The Wrath of the Righteous Adventure Path continues with “Demon's Heresy,” by Jim Groves. After reclaiming the city of Drezen and recovering the lost sacred banner known as the Sword of Valor, the heroes have established a significant foothold behind enemy lines. With the demon armies still concentrating their attacks to the south, the heroes must now set off into the heart of the Worldwound to seek out powerful new allies and strike a mortal blow against the Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth—but in doing so, they discover a disturbing truth about the crystalline source of mythic power the demons have been using against the crusaders. Will the heroes survive the terrors of the Worldwound long enough to end the demons’ increasing attacks?
“Demon’s Heresy,” a Pathfinder RPG adventure for 9th-level characters with 3 mythic tiers, by Jim Groves.
A study of the Green Faith, an ancient philosophy revolving around nature, by Sean K Reynolds.
A look at the unnatural horrors known as worms that walk, by Amanda Hamon.
A journey to a crusader outpost inside the Worldwound in the Pathfinder’s Journal, by Robin D. Laws.
Four new monsters, by Jim Groves, Amanda Hamon, and James Jacobs.
Each monthly full-color softcover Pathfinder Adventure Path volume contains an in-depth adventure scenario, stats for several new monsters, and support articles meant to give Game Masters additional material to expand their campaign. Pathfinder Adventure Path volumes use the Open Game License and work with both the Pathfinder RPG and the world’s oldest fantasy RPG.
ISBN–13: 978-1-60125-577-8
"Demon's Heresy" is sanctioned for use in Pathfinder Society Organized Play. The rules for running this Adventure Path and Chronicle sheet are available as a free download (1.6 MB PDF).
Other Resources: This product is also available on the following platforms:
Just to get this out of the way, let me start with the following obligatory advice:
Advice on adjusting the difficulty level of this AP:
Before running this AP, I was warned that the power of mythic PCs quickly outpaced the difficulty of the encounters the AP provides. Despite taking a number of precautions to mitigate this (having players use a 10 point-buy, applying advanced templates to every mythic creature, etc), I found this to be true.
In light of our experiences, and those reported on the boards, the consensus seems to be that there are two generally viable ways to deal with these problems:
Option 1: Power-down the PCs.
(a) Don't give the PCs mythic ranks.
(b) [Optional:] Use the Hero Point system introduced in the APG, and give the PCs a number of Hero Points per day equal to the number of mythic ranks they're supposed to have. (This makes players a bit more robust.)
(c) More or less play the AP as is. (Though there are a couple of encounters in book 6 that will probably need to be made a bit easier).
Option 2: Power-up the encounters.
(a) Give the PCs mythic ranks as the AP suggests (possibly with the nerfs suggested in Mythic Solutions).
(b) Use the (vastly) upgraded stat blocks presented in Sc8rpi8n_mjd's modified stat blocks document to upgrade encounters, and then further multiply the HPs given in the stat blocks by something like (creature's mythic rank+3)/3. (For more optimized players you may need to multiply HPs even more.)
Our experience, FWIW: We played books 1-4 more or less as is, and (despite my efforts to boost and combine encounters) found books 3 and 4 to be far too easy to be fun. We then adopted something like option 2 for books 5 and 6, and found that to be much more challenging and enjoyable. But we also found that combat can take forever -- don't be surprised if you find yourself needing to spend more than one session to get through a fight.
The story of this AP was pretty good -- with a sandbox exploration of a demonic landscape, and a very memorable NPC who can join the party -- but it didn't have as epic a feel as the second leg of this AP.
We found the encounters in this AP to be far too easy for mythic PCs, especially given the 1/day encounter-rate that hexploration lends itself to. (I combined all of the encounters at Arueshalae's Redoubt into one encounter, and combined the Ivory Sanctum encounters in 3 big encounters, and the PCs still had little difficult plowing through them.)
--Fun of playing this leg of the AP, as written: 2/5
--Fun of the story of this leg of the AP: 4.5/5
--Total score: 3.25/5
Wrath of the Righteous continues to be a fantastic story. Demon’s Heresy isn’t as intense or as high stakes as the two previous chapters in the campaign, but it is still equally engaging and offers big opportunities for story and character development.
Wrath of the Righteous character traits pay off in big ways I never expected. I was playing a PC with the Touched By Divinity trait who was shocked and delighted to learn the news of her heritage. What a wonderful twist that was! Other characters also had interesting revelations about themselves depending on which traits they’d chosen. I was really impressed by the way each PC was given a personal story arc in this chapter that fit in so well to the overall adventure path. It was so enjoyable to play through.
This chapter also introduced Arueshalae, my favorite NPC of the entire campaign. What a strong, complex, loveable character she is! Her heartfelt desire to redeem herself is truly inspirational, and the love she shares with her chosen PC is really sweet.
