So in my campaign I’m planning on the party needing to take on a large gang of bandits to retrieve an important hostage and magic item. However, they are few in both number and level so the gang is a very dangerous threat. The game is a fantasy western theme and the party is level 3.

This gang has been a huge thorn in the side of a local town so I’m thinking of making it so certain important townsfolk can provide aid in the parties attack in exchange for some small favor or side quest. Right now I have a slightly crazed tinkerer who asks the party to loot some nearby wreckage for some magic crystals which he can make explosives out of. Other basic concepts I have are the cowardly deputy who is terrified to fight the gang after witnessing the sheriffs death but might be willing to create a small militia and take out at least a few bandits or make a distraction in exchange for something.

I just wondered if any of you had some fun ideas, I don’t really care too much about how long or complex these quests might be I was planning on this particular section lasting a few sessions.