Pathfinder Society Scenario #4–08: The Cultist's Kiss (PFRPG) PDF

Across Varisia, the scattered cults of Lissala (ancient Thassilonian goddess of rune magic) have become more active and visible. It’s clear they’re planning something big, and in The Cultist’s Kiss, we find out what it is: they want to bring back the Runelord of Sloth! One particular cult called the Feasters of the Heart, located in Palin’s Cove (a town near Korvosa), is secretly run by vampires that use domination spells to maintain control of its members.

In the briefing, Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch tells the PCs that she sent an experienced agent to spy on the Palin’s Cove cult but that that individual hasn’t reported back for weeks and has to be presumed dead. Importantly, Heidmarch tells the likely murder-hobos in the group that she doesn’t want a bunch of bodies--she wants information, so the mission is to infiltrate, not to just wipe it out. She has a cover story prepared for the PCs so it won’t be obvious who they are in the town. The subsequent journey from Magnimar to Palin’s Cove is handwaved.

The next part of the scenario, where the PCs try to gather information in the town about the cult and how to contact it, is very opened ended—something I always appreciate. Unusual for a scenario like this, the writer provided a full (and excellent) overview of residents and locations within Palin’s Cove, all tied into a really nice map. It’s great when PFS scenarios add to the setting like this, as there’s an enduring contribution to the game even after the scenario has been played. For the information gathering bit, this scenario provides several different rumours and clues (and NPCs to deliver them), rewarding a more in-depth investigation instead of just “everybody make a check, here’s what you get” that many scenarios go with. I especially like that failed checks result in wannabe-cultists starting to hang around the PCs (and they become important later). Another thing I like is that the town has a retired (“put out to pasture”) Pathfinder agent who is secretly a member of the Shadow Lodge!

Chances are, the PCs will eventually find information leading them to the town asylum where they can interview a dhampir patient who has been held there (involuntarily) for pretty much his entire life. He’ll talk if the PCs break him out (which requires getting past some super-creepy-looking totenmaskes), and provide some more information on the cult and its leadership. From either this guy or other leads, the PCs will learn that they need to show up at a particular place outside town at midnight wearing black robes if they want to be inducted into the cult. I love how the scenario features an “Off the Rails” sidebar to help the GM with enabling the various approaches different groups might take (I’ve been writing Dead Suns reviews recently where every sidebar is seemingly about how the GM has to firmly shut down any attempt to get off the rails).

Assuming the PCs stick to the infiltration plan, they’ll find themselves in the town foundry (the cult headquarters) along with several other inductees from among the townsfolk. This part is really interesting, as the leaders of the cult have several tests they put initiates through to test their desire and loyalty. The first one is being branded with a Sihedron--something my paladin wasn’t going to go for! (It’s actually a magical tattoo that is very useful.) Another test was to step into a furnace, with those proclaiming allegiance to Lissala magically protected from the flames and those who don’t taking some burn damage. Fortunately, not every member of the group has to agree to each and every condition. The final test involves selecting the weakest member of the group (NPCs included) and killing them! Here, as the scenario advises, the GM should remind the players that PvP is not allowed and that killing an NPC under these conditions would count as an evil act (still, I imagine some PCs would choose the second option anyway).

What’s most likely to happen is that at some point during these trials, the PCs will have had enough and combat will break out. The exact order and composition of the foes will change depending on what’s happened, but the long and short of it is . . . vampires! Regular vampire spawn, vampire rogues (like the missing PFS agent, who has been turned), vampire clerics, vampire sorcerers, etc. (all the cult leaders are well-detailed with pictures and backgrounds) If the PCs happen to have prepared for undead, they’ll certainly have an advantage here, otherwise they could be in for a tough battle. I remember things getting pretty dicey before we pulled out a victory. After the carnage, the PCs can investigate the headquarters thoroughly, and that’s when they’ll discover what the whole season has been leading to: the return of a Runelord!

One thing I did find a bit odd is that the mission is styled as an infiltration one, but there aren’t really any consequences for the PCs being terrible at it. A group of all-bards who are masterful at Disguise and Bluff would have pretty much the same experience as a group of all-fighters skilled at Swim or Climb. Indeed, the scenario assumes the cult leaders may very well know that some of their initiates are “secretly” Pathfinder agents, but the plot plays out the same. So it’s a bit of false advertising, which is too bad since sneaky characters often don’t get a chance to really shine in PFS. That’s my only real criticism. Apart from that, as I discussed above, there’s a lot to really like about The Cultist’s Kiss, and I certainly recommend it.

Length: Medium (4 hours).
Experience: Player at subtier 7-8 with 6 good PCs.
Sweet Spot: TBD.
Entertainment: If you like disturbing gothic horror, you will like this. (10/10)
Story: Maybe the other contacts could have been fleshed out a little more. (9/10)
Roleplay: Great NPCs. (10/10)
Combat/Challenges: A little easy for us but suitable. (8/10)
Maps: Good but nothing special. (6/10)
Boons: Overpowered. (1/10)
Uniqueness: Something different. (9/10)
GM Preparation: TBD.