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Pathfinder Society Scenario #5–16: Destiny of the Sands—Part 3: Sanctum of the Sages (PFRPG) PDF

3.40/5 (based on 13 ratings)
Pathfinder Society Scenario #5–16: Destiny of the Sands—Part 3: Sanctum of the Sages (PFRPG) PDF

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A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for levels 3–7.

Uncovering the secrets of a Jeweled Sage reveals that the others are in grave danger, and the PCs set off after notorious jewel thieves before the criminals can disappear with another priceless treasure. When the trail leads to the sages’ hidden sanctum deep within the Pillars of the Sun, the Pathfinders must draw upon both their own resourcefulness and the ancient historians’ power if they are to preserve a millennia-old organization and Osirion’s past.

“Sanctum of the Sages” is the final scenario in the three-part Destiny of the Sands campaign arc. It follows Pathfinder Society Scenario #5–12: Destiny of the Sands—Part 1: "A Bitter Bargain" and Pathfinder Society Scenario #5–15: Destiny of the Sands—Part 2: "Race to Seeker’s Folly." All three chapters are intended to be played in order.

Content in “Sanctum of the Sages” also contributes directly to the ongoing storyline of the Osirion faction.

Written by Pedro Coelho, RPG Superstar 2013 finalist.

This scenario is designed for play in Pathfinder Society Organized Play, but can easily be adapted for use with any world. This scenario is compliant with the Open Game License (OGL) and is suitable for use with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game.

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PZOPSS0516E

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Average product rating:

3.40/5 (based on 13 ratings)

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Good roleplaying, poor mechanics

3/5 —

Story-wise, this is the epic conclusion to the series and a very interesting part of the metaplot. It works up to a long and engaging debate between Amenopheus and the Diamond Sage, where the PCs have the final call to make one of the most impactful decisions of their adventuring career. GMs should be sure to focus on what happens with the Emerald Sage; while this is mostly off-camera it is nevertheless very important to the ongoing plot.

Unfortunately, the mechanics for this scenario don't work very well. The inclusion of the mythic rules is questionable and makes combat longer and more complicated for no benefit. While the first two combats are tactically engaging, neither has anything to do with the rest of the scenario; this is followed by a pointless and poorly written chase scene, and a puzzle combat that's basically random trial and error. Finally, a missed opportunity is to have Amenopheus say he will accompany the PCs, only for him to (predictably) go the other way before the first encounter, and teleport in after the last.

Regardless of the poor mechanics, don't miss your chance to decide the Destiny of the Sands!

Epic, but not well-balanced

3/5 —

Played in high tier.
I can't say the enemies are weak, but with mystic abilities, my hunter just smash every combat except the final one (cause hard to break thier DR). And I've heard the other two teams go through all encounters as well (my teammates are underpowerd paladin, witch, and pregen cleric).

I love the final social plot between the two sages, but it just drag too long in the chasing part... I don't think it can be fit in 6 hours... most encounters are too weak, and the puzzle in chamber, well I don't know how to make comments... who can think out without GM's hint? (need high knowlege:history as well)

I have to say mythics are not necessary...

4/5 —

Nice conclusion to a three-part series

4/5 —

The idea of getting to play a beefed up character of mythic proportion just to finish of a storyline is a unique approach in itself. It gives the players a great sense of accomplishment after the previous two parts and is also more than enough to leave players wanting for more. Luckily this scenario is perfect to fill that void. Fierce opponents, environmental hazards, a chase scene, some role-playing opportunities and a puzzle: this scenario has it all.

In order to make the most out of it, you will need a well-balanced party. My party was far from optimal, but we managed to succeed either way. There were times we struggled, but there were also occasions where we had Lady Luck on our side – hello diplomacy roll of 36 without any aid. More importantly though, we had a lot of fun from the start until the finish.

If I were to point something out that bothered me a little, I would have to mention the puzzle. In my opinion it’s a nice puzzle, but just too complex and complicated. Without some good rolls or help from the GM, you will find yourself utterly confused as to what to do, while at the same time also having to deal with another problem; a problem you can’t really ignore.

Overall I have to say this was a great scenario and a nice conclusion to a great multi-part story-arc.

Destiny underwhelming.

2/5 —

Maybe it was built up quite a lot after part 2, putting this scenario at a disadvantage - I dunno. As a rule of thumb, I'd say if you're playing this and ever feel like you're on the cusp of whether to save those mythic points or use them, go ahead and use them.

