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Pathfinder Adventure Path #59: The Price of Infamy (Skull & Shackles 5 of 6) (PFRPG)

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Pathfinder Adventure Path #59: The Price of Infamy (Skull & Shackles 5 of 6) (PFRPG)
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Chapter 5: "The Price of Infamy"
by Tim Hitchcock

The adventurers now have their own island and port, but they’ll need more than one ship to defend it. When a past rival sends a fleet to attack them, they’re forced to pull out all the stops to defend their island home, scouring the harbors and docks of the Shackles in order to recruit more ships and crews to their flag. Yet when they sail to the attacker’s own island to get their revenge, the adventurers discover a traitor—one whose betrayal threatens not only their own fleet, but the very islands of the Shackles themselves.

    This volume of Pathfinder Adventure Path includes:
  • “The Price of Infamy,” a Pathfinder RPG adventure for 11th-level characters, by Tim Hitchcock.
  • Fleet battle rules that allow players to stand as admirals and commodores directing their own armadas against enemy fleets in large-scale naval warfare, by James Jacobs.
  • A glimpse behind the gray veil of Norgorber, Golarion’s most secretive deity, by Sean K Reynolds.
  • Lock-breakers and sea-devils in the Pathfinder’s Journal, by Robin D. Laws.
  • Four new monsters, by Savannah Broadway, Ryan Costello, Mark Moreland, and Sean K Reynolds.

Each monthly full-color softcover 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 world’s oldest fantasy RPG.

ISBN–13: 978-1-60125-421-4

The Price of Infamy 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 (479 KB zip/PDF).

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

Fantasy Grounds Virtual Tabletop
Archives of Nethys

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

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Ring Side Report- RPG Review of Skull and Shackles-The Price of Infamy

5/5 —

Originally posted on www.throatpunchgames.com, a new idea everyday!

Product- Pathfinder Adventure Path-Skull and Shackles- The Price of Infamy
System-Pathfinder
Producer-Paizo
Price- $20
TL;DR-Not pirates, but fun! 88%

Basics-The plot thickens! In the previous adventures, the players have gone from scrappy slaves to pirate lords of the Shackles. At the start after a council meeting, the players receive a secret note telling them that they will soon be attacked by on old rival who has amassed a fleet to destroy them. Can the players get enough help and ships to save themselves? Will they put an end to an old rivalry that's been plaguing them since the beginning? This book also contains fleet battle rules, more monsters and NPCs, another piece of the fiction for this adventure path, and background on Norgorber.

Fluff or Story-This one has a fun story. It goes back to the sandbox approach that has dominated all the really fun parts of the AP. The players don't get to be excessively pirate-y, but they do get to be adventurers as this part is several small requests for help tied together. This adventure is fun if a little scattered, but your players will mostly feel catharsis as they get some revenge. Also, the fiction story and Norgorber give great background on the world. 4.5/5

Crunch or Mechanics-There is good and bad here. But, the good is great, and the bad can't be helped. The bad is Pathfinder has the 3.X problem of players becoming a little too godlike at around ~11 compared to the monsters they are facing. Having only one monster in a fight will result in the players somehow locking that monster down too quickly for it to damage them. To have more than one monster in a fight, the CR of each monster has to be two less, and the problem intensifies as you add more monsters. Thus, the players are not threatened by piles of CR 3 monsters, since the players can't be hit on anything less than a natural 20. So, if you want to challenge your players, you as a GM will need to change things on the fly quite often! However, what is awesome in this book is the fleet rules! The fleet rules give a great way for Pathfinder players to have a massive ship battle without having to have massive amounts of ships. Again, any smart pathfinder group will break them quite easy as the main skill that the fleet rules use is profession(sailor) (which most players will have maxed out by now!). So battles tend to be a bit one-sided, but they are still somewhat tense. Overall, I liked what I saw in this one except for the problems that can't really be helped or fixed. 4/5

Execution-This is well done. Paizo again delivers an excellent product that was fun to read. I would have liked a few more ways to break up text as there are a few pages that are two columns of text next to one another, but nothing is perfect. But, it's not bad, generally laid out well, and an easy read. 4.75/5

Summary- This was a fun one. Still not my favorite as the second part of this adventure path is my favorite since that one is the most pirate-y by far, but this is a good one. It features MASSIVE navel battles, raids into long forgotten tombs, see-through wizards, and an event your players have been looking forward to since the very first day the Skull and Shackles Campaign started! It's a blast from start to finish. 88%

Piratical Excitement

5/5 —

This module has a lot of good things going for it. For one, its plotline feels very well integrated in the overall AP plot. This is a really positive change compared to others but it may also be due to the fact that this is one of the final modules and near the conclusion so things are unwrapping fast.

