Pathfinder Module: The Harrowing (PFRPG)

4.80/5 (based on 25 ratings)
Pathfinder Module: The Harrowing (PFRPG)
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An adventure for 9th-level characters

Varisian fortune-tellers from across Golarion use the mystic harrow deck to read fate and predict the future, but few have ever mastered the mysterious harrow to such a degree as Sonnorae, a long-dead bard from the Age of Darkness. Fearing her collection of stories would be lost when she died, she created a demiplane within her own harrow deck to contain them. Over time, these stories took on lives of their own, and melded with the images on the cards themselves. But not all stories have happy endings, and the storykin who inhabit the Harrowed Realm have their own motivations and plots for power or even escape into the real world. When the PCs find themselves drawn into the Harrowed Realm in search of a disappeared scholar, they must use all their wits and steel to navigate the landscape and politics of this strange wonderland and make it home again.

The Harrowing is an adventure for 9th-level characters, written for the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game and compatible with the 3.5 edition of the world’s oldest RPG. It features an entire plane of fanciful locations and characters inspired by the popular harrow deck of the Pathfinder campaign setting. In addition, you’ll find a brand-new monster and an optional rules subsystem allowing players to bend reality to their wills by using all 54 cards in the optional Pathfinder Campaign Setting Harrow Deck to manipulate the strange demiplane in which they adventure.

Written by Crystal Frasier

Pathfinder Modules are 32-page, high-quality, full-color, adventures using the Open Game License to work with both the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game and the standard 3.5 fantasy RPG rules set.

ISBN-13: 978-1-60125-355-2

The Harrowing is sanctioned for use in Pathfinder Society Organized Play. Its Chronicle Sheet and additional rules for running this module are a free download (225 KB zip/PDF).

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

Hero Lab Online
Fantasy Grounds Virtual Tabletop
Archives of Nethys

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

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

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A little silly fun with some deeper moments

5/5

This had a lovely feel and it was great to roleplay with the story-kin. I have just finished GMing it via pbp with a party of 3 who all took to the story well. It has a good variety of encounters and there are usually options to "win" an encounter without combat.
If you love storytelling and classic fairytales, then this is for you.


Excellent and highly evocative

5/5

Played this with an average lvl 9 party of 4.

The whole story and the locations give the module the feeling of a dark fairy tale world where everything has gone wrong. The whole story manages to give more depth to Varisian culture, making each of the Harrow cards become a story in itself, and in return, each encounter has a story.
The mechanics surrounding the Harrow cards themselves were fun as well: They're not necessary to play with as such, but the bonuses they give when played at the right time are really cool.
Encounter wise, the module had some sharp teeth, even so many years later, but I recommend not playing this with more than 4 players, due to the enemies action economy.

Highly recommending this one: Definitely one of the best Pathfinder stories I've played.


Crystal Frasier Has Won Adventure Writing

5/5

That’s it. It’s over. You can all go home now. Crystal Frasier has created the fulfillment of everything I love about this game. She has won adventure writing.

I may sound like I’m exaggerating, but just look at all the other reviews. This adventure lives up to the hype, and I never find anything that lives up to the hype. I literally spent years hearing hype about this before I played it, and it still blew away my expectations. Play it, run it, cherish it.


Amazing Adventure

5/5

I Recall DM'ing this fantastic module a while ago- it still stands as one of the finest storylines and most amazing creative encounters I've played.

Not to spoil or anything: But I do believe the NPCs and stories within, are all someone my Players remembers - which is not something you can say about all the more "traditional" stuff out there!

So: Thanks for a wonderful module.


I had a blast

5/5

I recently played through this module and had a blast because:

1. The setting, locations, and NPCs were evocative and drew me in. (Kudos to my gm, too, on that count.)
2. The harrow cards were incorporated nicely, and were a fun, engaging element at the table.
3. The encounters were creative and immersive, and they allowed for some good roleplaying and non-combat solutions.

Well done!


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Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

Announced for July!

Dark Archive

Is this going to be anything like Alice in Dungeonland?

Silver Crusade

Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

YES ! CRYSTAL ! The Goddess is writing a full module ! Tears of joy !


I think it's time I get a Harrow Deck...

