AN UNEXPECTED
WEDDING
INVITATION
INCLUDES THE
intrigues & intentions
compendium
A delightful evening, romantic intrigues, and a dead body.
Look for clues. Sharpen your wits. Interview the wedding guests.
Can you solve the mystery before the evening is over?
A ROMANTIC MYSTERY ADVENTURE
An Unexpected Wedding Invitation
You are invited to an elvish wedding and an evening filled with mystery, intrigue,
and romance.
The event is a wonderful opportunity for finding love and ever-lasting friendships.
However, social events are perilous. Small mistakes can lead to gossip,
a tarnished reputation, public disaster – and even dangerous duels.
To make things worse, someone is suddenly found dead!
You must find out what happened before the evening is over, but without rousing
the suspicion of the other guests or potential love interests.
Look for clues. Sharpen your wits. Interview the wedding guests.
Can you solve the mystery before the evening is over?
www.midnight-tower.com
ISBN: 978-1-9196299-5-7
All content © Tove Lund Jorgensen and Erik Jorgensen 2022. First Edition.
Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, LLC. System Reference Document 5.1 Copyright 2016, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.;
Authors Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Chris Perkins, Rodney Thompson, Peter Lee, James Wyatt, Robert J. Schwalb, Bruce R. Cordell, Chris Sims, and Steve Townshend,
based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
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CONTENTS
an unexpected wedding invitation Chapter 13: New magic items 46
Overview4 Ring of the Elven Court 46
About this adventure 4
Chapter 14: Legend & Lore 47
Featured content 4
Argentïs Falls 47
Additional downloads 4
Synopsis 4 Chapter 15: New monsters 48
Goblin Queen 48
How to run this adventure 4
Adventure flowchart 5 Appendix50
Fine adventuring gear 50
Before the adventure begins 6
How to scale this adventure 51
Chapter 1: A wedding invitation 8
Timeline of events during the evening 53
Chapter 2: Ruckus on the road 11 Silver Lodge map: Player version 54
Goblin hideout map 12
the intrigues & intentions compendium
Chapter 3: Arriving at Silver Lodge 13
Creating a mystery adventure 56
Chapter 4: An afternoon picnic 15
Lovers’ apothecary 58
Breeze hill map 16
Romantic trinkets 60
Chapter 5: A hunting expedition 17
Argentïs forest map 18 Parlour games 62
Chapter 6: Delightful dancing 19 Fantasy outfits 64
Chapter 7: A murder is announced! 21 Secret spells 67
Chapter 8: Solving the murder 22 Romantic side quests 69
Chapter 9: Interviewing the NPCs 23 Legend & Lore 71
Romantic intentions 71
Chapter 10: Silver Lodge 36
Areas36 Character sheets 72
Silver Lodge map 37 Acknowledgements77
Chapter 11: The grand finale 42 Art & Photo credits 84
Chapter 12: Happily ever after 43 Open game licence 86
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OVERVIEW
about this adventure who has been attacked by a band of goblins
under the command of a devious goblin queen.
An Unexpected Wedding Invitation is an He asks if they can help him retrieve his musical
adventure for the world’s greatest roleplaying instruments from goblins. If the characters assist
game (5e). It is designed for a group of three to him, the bard can share information, and they
five 3rd-level characters, but includes scalable travel together.
encounters to suit any level from 1 to 20. When the group arrives at Argentïs Falls, they
This adventure is a romantic mystery adventure meet the bride, who is the old friend. She explains
inspired by Jane Austen and can be used in any that according to legend, the groom’s family is
campaign or as a side-quest. Some locations mean cursed and wants their help.
that the adventure works particularly well as a part of After the meeting, the characters can choose
the Eastern Farraway Adventures, but the adventure between joining an afternoon picnic or a hunting
can easily be adapted to suit other settings. trip, which let the characters get to know the other
guests. However, the picnic is interrupted by boars,
featured content and a snow bear stumbles upon the hunters. This
allows the characters to save one of the guests,
➛ A romantic mystery adventure inspired by which improves the characters’ reputation.
