paizo.com Recent Reviews of Pathfinder Society Scenario #34: Encounter at the Drowning Stones (PFRPG) PDFpaizo.com Recent Reviews of Pathfinder Society Scenario #34: Encounter at the Drowning Stones (PFRPG) PDF2018-12-04T20:11:52Z2018-12-04T20:11:52ZPathfinder Society Scenario #34: Encounter at the Drowning Stones (PFRPG) PDF (3 stars)Eryx_UKhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8arb?Pathfinder-Society-Scenario-34-Encounter-at-the-Drowning-Stones2016-05-04T22:11:54Z<p>Played this at the high tier. Party was cleric NPC, sorcerer 11, swashbuckler 7 and fighter 11/cleric 1.</p>
<p>The scenario is an early straight forward adventure. It is very railroad with the party starting at point A, and the going through point B, point C...etc. While this is usually very dull the adventure does have some role play opportunities and some nice challenging fights.</p>
<p>Not too bad but needs a bit more to it.</p><p>Played this at the high tier. Party was cleric NPC, sorcerer 11, swashbuckler 7 and fighter 11/cleric 1.</p>
<p>The scenario is an early straight forward adventure. It is very railroad with the party starting at point A, and the going through point B, point C...etc. While this is usually very dull the adventure does have some role play opportunities and some nice challenging fights.</p>
<p>Not too bad but needs a bit more to it.</p>Eryx_UK2016-05-04T22:11:54ZPathfinder Society Scenario #34: Encounter at the Drowning Stones (PFRPG) PDF (2 stars)Slothsyhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8arb?Pathfinder-Society-Scenario-34-Encounter-at-the-Drowning-Stones2016-04-19T16:07:34Z...Slothsy2016-04-19T16:07:34ZPathfinder Society Scenario #34: Encounter at the Drowning Stones (PFRPG) PDF: An RPG Resource Review (4 stars)Megan Robertsonhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8arb?Pathfinder-Society-Scenario-34-Encounter-at-the-Drowning-Stones2016-04-17T16:31:39Z<p><b>Pathfinder Society Scenario #34: Encounter at the Drowning Stones (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>Sending the party into the depths of the Mwangi Expanse in search of yet-another missing Pathfinder Society agent, this adventure deals with an Aspis Consortium associate's plot to find and raise an ancient evil from a long-lost jungle temple... real tomb-raider stuff. The background for the GM describes the temple, called the Drowning Stones because of a couple of effigies that look like they are drowning in a river, and the adventure synopsis lays out what's supposed to happen.</p>
<p>The actual adventure starts in a tavern, to which the party are summoned by an anonymous note. Even amongst the real dives in Absalom it has a bad reputation, but at least one Venture-Captain uses it to pass on orders to Pathfinders. The matter of it being a long way to the Mwangi Expanse is neatly dealt with but once there the party has to deal with the usual hazards of jungle travel including, of course, local tribes. Nicely, there's an opportunity to deal with them through diplomacy rather than combat, but deal with them the party must before they can proceed further.</p>
<p>And then things get difficult. The Aspis crew turn up dead and the party will have to figure out what is going on from what jungle scavengers have left. Then there are further perils before the Drowning Stones are even reached, followed by a delve into the tample beneath... it strikes me that this has the potential to overrun a convention slot with ease, although it could keep a home campaign entertained for several sessions.</p>
<p>What this does do is give a good impression of steamy oppressive jungle with perils around every corner, but the encounters are a little disjointed and there's little sense of life going on irrespective of what the party do. Finding out what's happened depends overmuch on die-rolling rather than reasoning, with the potential for the party being left standing bewildered if they don't make the right rolls to pick up clues. Handled with care, ensuring they do get the necessary information, it could be a good jungle romp, however.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Society Scenario #34: Encounter at the Drowning Stones (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>Sending the party into the depths of the Mwangi Expanse in search of yet-another missing Pathfinder Society agent, this adventure deals with an Aspis Consortium associate's plot to find and raise an ancient evil from a long-lost jungle temple... real tomb-raider stuff. The background for the GM describes the temple, called the Drowning Stones because of a couple of effigies that look like they are drowning in a river, and the adventure synopsis lays out what's supposed to happen.</p>
<p>The actual adventure starts in a tavern, to which the party are summoned by an anonymous note. Even amongst the real dives in Absalom it has a bad reputation, but at least one Venture-Captain uses it to pass on orders to Pathfinders. The matter of it being a long way to the Mwangi Expanse is neatly dealt with but once there the party has to deal with the usual hazards of jungle travel including, of course, local tribes. Nicely, there's an opportunity to deal with them through diplomacy rather than combat, but deal with them the party must before they can proceed further.</p>
