Pathfinder Adventure Path #201: Pactbreaker (Wardens of Wildwood 1 of 3)

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Pathfinder Adventure Path #201: Pactbreaker (Wardens of Wildwood 1 of 3)
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Though they arrived as guests, the PCs are soon deputized as part-time guards for the annual Greenwood Gala, a convention for primal-tradition powerbrokers and a festival associated with the Green Faith. After entering competitions, making connections, and shutting down troublemakers, they earn a privileged seat at the ceremony renewing the Treaty of the Wildwood—a ceremony ruined when saboteurs assassinate several of the Verduran Forest’s eminent leaders. This is the final insult many forest dwellers needed; as vigilantes and militias of arboreals, fey, and beasts mobilize to punish Andoran and Taldor, the PCs must avert bloodshed and maintain order long enough for the Wildwood Lodge to choose a new leader and restore peace.

Pactbreaker is a wilderness-themed Pathfinder adventure for four 5th-level characters. The adventure begins the Wardens of Wildwood Adventure Path, a three-part monthly campaign in which a group of adventurers navigate a tricky balance between idyllic wilderness, a hungry nation, and primal forces beyond the natural world. This volume also includes a look at the Verduran Forest, an ecology of the sentient treelike arboreals, several new magical items to discover, and new dangerous monsters to test your PCs!

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.

Written by: Andrew White, John Compton, Diego Valdez, and Josh Foster.

ISBN-13: 978-1-64078-575-5

The Wardens of Wildwood Adventure Path is sanctioned for use in Pathfinder Society Organized Play. The rules for running this Adventure Path and Chronicle Sheets are available as a free download (656 KB PDF).

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

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1/5


Diplomacy and Danger in the Verduran Forest

5/5

Wardens of the Wildwood: Pactbreaker offers a compelling dive into the politics and wilderness of the Verduran Forest. This Pathfinder 2nd Edition module blends tense diplomacy with action-packed wilderness exploration, as players navigate the delicate Treaty of the Wildwood. Rich in lore, the adventure delves into the complex relationships between the Wildwood Lodge, local druids, and external threats. The intricate NPCs, dynamic moral choices, and high-stakes consequences create an immersive, memorable experience. However, its pacing can slow for groups uninterested in political intrigue. Overall, it’s a rewarding adventure for those who enjoy both diplomacy and outdoor exploration.

While Wardens of the Wildwood: Pactbreaker excels in storytelling and political intrigue, it has a few notable drawbacks:

Slow pacing: The emphasis on diplomacy and negotiations may feel sluggish for players who prefer constant action, potentially leading to frustration during extended roleplaying scenes.

Narrow appeal: Its focus on nature-based themes and druidic politics may not resonate with all groups, especially those unfamiliar with Golarion’s deeper lore.

Potential for railroading: Some players might feel limited by the strict adherence to the Treaty of the Wildwood, making it difficult to explore alternative solutions or deviate from set paths.

I totally get your disappointment about the absence of the Druids of Wildwood—it does seem like a missed opportunity. However, Pactbreaker still offers a rich exploration of the Verduran Forest’s political landscape, especially with the complex dynamics between the Wildwood Lodge and other factions. While it may not be the exact fantasy you were hoping for, the intrigue, moral dilemmas, and wilderness encounters still deliver some powerful moments that align with the spirit of nature’s defense.

Also, I can see how the advertisement might have felt misleading, but if you approach it more as a nuanced political drama set against a forest backdrop, it might click differently. Maybe giving it another go with adjusted expectations could reveal aspects that resonate more with your vision of the Wildwood.




Cool concept with very rough execution.

2/5

Lots of very interesting characters are detailed in this book, and it includes some very cool nature elements that Rangers and Druids are sure to love, but the actual game itself has much to be desired.

The Greenwood Gala has some minigames, but they didn't seem to be playtested, as there are so many concepts that we don't have all the details for, or just take wayyyy too long. There is no way for anyone but the PCs to win the Gala, despite the book alluding to an NPC winning.

