A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for levels 1-4.
Called to the city of Oppara, a group of Pathfinders quickly find themselves assigned to investigate a clandestine fighting tournament taking place in the city streets. However, there’s more to this tournament than meets the eye, and the PCs must quickly uncover the true motives behind those holding for these brutal bouts. Can the PCs learn the truth before they find themselves too caught-up in the event to escape?
Written by Kalervo Oikarinen
Scenario tags: None
[Scenario Maps spoiler - click to reveal]
The following maps used in this scenario are also available for purchase here on paizo.com:
This is an efficient scenario that runs quickly. The balance between combat and roleplay is good, but both elements are individually lacking. Interacting with the key NPC is initially fun, but because she does not have plot-critical information, there is no pressing in-game *reason* to do it. The first two fights are trivial (I ran in tier 1-2) and well-thought-out environments are wasted on opponents who will fall to the first hit. The story seems to assume knowledge of either War for the Crown (or the season 9 Taldor arc) which makes the plot opaque for casual players.
I've played this one time at low tier and GMed twice, both low and high tier.
The short version of this review is that all seemed fine unless (1) you were in high tier and (2) the interaction aspect with Vionnia really bored the players and dragged the game on. Regarding #2, both my teammates (when I played) and my players (when I GMed) both in low and high tier all complained about this aspect, and I think two rounds instead of three would have been a sweet spot. Finally in high tier, DCs weren't easy to hit at all, and I felt the party was pretty well balanced, at least on paper.
As a player, I had fun, as a GM, preparation was fine. Low tier was almost too easy combat wise for the first two fights, but the final fight was well balanced. High tier almost felt like a drag running - again the team was balanced, and combat was balanced, but all fights took very long. My low tier game clocked in at 2.5 hours, and the high tier game exceeded 5 hours and that wore on the players a bit even though no one was in danger of completely dying. When I played in low tier, I don't recall exceeding 3 hours.
I'd probably give 3/5 here...storyline is more than fine, but I feel between the interactive, and the combat experience, a few things fell flat.
While playing the scenario felt almost completely pointless. There didn't seem any option to talk to people and investigate the issues except for Vionnia's skill challenge which was essentially super boring and neither of us rolled any successes anyway. The backstory makes it a lot better but of course not all parties will be able to learn anything.
Spoiler:
I liked the idea of some sinister forces assembling an army against the regime in the background and the PCs having to infiltrate their ranks. However, the fact that they're scripted to fail leaves the scenario wanting. The skill challenges with Vionnia are way too difficult for the average party composition. First two fights are ridiculously easy for any party, yet the lions in the end could easily kill 1-2 level PCs.
I had a good session, but some things felt a bit weird
I had the chance to play this recently and I had a pretty good time, but that is often based on the GM and my party members.
I saw some things that left me not super pleased, and while we did waste some time doing shenanigans, I might want a bit more. Our group was not set up very well for this, so we did not manage to learn some things and didn't make some new friends.
In general, I am looking forward to reading and GMing it and being able to provide some more comprehensive feedback after that. Right now it would be a 3,5 ^^
Pathfinder Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber
"they looks awesome, I would love to look like that."
Could also reference the big air of confidence that is exuded. The "I'm fabulous, and your grief won't affect me!" air.
(based on 11 ratings)
