Just Thinking... Desert Fire and a Deadline

Quest Prompt:

A priest named Eurysis seeks a company of adventurers to investigate pillars of arcane fire in the Desert of Brass. Moreover, the party must complete the quest at a specific time, 9 days from now.

I got this prompt from Donjon’s site. I was think when looking at, its really interesting, but 9 days? That seems a bit tight, don’t’cha think?

Traveling alone can eat that mostly up… heck if you happen upon something that distracts you for a moment, that’s more time taken away, right?

Thoughts going through my mind about the distance, how far is the Desert of Brass from any outpost? How long can they survive there with out resupplies.

The idea of pillars of arcane fire is kind of interesting but it needs stakes.

I have questions that run around.

Why does Eurysis care?

Why does he want them gone or investigated?

Who is going to profit if the party fails?

Another Cleric? A rival?

Is someone waiting in the shadows for the party to mess up?

I picture the players hearing this offer in a hot stone courtyard. Eurysis nervous. He will pay well but only for speed. He mentions the nine-day limit like it is sacred. He does not explain why.

That is the hook.

The party can ask him, but he only gives pieces of information and very vague. The less they know, the more they must risk guessing.

I would track every day. I would track each water skin.

A sandstorm comes into play?

That delays them and could put them three days behind. They can push the camels harder. Or give them a choice of they can rob a desert shrine for a shortcut map from rumors they heard along the way. That choice is where the evil slant creeps in. Take the shortcut and desecrate something. Save time but invite consequences.

At the table I imagine this scene:

The group reaches the first pillar. It is blazing blue in the night. The heat warps the air. A group of scavengers waits nearby. They have already looted a traveler’s corpse. The players can fight and slow down. Or bribe. Or leave someone screaming in the sand.

If I run it darker, I would let the deadline mask another truth. Maybe Eurysis needs the party to trigger the fire before a ritual. If they succeed, he profits. If they fail, he blames them and walks away richer anyway. Players start to see this only if they dig too deep.

I also wonder if nine days is too generous?

Yes, this is just random thoughts I have about ideas when I see them.