Once again the artwork through the book is fantastic. There are interesting and challenging villains who are a pleasure to defeat. Lots of unique and pretty magical items, too.
Well, we get to the third part of the campaign. The PCs already saved a city and conquered a fortress, they blasted wardstones in the face of thousands of demons and retrieved a long lost artifact.
And now, they are reduced to roaming the worldwound and hoping something interesting would pop up in front of them.
I have now read 5 out of the 6 adventures in the campaign, and I feel like I have a good picture of it's general shape in mind. And I must say that this is the adventure where I feel the story maybe lost it's direction a bit.
The two previous adventures were about starting things off, and they did a really good job of it. By the end of the first adventure the scene was set for a new crusade, with the PCs standing firm in the front lines. By the second adventure the PCs already took an active part in the new war. But now? now nothing much is happening. Even though a war is supposedly raging in the near vicinity, the environment around the PCs does not really seem to react to it. This adventure is really kind of just a tour of the worldwound, more than it really is part of the campaign.
By the end of the adventure, the PCs spent their time walking around and bumping into numerous little encounters without getting anything important accomplished. Eventually they just happen to run into an encounter that is important, but really all the intermediate little stories could have been skipped. In later adventures the PCs will run around doing very important things, but the larger picture is missing. So much story momentum is lost here that I feel the entire campaign is a bit awkward after it.
Maybe it's my personal dislike of sandbox adventures, maybe not, I just feel that the players are going to spend so much time touring and sightseeing in this third part of the AP that by the time the actual story of the campaign kicks back in they might be a bit cold for it.
All in all, the weakest part of the AP, if for no other reason than it's non-significance from a story telling point of view. For those who like a sandbox, though, this one is as good as any Iv'e ever seen.
Demon’s Heresy is a welcome change of pace for the Wrath of the Righteous adventure path. After the urgency of the first two volumes, it allows the PCs to breathe a little (just a little) as they secure their hold on Drezen and the surrounding lands. While they do this, the PCs also have the opportunity to make a powerful new ally and score a major blow against the demon forces. All things considered, Wrath of the Righteous continues to surprise me with just how good it is.
This is a great addition to the adventure which is fantastic. I'm having a problem with the interactive maps in the PDF though, since they won't print with the grids, and stangely this one for once has a map with a hex grid rather than the standard squares. I have to say it does have by far my favorite NPC, I just have to make sure I lay the proper ground work for her introduction.
The number of worms that walk showing up in APs was already close to overtaking the number of liches. This one might just push them to the #1 spot for creepy, evil undead(ish) mages. Not complaining of course - the WTW is an amazingly cool beasties.
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber
Generic Villain wrote:
The number of worms that walk showing up in APs was already close to overtaking the number of liches. This one might just push them to the #1 spot for creepy, evil undead(ish) mages. Not complaining of course - the WTW is an amazingly cool beasties.
Considering I have honestly been a Lovecraft Geek for very nearly as long as I have been a DnD Geek, these proportions don't bother me in the slightest, although to be honest I can only recall one other AP that definitely had a WtW in it. Which ones were you referring to?
Considering I have honestly been a Lovecraft Geek for very nearly as long as I have been a DnD Geek, these proportions don't bother me in the slightest, although to be honest I can only recall one other AP that definitely had a WtW in it. Which ones were you referring to?
Yeah, it turns out I was a bit off there...
Liches and Worms that Walk in APs:
Liches!
AP #5: 1 lich
AP #11: 1 demilich
AP #33: 1 lich
AP #48: 2 liches, 1 forsaken lich
AP #65: 1 demilich
Worms That Walk!
AP #36: 1 WTW
AP #48: 1 WTW
AP #72: 1 WTW (optional encounter - not statted out. Also more approptiately a cockcroach that walks, but same template)
AP #75: ??? WTW
So yeah, liches still have a healthy lead. Though given that the lich template has been available about twice as long as the WTW, our squishy friends are doing well for themselves.
Seoni why are you using lightning, that doesn't work on demons.
Reminds me of the chapter opening in the CRB that uses the art of the fight with Akatas, where Seoni comments on how the weird monsters "still knew how to burn". Akatas have massive fire resistance.
Seoni why are you using lightning, that doesn't work on demons.
Reminds me of the chapter opening in the CRB that uses the art of the fight with Akatas, where Seoni comments on how the weird monsters "still knew how to burn". Akatas have massive fire resistance.
At least in this case there's a good reason. :)
Matching fiction to rules is a really tricky problem. As is matching art to rules. We do our best, though.
Seoni why are you using lightning, that doesn't work on demons.
Reminds me of the chapter opening in the CRB that uses the art of the fight with Akatas, where Seoni comments on how the weird monsters "still knew how to burn". Akatas have massive fire resistance.
At least in this case there's a good reason. :)
Matching fiction to rules is a really tricky problem. As is matching art to rules. We do our best, though.
