Gideon Stargrave's page

Shadram; Bravo. your maps help me understand the maze that is Scarwell so much better.

1. I cut out any revealing parts of the players guide before I gave it to my PC's. Also do not let them see the guide to Korvosa unless you edit also -if i remember correctly there is a secrets section! regarding Lamm, depending on what happens to him in your game; I added him as a Zombie in Rolf's lair... And I have really focused on Rolf as the main antagonist in the first 2 books. Keeping the players interested by having Rolf as the real source of their coming together.

2. Edge is one big foundation laying introduction and foreshadowing exercise; use it as time for your party to get to know the city.
All the world's meat is the party's first introduction with the Arkona family. Eel's end is the party's first experience of Old Korvosa's seedy underbelly. The time going through these encounters will give you lots of NPC's and locations to bring back later in the AP.

3. I too found it hard make Book 2 a mystery to solve. My party are currently half way through it. I have planned it as the Manor encounter is the direct clue to the Doctors - not just with the crazy half elf leaking Rolf's location at the blessed maiden.

But by also having the manor's owner being the man in charge of the new mint of coins for the Queen's reign. ( I have had Amin invite the party to the manor for a VIP party (x amount of days away) at the start of the book as an insurance policy that they will go there.)

I have leaked in clues towards the coins being the source of the plague throughout the book. Rackers alley I had dead plague bodies - untouched by the ghouls- all having purses with newly minted coins in. When the party visited the bank of Abadar, Darb Tuttle mentioned in conversation that they were busy with the new mint. Giving the party opportunities to focus their investigation on the coins and possibly go to the manor earlier - rewarding them in the process by not wasting time with the boat,rats,perfume. The party has of course focused all of their efforts on the boat and rats!

I think the important thing for book 2 is to give your group options - and leads - let them decide where they go. Just don't make it too obvious that the doctors are the cause - as they are expected to experience most of the encounters in the book first.

Excellent idea.

I too am going with plague zombies (my party is 6-7 players currently at level 3 - slow progression and I have to balance the encounters accordingly)
Plague zombies really connect with the plot; and your idea of Rolf experimenting on the Manor's guests is great - and helps direct the party to the Hospice if they have not done already.

I'm going to try and play it so it his hard to tell at the start if they are zombies or guests. maybe throw in some survivors in some rooms.

As for Ruan - I agree no need - plenty of stuff to keep your party busy in the temple of Urgathoa then searching for him. ie ROLF!

Excellent idea as Dervargo is a great NPC.
Remember he has connections with the Arkona's - he could be working for Bahor in Old Korvosa.

I am also running CotCT and my group is midway through eel's end - I am hoping Dervargo survives - as I think he offers an excellent NPC to the group to be the opposite side of the coin to Vencarlo.

My idea for book 3 is when the party first arrives - to stumble in the middle of a gang war - Emperor's Thugs / Arkona Men / possibly Dervargo's men and/or the thieves Guild opportunistically sensing a change in power in Old Korvosa. With Arkona struggling to hold on to the Island.
I just like the idea chaos in the streets with different gangs. :)