A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for levels 3-6.
With one of its masked leaders missing, the Pathfinder Society continues a desperate search of the forests in northern Iobaria. Urwal, leader of the Verdant Wheel faction, approaches a group of Pathfinders to assist him in travelling through the forest at the behest of some unknown force that beckons to him through dreams and visions. The end of this fanciful march could reveal where the Society’s leader has gone, but it could also lead the Pathfinder Society to uncovering more of the mysteries of distant Iobaria.
Written by Hilary Moon Murphy
Scenario tags: Verdant Wheel, Metaplot
[Scenario Maps spoiler - click to reveal]
The following maps used in this scenario are also available for purchase here on paizo.com:
March is a combat based scenario with some skill challenges.
March is just a solid adventure. Having said that, some of the story was lost with convoluted explanations. I didn't understand the 2nd encounter until I asked the GM after the game.
I appreciated the quick scenery that was given, that would cause most PF1 groups to buff.
I've been playing mostly season 1 scenarios and I noticed that there was no explanation of challenge points or which subtier we should be playing. My GM didn't have it memorized and he needed to rely on me to figure it out. I think it should be included (we almost played at 18 challenge points instead of 10...).
I don't think the scenario is complete without doing the optional encounter at the end. Having said that, it is quite challenging and the scenario could run long.
This was a great scenario, and one that I'm going to turn around to GM immediately. The best part of it is that multiple choices seem to matter - there's a Viable Option A, and a Viable Option B, and there's a legitimate choice that leads to interesting outcomes either way.
The final fight is hard. It's supposed to be hard. I like that combination (more than a fight being easy or a fight being unexpectedly hard).
A minor point: I like the cover not spoiling any villains. I know the BBE usually gets the most effort put into the art, but it's just nice to have something that's light-hearted.
Minor criticism: I wish the plot had differed more from PFS1 #4-19 - several times. Granted, I just GMed #4-19 a few weeks ago, so it was fresh in my mind, but several times I found myself with metagame expectations because of the parallel and had to remind myself that my character wouldn't have those expectations.
The author ran this at PaizoCon. The first segment was a light-hearted blast that encouraged player creativity. The rest of it was a solid quest with a twist. The boss fight was brutal, but some good rolls let us win without taking major casualties. Would recommend.
I don't have all that much to add to the other reviews.
Played at the authors table at Paizocon. If you get the chance I'd highly recommend that. Hillary really brought this scenario to life
As a whole the scenario is great, definitely amongst my favourite pfs2 scenarios. The first part especially is insanely whimsical fun, definitely best for players and characters who appreciate sillyness
Lots of interesting story, great NPCs, a combat with something different going on.
Other than the optional final encounter the fights and challenges are, if anything, slightly on the easy side
Our group (3 level 6s, 2 level 3s with bump, level 4) handled the optional encounter without major issues. But we had a good mix of characters with pretty much all bases covered, we used pretty effective teamwork, and the dice were fairly neutral. I can definitely see how other groups would struggle or even TPK.
Structurally, it is definitely a flaw that a fight this hard is optional. I'm not sure what happens if you avoid it. The GM was VERY clear that it was optional and tough but there were pretty compelling character reasons to do it and we all agreed. There are definitely major reasons to fight, which is a good thing. I'd have been very disappointed if it was just a "fight to get loot" kind of thing.
On the other hand, when it works it REALLY works. We chose to fight, we had a fun but tough fight, and we get that lovely feeling you get for taking the harder path and overcoming the challenges, for acting like heros and seeing the world be a better place as a result.
It would be awkward if players disagreed. It would be unpleasant to be forced into this fight (either by being outvoted or by peer pressure) and lose a character. I'd suggest GMs tend strongly towards unanimous approval before allowing it.
It is a very good thing that it was the last encounter. This means that at least the players have a reasonable idea who is at the table, how effective their group is.
So, I loved this scenario and definitely think it worth 5 stars, even with the last fight. But I think it perhaps would have been a little better to tone down the last fight a little, beef up the other fights, and then make the last fight non optional.
I have always loved anything by HMM! Can't wait for this one!
Any chance of getting a map list? (trying to make one large map purchase for Paizocon games I'm running, rather than a bunch of little ones as the scenarios are released).