Oh I know it's difficult. It just entertained me because the fire resistance was the most memorable thing about the Akatas (from a player's perspective), so specifically mentioning fire in the fiction gave me a chuckle. Burning is the one thing Akatas have no idea how to do. :P
Seoni why are you using lightning, that doesn't work on demons.
Reminds me of the chapter opening in the CRB that uses the art of the fight with Akatas, where Seoni comments on how the weird monsters "still knew how to burn". Akatas have massive fire resistance.
At least in this case there's a good reason. :)
Matching fiction to rules is a really tricky problem. As is matching art to rules. We do our best, though.
Oh I know it's difficult. It just entertained me because the fire resistance was the most memorable thing about the Akatas (from a player's perspective), so specifically mentioning fire in the fiction gave me a chuckle. Burning is the one thing Akatas have no idea how to do. :P
Oh, I disagree. There is no problem that cannot be solved with the application of fire. The question is how much you're applying.
Pathfinder Lost Omens, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
The Redeemed Succubus has always intrigued me, and I wonder what she looks like. (the character with the associated trait is thinking about making their relationship a romantic one.) Do you think we will get to see a picture of her in the blog by any chance?
The Redeemed Succubus has always intrigued me, and I wonder what she looks like. (the character with the associated trait is thinking about making their relationship a romantic one.) Do you think we will get to see a picture of her in the blog by any chance?
I have zero control of what shows up in the Paizo blog. You should ask James Jacobs. :D
-An illustration of Jatembe's nemesis, the King of Biting Ants.
-More info on the King of Biting Ants.
-A less powerful version of the template. Seriously, DR 15/-- and fast healing equal to CR is a pretty horrifying combination for a high-end spellcaster.
-Actually, just go ahead and stat the King of Biting Ants.
-Ants!
-That!
-Bite!
but in doing so, they discover a disturbing truth about the crystalline source of mythic power the demons have been using against the crusaders.
Wait, I think I got this one: It turns out, they've been using chunks of the Starstone!
It was revealed in Sword of Valor, IIRC.
Spoiler:
The crystals that get turned into the Nahyndrian elixirs (which are what provide the ascension to mythic status) are made from the ground up bits of murdered demon lords.
Since they're mining the Midnight Isles for the stuff, one wonders how many of those dead demon lords were killed by Nocticula.
Generic Villain wrote:
My wish list for the worm that walks article:
-An illustration of Jatembe's nemesis, the King of Biting Ants.
-More info on the King of Biting Ants.
-A less powerful version of the template. Seriously, DR 15/-- and fast healing equal to CR is a pretty horrifying combination for a high-end spellcaster.
-Actually, just go ahead and stat the King of Biting Ants.
-Ants!
-That!
-Bite!
I agree.
Also include more stuff on Jatembe and the Ten Magic Warriors in the process!
Well, it's already been revealed in #74 (and the Midnight Isles bit is in the product description for #76, I think), so if the secret is a different one then it doesn't say anything that isn't already known.
I'd spoiler it out of courtesy, but the edit-timer has expired.
Well, it's already been revealed in #74 (and the Midnight Isles bit is in the product description for #76, I think), so if the secret is a different one then it doesn't say anything that isn't already known.
I'd spoiler it out of courtesy, but the edit-timer has expired.
You can use the flagging system to indicate when a post should be spoilered (which it has been).
My subscription order for this just got pushed out to December along with the rest of my subscriptions and huge sidecart (I always have my orders held for monthly shipments.) Is there a last minute 2 month delay for this issue, or did my order become a victim of computer gremlins?
Just 5 more days till any subscriber would receive anything. 15 for the rest of us. :(
Actually subscriptions are starting this week (technically today, though with the October authorization issue, I don't know how much got done). Paizo is giving themselves two weeks to get all the subscriptions out because of the popularity of Bestiary 4.
>Checks order history. Still pending. Curls into a ball crying< :'(
I would look for all of today's shipments to be unlocked as part of one batch in a few hours. I do believe that some orders were supposed to start today.
EDIT: and it makes you feel better, I wrote the thing and I haven't seen the PDF either.
We'll get there friend! We're gonna make it through this!
It would be brilliant if subscribers could access the .pdfs in the meantime, since shipping is proving to be such a hassle. :'C
I agree that it would be nice to be able to download the pdf once the order has been finalized and can't be cancelled, but I'm sure the good folks @ Paizo has a good reason for holding it until the physical book ships.
Still, I was really hoping to be able read it this weekend :(
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber
Oh, as much as I howl & whine, I'll live. But I'm really looking forward to this issue. I've come to the conclusion that I love Worm-that-Walks' more than Liches as 'Unkillable Evil Arcane Big-bads' & I have always been interested in the Green Faith, so not being able to find out more about those two things is like a perpetual nails on the chalkboard irritant on my soul.
Creative Director
