Solstice Scar Update

I love Solstice Scar and am very interested in what will happen when you have all 4 done on the same character. It pushed me to build a character JUST for it.

That being said, I would love to see a similar story in Tien Xia or going through the Elemental Planes (maybe in a few years after we get removed from season 8 a bit more).

I have a character that actually worships the Deity represented in the scenario. Totally didn't know when I sat down. But I enjoy that role-playing aspect.

Thanks, as always, for the update!

The only major complaints I have heard from players in my neck of the woods is that they wish they had known going in to Part A of Solstice Scar that there was a benefit for playing all 4 parts of this on the same character (many of them played this at tier 10-11 and had they known may have played it at 1-2 or 3-4 instead to ensure they could play all 4 parts on the same character).

That said, all of the other feedback has been very positive. The increased emphasis on the narrative in these, especially compared to previous specials, has been very welcome. There is a bit of a curve in getting tables to realize that that's the case and to break their expectations but there being multiple parts is REALLY helping with that.

I appreciate letting us know which parts will be used for version C and D. I will miss Nigel getting yelled at though.

When we played this last night there were several players bothered by the repetition of part one, at least in how characters who've already played that part have to kind of sit bank and pretend they hadn't meet these people before. Ruining the latter parts wasn't as immersion breaking for them, but the mystery part and introduction to the characters involved fell flat on its face.

I've really enjoyed this as a player and GM. The fact you can play different tiers and choose different routes means the parts can be somewhat new even on the same PC.

I do wish the last encounter was maybe 5 minutes longer...but I blame everyone at my tables spending the first 10 minutes buffing once they realize it's the final boss.

John, thank you. This answers most of the questions that I had about timing, contents and future of Solstice Scar. This is exactly the information that I needed to help me plan my PBP specials & conventions.

Hugs,
Hmm

Actually, a lot of folks are saddened by not getting he chance to play act 2 again. Most folks I have heard from thought that it was the most fun part. Act 3 can be... rough.

That being said, I have found it to be the least involved in the story.

Act two was my favorite too. So much orcish goodness! It was a delightful section.

Hmm

Is there any chance of making the later parts go slightly higher in level? Then those of us who started with a high level character can still get all the parts on one character.

Actually, a lot of folks are saddened by not getting he chance to play act 2 again. Most folks I have heard from thought that it was the most fun part. Act 3 can be... rough.

That being said, I have found it to be the least involved in the story.

When first planning out the story arc, I recognized early on that I wanted a solid Belkzen chapter. It’s just so rare in Pathfinder Society that we clash with orcs, and this was a great opportunity for exactly that. As you note, though, Part 2 is the least involved in the story.

Is there any chance of making the later parts go slightly higher in level? Then those of us who started with a high level character can still get all the parts on one character.

Adding additional subtiers represents increased work on the author for later parts (to whom this has already been assigned and contracted), additional time in development, and additional complexity for coordinators when juggling which subtiers their GMs need to prepare. While I acknowledge that it is nice to be able to play all four parts with the same high-level character, the logistical cost in making that happen is significant.

What I can do, assuming we create another modular special in the future, is provide clearer messaging about how many versions to expect.

Although Act 2 was the least story required, I too found it rather fun, and my favorite, as a player during PaicoCon2017 with my rather shenanigan-ed Half-Orc, who was adopted by dwarves. It presented a very interesting Roleplay back and forth between my GM and myself at the table that had the entire group laughing.

When I brought it to my local store and ran Version A as the Overseer everyone who played loved every minute of it. When it was over everyone, and i mean everyone of them, asked me immediately when I was planning to Run Version B to which I had to tell them that "I do not know when but soon, I hope". Now that you have layed out the time frames for us John, thank you very much btw, I feel relieved that I made a good choice for the Special for my first ever Convention (Konocti-Con) and wanting to run Version B at my local store. It will be ran sometime in April or May I am thinking. I have already had four wonderful people who volunteered to GM the next one.

Thank you again for everything you and those involved with Organized Play due for us.

I'm a bit disappointed that it's the museum coming back again, and not the orcs.

