A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for levels 5–9.
A Pathfinder expedition has uncovered hitherto unknown levels in the Red Redoubt, a millennium-old siege fortress created by the machine-mage Karamoss. A source of Numerian technology in its own backyard piques the Society’s interest, yet informants in the redoubt speak of an aggressive contingent deep below that aims to reactivate Karamoss’s powerful forges. Can the PCs salvage the fortress’s treasure while also preventing a catastrophe that could crush Absalom?
Written by Joe Homes.
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This turned into a fun adventure for the group. The map was problematic just for the fact that it was on an angle making it awkward to draw out.
The skill checks to deal with the mini-game in the adventure are pretty limited though and although they offer the option to attempt ability checks as well, at the high tier the DC scales up so high that even someone with an exceptional ability isn't going to be able to make it. A few more broad checks to allow people even to aid others might have helped. even if aid another is an option as a DC 10, I would rather involve the entire party in the skill checks if possible.
The only elements I have problem with in the adventure are the one combat with a single large monster that can easily leave one person twiddling his thumbs for a half an hour or hour combat if he just doesn't have the right options to combat the creatures and the final battle which gets quite chaotic to GM while checking multiple encounter features each turn while also running monsters.
While I don't typically note chronicles rewards as a reason for good adventures, I do like they way this is set up compared to some other tech adventures. There is a large array of items that a good number of classes might pick up rather then a couple of random items that one in fifty characters might find useful.
This scenario was another S6 gem in the science fantasy theme.
It seemed quite short, and I can't see it running long at a table.
The NPC's were quite unusual and the storyline was refreshingly different - the main BBEG having a clear and understandable motivation that made sense and lent credibility to the encounters, and set the stage for a fun finale that gave more options than simply stand and bash.
To be honest I am still getting my head around the tech in game, but for those right into their gadgets, lasers, and tech weapons - you will have a blast (literally!)
I ran this scenario for a party of 6 non-Core high-subtier players. They had a great time, and really enjoyed the main NPC interactions with 2 of the NPCs. There were some great tech-related surprise moments when the party encountered various items. Even without the Technologist feat, there are in-scenario resources to help players make use of some of the items.
Combats are interesting and utilize terrain very effectively, with multi-level fights with unusual opponents. Unfortunately, many of the opponents can be neutralized by a well-prepared party, even without the technology items found. This can completely unravel the (REALLY cool!) ticking-clock tense ending as designed. GMs, make sure you prepare for your party's likely buffs if you can, so you have a "Plan B" when the given tactics are rendered irrelevant.
Only real complaint: one of the important map areas is on a strange angle, making the grid close to unplayable without dealing with squeezing and unrealistic positioning in the entire room. This is unfortunate, since the map is actually rectilinear and is only rotated to squeeze it onto a single page width. In this room, positioning can be critical, so I strongly recommend GMs re-draw this map on the square. (My version will go onto the pfsprep.com website shortly.)
Also make sure you have the items stats from the PRD available, since there are a *lot* of items from the Technology Guide in this scenario, and the players will want to use them.
I was wondering when there'd be a sequel to Trial By Machine - that was just hanging out for one. Hope the androids in this one (if any) actually get revealed as such to the players! ;-)
Funny I was thinking something similar yet the tone was quite different.
I won't lie that I'm tempted to buy this PDF just to read what happens and completely shun the scenario from both the GM and player sides of the gaming table.
I liked Trial by Machine, so it will be nice to have the same set of characters called in to go deeper in. Always something nice about a little dungeon delve.
I rarely post here...but I feel this is necessary to say. So if this is the wrong place to post this, my apologies.
I greatly appreciate that Paizo has put forth effort to add stat blocks and "spoiler-free" versions of the custom maps to the scenarios. Additionally, the custom maps are beautiful and help players imagine the environment as their character experiences it... BUT... For the love of everything holy and your GM's sanity, please align the maps to the grid when it's a area/room comprised of straight walls and right angles. (Obviously rooms/areas that have angles/rounded walls/corridors/organic features(caverns, tress lines etc) aren't going to align to a grid)
Spoiler:
For example, the large room A5 in this scenario where a encounter may occur was not delivered aligned to the grid. If the whole map was contiguous and the two parts of A6 were actually connected to one another, ok then to make it one giant contiguous flowing map *maybe* that makes sense. (And I'd still say maybe...) But given they aren't connected on the map, why couldn't A5 have been rotated X degrees counter clockwise before the grid layer was added? The way it was delivered nearly 25% of the squares are less then a full space in size making grid based tactical combat a nightmare if printed as-is and greatly increasing the time needed to draw it out if the GM doesn't correct the grid rotation in their heads.
