How to do a one shot right??
So I’m running CoS but have had to do a few one shots in between when some players couldn’t make it but the rest wanted to play DnD, no problem!
But I find it really hard to write a one shot that is started and tied up in the same session (usually around 3-4 hours) I either feel I’m putting too much in and it drags OR feel I’m just skimming a story that won’t have any weight. No idea how best to get a good balance.
For example I have started prepping last night and the story will be;
• new characters all are kind 10ish years old or so and they are in a new town brought by their parents for whatever reason
• they walk aimlessly until they meet Rick an older cool kid wizard who gets them to do some prank or steal
• he then dares them to go to the abandoned orphanage at the edge of town
• as soon as they all enter all the doors & windows slam shut & Rick transforms into an older man (creepy, tall rotten teeth etc.) the old master of the orphanage (Rickton)
• He wants to punish them for being “Evil children”. as they walk through the building they see flashbacks of the abuse he put the children through & he will periodically appear fight them & disappear (beating them every time)
• there will be the Ghost of a Nun appearing to heal them ( a lady who loved the children & tried to protect them from the Headmaster)
that’s all I’ve got so far. the idea was to make them young kids to make them feel weak and actually be scared of the Headmaster master (Rickton) as well as him being OP.
My idea is to have them solve puzzles fight Rickton as they go until eventually they level up & the Nun steps in to help them finally beat him and escape/ destroy the old orphanage.
This just doesn’t feel up to snuff but not sure if I’m being too critical.
Ps. All players have asked for creepy & grim story