When a trove of fireworks falls into the hands of the goblins of Brinestump Marsh, the people of Sandpoint fear an explosive invasion. But there’s more afoot in the soggy wilderness than goblin hijinks and dangerous pyrotechnics. An investigation reveals mysteries and menaces aplenty, but also a treasure holding the answer to not just one of Varisia’s greatest mysteries, but a conspiracy spanning continents and empires. Can the adventurers piece together a puzzle that links the owner of a sleepy village tavern to the unsolved destruction of a fortress-settlement? And can they withstand the ancient forces and secret destiny that have waited for them for decades?
This volume of Pathfinder Adventure Path launches the Jade Regent Adventure Path and includes:
“The Brinewall Legacy,” a Pathfinder RPG adventure for 1st-level characters, by James Jacobs
An exploration of the hinterlands surrounding the town of Sandpoint, a region that’s anything but peaceful, by James Jacobs
A look into the mysteries of the oni, cunning fiends that can assume humanoid forms, by Mike Shel
Murder in a distant land in the Pathfinder’s Journal, by Dave Gross
Four new monsters by James Jacobs and Tim Nightengale
Each monthly full-color softcover 96-page Pathfinder Adventure Path volume contains an in-depth adventure scenario, stats for several new monsters, and 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: 978-1-60125-361-3
The Brinewall Legacy 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 (532 KB zip/PDF).
Other Resources: This product is also available on the following platforms:
This one was low-level play done right. It starts as generically as is possible (goblins attack, yeah, yeah, we've seen this before). But it builds out of that in an intriguing way, and before long you're at the really cool megadungeon setpiece. The dungeon is done quite well, and my group had a lot of fun with it. There were varied encounters, and interesting NPCs. I also liked the schedule mechanics, where the monsters would change position based on the time of day, and the actions of the PCs.
Our group is doing fine with the much-maligned Caravan rules. We're also using the Ultimate Relationships ruleset, which is working quite well. We're leaning into the travel and NPC relationships portion, which is a novel addition to a campaign. It worked for us, but it might not for you.
One final thing I liked is that the travel allows a GM to really add a lot of stuff to the AP if they want to. There's a lot of cool locations you can take the caravan through, and it's great for adding on sidequest stuff.
I've been running this AP for 3 years now and as we're drawing to the close of book 6 I realized I never put in a review for this book. The adventure itself is a great kick off, sets up the mystery and by the end it makes it very clear what the AP is about to the players. Brinewall is a great location offering memorable battles and rping.
The supporting NPC cast introduced offers plenty to work with for DMs and players and adds a great dimension throughout the campaign.
The only qualms are the unnecessary caravan rules and romance rules. Just ignore these. In conclusion, highly recommend this book for a level 1 adventure and the AP as a whole.
This was a fantastic module. I have never seen an adventure go from small encounter to full-fledged adventure to epic campaign so naturally. I also really like the way the module foreshadowed the Tian (Asian) elements in the story.
Like many GMs these days, I run my games entirely in PbP and my gaming group and I have never physically met. Because of this, I really value the artwork in an adventure path because I need it for digital "handouts," battle maps, and encounters. Again, "The Brinewall Legacy" comes through as much as I could expect.
The Adventure Paths I've read seem to all include some additional mechanics to keep the game fresh. In Jade Regent, these mechanics have to do with caravaning, which is an important sub-theme in the game.
I don't recommend the relationship mechanics, as they felt a bit "Dragon Age" for my taste. A good GM should be able to let relationships develop organically.
The caravan rules are fun, but IMHO a little too simple. In my group we use them, but rather than deciding the combat, they just influence it. They also determine the results of NPC fights in a quick and satisfactory manner. This hybrid system is working well for us.
