Please Help me build a job board

[Doc_Pippin1]

So I am running a 3.5 game and I want to make a Job/Work board with all kinds of bounties and other work offered styled posters. I was hoping to get help with a few things:

Firstly, ideas for types of work. So far I have Wanted, Monster bounties, Missing Persons, Adventurers wanted, & Lost item/pet posters. What other types of work posters could I have?

Secondly, I actually want to print them out so my players can physically see and keep the posters but I want them to look appropriate for the setting, any help finding templates, generators, or anything really would be appreciated.

Lastly, Any particularly interesting specific jobs/quests/bounties/ect that you wouldn't mind me stealing and adding to the job board would be greatly appreciated as it would save me some time.

[Koo Rehtorb]

Adventurers Wanted is a fairly broad category that you could probably break down further.

Caravan Guards, Exterminating Dangerous "Wildlife" (actual and monster variety), Terrain Surveying (in a largely unmapped frontier).

[Doc_Pippin1]

I like your ideas, especially the Exterminating Dangerous Wildlife one, thanks

[JeenLeen]

One question to ask yourself: do you want this to include just jobs that are appropriate for the PCs' level, or also easy jobs or (for them) suicide missions?

IF your players would enjoy the verisimilitude and not take it as a "okay to do this" cue from the DM -- and from stories I hear, such are few -- you could have a posting for something like slaying the dragon that lives in the nearby mountains, with a reward that is outrageous for the PC level.
Likewise, you could have some cheap jobs for stuff like killing rats or getting rid of some goblin bandits. (Such is a great mission if level 1, but stinks at level 5-10 (unless it's more than it seems.))

One twist could be a bounty for someone, but the person pleads (either honestly or not) that they are innocent and it's just that they offended some noble, hence the bounty. Potential bonus if the falsely accused is another adventurer who was just doing stuff the PCs tend to do.

Some general ideas: seeking rare artifacts or books (not magical loot, just ancient civilization) in ruins, assisting town guard with prison escort or a raid against nearby monsters/evil humanoids/bandits, just wiping out the aforementioned by yourself.
If in a shady bar or a thieves' guild contact, acquiring objects from others in town could be a poster. I could see a general poster in a bar that just alludes to the job, and you get the illegal details when you meet the contacts. Similarly, a nobleman might indirectly post a job for 'a specific task done with discretion' that they want done by expendable PCs with no connection to them; if your players have ever played Shadowrun, calling him Duke Johnson might give a particular fear.

[Doc_Pippin1]

Verisimilitude... That is an excellent word! And I had planned on having a great multitude of jobs for all levels, my players are generally cautious when undertaking quests (rightfully so as they used to die a lot)

That's why I wanted physical paper bounties so they could hold onto them until they are ready or they could try to undertake harder missions if they felt bold enough

I also wanted to have several job boards available, one open at the thieves guild for our two rogues, one at a temple for church jobs, one at the tavern/inn, and maybe one at a public service building for government sanctioned jobs and maybe a few other faction specific boards to reward the players for joining groups or exploring organizations and towns

another idea I had was to have a couple old bounties that have been completed already but no one took the post down sending them on a wild goose chase, rival bounty hunters competing with or even attacking the party to steal the bounties, and the BBEG will use anonymous bounties to trick the players into helping him several times so every time they do one of his fetch quests they are bringing him new magic items or when they do one of his bounties they are eliminating his competition. I like linking these side quests to the main quest line every once in a while.

[daniel_ream]

Look up old Westerns. D&D has more in common in its setting assumptions with the Western than epic high fantasy, anyway.

You've covered the usual categories that are interesting (I doubt any PC is going to be interested in taking a job getting paid a few coppers a day to lay roads through the wilderness) but you could look at things like the old TV series Have Gun, Will Travel. People come to Paladin because he advertises, but you could easily flip the situation around.

There have been dozens of shows that follow this formula (The Equalizer, Stingray, The A-Team) but Have Gun, Will Travel was the first and you won't have to change the setting much.

