The City Burns 🔥
Episode 7 of Shadows of the Unnamed - A City-wide Crisis for 3-6 Investigators (Levels 4-6)
“When darkness claims the streets, who will light the way?” - Captain Marina
Introduction
The city fractures as void tears rend reality. Armed with Hayes’s knowledge and racing against time, investigators must coordinate a desperate evacuation while the noble houses complete their city-wide ritual. In the chaos of burning streets and spreading darkness, choices will determine who survives the night.
Part I: Streets of Chaos 🏘️
Market District Mayhem
Panic spreads faster than flame.
Initial Scene: - Market square in chaos - Multiple void tears hovering - Citizens fleeing in all directions - Guard posts overwhelmed
Captain Marina’s Briefing: “We’ve got boats at the docks, safe houses in the warehouse district, and not enough time. Make every second count.”
Emergency Response
Time-critical decisions shape survival.
Priority Actions: - Establish evacuation routes - Identify safe zones - Coordinate guard responses - Counter cultist interference
Part II: Noble Betrayal 🏛️
Manor House Horrors
Each noble estate hosts a ritual node.
Manor Features: - Corrupted gardens - Void-touched guards - Reality distortions - Ritual circles
Lady Ravencrest’s Proclamation: “The old powers return. Our birthright demands sacrifice. The city burns so darkness may rise.”
Breaking the Circle
Each disrupted ritual weakens the whole.
Tactical Elements: - Multiple entry points - Guard patrols - Ritual components - Power sources
Part III: Race Against Time ⏳
Evacuation Challenges
Critical Locations: 1. St. Mercy’s Hospital - Immobile patients - Limited staff - Void corruption approaching
- Blackbrook Academy
- Trapped children
- Panicked teachers
- Surrounding fires
- Market Square
- Mass panic
- Collapsing structures
- Cultist infiltrators
Time Management: - Sequential rescues - Resource allocation - Priority decisions - Consequence tracking
Part IV: The Last Stand 🚢
Dockside Defense
Final escape route must hold.
Battle Environment: - Warehouse corridors - Ship gangplanks - Water hazards - Void tears
Captain Marina’s Leadership: “Every ship we fill is another hundred saved. Hold the line!”
Running the Adventure 🎲
Chaos Management
Timeline Tracking: 1. First Hour - Initial responses - Route establishment - Priority assessment
- Middle Hours
- Ongoing evacuation
- Ritual disruption
- Resource management
- Final Hour
- Last rescues
- Noble confrontation
- Escape coverage
Key NPCs
Captain Marina
- Dock master turned hero
- Emergency coordinator
- Last hope leader
- Unwavering resolve
Lady Ravencrest
“Our ancestors knew the price of power. The city pays it now.” - Noble cult leader - Void-empowered - Ancient knowledge - Final adversary
Combat Encounters
Void Beasts (CR 4)
- HP: 65 | AC: 15
- Reality warping attacks
- Pack tactics
- Environmental adaptation
Noble Cultists (CR 5)
- HP: 70 | AC: 16
- Void magic
- Combat training
- Tactical coordination
Ravencrest Elite (CR 6)
- HP: 85 | AC: 17
- Noble combat arts
- Void enhancement
- Tactical mastery
Critical Decisions
Evacuation Priorities
Each choice saves some, dooms others.
Resource Management
Limited guards, medics, and transport.
Ritual Response
Which nodes to target first.
City Districts 🗺️
Market Quarter
- Dense crowds
- Narrow streets
- Multiple fires
- Escape routes
Noble District
- Defended estates
- Ritual nodes
- Guard patrols
- Power points
Dockside
- Escape ships
- Warehouse refuges
- Defense points
- Water routes
Resolution Paths
Maximum Rescue
- Focus on civilians
- Accept ritual progress
- Defensive strategy
- Higher survivors
Ritual Disruption
- Target nobles
- Accept casualties
- Offensive strategy
- Weaker void tears
Campaign Impact
Immediate Effects
- Saved populations
- Lost districts
- Power balance
- Next threats
Future Consequences
- Survivor dynamics
- Noble power
- City changes
- Final preparation
Closing Notes
“The city burns, but its people endure. Tomorrow’s battle may decide everything, but tonight we save who we can.”
Leads directly into Episode 8: “When Darkness Falls”
