I need an adventure hook, fast!

[Herobizkit]

But Eberron COULD have ninjas. If anywhere, Eberron would be a ripe place for stealthy assassins and spies, given the political intrigue that is to be expected of the different Houses.

So for your campaign:
House X has created a new and amazing type of airship engine, but before the plans could be put into play, they went missing, and so have the artificers that are responsible for the design. After some investigation, House X believes House Y is responsible and declares all-out war. House Y prepares for the attack...

meanwhile, the PC's learn that the interloper is actually House Z, who hopes to sell/give/barter the plans and the artificers to a demon/devil/dragon. The PCs have a shot at recovering the plans, IF they can survive a "ninja house" laden with traps and, of course, ninjas.

 

[diaglo]

a house of cards.

since it is an one-shot you can railroad some.

all of the PCs are asleep or in rest mode. they have a shared dream. they are in a house with force induced walls. each can see the other. and each must overcome layers of obstacles to get to one another to accomplish the group goal. early obstacles are easier. it is, of course, a resource balancing challenge. which in the party is going to hoard their resources to be used against the final challenge.

if any one of them fails that side of the house collapses.

i would make the house octagonal. 7 pcs and 1 main bad guy. the groups can of course move towards each other and help. but they can also be taken out by the bad guy. or the bad guy can claim the prize in a direct assault.

since it is all visible to each other. this will give the players an idea of this stranger.

 

[MadLordOfMilk]

I ended up running with Mark's airship race idea - thanks a ton! Unfortunately, the group didn't get a chance to fully finish what I'd had planned out, but I'll be able to recycle pieces of it for later use

I do like the other ideas, though, and will probably take pieces from them when I need inspiration. Thanks all!

@Diaglo, regarding the house of cards idea: This sounds really cool, but I'm not sure I understand how this would work from a logistical perspective. How would I handle a split party? Where do they join up with each other? How does it really all work? The idea seems really intriguing, I'm just trying to figure out the details.

 

[diaglo]

@Diaglo, regarding the house of cards idea: This sounds really cool, but I'm not sure I understand how this would work from a logistical perspective. How would I handle a split party?

do you use an initiative system in your campaign?

each PC has an init.

Where do they join up with each other? How does it really all work?

depending on how complex you want to make the system. i would set it up for an 8 tier. much like the NCAA College basketball system. place an opponent or obstacle in each of the 64 squares. collapse the cards behind them as they progress forward. so in the first round or attempt each party member is alone they could go diagonal left or diagonal right. then they are 32. again diagonal left or diagonal right. which leaves them at 16. again diagonal left or diagonal right. 8 at which point they may all be individual or have met up with someone from the previous round. down to 4 and then 2 and finally 1. when they meet up they can progress together. edit: also some times they may meet up with monsters they can charm or persuade to come with them.

The idea seems really intriguing, I'm just trying to figure out the details.

hope that helps

 

[Desdichado]

Well, I'm a little late to the party. I have to say, though... I just kicked off my most recent campaign with the idea that the game would kinda sorta resemble the plot of The Hangover... except with more violence. That's turning out brilliantly. PC's woke up after having spent a few months "magic jarred" and are completely out of the loop of what "they've" been doing for three months. They have to wander around Freeport picking up the pieces and reconstructing their lives.

 

[MadLordOfMilk]

Thanks diaglo, that cleared it up a lot. I'll have to try that some time, sounds intriguing if nothing else.

...the game would kinda sorta resemble the plot of The Hangover... except with more violence. That's turning out brilliantly.

This made me burst out laughing, good call.

 

[Desdichado]

Now I just have to decide which PC's inadvertently ended up with spouses that they don't even know, which crimelords and cult leaders are desperate to kill them, what those bizarre tattoos of a unicorn making love to a beluga on their butts are all about, and what kind of bizarre animal they've kenneled and now need to go pick up and deal with.

 

[Mark]

I ended up running with Mark's airship race idea - thanks a ton! Unfortunately, the group didn't get a chance to fully finish what I'd had planned out, but I'll be able to recycle pieces of it for later use

We'll have to wavechat about it soon.