<p>And then things get difficult. The Aspis crew turn up dead and the party will have to figure out what is going on from what jungle scavengers have left. Then there are further perils before the Drowning Stones are even reached, followed by a delve into the tample beneath... it strikes me that this has the potential to overrun a convention slot with ease, although it could keep a home campaign entertained for several sessions.</p>
<p>What this does do is give a good impression of steamy oppressive jungle with perils around every corner, but the encounters are a little disjointed and there's little sense of life going on irrespective of what the party do. Finding out what's happened depends overmuch on die-rolling rather than reasoning, with the potential for the party being left standing bewildered if they don't make the right rolls to pick up clues. Handled with care, ensuring they do get the necessary information, it could be a good jungle romp, however.</p>Megan Robertson2016-04-17T16:31:39ZPathfinder Society Scenario #34: Encounter at the Drowning Stones (PFRPG) PDF: Fun and atmospheric, but not amazing. (4 stars)Quentin Coldwaterhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8arb?Pathfinder-Society-Scenario-34-Encounter-at-the-Drowning-Stones2015-11-17T01:05:08Z<p><b>Pathfinder Society Scenario #34: Encounter at the Drowning Stones (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>(I GMed this.)</p>
<p>In itself, this scenario is pretty unremarkable. Only one stand-out fight, simple story, regular environment. But my players still managed to enjoy them thoroughly with this adventure. It's a bit dated by current standards, but it's still fun enough. There's some weirdness with the map (WHY draw a side-view if it only makes things more confusing?), and one encounter and a few NPCs didn't really make sense to me, but other than that, it's a fun scenario. Enemies are big and scary, and though my players easily outclassed them, they were still on their toes at fist, which I like.</p>
<p>In short, I think this could do with some reworking, but it's a fun romp through the jungle. Don't expect to be wowed, but at the very least entertained.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Society Scenario #34: Encounter at the Drowning Stones (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>(I GMed this.)</p>
<p>In itself, this scenario is pretty unremarkable. Only one stand-out fight, simple story, regular environment. But my players still managed to enjoy them thoroughly with this adventure. It's a bit dated by current standards, but it's still fun enough. There's some weirdness with the map (WHY draw a side-view if it only makes things more confusing?), and one encounter and a few NPCs didn't really make sense to me, but other than that, it's a fun scenario. Enemies are big and scary, and though my players easily outclassed them, they were still on their toes at fist, which I like.</p>
<p>In short, I think this could do with some reworking, but it's a fun romp through the jungle. Don't expect to be wowed, but at the very least entertained.</p>Quentin Coldwater2015-11-17T01:05:08ZPathfinder Society Scenario #34: Encounter at the Drowning Stones (PFRPG) PDF: Kill Some Wildlife, Go Home (2 stars)Jason Shttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8arb?Pathfinder-Society-Scenario-34-Encounter-at-the-Drowning-Stones2013-09-02T13:34:28Z<p><b>Pathfinder Society Scenario #34: Encounter at the Drowning Stones (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>I'm not sure what the other reviewers see in this scenario. To me it was a fairly unmemorable romp through the jungle. We killed some wildlife, some natives, and went home. This is what I'd expect for tier 3-7, but I expect more for subtier 10-11. There was an unsurprising surprise (that lasted 10 seconds) but that's it. Nothing really grabbed my attention in this scenario.</p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]
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Overall: Standard jungle romp that's not worthy of your limited subtier 10-11 playing time. (5/10)</p><p><b>Pathfinder Society Scenario #34: Encounter at the Drowning Stones (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>I'm not sure what the other reviewers see in this scenario. To me it was a fairly unmemorable romp through the jungle. We killed some wildlife, some natives, and went home. This is what I'd expect for tier 3-7, but I expect more for subtier 10-11. There was an unsurprising surprise (that lasted 10 seconds) but that's it. Nothing really grabbed my attention in this scenario.</p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]
<br />
Overall: Standard jungle romp that's not worthy of your limited subtier 10-11 playing time. (5/10)</p>Jason S2013-09-02T13:34:28ZPathfinder Society Scenario #34: Encounter at the Drowning Stones (PFRPG) PDF: 4 stars... I think (4 stars)strangeporkhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8arb?Pathfinder-Society-Scenario-34-Encounter-at-the-Drowning-Stones2013-06-07T14:12:25Z<p><b>Pathfinder Society Scenario #34: Encounter at the Drowning Stones (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>This scenario was just beautifully laid out. Good but quick intro, lots of danger and threats from the environment, bringing a real Indiana Jone flavor to it right off the bat and keying us up for danger and action.</p>
