The Purse at the Maple Lamb
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TaproomBarBack Passage
Roleplay EncounterDND5E 2024Party L1 · 4 PCs
The Purse at the Maple Lamb
Read Aloud
A chair scrapes behind you. The innkeeper points at a mud-spattered man near the back passage and says, “That purse was on the bar. Now it is gone.” The man keeps one hand beneath his coat while every patron turns to watch.
The Scene
NEUTRALACCUSATION AND NEGOTIATIONBase DC 12Stakes The purse contains a week's wages for six farmhands. Bram needs it to settle a debt, while Orin's fraud could ruin several local families.
10 to 20 minutes
NPC Goal
Bram Cole wants the purse long enough to settle his debt, then intends to find Orin Vale's hidden ledger and prove the merchant cheated his family.
Leverage
Bram fears the reeve more than prison. Orin Vale fears public discovery of his false grain accounts.
Player Approaches
- Inspect the bar and muddy footprints.
- Separate Bram from Orin Vale.
- Question the kitchen boy, Noll.
- Offer Bram protection or a chance to expose the ledger.
- Threaten to summon the reeve, then watch who objects.
NPC Gambits
- Search the bar without destroying evidence.
- Ask each witness to repeat the last five minutes.
- Block the rear passage.
- Offer Bram a private bargain.
- Demand Orin produce the purse's description and contents.
NPC Reactions
- A calm request makes Bram answer in short, guarded sentences.
- A public accusation makes Bram deny everything and edge toward the rear passage.
- An offer to inspect Orin's accounts makes Bram lower his hand from beneath his coat.
- A threat against Noll makes Bram turn hostile and draw a knife.
- A promise of safe passage makes Bram surrender the purse if the PCs swear to examine the ledger.
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