Dark Archive

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber
Edgewood wrote:
I think it's time I get a Harrow Deck...

*GASP!* You don't already have one? Why on earth not?


Woo! More uses for the Harrow Deck!

Dark Archive

Dark_Mistress wrote:
Edgewood wrote:
I think it's time I get a Harrow Deck...
*GASP!* You don't already have one? Why on earth not?

Because those silly cards are based on parlor tricks and nothing more; we ALL know that our fates REALLY lie in the clawed hands of the mightiest of all the deities -- Almighty Asmodeus!

Shadow Lodge

Asgetrion wrote:
we ALL know that our fates REALLY lie in the clawed hands of the mightiest of all the deities -- Almighty Asmodeus!

Funny how "the mightiest of all deities" needed help from another god just to lock a third god in a cage. :P


Duuude! Great idea.

Dark Archive

Kthulhu wrote:
Asgetrion wrote:
we ALL know that our fates REALLY lie in the clawed hands of the mightiest of all the deities -- Almighty Asmodeus!
Funny how "the mightiest of all deities" needed help from another god just to lock a third god in a cage. :P

That is just a myth, a legend, a fairy tale; in other words, complete rubbish fabricated by drunken Taldorian bards! Don't tell me you were foolish enough to actually believe it? Ah, of course not -- no one in their right mind does!

Dark Archive

All praise Asmodeus!

Sovereign Court

I'm always glad to see more Harrow stuff.

In a perfect world there'd be a guide to incorporating it into every AP.

Sovereign Court

GeraintElberion wrote:
In a perfect world there'd be a guide to incorporating it into every AP.

You might want to take a look at the Carrion Crown Player's Guide when it comes out, then.

Sovereign Court

Rob McCreary wrote:
GeraintElberion wrote:
In a perfect world there'd be a guide to incorporating it into every AP.
You might want to take a look at the Carrion Crown Player's Guide when it comes out, then.

Huzzar!

Silver Crusade

Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

*runs thru the thread with a "WE <3 CRYSTAL" sign*


First thing I thought was that this is a module published to sell harrow decks. That feels rather WOTC-ish. First time I've had that impression since choosing Pathfinder. Just an observation.

Bob B.

Silver Crusade

Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber
HolmesandWatson wrote:

First thing I thought was that this is a module published to sell harrow decks. That feels rather WOTC-ish. First time I've had that impression since choosing Pathfinder. Just an observation.

Bob B.

Harrow Decks were produced as support for Curse of the Crimson Throne, where the whole Harrowing idea played a major role.


HolmesandWatson wrote:

First thing I thought was that this is a module published to sell harrow decks. That feels rather WOTC-ish. First time I've had that impression since choosing Pathfinder. Just an observation.

Bob B.

Key difference is in this line:

"rules for incorporating the popular Harrow Deck (not required)"

The fact that it is not required for the module is what makes Paizo great. However, what is also awesome, is that they continue to create support material for the many people who already do own the Harrow Deck either just because they wanted it for their own campaigns, or because they chose to utilize it in CotCT, as Gorbacz pointed out.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

1 person marked this as a favorite.
HolmesandWatson wrote:

First thing I thought was that this is a module published to sell harrow decks. That feels rather WOTC-ish. First time I've had that impression since choosing Pathfinder. Just an observation.

Bob B.

As Dread Pirate Joseph Wilson pointed out, the Harrow deck isn't required to run "The Harrowing."

But if the module DOES boost sales for the Harrow deck, that's great! That IS part of the adventure's goal, to be honest. Just as part of ANY adventure's goal we publish is to encourage folks to buy any supplementary books that might make running that adventure easier, such as the Inner Sea World Guide, associated campaign setting and player companion books, Bestiaries, Advanced Player's Guide, GameMastery Guide...

ALL of what we publish supports each other product. And while we try to skew our products in a way so that they're relatively self-supporting... they do indeed benefit from having those support materials at hand.


This is a COOL idea. One of these days, I'm going to have to stop trying to steal my daughter's Harrow cards and get my own deck. Folks are missing out if they've never played with them.

I don't think linked products are a problem. When linkage is being used to sell a cheesy product, then it's a problem. But the Harrow deck is far from cheesy. Well, unless it's an artisanal Stilton or something like that...

