Running Skinsaw without Burnt Offerings

[Magnus Magnusson]

I am planning on taking my PCs from another module into Skinsaw without taking them through Burnt Offerings. Anything from the first adventure that I absolutely need? I still have a couple of sessions before beginning Skinsaw so I have some opportunity to introduce things like the Sihedron Rune.... Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

[Cpt_kirstov]

Magnus Magnusson wrote:

I am planning on taking my PCs from another module into Skinsaw without taking them through Burnt Offerings. Anything from the first adventure that I absolutely need? I still have a couple of sessions before beginning Skinsaw so I have some opportunity to introduce things like the Sihedron Rune.... Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

I haven't finished reading Skinsaw yet, but I would say if you could get the PCs to save Aldern (or whatever his name is) and have him become enamored . While this isn't needed, having the tie-in is a good reason for the PCs to investigate, and shows that the rest of the world is moving while the PCs are having their downtime in between adventures.

[Warforged Goblin]

True story about tying Aldern in with the PCs. Even if the party doesn't need to save his life, introduce him, have him interact with the PCs a little bit, then disappear before the start of TSM.

[Sir_Wulf]

They don't have to like each other, but it's best if the PCs and Aldern make a big impression on each other. Since Aldern can be an upper-class twit of the first order, it's easy for him to impress the party and vice versa.

Since the party isn't playing the first adventure in the series, a scene where Aldern meets the PCs could develop several ways:

Aldern's date (a daughter of one of the prominent local families) could slight him at the Rusty Dragon, impressed by the dangerous and roguish adventurers.

Aldern could be set upon by drunken dockworkers ("Unhand me, you boor! You're soiling my coat!"), requiring rescue from the PCs. He could then show his gratitude by taking then boar hunting.

Aldern could witness something the PCs do in town. Impressed, he might be smitten by one of the female adventurers or idolize one of the men.

Even if the party treats Aldern contemptably, the impression will have been made.