Riddle me this... Ghost Scenario

[Phil C.]

Okay, I was curious what some of you blokes might suggest for a scene I'm going to be running...

The PCs are looking for a missing person. They encounter a ghost who knows what happened to the missing person, but will only tell the PCs if they do something for her (the ghost).

Some brave grave-robbers stole a sentimental item from her tomb, and she wants the PCs to return it to her corpse. In return, she'll show the PCs what happened to the missing person.

My dilemma:

The ghost cannot speak (or is restricted to one or two words). How does she offer this exchange to the PCs?

[OneSeventeen]

If this were a visual medium (which it isn't, in general, but this might be an inspiration) like a movie or video game, I'd say that she could indicate a space where something is clearly missing. Maybe there is a banner-bar on the wall with no banner, so they have to get it back (it has her family crest). Do you have in mind, already, what was taken? Also, do you have an idea of the kind of clue you'd like them to leave the tomb with to get them started on the path (should they know what the thieves look like, or have the idea that the item was fenced or what)?


Ben

[Ed the Coastie]

There was a ghost NPC in one of my GURPS games who communicated with the PCs through computer chatroom messages; these days he would probably use a cellphone texting feature.

[Phil C.]

Originally Posted by OneSeventeen

If this were a visual medium (which it isn't, in general, but this might be an inspiration) like a movie or video game, I'd say that she could indicate a space where something is clearly missing. Maybe there is a banner-bar on the wall with no banner, so they have to get it back (it has her family crest). Do you have in mind, already, what was taken? Also, do you have an idea of the kind of clue you'd like them to leave the tomb with to get them started on the path (should they know what the thieves look like, or have the idea that the item was fenced or what)?

Good questions.

The item is a sentimental gift that was entombed/buried with her in secret -- by her lover (not her husband). So... perhaps a simple gold necklace, with a broken heart.

Maybe she could indicate her "ghost necklace" (as it appears on the apparation), and then indicate the corpse of the breached tomb that does not have the necklace. Should I have the PCs make a roll to notice it off-hand, or let them ask questions to distinguish the missing item? I want the scene to be a bit of a puzzle.

Once it's established that something is missing, she could lead them to the edge of the cemetary (outskirts of woodlands) and simply point in the direction of the grave-robber's campfire.

But, how does she indicate that she knows where the missing person is (who is actually dead already), so that the PCs understand they must confront the grave robbers in order to find their missing person?

[Anaraxes]

Should I have the PCs make a roll to notice it off-hand, or let them ask questions

I'd treat this more old-school, and have them ask questions. Yes, the characters might be smarter than the players, and they have skills for searching and investigation and such. But it's more fun to puzzle out the puzzles than just roll Gather Information and have the GM tell you the answer if you succeed. Let the players puzzle it out a bit. If they're not getting anywhere, and the puzzle is starting to not be fun, then use the skills to give them hints.

The harder part is hooking them into trying to solve the puzzle, making sure they know that the ghost can help them with their main quest.

how does she indicate that she knows where the missing person is

Does the missing person have dead parents or ancestors that the ghost could know, and linger fondly by their grave? PCs will certainly put the matching family name together with their target. They'll probably ask "Did you know them?" Ghost nods. "Did you know their daughter?" (Or whatever.) Ghost nods. "Do you know where she is?" Ghost nods (sadly). "Where is she?" (as the PCs forget this is Twenty Questions). Ghost points at the image of the necklace.

In fact, this seems to address the first problem if you answer the second question first. Once the PCs figure out the missing person is where the necklace is, they'll certainly be interested in where the necklace is. It doesn't force them to bring the necklace back, of course.

[OneSeventeen]

Originally Posted by Phil C.

The item is a sentimental gift that was entombed/buried with her in secret -- by her lover (not her husband). So... perhaps a simple gold necklace, with a broken heart.

Maybe she could indicate her "ghost necklace" (as it appears on the apparation), and then indicate the corpse of the breached tomb that does not have the necklace. Should I have the PCs make a roll to notice it off-hand, or let them ask questions to distinguish the missing item? I want the scene to be a bit of a puzzle.

I think the ghost necklace/missing-in-actual-tomb idea is great. I'd not do the roll and let the players puzzle it out and ask questions. You could, if you want, allot one of the ghost's words to this clue: "Miiiiissiiiiiiiiinnnggg..." or something.

Originally Posted by Phil C.

Once it's established that something is missing, she could lead them to the edge of the cemetary (outskirts of woodlands) and simply point in the direction of the grave-robber's campfire.

Yes. That's perfect.

Originally Posted by Phil C.

But, how does she indicate that she knows where the missing person is (who is actually dead already), so that the PCs understand they must confront the grave robbers in order to find their missing person?

Is this a wonderment about how to get them into the puzzle, as it were? I.e. "How do they know that mucking about with this ghost will help them?" If so, I have more counter-questions: What do you intend to lead them to the tomb in the first place? How did the ghost actually learn the whereabouts of the missing person? Are any of the PCs psychic or something of that ilk? Does the ghost know already that they're looking for this person and where they are (maybe she goes out of her way to recruit them to help her and offers the information as payment, as it were)?


Ben

[OneSeventeen]

Originally Posted by Anaraxes

Once the PCs figure out the missing person is where the necklace is, they'll certainly be interested in where the necklace is. It doesn't force them to bring the necklace back, of course.

If the missing person is, indeed, with the necklace. If that's just the idea they get from the ghost and the necklace doesn't end up solving anything for them, it's possible they bring it back to the ghost to wave it angrily and ask what they went and got it for. Then, upon getting what she wants, the ghost can tell them the actual location or next clue or whatever.


Ben

[Phil C.]

Originally Posted by Anaraxes

Does the missing person have dead parents or ancestors that the ghost could know, and linger fondly by their grave? PCs will certainly put the matching family name together with their target. They'll probably ask "Did you know them?" Ghost nods. "Did you know their daughter?" (Or whatever.) Ghost nods. "Do you know where she is?" Ghost nods (sadly). "Where is she?" (as the PCs forget this is Twenty Questions). Ghost points at the image of the necklace.

The PCs are looking for the missing father, and they don't realize he's dead. The ghost witnessed what happened to him (murder) and knows where the body is, but that information is her bargaining chip. So, I can't have her stand by a grave, per se, because she'll be revealing too much, too soon.

[Phil C.]

Originally Posted by OneSeventeen

If the missing person is, indeed, with the necklace. If that's just the idea they get from the ghost and the necklace doesn't end up solving anything for them, it's possible they bring it back to the ghost to wave it angrily and ask what they went and got it for. Then, upon getting what she wants, the ghost can tell them the actual location or next clue or whatever.

Exactly. This is the mechanism I'm using.

[Phil C.]

Originally Posted by OneSeventeen

Is this a wonderment about how to get them into the puzzle, as it were? I.e. "How do they know that mucking about with this ghost will help them?" If so, I have more counter-questions: What do you intend to lead them to the tomb in the first place? How did the ghost actually learn the whereabouts of the missing person? Are any of the PCs psychic or something of that ilk? Does the ghost know already that they're looking for this person and where they are (maybe she goes out of her way to recruit them to help her and offers the information as payment, as it were)?

Fair enough.

The PCs came home to their cottage and found their father missing -- and obvious evidence of a fight. There will be clues (undetermined) that will lead the PCs to the cemetary.

The ghost was a witness to the abductors and the PC's father, and knows what happened to him at the cemetary. The ghost may recognize one of the PCs as their father's son (similar looks) and approach them.

With that information -- what's the best way for the ghost to express to the PCs that she has information they need? So they know why they're mucking about with the ghost.