Jane Austen! Later, the dancing begins. This offers more
➛ Nine illustrated and detailed NPCs with chances to interact with the NPCs. However, during
agendas, background descriptions, and secrets. the evening, the characters discover that the groom
has died unexpectedly. The characters must solve
➛ A delightful elvish wedding and the mystery and figure out what has happened, but
surrounding areas to search for clues. at the same time reassure the guests that all is well.
➛ Open sandbox adventure.
optional: a non-violent finale
➛ Unique monster: Goblin Queen. This adventure can be played as a murder mystery
➛ New magical item: Ring of the Elven Court. without the need for physical conflict. In this
scenario, the villain surrenders when their crime is
➛ Legend & Lore: Argentïs Falls. exposed, and is brought to trial in Northwind Gate.
➛ Original full-colour illustrations and maps.
how to run this adventure
additional downloads
This is an open sandbox-style romantic mystery
Maps, VTT tokens, handouts, and pre-made characters adventure. The characters are encouraged to
for the adventure can be downloaded here: interview the NPCs and search for clues.
http://midnight-tower.com/additional-downloads-auwi Their interactions with NPCs can earn or lose
them Admiration Points. The DM can award
synopsis or subtract points for especially successful –
or disastrous – interactions. A high score of
The adventure begins when one of the characters Admiration Points at the end of the adventure can
receives an unexpected wedding invitation from an lead to marriage proposals or deep friendships –
old friend they haven’t talked to in years. The friend or night-time duels and sworn enemies.
has left a hastily scribbled message in the margin of The most important part of the adventure is to
the invitation and begs them to come to the wedding. have fun while solving the mystery and attending
On their journey, the characters meet a bard a fantasy elven wedding, where romance and
everlasting friendship can be found.
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ADVENTURE FLOWCHART
The beginning
Travels, goblins, and guests
Afternoon picnic Hunting expedition
Defeat beastly boars Fight a fearsome bear
Dancing and mysteries
A body is discovered
Interview NPCs Silver Lodge
Gather information Search for clues
Conclusion
Reveal and a marriage
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BEFORE THE ADVENTURE BEGINS
n elvish wedding has been planned were part of the high elf high court and as such
at Argentïs Falls, a breathtakingly belong to the upper echelons of elven society.
beautiful waterfall held as sacred However, Lÿsandrea’s father always believed
by many elves. (See chapter 14 for that if he became wealthy and successful, his
more information about the legend and lore wife’s elven family would reconsider their decision
surrounding this location.) and welcome them back into their fold. For this
The bride is Lÿsandrea Isillionthë, and the reason, he is adamant that his daughters shall
groom is Lord Maximillian D’arlington. To most marry well and find partners from good families
guests and relatives, the couple appears to be set with important connections and ample fortunes.
for a comfortable and prosperous life – but their
marriage might turn out more complicated than love is not ruled by sense or sensibility
one would suspect. However, Lÿsandrea is secretly in love with
someone else. Her heart has already been claimed
about the bride by Maximillian’s younger brother, Sirbastien, who
Lÿsandrea has agreed to marry Lord Maximillian ardently returns her feelings.
D’arlington mainly to please her family. Unfortunately, Lÿsandrea knows that their
Lÿsandrea’s parents married for love and families will never agree to the match since
against the wishes of their respective families: Sirbastien doesn’t have a title or a fortune.
Her mother is a high elf of noble birth, while Both Lÿsandrea and Sirbastien are loyal to
her father is a human who has worked hard to their families and have decided against eloping
achieve wealth and status. Lÿsandrea’s mother together. Instead, they have broken off their secret
was disowned and estranged from her family, who engagement, and both of them hope that time will
heal their broken hearts.
a groom most crass and careless
Lord Maximillian D’arlington is young, handsome,
and presumably exceedingly rich. He inherited his
lordship title, the deed to the D’arlington Estate, and
the family’s fortune after his father passed away in
an accident when Maximillian was fifteen years old.
