November is upon us again, which means it's time to release a new evergreen mission for the latest crop of wide-eyed Pathfinder Society agents. These low-level, replayable scenarios are designed for new players and veteran players alike. For new players, they include context and pointers for the PCs on a level that would feel out of place in a 1-5 scenario, with 5th level characters receiving advice meant for trainees. They are evergreen, tied to the Pathfinder Society's mission as a whole, so they stay relevant and focus on the information that is useful background regardless of the season. For our most prolific players, replayable scenarios are a way to bring characters through level 1 without expending the limited resource of scenarios they have not yet played. We expect that some people will play an evergreen scenario many times, and so it's important that we make sure that the scenario has surprises in store for people on their 5th playthrough. The replayable scenarios have randomized elements and other GM options to introduce variety and support multiple approaches that the PCs might take. With each replayable scenario (including this month's new release), we've increased the number of ways that the GM and players can customize their experience. My favorite part of evergreen scenarios is the way that they bring new players and experienced players together. Anyone can grab a first level pregen, pull up a chair, and join in.
People often ask how the "replayable" part of replayable scenarios works. If you were wondering that too, check out the spoiler below.
Replay Rules for 1-2 Evergreen Scenarios
A player can play a replayable scenario an unlimited number of times with 1st-level characters, and once with a 2nd-level character. Similarly, a GM can apply credit for a running a replayable scenario multiple times to as many of her 1st-level characters as she likes, and she can apply credit to a 2nd-level character once.
Our first replayable scenarios were the scenarios of the First Steps trilogy. With the shake-ups to the factions that have happened since then, the First Steps trilogy became a bit dated, and there was widespread sentiment that three scenarios was a bit long for our spotlight introduction to the game. That being said, we have heard the feedback that people would like to see First Steps Parts 2 and 3 unretired, and we are looking into that idea as a team.
Two years ago, we released The Confirmation, a mission that takes trainee Pathfinders out of the heart of Absalom on a journey to prove themselves that is far too dangerous for one agent to handle alone. The following year, we released a new 1-2 evergreen scenario, The Wounded Wisp. In the Wounded Wisp, the PCs travel all over Absalom to unlock a mystery from the Society's earliest years. In the process, they uncover information that is particularly relevant to a story arc in Season 6.
To keep this scenario fresh, we've released an update
The update is to the secret journals that the PCs uncover at the end of the adventure, which reveals some of the secrets of an upcoming Season 7 scenario. We know that some people may prefer to use the existing handout to foreshadow events in Season 6, so rather than replacing the handout in the scenario itself, we've added a new file to the scenario download that includes both the Season 6 information and the Season 7 information. We will be updating this handout each season with more secrets for your beginning Pathfinders to discover.
This month's new evergreen, the The Consortium Compact, pits the PCs against one of the Society's time-honored rivals—the Aspis Consortium. With the help of insider information, the PCs have the chance to pull the rug out from under the Aspis and stop them from carrying out a reprehensible plot.
In the comments below, tell us about your favorite first introduction of a new character to the Pathfinder Society! Be sure to include spoiler tags as needed.
I agree with Dragodorn. I would like to see First steps part 2 and 3 un retired. I liked how they showed a city adventure, a dungeon crawl, and a wilderness adventure.
Hah, I just ran this yesterday and kind of tripped over myself because I forgot what was in the last handout, used the Harbingers for the final ambush, and made a bunch of references to The Sky Key Solution. The effort to make this one more timely is much appreciated!
Wouldn't mind seeing First Steps 2 back, it's a decent dungeon crawl. OTOH, the series overall (part 1 especially) spends too much focus on the factions which mostly don't exist as described anymore. (And can't be as easily "patched" as you have here with Wounded Wisp.)
Also, while you're looking into the starting scenarios, any chance of fixing a couple errors in The Confirmation? Specifically:
a) Correcting the name of the bar in the beginning (I believe it's been stated that it should actually be the Wounded Wisp); and
b) Adding Uori's wand to the chronicle sheet. (shield of faith, CL 6th, 10 charges)
Thanks Joe (it's been awhile since I played/looked at DD)!
