Session 1
Setting the Scene
In the bustling capitol of Theos, it's the third day of its Anniversary festival. Citizens from all across the continent are in the streets feasting, laughing and enjoying the many arts and activities available. And in the center of town, several silvery spires stretch into the sky, making up the capitol building: a workplace for government officials, a monument to Savras, and the dwelling of Theos' God-Queen.
Shift to the Capitol Building
Throughout the morning many have been entering the temple's gates and congregating in the sideyard for the first period of task selection, where they're ushered into a large grid by staff members.
(Introduce the first character entering the gate and meeting the guard for identification)
(Introduce the second character as already being in the sideyard and catching the first player's eye)
(Introduce the other ones however you feel appropriate)
"Arch" Introduction
Out of a side-door from the building comes a decorated man followed by several more—seemingly close in rank. Stopping in a clearing across from all of you, he peers at the gathering for a few moments, and then begins perusing through, grabbing people to hand off to his subordinates. Catering, visitor direction, resource transportation, and many many more. After the process is through, there's a large group of about 50-odd people remaining. The official takes another moment to examine the members left, and then speaks up:
"I'm going to point at you and then call out a number, corresponding to each of my colleagues."
He gestures behind you all, where his subordinates have now formed a wide semi-circle.
[Call out numbers for a moment]
This goes on until everyone left has been assigned a number.
"You lot will be in charge of patrol, and these groups will be your partners assigned to your posts. Any further questions will be answered by my colleagues."
And at once he departs back into the temple.
Your Group
You then hear a voice speak from behind you:
(Very slightly British)
"I—as well as everyone else on staff—sincerely thank you all for your assistance. I'm certain this celebration will remain safe and enjoyable for all thanks to your kindness. Before I begin with training, it's important we all get to know each other so that we might work most effectively! My name is Undello, I was born and raised in Theos, I've been a steward of the capitol for 11 years now."
He gestures at the group, inviting one of you to speak next.
[Players introduce themselves]
After the introductions are done:
"It's a pleasure to work with you all! I'll be telling you your exact protocol here in just a moment, but are there any other initial questions before we get started?"
After answering any questions:
"Right then! Follow me inside and I'll get you all equipped with what you need."
Preparation
Undello leads you all into the temple and down some corridors that take you to his office. Arriving there he goes to his desk and retrieves a small box, opening it to reveal ornate silver pendants sat on velvet cushioning. In the center of each, there's the depiction of a crystal ball filled with eyes.
"These pendants will ensure that both the staff and visitors know that you're meant to be here. They've also been magically imbued for your and our benefit. For security reasons, it's equipped with a modified Zone of Truth glyph to ensure no malicious actors can procure one and misuse it. More important to you however, is that if an emergency happens, you can press the seal in the center to alert your other companions—including me—of your location for backup."
Then he reaches into his robe and pulls out a set of folded papers. (Send them the Patrol Map)
"Here, for each of you. They're maps of your assigned post. You'll be stationed inside—monitoring the areas not available to the public. Storage, utilities, extra lodging, and the likes. You'll of course be on the lookout for intruders, but along your perimeter it's more likely you'll find pests intruding before a person. We ask you not to interrogate other employees passing through, but if they're acting suspicious then you're welcome to confirm their reason for being there. The office where we reside now is labeled on the map, so you should have no issue navigating to your post from here. Is there anything else you'd like to know?"
After last questions:
"If there are no other questions, I unfortunately have other responsibilities to attend to, so I must depart. I have faith in you all."
And then Undello exits towards the South end of the temple.
[Get them to their stations somehow]
Patrol Shift
Encounter a Lich Hound (Lich Hound Statblock)
After some amount of rounds, Undello comes running in and joins—helping the players however is normal.
At low HP make the Lich Hound start using passing into the Ethereal Plane to hide.
Undello tells them what's happening and proposes a way to trap it with Magic Circle.
Upon capture, more stewards arrive to help contain the beast, and the party is escorted to the barracks, where they're given medical attention, returned to their patrols, and told that after their shift they will have special attention with the queen Deborhai.
Time-skip after finishing their patrols:
The queen's guards escort them to the throne room, and before Deborhai. She thanks the party for their excellent service, and apologizes for being so careless as to not inform her staff of the danger it posed.
She tells them that she will now grant them a full, comprehensive reading of their fates. She stands from her throne and approaches the party. As she unfolds her silky ornate blindfold, she goes wide-eyed, pale faced, and vomits—crumpling to the ground
Upon meeting their gaze the Queen vomits spurring the guards to quickly tackle them to the ground ready to kill at the wave of a hand. The royal mages cast detect evil, and sensing no foul intent they are released from their bindings. The Queen explains that she could actively see their fates shifting as she looked at them, causing her to vomit from motion sickness.
Tackled by guards and restrained
Held in jailing underneath the capitol
Arch visits to release them, briefly explaining the situation