The first major combat is a nightmare to run, includes 11 NPCs you have to control, with afflictiond on 10 of them.

One of the most major plotpoints, the spark that lights the fire, is not further detailed, leaving both the GM and players confused. It does not even mention that there isn't an answer to this, leaving a GM scouring forums for the answer.

There is a whole section on Arboreals that is mostly irrelevant, which is a shame because there is a whole faction of Arboreals that are mostly unused.

This book is probably best used to create homebrew adventures.




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The Exchange

2 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

Hello? Yes please. I like me some Taldor related adventures. Level 5-15 I'm assuming.


2 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Adventure, Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Sweet, looking forward to this... but then I look forward to most APs.


5 people marked this as a favorite.

I've been waiting for more nonstandard level APs, level 5 starting AP especially. Seems like a very fun AP


Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber

This looks great! Love the focus on fey, hope we get even more.

Grand Archive

4 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

Huzzah!
Is that... a tortoise person?? Maybe... an awakened tortoise? I'm interested. :P

Scarab Sages

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Maps, Pathfinder Accessories, PF Special Edition Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Charter Superscriber; Starfinder Superscriber

Will this be ORC license? I notice the serial number has changed from 90xxx to 15xxx.


5 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

Ooooh a level 5-15 is so exciting!!! I’ll take it any day over another level 1-10 three-parter. And I love that we’re potentially getting an AP set in Andoran after all these years!


1 person marked this as a favorite.

A 5-15 Adventure? Yes, please!

Dark Archive

Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Wait a sec, whats numbering of this AP? Did they stop numbering aps after #200? x'D

...Oh wait, I just realized: That's bad if they stopped numbering these, its going to be hard for me to find correct pdf on my list if they aren't in number order xD Am I going to stop being lazy and have to actually bother organizing my pdfs not just by letter order? :D


1 person marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

AHHHH I love the Verduran forest, both times I ran War For the Crown ended up with side quests in it. It getting expanded on and kind of being the focus for this first book is so cool!!!!!!


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

This sounds most promising! Also, we got a hint saying that two great powers would go to war. Could this be it?


Elfteiroh wrote:

Huzzah!

Is that... a tortoise person?? Maybe... an awakened tortoise? I'm interested. :P

turtle beastkin maybe?


Failedlegend The Eternal Gish wrote:
Elfteiroh wrote:

Huzzah!

Is that... a tortoise person?? Maybe... an awakened tortoise? I'm interested. :P
turtle beastkin maybe?

nvm apparently awakened animal is an upcoming ancestry in howls of the wild so yeah most likely awakened

Silver Crusade

Interesting setup


1 person marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Starfinder Society Subscriber
CorvusMask wrote:
Wait a sec, whats numbering of this AP? Did they stop numbering aps after #200?

The serial number is 15201, so I assume this is #201 :)


This is the first adventure path that I have read and makes me instantly wonder if I should get a group to play it (after reading it!)

Not that the others haven't been interesting, but as a new GM this is the first one that has gotten me really, really excited into running it straight.

RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16

Turtle person?

Will there finally be a tortoise ancestry?

Will the dragon game lose the one advantage it has over Pathfinder?

Liberty's Edge

4 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

Teenage Mutant Ranger Turtles, Teenage Mutant Ranger Turles, heroes in a half-shell, turtle power!


Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

I wonder if the NPC on the cover is an awakened Animal- Tortoise? Which would be cool. Do we know if the hardcover book "Howl of the Wild" is still slated for quarter 2 of 2024?

Dark Archive

Failedlegend The Eternal Gish wrote:
Failedlegend The Eternal Gish wrote:
Elfteiroh wrote:

Huzzah!

Is that... a tortoise person?? Maybe... an awakened tortoise? I'm interested. :P
turtle beastkin maybe?
nvm apparently awakened animal is an upcoming ancestry in howls of the wild so yeah most likely awakened

They'll have to change the Awaken ritual for that. As it stands, the ritual gives nothing but intelligence to the animal. It should not turn a tortoise bipedal or give it finger opposition.