Ever since that day, Maximillian has been the
head of the family and in charge of its businesses.
The family owns large tracts of land around
Coppertown and is considered immensely wealthy.
However, the D’arlington family isn’t as rich
as people believe. Maximillian has always been
too proud to ask for help with managing his
family’s finances, and as a result, their fortune has
decreased substantially. This is one of the reasons
why he has agreed to marry into the Isillionthë
family. Initially, the proposal was of little interest
to Maximillian, but he quickly changed his
mind when then he realised that by marrying
Lÿsandrea, he could become the joint owner of
Silver Lodge.
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Maximillian immediately recognised the name Lÿsandrea isn’t in fact in love with Maximillian.
of the area. His father, the late Lord D’arlington, Thalgion’s dislike for Maximillian grew stronger
was keenly interested in mining and had several when he learned about Maximillian’s ill reputation,
areas in the North Star Region excavated and which convinced Thalgion that Maximillian
sampled for ore deposits. According to an is a conniving scoundrel who will never make
old survey, Silver Lodge is located on top of Lÿsandrea as happy as she deserves to be.
what could be worth a fortune: There are vast
quantities of mithral to be found in the mountain! a murderous scheme
Maximillian wants to marry Lÿsandrea Dislike turned to hatred when Thalgion found out
primarily to gain ownership of Silver Lodge that Maximillian only wants to marry Lÿsandrea
and plans to mine the area as soon as possible. to claim Silver Lodge and start a dirty mining
Although Maximillian finds Lÿsandrea pretty operation there, which inevitably will destroy the
enough, his feelings for her are lukewarm at best. beautiful and blessed area around Argentïs Falls.
He wants to have an heir at some point, but he The insight filled Thalgion’s mind with black ideas
has no intention to stay faithful or change his and darker thoughts. Eventually, one crystal clear
frivolous, libertine lifestyle once he is married. and logical notion found its way through the murky
Silver Lodge and the region around Argentïs Falls miasma: Maximillian’s death would solve all these
is a place of outstanding beauty that is held sacred problems. Silver Lodge and Argentïs Falls would
by many high elves. However, this matters little to remain unspoiled, Lÿsandrea wouldn’t marry a
Maximillian. He is well aware that mining is a dirty scoundrel, and – with time and a little bit of luck –
and noisy business that will pollute and blemish she might even come to return Thalgion’s feelings.
the landscape, but his mind is wholly on the riches Thalgion plans to dispose of Maximillian at
that he believes are hidden in the ground. the wedding. He is aware of the legend about
the D’arlington curse, so he will try to make the
the previous rejected proposal murder look like an accident. As a precaution,
Before Lÿsandrea was engaged to Maximillian, Thalgion also intends to plant false clues that will
a distant cousin to Lÿsandrea, Thalgion, asked for direct suspicion at other wedding guests, and he
her hand. His initial motive was to mend the rift isn’t above giving false evidence or statements to
between Lÿsandrea’s family and her mother’s elven support the misdirection.
relatives. Thalgion reasoned that if he married
Lÿsandrea, they would be welcomed back to the the family curse
elven court. With time, Lÿsandrea’s mother would According to legend, the D’arlington family is cursed.
be forgiven and her status at the court reinstated, This curse came into being when Lord D’arlington
which in turn would raise Thalgion’s status as well. the Third accidentally killed a fey who trespassed
Thalgion approached Lÿsandrea and explained on his grounds. With their last ragged breath, the
his logical and rational plan, which would benefit mortally wounded fey swore that Lord D’arlington
all involved parties, and asked Lÿsandrea to marry and his bloodline would suffer untold misfortunes.
him. However, there was one thing that he hadn’t From that day on, there have been numerous fatal
anticipated: Lÿsandrea rejected his proposal. accidents in the family, and something terrible
Thalgion has quietly but ardently loved always happens on the day when the oldest member
Lÿsandrea from a distance for years, but of the D’arlington family marries.
