Pathfinder Society Scenario #8-99A: The Solstice Scar, Version A

Announced for Season 8!

This sounds glorious. And if it's a hint at what's to come next season... well, I'm definitely excited. ^_^

This is an ongoing adventure that will be updated and rereleased incrementally several times each season, collectively telling a longer story while also presenting exciting stand-alone chapters.

Wait, what?

You have my attention.

Product Description wrote:

This is an ongoing adventure that will be updated and rereleased incrementally several times each season, collectively telling a longer story while also presenting exciting stand-alone chapters.

Wait, what?

You have my attention.

That was pretty much my reaction.

Iammars wrote:

Product Description wrote:

This is an ongoing adventure that will be updated and rereleased incrementally several times each season, collectively telling a longer story while also presenting exciting stand-alone chapters.

Wait, what?

You have my attention.

That was pretty much my reaction.

I'll let John and Linda reveal the details... but suffice to say this experiment of interactive alchemy should result in a chilling experience.

Product Description wrote:

This is an ongoing adventure that will be updated and rereleased incrementally several times each season, collectively telling a longer story while also presenting exciting stand-alone chapters.

Wait, what?

You have my attention.

OH YES :D

I'm crossing my fingers that this is the story that teams up Uliyara and Valais Durant as hard-hitting, badass vigilantes (the general definition, not necessarily the player class, though that could be interesting) whose adventures intertwine with the Pathfinders for a tale larger and more epic than has ever been presented before.

Suddenly the dropping of Tome into Season 8 mid-stream begins to make a bit more sense.

Product Description wrote:

This is an ongoing adventure that will be updated and rereleased incrementally several times each season, collectively telling a longer story while also presenting exciting stand-alone chapters.

Wait, what?

You have my attention.

Does this mean it will be replayable if you attend PaizoCon and GenCon?

I do not expect it will be replayable by GenCon. And replayable as we normally understand the term isn't exactly correct.

Is something going to be meaningfully different about how this multi-table is played. It seems strange to have the story told across multiple edits when most players will be lucky if they can play this once a year.

Is something going to be meaningfully different about how this multi-table is played. It seems strange to have the story told across multiple edits when most players will be lucky if they can play this once a year.

You should come to PaizoCon and find out!

In all seriousness, there are a few new things we'll be trying out but it will be less complex than 8-00 Cosmic Captive. As for the story, we're specifically aiming to make this scenario more accessible to a smaller number of tables. The goal is to give smaller areas more content that they can play and run at their conventions or larger game-days.

Being on the other side of the continent I don't think I'll be making it to PaizoCon but I do hope that those who go enjoy themselves.

And I appreciate the concern you're expressing for accessibility. Participating in a fair number of conventions and other special events over the past couple years, trying to keep on top of the plot points presented in specials and exclusives feels like a losing battle for those that don't attend the major conventions. It's become an exercise in frustration to the point that I no longer want to support these events. I'm looking forward to seeing how implementation plays out this year.

Has there been any movement on the subject of necessary maps? I'd like to go ahead and get started getting them together as soon as I can.

Exciting!

Thanks for the map information, John.

** spoiler omitted **

Hey hey, I own all of those already except the obvious one! Nice!

It's worth mentioning that Linda, Tonya, and I heard the feedback that Pathfinder Society Special #8–00: The Cosmic Captive used too many maps, so being very conscientious about how many maps appeared in this adventure was part of the assignment's instructions. Andrew Hoskins did a great job of keeping the map count low and making really efficient use of the map products. I think every one of the Flip-Mats listed use both sides across several encounters.

It's worth mentioning that Linda, Tonya, and I heard the feedback that Pathfinder Society Special #8–00: The Cosmic Captive used too many maps, so being very conscientious about how many maps appeared in this adventure was part of the assignment's instructions. Andrew Hoskins did a great job of keeping the map count low and making really efficient use of the map products. I think every one of the Flip-Mats listed use both sides across several encounters.

Thanks, John. :-D

Keeping the map count low was a really fun challenge, actually. I think it helped enhance the combats.

