Passage Fork: Crown Island or Sharn

Eberron FoundryVTT v12.331 DnD 2024 GM Handout

The Ask in Passage (Framing Scene)

At the Lightning Rail concourse in Passage, three NPCs make their pitch—each pointing to a different destination. Hand the party 5 in‑world minutes and a physical clue from whichever NPC they bite on.

Orien Dispatcher Tamsin Vale
Wants discrete couriers for a crate issue.
Hook: “Express south to Sharn—our ‘porcelain art’ crates keep tripping wards.”
Clue in hand: duplicate manifest with two consignee seals (Cannith & Phiarlan).
Phiarlan Impresario Silae ir’Ryllan
Needs security for a gala.
Hook: “Sail for Crown Island. The pageant’s headpiece—‘Ely’s Crown’—cannot be spoiled.”
Clue in hand: silk program with marginalia (ribbon cipher visible only under faelight).
Warforged Porter “Rivet”
Quiet, Pants‑sympathetic.
Hook: “Two stories. One truth. Which do you chase?”
Clue in hand: rumor slip tying both myths to the same patrons.

Route A — Crown Island (for “the Crown”)

Why go now (pick 1–2)

  • The Pageant of Masks (tonight +1): replica “Ely’s Crown” headlines; inside band may hide Ely’s message. Clue: faelight‑revealed ribbon cipher.
  • Aurum “Cultural Custody”: envoy rushing affidavits to seize the crown at port. Clue: stamped affidavit naming a shady “independent appraiser.”
  • Daask Racket: dockside toughs extort vendors “because the crown attracts monsters.” Clue: blood‑spattered pawn ticket for a lacquered crown case.

First scenes on arrival

  • Harbor Welcome: masked troupe mirrors the PCs (Performance vs. Insight DC 14) → choreography spells out “the crown lives in the dance.”
  • Aurum Papers: Persuasion/Deception DC 15 to stall seizure; on fail, access granted but thieves tail you.
  • Night Heist or Guard Job: protect the exhibit (spot a swap) or steal it first to inspect the band (Investigation DC 16).

Crown complications (d6)

1
The crown is resin over cold iron; a tiny prick records a blood sigil.
2
Phiarlan understudy recognizes a PC; leaks presence to an Aurum buyer.
3
A changeling (Tyrants) impersonates the lead dancer—shares the cipher if exposed.
4
Sea squall kills lights mid‑performance; thieves’ tools at disadvantage unless creative lighting used.
5
Cannith courier “verifies” authenticity; Arcana DC 15 to spoof the device.
6
The velvet display base hides a Sharn rail receipt for “porcelain eggs.” (points to Egg path)

Rewards / truths

  • Ribbon Cipher: advantage to debunk crown rumors; one line from Ely’s last choreography (“not metal—memory”).
  • Ledger Page: names a Sharn mask‑rental patron who also funded “egg reliquaries.”

Route B — Sharn (for “the Egg”)

Why go now (pick 1–2)

  • Orien Hot Crate: three “porcelain art” crates fail every thaumic test. Clue: duplicate manifest with Cannith & Phiarlan seals.
  • Cogs Sermon Tonight: Unhatched Covenant promises an egg “reveal.” Clue: pamphlet hinting at a “nursery under steam and soot.”
  • Morgrave Lecture Cover: Aurum‑funded talk doubles as recruitment. Clue: admission card with nervy student’s scrawl.

First scenes on arrival

  • Terminus Railcar Puzzle: 3 cars (Guard → Cargo → Elemental Anchor). Timer 6 rounds to departure. Wards (Dex save DC 14); Deneith patrols.
  • Cogs Sermon: 6‑success skill challenge (Religion/Insight/Intimidation) to reach the cellar and expose Khyber‑binding “eggs.”
  • Lecture Q&A: win History DC 14 to access a storeroom: counterfeit scales and crown replicas—myths are manufactured together.

Egg complications (d6)

1
Fire elemental destabilizes if it goes loud; Arcana DC 16 to contain, or Con saves in waves.
2
Daask shakedown at the sermon; nonlethal win earns Boromar gratitude.
3
Homunculus recorder captures faces; Thieves’ Tools DC 15 to nab its crystal.
4
One crate holds a velvet crown display—laundering both myths together.
5
Warforged activists shadow the party, testing whether PCs smear Pants.
6
Lightning storm over Skybridge delays exit; checks suffer until grounded.

Rewards / truths

  • Tuned Khyber Shard: ping once per day to detect similar egg‑vessels within 500 ft (1 week).
  • Chain of Custody: documents Cannith contractors & a Phiarlan patron co‑financing both “eggs” and crown replicas.

Travel & Tempo from Passage

To Crown Island
  • River cutter/coastal sloop (overnight) or Orien charter airskiff (same day for urgency).
  • On a 1–2 on 1d6 en route, roll a Crown complication.
To Sharn
  • Lightning Rail south (change at Wroat). Same‑day arrival on the noon service, else next morning.
  • On a 1–2 on 1d6 en route, roll an Egg complication.
Quick Clocks (4‑segment):
Aurum Influence in Skyway
Covenant Fervor in the Cogs
Advance on public brawls, loud magic, harming bystanders. Reduce on exposing forgeries, sparing zealots, clean heists.

Fail‑Forward & Crossing the Streams

  • If they choose Crown Island, plant at least one prop that points to Sharn eggs (rail receipt, mask‑rental tie).
  • If they choose Sharn, plant at least one prop that points to Crown Island (velvet crown base, troupe program note).
  • Reveal over time that both myths are patron‑manufactured; the real treasure is Ely’s choreography message.

Foundry‑Ready Bits

Journal Structure
  • Create From Passage → Crown Island and From Passage → Sharn journals.
  • Add RollTables Crown Complications (d6) and Egg Complications (d6) with entries above.
Rail Set Piece
  • Scene with 3 measured cars (Guard/Cargo/Anchor).
  • Round Tracker (6) and an Elemental Stability clock (4‑segment).
  • Use enriched DC callouts like **Check: Investigation DC 15**; add your macro buttons for party rolls.
GM Dice Buttons

Drop a simple inline roll for complications: [[/r 1d6 # route complication]]