Two powerful factions in the city are at war with each other, and both of them want the same thing: someone capable and discreet to do their dirty work. Within a short time of the party’s arrival, representatives of each faction make contact independently and pitch the same basic offer. Sabotage the other side, get paid well, and ask no further questions. The catch is that both factions operate in ways that sit badly with the party’s alignment, which means neither one is a comfortable ally.
The party has a few options and none of them are clean. They can take one side’s money and do the job, knowing they’re helping an organization they don’t fully trust. They can attempt to play both factions against each other, collecting information and coin from both while sabotaging neither, which is a high-wire act that falls apart quickly if either faction compares notes. They can refuse both and make two enemies at once, which is its own kind of adventure. Or they can look for a third option, some way to weaken or expose both factions simultaneously, if they can find the leverage to pull it off.
The urban setting does a lot of work here. The factions should feel real, with members the party recognizes, locations they’ve visited, and interests that connect to other things happening in the city. The more embedded both factions are in the party’s existing relationships, the harder every choice becomes. This hook works best when the party cares about the city they’re in, because the consequences of whatever they decide will be visible for a long time afterward.
Party Level: Any. The challenge is social and strategic, not combat-based. Scale the factions’ resources and reach to whatever fits the campaign.
World: Any, but best suited to a larger city
Rules-Set: Any
Note: This can be an underlying theme driving an entire campaign. Many adventures and encounters can be drawn from this well. – SW
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