respected her decision. He was crushed when he Lÿsandrea is completely unaware of Thalgion’s
received news about Lÿsandrea’s engagement to murderous plans. However, she knows about the
Maximillian, but he is too proud to stand in the curse and has therefore asked the characters
way of her marriage or reveal his true feelings, to come to her wedding to help her, since she is
which have already been bruised once. afraid something might happen to Sirbastien, to
Nevertheless, Thalgion’s strict resolution to whom her heart truly belongs.
remain neutral wavered when he realised that
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CHAPTER 1: A WEDDING INVITATION
he characters are currently at the The letter is addressed to one of the characters
tavern the Travelling Mermaid in who is an old friend of an NPC called Lÿsandrea
Whiteport, a large coastal town in Isillionthë. The DM can randomly choose one of
Eastern Farraway. Spring has arrived the characters or decide who is the most likely
at last, and the late afternoon has brought person to be Lÿsandrea’s old friend. (See below
sunshine, warmth, and a pleasant breeze. Some for more information about Lÿsandrea. For a full
people have decided to close their shops early to description, see chapter 9.)
take advantage of the fine weather and go fishing
or have a picnic.
The tavern has a small backyard where some of “This arrived for you earlier,” the innkeeper
the guests enjoy their meals and drinks outdoors. Siandrin says. “Came this morning, it did.”
The innkeeper is a broad-shouldered woman with She hands over a vellum envelope with your
long braided hair called Siandrin Herrings, who name written in slanted, elegant calligraphy
speaks with a northern Hintherdale accent. She on the front.
used to work at the docks before she won the The edges of the letter are decorated with a
tavern in a bet and became an innkeeper together gilded pattern, and its red wax seal is stamped
with her brother Raivshin. with a crescent moon and three stars.
When Siandrin has taken the characters’
orders, she heads towards the bar, then frowns
and slows her step. A moment later, she returns
with a letter in her hand.
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an invitation most unexpected about the bride to be
The letter contains an elegant invitation to the Lÿsandrea is a half-elf who once belonged to the
wedding between Lÿsandrea Isillionthë and Lord same adventuring group as one of the characters
Maximillian D’arlington. The wedding will take when they were younger. However, Lÿsandrea was
place at the end of next week at Silver Lodge near always torn between her duty to her family and
Argentïs Falls, which is located in the elven forest her longing for exciting quests.
between Coppertown and Northwind Gate. Eventually, she left her adventuring life behind
The letter reads: and returned home to her mother and father to
take up her role within her family.
You are hereby cordially invited to the wedding
between Lÿsandrea Isillionthë and Maximillian hidden details
D’arlington. We would be delighted if you join Some details aren’t immediately obvious or easily
us to celebrate our Special Day as we exchange found. These details are marked “➛ On a closer
wedding vows and receive Selene’s Blessing. look,” followed by the ability check and difficulty
The ceremony will be held according to elven required to discover them.
tradition and take place at Silver Lodge near
Argentïs Falls on Thursday the 20th of this month, prominent people
during the equinox of the Year of the Wolverine, ➛ On a closer look, DC 10 Intelligence (History):
1307. The celebrations begin at three o’clock in You recognise the name D’arlington as that of an
the afternoon. influential and noble family from Coppertown.
The wedding will include an exquisite banquet and The family is said to be very wealthy and owns
ballroom dancing hosted by the D’arlington family. plenty of land and mines around their hometown.
Characters who come from a noble background
In the margin of the letter is a hastily scribbled or have spent significant time in Coppertown have
message: advantage on this check.
➛ On a closer look, DC 12 Wisdom
I know we haven’t spoken in years, but please (Perception) or Intelligence (History): The crest
come to this wedding. on the envelope’s seal is familiar: It belongs to the
I need your help! Isillionthë family, who are members of the high elf
/ Lÿs royal family line. The three stars in the seal are
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