You all are amazing! Thank you for your attentiveness and efforts :)

Thanks! I actually own most of these as well. That should really help with my con prep!

thanks for the timely info john

"Version A" says to me, that the week of PaizoCon, all the maps will be changes.
Ah, you'll need "Museum: Upper Floors", Labrynthe Map pack, and Ships. Enjoy. :)

"Version A" says to me, that the week of PaizoCon, all the maps will be changes.

Ah, you'll need "Museum: Upper Floors", Labrynthe Map pack, and Ships. Enjoy. :)

I can't tell if you are joking.

I strongly suspect "Version A" is a reference to the fact that this scenario will be updated/changed every year.

Selvaxri wrote:

"Version A" says to me, that the week of PaizoCon, all the maps will be changes.

Ah, you'll need "Museum: Upper Floors", Labrynthe Map pack, and Ships. Enjoy. :)

I can't tell if you are joking.

I strongly suspect "Version A" is a reference to the fact that this scenario will be updated/changed every year.

Confirmed.

Each version of The Solstice Scar consists of three parts. We will regularly release a new version that swaps out one part and adds a new on that advances the story. Beyond some tweaks to transition text as needed, don't expect any changes to the contents of an individual part. That also means that the maps should stay the same for each part, though a few maps might cycle out just because that part is replaced in the next version of the adventure.

Yes, I was half joking. I forgot this special was modular, perhaps instead of "version a" a "Part 1/3" would have been more accurate.

Also, I know from running Mists of Mwangi and Penumbral Accord, that the standard blank flipmap is just shy of being able to fit the Museum lay out. seriously, like 2-4 tiles.

Received two notices this afternoon and evening announcing the scenario was available and later that it had been updated.
However, it is still unavailable for download and prep for running it at PaizoCon. Is there a date when it will be available?
Thanks.

Received two notices this afternoon and evening announcing the scenario was available and later that it had been updated.

However, it is still unavailable for download and prep for running it at PaizoCon. Is there a date when it will be available?
Thanks.

I just downloaded it. It's not listed under Season 8, so do a search for the word "Solstace".

Also, The Overseer stuff is seperated now!! My recommendation to Tonya made it through! Huzzah!!!

Question for Paizo: Is this related to the ongoing storylines of season 9? I'm actually not a huge fan of doing the big mult-table specials at Gen Con, because they're so big that it gets overly chaotic. But if it's going to relate to scenarios later in the season, then I'll probably play it just to get the intro to the season.

Question for Paizo: Is this related to the ongoing storylines of season 9? I'm actually not a huge fan of doing the big mult-table specials at Gen Con, because they're so big that it gets overly chaotic. But if it's going to relate to scenarios later in the season, then I'll probably play it just to get the intro to the season.

One of the big changes we wanted to make for The Solstice Scar was ensuring that it would be season agnostic; because of its evolving storyline, it does not tie directly into any season—at least not in any major, overarching way. #9–00: Assault on Absalom does play a significant role in Season 9.

Fromper wrote:

Question for Paizo: Is this related to the ongoing storylines of season 9? I'm actually not a huge fan of doing the big mult-table specials at Gen Con, because they're so big that it gets overly chaotic. But if it's going to relate to scenarios later in the season, then I'll probably play it just to get the intro to the season.

One of the big changes we wanted to make for The Solstice Scar was ensuring that it would be season agnostic; because of its evolving storyline, it does not tie directly into any season—at least not in any major, overarching way. #9–00: Assault on Absalom does play a significant role in Season 9.

Thanks for the quick response. As it turns out, one of my friends wanted to play this at Gen Con, so I ended up getting a ticket to join him, anyway.

So I see this special is already available to purchase, is that supposed to be that way? Traditionally, has it not been the new Paizo Con special is not available again until it runs at Gencon, after which it is then allowed to be ran at area game cons that meet a multi table special status? I'm a bit confused at its accessibility right after Paizo Con.

I suspect that it may have something to do with the scenario's evolving nature - they want as many people as possible to play this version before it shifts to its next iteration. I'm just speculating, though. ^_^

I'd look for a blog post tomorrow with more information.

