Help me unfold a plot to PCs

[dreaded_beast]

A local baron had his mansion destroyed by lizardfolk from the nearby marsh. The reason the lizardfolk attacked the mansion is because the baron is actually a follower of an evil cult. The deity of the lizardfolk informed them that the baron was worshipping an evil demon. The baron was killed and the PCs avenged the death of the baron by destroying the lizardfolks.

However, the PCs don't know that the lizardfolk were actually 'good guys', so I want the PCs to find out that the reason the lizardfolk attacked the baron was because he was actually a secret cult member.

The baron has a secret shrine under his mansion, which the PCs will eventually stumble upon, but how would I go about letting the PCs know the reason for the lizardfolk's attack?

 

[LostSoul]

It could be as simple as a journal entry in the Baron's diary.

You could raise the Baron as some kind of undead - ghost, maybe, or something similar. When he challenges the PCs again, he can gloat about how they did his dirty work for him.

 

[demiurge1138]

The ghost idea works. It is possible, though, that they find remnants of the lizardfolk the Baron killed in the ruins, clutching talismans of protection and censure against fiends (a Know: religion check to determine the significance, that sort of thing). Or, if the party's still in the lizardfolk lair, have the lizardfolk make reference to the PCs being agents of the demon's wrath. Of course, if the lizardfolk are all already dead, that one's a bit trickier...

Demiurge out.

 

[loki44]

but how would I go about letting the PCs know the reason for the lizardfolk's attack?

A case of mistaken identity (ok, let me give the Warhammer people their props here). Another cultist approaches one of the PC's who's a dead ringer for the Baron (or he's never seen the Baron but some clue makes the NPC think the PC is the Baron). Appropriate encounters ensue.

OR.....

More simply and less contrived, there is a kindly cleric or druid that informs the party of the lizardfolk's kindly intentions (a bit too simplistic for my tastes actually).

Are you trying to create some sort of misguided tension between the "goodly" lizardfolk and the party who will most likely wrongfully assume the lizardfolk are "in the wrong"? Are you trying to create a mysterious atmosphere (i.e. what seems to be bad is actually good and what seems to be good is actually bad)?

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Riddle me this: why do the lizardfolk care the baron is worshipping an evil deity?

Answer that and you'll have your answer.

 

[Conaill]

You could raise the Baron as some kind of undead - ghost, maybe, or something similar. When he challenges the PCs again, he can gloat about how they did his dirty work for him.

Even better: have the PCs pursued by some of the ghosts of the lizardfolk, who want them to find the hidden shrine, and eradicate the Evil that has been brewing there...

 

[Steverooo]

1) Within the Liz's lair are cave paintings upon the walls, depicting the Evil Baron's symbol, over the head of a stick-figure bowing before the altar of the (whatever). The paintings depict the evil, and the Liz gearing up to go take it out.

2) Semunya, godling of Liz, appears to them in dreams, angered by their killing off his people! To Atone for their offenses, he Quests them to penetrate the ruins of the Baron's dungeon, and destroy the evil fane...

3) Within the Liz's lair, amongst the spoils of war, the PCs discover the broken bits of an idol, in the fire pit. From this they may be able to learn that A) It is not Semunya!, and B) It is an evil deity, and C) It came from the Baron's.

4) Tatoos on the bodies of the dead Liz all point to them being followers of Semunya, their ancestral deity, Semunyates have been at peace with the other inhabitants of the Barony for many generations... Now what could have made these attack? The place is full of food, so that wasn't it...

5) A map on a dead Liz's body shows the way to the hidden fane of the evil one, along with instructions on opening the secret door, and avoiding traps, all in Draconic. Read/Write Draconic, Tongues, or Decipher Script will be needed, in order to get ALL the info, but the map is pretty obvious...

6) Bardic Knowledge - A Bard passes through town, singing songs about ancient evils done by previous generations of the Baron's family...

7) A Legion of Lemures suddenly appears near the new ruins, and begin running over cliffs!...