RSS RSS Facebook Twitter Email
Pathfinder / Adventures / Adventure Path / Outlaws of Alkenstar (#178-180)

Pathfinder Adventure Path #178: Punks in a Powderkeg (Outlaws of Alkenstar 1 of 3)

3.80/5 (based on 10 ratings)
Pathfinder Adventure Path #178: Punks in a Powderkeg (Outlaws of Alkenstar 1 of 3)
Show Description For:
Non-Mint

Add Print Edition $24.99

Add PDF $19.99

Non-Mint Unavailable

Facebook Twitter Email

A ragtag band of gunslinging outlaws get their hands dirty in the greasy alleyways and whisky-soaked saloons of Alkenstar, the City of Smog. To get revenge on the mogul who destroyed them, the renegades will have to stick up an illicit bank, foil a crooked shieldmarshal, and escort a reclusive inventor to safety. All the while, countless rough-and-tumble rivals aim to waylay the party and seize the inventor's latest concoction: pyronite, an explosive substance with the potential to change the face of the world. In a city where the clockwork guards are literally as tough as brass, the antiheroes will need true grit to dole out overdue justice.

"Punks in a Powderkeg" is a Pathfinder adventure for four 1st-level characters. This adventure begins the Outlaws of Alkenstar Adventure Path, a three-part monthly campaign in which a band of outlaws unravel an explosive criminal plot in the heart of the City of Smog, Alkenstar. This adventure also includes a gazetteer of the characters' home saloon; new feats, items, and rules options perfect for gunslingers, gearheads, and grenadiers; and new steampunk creatures and mutant monsters to befriend or bedevil your players.

Each monthly full-color softcover Pathfinder Adventure Path volume contains an in-depth adventure scenario, stats for several new monsters, and support articles meant to give Game Masters additional material to expand their campaign. Pathfinder Adventure Path volumes use the Open Game License and work with both the Pathfinder RPG and the world's oldest fantasy RPG.

ISBN-13: 978-1-64078-412-3

The Outlaws of Alkenstar Adventure Path is sanctioned for use in Pathfinder Society Organized Play. The rules for running this Adventure and Chronicle Sheets are available as a free download (963 KB PDF).

Other Resources: This product is also available on the following platforms:

Fantasy Grounds Virtual Tabletop
Foundry Virtual Tabletop
Pathfinder Nexus on Demiplane
Archives of Nethys

Note: This product is part of the Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscription.

Product Availability

Print Edition:

Available now

Ships from our warehouse in 3 to 5 business days.

PDF:

Fulfilled immediately.

Non-Mint:

Unavailable

This product is non-mint. Refunds are not available for non-mint products. The standard version of this product can be found here.

Are there errors or omissions in this product information? Got corrections? Let us know at store@paizo.com.

PZO90178

See Also:

1 to 5 of 10 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | next > last >>

Average product rating:

3.80/5 (based on 10 ratings)

Sign in to create or edit a product review.

5/5 —

Title: An Unforgettable Adventure: An Exceptional Path by Vanessa Hoskins

5/5 —

This is on one of the most exhilarating adventure paths I've had the pleasure of experiencing, and quite honestly, I'm at a loss for words to adequately encapsulate its brilliance. Nevertheless, I'll make a humble attempt to convey my admiration.

We broke through meticulously crafted encounters: this book masterfully balances its challenges, ensuring that they are demanding yet always fair.

An essential element of an engaging adventure path is the depth and realism of its NPCs, and this adventure delivers in this regard spectacularly. The characters are authentic, each with their unique agenda, and they make significant contributions to engrossing players in the narrative.

The setting, within one of Golarion's most sprawling and eccentric cities, provides an unparalleled scenario that allows for interaction with a wide and diverse range of characters. This not only enriches the gameplay but also breathes life into the environment, making the city a character in its own right.

Vanessa Hoskins's creative genius shines through in this adventure. Her meticulous attention to detail and capacity for imaginative storytelling have left a lasting impression, earning her a permanent spot on my list of favorite authors.

