The Spider’s Web
Episode 3 of Shadows of War
For 4-6 players, level 6-7
SETUP
A series of grand balls and noble gatherings masks a sinister network of cult influence reaching into Aldemar’s highest circles. The investigators must navigate deadly social waters while uncovering how deeply the cult has corrupted the nobility, all while preventing the assassination of key reform supporters.
LOCATIONS
🏰 Silvermere Palace
Noble Gathering Place
Public Areas: - Grand ballroom - Royal gardens - Art galleries - Dining halls
Hidden Areas: - Secret meeting rooms - Ritual chambers - Hidden passages - Scrying rooms
🎭 The Opera House
Cultural Center - Performance hall - Private boxes - Underground tunnels - Cult gathering space
🏛️ Noble Quarter
Power Center - Family estates - Private clubs - Secret societies - Ancient temples
KEY NPCS
👑 Duchess Eleanor Vale
Reform Leader - Political mastermind - Target for assassination - Hidden protector - Society queen Secret: Ancient guardian bloodline
🎭 Lord Sebastian Crane
Cult Noble - Master manipulator - Reality bender - Social puppeteer - Information broker Secret: Cult Hierophant
⚜️ Lady Rose Blackwood
Society Informant - Master of secrets - Double agent - Survival expert - Hidden loyalist Secret: Reformed cultist
SOCIAL MECHANICS
Noble Interaction
- Etiquette rules
- Status hierarchy
- Alliance networks
- Favor trading
Infiltration Methods
- Social disguise
- Identity theft
- Invitation forgery
- Servant impersonation
ENCOUNTERS
Social
- Noble interrogations
- Ballroom intrigue
- Political negotiations
- Society scandals
Combat
- Ritual interruption (CR 5)
- Assassin duel (CR 6)
- Cultist nobles (CR 5)
- Guard confrontation (CR 5)
KEY SCENES
🎭 The Grand Ball
Features: - Political maneuvering - Hidden messages - Assassination attempt - Ritual preparation
🗝️ The Secret Auction
Features: - Cult artifacts - Noble gathering - Information exchange - Reality manipulation
⚔️ The Opera Night
Features: - Public spectacle - Hidden ritual - Mass sacrifice attempt - Noble confrontation
INVESTIGATION ELEMENTS
Social Evidence
- Party invitations
- Noble correspondence
- Society gossip
- Political alliances
Supernatural Traces
- Ritual components
- Reality distortions
- Cursed jewelry
- Cosmic symbols
COMPLICATIONS
Social
- Class barriers
- Political rivalries
- Society rules
- Family loyalties
Supernatural
- Mind control
- Reality warping
- Time manipulation
- Memory alteration
DM GUIDANCE
Social Intrigue
- Allow multiple approaches
- Reward clever deception
- Create alliance opportunities
- Enable political maneuvering
Horror Elements
- Corrupt nobility
- Hidden monsters
- Social decay
- Reality breakdown
VICTORY CONDITIONS
Required
- Prevent assassination
- Identify noble cultists
- Document ritual plans
- Secure allies
Optional
- Save innocent nobles
- Recover artifacts
- Maintain cover
- Gather evidence
RESOURCES
Social Assets
- Noble contacts
- Society invitations
- Servant networks
- Political favors
Investigation Tools
- Forged documents
- Disguise kits
- Secret passwords
- Hidden messages
REVELATIONS
Political
- Noble corruption
- Power structures
- Alliance networks
- Cult hierarchy
Supernatural
- Reality manipulation
- Cosmic influence
- Ritual purposes
- Ancient bloodlines
HOOKS FOR EPISODE 4
Major
- Palace infiltration
- Royal corruption
- Final ritual
- Military coup
Minor
- Missing artifacts
- Noble disappearances
- Strange phenomena
- Political shifts
Continues in Episode 4: “Palace of Lies”


