Male human (Taldan) Fighter lvl 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+5 armour, +1 shield, +2 Dex) | Fort +4 | Ref +2 | Will + 2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30' (20' in armour) | Init +2
After unlocking the gate, Theo stows his sword. He collects and equips his shield and morningstar before heading for the door to the unholy shrine. "Ya. This needs to go." He gestures toward the symbol of Lamashtu on the door. "Everybody ready? Shall we see what's in there?"
Male human (Taldan) Fighter lvl 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+5 armour, +1 shield, +2 Dex) | Fort +4 | Ref +2 | Will + 2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30' (20' in armour) | Init +2
Hearing that the key is inside, Theo curses. ”I guess we’re doing this the hard way.” He drops his morningstar and moves next to the metal door again. As he goes, he yanks his greatsword from its scabbard. Raising it high above his head, he swings at the door with all of his strength.
Male human (Taldan) Fighter lvl 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+5 armour, +1 shield, +2 Dex) | Fort +4 | Ref +2 | Will + 2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30' (20' in armour) | Init +2
"Eurkar, help me break it down!" Theo braces his shoulder against the gate. "On three?"
I'm hoping Eurkar will aid another in my attempt to break the gate. I guess I delay until after he acts? Or should I be readying the action to aid him in breaking the gate?
Male human (Taldan) Fighter lvl 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+5 armour, +1 shield, +2 Dex) | Fort +4 | Ref +2 | Will + 2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30' (20' in armour) | Init +2
"We're coming!" Theo takes off running toward the door in the fence.
Taking the run action. Is the door in the fence closed? If no, I'd like to run right through it if possible to end up next to the person calling for help. However, I'm placing my pawn assuming that it's closed.
Male human (Taldan) Fighter lvl 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+5 armour, +1 shield, +2 Dex) | Fort +4 | Ref +2 | Will + 2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30' (20' in armour) | Init +2
Ok. So yesterday, I wrecked my car. (I'm fine.) And I'm spending the next three days driving across the province for a move for work. Please be understanding if my posts are delayed.
Male human (Taldan) Fighter lvl 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+5 armour, +1 shield, +2 Dex) | Fort +4 | Ref +2 | Will + 2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30' (20' in armour) | Init +2
Theo swings his morningstar at the blue goblin who cut him. "Hey Eurkar, that looks like it hurt. Step back if you need to. I'll try to hold them off." He steps to try to block the space between the buildings.
Male human (Taldan) Fighter lvl 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+5 armour, +1 shield, +2 Dex) | Fort +4 | Ref +2 | Will + 2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30' (20' in armour) | Init +2
Theo advances slowly and carefully into the yard with his shield raised. His eyes dart about to windows, doorways, rooftops. He stops outside the first door on the right. "Does someone want to check that first door on the left? I'll look in this one in a moment."
Total defense and move up as shown. AC is 22 for this round.
Male human (Taldan) Fighter lvl 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+5 armour, +1 shield, +2 Dex) | Fort +4 | Ref +2 | Will + 2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30' (20' in armour) | Init +2
Theo drew his morningstar again and nodded to the others. "Alright. Here goes..." In coordination with the others, he slams his shoulder into the gate and tries to break it down.
Male human (Taldan) Fighter lvl 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+5 armour, +1 shield, +2 Dex) | Fort +4 | Ref +2 | Will + 2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30' (20' in armour) | Init +2
”How about I climb over and open it from the inside? If I can’t get it open, I’ll toss the rope over the top so you can climb over.” With his weapons stowed and the knotted rope coiled and worn across his chest, Theo stands ready to try the climb if the others approve.
Male human (Taldan) Fighter lvl 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+5 armour, +1 shield, +2 Dex) | Fort +4 | Ref +2 | Will + 2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30' (20' in armour) | Init +2
"There's a closed gate up here," Theo tells his companions. "We can probably knock it down though. Remembering the rope in his pack, he heads back down the ramp. He stops above the cold, sticky mess and pulls the rope from his pack. "I'll lower it to you!" he calls to Eurkar.
Is there anything here to tie it to? Some part of the ramp? Or will I have to hold the top end? Either way, I guess I'll drop the morningstar at my feet to help make this happen.
Male human (Taldan) Fighter lvl 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+5 armour, +1 shield, +2 Dex) | Fort +4 | Ref +2 | Will + 2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30' (20' in armour) | Init +2
reflex:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Theo botches the landing, stumbles and barely manages to duck under the swinging jars. "Whoa. Okay. Should have listened to you, Zuheilen." He advances up the stairs, shield and morningstar ready.
