The City by Night: How to design and run a good urban fantasy scenario in a TTRPG.

 Free Fantasy Guardian Angel illustration and picture

Urban fantasy scenarios are a popular choice in tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) because they allow players to explore a familiar setting with a fantastical twist. In an urban fantasy game, players can encounter supernatural creatures, magic, and otherworldly threats while navigating the modern cityscape. Here are some tips on how to design and run a good urban fantasy scenario in a TTRPG, along with a sample adventure outline and pre-generated player characters.

  1. Establish the Setting: Before designing an urban fantasy scenario, it's important to establish the setting. This includes the city or town where the game takes place, as well as any supernatural elements that exist in the world. Consider how the supernatural elements interact with the modern world and how they are perceived by the general population.

  2. Create a Compelling Threat: The threat in an urban fantasy scenario can be anything from a powerful demon to a rogue wizard to a secret government agency. Whatever the threat may be, it should be compelling and provide a clear motivation for the players to take action.

  3. Provide Opportunities for Roleplaying: Urban fantasy scenarios often involve a diverse cast of characters, including humans, supernatural creatures, and government agents. Provide opportunities for the players to interact with these characters, either through dialogue or social encounters.

  4. Balance Action and Investigation: Urban fantasy scenarios can involve both action-packed combat and investigative work. Make sure to balance these elements to keep the players engaged and invested in the story.

  5. Use the Environment: The modern cityscape can provide a rich backdrop for an urban fantasy scenario. Consider using the environment to your advantage, whether it's a dark alleyway, a crowded nightclub, or a secret underground lair.

Sample Adventure Outline: "The Demon Within"

Setting: New York City, a bustling metropolis where supernatural creatures live among humans.

Threat: A powerful demon has possessed a wealthy businessman and is using his influence to gain power and wreak havoc on the city.

Objective: The players must track down the demon's host and exorcise the demon before it can cause more harm.

Pre-generated Player Characters:

  1. Samantha, a human detective with a no-nonsense attitude and a sharp eye for detail.
  2. Marcus, a werewolf with a heart of gold and a fierce loyalty to his pack.
  3. Sofia, a witch with a love for all things magical and a talent for charm spells.
  4. Jackson, a government agent with a mysterious past and a no-holds-barred approach to getting the job done.

Act 1: Investigation

The players are hired by a wealthy businessman to investigate a series of strange occurrences at his company. They soon discover that the businessman has been unknowingly possessed by a demon and is using his influence to gain power and control.

Act 2: Confrontation

The players track down the demon's host to a high-rise office building. They must fight their way through the demon's minions and confront the possessed businessman.

Act 3: Exorcism

Using their combined skills and knowledge, the players work together to exorcise the demon from the businessman's body. However, the demon is not so easily defeated and takes on a physical form, forcing the players to engage in a final battle to banish it back to the underworld.

Conclusion

With the demon defeated and the businessman freed from its control, the players are hailed as heroes and rewarded for their efforts. However, they know that there are always more supernatural threats lurking in the shadows, waiting for their next adventure.

 

Here are a few other urban fantasy scenario ideas you could use in your TTRPG game:

  1. The Haunted Museum: The players are called in to investigate a series of strange occurrences at a local museum. They soon discover that the museum is haunted by a vengeful ghost, and must find a way to appease the spirit before it causes more damage.

  2. The Werewolf Pack: The players are hired by a werewolf pack to investigate a series of mysterious disappearances in their territory. They soon discover that a rival pack is behind the kidnappings, and must engage in a battle to defend their clients.

  3. The Vampire Masquerade: The players are invited to a high-society vampire gathering, where they soon discover that the host has sinister intentions. They must navigate the complex social hierarchy of the vampire world while trying to uncover the host's plot.

  4. The Demon Hunter: The players are hired by a demon hunter to assist in a dangerous mission to take down a powerful demon lord. They must gather information, recruit allies, and engage in a final battle to defeat the demon lord and save the world.

  5. The Magic School: The players are students at a secret magic school, where they must navigate the challenges of teenage life while learning to control their magical powers. However, when a sinister force threatens the school, the players must band together to save their fellow students and defeat the evil threat.

These are just a few examples of the many urban fantasy scenarios you could design for your TTRPG game. Remember to be creative, flexible, and adapt the scenario to fit the needs and interests of your players.

 

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