For a high-level module, it provides the PCs with a pretty decent amount of variation, choices and role-playing opportunities. The opening act with the Pirate Council is a great idea to set up the stage, meet fellow pirates and establish ties - positive and negative - with some of them.

The black tower has a very indiana-jonesque vibe to it that I find refreshing plus the surprise at the end is brilliant. The fleet combat is also interesting, as is the infiltration mission at the end, which can be tackled differently, allowing the group to create their own strategy. Overall, this is a brilliant adventure.

The (slight) negatives I see are the cheesy excuses behind each of the missions and the menu-like way of delivering it. "Go look for something over there, it might be cool but maybe not" is not the greatest reason to go to the island. "Go find a McGuffin, it might be good to have when you meet the villain" suffers from the same problem. Perhaps the author should have integrated those two missions better with the main plot.

My rating: 5 stars. This is a fun one to read and play.

Read full review here

Think You're a Pirate? Prove It! THE PRICE OF INFAMY

5/5 —

The Scallywags now have the chance to settle the score with Captain Harrigan. Of course, Harrigan intends to settle the Scallywags into a watery grave as well. This adventure has to be one of the most deeply satisfying I have ever played. It is well constructed, but more importantly, tells a great tale. Check out my full review: The Price of Infamy

My favorite Adventure Path so far!

5/5 —

UPDATE: This is the LONGEST adventure path module by far. We have been on this module twice as long as any other AP in the series. Very fun, but it maybe could have been broken into two.

I have to say, this adventure path is probably the most fun of all of the Skull and Shackles Adventure paths to date.

The PC's have a solid mission and have a great motivation to seek out and complete each of this module's challenges. The AP starts with the Pirates gaining status and being able to take part diplomatically in pirate matters in the Shackles. The mechanics for this arrangement work well, and the case being made for each is interesting to Role Play. A page with all of the NPC portraits on one page would have added visual props.

The onus on the PC's to build a fleet is exciting, although the amount of money the Pirates need as opposed to what they have found across the last four modules is insufficient. I luckily read ahead and planted some extra plunder among the various wreckage's on the Island of Empty Eyes. The pirates COULD just spend a couple of weeks grinding away on pirate ship encounters from module one and two, but that tends to be anti-climatic and the group would rather do new stuff.

The quests and places for adventure are well thought out, difficult and exciting. The various challenges and the rewards for completing each give a sense of accomplishment. There is also some final closure to the PC's longstanding rivalry with a competing free captain of the Shackles.

The overarching storyline about warring nations is almost not needed in the AP as it adds little in the way of motivation for pirates, they could have had the rivalry be somewhat more local instead of geopolitical.

That aside, the adventure path is outstanding and the players are having a blast with it. They are excited to finish up in module 6.

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RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32

Announced! Cover image is a mockup.
Dark Archive
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

Sounds very cool, just curious where is the art of the girl from?

It's Belia of Zadoth from Rival Guide (page 30). Artist is Carolina Eade.
Dark Archive
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

Ah ok, thanks. I have that book. Just so much pathfinder art I like I can't remember it all.
Scarab Sages
Pathfinder Maps, Pathfinder Accessories, PF Special Edition Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Charter Superscriber; Starfinder Superscriber

Something tells me that the name of this port should be Santo Poco. I'll just put that out there now.

Interesting now we get our very own fleet of ships.

Ooh, Norgorber!

This will be the last article covering one of the major gods of Golarion, won't it?
Paizo Employee Creative Director
Filby Pott wrote:

Ooh, Norgorber!

This will be the last article covering one of the major gods of Golarion, won't it?

Correct. Starting with Shattered Star, we're moving on exclusively to deities and demigods beyond the core 20.

That is seriously awesome. The religion articles are my favorite "extras" in the APs. I hope SKR keeps writing at least some of them.

The adventurers now have their own island and port, but they’ll need more than one ship to defend it. They must scour the harbors and docks of the Shackles to recruit more ships and more crews to their flag.

Hmm, this sounds kind of like Kingmaker, which suddenly makes me want to get my hands on this AP whereas before I was more lukewarm about it.
Paizo Employee Creative Director
Eric Hinkle wrote:

The adventurers now have their own island and port, but they’ll need more than one ship to defend it. They must scour the harbors and docks of the Shackles to recruit more ships and more crews to their flag.

Hmm, this sounds kind of like Kingmaker, which suddenly makes me want to get my hands on this AP whereas before I was more lukewarm about it.

