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<blockquote data-quote="Sir Whiskers" data-source="post: 728228" data-attributes="member: 6941">To me, this is a bit too close to &quot;railroading&quot; (allowing the players only one correct course of action). Instead, consider adding two or three alternatives that could work. Examples:1. One of the bandits sees an opportunity to make some money for himself and approaches the party, offering to sell them information. He may even be planning to trick them into an ambush, one which the party may avoid if they're careful.2. Unbeknownst to the party, the victim's family and/or friends have paid a mage to cast divinations (locate object, clairvoyance, etc.), which have revealed clues to the location of the hideout.3. Did anyone capture one of the kidnappers during the crime? If so, perhaps he can be interrogated. If no one has a clue who the kidnappers are, perhaps one or more is in town, keeping an eye on things and reporting back periodically. If the party catches on, they have a number of options (attempt to follow the spies, try to capture and &quot;turn&quot; them, have the party rogue attempt to join them, etc).4. If the bandits have struck before in this area, perhaps the authorities have some information from earlier investigations. The party might gain the name of a suspected member, or the constable might be able to lead the party to where the trail ran out when tracking the bandits for their earlier crime. Perhaps the constable or one of his men is in on it, and a properly suspicious party can gain follow/capture him for more info.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Sir Whiskers, post: 728228, member: 6941"] To me, this is a bit too close to "railroading" (allowing the players only one correct course of action). Instead, consider adding two or three alternatives that could work. Examples: 1. One of the bandits sees an opportunity to make some money for himself and approaches the party, offering to sell them information. He may even be planning to trick them into an ambush, one which the party may avoid if they're careful. 2. Unbeknownst to the party, the victim's family and/or friends have paid a mage to cast divinations (locate object, clairvoyance, etc.), which have revealed clues to the location of the hideout. 3. Did anyone capture one of the kidnappers during the crime? If so, perhaps he can be interrogated. If no one has a clue who the kidnappers are, perhaps one or more is in town, keeping an eye on things and reporting back periodically. If the party catches on, they have a number of options (attempt to follow the spies, try to capture and "turn" them, have the party rogue attempt to join them, etc). 4. If the bandits have struck before in this area, perhaps the authorities have some information from earlier investigations. The party might gain the name of a suspected member, or the constable might be able to lead the party to where the trail ran out when tracking the bandits for their earlier crime. Perhaps the constable or one of his men is in on it, and a properly suspicious party can gain follow/capture him for more info. [/QUOTE]

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