Evelyn Sharpe Is Dead
Pinned to the Notice Board
A slightly ink-splattered parchment features neat and orderly writing that says:
Evelyn Sharpe Is Dead
You may be familiar with my books about a cunning thief turned reluctant hero, such as ‘Sharpe Wit’ or ‘No Blade Too Sharpe’, well, somehow the villain in my latest novel has come to life, and is changing the story I wrote before my very eyes.
Try as I may the book cannot be destroyed, and now the villain has begun to threaten me. I’m not sure who to turn to.
If any adventurers can provide help, please find me at Magister T’vaer’s offices with whom I am also consulting.
I can offer a portion of profits from my next book and will also name characters after you!
[A flourished signature is in the corner, which appears to use the letters F and V]
Ways To Approach
Sometimes the books just write themselves! In this case, that's not such a great thing as it seems our author's villain has gained some sort of sentience...
If you're running this adventure, consider the villain's objectives and why they're changing the story. It is simply some form of trickster god/entity that is messing with the author because it's funny? Or is it that the creation has truly come to life and now wants out of its inked prison? Perhaps the author used a magic quill that could transfer their thoughts directly onto the page for faster writing but managed to pour out the darkest part of themselves.
I think I would personally run that last one! This means getting the players INTO the book itself to see if they can try and either defeat, subdue, or even save this creation who is no longer a 2-dimensional darkness. While they're in this world they have to understand that the villain can manipulate the world around them and change the story as it were. The party may be able to do the same with great effort, or they could hype up the author to write in some boons that could be used in this quest.
Spotlight
Looking for more inspiration on how to use this notice board poster? Check out this episode of the Quest Board podcast where they come up with ideas on the spot: Episode 90 - Questober - Fatal Pages