Full steam, ahead, Crystal!

PS. L.R.


1 person marked this as a favorite.
Vic Wertz wrote:
Announced for July!

FYI: The listing says "Preorder expected May 2011."

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

Joseph Wilson wrote:
Vic Wertz wrote:
Announced for July!
FYI: The listing says "Preorder expected May 2011."

Thanks... somebody accidentally "updated" it using the dates for Academy of Secrets.

Dark Archive Contributor

This has me excited, definitely have an interest in anything that gets more use out of other products.


3 people marked this as a favorite.

Try getting your Harrow readings done by someone who actually does tarot. It's both awesome and creepy.

I used to read tarot professionally. I read the Harrow for our CotCT game. I didn't start as DM and the first Harrow reading predicted half the AP. I ended up DM and still read the Harrow and found it predicted player actions. My players were impressed enough that they had me reading the Harrow several times per adventure for tips, kicks, and awesome. Whenever they'd get stuck, out came the Harrow and they used it to get out of being stuck.

My readings only failed at one thing. Lem never did get his beating.

Scarab Sages

I gave a reading for one of my players, but in the Greyhawk setting rather than Golarion. I can't find the email I used, but it came out eerily specific to him, or at least he thought so.
It didn't seem out of place (being a natural result of a trip to the Cult of The Green Lady), so if you're not using Golarion, don't worry that the deck is too campaign-specific.


Snorter wrote:

I gave a reading for one of my players, but in the Greyhawk setting rather than Golarion. I can't find the email I used, but it came out eerily specific to him, or at least he thought so.

It didn't seem out of place (being a natural result of a trip to the Cult of The Green Lady), so if you're not using Golarion, don't worry that the deck is too campaign-specific.

Want me to post it Snorts?

RPG Superstar 2013 Top 8

This sounds like a fantastic idea. I'm usually not too excited about the modules line, but I'm definitely getting this.


Not usually a module buyer, but I'll be getting this one the day it comes out!

"Can they survive a trip into the strangest realm explored yet in a Pathfinder module?" Heck yeah, that's what I'm talking about!

Sovereign Court

This seems like a product a friend of mine would be particularly interested in. :)

Scarab Sages

Could this module fit into the Carrion Crown AP?

If not, I hope it's approved for PFS play.

Contributor

Deidre Tiriel wrote:

Could this module fit into the Carrion Crown AP?

If not, I hope it's approved for PFS play.

I think it would fit in great with Carrion Crown, actually. :D


Joseph Wilson wrote:
HolmesandWatson wrote:

First thing I thought was that this is a module published to sell harrow decks. That feels rather WOTC-ish. First time I've had that impression since choosing Pathfinder. Just an observation.

Bob B.

Key difference is in this line:

"rules for incorporating the popular Harrow Deck (not required)"

The fact that it is not required for the module is what makes Paizo great. However, what is also awesome, is that they continue to create support material for the many people who already do own the Harrow Deck either just because they wanted it for their own campaigns, or because they chose to utilize it in CotCT, as Gorbacz pointed out.

Not only that, but i think they even have a pdf of blank harrow cards that you can use to make your own deck if you really wanted a deck and didnt want to buy one.

I plan on running the carrion crown AP when my sandbox is done, and i like the harrower class (will be my next player class) so i've already got a deck on the way. Damn international shipping 7-15 business days... :(

Shadow Lodge

James Jacobs wrote:


But if the module DOES boost sales for the Harrow deck, that's great!

<snip>

Just put a Harrow Deck in my order as a result of this adventure, so that's at least one sale from it.


Nebulous_Mistress wrote:

Try getting your Harrow readings done by someone who actually does tarot. It's both awesome and creepy.

I used to read tarot professionally. I read the Harrow for our CotCT game. I didn't start as DM and the first Harrow reading predicted half the AP. I ended up DM and still read the Harrow and found it predicted player actions. My players were impressed enough that they had me reading the Harrow several times per adventure for tips, kicks, and awesome. Whenever they'd get stuck, out came the Harrow and they used it to get out of being stuck.

My readings only failed at one thing. Lem never did get his beating.

