RSS RSS Facebook Twitter Email
Pathfinder / Adventures / First Edition Adventures / Adventure Finder / By Region / Cheliax

Pathfinder Adventure Path #26: The Sixfold Trial (Council of Thieves 2 of 6) (PFRPG)

4.50/5 (based on 15 ratings)
Pathfinder Adventure Path #26: The Sixfold Trial (Council of Thieves 2 of 6) (PFRPG)
Show Description For:
Non-Mint

Add PDF $19.99

Print Edition Unavailable

Non-Mint Unavailable

Facebook Twitter Email

Chapter 2: "The Sixfold Trial"
by Richard Pett

The Play's the Thing

To banish the monstrous shadows that stalk Westcrown by night, the PCs go undercover, joining the city’s chaotic theatrical community in an elaborate plot to infiltrate the estate of the decadent lord-mayor. Yet theater life turns deadly when they become players in a spectacle no actor has ever survived. Can the PCs endure their debut performance in a city where an actor’s first big hit is often his last?

    This volume of Pathfinder Adventure Path continues the Council of Thieves Adventure Path, and includes:
  • "The Sixfold Trial," a Pathfinder RPG adventure for 3rd-level characters, by Richard Pett
  • The Six Trials of Larazod, the complete and unabridged text of that infamously deadly play, by Nicolas Logue
  • An exploration of the faith of Iomedae the Inheritor, goddess of valor, by Sean K Reynolds
  • Pathfinder Varian Jeggare investigating death among the aristocracy in the Pathfinder’s Journal, by Dave Gross
  • Six new monsters by Darrin Drader, David Eitelbach, Sean K Reynolds, and F. Wesley Schneider

A Pathfinder Roleplaying Game adventure for characters of 3rd to 5th level. The Council of Thieves Adventure Path is the first to take full advantage of the new Pathfinder Roleplaying Game rules, and works with both the Pathfinder RPG and the standard 3.5 fantasy RPG rules set.

Pathfinder Adventure Path is Paizo Publishing's monthly 96-page, perfect-bound, full-color softcover book printed on high-quality paper. It contains an in-depth Adventure Path scenario, stats for about a half-dozen new monsters, and several support articles meant to give Game Masters additional material to expand their campaign. Pathfinder Adventure Path volumes use the Open Game License and work with both the Pathfinder RPG and the standard 3.5 fantasy RPG rules set.

ISBN–13: 978-1-60125-196-1

The Sixfold Trial is sanctioned for use in Pathfinder Society Organized Play. The rules for running this Adventure Path and Chronicle sheet are available as a free download.

Other Resources: This product is also available on the following platforms:

Archives of Nethys

Note: This product is part of the Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscription.

Product Availability

PDF:

Fulfilled immediately.

Print Edition:

Unavailable

Non-Mint:

Unavailable

This product is non-mint. Refunds are not available for non-mint products. The standard version of this product can be found here.

Are there errors or omissions in this product information? Got corrections? Let us know at store@paizo.com.

PZO9026

See Also:

11 to 15 of 15 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | next > last >>

Average product rating:

4.50/5 (based on 15 ratings)

Sign in to create or edit a product review.

excellent writing - but needs a 16+ age rating

3/5 —

I'm impressed by the strength of the plot and writing, and hope someday to run this for my other group of players (all adult except for one mature 16) but I simply cannot run this for the group intended, as we have a 12-yr old and a *young* 16-yr old.

I was drawn by the lure of the very first Pathfinder RPG campaign series, by the strength of Paizo's writing, and by the fascinating idea of enacting the play - which is indeed well carried out but the acts depicted, and emotions portrayed are darker than Call Of Cthulhu - indeed they'd be strong even in a World Of Darkness Vampire campaign.

I won't go so far as to claim it is X-Rated (or R-rated in US?) but I must say it is 16+-rated.

I got The Bastards Of Erebus and Sixfold Trial together, and The Bastards hints at darkness but implies that the heroes (of light) can overcome it - a strong line but true DND - and is true to the Paizo summary.

The Sixfold Trial hints also of darkness, but does not give a fair representation of the level of that darkness.
The embedded theatre play encourages the players to have their PCs become the actors, and have the actors (PCs) work through scenes of torture and degradation, and to simulate what is essentially masochistic/drugged passion.
While it might be possible to bowdlerise the plot to make it PG rated, that's not really possible if the script/play is to be used - not without re-writing said play - which negates the point of using Paizo's fine writing. I want them to write this for me - if I had the time to write homebrew adventures, I would!

