The Bell Before the Flood
The Bell Before the Flood
Read aloud
The temple bell has been stolen, and floodwater is already licking at the lower steps of the riverside ward. Sister Maelin needs it returned before the next tide peaks at dawn. Without its warning, hundreds may sleep through the rising water.
Run the session
Cheat sheet
Objectives
- 1Find where the stolen temple bell has been taken.
- 2Take the bell from the smugglers.
- 3Sound the flood warning in time for the ward to respond.
- 4Learn why the smugglers were ordered to keep the bell silent.Optional
The clock
The next flood tide peaks at dawn. After each major delay or failed approach, the water rises another step through the quay district. At the peak, the lowest streets become difficult or impossible to cross and the temple's warning will arrive too late to protect everyone.
Scenes
- 0:00An Empty Bell Frame
- 0:30Tracks Through the Quay
- 1:15The Loft Above the Water
- 2:00The Bell in the Water
- 3:00A Warning Across the Ward
Cast
- Sister Maelin VossQuestgiver
- Tamsin ReedAlly
- Daro VennAntagonist
- Pell RuskWitness
The hook
Set the scene
Read the hook aloud as Sister Maelin waits beneath the empty bell frame. Outside the open temple doors, residents haul baskets and furniture up the steps while the river creeps over the lowest stones. Maelin has a rough sketch of a cart track leading toward the docks, but no certain location for the bell.
How Sister Maelin Voss asks
Sister Maelin asks the party directly at the temple, then offers a small advance and access to the temple's records of recent deliveries.
She is urgent but candid about the danger: the smugglers may be armed, and the rising water makes every delay costly.
Rumours
Scenes
about 3.5 hours0:00
30 min
socialThe table is here
1. An Empty Bell Frame
Saint Orra's riverside temple, where residents prepare for the rising water.
Sister Maelin explains the threat, shows the empty bell frame, and points out fresh cart marks on the temple's wet steps. The party chooses whether to question witnesses, inspect the marks, or seek help from Tamsin.
NextAny credible lead points toward the quay, where Pell Rusk can be found hiding among the unloading crews.
0:30
45 min
skill
2. Tracks Through the Quay
A wet fish market and net loft beside the working quay.
Pell admits he helped move a heavy covered object, then shares the route and describes Daro's crew. He can be convinced to help, but the harbor watch may arrive while he talks.
The Net Loft SearchNextThe evidence leads to the old customs house, unless the party follows the smugglers immediately to their temporary loft first.
1:15
45 min
exploration
3. The Loft Above the Water
A net loft above the dark water, with narrow catwalks and nets that obscure sightlines.
The party searches the net loft, questions its occupants, or slips past the lookout. They find signs that the bell was moved onward, along with a distinctive wax mark on a shipping order.
The Net Loft SearchNextA captured runner, shipping note, or route observed from the loft points to the customs house.
2:00
60 min
combat
4. The Bell in the Water
The old customs house, where the rising river fills the ground floor around the stolen bell.
Daro guards the bell in the flooded building. The party can confront him, bargain for the bell, or use the water and loading ramp to create an advantage. During the scene, Daro may reveal that a buyer hired him to keep the bell silent.
The Flooded Customs HouseNextOnce the bell is secured, the party must carry it back through the rising streets or find a safe way to ring it from nearby.
3:00
30 min
exploration
5. A Warning Across the Ward
The temple tower and the crowded streets of the riverside ward at dawn.
The party returns the bell, repairs or retrieves its clapper if needed, and sounds the warning. Residents begin moving to higher ground as Maelin organizes the temple's response.
NextResolve the immediate flood response, then follow any surviving lead about the buyer or diverted supplies.
Behind it
What people believe
The bell of Saint Orra's riverside temple has been stolen by smugglers.
Sister Maelin believes the thieves took it toward the docks, but the harbor district is a maze of warehouses, ferries, and flooded lanes. The party must find the bell, recover it, and get it back to a place where it can be rung before the next flood tide peaks at dawn.
Background
For generations, the bronze bell of Saint Orra has sounded from the river temple whenever the flood tide approaches.
