paizo.com Recent Reviews of Pathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG)paizo.com Recent Reviews of Pathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG)2023-12-19T14:30:59Z2023-12-19T14:30:59ZPathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG): Great Hook and Setting (4 stars)Jhaemanhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8l3i?Pathfinder-Module-Academy-of-Secrets2019-04-12T09:18:54Z<p><b>Pathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG)</b></p><p>NO SPOILERS</p>
<p><b><i>Academy of Secrets</b></i> is memorable to me as the first Pathfinder adventure I ever owned. I picked it up years before starting to regularly play Pathfinder, intending to use it as a side-quest during a long-running Forgotten Realms game. When the PCs got to the right level in that campaign, I dangled the adventure hook and . . . nothing! No bite. "It's obviously a trap!" they said, and went off to do other random things. Years later, I started running <i>Rise of the Runelords</i> (my first foray into the Golarion campaign setting) and when the PCs got up to the right level for <b><i>Academy of Secrets</b></i>, I dangled the hook. This time, I got a bite, and hurried to do all the necessary prep between sessions. But one of the PCs was unhappy with his spell selection after the first encounter, and, just a few pages into the module, they teleported away to do AP stuff. Vexed but undeterred, I scheduled <b><i>Academy of Secrets</b></i> as a Pathfinder Society special. I was going to run it, hell or high water! It turned out I couldn't actually use it for PFS (there's no "campaign mode" for it, and the players didn't have characters of high enough level.) But I convinced the players to play "just for fun" (such a weird notion!), and I finally got the module off the ground and justified the $ 13.95 Canadian dollars and cents I spent on it lo those many moons ago at The Hairy Tarantula.</p>
<p>Was it worth the wait? Well . . . maybe not exactly. It's not an earth-shattering story. But it is a fun module, easy to integrate into any campaign. PCs can teleport in after receiving the hook anywhere in Golarion, take part in the adventure, and then teleport back to get on with whatever else they have going on. Unlike many modules, it avoids the cliche of "stumble into a new village and help it solve its problems", and, unlike some modules, it won't take months to finish. You can run through <b><i>Academy of Secrets</b></i> in two or three four-hour sessions and not feel like you hurried past a ton of content. At 32 pages, it's just the right length for a satisfying side trek that won't derail an on-going campaign. And frankly, there aren't that many modules for PCs in the Level 12-14 range, so I'm grateful for what we have.</p>
<p>It's not a spoiler to say (given the blurb, module title, and initial adventure hook) that the module involves the Acadamae, Korvosa's elite magical university. Appendix 1 of the module is a three-page neutral presentation of the Acadamae suitable for use in any campaign. If, for example, you're running or playing through <i>Curse of the Crimson Throne</i> and want to flesh out a wizard PC's background or add some colour when they go to get an item identified, the description here would be quite useful. It contains a half-page map of the grounds of the Acadamae, description of the various buildings, and a list of notable personalities (the headmaster and deans of the various schools). Setting lore completists would still find it useful to integrate the material on the Acadamae from the <i>Guide to Korvosa</i>, as there are some nuggets of slightly different information. Appendix 2 introduces a new monster called a Garipan—a sort of outsider that often masquerades as a gargoyle. The artwork is cool, even if the concept isn't super exciting. The inside front- and back- cover show how tiles from the <i>Magic Academy</i> map pack can be arranged to form rooms used in the module. I thought this was a really clever idea, and I wish this concept (integrating adventures with map packs and flip-mats) had continued through future modules.</p>
<p>Anyway, that's enough background—on to the main event!</p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p><p><b>Pathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG)</b></p><p>NO SPOILERS</p>
<p><b><i>Academy of Secrets</b></i> is memorable to me as the first Pathfinder adventure I ever owned. I picked it up years before starting to regularly play Pathfinder, intending to use it as a side-quest during a long-running Forgotten Realms game. When the PCs got to the right level in that campaign, I dangled the adventure hook and . . . nothing! No bite. "It's obviously a trap!" they said, and went off to do other random things. Years later, I started running <i>Rise of the Runelords</i> (my first foray into the Golarion campaign setting) and when the PCs got up to the right level for <b><i>Academy of Secrets</b></i>, I dangled the hook. This time, I got a bite, and hurried to do all the necessary prep between sessions. But one of the PCs was unhappy with his spell selection after the first encounter, and, just a few pages into the module, they teleported away to do AP stuff. Vexed but undeterred, I scheduled <b><i>Academy of Secrets</b></i> as a Pathfinder Society special. I was going to run it, hell or high water! It turned out I couldn't actually use it for PFS (there's no "campaign mode" for it, and the players didn't have characters of high enough level.) But I convinced the players to play "just for fun" (such a weird notion!), and I finally got the module off the ground and justified the $ 13.95 Canadian dollars and cents I spent on it lo those many moons ago at The Hairy Tarantula.</p>