We played up and ended up saving too many. I was playing my level 4 paladin in high tier, and our classes and levels were very varied across the group (3 to 7, 3 melee fighters, 3 casters). I was really quite terrified to be playing a mythic scenario out-of-tier, and while it wasn't a total cakewalk (there are genuinely scary bits), I really had nothing to worry about.

On its own, it'd be a fine scenario. But this is the final chapter in something that is meant to feel epic. And it doesn't - especially now that we're past season 5.

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Webstore Gninja Minion

Announced for March! Cover image is a mockup.
Grand Lodge
Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

Nice. Looking forward to this one with my Osirion Undead Scourge. :)
Verdant Wheel
4 people marked this as a favorite.

The first PFS scenario written by a Brazilian ! Make us proud Pedro Coelho !
The Exchange

this promises to be SO much fun
Liberty's Edge

The first two scenarios in this series are for Tier 1-5, but the last is Tier 3-7? Why wasn't the same 1-5 Tier maintained for the final scenario as these are intended to be played sequentially?
Paizo Employee Developer
1 person marked this as a favorite.
casiel wrote:
The first two scenarios in this series are for Tier 1-5, but the last is Tier 3-7? Why wasn't the same 1-5 Tier maintained for the final scenario as these are intended to be played sequentially?

The choice comes down to a few major factors. Most important of these is the nature of what we're doing in Part 3; as you'll see in about a month, the adventure would not be conducive to Tier 1–5 play, and the characters really need to have a few levels for it to feel right. It's also a sufficiently important scenario that I wanted to make sure a character could not "level out" of playing Part 3 if she were playing the series in order. This also opens up the Osirion storyline to a few more mid-level characters who would not otherwise have an opportunity to participate in their faction's storyline. It's easier to level up a bit than it is to spontaneously lose a few levels to qualify for an adventure.

casiel wrote:
The first two scenarios in this series are for Tier 1-5, but the last is Tier 3-7? Why wasn't the same 1-5 Tier maintained for the final scenario as these are intended to be played sequentially?

It seems they want to up the difficulty a bit.

Paizo Employee Developer

There are specific thematic elements of this scenario that don't really work for brand new, 1st-level characters. Also, toys that some characters with more investment in the campaign are likely to want to play with.

What map products go with this scenario? If answering means spoiling, please ignore this question. I wanted to buy the map and let the GM use it, to save him some dough.
Paizo Employee Developer
Mazym wrote:
What map products go with this scenario? If answering means spoiling, please ignore this question. I wanted to buy the map and let the GM use it, to save him some dough.

I'll let you know when I'm closer to finishing development.

Thanks!
Liberty's Edge

Thanks John and Mark!
John Compton wrote:
It's easier to level up a bit than it is to spontaneously lose a few levels to qualify for an adventure.

"... why are you necking with the vampire? THAT DOESN"T WORK!"

John Compton wrote:
Mazym wrote:
What map products go with this scenario? If answering means spoiling, please ignore this question. I wanted to buy the map and let the GM use it, to save him some dough.
I'll let you know when I'm closer to finishing development.

Ding!?

Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
1 person marked this as a favorite.

Hope this isn't delayed, I'm expecting a full table this Saturday.
1 person marked this as a favorite.

Yeah Matthew, I think we have 5 full tables this weekend at our local con.
Matthew Morris wrote:
Hope this isn't delayed, I'm expecting a full table this Saturday.

Sunday here. :)

Paizo Employee Developer
John Compton wrote:
Mazym wrote:
What map products go with this scenario? If answering means spoiling, please ignore this question. I wanted to buy the map and let the GM use it, to save him some dough.
I'll let you know when I'm closer to finishing development.

Map List:

Flip-Mat: Desert Ruins
Flip-Mat: Battlefield
Map Pack: Dungeon Chambers
[Custom map]

As for hypothetical delays, I predict none. It's the start of convention crunch time around here, sure, but the editors and I are no less vigilant in our scenario duties.
Grand Lodge
Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber
bugleyman wrote:
Matthew Morris wrote:
Hope this isn't delayed, I'm expecting a full table this Saturday.
Sunday here. :)

Professor Hurtubize is ready to conclude this business. :)

Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8

F5 F5 F5....
1 person marked this as a favorite.
Matthew Morris wrote:
F5 F5 F5....

This scenario will be available....."SOON"

(Btw, Soon is the worst word in the English language)
John Compton wrote:
Map List

Crud... I have that Map Pack, but I've used it a lot, not sure if it's still 'findable'.

