I really had great time with this scenario and lucky for us, the space was available as long as we needed it. It was ran with minimum number of tables but this was also the first run in my region.
It took us approx 8hrs with one 5min and one half hour break
The not as good:
- the Auction is still a bit of a mystery (High bids and low bids explanation) but thankfully it was short and was done cinematically in the end.
- we could have used extra info on what to do if teams fail to outbid others and fail get the 'you know who'. There was one more small thing but we fixed it all so it worked out.
The really good:
- it really felt like a Special event with the scope and all the moving parts
- even though it was combat heavy in the second half, there was more than enough time for roleplay. The players really enjoyed different small missions and it gave the spotlight to smart, skilled characters
- overall, even after exhausting 8hrs of play everyone was having fun and the whole event finished on a high note
- fact that most table had rough time with the encounters but still in the end it didn't stop them from finishing with a feeling of team effort victory.
Last note - it really makes a difference if there is a nice, lifesized prop on display troughout the game. Very much worth the effort.
Its even better with a bit of LARP (having people act out the NPCs).
It was a great learning experience too and I'd love to do it on a larger scale next time
The adventure is scenic and quite atmospheric so the GM has an opportunity to freak out the PCs with a really well thought out dungeon.
The boss fight, if GMed properly and if PCs do not take care to prep well, can be really dangerous.
A few glitches:
GM has to fill in at the beginning of the story. My players went to ask around the nearby village that's not fleshed out.
Also, backstory is not very apparent so it will also need to be brought out by the GM.
perspective: GMed Low Tier, characters in play Ranger/Druid 3, Paladin (Sheylin)4, Paladin (Iomede)5, Witch 3
I can't wait to GM this one more! Its an investigative romp trough Ustalavs ex-capital and more than that, a race to get the killer.
What I loved the most was that investigative/diplomatic PCs really shone troughout this one.
I love the drama and interactions it provides and its basically just up to the PCs to make the most of it.
The chase was very cinematic and even slapstick fun with two paladins barely managing to get trough (we had some really bad rolls on the table) .
So when the ranger caught up with the Mauler, he was alone and the Mauler critted *twice* so there was a touch and go moment for the party till the rest caught up.
Other encounters also could have been more challenging but I can see them easily making problem for different groups.
All in all, the players gave very positive feedback and with a roleplay oriented table, I had great fun as well.
GMed the scenario in lower tier (1-2), sofar only one run.
The scenario offers more than whats on the pages. If the GM gets familiar with Riddleport, the players will get a really nice setting flavor.
The plot works ok but the players may have questions not covered in the scenario so good prep is really important.
Encounters are not necesarily fights so more diplomatically/bluff inclined players can really do well if they try alternate tactics.
End encounter is really challenging because of the context and rewards smart players.
The first run ended with one death and the n00b at the table saving the rest from TPK. Players had fun and I'll be happy to run it again and see how other groups do.