<p>Was it worth the wait? Well . . . maybe not exactly. It's not an earth-shattering story. But it is a fun module, easy to integrate into any campaign. PCs can teleport in after receiving the hook anywhere in Golarion, take part in the adventure, and then teleport back to get on with whatever else they have going on. Unlike many modules, it avoids the cliche of "stumble into a new village and help it solve its problems", and, unlike some modules, it won't take months to finish. You can run through <b><i>Academy of Secrets</b></i> in two or three four-hour sessions and not feel like you hurried past a ton of content. At 32 pages, it's just the right length for a satisfying side trek that won't derail an on-going campaign. And frankly, there aren't that many modules for PCs in the Level 12-14 range, so I'm grateful for what we have.</p>
<p>It's not a spoiler to say (given the blurb, module title, and initial adventure hook) that the module involves the Acadamae, Korvosa's elite magical university. Appendix 1 of the module is a three-page neutral presentation of the Acadamae suitable for use in any campaign. If, for example, you're running or playing through <i>Curse of the Crimson Throne</i> and want to flesh out a wizard PC's background or add some colour when they go to get an item identified, the description here would be quite useful. It contains a half-page map of the grounds of the Acadamae, description of the various buildings, and a list of notable personalities (the headmaster and deans of the various schools). Setting lore completists would still find it useful to integrate the material on the Acadamae from the <i>Guide to Korvosa</i>, as there are some nuggets of slightly different information. Appendix 2 introduces a new monster called a Garipan—a sort of outsider that often masquerades as a gargoyle. The artwork is cool, even if the concept isn't super exciting. The inside front- and back- cover show how tiles from the <i>Magic Academy</i> map pack can be arranged to form rooms used in the module. I thought this was a really clever idea, and I wish this concept (integrating adventures with map packs and flip-mats) had continued through future modules.</p>
<p>Anyway, that's enough background—on to the main event!</p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p>Jhaeman2019-04-12T09:18:54ZPathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG): very fun module! (4 stars)Joe M.https://paizo.com/products/btpy8l3i?Pathfinder-Module-Academy-of-Secrets2014-07-21T17:55:21Z<p><b>Pathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG)</b></p><p>I recently ran this for a table of 12th- and 13th-level PFS characters. We had a blast! Lots of good flavor and a few good challenges. Also, I quite like the art in this one.</p>
<p>I do have some small complaints, but I should note that most of these can't really "count against" the module, as they arise from running a module not written for PFS under organized play rules, and not being able to make adjustments to the adventure as written. For a home game, many of these complaints would not apply. </p>
<p>That being the case, I've enclosed the list in a spoiler tag. The list shouldn't distract from the overall assessment—that this was a very enjoyable module to run and to play!</p>
<p>I've also added a spoiler for my favorite "cruel GM tactics" for the boss fight. :-)</p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p><p><b>Pathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG)</b></p><p>I recently ran this for a table of 12th- and 13th-level PFS characters. We had a blast! Lots of good flavor and a few good challenges. Also, I quite like the art in this one.</p>
<p>I do have some small complaints, but I should note that most of these can't really "count against" the module, as they arise from running a module not written for PFS under organized play rules, and not being able to make adjustments to the adventure as written. For a home game, many of these complaints would not apply. </p>
<p>That being the case, I've enclosed the list in a spoiler tag. The list shouldn't distract from the overall assessment—that this was a very enjoyable module to run and to play!</p>
<p>I've also added a spoiler for my favorite "cruel GM tactics" for the boss fight. :-)</p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p>Joe M.2014-07-21T17:55:21ZPathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG): Twisted Harry Porter (4 stars)Camarilahttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8l3i?Pathfinder-Module-Academy-of-Secrets2014-04-16T06:45:24Z<p><b>Pathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG)</b></p><p>It was very unique scenario for me.
<br />
NPCs seem to like as Harry Porter's those, but twisted with varisian styles.
<br />
The •true• mastermind, can foreshadow for continuing adventure.
<br />
(actually, PCs can't even reach to him in this module)</p>
<p>But otherwise as mentioned above, it was rather too literal.
<br />
There were no truly twinkle.
<br />
That makes me to rated 4 stars, not 5.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG)</b></p><p>It was very unique scenario for me.
<br />
NPCs seem to like as Harry Porter's those, but twisted with varisian styles.
<br />
The •true• mastermind, can foreshadow for continuing adventure.
