I just started running this one for my group, and so far it's a blast. The party is all CN, and after catching the halfling rogue eavesdropping and hearing his unapologetic "all's fair in love and tombrobbing," promptly knocked him out, stripped him and stashed him away in a crate of fish down by the river.
So, yeah, the Expeditionairy is down one member.
Good times!
I've only read the first 3 pages, but I gotta say Wow! It's so intelligently written that I feel smarter just by reading a couple of pages. Very cool stuff in here. Very anxious to run it.
I'm with Steve. I bought it due to Logue's enthusiasm (which could have been a terrible mistake, since he's enthusiastic about EVERYTHING, especially ogre lovin') and after just a quick browse found myself engrossed by a multitude of really smart ideas.
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Just skimming it, I have to say the ideas intrigue me - and the bit with the potential for a free-willed mummy character at the end highly intrigues me, not the least because of the unique quirks of this type of mummy. The enigma is also fascinating, not the least because it offers the first real ties to the other worlds of the setting, previously mentioned here on the boards (aside, perhaps, from the mysterious ship in Pathfinder #3... Which struck me as being the sort of thing, with the strange and unrecognizable bits of it, that you might find as a reference to some other world Out There that the ship used to be on before some Huge Event...)
got it this morning - simply because I love pharaonic adventures - and this looks..... magnificent ?
Probably would/will have to run it as a "one-shot" (since it wouldn't really fit the STAP and everything else in planning), but the Curse of the Symbols, the elevator and the handling of the competing group just about take the cake ! Not to mention the "counterweight contest" of the Radiant Pharao
Would be a shame not to use this on the players...
Yes, this module is simply awesome, must like everything Paizo has put out thus far. I do have a few questions however;
1) If a PC wanted to make a wand rifle, what would he need to do? A Craft (weaponsmithing) check? Does it requires Craft Wondrous Item and/or Magical Arms and Armor feat(s)? If it is indeed magically made, what spells, if any, are involved?
2) What happens to the wands if the rifle is sundered? Nothing? Destroyed? Mishap? DM Fiat?
That's about it. Once, as I 've said numerous times already, great job guys and gals, keep up the good work.
Just finished reading this. Among the very best 32 page modules I've read. Does a great, great job of turning the screws on the players. Kortes, you are the man.
Yes, this module is simply awesome, must like everything Paizo has put out thus far. I do have a few questions however;
1) If a PC wanted to make a wand rifle, what would he need to do? A Craft (weaponsmithing) check? Does it requires Craft Wondrous Item and/or Magical Arms and Armor feat(s)? If it is indeed magically made, what spells, if any, are involved?
The wand rifle itself is not a magic item, and therefore should be made using the craft rules in the DMG. It would take a Craft (Weaponsmithing) check, and no feats or spells would be required.
2) What happens to the wands if the rifle is sundered? Nothing? Destroyed? Mishap? DM Fiat?
DM Fiat, although since wands are magic items, they would probably be fine, unless something really nasty happened to the rifle.
That's about it. Once, as I 've said numerous times already, great job guys and gals, keep up the good work.
Thanks! I'm glad to see that people seem to be enjoying this one.
I totally hadn't noticed this discussion going on when I posted my own identical thread raving about this adventure. There is so much in it to love really. I love the Chelish expeditionary. I love Sothis (though I think the Pathfinders are spoiling me--I was hoping for a Sandpoint style writeup on who's who around town, forgetting for a second that it's just an adventure). I thought the "dungeon" itself was wonderfully innovative. The runthrough reading really felt like The Mummy, with that same kind of high octane pulp romantic-adventure (strange that it's the exact feeling I think Eberron has always so unsuccessfully tried to channel for years now, and you hit it perfectly in one adventure...heh). Oh and the stuff on Arcturis. Wow. Another awesome planet out there. You got me drooling. Reminds me a bit of planet Stargate. Heh. Oh and lest I forget--roving waring tribes of desert elementals. Ooooh yeah.
The downsides. I was really kind of nonplussed about the whole "Osirion Mummy". I mean, if regular mummies aren't from Osirion, then what the heck do I do with them? I love the "*bam* dust" thing--but I would have really liked to have seen that crazy sphynx thing get the spotlight as new critter. Oh and the city in a bug shell was a bit weird too. I can't really see too many bugs of that size in a big ol' desert--not much to eat, nor the idea of a discarded shell weathering year after year of savage sandstorms. It just felt really Morrowind. I like that so far most of the cities and cultures in Golarion have felt pretty lived in and down to earth, as opposed to other fantasy settings where it's a new weirdo thing a minute (erhem...Exalted).