Silver Crusade

7 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Maps, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

Awakened Animal doesn't have to rely on the Awakened ritual. It's a playable ancestry coming in Howl of the Wild. That's already confirmed.


1 person marked this as a favorite.

I'm not really into wilderness or fey stuff, but I'm happy so many folks are stoked for this!

Grand Lodge

3 people marked this as a favorite.

Personally, I *adore* wilderness, fey, and primal magic stuff, and am incredibly excited for this.

Paizo Employee Front-End Engineering Lead

20 people marked this as a favorite.
Elfteiroh wrote:

Huzzah!

Is that... a tortoise person?? Maybe... an awakened tortoise? I'm interested. :P

She's an awakened tortoise the size of a two-story building, and also the proud owner of the Verduran Forest's largest floppy purple hat.

Also, hooray! I can finally talk about this thing, which I wrote! Super excited to see other people excited about it as well, and I hope you enjoy it! :)


Cyrad wrote:

Turtle person?

Will there finally be a tortoise ancestry?

But kappa is not in tien-xia character guide, and not race in 1e

Grand Archive

Pathfinder Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber
Andrew White wrote:
Elfteiroh wrote:

Huzzah!

Is that... a tortoise person?? Maybe... an awakened tortoise? I'm interested. :P

She's an awakened tortoise the size of a two-story building, and also the proud owner of the Verduran Forest's largest floppy purple hat.

Also, hooray! I can finally talk about this thing, which I wrote! Super excited to see other people excited about it as well, and I hope you enjoy it! :)

I didn'T expect the size, but niiiiiice!


Oooo I like the fairy tale feel.


1 person marked this as a favorite.

Ugh, the start of more hard to GM AP's and even less I will have the time to run and therefore buy sadly.

5-15.... big oof


Interested to see how it works out because for the premise, i just cant imagine my players to not instantly side with the Forest against the forces of civilisation. Maybe my players just arent the "peacebrokers" type and instead would rather encourage chaos and bloodshed lol. And i can inagine many players wanting to pick a side. Hope the adventure factors that in somehow.

Love the 5-15 range though and big fan of the theme

The Exchange

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Maps, Pathfinder Accessories, Rulebook Subscriber

I like the cover art... this sounds like it could be fun!


Cori Marie wrote:
Awakened Animal doesn't have to rely on the Awakened ritual. It's a playable ancestry coming in Howl of the Wild. That's already confirmed.

So... this should be evidence for ORC along with numbering. Now need to wait for Player's guide, as this is late but allowed timing for me to appeal ORC or not.

Liberty's Edge

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Candlejake wrote:

Interested to see how it works out because for the premise, i just cant imagine my players to not instantly side with the Forest against the forces of civilisation. Maybe my players just arent the "peacebrokers" type and instead would rather encourage chaos and bloodshed lol. And i can inagine many players wanting to pick a side. Hope the adventure factors that in somehow.

Love the 5-15 range though and big fan of the theme

The usual solution to this is that a BBEG is pitting both sides against each other for their own nefarious ends.

Director of Marketing

19 people marked this as a favorite.
logic_poet wrote:
Will this be ORC license? I notice the serial number has changed from 90xxx to 15xxx.

Yes, this will be the first remastered printed adventure we’ll be publishing.


1 person marked this as a favorite.

I guess I’m a little disappointed that the first AP that is ORC and truly PF2R…isn’t an introductory adventure. That’s it folks, PF2R really isn’t a new edition, pack up your torches and pitchforks, nothing to see here…it’s just a nice adventure. With a two-story high turtle wearing a park-sized purple floppy hat.

Definitely asking if I can set up a hut up there somewhere…

Dark Archive

11 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

I mean... It definitely wasn't actually new edition if you have seen remastered book.