I actually want to print them out so my players can physically see and keep the posters but I want them to look appropriate for the setting

You'll have to decide what's "appropriate for the setting". If printing presses are a thing then they'll look different than if they have to be written by hand. I know there are blank WANTED posters on DTRPG in a Western style; you may be able to find more fantasy-styled ones. The level of literacy will also affect the posters; if much of the population is highly literate, they'll be worded and spelled correctly; if the population is semi-literate they'll be in a form of pidgin with words spelled phonetically; and if the populace is largely illiterate they'll be worded and spelled correctly again because people who want to post an ad will hire a scribe to write it.

[CowardlyPaladin]

"Wanted, Brave Adventurers to help retrieve my lost Ninjas, they escaped during a storm, and I can't find them. They are 7 of them and they all look like ___________________________________
will be willing to pay in return.
Regards
Ninja Trainer Haro

[Dr paradox]

Missing persons are also a good category, maybe throw up a posting by a historian looking for the great narratives of the day, I know my players like feeling like their legend is being chronicled.

Try including ads and flyers from local businesses, maybe even targeted at the particular job boards. "New Shipment of Grappling Hooks, low low price, limited time, only at Abdullah's Emporium!" "Friars - Freshen Up! Half off on shaves and haircuts at Gertruda's with the presentation of a holy symbol!" "New Litter of pups. Not pure-breed, but good hunting stock. Talk to Saul, by the tannery."

Even if it's stuff the players probably won't follow up on, it's a good way to characterize the town and add more life. The Witcher games are really good at this.

[DJroboninja]

WANTED

Do you desire excitement? Are you driven to overcome challenges? Do you enjoy thinking "outside of the box"?

If you said yes to any of the above, come down to Thomas Rapp Security Solutions! We are rolling out a new series of mechanized security measures for home and business use, and we need daring, adventurous souls to help us test their effectiveness!

Inquire at the front desk -- just sign a waiver freeing Rapp Security from any and all responsibility and provide the information of your next of kin!

-----//-----

I WANT TO PAY YOU TO PAINT ME!

My name is Lady Marjorie Pymrave and I am looking for a talented young artist to paint a nude portrait of me while I am still young and beautiful -- I am paying top platinum for anyone who can capture my beauty on the canvas for all eternity.

Paint, supplies, and canvas will be provided -- wear comfortable clothing (no armor!) and please come alone! I look forward to meeting you!

-----//-----

ARE YOU BRAVE ENOUGH TO SEEK OUT THE BLADE OF LAVENDER LAKE?

Decades ago, the brave Ser Wilhelm was laid to rest on the waters of Lavender Lake, near his childhood home. Hero to many, he was set out onto the waters and given a warrior's funeral as his boat was set aflame by a flaming arrow fired by his eldest son.

Everyone knows this story. But did you know that Ser Wilhelm was set adrift along with his magical sword, Dragontongue!? My name is Arthur Mikkelsbane, and I am mounting an expedition to retrieve Dragontongue from the murky, dangerous waters of Lavender Lake, and I want you to help me!

If successful, you will be entitled to a share of Ser Wilhelm's funeral gold, and I will let you swing Dragontongue one full swing! Inquire at Castle Mikkelsbane, must provide own adventuring equipment!

-----//-----

tl;dr - Testing out traps for gold, Going to a woman who is obviously totally not a vampire's house for gold, or desecrating the resting place of a hero for gold.

[Vlos]

What you can do to make it easier for yourself.

Create "base" monster or foe
Then create encounter.
The create multiple job postings, which just minor differences (monster type/name/etc). Then you can use the one foe and encounter regardless of what job posting they choose. this will cut down on having to spec out all the different adventures.

[LibraryOgre]

Secondly, I actually want to print them out so my players can physically see and keep the posters but I want them to look appropriate for the setting, any help finding templates, generators, or anything really would be appreciated.

For this, I'd suggest simple Microsoft Publisher. They have pre-loaded templates, and you can make flyers from there. Varying fonts for different handwriting would help, and a couple hand-written ones for anything weird.

[Doc_Pippin1]

Missing persons are also a good category, maybe throw up a posting by a historian looking for the great narratives of the day, I know my players like feeling like their legend is being chronicled.

Try including ads and flyers from local businesses, maybe even targeted at the particular job boards. "New Shipment of Grappling Hooks, low low price, limited time, only at Abdullah's Emporium!" "Friars - Freshen Up! Half off on shaves and haircuts at Gertruda's with the presentation of a holy symbol!" "New Litter of pups. Not pure-breed, but good hunting stock. Talk to Saul, by the tannery."

