Poppy the Brave

The Players are traveling to go to a massive trade event that occurs in a halfling city twice a year. The event lasts two weeks, and the party is arriving at the beginning of the second week. However, while they are visiting and enjoying the festivities, the city is attacked by an army of orcs and quickly overwhelmed as the citizens and visitors are forced to flee. The Players soon meet Poppy Sandyfoot, a young halfling girl whose brother has been captured by the orcs. This is a campaign designed for Dungeons and Dragons 5E, for Players levels 1-3.

Plot points/Scenes

The Players meet outside of the Willow Wood harvest festival early in the morning. This festival is massive and features several shops from all over the world, (and even some outside of the world), as well as some games and friendly competitions. As the Players approach the entrance to the festival, they are asked to leave their weapons behind as a safety precaution. There is a massive crowd this year, and the city doesn't want their festival to welcome any trouble with pickpocketing, bag-slashing, fighting, or otherwise. There is a dispel magic spell over the area, as well, so spellcasters will be unable to use magic. Later, an army of orcs attacks the city in the middle of the festival, and the Players are forced to face off with orcs warriors without weapons while the other citizens flee. The guards of the city are quickly overwhelmed since the orcs are so much larger than the halflings. The Players will likely be captured and taken prisoner at the Orc Post, though they may also try to flee. If they choose to find weapons and fight, they will be overwhelmed and captured by the number of orcs. Whether captured or escaped, they will eventually meet Poppy Sandyfoot, a young halfling girl who has been separated from her family in the attack. The players must help Poppy reunite with her family, and likely help her rescue her brother who was also captured. As the Players explore the Orc Post, they can choose to make their way through by stealth or scavenge weapons and spell components if they plan to fight. (perhaps some of your more stealthy players were able to smuggle in their weapons into the festival after all, and will be at a greater advantage?) A thorough investigation can lead the Players to discover lore about the world of Aiedrial, especially concerning the motivations of the orcs for attacking and capturing the halflings, as well as the orcs' relations with other races in the world.