So I'm in an odd predicament. I have recently taken time from 3.x to try 4th, and while I liked it it just doesn't have the complete feeling 3.x and PFRPG have for me so I'm migrating back to what I love. As such after reading countless reviews and seeing what I have of their APs I have newly subscribed to the Ap and will be getting the first book next week. The problem I have is I will effectively have my fist session before I get the book and essentially I need a small bit of help in still throwing something together, but also not back my self into a corner away from the Ap so that it transitions smoothly. So my question is directed at any who already have it is, are there anything pre Second Darkness that just doesn't work? No deserts, no Sea going, or vice versa? Thanks.
Well, Second Darkness takes place in the port city of Riddleport. Just find any low level urban adventure to get the party together. That would be my first goal, to get all the characters knowing one another and then working together.
Ah so it's in a port city? Awesome, that gives me a little more direction so as to flow things, Thanks!
Ah so it's in a port city? Awesome, that gives me a little more direction so as to flow things, Thanks!
~grins~ Yes, it is in a port city. Try to get the Second Darkness Players Guide which gives enough of Riddleport to start with. I figure that $7 for the PDF would be worth it to help get you started.
Ah so it's in a port city? Awesome, that gives me a little more direction so as to flow things, Thanks!~grins~ Yes, it is in a port city. Try to get the Second Darkness Players Guide which gives enough of Riddleport to start with. I figure that $7 for the PDF would be worth it to help get you started.
Complete agreement here.
I started my Second Darkness campaign before I had the materials and I have since regretted it. A *lot* of stuff in the Player's Guide can guide (golly) or change players' minds about what to play, backstory, etc. I'd really suggest holding off 'til you get the adventure.
However, if you need to game (know the feeling) - design a quick scenario where all of them lose their jobs (fired, place burns down, ship sails off without them, etc.) That would be a decent start for the AP.
I'm thinking the opening game is going to set them all on a boat for various reasons when it is assailed by pirates (or sahaugin or somesuch) and eventually sank, the survivors (read: the party and maybe a few npcs) then kind of rowboat themselves and drift about and eventually end up in riddleport as the sort of cliffhanger, that should set me up fine as I'll actually have the stuff before the next game and plenty of time to get acquainted with it to boot. :P
In all fairness I've just decided that based off your suggestion, so kudos and thanks to you. :)
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I'm thinking the opening game is going to set them all on a boat for various reasons when it is assailed by pirates (or sahaugin or somesuch) and eventually sank, the survivors (read: the party and maybe a few npcs) then kind of rowboat themselves and drift about and eventually end up in riddleport as the sort of cliffhanger, that should set me up fine as I'll actually have the stuff before the next game and plenty of time to get acquainted with it to boot. :P
In all fairness I've just decided that based off your suggestion, so kudos and thanks to you. :)
If you're going to do this, keep in mind that the first story *must* begin with the PCs going to a gambling tournament, so your group of castaways will have to have some reason to attend this tourney. If I had just come from a sinking ship, I'm not sure an evening full of dice games would necessarily be a good idea, or at least not the first thing that would come to mind.
(One caveat - the PCs will probably wind up working for the casino; it might be possible to skip ahead to the part where they get hired by the casino owner, either before or after the tournament, as a means of regaining the wealth they lost in the sinking...)
If you want to do the "attacked at sea" thing, and I think it's a fine beginning to a Riddleport story, I'd plan to have the PCs win instead. Barring the change I mentioned above, they should be feeling pretty good about things as Second Darkness begins, not stressing out about all the stuff they lost that's now at the bottom of the Bay of Varisia.
Good point, thinking about it I think they'll win, but the ship (which isn't theirs) will be damaged enough that it needs to stop in Riddleport to which the pcs have never heard of (Based on my players it's the best way to foster their roleplaying, trying to otherwise integrate them into the setting doesn't work with these guys :P) And then of course play to there rogue-ish natures (And none of them will probably be an actual rogue, it's just their natures :P) and in fairness I wanted to use the sahuagin because I love them and just don't see them enough (like gnolls, my favorite underused humanoids... just my opinion)