Well... in the interest of managing expectations... this is NOT "Kingmaker on a boat." There's not going to be much at all of "empire building" in the vein of Kingmaker in this AP.

As long as there is plenty of interesting places to explore, treasure to be had, and sea beast to slay then I am sold.
James Jacobs wrote:
Eric Hinkle wrote:

The adventurers now have their own island and port, but they’ll need more than one ship to defend it. They must scour the harbors and docks of the Shackles to recruit more ships and more crews to their flag.

Hmm, this sounds kind of like Kingmaker, which suddenly makes me want to get my hands on this AP whereas before I was more lukewarm about it.

Well... in the interest of managing expectations... this is NOT "Kingmaker on a boat." There's not going to be much at all of "empire building" in the vein of Kingmaker in this AP.

I should have emphasized that it sounds "like" Kingmaker in the sense that the characters become leaders and have to gather followers and the like.

does anyone know whom is writing this one and the last one?. just curious
Sovereign Court
captain yesterday wrote:
does anyone know whom is writing this one and the last one?. just curious

Tim Hitchcock is writing Pathfinder #59, and Jason Nelson is writing Pathfinder #60.

The girl looks like a ghost for some reason...
Contributor
Belle Mythix wrote:
The girl looks like a ghost for some reason...

The art isn't the final cover art - she's from the Rival Guide, and you're not too far off...

Liz Courts wrote:
Belle Mythix wrote:
The girl looks like a ghost for some reason...

1) The art isn't the final cover art -

2) she's from the Rival Guide,

3)and you're not too far off...

.

1) I know.

2) So I read (How the Hell am I supposed to save some money if I keep buying Paizo products)

3) The "aura" kinda help.

4) Thanks.

Why does this appear between chapters 2 and 3 on the sequencing..it threw me for a second.

So when are we going to get the updated art and info for this one?
Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

We just updated the previous one on May 3.... so maybe another couple of weeks.
Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

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

Interesting sea monster in the background there.
Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer
Dragon78 wrote:
Interesting sea monster in the background there.

Poor little guy... He's just trying to be friendly in the only way he knows how!

Quote:
Correct. Starting with Shattered Star, we're moving on exclusively to deities and demigods beyond the core 20.

Huh? How'd I miss the article covering Torag?

Ruyan.
RuyanVe wrote:
Quote:
Correct. Starting with Shattered Star, we're moving on exclusively to deities and demigods beyond the core 20.

Huh? How'd I miss the article covering Torag?

Ruyan.

James Jacobs wrote:
Enlight_Bystand wrote:

Hi James

Since the Torag article got cut/removed from AP #56, do you have any idea where it's going to shake out to be published yet?

The Torag article got moved because there was an art mixup (in that art was never ordered for the article... oops!). It's scheduled to appear in Pathfinder #62.

Dark Archive
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

The cover chick looks really unhappy.

Thanks, Joseph Wilson.
How'd I miss the statement by James Jacobs?

Dark_Mistress wrote:
The cover chick looks really unhappy.

You think so? I interprete the stance as ostentatious - must be her upbringing (I'd say she's Lady Cerise Bloodmourn).

Ruyan.
Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut
RuyanVe wrote:
...(I'd say she's Lady Cerise Bloodmourn)...

You could say that...

Spoiler:

...but you'd be wrong. ;-)

I really hope Scylla and Charbydis make an entrance here, they are kinda underused so far :p

and two AP in July?
Dark Archive

To echo Sincubus: Not that I'm complaining, but why is Paizo giving us two lovely APs instead of one this month? :)
Silver Crusade
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

Because we didn't receive an AP in, January (or was it February, or maybe both). So they've had to squeeze these ones in a little tighter to recalibrate the schedule.
Dark Archive
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

What Dude said, this year due to things, the AP got way behind as in 2 months behind. Since right now in July we should be getting part 6 and already have parts 1-5 and we are just now getting 4-5. So next month we get two more, number 6 of this AP and the first of the next AP.
Scarab Sages
Pathfinder Maps, Pathfinder Accessories, PF Special Edition Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Charter Superscriber; Starfinder Superscriber

Yeah, this is what the Paizo folks are talking about when they say the next few APs will have no or few subsystems. Setting up mini rules systems like kingdom building, caravan building, or ship & fleet management is a huge developer time sink.
Liberty's Edge

Why does my account say that this print edition is on back order? Could this be why I haven't received a shipping notification for this month yet?
Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

We're still shipping subs out. (It always takes longer when we have a hardcover releasing the same month.)

