Order of the Amber Die—The Strange Aeons Experiment, Part 4

Impressive!

Impressive!

Thanks John! This was one for the record books for sure, but well worth the time. We are about to tackle your module! I don't believe any of us has ever faced off against any of your scenarios and the group is very much looking forward to the challenge. Your piece on the Graveknights in PF94 (We're also really psyched that Jim is capping off SA) was nice.

Is PF113 your first full module for an AP? Either way we are honored to be experiencing an in-depth ride into your imagination.

Looking forward to seeing you at PaizoCon.

Game on!

John Compton wrote:

Impressive!

Thanks John! This was one for the record books for sure, but well worth the time. We are about to tackle your module! I don't believe any of us has ever faced off against any of your scenarios and the group is very much looking forward to the challenge. Your piece on the Graveknights in PF94 (We're also really psyched that Jim is capping off SA) was nice.

Is PF113 your first full module for an AP? Either way we are honored to be experiencing an in-depth ride into your imagination.

Looking forward to seeing you at PaizoCon.

Game on!

Yep, #113 the first Adventure Path I've written (fewer variant graveknight horses, but plenty of other fun encounters). I look forward to hearing how the Order of the Amber Die handles it!

Sterling Brunsvold wrote:

John Compton wrote:

Impressive!

Thanks John! This was one for the record books for sure, but well worth the time. We are about to tackle your module! I don't believe any of us has ever faced off against any of your scenarios and the group is very much looking forward to the challenge. Your piece on the Graveknights in PF94 (We're also really psyched that Jim is capping off SA) was nice.

Is PF113 your first full module for an AP? Either way we are honored to be experiencing an in-depth ride into your imagination.

Looking forward to seeing you at PaizoCon.

Game on!

Yep, #113 the first Adventure Path I've written (fewer variant graveknight horses, but plenty of other fun encounters). I look forward to hearing how the Order of the Amber Die handles it!

Without giving anything away, I'm just going to say that I'm really liking where you went with it John; as for the maps, they have me excited to see what I can do with them on the full-scale grid. Wish I could say more right now!

In regard to PF112, one part of Richard's adventure that delightfully surprised the entire group was the Okeno section. We were actually behind schedule in the marathon, despite leaving so many days to complete this one; however, the group couldn't resist a lot of immersive role-playing at the Laughing Fleshfair, the Temple of Gozreh, and especially the Hyena Princess's estate (twice). A great time!

We kept hearing creepy whispers and a strange bell throughout the adventure. We've gotten so used to the unexplainable in this Adventure Path, that we just wrote them off as more Lovecraftian enigmas that will be revealed in time.

Hmmm...has your party had any harrowing battles against some incorporal undead by any chance in the previous AP? ^_~

Thanks to the Order of the Amber Die for another excellent report! Best of luck with the rest of the Adventure Path.

Quote:

We kept hearing creepy whispers and a strange bell throughout the adventure. We've gotten so used to the unexplainable in this Adventure Path, that we just wrote them off as more Lovecraftian enigmas that will be revealed in time.

Hmmm...has your party had any harrowing battles against some incorporal undead by any chance in the previous AP? ^_~

Hi Berselius! I think I know where you're going...but please clarify for our readers! ;)

Thanks to the Order of the Amber Die for another excellent report! Best of luck with the rest of the Adventure Path.

Adam, thanks for the well wishes! It's always exciting going into higher level adventures, and we never take it for granted when a campaign makes it as far as this one has (231 session hours and climbing). I know the group is dying for some answers to the mysteries of this AP. More than anything, they'd love to maybe--just maybe--get to meet Count Lowls in the flesh...

Great stuff! Love the visual aids too. How did the players like the extra work in the physical maps and aids?

Great stuff! Love the visual aids too. How did the players like the extra work in the physical maps and aids?

We love it, of course! That's one of the things that makes marathons special, because our GM has the time to put in maximum effort. Adam's maps are the best we've seen, especially with the 3D pieces added to them, and the complete 3D setup to flesh out the city encounters have been tons of fun to play on. Then there's the artwork and other images on the 70" that definitely help put things into perspective for us. (You'll see plenty of shots including those aids in the post-marathon photos on our Facebook.) Also, the players - even those not currently playing in the project - try to pitch in however they can in for the "showcase" elements, as long as they won't give away any spoilers. It all goes a long way to providing total immersion.

nice

Great stuff! Love the visual aids too. How did the players like the extra work in the physical maps and aids?

As someone who came from a group that uses little in the way of minis and maps (which is fine, just different), I have to say that playing with the Order is *amazing*. Everything from miniature bushes to townhouses with balconies not only helps with immersion, but also gives a great staging ground for the group's tactical savvy.

nice

Hey Yakman! We appreciate you taking the time to follow along.

Just curious:

What is your favorite part of our projects?

Are you currently playing Strange Aeons? If not, do our reports make you feel more inclined to do so?

It's always nice to get feedback from fans and other GMs/Players in the community.

