Pathfinder Adventure Path #133: Secrets of Roderic's Cove (Return of the Runelords 1 of 6)

Thassilonian Specialist isn't actually an archetype, its just alternate casting system <_< So technically its more similar to Word Casting than archetypes.

All of RotR's Thassilonian wizards use it actually, including Mokmurian, Barl and that one necromancer in basement iirc

Ahh, I mis-remembered. It was first (to my knowledge) shown in Inner Sea Magic, and I was going off of very dusty memory on it. But so long as the Runelords are using Thassilonian Magic, it's pretty much inevitable they won't have access to other schools. There are even restrictions on spell trigger and spell completion items.

Karzoug technically didn't have it spelled out in his statblock...

It does, in fact, spell this out. It's down at the end of his spell list, where it lists his "Thassilonian Specialization."

All runelords were wizards who specialized in this way. That's a big part of what makes them runelords.

(It's a legacy of the Dungeon magazine days, more or less, where we had a fair amount of reader feedback and criticism that we never made humans, and in particular human wizards, the big bad guy of an Adventure Path.)

Now this doesn't mean that runelords don't have access to their opposition schools. They can't prepare those spells, but they can sure as heck command their minions to cast them, use wishes to duplicate effects if absolutely needed, and even do things like Use Magic Device to trigger spells from magic items, and so on. Books of Infinite Spells. Rings of Spell Storing. There's lots of options for the rich and powerful.

Dark Midian wrote:

Karzoug technically didn't have it spelled out in his statblock...

It does, in fact, spell this out. It's down at the end of his spell list, where it lists his "Thassilonian Specialization."

All runelords were wizards who specialized in this way. That's a big part of what makes them runelords.

(It's a legacy of the Dungeon magazine days, more or less, where we had a fair amount of reader feedback and criticism that we never made humans, and in particular human wizards, the big bad guy of an Adventure Path.)

Now this doesn't mean that runelords don't have access to their opposition schools. They can't prepare those spells, but they can sure as heck command their minions to cast them, use wishes to duplicate effects if absolutely needed, and even do things like Use Magic Device to trigger spells from magic items, and so on. Books of Infinite Spells. Rings of Spell Storing. There's lots of options for the rich and powerful.

Grabbing my copy of RotRL Anniversary, you're right. Guess I missed that bit.

And CorvusMask is technically right in that Thassilonian Specialist isn't an archetype, it does modify a wizard's arcane school which would preclude them from choosing an archetype that alters that same feature.

I have to ask as I don't have the AE so the Karzoug I have access to is the old 3.5 Wiz/Archmage.

He's not mythic if that's what you're asking Orthos...

Last I remember only two of the Runelords are mythic.

Three, I believe - Sorshen, Xanderghul, and Alaznist.

Three, I believe - Sorshen, Xanderghul, and Alaznist.

ye, that's what I remember JJ saying.

There are three categories for the final set of Runelords. There are the three lower level ones, who are all sub-20th level but have magical shenanigans to make them more powerful than they normally would be. These three are Krune (Sloth, dead), Zutha (Gluttony), and Belimarius (Envy). Each of them is at least 17th level.

The one in the middle is/was Karzoug (Transmutation). He was 20th level.

The 20th level + mythic end has Alaznist (Evocation), of whom JJ mentioned that she had just barely scratched the surface of mythic and was more of a warmage than a traditional wizard, and then Sorshen (Enchantment) and Xanderghul (Illusion), both of whom were strongly mythic with Xanderghul being stronger.

I remember hearing somewhere that Sorshen was Trickster and Xanderghul Archmage?

Krune is dead?

I guess that depends on if you played through that scenario for PFS.

captain yesterday wrote:

I can't wait to see what Adam Daigle does as an adventure writer!

In fact, is this his maiden voyage writing adventures...

I can't wait for y'all to see it!

And while this isn't the first adventure I've written, it's certainly the longest.

As long as we get a Ledford Runelord, I'll be happy.

So the Adventure Path has come full circle? What made Paizo decide a Sequel to the first AP? I'm sure there's other themed APs that could have been explored.

For example, a Law vs Chaos kind of AP. (Where you can finally make use of Aeons, Inevitables, and Proteans and make more of them all!)

Barachiel,

Maybe because people love Runelords?

i think he said up stream somewhere that 3 was his goal all along.

So the Adventure Path has come full circle? What made Paizo decide a Sequel to the first AP? I'm sure there's other themed APs that could have been explored.

For example, a Law vs Chaos kind of AP. (Where you can finally make use of Aeons, Inevitables, and Proteans and make more of them all!)

What made them decide was likely a combination of facts that they wanted to do such an AP, the right authors and developers with passion for Varisia were available and that projected sales, based on the popularity of previous Varisia-and-Runelords based stuff, were strong.

Which is kind of how you do any business decisions in a creative industry.