Now, I accept that *most* of the Pathfinder fans are (like me) old enough (and typically possessed of the resources to buy/subscribe to pathfinder, which in turn typically implies "employed"), but DND as a whole genre does aim at catching 'em young. I have successfully run games for my friends' family -- Sizfold Trial is my first experience of being caught out unwarned...

Excellent !

5/5 —

I'll be brief here: this adventure firmly establishes Richard Pett as one of the best module writers out there. And this time, he has a support sidekick madman thespian Nick Logue to boot.

The concept is absolutely unique, and the execution is brilliant. The Sixfold Trial is a great way of showing that D&D is something more than a "kick the door open and kill the baddie" game.

Bravo, simply bravo.

Bravo!

5/5 —

The heroes of Bastards of Erebus take the stage in The Sixfold Trial. This installment of the Council of Thieves AP really surpasses almost every other adventure or module I've ever experienced. To date, the only thing that approaches is my brief stint in Castle Amber.

This adventure has everything, and while it might be light on combat it is heavy on content. Great characters by the diabolical Richard Pett, incredible worldbuilding, impressive artwork by some of the best and brightest Paizo can retain and stunning playwright work by the infernal Nick Logue.

Laugh, Spawn of Hell, Laugh

5/5 —

This adventure features everything that you'd want to see in an urban adventure: an undercover mission, a heist, opportunities for player tomfoolery, ingenious fights, exploring, a dungeon crawl, and a seven course meal with live snakes.

Even better? It’s ridiculously easy to yoink this adventure for your homebrew campaign: just change the object of the heist. It should also be fairly easy to scale for higher levels.

The plot summary (spoilers ahoy): The PCs need to retrieve something from the mayor’s vault. Fortunately, the mayor’s both decadent and a patron of the arts. A theater is going to put on a new version of a dangerous play, in which the actors face real torments and monsters for the amusement of their social betters. If it’s a hit, the mayor’s sure to host a days-long cast party. All the PCs need to do is get cast by a Gordon Ramsey clone, survive a dress rehearsal in front of a derisive peanut gallery, and then stay in characters while they’re attacked by monsters and tortured by one of their own party. Woe to the wizard cast as the paladin!

Then, there’s the cast party, finding the vault and dealing with the monsters and traps inside. The vault makes this last section of the adventure no ordinary dungeon-crawl. It’s a demi-plane that features logically impossible features, such as looking up a staircase and seeing the back of your head, far away.

Also included is a play, so that if you want to have your players read lines, you can. It’s basically an inverted morality play, so its style is going to be pretty far away from David Mamet. Prepare your players for: characters who are representations of particular vices and virtues rather than people with motivations, characters who issue proclamations rather than dialogue, and a didactic tone to the script. It’s an inversion of an ancient popular form and perfectly fitting for a lawful evil DnD city generally, and Golarion in particular.

If you have a group of players more interested in high adventure, the script is pretty optional. You can run the theater sections easily without intensive role playing too.

Also included: several monsters (hit man devil, scalable death knight, high-CR angel, and bird swarm), four pre-gen characters, and some fiction of interest only to readers heavily invested in Golarion.

Basically, this adventure is a must-buy for its laughs, drama, and adventure.

I don't like the theater...

5/5 —

But I really enjoyed this adventure. The theater aspect is presented as most social encounters are: a series of skill checks. The level to which the DM and players wish to ham things up is entirely up to them, and while roleplaying is certainly encouraged, it isn't necessary. And of course, the "Sixfold Trial" isn't just any old play... it's a murderplay. Which is to say, when actors die on stage, sometimes it's for real. For parties who absolutely refuse to participate in the play, an alternative option is provided.

Richard Pett gives us an intrigue-laden dinner party for the second part of this adventure, and ends with a great dungeon. The dungeon is spooky and filled with numerous cool effects that will keep a party guessing. It also continues CoT's "shadow" theme nicely.

The Sixfold Trial gives plenty of chances to foreshadow future events for the PCs. For example, numerous NPCs introduced in these pages will be reappearing later in the adventure path, granting PCs a great opportunity to form relationships with these individuals early on.

DMs will appreciate the effort made to keep them informed and in the loop. Lots of background information is provided, and perhaps more importantly, the author makes sure to note which NPCs are expendable and which have future roles in the adventure path. The DM is also given an ample head's up on what's coming in future CoT installments.

The article on the goddess Iomedae is solid, and the bestiary has some interesting beasties. I particularly liked Paizo's answer to the death knight, the graveknight. While clearly inspired by the death knight, this undead warlord manages to be a unique and interesting monster.

All in all this is a great adventure, and proof that Paizo is listening to its fans.

