Find Missing Family
Pinned to The tavern cork board
A darkened parchment peppered with water or tear stains reads in messy writing:
Find Missing Family.
Shadows in the night took my Debbi and Alex and nobody is willing to help me find them. I’m not crazy and I know what I saw.
Last seen on the first day of the week. I came home in the night to see shadows leaping from our upstairs window onto the rooftops. I ran in and nobody was home, and our rooms had been ransacked.
I realise it sounds bad for me, but I swear I’ve been nothing but a caring mother. Please, I just want my family.
1200 Silver Reward for their safe return. I know it’s not much, but I can also offer my grandpa’s enchanted sword from the war.
See me at the Old Crown if you can help. [Signed Lyvalia]
Ways to approach
This poster was written from the perspective of the town drunk - Somebody who would have a hard time getting any of the locals to believe them. Instead, people will simply think the spouse and child left one day. While this could be true, and your party could go on a wild goose chase believing the wrong person, a much more interesting story unfolds if Lyvalia is telling the truth. Consider the idea that others have been hassled by the shadow creature and that it even coerces the mayor into spreading falsehoods about others who have gone missing over the last year. What are its objectives? Stealing the shadows of other living beings to grow its own form? Sounds like something painful and would require no small amount of magic.
Possible Repercussions
Without the players to stop such a being with nefarious goals, it won’t be long until a shadow permanently hangs over the town, possibly even spreading to the larger area; a shadow that can reach beyond walls and treats those under it like play things - If only your adventurers had stopped it sooner.
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 71 - Losta Apsos