Its deep toll warns the low-lying wards to raise gates, move livestock, and secure boats. The bell was taken from its tower three nights ago, and the next unusually high tide is expected before dawn.
The stakes
If the bell is not sounded before the tide peaks, residents in the lowest streets may be trapped by rising water.
Recovering it safely also determines whether the temple can keep its trust with the ward and whether the smugglers' buyer remains unknown.
Encounters
2The Net Loft Search
Combat or stealth
A cramped net loft above the water, crowded with hanging nets, narrow catwalks, fish barrels, and a ladder to the quay.
Foes
Quay Lookout
Two Smuggler Runners
ComplicationThe smugglers have rigged rope snares between the stacks. If the party enters loudly, they cut a mooring line and flood the lowest floor.
ScalingFor a small or inexperienced party, use the lookout alone and have the runners flee when challenged. For a larger or more capable party, add two dockside bruisers who arrive from the quay.
The Flooded Customs House
Combat or social
A half-submerged customs house with a sloped loading ramp, waist-deep water, a narrow upper gallery, and crates that can be used for cover.
Foes
Daro Venn
Three Smuggler Guards
ComplicationDaro threatens to drop the bell into the river if cornered. A character who offers a credible escape, a better deal, or protection for his crew may create an opening to disarm him.
ScalingFor a party that is struggling, one guard is absent and Daro prefers bargaining to fighting. For a strong party, add a hired crossbow lookout on the upper gallery and have the rising water limit safe movement.
Cast
4Sister Maelin Voss
QuestgiverQuestgiver, priest and keeper of the temple
WantsWarn the riverside residents and recover the bell without abandoning the temple's duties.
“If that bell does not ring before the water reaches the east steps, people will die in their beds.”
Tamsin Reed
Ally, ferry pilot familiar with the river channels
WantsKeep her family-run ferry business open and prevent the smugglers from turning the quay into a battleground.
“I can get you past the quay watch, but I will not be left holding the blame when the tide turns.”
Daro Venn
Antagonist, smuggling captain
WantsSell the bell quickly, then escape the city before the flood isolates the district.
“A bell is only bronze until someone decides what its sound means.”
Pell Rusk
Witness, dockhand who helped unload the bell
WantsAvoid arrest and make amends for helping move the stolen bell.
“They said it was cargo, not a warning. I swear I did not know what they had taken.”
How it ends
Rewards
Items
A temple flood-lantern that burns steadily in rain for one night, a custom item with no assumed system statistics
A stamped brass token granting one safe passage on Tamsin Reed's ferry
On a win
The bell is returned and rung before the flood peaks.
Its toll carries across the ward, giving residents time to move to higher ground and secure the gates. The temple publicly thanks the party, though the extent of their success with the smugglers and the buyer depends on their choices.
What it leaves open
If it fails
- The party fails to locate the bell before the smugglers move it beyond the flood district.
- The temple and the east ward lose trust in the party. Future help from the temple requires an apology, restitution, or a separate service.
- The party recovers the bell but cannot return it to the temple or ring it before the high water arrives.
- The bell is recovered, but the flood warning arrives too late to evacuate the lowest homes. Several families lose property, and the party must decide whether to help with rescue and relief.
- The party attacks or bargains carelessly at the customs house, allowing Daro to escape during the confusion.
- Daro escapes with the bell or a portion of the crew. The harbor watch begins a crackdown that disrupts local trade and makes future contact with dockside informants harder.
Complications (d6)
- 1A sudden surge floods the lowest dock. Anyone carrying the bell must find a higher route or risk losing footing and being swept into the river.
- 2A temple acolyte arrives with a message that the east floodgate is jammed. Sister Maelin asks the party to send someone to help, splitting their time and attention.
- 3A smuggler lookout mistakes the party for rival buyers and signals the crew to move the bell to a second hiding place.
- 4Pell is recognized by a harbor watch patrol. He panics and bolts, taking the only sketch of the smugglers' warehouse with him.
- 5A mooring line snaps, sending a loaded skiff toward the crowded market steps. The party can stop it, but doing so gives the smugglers time to prepare.
- 6The bell's clapper breaks loose during transport. The party must secure it separately or the bell will not sound clearly enough to warn the ward.
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