The only other modifications I made to the module had to do with consolidating and abridging the Brinewall Castle dungeon crawl that forms the third act. I only did this because of the slower nature of PbP gaming. I also eliminated the portion of the beginning that had to do with the group meeting. Instead, I began the game right in Brinestump Marsh, and gave the PCs a short backstory to explain how they all got there. Probably not necessary at a gaming table, but in PbP this saved us literally a week of time.
The end boss of the module was also a lot of fun to role-play, and for the PCs to battle. Warning: He's tough! You might want to power him down a bit or use easier tactics if your player group is inexperienced. Mine was not, so I let them have it as published and we were a little worried about a TPK. It didn't happen, but the dice could have gone either way.
In all, it took us nine months to play through this module in PbP. We are now 3/4 of the way through Night of Frozen Shadows, and I will review that module once we complete it. So far, it is also a very good adventure.
Five stars all the way for The Brinewall Legacy. This is excellent value for your entertainment dollar.
Overall this is the start of my favorite of the APs.
Highlights
- Massive Goblin fight
- Very fun story that has a nice slow burn that begins here
Lowlights
- Too many forced NPCs at the start. I did away with them
- The castle is huge and can be tedious esp if you play it as a PFS mod.
- Not a fan of the caravan rules
I've ran this as campaign and we had a great time with it. I've also gotten to play it as a PFS module and it still holds up. I just wish it wasn't so combat focuses in that castle. Seems to drag on.
Wait, so this adventure spans through viking lands to the lands of samurai? Two out of my top five favorite historical warriors! I have only played one pathfinder adventure path (And even then, my DM skewed the story quite drastically to fit his own vision), but I may consider running this one. Sounds freakin epic and packed with intrigue.
I know! Wouldn't it be great to play an Ulfen barbarian encountering the ways of the Tian, and their warriors/ninjas/schemes/laws.
We're starting a campaign in august or so, so we're faced with the difficult choice of picking between a known good AP or this unknown-but-possibly-super-awesome AP. Very tough choice...
We're starting a campaign in august or so, so we're faced with the difficult choice of picking between a known good AP or this unknown-but-possibly-super-awesome AP. Very tough choice...
Any advice?
Better the enemy you know, than the enemy you don't. I figure the same applies to APs.
Not sure i am going to like this AP, just so far does not appeal to me, but hope i will be surprised as i have in the past with Pathfinder books that i did not think i would like but wound up loving. Like the revisited books. Took me a long time to even give them a glance, then after i did i absolutely loved them.
On a side note, is Dave Gross ever going to write some PF fiction with different characters? I like his style of writing but don't care much for Radovan and his boss.
On a side note, is Dave Gross ever going to write some PF fiction with different characters? I like his style of writing but don't care much for Radovan and his boss.
I did write about half of Winter Witch, but all of my upcoming Pathfinder Tales work does include the boys. That said, both "Husks" in the AP and Master of Devils include quite a few supporting characters. In fact, the novel includes a third point-of-view character that those who enjoyed Skywing in Winter Witch might especially appreciate.
Pathfinder Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Starfinder Charter Superscriber
Jason Brodsky wrote:
We're starting a campaign in august or so, so we're faced with the difficult choice of picking between a known good AP or this unknown-but-possibly-super-awesome AP. Very tough choice...
Any advice?
If you are starting in August, I would suggest going to a previous AP. generally it's best to let a few issues come out, if not all of them before running the path so that you can a) find out if it suits your group and b)be able to tie things together better
I have to say Ameiko looks much better in this cover than in Burnt offerings. I think I want to play this AP, although Serpent's skull looks good too, and Legacy of fire... so many good options... sigh.
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
Quite honestly, can we replace Lem with Ameiko as the iconic bard? Wow, that picture looks amazing even in low resolution as it is. Need high resolution, pretty please! :)
Quite honestly, can we replace Lem with Ameiko as the iconic bard? Wow, that picture looks amazing even in low resolution as it is. Need high resolution, pretty please! :)
Quite honestly, can we replace Lem with Ameiko as the iconic bard? Wow, that picture looks amazing even in low resolution as it is. Need high resolution, pretty please! :)
Although I was not really looking forward to this AP, after hearing the recording and seeing the starting point in good old Sandpoint I am thinking about renewing my Subscription. Once I get my job offer and start my new job in August.
