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It was obvious from first read through of this scenario that this was going to be a classic. A great background story with some elements that make you do a double take. A simple follow-the-leader plot wrapped inside something bigger - with consequences – that works so well. The outcome depends on roleplaying choices and the GM gets to join in the fun more than usual.

From a GMing point of view it’s not too challenging and you can concentrate on bringing it to life. Though there are a few places you could trip up, so it’s worth a scan of the GM thread.

As well as being a solid dungeon, this is a good scenario to use for new players after they have done first steps or for experienced role-players new to Pathfinder. It introduces a lot of things that they need to prepare for in their Pathfinder career, and which may not be as forgiving later on.

There are unusual creatures and encounters as well as twists on the familiar. There are some opportunities for roleplaying and diplomatic solutions as well as combats. Most of all there are lots of effects and conditions to handle which will reward the prepared and intelligent play.

The scenario is a familiar dungeon backdrop, which quickly becomes less than familiar with twists on the norm and many unusual encounters.

This scenario is also second steps for a GM. There are a lot of unusual creatures and a lot of effects in here. This requires well above average preparation for a 1-5 scenario and rule knowledge of all the environmental and other effects it brings to the surface. Not one to run cold.

You are also unlikely to have many appropriate figures. Perhaps resort to paper minis for this one.

Perspective player

I liked the format and found the encounters interesting and entertaining. However what we were being asked to do, and what the encounter victory conditions were based on, was to NOT act like Pathfinders normally do. In fact we were making the Aspis Consortium look like the good guys compared to what we were being driven to do.

Perspective: player.

Good story and great roleplaying opportunities in the first half and interesting encounters.

However there are a couple of unavoidable and powerful effects, the first one is demoralising and the second one can cause PC, animal companion or familiar deaths just by being there.

I like the story and roleplay, I really dislike the powerful unavoidable effects.

Not happy with the season 4 power boons either from a gamist standpoint, particularly this one, (are we bribing the players now?), but that isn't factored into my rating.

Perspective GM three times

A straightforward and compact adventure with a good setup and background story and intelligent, interesting encounters. One encounter also introduces a potential moral quandry.

There aren't as many creatures to prep given the lower number of encounters, but the intelligent nature of the opponents means the prep is deep with a lot of looking up of powers and abilities.

I ran it with three different table sizes yet it always seemed to take 4.5 hours to run.

Action economy is an issue at a 5 or 6 player table in two of the encounters. Though the last encounter may make up for it. The very low CR side encounter can easily be made quite a challenge by using all the that creatures abilities and cover.