A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for levels 5-9.
Recent events have left the Master of Spells Aram Zey unable to fulfill his duties, and without his expertise, the Pathfinder Society struggles to resolve pressing arcane matters. The Decemvirate has reopened the decade-old case of the most qualified replacement: Aram Zey's predecessor and former Master of Spells Sorrina Westyr, who disappeared while handling a powerful wayfinder that the Society has since kept closely guarded. It is up to the PCs to track down Sorrina Westyr—and bring back whatever remains.
Content in "Captive in Crystal" also contributes directly to the ongoing storyline of the Grand Lodge faction.
Written by Monica Marlowe.
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Christopher Wasko
(RPG Superstar 2015 Top 4, RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16)
—
Ran this high tier for an unchained monk, a slayer, a sorcerer, a cleric, a dervish bard, and an investigator/unchained rogue. We had an awesome time: creative, exciting combats, one superb RP encounter, cool treasure and boons, and vivid flavor.
Stellar job, Monica, this is one of my favorites now!
The good:
-Fantastic setting
-Creative fights
-Excellent chance to follow up on a Pathfinder from the past
The bad:
-Kinda glaring plot holes on occasion. Not many but they're there.
-High tier one fight could be quite dangerous especially to more well rounded, less power minded groups.
I enjoyed running this scenario quite a lot and my players all expressed that they enjoyed themselves. Several good roleplaying chances to enhance what the PC's experience. Two fairly quality NPC's make it possible for some interesting interactions. What can I say? As the title says "overall, pretty damn good".
I have run this twice now, once in normal, once in core. Both runs were high tier with the core game having the four player adjustment. Both games went well with groups managing to complete the adventure although not without difficulty.
Overall it is an interesting and enjoyable game in an unusual location with a nice call back to The Emerald Spire. It includes a good mix of fighting and roleplay which isn't immediately evident from the start.
It does have a few issues which prevent it getting a 5 start review.
1. The stat blocks have a number of editing errors, especially for the 1st encounter. The variant critters are missing key information such as their reach and their ranged attack stats are inconsistent. The end critter is missing the impact of one of its feats in high tier and the effect of one of its abilities on a key part of the encounter isn't addressed.
2. Season 7 has been the season of the Occult classes and this is no different. I would have liked to see a bit more explanation of how that particular characters abilities worked. I shouldn't have to be dependant on Iammars producing a cheat sheet on pfsprep to run this (thanks Iammars!).
3. It feels like there should be a way to talk your way past the second to last encounter but you cannot. That felt quite off.
4. Again, as had happened in several big Season 7 scenarios, there are no reporting conditions. Given this scenario relates to finding a new Master of Spells you might think that player success should factor fairly heavily into the actual outcome but there are none provided.
Having said that I would recommend playing this, it is a lot of fun and has some very interesting boons. I am quite keen to see what scenario's might follow on from this. I would strongly recommend not running this cold, there are a lot of little details which have potentially significant impact on the events.
Clearly you're not listening to me. I've told you everything you need to know on Zey's research. In fact, I've pointed out in no less than a dozen instances where he was wrong.
This "mission" makes no sense to me. It's a waste of resources to try to find him, and furthermore, why in the Nine Hells would you want to find that hack, Sorrina Westyr? Clearly she couldn't cut it in the role, disappearing as she did.
No, you are wrong to go on this adventure when there is a perfectly clear choice standing right in front of you. One speaking to you right this minute.
Clearly you're not listening to me. I've told you everything you need to know on Zey's research. In fact, I've pointed out in no less than a dozen instances where he was wrong.
This "mission" makes no sense to me. It's a waste of resources to try to find him, and furthermore, why in the Nine Hells would you want to find that hack, Sorrina Westyr? Clearly she couldn't cut it in the role, disappearing as she did.
No, you are wrong to go on this adventure when there is a perfectly clear choice standing right in front of you. One speaking to you right this minute.
Worthless...all of you.
PASSED OVER AGAIN, EH SNIDE? ONCE IS HAPPENSTANCE. TWICE IS A PATTERN.
