aco175
Legend
How much of a 4-hour slot is dedicated to playing and work back from there. I would think by the time people are seated and gone through introductions you used 15 minutes and wrap up takes 15 minutes, or the final encounter goes long into the wrap-up time. Now there is only 3.5 hours which is 4 combats if a couple are easy/average and a couple hard/deadly. I think that non-combat encounters are shorter that combat ones, but not always true and may need prodding forward.
Opening scene 15 minutes to lay out quest and meet NPCs
Easy encounter and clue investigation
choice to which clue to follow up on. Either may lead to another fight or one may lead to non-fight.
Another clue leading to puzzle or trap. Maybe fight with trap.
Final area with solving mystery and clues used in some meaningful way
BBEG fight
Wrap up and player discussion.
Not sure if this is too much for 4 hours.
Opening scene 15 minutes to lay out quest and meet NPCs
Easy encounter and clue investigation
choice to which clue to follow up on. Either may lead to another fight or one may lead to non-fight.
Another clue leading to puzzle or trap. Maybe fight with trap.
Final area with solving mystery and clues used in some meaningful way
BBEG fight
Wrap up and player discussion.
Not sure if this is too much for 4 hours.