In short, this adventure has not only captivated my attention but has also reignited my passion for PF2. It's an exhilarating ride that I highly recommend to any Pathfinder enthusiasts. It's an experience not to be missed, an adventure that truly exemplifies the excitement and immersion that a well-crafted story can provide.

And with that said, lets hop into book 2!

just here to offset the guy 1- & 2-starring all the PF2E products

5/5 —

What could have been

3/5 —

I really wanted this to be a great first adventure into a great three book AP and I find myself disappointed. Overall, it just has some rough edges that make this just an average AP from Paizo.

First, the good. The character hooks, backgrounds, setting, and initial NPCs are all excellent. My players were hooked, had deep connections to the city (which is essentially an NPC unto itself), and really enjoyed the start of the game. The first half of the first chapter is possibly one of the best opening scenes Paizo has had in an AP. That is where the problems start.

After the initial heist, the players are being chased and suddenly have time to do some side quests for goblins? It would have made a lot more sense to drop off the loot and then have an excuse to come back. Then, in chapter 2, you have to go rescue the eccentric inventor, who is a treat to roleplay. However, the entire chapter has weird pacing issues and most of the encounters feel like filler more than meaningful contributions to the story. The final main chapter of the book has what is essentially a raid on a rival group which is fine but also doesn't meaningfully contribute to the whole "revenge" or "work for the government" themes that the AP lays out in its first chapter.

These problems aren't game breaking and there is still a lot of fun to be had here but this could have easily been a 4 or 5 star first book.

3/5 —

I was excited to run this as soon as it was announced, but it's been a bit disappointing so far.
The Good:
- Great hook. The best way to unite a group of chaotic PCs is revenge, which is conveniently a mainstay of the western genre.
- Fun NPCs. The main villains are fun and compelling (even if they barely show up in this one) and there's other fun stuff like the Nailgobblers in the meantime. I recommend showing your players a pic of Ambrose Mugland from the cover of book 2 to make them hate him more.
The Bad:
- The Mana Wastes' strange and unpredictable effect on magic is one of the most notable parts of the setting, and it's weird that they're barely mentioned. I just told my casters they would have wellspring magic as a free archetype and called it a day, but I was really hoping for some explicit rules.
- Why would you tell me to give my players a map of the city then have them traverse an "unavoidable" bridge over a river that literally can't exist? I just pasted some rooftops over the (impossible) river and told my players they were jumped in an alley instead.

1 to 5 of 10 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | next > last >>
Search Thread

Search this Thread:

101 to 148 of 148 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | next > last >>
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber
Sycamore Throne wrote:

I got the shipping notification as well, but it’s listed at the bottom of the downloads page as “not currently available for download”. Curious if it’s a known issue, or if maybe a switch didn’t get flipped for release?

Hopefully someone can give us some insight soon, as I’m eager to dive in!

Seems to have sorted itself out. :D

Omg. Page 56 is 100% Dr. Eggman. XD

EDIT: Aww man. They really put the cart before the horse on page 82.
Pathfinder Maps, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Maps, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

I think I really lucked out here. By the time I got my shipping notice today, that PDF issue had cleared up, and I wouldn't have known about it all except for reading these forums.

do they give pyronite stats in book 1?
Pathfinder Maps, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Maps, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber
belgrath9344 wrote:
do they give pyronite stats in book 1?

The PDF contains 69 references to pyronite, with many of them being references to the formula for pyronite.

Spoiler:
Sadly, the formula itself is never given in this book, nor are any game stats.
Pathfinder Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Any cool things in the toolbox for inventors?
2 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

Not in here.

There are:
some alchemical items, a Feat Alchemist (plus Barbarians and Fighters) can take, 2 more Feats that Fighters and Barbarians can take, and three Stance Feats which are strangely only for the Martial Artist Archetype, as well as the new Alkenstar Agent Archetype.

