You probably want to think about what made the Zodiac killer distinctive compared to other murderers. And what is it about evidence in a magical world that makes it different from evidence in the modern one? I ask because killing 37 people before being caught in the modern world is different from doing the same thing in a world with all kinds of magic that can kill people.
There is a quest in Baldur's Gate 2 where you hunt down an actual serial killer in Athkatla, I believe, but I also seem to remember something similar in another nearby town. Check that out for inspiration.
If you're specifying the Zodiac Killer, I guess you want someone that's reaching out to the investigators and taunting them. In my example I'll use Waterdeep, and I'd even suggest using some established plotlines in Dragon Heist where there is a serial killer killing off elves. The killer leaves a grisly scene of a dead elf. The Watch handles it, and they're grim but business as usual. Then there's a couple more killings and suddenly they notice similarities and begin to wonder what's going on. Then the correspondence starts. First its a letter left at a 4th crime scene where he names himself and leaves a riddle of some kind. The riddle leaves the Watch confused. The PC's can solve the riddle and it leads them to location (library, tavern or something) that features an ancient painting depicting elves killed in a similar manner to the victims. Another killing or two happens, and it provides similar revelations. Eventually the PC or NPC behind the killings does the unthinkable, and makes a Sending spell contacting the most public investigator (PC or NPC).
You send a short message of twenty-five words or less to a creature with which you are familiar. The creature hears the message in its mind, recognizes you as the sender if it knows you, and can answer in a like manner immediately. The spell enables creatures with Intelligence scores of at least 1 to understand the meaning of your message.
The recipient does not recognize the killer, and any response the investigator gives is not answered.
That's just some random brain dumps for how I'd do it. I think I would run my version of your idea with the killer's identity being unimportant. I'd just make him some low level nobody and let the killer's actions guide the players to his capture, rather than requiring actual fruitful analysis of clues to reveal the identity (but I'd be willing to let them surprise me!). For a plot like that, I'd have it be railroaded but conceal the fact and make it seem like they cracked the case before you expected them to.
how about I add a plot point where a portal opens and a detective from the San Fransico police department comes out after a ritual to get help, examines the letters, and determines that the san Francisco Zodiac killer is the same as the Zodiac Killer that the PCs are trying to catch?
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The most modern serial killer case that baffled police and investigators alike and Zodiac claimed to have killed 37 people in total.
What do you recommend for this adventure module and what monsters are perfect for this adventure?
You probably want to think about what made the Zodiac killer distinctive compared to other murderers. And what is it about evidence in a magical world that makes it different from evidence in the modern one? I ask because killing 37 people before being caught in the modern world is different from doing the same thing in a world with all kinds of magic that can kill people.
There is a quest in Baldur's Gate 2 where you hunt down an actual serial killer in Athkatla, I believe, but I also seem to remember something similar in another nearby town. Check that out for inspiration.
If you're specifying the Zodiac Killer, I guess you want someone that's reaching out to the investigators and taunting them. In my example I'll use Waterdeep, and I'd even suggest using some established plotlines in Dragon Heist where there is a serial killer killing off elves. The killer leaves a grisly scene of a dead elf. The Watch handles it, and they're grim but business as usual. Then there's a couple more killings and suddenly they notice similarities and begin to wonder what's going on. Then the correspondence starts. First its a letter left at a 4th crime scene where he names himself and leaves a riddle of some kind. The riddle leaves the Watch confused. The PC's can solve the riddle and it leads them to location (library, tavern or something) that features an ancient painting depicting elves killed in a similar manner to the victims. Another killing or two happens, and it provides similar revelations. Eventually the PC or NPC behind the killings does the unthinkable, and makes a Sending spell contacting the most public investigator (PC or NPC).
The recipient does not recognize the killer, and any response the investigator gives is not answered.
That's just some random brain dumps for how I'd do it. I think I would run my version of your idea with the killer's identity being unimportant. I'd just make him some low level nobody and let the killer's actions guide the players to his capture, rather than requiring actual fruitful analysis of clues to reveal the identity (but I'd be willing to let them surprise me!). For a plot like that, I'd have it be railroaded but conceal the fact and make it seem like they cracked the case before you expected them to.
how about I add a plot point where a portal opens and a detective from the San Fransico police department comes out after a ritual to get help, examines the letters, and determines that the san Francisco Zodiac killer is the same as the Zodiac Killer that the PCs are trying to catch?