<br />
(actually, PCs can't even reach to him in this module)</p>
<p>But otherwise as mentioned above, it was rather too literal.
<br />
There were no truly twinkle.
<br />
That makes me to rated 4 stars, not 5.</p>Camarila2014-04-16T06:45:24ZPathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG): Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (4 stars)Amber Vadalishttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8l3i?Pathfinder-Module-Academy-of-Secrets2012-11-19T18:30:55Z<p><b>Pathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG)</b></p><p>This is definitely an adventure for all Harry Potter fans. I know that Paizo probably wants their product to be seen on its own merit but I couldn’t help convert the Breaching Festival into the Triwizard Tournament. I encourage GMs out there to go ahead and take creative license with this module. </p>
<p>When I read this module, it was divided clearly into 3 acts. The author seems to me to have written the middle act first – and then discovered that it was such an incredible piece of work that he split it into two. As such the first and middle acts were creative and diabolically fun. Unfortunately, I’m guessing that he was probably then told that he needed more material – after all, modules are supposed to represent 12 hours of play. So rather than cutting back on the word count and losing the content in the first two acts, he threw together the results from a random encounter roll-off. As such, the third act was a waste of time – fortunately, it only encompasses about 2 pages of the final product and can easily be ignored. </p>
<p>Below – if you’re interested in my cast of characters for converting this module into Hogwarts:
<br />
[Spoiler omitted] </p>
<p>Below – my thoughts regarding running the module:
<br />
[Spoiler omitted]</p><p><b>Pathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG)</b></p><p>This is definitely an adventure for all Harry Potter fans. I know that Paizo probably wants their product to be seen on its own merit but I couldn’t help convert the Breaching Festival into the Triwizard Tournament. I encourage GMs out there to go ahead and take creative license with this module. </p>
<p>When I read this module, it was divided clearly into 3 acts. The author seems to me to have written the middle act first – and then discovered that it was such an incredible piece of work that he split it into two. As such the first and middle acts were creative and diabolically fun. Unfortunately, I’m guessing that he was probably then told that he needed more material – after all, modules are supposed to represent 12 hours of play. So rather than cutting back on the word count and losing the content in the first two acts, he threw together the results from a random encounter roll-off. As such, the third act was a waste of time – fortunately, it only encompasses about 2 pages of the final product and can easily be ignored. </p>
<p>Below – if you’re interested in my cast of characters for converting this module into Hogwarts:
<br />
[Spoiler omitted] </p>
<p>Below – my thoughts regarding running the module:
<br />
[Spoiler omitted]</p>Amber Vadalis2012-11-19T18:30:55ZPathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG): Great Concept (3 stars)Randurilhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8l3i?Pathfinder-Module-Academy-of-Secrets2012-05-21T00:05:07Z<p><b>Pathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG)</b></p><p>I found the adventure both imaginative and consistent within its theme. There are surprises for the players, there is a touch of the comedic at certain points, and the flow of the adventure is paced well. There are some memorable NPCs in here.</p>
<p>On a less positive note, I ran this for (6) 13th level characters, all experienced players, and this was nowhere near the challenge that the author intended. The consensus of the group, as we rehashed the course of the module, was that this was appropriately challenging for these characters when they were all 9th level. I would advise any judge who knows the players who are going to be at the table well enough to consider carefully if the encounters are challenging enough for those players, and act accordingly.</p>
<p>We played this for PFS credit - if you are considering running this as part of a home campaign or as part of an adventure path, I recommend bringing this out before your players reach 11th level.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG)</b></p><p>I found the adventure both imaginative and consistent within its theme. There are surprises for the players, there is a touch of the comedic at certain points, and the flow of the adventure is paced well. There are some memorable NPCs in here.</p>
<p>On a less positive note, I ran this for (6) 13th level characters, all experienced players, and this was nowhere near the challenge that the author intended. The consensus of the group, as we rehashed the course of the module, was that this was appropriately challenging for these characters when they were all 9th level. I would advise any judge who knows the players who are going to be at the table well enough to consider carefully if the encounters are challenging enough for those players, and act accordingly.</p>
<p>We played this for PFS credit - if you are considering running this as part of a home campaign or as part of an adventure path, I recommend bringing this out before your players reach 11th level.</p>Randuril2012-05-21T00:05:07ZPathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG): Long overdue goodness from Korvosa (4 stars)Lord Slaavikhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8l3i?Pathfinder-Module-Academy-of-Secrets2011-07-20T21:15:34Z<p><b>Pathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG)</b></p><p>I have not run this adventure but am planning to do so at some point. While the maps leave something to be desired (only one original map), the adventure itself and background make up for the four stars.