Male human (Taldan) Fighter lvl 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+5 armour, +1 shield, +2 Dex) | Fort +4 | Ref +2 | Will + 2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30' (20' in armour) | Init +2
Theo eye's the pressure plate suspiciously and then glances down to the left over the edge of the platform. "I doubt we'd all clear it in a jump, and I don't want anyone risking falling off. Maybe it's just an alarm? I guess I could just walk over it if everyone backs up a step. Just in case." He looks back at the others for comment.
Would it be a 10 foot jump to clear it? So DC 10 acrobatics with a 10 foot running start?
I'll remove the smokestick from my inventory. Not sure where that came from if not from Izgarp.
Male human (Taldan) Fighter lvl 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+5 armour, +1 shield, +2 Dex) | Fort +4 | Ref +2 | Will + 2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30' (20' in armour) | Init +2
Theo sighs with relief. "Thanks, Zuheilen. That's much better."
Taking 10 on survival for 15.
Theo spends some time looking at the rock face from a distance. "That... that looks dicey. Fragile. I think we're better off going up the stairs." He turns back to the others.
"Say, I just remembered that I picked up some things from one of the goblins back close to town." He takes out the small pack and roots through it. "Let's see... a couple of healing potions, 3 alchemist fires, 3 little bottles of acid, a smokestick and... what's this one called? A fumblefoot bag? Something like that. Anyway, does anyone want anything? The smokestick could be useful if we run into more archers. Maybe make them come to us? Or the sticky bag to keep someone stuck?"
I'm not sure that Theo is the one to use this stuff. I'm thinking of going first with hands full with a morningstar and a shield.
Male human (Taldan) Fighter lvl 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+5 armour, +1 shield, +2 Dex) | Fort +4 | Ref +2 | Will + 2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30' (20' in armour) | Init +2
Theo hustles back to his dropped sling and collects it. "Hey Zuheilen, do you have healing magic? And after that... straight up the ramp? Or should we look around?"
Can we see the ramp and the cliffs from here? Are there any other possible ways up visible from where we are?
Edit: Oh wait, I see the map. Looks like the ramp is the way.
Male human (Taldan) Fighter lvl 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+5 armour, +1 shield, +2 Dex) | Fort +4 | Ref +2 | Will + 2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30' (20' in armour) | Init +2
"Can't let them get away!" Theo drops his sling and hustles toward the base of the tree where he heard the red goblin fall. He draws his greatsword as he goes.
Male human (Taldan) Fighter lvl 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+5 armour, +1 shield, +2 Dex) | Fort +4 | Ref +2 | Will + 2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30' (20' in armour) | Init +2
"Gah! Darn it. Help! Oh, hey Eurkar." Theo twists one hand free of the grasping leaves and pulls out his morningstar. He swings it at the central stalk of the plant.
Male human (Taldan) Fighter lvl 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+5 armour, +1 shield, +2 Dex) | Fort +4 | Ref +2 | Will + 2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30' (20' in armour) | Init +2
Theo continues looking though the overgrown garden in case there's something to eat. We could use a little variety after days of biscuits. He wanders closer to the cottage as he searches, glancing in through the windows.
Male human (Taldan) Fighter lvl 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+5 armour, +1 shield, +2 Dex) | Fort +4 | Ref +2 | Will + 2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30' (20' in armour) | Init +2
Theo rubs the sleep out of his eyes and stands up. He yawns and stretches. Don't mind all the walking, but sleeping on the ground isn't great. Can't wait to get back to a bed. He puts on his scale mail and checks that his dagger and sling are on his belt. Then he grabs up his morningstar and sticks the handle down through his belt. He gathers everyone's waterskins in his arms as well as his pot before heading out. "I'll get some water," he tells the others. "Be back shortly." His pack and all of his other equipment including his sword and shield still lay where they did as he slept.
Heading for the brook, Theo notices something that he missed the night before: a stone wall. Getting closer, he sees the garden and decides to check it for food. He walks into the garden through an opening in the south wall.
Male human (Taldan) Fighter lvl 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+5 armour, +1 shield, +2 Dex) | Fort +4 | Ref +2 | Will + 2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30' (20' in armour) | Init +2
"Good to meet you," Theo says to Asiclassus. "We'll bring news when we're done with the goblins." He looks at Drin. "Sounds good to me. I wonder if I can find another way to climb up to the fort? I don't like the sound of that ramp. Guess we'll see tomorrow."