Even if it's stuff the players probably won't follow up on, it's a good way to characterize the town and add more life. The Witcher games are really good at this.

OHHH I like this... I really like this idea

[hifidelity2]

For this, I'd suggest simple Microsoft Publisher. They have pre-loaded templates, and you can make flyers from there. Varying fonts for different handwriting would help, and a couple hand-written ones for anything weird.

I have used this and then taken the paper torn it a bit and then "painted" tea over it to make it look old

[Storm_Of_Snow]

A mage or alchemist looking for someone to go and bring them back some herbs or other ingredients/material components.

If there's regions that are unmapped, either someone to go and map part of it, or to make sure someone else survives to carry out that task. Or someone wants people to protect a new settlement being built in an unexplored/untamed region - at least until they've got defensive structures and guards themselves.

I like the idea for random mundane things as well - I'd also throw in things like announcements around hunting seasons, marriage banns, funerals, decrees from the ruler/local noble/settlement leader/local reglious leader/whoever, farmers planning when they're going to harvest their crops so they can organise people to help, dates and details of market days and festivals ("the maypole will be on the village green, Farmer Harry's donating the ox for the evening roast, but we still need people to collect the firewood, and villagers are to be on the lookout for any itinerant troubadours, given the Mayor's daughter gave birth last month thanks to last years entertainers") and so on.

There might also be one or two notices that are in code or containing code phrases - whether they're from an evil cult trying to promote the rise of their master and the ensuing end of the world or the local kids organising an apple scrumping expedition is entirely up to you.

[JeenLeen]

I think in Libris Mortis, there was a sample flyer evangelizing the church of Nerull (or some evil death god, might've been the goddess of undying love.) It was actually done really cool, talking about becoming undead in secretive ways that would appeal to the masses, like "freedom from the burdens of hunger" and "raising above the common man".

A flyer like that could be just window dressing for the setting, but could also be taken as a plot hook to look into a cult that is forming. Bonus points if the PCs try to save members from the cult who are dupped by it (including possibly under Charm spells) while taking out the leader of the cult.
Likewise, could combine with a poster by a scared parent saying it's a missing child, but when the PCs talk to them, they say they think their kid (actually a teenager) went to one of those church meetings and never came back.

[lukitux]

How about bounties? Stuff like:
-a bounty on bandit leader, to be brought in to capitain of the guard
-a wizard put a bounty on a rival wizard, extra reward if his spell book is brought back intact
-a bounty on a thief who no one knows the identity of. Just a reward for whoever actually stole the diamond
-a very high reward for the capture of a person who died 500 years ago
-a bounty on the current mayors pet (some kind of monster) to be captured alive and delivered to one of the people running for mayor against him
-a bounty on mr. Robinson, paid for by mrs. Robinson
-a bounty on mrs. Robinson, paid for by me. Robinson
-a bounty on the local duke with a really low reward

[Joe the Rat]

"The (insert local ruler's army) is looking for information regarding the recent bandit raids on the high trade road. [[payment]] for numbers, locations, or other intelligence..."
The trick here being they are not asking for clearing the bandits, but information so the guards can do it. This can be good for throwing a larger-than-they-can-handle troupe of raiders into the mix (experience for seeing, and returning), side money for something they may have already noted (a related random encounter), or an opportunity to practice reading comprehension. Best for a party with good reconnaissance capabilities.

Highwood Mill is looking for guards for the black river lumber camp... a semi-mobile caravan guard type job, more to put them into a location to discover other quests, or to get them into the woods to pick up jobs from those less inclined to make posts - elves or crazy old hermits needing help with clearing out a bunch of spiders, lumber teams going missing due to spiders, spiders complaining about the hag in the fens that keeps stealing their webbing... or possibly something not spider related.

Honeypot jobs: Looking for stalwarts to investigate rumors regarding a crypt/ruin/wizard tower/other location thought to be stocked with treasure, but actually a lure to acquire bodies for consumption/sacrifice/experimentation/reanimation/vellum. Looks older than most, locals whisper about it being too dangerous, or how someone they knew had disappeared trying to do it.

