Pathfinder Adventure Path #115: Trail of the Hunted (Ironfang Invasion 1 of 6) (PFRPG)

The fiction really is gone, folks. This was stated in a developer post in one of the Strange Aeons topics. It stayed for Strange Aeons only because the developers really wanted to pay homage to the Mythos with some good fiction. Debatable, since Chaosium offers this as well, and some of it's pretty good.

The Side Treks do actually still exist. What happened was they got rolled into the general adventure, since everyone ran them anyway, they weren't really considered optional.

I really want to see hobgoblins and bugbears come into their own in this one. Classic Monsters Revisited and some revolutionary art really makes them look creepy. I also think this would be a great opportunity for some hex crawl. Then we can have some "side quests" and random encounter tables in the new section. History, rumours, environmental descriptions, some minor but atmospheric items, a new magic item or two... I'd love to see something like Raging Swan does in their weblog or "so what's it like" series for the new section.

What I'd really like to see gone is the editorial. While fun at the time, so much of it becomes dated when you pull back issues to read. If you want to do current affairs, use the weblog. Keep the section, but do "designer's notes" like in the first adventures, little behind the scenes notes or real-world background that inspired the adventure or whatever.

Great Khan,

1) We saw that last week.

2) I like the editorials. Gives us greater insight to the writers' mind.

Also She will be awesome villain. :)

Nirmathas and Molthune have long been my favorite region in Golarion, one of the few places where two nations really feel like they're interacting with each other in a relatable way. This is why I'm kinda disappointed that this is about a third party invading rather than the ongoing war. It's like Fangwood Keep all over again, except maybe worse. Pity, because the gimmick of leading a group of survivors really appeals to me.

Apparently this adventure path has a belic flavour: a hobgoblin invasion, talk about military units, etc. Will there be some big battles with thousand of warriors, using Ultimate Campaign rules?

What do you mean by "belic flavor"?

"Bellic" perhaps. As in the latin for war - "bellum."

So "warlike?"

What do you mean by "belic flavor"?

Warlike

Ah that makes sense, thanks.

WAR! Huh. What is good for? Blowing up bridges!

I look forward to this adventure. The location (Nirmathas & Molthune) appeals to me greatly, plus the fact that this adventure features Hobgoblins, who were said to be a major threat to the inner sea region, all makes it interesting.

Hobgoblins have been said to be a major threat to the region, but so far they've never really posed an issue.

Major,

I'm sure they were just waiting for the right leader.

The fact that Hobgoblins' leaders are chosen through duels to the death probably means that a lot of them don't rule for long and many "officers" are cycled out before a truly worthy one emerges. Natural selection, really.

Well, I would rather paizo give the opportunity to play as hobgobs in an AP due to Molthune recruiting them like crazy (along with lycanthropes, centaurs, and any other monstrous race that can take orders).

In home game fluff, we've even set up hobgoblin orphanages in Braganza, in part so that city's population grows in size, and in part because hobgoblins aren't big into parenting.

A green dragon who runs the mage college also experiments with the hobgoblin bloodline in an effort to create varied species or even more suitable soldiers. As a result, my personal character is a vanguard slayer hobgoblin who is of alchemical altered blood, a mix of bugbear and hobgoblin. Makes him stronger (+2 to strength instead of dex) but he was so unruly as a child he was placed in the infamous Redwall Reformatory for Troubled Youths.

Because of this stuff our group has done, I'm taking such an interest in this particular AP.

Where is the town of Phaendar ?

I guess it's a settlement which was created or at least newly fleshed out for this AP.
Appearently, it lies in the Nesmian Plains as stated in the introductory text of this installment.
I'd put it somewhere north of Kraggodan and south of the Deepcut river.

But let's wait for the gazetteer and the upcoming Lands of Conflict.

Ruyan.

Will there be rules for player characters to from Phaendar? It would be cool if it detailed for that.

What I can imagine is that there'll be traits to choose from for the players which will tie them to Phaendar--similar to what was done in Rise of the Runelords, Curse of the Crimson Throne etc.

The rest will be up to you and your GM.

Ruyan.

Any new info? I am thinking of making my PCs into militia (plus they will have the trait) so the reason PCs are together.

