A review copy of “Paladin Lost” was provided by the publisher. Find more DMs Guild Reviews on my website and YouTube channel.
Support my work by using my affiliate links and pledging via Patreon.
Designed by: Casey Cooley
Paladin Lost is a classically-designed murder-mystery adventure. There’s no level range provided — it’s completely combat-free, instead focusing heavily on NPC interactions and investigations around a noble’s manor.
The relatively short mini-adventure takes place in Golcrest, and surrounds the upcoming marriage of two young nobles, Levi Drest and Serena Archgate.
Several adventure hooks bring the party to Ardwyn Keep to help with the event. But during a dinner at the keep, the young lord is murdered. Naturally the random player-mercenaries are surely the best and most trustworthy folks to solve the case!
The investigation portion of the adventure is decently compelling. The adventure provides a full color map of the 12-room keep. The area is filled with important clues and information, as well as a few important NPCs to interrogate.
Unfortunately the relatively short story hinges on a single twist. Most of the clues will point to the obvious killer: the Lord’s trusted guard and paladin, Firion. Firion is also a former assassin and a Bhaal worshipper — all kinds of red flags!
Firion was actually attacked by the assassin’s as well, and though he gave chase, ultimately succumbed to his wounds. He’s supposed to be blamed for the attack by the real orchestrator, the father of the bride, who’s so insulted after learning the young lord is a bastard son that he hired contract killers.
The players will have to do some serious digging to reveal the true culprit and not simply blame Firion, leading to an anticlimactic ending regardless.
The mystery lacks interesting events or triggered moments to propel the story forward, and fails to introduce any new complications. And we never get an actual follow-up to the assassins themselves; they simply get away with it.
The quest ends after gathering clues and evidence and presenting them to the lord. It’s disappointingly simple, straightforward, and boring after a decently compelling start.
On the plus side, the presentation and art components are top notch, including the Ardwyn Keep map, along with several lovely handouts and art pieces for clues and NPCs.
Pros:
- Easy-to-run mystery with plenty of NPCs to interrogate and clues to discover.
- Full color battle map of Ardwyn Keep.
- Detailed NPCs with gorgeous sketch art.
Cons:
- Lacks interesting complications and events.
- Underwhelming ending.
The Verdict: Paladin Lost is a short, social-heavy Whodunnit murder mystery that starts strong but fails to stick the landing.
A review copy of “Paladin Lost” was provided by the publisher. Find more DMs Guild Reviews on my website and YouTube channel.
Support my work by using my affiliate links and pledging via Patreon.
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