I have both GMed this scenario and played in it, and I can attest- it does a lot of things right. This is definately one of the "atypical" scenarios where creative players and skilled characters really get the chance to shine over min-maxed combatters. Not to mention the scenario has a great plot that ties in with a fantastic story line, and the signifigance of the scenario's mission gives the PCs a chance to feel like they're somebody in the Society. Definite recommend.
I love this scenario. Although it has been a few months since I've ran it, I still feel moved by this scenario. It takes place in a very evocative setting (and is a good introduction for players to the Hao Jin Tapestry). I mean really evocative. Plus, the enemies in this one are Aspis Constortium! However, the real sellers on this scenario are the NPCs:
Spoiler:
One NPC uses slaves as bodyguards. The BBEG of the scenario also ambushes the party as they leave the temple, after they think they've already beat the BBEG. It's great!
Experience: Subtier 1-2 player, read through after
Primarily- This scenario can be a mediocre scenario, or a fantastic one. The difference is how much effort the GM puts into building the atmosphere here. Seriously, if you're GMing this, put in the extra effort to really bring out that otherworldly chill with this.
That aside, a cool scenario. I liked the new monster, and I liked the environment. The BBEG was a very fun and challenging experience, and has some interesting alternatives to beat it. The one thing that really bugs me about the BBEG in Subtier 1-2:
Spoiler:
A wand of Color Spray, really? A wand?! As a GM, I hate NPCs with the spell, and being able to cast it 49 more times just makes it even worse. Did the writer want the players to be able play this scenario or just lay on the ground for 2d4+1d4 rounds?
All together, a rather unremarkable scenario. For clarity, I ran this scenario as GM at the 3-4 tier. I envisioned this scenario as being a zombie-survival-esque, however, its really just a dungeon crawl filled with zombie after zombie after zombie.
Pros:
One clingy aristocrat NPC is particularly fun
Final "boss" fight is challenging
Cons:
Encounters are too easy (all except the final battle)
Encounters are repetitive (particularly for the 1-2 tier)
Spoiler:
Two more human zombies and another bugbear zombie? Again? Yawn.
Plot and faction missions pull in different directions.
Spoiler:
The plot wants the PCs to sit down so the show can start, the faction missions lead to players running about looking for NPCs.
I'd play this scenario again, but it most certainly wouldn't be my first choice (or anywhere near my top ten). It could have some potential for a group who has the time to really roleplay the social atmosphere of the opera before hand.
I played through this module as a player, in the 1-3 tier. My party was Cleric of Erastil 1/Ranger 1, Paladin 2, Druid 2, and Rogue 1.
This module is great- the setting is really evocative. I could picture things very well. The encounters seemed to tie together very well. Even though it's basically a dungeon crawl, there's even a chance for an RP encounter built in, and it's fairly convincing. Extra RP fun can be had if you play a Cleric of a good god or a Paladin; the Pally and I had lots of fun defiling the evil temple as we went.
The scenario is also pretty challenging, maybe too challenging for a party of 1st level PCs. An early NPC could potentially knock-out then coup-de-grace an entire low-level party, and I remember one instance where the PCs are threatened with 6d6 damage. Even with two healers, some of the fights were a little close.
I'd say this was probably one of the funnest scenarios I've been a part of.
I played this module at the 1-2 subtier. This module has (or had?) a good rep, but I didn't particularly like or dislike it.
Spoiler:
I really liked the potential of the first encounter. Unfortunately my party all made their saves. I also liked the two encounters in the smaller exhibit rooms (one with a variety of undead, another is a fake out). The scenario mission and faction missions do a good job of making sure the party explores the whole museum, even though they could walk straight to the BBEG. The atmosphere of the museum can be played up to make this a pretty decent spooky-suspense style module. My biggest complaint with this module is that at 1-2, it was a cakewalk for my party. I don't think they felt threatened even once. The final encounter was particularly anticlimatic (they finished it it two rounds with ease). The consensus seems to be that this is a really fast scenario, but my players took 5 hours to finish.