All of them are masters of something starting with "S," so I think the better candidate would be Master of Screams or Master of Shouting. I feel this person would be well qualified to give mission briefings at the start of scenarios.
All of them are masters of something starting with "S," so I think the better candidate would be Master of Screams or Master of Shouting. I feel this person would be well qualified to give mission briefings at the start of scenarios.
Well then by extension I thank you for your consideration, and I await my eventual escalation to the Master of Snide, Ethan. I do insist my office is larger than that hack Zey.
THUNDERLIPS! THOROUGHLY ENJOYED SPELUNKING THE CRYSTAL WOMB AND SPIKY BUSH. THUNDERLIPS! WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT THUNDERLIPS! ONLY HAD TWO MINUTES TO GO IN AND OUT OF WOMB THROUGH THE BUSH.
ALSO, THUNDERLIPS! COULD HAVE DONE WITH OUT THAT WHOLE VEINEY SHAFT PORTION. NOT THUNDERLIPS!'S KIND OF PARTY.
THUNDERLIPS! THOROUGHLY ENJOYED SPELUNKING THE CRYSTAL WOMB AND SPIKY BUSH. THUNDERLIPS! WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT THUNDERLIPS! ONLY HAD TWO MINUTES TO GO IN AND OUT OF WOMB THROUGH THE BUSH.
ALSO, THUNDERLIPS! COULD HAVE DONE WITH OUT THAT WHOLE VEINEY SHAFT PORTION. NOT THUNDERLIPS!'S KIND OF PARTY.
I assure you, this party is for everyone, no matter how long they require, THUNDERLIPS! I am glad you enjoyed yourself, please spelunk again ;-)
THUNDERLIPS! THOROUGHLY ENJOYED SPELUNKING THE CRYSTAL WOMB AND SPIKY BUSH. THUNDERLIPS! WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT THUNDERLIPS! ONLY HAD TWO MINUTES TO GO IN AND OUT OF WOMB THROUGH THE BUSH.
ALSO, THUNDERLIPS! COULD HAVE DONE WITH OUT THAT WHOLE VEINEY SHAFT PORTION. NOT THUNDERLIPS!'S KIND OF PARTY.
I assure you, this party is for everyone, no matter how long they require, THUNDERLIPS! I am glad you enjoyed yourself, please spelunk again ;-)
THUNDERLIPS! WONDERED WHATEVER HAPPENED TO SALT 'N PEPPA'S OLD HYPE MAN. THUNDERLIPS! IS HAPPY THAT THIS SCENARIO IS FOR ALL THE PEOPLE, NOT JUST THE SEXY PEOPLE BECAUSE THEN THUNDERLIPS! WOULD GET VERY LONELY. EXCEPT FOR THE TWO RABBITS THUNDERLIPS! BROUGHT. THEY WOULD KEEP THUNDERLIPS! IN GOOD SPIRITS.
THUNDERLIPS! DID GET STRANGE LOOKS FROM HOT SPICY CHELISH DISH DRALNEEN WHEN THUNDERLIPS! STOWED THE RABBITS IN THUNDERLIPS!'S THONG.
Somebody must by talkin bout sexy folks, don't know why else I'd be teleported here, except maybe to congratulate my man THUNDERLIPS!on his appointment to Master of Subtly. And my main rat Lucius is getting things going, this is my kind of party.
Wait, so the Society's Master of Spells goes missing for a decade and just now the Decemvirate decides to go and rescue her? By the Empyreal Lords, I don't think the Decemvirate is to be trusted.
Wait, so the Society's Master of Spells goes missing for a decade and just now the Decemvirate decides to go and rescue her? By the Empyreal Lords, I don't think the Decemvirate is to be trusted.
If I recall, it's more complicated than that. They basically didn't have the right tools to locate/follow her until the scenario.
Wait, so the Society's Master of Spells goes missing for a decade and just now the Decemvirate decides to go and rescue her? By the Empyreal Lords, I don't think the Decemvirate is to be trusted.
If I recall, it's more complicated than that. They basically didn't have the right tools to locate/follow her until the scenario.