A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for 1st- through 4th-level characters.
The Pathfinder Society's lodge at the Cathedral of Aroden in the Andoran city of Almas faces a legitimate legal threat from the church of Iomedae, which seeks to lay claim the storied edifice. The PCs must work with the lodge's venture-captain to prepare a legal defense, as they'll need to sway a panel of judges if the Pathfinder Society is to retain ownership of the lodge and maintain its foothold in Almas. But not all is as it seems, and enemies of the Society—and of Andoran—are preparing to make their move when least expected. The Pathfinders' legal claim to the cathedral is not all that they'll need to defend!
Inheritor's Rite is part of the ongoing story of the Year of Shattered Sanctuaries. It is the second scenario in a two-part arc detailing the events befalling a Pathfinder Society lodge in the nation of Andoran. Other arcs explore other locations across the Inner Sea. While the arcs can be played in any order, it is recommended that players experience the scenarios within each individual arc in order.
Written by Elizabeth V Nold
Scenario tags: Metaplot (Shattered Sanctuaries)
[Scenario Maps spoiler - click to reveal]
The following maps used in this scenario are also available for purchase here on paizo.com:
The blurb promises an adventure about a trial - an interesting and unusual promise. Unfortunately, the trial itself, while indeed interesting, is only a very short part of the adventure. Basically a two stage skill challenge with some roleplay. I would have expected research or social encounter rules to come into play before or during the trial, but none of that happened.
Instead we got three combats and a hazard. The first combat has an interesting obstacle / problem in it, but there just aren't enough ways to deal with it. Either you have one particular skill, or you can just use option "destroy everything".
The other two fights have nothing good about them. The are REALLY easy (we played high tier with 22 CP) and non of the enemies is interesting in any way.
In between combats, there is one more hazard, but that is not interesting, either, and instead just gets kind of frustrating really fast.
Overall the worst scenario I have seen in quite a while. Really disappointing, especially since the premise sounded interesting and different!
After the rather challenging end to 3-02, expectations were high for 3-05.
The outcome has been somewhat disappointing and I have been unimpressed.
The combats are not challenging in any way or form (ran this 3 times).
The skill challenge was fun to roleplay. Pretty sure that it would be even better face-to-face.
So, all in all, players keen on roleplay and less interesting in combat may find it an enjoyable one. Players and GMs looking for a challenge will be through very quickly (less than 4 hours).
But the combats just don't present a challenge as written. Foes were not equipped and enabled to be a threat. Runs in 4 hours or less. GM tip: Use a voice distortion app and record Valor. It made my session fun.
The second part to Pathfinder Society's Almas area. No spoilers. The court case was a wonderful bit of world building with each of the players being able to contribute in their own way. The Pathfinders can fail this part if the told aren't with them. The Church of Iomadae is in the right to blame the Society, but usually danger finds them. This adventure is no different.
When I ran this game, the PCs demolished the enemies on this scenario. This was in high tier. My only real complaints are some enemies need a bit more HP, and not have the guy on the main cover be regulated to spoilers.
"So I feel like this is the moment where I point out that I'm a notary, not an attorney. And five minutes from now is, if my understanding holds, the moment where I am assigned to this mission because that's still better than it could be. Yes?"
You see dear friend the system by which agents are selected for a mission is very complicated.
:cough: In that we randomly snag people who happen to be sitting in a common room. Though my preferred method is to use the Mission Hat. Sometimes your name may be in there more than once but don't worry about that.
Guns & Gears just came out and is now society legal. So I expect the next couple of adventures to use stuff from there to increase people's awareness / interest in the new stuff. Basic marketing strategy :)
Pathfinder Rulebook, Starfinder Society Subscriber
Kaliope's Hymn wrote:
My exact words aloud, "1 to 4?!" Who doesn't love another non-repeatable Metaplot? But we got bored adventurers at 6+... <3 nonetheless!
Agreed. Paizo should be looking to make at least half of their released scenarios repeatables, otherwise why award ACPs that you never get to use in non-repeatable adventures? Since the release schedule has slowed, the repeatable tag should be HIGH priority. IMHO.