<p>Without spoilers, a smart party can not only skip a fight but gain aid. Brilliant. </p>
<p>The end area itself - we ran this tier 10-11 - would have butchered me. I am still unclear how a 'regular' party would have overcome the obstacles. But that is part of why it was so fun - every encounter felt like it had a 'smart party escape clause' and I really was 100 percent mentally focused on every word from the GMs mouth, as it was clear we wasnt just reading flavor text... he was giving us subtle clues. And he didnt spoon feed us either - either you got them or you didnt.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Society Scenario #34: Encounter at the Drowning Stones (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>This scenario was just beautifully laid out. Good but quick intro, lots of danger and threats from the environment, bringing a real Indiana Jone flavor to it right off the bat and keying us up for danger and action.</p>
<p>Without spoilers, a smart party can not only skip a fight but gain aid. Brilliant. </p>
<p>The end area itself - we ran this tier 10-11 - would have butchered me. I am still unclear how a 'regular' party would have overcome the obstacles. But that is part of why it was so fun - every encounter felt like it had a 'smart party escape clause' and I really was 100 percent mentally focused on every word from the GMs mouth, as it was clear we wasnt just reading flavor text... he was giving us subtle clues. And he didnt spoon feed us either - either you got them or you didnt.</p>strangepork2013-06-07T14:12:25ZPathfinder Society Scenario #34: Encounter at the Drowning Stones (PFRPG) PDF: Mwangi Madness! (4 stars)Doug Mileshttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8arb?Pathfinder-Society-Scenario-34-Encounter-at-the-Drowning-Stones2009-11-02T17:12:10Z<p><b>Pathfinder Society Scenario #34: Encounter at the Drowning Stones (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>Once again Osprey sends the Pathfinders to an exotic locale to test their limitations. Although traversing the Mwangi Expanse is not as grueling as scaling The Dragon, Hitchcock has a way of reminding the players they aren’t just taking a walk in the woods. The plot is relatively straightforward as has come to be expected, however there are some delightful twists. This scenario ranks high on campaign world flavor. I wasn’t impressed with the faction missions but I learned that two factions had some challenges that were more than just skill checks. The combats were a mix of ‘Wake me up when it’s over’ and ‘Has anyone seen my spleen?’. I think it’s intentional to lull players into a false sense of confidence before dropping the hammer on them. I haven’t felt as challenged since The Hydra’s Fang Incident, however we did play up… There are some fine role-playing situations and a lot of problem-solving for the tacticians in the game. </p>
<p>Beware that this scenario can take a long time to complete. With the optional encounter, we took six hours to finish. The final encounter was lengthy. You players will have to learn why when you play it... At 28 pages, this is the 2nd highest page-count scenario to-date. Part of the length is due to a full-page map included for 3 of the encounters. Beware when printing, you may want to adjust your settings or exclude the full color pages before having all your toner consumed.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Society Scenario #34: Encounter at the Drowning Stones (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>Once again Osprey sends the Pathfinders to an exotic locale to test their limitations. Although traversing the Mwangi Expanse is not as grueling as scaling The Dragon, Hitchcock has a way of reminding the players they aren’t just taking a walk in the woods. The plot is relatively straightforward as has come to be expected, however there are some delightful twists. This scenario ranks high on campaign world flavor. I wasn’t impressed with the faction missions but I learned that two factions had some challenges that were more than just skill checks. The combats were a mix of ‘Wake me up when it’s over’ and ‘Has anyone seen my spleen?’. I think it’s intentional to lull players into a false sense of confidence before dropping the hammer on them. I haven’t felt as challenged since The Hydra’s Fang Incident, however we did play up… There are some fine role-playing situations and a lot of problem-solving for the tacticians in the game. </p>
<p>Beware that this scenario can take a long time to complete. With the optional encounter, we took six hours to finish. The final encounter was lengthy. You players will have to learn why when you play it... At 28 pages, this is the 2nd highest page-count scenario to-date. Part of the length is due to a full-page map included for 3 of the encounters. Beware when printing, you may want to adjust your settings or exclude the full color pages before having all your toner consumed.</p>Doug Miles2009-11-02T17:12:10Z