<br />
This adventure comes a bit late as Curse of the Crimson Throne and the focus on Korvosa has been behind us for a while, but it made me pick-up one of the first Paizo books on what used to be called the Pathfinder Chronicles Setting. The adventure fits nicely with the “secrets” mentioned in the Korvosa book. The background information may require some inquisitive players for it to be dished out during a game session, but there is a lot there that makes it more than a mere succession of encounters.
<br />
This seems to be a solid adventure for mid- to high-level PCs and steps away from pedestrian dungeons.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG)</b></p><p>I have not run this adventure but am planning to do so at some point. While the maps leave something to be desired (only one original map), the adventure itself and background make up for the four stars.
<br />
This adventure comes a bit late as Curse of the Crimson Throne and the focus on Korvosa has been behind us for a while, but it made me pick-up one of the first Paizo books on what used to be called the Pathfinder Chronicles Setting. The adventure fits nicely with the “secrets” mentioned in the Korvosa book. The background information may require some inquisitive players for it to be dished out during a game session, but there is a lot there that makes it more than a mere succession of encounters.
<br />
This seems to be a solid adventure for mid- to high-level PCs and steps away from pedestrian dungeons.</p>Lord Slaavik2011-07-20T21:15:34ZPathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG): Mediocre... bad maps (2 stars)Arnwynhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8l3i?Pathfinder-Module-Academy-of-Secrets2011-07-06T00:49:19Z<p><b>Pathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG)</b></p><p>Bleh. I didn't like this adventure <i>because</i> of the map packs (and maps - or lack thereof - in general).</p>
<p>The maps are boring, and very... square. No variation, not very pretty, and wholly bland. (The one map that was new and not part of the Gamemastery map pack was excellent, as usual.) I was also disappointed that the Academae was not mapped. Probably too much for a 32-page adventure, but that just means that the adventure was too big for its britches (something I've always found aggravating).</p>
<p>I did appreciate the attempt at an interesting location (magic academy), and I also appreciated the section inside discussing how one might incorporate it with Curse of the Crimson Throne. Nice touch.</p>
<p>I got this since I was stuck with a subscription, but having read the back (thankfully the info was there, and the use of the map packs are not a surprise - very good, Paizo!), I would have otherwise stayed far, far away. After going through it, I was right. My players would never accept the lack of detail found in this adventure and would require me to do ridiculous amounts of work to make it acceptable for them.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG)</b></p><p>Bleh. I didn't like this adventure <i>because</i> of the map packs (and maps - or lack thereof - in general).</p>
<p>The maps are boring, and very... square. No variation, not very pretty, and wholly bland. (The one map that was new and not part of the Gamemastery map pack was excellent, as usual.) I was also disappointed that the Academae was not mapped. Probably too much for a 32-page adventure, but that just means that the adventure was too big for its britches (something I've always found aggravating).</p>
<p>I did appreciate the attempt at an interesting location (magic academy), and I also appreciated the section inside discussing how one might incorporate it with Curse of the Crimson Throne. Nice touch.</p>
<p>I got this since I was stuck with a subscription, but having read the back (thankfully the info was there, and the use of the map packs are not a surprise - very good, Paizo!), I would have otherwise stayed far, far away. After going through it, I was right. My players would never accept the lack of detail found in this adventure and would require me to do ridiculous amounts of work to make it acceptable for them.</p>Arnwyn2011-07-06T00:49:19ZPathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG): Almost Perfect (4 stars)Valiancehttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8l3i?Pathfinder-Module-Academy-of-Secrets2011-06-20T04:26:51Z<p><b>Pathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG)</b></p><p>Really enjoyable adventure. I would say that this is definitely one of my favorite single shot adventures to date. Nothing bad to say about the adventure itself, but i do have one problem ...</p>
<p>While i think it is great that they put out a map pack for this adventure, the map pack only covers pretty much half of the adventure. The rest of the adventure uses a map that is not covered in the map pack. I personally think that Paizo should utilize more of the map packs inside the adventure and AP's, but to do so i think that the map packs should cover the whole adventure, not just part.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Module: Academy of Secrets (PFRPG)</b></p><p>Really enjoyable adventure. I would say that this is definitely one of my favorite single shot adventures to date. Nothing bad to say about the adventure itself, but i do have one problem ...</p>
<p>While i think it is great that they put out a map pack for this adventure, the map pack only covers pretty much half of the adventure. The rest of the adventure uses a map that is not covered in the map pack. I personally think that Paizo should utilize more of the map packs inside the adventure and AP's, but to do so i think that the map packs should cover the whole adventure, not just part.</p>Valiance2011-06-20T04:26:51Z