As someone who's trying to track the replayability status of all of the various PFS scenarios, John--do you have an idea of how replayability will work for this one?

It's clear enough that A and B will allow replay on different characters, you've explained that already. But the question I'm not positive on is whether #8-99-A and #8-99-B will actually be materially different scenarios for purposes of replay--in other words, could the same character play both A and B? Could a player burn two stars, one to replay A and one to replay B in the same campaign? That sort of thing.

If you have the chance to respond at some point--thanks! It'd be a big help.

As someone who's trying to track the replayability status of all of the various PFS scenarios, John--do you have an idea of how replayability will work for this one?

It's clear enough that A and B will allow replay on different characters, you've explained that already. But the question I'm not positive on is whether #8-99-A and #8-99-B will actually be materially different scenarios for purposes of replay--in other words, could the same character play both A and B? Could a player burn two stars, one to replay A and one to replay B in the same campaign? That sort of thing.

If you have the chance to respond at some point--thanks! It'd be a big help.

Each version is treated like a completely new adventure for replay purposes. That means that you could play the same character (level range permitting) in each version, though just remember that the character would experience several of the parts (the sub-chapters in each version) a few times.

Terminalmancer wrote:

As someone who's trying to track the replayability status of all of the various PFS scenarios, John--do you have an idea of how replayability will work for this one?

It's clear enough that A and B will allow replay on different characters, you've explained that already. But the question I'm not positive on is whether #8-99-A and #8-99-B will actually be materially different scenarios for purposes of replay--in other words, could the same character play both A and B? Could a player burn two stars, one to replay A and one to replay B in the same campaign? That sort of thing.

If you have the chance to respond at some point--thanks! It'd be a big help.

Each version is treated like a completely new adventure for replay purposes. That means that you could play the same character (level range permitting) in each version, though just remember that the character would experience several of the parts (the sub-chapters in each version) a few times.

** spoiler omitted **

Thanks! My region probably won't get to play it until next spring or summer, so I haven't gotten a look at the chronicle yet myself. Much appreciated, John.

Thanks! My region probably won't get to play it until next spring or summer, so I haven't gotten a look at the chronicle yet myself. Much appreciated, John.

You might consider organizing—or requesting your local leadership organize—the event a little earlier than that for a few reasons.

Terminalmancer wrote:

Thanks! My region probably won't get to play it until next spring or summer, so I haven't gotten a look at the chronicle yet myself. Much appreciated, John.

You might consider organizing—or requesting your local leadership organize—the event a little earlier than that for a few reasons.

The scheduling requirements for this adventure are very minimal: three tables. This is make sure that as many regions as possible can play the adventure, even if there's not a major convention in that half of the year.

When a new version of the adventure comes out, the previous version is retired from play. If you want to play Version 1, I encourage you to do so before the end of December 2017. Our ETA for Version 2 is January 2018.

Does it have to be played at conventions, or can local stores run it?

Our weekly lodge has run multi-table specials in the past, with 5 tables. But last year, we weren't allowed to run The Cosmic Captive at our store, because it's limited to conventions only. I'd love it if we could run this at that store, after I play it at Gen Con.

Terminalmancer wrote:

Thanks! My region probably won't get to play it until next spring or summer, so I haven't gotten a look at the chronicle yet myself. Much appreciated, John.

You might consider organizing—or requesting your local leadership organize—the event a little earlier than that for a few reasons.

The scheduling requirements for this adventure are very minimal: three tables. This is make sure that as many regions as possible can play the adventure, even if there's not a major convention in that half of the year.

When a new version of the adventure comes out, the previous version is retired from play. If you want to play Version 1, I encourage you to do so before the end of December 2017. Our ETA for Version 2 is January 2018.

I should probably mention how thankful I am that you kept the table requirement down--having a three-table minimum for us is wonderful. We've actually failed to run an expected 6-table special in the past--we have just enough people to make 6 tables of four people, usually, but too many of them missed that convention with scheduling conflicts and we were going to have a hard time getting to five tables. (We ended up running one of the earlier specials instead, but it was disappointing to miss out on Cosmic Captive to start the season.)

