My party seems to be falling behind the recommended level advancement. They are a group of 4 and unfortunately had some close calls in both Jzadirune and the Malachite Hold to the point that they did not even complete either complex fully. I tried to give out some more XP for roleplaying during the Feast before the actual Flood Season adventure began, but they are all only around 4th level (I am not running Drakar's Way as I do not have the SCAP Hardcover book and began Flood Season before it came out anyway).
I think the team might be in big trouble at the Lucky Monkey. A well prepared party of five 4th level characters would have a rough go at it...I think I might have set them up for disaster. Any ideas on how to avert disaster at the Lucky Monkey and get this party where they need to be?
Shensen's gift (Boots of Striding and Springing) will definately help them at the Kopru ruins, but does anyone think that I need to give them a little more support before they go fight the Ebon Triad? Perhaps a gift from the Jenya as thanks for bringing Sarcem back?
I had a party of 4 4th level adventurers go into the Lucky Monkey and pretty much tear it up. Their saving grace was that Tongueater missed his save on the cleric's hold person, was held in the first round, and subsequently coup de graced, so all they had to worry about really were the baboons and the mooks.
So it's possible, though I think with Tongueater in full form they would've had real trouble.
Any ideas on how to avert disaster at the Lucky Monkey and get this party where they need to be?
You might want to consider having Fellian and Fario (both beefed up to 4th or 5th level) join them. Perhaps they've been sent by Tyro Amberhelm to rescue Shensen.
Or have the paladin from the temple go with them. He has a solid motive for going and it would be good for them to get to know (and hopefully like) this NPC as he figures heavily in the future.
The only downside there is you have to make sure he isn't killed.
I've already introduced Alex (or Alexis in my campaign) during the Hero Feast at Vhalatru's house. The problem is that I was deathly afraid of exactly what you have suggested: that Tercival get killed. So, I had him leave with Maavu to Redgorge to take part in a semi-lucrative proposal (in order to try and offset his/her family debt). So that door is most likely closed for me.