1 to 5 of 15 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | next > last >>
Search Thread

Search this Thread:

1 to 50 of 261 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | next > last >>
Paizo Employee Director of Brand Strategy

Why's the cover say it's by Michael Kortes?
Paizo Employee Creative Director
yoda8myhead wrote:
Why's the cover say it's by Michael Kortes?

Because the cover's not the final cover yet, and because that's an error on the cover we'll eventually fix.

This adventure is by Richard Pett. The next in the series, "What Lies in Dust," is written by Michael Kortes.

EDIT: We'll have a corrected cover up very soon.
Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer
James Jacobs wrote:
yoda8myhead wrote:
Why's the cover say it's by Michael Kortes?

Because the cover's not the final cover yet, and because that's an error on the cover we'll eventually fix.

This adventure is by Richard Pett. The next in the series, "What Lies in Dust," is written by Michael Kortes.

EDIT: We'll have a corrected cover up very soon.

Soon has come. If you still see Kortes, clear your browser's image cache.

Looking forward to seeing what Nick Logue has in store for us. I think it's FANTASTIC! that Paizo is having him write an article for the game within his area of specialty and expertise.
Sovereign Court
Adventure Path Charter Subscriber; Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
lojakz wrote:
Looking forward to seeing what Nick Logue has in store for us. I think it's FANTASTIC! that Paizo is having him write an article for the game within his area of specialty and expertise.

Not to put a negative spin on things, but actually I am not excited about seeing his name on it. Nick's Sinister Adventures has been a disaster - I don't mind all the delays but it is not cool how amazingly silent he is.

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Charter Superscriber

Agreed!

lojakz wrote:
Looking forward to seeing what Nick Logue has in store for us. I think it's FANTASTIC! that Paizo is having him write an article for the game within his area of specialty and expertise.

Paizo Employee Director of Brand Strategy
DitheringFool wrote:
lojakz wrote:
Looking forward to seeing what Nick Logue has in store for us. I think it's FANTASTIC! that Paizo is having him write an article for the game within his area of specialty and expertise.
Not to put a negative spin on things, but actually I am not excited about seeing his name on it. Nick's Sinister Adventures has been a disaster - I don't mind all the delays but it is not cool how amazingly silent he is.

One must remember that Nick started the company before some major life changes hit him last September or so. He got his real-world dream job, and I'm sure his priority is to make sure that he devotes as much time to that as he needs. Sinister was started and the books were announced when he was in a very different professional place.

I agree with lojakz that this synergy between his professional expertise and passion and his rpg work is something I'm really looking forward to. I have hopes it will be both new and original, as well as evocative of the classic opera scene in Final Fantasy III/VI, which is still my favorite theater-based fantasy adventure of all time.
Sovereign Court

The idea of having the PCs join the cast of a play has me tickled.

One of my players is going to ADORE this adventure.

I picture the A-Team with mustaches pretending to be waiters getting into the party.
Contributor

I think you'll have fun with this one, I'm rather pleased with it:)

Rich
Contributor
DitheringFool wrote:
lojakz wrote:
Looking forward to seeing what Nick Logue has in store for us. I think it's FANTASTIC! that Paizo is having him write an article for the game within his area of specialty and expertise.
Not to put a negative spin on things, but actually I am not excited about seeing his name on it. Nick's Sinister Adventures has been a disaster - I don't mind all the delays but it is not cool how amazingly silent he is.

Sorry Dithering! I'm going to do my very best to get everything back on track (and become my usually over-responsive hyper-yerba-mate-infused self) over the summer break.

Dark Archive

I can't wait for this. Cheliax, Hellknights, and crumbling Westcrown are all elements of Golarion that intrigue me. To have another Pett adventure centered around real role playing, like the Prince of Redhand was, in this kind of setting is exciting. Zeech's feast was one of the highlights of my recently completed AOW campaign. I used some recipes found here on the Paizo messageboards and put on a real dinner party feast. It was great gaming fun, primarily because it was such a different kind of adventure. I hope the Sixfold Trial can replicate that kind of memorable role playing experience. I think I've just found the next Paizo AP I want to run...

TtO
Contributor
TorctheOrc wrote:

I can't wait for this. Cheliax, Hellknights, and crumbling Westcrown are all elements of Golarion that intrigue me. To have another Pett adventure centered around real role playing, like the Prince of Redhand was, in this kind of setting is exciting. Zeech's feast was one of the highlights of my recently completed AOW campaign. I used some recipes found here on the Paizo messageboards and put on a real dinner party feast. It was great gaming fun, primarily because it was such a different kind of adventure. I hope the Sixfold Trial can replicate that kind of memorable role playing experience. I think I've just found the next Paizo AP I want to run...