Because now it's like the story is on rewind, with the same "surprise" happening in the museum. Which doesn't make any sense.

Meanwhile, the orc scene could have happened again, based on version A's argument that the dagger needs to be empowered by retracing its steps.

I'm sure we all have our favorite parts from part A. I'd probably guess there are as many fans of the museum part as the travel and roleplay in the 2nd part. Something had to be deleted and I'd guess that no matter which one was eliminated it would elicit a similar response. Keeping the museum part kept the scenario launch in tact which may have been a develop decision since it meant not as much background writing/rewriting for those who hadn't played 'A' at all. Personally, I like the museum act, but I can see how having knowledge at the table significantly impacts the encounter at the end. Part 3 can be very challenging to be sure, but I like the roleplay midway through and the latter encounter/s are interesting (IMO).

Regardless, I look forward to part C and how this progresses towards part D.

I am sitting at a con right now as Overseer GM for version B. Have 3 tables running with a total of 13 players. Much merriment is being had by all.

We all enjoy this special and look forward to playing the other versions as they come out.

Had our run of Part B last night, five tables with 21 players. It's been a great success so far, and I can't wait to see the last two parts.

It is actually nice to know that there is a "skippable" night at Gen Con this year (if one plans to pick up version D elsewhere eventually). Thanks for the info.

I've missed earlier posts with schedule, so planned version A in April/May before paizocon (thought version B will be there) - so missed it. That is sad.

But, for example, our steady group of 15 players and 3 GMs started from version B and plays C and. That means that we will play parts 1 and 6 one time, parts 3 and 5 two times and part 4 three times. Seriously, for the third time players will know monsters better than GM! Having started from version A makes only 2 and 6 parts one-timer, adding one three-timer. Doesnt sound very interesting...

Febor, if you play at different tiers you will get a more varied experience, despite the redundancy of story. I've already played Version A twice (using a GM replay) and version B, but since I played at 5-6, 7-8 and 10-11, it still felt pretty fresh.

That being said, I'm definitely skipping or GMing Version C, since I don't need to play chapter 3 a fourth time.

I don't really see the point in encouraging people to play it with the same character 4 times when they might enjoy replaying it more at different levels, or with different characters.

Thank you for the info John.

Im also sad to see the Orcs go :(

Thank you for the update on how this is all going to work, I can't wait to schedule a night for the Solstice Scar for my players!

I only wish I had been paying more attention to the blog over the past several months, as my players and myself have completely missed the opportunity to play Version A. However, you did mention that there may be a version containing all six parts released after Version D has had its run, so hopefully we'll have the chance to go back and make that part up.

In any case, thanks again to you and everyone who made this experiment possible!

I'm not sure about a ~9 hour scenario, but I guess we could split it across two slots. :)

Mimo, they way I understood it, there will be a boon at the end of all 4 for characters who completed all four. I assume it has to do with the special item on A.

I'm not sure about a ~9 hour scenario, but I guess we could split it across two slots. :)

That or it could be a pick and choose type. GM picks three of the six options and then runs it with a final conclusion.

Mimo, they way I understood it, there will be a boon at the end of all 4 for characters who completed all four. I assume it has to do with the special item on A.

Steven Schopmeyer wrote:

I'm not sure about a ~9 hour scenario, but I guess we could split it across two slots. :)

That or it could be a pick and choose type. GM picks three of the six options and then runs it with a final conclusion.

Then it really IS a quest series. :D

Heofthehills wrote:

Mimo, they way I understood it, there will be a boon at the end of all 4 for characters who completed all four. I assume it has to do with the special item on A.

** spoiler omitted **

In regards to this boon: any chance that version B, C or D could add extra options such as making the enchantment applicable to a different type of item? I mean, my cavalier or fighter could use this if it wasn't so.... short....

Please, tell me, where were written that 8-99 A retires on 21 of February other than in 23 February post (here)? Where I missed my chance to run Part 2?

This is the first announcement of the schedule publicly that I am aware of. The VOs have known the rough schedule for awhile and have been doing our best to communicate the approaching deadlines.

John Compton wrote:

Heofthehills wrote:

Mimo, they way I understood it, there will be a boon at the end of all 4 for characters who completed all four. I assume it has to do with the special item on A.

