from the Bishop.
The Bishop suspects the bandits were actually assassins sent by the Duchess of Namedia to eliminate him as a rival.
He asks the players to catch the killer and he will reward them with 500 gold pieces.
La Chuff then leaves before the Bishop arrives for the reception.
3- During the reception a perceptive player can learn more about the Council members and their companions.
Thoth-Amon seems to keep to himself and radiates an evil power
Lionus, Paige and the Bishop are all jovial and are actively campaigning and working the crowd.
Lu Dong is soft-spoken and wise, but most council members seem to hand on his every word when he speaks.
Lobos and the Duchess seem to be flirting, which seems strange because they are enemies. A player that rolls over 18 on an insight check will gather that it seems that Lobos is the one trying to seduce the Duchess.
4- After the reception, everyone moves to the banquet hall for dinner. At some point during the dinner, there is a scream as Lobos hurls the Bishop over a balcony to his death on jagged rocks 60 feet below.
Lobos seems to go mad. He draws a dagger and attacks the players.
His father Lionus panics and begs the players not to kill his son, saying this can't be what it seems.
5- If the players capture Lobos without killing him, he continues to fight and insult the players doing everything in his power to goad them into killing him.
Players may notice that Lobos is wearing an amulet covered in magic runes. The Amulet is a cursed necklace of domination that puts Lobos under the control of whoever is attuned to the necklace.
The necklace can not be removed unless a dispel magic or greater restoration spell is cast.
Lobos must obey the psychic commands of whoever is attuned to the necklace. The only thing the necklace can't do is make him kill himself.
Lobos claims he killed the Bishop because he is in love with the Duchess and wants Ophir to join the war on the side of Nemedia.
6- If the players climb down the cliff to examine the Bishop's body, they find the corpse has transformed into the body of a featureless changeling wearing the Bishop's clothes.
7 - Paige will approach the players and tell them there is no way Lobos could have done this. She begs them to solve the mystery before this murder costs her the election, or worse, brings Ophir into the war between Aquilonia and Nemedia.
8- There is a knock on the door late at night. It is the Bishop who everyone thought was murdered.
He explains that he was attacked on the road here and believed someone was trying to kill him.
He sent Le Chuff, who is a changeling ahead disguised as him, to catch the killer before he arrived.
If Lobos is still alive and the players haven't discovered the cursed necklace, the bishop will ask to see the prisoner and identify it.
He will offer to try and break the curse using his priestly magic, but when he tries, Lobos dies.
He will accuse the Duchess of seducing Lobos and then cursing him with the necklace and forcing Lobos to assassinate him in hopes of eliminating her rival for leadership of the council and getting Ophir to join Nemedia in the war against Aquilonia. He also accuses Paige of being incompetent for not being able to protect the council during the gathering. In doing so, he attacks both his rivals for council leadership.
DM Note: In actuality, the Bishop only pretended to try and break the curse, instead he uses Divine Word to kill Lobos.
9- Lionus says that if his son is not freed and absolved of these crimes that he will call the armies of Aquilonia to attack the library and free his son by force.
Who Is The Killer and What Is Their Motivation?
The Killer Is Lobos. But he was charmed by the Bishop whose plan is to frame his rival the Duchess for his murder and to make Paige look incompetent so he can win the election for Council Leader.
Clues the Players Can Discover
The players can discover any or all of these clues to help with their investigation.
Clue: Suspicious Footprints While patrolling the courtyard, the players discover a set of footprints that seems to change in size and stride about halfway to the Inn.
Clue: Hidden Correspondence During their investigation, the players come across a piece of paper with the location of a book in the library and instructions to destroy it. If they look for the book, they discover a diary of a past leader of the council and in the diary he writes that he suspects La Chuff is a changeling and that the Bishop uses him for dirty work and as an assassin.
Clue: A Discarded love note: The players find a crudely written note from the Bear to the Duchess. If they question The Bear, they discover that he is in love with her, but she takes a new paramour almost every time they travel out of the kingdom. He frequently writes her love notes but always discards them instead of giving them to her.
Clue: Enchanted Necklace Scenario: Lionus is always wearing an enchanted necklace. They learn that the necklace possesses the power of enchantment and mind control.
Clue: Forgotten Diary Scenario: In the library archives, the players stumble upon an old diary belonging to a former member of the Erudite Council. The diary reveals a hidden rivalry between Lionus and the deceased Bishop, shedding light on their contentious relationship.
Clue: The Encrypted Incantation: If the players search the real Bishop's room or pick his pocket after he arrives, they will find a small scroll that seems to be written in a code that they can't decipher without a DC 22 insight check. However, Lady Allustra can decrypt it. Once decrypted the players discover it is an incantation to attune to the necklace of domination that Lobos is wearing.
Act Three: Solving the Mystery
In the final act, it is up to the players to solve the murder mystery and save the future of the council.
The Bishop is the real murderer. First, he had La Chuff disguise himself as a beautiful young woman and seduce Lobos at an inn where he slipped the necklace around his neck while he slept.
The Baron then hired a band of rogues to attack his own wagon and sent Le Chuff ahead on horseback to attend the counsel disguised as the Bishop and find his would-be assassin before he arrived.
The Baron's real plan was to have Lobos murder La Cuff who was in disguise, then arrive late and frame the Duchess for the crime.
This way he would eliminate the Duchess from the election and make Paige look incompetent for not being able to protect the guests. With Paige and the duchess both out of the way, he thought he would be sure to win the election.
He also had given La Chuff one additional job which he was unable to complete before he died. La Chuff was to sneak into the library and destroy a diary that belonged to a previous leader of the council and that could incriminate the Bishop.
This diary is the key to solving the crime.
Ending the Adventure
Once the players convince the council of who the killer is, that member is arrested and stripped of their rank. They are taken to the guard house to be tried under the laws and jurisdiction of the Library. If the Bishop's plot is discovered, Paige will be elected the new leader of the council and the players will each be rewarded with a priceless magic item from the Library's vaults. This DnD 5e adventure could also be used to set the stage for a DnD mystery campaign with the library used as a recurring setting and Paige as a patron.
If you run this adventure, let us know how your Murder Mystery DnD adventure turned out in the comments below and feel free to share your own DnD murder mystery ideas.
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