TtO

The challenge with writing this adventure was to tip the hat to prince of redhand without it being a repeat experience, only time will tell if I've got the right feel but I'm hoping the experience echoes redhand in a pleasantly twisted way.

Certainly there are plenty of elements in the adventure that will allow some very serious roleplay, the least of which is the play logue has written a part of. I think there may be some fun and games around tables come the autumn (QE).

Rich
Sovereign Court
TorctheOrc wrote:
To have another Pett adventure centered around real role playing, like the Prince of Redhand was, in this kind of setting is exciting.

Where was this from?

Paizo Employee Director of Brand Strategy

After getting the detailed plot overview of the whole Council of Thieves AP this weekend from James and Wes, I have to say this one sounds like the most fun/interesting of the six. Is it September yet?
Liberty's Edge

IS this the final cover art work?

Only reason I am asking is issue one is a different color from the other five.

Nothing major but I like uniformity I guess.

Sean

RPG Subscriber and picking up a second (or first in hands) at Gencon....yes!!!!
Liberty's Edge
Vic Wertz wrote:
If you still see Kortes, clear your browser's image cache.

How do I do this with Firefox?

edit: press and hol SHIFT, hit Reload! Done...
Paizo Employee Creative Director
thenorthman wrote:

IS this the final cover art work?

Only reason I am asking is issue one is a different color from the other five.

Nothing major but I like uniformity I guess.

Sean

RPG Subscriber and picking up a second (or first in hands) at Gencon....yes!!!!

This is not the final cover artwork, nope.

Liberty's Edge
James Jacobs wrote:
thenorthman wrote:

IS this the final cover art work?

Only reason I am asking is issue one is a different color from the other five.

Nothing major but I like uniformity I guess.

Sean

RPG Subscriber and picking up a second (or first in hands) at Gencon....yes!!!!

This is not the final cover artwork, nope.

Thanks!

Well, I just reupped my Pathfinder AP subscription, in no small part thanks to the description of this module. The whole idea of the play sounds so fantastic that I just had to see what it was all about.
Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

I've updated the cover and description to match the finished product. If the fat lady hasn't sung for you, clear your browser's image cache.
Dark Archive
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber
Vic Wertz wrote:
I've updated the cover and description to match the finished product. If the fat lady hasn't sung for you, clear your browser's image cache.

Yeah um thats some cover. She is getting pretty close to being as round as she is tall.

Paizo Employee Director of Brand Strategy
Vic Wertz wrote:
I've updated the cover and description to match the finished product. If the fat lady hasn't sung for you, clear your browser's image cache.

You're on a roll today, Vic! With the mass of books coming out next month, I assume you aren't done yet, either, are you?

Scarab Sages

Yeah, do we have to fight her, cuz what's the damage for rolling downhill...and does she have a higher CMB versus bullrush, also if you trip her does everyone in a 20' radius have to roll a balance check?
Dark Archive
Dark_Mistress wrote:
Vic Wertz wrote:
I've updated the cover and description to match the finished product. If the fat lady hasn't sung for you, clear your browser's image cache.
Yeah um thats some cover. She is getting pretty close to being as round as she is tall.

Looks like a truly... er, unique choice for a BBEG (although nothing less than I expected of mr. Pett) -- the fiendish, dreaded Chelaxian Fat Lady! ;P

Liberty's Edge

It's all more cushion for the pushin' as they say ...

It's a pretty cool cover art I think. Looking forward to seeing who this lady is. She looks hamster ebil.
Contributor

Perfect:)

Ahh, the fat lady (on the cover) whom I presume the PCs have to stop from singing? ;)

Edit:
Or perhaps they need her to do so, to bring the show to a successful end....

Ah, the Chelaxian Opera! *wipes away a tear*

Wow... wow, cover. It's finally happened. But shouldn't this have been 6 of 6, not the second volume?
Paizo Employee Creative Director
Mairkurion {tm} wrote:
Wow... wow, cover. It's finally happened. But shouldn't this have been 6 of 6, not the second volume?

In Cheliax, the fat lady doesn't sing at the end. She sings all the time, especially when your PCs are being menaced and harmed by monsters for the public's entertainment!

Anyway, when I promised more cheesecake than ever with this cover, I was obviously talking about the cheesecake INSIDE the cover character.
1 to 50 of 261 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | next > last >>
Community / Forums / Paizo / Product Discussion / Pathfinder Adventure Path #26: The Sixfold Trial (Council of Thieves 2 of 6) (PFRPG) All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.