Fantasy RPG Plot Hooks/Urban/I Wasn't Surprised, I Saw Behind The Screen
From Create Your Own Story
I Wasn't Surprised, I Saw Behind The Screen
A trusted NPC ally is up to something. He may be spotted handing over money to one of the town's shadier residents, or overheard conspiring with prominent and reputable folks who all quickly shut up or change the subject when the PCs are nearby. Sneaking around in the middle of the night. Trying to keep the party from going to their normal hangouts like the local tavern or temple for spurious reasons that he doesn't care about after a minute or two.
He's actually planning a surprise party for the heroes to celebrate their latest accomplishment. He'll be as subtle as he can when hiring entertainment and arranging a venue, but there are bound to be a few hints that are let slip. If questioned he'll vehemently deny being up to anything at all, though he's not a very good liar.
If you know your group well, and anyone can be trusted to keep a secret, and they're already clearly suspicious. He might, just might let one of them in on the plan ahead of time. Away from the other guys who can't keep their mouths shut, he could reveal where and when the party is taking place to ask for assistance keeping the group away during preparation and bringing them there once it's ready. Be careful with this though, if not handled carefully it can ruin the surprise.
When the party is finally ready will the heroes be willing to follow this “trusted ally" into a darkened pub, with dozens of people hiding in the shadows, without doing anything rash before their friends all yell “Surprise!” and jump out? The real surprise comes when they realise their trusted friend who acted suspiciously didn't actually betray them. So as long as no one committed an embarrassing social faux pas, such as accidentally decapitating the party planner with a battleax, everyone should have a grand old time and get to take a break from the constant tension of adventuring.