I have done this quite a few times, myself, being a Tarophile. I've developed a way to create character backgrounds with a Harrow reading, and its quite good because it often takes smaller ideas I've been working with and develops them more fully.

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

I've updated the product image and description to reflect the finished product.


Vic Wertz wrote:
I've updated the product image and description to reflect the finished product.

Awesome cover!

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

Lilith wrote:
Vic Wertz wrote:
I've updated the product image and description to reflect the finished product.
Awesome cover!

Thanks! I totally did that artwork myself! With a little help from Kieran Yanner, who did... um... the whole thing. With no help from me. But thanks!


Love the cover art

Dark Archive

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

That is a nice cover.


Seoni ducked,
the tengu clucked,
and once the spell was done,
they were all plucked.


Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Charter Superscriber

Lately the covers have been outstanding.

Paizo Employee Chief Creative Officer, Publisher

1 person marked this as a favorite.

We have honed our art department to a vorpal edge.

They in turn find the best artists.

They are the best.

(And one of 'em even WROTE this thing!)

Silver Crusade

Erik Mona wrote:

We have honed our art department to a vorpal edge.

They in turn find the best artists.

They are the best.

(And one of 'em even WROTE this thing!)

Does Crystal do any of the interior art? Because I think that may be a first for dual-duty on the writer-artist front, at least for a Pathfinder work. :)

Scarab Sages

HolmesandWatson wrote:

First thing I thought was that this is a module published to sell harrow decks. That feels rather WOTC-ish. First time I've had that impression since choosing Pathfinder. Just an observation.

Bob B.

For those who can't find, or afford, a Harrow Deck, it's no secret that the draws can be replicated using a d6 and two d3.

The physical deck just helps reduce duplicate results,and is simply more fun.

Scarab Sages

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Snorter wrote:

I gave a reading for one of my players, but in the Greyhawk setting rather than Golarion. I can't find the email I used, but it came out eerily specific to him, or at least he thought so.

It didn't seem out of place (being a natural result of a trip to the Cult of The Green Lady), so if you're not using Golarion, don't worry that the deck is too campaign-specific.
Dazylar wrote:
Want me to post it Snorts?

(Blast from the past; some minor AOW spoiler alert.

This is a transcript of an email conversation, carried out between sessions, as a PC followed his own leads during downtime.
Bold is NPC-speak, italics are the PC replies, blue are my ooc comments.
Hopefully, it serves as an example of how a reading could be done in play.)

"How would you characterise the nature of your next task? Will it require great physical effort? Great fortitude? Understanding? cunning?" (ie, pick one of the six stats, to be most appropriate for what you're trying to achieve)

"Cunning, I think. I need to find some folk, and this can only be done by forethought, planning and calculated insight." (Int)

She takes a pack of cards from her pocket, spreads them, and quickly removes nine, which she fans in front of you.
"Take one card, reveal it, and return to the hand. This represents your current place in the world, and your relation to the task to come. Should this card be revealed in the spread, it will indicate the strongest of influences."

You pick...The Vision!

"The Vision...(chaotic neutral, Intelligence) represents arcane knowledge. Such knowledge can take the form of madness or cryptic words. This card often means an encounter with a crazy person, but it can also signify a brush with genius."

The cards are shuffled back into the main pack, and dealt out in a grid, three cards by three.

"The three columns represent past, present and future, events that are fixed, occurring, or subject to infinite possibilities. Also commonly referred to as Law, Neutrality and Chaos.
The three rows represent positive, neutral and negative connotations. Also referred to as Good, Neutrality and Evil.
Cards whose aspects reflect their placement have stronger influence, those in opposite positions have lesser, or inverted meaning."

(I swear, these will be the genuine cards drawn. Though I'm new to this, so I'm checking as I go.)

"Positive Past: The Sickness (neutral evil, Constitution) represents plague, pestilence, famine, and disease. It can also indicate corruption of the soul or of a multitude of souls.
Unclear Past: The Crows
(neutral evil, Dexterity) are a dangerous bunch who indicate violent taking of that which is loved. When The Crows appear, murder, theft, or other shocking loss occurs.
Negative Past: The Queen Mother
(lawful neutral, Wisdom) is knowledge personified. The formian knows all but does not reveal anything to anyone who does not show her proper worship. She is fond of the powerless and the under classes, for they serve her when the more powerful refuse. She represents the need to become part of a society, or to bow before those who know more than you. Partially aligned, for greater significance."

