So, the people I played with, and others I've talked to who have played the scenario, all agree that the fights are not suitable for level 1 characters. Both groups had casualties and had to quit early, a rare event in that experienced circle. There were some poor rolls, sure, but the stack of hazards and overall CR in the encounters really require some more hit points than a lvl 1 character (especially any arcane caster) is going to be bringing. It was to the point were we discussed if this was intended as a 3-7 scenario, poorly reduced to fill some 1-5 quota. I'll give it two stars for the setting, which is somewhat interesting.