Thanks John!
Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8

F5 F5 F5...
Matthew Morris wrote:
F5 F5 F5...

Right there with you...

Grand Lodge
Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

Wait, I just added it to my cart but still says 'available today'. What gives?

SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!

Edit: Oh, it's like the Goblin Attack thing, I have it but can't download it. :)

I think they added something so you can buy it before the release, which is handy because i don't think credit cards like dealing with 2 dollar purchases...

Credit card companies love it. They get money per transaction. Vendors don't like it.

Wow...now just "unavailable." Not sure what to make of that... :P
Shadow Lodge

Usually means it's being uploaded, from my experience.
Duncan7291 wrote:
Credit card companies love it. They get money per transaction. Vendors don't like it.

I'll try to keep that in mind and commit all my sins in one day

Dark Archive

Image is updated... :)
Digital Products Assistant

Now available!

Also, there is no change to how we sell the scenarios. The "Add to Cart" button showing for this product was an error, not a new feature.
Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8

Mine mine all mine!!!!
Paizo Employee Developer

Oh, to be a fly on the wall for so many tables of this adventure…

So many great moments…

As a reminder, be sure to use spoiler tags, folks.
Chris Lambertz wrote:

Now available!

Also, there is no change to how we sell the scenarios. The "Add to Cart" button showing for this product was an error, not a new feature.

awww.. keep it! it lets me do all the shopping at once. More for you, less for visa.

John Compton wrote:
John Compton wrote:
Mazym wrote:
What map products go with this scenario? If answering means spoiling, please ignore this question. I wanted to buy the map and let the GM use it, to save him some dough.
I'll let you know when I'm closer to finishing development.

** spoiler omitted **

As for hypothetical delays, I predict none. It's the start of convention crunch time around here, sure, but the editors and I are no less vigilant in our scenario duties.

To correct an error, the Map Pack is Dungeon Sites and not Dungeon Chambers.

RPG Superstar 2013 Top 4

This looks like a tremendous amount of fun.

Spoiler:
I thought the chase mechanics were beautifully implemented. And wow that ending.

Well done, Pedro!
Webstore Gninja Minion

Man. Dat Chronicle sheet.
Grand Lodge
1 person marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

I kno, rite?

Man that scenario! I'm very excited to run it this weekend!
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 4
2 people marked this as a favorite.
Matt Duval wrote:

This looks like a tremendous amount of fun.

** spoiler omitted **

Well done, Pedro!

Thank you, Matt. I hope it lives up to its prequels. ;)

Praises to John Compton, who did a wonderful job developing this scenario into its final form. Thanks, John!
Shadow Lodge

Damn. That was insane.
Paizo Employee Developer
Pedro Coelho wrote:
Matt Duval wrote:

This looks like a tremendous amount of fun.

** spoiler omitted **

Well done, Pedro!

Thank you, Matt. I hope it lives up to its prequels. ;)

Scott and Matt did great jobs, making Parts 1 and 2 tough acts to follow; however, Sanctum of the Sages not only maintains the series's momentum but also cranks up the excitement another notch for an excellent finale.

Mr. Compton:

Ending:
Where would it be preferred that we post parties who had a different approach to the end?
Grand Lodge
Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

GM Hills:
The GM discussion is the best place and can be found here.
Paizo Employee Developer
GM Hills wrote:
Mr. Compton: ** spoiler omitted **

I have started a thread for discussing the scenario's conclusion in the Faction Talk sub-forum. Major scenario SPOILERS are likely to follow in that thread.

1 person marked this as a favorite.

My compliments Pedro, this is an excellent scenario. I ran it this morning at my FLGS and the players had a great time with it.
Grand Lodge

For those who have played or ran #5–15: Destiny of the Sands—Part 2: Race to Seeker's Folly feel free to read the spoiler.

Question About Character Advancement:

I have Mythic Adventures and the chronicle from part 2 that allows me to apply 3 mythic tiers to my character during part 3. I was planning to spend several hours parsing the best choices for my 4th-level inquisitor, but began to second guess this investment of time. I'm concerned that I'll spend a lot of time making decisions that won't be used, or matter.

For those who have built mythic PCs, how have you felt about your time spent and decisions?

I just went with the mythic options offered on the boon and I think they should be sufficient. However I know that the people downstairs from us went full on mythic and really enjoyed themselves.
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