Just my thoughts. Way more good than bad though. A definite 5 star product--and mind you I hate-hate-hate modules.
Chief Creative Officer, Publisher
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One idea I've been toying with regarding the bug shell is that it is a remnant of one of the Spawn of Rovagug--enormous creatures birthed of the mad dreams of the god of wrath, disaster, and destruction. These creatures emerge from the earth in time of tumult every millennia or so and create general mayhem. The tarrasque is an example of one Spawn of Rovagug that survived its encounter with the world (after a fashion). Perhaps the Sothis shell is the remains of one that didn't.
Oooh. I really kind of like that. Imagine if the lands that are now Osirion were once lush and verdant and the people happy and prosperous. Then a huge war or something, or maybe just jealousy on the part of those in the lands that didn't have it so good start to raise their voices to Rovagug and suddenly the Spawn of Rovagug appears--eats everything, is unstoppable, until all that is left is desert. Maybe they kill it, though the writeup talks about the shell having been molted, which would suggest it not only survived, but is bigger now--sleeping somewhere beneath the sands. That's kinda' creepy in a Cthuhlu sorta' way. So yeah, then after years of lying lifeless, Osirion gets discovered by the people who currently live there. None of them know the legend, and so build a city inside the shell of the creature that destroyed a nation.
That could make an interesting end for the Age of Pharaohs.
Can anyone answer the following questions?
1) If something or something comes from Osirion is the proper title Osirian?
2) Do these guys worship the same gods that are published so far from the Varisia resources, or these and others, or entirely others?
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Chief Creative Officer, Publisher
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Can anyone answer the following questions?
1) If something or something comes from Osirion is the proper title Osirian?
Yes. The mummy in the adventure should be called an "Osirian Mummy," not an Osirion Mummy.
2) Do these guys worship the same gods that are published so far from the Varisia resources, or these and others, or entirely others?
Those and others. Nethys has his origins as an Osirian god, I believe, and Sarenrae is popular among the keleshites who live there, if not all of the natives.
There are probably lots of other gods in Osirion, but we haven't published anything on them yet.
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oh and I think if you wanted more Osirian adventure check out Desert of Desolation! A true classic that this just follows so well. A perfect mix.
My first direct paizo buy includes this and Gallery of Evil. I didn't realize non-subscribers didn't get the pdf for free or discount with the purchase so I'm going to have to wait a couple of days until I get my evil little hands on it. I look forward to it, though!
I liked the competing adventures a great deal and have done something akin to that in the past with excellent results. While the adventure was also very good, especially the rune traps and weight trap in 10, I have one issue with it. Those interred here, on a demi plane, were rulers of a large and powerful kingdom, yet Ankana is only a 7th caster. Since the other three have been altered in death (or opted not to become undead as Anok) there's no issue with them. But Ankana is clearly the original Pharaoh so its difficult to envision her as a paltry 7th. I plan to run the mummy as a cursed guardian, doomed to guard the body of Ankana and place Ankana's body in repose in 11.
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The only thing I think it needed was a map (from Chris West of course) showing where Osirion is compared to the other lands, such as Pathfinder :)
Not quite Chris West material, but this was in the blog a while back.
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The only thing I think it needed was a map (from Chris West of course) showing where Osirion is compared to the other lands, such as Pathfinder :)Not quite Chris West material, but this was in the blog a while back.
Holy smoke that is a long ways away!
Thanks. Is there a regional map of Osirion, like the one shown itty bitty on that map?
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I liked the competing adventures a great deal and have done something akin to that in the past with excellent results. While the adventure was also very good, especially the rune traps and weight trap in 10, I have one issue with it. Those interred here, on a demi plane, were rulers of a large and powerful kingdom, yet Ankana is only a 7th caster. Since the other three have been altered in death (or opted not to become undead as Anok) there's no issue with them. But Ankana is clearly the original Pharaoh so its difficult to envision her as a paltry 7th. I plan to run the mummy as a cursed guardian, doomed to guard the body of Ankana and place Ankana's body in repose in 11.
I have no problem with the level. A high level is not necessary to rule a land. I would expect that most of the nobility is simply Aristocrat NPC class, probably somewhere between 1-5. A king or any such ruler would likely be similar, though could go a bit higher depending upon background. But that isn't necessary.
A warrior king would likely be Aristocrat 4/Fighter 4 or something along those lines. A priest king is likely to be Aristocrat 4/Cleric 4. Political and religious rank do not necessarily reflect class level.
In fact the higher the class level the more threat you are to the establishment. So there is one of two ways to deal with you. The establishment can either manipulate you into servitude via feudal vows or religious vows, or just try to get you killed, depending upon your relationship with them.
