Need help with a non-combat session suggestion

[random user]

(PS. My players stay out please)

To keep things fresh, I'm thinking of trying to run a combatless session sometime soon. My sessions run 3.5-4 hours. There are 5 to 6 characters, and at current they are at a major city. However, I don't need to run this session immediately... it's more of something that I want to try and flesh out for now, so if they need to be in the wilderness or a dungeon, etc, I can work with that.

Anyone have any good ideas for things to try? Mystery, intrigue? I'd like it to be a bit more than a simple "meet and greet" roleplay session.

I'm pretty decent with fleshing out an idea, but I'm looking for that "spark" that I can expand on. I know I'm being pretty vague on what framework I need, but really I can work with almost any framework (I'm serious, I can explain if you are curious). Think of phrasing it in terms of your own campaign if you want... like I said, I'm just looking for the beginnings of an idea here (though of course fully fleshed out ideas are welcome too!).

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

Anyone have any ideas?

Not sure if this will help, but here's what I'm doing. I'm running a city based campaign with some 1st level characters at the moment. A monk, a courtier (modified from Rokugan d20), a witch (from the Quintessential Witch), an urban druid (from Dragon Magazine), an Arcane Disciple (a priest variant, also from Dragon) and a rogue. I've tried to put several different "adventure paths" in front of them, and so far they've become curious about a plot to overthrow the current regime (an occupying force that has ruled their country for 20 years). I try to really push my players into developing character backgrounds, because eventually, something in their write up will make it into the game.

Our last session had no combat in it (about 4 hours). Lots of skill checks for gathering information (Gather Info, Diplomacy, Bluff, Sense Motive). The monk's teacher was outed as a member of the underground, and they had to track down someone for him and deliver a message before his execution. So there was lots of roleplaying and PC-NPC interaction, they've got some interesting leads on the resistance, and they've even gotten the attention of a local magistrate for all their troubles. Oh, and the old monk was freed by a masked vigilanted called Red Blade, who has reportedly been dead for 5 years. They got to interact a bit with Red Blade, and they now have a whole new avenue of investigation (just who IS this Red Blade, hmmm?)

So basically, having said all that, you set up different ideas and be prepared to improvise. Have several rumors (and facts) about the scenario ready, lots of NPC's (shady and otherwise), and let them take the direction. The key is giving them answers to their questions that make them think their in charge, when you're the one really holding the reins. Have fun!

 

[Sir Whiskers]

One plot I ran a while back was based on an old Little House on the Prairie episode. Basically, an unscrupulous merchant sells a bunch of flour to the residents, not knowing that it's infested with fleas carrying a nasty little virus. Disease strikes and no one knows where it's coming from (the problem is not just the flour, but the local rats infested with the fleas from the flour). The PC's can try to solve the mystery or - as my players did - bring food to the town after the quarantine had been established and prices had gone through the roof. (The characters were good, so they donated the food; others could try to make a fast gold piece).

 

[Micah]

Trials can be very interesting especially if a PC is being tried. Perhaps the rest of the group will have to find evidence to clear that PC or even their whole party. Maybe your party lives in an area where jury duty is practiced? You can come up with a ton of ideas from TV here.

Contests can be a fun way to have action and yet not true combat. You can have anything from carnival games, an inn that's sponsoring a dart throwing competition, jousting tourneys, riddle contests, etc. (want something totally off the wall - fit reality TV into a colleseum).

Political intrigue has multiple directions to take. If you need a plot hook - have a PC inherit the crown or title and get your company immediately involved.

Riddles, mysteries, and problems that need solutions (solutions that usally don't involve combat) are also options.

I think in a non-combat session pacing the "encounters" is the biggest challenge. It can be easier to get bogged down without combat.

 

[bodhi]

Steal from other sources. 8)

In Hawk and Fisher, by Simon Green (available in the omnibus Swords of Haven), a politician gets killed in a locked house. Hawk and Fisher, two City Guards, were assigned as bodyguards to the victim, so they get to investigate. Everyone else in the house is rich and well-connected, so they can't just break heads (as would be their preference). They have to poke around, ask questions, and look for clues.

You could also look at mainstream mystery/detective fiction. I don't think Miss Marple ever exchanged heated words, let alone fisticuffs. Sherlock Holmes could take care of himself, but that was rarely necessary. Sam Spade was more confrontational, but still not "beat people up until they drop the power-up".

On the other hand, you could just rip off an episode of Scooby-Doo. Just make sure you have your DM screen handy when your villain says "And I would've gotten away with it, too, if it hadn't been for those meddling kids!"

 

[Quirthanon]

You could try a stealth type mission. I had an adventure once were the PC had to infiltrate a castle and rescue a prisoner. Two PCs and a castle of bad guys, we didn't want to get into a fight as they would raise the alarm and we wouldn't be able to get out before they caught us. This was one of the best sessions I've played in.

Another thought a large force of bad guys descends on the area that the PCs are in. Make it obvious that they bad guys out match the PCs and let them try to escape.