[Legendary Games] One on One Adventures: Orphans of the Hanged Man


Product Discussion

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010

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Now that Jason has announced Orphans of the Hanged Man, it's time to give some more details.

As you may have guessed, Legendary One on One Adventures are designed for one player and one GM. Sometimes it’s hard to get a group together and most adventures assume at least 4 players so this style of adventure fills that gap.

Orphans of the Hanged Man is designed for a skill based 1st level PC who has greater aspirations of becoming an influential figure in an urban setting. Investigators, rogues, stalker vigilantes, and so on are well suited for this adventure.

This adventure does stand alone and certainly works well as a prelude or sidetrek in the first book of Red Queen AP, which is why it has been initially marketed as an Adventure Path Plug In, however, we have greater plans for the Legendary One on One Adventures line.

Our end goal is to create the first One on One Adventure Path! The plan is for this adventure path to take a roguish PC from lowly beginnings of slums and gang fights to ascend through wit, guile, and a sharp blade, to the rulership of their own powerful criminal organisation. We've named this AP, the “Guildmaster Adventure Path”.

We even have long term plans to do similar things with other classes groups, such as the “Archmage Adventure Path”.

However these plans are well in the future and we have to start somewhere, and well as to see if there is a large enough market for this style of adventure/adventure path, so please feel free to comment and ask questions.


Huh. That's pretty nifty. I know some players don't have much free time for gaming but wished they could run a solo game for themselves. This might help with that particular niche.

I am curious if this Adventure Path idea that you guys have would try to take into consideration options for that lone pc like the factions subsystem introduced in Ultimate Factions or even relationships subsystems like those explained in Ultimate Relationships.

I'm definitely going to keep an eye and ear open to this possible project you guys want to try.

CB

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010

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We are definitely considering which downtime systems to use further down the track, once the PC gains a fledgling organization to manage.


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A few more questions I came up with:

(1) How many adventures would be developed for the Guildmaster Adventure Path and what would be the expected level ranges for each of the adventures?

(2) Would the experience awards be focusing more on achievements, milestones, and story progress rather on overcoming monster challenges?

(3) Will the adventures be negatively impacted by game mechanics that add additional characters (such as animal companions, familiars, or even the Leadership feat)?

(4) What kind of limitations or restrictions are we looking at for suitable play? By that, I mean, is only a specific group of classes appropriate because they have the right class features and set of class skills?

(5) What kind of timeline are you looking at for each subsequent releases after the first adventure? For example, would the 2nd adventure be scheduled for release one month after the first adventure or two months later?

That's all I have for now. I hope other people will chime in with their own questions too! :)

CB

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010

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Good questions.

(1) We are looking at the AP ending at around 15th level. Each adventure is aimed at covering 1.5 to 2 levels of XP. Orphans of the Hanged Man goes from the start of 1st level to about two thirds of the way through 2nd level. The next adventure in the series should easily take the PC to the start of 4th level. We've planned out and got ideas for around 10 adventures in total.

(2) So far we've done the XP awards in a similar way to a traditional AP. We've included an Advancement Track if GMs prefer the milestone approach. There will certainly be plenty of story based experience awards in this adventure path.

(3) Having more PCs would mean that the GM would need to scale the adventure. 'Pets' such as familiars or animal companions shouldn't need much scaling, if any. However, as it is a urban adventure a cavalier's mount or a druid's animal companion may have trouble clambering around in the sewers. :-) By the time a PC is high enough level to gain Leadership, they should also have considerable resources and other favors to call on.

(4) We have designed the adventure for a fairly broad range of skill based characters. A PC with a roguish skill-set should do well. Having Disable Device and a good Perception will help considerably, but having the trapfinding class feature to be able to disable magical traps isn't a compulsory requirement.

(5) Michael's been playtesting the second adventure and making edits, this should be very close to being out around the start of April. A release every two months would be great, but this does depend on how 'Orphans' is received. We're hoping that it will be very well received.

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010

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We're also interested in listening to people's ideas around the concept of a One on One Adventure Path, so let us know what you think.

Advocates

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Pathfinder Adventure, Adventure Path, Maps Subscriber

As someone who likes having a group of people working together, but also thinks that sometimes someone needs to "take the spotlight", I feel that this could be a very interesting approach to that. A sort of "side story" that could be occasionally interwoven with a group campaign... I'd probably use it as such, but am also prepared to use a one-on-one adventure path as a standalone, because that also sounds fun.

In short: I love the idea and how versatile it could be.


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The idea is a good one. I hope you go forward with this not just for your skill-based PC but for other heroes once this AP is done. One suggestion I have is make sure there's a sidebar or whatnot for how you could introduce a PC at a later point in the story. That way, you have an adventure a GM could potentially use if they need to run a 1 on 1 adventure out of the blue. Many GMs have a day where someone doesn't show, so having a ready-made adventure they can pull off the shelf would still have value to them.

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010

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We certainly want each adventure to be as stand alone usable as possible while still following the AP. We will be including adventure hooks in each adventure to make it easy for GMs to use these as one shot adventures or side quests.


