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Pathfinder Society Scenario #5–21: The Merchant's Wake (PFRPG) PDF

4.00/5 (based on 21 ratings)
Pathfinder Society Scenario #5–21: The Merchant's Wake (PFRPG) PDF

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A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for levels 1–5.

A powerful Qadiran trade prince has died, and faction leader Aaqir al’Hakam rushes to his homeland to attend his mentor’s funeral. As an act of support, the Pathfinder Society sends the PCs as representatives to the event; however the death of such an influential merchant and politician has created a considerable power vacuum, and ambitious acquaintances from across the Inner Sea are in attendance to pay their respects, claim a piece of the trade prince’s legacy, and undercut their rivals’ attempts to do the same. Can the Pathfinders keep this somber event from spiraling into a bloodbath?

Content in “The Merchant’s Wake” also contributes directly to the ongoing storyline of the Qadira faction.

Written by Justin Juan.

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

PZOPSS0521E

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Average product rating:

4.00/5 (based on 21 ratings)

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Enjoyable but don't look too deep at the plot

4/5 —

This was a really enjoyable low level scenario that rewards PCs making skill checks, enables role-play, and has some enjoyable combats.

This said in the 1-2 subtier a particular encounter* could turn rather lethal using the tactics written, the editing has already been mentioned, and the part of the plot is rather convoluted**.

*:
The level 3 cleric in the 1-2 subtier with her undead can quickly blast away the level 1 PCs. It is all the more lethal if no one made there sense motive checks (or earlier skill checks) and she starts with the PCs engaging with the undead. Furthermore the chosen undead for this encounter virtually guarantee that healing them isn't an option in low tier, as they'll be destroyed with a solid hit, guaranteeing this tactic practically

**:
The scenario sets you up with choose which one LIVES, and instead the guy who is trying to kill them saves the one you don't go after, which I was underwhelmed by

Mechanic:
The Chase mechanic forces the group to stick together by using a mechanic of highest is the check, rest aid. The issue here is that this virtually guarantees success, regardless of modifiers, based on the number of D20s rolled. Furthermore it punishes smaller tables by having less PCs. Using a mechanic of selecting the high result and the rest aiding it seems like a very poor way of doing a chase and I'd prefer to use a normal chase scene, with PCs arriving in the order that they do, with the NPCs tactics written to engage the PCs when x have arrived or having taken x damage.

Pick another scenario if you have the option.

3/5 —

The scenario tries to take on a couple different mechanic systems found in other scenarios. It keeps them short, but fails to deliver the magic. The writing and/or editing fails the GMs, whom has to compensate for sometimes poorly setup choices that PCs must make. I'd pick many other scenarios before GMing this a second time despite putting many hours into detailed preparations.

Exploration of Qadiran culture, with a great mix of RP and combat

4/5 —

My group really enjoyed this scenario! You'll definitely want to bring characters who have decent social and skill abilities. There are some interesting NPCs and a new and improved chase mechanic that was a huge relief for our party.

In addition to the editing issues (that swim check to batter down a door had our group in stitches), I really wish a particular NPC came with a stat block.

Spoiler:
My Dawnflower Dervish was outraged that J'akti, an inquisitor of Sarenrae, stood around doing nothing during an attack by undead.

I would recommend this one to GMs who enjoy RP, and are willing to put in the time to really get a firm grasp on each of the NPCs. And as mentioned in the title, I love the cultural detail in the scenario. Often I have no idea where a particular battle took place, but I will always remember that this wake took place in the heart of Katheer.

Highly Recommended Low Level Scenario

4/5 —

This is a scenario with one heavy roleplay encounter. Depending on the party and GM pacing this portion of the adventure might take a lot longer than expected to complete.

There were a decent mix of creatures that I really enjoyed. I like seeing fights that are consistent with one another, but don't involve the party fighting the same exact creatures. It could have used a bit more variation, but there was enough changing resistances and vulnerabilities that it worked perfectly fine. There is one common immunity here, but there are a few other creatures in play that I think make up for the common immunity.

The chase mechanic is used to good effect here. I suspect some GMs might breeze past the changes this scenario makes to the chase mechanic and end up making it much harder, but that isn't the fault of the scenario. The chase could have used some scaling rules for four players though.