Also, Linda, thank you for the rule clarification! Based on past Guide(s) to Organized Play, I had always assumed that the level 2 thing was once ever, not once playing *and* once GMing! There's more I can play for credit now - huzzah! :)
a) Correcting the name of the bar in the beginning (I believe it's been stated that it should actually be the Wounded Wisp);
On the flip side of that, I'm hoping there's a third bar vying for the title introduced in the newest evergreen.
As a Pathfinder and devotee of Cayden Cailean, I feel it is my duty to thoroughly investigate all of these claims by bars. If the Society should choose to bankroll my investigation, even better! First round's on Valsin!
Is it possible that first steps will be updated to utilise the new factions? In honesty, I've not looked at parts two or three, but would it cause any issue if the lantern/shadow lodge missions were omitted or reskinned?
Crypt of the Everflame is a fun one to use for new players to PFS. Its a bit long, but its a fun grind and has some cool challenges. Also has the advantage of dropping them off at lvl 2.
Emerald Spire 1 is very common in my area for quick leveling to 2. It's gotten to the point where it's cleared in two hours. I'd like anything to allow more variety to the 1-2 options just to see less emerald spire.
Emerald Spire 1 is very common in my area for quick leveling to 2. It's gotten to the point where it's cleared in two hours. I'd like anything to allow more variety to the 1-2 options just to see less emerald spire.
I'd rather see the XP for this module set to 1, as this is clearly abuse.
2 Abandoned and forgotten quests
Ambush in Absalom
Urge to Evolve
Actually, I discovered a quest the other day that I don't think got much attention when it was released. It's called Fane of Fangs, and it seems to have quietly been released during Season 6.
Very excited about the possibility of the return of First Steps 2 & 3.
Linda Zayas-Palmer wrote:
In the comments below, tell us about your favorite first introduction of a new character to the Pathfinder Society! Be sure to include spoiler tags as needed.
Most Fun Intro to PFS (PFS# 03-21):
For love of killing gnomes:
The best was probably my first PFS game. My girlfriend and another friend of ours who had tried PFS once but didn't have a great time with it let me talk them into coming out.
He was somehow unaware of my unending hatred of gnomes.
Our first game was Temple of Empyreal Enlightenment, GM'd by the wholly awesome Colin Webster and the introduction of some fun rp between our characters which has continued through into our current Eyes of the Ten games... playing my void wizard talking to the paladin...
Void Wizard: Kill the gnome!
Paladin: I can't just kill him (paraphrased), he may not be evil.
Void Wizard: you're a paladin, detect evil on him and then let's kill him
Paladin player to GM: Detecting evil
GM: oh, yeah, evil
Me: now can we kill him?!
Paladin player OOP to me: I didn't tell you the result
Me: it's a gnome, I know the result of COURSE it's evil
That game sold me on PFS. Gnome killing, good challenge, introducing others to the fun of gnome killing, fun rp, and playing with awesome people. All the things that I love about gaming.
I am now the store coordinator for that store and the guy playing the paladin just got his 5th star and we're now one game away from finishing Eyes with those same characters...
I applaud the idea of updating Wounded Wisp every year like this. Adds a lot more customization to the scenario, which can be very handy for GMs/ coordinators who want to get things lined up a certain way for players.
Good job, PFS team.
JohnF
Venture-Captain, California—San Francisco Bay Area South & West
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I wouldn't have thought Fane of Fangs was replayable.
Clarification on that would be good. Both Ambush in Absalom and Urge to Evolve are repayable and contain tiers above 1-2. A lot has changed with Quests since they were released, though, so it's entirely possible Fane of Fangs was not meant to be replayable.
I'm hoping First Steps 2 and 3 are re-released with just changes to the faction stuff. I always liked those two adventures. It helps that First Steps 3 was actually the first PFS scenario I ever played.
But about that adventure, I have to ask: Did anyone ever have a group that didn't choose Crazy Old Tanner? The usual response I saw from players in that one was "You had me at 'crazy'".
In honesty, I've not looked at parts two or three, but would it cause any issue if the lantern/shadow lodge missions were omitted or reskinned?
Shadow Lodge - very little. In Part 3, the faction provides some information that could just as easily be imparted by one of the more outdoorsy VCs or Seeker NPCs. This might even help with the periodic "which faction should my druid join" question.
Part 2 might be better extensively rewritten to remove reference to the factions, maybe taking it out of the series by retitling it 8-X Sword of the Kirin or some such (though it would be a pity to lose the current title). Amara Li's personal interests are integral, but neither Andoran nor Qadira's approach have impressed players at the tables I've seen and we don't need a second Exchange mission.
