I am planning to run Jade Regent after my brother finishes running Rise of the Runelords for us. We just finished book 2 last session, so it will be a while before I run. But I want to be ready for when that happens (and not just start reading a few days before I run).
I might just hand-wave the relationship and caravan stuff. Or more accurately, I will have it work out as it makes sense in the context of the game and for the sake of fun.
I am seriously considering allowing a player to play Ameiko. But I do have a question about that. If everyone starts out at level 1, what level should she be? I was thinking that maybe she just "got rusty" and is level 1 again.
I'm starting Jade Regent on Monday. No one has opted to be Ameiko or any of the other key NPCs but I think there are general guidelines about what class to take and how all four might level up in the player's guide.
As far as why she's not as great as she once might have been, you're rationale seems as good as any.
The caravan rules can be tweaked or discarded. It's no secret they're a little broken. But I've only very recently started to hear about complaints about relationship scores. My understanding is that they're high for a reason. Winning someone's heart should not be an easy matter no matter what Hollywood might say.
I see no reason that Ameiko needs to be more than level 1. Just keep the picture and background and let the player define her class and stats as they wish.
The only trouble with having a player as Ameiko is that you have to make allowances for them having problems. You need to have a plan in case Ameiko dies or the player loses interest in the character or they try to abuse their position.