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This sounds amazing. I really hope you guys can make this happen.


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Like I said, it's a great idea that while geared towards a specific niche, it can be used as solo adventures for separate party members who have interesting backstory that is fun to explore. With this idea, that backstory can be explored between the GM and the player without subtracting attention from the rest of the group during normal group play.

Heck, it makes for great "downtime" activities.

The General base class in Ultimate Commander by Legendary Games should shine in such adventures, ;)

Other 1-on-1 adventure path ideas: becoming a hero of legend (think video games like Dragon Quest), a martial artist travelling the world to find new challenges (Ryu from Street Fighter), the lone vengeful anti-hero working hard to save the common folk from an undead threat (Castlevania), the spellcaster researching and seeking places of power and lost lore to become undisputed master of his domain, the warden who puts down threats to the natural world, the charismatic noble hero whose faith is tested through series of trials and tribulations, or maybe the politician who wants to rule a city by undermining his rivals and gathering power and riches to support his agenda.

It would also be interesting to explore different settings with each adventure path: urban, wilderness, underground, underwater, or planar.

Now I am eager to see this first adventure and see how it plays out.

CB


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Also, thanks for answering my questions, Matt. It helps to have that much awareness going in.

CB


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Matt Goodall wrote:

Now that Jason has announced Orphans of the Hanged Man, it's time to give some more details.

As you may have guessed, Legendary One on One Adventures are designed for one player and one GM. Sometimes it’s hard to get a group together and most adventures assume at least 4 players so this style of adventure fills that gap.

Heya Matt, this is Joseph Browning, owner of Expeditious Retreat Press and publisher of the One on One Adventures line, of which I just put up #21: The Gloom Over Dunnocksdell today. We've been publishing in that line since 2005 and the One on One Adventures Compendium was the first non-Paizo print product to be solicited for use with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game in 2009.

I'm concerned about your choice of name for you new adventure path product. Drop me an e-mail and we can discuss things: josephbrowning@gmail.com.

Sincerely,
Joseph Browning
Expeditious Retreat Press

Scarab Sages Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games

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jgbrowning wrote:
Matt Goodall wrote:

Now that Jason has announced Orphans of the Hanged Man, it's time to give some more details.

As you may have guessed, Legendary One on One Adventures are designed for one player and one GM. Sometimes it’s hard to get a group together and most adventures assume at least 4 players so this style of adventure fills that gap.

Heya Matt, this is Joseph Browning, owner of Expeditious Retreat Press and publisher of the One on One Adventures line, of which I just put up #21: The Gloom Over Dunnocksdell today. We've been publishing in that line since 2005 and the One on One Adventures Compendium was the first non-Paizo print product to be solicited for use with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game in 2009.

I'm concerned about your choice of name for you new adventure path product. Drop me an e-mail and we can discuss things: josephbrowning@gmail.com.

Sincerely,
Joseph Browning
Expeditious Retreat Press

Email sent!

Scarab Sages Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games

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To avoid any confusion with Expeditious Retreat's terrific adventure series, we've retitled this product line One Player Adventures... and the first one just went live today - check out Orphans of the Hanged Man here at Paizo and everywhere fine Pathfinder products are sold!


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DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT.

SUPER HYPE.

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010

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Feel free to ask questions or let us know how you went with 'Orphans'.


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Matt Goodall wrote:
Feel free to ask questions or let us know how you went with 'Orphans'.

Yes - please do. These adventures are a ton of fun to write, and playtesting them even more so. I hope everyone enjoys.


I feel like this would be a really good thing to link, here...

XD


Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand purchased.


(It may be a little bit before we get the chance to play it - we're sort of in the middle of RotR and also playing a d20Past game, sooooooooooooo...)


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Any plans for a 5E version?
Is it available via POD?


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HOLY COW this is an awesome adventure to read-through!

I... I want to play this so bad...

Scarab Sages Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games

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Steve Geddes wrote:

Any plans for a 5E version?

Is it available via POD?

It is available via POD at the Legendary Games webstore as well as DrivethruRPG, Open Gaming, Store, and Amazon.

As for a 5E version, the tentative answer is yes, but we want to see what the response is on the PF version. I suspect we'll go ahead and convert it anyway so we can test the 5E market's appetite for single-player adventures.


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Thanks, Jason.
Better buy one, I guess. :)


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Tacticslion wrote:

HOLY COW this is an awesome adventure to read-through!

I... I want to play this so bad...

In his heyday, The Hanged Man would comment, "Patience, young nimble-fingers! Timing is all!"

Thanks for the enthusiasm, Tacticslion! I think the saying that writers write the adventures they want to play comepetely shines through in this one for me. The cool thing about the playtest though, was I had just as much fun as a GM. These one-player stories really grab you from both sides of the table.

Even with your busy schedule above, I bet you won't have to wait too long - after all - it is only two schedules you need to manage to get a game night in, and The Hanged Man's Orphans breaks into pretty easily digestible chunks, so playing for an hour or so before a regular session might work.

