I've decided to run Hollow's Last Hope as a prelude to the Rise of the Runelords AP, but with 0 Level characters (all 1st level npc classes).
Any suggestions on changes? I compared it to Goodman Games 0 level adventure and it seems about the same or weaker in power. (That has an ogre and a 5th level wizard)
I figure I'll make up a little hamlet near the Churlwood to be the town, since Im not going to follow up with D1.
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I've decided to run Hollow's Last Hope as a prelude to the Rise of the Runelords AP, but with 0 Level characters (all 1st level npc classes).
Any suggestions on changes? I compared it to Goodman Games 0 level adventure and it seems about the same or weaker in power. (That has an ogre and a 5th level wizard)
I figure I'll make up a little hamlet near the Churlwood to be the town, since Im not going to follow up with D1.
Yes - I don't have my copy with me right now, but here are some thoughts:
Also, Graypelt at the end might tear through a group of 0 level PCs. Either take away one of his wolf consorts, or make him a normal wolf.
The Darkmantle encounter might be a little tough, depending on how well their ambush goes off. This is something to watch for - maybe only 1 Darkmantle (I think there are 2?), depending on how many PCs you have, how strong they are, how experienced the players are, etc.
Since they are 0 level, the giant spider encounter could get nasty if it gets the drop on them. You could possibly make them aware that they are about to face a giant spider by having them see some LARGE webs just before they get to it.
Finally, the cauldron in the witch's hut will positively whoop your 0 level PCs. I would reduce its hardness to 2 or 3, and reduce its hitpoints accordingly.
That's all I can think of, based on my memory of the module.
Good advice. Especially the bit about:
I may make the dragonkin monster sickened as well. He seems tough.
Ran this last night with 0 levels. Went pretty well.
The buildup in the witch's hut was classic. They were terrified she was in there. (They did some info gathering in town beforehand and heard she was a relative of Baba Yaga...which scared the hell out of them). One started screaming when the Soulspeaker barked "Get out of my hut!" The cauldron was the icing on the cake. (Lowered DR to 2)
The monastery went well, with the darkmantles giving a nice challenge. I gave the Darkmantles a spare ruby for the shrine because they were in dire need of healing. They pushed on to the Worg and got past him with the use of fortitous swashbuckling cards. (Something i use for my game)
They returned to the village and saved thier loved ones, except for the farmer, his pigs had all died. (He wanted that so he could curse the gods and become a warlock for 1st level)
All in all a great module!
Ran this last night with 0 levels. Went pretty well.
** spoiler omitted **
All in all a great module!
This is an awesome idea. I'd done some groundwork to start the Age of Worms with 0-level characters because the feel of Diamond Lake just called for that kind of approach.
But now that you've mentioned it, Hollow's Last Hope also has that same small-town thrown into danger feel. I'll have to see if I can't get my players behind the idea.
Can you share some details of what NPC classes they started out as and how those lead into their PC classes?
My crew: (They were all 1st level npc classes)
Zuzeca: Shoanti Adept, will become a Scout/Ranger multiclass. He was in Falcon's Hollow because his cousins were there. He's wandering looking for his father, so he will end up in Sandpoint next.
Jerakles Scarnetti: Human Warrior, will be become a fighter I believe. Enforcer for one of the lumber camps. The barmaid that made him a man has come down with the Blackscour Taint. He's trying to help her, even though his boss told him to forget her. He's being moved to Sandpoint to help the Scarnetti interests there and because he pissed off the Lumber camp boss.
Aesop of Sarenrae: Shoanti Adept, going for Cleric. Zuzeca's cousin, in Falcon's Hollow to help with the sickness. He's traveling with Zuzeca to Sandpoint afterwards.
Emilio Sandoz: Varisian Expert, going for Warlock. Emilio was a pig farmer and was unlucky enough to have all his pigs come down with the Blackscour Taint. After the party completed the mission, he returned to find that most of his pigs had died. He cursed the gods, and killed the remaining few. He went back into the forest, to Uzimila's hut. He found her waiting for him. She told him that she would teach him the words of power that would let him strike back at the gods. After a month, he made the sacrifice to Asmodeus and became a warlock. He's heading to Sandpoint because its where his new friends went. (And because he feels called there)
Baltin Redhammer: Dwarven Aristocrat, going for Fighter. Baltin is a rich boy who's out to see the world. He heard of the abandoned monastery in the mountains and was looking for a guide when the rest of the PCs arrived at the lumber camp. He's going to Sandpoint because he's heard good things about the place, and his new found friends are going there.
Alton: Aasimar Commoner, going for monk. (I allowed +1LA races, but they had to take commoner as the npc class). Alton feels the calling of Iomedae, and traveled to Falcon's Hollow with the local cleric. She asked him to check into the cures being offered at the Roots and Remedies shop, where he met the others.
I put Falcon's Hollow near the Churlwood. Since the players knew it was just a prelude, they aren't stressing too much about continuity between it and Sandpoint. I figure the events in Burnt Offerings will secure thier connection to the town.
Of course, any ideas or suggestions would be great.