Heist Module

The template’s metadata:

---
# 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

Aspect	Details
Name	[Full name and title]
Public Face	[How they appear to society]
True Nature	[What they’re really like]
Resources	[Wealth, guards, political power]
Weakness	[Exploitable flaw - schedule, vice, blind spot]
If Crossed	[How they retaliate - ruthless? Legal? Criminal?]

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

Element	Details	Weakness
Physical Barriers	[Walls, fences, gates]	[Gap or vulnerability]
Guards	[Number, equipment, schedule]	[Shift change, blind spot]
Detection	[Alarms, dogs, magic]	[Method to bypass]

Layer 2: Building Exterior

Element	Details	Weakness
Entry Points	[Doors, windows, roof]	[Least defended option]
Surveillance	[Magical, mechanical, patrols]	[Coverage gaps]
Alarms	[Type and triggers]	[Disarm method]

Layer 3: Interior

Element	Details	Weakness
Staff	[Servants, guests, family]	[Routines and blind spots]
Inner Guards	[Elite security near prize]	[Vulnerability]
Final Barrier	[Vault, safe, wards]	[Key, code, or bypass]

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

Method	What They Learn	DC/Cost
Surveillance	Guard schedules, routines	Time + Stealth DC 14
Social Engineering	Staff habits, alarm codes	Deception DC 15
Research	Building plans, history	Investigation DC 12
Bribery	Insider information	100+ GP
Magic	Scrying, divination	Spell slots

Key Intelligence Checklist

Recruiting Specialists

Specialist	Skill	Cost	Loyalty
[Name]	[Locks, forgery, etc.]	[GP or favor]	[Reliable? Might betray?]
[Name]	[Skill]	[Cost]	[Loyalty]

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

Moving Through the Building:

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

Potential Complications:

Trigger	Complication	Heat Increase
Failed stealth	Guard alerted	+1
Wrong door	Encounter unexpected occupant	+1
Time pressure	Rushed action, disadvantage	—

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

Outcome	If Clean Heist	If Messy Heist
Mark’s Response	Doesn’t know who	Hunting them
Law Enforcement	No investigation	Active search
Underworld Rep	Skilled professionals	Dangerous but sloppy
Future Jobs	Better offers	Might be blacklisted

6. Complication Table

Roll when things go too smoothly (d12):

Roll	Complication
1-2	Nothing - smooth sailing
3-4	Minor delay - small obstacle
5-6	Unexpected guard - wrong place/time
7	Rival crew - someone else is here!
8	Changed layout - intel was wrong
9	Double security - special event tonight
10	Alarm triggered - time pressure!
11	Betrayal - inside man flips
12	It’s a trap - they knew you were coming

7. Heat Tracking

Heat Level: Track growing awareness during the heist

Heat	Status	Effects
0	Undetected	Normal security
1-2	Something’s off	Extra patrols, locked doors
3-4	Active searching	Guards investigating areas
5-6	Full alarm	All guards mobilized
7+	Lockdown	No escape, reinforcements called

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]