The biggest issue I have with the scenario is that it offers a mystery over the course of the scenario, but offers no method of resolution for the players and it doesn't leave enough of a hook to make players remember the bits of this mystery months from now.

This is a good scenario that I would recommend easily.

Enjoyable

4/5 —

This is a good roleplay heavy scenario and I enjoy when those are offered. If you don't know that beforehand and roleplay does not appeal to you or your character is not situated for it, then you will probably not have that much fun.

As mentioned before the scenario also features a nice twist on the chase mechanic.

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Webstore Gninja Minion

Announced for May!
Liberty's Edge
1 person marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

A nice batch of new 1-5 scenarios announced. Excellent. I'm trying to focus on season 5 in my territory and having new player friendly season 5 scenarios really helps.
Dark Archive
Quote:
Can the Pathfinders keep this somber event from spiraling into a bloodbath?

I'm sure my players probably hope not...

Liberty's Edge
1 person marked this as a favorite.

A mob funeral???? Ok, this is Quadira and not Sczarni, but d@#$ this could get nuts fast!

Do I sense another Blakros Matrimony?
Lithrac wrote:
Do I sense another Blakros Matrimony?

That was my impression as well.

Grand Lodge

A pity my social characters are out of tier. :)
1 person marked this as a favorite.
TriOmegaZero wrote:
A pity my social characters are out of tier. :)

Nonsense! It's just an excuse to make another one.

Tier 1-5 is never out of tier :)
Grand Lodge

When your rogue and bard are both 9th level it sure is.
Paizo Employee Developer

There's always room for more bards.
2 people marked this as a favorite.
John Compton wrote:
There's always room for more bards.

He's right.

Shadow Lodge

Hmm. Is the Qadira boon worth not playing my character for 2 months? I'll be GM, so it's not like I'll be able to actually play her in it.
Liberty's Edge

This looks very interesting. Qadira to me at least has felt a little sidelined of late.
Silver Crusade RPG Superstar 2013 Top 8

There are some typos in the blurb. Corrections are bolded below:

Scenario Blurb wrote:
A powerful Qadiran trade prince has died, and faction leader Aaqir al’Hakam rushes to his homeland to attend his mentor’s funeral. As an act of support, the Pathfinder Society sends the PCs as representatives to the event; however the death of such an influential merchant and politician has created a considerable power vacuum, and ambitious acquaintances from across the Inner Sea are in attendance to pay their respects, claim a piece of the trade prince’s legacy, and undercut their rivals’ attempts to do the same. Can the Pathfinders keep this somber event from spiraling into a bloodbath?
Webstore Gninja Minion
greysector wrote:

There are some typos in the blurb. Corrections are bolded below:

Scenario Blurb wrote:
A powerful Qadiran trade prince has died, and faction leader Aaqir al’Hakam rushes to his homeland to attend his mentor’s funeral. As an act of support, the Pathfinder Society sends the PCs as representatives to the event; however the death of such an influential merchant and politician has created a considerable power vacuum, and ambitious acquaintances from across the Inner Sea are in attendance to pay their respects, claim a piece of the trade prince’s legacy, and undercut their rivals’ attempts to do the same. Can the Pathfinders keep this somber event from spiraling into a bloodbath?

Thanks for the catch—it's been updated!

Oh, this sounds like fun. :)

By that I mean I am sure things are going to get out of control.
Shadow Lodge

This isn't available until Friday now?! Why the push back?

I'm more concerned with how certain the Friday timeframe is - I can cancel a session for this weekend now, but not on Friday if it doesn't come out.
Shadow Lodge

Are we there yet?
Liberty's Edge
Pathfinder Adventure, Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

We are now.

Thank you for the hard work everyone!
6 people marked this as a favorite.

I AM TRYING TO SWIM THROUGH THE DOOR SO HARD :(
Dark Archive

I'm gonna treat that swim check as a strength check.... cause yeah swim through the barricade doesn't make sense.
Scarab Sages
Sporge wrote:
I'm gonna treat that swim check as a strength check.... cause yeah swim through the barricade doesn't make sense.

I was so annoyed that they let a typo that big through into a public release

Grand Lodge

I'm just glad my GM let me roll Swim on it with my Undine Gunslinger. :D
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