Thanks!

Berselius wrote:

Quote:

We kept hearing creepy whispers and a strange bell throughout the adventure. We've gotten so used to the unexplainable in this Adventure Path, that we just wrote them off as more Lovecraftian enigmas that will be revealed in time.

Hmmm...has your party had any harrowing battles against some incorporal undead by any chance in the previous AP? ^_~

Hi Berselius! I think I know where you're going...but please clarify for our readers! ;)

LOL...well, I didn't want to spoil anything for your campaign but if it's okay with you then I'll just go out and say it: "perhaps one or more of your PC's might be suffering from a rather possessive corruption." ;) :D

Aerick Lim wrote:

Berselius wrote:

Quote:

We kept hearing creepy whispers and a strange bell throughout the adventure. We've gotten so used to the unexplainable in this Adventure Path, that we just wrote them off as more Lovecraftian enigmas that will be revealed in time.

Hmmm...has your party had any harrowing battles against some incorporal undead by any chance in the previous AP? ^_~

Hi Berselius! I think I know where you're going...but please clarify for our readers! ;)

LOL...well, I didn't want to spoil anything for your campaign but if it's okay with you then I'll just go out and say it: "perhaps one or more of your PC's might be suffering from a rather possessive corruption." ;) :D

While it might have had something to do with another element of the campaign, I love where you're going! Stay tuned, Berselius! ;-)

Daji, I'm so proud of you! You looked after me when I was ruined by that insanity spell. And that feeblemind spell too, nasty little halfling. Well, let's keep it our secret that you've held everyone together throughout this entire journey. Also between you and me, is that we know you're now smarter than almost the entire party. I love you, my gorgeous fox!

Daji, I'm so proud of you! You looked after me when I was ruined by that insanity spell. And that feeblemind spell too, nasty little halfling. Well, let's keep it our secret that you've held everyone together throughout this entire journey. Also between you and me, is that we know you're now smarter than almost the entire party. I love you, my gorgeous fox!

I can't believe a fox is smarter than most of our iconic characters. What in the world....

Are you currently playing Strange Aeons? If not, do our reports make you feel more inclined to do so?

Regretfully not! Would love to GM or play SA, but with PFS as a player, GMing an irregular Emerald Spire (thanks for the Amber reports!) and GMing another irregular Runelords campaign.. I'm stretched thin for this year as well. U_U

Big Amber Die fan, love these reports.

Doug M.

Very cool!

I'm curious: some of the comments/reviews suggested that this leg of the AP was too easy. Did you all find that to be the case?

Big Amber Die fan, love these reports.

Doug M.

Thank you Doug! It's been a great ride so far, and I'm eager to see how this party of iconic characters does against some of the tougher challenges coming in the last two parts of the AP. Stay tuned!

Very cool!

I'm curious: some of the comments/reviews suggested that this leg of the AP was too easy. Did you all find that to be the case?

Hi Porridge, thanks for checking out the report! By this leg of the AP, I assume you are just referring to part 4. We found it to be a little above average in the way of difficulty, and we still experienced two character deaths (zero would have been better). It has the potential in some places to wipe out a party: The mirror that spawns hounds of Tindalos, and getting overwhelmed while taking on the gnoll fortress being two examples. The archon can be nasty too, especially considering your party might be low on resources and there is little chance of escape; we were fortunate in that fight, as Erasmus ended up throwing down an awe-inspiring series of attacks while engaging it in mid-air. The ill omen bought us another round, and the medium did it again, with back-to-back critical hits.

Wait, I almost forgot! Retelling this encounter is going to sting the players a bit, but it's worth mentioning. The room full of derro saw our grouped-up party hit by eleven sound bursts in a single round. Quinn dropped, and with him, the legendary sword known as "Red Destiny" that had made it this far through the AP with us. The blade fell through the boards of the catwalk into the water, only to be grabbed up by the derro upon our retreat. After returning, we tried to locate it with spells--but to no avail.

Sterling Brunsvold wrote:

Are you currently playing Strange Aeons? If not, do our reports make you feel more inclined to do so?

Regretfully not! Would love to GM or play SA, but with PFS as a player, GMing an irregular Emerald Spire (thanks for the Amber reports!) and GMing another irregular Runelords campaign.. I'm stretched thin for this year as well. U_U

The Emerald Spire, excellent! What a summer that was, I'm glad you liked the report.

Speaking of feats of GMing endurance, I set a personal record with this marathon. Over the course of the 60 session hours we played in PF112, I did not take a single break. We stopped to sleep at the end of the night, and were rolling 30 minutes after rising each morning. We ate all of our meals as we played, since our kitchen area connects to our play area. The players have really invested themselves in the role-playing opportunities available with Strange Aeons, I didn't want to deny them the chance to enrich the experience. It's also very easy to lose track of time during a marathon. Whereas in Giantslayer we often fell behind schedule due to incredibly long combats, this AP has complex investigative elements that are hard to adjust for sometimes. Not to mention, the Mysterium in this adventure had rooms full of lore that were irresistible, and practically begging players to put down their packs and start browsing titles.

