A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for level 1-2.
Almost all Pathfinders undergo extensive training for three or more years to learn the tricks of the trade, and their last test before graduating from the ranks of the initiates to the status of a full Pathfinder agent is the Confirmation, a special research project that involves considerable fieldwork and is designed to simulate the initiates' future work as a Pathfinder. Even the noteworthy field commissioned agents sometimes participate in such trials as a way to familiarize themselves with the Pathfinder Society’s rules and expectations. Although Confirmation is typically an individual affair, the society recently discovered a site on the Isle of Kortos that would be perfect for initiates but perhaps too dangerous to handle alone. Successfully uncovering this site’s secrets will not only contribute to the society’s body of knowledge but shape the exciting careers ahead for each of the prospective agents.
Written by Kyle Baird.
This scenario is designed for play in Pathfinder Society Organized Play, but can easily be adapted for use with any world. This scenario is compliant with the Open Game License (OGL) and is suitable for use with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game.
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Played in a PbP game, coming at it from the perspective of a first "real PFS" experience (PFS rules, random group of players).
I loved this scenario from the perspective of introducing us to being a Pathfinder. There were ample reminders to take notes and be prepared for anything, and the bonus free consumables gave us a toolbag of tricks to use when we needed them. Janira is a fun character. The guidance from her is likely invaluable to players new to Pathfinder, and her enthusiasm is written so strongly that you can't help but RP along with her.
The concept behind the adventure seems interesting. Not only are you becoming confirmed Pathfinders, but there are mysterious gillmen hiding out in caves and conducting rituals.
Unfortunately, the meat of the adventure inside the cave is ruined because...
Adventure spoilers:
The plot pans out into nothing much.
The gillman you locate can be RP'd with, but doesn't reveal anything exciting. The cave is just a place some gillmen come to chill. Heck, the source of the recent safety problems has been dealt with before the party even gets there. Plus, along the way you deal with bland and unmotivating threats that reveal next to nothing about the cave or the story behind the necromancer. Its like the internal part of the cave is one big handwave to say: "I guess you had an adventure in there?"
The Aroden bit went over most of our heads and didn't really feel like a revelation or important in any way. Just another piece of vaguely notable scenery that we dutifully took notes on and had no reason to spare any more thoughts on.
Of course, the encounter after leaving the cave was awesome. Swingy, but with just enough opportunities to play tactically (at least in our group that lacked a 2-hander wielder). Our Janira went down early and we had a bit of nailbiting with if she had managed to stabilize. That the writing manages to draw you in to care about her in such a short time is a testament to the author. :>
Great adventure - ran it with 6 1st level heroes at our local game shop. It was my first time running a Pathfinder Society game, and The Confirmation was a solid 4 hour session. The players enjoyed it, there are a moderate variety of challenges, and the PCs get to meet and befriend a great NPC (hopefully we'll see more recurring NPC characters so that Chronicle Boons can be used!)
All in all an enjoyable session. Combat is probably a 4/10 for difficulty, which is A-OK. One important note, keep in mind this is an introductory adventure for a lot of new players, so if you've got to fudge the dice to avoid killing PCs, please do it - I remember reading that when new players lose their characters at a low level, they never return to RPG games, and write off the whole domain as 'not something they enjoy'.
Roughly 18 months after I played my first PFS-scenario, I got to play this evergreen for the first time. I feel like an actual Pathfinder now, which is strange given the time it took me to get round to this. Looking back, I neither like nor dislike the scenario.
For a new player, it's a great scenario. You get to learn what a typical scenario would be like and it's pretty straightforward. It's a good introduction and it seems to be easy to prepare and run for a GM as well. For a more experienced player, it's a bit unfortunate that it lacks a story a little. You get various small arcs that create a story together, but it feels a bit like a patchwork of things.
Furthermore I have to say that having the BBEG fight potentially at the start – which is something my characters would opt for every single time as you don't leave a friend behind – it makes the rest of the encounters feel like a 'is that all?' kind of thing. It's a little disappointing in that sense, giving the whole a scenario an anticlimactic vibe.
My last issue is that I just can't see it be fun as an evergreen. It's too straightforward and lacks variety to simply play and appreciate it again. I'm sure the creatures will change, but if that's the only thing that will be different, it's just not enough for me personally. The only two reasons I can think of that would make me want to play it again, would be the boons on the chronicle or if I'd make it a legal table for others to enjoy. It's a good and enjoyable scenario, but not really worth repeating. As it's an evergreen, I feel obliged to lower my final rating by one star, leaving it with 3 out of 5 stars.
Excellent intro scenario for PFS, and Janira is an awesome NPC. This would be a solid 5 star scenario if it:
1) Didn't rely upon one flip-mat that is no longer in print, and secondly have gigantic custom maps to draw/print. This is a standard intro scenario and the necessary resources to play it should have been easy.
2) Either this or the Wounded Wisp should get a quick edit to fix the simple dependency between the two.
Yes. It is designed to offer a unique experience every time you play it.
1st time) Experience a greataxe crit!
2nd time) Experience falling in a 60' pit!
3rd time) Experience sleep while swimming!
4th time) Experience death by box text!
5th time) OK, seriously, a Glabrezu in a level 1 scenario?