It really is just big errata of OGL stuff being removed <_<

Silver Crusade

11 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Maps, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

Which is exactly what Paizo staff have repeatedly said it is for the last year.

Dark Archive

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Its why reception to player core has been rather muted, because people really realized only after its release its not really THAT massive change.

I'm just happy it likely extends lifespan of pf2e due to its nature as "soft reset" x'D

Director of Marketing

4 people marked this as a favorite.

As I understand it, the exciting thing about the Wardens of Wildwood AP is that it will utilize aspects of the Rage of Elements, Monster Core, and Howl of the Wild rulebooks. At least, I expect players to use RoE and HotW to make new character concepts. The Marketing Team is still learning about it ourselves. We will showcase what the Editorial Team is making. It will make more sense to promote it now that Howl of the Wild has been revealed.


1 person marked this as a favorite.

I like. Too bad Luis Lonza's bunny ancestry isn't in this. Howl of the Wild could rectify that though, correct, at least in terms of the awakened animal ancestry.


That bit about "sentient treelike arboreals" got me scratching my head a bit. Is that a newfangled term for treants?

Paizo Employee Creative Director

4 people marked this as a favorite.
Bellona wrote:

That bit about "sentient treelike arboreals" got me scratching my head a bit. Is that a newfangled term for treants?

It is. It's a term we introduced at the start of 2nd edition, in fact, so in this case it's a built-in already-done adjustment we didn't have to make for the remastered rules.


Pathfinder LO Special Edition, Maps, Pathfinder Accessories, PF Special Edition Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Starfinder Superscriber

"Arboreal" in this case meaning "related to trees" I guess rather than the more common "living in trees". :-)

Paizo Employee Creative Director

7 people marked this as a favorite.
Ed Reppert wrote:
"Arboreal" in this case meaning "related to trees" I guess rather than the more common "living in trees". :-)

Yeah, it might not be the most etymologically perfect word, but this is a weird case where TSR had to do what we've had to do and come up with a name for a creature they had to rename—Ent to Treant—and by doing so, we either had to go backwards and name them a nonsense word we made up out of the blue or find some sort of workable tree-flavored word that didn't actually build off of the word "tree."

Arboreal is where we landed.


Pathfinder LO Special Edition, Maps, Pathfinder Accessories, PF Special Edition Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Starfinder Superscriber

Arboreal works, since both definitions I quoted are valid. But the "related to trees" I didn't know, so I had to look it up.

Actually, when I hear or read "arboreal" I think first of The Mad Wizard's treecats, who live in trees, at least when they aren't bonded to a human. :-)


Aaron Shanks wrote:
As I understand it, the exciting thing about the Wardens of Wildwood AP is that it will utilize aspects of the Rage of Elements, Monster Core, and Howl of the Wild rulebooks. At least, I expect players to use RoE and HotW to make new character concepts. The Marketing Team is still learning about it ourselves. We will showcase what the Editorial Team is making. It will make more sense to promote it now that Howl of the Wild has been revealed.

Makes sense for it to connect to Howl of the Wild. Season of Ghosts is connected to the Tien Xia books, Bloodlords was connected to Book of the Dead and Impossible Lands, so on and so forth. Most adventure paths seem to connect to books that come out around the same time


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber
Laclale♪ wrote:
Cyrad wrote:

Turtle person?

Will there finally be a tortoise ancestry?

But kappa is not in tien-xia character guide, and not race in 1e

There's still time! There are still three unrevealed (if we dont count Tsukumogami), which I believe they said were all new to Pathfinder. Given that Kappa are on the cover, I'm hoping they make the jump to being playable. ^^

Super excited for this, and any AP really. I haven't had a group to play with in forever, but I love reading through them, especially the lore and bestiary bits.


This looks like a lot of fun!

Acquisitives

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

what is a good adventure to get pcs to 5th level?


Or suggested option when making new character in level 5?


Beginner Box to Troubles in Otari would work.

I would guess that the players guide will have other suggestions.

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