brehobit said:
Hi folks,
I'd like a run a low-power non-combat game that is role-playing heavy as a one or two shot. Something without lots of planning (on the part of the PCs), but more "traditional" role-playing (as you might find in a theater class). Ideally something gamers and non-gamers could enjoy. I'd like to minimize the amount of dice rolling.
d20 is ideal, but anything is fine.
Thoughts?
Just go with the classic murder mystery scenario:
PCs+NPCs are invited to a dinner at a secluded mansion, but don't, at least openly, know each other.
Once everyone arrives the home is sealed (possibly magically, or by a storm that washes out the drive, or something similar)
Their host fails to show up and one of the staff reports that he has just been found dead.
Some one claims it was murder, but it might not have been.
One of the NPCs vanishes, again possible due to foul play but maybe not.
Let the PCs lead the show, with nudges from NPCs and events, until they find the murderer or are picked off one by one.
Ahead of time give the players a handout along with their pregen PCs. Each of them should have something to gain by the host's death, and give them a connection to one of the other characters which they should have a reason to keep secret but leave that up to them. Use notecards or a small pad to keep info meant for a single PC secret.
Have all the PCs be NPC classes: A minor noble , a guild leader, a former servant, a local religious official, a disgraced member of the city watch, etc. It will be a fun change for the regular gamers and wont matter to the nongamers.