** spoiler omitted **

In regards to this boon: any chance that version B, C or D could add extra options such as making the enchantment applicable to a different type of item? I mean, my cavalier or fighter could use this if it wasn't so.... short....

:)

Thank you. Right now, I love the scenario, but the item is very, very niche... so niche that I can only see my paladin with River Rat trait ever taking it... but he's not the PC playing that scenario... :P

Edit: wording on letting any of your PCs access the item perhaps!? O_O

:) :) :)

So, if I understand this properly....

Version A is retired, it can no longer be run/offered.

Version B is no longer under exclusivity? Does this mean I could reach out to my RVC and ask for permission to offer it at my store some weekend before August 6th when it's retired?

Correct. Request scenario access the same way you would for a convention, only just for Solstice Scar.

This is the first announcement of the schedule publicly that I am aware of. The VOs have known the rough schedule for awhile and have been doing our best to communicate the approaching deadlines.

Not a word from our local VO`s :-( But our Captain business-tripping all around the world, Leuteunant moved to another state and Agent got promoted month ago after year of confirmation waiting - just nobody to blame :-)

How do VOs get part B?

Submit a scenario request to Tonya and your RVC.

I'd much rather have seen A (1,2,3) at PaizoCon/GenCon 2017, and then B (4,5,6) at PaizoCon/GenCon 2018. As it is, I'll likely skip the special this year. Even with two-third new, I wouldn't want to spoil a chance to play the last part eventually with two-thirds old material. Being season-agnostic makes the rolling cycle particularly pointless - there's nothing being tied in by the progression, it's purely arbitrary.

+1 to Part 2 being the most memorable by the way, if perhaps too short.

Overall, not to be a downer, but I just don't see how this is good storytelling. Good for organizing, and publishing, but not storytelling.

Sorry for the necro, but I'm not interested in re-running specials, especially when the specials have become bogged-down combat that can end suddenly due to time even though both sides are still fighting. Necro-ing this because I'm registering for GenCon and see this is the only PFS game offered for Thursday 800pm.

Sad to see no other scenario offered. With no Starfinder game for Thursday night, it'll be my first GenCon in a long time not spending Thursday night with Paizo games.

You're not the only one disappointed. I'm not sure if it's just the result of bad experiences with the adventure but it's just left a bad taste in my mouth and I'm not at all looking forward to it. I dunno, maybe I'm burnt out with it after playing thrice and running it twice. If I don't end up running in that slot I'll probably find anything else to do instead.

Having played parts A and B now, I can't help but feel this would have been better as a module, or as two linked scenarios (Solstice Scar Part 1 and Part 2).

The story is shaping up nicely, but I'd rather that the multi-table specials be unique. I don't enjoy the repetition.

I agree. This should have been just parts A and D. But the experiment was interesting.

Hmm

One interesting thing about replaying certain parts is seeing how different GMs interpret the same material so vastly differently. And where one GM was willing to lock down our entire party with certain tactics that were obliquely (quesionably?) allowed by the scenario and another GM wanted us to actually experience the encounter (which was still quite difficult, but instead of being locked down and not experience it and almost dying, we almost died while experiencing it.)

Having played parts A and B now, I can't help but feel this would have been better as a module, or as two linked scenarios (Solstice Scar Part 1 and Part 2).

The story is shaping up nicely, but I'd rather that the multi-table specials be unique. I don't enjoy the repetition.

Agreed. I'm skipping this one at Gen Con this year, because I'm just not interested. I'll play the final version to see how it all ends, assuming I have the chance.

What is the status on C?

Too much repetition in the scenarios :(

What is the status on C?

It's scheduled to premiere at PaizoCon on Sunday, May 26th at 7pm.

I'm presuming that Part A will be unretired when Part D's exclusivity ends. No?

Meant as far as the maps for Part 5?

My family and I played A at Gen Con last year and had a blast (partly due to our fantastic GM, who had traveled from Australia for the con). We’ve all missed B, but I just got us tickets for C at this year’s Gen Con. If we didn’t play the second part, is there enough new material to be worth it?