Captain Tarsin's Passage
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Bridge DeckTollhouseMuddy Bank
Roleplay EncounterDND5E 2024Party L1 · 5 PCs
Captain Tarsin's Passage
Read Aloud
The bridge sways under lantern light, its wet boards creaking above the black river. Captain Tarsin stands at the tollhouse window while the river guard waits with one hand on the bridge chain and one eye on the mud-caked wagon wreck behind you. Every answer here decides whether the gate opens or drops.
The Scene
NEUTRALcheckpoint questioningBase DC 13Stakes A bad answer strands the party at the crossing and gives the ambushers time to vanish.
10 to 20 minutes
NPC Goal
Figure out whether the party is hiding blame, smuggling contraband, or telling the truth about the ambush.
Leverage
Fresh proof from the ambush calms the guard faster than speeches, and a steady witness beats a nervous one.
Player Approaches
- Show blood, broken axle wood, or raider gear from the ambush site
- Let Captain Tarsin speak first, then back him up with one clean detail
- Offer the guard a simple, honest version instead of a polished story
- Point out that delaying the crossing helps the raiders get away
NPC Gambits
- Present evidence without overexplaining
- Calm a witness before they are questioned
- Answer only the question asked
- Ask the guard what he needs to see to let you pass
NPC Reactions
- He listens better to plain facts than to fancy words.
- He respects anyone who keeps their hands visible and their story straight.
- He shuts down if the party lies in circles or dodges the wagon wreck.
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