For this, I'd suggest simple Microsoft Publisher. They have pre-loaded templates, and you can make flyers from there. Varying fonts for different handwriting would help, and a couple hand-written ones for anything weird.

Depending on your setting, "handwritten" may mean taken down by a scribe. The more impressive or "official" (from local rulers, for example), the more you want to get into calligraphy and "fancy" fonts vs. handwriting (mistral is my preferred "cursive" font). If you are feeling ornery, put together a couple of off-language scripts (symbol/runic) for Dwarven/elven/goblin/draconic/primordial bounties - Futhark or Skaven, for example. With an alternate copy or translation printed on the reverse if someone can read said language.

Also consider looking for or creating a stamp/seal for certain "official" offers - anything put up by a temple, or noble house, or wealthy merchant, or anything Dwarven.

[LibraryOgre]

Depending on your setting, "handwritten" may mean taken down by a scribe. The more impressive or "official" (from local rulers, for example), the more you want to get into calligraphy and "fancy" fonts vs. handwriting (mistral is my preferred "cursive" font). If you are feeling ornery, put together a couple of off-language scripts (symbol/runic) for Dwarven/elven/goblin/draconic/primordial bounties - Futhark or Skaven, for example. With an alternate copy or translation printed on the reverse if someone can read said language.

Also consider looking for or creating a stamp/seal for certain "official" offers - anything put up by a temple, or noble house, or wealthy merchant, or anything Dwarven.

By "handwritten" I meant "written by hand by the OP", not any particular font.

[Beleriphon]

http://witcher.wikia.com/wiki/The_Wi...e_to_Contracts

The Witcher games have some delightful contracts. Given the nature of the games the vast majority of them are about killing beasts, but some of them can be spun for D&D into a variety of end results without too much trouble. Just go with the here's something bothering us, go find it and stop it. The important part is to probably take inspiration from either the name of the contract/quest or maybe the initial impetus for the villagers requesting them.

[Joe the Rat]

By "handwritten" I meant "written by hand by the OP", not any particular font.

I was talking about the "handwriting" fonts - different printing fonts for different authors. Formal writing - as by a professional scrivener - will look for consistency, and have more in common with the fancy serif fonts than the script and "calligraphy" ones. Don't be afraid of a little Old English and Parchment (or Alchemy and Avalon Quest for more eccentric styles) in your in-game-by-hand notices.

[Doc_Pippin1]

So a very late follow up, with the assistance of a friend and fellow gamer, I have managed to make a dozen or so different styles of modifiable poster templates (using publisher as suggested) If anyone has any suggestions or would like the editable publisher versions please feel free to speak up. We also created a beautiful official document template for deeds and title documents for when the players are rewarded with lands or noble titles.

Just a quick example of one of the wanted posters

Spoiler

Show

The bottom middle is stamped with a wax seal I bought on Amazon and the bottom corner circles are blank but easily filled with other seals or emblems as wanted

[Doc_Pippin1]

Bump so I can post images

[Doc_Pippin1]

Bump 2 image needed boogaloo

[Doc_Pippin1]

Bump three this feels unnecessary

[Doc_Pippin1]

Bump four I shouldn't need more

[braveheart]

Bounty:50 silver MY NO GOOD CHEATING HUSBAND AND THE SKANK HE'S SLEEPING WITH reward is per head inquire with Mrs. [NAME] for details


Dept collectors required, report to sheriff [NAME] for authorization and further instruction.


ADVENTURERS WANTED, DO YOU LIKE ADVENTURE! EXCITEMENT! LOVE! YOU CAN FIND ALL THESE THINGS BY JOINING SIR [NAME]'S EXPEDITION INTO THE DOOMLANDS! pay is negotiable, your safety is not guaranteed and payment will be given upon return to surviving members of the expedition.

[AceOfFools]

Something the equivalent of apperance fees. Rich people who want to have powerful adventure-types to hang out at their parties because they tell good stories, and hey, they can be nice friends to have if things get dangerous.

It can even be viewed as a form of patronage. "Have you engaged in great heroics? Lord Uberriche wants to hear your story. Gold and fine wine to be provided to real heroes." Now Lord Uberriche can claim that he helps supports the herors that keep people safe, and thus you really should pay your taxes.