Since the adventure path starts rather abruptly with a, "You all arrive at Oleg's Trading Post," I was inclined to modify that introduction a bit to provide for more interaction between the players prior to arriving at Oleg's.
I'm sure other groups have done the same and I'm wondering what techniques others have used for this intro.
Our first live game starts next week so I just used the campaign site to initiate a little online roleplaying prior to game time so the players could start interacting with each other and get a feel for their personalities.
Here's how we started our game:
Ash
Recently having abandoned the life of the thug and brigand, Ash set off for Restov to try to make a life anew for himself. Arriving in Restov and hoping to find employment, Ash found it more difficult than expected to find his place in society. Everywhere he went, he found other out-of-work swordsmen competing for the same kinds of jobs he sought. In a city filled with hot-blooded young swordsmen trying to prove themselves, conflict was more than likely... it was inevitable.
A grazed shoulder in passing, a perceived insult, a drunken threat - a duel at dusk. The assembled crowd barely even saw Ash move but in an instant his charging, blustering opponent lay at Ash's feet, life's blood darkening the muddy ground.
Dueling, however, is unlawful.
Vodim
Arriving in Restov, Vodim could see in a heartbeat that this was a city lacking law. The few wealthy noblemen and ladies here walk in the muddy streets alongside ruffians and sell-swords. Seeking out the local clergy, Vodim explained that, as a priest of Abadar, he would be doing his best to ensure the law was carried out and offered his services to the local magistrate. His offer was politely rebuffed and Vodim sensed that he was perceived as an outsider and a possible threat.
None the less, Vodim could not stand idly by and watch lawlessness go unpunished. While partaking of the hospitality of the local nobility, Vodim could be often found in the streets, assisting the local guard with identifying criminals and following up on leads, talking to the locals and gathering information.
Then came the day when he saw a crowd gathered on the street at dusk. Knowing it must be a duel, Vodim strode forward to call a stop to such unlawful foolishness. As he pushed his way through the crowd, he heard them gasp in shock. Breaking through, he saw a fallen body lying on its back, split from neck to hip in a single clean cut. Standing over the corpse, a creature of clearly inhuman origin.
The two men locked eyes and time itself seemed to stop. A battle of wills or perhaps something else passed between them. With a start, they realized that they stood alone on the street, the sun having fallen. Vodim knew that he had to bring this man to justice. Ash knew he refused to live his life fleeing from the consequences of his actions.
The local magistrate, perhaps seeing an opportunity to rid Restov of a ruffian and a rival all in one stroke, requested that Vodim escort Ash to a outlying trading post to the south and ensure that he commit himself to the assistance of the proprietor there.
Kepli
Having stayed in Restov for some few weeks in his quest for wealth, Kepli had heard much about Lord Noleski Surtova's encouragements to bring order to some of the outlying regions. When he heard that a group had been sent south to assist a fringe trading post, he considered trying to join their company but decided against it as he heard they were a pretty rough bunch and unlikely to treat a halfling with anything but derision and scorn. However, when his identity was mistaken for an adolescent member of the guild of thieves, Kepli decided it best to make a hasty exit. It is well known that halflings have a penchant for thievery so finding justice in Restov seemed unlikely at best.
Leaving town on his trusty pony Nugget, he set out on the south road from Restov. By midmorning, the fog had turned to rain but Kepli pressed on hoping to find a small village where he might shelter with a local in exchange for news of the world.
After slogging through a few hours of rain, Kepli pauses as he thinks he can make out some dark figures on the road ahead. They do not seem to be travellers as they are just standing on the road. Edging somewhat closer, Kepli can make out that there are actually three figures. Two standing at the side of the road and a third dark figure swinging silently by his neck...
Andrick and Vikenti
Having travelled for two days north and east through the woods toward the road that leads to Restov, the two companions stopped on the third day as Andrick could tell there was going to be rain. He built a shelter large enough to keep the two dry and warm and hunkered down as the fog began to change to heavy, fat drops of rain.
Some hours later, Andrick made out the echoing sounds of a fight, though heavily muffled by the falling rain. The sounds lasted only briefly before dying out. Ever on the alert, Andrick and Vikenti emerged cautiously from their shelter and began making their way slowly, carefully east toward the road where they had heard the ring of steel against steel.
Emerging cautiously from the trees, the two crept toward the road where they saw the carnage of a very recent fight. Several bodies had been dragged from the road and quickly stripped of valuables. Judging by what little clothing remained, Andrick and Vikenti concluded that they must have been wearing armor which had since been removed. As they moved closer toward the road, they made out a figure swinging by his neck on what appeared to be a crude gibbet.
Before they can investigate further however, they hear the approach of strangers on the road coming from the north. Unsure of whether these might be the waylayers come back to marvel over their carnage, Andrick and Vikenti withdraw into the mists just far enough that they can barely make out the approaching strangers. They drop to the ground to observe further without being noticed...
Ash and Vodim
Travelling south along the road from Restov, the fog has turned to rain and the road has turned to mud. As you slog your way mile after mile, you stop as you see a figure before you, standing just off the side of the road.
He seems to be swaying slightly as if dancing slowly in the rain. You realize with a shock that the figure is actually swinging in the wind as it dangles from its neck. Moving closer, the two of you see that the figure has been strung by the neck from a hastily constructed gibbet. You can see that he seems to have some notice pinned to his chest... actually, the notice is stuck to his chest with an eating knife plunged into his heart.
Before you can make out what the notice contains, you hear over the constant splatter of rain the sounds of a mounted rider approach from behind you and stop...