Assignment #573 - The Great Masquerade

"An older woman in finery and regalia sits at her bedroom dresser, her eyes fixed on the mirror as she studies her appearance with a discerning stare. Loose coils of silver-streaked hair are arranged around her face flatteringly, and she chuckles as she touches and admires a diamond necklace she is wearing.

 Surely, it will garner attention; it is a spectacular piece, vital to showcase at the ball as a nod to its generous sponsor. While the sponsor was a surprising addition to the noble season this year, the woman is determined to uphold her house’s reputation by hosting extravagant gatherings. 

Yes, the Rochester Ball will go swimmingly. As long as Joyce can meet with the sponsor before finalising the entertainment and catering, everything will be accounted for. He is, after all, due at any moment in the foyer of the Rochester Estate. 

Across the other side of Briar Green, the sponsor hasn’t left his residence; his focus isn’t on the Rochester Estate or the ball preparations at all. His plans have been interrupted."

For GMs and fans of Candela Obscura by Darrington Press, Assignment #573 - The Great Masquerade is a custom investigation that lures the Circle to the affluent suburb of Brier Green and the Rochester Estate. Ms Joyce Rochester is hosting a lavish ball, but the bigger concern for Candela Obscura lingers in the bleed emanating from the estate. 

Candela Obscura requires the Circle's assistance in uncovering the mysteries of the property, which features four distinct points of interest to explore. The greater time pressure, however, is linked to retrieving a precious item before phenomena are alerted to a disturbance. 

I've also written a GM Tips section that can help GMs understand how the module is intended to be used, as well as provide general tips on running narrative-driven RPGs. This investigation can be run as a one-off assignment for your circle, or you can run it as part of the Candela Obscura Campaign that I'll be self-publishing later this year.