I've subscribed today and am excitedly waiting for the order to no longer be pending. I take it I won't be able to download until the book ships?
Marketing & Media Manager
1 person marked this as a favorite.
SilentClarity wrote:
I've subscribed today and am excitedly waiting for the order to no longer be pending. I take it I won't be able to download until the book ships?

Welcome! Correct, the PDF is sent when your product ships.

Marketing & Media Manager
2 people marked this as a favorite.

Excerpts from the Pathfinder Adventure Path #178: Punks in a Powderkeg (Outlaws of Alkenstar 1 of 3)
Grand Lodge
1 person marked this as a favorite.

Trying to make sense of the map on page 18. From references in the text it seems the scale is off. I think it’s a 10’ squares map. Anyone else?

(The range of the thing at B3 and the given size of the thing at B5 in particular make me think this)
Grand Lodge
1 person marked this as a favorite.

And can someone explain this?

Chapter 2 spoilers:
The party has to go from Gattlebee’s house to the brewery (per the text, near Ironside) to the saloon. All of these are on one side of the river. Yet the action centers on a bridge they “must” cross on the route. This is bugging me because it says to give the map to the players so they can plan but if I do so they will simply think I’m racy when I say they have to cross at The Bottleneck (or anywhere else). Hoping someone has a better answer.

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber
jmspencer wrote:

And can someone explain this?

** spoiler omitted **

These questions are probably best suited for the specific AP subforum.

1 person marked this as a favorite.
jmspencer wrote:

And can someone explain this?

** spoiler omitted **

I've asked the very same in the AP-specific subforum.

Aaron Shanks wrote:
SilentClarity wrote:
I've subscribed today and am excitedly waiting for the order to no longer be pending. I take it I won't be able to download until the book ships?
Welcome! Correct, the PDF is sent when your product ships.

I can't focus on anything other than checking to see if it's shipped yet. I live 20 miles from Paizo HQ, can't I just come pick it up?

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Starfinder Superscriber

Punting on Bronzetime/Surgetime seems like a mistake.

For those of you still on the fence about this AP, the actual text itself simply says "If you're interested in enforcing the unpredictable nature of magic in the mana wastes, consult the rules about wellspring magic in Secrets of Magic".

Okay. I didn't need an AP for that. Kind of brought down my interest.
Wayfinders
7 people marked this as a favorite.

For what it's worth, LO Impossible Lands was accidentally revealed to have more thorough rules for this. (Something I can hopefully say out loud now.)

Shame they're not reprinted here, but presumably those rules might still be in development and/or there wasn't space to put them in here, depending on how detailed they are.
Dark Archive
3 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Hmm yeah I do agree that after how setting has previously emphasized about how magic doesn't work reliably in Mana Wastes that having AP that is like "but you can still play mage when weather is good!" is bit lame
Marketing & Media Manager
7 people marked this as a favorite.

For more on Punks in a Powder Keg watch an interview with author Vanessa Hoskins from The Gallant Goblin.
Grand Lodge

Will this AP contain VTT?
Marketing & Media Manager
2 people marked this as a favorite.
fingerzz wrote:
Will this AP contain VTT?

Foundry VTT will have It available next Wednesday for purchase here on Paizo.com. There is no product page yet.

Grand Lodge
Aaron Shanks wrote:
fingerzz wrote:
Will this AP contain VTT?
Foundry VTT will have It available next Wednesday for purchase here on Paizo.com. There is no product page yet.

If I understand correctly if I buy only VTT product I should receive also PDF to that product as well? How big will be discount if I buy PDF first then VTT?

fingerzz wrote:
Aaron Shanks wrote:
fingerzz wrote:
Will this AP contain VTT?
Foundry VTT will have It available next Wednesday for purchase here on Paizo.com. There is no product page yet.
If I understand correctly if I buy only VTT product I should receive also PDF to that product as well? How big will be discount if I buy PDF first then VTT?

If you purchase the pdf first, the module should be discounted by the pdf's price

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Aaron Shanks wrote:
fingerzz wrote:
Will this AP contain VTT?
Foundry VTT will have It available next Wednesday for purchase here on Paizo.com. There is no product page yet.