I like this update, and I do hope first steps 2 and 3 become legal again. For most people locally, including myself, they'd be brand new.
I wonder if it would be possible to include a 1-2 page addition, like the one Wounded Wisp is getting here, with updated speeches. Even in part 1, some of the speeches are quite out of touch with their modern incarnations (especially Zarta's) even though the missions themselves still work well.
May I add a voice in favour of the return of first steps all parts to be made tier 1-2 . An update to the faction blurbs in part 3 would also be welcome. Or is that an opportunity to hand out faction cards?
Yeah this isn't the first time it's been mentioned that you could do that. The system often warns that the player has played it before but it's always been that way AFAIK. I know I've been doing it that way since first steps.
Clarification on that would be good. Both Ambush in Absalom and Urge to Evolve are repayable and contain tiers above 1-2. A lot has changed with Quests since they were released, though, so it's entirely possible Fane of Fangs was not meant to be replayable.
I'm not in a position right now to do the legwork, but it has been clarified in the past that 0xp Quests are replayable with the normal 1 chronicle sheet per PC rule still in effect.
Is the restriction on applying an Evergreen credit to a 2nd level character for Standard and Core separate? For instance, if I've gotten credit for The Confirmation with a 2nd level Standard character, can I play it again for credit with a 2nd level Core character?
Wasn't sure if Core and Standard are effectively firewalled off as completely different games or not.
Is the restriction on applying an Evergreen credit to a 2nd level character for Standard and Core separate? For instance, if I've gotten credit for The Confirmation with a 2nd level Standard character, can I play it again for credit with a 2nd level Core character?
Wasn't sure if Core and Standard are effectively firewalled off as completely different games or not.
Separate. So you could get 5 different level 2 confirmation credits...
Does Grand Convocation count as an intro? My character-1 had just reached second level. Since level 1 was a PbP, GM credit & goblins, this was the first time I got to 'play' my character. I wish the Grand Convocation were less complicated to pull off. :)
Otherwise, probably Silent Tides, one combat had an area-affecting option which was fun to mess around with. We also got to city hop through Absalom (new to me at the time), and of course the Grandmaster introduction meant I kept harking back to it through my career. This character is at 11 finally, so I may even get to visit the Torch again. :)
Does Grand Convocation count as an intro? My character-1 had just reached second level. Since level 1 was a PbP, GM credit & goblins, this was the first time I got to 'play' my character. I wish the Grand Convocation were less complicated to pull off. :)
Have we talked about this before? Cause the GC4712 was my second table and first GM experience in organized play. :)
Doubtful that we've spoken about it. What table did you run? I don't think we even made it to all of them.
It was hard to, with the packed room. I ran the Unearthing the Vault quest on the far side by the Channel Your God table. (June Solar I think in awesome robes and contacts.) Then I ran the 1-2 subtier of the final battle.
I started PFS with the First Steps series, and promptly lost the character to a save or die haunt in a certain season 3 scenario. Hasn't deterred me yet, though, I suppose.
My first PFS adventure was actually *not* an 'evergreen', because I was completely new to the campaign and missed the whole blurb about it buried back in the later sections of the Guide at the time.
It was Horn of Aroden, and my horribly non-optimized two-weapon fighter with a rank in Engineering silenced the table at one point when we went to *redacted* a *redacted* and I mentioned "So I have a block and tackle, will that help?"
Even the Calistrian devotee was kind of... "You brought a block and tackle?!!"
If I had known of 'evergreens', I would have actually missed that experience.
That being said, being able to play all three of the First Steps would be fun, if but for the fact I haven't had a chance to play two or three and One feels like it's missing a lot of things as a result.
The trouble with First Steps is that they set up the Pathfinder Society as nothing more than doing errands for faction heads, some of which aren't even faction heads anymore.
While that may have been a decent representation of the campaign several years ago, it really isn't any more. I do love the Absalom lore and meeting important NPCs aspect of the scenarios, but most of those NPCs are just not relevant in the campaign today. It would be a letdown to new players to play these games, meet all these people, and then find their efforts never come into play again. Now that there are so many evergreen and intro scenarios, I for one am happy to let them lie.