Male human (Taldan) Fighter lvl 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+5 armour, +1 shield, +2 Dex) | Fort +4 | Ref +2 | Will + 2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30' (20' in armour) | Init +2
Theo steps out from behind Drin. "Hi Asiclassus. I'm Theodric Suthind. Originally, I'm from Belde in Cheliax. I helped defend the folks who live near Saringallow from a goblin raid. As for a snack... tell you what. I'll spend a few minutes looking around and see what I can find. Be back shortly. Oh and if I don't find anything better for you, you're welcome to some of my biscuits too."
Theo heads off into the surrounding forest to search out something that a caterpillar might find tasty. He stays within shouting distance so he can be called back if needed.
Taking 10 on survival to find a tasty treat for our magical insect friend for a total of 15. I just remembered the take 10 rule. We could all be taking 10 on our tracking survival checks. If all of you take 10 to aid me (which only requires a 10) and I take 10, that will be a reliable 21.
Male human (Taldan) Fighter lvl 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+5 armour, +1 shield, +2 Dex) | Fort +4 | Ref +2 | Will + 2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30' (20' in armour) | Init +2
Theo follows Drin forward but has the good sense to keep his mouth shut and let the more charming man do the talking. He doesn't draw his weapon or make any hostile move, just watching the curious creature closely.
Male human (Taldan) Fighter lvl 1 | HP 12/12 | AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+5 armour, +1 shield, +2 Dex) | Fort +4 | Ref +2 | Will + 2 | Perc. +5 | Speed 30' (20' in armour) | Init +2
Theo sneezes again as he picks bits of foliage off of his morningstar. He blows his nose in a rag. "Ah. Sorry. I've never had allergies be so... aggressive. Let's see about that trail." He starts poking about at the far side of the clearing.
This book has been fun to run overall but has a lot of flaws that detract from the overall experience. Chapter 1 is annoying because it's missing several battlemaps for encounters that may arise as the players act to sabotage the BBEG's army. Chapter 2 is a neat dungeon crawl with a narratively stupid premise: the dwarves sealed their city to protect against invasion by the horrors of the darklands... and then put the mechanisms to release the seal on the darklands side of the barrier because?????? Chapter 3 is solid but suffers from the fact that its great revelation has been almost completely spoiled by reveals in the preceding books of the AP - it'd hit much harder if the dwarves' atrocities during the Quest for Sky had only been hinted at earlier rather than basically spelled out in capital letters.
I was torn between giving this one 2 stars because of one huge glaring problem and 4 stars because it delivers well on the central premise of the AP, so I've settled for 3 stars as a compromise. Let's get the huge glaring problem out of the way first: this book has *a lot* of combat encounters for which no battlemaps are provided. This is, frankly, inexcusable in something that purports to be a ready-to-run adventure. There are nine potential combat encounters described in the first chapter; a map is provided for only one of them. Pathfinder 2 is a very combat-focused system and the AP is written with plenty of combat encounters; surely you can ditch some of the extraneous background lore to create space for things that are essential for those combat encounters to be run!
With that said, the good stuff: you get a fun trek through different parts of the Darklands with lots of good RP opportunities, visiting a twisted fey settlement, a couple of neat side dungeons and travel encounters, and a hryngar/duergar city. The BBEG is introduced, lots of stuff happens, and it's all nicely connected to the overarching plot and themes of the AP.
The premise of this book is great but sadly the execution leaves a lot to be desired. The adventure opens with a sort of urban sandbox chapter, which is a nice idea but has several major problems. First, the book does not include any maps of the city; to get those, you have to buy another book altogether (Lost Omens: Highhelm). Second, the locations within the sandbox are almost completely disconnected from one-another and from the main plot of the AP. As a result, the encounters and challenges within each one feel like pointless sidequests and there is no logical chain of clues or leads that the PCs can follow from one location to another; instead the adventure just calls for them to seek out rumors. Third, the PCs' motivation for engaging in this filler content is incredibly flimsy - rather than having any sort of concrete objective, their patron NPC simply tells them to "go out and find trouble". Fourth, many of the encounters at the sandbox locations are resolved using subsystems, which is fine, but those subsystems are presented in an excessively verbose manner; the author frequently waffles on for 5 or 6 pages without providing any kind of short summary of the encounter's structure that can be referenced while actually running the things. The pacing is also very uneven; chapter 1 features half a dozen major locations statted for level 1 PCs, which my group completed over the course of around 14 hours of session time, then a single mini-dungeon with 2 encounters and 1 hazard that is statted for level 2 PCs, which occupied about 3 hours. Upon completing that mini-dungeon, the PCs are expected to be at level 3!
I found this book extremely disappointing, especially after having run Night of the Grey Death, which has an excellent urban sandbox opening chapter. Unfortunately, I will probably be making a point of avoiding any APs featuring books written by the author in future.