Do you mean this Wednesday?

1 person marked this as a favorite.

When will be avialable this adventure for Foundry VTT?
Dark Archive
Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Had we heard if this will be available in roll20?
Marketing & Media Manager
1 person marked this as a favorite.
CorvusMask wrote:
Had we heard if this will be available in roll20?

Roll20 will not have this Adventure Path available at this time. Foundry VTT will.

Marketing & Media Manager
2 people marked this as a favorite.
nategrey78 wrote:
When will be avialable this adventure for Foundry VTT?

11 AM Pacific is our target time today.

Marketing & Media Manager
3 people marked this as a favorite.

Pathfinder Adventure Path #178: Punks in a Powderkeg (Outlaws of Alkenstar 1 of 3) for Foundry VTT is now available.
Grand Lodge Contributor
6 people marked this as a favorite.

It's SO GOOD

I left a comment in the thread if you're curious what the adventure author thinks.
Marketing & Media Manager
1 person marked this as a favorite.

Pathfinder Adventure Path #178: Punks in a Powderkeg (Outlaws of Alkenstar 1 of 3) for Fantasy Grounds is now available.
Vanessa Hoskins wrote:

It's SO GOOD

I left a comment in the thread if you're curious what the adventure author thinks.

Any chance I can poke you about the bridge across the Ustradi that features in one encounter? Me and a few others are a little lost on why the PCs would need to cross the river, given that their start and destination are both on the same side of it.

Love the adventure! This one detail’s just been nagging at me.
Shadow Lodge
1 person marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Adventure, Adventure Path Subscriber

Foundry VTT build... WOW... Just WOW... um amazing JOB that ... and the ... but seriously in the place the thing it DISAPPEARS and the other thing can move... and the OH ... I have been really enjoying Foundry for about 3 months now but this just shows me how much more I need to learn... GREAT work on the conversion.
Grand Lodge Contributor
3 people marked this as a favorite.
keftiu wrote:
Vanessa Hoskins wrote:

It's SO GOOD

I left a comment in the thread if you're curious what the adventure author thinks.

Any chance I can poke you about the bridge across the Ustradi that features in one encounter? Me and a few others are a little lost on why the PCs would need to cross the river, given that their start and destination are both on the same side of it.

Love the adventure! This one detail’s just been nagging at me.

I think that was a combination of

"there are smaller tributaries and canals in the city"

and

"some east coast US cities have silly lay outs because they were based on foot paths and carts and not cars"

and

"in those cities the phrase 'you can't get there from here' is common because navigating them can get weird."

So figure because of the various roads and such in the city might be a different elevations (it is near a cliff, therefore likely rocky and uneven foundations to build a city around) so there might be only one "good" way to get from point A to point B. It's also entirely possible that they've had a bridge renovation project going on for years, and this little bridge is the only one available.

I suppose my biggest recommendation is "just go with it and don't sweat the details too much."
1 person marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder LO Special Edition, Maps, Pathfinder Accessories, PF Special Edition Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Starfinder Superscriber

In Manhattan, a borough of New York City, numbered streets generally run EW and numbered avenues generally run NS. There is nevertheless a place where fourth street and tenth street meet. :-)
3 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber
Ed Reppert wrote:
In Manhattan, a borough of New York City, numbered streets generally run EW and numbered avenues generally run NS. There is nevertheless a place where fourth street and tenth street meet. :-)

I'm not sure why, but I read this in Steve Zirnkilton voice as he narrates the opening to Law and Order.

Grand Lodge Contributor
6 people marked this as a favorite.
Ed Reppert wrote:
In Manhattan, a borough of New York City, numbered streets generally run EW and numbered avenues generally run NS. There is nevertheless a place where fourth street and tenth street meet. :-)

I've you ever driven in Pittsburgh or, gods forbid, Boston then you know exactly what I mean by "you can't get there from here."