Finally, the only area that is actually aligned is B1, which is the smallest area on the whole map. If you're going to pick one area to align the entire map to a grid, please choose the largest one or one most likely to have tactical combat (e.g. B2/A5).
Sorry for the rant, but there have been several scenarios recently exhibiting this behavior...
Just checking: was the cover monsters headgear supposed to cover both of it's eyes or just one? I'm feeling a missed opportunity to utilize a techno-monocle.
Monocles are cool and we should have more of them.
Ran this last night. It was fun and players has a good time. The mechanics of the last two encounters is indepth and takes some study to do properly. Timing is key. I feeel that a GM really needs to get a good sense of the the players at the table before the last two encounters. If you don't it will be a walk (like my table was) or a TPK (like the table across the room was).
I wish I could write a review, but I was only a player and not the GM.
I had an absolutely amazing time in this adventure! Played tier 5-6 non-core. My season 6 "technology" character is an improvised weapon master with elemental fist and an adamantine crowbar.
I have to say super thanks to Fabian for running this at Kublacon. That was the most memorable and fun event I've had (since last year's Kublacon).
Spoiler:
Intro: The GM showed us the cover, and we fully embraced the idea of the Salamander on the cover wearing Ray-Ban sunglasses. This would be important later.
First Part: We had so much fun with the over-seer manscorpion droid. The GM had it constantly prodding us to hilarious effect. It even offered to "repair" me with its sparking bits and a band-saw at one point. We knew this thing would go nuts later and attack us, but we really just wanted to see what it would do for as long as possible.
Interlude: we all put on technology items without thinking. We laughed a lot. I glued (what turned out to be a flashlight) to my adamantine crowbar in the hopes it would become a "lightsaber".
Second Part: Chainsaw. Just.... Chainsaw. I actually called "DIBS" in the middle of the fight. Using the Monk of the Empty Hand style (wielding it as an improvised weapon) and making chainsaw noises, while activating elemental fist - proved hilarious.
Third part: Chainsawed the poor overseer droid. We knew it was coming, but were sad to see it removed from the story.
FInale: When the Salamander flew in, ON A JET PACK, we all just squeeled with glee. The GM actually had him say "who brought the party.... THIS GUY!!!". I threw the chainsaw at him.
Other notes: I finally got to use my Brown E-pick I picked up in Trial by Machine, which made me happy.
Now I'm debating whether or not to buy the Jetpack, the Chainsaw, or EVERYTHING ON THE ADVENTURE....
Much like many of the commenters above, as I sit to prep this scenario, I ask myself the question, "from what non-uclidian corner of Leng did you get your cartographer, and why is he filled with such hate."
Rant aside, now having run this Scenario I can say it was a lot of fun, I'm not 100% sure how a chainsaw, and throw anything should interact, but it made for a memorable evening. The event approach to the final encounter made juggling bad guys and the environment a really dynamic encounter.
I wish I could write a review, but I was only a player and not the GM.
I had an absolutely amazing time in this adventure! Played tier 5-6 non-core. My season 6 "technology" character is an improvised weapon master with elemental fist and an adamantine crowbar.
I have to say super thanks to Fabian for running this at Kublacon. That was the most memorable and fun event I've had (since last year's Kublacon).
** spoiler omitted **
Oh, not GMing a scenario shouldn't stop you from writing a review. Just prefacing it with your having played it and not read it helps me a lot in understanding what went well and what didn't from the proper perspective.
I just GM'd this over the weekend, it didn't really end the way I thought it would go.
in the 10min that the party had, they had already defeated tig0 with the help of the Azer, they removed the drives and were just trying to figure out what to do with the portals.
during the first round of the fight with Jethzerai, one party member flew up, and used the combat maneuver - steal to take the remote.
Using UMD with technologist feat, they shut the portals back off and then they all left.
without really knowing what the control device was, I didn't really see any reason the party couldn't do this.
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