Good luck with Runelords and the Spire!

Sadly I have to admit this is the first I have seen of any of your reports, but I am loving this! I am currently gearing up to run this for several groups, just not marathon style. Thanks for sharing this wonderful information with the rest of us.

Sadly I have to admit this is the first I have seen of any of your reports, but I am loving this! I am currently gearing up to run this for several groups, just not marathon style. Thanks for sharing this wonderful information with the rest of us.

Useplanb, thank you! Playing through material at the rate we do and with strict adherence to the way it is written takes a lot of effort, not to mention the long weekends of marathon play; knowing that our reports are contributing to the community makes all the effort well worth it. Since you're just finding us for the first time, I'll just point out a few ways you can dig deeper into the projects if you're in search of more. We keep a living PDF of each project, and you can find all three (The Emerald Spire Project, The Giantslayer Endeavor, and The Strange Aeons Experiment) in our Dropbox. Each PDF contains more than 30,000 words, including: player reflections, module analysis, soundtrack information, photo galleries, map galleries, and even production stills. There's also our Facebook, where we post photos from current projects, convention play, and our home campaign: The Runelords Relay. Since you'll be GMing Strange Aeons for several groups, you might be interested in our map giveaways, as we have still have several maps to release from Dreams of the Yellow King and The Whisper Out of Time. Thanks again for the kind words, and feel free to reach out as you begin your first Strange Aeons run!

So I finally took the time to check out this Experiment and wow. I love playing Pathfinder, I'd even like to be able to have the time to become a member of the Amber Die but after looking at all this, I have a way to go. I have to know, how much has this project cost the group? The furnishings, the 3d terrain, painted mini via pro service, custom maps, all of this seems quite expensive but quite immersive.

So how much has this cost as a whole and what were the expenses for each group of things? Like the custom maps, 3d terrain, painted minis, grouping it like that.

And I would also like to know what this group considers the best investment, for this project and for any campaign in general. I have a good collection of books and mats and some other things but I was wondering what may be a good investment.

So I finally took the time to check out this Experiment and wow. I love playing Pathfinder, I'd even like to be able to have the time to become a member of the Amber Die but after looking at all this, I have a way to go. I have to know, how much has this project cost the group? The furnishings, the 3d terrain, painted mini via pro service, custom maps, all of this seems quite expensive but quite immersive.

So how much has this cost as a whole and what were the expenses for each group of things? Like the custom maps, 3d terrain, painted minis, grouping it like that.

And I would also like to know what this group considers the best investment, for this project and for any campaign in general. I have a good collection of books and mats and some other things but I was wondering what may be a good investment.

Adam,

Thanks for taking the time to check out the Experiment, and you ask a great question there! Aside from the time commitment involved, there are indeed financial investments as well. We have developed relationships with companies that help provide us with much of the immersive elements you see, and the rest our members chip in for. It definitely helps that we have been doing this for a very long time--30 years and 140 published adventures--so we've built quite an extensive collection of material (and experience) to draw from for each project. Being part of the Order is much like belonging to an athletic team or a league of any kind. For us to function at the level you see here, we expect a lot from our members, but if playing tabletop RPGs with this much immersion is something a person wants the opportunity to do, we've found that they're always excited to contribute.

The largest expenditures are for travel and food, as our members are spread out across the country and many fly to attend each marathon. It's fairly easy to estimate by figuring six marathons, with plane tickets and food for each. Since our members use their time off from work to do these projects, most just consider it a typical vacation expenditure. The majority of marathons are played at my house as GM, because it's free to do so, and also our hoard of gaming materials is stored there. Order members have dubbed the place "Fort Rannick," and we're not afraid to pack the house for a long weekend with members who are either part of a project, or just want to watch the current group take on a module.

Discussing expenditures does warrant mentioning that cost is often the last thing on a member's list before deciding to join a project. When we approach our members to set up a "Core 4" party of players for a new project, they have to consider foremost what it will do to their personal lives for the next nine or ten months. Once every six weeks they will have to come together for days to play an adventure, but in-between marathons there is an incredible amount of work to be done. For more on this, we've written about it in our PDFs for each project, and we also cover it at our GenCon (and upcoming PaizoCon) seminars on marathon gaming.

As for a recommended investment of your own, I have always tried to fill gaps in my collection when possible. If you find that you have extra maps that aren't used during adventures, maybe it's time to focus more on miniatures or some of that new Pathfinder Battles terrain from the recent sets. Other GMs might have a preference for a better gaming table to use them on; much of it depends on what you find most enjoyable in the game, especially if it's solely your money. I like to make the room much like my classroom, and offer the players visuals on a large screen, so in that case maybe a projector or big TV might be useful. One of the greatest things about Tabletop RPGs is that there is no set standard for what makes one group's game better than another. More than cash, put your precious time into each encounter and make sure you tell a great story. :)