I had a couple questions relating to the sequence of events in this chapter that feel incorrect and/or vague and I'm hoping someone can shed some light on it. (I'm running from the hardcover edition in case it matters)
It seems to me that events during Trials of Respect progress based on how many Respect Points the PCs have earned, and so certain things don't happen until after the Respect Point total is past a certain point. With this in mind, it seems that the Flameford Assault can't take place until after the PCs have 20+ Respect Points. Assuming this is the case, then there are two contingencies presented that would never come to pass:
1) During the Flameford Assault, one of the Red Mantis assassins "offers the Shoanti an out—if they agree to turn over the PCs to her, or better, aid her in slaying the PCs, she’ll call off her minions and leave the survivors alone. If the PCs have at least 5 Respect Points, the Shoanti roar in outrage and turn down the offer, but if the PCs have 4 or fewer Respect Points, the Shoanti grimly nod and step aside, allowing the full force of six assassins, the Cinderlander, 24 Ashwing gargoyles, and perhaps Cinnabar to focus their attention on the PCs."
It was my understanding that the whole assault won't happen until after the Sun Shaman, Ready-Klar, and their thundercallers leave-which won't happen until the Sun Shaman is ready to commune with his ancestors at the Kallow Mounds-which won't happen until the PCs have at least 20+ Respect Points. So there's no possible way the Shoanti would turn over or slay the PCs at this point, right?
2) After the Saving Krojun encounter, it states "If the PCs save Krojun’s life, he becomes their lifelong friend and ally, declaring them his nalharests. Award the PCs 3 Respect Points."
Isn't it kind of pointless to gain Krojun as a nalharest at this point (aside from RP reasons) because they necessarily must have 20+ Respect Points already in order for this to come to pass?