Pathfinder Battles Case Subscriber; Pathfinder Maps, Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Charter Superscriber; Starfinder Charter Superscriber
Though I am happy that there is a new Tier 1 Scenario, I was hoping it would be a Bonus Scenario like First Steps was.
I am not a fan of a Very Limited in level selection scenario taking up one of the 26 scenarios for the season.
I am sure I will have the same problem once a new retirement scenario comes out.
A replayable scenario that is designed to be different with every replay? Kyle, are you wearing your fedora and carrying a bullwhip? Because you just discovered the holy grail!
My question (which probably won't be answered until the scenario comes out and we get a look at the chronicles) is this: since part of the lore of Golarion is that upon the completion of a Pathfinder's Confirmation he receives a wayfinder (as written in the Pathfinder Society Primer) do we get a free wayfinder upon the completion of this scenario?
At the start of Season 5, parts 2 and 3 will be retired. Part 1 will remain an active scenario. Once we have a new Tier 1 only scenario in place, part 1 will then be retired. It is my goal to have 1-2 Tier 1 only scenarios placed on the regular publishing schedule for PFS and published each season, that capture the flavor of the season. This won't be specifically tied to a certain faction so they can remain an evergreen product.
You won't see the first one of these until early 2014 and is the reason we are keeping part 1 of First Steps live until tha time. In the future, I hope to have one of these release as a Gen Con release.
Well, considering it already shows a $3.99 price up there in addition to it being one of their regular monthly releases instead of an extra, I doubt it.
At the start of Season 5, parts 2 and 3 will be retired. Part 1 will remain an active scenario. Once we have a new Tier 1 only scenario in place, part 1 will then be retired. It is my goal to have 1-2 Tier 1 only scenarios placed on the regular publishing schedule for PFS and published each season, that capture the flavor of the season. This won't be specifically tied to a certain faction so they can remain an evergreen product.
You won't see the first one of these until early 2014 and is the reason we are keeping part 1 of First Steps live until tha time. In the future, I hope to have one of these release as a Gen Con release.
Hmm. This kinda looks like a retraction:
John Compton wrote:
I am aware of no plans to remove First Steps, Part 1.
Long ago, Kyle, you promised to come kill my tiefling cleric.
I'm still waiting.
That's easily remedied. A scenario just needs to involve a dead Thomas, the Tiefling Hero who has an axe in his back. The axe's blade is inscribed with a single word: Baird. If a fake Thomas should happen to play that scenario (the real Thomas, the Tiefling Hero is dead, remember?), the adventure implodes, killing off the impostor and all other Pathfinders in a 5-mile radius.
Gotta say, though, I know somebody would be relieved yet saddened were your cleric to take his place in an upcoming adventure.
Is this scenario only for "brand new" first level characters (i.e. never played before). Or you play any first level character (i.e. one with 1 or 2 scenarios under their belt?).
Is this scenario only for "brand new" first level characters (i.e. never played before). Or you play any first level character (i.e. one with 1 or 2 scenarios under their belt?).
Thanks.
Nathan Meyers
NYC PFS GM/Player
It's for any first level character and we're discussing options with 2nd level characters.
It sounds like it would be a really weird story for 2's. "Yeah, I've already been on a couple missions for the Pathfinders, but now I'm really going to become one!"
Gotta say, though, I know somebody would be relieved yet saddened were your cleric to take his place in an upcoming adventure.
...You mean someone in an upcoming adventure ends up with an axe in his back that's inscribed "Baird"? That's a little hard on the fourth wall, don't you think? ;)
Gotta say, though, I know somebody would be relieved yet saddened were your cleric to take his place in an upcoming adventure.
...You mean someone in an upcoming adventure ends up with an axe in his back that's inscribed "Baird"? That's a little hard on the fourth wall, don't you think? ;)
Gotta say, though, I know somebody would be relieved yet saddened were your cleric to take his place in an upcoming adventure.
...You mean someone in an upcoming adventure ends up with an axe in his back that's inscribed "Baird"? That's a little hard on the fourth wall, don't you think? ;)
Just a dead cleric. The exact cause of death is as of yet undetermined.
It sounds like it would be a really weird story for 2's. "Yeah, I've already been on a couple missions for the Pathfinders, but now I'm really going to become one!"
That would be for the pathfinders who received field commissions instead of the ones who went through the three years of training.
Gotta say, though, I know somebody would be relieved yet saddened were your cleric to take his place in an upcoming adventure.
...You mean someone in an upcoming adventure ends up with an axe in his back that's inscribed "Baird"? That's a little hard on the fourth wall, don't you think? ;)
Just a dead cleric. The exact cause of death is as of yet undetermined.
Cause of death would probably be my 1/day ability to jump between my ally and an attacker. ;)
Hope this is out on the 27th. I hoping to run in on Thanksgiving post turkey.
With the few exceptions I know of based on unforeseen circumstances or early, selective distribution for major convention preparation, we release the month's scenarios for purchase on the last Wednesday of the month. I have no reason to believe that it will be any different for November.
I have declared, that this scenario will be my 150th game session of Pathfinder Society.
I think it's fitting. After three years, and 149 sessions, it's time indeed for a confirmation of my own.
But now I have to find people to play this game, Kyle Baird has a negative reputation in my realm, so they may not be too inclined to run all their new shiny boon characters through it. :D