A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for 1st to 7th level characters (Tiers: 1–2, 3–4, and 6–7).
When the Black Marquis lost all of the men he could trust on a failed treasure hunt, he did the only thing he could: turned to the Pathfinder Society for help. Offering an ancient lost text in return for assistance, the Black Marquis of Deadbridge sends you deep into the spider-haunted Echo Wood of the River Kingdoms to track down his missing pirates and recover an ancient treasure for the Society. You'll face brigands, pirates, spiders and more—but will you survive the perils of the Pirate Pact?
Written by Matthieu Dayon
This scenario is designed for play in Pathfinder Society Organized Play, but can easily be adapted for use with any world. This scenario is compliant with the Open Game License (OGL) and is suitable for use with the 3.5 edition of the world’s most popular fantasy roleplaying game.
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When I was searching for a scenario to GM, I stumbled across this one and thought that since it featured pirates, it would be a good pick. I was wrong: it was an excellent pick and easily surpassed my initial expectations.
Sure, the encounters are a bit outdated and can be a cakewalk for the players – unless you tweak things – and that might be a bit disappointing. Yet those easy fights do not negate the fact that the whole adventure oozes atmosphere and offers enough opportunities to roleplay. I'd even go as far as saying that there are more opportunities than first meet the eye. Players can easily have a fun time interacting with eachother and with the pirate crew, especially if you have some good-inclined partymembers facing you as they'll likely disagree with the pirate way of life.
As for a GM, I'd have to say it's pretty challenging to make a character appear as a standard, slightly evil NPC without giving away the whole plot. It's a bit difficult, but it can be done. If you can be creative with whatever takes place on the ship, you are bound to have a great time, as will your players. In the end my players really grew attached to two of the minor NPC's. The story wrote itself and it made the session fun for everyone around the table.
Yes, the encounters are a bit too easy and can hardly be called challenging, but the atmosphere and setting more than make up for it. I might be biased, but if I were to rate this scenario on how much fun I had, as well as on the reaction of my players, I have no other choice: this scenario was a magnificent success. Five stars might seem much, but based on my session, it's the only rating that does it justice.
Like a few have already spoken of in their reviews, I loved the premise of river pirates and monsters messing up trade routes.
The encounters in this one have not stood up well against the test of time, and seem a little scant or easy when coming up against characters that are just too powerful for the limited engagements.
Still, the story is a good one, and this one might serve better in a Core Campaign where there are limits to power.
The premise of this adventure is good and the pirate atmosphere is great (especially if you like pirates) but the encounters are rather simple and unchallenging.
Pirates, spiders, a passable plot. No particular complaints. Overall decent scenario, though not particularly memorable. Like all season 0 it suffers from needing updated monsters.
The setting and atmosphere of the River Kingdoms, organisations, river boats and individual encounters are all done well. The plot is however simple and likely predicted early on by most of the table.
If you are looking for challenge or complexity then it isn't for you.
This is one you play for the setting and atmosphere.
Works best as an early or introductory scenario and with only four players (as intended). Avoid playing it with more than 4 players if you can.
A 4 star if you like to soak up the atmosphere and for beginners, a 2 star if you are looking for challenge; giving a 3.5 star for the rounded package.
