Gragan's page

OK, I am about to start this adventure path soon, loving what ive read so far (only needing some minor changes to suit me), but one thing is bugging me about part 2. What is the actual point in fort hailcourse. Other than maybe discovering that the royal accuser is dead. Don't get me wrong it's a nice location and all, but i don't feel it really adds anything to the overall story, other than xp for the characters before Iris Hill. I'm wondering if there is some crucial bit of information i can put here so my players dont feel like they've wasted their time?

I do get the whole should march off to kick in the door of the county ruler without some official backing, (ie the royal accuser). I'm fine with hooks to get them there before Iris Hill, just what do they get out it in the end narrative wise? I know unless i put something really important there my players will ask what the point was. Any thoughts? or have i just missed something really obvious and important in my stupidity?

So I am about to run a Strange Aeons campaign and one of our players who is relatively new to the system would like to play a swashbuckler type. The rest of the group are helping him design the actual mechanics.

So the swashbuckler class on its own didn't jump at us, so we decided on Daring Champion cavalier with order of the eastern star. (thematically fits with the campaign) I am not hugely clued up on this style of character so was looking for some advice on traits and feats.

Is he as well sticking with a rapier and going down the piranha strike and crit fishing routes or are there better options? What are the "must have" feats? Any help would be appreciated.