So the Adventure Path has come full circle? What made Paizo decide a Sequel to the first AP? I'm sure there's other themed APs that could have been explored.

For example, a Law vs Chaos kind of AP. (Where you can finally make use of Aeons, Inevitables, and Proteans and make more of them all!)

Me, pretty much. The plan to do a sort of trilogy of APs focused on Runelord stuff was kind of part of my plan from the very start. It's one of the main reasons Rise of the Runelords was set up as the FIRST adventure path, in fact. Had we chosen another themed Adventure Path, it would have been the first, not Runelords.

If the PCs actually do get to kill/destroy every existing Runelord, would there be a chance of someone else taking the mantle in the modern timeline?

If so then who do you guys think would be good choices and what sin would each represent?

Barachiel Shina wrote:

So the Adventure Path has come full circle? What made Paizo decide a Sequel to the first AP? I'm sure there's other themed APs that could have been explored.

For example, a Law vs Chaos kind of AP. (Where you can finally make use of Aeons, Inevitables, and Proteans and make more of them all!)

Me, pretty much. The plan to do a sort of trilogy of APs focused on Runelord stuff was kind of part of my plan from the very start. It's one of the main reasons Rise of the Runelords was set up as the FIRST adventure path, in fact. Had we chosen another themed Adventure Path, it would have been the first, not Runelords.

Now, this raises my eyebrows just a tiny bit. If I may speculate like a madman for a second, this sounds as if this is kind of a full circle for the story of the Runelords, which in a way translates for me into Pathfinder as a game in its entirety. Given that the AP starts at the middle of the year, when PaizoCon and GenCon are happening/around the corner, this would serve as an excellent cap for the story of Pathfinder 1.0, with an announcement of Pathfinder 2nd edition with an advanced timeline for Golarion to follow. The titles of the last modules sound like another country needs it map redrawn, after all.

<cough> Surely I am just letting my imagination run wild. ^^

James Jacobs wrote:

Barachiel Shina wrote:

So the Adventure Path has come full circle? What made Paizo decide a Sequel to the first AP? I'm sure there's other themed APs that could have been explored.

For example, a Law vs Chaos kind of AP. (Where you can finally make use of Aeons, Inevitables, and Proteans and make more of them all!)

Me, pretty much. The plan to do a sort of trilogy of APs focused on Runelord stuff was kind of part of my plan from the very start. It's one of the main reasons Rise of the Runelords was set up as the FIRST adventure path, in fact. Had we chosen another themed Adventure Path, it would have been the first, not Runelords.

Now, this raises my eyebrows just a tiny bit. If I may speculate like a madman for a second, this sounds as if this is kind of a full circle for the story of the Runelords, which in a way translates for me into Pathfinder as a game in its entirety. Given that the AP starts at the middle of the year, when PaizoCon and GenCon are happening/around the corner, this would serve as an excellent cap for the story of Pathfinder 1.0, with an announcement of Pathfinder 2nd edition with an advanced timeline for Golarion to follow. The titles of the last modules sound like another country needs it map redrawn, after all.

<cough> Surely I am just letting my imagination run wild. ^^

Or maybe it's just the fact that we do a Runelords Adventure Path every 65 volumes or so, and it's an Adventure Path that I want to do so it had to be slotted in to a point where I'm not working on other projects.

AKA: I would have LOVED to do Return of the Runelords earlier... but this is pretty much as early as I could do it.

If the PCs actually do get to kill/destroy every existing Runelord, would there be a chance of someone else taking the mantle in the modern timeline?

If so then who do you guys think would be good choices and what sin would each represent?

That's not really the way being a runelord works. "Runelord" isn't an inherited set of abilities or title you can claim by killing the previous one.

It's certainly amusing to play "Which famous modern NPC would be a fun Runelord of each sin," of course, but what I've got planned for Return of the Runelords' implications on New Thassilon is pretty different.

So New Thassilon will be a thing going forward then Mister Jacobs?

He's not mythic if that's what you're asking Orthos...

My question was answered on the prior page. In 3.5 Archmage was a prestige class, not a mythic thing. ;)

what happens when runelord of wrath get his paws on scarab sage of evocations gem?

Hm... If a new country is being made, does that mean it's finally time for an update to the Inner Sea World Guide? :v

Hm... If a new country is being made, does that mean it's finally time for an update to the Inner Sea World Guide? :v

No, because ISWG presents the world in the "just before your AP starts" snapshot.

magnuskn wrote:

James Jacobs wrote:

Barachiel Shina wrote:

So the Adventure Path has come full circle? What made Paizo decide a Sequel to the first AP? I'm sure there's other themed APs that could have been explored.

For example, a Law vs Chaos kind of AP. (Where you can finally make use of Aeons, Inevitables, and Proteans and make more of them all!)

