Template metadata

id: module_heist title: Heist Module type: module_heist level: module purpose: Planning and execution adventure with infiltration, complications, and getaway author: Mimir Team

Module-specific metadata

module_number: 1 theme: “[Theme]” tone: “Thriller” estimated_hours: 6

Catalog references (machine-readable)

monsters:

Heists focus on guards and security, not monsters

• encounter: perimeter_guards name: Guard source: MM quantity: 4 notes: “Exterior patrols”
• encounter: interior_security name: “[Elite Guard Type]” source: MM quantity: 2 notes: “Protect the prize”
• encounter: alarm_response name: Guard source: MM quantity: 6 notes: “Reinforcements if alarm raised”
• encounter: getaway_pursuit name: “[Pursuit Force]” source: MM quantity: 4 notes: “Chase sequence enemies”

npcs:

The mark, crew contacts, and complications

• role: mark name: “[The Mark]” source: campaign location: “[Their Territory]” notes: “The target - wealthy, powerful, dangerous”
• role: contact name: “[The Fixer]” source: campaign location: “Underworld” notes: “Provides the job and intel”
• role: specialist name: “[Hired Expert]” source: campaign location: “Available for hire” notes: “Specialty: [Their skill]”
• role: wild_card name: “[Rival or Insider]” source: campaign location: “[Location]” notes: “Complicates the job”

items:

• location: target_vault name: “[The Prize]” source: campaign quantity: 1 notes: “What they’re stealing”
• location: bonus_loot name: “[Unexpected Treasure]” source: DMG quantity: 1 notes: “Found during heist”

variables:

• name: target_name type: string description: Name of the heist target default: “[Target Name]” required: true
• name: module_number type: number description: Module number in campaign sequence default: 1 required: true

Module {{module_number}}: The {{target_name}} Job

Planning and execution adventure

1. Overview

Pitch: [One sentence describing the heist]

The Score: [What they’re stealing]

The Mark: [Who they’re stealing from]

The Stakes: [What happens if caught]

Estimated Play Time: [X hours - 2 planning, 2-3 execution, 1 aftermath]

The Hook

Who’s Hiring: [The fixer/contact who brings the job]

Why These PCs: [Why they were chosen for this job]

The Payout: [What they get if successful]

The Catch: [Complication or hidden agenda]

Module Structure

[PROPOSITION] → [PLANNING] → [EXECUTION] → [GETAWAY] → [AFTERMATH]
   (hook)        (intel)      (heist)      (escape)    (consequences)

2. The Target

The Prize

What It Is: [Specific item, information, or person]

Current Location: [Where it’s kept - vault, safe, display, etc.]

Why It’s Valuable: [To PCs, to employer, to others]

Who Else Wants It: [Competing interests that might interfere]

The Mark

3. The Location

Overview

Type: [Mansion, vault, fortress, museum, etc.]

Neighborhood: [Surrounding area - rich district, industrial, etc.]

Public Access: [When/if civilians can enter]

Private Hours: [When the mark is present]

Security Layers

Layer 1: Perimeter

Layer 2: Building Exterior

Layer 3: Interior

4. Approach Options

Plan A: Stealth

Entry: [How they get in unseen]

Path to Prize: [Route through building]

Acquisition: [How they get past final barriers]

Exit: [How they escape undetected]

Requirements: [Skills and resources needed]

Risk: [What could go wrong]

Plan B: Deception

Cover Story: [Their pretense for being there]

Entry: [How they’re invited in]

Access to Prize: [How the cover gets them close]

Exit: [How they leave naturally]

Requirements: [Disguises, forged documents, allies]

Risk: [What could expose them]

Plan C: Smash and Grab

Entry Point: [Direct assault method]

Speed Required: [How fast they must move]

Opposition: [Expected resistance]

Exit: [Fighting retreat route]

Requirements: [Combat readiness, escape vehicle]

Risk: [Casualties, witnesses, pursuit]

5. Adventure Content

Part 1: The Proposition

Setup: The PCs are approached with the job

Read Aloud: “[Description of where and how they’re contacted. The fixer’s demeanor. The tension of being offered something dangerous and lucrative.]”