As for why it's now a backorder, well... sales were much higher than anticipated, and all of our existing stock is pre-sold. Don't worry—if you're a subscriber, or placed your order anytime before the button switched to backorder, there's a copy in the warehouse for you. But if the button said "backorder" before you placed your order, it might take a few weeks to get you copies. (We're doing our best to make sure we'll have copies by Gen Con!)
Liberty's Edge

Ironically, it no longer says "Backorder"! Thanks for the pep talk anyways!
Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

That means they added in the inventory we brought back from PaizoCon! It won't last all that long....
Shadow Lodge
Pathfinder Lost Omens, Maps, Rulebook Subscriber

It now says "backordered" again :-(

I am a subscriber. Unfortunately this means that the rest of my subscription items, plus all the other items in my sidecart, are now on hold until this volume becomes available. I'm a little concerned about that, as the last time I had a 'sale' item in my sidecart it ended up being no longer available by the time the order eventually shipped.

I hope the delay is just because the warehouse crew are still digging themselves out from under a backlog. But if that isn't the case, and there is going to be any significant delay before this order can be fulfilled, is it possible to ship everything but that from the "pending" order (plus, with any luck, all the sidecart items), and send AP #59 with the next subscription (currently scheduled for early August, I believe)?
RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32
JohnF wrote:


It now says "backordered" again :-(

I am a subscriber. Unfortunately this means that the rest of my subscription items, plus all the other items in my sidecart, are now on hold until this volume becomes available. I'm a little concerned about that, as the last time I had a 'sale' item in my sidecart it ended up being no longer available by the time the order eventually shipped.

I hope the delay is just because the warehouse crew are still digging themselves out from under a backlog. But if that isn't the case, and there is going to be any significant delay before this order can be fulfilled, is it possible to ship everything but that from the "pending" order (plus, with any luck, all the sidecart items), and send AP #59 with the next subscription (currently scheduled for early August, I believe)?

Your order is currently in the hands of the warehouse staff and will be shipping soon.

Shadow Lodge
Pathfinder Lost Omens, Maps, Rulebook Subscriber
Ross Byers wrote:
Your order is currently in the hands of the warehouse staff and will be shipping soon.

Thanks, Ross. The warehouse elves always exceed expectations!

James Jacobs wrote:
Filby Pott wrote:

Ooh, Norgorber!

This will be the last article covering one of the major gods of Golarion, won't it?

Correct. Starting with Shattered Star, we're moving on exclusively to deities and demigods beyond the core 20.

Finally a section with some bits of Norgorber info! With aphorisms I am hoping, though by my count that leaves Torag and Desna without aphorisms. (Desna had a section in RotRL but didn't get aphorisms, unless it was updated in the anniversary release.)

Shadow Lodge
Ian Woods wrote:
James Jacobs wrote:
Filby Pott wrote:

Ooh, Norgorber!

This will be the last article covering one of the major gods of Golarion, won't it?

Correct. Starting with Shattered Star, we're moving on exclusively to deities and demigods beyond the core 20.
Finally a section with some bits of Norgorber info! With aphorisms I am hoping, though by my count that leaves Torag and Desna without aphorisms. (Desna had a section in RotRL but didn't get aphorisms, unless it was updated in the anniversary release.)

Actually we don't have torag either as his article was pushed back to ap 65 from what I've heard.

Shadow Lodge

Also anyone care to give me an idea of what monsters show up in the bestiary here?

spoiler:
Bakekujira(Undead whale with aura of undead animals and vermin)
Cetacean(Blue Whale, Crimson Whale, Narwhal)
Galvo(Magical Beast comprised of electric eels)
The Stabbing Beast(Norgorber's Herald)

Yes! Bakekujira, I really thought we wouldn't see more asian-based monsters anymore after Jade's Regent.

This gives me hope for Hyakume, Bakeneko and the Sickle Weasel
1 person marked this as a favorite.

Aw, so nice to see my baby out in the world...eating people. Well, I don't think he'd be terribly effective at it, but goodness knows he tries ^_^
Shadow Lodge

Cool to see more whales put out makes the prospect of whaling campaign more interesting by the minute. Also now I need to find an image of this "Stabbing Beast".
Savannah Broadway wrote:
Aw, so nice to see my baby out in the world...eating people. Well, I don't think he'd be terribly effective at it, but goodness knows he tries ^_^

Which one is that?

Kajehase wrote:
Savannah Broadway wrote:
Aw, so nice to see my baby out in the world...eating people. Well, I don't think he'd be terribly effective at it, but goodness knows he tries ^_^
Which one is that?

I did the bakekujira--he's my first stab at monster creation for Paizo. Sadly, I think if he did try and swallow someone, it would be rather straightforward to swim in between his ribs ;>> Poor dear...

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