Pathfinder Society Scenario #8-05: Ungrounded but Unbroken (PFRPG) PDF

I don't know if it was the GM running it or the actual module. But this was the worse module I have ever played.

The basic premise had a ton of promise.

There is a good chance of a TPK for using good tactics. (level 1-5 characters can't take 12d6 damage with no save)

The entire implementation is against everything that a young pathfinder is taught.

I would avoid this one if you haven't played it yet.

When I played it, we were warned about the need for Profession:Soldier, but for the most part, we were able to work around it and still succeed.

As a GM, I though this actually wasn't a bad scenario, but needed some GM love to bring it to life. Throughout the basic training, I had my R. Lee Ermey on, bringing out all the degrading rhetoric a drill sergeant could pull off. The players were frustrated by the high DCs (especially while they were fatigued), but once they got the full story, they got what was going on.

The challenges, at times, can be lethal for a level 1 PC, and the fact that this one actually discourages teamwork in the challenges makes it even harder (and counter-intuitive as a good Pathfinder).

But, all in all, the story was pretty good.

The one thing that I didn't care for was that we travel to the plane of Earth, and then really don't experience it. There wasn't a lot to differentiate this interesting city (other than some descriptive text, if the players are listening) from any city on Golarion.

While I liked the premise of the scenario the execution was very lackluster. The scenario had mayor pacing issues and the reliance on trained only skills with these DCs at level 1-5 is very problematic.

The fact that you are denied your most used problem solvers in the first and a majority of useful class abilities in the first and second encounter is something I not only despise as a player but will make this part a very unfunny experience for some tables.

The second part of the scenario is a pseudo-sandbox where you can only get the majority of useful information (and all that will bring some light in this weird plot) at a location where no player should go if they listened to their briefing. Also, there are major problems if the players want to step outside this railroad at any other point than the one the scenario seems to expect (but provides no clues for the players that this is an option) Also the final encounter seems very lackluster and not very appropriate for a final combat.

So, all in all, I can see a very interesting setup which has a terrible execution.

Fluff: 2 Stars

Interesting story, NPCs, and environment. The mission is totally unlike any other I've seen, and feels much more like your characters are society agents as their job that is actually work rather than fun adventures with loot. I like that. The NPCs have unique personalities, motivations, and backgrounds. The dialogue written moves the story and has strong impact.

That said, I'm not giving three stars because a lot of the cool parts are 'behind the screen', in that there is no real method of dissemination. Also, it runs into narrative check-points where unless the PCs choose to do some very specific actions that are only vaguely intimated at, whole swathes of the story can go untold.

Crunch: 0 Stars

This a skill oriented scenario, which I don't have a problem with. Its execution, however, is deplorable. It does what a lot of skill check scenarios seem to do, have pathetically easy combats. I'm fine with only 1 or 2 combats if they are a challenge, but these are cakewalks that feel like an afterthought.

The real issues are with the skill sections. They have a lot of convoluted mechanics, extremely high DCs for the tier, and sections can just require entirely too many checks (particularly a Climb section towards the beginning). The high DCs aren't such an issue when only 1 party member needs to succeed, but the final section is a round robin on a particular skill, and the DC is so high it not surprise me to see 80-90% of tables complete the mission with 0-1 PP. The biggest issue is how often things come down to specific Profession/Perform checks that 99.5% of players just won't have.

I want to like this scenario. In some ways, I really do like it. The mechanics are just overwrought with complexity, badly balanced, and tedious.

I was incredibly happy to hear that the Pathfinder Society was going to visit the other planes. Those planes just are very evocative places and it opens up a whole new range of unique places, mechanics and creatures. Out of the places, I have to say that the Plane of Earth was the least appealing to me. I struggled to imagine what interesting locations could be, but my eyes have been opened after playing this scenario. The casino is an excellent showcase of the power of imagination. It fits, it stands out and I could have never thought of this myself. I also liked the obstacle course. Come to think of it, it showed the diversity of how ‘earth’ can be used. Speaking of the obstacle course, I would suggest GMs make a map of it and have players take turns. That makes it easier for players and GMs alike to figure out where everyone is and what they’re doing. It creates a better sense of immersion and less of dice-rolling exercise.

As for the storyline, it’s pretty good. It’s crystal-clear for a GM, but players will slowly uncover the plot as they go. Or at least, I hope they will. You don’t get much evidence at the start, so you’re left wondering if you’re indeed doing the right thing. Slowly but surely the veil is pulled away, which is both a good and a bad thing. The good side is that you have to get immersed to understand what’s going on. The bad part is ‘slowly’. This scenario has a lot of content and it can easily take between 5 or 6 hours to complete. While I understand that there are no optional encounters due to having to acquire evidence, it means you have to do every portion (which is why the scenario can take quite a while). Thankfully it’s a fun scenario, at least in my opinion, but I would recommend not running it in an evening slot at a convention.

I honestly see little to no issues when it comes to this scenario. It may take the players some time to figure out what they’re supposed to do, but they’ll figure it out eventually and they should have time to act accordingly. The NPCs are solid, the setting is great, the locations are at times mind-blowing. The only small issue, in my opinion, is that there may be too much to do for a single timeslot. It’s one of those scenarios where there’s a lot opportunity for role-play. So in order to get the most of it, you should really take your time as it really is worth doing so. I would recommend this scenario in a heartbeat, but only when there’s a sufficiently sized timeslot available.