I realize now, after publication, that people who live in cities with sane city planning have no idea what its like to only have that one bridge that takes you from this neighborhood to that one. If you miss a turn, the alternative is a 20-30 minute detour or an illegal 3 point u-turn.
2 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder LO Special Edition, Maps, Pathfinder Accessories, PF Special Edition Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Starfinder Superscriber
Ly'ualdre wrote:
Ed Reppert wrote:
In Manhattan, a borough of New York City, numbered streets generally run EW and numbered avenues generally run NS. There is nevertheless a place where fourth street and tenth street meet. :-)
I'm not sure why, but I read this in Steve Zirnkilton voice as he narrates the opening to Law and Order.

"There are eight million stories in the Naked City." :-)

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder LO Special Edition, Maps, Pathfinder Accessories, PF Special Edition Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Starfinder Superscriber
Vanessa Hoskins wrote:
Ed Reppert wrote:
In Manhattan, a borough of New York City, numbered streets generally run EW and numbered avenues generally run NS. There is nevertheless a place where fourth street and tenth street meet. :-)

I've you ever driven in Pittsburgh or, gods forbid, Boston then you know exactly what I mean by "you can't get there from here."

I realize now, after publication, that people who live in cities with sane city planning have no idea what its like to only have that one bridge that takes you from this neighborhood to that one. If you miss a turn, the alternative is a 20-30 minute detour or an illegal 3 point u-turn.

I've driven in Pittsburgh exactly once. I don't remember it, I was asleep. Long story. :-)

Silver Crusade
1 person marked this as a favorite.

Okay, I received an order notification for this back on May 5th, it's still marked as Pending, and I haven't yet gotten a response when I messaged customer service. Can someone tell me what's going on, or should I go ahead and write this off?
Pathfinder LO Special Edition, Maps, Pathfinder Accessories, PF Special Edition Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Starfinder Superscriber

Last I heard there's a backlog in CS's email queue. Waiting is... :-)
Marketing & Media Manager
Val'bryn2 wrote:
Okay, I received an order notification for this back on May 5th, it's still marked as Pending, and I haven't yet gotten a response when I messaged customer service. Can someone tell me what's going on, or should I go ahead and write this off?

Sorry for the wait. Customer service will return to replying to email inquiries when the offices reopen tomorrow.

Silver Crusade
1 person marked this as a favorite.
Ed Reppert wrote:
Last I heard there's a backlog in CS's email queue. Waiting is... :-)

Unfortunately it's not the waiting for the email that's bothering me, it's the problem with the subscription.

Vigilant Seal

Will this be sanctioned?
Marketing & Media Manager
reevos wrote:
Will this be sanctioned?

Yes, see today's blog.

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Rulebook Subscriber

Got an email that this was updated, any idea what was changed?
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber
mimp wrote:
Got an email that this was updated, any idea what was changed?

This is what my email said,

We have updated the Pathfinder Adventure Path #178: Punks in a Powderkeg (Outlaws of Alkenstar 1 of 3) PDF.

Files have been updated to include Outlaws of Alkenstar Player's Guide

If you wish to download the updated version, you may do so for free at https://paizo.com/paizo/account/assets.

emphasis mine.

It may be, they include the players guide in the download, because they are afraid people who are new might not know one exists.
Grand Archive
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Adventure Path Subscriber
H2Osw wrote:
mimp wrote:
Got an email that this was updated, any idea what was changed?

This is what my email said,

We have updated the Pathfinder Adventure Path #178: Punks in a Powderkeg (Outlaws of Alkenstar 1 of 3) PDF.

Files have been updated to include Outlaws of Alkenstar Player's Guide

If you wish to download the updated version, you may do so for free at https://paizo.com/paizo/account/assets.

emphasis mine.

It may be, they include the players guide in the download, because they are afraid people who are new might not know one exists.

Makes sense with the new Humble Bundle to include the Players Guide for folks

101 to 148 of 148 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | next > last >>
Community / Forums / Paizo / Product Discussion / Pathfinder Adventure Path #178: Punks in a Powderkeg (Outlaws of Alkenstar 1 of 3) All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.