We're in a smaller PFS area that's not too obscenely far away from some of the bigger conventions (that I can't usually make it to, but some people can) so it's not as black and white as my exceedingly brief description may have made it out to be. It's just not going to be run in the local conventions until later according to the plans I most recently heard, and plans can change. I can promise you our VC has thought about this special a lot, though. Probably too much!

This was a lot of fun to run at Paizocon UK and I got some great feedback from my players.

John Compton wrote:

Terminalmancer wrote:

Thanks! My region probably won't get to play it until next spring or summer, so I haven't gotten a look at the chronicle yet myself. Much appreciated, John.

You might consider organizing—or requesting your local leadership organize—the event a little earlier than that for a few reasons.

The scheduling requirements for this adventure are very minimal: three tables. This is make sure that as many regions as possible can play the adventure, even if there's not a major convention in that half of the year.

When a new version of the adventure comes out, the previous version is retired from play. If you want to play Version 1, I encourage you to do so before the end of December 2017. Our ETA for Version 2 is January 2018.

Does it have to be played at conventions, or can local stores run it?

Our weekly lodge has run multi-table specials in the past, with 5 tables. But last year, we weren't allowed to run The Cosmic Captive at our store, because it's limited to conventions only. I'd love it if we could run this at that store, after I play it at Gen Con.

I ditto this question...

It's just not going to be run in the local conventions until later according to the plans I most recently heard, and plans can change.

And having checked in, it does sound as those plans are changing. It's still nice to have confirmation of how this all works, though!

Fromper wrote:

John Compton wrote:

Terminalmancer wrote:

Thanks! My region probably won't get to play it until next spring or summer, so I haven't gotten a look at the chronicle yet myself. Much appreciated, John.

You might consider organizing—or requesting your local leadership organize—the event a little earlier than that for a few reasons.

The scheduling requirements for this adventure are very minimal: three tables. This is make sure that as many regions as possible can play the adventure, even if there's not a major convention in that half of the year.

When a new version of the adventure comes out, the previous version is retired from play. If you want to play Version 1, I encourage you to do so before the end of December 2017. Our ETA for Version 2 is January 2018.

Does it have to be played at conventions, or can local stores run it?

Our weekly lodge has run multi-table specials in the past, with 5 tables. But last year, we weren't allowed to run The Cosmic Captive at our store, because it's limited to conventions only. I'd love it if we could run this at that store, after I play it at Gen Con.

I ditto this question...

I double ditto this question...

Although the The Solstice Scar will be convention-only, its requirement is very low compared to past specials: a 3-table minimum. Remember that the convention requirement can be fulfilled by running 15+ sessions over the course of a weekend—even at a game store. Just submit an event support request.

15+ sessions... ouch

Although the The Solstice Scar will be convention-only, its requirement is very low compared to past specials: a 3-table minimum. Remember that the convention requirement can be fulfilled by running 15+ sessions over the course of a weekend—even at a game store. Just submit an event support request.

Ahh. We'd have to create several new conventions to make the convention requirement work. (Is that true for all of the multi-table specials? That they are all convention-only?)

Although the The Solstice Scar will be convention-only, its requirement is very low compared to past specials: a 3-table minimum. Remember that the convention requirement can be fulfilled by running 15+ sessions over the course of a weekend—even at a game store. Just submit an event support request.

Well, so much for the replay aspect of this scenario. Why would Paizo bother spending time and energy writing this as a replayable scenario, but then put limitations on it that prevent 99% of players from actually replaying it?

A 15 session convention is not impossible by any stretch. Our local game store has hosted mini-cons for PFS that feature more than 15 sessions.

Friday Evening - 3 games
Saturday Morning - 3 games
Saturday Afternoon - 3 games
Saturday Night - 3 games (or 3 tables of the Special)
Sunday Morning/Afternoon - 3 games
TOTAL: 15 games

Just find a local venue (FLGS's are wonderful!), recruit some GMs and go to town!