Long-time SHADIS readers will recognize this feature immediately. Need an off-the-cuff storyline for your RPG campaign? Match the party's current situation to the one described in "Lights," then switch on the "Camera" and drag them into the "Action"!

Not only is this feature back after a short hiatus, but it will also continue regularly -- some readers became quite passionate about it! We encourage that, and would love to see your scenarios. Send them in; there's a good chance they'll be used. Meanwhile, sit back and marvel at the prolific and underhanded Larry Granato, who brings you this month's trio of LCAs.

The Jewelry Store

Lights: The party goes to the jewelry store to sell some of their treasure.

Camera: The jeweler offers unusually low prices for the gems and jewels, and continues dropping the values if the party grumbles or argues.

Action: The person behind the counter is actually a highly-skilled assassin in disguise who killed the real jeweler and was in the process of looting the store when the party came in. If the PCs become Suspicious (a fairly good chance) he will POP into the back room and backstab characters with a poison dagger as they enter, and then try to make his escape.

The Once But Not Future King

Lights: The party is approaching a new town.

Camera: They see a sword in a stone, on which is written "Whosoever pulleth out this sword from this stone is the true-born king." The first character who tries easily pulls it out. There's a sound of trumpets, and within minutes a delegation of elders from the town arrives, bearing royal regalia.

They ask the "true-born king" if he wishes to accept the crown of their constitutional monarchy. If the PC agrees, he's escorted into town and crowned in front of a crowd of cheering townspeople. The elders ask if the new king wants to appoint royal officers (marshal, constable, steward, chancellor, etc.) from among his party; appointees are given heavy golden chains and bejeweled tokens of office.

Action: At the modest palace, an elder remains with the new king to advise him on the laws of the kingdom. The party is supplied with jeweled equipment, fancy armor, and magic items while their own stuff is taken away to be "cleaned" and their money deposited in the royal vaults.

Although they're treated well, they soon learn that the positions of the king and royal officers are purely ceremonial and have no power. In addition, it is treason for them to leave the palace grounds! If they sneak off, no one will stop them, but all the jeweled and golden items turn out to be fakes, and the magic gear is cursed or has only one charge left. If the party decides to abdicate, they're told that all their items and money now belong to the state.

However, the elders are willing to give back most of their stuff if the party promises not to tell anyone about the incident. The party will not be attacked as the townspeople don't believe their scam is worth dying for, but if they're belligerent, they won't see their equipment again.

The Peasants are Revolting

Lights: The party is traveling across an isolated barony.

Camera: A burning village and troop movements are seen in the distance. Investigating the village, they see the corpses of men, women, and children. A pitiful survivor asks for their help, but then a group of mounted knights approaches.

Action: The local baron is putting down a peasant revolt, caused partly by his own callousness. He is not an evil person, but his troops have gotten out of hand and massacred innocents. He will threaten and try to intimidate the PCs, accusing them of being outlaws, consorting with rebels, etc. He really wants to scare them off and cover up the incident. If they're not cowed, he'll offer bribes for their silence. He will only attack if the party refuses cooperation.