Krome,
I agree that the ruler of a kingdom doesn't need to be the most powerful person in it, but they need sufficient personal power to seize leadership and then hold it. Low level rulers are fine when its a regency and they've just come into power and they rely on the advice and protection of the regent (or become his/her puppet. Having the ruler of a theocracy like Osiron only be 7th isn't believable to me (nor would it be to my players) considering that they had the power to construct a huge, trap laden pyramid and then shunt in into a demi plane. Hierarchy and religion are useful for keeping people in line, but surely there were some ambitious fellows out there who would be kings, at 7th it makes it too easy for them to be disposed. That's just my take on the specific detail of having one of the original 4 intact within the tomb, the adventure was excellent, but that specific piece doesn't work for me. Imagine if the PCs use command undead (a 2nd level spell) on Ankana and she fails, she has only a +5 will. They then win an opposed cha check (she has a +2 bonus) and march her out after solving the puzzle in 8, "Hey, look, we have an ancient ruler!" It could happen.
Krome,
I agree that the ruler of a kingdom doesn't need to be the most powerful person in it, but they need sufficient personal power to seize leadership and then hold it. Low level rulers are fine when its a regency and they've just come into power and they rely on the advice and protection of the regent (or become his/her puppet. Having the ruler of a theocracy like Osiron only be 7th isn't believable to me (nor would it be to my players) considering that they had the power to construct a huge, trap laden pyramid and then shunt in into a demi plane. Hierarchy and religion are useful for keeping people in line, but surely there were some ambitious fellows out there who would be kings, at 7th it makes it too easy for them to be disposed. That's just my take on the specific detail of having one of the original 4 intact within the tomb, the adventure was excellent, but that specific piece doesn't work for me. Imagine if the PCs use command undead (a 2nd level spell) on Ankana and she fails, she has only a +5 will. They then win an opposed cha check (she has a +2 bonus) and march her out after solving the puzzle in 8, "Hey, look, we have an ancient ruler!" It could happen.
Due to the nature of their binding, the four pharohs together may have had power that exceeded "the sum of the parts", so that could explain the demi-plane, etc. Most of the building was done with slave labor.
But I don't buy the idea that you need to be a super-high level caster in order to rule a country.
Not every ruler in a D&D world has to have Epic PC class levels in order to seize and obtain power. There's no reason why political power needs to have any relationship with personal combat power.
It's not like that in the real world, and it's not like that in countless fantasy worlds in literature, movies, etc.
Just because the rules say it's possible for someone to achieve Epic levels doesn't mean that they are at all common. And it doesn't mean that everyone who achieves high level goes out and conquers a country.
Most importantly, it doesn't mean that every body of people will put up with whatever jack-hole decides to show up and say "fear my challenge rating and obey!" I don't care how high your CR is, if you have no loyal subjects at all, sooner or later even a bunch of low-level "n00bs" will "pwn" you.
A lack of personal power doesn't make a ruler easy to depose, if enough people in the country agree that they are the right one for the job. If you want to take over, you may have to go through the entire army, and then, the people may rise up against you. And no matter how much personal power you have, if the entire country is against you, you're not really the ruler. Your just a BBEG waiting for the PCs to show up.
If the PCs charmed Ankana and dragged her out, they would probably be shot down as infidels with messing with her.
Krome,
Not every ruler in a D&D world has to have Epic PC class levels in order to seize and obtain power. There's no reason why political power needs to have any relationship with personal combat power.
Most fantasy setting are violent & magical by nature. I found it logical for a leader to be high level, unless he is some kind of puppet. After all, you need to be at least 9th level (or use to) to gain the leadership feat.
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There's no reason why political power needs to have any relationship with personal combat power.
It's not like that in the real world, and it's not like that in countless fantasy worlds in literature, movies, etc.
Ironically, the more 'combat expertise' or 'personal power' one has, the *less* likely one is to become a leader in this country.
But gosh, the primaries would be *so* much cooler if they had to fight each other for the nomination! I'd pay real money to see Obama and Hillary in the ring together, or McCain and Romney. The best would be Huckabee and Guiliani or Ron Paul and Kucinich (or hey, Ron Paul and *Ru Paul!*). I can't think of a way that those match-ups wouldn't be hilarious...
I never implies that the rulers should be epic level, unbeatable characters, just that 7th seemed too low. Using the tenet of 'the whole was greater than the sum of the parts' I'd be satisfied if they had been 12th with a boost for their pact. Clearly everyone has a vision on how their world runs, in mine, especially in an evil kingdom, its might makes right.