New member, need help with memorial Day Game

[croaker260]

Hey all,

A little background: I am a long time off and on table top PRG gamer since about 1986. I have gamed GURPS, HERO 5th ed, Champions, D&D, all the Palladium stuff, and a lot of other stuff too. I, of course, am a father as well.

I stumbled onto BFRPG about 12 months ago looking for an RPG suitable for my kids and me to game. They are currently 9, 10, and 14. I was planning on running a basic D&D type of game and found BFRPG was exactly what I had in mind.

Currently, I game my kids once every other week or so. The are currently 3-4th level, and the party consists of a Ranger type (14 y/o son) a Female barbarian type warrior (9 y/o Daughter), a thief type (10-year-old son), the mage (my wife), a mercenary type (11 y/o friend of our kids).

This weekend is Memorial Day weekend in the US. I am going to run a small one off 4-6 hour game as a diversion off the current campaign with a Memorial day theme.

In this, they have to escort a fallen Viking warrior back to his remote village.
What I need:
Three distinct puzzle challenges to reflect a memorial day feel kind of.
The primary clues to help them with three challenges is a message stick with an inscription. This is a draft (Adapted from the US Army Creed in fitting with the memorial day spirit) feel free to modify. I am not stuck on it.

I am a Kuhru Warrior of the Bear Clan. I am a guardian.

I serve the people before I serve myself.

I will always place the quest first, My people do not know defeat

I will never quit. My Totem, my ancestors,my brothers and sisters; they do strengthen me.

I will never leave a fallen brother in the field.

I always maintain my arms, my spirit, and myself in defence of those who I protect.

I am a guardian of my people.

So , I could really use help with three age and theme appropriate challenges and I am running out of time.

comments, suggestions, or laughter welcome.

Steve

[SmootRK]

Nice ideas and welcome to the forums. I am sure you will get some comments that move this along.

That said, I am going to move this thread to General. Better suited for that section, however, should you develop something (ie adventure/scenario) more, then it can go in the Workshop section where we share materials.

[croaker260]

Many thanks. I am hoping for three challenges. I mean... Anyone can grow together some goblins for an attack. I'm looking for something team building. All my brainstorming is getting nowhere
In any case if it worked out I will try to post it in a ideals form. I'm just looking for some idea starters.

[croaker260]

Sorry for the double post. I dont know what happened.

[croaker260]

OK, for those who are interested, here are my three challenges. They still need a lot of work, but comments are welcome and encouraged.

If it seems too corny, please let me know. I remember the best adventures were those with a mission, not the ones with a lot of battles or loot. But I may have overdid it.

STRENGTH

Up 1000 stairs the party will carry the vikings body. Individually they will be unable to do so, but must work together, combining their strength to do so.
Q: How do I make this interesting for the party? A challenge, as well as a team effort?

COURAGE
There is a chasm with swift flowing river 100 feet below. There is a rope bridge present, but it is not attached. One of the party must carry a rope across to make a rope bridge to carry the body. The party must somehow cross and attach the rope.Then the rope bridge must be restored.Then the rope bridge must be restored, and the body then taken across.
Q: How do I make this interesting for the party? A challenge, as well as a team effort? (I am thinking climbing walls, dex checks and bonuses for creative thought and teamwork).


FIDELITY

As the PC party approach the final test, they see a circular clearing of hard packed dirt, the pyre in the middle, and 7 large wooden totems surrounding it. The Totems represent 7 great chiefs, seers, and their spirit animals. When the party enters, spectral images will will emerge from the totems and become solid.

Q: I need a memorable statement or question for the party that will bring to mind Faithfulness and loyalty

After this the parties faithfulness will be put to the test. The circle will be come surrounded by a mist. Each of the spirits (in physical form) will attack the party. This fight is hopeless and each character will fall, hopelessly overcome, or they will flee.

Those that “die” will be given this card:

You spirit has passed into the mist. You have passed the test. You stayed faithful to your companiosn and your quest even when faced with death. You are not permitted to speak of this, you must act as if you are dead until you are restored to your mortal form.

Those that flee will be given this card:

You spirit has passed into the mist. You have abandoned your companions and your mission. You have failed the test. You are not permitted to speak of this, you must act as if you are gone until advised otherwise.

After the battle, the party will be “restored”. The pyre will be lit. Those that stayed faithful will receive a ceremonial tattoo for one of the 3 tests.

Those that did not will stay faithful receive nothing.

Strength: The Tattoo grants a permanent +1 to strength, and also grants a +10 to a single save/contest/action of strength once a “moon” (month).

Courage: The Tattoo grants permanent +1 to constitution and also a +10 verses a save against either surprise/horror , Paralysis/Petrify, or Dragon Breath once a “moon” (month).

Fidelity: The tattoo grants permanent +1 to wisdom and also a +10 versus a single save versus death once a “moon” (month).

[Clever_Munkey]

This sounds like a lot of fun. Over all I think it's really good, and can be used as is, but it might need some spice in certain places.

I think for the test of strength there should be some sort of opposition (other than simply climbing) that some of the party has to deal with while the others have to move the body. This could be enemies or maybe some environmental effect like wind, rain, or snow. Either way it should be pretty continuous, so that the party can't just stop, deal with the problem, and move on. I can kind of see how the bridge represents courage, but it's pretty loose. I think there should be some sort of obstacle that they would be able to cross if they were only courageous, and not necessarily engineers. An illusory wall of fire, that won't burn them, but will feel hot until they enter it, or maybe the old "invisible bridge across the pit" cliche would fit? Obviously there would have to be some clues to this, or you could give them a riddle that leads to the conclusion that they have to be courageous and cross anyway even without guarantees that they will come back.

[croaker260]

Thanks, Good ideas! Now if only I were a poet....