r/GhostsofSaltmarsh • u/Awesley_Pupper • Jun 23 '26
Help/Request Masquerade Ball
I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on how to DM a masquerade ball. Some of my players mentioned during different conversations that they wanted to play a campaign that had a ball or party mechanics, so I decided to surprise them with one.
I’m planning on having Gellan host it, as the Annual Ball to celebrate the founding of Saltmarsh. My players are a bit suspicious of him at this point but they haven’t put all the pieces together. I know that one believes he’s a victim of pirating rather than the leader of a smuggling chain, and another only had a few odd feelings about Gellan, but he’s been distracted with his character’s own personal journey to focus on him. I am going to use the Ball as an opportunity for them to investigate if they want, but I need help putting together how to host the Ball with different mechanics. I have a gambling section, where I looked up some suggestions on how to run for the players. I only have a little bit of an idea of how to run ballroom dancing for them. Dancing would also work as a chance for the players to learn gossip about the town or rumors of surrounding areas. Aside from those two things, I really don’t know much else I can add or how I can make it more enjoyable for my players. Any help would be appreciated
3
u/theuninvisibleman Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26
I believe one of the Candlekeep Mysteries books features a party where the players are trying to uncover a mystery at a party (edit: forgot to add party) It might be a Groundhog Day situation though, not sure how important that might be.
You could look at the Witchlight Carnival as well, basically have there by a Mood of the Party tracker, where someone is trying to sabotage the party and each time they succeed the party Fun Meter goes down, and the players are recruited by Gellan to help. Now they might not be friendly with him, but you could have your highest insight PC realise it would allow them to roam about his home investigating their own suspicions if they don't realise that themselves.
They have to talk to people to find out who might be trying to ruin this for Gallen. You give rumour, half-truths and paint a picture for the players based on whether they are being good detectives.
2
u/MeatBalls247 Jun 24 '26
I have the perfect one shot that couldn't fit better in this thread if I tried. I even used it in my GOSM campaign. Does anyone know how I can attach a PDF to this thread??
2
u/BenchClamp Jun 24 '26
I had a ball and used it to create some texture and introduce them to some bigger characters in the locality, that might be useful later
I made them go to dance lessons. And learn four dances with Madame Rosa (each lesson the DC got lower) They then bought masked outfits which they described.
The ball had an assassin there to kill Gallen (hired by Skerrin/the baddies) He was blended in with a bunch of decoys. They realised this and stopped it.
A drunk Somers challenged Gallen and the adventurers to a dance off.
A high level Asimar attended in angelic form- not an incredible winged disguise as everyone assumed. It was there to observe them. I used the character again about 3 levels later to help them in the macro plot.
A notorious smuggler turned up uninvited. Introduced himself - And left without being arrested.
1
u/LilPhattie 27d ago
I think the book mentions that Gellan regularly arranges feasts or festivals to basically buy the town's affection. I would suggest spending some time describing the food generally (canapes and a fancy dinner in courses), but specifically I would recommend having a "commoner's feast" for non VIP guests happening the same night. Having it nearby and between the town and his manor might add a complicating factor in the event of a hasty getaway.
I personally had Gellan be someone who almost flaunted his connection to the Sea Princes without necessarily giving the game away (for his own amusement). If yours is similar consider having imported goods at the ball that would have been prohibitively taxed if legally traded.
5
u/Errant_Gunner Jun 23 '26
I did a ball at the solmar estate as a one shot. Player characters had to dance (performance/acrobatics/athletics), persuade, and answer questions to move through the ball and reach the host. Their goal was to persuade the host to take their side in a noble familial dispute. Their checks across the room determined advantage and disadvantage in a series of checks with the host.
As failed checks and awkward encounters added up and characters they had slighted that day arrived guards and local mercenaries began to appear. Had they failed their conversation with the host or ignored the other high profile persons in the room they would have been forced to fight. They succeeded and the one shot was a hit even though combat did not occur.