"Positive Present: The Big Sky (chaotic good, Strength) shows an epic moment as the slaves of a nation are freed. The slaves' freedom specifies momentous and powerful change, as old shackles are cast of in the light of day. Partially aligned, again, for greater significance.
Unclear Present: The Teamster
(neutral, Constitution) is a driving external force that keeps the subject going, no matter what. This force can be physical or mental, as a person who exhorts others to continue on when they have no more strength to give. The force can be for good or ill but cannot be ignored. The half-orc depicted is leading a life of constant toil, but for his own betterment. Strongly aligned, for great significance.
Negative Present: The Eclipse
(lawful evil, Wisdom) represents self-doubt and loss of purpose. This card afflicts those with faith in the divine, as their talents can wane under this stress. It can also indicate a loss of way along a path. If misaligned, it can augur an unheralded ability coming to the fore or a concealed location revealed.
Partially aligned, once more."

"Positive Future: The Theatre (neutral good, Charisma) is the card of true prophecy. The puppets act out a scene, just as the prophet acts out a scene in which she has no part. The prophet is the audience and the prophecy is the show. She has no influence on what she sees, and its importance is often not recognized until too late. If misaligned, the prophecy is just for show. Partially aligned, indicating the truth of these matters.
Unclear Future: The Joke
(chaotic good, Intelligence) shows a terror that must be overcome-but not by physical means. This monster can only be defeated by trickery or artifice. This card can represent the value of humour in finding the way past a difficult person or task. Once again, partially aligned.
Negative Future: The Desert
(chaotic good, Constitution) is an environment so bleak that none can survive it without aid. For those who find that aid, the journey across the wastes can lead to great things. Misaligned, it implies the subject cannot rely on the help of others and will assuredly be lost. The sphinx on this card can refer to a mystic or doctor bringing salvation in times of plague or illness. Once again, a partial alignment."

All cards having been revealed, The Speaker takes a moment to ponder them.
You spotted no sleight of hand, during the spread.

"To have seven matches, even partial ones, indicates that you will be highly driven by destiny. The events of the past are clear. Sickness is obviously the threat of the worm. The crows? The cultists, below Dourstone Mine? Which led you to request aid from the Queen of Magic, the Protector of the Deceased.
Your present is strongly driven by your personal search, which will override all. You must take the lead, and be the compass to guide your companions to fulfil our goals, since their own faith will falter along the way.
Brute force will prove insufficient to defeat the enemies who block your way. They will either be encountered in a barren place, or you will travel there, to seek a solution."

"I will have to ponder upon this. I hope the reading has been beneficial to you.
I have other duties I need to attend. My acolytes will escort you out and back to the far shore.
I wish you well on your impending journey, and do not forget, our messengers will be watching out for you."

She retreats to a rear chamber, and two acolytes enter, motioning to the exit.


James Jacobs wrote:
ALL of what we publish supports each other product. And while we try to skew our products in a way so that they're relatively self-supporting... they do indeed benefit from having those support materials at hand.

This is actually one of my favorite qualities of Paizo, and one which WotC sadly did not share. Whenever WotC came out with something cool, like the warlock class or whatever, you rarely saw it again in another product. This was rather sad for those of us who bought everything. Now I happily buy everything from Paizo, knowing that it builds on itself rather nicely.

Dark Archive

Will this module be PFS sanctioned?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

1 person marked this as a favorite.
monskers wrote:
Will this module be PFS sanctioned?

All modules going forward will be.

Sovereign Court

1 person marked this as a favorite.
James Jacobs wrote:
monskers wrote:
Will this module be PFS sanctioned?
All modules going forward will be.

These modules, how do they move about?

And what happens to the ones with a reverse gear? Or that like to sidestep?

Or did you mean forward in time? For which we have the handy term 'future'.

[/snark, although... y'know...]

Dark Archive

James Jacobs wrote:
monskers wrote:
Will this module be PFS sanctioned?
All modules going forward will be.

You are my hero

Thanks for being superduper

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