Enjoy!

Scarab Sages Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games

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Michael C Allen wrote:
Tacticslion wrote:

HOLY COW this is an awesome adventure to read-through!

I... I want to play this so bad...

In his heyday, The Hanged Man would comment, "Patience, young nimble-fingers! Timing is all!"

Thanks for the enthusiasm, Tacticslion! I think the saying that writers write the adventures they want to play comepetely shines through in this one for me. The cool thing about the playtest though, was I had just as much fun as a GM. These one-player stories really grab you from both sides of the table.

Even with your busy schedule above, I bet you won't have to wait too long - after all - it is only two schedules you need to manage to get a game night in, and The Hanged Man's Orphans breaks into pretty easily digestible chunks, so playing for an hour or so before a regular session might work.

Enjoy!

Very true - just having two people does make it a lot easier to arrange a little time, and because the action goes a lot faster with just two people it's easier to find break-points where no one is left hanging waiting until next session if you have to stop.

Scarab Sages Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games

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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010

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One small optional cosmetic change we were considering for Orphans of the Hanged Man was this:

Spoiler:
After the art order came back with this:

http://www.facebook.com/makeyourgamelegendary/photos/a.198864016952344.1073 741830.196917653813647/648641591974582/?type=3&theater

We considered swapping Collin's gender, to make him/her become Colleen, just because it is such a nice picture. In the end we didn't, but if feel free to do so if you think it would work for your game. Because the picture is barefoot, you'll need to change the description of the encounter where the PC first meets Colleen to have one of the Orphans holding a pair of shoes with noose laces demanding Colleen wear these shoes, and her refusing to do so.


Ah, that's a good suggestion! The helmet on her head was a nice touch. :)

CB

Scarab Sages Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games

Today brings a double-shot of one-on-one RPG action!

1. The debut of The Smuggler's Seal, the sizzling urban adventure of stealth, skulduggery, and sabotage in a web of urban intrigue for one player and one GM, or a small party, or as a sidequest in a larger urban campaign! Grab it today wherever awesome adventures are sold!

2. For those who missed it, the first installment in the Guildmaster One-on-One adventure saga, Orphans of the Hanged Man, is our special TWO$DAY product of the week this week - on sale 80% off for just 2 bucks, only at the Legendary Games webstore!

If you've ever wanted to play but didn't quite have a full group to get together, these adventures are perfect for you! Check them both out today, and plus a quick preview of the avalanche of awesomeness coming your way soon from Legendary Games! 5E Friday FEY-DAY is coming again!

Check it all out here!

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010

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Thanks to Jason and Legendary Games for taking the chance on a One Player Adventure Path.

Michael and I have put in a lot of work into these adventures and we hope everyone enjoys them.

Scarab Sages Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games

Sure thing. These adventures are a lot of fun and I hope people enjoy them!


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I'm very interested in these paths. I read this one last night and I'm excited to run it with my wife.

I would like to see a paladin one and even more so, a Druid/Ranger/Hunter/Class-with-a-pet one.

Small criticism of this module, and maybe it's just me: the description of the boat device, and the description of the elevator model were both confusing in how they were written.

Scarab Sages Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games

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Thanks for the feedback. A pet class adventure series would make great sense, and I'm always a sucker for paladins. We'll see how it goes!


Jason Nelson wrote:
Thanks for the feedback. A pet class adventure series would make great sense, and I'm always a sucker for paladins. We'll see how it goes!

I'm finishing up Orphan's soon. Loving it so far. That legless friend ended one attempt and almost killed his new character too!

Any news to share about potential new adventures? :D

Scarab Sages Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games

Yes and no. The sequel is ready for you The Smuggler's Seal; however, no news yet on the following adventure.


One “group” finished Orphans and we both loved it. We’re starting smuggler’s seal soon. I’ve read through it and it looks wonderful.

We eagerly await more one on one adventures.


These two adventures have inspired my friend and fellow GM to homebrew a solo Paladin adventure to run me through.

Scarab Sages Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games

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Yay, glad to hear you loved them! We've got a third one with writing complete and in development now. Should be ready to go to press probably late February or so!


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Thanks for the posts powerdemon - I hope you guys have a blast with your homebrew paladin solo. I have found one on one play to be a lot of fun - which is why I like writing them of course. Cheers
- Michael


Is there any news on the third installment? I'm about to start what will likely be the final session of smuggler's seal. I'm loving what we have so far!

Ben

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010

Glad to hear you are enjoying it Ben. I'm part way through developing the manuscript for the third part but I've had to turn my time to another project with a deadline coming up. That should be complete soon and then I'll finish off the third part of the One Player adventure path.


Is the third part still being released?

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010

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Yes.

I've spoken with Michael and we are both keen to get the third part done and published well before PF2 hits the streets. We aren't going to look too far into the future, but we will certainly have to consider what rules system to for any remaining adventures when PF2 becomes the 'new thing'.

The majority of the work on the third part is done and it's up to us to develop it into the great adventure that we both know it has the potential to be.


Well PF2 is out. Anything on the third part?

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