Oneshot Game Plot Resources/Advice?

[Rechan]

I was wondering, are there any resources out there for one-shot game designs? What I would really like is something like a list of some scenarios that you could drop a system on top of and go.

There are some systems I want to try out, and the best way to do that is to do a one-shot. But my problem is building one-shots from a plot/adventure perspective are not my forte. Condensing the adventure into such a confined space is tough. Thus some good examples of one-shot adventures, the sessions and what to do in them, would be really helpful.

 

[GMMichael]

Try some of these.

http://www.onepagedungeon.info/

And for another system to try out:

http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?350867-Modos-RPG-Playtest-1-the-One-True-System

 

[Herobizkit]

If you dig around, you should be able to find some old 4e D&D Encounters adventures on the Wizards site (specifically, the Chaos Scar series but there may be others). Encounters were meant to be played start-to-end in a couple of hours and contain a few fights, but I'm sure you could adjust on the fly.

 

[Rechan]

Eh. Both of those suggestions are "Go in dungeon kill thing". It's not exciting, especially not when trying to experiment with new systems. I'm looking for:

1) Lasts one session, and
2) Big, BIG Big adventure! Crazy action! EXCITEMENT!

Plain old 'excuse for combat' won't do.

More like: "You're on an airship that has been hijacked by a gang of criminals trying to escape the country. Who have unwittingly flown you into a thunderstorm! And in the ensuing conflict, an enraged gorilla being brought from the jungles has escaped its cage! Oh no the airship is plummeting, try to avoid it crashing into a mountain!"

 

[Razjah]

More like: "You're on an airship that has been hijacked by a gang of criminals trying to escape the country. Who have unwittingly flown you into a thunderstorm! And in the ensuing conflict, an enraged gorilla being brought from the jungles has escaped its cage! Oh no the airship is plummeting, try to avoid it crashing into a mountain!"

So you've seen the cover of Spirit of the Century?

On topic, you probably want to check out a book called Eureka: 501 Adventure Plots to Inspire Game Masters by engine publishing. It's by the guys who run Gnome Stew. Seriously awesome book.


Some scenarios:
Mysterious Assassin

While attending the duke's annual ball, a group of red cloaked people attack the ball. They target the duke and his family. [The enemies can have poison or magic as suits you. The red cloaks use short swords that look like flame-bladed swords and main-gauches. Have lots of cover to use, crowds to get in the way, chandeliers, tapestries to leap on or pull down on enemies, tables to flip and climb, and sconces to try to pry and hurl at enemies.

After searching the enemies, the PCs find they all have the same tattoos under their right eyes and similar tattoos running down their right arms. Each red cloak has a small sac of gold coins struck with the seal of the neighboring kingdom. If the PCs look where the red cloaks entered they see another red cloaked figure fleeing on the roof. [leads to rooftop chase] If the PCs take time to ensure that the duke and his family are okay, the duke recognizes a symbol on the bags as the mark of a cult. [The captain of the guard will take the PCs to the safehouse that was recently busted by the guard]

Chase- the rooftop chase allows the PCs to capture and interrogate the red cloak to learn the neighboring baron hired them to assassinate the duke and his family. He also discloses when he was to meet with the baron to inform him of the assassination's success.

Safe house- investigation leads to finding plans to attack and the baron's payment. The PCs can also find plans to meet the baron after the mission.

From here the PCs can ambush the baron and learn why he was attacking the duke. Perhaps the emperor is maneuvering behind this all, or the baron just wants the duke's holdings.



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