I am so hyped about this AP I couldn't even express my excitement in words till now! So looking forward to it and now all the goodness of JR is crowned with Wayne Reynolds covers AND a WAR-Ameiko!!!!!! ... Wait I still cannot express my excitement properly ...
Listened to the Paizo con about AP's and it was pretty cool. I like the focus they are going to be putting on NPC's and the romance ratings has me intrigued.
Can not stand waiting for this AP, and the Ultimate Combat.
Info on Oni sweet (no Youkai coverage is a little cheesing, but it's got Oni).
Four new monsters, are any of them playable as PCs, like in the first Carrion Crown?
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Dark_Mistress wrote:
Listened to the Paizo con about AP's and it was pretty cool. I like the focus they are going to be putting on NPC's and the romance ratings has me intrigued.
Could you put up a link to that recording? I'd be very interested in that.
Listened to the Paizo con about AP's and it was pretty cool. I like the focus they are going to be putting on NPC's and the romance ratings has me intrigued.
Could you put up a link to that recording? I'd be very interested in that.
It was posted up in one of the paizo con threads but here is the link
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
Dark_Mistress wrote:
magnuskn wrote:
Dark_Mistress wrote:
Listened to the Paizo con about AP's and it was pretty cool. I like the focus they are going to be putting on NPC's and the romance ratings has me intrigued.
Could you put up a link to that recording? I'd be very interested in that.
It was posted up in one of the paizo con threads but here is the link
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Rob McCreary wrote:
magnuskn wrote:
Wow, impressive and beautiful cover.
I hope we get to see that picture in high resolution on the blog, both Ameiko and the background picture. :)
Who will be the iconics, besides Sajan and Feeyah?
The iconics for Jade Regent are Sajan, Feiya, Lini, and Hayato (the iconic samurai).
When is poor Balazar gonna get some screen time? I would have thought he had it locked up with his Fu Manchu look. Maybe the next AP if the ship's junk-rigged?
I hope we get to see that picture in high resolution on the blog, both Ameiko and the background picture. :)
Who will be the iconics, besides Sajan and Feeyah?
The iconics for Jade Regent are Sajan, Feiya, Lini, and Hayato (the iconic samurai).
When is poor Balazar gonna get some screen time? I would have thought he had it locked up with his Fu Manchu look. Maybe the next AP if the ship's junk-rigged?
Or Imrijka! Especially considering that she would have been a perfect fit for Carrion Crown. This is two in a row for Feiya.
I hope we get to see that picture in high resolution on the blog, both Ameiko and the background picture. :)
Who will be the iconics, besides Sajan and Feeyah?
The iconics for Jade Regent are Sajan, Feiya, Lini, and Hayato (the iconic samurai).
When is poor Balazar gonna get some screen time? I would have thought he had it locked up with his Fu Manchu look. Maybe the next AP if the ship's junk-rigged?
Balazar, alas, has 2 strikes against him.
1) He's Small sized, which makes it tricky for scaling problems—artists often forget that gnomes and halflings are half-sized.
2) He's got a weird eidolon that doesn't really have a "place" in the world. We don't have many chicklizatrices out there.
THAT SAID...
Rob's in my office RIGHT NOW and he wants to put Balazar in the Skull and Shackles AP... so stay tuned!
And then he said, "Aaaahhh... I don't know... maybe that would be too goofy..."
I'm feeling the pirate AP's group as including Seltyiel as the arcane caster and the Gunslinger Girl as the skirmisher.
While the gunslinger would fit in very well to the Skull and Shackles AP... since guns aren't that huge a part of Golarion, it'd be weird to have her showing up all the time in the AP's art. So she's ironically and weirdly NOT a good choice. For ANY AP, alas.