Me, pretty much. The plan to do a sort of trilogy of APs focused on Runelord stuff was kind of part of my plan from the very start. It's one of the main reasons Rise of the Runelords was set up as the FIRST adventure path, in fact. Had we chosen another themed Adventure Path, it would have been the first, not Runelords.

Now, this raises my eyebrows just a tiny bit. If I may speculate like a madman for a second, this sounds as if this is kind of a full circle for the story of the Runelords, which in a way translates for me into Pathfinder as a game in its entirety. Given that the AP starts at the middle of the year, when PaizoCon and GenCon are happening/around the corner, this would serve as an excellent cap for the story of Pathfinder 1.0, with an announcement of Pathfinder 2nd edition with an advanced timeline for Golarion to follow. The titles of the last modules sound like another country needs it map redrawn, after all.

<cough> Surely I am just letting my imagination run wild. ^^

Or maybe it's just the fact that we do a Runelords Adventure Path every 65 volumes or so, and it's an Adventure Path that I want to do so it had to be slotted in to a point where I'm not working on other projects.

AKA: I would have LOVED to do Return of the Runelords earlier... but this is pretty much as early as I could do it.

Or that. :p But, well, I can speculate. :)

So New Thassilon will be a thing going forward then Mister Jacobs?

As much as any Adventure Path end goes forward. Whether or not...

Hm... If a new country is being made, does that mean it's finally time for an update to the Inner Sea World Guide? :v

This is hardly the first time a "new country" has been made in an Adventure Path.

The Inner Sea World Guide remains the "way the setting is before you start playing in it," be that your home game or Pathfinder Society scenarios or an Adventure Path or whatever.

Thank you for the clarification Mister Jacobs!

(For the record, the Stolen Lands are a kingdom...just not a functional one in some of the games I've done...)

New country?

I assume when the Runelords wake up they declare Varisia to be New Thassilon and begin taking over accordingly.

Anyone know in what books(AP, campaign setting, etc.), if any, that Roderick's Cove is mentioned?

Anyone know in what books(AP, campaign setting, etc.), if any, that Roderick's Cove is mentioned?

No idea.

Roderic's Cove was first mentioned in Pathfinder #3 in the article about Varisia. It's been name dropped since then less than a dozen times, and hasn't seen any expansion... until now.

Dun dun DUN

Was just making sure there wasn't any info in a campaign setting book or has been used in a past AP. Thanks for the info.

Dun dun DUN

Really? I kind of prefer taupe myself...

*prefers the theme from the Omen himself*

NEW THASSILON !!!

And I thought I couldn't be more excited for this......

That's not really the way being a runelord works. "Runelord" isn't an inherited set of abilities or title you can claim by killing the previous one.

I had always pictured it as being exactly that ?

I'm pretty sure murder was involved, nighttree.

Murder, but you also had to be basically the previous Runelord's apprentice. Think the Sith.

Eh, Sloth Runelords apparently did pass the title peacefully. Since at some point they just got too lazy and apathetic to continue doing Runelordy things :P

I can't find the original post of this ranking (my search-fu has failed) but I did have it saved in my RotRl game notes:

Xanderghul (10 Mythic) [pride]
Sorshen (8-10 Mythic) [lust]
Alaznist (1-3 Mythic) [wrath]
Karzoug [greed]
Zutha [gluttony]
Krune [sloth]
Belimarius [envy]

Sooo, if they keep the Mythic ranks for them, that puts Xanderghul on the same level as a certain Whispering Tyrant, does it not?

Which means any intrepid band of heroes running through New Thassilon will be facing something approaching what it took years, armies, and gods to even just seal up!

:::rubs hands together chuckling evilly:::

This is going to be FUN!

Spiral,

I think it's more likely they'll see plenty of near realistic illusions that they'll have to start getting true seeing to help them with...

I thought Belimaruis is supposed to be stronger then Zutha and Krune.

I thought Belimaruis is supposed to be stronger then Zutha and Krune.

Dragon78, as I said, I can't find the post I copied that from. Since it was at least 2 yrs ago, things may have changed in the final cut.

I can't find the original post of this ranking (my search-fu has failed) but I did have it saved in my RotRl game notes:

Xanderghul (10 Mythic) [pride]
Sorshen (8-10 Mythic) [lust]
Alaznist (1-3 Mythic) [wrath]
Karzoug [greed]
Zutha [gluttony]
Krune [sloth]
Belimarius [envy]

Sooo, if they keep the Mythic ranks for them, that puts Xanderghul on the same level as a certain Whispering Tyrant, does it not?

Which means any intrepid band of heroes running through New Thassilon will be facing something approaching what it took years, armies, and gods to even just seal up!

:::rubs hands together chuckling evilly:::

This is going to be FUN!

I didn't think JJ had actually given definite mythic ranges for each of the mythic Runelords. All I remember were that three were mythic, four were not, and three of those second four were sub-20th with power modifiers.

No cover art yet?