A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for levels 5–9.
For years a Pathfinder team has surveyed Qadira’s Zho Mountains in an attempt to reconcile its twisting valleys with a series of old maps recovered years ago on the Silken Way. When the team disappears soon after reporting a strange illusory effect in a mountain pass, the Society sends the PCs—funded by an unusual benefactor—to uncover whatever is hidden in those peaks and rescue the agents.
Content in “Valley of Veiled Flame” also contributes directly to the ongoing storylines of the Liberty’s Edge and Silver Crusade factions.
Written by Nathan King.
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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The story of overthrowing a tyrant is an often used plot in tabletop roleplaying, or any game for that matter. Helping the oppressed and freeing them from their shackles is always a gratifying thing. This is no different for this scenario. This scenario consists of two parts: preparing for a rebellion and the coupe itself. Typically in pathfinder society one of these parts is amazing and the other is okay-ish . This time I’d have to say that both parts are fun and challenging.
The preparation phase more or less consists of doing four tasks. A few are similar in the way they can be solved, but they each contribute differently to the rebellion itself. Our group had a lot of fun, especially since my gullible gnome wasn’t informed of our actual plans by the rest of party, much to the hilarity of everyone at the table. While the table was plotting, my gnome summoner was asked to play a cardgame outside in order to not interfere with our plans. While my entire party was bluffing and passing along secret messages, my gnome consistently rolled a 5 or lower on sense motive. I never was more pleased to have such terrible results.
We did well with our preparations, but as is to be expected, a rebellion is still dangerous. That can easily be said for the combats. The enemies can hit very hard and dish out a bunch of damage. As we were playing on the high tier with two level 9 casters (including a tanky eidolon) and two level 6 frontliners, we did take a severe beating. The fights were rough, potentially lethal, but still fun. One of the classes, or more specifically the archetype, that was used in the last couple of encounters really was unique and left a lasting impression.
This scenario just works. There’s something for everyone. Roleplay-heavy groups will enjoy setting up the rebellion, whereas murderhobo’s will enjoy the fights. Getting dragged to help set up the rebellion is a bit abrupt, but that’s probably because of the fact it’s a scenario and thus has to fit in a fixed timeslot. If you can get past that point and start getting ready to overthrow the establishment, you’re bound to have a good and challenging session.
Played this 2 weeks ago for the first time. This may be my favorite Season 6 scenario.
We had a party of 5 (low tier). I played my Silver Crusade Rogue and had a Liberty's Edge player in the party as well. We embraced the opportunity to free the natives from their tyrannical oppressor.
We won over the hearts and minds of the natives through actions
spoiler:
not hurting "their children".
, diplomacy, and messaging
spoiler:
My rogue used his Sleeves of Many Garments to fashion a T-shirt reading "Rock Lives Matter" and his Hat of Disguise to fashion a baseball cap with the slogan "Make Crystalcrag Great Again".
We marched on the castle and took care of business by using Aggressive Negotiations, and let the natives regain rightful control of their city.
I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities for RP and not be forced to decode a complex mini-game or face 1000 skill checks in a party that is not skill-check heavy. This scenario felt to me like the emphasis was about fun, and gave us Pathfinder Agents a chance to show that some of us are caring, compassionate, and willing to risk our necks for those in need.
Good roleplays and combats itself, all players excited especially for Liberty's Edge, pretty hot-blooded.
But I think there are also crucial flaws. First, why should we keep slaying? You lose 3pp if dealing with the BBEG:( I don't think anyone has only one phase, wish for more personalities of the NPCs.
Second, compare with "the Third Crusade" or "Bloodcove", too pale gaming mechanics, why not add some events according to PC's actions? I wish can do a truly disguise-rebel sanctioned module.
"For years a Pathfinder team has surveyed Qadira’s Zho Mountains in an attempt to reconcile its twisting valleys with a series of old maps recovered years ago on the Silken Way."
Good. Now you just need to populate the encounters with Western Katapeshi Gnolls, feature Irskin Jaiorass and perhaps have a few gobbos along for old time's sake.
Sounds like it has definite connections to Murder on the Silken Caravan and possible connections to Citadel of Flame(?).
Without spoiling anything, I can say that this has connections to Murder on the Silken Caravan but not Citadel of Flame , however, the latter and this scenario are in fairly close proximity to each other.
"NO!!! I'm never going back to Qadira! Having been born and raised there, I probably know the Zho Mountains better than any Pathfinder, but I don't care. The humans in that country to enslave genies and genie-kin like me, and it's just awful. That's why I left!"
"NO!!! I'm never going back to Qadira! Having been born and raised there, I probably know the Zho Mountains better than any Pathfinder, but I don't care. The humans in that country to enslave genies and genie-kin like me, and it's just awful. That's why I left!"
You're more than welcome to come work for me at my home in Cheliax. You can work in the stables with my Shoanti slaves. The pay is...well, nonexistent, but offers a friendly atmosphere.
Someone recently pointed out that the throne room is missing a map tag for the traps. I have submitted a revision, but in the meantime know that the traps are 10-by-10-foot squares that fan out to either side of the throne (two to a side).
"NO!!! I'm never going back to Qadira! Having been born and raised there, I probably know the Zho Mountains better than any Pathfinder, but I don't care. The humans in that country to enslave genies and genie-kin like me, and it's just awful. That's why I left!"
You're more than welcome to come work for me at my home in Cheliax. You can work in the stables with my Shoanti slaves. The pay is...well, nonexistent, but offers a friendly atmosphere.
-Vincent, Human Hellknight
"I'm not slave or servant to anyone! I'm a free sylph!"
Ran this last week at FLGS. Had a ball pulling out some of my minis that I have rarely used. Everyone had blast with the combats. I didn't have a problem getting buy in from the players to do well you know what they had to do.
They weren't even upset they only got 1 prestige.
And I am going to run it at FLGS # 2 in a week or so.... for a different crowd. I am actually excited to run this a second time.
#1 the Chronicle made me laugh Tiers 1-2 and 8-9 *chuckle*
#2
Spoiler:
The Sidebars for E1 and E2 Mention 5 Tasks
I have found 4 of the tasks ... but cannot find the 5th or even reference to a possible Fifth in the Text Leading to the assult
Task 1 - Convince Eurdan Stonemantle to fully Commit
Task 2 - get the Drunken Oreads Support
Task 3 - Successfully reducing the ifrits’ supply of weapons by any 1 of the ways in the forge
Task 4 - prevent the shop’s complete destruction and defeat the ifrits
whats the 5th one Mentioned in the sidebar or is this simply an editing error
We had an Inquisitor with the right faction, but my Rogue had Diplomacy and we both spoke infernal after a few rounds of "translation" and me improving / changing the inquisitor's story ans ad libbing from Les Miserabes we had the table rolling on the floor.
#1 the Chronicle made me laugh Tiers 1-2 and 8-9 *chuckle*
#2 ** spoiler omitted **
Valley of Veilded Flame:
It is not obvious, but the scenario gives them plus one to the tasks completed on the four person adjustment.So if your group completes all four tasks then you get four plus one leading to and adjustment of five