The Pitch:

• What they’re asked to steal
• Why the employer wants it
• What they’ll be paid
• The deadline

Red Flags: [Warning signs about the job - if any]

Negotiation: [What terms can be adjusted]

Outcomes:

• Accept: Move to planning phase
• Decline: [What happens - employer angry? Job goes to rivals?]
• Counter-offer: [Modified terms possible]

Part 2: Planning Phase

Setup: Gathering intel and resources for the job

Read Aloud: “[Description of their planning space - safehouse, tavern back room, etc. The tools and maps spread out. The clock ticking toward the deadline.]”

Intelligence Gathering

Key Intelligence Checklist

• Guard numbers and schedules
• Alarm systems and triggers
• Exact location of prize
• Emergency response protocols
• Hidden defenses

Recruiting Specialists

Part 3: The Heist

Setup: Execution night - everything they planned comes together (or falls apart)

Read Aloud: “[Description of the moment before they commit - the target location at night, the last deep breath, then they move.]”

Phase 1: Infiltration

Encounter: perimeter_guards

Approach Execution:

• [How their chosen plan plays out]
• [First obstacle and how to overcome it]
• [Entering the building proper]

Heat Level: Start at 0

Phase 2: Navigation

Moving Through the Building:

• [Obstacles between entry and prize]
• [Staff to avoid]
• [Checkpoints or barriers]

Potential Complications:

Phase 3: Acquisition

Encounter: interior_security

The Final Barrier:

Read Aloud: “[Description of the vault/safe/display - the prize within reach. The last obstacle between them and success.]”

Overcoming the Barrier:

• [Lock/puzzle/ward to bypass]
• [DC or requirements]
• [Time required]

The Moment of Truth:

• [Taking the prize]
• [Any alarms triggered]
• [Discovery of bonus loot or complications]

Part 4: The Getaway

Setup: They have the prize - now they have to escape

Read Aloud: “[The moment of success - prize in hand. But the night isn’t over. The building looms behind them. Safety is still far away.]”

If Undetected:

Clean Exit:

• [Retracing their entry path]
• [Avoiding discovery of the theft]
• [Getting clear before sunrise]

If Alarm Raised:

Encounter: alarm_response

Fighting Retreat:

• [Combat in confined spaces]
• [Emergency exit routes]
• [Sacrifices and hard choices]

The Chase

Encounter: getaway_pursuit

• [Urban chase mechanics]
• [Obstacles and shortcuts]
• [Losing the pursuers]

Part 5: Aftermath

Setup: The immediate aftermath and long-term consequences

Immediate

Read Aloud: “[The safehouse after the job. The prize on the table. Catching their breath - did they really do it?]”

Fencing the Goods:

• [Meeting the buyer]
• [Getting paid]
• [Any complications with payment]

Laying Low:

• [How long they need to hide]
• [What the mark is doing in response]

Long-Term Consequences

6. Complication Table

Roll when things go too smoothly (d12):

7. Heat Tracking

Heat Level: Track growing awareness during the heist

Actions That Increase Heat:

• Failed stealth check: +1
• Guard eliminated but not hidden: +1
• Alarm triggered: +2
• Explosion or loud combat: +3
• Witness escapes: +2

8. DM Notes

Pacing

• Planning should feel thorough but not endless
• Execution should be tense - dice rolls matter
• Complications should challenge, not destroy plans
• Getaway should be thrilling climax

Player Agency

• Let their plans work (mostly)
• Reward preparation with easier DCs
• Complications from dice, not arbitrary “gotchas”
• Multiple solutions to every obstacle

Tone Variants

• Ocean’s Eleven: Stylish, clever, always a twist
• Heat: Professional, intense, things go wrong
• Pink Panther: Comedic chaos, everything goes wrong hilariously
• Mission Impossible: High-tech, setpieces, last-second saves

Common Pitfalls

• Over-planning: Set a deadline, call for action
• Too easy: Add complications, security surprises
• Too hard: Let clever plans bypass obstacles
• Murder-hobos: Heat system punishes violence

9. Connections

From Previous Module

[How they got connected to this job - past contacts, reputation, favors owed]

To Next Module

[Consequences of the heist - new enemies, new opportunities, what the prize reveals]

Campaign Themes

[How this heist fits larger narrative - factions affected, power shifted]

10. Post-Module Notes

What Happened

• Which approach did they take?
• What complications occurred?
• Clean getaway or messy escape?
• Full payment or complications?

Continuity Notes

[New enemies, allies impressed, reputation changes]

Heat Status

[Are they being hunted? By whom? For how long?]

Status: [Planning / Ready / Active / Complete] Started: [Date] Completed: [Date]