Probably won't be any new info for awhile.

Do we know when the cover will be updated?

Tervelais,

Probably some time in February.

Updated with final cover image and description!

The iconic Swashbuckler & Huntress in the back illustration look good, but i don't like the goblinoid art in the forefront at all.

I actually like the cover art including the hobgoblin(or is it a bugbear).

With all the fur/hair and the ears they are definitely a Bugaboo.

Yeah bugbear for sure.

As a complete surprise I'd like a mini of this guy...Erik?

Nice color scheme!

Is this a first for the Huntress iconic? Just curious.

Hey, this AP is becoming GIRL POWER with the Swashbuckler, Huntress and Witch...I must have missed/forgotten the other. That is really cool.

Girls (a)´gainst goblinoids! ;-)

The big bad hobgoblin general is a female too.

I find the idea of an all-female party in this AP pretty intriguing.

Is this a first for the Huntress iconic? Just curious.

Hey, this AP is becoming GIRL POWER with the Swashbuckler, Huntress and Witch...I must have missed/forgotten the other. That is really cool.

Witch? where?

Also, Lini the Druid.

Edit: nevermind, just saw the cover of book 3.

Very nice!

great art.

*Casually about to go debate with himself whether he should by himself more Pathfinder books or wait until after Christmas and then get himself more Pathfinder books*

Malefactor: Well you know, Iron Gods is supposed to be a real nice campaign, and I am looking for something to tide me over 'til Starfinder comes out so mayb- HOLY SALAMANDER CUTTLEFISH! NEW ART FOR IRONFANG INVASION! I HAVE NO IDEA WHO THE ICONICS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SO THAT PROBABLY MEANS THAT IS FROM THE ACG! I SHOULD PROBABLY GET THAT ONE OF THESE DAYS!

*Passes out from excitement, doesn't even get a chance to read text*

Sooo... are most the hobgoblins kineticists?

I am hoping that there will be a lot of hobgoblin kineticists.

*gawks at the new final covers' art and colour scheme*
Ooooo... Shiny. I'm more and more hyped by the possibilities of hobgoblin centralised, war infused fantasy campaigning. This has a potential of including some very good times indeed!

LOVE all of the art work that I have seen so far the covers of the AP's, if WAR is doing the art work it is some of his best work yet! Keep the GREAT WORK!

LOVE all of the art work that I have seen so far the covers of the AP's, if WAR is doing the art work it is some of his best work yet! Keep the GREAT WORK!

The cover artwork is done by another talented artist named Remko Troost.

Guess I should of asked before posting, I stand corrected. Anyways, its still GREAT ART WORK! Keep up the great work Remko Troost!

kevin bienhoff wrote:

LOVE all of the art work that I have seen so far the covers of the AP's, if WAR is doing the art work it is some of his best work yet! Keep the GREAT WORK!

The cover artwork is done by another talented artist named Remko Troost.

Ooh, the same person who is doing the Starfinder Iconics.

I noticed that this volume and the next one in the series are both scheduled to release in March now. Are we getting 2 volumes of this AP in March, or will the other releases be pushed back?

Who are the authors for the backmatter?

Is it mid-March yet? I've been waiting for this one since its announcement.

Super excited for this one! I love goblinoids. Is this the first AP to feature them?

As primary antagonist, yes I believe so.

ErisAcolyte-Chaos jester wrote:

Also we totally have a reason for why we cannot just fight the big bad at early levels. He* has an army with him and is probably a badass. That and your a low level Adventurer being attacked by a very old dragon. In short, you know who this bastard is, You want to kill him, but cannot, and the only thing you can do is save what you can and run. After you are safe, then you can start forming a plan to make this general Azaersi pay for stepping on your town... And probably others, but mostly your town.

She. She has an army. :)

WAIT WHAT ? That is .... JUST AWESOME 8D!!!! An Female Hobgoblin Commander. I am curious how she looks like

To me it seems, like the description has been updated, because the
.
.
.
is now there.

The same is the csse with #2 & #3.

Interesting that the bestiary description says new regional threats and allies.

Interesting that the bestiary description says new regional threats and allies.

Which likely means at least one monster will be an animal companion, familiar, or non-Evil and inclined towards helping adventurers.